JP3746561B2 - Connector device for liquid crystal cell - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a connector device connected to a suction port of a cell when a cell is filled with liquid crystal.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In order to fill the cell with liquid crystal, an introduction port and a suction port are formed in the cell. The internal space of the cell is sucked by vacuum through the suction port, and in this state, liquid crystal is introduced from the introduction port into the internal space of the cell.
[0003]
In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 37529/89, a connector device is mounted on the introduction port and the suction port, the internal space of the cell is vacuum-sucked through one connector device, and the other connector device is used. Thus, the liquid crystal is introduced into the internal space at normal pressure or as necessary under pressure.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above publication does not disclose the detailed structure of the connector device. In recent cells, the edge of one substrate extends outward from the edge of the other substrate, and a large number of pixel control terminals are formed on the edge of the one substrate. As a result, the edge of the cell has a step. No prior art has proposed a specific structure for the connector device connected to the suction port formed at the edge forming the step.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the first aspect of the present invention, the first, second and third receiving surfaces are formed at the edges forming the step, the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface are parallel to each other, and the third receiving surface is Liquid crystal connected to a cell formed at the boundary between the first and second receiving surfaces and substantially perpendicular to the first and second receiving surfaces and having a suction port formed on the third receiving surface. The cell connector device includes a connector unit having the following configurations (a) to (c).
(A) A body having a storage recess and a communication passage having one end connected to the storage recess and the other end connected to the vacuum suction means. (B) a base portion that is housed in the housing recessed portion of the body, and a convex portion that protrudes from the body and forms a step, and the convex portion has first, second, and third contact surfaces. The first and second contact surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, and the third contact surface is formed at the boundary between the first and second contact surfaces. Are substantially perpendicular to each other, and the third abutting surface is formed with a cooperative recess, and the first, second, and third abutting surfaces abut on the first, second, and third receiving surfaces of the cell, respectively. An elastic seal member in which the cooperation recess faces the suction port of the cell and communicates with the suction port. (C) A nozzle member that penetrates the seal member, has one end connected to the communication passage of the body, and the other end facing the cooperative recess of the seal member.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the first aspect, the height of the first abutting surface from the second abutting surface of the seal member is equal to that of the second receiving surface from the first receiving surface of the cell. It is characterized by being substantially equal to the height.
[0007]
A third aspect of the present invention is the connector device according to the first or second aspect, further comprising a connector base, the connector base being in contact with a surface opposite to the first receiving surface of the edge of the cell. The connector base is provided with a moving means, and the moving means moves the connector unit obliquely toward the edge of the cell in contact with the connector base, thereby The first, second, and third contact surfaces are respectively brought into press contact with the first, second, and third receiving surfaces of the edge of the cell.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the third aspect, the moving means includes driving means for pushing the connector unit in a direction parallel to the cell, and guide means for linearly guiding the connector in an oblique direction. The guide means is provided on one of the connector unit and the connector base and extends obliquely and linearly. The guide means is provided on the other and is engaged with the guide portion so as to be movable in the extending direction. It has the joint part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
[0009]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the third aspect, the moving means includes a lever rotatably provided on the connector base and a driving means for rotating the lever. A connector unit is attached to the lever, and when the driving means is driven, the connector unit moves in an oblique direction toward the cell along the rotation trajectory of the lever.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before describing a connector device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cell will be described. As shown most in FIGS. 1 and 3, the cell CL has first and second rectangular substrates 1 and 2 made of a transparent material such as glass. The first substrate 1 is similar to the second substrate 2 and has a larger area than the second substrate 2. The peripheral edge of the second substrate 2 is attached to the inner side of the peripheral edge of the first substrate 1 with the adhesive layer 3. The substrates 1 and 2 and the adhesive layer 3 form an internal space 4 having a minute thickness (about 5 μm). In the center of one edge CLa of the cell CL, the adhesive layer 3 is interrupted, and this portion serves as an introduction port 5. The adhesive layer 3 is interrupted at two locations on the edge CLb on the opposite side of the cell CL, and this portion serves as a suction port 6.
[0011]
Since the peripheral edge portion of the first substrate 1 extends outward from the peripheral edge portion of the second substrate 2, all the edge portions including the edge portions CLa and CLb of the cell CL are stepped portions. In particular, at the edges CLa and CLb formed with the ports 5 and 6, the upper surface of the first substrate 1 is provided as a first receiving surface 1a described later, and the upper surface of the second substrate 1 is provided as a second receiving surface 2a. The edge surface of the second substrate 2 is provided as the third receiving surface 2b. The first and second receiving surfaces 1a and 2a are parallel to each other, and the third receiving surface 2b is orthogonal to the first and second receiving surfaces 1a and 2a.
