JP2021037710A - Method of laminating functional film to work, method of peeling off the work, and lamination device using the methods - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a method of securely fixing a soft functional film without damaging the film when laminating a work and the functional film, a method of easily removing the work after lamination, and a device using the methods.SOLUTION: There is provided a device of laminating a functional film to a work, the device comprises: a table 5 that follows a shape of a work; an adhesive sheet 1 that is placed on the table and is in a tensioned state; a work support 18 that can move forward and backward to press a curved work 12 to a functional film having a film sensor 2 or the like adhered to the adhesive sheet 1 in a vacuum state; and a function to release the tension of the adhesive sheet 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY In the manufacturing of a work such as a touch panel, the present invention provides a method of securely fixing a soft functional film without damaging it in a process of attaching the work and a functional film such as a film sensor, and attaching the work and the functional film or the like. The present invention relates to a method for easily removing the work after being attached, and a device for carrying out these.

In the past, some flat display panels such as liquid crystal displays and organic EL displays had a touch panel function built into them, but in recent years, curved surface shapes have been displayed according to the layout inside the vehicle, such as in-vehicle display panels. The use of panels is increasing. In order to manufacture these curved display panels with high accuracy, some film sensors that provide a touch panel function also have a curved surface.

These film sensors generally have an adhesive layer for attaching to a display panel or the like on one side and a release film (or protective film) covering the adhesive layer, and the other side of the film sensor has an adhesive layer. Another protective film or the like is attached via the adhesive layer, and the release film (or protective film) on one side of the film sensor is peeled off immediately before the application work to the display panel, and then the film sensor is attached. The protective film on the other side is still attached to the film sensor during manufacturing work and transportation so that the film sensor is not damaged by being attached to the surface of the display panel via the agent layer.

Currently, as a method of pasting a hard work such as a display panel and another hard work, a method of fixing the work on a table with a jig or the like, or a work having a curved surface is formed so as to follow the shape of the material. There is a method of placing it on a table and fixing it.

For example, when pasting curved workpieces together, as a method of securely fixing the curved workpieces, a method of stacking the workpieces on the curved surface fixing member and pressing them with an elastically deformable cushioning member to join them. (See, for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, when a film sensor or the like for giving a touch panel function is attached to a work such as a curved display panel, a method of fixing the soft film sensor and a method of removing the work after the film sensor is attached are important.

JP-A-2018-167537

By the way, the fixing method using a jig or the like of the prior art is an effective fixing method for bonding curved hard workpieces to each other, but it cannot be said to be sufficient as a method for fixing a soft object such as a film sensor. .. In other words, if a soft film sensor or the like is fixed with a jig or the like, there is a high possibility that an indentation will be formed on the surface of the film sensor.

Further, the method of placing the material on a table formed so as to follow the shape of the material (just placing the material) is one of the effective fixing methods for bonding hard workpieces having curved surfaces. However, it cannot be said that it is sufficient as a method for fixing a soft film sensor or the like. In other words, in the case of a film sensor, there is a high possibility that it will move just by placing it.

Further, in the case of a film sensor or the like, it is essential to peel off the release film before attaching it to a curved hard work. However, if it is simply placed on a table formed so as to follow the shape of the material, the work is lifted at the time of peeling, and only the release film cannot be peeled off.

Even in the method of placing the work on the support member having a curved surface and pressing the works by using a cushioning member that elastically deforms the works as in Patent Document 1, the work moves laterally with another support member. Although regulated, it is not regulated upwards, so the release film cannot be peeled off as it is, just as if it were simply placed on a table.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and when a soft functional film such as a film sensor is attached to a work having various shapes such as a curved work, the soft functional film is surely not damaged. Provided are a method of fixing, a method of easily removing the work after the work and a functional film are bonded to each other, and an apparatus using these methods.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is a method of attaching a functional film that follows the shape of the work to the work by an adhesive layer, and is placed on a table that follows the shape of the work. A mounting process in which the opposite side of the adhesive layer of the functional film is placed on the placed adhesive sheet in a tensioned state, and on the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in a vacuum state. It is a method of attaching a functional film to a work, which comprises a joining step of closely pressing and joining the adhesive layer of the functional film.

