JP2010075877A - Paste coating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paste coating device capable of improving transportability without carrying out change of a screw shaft length and removal of a screw shaft. <P>SOLUTION: A moving mechanism 6a includes: a support stage 13 movably supporting a first support base 11A and a second support base 11B and enabling partition into a coating region H1 and a retreat region H2; a first screw shaft 51b and a pair of first bearing members 51c arranged on the support stage 13; a first motor 51d mounted at the first bearing member 51c on the second support base 11B side; a first nut body 51a arranged at the end on the first motor 51d side of the first support base 11A; a second screw shaft 52b and a pair of second bearing members 52c arranged on the support stage 13; a second motor 52d mounted at the second bearing member 52c on the first support base 11A side; and a second nut body 52a arranged at the end on the second motor 52d side of the second support base 11B. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a paste application device that applies a paste to an object to be applied.

  Paste applicators are used to manufacture various devices such as liquid crystal display panels. This paste coating apparatus includes a coating head that applies a paste to a coating object, and applies the paste to the coating object while moving the coating head to form a predetermined paste pattern on the coating object. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In particular, in the manufacture of a liquid crystal display panel, since two substrates are bonded together, the paste application apparatus has a sealing property such as a sealing agent and the like so as to surround the display area of the liquid crystal display panel with respect to the substrate that is the application target. An adhesive paste is applied. Such a paste coating apparatus becomes larger as the liquid crystal display panel becomes larger.
JP-A-9-323056

  However, when the paste coating apparatus becomes large, it becomes difficult to transport the paste coating apparatus by a vehicle such as a truck, and the transportability of the paste coating apparatus is lowered. In particular, since the size that can be transported is determined depending on the vehicle, it is necessary to make the size of the paste application device smaller than that size.

  For this reason, the paste coating apparatus may be divided, but a ball screw (screw shaft) is incorporated with high accuracy in a column moving mechanism that moves a column that supports the coating head. Dividing the ball screw is avoided because it causes a decrease in accuracy, and the ball screw may be removed during transportation.

  However, when the ball screw is removed, it is difficult to perform a highly accurate reassembly operation at the place where the paste application device is installed, so it is also possible to avoid removing the ball screw during transportation. For this reason, the division size of the column moving mechanism is limited by the length of the ball screw. Further, since the length of the ball screw is determined by the necessary moving range (usage stroke) of the column, it cannot be easily shortened for improving the transportability.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the above, The objective is providing the paste coating device which can improve transportability, without changing a screw shaft length and removing a screw shaft. is there.

  A feature according to the embodiment of the present invention is that, in the paste application apparatus, a mounting table on which the application target is placed, a first application head that applies paste to the application target on the mounting table, and the mounting table A second application head for applying a paste to the object to be applied; a first support member for supporting the first application head; a second support member for supporting the second application head; and a mounting table sandwiched from both sides. The first support member supports both ends of the first support member and both ends of the second support member, and the first support over the retraction range other than the application range and the application range where the first application head applies the paste to the application object on the mounting table. A mechanism for moving the member and the second support member, the pair of movement mechanisms formed so as to be divided into an application range and a retreat range, and formed so as to be divided corresponding to the division positions of the pair of movement mechanisms. A mounting table and a pair A pair of moving mechanisms, the pair of moving mechanisms being respectively provided side by side on the first support base on which the end of the first support member is placed, and the second support member. The second support table on which the end is placed, and a stage that supports the first support table and the second support table so as to be movable in the line-up direction, are formed so as to be divided according to the application range and the retreat range. A support stage having a reference stage corresponding to the application range; a first screw shaft provided on the reference stage for moving the first support base over the application range and the retraction range; and provided on the reference stage. A pair of first bearing members that rotatably support both ends of one screw shaft, and a first bearing member on the second support base that is one of the pair of first bearing members, rotate the first screw shaft. The first motor and the first support base A first nut body provided at the end on the motor side and combined with the first screw shaft, and provided on the reference stage along the first screw shaft, the second support is moved over the application range and the retraction range. A second screw shaft, a pair of second bearing members provided on the reference stage and rotatably supporting both ends of the second screw shaft, and a first support base side which is one of the pair of second bearing members A second motor which is attached to the second bearing member and rotates the second screw shaft, and a second nut body which is provided at an end of the second support base on the second motor side and which is combined with the second screw shaft. It is equipped.

