JP2007079145A - Correction liquid application unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a correction liquid application unit in which application needles can be easily and rapidly exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: An ink application unit is equipped with two application needles 21, 22 having different tip diameters, an operation panel 13 to select one application needle of the application needles 21, 22 according to the dimension of a defective portion, and a switching device 25 to allow the application needle selected by the operation panel 13 to protrude downward. Therefore, the application needles 21, 22 can be easily and rapidly exchanged compared to a conventional unit provided with only one application needle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a correction liquid application unit, and more particularly to a correction liquid application unit that applies correction liquid to a defective portion of a substrate to correct the correction liquid.

Conventionally, a conductive paste is applied to an electrode defect (open defect) in which an electrode of a liquid crystal display panel is missing, or an ink is applied to a color loss defect of a color filter for a liquid crystal display panel using an application needle. Thus, there has been proposed a correction liquid application unit that corrects a defective portion of the substrate (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP-A-8-292442 JP 9-236933 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-61296

  In such a correction liquid application unit, when the dimension of the defective part and the tip diameter of the application needle differ greatly, it is necessary to replace the application needle in accordance with the dimension of the defective part. However, in the conventional correction liquid application unit, only one application needle is attached to the application needle drive cylinder with a screw, so when replacing the application needle, loosen the screw and remove the application needle, It is necessary to attach the needle and tighten the screw to finely adjust the contact state between the tip of the application needle and the substrate, and there is a problem that it takes time and effort to replace the application needle.

  Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a correction liquid application unit capable of easily and quickly changing the application needle.

  A correction liquid application unit according to the present invention is a correction liquid application unit for applying a correction liquid to a defective portion of a substrate for correction, and includes a plurality of application needles, a container containing the correction liquid, and a plurality of application needles. A selection means for selecting one of the application needles, and a correction liquid in the container is attached to the tip of the application needle selected by the selection means of the plurality of application needles, and is attached to the tip of the application needle And a driving means for applying the corrected liquid to the defective portion.

  Preferably, the driving means selects the first driving device that causes only the application needle selected by the selection means among the plurality of application needles to project downward, and the first driving device to move up and down to select by the selection means. And a second driving device that attaches the correction liquid in the container to the tip of the applied needle and applies the correction liquid attached to the tip of the application needle to the defective part.

  Preferably, a flat surface is formed at the tip of each application needle, and the dimension of the flat surface of each application needle is different from the dimensions of the other application needles.

  In the correction liquid application unit according to the present invention, a plurality of application needles, a selection means for selecting one of these application needles, and a correction liquid on a defective portion of the substrate using the application needle selected by the selection means And a driving means for applying. Therefore, the application needle can be replaced easily and quickly.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a fine pattern correction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, this fine pattern correction apparatus can be roughly classified into a defect correction head portion including an observation optical system 1, a CCD camera 4, a laser 5, an ink application unit 6, and an ink curing light source 7, and the defect. A Z-axis table 9 for moving the correction head portion in a direction perpendicular to the glass substrate 8 to be corrected (Z-axis direction), an X-axis table 10 for mounting the Z-axis table 9 and moving it in the X-axis direction, A Y-axis table 11 for mounting the correction target glass substrate 8 and moving it in the Y-axis direction, a control computer 12 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, and an instruction from the operator to the control computer 12 The operation panel 13 is configured.

  The observation optical system 1 includes an epi-illumination light source 2, an objective lens 3, a transmission illumination light source (not shown), and the like, and observes the surface state of the correction target glass substrate 8 and the ink application unit 6. Is for. An image observed by the observation optical system 1 is converted into an electrical signal by the CCD camera 4 and displayed on the monitor screen of the control computer 12. The laser 5 irradiates an unnecessary portion of the ink applied to the color defect defect portion of the color filter on the correction target glass substrate 8 or a short defect on the correction target glass substrate 8 with laser light, and uses the thermal energy for the ink. And electrode material is removed by sublimation or scattering.