In the invention of claim 1, the work may be a flat surface or a curved surface, and the shape thereof is not limited. For example, an optical component such as an in-vehicle display panel whose curved surface shape is functionally indispensable. is there. The functional film is, for example, a film sensor for adding a touch panel function to a display panel, a polarizing film essential for a liquid crystal panel, or the like.

In addition, since the soft functional film is adhered and fixed on the adhesive sheet tensioned on the table that follows the shape of the work, the functional film does not move during the joining process and a joining error does not occur. In a vacuum state, the work and the functional film are closely bonded by applying a pressing force, so that the vacuum suction state is matched with the pressing force, so that the work is firmly bonded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the functional film is joined by the method of attaching the functional film to the work according to the first aspect, the tensioned state of the adhesive sheet is released and then the curved work with the functional film is adhered. It is a method of peeling a work with a functional film, which is characterized by peeling from a sheet.

As in the invention of claim 2, by loosening the tension of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet on the work to which the functional film is attached, the initial movement of the work at the time of peeling is not suppressed, and at the time of peeling. By increasing the peeling angle of the adhesive sheet, the work with the functional film can be easily peeled off.

The invention of claim 3 is a sticking device for joining a work and a functional film that follows the shape of the work in a vacuum chamber in a vacuum chamber, a table that follows the shape of the work, and a table on the table. A work support that can move forward and backward so that the work can be pressed against the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet placed on the table and the functional film adhered to the adhesive sheet on the table while holding the work. It is a device for attaching a functional film to a work, which is characterized by having.

According to the device of claim 3, the sticking device has a configuration suitable for using the method of sticking the functional film to the work according to claim 1.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the apparatus for joining a functional film to a work according to claim 3, the adhesive sheet has a function of being able to be changed between a tensioned state and a loosened state. Adopt the configuration to be used.

According to the invention of claim 4, the sticking apparatus has a structure suitable for using the peeling method of the work with a functional film according to claim 2.

As described above, according to the present invention, the soft functional film such as the film sensor can be reliably fixed in the joining work in the vacuum state, so that the functional film moves at the time of joining with the work. Joining does not fail.

Further, even in the work of peeling off the release film covering the adhesive layer of the functional film, since the functional film is securely fixed, the release film can also be easily peeled off.

Further, when the work with the functional film after the joining process is easily peeled off from the adhesive sheet and taken out, the tension of the adhesive sheet is relaxed, so that a gap is easily generated between the work with the functional film and the adhesive sheet. , The work with functional film could be easily removed.

In addition, since the adhesive sheet is not damaged when the work with the functional film is peeled off, the adhesive sheet for fixing the functional film can be reused many times, even when compared with the method of throwing away the adhesive sheet. Low cost.

It is a figure which shows the mounting process of this invention, and is the front sectional view which mounted the film sensor which is a functional film on an adhesive sheet. It is a figure which shows the joining process of this invention, and is the front sectional view which made the vacuum chamber a vacuum state. It is a figure which shows the joining process of this invention, and is the front sectional view which joined the work and the film sensor. It is a figure which shows the removal process of this invention, and is the front sectional view which released the tension | tensioned state of the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet after joining. (A), (B), and (C) are front sectional views showing a state in which a work with a film sensor is peeled off from an adhesive sheet in order. It is a front sectional view of the work with a film sensor taken out from an adhesive sheet. It is a top view of the lower vacuum chamber.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 6 are front sectional views showing a step of holding and attaching the functional film of the present invention to the work and removing the work with the functional film, and FIG. 7 is a lower view used in the present invention. It is a top view of the vacuum chamber 6.

On the upper surface of the lower vacuum chamber 6, a table 5 having a convex curved surface that follows the shape of the curved work 12 (and the film sensor 2 as a functional film) described later is provided via the support member 4. ing.

