JP2010210771A - Inkjet application device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inkjet application device capable of preventing a spacer particle-dispersing liquid from being improperly discharged due to intrusion of cleaning liquid into a discharge port for the spacer particle-dispersing liquid. <P>SOLUTION: In this inkjet application device, a cleaning unit 31 includes: a cleaning liquid discharge port 62 arranged at a position being apart from the discharge port for the spacer particle-dispersing liquid in an inkjet head by only first distance in the direction of discharge of the spacer particle-dispersing liquid to discharge the cleaning liquid toward a position being apart from the discharge port in the inkjet head in the direction crossing the direction in which the discharge ports are arranged in a row orthogonally; a cleaning liquid suction port 66 being apart from the discharge port for the spacer particle-dispersing liquid by only second distance being smaller than the first distance in the direction of discharge of the spacer particle-dispersing liquid and arranged at a position being apart from the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 in the direction in which the discharge ports for the spacer particle-dispersing liquid in the inkjet heads are arranged in the row; and a moving mechanism for moving the cleaning unit 31 toward the direction in which the discharge ports for the spacer particle-dispersing liquid are arranged in the row. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inkjet coating apparatus for forming a spacer region containing spacer particles by applying a spacer particle dispersion liquid in which spacer particles are dispersed by an inkjet method on a substrate.

  The liquid crystal display device has a configuration in which a transparent electrode, a color filter, and a black matrix are disposed between two substrates, and liquid crystal is sealed in a space between the transparent electrodes. At this time, a spacer is formed in order to regulate the distance between the two substrates and make the thickness of the liquid crystal layer appropriate.

  Conventionally, this spacer has been formed by using a photolithographic method. However, there is a problem that a process using a mask is required and the work process is complicated, and the use efficiency of the material is poor. For this reason, a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device in which spacers are formed with spacer particles by discharging a spacer particle dispersion liquid in which spacer particles are dispersed by an inkjet method on a substrate has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  By the way, in such a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device, an ink jet coating device is used. That is, an inkjet head unit in which a plurality of inkjet heads each having a large number of ejection openings are arranged is moved relative to a transparent substrate for a liquid crystal display device, and spacer particles are dispersed from the inkjet head to the transparent substrate. By discharging the spacer particle dispersion, a spacer region containing spacer particles is formed on the surface of the transparent substrate.

  In such an ink jet coating apparatus, the ink jet head is easily contaminated because it is configured to eject a large amount of fine spacer particle dispersion liquid in a continuous manner. In particular, it is considered that droplets such as splashes generated separately from the main droplets are affected by the air flow and adhere to the lower surface of the inkjet head, thereby causing contamination of the inkjet head. When such contamination occurs, phenomena such as nozzle missing where the spacer particle dispersion does not discharge from some of the discharge ports and flying bends in which the direction of the droplets of the discharged spacer particle dispersion change occur. For this reason, it is necessary to clean the inkjet head unit at regular intervals.

  In a conventional ink jet printer, a cleaning device has been proposed in which a wipe liquid stored in a wipe liquid tank is brought into contact with an ink jet head and then the wipe liquid is removed by surface tension (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-4094 A JP 2006-43963 A

  The cleaning device described in Patent Document 2 is effective when the inkjet head is cleaned after the operation of the inkjet coating apparatus is stopped, but when the cleaning is performed while the inkjet coating apparatus is operating, a spacer is used. There arises a problem that the cleaning liquid enters the discharge port of the particle dispersion.