  The ink application unit 6 applies ink to the color loss defect portion of the color filter on the correction target glass substrate 8 using an application needle, or conducts using the application needle to open defects of electrodes on the correction target glass substrate 8. Apply a functional paste. The ink curing light source 7 irradiates light for curing the ink applied by the ink application unit 6. When the ink is of an ultraviolet curing type, the ultraviolet light source is selected as the ink curing light source 7 and mounted on the apparatus. When the ink is a thermosetting type, a halogen light source is selected as the ink curing light source 7 and is mounted on the apparatus.

  Next, the operation of this fine pattern correction apparatus will be described. The X-axis table 10 and the Y-axis table 11 are moved in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, respectively, and the Z-axis table 9 is moved in the Z-axis direction, and the surface of the correction target glass substrate 8 is observed by the observation optical system 1. At the same time, the image is taken by the CCD camera 4. The captured image is displayed on the monitor screen of the control computer 12, and the operator looks at the display to visually determine whether there is a color defect, short defect, or open defect. However, it may be determined by image processing instead of visual observation.

  When the presence of a color defect in the color filter is determined, ink is applied to the defective portion by the ink application unit 6 and is cured by the ink curing light source 7. When an unnecessary portion is generated by the cured ink, the laser 5 is irradiated with laser light from the laser 5, and is sublimated or scattered by the thermal energy of the laser light. A short defect is a short circuit between adjacent electrode patterns due to defective etching. When the presence of a short defect in the electrode is determined, the laser device 1 is irradiated with laser light from the laser device 1, and the connected portion is sublimated or scattered by the thermal energy of the laser light. Open defects are those in which part of the electrode pattern is missing due to excessive etching. When the presence of an open defect is determined, a conductive paste or the like is applied to the defective portion by the ink application unit 4 and cured.

  FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view showing the configuration of the ink application unit 6. In FIG. 2, the ink application unit 6 includes two application needles 21 and 22 for applying ink, a switching device 25 for switching the application needles 21 and 22, and application needles 21 and 22 via the switching device 25. And an application needle driving cylinder 26 for vertically driving the nozzle. The application needles 21 and 22 are attached to the switching device 25 via holding members 23 and 24, respectively. The switching device 25 is provided at the tip of the drive shaft 27 of the application needle drive cylinder 26.

  The ink application unit 6 includes a rotary table 30 provided horizontally, and a plurality of ink tanks 33 to 36 are sequentially arranged on the rotary table 30 in the circumferential direction. 37 and an air purge device 38 are provided. A rotary shaft 31 is erected at the center of the rotary table 30. Further, the rotary table 30 is formed with a notch 32 for allowing the needles 21 and 22 to pass when ink is applied. R (red), G (green), B (blue), and black inks are appropriately injected into the ink tanks 33 to 36, respectively. The cleaning device 37 is for removing ink adhering to the application needles 21 and 22, and the air purge device 38 is for blowing off the cleaning liquid adhering to the application needles 21 and 22. In the upper surfaces of the ink tanks 33 to 36, the cleaning device 37, and the air purge device 38, holes through which the two application needles 21 and 22 can be simultaneously inserted are opened.

  Further, the ink application unit 6 includes an index motor 40 for rotating the rotary shaft 31 of the rotary table 30, an index plate 41 that rotates together with the rotary shaft 31, and the rotary table 30 via the index plate 41. An index sensor 42 for detecting the rotational position and an origin return sensor 43 for detecting that the rotational position of the rotary table 30 has returned to the origin via the index plate 41 are provided. The motor 40 is controlled based on the outputs of the sensors 42 and 43, and rotates the rotary table 30 so that any one of the notch 32, the ink tanks 33 to 36, the cleaning device 37, and the air purge device 38 is applied to the application needles 21 and 22. Position it below.

  Next, the operation of this ink application unit will be described. First, for example, the user of the fine pattern correction device operates the operation panel 13 as selection means, and applies one of the two application needles 21 and 22 (for example, 21) according to the size of the defect portion. ) Is selected. In response to this, the switching device 25 projects the selected application needle 21 downward by a predetermined distance. Next, the tables 9 to 11 are driven, and the tip of the application needle 21 is positioned at a predetermined position above the defective portion of the color filter substrate. Next, the rotary table 30 is rotated by the motor 40, and a desired ink tank (for example, 33) is moved below the application needle 21. Next, the application needle 21 is driven up and down by the application needle driving cylinder 26 via the switching device 25, and ink is attached to the tip of the application needle 21.

