JP2001162205A - Ink coating equipment, method for ink coating and method for preparing gas-discharging panel using these - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide relatively simple ink coating equipment capable of coating an ink with an excellent efficiency of using an ink and with an accuracy, a method for coating an ink and a method for preparing a gas-discharging panel using these, which is a highly fine panel and capable of coating a fluorescent ink with an efficiency and an accuracy. SOLUTION: Equalizing boards 203 and 204 are arranged at both ends of the moving direction (y direction) of a table body 202 in such a manner that these equalizing boards protrude outside from the moving direction. Concave ink fountain parts 2032 and 2042 are formed at the upper face central parts of the ink equalizing boards 203 and 204. An ink nozzle 505 is positioned so that the ink nozzle 505 is always confronted with the face on the table body 202 (or the back panel placed on this) or the face on the ink equalizing boards 203 and 204.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink application apparatus for applying ink to a component such as a gas discharge panel as an object to be applied, an ink application method using the apparatus, and a gas discharge panel using the same. And a method for producing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Plasma display panels (PDPs)
Such a gas discharge panel is attracting attention as a flat display panel (FPD), which can be relatively easily enlarged, and a 50-inch class has already been commercialized. PDP consists of two thin glass plates (front panel glass and back panel glass) separated by ribs.
, A phosphor layer is formed between the partition walls, a discharge gas is sealed between the two glass plates, and both are hermetically sealed. An electrode called a display electrode is formed on the surface of the front panel glass, thereby causing a gas discharge to perform light emission display. Of these, the phosphor layer is generally formed by applying a phosphor ink of a predetermined color (any of RGB colors) between partition walls by an ink application device and baking the phosphor ink. As a coating method of the phosphor ink coating device, a screen printing method or the like is representative.

[0003] In recent years, a PDP having a high-definition class and high-definition display performance has been demanded along with the enlargement of the screen. In order to manufacture this, for example, with a 42-inch class high-vision PDP, the number of pixels is 1920 × 1125, the cell pitch is 0.14 mm × 0.45 mm, and the unit cell area is about 0.
A fine structure of about 063 mm ² is required, and severe processing technology is required. As a result, various problems are likely to occur when an attempt is made to apply the phosphor ink for a high-vision class PDP.

[0004] For example, in an ink coating apparatus employing the above-mentioned screen printing method, the partition wall pitch is 0.1 mm to 0.15 m.
m, the width between the partition walls that can be filled with the phosphor ink is 0.1 mm to 0.08 due to the effect of the thickness of the partition walls.
mm, which is very narrow. Even if the phosphor ink is efficiently applied to the narrow width, there is a problem that color mixing occurs between adjacent partition walls.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 10-192541 discloses an ink jet method (line jet method) in which phosphor ink is ejected from fine nozzles, and the phosphor ink is filled and applied between partition walls. I have. In the line jet method, a nozzle unit (ink head) having ink nozzles and a table are relatively moved by using, for example, an xy table type phosphor ink coating apparatus, and fluorescent light is applied to a glass plate placed on the table. Apply body ink.

Here, in order to apply the phosphor ink in a uniform amount between the partition walls, for example, control is performed so that a table on which an object to be applied is placed under an ink nozzle passes through at a constant speed and reciprocates. . The reciprocating motion of the table is performed at a very high speed (up to about 3.0 m / sec) with respect to the precision scale in the ink application process. Note that “passing through” above means that both ends in the moving direction of the table pass below the ink nozzles.

[0007]

However, in the above-described line jet method, when the end of the table approaches a position immediately below the ink nozzle, air is pushed out at the thickness of the table and a wind pressure is generated. The flowing ink flow is temporarily swung by the wind pressure.
As a result, a phenomenon occurs in which the ink is not accurately applied to the application target. This will be described in detail below.

FIG. 7A shows a conventional nozzle unit (50).
FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the phosphor ink application device, showing a positional relationship between (0) and the moving table (200). Here, for the sake of convenience, the detailed configuration of the ink application device is not shown. As shown in this figure, in the moving table (200), the back panel (26) to be coated is placed on the table body (not shown due to space limitations) arranged at the center thereof, and is placed on the rail (1020L). Is moved, the wind pressure A pushed from the moving table (200) hits the nozzle unit (500) side due to the movement timing, and the flow of the phosphor ink to be ejected is temporarily bent. Then, when the phosphor ink is applied on the back panel (26) in this state, the phosphor ink is not applied accurately between the predetermined partitions, causing color mixing with the phosphor of the adjacent cell, and the There arises a problem that the applied region is uneven and the phosphor layer is significantly deformed.

As the phosphor ink, it is desired to form a phosphor layer having a large area by depositing a certain amount on the side wall of the partition, but the ink has a high viscosity (about 2000 to 6000 cps; viscosity similar to ketchup). As the adjustment is made, the fluctuation of the ink flow due to the wind pressure becomes more remarkable. In addition, in the conventional phosphor ink applying apparatus, if the nozzle is made to pass through the table as described above, there is a timing when the moving table (200) is not located directly below the nozzle unit (500) as shown in FIG. The discharged phosphor ink flows out as a liquid as it is. The dripped phosphor ink spreads over each component of the ink applicator and is difficult to recover, and not only is the very expensive phosphor ink wasted,
There is a problem that it is necessary to clean the ink application device every time the application process is performed.

[0010] As seen in this phosphor ink application step, there are some areas to be solved in order to apply the ink accurately and efficiently to the object to be applied. The present invention has been made in view of such a point, its purpose is to:
An ink application device and an ink application method that are relatively simple but can apply ink with high ink usage efficiency and high accuracy, and use these to efficiently and accurately apply a phosphor ink to a high-definition panel. An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a gas discharge panel that can be applied.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention relates to a table on which an object to be coated is relatively moved so as to pass through an ink nozzle, and an ink ejected from the ink nozzle is applied to the object. As an ink application device for applying to an object, an ink rectifying member having an upper surface formed in accordance with an ink application surface of an application object on a table is provided such that an ink rectifying member moves outward from the end of the table in a direction of movement in the relative movement direction. It protruded and was assumed to be attached to the table.