  That is, in the ink jet head, in order to prevent the spacer particle dispersion from dripping from the discharge port, the inside of the discharge port is always suctioned with a negative pressure. In such a state, when the inkjet head and the cleaning liquid are brought into contact with each other, the cleaning liquid enters the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion liquid, and a discharge failure called nozzle missing occurs.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and includes a cleaning unit capable of preventing the cleaning liquid from entering the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion and causing the discharge failure of the spacer particle dispersion. An object is to provide an inkjet coating apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the gap for enclosing the liquid crystal layer is formed by interposing the spacer particles between the substrates at the time of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device, the spacer particles are dispersed on the substrate by the ink jet method. An inkjet coating apparatus that forms a spacer region containing spacer particles by applying a dispersion, and includes a moving mechanism that moves a substrate in one direction relative to the inkjet head unit. A plurality of ink jet heads, each having a plurality of spacer particle dispersion discharge ports arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the substrate moved by the moving mechanism, are arranged in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the substrate. The spacer particle dispersion is discharged onto the substrate that is moved by the moving mechanism. The spacer particle dispersion is applied to the surface of the substrate, and has a cleaning unit, and includes a cleaning unit that cleans the inkjet head. It is disposed at a position separated by a first distance in the discharge direction of the particle dispersion liquid, and is separated from the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the ink jet head in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the discharge openings of the spacer particle dispersion liquid. A cleaning liquid discharge port that discharges the cleaning liquid toward the position, and a spacer particle dispersion discharge port that is spaced apart by a second distance smaller than the first distance in the spacer particle dispersion discharge direction; and The position separated from the cleaning liquid discharge port in the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports of the inkjet head are arranged. The cleaning liquid suction port that sucks the cleaning liquid discharged near the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion, and the cleaning liquid discharge port and the cleaning liquid suction port are arranged in the direction in which the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion is arranged. And a moving mechanism for moving toward the head.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the cleaning unit is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports from the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head. The cleaning liquid suction port is formed between the pair of contact portions.

  According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided the elastic member according to the second aspect, wherein the abutting block is brought into contact with the lower surface of the inkjet head with an elastic force.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the cleaning units are arranged in the same number as the inkjet heads in the inkjet head unit, and the moving mechanism is By moving these cleaning units all at once, the cleaning liquid discharge port and the cleaning liquid suction port are moved in the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports are arranged.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the cleaning liquid from entering the spacer particle dispersion discharge port and causing the defective discharge of the spacer particle dispersion when the inkjet head is cleaned.

  According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to keep the distance between the cleaning liquid discharge port and the cleaning liquid suction port and the inkjet head constant.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the contact block can be easily moved with respect to the inkjet head.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently clean a plurality of inkjet heads collectively, and it is possible to simplify the configuration of the cleaning unit moving mechanism.

It is a partial surface view which shows a part of transparent substrate 1 after spacer particle dispersion liquid is discharged to the surface. 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet coating apparatus according to the present invention. It is the perspective view which looked at the gantry 13 from the lower surface. It is the perspective view which looked at the inkjet head unit 12 from the lower surface. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of the inkjet head 18 as viewed from the lower surface. 3 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the inkjet head unit 12. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the pitch of the black matrix 7 on the transparent substrate 1 and the arrangement of the ejection openings 19 for the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head 18. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit 22. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit 22. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the washing | cleaning part 22 with the washing | cleaning part moving mechanism. It is the perspective view of the washing | cleaning part 22 vicinity which removed the rotary table 36 and was seen. It is a perspective view which expands and shows a washing unit. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship between a cleaning liquid discharge port 62 formed in a base portion 63 and a spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 in the inkjet head 18. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an abutment block 65 disposed on a base 63. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a contact state between the contact block 65 and the lower surface of the inkjet head 18. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an elevating mechanism of a cleaning unit 31.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a spacer region containing spacer particles is formed by applying a spacer particle dispersion liquid in which spacer particles are dispersed by an ink jet method on a substrate to form a gap for enclosing a liquid crystal layer. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device using an inkjet coating apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a partial surface view showing a part of the transparent substrate 1 after the spacer particle dispersion is discharged onto the surface.

  This method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device is executed as a pre-process such as a liquid crystal encapsulation process, and is for forming a gap for encapsulating a liquid crystal layer by interposing spacer particles between transparent substrates. .

  When this liquid crystal display device manufacturing method is executed, a spacer region generation step is first executed. In this spacer region generating step, a spacer region containing spacer particles is formed by discharging a spacer particle dispersion liquid in which spacer particles are dispersed by an inkjet method on a transparent substrate. At this time, the ink jet coating apparatus according to the present invention for discharging the spacer particle dispersion liquid onto the surface of the transparent substrate by moving the ink jet head unit in which a large number of ink jet heads are arranged relative to the transparent substrate 1 is used. Is done.

  On the surface of the transparent substrate 1, a red color filter region R, a green color filter region G, a blue color filter region B, which are pixel regions, and a black matrix that partitions these pixel regions, respectively. 7 is configured. Then, the spacer particle dispersion is discharged toward the black matrix 7, and the spacer region 5 is formed there.

