JP2019064764A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a conveyance system which can shorten a time for carrying a display panel in and out from a processing apparatus for processing the display panel.SOLUTION: A conveyance system 1 conveys a display panel 2 between a processing apparatus 3 of the display panel 2 and a panel arrangement part 4 on which a display panel 2 before processing is arranged, and conveys the display panel 2 between the processing apparatus 3 and a panel arrangement part 5 on which a display panel 2 after processing is arranged. Temporary placing stages 13, 14, on which the display panel 2 is placed, are arranged between a robot 11 and a robot 12. The robot 12 conveys the display panel 2 from the panel arrangement part 4 to the temporary placing stage 13, and conveys the display panel 2 from the temporary placing stage 14 to the panel arrangement part 5. The robot 11 conveys the display panel 2 from the temporary placing stage 13 to the processing apparatus 3 and conveys the display panel 2 from the processing apparatus 3 to the temporary placing stage 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

  Conventionally, an inspection apparatus for inspecting the lighting of a liquid crystal panel is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is incorporated in the middle of a liquid crystal display manufacturing system. This inspection apparatus includes a prober for inspecting the lighting of the liquid crystal panel, a carry-in side conveyor for carrying the liquid crystal panel before the test toward the prober, and a carry-in mechanism for carrying the liquid crystal panel carried by the carry-in conveyor into the prober. It has an unloading mechanism for unloading the liquid crystal panel after inspection from the prober, and an unloading conveyor for transporting the liquid crystal panel unloaded by the unloading mechanism.

JP 2007-107973 A

  In the manufacturing system in which the inspection device described in Patent Document 1 is incorporated, it is preferable that the loading and unloading time of the liquid crystal panel with respect to the inspection device be short in order to shorten the tact time of the manufacturing system.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to transport the display panel between the processing device that processes the display panel and the first panel placement unit in which the display panel before being processed by the processing device is disposed, and In the transfer system for transferring the display panel between the second panel arranging unit in which the display panel after being processed by the processing apparatus is disposed, the loading and unloading time of the display panel with respect to the processing apparatus can be shortened. It is in providing a conveyance system.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the transport system of the present invention is characterized by the display panel between the processing device for processing the display panel and the first panel placement unit in which the display panel before being processed by the processing device is disposed. A transport system for transporting the display panel between the processing apparatus and the second panel arrangement unit in which the display panel after being processed by the processing apparatus is disposed, wherein the transport of the display panel relative to the processing apparatus is performed. Between the first robot and the second robot, and the second robot for carrying out the display panel from the first panel placement unit and carrying the display panel to the second panel placement unit. And a second temporary placement stage on which the display panel is placed, and the second robot is processed by the processing apparatus from the first panel placement unit to the first temporary placement stage The display panel is transported, and the display panel after being processed by the processing apparatus from the second temporary placement stage to the second panel placement unit is transferred, and the first robot transfers the processing from the first temporary placement stage to the processing apparatus The display panel before being processed is conveyed, and the display panel after being processed by the processing apparatus is conveyed from the processing apparatus to the second temporary placement stage.

  The transfer system of the present invention includes a first robot and a second robot, and a first temporary placement stage and a second temporary placement stage disposed between the first robot and the second robot. Further, in the present invention, the second robot transports the display panel from the first panel placement section to the first temporary placement stage, and transports the display panel from the second temporary placement stage to the second panel placement section, and The robot transports the display panel from the first temporary placement stage to the processing device, and transports the display panel from the processing device to the second temporary placement stage. Therefore, in the present invention, the display is compared with the case where the transfer of the display panel from the first panel arrangement unit to the processing apparatus and the transfer of the display panel from the processing apparatus to the second panel arrangement unit are performed by one robot. It becomes possible to shorten the operation time of each of the first robot and the second robot when transporting the panel.

  Further, in the present invention, the second robot transports the display panel from the first panel placement section to the first temporary placement stage, and transports the display panel from the second temporary placement stage to the second panel placement section, and While the robot transports the display panel from the first temporary placement stage to the processing apparatus, and transports the display panel from the processing apparatus to the second temporary placement stage, the second robot is operating even if two robots are installed. It becomes difficult for 1 robot and the 2nd robot in operation to interfere. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to extend the time for simultaneously operating the first robot and the second robot.

  As described above, in the present invention, as compared with the case where the transportation of the display panel from the first panel arrangement unit to the processing apparatus and the conveyance of the display panel from the processing apparatus to the second panel arrangement unit are performed by one robot, While it becomes possible to shorten each operation time of the 1st robot and the 2nd robot at the time of conveying a display panel, it becomes possible to lengthen the time which makes the 1st robot and the 2nd robot operate simultaneously. . Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to shorten the loading and unloading time of the display panel with respect to the processing apparatus.

