JP3106104B2 - Color filter manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, color filter and display device, device equipped with this display device, and display device manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for manufacturing a color filter for manufacturing a color filter by discharging ink toward a substrate by an ink-jet head and coloring each pixel, and a color filter. The present invention relates to a display device and a device including the display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of personal computers,
In particular, with the development of portable personal computers, the demand for liquid crystal displays, especially color liquid crystal displays, tends to increase. However, for further widespread use, it is necessary to reduce the cost of the liquid crystal display, and in particular, there is an increasing demand for reducing the cost of a color filter having a high specific gravity. Conventionally, various methods have been tried to satisfy the above-mentioned requirements while satisfying the required characteristics of the color filter, but a method for satisfying all the required characteristics has not yet been established. The respective methods will be described below. The first method most frequently used is a staining method. In the dyeing method, a water-soluble polymer material, which is a material for dyeing, is applied on a glass substrate, and is patterned into a desired shape by a photolithography process. Get a pattern. By repeating this three times, R, G,
A color filter layer of B is formed.

[0003] A second method is a pigment dispersion method, which is recently replacing the dyeing method. In this method, a photosensitive resin layer in which a pigment is dispersed is formed on a substrate, and a monochromatic pattern is obtained by patterning the photosensitive resin layer. This process is further repeated three times to form R, G, B color filter layers.

As a third method, there is an electrodeposition method. In this method, a transparent electrode is patterned on a substrate, and immersed in an electrodeposition coating solution containing a pigment, a resin, an electrolytic solution, and the like to electrodeposit a first color. This process is repeated three times to form R, G, and B color filter layers, and finally fired.

As a fourth method, there is a printing method. In this method, a pigment is dispersed in a thermosetting resin, R, G, and B are separately applied by repeating printing three times, and then the resin is thermoset to form a colored layer. In any method, a protective layer is generally formed on the colored layer.

The common features of these methods are R,
In order to color the three colors G and B, the same process needs to be repeated three times, which increases the cost. In addition, there is a problem that the yield decreases as the number of steps increases.
Further, in the electrodeposition method, since the pattern shape that can be formed is limited, the current technology cannot be applied to a TFT. In the printing method, fine pitch patterns cannot be formed due to poor resolution and smoothness.

To compensate for these drawbacks, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
JP-A-5205, JP-A-63-235901 and JP-A-1-217320 disclose a method of manufacturing a color filter using an ink jet system. These methods are R (red), G (green), B
An ink containing three (blue) dyes is jetted onto a light-transmissive substrate by an inkjet method, and each ink is dried to form a colored image portion. In such an ink-jet method, each of the R, G, and B pixels can be formed at a time, so that a great simplification of the manufacturing process and a great cost reduction effect can be obtained.

[0008]

When a color filter is manufactured by such an ink jet method, it is necessary to discharge ink to each pixel while scanning the color filter substrate with an ink jet head to color each pixel portion. Conceivable. In this case, the coloring is started from the outer portion of the region where the pixels of the color filter substrate are formed, that is, the frame portion, as shown in FIG. 20A, and a fixed amount of ink is ejected at fixed intervals. It is usually conceivable to color each pixel.

However, when a fixed amount of ink is ejected at a constant interval in this manner, the ink I1 ejected to the end is discharged to the surface at the start position of the ejection as indicated by an arrow in FIG. The ink is concentrated by being pulled by the ink I2 ejected secondly by the tension, and FIG.
As shown in section A, the ink in that part spreads greatly. As described above, when the ink spreads in the portion A, color mixing occurs with ink of an adjacent different color, and once the color mixing occurs, adjacent inks of different colors are pulled by the surface tension. Not only the portion, but also extends toward the effective pixel region as shown by hatching in FIG. Therefore, in order to prevent the mixed color portion from covering the effective pixel region, it is necessary to greatly separate the ink discharge start position from the effective pixel region, and there is a problem that the width of the frame portion of the color filter becomes large. Color filters tend to narrow the frame portion in order to increase the effective display area year by year, and solving the above-mentioned problems is an important issue.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter capable of reducing the width of a frame portion of the color filter. It is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a color filter having a narrow frame portion, a display device using the same, and a device having the display device.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems The above-mentioned problems are solved,
In order to achieve the object, the method for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention discharges ink toward the substrate while scanning the inkjet head relative to the substrate,
A method of manufacturing a color filter by coloring each pixel, characterized in that control is performed such that an ink discharge start position is different for each pixel row arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. .