  Next, the rotary table 30 is rotated by the motor 40 and the notch 32 is moved below the application needle 21. Next, the application needle 21 is driven up and down by the application needle driving cylinder 26, and the ink adhering to the tip of the application needle 21 is applied to the defective portion of the color filter substrate.

  When the application needle 21 is cleaned, the rotary table 30 is rotated by the motor 40 and the cleaning device 37 is moved below the application needle 21. Next, the application needle 21 is driven up and down by the application needle drive cylinder 26, and the ink adhering to the application needle 21 is washed. Next, the rotary table 30 is rotated by the motor 40, and the air purge device 38 is moved below the application needle 21. Next, the application needle 21 is driven up and down by the application needle drive cylinder 26, and the cleaning liquid adhering to the application needle 21 is blown off.

  3A is a front view showing the configuration of the switching device 25 shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3B is a rear view of the switching device 25, and FIG. 3C is a side view of the switching device 25. It is. 3 (a) to 3 (c), the switching device 25 includes needle switching cylinders 51 and 52 for causing the selected application needle (21 in the figure) of the application needles 21 and 22 to protrude downward. The needle switching cylinders 51 and 52 are fixed to the back surface of the support plate 54 via an L-shaped bracket 53, and the upper end of the support plate 54 is fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft 27 of the application needle drive cylinder 26 via a support block 55. Has been. Long holes 54 a and 54 b in the vertical direction are opened at both lower ends of the support plate 54.

  Each of the holding members 23 and 24 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a rail (not shown) provided on the surface of the support plate 54. The distal end portion of the drive shaft 51a of the needle switching cylinder 51 and the holding member 23 are coupled via a connecting member 56 that passes through the long hole 54a. The tip of the drive shaft 52a of the needle switching cylinder 52 and the holding member 24 are coupled via a connecting member 57 that passes through the long hole 54b.

  When the application needle 21 is inserted into the holding member 23 from the side and the screw 23a is tightened, the application needle 21 is fixed to the holding member 23, and when the screw 23a is loosened, the application needle 21 is detached from the holding member 23. When the application needle 22 is inserted into the holding member 24 from the side and the screw 24a is tightened, the application needle 22 is fixed to the holding member 24, and when the screw 24a is loosened, the application needle 22 is detached from the holding member 24.

  The application needles 21 and 22 have different tip diameters. For example, the tip diameter of the application needle 21 is set smaller than the tip diameter of the application needle 22. When applying ink to a small color loss defect portion, the application needle 21 having a small tip diameter is selected, and when applying ink to a large color loss defect portion, the application needle 22 having a large tip diameter is selected. When the application needle 21 is selected, the drive shaft 51a of the needle switching cylinder 51 protrudes, and only the application needle 21 of the application needles 21 and 22 protrudes downward. When the application needle 22 is selected, the drive shaft 52a of the needle switching cylinder 52 protrudes, and only the application needle 22 of the application needles 21 and 22 protrudes downward. Ink adheres to the tip of the application needle 21 protruding downward from the application needles 21 and 22, and the tip of the application needle 21 is brought into contact with the defective portion to apply ink to the defective portion.

  In addition, when ink is applied to a small missing color defect portion using an application needle having a large tip diameter, the ink is also applied to a normal portion around the missing color portion, and the light transmittance of the portion where the ink is overcoated is increased. Get smaller. In addition, when ink is applied to a large color defect defect portion using a coating needle having a small tip diameter, it is necessary to apply the ink many times, and the correction time becomes long. Further, the color loss defect in the colored portion of the color filter is much larger than the color loss defect in the black matrix.