By mounting the ink rectifying member, the wind pressure from the front of the table end in the moving direction and the wind pressure of the ink rectifying member itself from the front in the same direction can be suppressed. Even if the wind pressure reaches the ink nozzle side, the ink flow is rectified on the upper surface of the ink rectification member, and the straightness of the ink flow is restored before applying the ink to the application target placed on the table. . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the problem that the ink adheres to an unfavorable place of the application target, and it is possible to perform a highly accurate application process.

The entire surface of the ink rectifying member does not necessarily have to be aligned with the ink-coated surface of the object to be coated, and the necessary upper surface may be appropriately adjusted to match the ink-coated surface of the object to be coated. In addition, since the ink flow hits the ink rectifying member, unused ink on the ink rectifying member can be relatively easily collected by this, and the efficient ink application process can be performed without waste. Cleaning after the coating step can be performed quickly and easily.

As the ink rectifying member, an ink rectifying plate composed of a plate member is most easily used. In addition, since it is a plate, it is possible to minimize the generation of wind pressure due to the operation of the table. In the present invention, the ink rectification member may further include a table ink rectification plate portion extending from the end of the table toward the center of the table upper surface along the relative movement direction.

With this arrangement, the distance between the ink rectifying member and the object to be coated is reduced, and the ink flow can be smoothly carried from the upper surface of the ink rectifying member to the ink-coated surface of the object to be coated. This is desirable because a good ink coating process can be performed. In addition, the ink collection efficiency is further improved. Furthermore, this effect can be maximized by arranging the ink rectifying member in a state where its end is in contact with the end of the object to be coated.

Further, according to the present invention, at the time of the relative movement,
The ink rectifying member may be extended from the end of the table so that the ink flow discharged from the ink nozzle always hits the ink rectifying member, the table, or any of the ink application surfaces to be applied. As a result, the ink nozzle is always positioned above the table or the ink rectifying member, so that the wind pressure does not reach the ink nozzle side, and it becomes possible to apply the phosphor ink more precisely. In addition, unused phosphor ink is almost retained on the ink rectifier plate, and its use efficiency is remarkably improved.
Therefore, the amount of the phosphor ink that has been conventionally discarded is greatly reduced, and the cleaning becomes easier. According to the ink applying method using such an ink applying apparatus, it is possible to apply the ink with high accuracy and excellent efficiency, as in the above-described effects.

In the present invention, for example, the object to be coated may be a plate of a gas discharge panel, and the ink applying device may be a phosphor ink applying device for applying phosphor ink between partitions arranged in parallel with the plate of the gas discharge panel. Can be used. When the ink coating device is used in such an application, the upper surface height of the plate of the gas discharge panel,
Between the top surface height of the plate and the height of the partition top,
It is desirable to adjust the height of the top surface of the ink rectifying plate so as to be positioned. This makes it possible to minimize the level difference between the application bottom surface of the plate of the gas discharge panel and the main surface of the ink rectifier plate, so that the ink flow can be applied to a predetermined position without being disturbed by the level difference. Becomes

In the present invention, the ink rectifying member is
A first member that contacts the plate on the table, and a second member that contacts the first member and protrudes from near the end of the table, and at least the first member of the first member and the second member is from the table. It may be configured to be detachable.
By dividing the ink rectifying plate in this way, it is possible to select and use an optimal first member in accordance with, for example, the size of the plate placed on the table. Such a configuration is particularly effective when the application step is performed by bringing the ink rectifying plate and the plate into contact with each other.

Further, when the ink rectifying member is provided with an ink reservoir, most of the ink not used for application is accumulated in the ink reservoir. Therefore, the phosphor ink can be easily collected after the application step, and the phosphor ink can be applied efficiently with reduced cost. Further, when the present invention as described above is applied to a method of manufacturing a gas discharge panel through a phosphor ink application step of applying a phosphor ink between partition walls arranged in parallel to a plate of the gas discharge panel, it is possible to apply a method such as a high-definition system. The phosphor layer can be formed accurately and efficiently even with a gas discharge panel having a fine structure.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. First Embodiment Hereinafter, a phosphor ink application apparatus according to an application example of the present invention and a method of applying a phosphor ink to a gas discharge panel (PDP) using the same will be described. Will be described later. Here, first, a basic configuration of a PDP manufactured by applying a phosphor ink before a phosphor ink applying apparatus will be described.

Although the present embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a phosphor ink coating device and its application method, the present invention may of course be applied to a general ink coating device and its application method. 1-1. Basic Configuration of PDP FIG. 1 shows an AC surface discharge type PDP that has undergone a manufacturing process of applying a phosphor ink using the phosphor ink applying apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing a main configuration of a PDP (hereinafter, simply referred to as “PDP”). In the figure, the z direction corresponds to the thickness direction of the PDP, and the xy plane corresponds to a plane parallel to the panel surface of the PDP. This PDP is configured to meet the 42-inch class Hi-Vision specifications. Further, in all the drawings described below, it is assumed that the xyz directions match.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present PDP is composed of two plate bodies, a front panel 20 and a back panel 26, whose main surfaces are opposed to each other. The front panel glass 21 serving as a substrate of the front panel 20 has a band-shaped transparent electrode 220 having a thickness of 1.0 μm and a width of 120 μm on one surface thereof.
(230) and a bus line 221 (23
The display electrodes 22 (23) are formed by laminating 1) in this order.
A plurality of pairs (X electrodes 23, Y electrodes 22) are arranged along the x direction, and surface discharge is performed in the gap (about 60 μm) between each pair of display electrodes 22, 23.