  In the present invention, at least one of the first robot and the second robot can rotate the panel holding mechanism for holding the display panel and the panel holding mechanism for setting the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. It is preferable to provide the joint part holding the panel holding mechanism. According to this structure, the display panel conveyed from the first panel placement unit to the first temporary placement stage is turned upside down during conveyance, or the display panel conveyed from the second temporary placement stage to the second panel placement unit Flip up and down during transport, upside down during transport of the display panel transported from the first temporary placement stage to the processing device, up and down during transport of the display panel transported from the processing device to the second temporary placement stage It becomes possible to invert.

  In the present invention, the processing device is, for example, a lighting inspection device which performs lighting inspection of the display panel.

  In the present invention, the transport system includes a storage tray in which the display panel determined to be abnormal in the lighting inspection by the lighting inspection apparatus is accommodated, and a tray stage on which the storage tray is placed, and the first robot is illuminated The display panel determined to be normal in the lighting inspection by the inspection device is transported from the lighting inspection device to the second temporary placement stage, and the display panel determined to be abnormal in the lighting inspection in the lighting inspection device is accommodated from the lighting inspection device It is preferable to transport to the tray. With this configuration, it is possible to transport only the display panel determined to be normal in the lighting inspection by the lighting inspection device to the second panel arrangement unit.

  In the present invention, the transfer system includes, for example, a panel mounting stage on which a dummy panel formed in the same shape as the display panel is mounted, and the panel mounting stage is between the processing apparatus and the panel mounting stage. A plurality of display panels housed in the cassette are arranged in the first panel arrangement portion, and the lighting inspection device has two display panels each in the first panel arrangement portion. Lights are inspected.

  In the case where the display panel is subjected to lighting inspection by the lighting inspection device two by two, if the initial number of the display panels accommodated in the cassette disposed in the first panel arrangement portion is an odd number, the last one accommodated in the cassette After the display panels of one sheet are transported to the lighting inspection apparatus via the first temporary placement stage, the exchange of cassettes is finished, and the first display panel accommodated in the cassette passes the first temporary placement stage There is a risk that it will not be possible to conduct a lighting inspection with the lighting inspection device until it is transported to the lighting inspection device, but if the transport system has a panel placement stage on which the dummy panel is placed, it will be accommodated in the cassette After the last one display panel has been transported to the lighting inspection device, the dummy panel is transported from the panel mounting stage to the lighting inspection device, so that the lighting inspection device checks the lighting as it is. It is possible to perform.

  As described above, in the present invention, the display panel is transported between the processing device that processes the display panel and the first panel placement unit in which the display panel before being processed by the processing device is disposed, and the processing is performed In a transfer system for transferring a display panel between a device and a second panel arrangement unit in which the display panel after being processed by the processing device is disposed, it is possible to shorten the loading and unloading time of the display panel to and from the processing device become.

It is a side view of the conveyance system concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a top view for demonstrating the structure of the conveyance system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of conveyance operation of the liquid crystal panel in the conveyance system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of conveyance operation of the liquid crystal panel in the conveyance system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the 1st robot shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of operation | movement of the 2nd robot shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of transfer system)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a transfer system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the transfer system 1 shown in FIG.

  The transport system 1 of the present embodiment is used by being incorporated into a manufacturing line of a relatively small liquid crystal display used in a portable device or the like. The transport system 1 transports a liquid crystal panel 2 which is a display panel. Specifically, the transport system 1 includes the liquid crystal panel between the processing device 3 that processes the liquid crystal panel 2 and the first panel placement unit 4 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 before being processed by the processing device 3 is disposed. 2 is conveyed, and the liquid crystal panel 2 is conveyed between the processing device 3 and the second panel arranging portion 5 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 after being processed by the processing device 3 is disposed. The liquid crystal panel 2 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape.

  In the following description, the X1 direction side of FIG. 2 etc., which is one side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the vertical direction (vertical direction), is the “right” side, and the X2 direction side of FIG. The Y1 direction side of FIG. 2 etc., which is one side in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the left and right direction, is the “front” side, and the Y2 direction side of FIG. To the side.

  The processing device 3 of the present embodiment is a lighting inspection device that performs lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel 2. Therefore, hereinafter, the processing device 3 is referred to as the “inspection device 3”. In addition, the second panel placement portion 5 of the present embodiment is a panel receiving portion that constitutes a part of the polarizing plate sticking device 7 that sticks the polarizing plate to the liquid crystal panel 2. The panel receiving unit is the liquid crystal panel 2 after the lighting inspection by the inspection device 3 is received, and the liquid crystal panel 2 before the polarizing plate is attached is received. Hereinafter, the second panel arrangement unit 5 will be referred to as "panel receiving unit 5".