  According to the present invention, the transportability can be improved without changing the screw shaft length and removing the screw shaft.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the paste coating apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is such that the substrate K1 as a coating object is in a horizontal state (the surface on which the paste of the substrate K1 is applied is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. The substrate stage 2 placed in a state along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction perpendicular thereto), the first waste application stage 3A on which the waste application substrate K2 is placed horizontally, and the second waste application. A plurality of application heads 4 for applying a paste having sealing properties such as a sealing agent to the substrate 3 on the stage 3B, the substrate stage 2, and a first support member 5A and a first support member 5A for supporting the application heads 4; The first support member 5A and the second support member 5B and the application range H1 in which the coating head 4 applies the paste to the substrate K1 on the substrate stage 2 and the retreat range H2 other than the application range. A support member moving mechanism 6 that moves the holding member 5B along the Y-axis direction, and a base 7 that supports the substrate stage 2, the first discard coating stage 3A, the second discard coating stage 3B, and the support member moving mechanism 6. ing.

  The substrate stage 2 is a mounting table that is fixed to the upper surface of the gantry 7. The substrate stage 2 includes an adsorption mechanism (not shown) that adsorbs the substrate K1, and the substrate K1 is fixed and held on the upper mounting surface by the adsorption mechanism. For example, an air adsorption mechanism is used as the adsorption mechanism. On the mounting surface of the substrate stage 2, a product substrate K 1 such as a glass substrate is mounted.

  The first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B are respectively provided on the upper surface of the gantry 7 so as to sandwich the substrate stage 2 therebetween. The first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B are each provided with a suction mechanism (not shown) that sucks the substrate K2 for discard coating, and the substrate is placed on the upper mounting surface by each suction mechanism. Hold K2 fixed. For example, an air adsorption mechanism is used as the adsorption mechanism. On each mounting surface of the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B, a discard coating substrate K2 such as a glass substrate is mounted.

  Here, the discard application is performed in order to prevent the application accuracy of each application head 4 from being lowered and the occurrence of ejection failure when application by each application head 4 has been stopped for a set time or longer. In this operation, the paste is applied to the substrate K2 on the second discard application stage 3B.

  Each coating head 4 has a storage cylinder 4a such as a syringe for storing a paste, and a nozzle 4b (see FIG. 2) that communicates with the storage cylinder 4a and discharges the paste. These coating heads 4 are connected to a gas supply unit via a gas supply tube or the like. Each coating head 4 discharges the paste in the storage cylinder 4a from the nozzle 4b by the gas supplied into the storage cylinder 4a. Each of the coating heads 4 is provided on the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B so as to be movable in the X-axis direction by the head moving mechanism 8. As the paste, a paste having a sealing property and an adhesive property is used. However, the paste is not limited to this. For example, a paste having either a sealing property or an adhesive property or a paste having other properties is used. You may make it use.

  The head moving mechanism 8 is provided on each of the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B. The head moving mechanism 8 includes a plurality of holding portions 8a that respectively hold the coating heads 4, and a plurality of Z-axis moving mechanisms 8b that support the holding portions 8a and move in the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane. And an X-axis moving mechanism 8c that supports these Z-axis moving mechanisms 8b and moves them in the X-axis direction.

  The holding part 8a is a member that holds the accommodating cylinder 4a of the coating head 4 in a detachable manner. The Z-axis moving mechanism 8b is a moving mechanism that moves the holding portion 8a in the Z-axis direction, that is, the contacting / separating direction in which the holding unit 8a contacts / separates with respect to the substrate stage 2. For example, a feed screw mechanism is used as the Z-axis moving mechanism 8b. The X-axis moving mechanism 8c is a moving mechanism that moves each coating head 4 in the X-axis direction, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B in the horizontal plane. As this X-axis moving mechanism 8c, for example, a linear motor mechanism or a feed screw mechanism is used.

  The first support member 5 </ b> A and the second support member 5 </ b> B are columns that support two coating heads 4 each. The first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are formed by extending in a direction crossing the moving direction, for example, a direction orthogonal to the moving direction. Further, the first support member 5 </ b> A and the second support member 5 </ b> B are each formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, and are provided in parallel to the mounting surface of the substrate stage 2. The first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are moved over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2 by the support member moving mechanism 6, and are located at positions facing the placement surface of the substrate stage 2 within the application range H1. Each coating head 4 is positioned, and each coating head 4 is positioned at a position facing the placement surface of the coating stages 3A and 3B in the retreat range H2.

  Here, the application range H1 is a movement range in which each application head 4 applies paste to the substrate K1 on the substrate stage 2, that is, a movement range in which application to the product substrate K1 is performed. Further, the retreat range H2 is a range other than the application range H1, and in particular, a moving range when each application head 4 applies paste to the substrate K2 on the first discard application stage 3A and the second discard application stage 3B, In other words, it is a retreat range in which the application to the substrate K2 for disposal application is performed, and further, a retreat range when the substrate K1 on the substrate stage 2 is replaced.