The front panel glass 21 on which the display electrodes 22 and 23 are disposed is coated with a dielectric layer 24 having a thickness of about 20 μm over the entire main surface of the glass 21.
A protective layer 25 having a thickness of about 0.9 μm is coated thereon. The back panel glass 27, which is the substrate of the back panel 26,
A plurality of address electrodes 2 having a thickness of 5 μm and a width of 40 μm are provided on one side thereof.
8 are arranged in a stripe pattern at regular intervals (approximately 140 μm) with the y direction as a longitudinal direction, and the thickness over the entire surface of the front panel glass 21 so as to include the address electrodes 28
A 15 μm dielectric film 29 is coated. On the dielectric film 29, the height 12 is set according to the gap between the adjacent address electrodes 28.
A partition 30 having a thickness of 0 μm and a width of 40 μm is provided, and any one of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is provided on the side surface of the adjacent partition 30 and the surface of the dielectric film 29 therebetween. Phosphor layers 31 to 33 formed by applying corresponding phosphor inks are formed. These RGB phosphor layers 31 to 33 are sequentially arranged in the x direction.

The front panel 20 having such a configuration
And the back panel 26 includes an address electrode 28 and display electrodes 22, 23.
Are bonded and sealed at the outer peripheral edges of both panels 20 and 26 so that their longitudinal directions are orthogonal to each other. A discharge gas (filled gas) composed of a rare gas component such as He, Xe, or Ne is sealed between the panels 20 and 26 at a predetermined pressure (generally, about 500 to 760 Torr).

A discharge space 38 is formed between adjacent partition walls 30, and a region where a pair of adjacent display electrodes 22 and 23 and one address electrode 28 intersect with the discharge space 38 interposed therebetween is a cell (not shown) for image display. ). The cell pitch in the x direction is about 140 μm, and the cell pitch in the y direction is about 420 μm.
When the PDP is driven, a panel driving unit (not shown) uses one of the address electrode 28 and the display electrodes 22 and 23 (this electrode is referred to as an X electrode 23 in the present embodiment. Generally, the X electrode 23 is a scan electrode). After applying a pulse to the electrodes and the Y electrode 22 to generate a write discharge (address discharge) in each cell, a pulse is applied to the pair of display electrodes 22 and 23. The discharge generates short-wavelength ultraviolet rays (Xe molecular beam having a center wavelength of about 173 nm), causing the phosphor layers 31 to 33 to emit light and changing to visible light to display an image.

In the PDP having the above configuration, panel discharge of about 480 cd / cm ² was obtained when discharge was performed at a discharge sustaining voltage of 150 V and a frequency of 30 kHz in an actual driving experiment. Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the PDP will be described. 1-2. Fabrication Method of PDP 1-2-1. Fabrication of Front Panel Display electrodes 22 and 23 are fabricated on a surface of a front panel glass 21 made of soda lime glass having a thickness of about 2.8 mm. First, the transparent electrodes 220 and 230 are formed by the following photo etching method or the like.

The entire thickness of the front panel glass 21 is approximately
0.5 μm photoresist (eg UV curable resin)
Is applied. Then, a photomask having a pattern of the transparent electrodes 220 and 230 is superimposed thereon and irradiated with ultraviolet rays, soaked in a developing solution to wash out uncured resin. Next, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like as a material of the transparent electrodes 220 and 230 is applied to the resist gap of the front panel glass 21. Thereafter, the resist is removed with a cleaning solution or the like, and the transparent electrodes 220 and 230 are completed.

Subsequently, bus lines 221 and 231 having a width of 40 μm are formed on the transparent electrodes 220 and 230 by using a metal material containing Ag or Cr / Cu / Cr as a main component. When using Ag, a method of applying an Ag paste by a screen printing method can be applied, and when using Cr / Cu / Cr, an evaporation method or a sputtering method can be applied. Display electrode
22, 23 are formed.

Next, lead oxide (P) is applied to the display electrodes 22 and 23 from above.
bO), boron oxide (B ₂ O ₃ ), silicon oxide (Si
O ₂ ) is coated over the entire surface of the front panel glass 21 by a screen printing method using a material obtained by mixing O ₂ ) at a weight ratio of 70:15:15, and firing (for example, at 520 ° C. for 10 minutes).
As a result, a dielectric layer 24 having a thickness of about 20 μm is formed. Next, a protective layer 25 made of magnesium oxide (MgO) and having a thickness of about 0.9 μm is formed on the surface of the dielectric layer 24 by, for example, a sputtering method.

Thus, the front panel 20 is manufactured. 1-2-2. Fabrication of back panel Ag is formed on the surface of back panel glass 27 made of soda lime glass having a thickness of about 2.8 mm by screen printing.
Apply the paste in stripes at regular intervals and apply a thickness of about 40
A μm address electrode 28 is formed.

Subsequently, a lead-based glass paste is applied to a thickness of about 20 to 30 μm over the entire surface of the back panel glass 27 on which the address electrodes 28 are formed, and baked to form a dielectric film 29. Next, using the same lead-based glass material as the dielectric film 29, a partition 30 having a height of about 120 μm is formed on the dielectric film 29 at every gap (about 140 μm) between the adjacent address electrodes 28.
The partition 30 can be formed by, for example, repeatedly screen-printing a paste containing the above-mentioned glass material, and then firing the paste.

After the partition 30 has been formed, the wall surface of the partition 30 and the surface of the dielectric film 29 exposed between the adjacent partitions 30 are formed using a phosphor ink coating device described in detail in 2-1 and thereafter. , Red (R) phosphor, green (G) phosphor, blue (B)
A fluorescent ink containing any of the phosphors is applied, and this is dried and fired (for example, at 500 ° C. for 10 minutes), and each of the phosphor layers 3
1 to 33.

One example of a phosphor material generally used for a PDP is listed below. - red _{phosphor; (Y x Gd 1-x} ) BO 3: Eu 3+ ( or YBO _3: Eu ³⁺⁾ · green phosphor; Zn ₂ SiO _4: Mn (or BaAl
₁₂ O _19: Mn) · blue ^{_{phosphor; BaMgAl 10 O 17: Eu 3+}} ( or BaMgAl ₁₄ O _23: Eu ³⁺⁾ each phosphor material, for example a powder having an average particle size of about 2μm can be used. The details of the application of the phosphor ink will be described later.