  Subsequent to the spacer region generation step, a drying step is performed. In this drying process, the transparent substrate 1 is transported to a hot plate, and the transparent substrate 1 is heated on the hot plate, thereby evaporating volatile components from the spacer particle dispersion and transferring the spacer particles in the spacer region 5 to the transparent substrate. 1 is a process of fixing to 1.

  In this step, since the volatile components are first evaporated from the spacer particle dispersion, the spacer particles in the spacer region 5 gather together and come into contact with each other due to surface tension. Then, they are baked and fixed to each other, and are also fixed to the surface of the transparent substrate 1 with a strong force. Therefore, a gap for encapsulating the liquid crystal layer can be formed by the spacer particles in the spacer region 5.

  Next, the configuration of the ink jet coating apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink jet coating apparatus according to the present invention.

  The inkjet coating apparatus includes a table 11 that supports the transparent substrate 1 and a gantry 13 that supports 12 inkjet head units 12. The table 11 is driven by a linear motor 15 disposed on a base 14 and is guided by a pair of guide members 16 in a main scanning direction perpendicular to the direction in which the inkjet head units 12 are arranged in the gantry 13. Move back and forth. For this reason, a spacer region containing spacer particles is formed on the transparent substrate 1 by discharging the spacer particle dispersion from the 12 inkjet head units 12 while moving the table 11 on which the transparent substrate 1 is placed in the main scanning direction. can do.

  A pair of linear motors 21 are disposed at both ends of the gantry 13, and the gantry 13 is supported on the base 14 via these linear motors 21. For this reason, the gantry 13 is configured to be able to change the crossing angle of the table 11 with the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 by individually driving these linear motors 21.

  A cleaning unit 22 that cleans the inkjet head unit 12 is disposed at one end of the base 14. The cleaning unit 22 can reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 by the table 11. Further, twelve drying prevention units 23 for preventing the inkjet head unit 12 from drying are disposed along the movement path of the cleaning unit 22. Each inkjet head 18 to be described later is disposed so as to face these drying prevention units 23 during standby.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the gantry 13 as seen from its lower surface. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inkjet head unit 12 as viewed from the lower surface. Further, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a part of the inkjet head 18 as viewed from the lower surface thereof.

  As shown in these drawings, the 12 inkjet head units 12 supported by the gantry 13 are provided with a head support plate 17, and the 5 inkjet heads 18 are provided on the head support plate 17. It is arranged. As shown in FIG. 5, the inkjet head 18 has a large number of spacer particle dispersion outlets 19 arranged in one direction.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a moving mechanism of the inkjet head unit 12. In this figure, only one of the twelve inkjet head units 12 is shown.

  At both ends of the gantry 13 in the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1, a linear guide 24, a linear scale 25, and a linear motor 26 are arranged with the longitudinal direction thereof intersecting with the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1. Has been. A mover of a linear motor 26 (not shown) is disposed on the lower surface of the support plate 27 that supports the inkjet head unit 12.

  For this reason, each support plate 27 is moved in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 by driving the linear motor 26 with its both ends being guided by the linear guide 24. The movement amount is measured by the linear scale 25. Therefore, the pitch of the inkjet head unit 12 is changed by moving each inkjet head unit 12 by a set movement amount in a direction intersecting the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 by the moving mechanism of the inkjet head unit 12. It becomes possible.

  As described above, the gantry 13 is configured to be able to change the intersection angle of the table 11 with the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 by individually driving the pair of linear motors 21. Then, by changing the angle of the gantry 13, the angle of the inkjet head unit 12 supported by the gantry 13 is also changed, and accordingly, the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head 18 disposed in the inkjet head unit 12 is changed. The crossing angle between the direction in which the liquid discharge ports 19 are arranged and the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 is changed.

  As described above, a configuration is adopted in which the pitch of the inkjet head unit 12 and the crossing angle between the direction in which the ejection openings 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid 19 in the inkjet head 18 are arranged and the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 are changed. The reason is as follows.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the pitch of the black matrix 7 on the transparent substrate 1 and the arrangement of the ejection openings 19 for the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head 18.

  The pitch of the black matrix 7 varies depending on the type of liquid crystal display device, its manufacturer, and the like. In order to cope with such a pitch of the black matrix 7, as shown in FIG. 7, the intersection angle between the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 and the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 is changed. do it. In order to adjust the pitch of the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports 19 between the plurality of inkjet heads 18, the distance between the inkjet head units 12 may be changed between the adjacent inkjet head units 12. For this reason, this inkjet coating apparatus employs a configuration in which the pitch of the inkjet head unit 12 and the intersecting angle between the gantry 13 and the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 are changed.