Further, the first support portion 10 and the second support portion 10 and the second support portion 10 that hold both ends of the adhesive sheet 1 in order to arrange the adhesive sheet 1 on the table 5 along the curved surface of the table 5 at positions sandwiched between the left and right sides of the table 5 The support portion 11 is provided.

The first support portion 10 is directly provided on the upper right side of the lower vacuum chamber 6, but the second support portion 11 is a slide block 8 slidably fitted to a rail 7 extending in the left-right direction shown in the lower vacuum chamber 6. It is provided on the upper surface of the.

The slide block 8 slides to the left and right in the drawing by the action of a cylinder 9 provided on the outside of the lower vacuum chamber 6, and the tension of the adhesive sheet 1 can be adjusted by the slide.

With the cylinder 9 acting on the adhesive sheet 1 and tension being applied, the film sensor 2 as a functional film is placed and fixed from above from above.

A functional film such as the film sensor 2 is generally thin, and a film attached to a curved work such as an in-vehicle display panel has a curved shape according to the shape of the work. , A release film 3 is attached to the entire surface on one side (upper surface in the drawing), and an adhesive layer (not shown) is provided between the release film 3 and the film sensor 2, and the adhesive layer will be described later. It is joined to a curved work 12 such as an in-vehicle display panel.

As shown in FIG. 1, the film sensor 2 is firmly fixed by the adhesive film 1 in a tensioned state on a table 5 having a shape that follows the shape of the film sensor 2, and is therefore not shown in this fixed state. The release film 3 on the upper surface can be peeled off by an appropriate means, and the adhesive layer is exposed on the film sensor 3 by removing the release film 3.

The joining process between the curved work 12 such as an in-vehicle display panel and the film sensor 2 after the release step of the release film 3 from the film sensor 2 is performed will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

By covering the upper vacuum chamber 17 from above the lower vacuum chamber 6, the space sandwiched between the lower vacuum chamber 6 and the upper vacuum chamber 17 is sealed, and the pipe 15 connected to the upper vacuum chamber 17 is further formed. By removing the air in the closed space sandwiched between the lower vacuum chamber 6 and the upper vacuum chamber 17 by the vacuum pump 16 and then closing the valve 14 of the pipe 15, the inside can be maintained in a vacuum. There is.

Further, on the lower side of the upper vacuum chamber 17, a work support 18 that can be raised and lowered by a guide shaft 19 connected from the outside is provided, and the work support 18 follows a convex curve on the upper surface of the curved work 12. It has a concave curved surface, and the curved work 12 can be freely held and attached by the work fastener 13 in the peripheral portion.

In the joining process between the film sensor 2 and the curved work 12, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the upper vacuum chamber is held in a state where the upper surface of the curved work 12 is held by the work support 18 on the lower surface of the upper vacuum chamber 17. 17 is superposed on the lower vacuum chamber 6 to seal the inside, and the inside of the chamber is evacuated by the action of the vacuum pump 16 and the valve 14.

After that, as shown in FIG. 3, the work support 18 is lowered via the guide shaft 19 to hold the curved work 12 supported on the lower surface of the work support 18 via the adhesive sheet 1 on the table 5. It is placed on the upper surface of the film sensor 2 and pressed against the surface.

In a vacuum space sealed by the lower vacuum chamber 6 and the upper vacuum chamber 17, the curved work 12 and the film sensor 2 on the adhesive sheet 1 in a tensioned state are brought into close contact with each other by applying an external force. No air bubbles enter between the curved work 12 and the film sensor 2, and the entire surface is strongly attached.

At that time, it is considered that a vacuum suction state is also added between the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1 and the film sensor 2 to bond the film more firmly.

When the joining step between the curved work 12 and the film sensor 2 on the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 1 is completed, the pressing of the work support 18 is released and the curved work 12 is released from the work support 18. The valve 14 of the pipe 15 is opened to return the internal vacuum state to the atmospheric pressure state, and the upper vacuum chamber 17 is removed from the lower vacuum chamber 6.