  The support member moving mechanism 6 is provided on the upper surface of the gantry 7 and supports the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B so as to be movable over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2. The support member moving mechanism 6 is formed so as to be divided into an application range H1 and a retreat range H2. Such a support member moving mechanism 6 supports a pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a that support both ends in the extending direction of the first support member 5A and both ends in the extending direction of the second support member 5B to move in the Y-axis direction. , 6b.

  The pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are respectively provided on the upper surface of the gantry 7 along the Y-axis direction so as to sandwich the substrate stage 2 and the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B. . A first support member 5A and a second support member 5B are provided across these Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b.

  As shown in FIG. 4, each of the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b includes a first support base 11A that supports an end portion of the first support member 5A in the extending direction and an end portion of the second support member 5B in the extending direction. A first support base 11B, a plurality of sliders 12 (see FIG. 3) respectively provided on the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B, and a groove M extending in the Y-axis direction. A support stage 13 that movably supports the support base 11A and the second support base 11B, and a pair of guides provided on the upper surface of the support stage 13 to guide the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B in the Y-axis direction. The rail 14, the first support base moving mechanism 51 provided in the groove M for moving the first support base 11A in the Y-axis direction, and the second support base 11B provided in the groove M for moving the second support base 11B in the Y-axis direction. 2 support base moving mechanism 52 .

  The first support base 11 </ b> A and the second support base 11 </ b> B are each formed in a flat plate shape, and are arranged horizontally on the support stage 13 so as to be movable. Each slider 12 (see FIG. 3) is slidably attached to the corresponding guide rail 14. The pair of guide rails 14 is provided on the upper surface of the support stage 13 so as to avoid the groove M of the support stage 13. These guide rails 14 are arranged in parallel on the upper surface of the support stage 13 and fixed by screws or the like. The first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 are, for example, ball screw mechanisms that use a rotary motor such as a stepping motor as a drive source.

  The first support base moving mechanism 51 includes a first nut body 51a attached to the first support base 11A, and a first screw shaft 51b provided along the Y-axis direction by combining the first nut bodies 51a. A pair of first bearing members 51c that rotatably support both ends of the first screw shaft 51b, and a first motor 51d that is a drive source for rotating the first screw shaft 51b are provided.

  The first screw shaft 51b is provided on the support stage 13 in parallel with the Y-axis direction, and the pair of first bearing members 51c are also provided on the support stage 13 so as to support both ends of the first screw shaft 51b. . The length of the first screw shaft 51b is such a length that the first support 11A can move over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2 (necessary movement range). The first motor 51d is detachably attached to the first bearing member 51c on the second support base 11B side (the right side in FIG. 4) which is one of the pair of first bearing members 51c. The first nut body 51a is provided on the back surface of the first support base 11A and at the end on the first motor 51d side.

  The second support base moving mechanism 52 includes a second nut body 52a attached to the second support base 11B and a second screw shaft 52b provided along the Y-axis direction by combining the second nut bodies 52a. A pair of second bearing members 52c that rotatably support both ends of the second screw shaft 52b, and a second motor 52d that is a drive source for rotating the second screw shaft 52b are provided.

  The second screw shaft 52b is provided in parallel to the Y-axis direction along the first screw shaft 51b, and the pair of second bearing members 52c can also support both ends of the second screw shaft 52b on the support stage 13. Is provided. The length of the second screw shaft 52b is a length that allows the second support 11B to move over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2 (necessary movement range). The second motor 52d is detachably attached to the second bearing member 52c on the first support base 11A side (left side in FIG. 4) which is one of the pair of second bearing members 52c. Accordingly, the second motor 52d is positioned on the opposite side of the first motor 51d via the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B. The second nut body 52a is provided on the back surface of the second support 11B and at the end on the second motor 52d side.

  Here, the first support base 11A is provided between the second support base 11B and the second motor 52d, and the second support base 11B is provided between the first support base 11A and the first motor 51d. ing. Thus, the first motor 51d moves the first support 11A with the second support 11B in between, and the second motor 52d moves the second support 11B with the first support 11A in between. Become.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first support base 11 </ b> A and the second support base 11 </ b> B move to the end of the support stage 13 and move over the application range H <b> 1 and the retreat range H <b> 2 (necessary movement range). Is possible. In FIG. 5, the first support base 11A is in a state in which the first nut body 51a is in contact with the first bearing member 51c and stopped, and the second support base 11B has the second nut body 52a in the second state. The two-bearing member 52c is in contact with and stopped.

  Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, contrary to FIG. 5, the first support base moving mechanism 51 moves the second support base 11B, and the second support base movement mechanism 52 moves the first support base 11A. In the case of adopting such a structure, the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B cannot move to the end of the support stage 13, and the application range H1 and the retreat range H2 (required movement range). ) Cannot move over. In FIG. 6, the first support base 11A is in a state where the second nut body 52a is in contact with the second bearing member 52c and stopped, and the second support base 11B has the first nut body 51a in the first state. In this state, the bearing is in contact with the one bearing member 51c.

  When it is impossible to move to the end in this way, as shown in FIG. 7, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 are respectively moved in the opposite direction along the Y-axis direction. It is necessary to dispose the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B while shifting the positions toward the outside of the apparatus by a distance that allows the first support base 11B and the second support base 11B to move to the end of the support stage 13. In this case, the first support base moving mechanism 51 moves to the right side in FIG. 6 and the second support base movement mechanism 52 moves to the left side in FIG. Therefore, the transport size becomes larger than Ha in FIGS. 5 and 6 as Hb in FIG. In addition, since it is necessary to avoid the cutting | disconnection of the 1st screw shaft 51b and the 2nd screw shaft 52b, the conveyance size will depend on the length of the 1st screw shaft 51b and the 2nd screw shaft 52b.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the first motor 51d moves the first support base 11A with the second support base 11B in between, and the second motor 52d has the second support base 11A in between. By adopting a structure for moving 11B, the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B can move over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2 without using the structure shown in FIG. It is. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to shift the positions of the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 as shown in FIG. 7, the transport is compared with the case where the structure shown in FIG. 7 is adopted. The size can be reduced (Ha in FIG. 5 <Hb in FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b described above are formed so as to be divided into a coating range H1 and a retreat range H2, respectively. For example, each of the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b can be divided into three parts, a main body part P1 fixed to the upper surface of the gantry 7, and a main body part P1 that can be connected to the main body P1 and detachably provided on the upper surface of the gantry 7. The two divided portions P2 and P3 are formed (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In particular, the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are formed so as to be capable of being divided by shifting the dividing positions G1 and G2 of the pair of guide rails 14 from the same straight line.

  Here, the support stage 13 of the main body part P1 becomes the reference stage 13a, the support stage 13 of the division part P2 becomes the division stage 13b, and the support stage 13 of the division part P3 becomes the division stage 13c. The reference stage 13a and each of the divided stages 13b and 13c are formed so that the divided portions can be connected in a step shape.

  The reference stage 13a is a part of the support stage 13 and a stage in a divided range corresponding to the application range H1. On the reference stage 13a, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 are fixedly provided. Such a reference stage 13a is fixed to the upper surface of the gantry 7 using fastening means such as bolts. The reference stage 13a has a first reference surface M1 and a second reference surface M2 that serve as a reference when the divided stages 13b and 13c are attached. The first reference plane M1 is a plane provided on the reference stage 13a along the horizontal direction, and the second reference plane M2 is a plane orthogonal to the first reference plane M1. Furthermore, the reference stage 13a has a plurality of positioning holes 22 into which positioning pins 21 for positioning are respectively inserted. The positioning pin 21 is a pin for positioning the divided stages 13b and 13c with respect to the reference stage 13a.

  Each of the divided stages 13b and 13c is formed so as to be connectable to the reference stage 13a, and is detachably attached to the gantry 7. Each of the split stages 13b and 13c has a first contact surface T1 that contacts the first reference surface M1 and a second contact surface T2 that contacts the second reference surface M2. Each of the split stages 13b and 13c has a plurality of through holes 23 through which the positioning pins 21 pass. Each positioning pin 21 passes through the corresponding through hole 23 and is inserted into each positioning hole 22 of the reference stage 13a, and positioning of each of the divided stages 13b and 13c with respect to the reference stage 13a is performed.

  Here, the first abutment surface T1 of each of the split stages 13b and 13c abuts on the first reference surface M1 of the reference stage 13a, thereby positioning the split stages 13b and 13c in the height direction. The second contact surface T2 of the stages 13b and 13c contacts the second reference surface M2 of the reference stage 13a, so that positioning in the Y-axis direction, that is, the direction in which the guide rail 14 extends, is performed. Each of the divided stages 13b and 13c is positioned in the width direction (X-axis direction) by passing through the corresponding through holes 23 and being inserted into the positioning holes 22 of the reference stage 13a. This facilitates assembly adjustment of each of the divided stages 13b and 13c with respect to the reference stage 13a, and further improves the reproducibility of the assembly accuracy.