  When the spacer particle dispersion is applied to the transparent substrate 1 using the ink jet coating apparatus having the above-described configuration, the transparent substrate 1 is first positioned and fixed on the table 11. Further, in correspondence with the pitch of the black matrix 7 in the transparent substrate 1, the intersection angle between the arrangement direction of the ejection openings 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 and the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1, and the inkjet head unit 12 Change the pitch.

  In this state, the spacer particle dispersion is discharged from each of the inkjet heads 18 in the 12 inkjet head units 12 while moving the table 11 together with the transparent substrate 1 in the main scanning direction. A spacer region containing spacer particles can be formed.

  Next, the configuration of the cleaning unit 22 which is a characteristic part of the present invention will be described. 8 and 9 are perspective views of the cleaning unit 22 as seen from different directions. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the cleaning unit 22 together with the cleaning unit moving mechanism. Further, FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the cleaning unit 22 when the rotary table 36 described later is removed.

  The cleaning unit 22 includes a cleaning box 34 including five cleaning units 31, five capturing units 32, and five suction caps 33, and an ultrasonic cleaning unit 35. The cleaning box 34 and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 are disposed on a rotary table 36.

  As shown in FIG. 8, below the cleaning box 34, a screw 47 that is driven by the motor 46 to rotate is disposed, and the cleaning box 34 is connected to a nut 48 that is screwed to the screw 47. . Therefore, the cleaning box 34 reciprocates by driving the motor 46. The moving direction is configured to coincide with the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18. Further, the reciprocating distance is a distance corresponding to the size in the direction in which the ejection openings 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid are arranged in each inkjet head 18.

  As shown in FIG. 9, below the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35, a screw 52 that rotates by receiving the drive of the motor 51 is disposed. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 is screwed into the screw 52. It is connected to a nut (not shown). For this reason, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 reciprocates as the motor 51 is driven. The moving direction is also configured to coincide with the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 for the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18. The reciprocating distance is a distance corresponding to the size of the ejection direction 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid outlet 19 in the inkjet head 18 in each inkjet head unit 12.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, a cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37 is disposed below the rotary table 36. The cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37 includes a rotating member 39 rotatably disposed on the moving table 38, a screw 41 connected to the rotating member 39, and a motor 42 that rotates the screw 41. Prepare. For this reason, when the screw 41 is rotated by driving the motor 42, the rotating member 39 rotates around the central portion. The rotary table 36 is fixed to the rotating member 39. Therefore, the rotary table 36 rotates together with the cleaning box 34 and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 by driving the motor 42.

  A support frame 43 extending in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 is disposed below the moving table 38. On the support frame 43, a linear motor 44 and a pair of linear guides 45 are disposed. Therefore, the moving table 38 is driven by the linear motor 44 and can reciprocate along the pair of linear guides 45 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1. As the moving table 38 moves, the cleaning box 34 and the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 are configured to reciprocate in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a support member 53 whose both ends are guided by a pair of guide members 16 is disposed below the support frame 43. A linear motor coil 54 adapted to the linear motor 15 used for the movement of the table 11 is disposed on the lower surface of the support member 53. For this reason, the support frame 43 is driven by the linear motor 15 for movement of the table 11, and can reciprocate in the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 together with the cleaning unit 22.

  With the configuration as described above, the cleaning unit 22 reciprocates in the transport direction of the transparent substrate 1 and in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the rotation angle position can be arbitrarily changed. For this reason, the cleaning device 22 is configured to be movable between a cleaning position facing each inkjet head unit 12 and a standby position spaced apart from the inkjet head unit 12. And when the crossing angle of the arrangement direction of the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid 19 in the inkjet head 18 and the conveyance direction of the transparent substrate 1 is changed, it is possible to cope with this. .

  Next, the configuration of the above-described cleaning unit 31 will be described. FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view showing the cleaning unit.

  The cleaning unit 31 is disposed in an opening 61 formed on the upper surface of the cleaning box 34, and includes a cleaning liquid discharge port 62 formed in the base 63 and a cleaning liquid recovery port also formed in the base 63. 64 and an abutment block 65 disposed on the base 63. A cleaning liquid suction port 66 is formed in the contact block 65. This cleaning unit 31 is connected to a supply pipe 67 for supplying pure water as a cleaning liquid and a recovery pipe 68 for recovering pure water used for cleaning.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement relationship between the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 formed in the base 63 and the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 in the inkjet head 18.