Further, in the method for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the discharge start position of the ink is shifted for each color of the ink so as to sequentially move away from the effective pixel area of the color filter.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the discharge start position of the ink is alternately shifted for each adjacent pixel column.

In the method for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the inkjet head is a head for discharging ink by using thermal energy,
It is characterized by having a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

Further, the color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention manufactures a color filter by discharging ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel. A driving unit for causing the inkjet head to relatively scan with respect to the substrate, and an ink discharge start position different for each pixel row arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. And a control means for controlling the ink jet head and the driving means.

Further, in the color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the control means shifts the ink discharge start position for each color of ink so as to sequentially move away from the effective pixel area of the color filter. It is characterized by controlling.

Further, in the color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the control means controls the ink discharge start position so as to be alternately shifted for each adjacent pixel column.

In the apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the ink jet head is a head for discharging ink using thermal energy,
It is characterized by having a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

[0020]

Further, in the method of manufacturing a display device according to the present invention, a color is manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel. A method for manufacturing a display device using a filter, comprising: a step of manufacturing a color filter by the above-described manufacturing method; and a step of integrating the manufactured color filter and a light amount varying unit that varies a light amount. It is characterized by having.

[0022]

The color filter according to the present invention comprises:
A color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while causing the inkjet head to relatively scan with respect to the substrate and coloring each pixel. The feature is that there is a trace that the coloring start position is shifted for each pixel column.

Further, the display device according to the present invention includes a color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel. A display device, wherein a color filter having a trace of shifting a coloring start position for each pixel column in an outer portion of an effective pixel area on the substrate, and a light amount varying unit for varying a light amount are integrally provided. It is characterized by.

Further, the apparatus provided with the display device according to the present invention is manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel. A device provided with a display device having a color filter, wherein a color filter having a trace in which a coloring start position is shifted for each pixel column is provided on an outer portion of an effective pixel area on the substrate, and a light amount variable for varying a light amount. And a display device integrally provided with the means, and image signal supply means for supplying an image signal to the display device. Further, the method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention is characterized in that, while causing the inkjet head to relatively scan with respect to the substrate, ink is ejected toward the substrate to color each pixel, thereby substantially reducing the scanning direction. A method for manufacturing a color filter in which pixel rows of different colors are arranged in a direction orthogonal to each other, wherein when starting discharge of ink from outside the effective area of the color filter to color the pixel rows of different colors, It is characterized in that the discharge start position is controlled so as to be different for each pixel column and coloring is performed. Further, the apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, by causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate and ejecting ink toward the substrate to color each pixel, substantially the same as the scanning direction. An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter in which pixel rows of different colors are arranged in a direction orthogonal to each other, comprising: a driving unit for causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate; and an ink from outside an effective area of the color filter. And control means for controlling the ink jet head and the driving means so as to start the ejection of the ink and to color the pixel rows of the different colors, wherein the control means sets the ejection start position of the ink for each of the pixel rows. It is characterized in that it is controlled differently.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 51 denotes an apparatus mount; 52, an XYθ stage disposed on the mount 51; 53, a color filter substrate set on the XYθ stage 52;
Is a color filter formed on the color filter substrate 53, 55 is R (red) for coloring the color filter 54,
G (green) and B (blue) ink jet heads; 58, a controller for controlling the overall operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; 59, a teaching pendant (personal computer) as a display unit of the controller; 60, a teaching pendant 59; The keyboard as an operation unit is shown.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control controller of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90. 59 is a teaching pendant which is an input / output means of the controller 58;
Reference numeral denotes a display unit for displaying information such as the progress of manufacturing and the presence / absence of an abnormality in the head.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a controller for controlling the overall operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; 65, an interface for transferring data to and from the teaching pendant 59; 66, a CPU for controlling the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; ROM, which stores a control program for operating the printer, 68, a RAM for storing production information and the like, 70, a discharge control unit for controlling discharge of ink into each pixel of the color filter, 71, a color filter manufacturing apparatus A stage control unit 90 for controlling the operation of the 90 XYθ stage 52 is connected to the controller 58, and shows a color filter manufacturing apparatus that operates according to the instruction.