Thus, the back panel 26 is completed. 1-2-3. Completion of PDP The above-prepared front panel 20 and back panel 26 are bonded together using sealing glass. Then, discharge space 38
Is evacuated to a high vacuum (4 × 10 ⁻⁷ Torr), and Ne—Xe, He—Ne—Xe, He—Ne—Xe—Ar, and the like are applied thereto at a predetermined pressure (500 to 800 Torr). Any of the above discharge gases. At this time, the content of Xe
5% by volume or more.

Thus, the present PDP is completed. 2. Detailed Method of Forming Phosphor Layer Next, a coating apparatus for applying a phosphor ink as a material of the phosphor layers 31 to 33 will be described. In the phosphor ink coating apparatus 10, the back panel 26 immediately after the address electrodes 28, the dielectric film 29, and the partition walls 30 are arranged on the back panel glass 27 in the above-described PDP manufacturing process is set. .

2-1. Overall Configuration of Phosphor Ink Applicator FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of a phosphor ink applicator as one application example of the present invention. The phosphor ink applying apparatus 10 basically has an xy table (xy independent moving table) and includes a moving table 200 (reciprocable in the y direction), a processing head base 320 (reciprocable in the x direction), and the like. It is.

On a rectangular table 101 serving as a base of the phosphor ink coating device 10, a rail plate 102 is laid in parallel with its longitudinal direction (y direction). Both ends of the rail plate 102 in the width direction (x direction) are bent to form rails 10.
20R and 1020L, on which rail running bodies 201R and 201L each having a built-in ball retainer are engaged.

Pulleys 104 (shown on the near side of the drawing) and guide pulleys (not shown because they are on the far side of the drawing) are installed near both ends of the rail plate 102 in the y direction. … A timing belt 105 is stretched. The pulley 104 is directly connected to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 103, and the timing belt 105 is driven to rotate.

With such a configuration, the moving table 20
Reference numeral 0 indicates that the rail traveling bodies 201R and 201L are fixed at both ends in the x direction of the table body 202 to a plate body 202 having a plate body having a y-direction as a longitudinal direction and an xy plane as a main surface. The back panel 26 is placed on the table body 202, and is horizontally fixed along the xy plane by a known suction fixing mechanism (vacuum chuck method) or the like.

At both ends in the y direction of the table body 202, as features of the present embodiment, ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 made of a metal plate are provided by screws 2031 and 2041 or the like. The upper surfaces of these ink rectifier plates 203 and 204 are processed into concave portions at the center portions thereof to form ink reservoir portions 2031 and 2041. The peripheral surfaces of the ink reservoirs 2031 and 2041 are adjusted so as to extend in the horizontal direction. The ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 have two functions. That is, firstly, the phosphor ink applied to the back panel 26 is rectified in advance, and secondly, the excessively ejected phosphor ink is easily collected.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the table body 202 showing the positional relationship between the back panel 26 and the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204. The cross section is along the yz plane passing through the center of the table body 202. Ink rectifier plate 20
The side surfaces of 3, 204 are adjusted to be in contact with the side surface of the back panel 26. This arrangement relationship is based on the ink rectifier plate 20
3, 204, depending on the purpose of smoothly applying the ink flow onto the back panel 26. In FIG. 3, the ink application range is indicated on the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 as a rectification range, and on the back panel 26 as an effective application range.

Since the table body 202 is connected to the timing belt 105 by a known mechanism (not shown), when the rotational driving force of the stepping motor 103 is transmitted to the timing belt 105 and the like, the rail traveling bodies 201R, 202R
L moves along rails 1020R and 1020L,
200 is precisely reciprocated in the y direction. At this time, as shown in the center of FIG.
(Ink rectifying plate 204 in the figure) or back panel 26
The nozzle unit 500 is always positioned on the upper surface (when the back panel 26 is not placed, the surface of the table body 202).

It should be noted that the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 may be integrated as a single plate, and a central portion thereof may be hollowed out in accordance with the size of the back panel 26. Further, the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 may be fixed to the table body 202 by vacuum suction similarly to the back panel 26. Further, the shape of the ink reservoirs 2032 and 2042 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 2 and may be other shapes.

On the other hand, a bridge portion 300 is arranged on the table 101 around an inverted U-shaped bridge 301 fixed across the rail plate 102. The bridge section 300 is provided with a mechanism for driving the processing head base 320. That is, as shown in this figure, one side of the bridge 301 has a shaft 310 and a ball screw 3 along the x direction.
11, and a rail guide with a concave cross section along the yz plane
312 etc. are arranged. Ball screw 311 is the bearing
It is held rotatably at 313, 314, and the pulley 315,
Stepping motor 31 via V-belt 316 and pulley 317
Eight rotation driving forces are transmitted.

The processing head base 320 is, as shown in FIG.
A plate having a main surface in the xz plane with the direction being the longitudinal direction, and having a shape in which a thickness portion is perforated at two places in the x direction. The shaft 310 and the ball screw 311 are passed through the perforated portion, and are held so as to be guided by the rail guide 312. Thus, when the stepping motor 318 rotates, the processing head base 320 is controlled to reciprocate precisely in the x direction along the shaft 310 and the rail guide 312.

With the above arrangement, the moving table 200 (and the workpiece placed thereon; in this case, the back panel 2
6) And the processing head base 320, each stepping motor 10
It is precisely driven by 3, 318 and relatively moves in the xy directions. An ink tank 400 and the like are mounted on the processing head base 320.
It is possible to apply phosphor ink of several tens of micro-orders based on two-dimensional coordinates.

Note that these stepping motors 103, 3
The operation of 18 and the like is controlled by a control unit (not shown) including a microcomputer including a CPU, a storage unit, an input unit for an operator, and the like. The control unit also controls the driving of the air pump 600 mounted on the bridge unit 300 by the fixture 602 along with the stepping motors 103 and 318 based on the control program stored in the storage unit. Perform the body ink application process.