  Each of the divided stages 13b and 13c is formed such that a gap is formed between the lower surface thereof and the upper surface of the gantry 7 in a state where the divided stages 13b and 13c are connected to the reference stage 13a. A plurality of support pins 24 for supporting the respective division stages 13b and 13c are provided on the lower surfaces of the respective division stages 13b and 13c. For example, two support pins 24 are provided on each of the divided stages 13b and 13c. These support pins 24 are formed such that their heights can be adjusted, and abut against the upper surface of the gantry 7 to support the divided stages 13b and 13c. The support pin 24 is a pin having a screw thread formed on the outer periphery thereof, and is inserted into a plurality of screw holes 25 formed in each of the divided stages 13b and 13c. Each support pin 24 includes a lock nut 26 and is fixed when the height adjustment is completed.

  As described above, since the split stages 13b and 13c are supported on the upper surface of the gantry 7 by the support pins 24, when the heavy support members 5A and 5B are moved onto the split stages 13b and 13c, the split stage. The bending of 13b and 13c is prevented from occurring. Therefore, since it becomes possible to prevent a gap from being generated at the division positions G1 and G2 in the guide rail 14, the impact generated when the support members 5A and 5B pass through the division positions G1 and G2 of the guide rail 14 is mitigated. Thus, it is possible to prevent the slider 12 from being damaged by an impact during passage. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a favorable moving state of the support members 5A and 5B, and a stable paste application operation can be performed.

  The gantry 7 is a gantry that is installed on the floor and supports the substrate stage 2, the first discard coating stage 3A, the second discard coating stage 3B, and the support member moving mechanism 6 at a predetermined height position with respect to the floor. is there. The gantry 7 is formed so as to be capable of being divided corresponding to the dividing position of the support member moving mechanism 6, that is, the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a. For example, the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a are formed so as to be divided into three parts, and accordingly, the gantry 7 is also formed as a main body gantry 7a and two divided gantry 7b, 7c so as to be divided into three parts. (See FIG. 9). This division position is a division position of the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a, that is, a boundary position between the main body portion P1 and the two division portions P2 and P3. The divided mounts 7b and 7c are connected and integrated with the main body mount 7a by using fastening means such as bolts.

  Since the height of the support pin 24 is adjusted according to the size of the gap between the upper surface of the gantry 7 (the divided gantry 7b and 7c) and the lower surface of the split stage 13b and 13c, the main body gantry Even if the heights of the upper surfaces of the divided bases 7b and 7c assembled to 7a are different before and after conveyance, that is, before and after the splitting, the divided stages 13b and 13c are securely supported by the divided bases 7b and 7c. The bending of 13b and 13c can be prevented. For this reason, it is not necessary to assemble the divided bases 7b and 7c with high accuracy with respect to the main body base 7a, and the installation work after transporting the base 7 which is a heavy object can be easily performed. The support pin 24 functions as a height-adjustable support adjustment member that supports the split stages 13b and 13c.

  Next, the application operation (product manufacturing operation) and the discard application operation (maintenance operation) performed by the paste application apparatus 1 will be described. The discard application operation is performed when application by each application head 4 has been stopped for a set time or more.

  In the application operation, the paste application apparatus 1 moves the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B in the Y-axis direction by a pair of Y-axis movement mechanisms 6a and 6b as the support member movement mechanism 6, and moves each head movement mechanism. The X-axis moving mechanism 8c moves the coating heads 4 in the X-axis direction so that the coating heads 4 face the coating start positions of the substrate K1 on the substrate stage 2, respectively. Next, the paste coating apparatus 1 moves each coating head 4 in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving mechanism 8b of each head moving mechanism 8 based on the coating conditions (gap, etc.) for the coating operation, and from the standby position. Each coating head 4 is positioned at the coating position.

  Here, the standby position and the application position are separation positions that are separated from the substrate K1 on the substrate stage 2 by a predetermined distance. The stand-by position is a separation position when each coating head 4 does not perform coating, and a sufficient interval between the tip of the nozzle 4b of each coating head 4 and the surface of the substrate K1 so that the nozzle 4b does not contact the substrate K1. Is formed. The application position is a separation position when each application head 4 performs application, and a predetermined gap is formed between the tip of the nozzle 4b of each application head 4 and the surface of the substrate K1. The gap is a separation distance between the tip of the nozzle 4b and the surface of the substrate K1, which is necessary when applying a paste at a predetermined application amount on the surface of the substrate K1.