Next, FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of the ink jet head 55 used in the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90 described above. In FIG. 1, three inkjet heads are provided corresponding to three colors of R, G, and B,
Since these three heads have the same structure, FIG. 3 shows only one of the three heads as a representative structure.

In FIG. 3, the ink jet head 55
Is schematically composed of a heater board 104 as a substrate on which a plurality of heaters 102 for heating ink are formed, and a top plate 106 overlaid on the heater board 104. A plurality of discharge ports 108 are formed in the top plate 106, and a tunnel-shaped liquid path 110 communicating with the discharge ports 108 is formed behind the discharge ports 108. Each liquid channel 110 is separated from an adjacent liquid channel by a partition 112. Each liquid path 110 is commonly connected to one ink liquid chamber 114 at the rear thereof, and ink is supplied to the ink liquid chamber 114 through an ink supply port 116. The liquid is supplied to each of the liquid paths 110.

The heater board 104 and the top plate 106
Each heater 102 is positioned so as to come to a position corresponding to each liquid path 110, and assembled in a state as shown in FIG.
Although only two heaters 102 are shown in FIG. 3, one heater 102 is
Are arranged one by one. Then, when a predetermined drive pulse is supplied to the heater 102 in an assembled state as shown in FIG. 3, the ink on the heater 102 boils to form bubbles, and the ink expands from the ejection openings 108 by volume expansion of the bubbles. Extruded and discharged. Therefore, it is possible to control the driving pulse applied to the heater 102, for example, by controlling the magnitude of the electric power, to adjust the size of the bubble,
The volume of the ink ejected from the ejection port can be freely controlled.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method of controlling the amount of ink ejection by changing the electric power applied to the heater.

In this embodiment, two kinds of constant voltage pulses are applied to the heater 102 in order to adjust the ink discharge amount. The two pulses are, as shown in FIG. 4, a preheat pulse and a main heat pulse (hereinafter, referred to as a main heat pulse).
Simply called a heat pulse). The preheat pulse is a pulse for warming the ink to a predetermined temperature before actually discharging the ink, and is set to a value shorter than the minimum pulse width t5 required for discharging the ink. Therefore, no ink is ejected by this preheat pulse. Preheat pulse to heater 102
Is added to increase the initial temperature of the ink to a constant temperature so that the ink ejection amount when a constant heat pulse is applied later is always constant. Conversely, by adjusting the length of the pre-heat pulse, the temperature of the ink can be adjusted in advance, and even when the same heat pulse is applied, the ejection amount of the ink can be made different. In addition, by warming the ink prior to the application of the heat pulse, the ink also has the function of accelerating the temporal rise of ink ejection when the heat pulse is applied and improving the responsiveness.

On the other hand, the heat pulse is a pulse for actually discharging ink, and is set to be longer than the minimum pulse width t5 required for discharging the ink. Since the energy generated by the heater 102 is proportional to the width of the heat pulse (application time), by adjusting the width of the heat pulse,
Can be adjusted.

It is also possible to adjust the amount of ink discharged by adjusting the interval between the preheat pulse and the heat pulse and controlling the state of heat diffusion by the preheat pulse.

As can be seen from the above description, the amount of ink ejected can be controlled by adjusting the application time of the preheat pulse and the heat pulse, and the application interval of the preheat pulse and the heat pulse can be adjusted. It is also possible by doing. Therefore, by adjusting the application time of the pre-heat pulse and the heat pulse and the application interval of the pre-heat pulse and the heat pulse as necessary, it is possible to freely adjust the ink ejection amount and the responsiveness of the ink ejection to the application pulse. It becomes possible.

Next, the adjustment of the ink ejection amount will be specifically described.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The case where the ejection amounts of the inks 108a, 108b, and 108c are different when the same energy is applied will be described. Specifically, when constant energy is applied at a constant temperature, the ink discharge amount of the nozzle 108a is 36 pl.
(Picoliter), the ink discharge amount of the nozzle 108b is 4
0 pl, the ink ejection amount of the nozzle 108c is 40 pl, and the resistance values of the heater 102a corresponding to the nozzle 108a and the heater 102b corresponding to the nozzle 108b are 200
Ω, the resistance value of the heater 102c corresponding to the nozzle 108c is 210Ω. Then, the discharge amount of each of the nozzles 108a, 108b, 108c is set to 40p.
Suppose you want to match l.