[0012]
Next, the connector device will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector device CR is connected to the introduction port 5 and the suction port 6 of the cell CL when the liquid crystal is filled in the cell CL. The connector device CR includes a connector base 10, a connector unit 20 that is movably supported by the connector base 10, and a moving mechanism 60 (moving means) for moving the connector unit 20.
For convenience of description of the connector device CR, FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 show X, Y, and Z axes. X and Y are horizontal axes orthogonal to each other, and the Z axis is a vertical axis.
[0013]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector base 10 has an L shape having a first wall 11 extending in the X-axis direction and a second wall 12 extending in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIG. 2, a positioning convex portion 13 extending in the Y-axis direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 2) is formed on the upper surface of the first wall 11 of the connector base 10. The upper surface of the first wall 11 located in front of the positioning convex portion 13 is a flat support surface 14.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector unit 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged above and spaced apart from the first wall 11 of the connector base 10. As best shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the connector unit 20 includes a body 30. The body 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of a rigid material such as metal or hard resin. A housing recess 35 is formed on the lower surface 31 of the body 30, that is, the surface facing the first wall 11 of the base 10. The storage recess 35 extends in the Y-axis direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 4), and is also opened on two surfaces 32 and 33 facing the Y-axis direction of the body 30. The cross-sectional shape of the housing recess 35 is a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a circle, and has a cross-sectional area larger than half of this circle.
[0015]
The body 30 is formed with a communication passage 36 extending in the Z-axis direction. One end of the communication passage 36 opens to the inner peripheral surface of the housing recess 35, and the other end opens to a surface 34 that faces the surface 31 of the body 30. A joint 37 is inserted into the communication passage 36, and a tube 38 is connected to the joint 37. The joint 37 and the tube 38 are made of a fluorine-based resin.
[0016]
A liquid crystal supply source (not shown) is connected to the joint 37 of the connector device CR to be connected to the introduction port 5 via a tube 38, and the tube 38 is connected to the joint 37 of the connector device CR to be connected to the suction port 6. A vacuum device 39 (vacuum suction means, see FIG. 2) is connected via
[0017]
The housing recess 35 of the body 30 accommodates a seal member 40 made of an elastic material such as elastically deformable fluorine rubber or soft plastic. The seal member 40 has a substantially cylindrical base portion 41 extending in the Y-axis direction. The base portion 41 has a cross-sectional shape slightly larger than the cross-sectional shape of the housing recess 35 and is press-fitted into the housing recess 35.
[0018]
The base portion 41 of the seal member 40 is formed with a convex portion 42 that protrudes toward the first wall 11 of the connector base 10. The convex portion 42 extends in the Y-axis direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41. The convex portion 42 has a step, whereby the convex portion 42 has a first contact surface 45, a second contact surface 46, and a third contact surface 47. The first contact surface 45 and the second contact surface 46 are parallel to the support surface 14 of the connector base 10. The first contact surface 45 protrudes from the second contact surface 46 toward the first wall 11. The third contact surface 47 is formed at the boundary between the first contact surface 45 and the second contact surface 46 and is orthogonal to the contact surfaces 45 and 46. The third contact surface 47 extends in the Y-axis direction, that is, in parallel with the positioning convex portion 13 of the connector base 10. In the natural state of the seal member 40, the width of the third contact surface 47, ie, the height of the first contact surface 45 from the second contact surface 46, is the width of the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL, ie, the first. It is equal to the height of the second receiving surface 2b from the receiving surface 1a.
[0019]
A cooperating recess 48 is formed at the center of the third contact surface 47 of the seal member 40. The seal member 40 is formed with a through hole 49 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the seal member 40. The through hole 49 has a flat cross-sectional shape, one end of which is connected to the link recess 48, and the other end is opened at the center of the peripheral surface of the base portion 41, and is connected to the communication passage 36 of the body 30.
[0020]
A nozzle member 50 having a flat cross-sectional shape made of a fluorine resin is press-fitted and fixed in the through hole 49. The nozzle member 50 extends in the Z direction, that is, in a direction orthogonal to the support surface 14 of the connector base 10, and continues to the joint 37. The tip 51 of the nozzle member 50 protrudes into the cooperation recess 48 and is cut obliquely. The tip 51 of the nozzle member 50 is at a position retracted from the first contact surface 45 and the third contact surface 47.