  The cleaning liquid discharge port 62 is arranged at a position separated from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 by a first distance H1 in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion liquid (vertical direction in FIG. 13). Further, the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 is spaced from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 by a distance D1 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 (left and right direction in FIG. 13). Be placed. Since the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 discharges the cleaning liquid upward (in the vertical direction), the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 is orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion. In this configuration, the cleaning liquid is discharged to a position separated by a distance D1 in the direction in which the cleaning is performed.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the contact block 65 disposed on the base 63, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a contact state between the contact block 65 and the lower surface of the inkjet head 18.

  The abutment block 65 can abut on positions on both sides separated from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the ink jet head 18 in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 (left and right direction in FIG. 15). A pair of contact portions 69. The cleaning liquid suction port 66 is formed between the pair of contact portions 69. The cleaning liquid suction port 66 formed in the contact block 65 is smaller than the first distance H1 described above from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion liquid (vertical direction in FIG. 15). They are arranged at positions separated by a second distance H2. That is, the height of the pair of contact portions 69 is H2. The cleaning liquid suction port 66 is for sucking the cleaning liquid discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 toward the vicinity of the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid.

  FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the lifting mechanism of the cleaning unit 31.

  The five cleaning units 31 in the cleaning unit 22 are connected to an elevator 72 that moves up and down by driving a pair of motors 71 via a pair of spring members 73. When the elevator 72 is in the lowered position, the contact block 65 of the cleaning unit 31 is separated from the lower surface of the inkjet head 18. When the elevator 72 moves to the raised position in this state, the pair of contact portions 69 of the contact block 65 contacts the lower surface of the inkjet head 18. In this state, the distance between the cleaning liquid suction port 66 formed in the contact block 65 and the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion is exactly the second distance H2 described above. At this time, due to the action of the contact block 65, the distance between the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 formed in the base 63 and the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 is exactly the first distance H1 described above. It becomes.

  Next, the cleaning operation of the inkjet head 18 by the cleaning unit 22 will be described.

  When cleaning the inkjet head 18, the cleaning unit 22 is moved from the standby position shown in FIG. 2 to a cleaning position facing the inkjet head unit 12 to be cleaned. This cleaning position is a position where each inkjet head 18 in the inkjet head unit 12 faces each cleaning unit 31 in the cleaning unit 22. The movement of the cleaning unit 22 is executed by driving the linear motor 15 and the linear motor 44.

  Next, the cleaning unit 22 is rotated in accordance with the intersecting angle between the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports 19 are arranged in the inkjet head 18 and the direction in which the transparent substrate 1 is transported. That is, the arrangement direction of the discharge ports 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 and the arrangement direction of the cleaning units 31 are made to coincide. The rotation of the cleaning unit 22 is performed by driving the motor 42 of the cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37.

  If each inkjet head 18 in the inkjet head unit 12 is disposed at a position facing each cleaning unit 31 in the cleaning unit 22, the five cleaning units 31 are synchronized with each other by driving the pair of motors 71 shown in FIG. Raise. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, the pair of contact portions 69 contact the positions on both sides of the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 on the lower surface of the inkjet head 18. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the cleaning liquid suction port 66 is disposed at a position separated from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid by the second distance H2 in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion liquid. As shown in FIG. 13, the outlet 62 is disposed at a position separated from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion by a first distance H1 in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion.

  In this state, the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 in the cleaning unit 31 is disposed at a position corresponding to one end of the ejection direction 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 in the inkjet head 18. The suction port 66 is disposed at a position further away from one end of the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 in the row direction. As a result, the entire region of the discharge port 19 for the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head 18 can be washed from the end portion.

  Next, pure water as a cleaning liquid is discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 in the cleaning unit 31. In addition, suction is started from the cleaning liquid suction port 66 of the cleaning unit 31. Then, by moving the cleaning box 34 by driving the motor 46 shown in FIG. 8, the five cleaning units 31 are moved together in the direction in which the ejection openings 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid in the inkjet head 18 are arranged. .