Each of the nozzles 108a, 108b, 1
In order to adjust the ejection amount of 08c to the same amount, the width of the preheat pulse and the width of the heat pulse may be adjusted, but various combinations of the width of the preheat pulse and the width of the heat pulse are conceivable. Here, the amount of energy generated by the heat pulse is set to be the same for the three nozzles, and the discharge amount is adjusted by adjusting the width of the preheat pulse.

First, the heater 102a of the nozzle 108a and the heater 102b of the nozzle 108b have the same resistance value of 200.
In order to make the energy generated by the heat pulse the same, a voltage pulse having the same width may be applied to the heaters 102a and 102b. Here, the width of the voltage pulse is set to t3 longer than t5 described above. on the other hand,
The nozzles 108a and 108b output different amounts of 36 pl and 40 pl when the same energy is applied.
A preheat pulse of t2 longer than the preheat pulse width t1 of the heater 102b is applied to a. In this way, the ejection amounts of the nozzles 108a and 108b are
pl.

On the other hand, since the resistance value of the heater 102c of the nozzle 108c is 210 Ω, which is higher than the resistance values of the other two heaters 102a and 102b, the heater 102c generates the same energy as the other two heaters. Requires a longer heat pulse width. Therefore, here, the width of the heat pulse is set to t4 which is longer than t3 described above. Further, regarding the width of the preheat pulse, the nozzle 10 when a certain energy is applied is used.
8b and 108c have the same discharge amount,
2b, and a preheat pulse having a width of t1 is applied.

As described above, the three nozzles 108 having different ink ejection amounts when a resistance value and constant energy are applied.
The same amount of ink can be ejected from a, 108b, and 108c. Further, it is also possible to intentionally change the ink ejection amount by the same method. The reason why the preheat pulse is used is to reduce the variation in the discharge of each nozzle.

Next, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a process of manufacturing a color filter. The manufacturing process of the color filter 54 will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, a glass substrate is generally used as the substrate 1. However, the substrate 1 is not limited to a glass substrate as long as it has necessary characteristics such as transparency and mechanical strength as a color filter for liquid crystal. Absent.

FIG. 5A shows a glass substrate 1 having a black matrix 2 constituting a light transmitting portion 9 and a light shielding portion 10.
Is shown. First, on the substrate 1 on which the black matrix 2 is formed, the ink itself is poor in ink receptivity, but becomes ink-philic under a certain condition (for example, at least one of light irradiation and heating), and under a certain condition. A resin composition having a property of curing is applied, and prebaking is performed as necessary to form a resin composition layer 3 (FIG. 5B). For forming the resin composition layer 3, spin coating, roll coating,
Coating methods such as bar coating, spray coating, and dip coating can be used and are not particularly limited.

Next, the resin layer on the light transmitting portion 9 is subjected to pattern exposure in advance using the photomask 4 to partially make the resin layer ink-philic (FIG. 5 (c)). The layer 6 is formed with the ink-affected portion 6 and the non-ink-affected portion 5 (FIG. 5D).

Thereafter, R
Each color ink of (red), G (green) and B (blue) is discharged to the resin composition layer 3 to be colored at a time (FIG. 5 (e)), and the ink is dried if necessary. Examples of the inkjet method include a method using thermal energy and a method using mechanical energy, and any of these methods can be suitably used. The ink to be used is not particularly limited as long as it can be used for ink jet. The coloring material of the ink is required for each pixel of R, G, and B from various dyes or pigments. A transmission spectrum suitable for the transmission spectrum is selected as appropriate.

Next, the colored resin composition layer 3 is cured by light irradiation or light irradiation and heat treatment, and a protective layer 8 is formed as necessary (FIG. 5 (f)). In order to cure the resin composition layer 3, conditions different from the conditions in the previous ink-affinity conversion process, for example, increasing the exposure amount in light irradiation, tightening heating conditions, or using light irradiation and heat treatment together And the like.

Next, FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the color filter manufacturing process.

FIG. 6A shows a glass substrate 1 provided with a light transmitting portion 7 and a black matrix 2 as a light shielding portion. First, a resin composition curable by light irradiation or light irradiation and heating and having an ink receptivity is applied onto the substrate 1 on which the black matrix 2 is formed, and prebaked as necessary to form a resin layer 3 ′. Is formed (FIG. 6B). For forming the resin layer 3 ', a coating method such as spin coating, roll coating, bar coating, spray coating, dip coating, or the like can be used, and there is no particular limitation.