  Further, in the present embodiment, the plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 are arranged in the first panel arrangement portion 4. In the cassette 6, the liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed so that the thickness direction of the liquid crystal panel 2 and the vertical direction substantially coincide with each other. Further, in the cassette 6, the plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 are arrayed in the state of leaving a predetermined interval in the left and right direction, and the plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 aligned in the left and right direction is the predetermined interval in the vertical direction It is arranged to overlap in the up and down direction with open.

  The transport system 1 includes a robot 11 for transporting the liquid crystal panel 2 to the inspection device 3, unloading of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the first panel placement unit 4 (that is, unloading of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the cassette 6) and a panel receiving unit A robot 12 for carrying in the liquid crystal panel 2 to 5 and two temporary placement stages 13 and 14 disposed between the robot 11 and the robot 12 and on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is mounted . The robot 11 of this embodiment is a first robot, the robot 12 is a second robot, the temporary placement stage 13 is a first temporary placement stage, and the temporary placement stage 14 is a second temporary placement stage.

  Further, the transport system 1 includes a storage tray 15 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 determined to be abnormal (defective) in the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 is stored, and a tray stage 16 in which the storage tray 15 is mounted. There is. Furthermore, the transport system 1 includes a panel mounting stage 17 on which the dummy panel 52 having the same shape as the liquid crystal panel 2 is mounted.

  The robot 11 and the robot 12 are disposed in the state of being spaced apart in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the robot 11 is disposed on the right side, and the robot 12 is disposed on the left side. The robot 11 and the robot 12 are disposed at the same position in the front-rear direction. The temporary placement stage 13 and the temporary placement stage 14 are disposed adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the temporary placement stage 13 is disposed on the front side, and the temporary placement stage 14 is disposed on the rear side. The temporary placement stages 13 and 14 are disposed between the robot 11 and the robot 12 in the left-right direction. In the front-rear direction, the front end portion of the temporary placement stage 14 is disposed at substantially the same position as the centers of the robots 11 and 12.

  The storage tray 15 and the tray stage 16 are disposed on the right front side of the robot 11. The panel mounting stage 17 is disposed on the right side of the temporary placement stage 14. The panel mounting stage 17 is adjacent to the temporary placement stage 14. Further, the panel mounting stage 17 is disposed on the left side of the robot 11. The inspection device 3 is disposed behind the robot 11. The first panel placement unit 4 and the cassette 6 are disposed on the front side of the robot 12 and are disposed on the left side of the inspection device 3. The panel receiving unit 5 is disposed on the left rear side of the robot 12 and on the left side of the inspection device 3. That is, the first panel placement unit 4 and the panel reception unit 5 are disposed on the left side of the inspection device 3. The cassette 6 is disposed on the front side of the temporary placement stage 13, and the inspection device 3 and the panel receiving unit 5 are disposed on the rear side of the temporary placement stage 14.

  In the inspection apparatus 3, the liquid crystal panel 2 is inspected for lighting two by two. The inspection apparatus 3 has, for example, a panel holding unit having a panel mounting unit 20 at two positions on which two liquid crystal panels 2 are mounted, a rotation mechanism for rotating the panel holding unit with the vertical direction as an axial direction of rotation. And a case whose inside is a dark room at the time of the lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel 2. A backlight and a camera for inspecting the lighting of the liquid crystal panel 2 are installed inside the housing. The rotation mechanism has a position where one of the two panel mounting portions 20 is disposed outside the housing and the other panel mounting portion 20 is disposed inside the housing. The panel holding unit is rotated between the position where one panel placement unit 20 is disposed inside the casing and the other panel placement unit 20 is disposed outside the casing.

  The panel receiving unit 5 includes, for example, a panel placement unit 21 on which one liquid crystal panel 2 is placed. The first panel placement unit 4 includes a cassette holding unit that holds the cassette 6. The cassette holding portion is rotatable with the left and right direction as an axial direction of rotation and the lower end of the cassette holding portion as a rotation center. The operator manually sets the cassette 6 in the cassette holding unit. In this embodiment, for example, the thickness of the liquid crystal panel 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 after the cassette 6 is set from the diagonally front upper side in the cassette holding portion in a state of being inclined forward toward the upper side. After rotating the cassette holding portion to a position where the direction and the vertical direction substantially coincide with each other, the cassette holding portion is fixed.