As such a control unit, a PC
A (personal computer) type is used. 2-2. Configuration around processing head base 320 Next, a configuration around the processing head base 320 will be described. Figure 2
A processing head height adjustment plate 321 provided with a rack portion 323 in the z direction is mounted on the processing head base 320, and an ink tank 400 and the like are fixed to a main surface of the processing head height adjustment plate 321 as shown in FIG. The processed processing head fixing plate 322 is mounted. The processing head fixing plate 322 can be finely adjusted along the z direction by a mechanism of a pinion (not shown) and the rack portion 323 with respect to the processing head height adjusting plate 321.

A nozzle unit 500 is fixed to the tip (bottom in the z direction) of the ink tank 400. The ink tank 400 is connected to the air pump 600 via a pipe L1. Here, FIG. 4A is a front view of the ink tank 400 and the nozzle unit 500, and FIG. 4B is a side view thereof. As shown in this figure, a processing head fixing plate 322 has an ink tank 40 comprising a cylindrical main body 401 and a conical tip 402.
No. 0 is mounted with a fixing tool 410, a bolt 412B, a nut 412N, a bolt 413, and the like with the front end portion 402 facing downward (vertically) in the drawing. The inside of the ink tank 400 is hollow, and the nozzle unit 500 is attached to the tip end portion 402, and the ink tank 400 is hermetically sealed with a cap 403 from above.
The tip portion 402 is specifically fixed while being pressed toward the nozzle unit 500 side. A valve 404 is interposed between the distal end portion 402 and the main body 401. By rotating the valve 404 along the circumferential direction of the ink tank 400, the flow rate of the phosphor ink inside can be controlled.

A pipe L1 is connected and fixed to a central portion of a cap 403 located at the uppermost portion of the ink tank 400 by a nut 420.
55 kg / cm ² ) of compressed air is supplied into the ink tank 400. In this figure, P1 to P4 represent the inside of the ink tank 400, and the ink tank 400 and the nozzle unit 500.
Packing to maintain confidentiality between them.

2-3. Configuration of Nozzle Unit The nozzle unit 500 shown in the lower part of FIG. 4 is fixed to the processing head fixing plate 322 by tightening bolts 331, 341 and 342 via a spacer 330 and a holder 340. Have been. Then, the phosphor ink supplied from the ink tank 400 is discharged by a mechanism described later. This nozzle unit 500
Is basically used in an ink jet (line jet) system, and includes a nozzle unit main body 503 and a lid portion 501. These are both stainless steel (SUS304)
After the material is machined by a lathe, the surface is mirror-polished by electric field polishing to reduce the frictional resistance to the phosphor ink flowing through the inside as much as possible.

Although not shown, the lid 501 and the nozzle unit main body 503 are fitted together via a packing,
Fastened and fixed by a plurality of screws. The lid part 501 is a plate member, and has a structure in which an ink supply port 502 into which the tip part 402 of the ink tank 400 is inserted is perforated at the center of the main surface. The nozzle unit main body 503 is a rectangular parallelepiped member in which an ink space (liquid chamber) 504 (shown by a dotted line) whose inside diameter is reduced toward the bottom is formed by penetrating the inside into a bathtub shape. An ink nozzle 505 (illustrated by a dotted line), which is an ink ejection port, is formed at the center of the ink ejection port and is formed in six rows in a line along the z direction.

As an example of the size of the ink nozzles 505, the ink nozzles 505 have a nozzle diameter of 60 μm, and are arranged so that the distance between the centers of adjacent nozzle diameters is 1260 μm. This value is three times the gap between the adjacent phosphor layers of the same color among the phosphor layers of the three colors RGB formed for each gap (140 μm) between the adjacent partition walls 30 ｛the cell pitch for one color (140 ×
3) It is equivalent to μm × 3 times pitch = 1260 μm｝. As described above, in the nozzle unit main body 503, by disposing the ink nozzles 505 at a certain interval, the jet flow of the phosphor ink may interfere due to an electrostatic force or the like at the time of ejection, or the ejection direction may be distorted. I try not to.

3. Regarding Phosphor Ink Here, examples of the components of the phosphor ink used in the present phosphor ink coating device 10 will be described. The phosphor ink application device can basically use a general phosphor ink. For example, in the case of blue phosphor ink, the average particle size is 2 μm
Blue phosphor (BaMgAl ₁₀ O ₁₇ : Eu ³⁺ ) 30 wt%
%, Ethylcellulose (molecular weight: about 200,000) 4.5 wt%, dispersant (glycertrioleate) 2 wt%, average particle size 0.0
1 μm silicon oxide particles (silica particles) 1 wt%, solvent (butyl carbitol acetate) 62 wt%, plasticizer 0.
Mix 5 wt%. As the viscosity, in order to sufficiently adhere the phosphor ink to the partition walls 30, the viscosity is finally set to 2000 to 6000 cp.
It is desirable to adjust to about s.

4. PDP using phosphor ink coating device 10
Step of Applying Phosphor Ink to PDP Next, the step of applying phosphor ink to PDP using the present phosphor ink applying apparatus 10 will be specifically described. 4-1. Various Settings of Phosphor Ink Applying Apparatus First, centering is performed so that the mounting surface on the upper surface of the table body 202 is horizontal. Then, while paying attention to the direction of the back panel 26 on the mounting surface of the table main body 202 between the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 (so that the xy direction of the back panel 26 matches the xy direction of the phosphor ink coating device 10). 2), the back panel 26 is horizontally fixed while the side surfaces of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 and the side surface of the back panel 26 are in contact with each other. At this time, between the thickness of the plate surface of the back panel 26 (the surface of the ink applied between the partition walls 30) and the height of the top of the partition wall 30, the main surfaces of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 (the ink reservoir 203
It is desirable to adjust the thickness of the ink rectifying plate (surrounding the first and 2041) so that the thickness is high. This is because the step of the phosphor ink application surface is made as small as possible, and the phosphor ink is applied accurately at a predetermined position.