Next, a portion of the resin layer which is shielded from light by the black matrix 2 is subjected to pattern exposure using a photomask 4 'in advance, thereby curing a part of the resin layer and not absorbing the ink. Non-colored portions) are formed (FIG. 6 (c)), and then each color of R, G, B is colored at a time using an ink jet head (FIG. 6 (d)), and the ink is dried if necessary. .

As the photomask 4 'used at the time of pattern exposure, a photomask having an opening for curing a light-shielding portion by a black matrix is used. At this time, it is necessary to apply a relatively large amount of ink in order to prevent color loss of the colorant in a portion in contact with the black matrix. Therefore, it is preferable to use a mask having an opening smaller than the (light-shielding) width of the black matrix.

As the ink used for coloring, a dye or a pigment can be used as a coloring matter, and both a liquid ink and a solid ink can be used.

As the curable resin composition used in the present invention, any resin can be used as long as it has ink receptivity and can be cured by at least one of light irradiation and heating. Examples include acrylic resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, cellulose derivatives such as hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose, and modified products thereof.

It is also possible to use a photoinitiator (crosslinking agent) to cause these resins to undergo a crosslinking reaction by light or light and heat. As a photoinitiator, dichromate,
Bisazide compounds, radical initiators, cationic initiators, anionic initiators and the like can be used. These photoinitiators can be used as a mixture or in combination with other sensitizers. Further, a photoacid generator such as an onium salt can be used in combination as a crosslinking agent. Note that heat treatment may be performed after light irradiation in order to further promote the crosslinking reaction.

The resin layer containing these compositions is extremely excellent in heat resistance, water resistance and the like, and can sufficiently withstand a high temperature or a washing step in a later step.

As the ink jet system used in the present invention, a bubble jet type using an electrothermal converter or a piezo jet type using a piezoelectric element can be used as an energy generating element. It can be set arbitrarily.

Although this embodiment shows an example in which a black matrix is formed on a substrate, the black matrix is formed on a resin layer after forming a curable resin composition layer or after coloring. However, there is no particular problem, and the form is not limited to this example. Also,
As a forming method thereof, it is preferable to form a metal thin film on a substrate by sputtering or vapor deposition and pattern it by a photolithography process, but it is not limited thereto.

Next, only the light irradiation, only the heat treatment, or the light irradiation and the heat treatment are performed to cure the curable resin composition (FIG. 6E), and the protective layer 8 is formed as necessary (FIG. 6E).
(F). In the drawing, hν indicates the intensity of light, and in the case of heat treatment, heat is applied instead of the light of hν. The protective layer 8 can be formed using a second resin composition of a photo-curing type, a thermo-setting type or a combination of light and heat, or can be formed by vapor deposition or sputtering using an inorganic material. Any material can be used as long as it has the transparency in this case and can sufficiently withstand the subsequent ITO forming process, alignment film forming process, and the like.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views showing the basic structure of a color liquid crystal display device 30 incorporating the above-mentioned color filter.

A color liquid crystal display device is generally formed by combining a color filter substrate 1 and a counter substrate 21 and enclosing a liquid crystal compound 18. A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is provided inside one substrate 21 of the liquid crystal display device.
r) (not shown) and transparent pixel electrodes 20 are formed in a matrix. In addition, a color filter 54 is provided inside the other substrate 1 so that RGB color materials are arranged at positions facing the pixel electrodes, and a transparent counter electrode (common electrode) 16 is formed on the entire surface. Is done. The black matrix 2 is usually formed on the color filter substrate 1 side (see FIG. 7), but is formed on the opposite TFT substrate side in a BM (black matrix) on-array type liquid crystal panel (see FIG. 8). Further, an alignment film 19 is formed in the planes of both substrates, and rubbing the alignment film 19 allows liquid crystal molecules to be aligned in a certain direction. A polarizing plate 1 is provided outside each glass substrate.
The liquid crystal compound 18 is filled in the gap (about 2 to 5 μm) between these glass substrates.
In addition, a combination of a fluorescent lamp (not shown) and a scattering plate (not shown) is generally used as the backlight, and the display is performed by making the liquid crystal compound function as an optical shutter that changes the transmittance of the backlight light. An example of a case where such a liquid crystal display device that performs the above is applied to an information processing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device is applied to an information processing device having functions as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile device, and a copying device.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, outputs control signals and data signals to each unit, and controls signals from each unit. And control by inputting data signals. Reference numeral 1802 denotes a display unit, on which various menus, document information, and the image reader 18 are displayed.
In step 07, the read image data and the like are displayed. 18
Reference numeral 03 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items, coordinate positions, and the like on the display unit 1802.