  The robot 11 is a six-axis vertical articulated robot. The robot 11 includes a support member 23 constituting a lower end portion of the robot 11, a joint unit 24 rotatably connected to the support member 23, and a joint unit 25 rotatably connected to the joint unit 24. A straight arm 26 whose base end is fixed to the joint 25, a joint 27 fixed to the tip of the arm 26, a joint 28 relatively rotatably connected to the joint 27, and a joint 28, a straight arm 29 whose proximal end is relatively rotatably coupled, a joint 30 to which the tip of the arm 29 is fixed, a joint 31 relatively movably connected to the joint 30, and a joint A panel holding mechanism 32 rotatably connected to the portion 31 and holding the liquid crystal panel 2 is provided.

  The joint portion 24 is connected to the support member 23 so as to be able to rotate with the vertical direction as an axial direction of rotation. The joint portion 25 is connected to the joint portion 24 so as to be able to rotate with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. The joint portion 28 is connected to the joint portion 27 so as to be able to rotate with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. The joint portion 31 is connected to the joint portion 30 so as to be able to rotate with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. The axial direction of rotation of the joint 25 relative to the joint 24 and the axial direction of rotation of the joint 28 relative to the joint 27 are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm 26.

  The axial direction of rotation of the joint 28 with respect to the joint 27 and the axial direction of rotation of the joint 31 with respect to the joint 30 are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the arm 29. Further, the axial direction of rotation of the joint 28 with respect to the joint 27 and the axial direction of rotation of the arm 29 with respect to the joint 28 are orthogonal to each other. The axial direction of rotation of the joint 31 with respect to the joint 30 and the axial direction of rotation of the panel holding mechanism 32 with respect to the joint 31 are orthogonal to each other. As described above, the joint portion 31 is connected to the joint portion 30 so as to be able to rotate with the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the joint unit 30 holds the panel holding mechanism 32 via the joint unit 31 so that the panel holding mechanism 32 can be pivoted so that the horizontal direction is the axial direction of pivoting.

  The joints 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31 each include a motor and a reduction gear that transmits the power of the motor at a reduced speed. The joint unit 24 is rotated relative to the support member 23 by the power of the motor of the joint unit 24. The joint 25 is rotated relative to the joint 24 by the power of the motor of the joint 25. The joint unit 28 is rotated relative to the joint unit 27 by the power of the motor of the joint unit 27. The arm 29 rotates with respect to the joint 28 by the power of the motor of the joint 28. The joint 31 rotates with respect to the joint 30 by the power of the motor of the joint 30. The panel holding mechanism 32 is rotated relative to the joint 31 by the power of the motor of the joint 31.

  The panel holding mechanism 32 includes a panel holding portion 32 a that sucks and holds the liquid crystal panel 2. The panel holding portion 32 a is formed in a square flat plate shape, and holds one liquid crystal panel 2. A plurality of suction holes are formed in the panel holding portion 32a. An air suction mechanism such as a vacuum pump is connected to the plurality of suction holes via a predetermined pipe. The robot 12 is a six-axis vertical articulated robot configured similarly to the robot 11, and includes joints 24, 25, 27, 28, 30 and 31, arms 26 and 29, and a panel holding mechanism 32. Is equipped. However, the panel holding portion 32 a of the panel holding mechanism 32 of the robot 12 is formed in a long and thin rectangular plate shape.

  The temporary placement stages 13 and 14 are formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The upper surfaces of the temporary placement stages 13 and 14 are planes orthogonal to the vertical direction. Two liquid crystal panels 2 can be placed on the temporary placement stage 13. Specifically, it is possible to place two liquid crystal panels 2 on the temporary placement stage 13 with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. Similarly, it is possible to place two liquid crystal panels 2 on the temporary placement stage 14 with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction.

  The temporary placement stage 13 is formed with a notch 13a through which the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes in the vertical direction. The notch 13 a is formed from the left end of the temporary placement stage 13 toward the right. In addition, the notch 13a passes through the temporary placement stage 13 in the vertical direction. The notch 13a is formed in two places. Specifically, the notches 13 a are formed at two locations corresponding to the mounting position of the liquid crystal panel 2. The temporary placement stage 14 is also formed with a notch 14a through which the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes in the vertical direction. The notch 14a is formed in the same manner as the notch 13a.

  A plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 can be accommodated in the accommodation tray 15. The tray stage 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The upper surface of the tray stage 16 is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. When the predetermined number of liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated in the accommodation tray 15, for example, a worker manually exchanges the accommodation tray 15 in which the liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated with the empty accommodation tray 15.