  4A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink 60 is attached to the tip of the application needle 21, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4A. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the application needle 21 is provided at the distal end portion of the application needle 21 from the distal end to the proximal end of the application needle 21 over a length that is not affected by the surface tension of the ink 60. A taper portion 61 whose cross-sectional area gradually increases is provided, and a flat surface 62 is provided at the tip of the application needle 21. By providing the tapered portion 61 and the flat surface 62 at the tip portion in this manner, when the application needle 21 is pulled up from the ink tank, an ink pool is generated in the upper portion of the tapered portion 61 due to surface tension, and the flat surface 62 and its vicinity are formed. Is covered with a thin ink layer.

  FIGS. 5A to 5D are cross-sectional views showing the operation of applying the ink 60 to the surface of the substrate 8 using the application needle 21, and FIGS. 5E to 5H are respectively shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the front-end | tip of the application needle | hook 21 shown by (d).

  First, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5E, the application needle 21 with the ink 60 attached to the tip is held perpendicular to the surface of the substrate 8, and the tip of the application needle 21 is positioned at a predetermined position. To do. Next, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5F, the flat surface 62 at the tip of the application needle 21 is brought into contact with the surface of the substrate 8. As a result, the ink 60 attached to the flat surface 62 at the tip of the application needle 21 is transferred and applied to the substrate 8. As shown in FIGS. 5C, 5 </ b> D, 5 </ b> G, and 5 </ b> H, when the application needle 21 is moved upward, an ink layer 63 is formed on the surface of the substrate 8. The diameter of the ink layer 63 is substantially the same as the flat surface 62 at the tip of the application needle 21. The application needle 22 has the same configuration except that the diameter of the flat surface 62 is larger than that of the application needle 21, and therefore the description thereof will not be repeated.

  In this embodiment, two application needles 21 and 22 having different tip diameters, an operation panel 13 for selecting one of the application needles 21 and 22 according to the size of the defective portion, and an operation panel Since the switching device 25 for projecting the application needle selected by 13 is provided downward, the application needles 21 and 22 can be exchanged easily and quickly.

  In this embodiment, two application needles 21 and 22 having different tip diameters are provided. However, three or more application needles having different shapes and dimensions of the flat surface of the tip are provided, and a desired one of them is provided. An application needle may be selected.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a fine pattern correction apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially omitted perspective view showing the configuration of the ink application unit shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the structure of the switching apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the application needle | hook shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the ink application | coating method using the application needle | hook shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Observation optical system, 2 Epi-illumination light source, 3 Objective lens, 4 CCD camera, 5 Laser, 6 Ink application unit, 7 Ink curing light source, 8 Correction object glass substrate, 9 Z-axis table, 10 X-axis table, 11 Y-axis table, 12 control computer, 13 operation panel, 21, 22 application needle, 23, 24 holding member, 23a, 24a screw, 25 switching device, 26 application needle drive cylinder, 27, 51a, 52a drive shaft, 30 rotations Table, 31 Rotating shaft, 32 Notch, 33-36 Ink tank, 37 Cleaning device, 38 Air purge device, 40 Motor, 41 Index plate, 42 Index sensor, 43 Origin return sensor, 51, 52 Needle switching cylinder, 53 L-shaped bracket, 54 support plate, 54a, 54b long hole, 55 support block , 56, 57 connecting member, 60 ink, 61 taper portion, 62 flat surface, 63 an ink layer.

Claims (3)

A correction liquid application unit that applies correction liquid to a defective portion of a substrate to correct it,
A plurality of application needles;
A container containing the correction fluid;
Selecting means for selecting any one of the plurality of application needles;
Driving means for attaching correction liquid in the container to the tip of the application needle selected by the selection means among the plurality of application needles, and applying the correction liquid attached to the tip of the application needle to the defective part And a correction fluid application unit. The driving means includes
A first drive device that projects downward only the application needle selected by the selection means among the plurality of application needles;
The first driving device is moved up and down to attach the correction liquid in the container to the tip of the application needle selected by the selection means, and the correction liquid attached to the tip of the application needle is applied to the defective part. The correction liquid application unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second driving device for applying the correction liquid. A flat surface is formed at the tip of each application needle,
The correction liquid application unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimension of the flat surface of each application needle is different from the dimensions of the other application needles.

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