Subsequently, the rack 323 is adjusted to adjust the ink nozzle 505 of the nozzle unit 500 and the partition 30 of the back panel 26.
Is reduced to about 600 μm. This is for the purpose of minimizing adverse effects such as splashing of phosphor ink and color mixing between adjacent cells caused by poor straightness (bending) of the ink flow ejected from the ink nozzle 505. Next, the discharge force of the pump 600 is adjusted from an operator input unit of the control unit of the phosphor ink application device 10, and the discharge force of the ink from the ink nozzle 505 is set in a range of 4 to 5 kg / cm ² . Then, following this setting, the speed conditions of the coating process (including the drive control of the stepping motors 103 and 318, etc.) are set, and the setting of the entire phosphor ink coating process is completed.

In the present embodiment, the phosphor ink application process for applying the phosphor ink for one of the RGB colors applied to the back panel 26 is exemplified.
When the phosphor ink application process for all colors is to be performed continuously, it is necessary to stop the apparatus once after applying one color of the phosphor ink and perform cleaning work for the ink tank 400, nozzle unit 500, etc. There is.

4-2. Phosphor Ink Application Process After setting the phosphor ink application process, when a work start instruction is input, the phosphor ink application process is automatically started. The ink application process is performed, for example, as shown in FIG. In the figure, a dashed line arrow parallel to the x direction is
The moving direction of the processing head base 320 side provided with the nozzle unit 500 (hereinafter, referred to as “processing head base 320 side”), y
A solid line arrow parallel to the direction indicates the moving direction of the moving table 200 (including the back panel 26). Further, the “effective application range” shown here matches the effective application range of FIG. 3 as viewed from above the panel upper surface.

As shown in FIG. 5, the present phosphor ink application process is a continuous three processes (first to third scanning processes).
Consists of In this figure, the number of times of movement of the table and the number of times of movement of the processing head base are less than the actual number for the sake of simplicity. In addition, the table movement direction lengths (stroke lengths) of the first to third scanning processes are displayed with a difference, but this is for the purpose of making the operation direction of each scanning process easy to understand, and in practice, it is the same. And takes a stroke value slightly longer than the length of the back panel 26 in the y direction.

4-2-1. First Scanning Process The first scanning process is started after the left end nozzle of the ink nozzle 505 is positioned between the predetermined partition walls 30 below the leftmost end of the back panel 26 in the x direction. At this time, "star
The phosphor ink is ejected in advance on the lower side of the sheet of the drawing (the front side of the back panel 26 in the y direction) from the position indicated by "t". The discharge of the phosphor ink is continuously maintained until the end of a third scanning process described later.

After the positioning of the ink nozzle 505 and the back panel 26 is completed, the moving table 200 is scanned in the y direction at a stretch (maximum speed: about 3.0 m / sec), and the phosphor ink is injected between the predetermined partition walls 30. Apply. Since the ink nozzles 505 have a total of six holes, phosphor inks corresponding to a total of six phosphor layers are simultaneously applied at this time. Here, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the phosphor ink is applied to the back panel 26. The nozzle unit 500 is larger than it actually is, and the back panel 26 is partially illustrated. In FIG. 6, for easy understanding, the coating is performed every three grooves between the partition walls 30 of the back panel 26, but actually, since the ink nozzles 505 are perforated at intervals of 1260 μm, the phosphor ink is applied every nine grooves. It is applied simultaneously between the partitions 30 (1 groove width 140 μm × every three colors × 3 times = 1260 μm).

Here, in the prior art, FIG.
As shown in the figure, for example, the moving table (200) is made to pass under the nozzle unit (500) at a constant speed and a uniform amount of the phosphor ink is applied between the partition walls. ), The high-viscosity (about 2000 to 6000 cps) phosphor ink flow may be bent by the wind pressure A generated by the operation of the moving table (200). As a result, the discharge direction of the phosphor ink fluctuates, causing color mixing and the like. In addition, this may cause the formed phosphor layer to be deformed.

Further, in the operation of such a conventional moving table (200), depending on the operation timing, the phosphor ink which is not provided at all during the application to the partition walls drips out of the moving table (200). In this case, the phosphor ink is wasted. It is difficult to collect the spilled phosphor ink as described above, and thus there is a problem that extra cost is required and cleaning that requires labor after the application process is required.

Such a problem is likely to occur in a manufacturing process of a high-vision PDP with a relatively narrow partition pitch (cell pitch), and is particularly a problem to be solved. On the other hand, in the embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the following two effects can be obtained to address this problem. That is, first, in the present phosphor ink applying apparatus 10, by disposing the ink rectifying plates 202 and 203 in the moving direction of the moving table 200, the moving table 200 side is always positioned directly below the ink nozzles. I have. As a result, even when the moving table 200 moves at a high speed, the wind pressure applied to the ink nozzles 505 is significantly reduced as compared with the related art, and the ink flow ejected from the ink nozzles 505 falls onto the application target without bending. As a result, the phosphor ink can be accurately applied between the predetermined partition walls 30 of the back panel 26. Also, even if the wind pressure still reaches the ink flow, the fluctuations are reduced while the ink flow is applied onto the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204, and the ink is rectified so that the straightness of the ink is restored. , Back panel 26
, A precise ink application process becomes possible.

Second, since the phosphor ink from the ink nozzle 505 always falls to the moving table 200 side in the phosphor ink applying apparatus 10, the discharged phosphor ink is applied to the back panel. The ink is applied onto the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204. Therefore, it is possible to collect and reuse the phosphor ink that has not been used for application, and the cost of the phosphor ink is greatly reduced. In addition, since such unused phosphor ink is quickly collected, cleaning after the application step can be performed very easily.