  Thereafter, the paste applying apparatus 1 uses a pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b while discharging the paste from the nozzle 4b of each application head 4 based on the application conditions for the application operation (e.g., discharge pressure and moving speed). The first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are moved in the Y-axis direction over the coating range H1, and each coating head 4 is moved in the X-axis direction by the X-axis moving mechanism 8c of each head moving mechanism 8. A paste is applied to the upper substrate K1 to form a predetermined paste pattern. Here, the paste pattern (application pattern) formed by each application head 4 is the same, for example, a rectangular frame shape. When the formation of the predetermined paste pattern is completed, the paste application apparatus 1 moves each application head 4 in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis movement mechanism 8b of each head movement mechanism 8 to move each application head from the application position to the original standby position. The application head 4 is positioned.

  Here, the discharge pressure is a gas pressure for discharging the paste in the coating head 4 from the nozzle 4b, and the moving speed is a relative moving speed between the nozzle 4b and the substrate K1 when the paste is applied.

  Finally, the paste application apparatus 1 moves the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B in the Y-axis direction from the application range H1 to the retreat range H2 by the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b, and first discard application Each coating head 4 of the first support member 5A is made to face the substrate K2 on the stage 3A. In addition, each coating head 4 of the second support member 5B is made to face the substrate K2 on the second discard coating stage 3B, and the substrate Wait for replacement of the substrate K1 on the stage 2. When the replacement of the substrate K1 is completed, the above-described coating operation is repeated.

  The application operation is not limited to the operation performed by moving the first support member 5A, the second support member 5B, and the four application heads 4 within the application range H1, but one support member, for example, the second support member 5B. May be retreated in the retreat range H2, and the first support member 5A and the application head 4 supported thereby may be moved within the application range H1.

  On the other hand, in the discard coating operation, the paste coating apparatus 1 moves the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B from the coating range H1 to the retreat range H2 in the Y-axis direction by the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b. Each coating head 4 of the first support member 5A is opposed to the substrate K2 on the first discard coating stage 3A, and each coating head 4 of the second support member 5B is opposed to the substrate K2 on the second discard coating stage 3B. . Next, the paste application apparatus 1 moves each application head 4 in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis movement mechanism 8b of each head movement mechanism 8 based on the application conditions (gap, etc.) for the discard application operation, and waits at the standby position. Each coating head 4 is positioned at the coating position.

  Thereafter, the paste application apparatus 1 moves the X axis of each head moving mechanism 8 while discharging the paste from the nozzle 4b of each application head 4 based on the application conditions (discharge pressure, movement speed, etc.) for the discard application operation. Each coating head 4 is moved in the X-axis direction by the mechanism 8c, and, for example, the paste is linearly applied to the substrate K2 on the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B. When the discard coating is completed, the paste coating apparatus 1 moves each coating head 4 in the Z-axis direction by the Z-axis moving mechanism 8b of each head moving mechanism 8 to move each coating head 4 from the coating position to the original standby position. Position. By this discarding application operation, it is possible to prevent the application accuracy of each application head 4 from being lowered and the occurrence of ejection failure.

  When transporting such a paste application device 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are positioned within the application range H1, and then as the support member moving mechanism 6 The pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b is divided into three parts as a main body part P1 and two divided parts P2 and P3. Thereafter, the gantry 7 is also divided into three parts as a main body gantry 7a and two divided gantry parts 7b and 7c. Thereby, since the paste coating device 1 is divided into small parts, the transportability of the paste coating device 1 can be improved. Further, since the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are not divided within the application range H1, it is possible to maintain the assembly accuracy within the application range H1 even if the paste application device 1 is divided. Thereby, the transportability of the paste coating apparatus 1 can be improved while maintaining the assembly accuracy within the coating range H1 of the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b.

  In particular, in the dividing step, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the support stage 13 is divided into a reference stage 13a and divided stages 13b and 13c. At this time, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 are accommodated on the reference stage 13a, and do not significantly protrude in the horizontal direction from the reference stage 13a. In this division step, the first motor 51d and the second motor 52d may be removed as necessary, and then attached at the installation location. On the other hand, when the structure as shown in FIG. 7 is adopted, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 significantly protrude in the horizontal direction from the reference stage 13a. Transportability will decrease.

  Therefore, by adopting the structure as shown in FIG. 5, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 do not protrude in the horizontal direction from the reference stage 13a, and the transport size is reduced. In addition, the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 can be transported without being disassembled, so that the assembling accuracy within the coating range H1 is maintained and the paste is maintained. The transportability of the coating apparatus 1 is improved. In particular, since the screw shafts 51b and 52b can be transported without being removed, the assembly accuracy within the application range H1 is reliably maintained.