Reference numeral 1804 denotes an FM (Frequency Modulation) sound source unit, which stores music information created by a music editor or the like as digital data in the memory unit 1810 or the external storage device 1812, reads out the music information from the memory or the like, and reads out the FM information
The modulation is performed. The electric signal from the FM sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805.
The printer unit 1806 is used as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader unit for reading and inputting original data photoelectrically and is provided in the original transport path, and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals.

Reference numeral 1808 denotes facsimile transmission of original data read by the image reader unit 1807, and facsimile (F) for receiving and decoding the transmitted facsimile signal.
AX), and has an external interface function. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

Reference numeral 1810 denotes a ROM that stores a system program, a manager program, other application programs, character fonts, a dictionary, and the like; an application program and document information loaded from an external storage device 1812; and a memory that includes a video RAM and the like. Department.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard for inputting document information and various commands.

Reference numeral 1812 denotes an external storage device using a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like as a storage medium. The external storage device 1812 stores document information, music or audio information,
A user application program and the like are stored.

FIG. 10 is a schematic overview of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like on the display 1901, coordinate input and item designation input can be performed. A handset 1902 is used when the device functions as a telephone. Keyboard 190
3 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord,
Various document functions and various data inputs can be performed. The keyboard 1903 has various function keys 1904.
Etc. are provided. 1905 is an external storage device 1812
This is the slot for the floppy disk.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a sheet placing portion on which a document to be read by the image reader portion 1807 is placed. The read document is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. In the case of facsimile reception or the like, printing is performed by the inkjet printer 1907.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard unit 1811 is processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and
The image is output to an image 806.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed by a control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copier, a document is read by an image reader 1807 and the read document data is transmitted to a printer 18 via a controller 1801.
06 is output as a copy image. When functioning as a facsimile receiver, the image reader unit 1
The original data read by 807 is transmitted to control unit 180.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by 1
The data is transmitted to the communication line via the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808.

Note that the above-mentioned information processing apparatus may be of an integrated type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 11. In this case, the portability can be further improved. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals.

Next, two representative methods for reducing the density unevenness of each pixel of the color filter will be described.

FIGS. 12 to 14 are diagrams showing a method (hereinafter referred to as bit correction) for correcting the difference in the ink discharge amount between each nozzle of the ink jet head IJH having a plurality of ink discharge nozzles.

First, as shown in FIG. 12, ink is ejected from a nozzle 1, a nozzle 2 and a nozzle 3, for example, three nozzles of an ink jet head IJH onto a predetermined substrate. The size of the ink dot formed on P is measured, and the amount of ink ejected from each nozzle is measured. At this time, the heat pulse (see FIG. 4) applied to the heater of each nozzle has a constant width, and the width of the preheat pulse (see FIG. 4) is changed as described above. As a result, a curve showing the relationship between the preheat pulse width (shown as the heating time in FIG. 13) and the ink ejection amount as shown in FIG. 13 is obtained. Here, for example, if it is desired to unify the amount of ink discharged from each nozzle to 20 ng, the width of the preheat pulse applied to the nozzle 1 is 1.0 μs, the width of the preheat pulse applied to the nozzle 2 is 0.5 μs,
It can be seen that the time for nozzle 3 is 0.75 μs. Therefore, by applying a pre-heat pulse having such a width to the heater of each nozzle, the ink ejection amount from each nozzle can be made uniform to 20 ng as shown in FIG. Correcting the ink ejection amount from each nozzle in this manner is called bit correction. In the present embodiment, the width of the preheat pulse is changed in four steps to achieve a correction width of about 30%. The resolution of the correction is 2-3%.

FIGS. 15 to 17 show a method of correcting the density unevenness of the ink jet head in the scanning direction by adjusting the ink discharge density from each ink discharge nozzle (hereinafter referred to as shading correction). It is.