After the phosphor ink has been applied at a stretch in the y direction in this manner, the moving table 200 is moved to a position outside the vertical position below the ink nozzles 505 on the processing head base 320, and the phosphor table is placed on the back panel 26. Make sure that no ink is applied. And this time the processing head base
The 320 side is moved in the x direction, and preparation for coating between the new partition walls 30 is started. At this time, the moving distance on the processing head base 320 side is 8820 μm ｛(interval of ink nozzle 505 for 6 holes 12
60 × 6 μm) + 1260 μm = 8820 μm)
It moves at about 10m / sec.

When the movement of the processing head base 320 is completed, the phosphor ink is applied again in the same manner as described above (except for the point that the y direction is reversed). The above operation is repeated a predetermined number of times according to the standard size of the back panel 26, and after performing over the entire surface of the back panel 26, the first
End the scanning process. Thus, the scanning process as a whole consists of zigzag movements in the xy directions.

Since only one third of the target number of phosphor layers of the same color is applied by the first scanning process alone due to the nozzle spacing of the ink nozzles 505, the same procedure as in the first scanning process is applied. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the second scanning process and the third scanning process. 4-2-2. Second Scanning Process The second scanning process is performed after the end of the first scanning process. According to FIG. 5, after the last coating in the first scanning process is completed, the processing head base 320 is slightly moved along the x direction in the direction opposite to that in the first scanning process. The movement amount at this time is 420 μm, that is, the adjacent phosphor layer pitch of the same color (140 μm × 3 = 420 μm). After the movement of the processing head base 320, the second scanning process is started from the position indicated as "start" in FIG. The content of the second scanning process is the same as that of the first scanning process, and therefore will not be described.

4-2-3. Third Scanning Process When the second scanning process is completed, the process proceeds to the third scanning process which is the last scanning process. At this time, between the second scanning process and the third scanning process, the processing head base 320 is slightly moved along the x direction in the same direction as in the second scanning process. The moving amount is 420 μm, which is the same as the above. After that, the moving direction of the processing head base 320 in the third scanning process is the same as that of the partition wall 3 to be coated.
From the positional relationship between 0, it becomes the same as the first scanning process.

When the third scanning process started from the position indicated as "start" in FIG. 5 has been completed ("end"),
The moving table 200 is moved in the y direction as it is, and the discharge of the phosphor ink is stopped at a position where the back panel 26 is completely shifted from immediately below the ink nozzle 505. This completes the phosphor ink application process for the phosphor layer for one color of the back panel 26.

5. Other Matters In the above embodiment, the application of the phosphor ink to the PDP of the high-vision system has been described as an example. However, a gas discharge panel of another system may be used, The present invention may be applied to uses other than the above. Also,
The present invention is not limited to the ink-jet method (method), and may be applied to a coating method other than the above as long as the type includes an ink nozzle.

The phosphor ink application device is not limited to the illustrated system, but may be another system (for example, a system in which the processing head base is fixed and the moving table is moved in the xy directions). Further, with respect to the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204, for example, by adjusting the strokes of the moving table with respect to the nozzle unit, 203 and 204 in FIG.
May be provided in only one of the two.

Further, in the embodiment, the ink rectifying plate 20
Although an example in which the side surfaces of the third and 204 are brought into contact with the side surface of the back panel 26 has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and a gap may be provided between the two. However, the ink rectifying plates 203 and 2
The smaller the step between the 04 and the object to be applied (the back panel 26), the smaller the splash of ink is, and the more accurately the application step can be performed.

Further, an example has been shown in which the gap between the adjacent ink nozzles 505 is set to 1260 μm. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be changed according to the standard and size of the PDP to be applied. Good. However, it is needless to say that it is necessary to adjust the ink application process according to this by changing the gap between the adjacent ink nozzles 505 (for this, for example, a method of increasing or decreasing the number of scanning processes can be considered). . Also, the number of ink nozzles 505 is not limited to six, and may be other numbers.

In the embodiment, any one of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204, the table body 202, and the back panel 26 is always located immediately below the ink nozzle 505. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Even if the width of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 in the table movement direction (width in the y direction) is shorter than that of the embodiment, a certain effect can be obtained. However, in order to solve the problem of the recovery of the phosphor ink and the wind pressure during the operation of the apparatus, it is considered that it is desirable to adopt the configuration of the embodiment.

The reason why the scanning process is constituted in three stages in the embodiment is that the number of scanning processes is appropriately adjusted in accordance with the nozzle gap of the ink nozzle 505 actually manufactured. Needless to say, it is necessary to change, for example. In the above-described phosphor ink application process, an alignment mark is previously attached to a predetermined position of the pack panel glass 27, and the alignment mark is read by a CCD or the like provided on the phosphor ink application device 10 side to perform more precise alignment. After that, the phosphor ink may be applied.

Further, in the embodiment, the ink nozzle 50
The phosphor ink ejected from 5 is always
3, 204 or back panel 26 etc.
The present invention is not limited to this, and the sizes or arrangement positions of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 may be changed so that the phosphor ink is partially applied. However, in consideration of the cost of the dripped phosphor ink and the trouble of cleaning later, it is preferable to provide the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 as in the embodiment.

Further, the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 are attached to the first band-shaped member disposed on the table main body 202 and the table main body 2.
02 with a second member projecting in the y-direction,
Of these, the first member may be detachable from the table body 202 as in the case of the back panel 26. This makes it easy to adjust the size of the first member according to the size of the back panel 26, and to arrange the first members in contact with each other. Here, FIG. 8 shows the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 on the table and the ink rectifying plate body 203a and 204a.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a table body 202 showing an example composed of b, 204b, support members 203c, 204c and the like. The ink rectifying plate main bodies 203b and 204b are fixed to the table main body 202 by support members 203c and 204c. The table ink rectifying plate portions 203a and 204a are fixed to the upper surface of the table main body 202 by suction together with the back panel 26. By doing so, it is possible to change the size of the ink rectifier plates 203a and 204a on the table in accordance with the back panel glass 26 used in the coating process.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the use of the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204, but may use a rectangular-shaped ink rectifying member instead. Specifically, at the end of the table body 202 in the movement direction, the side surface of the rectangular material is attached so as to match the application surface of the application object placed on the table body 202. In this case, when the table is moved, although a wind pressure is generated by the thickness of the square material (thickness along the z direction), a certain rectifying action is obtained by the ink flowing over the upper surface of the square material. However, in order to suppress the generation of wind pressure, it seems that it is desirable to use plate members such as the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 as well.