  Here, before conveyance, that is, before product shipment of the paste application device 1, each part of the paste application device 1, especially the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b, is incorporated with high assembling accuracy. For this reason, when each part of the paste coating apparatus 1 is divided and conveyed, it is necessary to incorporate each part of the paste coating apparatus 1 so that the assembling accuracy is increased again at the installation location after the conveyance. When the moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are divided within the application range H1, it is difficult to return the assembly accuracy to before the conveyance. In particular, it is necessary that the assembly accuracy of the parts related to the application operation as in each of the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b is high, and a decrease in the assembly accuracy becomes a factor that makes it difficult to perform satisfactory application. Further, since the weight of each of the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B is several tons, it is difficult to remove the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B from the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b. .

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b as the support member moving mechanism 6 are formed so as to be divided into the coating range H1 and the retreat range H2, and the pair When the paste applicator 1 is conveyed by forming the gantry 7 so as to be split in correspondence with the division positions of the Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b, the paste applicator 1 is divided into small parts. Transportability can be improved, and installation work after transport can be easily performed.

  In particular, since the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are divided into the application range H1 and the retreat range H2, the transportability of the paste application device 1 is improved while maintaining the assembly accuracy in the application range H1. In addition, since the assembly accuracy within the coating range H1 can be maintained, the coating accuracy before transport can be easily reproduced at the installation location after transport. As a result, it is possible to satisfactorily apply the paste to the substrate K1 with a uniform application amount at the installation location after the transfer, as well as before the transfer. A good liquid crystal display panel can be manufactured.

  Further, a structure is adopted in which the first motor 51d moves the first support 11A with the second support 11B in between, and the second motor 52d moves the second support 11B with the first support 11A in between. By doing so, it is not necessary to shift the positions of the first support base moving mechanism 51 and the second support base moving mechanism 52 as shown in FIG. 7, so that the structure as shown in FIG. 7 is adopted. Thus, the transport size can be reduced (Ha in FIG. 5 <Hb in FIG. 7). Thereby, transportability can be improved without changing the screw shaft length and removing the screw shaft.

  Further, the pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b includes a first screw shaft 51b and a second screw shaft 52b for moving the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2. Even in this case, since the first screw shaft 51b and the second screw shaft 52b can be transported without being removed, the assembly accuracy within the application range H1 can be reliably maintained. In addition, since the assembly accuracy within the coating range H1 can be maintained, the coating accuracy before transport can be easily reproduced at the installation location after transport. As a result, it is possible to satisfactorily apply the paste to the substrate K1 with a uniform application amount at the installation location after the transfer, as well as before the transfer. A good liquid crystal display panel can be manufactured.

  The pair of Y-axis moving mechanisms 6a and 6b are provided on the gantry 7 so as to sandwich the substrate stage 2 from both sides, and support both end portions of the first support member 5A and both end portions of the second support member 5B. Since the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are moved over the H1 and the retreat range H2, even when the substrate K1 is enlarged and the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are enlarged accordingly, they Since it becomes possible to move the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B stably, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of poor coating due to the increase in size of the substrate K1.

  The Y-axis moving mechanism 6a includes a plurality of guide rails 14 for guiding the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B over the application range H1 and the retreat range H2, and each divided position of the guide rails 14 is provided. Since G1 and G2 are formed so as to be separated from the same straight line, the Y-axis moving mechanism 6a is formed so as to be capable of being divided with the respective dividing positions G1 and G2 of each guide rail 14 being on the same straight line. Compared with the case where the guide rail 14 is not rattling, the first support base 11A and the second support base 11B are not affected at the same time. The influence on the support base 11A and the second support base 11B can be suppressed. For example, the impact generated when the pair of sliders 12 included in the first support base 11A or the second support base 11B passes through the connecting portion can be dispersed and reduced. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of poor coating due to changes in the parallelism of the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, you may combine the component covering different embodiment suitably.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B. Only one of them may be provided. In this case, one of the first discard coating stage 3A and the second discard coating stage 3B is shared by the coating heads 4 of the first support member 5A and the coating heads 4 of the second support member 5B. become. Further, in this case, since there is only one disposal coating stage, the retreat range H2 of the two support members 5A and 5B is set to only one side on the disposal coating stage side, and the support member moving mechanism 6 and the gantry 7 can be divided into two. What is necessary is just to form.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in addition to the first support member 5A and the second support member 5B. Further, a support member may be provided. In the above-described embodiment, four coating heads 4 are provided. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, six coating heads 4 may be provided, and the number thereof is not limited.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the disposal coating stages 3A and 3B are described as being arranged on the main body base 7a of the base 7, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the divided bases 7b and 7c are respectively provided. It may be arranged.