For example, as shown in FIG. 15, based on the ink discharge amount of the nozzle 3 of the ink jet head, the ink discharge amount of the nozzle 1 is -10%, and the ink discharge amount of the nozzle 2 is + 20%. Suppose. At this time, while scanning the ink jet head IJH, as shown in FIG. 16, a heat pulse is applied to the heater of the nozzle 1 once every nine times of the reference clock, and the heater of the nozzle 2 is subjected to 12 times of the reference clock. The heat pulse is applied once each time, and the heater pulse of the nozzle 3 is applied once every ten times of the reference clock. By doing so, the number of ink ejections in the scanning direction can be changed for each nozzle, and as shown in FIG. 17, the ink density in the scanning direction in the pixels of the color filter can be kept constant, and the density of each pixel can be increased. Unevenness can be prevented. Correcting the ink ejection density in the scanning direction in this manner is called shading correction.
In this embodiment, a correction width of about 40% is realized by this correction. Further, the resolution of the correction can be finely and unlimitedly controlled, but there is a restriction that the data becomes large and the speed becomes slow.
The limit is about 0%.

Next, a description will be given of a color filter coloring step when the manufacturing method of this embodiment is applied.

First, the XY of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90
The glass substrate 53 is set on the θ stage 52. After the positioning is properly performed, the color filter forming region (colored region) of the glass substrate 53 is moved to a position immediately below the inkjet head 55, and
The ink is ejected while the XYθ stage 52 and the glass substrate 53 are relatively scanned by the XYθ stage 52, thereby coloring each pixel of the color filter.

FIG. 18 shows the relationship between the ink jet head 55 and the glass substrate 53 during this coloring.

In FIG. 18, a head 55a for discharging red (R) ink, a head 55b for discharging green (G) ink, and a head 55 for discharging blue (B) ink
The ink-jet head 55 having the pixel c, while relatively scanning on the glass substrate 53 in the scanning direction indicated by the arrow in the figure, sets each pixel on the glass substrate 53 to R (red), G
(Green) and B (blue). In the inkjet head 55, circles indicate ink ejection nozzles, and black circles in the drawing indicate nozzles used for coloring.

The characteristic ink ejection operation of this embodiment in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

As already described with reference to FIG. 20, when coloring is started from the frame portion of the glass substrate 53 by the ink jet head 55, at the ink discharge start position, the endmost ink is moved to the next ink by the surface tension. And the ink concentrates on that part. Then, the ink in that portion spreads greatly, and a large-diameter colored portion shown as a portion A is formed. When such a large-diameter colored portion is formed, color mixing with adjacent different color inks occurs at the portion, which is a problem.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the ink discharge start position is sequentially shifted in the scanning direction for each of the R, G, and B pixel columns, thereby forming a large-diameter colored portion. The portion A does not overlap between adjacent pixel columns. In this way, even if the ink is concentrated at the ink discharge start position, it is possible to prevent color mixing with the adjacent pixel row. Note that, if the ink discharge start position is shifted in this manner, the width of the frame portion of the glass substrate 53 is required by that amount, but this width is affected by the effect of color mixing when color mixing occurs as shown in FIG. It is smaller than the distance d until it disappears, and as a result, the width of the frame portion of the glass substrate 53 can be reduced.

FIG. 19 shows another example in which the ink discharge start position is shifted, and as shown, the ink discharge start positions are alternately shifted between adjacent pixel rows. . By doing so, the width of the frame portion of the glass substrate 53 can be further reduced as compared with the case of FIG.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by shifting the ink discharge start position in the scanning direction for each pixel row, a high-quality color filter can be obtained even if the frame portion of the color filter is narrowed. Can be manufactured.

The present invention can be applied to a modification or modification of the above embodiment without departing from the gist of the invention.

The present invention includes a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for discharging ink, particularly in an ink jet recording system. The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of the ink has been described.
High definition can be achieved.

The typical structure and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

The configuration of the recording head may be a combination of a discharge port, a liquid path, and an electrothermal converter (a linear liquid flow path or a right-angled liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above specification. A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which the heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the print head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the printing apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, any ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. It is only necessary that the ink be in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from a solid state to a liquid state, the temperature is positively prevented.
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, by shifting the ink discharge start position in the scanning direction for each pixel row, a high quality color filter can be obtained even if the frame portion of the color filter is narrowed. Can be manufactured.

[0104]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an ink jet head used in a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a diameter of a voltage applied to a heater of an inkjet head.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a manufacturing process of the color filter.