  The panel mounting stage 17 is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. The upper surface of the panel mounting stage 17 is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. Two dummy panels 52 are mounted on the panel mounting stage 17. Specifically, two dummy panels 52 are mounted on the panel mounting stage 17 with a predetermined interval in the front-rear direction. The panel mounting stage 17 conveys the dummy panel 52 by the robot 11 between the inspection device 3 and the panel mounting stage 17 (specifically, between the panel mounting unit 20 and the panel mounting stage 17). It is placed in a possible position.

  The panel mounting stage 17 is formed with a notch 17 a. The notch portion 17 a is formed from the right end of the panel mounting stage 17 toward the left side. The notch 17a penetrates the panel mounting stage 17 in the vertical direction. The notches 17 a are formed at two locations corresponding to the mounting position of the dummy panel 52.

(Conveyance operation of the liquid crystal panel in the conveyance system)
3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an example of the transport operation of the liquid crystal panel 2 in the transport system 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the robot 11 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of the operation of the robot 12 shown in FIG.

  The robot 11 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 before being processed by the inspection apparatus 3 from the temporary placement stage 13 to the inspection apparatus 3 (that is, the liquid crystal panel 2 before being subjected to the lighting inspection). In addition, the robot 11 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 (that is, the liquid crystal panel 2 after being subjected to the lighting inspection) after being processed by the inspection device 3 from the inspection device 3 to the temporary placement stage 14. More specifically, the robot 11 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 determined to be normal in the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 from the inspection device 3 to the temporary placement stage 14, and causes the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 to be abnormal. The determined liquid crystal panel 2 is transported from the inspection device 3 to the storage tray 15. Further, the robot 12 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 before being subjected to the lighting inspection by the inspection device 3 from the first panel placement unit 4 (that is, from the cassette 6) to the temporary placement stage 13, and receives the panel from the temporary placement stage 14 The liquid crystal panel 2 after being subjected to the lighting inspection by the inspection device 3 is transported to the unit 5.

  In the present embodiment, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 11 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 between the temporary placement stages 13 and 14 and the inspection device 3 has a standby position P1 immediately before the inspection device 3 and the temporary placement stage. There may be a pause at a standby position P2 immediately to the right of 13, 14. Further, the panel holding portion 32 a of the robot 12 which transports the liquid crystal panel 2 from the cassette 6 to the temporary placement stage 13 and transports the liquid crystal panel 2 from the temporary placement stage 14 to the panel receiving unit 5 is a standby state immediately behind the cassette 6. It may pause at the standby position P4 immediately to the left of the position P3 and the temporary placement stages 13 and 14.

  For example, two normal liquid crystal panels 2 (hereinafter, the two liquid crystal panels 2 after the lighting inspection) mounted on the panel mounting portion 20 disposed outside the housing of the inspection device 3 (hereinafter referred to as “liquid crystal panel 2A , And “the liquid crystal panel 2B” is transported to the panel mounting portion 21 of the panel receiving portion 5 and the two liquid crystal panels 2 (hereinafter, the two liquid When the panel 2 is transported to the panel placement unit 20 disposed outside the housing of the inspection apparatus 3 as “liquid crystal panel 2 C” and “liquid crystal panel 2 D”, the robots 11 and 12 are as follows: It operates to transport the liquid crystal panel 2.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, first, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 disposed at the standby position P1 moves to the panel placement unit 20 of the inspection device 3 as indicated by the arrow R1. The liquid crystal panel 2A is held (step S1). In step S1, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 sucks and holds the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2A. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 returns to the standby position P1 as indicated by the arrow R2 (step S2). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the standby position P2 as indicated by the arrow R3 (step S3).

  Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the temporary placement stage 14 as indicated by the arrow R4, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2A on the temporary placement stage 14 (step S4). In step S4, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 mounts the liquid crystal panel 2A on the front side portion of the temporary placement stage 14, for example. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 returns to the standby position P2 as indicated by the arrow R5 (step S5).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 disposed at the standby position P3 moves to the cassette 6 as indicated by the arrow L1 and holds the liquid crystal panel 2C (step S51). ). In step S51, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 sucks and holds the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel 2C. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 returns to the standby position P3 as indicated by the arrow L2 (step S52). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P4 as indicated by the arrow L3 (step S53).

  Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the temporary placement stage 13 as indicated by the arrow L4, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2C on the temporary placement stage 13 (step S54). In step S54, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 places the liquid crystal panel 2C on the front side portion of the temporary placement stage 13, for example. Further, when mounting the liquid crystal panel 2C on the temporary placement stage 13 in step S54, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes through the notch 13a. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the temporary placement stage 14 as indicated by the arrow L5 (step S55). Steps S51 to S55 are performed simultaneously with steps S1 to S5.