The positional relationship between the upper surface of the ink rectifying member and the coating surface of the object to be coated is not limited to the positional relationship between the ink rectifying plates 203 and 204 and the back panel 26 in the embodiment, but may be, for example, in the z direction. Some steps may be generated along it.

[0081]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, the table on which the object to be applied is placed is relatively moved so as to pass through the ink nozzle, and the ink ejected from the ink nozzle is applied to the object to be applied. An ink application device, wherein an ink rectifying member having an upper surface formed in accordance with an ink application surface of an application object on a table projects outward from a table end in a front of the moving direction in the relative movement direction. Since it is mounted on the table, it is possible to reduce the wind pressure pushed out by the table to the ink nozzle side as in the related art. Also, even if the wind pressure reaches the ink nozzle and the ink flow is bent, the fluctuation is reduced while the ink flow is applied on the table,
It is possible to avoid a problem that the ink adheres to an undesired portion in the application step in the application target and color mixing occurs.

Further, since the timing at which the ink rectifying plate hits the ink flow is established, the discharged ink is held on the ink rectifying plate without dripping, and the collection of unused ink is relatively easily performed. be able to. As described above, it is possible to perform an efficient ink application process while eliminating waste, and cleaning after the application process can be performed quickly and easily.

Therefore, the ink application apparatus of the present invention
In a method for manufacturing a gas discharge panel such as a DP, for example, when applied as a phosphor ink coating apparatus, it is possible to apply a phosphor ink with high precision even in a gas discharge panel such as a PDP having a fine structure such as a high vision system. Becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial schematic view of a plasma display panel manufactured by a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a phosphor ink application device as one application example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration around a table main body.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink tank and a nozzle unit. (A) is a front view of an ink tank and a nozzle unit. (B) is a side view of the ink tank and the nozzle unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a phosphor ink application process.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which phosphor ink is applied to a back panel.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a conventional process and a process of applying the phosphor ink of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows the coating process of the conventional phosphor ink. (B) shows a step of applying the phosphor ink of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a configuration (variation) around a table body.

[Explanation of symbols]

 L1 Piping P1 to P4 Packing 10 Phosphor ink coating device 26 Back panel 30 Partition wall 31 to 33 Phosphor layer 102 Rail plate 103, 318 Stepping motor 105 Timing belt 200 Moving table 201R, 201L Rail running body 202 Table body 203, 204 Ink Rectifier plate 203a, 204a Ink rectifier plate portion on table 203b, 204b Ink rectifier plate body 203c, 204c Support member 300 Bridge part 310 Shaft 311 Ball screw 312 Rail guide 315, 317 Pulley 316 V belt 320 Processing head base 322 Processing head fixing plate 400 Ink tank 402 Tank tip 403 Cap 404 Valve 500 Nozzle unit 502 Ink supply port 503 Nozzle unit body 504 Ink space 505 Ink nozzle 600 Air pump 1020R, 1020L Rail 2031, 2041 Screw 2032, 2042 Ink reservoir

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2C056 FA15 FB01 FD20 4D075 AA01 AA78 AA85 AC07 AC09 AC93 CA47 DA06 DC22 EA33 EC11 4F041 AA05 AB01 BA05 BA12 BA22 BA56 5C028 FF16 5C040 FA01 GA03 GG09 JA13 MA22 MA24 MA26

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An ink application device, wherein a table on which an object to be applied is placed is relatively moved so as to pass through an ink nozzle, and applies ink ejected from the ink nozzle to the object to be applied. An ink rectifying member, the upper surface of which is formed in accordance with the ink application surface of the object, is mounted on the table so as to protrude outward from the end of the table in the direction of movement in the relative movement direction and outward of the direction. Ink coating device. 2. The ink applicator, wherein the ink rectifying member has a plate shape. 3. The ink rectifying member according to claim 1, wherein the ink rectifying member has a table-side ink rectifying plate portion extending from a table end to a center direction of a table upper surface along the relative movement direction. An ink application device as described in the above. 4. The ink applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ink rectifying member is disposed in a state where an end thereof is in contact with an end of an application target. 5. The ink rectifying member is moved from the end of the table so that the ink flow ejected from the ink nozzle always hits the ink rectifying member, the table, or any of the ink application surfaces to be applied during the relative movement. 5. The ink application device according to claim 1, wherein the ink application device is extended. 6. The application object is a plate of a gas discharge panel, and the ink application device is a phosphor ink application device that applies phosphor ink between partition walls arranged in parallel with the plate of the gas discharge panel. Claims 1 to 5 characterized by the following:
The ink application device according to any one of the above. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the height of the upper surface of the ink rectifying plate is adjusted between the upper surface of the plate of the gas discharge panel and the height of the top of the partition wall from the upper surface of the plate. 7. The ink application device according to claim 6, wherein 8. The ink rectifying member includes a first member that contacts the plate on the table, and a second member that contacts the first member and protrudes from near the end of the table.
8. The ink application device according to claim 6, wherein at least the first member of the first member and the second member is configured to be detachable from the table. 9. The ink application device according to claim 1, wherein the ink rectifying member is provided with an ink reservoir. 10. An ink applying method for relatively moving a table on which an object to be applied is placed so as to pass through an ink nozzle and applying the ink ejected from the ink nozzle to the object to be applied. A rectifying step of rectifying the ink flow ejected from the ink nozzles in the ink rectifying member having an upper surface formed in accordance with the ink application surface of the application target on the table; and applying the ink to the application target after the rectifying step. And an applying step for the ink. 11. A phosphor ink applying step of applying a phosphor ink between partition walls arranged in parallel with a plate of a gas discharge panel using the ink applying device according to claim 6. A method for manufacturing a gas discharge panel.