FIG. 6 is a view showing another example of the manufacturing process of the color filter.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a basic configuration of a color liquid crystal display device incorporating a color filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a basic configuration of a color liquid crystal display device incorporating a color filter of one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting a difference in ejection amount for each nozzle.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting a difference in the ejection amount of each nozzle.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a method of correcting a difference in ejection amount for each nozzle.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing the ejection density of ink.

FIG. 16 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing the ink ejection density.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a method of changing the ink ejection density.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of coloring a color filter when the manufacturing method of one embodiment is applied.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing another example of a method of coloring a color filter when the manufacturing method of one embodiment is applied.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a state of color mixing when coloring a color filter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 52 XYθ stage 53 Glass substrate 54 Color filter 55 Coloring head 58 Controller 59 Teaching pendant 60 Keyboard

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-8-82706 (JP, A) JP-A-8-179110 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G02B 5 / 20 101 B41J 2/21

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] An ink jet head for ejecting ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate;
A method of manufacturing a color filter by coloring each pixel, wherein the control is performed such that an ink discharge start position is different for each pixel row arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. Manufacturing method of color filter. 2. The method for manufacturing a color filter according to claim 1, wherein the discharge start position of the ink is shifted in order from the effective pixel area of the color filter for each color of the ink. 3. The method for manufacturing a color filter according to claim 1, wherein the discharge start positions of the ink are alternately shifted for each adjacent pixel column. 4. The ink-jet head according to claim 1, wherein the ink-jet head is a head that uses thermal energy to eject ink, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. A method for producing the color filter according to the above. 5. An ink jet head ejects ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate,
An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter by coloring each pixel, comprising: a driving unit for causing the inkjet head to relatively scan with respect to the substrate; and a pixel row arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction. An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter, comprising: a control unit that controls the ink-jet head and the driving unit so that an ink ejection start position is different for each time. 6. The control device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the ink discharge start position to be sequentially shifted away from an effective pixel area of the color filter for each color of ink. An apparatus for manufacturing the color filter according to the above. 7. The color filter manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the ink discharge start position to be alternately shifted for each adjacent pixel column. 8. The ink-jet head according to claim 5, wherein the ink-jet head is a head that uses thermal energy to eject ink, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. An apparatus for manufacturing the color filter according to the above. 9. An ink jet head ejecting ink toward the substrate while scanning the ink jet head relative to the substrate,
A method for manufacturing a display device using a color filter manufactured by coloring each pixel, the method comprising: manufacturing the display device according to claim 1.
A method for manufacturing a display device , comprising: a step of manufacturing a color filter; and a step of integrating the manufactured color filter with a light amount varying unit that varies a light amount. 10. A color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward a substrate while causing an inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel, wherein the effective pixels on the substrate are provided. A color filter, characterized in that there is a trace in which the coloring start position is shifted for each pixel row in a region outside the region. 11. A display device provided with a color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel, A display device, comprising: a color filter having a trace in which a coloring start position is shifted for each pixel row in an outer portion of an effective pixel area on a substrate; and a light amount varying unit for varying a light amount. 12. A device provided with a display device having a color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward the substrate while causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate and coloring each pixel. A display device integrally provided with a color filter having a trace of shifting a coloring start position for each pixel column in an outer portion of the effective pixel area on the substrate, and a light amount varying unit for varying a light amount; An apparatus having a display device, comprising: an image signal supply unit that supplies an image signal to the apparatus. 13. A pixel having a different color in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction by discharging ink toward the substrate while causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate to color each pixel. A method of manufacturing a color filter in which rows are arranged, wherein when starting discharging ink from outside the effective area of the color filter and coloring the pixel rows of the different colors, the discharge start position of the ink is set for each of the pixel rows. A method for producing a color filter, characterized in that the color is controlled and colored differently. 14. A pixel of a different color in a direction substantially orthogonal to the scanning direction by discharging ink toward the substrate while causing the inkjet head to scan relative to the substrate to color each pixel. An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter in which rows are arranged, wherein a driving unit for causing the inkjet head to relatively scan with respect to the substrate; Control means for controlling the ink-jet head and the driving means so as to color a pixel row of a color, wherein the control means controls so that a discharge start position of the ink is different for each pixel row. Characteristic color filter manufacturing equipment.