  Also, after step S5, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the temporary placement stage 13 as indicated by the arrow R6, and holds the liquid crystal panel 2C (step S6). In step S6, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 sucks and holds the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2C. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the standby position P1 as indicated by the arrow R7 (step S7). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 11 is moved to the panel mounting portion 20 of the inspection device 3 as indicated by the arrow R11, where the liquid crystal panel 2A is mounted. The held liquid crystal panel 2C is placed (step S8). Thereafter, as indicated by arrows R12 and R13, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 holds the liquid crystal panel 2B (step S9), and returns to the standby position P1 (step S10). In step S9, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 sucks and holds the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2B.

  Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the standby position P2 as indicated by the arrow R14 (step S11). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the temporary placement stage 14 as indicated by the arrow R15, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2B on the temporary placement stage 14 (step S12). In step S12, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11, for example, places the liquid crystal panel 2C on the rear side portion of the temporary placement stage 14. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 returns to the standby position P2 as indicated by the arrow R16 (step S13).

  Further, after step S55, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 holds the liquid crystal panel 2A placed on the temporary placement stage 14 (step S56). In step S56, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 sucks and holds the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel 2A. When the liquid crystal panel 2A placed on the temporary placement stage 14 is held in step S56, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes the notch 14a. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P4 as indicated by the arrow L6 (step S57). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the panel placement unit 21 of the panel receiving unit 5 as indicated by the arrow L7, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2A on the panel placement unit 21 ( Step S58). In step S58, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12, for example, turns the liquid crystal panel 2A upside down while the panel holding unit 32a is moving, and places the liquid crystal panel 2A on the panel placement unit 21. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P3 as indicated by the arrow L8 (step S59).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the cassette 6 as indicated by the arrow L11, and holds the liquid crystal panel 2D (step S60). In step S60, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 sucks and holds the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel 2D. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 returns to the standby position P3 as indicated by the arrow L12 (step S61). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P4 as indicated by the arrow L13 (step S62).

  Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the temporary placement stage 13 as indicated by the arrow L14, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2D on the temporary placement stage 13 (step S63). In step S63, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 places the liquid crystal panel 2D on the rear side of the temporary placement stage 13, for example. Further, when mounting the liquid crystal panel 2D on the temporary placement stage 13 in step S63, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes through the notch 13a. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the temporary placement stage 14 as indicated by the arrow L15 (step S64). Steps S56 to S64 are performed simultaneously with steps S6 to S13.

  After step S13, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the temporary placement stage 13 as indicated by the arrow R17, and holds the liquid crystal panel 2D (step S14). In step S14, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 sucks and holds the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2D. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the standby position P1 as indicated by the arrow R18 (step S15). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 moves to the panel mounting unit 20 of the inspection device 3 as indicated by the arrow R19, and holds the liquid crystal panel 2D held at the position where the liquid crystal panel 2B was mounted. Are placed (step S16). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 11 returns to the standby position P1 as indicated by the arrow R20 (step S17).

  Further, after step S64, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 holds the liquid crystal panel 2B placed on the temporary placement stage 14 (step S65). In step S65, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 sucks and holds the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel 2B. When the liquid crystal panel 2B placed on the temporary placement stage 14 is held in step S65, the panel holding portion 32a of the robot 12 passes through the notch 14a. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P4 as indicated by the arrow L16 (step S66). Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the panel placement unit 21 of the panel reception unit 5 as indicated by the arrow L17, and places the held liquid crystal panel 2B on the panel placement unit 21 ( Step S67). In step S67, for example, while the panel holding unit 32a is moving, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 turns the liquid crystal panel 2B upside down and places it on the panel placement unit 21. Thereafter, the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 moves to the standby position P3 as indicated by the arrow L18 (step S68). Steps S65 to S68 are performed simultaneously with steps S14 to S17.