Next, the steps of removing the curved work 12 to which the film sensor 2 is joined will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the upper surface of the lower vacuum chamber 6 from which the upper vacuum chamber 17 has been removed from the upper surface, a laminated body of the curved work 12 and the film sensor 2 is formed on the adhesive sheet 1 on the upper surface of the table 5. It is joined and fixed.

The curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is removed from this device by an appropriate means such as manual work or automatic operation by a machine, but before that, as shown in the figure, the cylinder 9 is operated to attach the slide block 8 to the adhesive sheet 1. By releasing the tensioned state and advancing in the loosening direction (right direction), the adhesive sheet 1 is released from the tensioned state between the second support portion and the table 5 and loosened as shown in FIG.

Next, the steps of manually or mechanically removing the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 from this device will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (A), (B), (C) and 6.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is pulled upward with the right end in the drawing as a fulcrum and the left end in the drawing upward. At this time, since the portion of the adhesive sheet 1 that is adhered to the first support portion 10 and the film sensor 12 is loosened, there is no resistance at the initial stage of pulling up, and the left end of the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is formed. The part can be pulled up.

As shown in FIG. 5B, when the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is pulled up to a certain extent, tension is applied between the first support portion 10 of the adhesive sheet 1 and the portion adhered to the film sensor 12. Will be applied.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the left end of the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is pulled further upward, the peeling angle α between the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 and the adhesive sheet 1 Is formed and a gap is created. By further pulling up the left end of the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2, the adhesive sheet 1 is pulled in the direction of the peeling angle α with respect to the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2, so that the gap is widened. In the film sensor 12 of the adhesive sheet 1, the portion of the adhesive sheet 1 that is adhered to the adhesive sheet 1 is peeled off from the left side.

As shown in FIG. 6, the film sensor 2 is peeled off from the entire surface of the adhesive sheet 1 while maintaining the state in which tension is applied from the first support portion of the adhesive sheet 1 and expanding the gap formed between the adhesive sheet 1 and the film sensor 2. Then, the step of removing the curved work 12 with the film sensor 2 is completed.

After that, the first support portion 10 is pulled in again by the action of the cylinder 9, the adhesive sheet 1 is placed on the table 5 in a tensioned state, and the steps shown in order from FIG. 1 are repeated.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the functional film is not limited to the film sensor, and a film having various functions is used. Further, the shape of the work is not limited to the curved work shown in the figure, and can be applied to a flat work. Further, the apparatus is not limited to the one shown in the drawing, and can be appropriately modified and implemented within the scope of the object of the present invention.

1 Adhesive sheet 2 Film sensor 3 Release film 4 Support member 5 Table 6 Lower vacuum chamber 7 Rail 8 Slide block 9 Cylinder 10 1st support 11 2nd support 12 Curved work 13 Work fastener 14 Valve 15 Piping 16 Vacuum Pump 17 Upper vacuum chamber 18 Work support 19 Guide shaft

Claims (4)

It is a method of attaching a functional film that follows the shape of this work to the work with an adhesive layer.
A mounting process in which the opposite side of the adhesive layer of the functional film is placed on a tensioned adhesive sheet placed on a table that conforms to the shape of the work.
Affixing a functional film to a work, which comprises a joining process in which the work and the adhesive layer of the functional film on the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet are closely pressed and joined in a vacuum state. Method. It is characterized in that, after being joined by the method of attaching the functional film to the work according to claim 1, the tensioned state of the adhesive sheet is released, and then the work with the functional film is peeled off from the adhesive sheet. How to peel off a workpiece with a functional film. It is a sticking device that joins a work and a functional film that follows the shape of this work in a vacuum state in a vacuum chamber.
A table that follows the shape of the work and
An adhesive sheet placed on the table in a tensioned state and
Attachment of the functional film to the work, which has a work support that can move forward and backward so that the work can be pressed against the functional film adhered to the adhesive sheet on the table while holding the work. apparatus. The device for attaching a functional film to a work according to claim 3, further comprising a function of changing the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet between a tensioned state and a loosened state.

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