  As shown in FIG. 13, the pure water discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 spreads in the lateral direction after colliding with a position separated from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid by the distance D. With this pure water, the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 is cleaned. At this time, the pure water collides with the position separated by the distance D from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion, and does not directly collide with the discharge port 19, so that pure water enters the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion. Never do.

  In particular, since the region near the discharge port 19 for the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head 18 is generally subjected to super-water-repellent processing, pure water is separated from the discharge port 19 for the spacer particle dispersion by a distance D. By making it collide with the position, it is possible to suitably prevent pure water from entering the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion.

  In this state, the cleaning unit 31 moves in the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge ports 19 are arranged, so that the region near the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge ports 19 on the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 is cleaned with pure water. The The pure water adhering to the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 is removed by suction through the cleaning liquid suction port 66. The pure water that has dropped from the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 is collected from the collection port 64. When the cleaning unit 31 moves by a distance corresponding to the size of the outlets 19 of the spacer particle dispersion in the arrangement direction, the cleaning of the inkjet head 18 is completed.

  As described above, the distance between the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 and the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 is preferably used in order to perform the cleaning appropriately without allowing pure water to enter the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid. H1 is preferably about 3 mm to 7 mm, and the distance D in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the discharge ports 19 are arranged between the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 and the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 is 2 mm to 4.5 mm. It is preferable that Further, the diameter of the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 is set to about 0.1 mm to 1 mm, and pure water enters the spacer particle dispersion discharge port 19 by discharging pure water of about 15 ml to 30 ml per minute. It is possible to execute the cleaning suitably without causing it.

  Further, the cleaning unit 31 separates the cleaning liquid suction port 66 from the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 by the second distance H2, and is arranged from the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 to the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port 19 in an array. Since the space between the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 and the cleaning unit 31 is liquid-tight and sucks pure water, the spacer particle dispersion liquid is also sucked to cause poor discharge. This can be effectively prevented.

  At this time, the distance H2 between the cleaning liquid suction port 66 and the spacer particle dispersion discharge port 19 is preferably about 0.2 mm to 1 mm, and the spacer particle dispersion discharge from the cleaning liquid suction port 66 and the cleaning liquid discharge port 62 is preferably performed. It is preferable that the distance in the row direction of the outlets 19 is 5 mm to 10 mm. The suction pressure from the cleaning liquid suction port 66 is preferably -0.5 kPa to -4.5 kPa.

  The above-described cleaning operation by the cleaning unit 31 is executed in a constant cycle. Similarly, the suction operation of the discharge port 19 for the spacer particle dispersion by the suction cap 33 is also performed. The suction cap 33 has an elastic seal member such as fluoro rubber at a contact portion with the lower surface of the inkjet head 18, and contacts the lower surface of the inkjet head 18 to form a sealed space. Then, by sucking this sealed space, the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid of the inkjet head 18 is prevented from being blocked.

  When the suction operation by the suction cap 33 is executed, the cleaning unit 22 is moved by driving the linear motor 15 and the linear motor 44 and the cleaning is performed by driving the motor 42 of the cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37 as in the case of the cleaning unit 31. By rotating the unit, each inkjet head 18 in the inkjet head unit 12 is moved to a position facing each suction cap 33 in the cleaning unit 22.

  When it is desired to discharge pure water as an unnecessary cleaning liquid or spacer particle dispersion from the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion of the inkjet head 18, each inkjet head 18 moves to a position facing the capture unit 32. The capturing unit 32 is used to discharge unnecessary pure water or spacer particle dispersion liquid to the outside without contaminating the apparatus.

  When the discharge operation to the capture unit 32 is executed, the cleaning unit 22 is moved by driving the linear motor 15 and the linear motor 44 as well as the cleaning unit 31 and the suction cap 33, and the motor of the cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37 is moved. By rotating the cleaning unit by driving 42, each inkjet head 18 in the inkjet head unit 12 is moved to a position facing each capture unit 32 in the cleaning unit 22.

  When the discharge port 19 of the spacer particle dispersion liquid of the inkjet head 18 is closed, cleaning by the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 is executed. The ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 includes an ultrasonic cleaning tank that stores a cleaning liquid to which ultrasonic vibration is applied, and performs cleaning by immersing the inkjet head 18 in the ultrasonic cleaning tank. This ultrasonic cleaning operation is executed in a state where the coating operation is completely stopped.