  In the present embodiment, the temporary holding stage 14 moves and the liquid crystal panels 2A and 2B are placed on the temporary holding stage 14. The panel holding portion 32a of the robot 11 moves to the temporary holding stage 14 and the liquid crystal panels 2A and 2B move. The robot 12 may stop for a predetermined time in order to prevent interference with the panel holding unit 32a of the robot 12 holding the key.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the liquid crystal panel 2 is subjected to the light inspection every two sheets in the inspection device 3. When the initial number of liquid crystal panels 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is an odd number, when the last one liquid crystal panel 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is placed on the panel placement unit 20, the panel placement unit Although the number of the liquid crystal panels 2 placed on the panel 20 is one, if the number of the liquid crystal panels 2 placed on the panel placement unit 20 is one, the liquid crystal panel 2 is selected because of the structure of the inspection device 3. You can not check the lighting of the Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the initial number of liquid crystal panels 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is an odd number, the last one liquid crystal panel 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is placed on the panel placement unit 20 Then, the robot 11 conveys the dummy panel 52 placed on the panel placement stage 17 to the panel placement unit 20 and places the dummy panel 52 on the panel placement unit 20. Further, when the dummy panel 52 is placed on the panel placement unit 20, the inspection device 3 performs a lighting examination.

  Further, in the present embodiment, due to the structure of the inspection device 3, the lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel 2 can not be performed by the inspection device 3 unless the number of the liquid crystal panels 2 mounted on the panel mounting portion 20 is two. For example, a situation in which a failure or the like of the camera of the inspection apparatus 3 occurs and only one liquid crystal panel 2 of the two liquid crystal panels 2 placed on the panel placement unit 20 can be properly lit. Can occur. In this case, only one liquid crystal panel 2 is replaced in a state where each of the two dummy panels 52 is mounted on each of the two panel mounting portions 20, so that one liquid crystal panel 2 can be obtained. It is possible to continue the lighting inspection of the

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in the present embodiment, the transport system 1 includes the two robots 11 and 12 and the two temporary placement stages 13 and 14 disposed between the robot 11 and the robot 12. . Further, in this embodiment, the robot 11 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 before the lighting inspection from the temporary placement stage 13 to the inspection device 3 and transports the liquid crystal panel 2 after the lighting inspection from the inspection device 3 to the temporary placement stage 14 ing. The robot 12 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 before the lighting inspection from the cassette 6 to the temporary placement stage 13 and transports the liquid crystal panel 2 after the lighting inspection from the temporary placement stage 14 to the panel receiving unit 5.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, compared to the case where the transportation of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the cassette 6 to the inspection device 3 and the transportation of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the inspection device 3 to the panel receiving unit 5 are performed by one robot, It becomes possible to shorten the operation time of each of the robot 11 and the robot 12 when transporting the panel 2. Further, in the present embodiment, even if two robots 11 and 12 are installed, the robot 11 in operation and the robot 12 in operation interfere with each other as described in the example of the transfer operation of the liquid crystal panel 2 described above. Since it becomes difficult to do, it becomes possible to lengthen the time which makes robot 11 and robot 12 operate simultaneously.

  Thus, in this embodiment, compared to the case where the transport of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the cassette 6 to the inspection device 3 and the transport of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the inspection device 3 to the panel receiving unit 5 are performed by one robot, While it becomes possible to shorten each operation time of the robot 11 and the robot 12 at the time of conveying the liquid crystal panel 2, it becomes possible to lengthen the time which makes the robot 11 and the robot 12 operate simultaneously, so It is possible to shorten the loading and unloading time of the liquid crystal panel 2 with respect to the device 3.

  In the present embodiment, the panel holding mechanism 32 is held by the joint unit 30 via the joint unit 31 so that the panel holding mechanism 32 can be turned in the horizontal direction as the axial direction of the rotation. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, for example, the liquid crystal panel 2 conveyed from the temporary placement stage 14 to the panel placement unit 21 can be turned upside down during conveyance. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to facilitate the handling of the liquid crystal panel 2 in the polarizing plate sticking device 7.

  In the present embodiment, the transport system 1 includes the storage tray 15 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 determined to be abnormal in the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 is accommodated, and the robot 11 is normal in the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 The liquid crystal panel 2 determined as being transported from the inspection device 3 to the temporary placement stage 14, and the liquid crystal panel 2 determined as abnormal by the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 is transported from the inspection device 3 to the storage tray 15. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is possible to transport only the liquid crystal panel 2 determined to be normal in the lighting inspection in the inspection device 3 to the panel receiving unit 5 of the polarizing plate sticking device 7.