  In the above-described embodiment, the substrate stage 2 is fixed on the gantry 7 and the support members 5A and 5B and the coating head 4 are moved to apply the paste to the surface of the substrate K1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the substrate stage 2 may be formed so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction or the X-axis direction.

  For example, when the substrate stage 2 is configured to be movable in the same direction as the movement direction (Y-axis direction) of the support members 5A and 5B, when the substrate K1 and the coating head 4 are relatively moved in the Y-axis direction, It is possible to move the substrate stage 2 and the supporting members 5A and 5B in opposite directions (for example, at the same speed). In this case, since the moving speed of the substrate stage 2 and the supporting members 5A and 5B is halved compared with the case where only the supporting members 5A and 5B are moved in the Y-axis direction, the substrate stage 2 and the supporting members 5A and 5B are reduced. As a result, the inertial force associated with the movement of the substrate is reduced, and the vibration caused by the acceleration or deceleration of the substrate stage 2 and the supporting members 5A and 5B can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to accurately apply the shape of the corner portion of the paste pattern in which the shape and application direction of the paste pattern along the Y-axis direction and the application direction change from the Y-axis direction to the X-axis direction, in a desired shape, A high-quality liquid crystal display panel can be manufactured.

  Further, the first motor 51d and the second motor 52d are arranged coaxially with respect to the first screw shaft 51b and the second screw shaft 52b. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and power such as a belt or a gear is used. You may arrange | position in the position which remove | deviated from the axial center of the 1st screw shaft 51b and the 2nd screw shaft 52b via a transmission means.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the paste coating device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows schematic structure of the paste coating device shown in FIG. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the paste coating device shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the Y-axis moving mechanism with which the paste coating apparatus shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the movement range of the 1st support stand with which the Y-axis movement mechanism shown in FIG. 4 is provided, and a 2nd support stand. It is a top view which shows the 1st comparative example of the Y-axis moving mechanism shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the 2nd comparative example of the Y-axis moving mechanism shown in FIG. It is a front view for demonstrating the division | segmentation state of the Y-axis moving mechanism shown in FIG. It is a front view for demonstrating the division | segmentation state of the paste coating device shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Paste coating apparatus 2 Mounting stand 4 Coating head (1st coating head)
4 Coating head (second coating head)
5A 1st support member 5B 2nd support member 6a Movement mechanism (Y-axis movement mechanism)
6b Movement mechanism (Y-axis movement mechanism)
7 Stand 11A 1st support stand 11B 2nd support stand 13 Support stage 13a Reference stage 51a 1st nut body 51b 1st screw shaft 51c 1st bearing member 51d 1st motor 52a 2nd nut body 52b 2nd screw shaft 52c 2nd Bearing member 52d Second motor

Claims (1)

A mounting table on which a coating object is mounted;
A first application head for applying a paste to the application object on the mounting table;
A second application head for applying a paste to the application object on the mounting table;
A first support member for supporting the first application head;
A second support member for supporting the second application head;
It is provided so as to sandwich the mounting table from both sides, supports both ends of the first support member and both ends of the second support member, and the first application head is applied to the application object on the mounting table. A mechanism for moving the first support member and the second support member over an application range in which paste is applied and a retraction range other than the application range, and is formed so as to be divided into the application range and the retraction range. A pair of moving mechanisms,
A pedestal that is formed so as to be capable of being divided corresponding to the division position of the pair of moving mechanisms, and supports the mounting table and the pair of moving mechanisms;
With
The pair of moving mechanisms are respectively
A first support on which an end of the first support member is placed;
A second support table provided side by side on the first support table, on which an end of the second support member is placed;
A stage that supports the first support table and the second support table so as to be movable in a line-up direction, and is formed so as to be divided corresponding to the application range and the retraction range, and corresponds to the application range. A support stage having
A first screw shaft provided on the reference stage for moving the first support over the application range and the retraction range;
A pair of first bearing members provided on the reference stage and rotatably supporting both ends of the first screw shaft;
A first motor attached to the first bearing member on the second support base side, which is one of the pair of first bearing members, and rotating the first screw shaft;
A first nut body provided at an end of the first support base on the first motor side and combined with the first screw shaft;
A second screw shaft provided on the reference stage so as to be along the first screw shaft, and for moving the second support base over the application range and the retraction range;
A pair of second bearing members provided on the reference stage and rotatably supporting both ends of the second screw shaft;
A second motor which is attached to the second bearing member on the first support base side which is one of the pair of second bearing members and rotates the second screw shaft;
A second nut body provided at an end portion of the second support base on the second motor side and combined with the second screw shaft;
A paste coating apparatus comprising:

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