  When performing the ultrasonic cleaning, the cleaning unit 22 is moved by driving the linear motor 15 and the linear motor 44 and the motor of the cleaning unit rotating mechanism 37 as in the case of the cleaning unit 31, the suction cap 33 and the capturing unit 32. By rotating the cleaning unit 22 by driving 42, the inkjet head 18 located at the end of the inkjet head unit 12 is moved to a position facing the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35. Each time one inkjet head unit 12 is cleaned, the ultrasonic cleaning unit 35 is moved in the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports 19 are arranged in the inkjet head 18 by driving the motor 51 shown in FIG. .

  In the above-described embodiment, the spacer particle dispersion is ejected by the 12 inkjet head units 12 while moving the table 11 on which the transparent substrate 1 is placed in the main scanning direction, so that the spacer particles are applied to the transparent substrate 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the table 11 on which the transparent substrate 1 is placed is stopped, and the spacer particle dispersion is discharged by the inkjet head unit 12 while moving the gantry 13 supporting the 12 inkjet head units 12 in the main scanning direction. You may employ | adopt the structure which forms a spacer area | region in the transparent substrate 1. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transparent substrate 5 Spacer area 7 Black matrix 11 Table 12 Inkjet head unit 13 Gantry 14 Base 15 Linear motor 16 Guide member 17 Head support plate 18 Inkjet head 19 Discharge port 21 Linear motor 22 Cleaning unit 23 Drying prevention unit 24 Linear guide 25 Linear scale 26 Linear motor 31 Cleaning unit 32 Capture unit 33 Suction cap 34 Cleaning box 35 Ultrasonic cleaning unit 36 Rotary table 37 Cleaning unit rotating mechanism 38 Moving table 39 Rotary member 43 Support frame 44 Linear motor 45 Linear guide 54 Linear motor Coil 62 Cleaning liquid discharge port 63 Base 64 Recovery port 65 Contact block 66 Cleaning liquid suction port 69 Contact portion 72 Lifting frame 73 Spring member

Claims (4)

In order to form a gap for encapsulating the liquid crystal layer by interposing spacer particles between the substrates at the time of manufacturing the liquid crystal display device, by applying a spacer particle dispersion liquid in which the spacer particles are dispersed by an inkjet method on the substrate, An inkjet coating apparatus for forming a spacer region including spacer particles,
A moving mechanism for moving the substrate in one direction relative to the inkjet head unit;
In the inkjet head unit, a plurality of spacer particle dispersion discharge ports are arranged in a direction intersecting with the moving direction of the substrate moved by the moving mechanism in a direction intersecting the moving direction of the substrate. A plurality of arrays arranged in a row, the spacer particle dispersion is discharged onto the substrate moved by the moving mechanism, and the spacer particle dispersion is applied to the surface of the substrate,
A cleaning unit that includes a cleaning unit for cleaning the inkjet head;
The washing unit is
The spacer particle dispersion is disposed at a position separated from the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head by a first distance in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion, and the spacer particle dispersion is dispersed from the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head. A cleaning liquid discharge port for discharging the cleaning liquid toward a position separated in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the liquid discharge ports are arranged;
The spacer particle dispersion is separated from the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion in the discharge direction of the spacer particle dispersion by a second distance smaller than the first distance, and the spacer particle dispersion in the inkjet head is separated from the cleaning solution discharge port. A cleaning liquid suction port that is disposed at a position separated in the direction in which the discharge ports are arranged, and sucks the cleaning liquid discharged near the discharge port of the spacer particle dispersion;
A moving mechanism for moving the cleaning liquid discharge port and the cleaning liquid suction port in a direction in which the spacer particle dispersion discharge ports are arranged;
An ink jet coating apparatus comprising: The inkjet coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
The washing unit is
An abutment block having a pair of abutment portions capable of abutting at positions on both sides of the ink jet head spaced apart from the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge port And the cleaning liquid suction port is formed between the pair of contact portions. The inkjet coating apparatus according to claim 2,
An ink jet coating apparatus comprising an elastic member for bringing the contact block into contact with the lower surface of the ink jet head with elasticity. In the ink jet coating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The cleaning units are arranged in the same number as the inkjet heads in the inkjet head unit,
The moving mechanism moves the cleaning units all at once, thereby moving the cleaning liquid discharge port and the cleaning liquid suction port in the direction in which the spacer particle dispersion liquid discharge ports are arranged. .