  In the present embodiment, two dummy panels 52 are mounted on the panel mounting stage 17. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, even if the initial number of liquid crystal panels 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is an odd number, the last one liquid crystal panel 2 accommodated in the cassette 6 is the cassette 6 Even after the cassette 6 has not been replaced, the dummy panel 52 can be placed on the panel placement unit 20 and the inspection device 3 can perform the lighting inspection of the liquid crystal panel 2. Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, even if only one liquid crystal panel 2 of the two liquid crystal panels 2 mounted on the panel mounting portion 20 can be subjected to an appropriate lighting inspection, The lighting inspection of one liquid crystal panel 2 is continued by replacing only one liquid crystal panel 2 with each of the two dummy panels 52 being mounted on each of the two panel mounting portions 20. It will be possible to

(Other embodiments)
The embodiment described above is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the embodiment described above, the panel holding mechanism 32 may include two panel holding portions 32a. That is, the panel holding mechanism 32 may hold the two liquid crystal panels 2. In this case, for example, the panel holding mechanism 32 includes a slide mechanism that slides each of the two panel holding portions 32 a individually. Further, in this case, since the two liquid crystal panels 2 can be simultaneously transported by the robots 11 and 12, the loading and unloading time of the liquid crystal panel 2 with respect to the inspection apparatus 3 can be further shortened.

  In the embodiment described above, the processing device 3 is a lighting inspection device for inspecting the lighting of the liquid crystal panel 2, but the processing device 3 is a device for performing predetermined processing on the liquid crystal panel 2 other than the lighting inspection device Also good. Further, in the embodiment described above, the plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 accommodated in the tray may be arranged in the first panel arrangement portion 4. In addition, the discharge unit of the liquid crystal panel 2 of the apparatus for performing predetermined processing on the liquid crystal panel 2 may be the first panel placement unit 4. Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the second panel placement unit 5 may be a panel receiving unit of a device other than the polarizing plate sticking device 7. Further, a cassette or a tray in which the liquid crystal panel 2 is accommodated may be arranged in the second panel arrangement portion 5.

  In the embodiment described above, at least one of the robot 10 and the robot 11 may be a vertical articulated robot other than six axes, a horizontal articulated robot, or a so-called parallel link robot Also good. Further, in the embodiment described above, the transport system 1 may not include the panel mounting stage 17. Further, in the embodiment described above, the display panel conveyed by the conveyance system 1 is the liquid crystal panel 2, but the display panel conveyed by the conveyance system 1 may be a display panel other than the liquid crystal panel 2. For example, the display panel transported by the transport system 1 may be an organic EL panel.

1 Transport system 2 Liquid crystal panel (display panel)
3 Inspection device (lighting inspection device, processing device)
4 1st panel arrangement part 5 2nd panel arrangement part 6 cassette 11 robot (1st robot)
12 Robot (the second robot)
13 Temporary placement stage (the first temporary placement stage)
14 Temporary placement stage (second temporary placement stage)
15 storage tray 16 tray stage 17 panel mounting stage 30 joints 32 panel holding mechanism 52 dummy panel

Claims (5)

The display panel is transported between a processing device that processes a display panel and a first panel placement unit in which the display panel before being processed by the processing device is disposed, and the processing device and the processing A transport system for transporting the display panel to and from a second panel arrangement unit on which the display panel after being processed by the apparatus is disposed,
A first robot that transports the display panel to the processing device; and a second robot that unloads the display panel from the first panel placement unit and loads the display panel into the second panel placement unit A first temporary placement stage and a second temporary placement stage disposed between the first robot and the second robot and on which the display panel is placed;
The second robot conveys the display panel before being processed by the processing apparatus from the first panel placement unit to the first temporary placement stage, and from the second temporary placement stage to the second panel placement unit Conveying the display panel after being processed by the processing device;
The first robot transports the display panel before being processed by the processing apparatus from the first temporary placement stage to the processing apparatus, and the processing apparatus performs processing by the processing apparatus from the processing apparatus to the second temporary placement stage And conveying the display panel after being processed.   At least one of the first robot and the second robot can rotate the panel holding mechanism that holds the display panel and the panel holding mechanism that makes the horizontal direction an axial direction of rotation. The transfer system according to claim 1, further comprising: a joint unit that holds the panel holding mechanism.   The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is a lighting inspection device that performs lighting inspection of the display panel. A storage tray in which the display panel determined to be abnormal in the lighting inspection by the lighting inspection device is accommodated; and a tray stage on which the storage tray is placed;
The first robot conveys the display panel determined to be normal in the lighting inspection by the lighting inspection device from the lighting inspection device to the second temporary placement stage, and the lighting inspection in the lighting inspection device is abnormal. The transport system according to claim 3, wherein the display panel determined to be transported from the lighting inspection device to the storage tray. A panel mounting stage on which a dummy panel formed in the same shape as the display panel is mounted;
The panel mounting stage is disposed between the processing apparatus and the panel mounting stage at a position where the first robot can convey the dummy panel.
A plurality of the display panels housed in a cassette are arranged in the first panel arrangement section,
5. The transport system according to claim 3, wherein in the lighting inspection device, the display panels are inspected for lighting two by two.

Images