[0021]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the base portion 41 of the seal member 40 has a pair of flat surfaces 43 disposed on both sides of the convex portion 42. These flat surfaces 43 are arranged on the same plane. In a state where the base portion 41 is housed in the housing recess 35 of the body 30, these flat surfaces 43 are flush with the surface 31 of the body 30.
[0022]
The sealing member 40 is stably supported on the body 30 by four pressing plates 55 to 58. That is, the pressing plates 55 and 56 are fixed to the surfaces 31 of the body 30 located on both sides of the housing recess 35, and the pressing plates 55 and 56 press the pair of flat surfaces 43 of the seal member 40, respectively. Further, the side edges of the pressing plates 55 and 56 also press both side surfaces 42 a and 42 b of the convex portion 42 of the seal member 40. Further, pressing plates 57 and 58 are also fixed to the opposing surfaces 32 and 33 of the body 30, and these pressing plates 57 and 58 press the both end surfaces of the seal member 40.
[0023]
In a state where the seal member 40 is pressed by the pressing plates 55 and 56 as described above, the first contact surface 45 and the second contact surface 46 protrude from the pressing plates 55 and 56 toward the first wall 11, respectively. ing. The pressing plate 55 is thicker than the pressing plate 56, and the amount of protrusion of the first abutting surface 45 from the pressing plate 55 is substantially equal to the amount of protrusion of the second abutting surface 46 from the pressing plate 56. It has become.
[0024]
Next, the moving mechanism 60 will be described in detail. The moving mechanism 60 includes a guide mechanism 61 (guide means) and an air cylinder 66 (drive means). The guide mechanism 61 has a substantially U-shaped bracket 62 fixed to the second wall 12 of the connector base 10. A guide hole 63 (guide portion) having a long hole is formed in a pair of walls of the bracket 62 facing each other. The extending direction of the guide hole 63 is inclined by approximately 45 ° with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction so as to approach the first wall 11 toward the front of the first wall 11. This inclination direction is indicated by a symbol S in FIGS.
[0025]
The connector unit 20 is disposed between a pair of walls of the bracket 62 and supported by these walls. More specifically, the holding plates 57 and 58 on both sides of the connector unit 20 are each provided with two pins 64 (engagement portions). By fitting these pins 64 into the guide holes 63, the connector unit 20 is supported so as to be slidable in the S direction.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the air cylinder 66 is fixed to the second wall 12 of the connector base 10 via a bracket 62, and between the second wall 12 and the connector unit 20. Has been placed. The air cylinder 66 has a rod 67 extending in the X-axis direction. A large-diameter disk portion 67 a is formed at the tip of the rod 67, and the disk portion 67 a is formed in a groove 39 having a T-shaped cross section formed on the surface facing the second wall 12 in the body 30 of the connector unit 20. It is slidably accommodated. Since the groove 39 extends in the Z-axis direction, the connector unit 20 can move in the Z-axis direction with respect to the rod 67. Therefore, the connector unit 20 can slide in the S direction.
[0027]
Next, a process of filling the cell CL with liquid crystal using the connector device CR will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the three connector devices CR are moved toward the cell CL set at a predetermined position by driving a driving mechanism (not shown) connected to each connector base 10. As a result, the connector base 10 of the connector device CR is set on the edges CLa and CLb where the introduction port 5 and the suction port 6 of the cell CL are formed. At this time, the connector base 10 is positioned by bringing the first substrate 1 of the cell CL into contact with the support surface 14 and abutting the positioning projection 13 against the edge of the first substrate 1.
[0028]
Hereinafter, although the operation of the connector device CR to be connected to the suction port 6 will be described, the operation of the connector device CR to be connected to the introduction port 5 is the same. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the connector base 10 of the connector device CR is positioned, the rod 67 of the air cylinder 66 is in the retracted position, and the connector unit 20 is separated from the edge CLb of the cell CL.
[0029]
Next, the air cylinder 66 is driven to push the rod 67 forward in parallel with the cell CL, that is, along the X-axis direction, thereby pushing the connector unit 20 forward. Then, by the guide action of the guide hole 63 and the pin 64, the connector unit 20 moves in the S direction and approaches from the oblique direction toward the edge CLb of the cell CL. When the connector unit 20 moves, the first and second contact surfaces 45 and 46 are maintained parallel to the cell CL.
[0030]
As a result of the oblique movement of the connector unit 20, the seal member 40 is pressed against the edge CLb of the cell CL with elastic deformation. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the first contact surface 45 of the seal member 40 is in close contact with the first receiving surface 1a of the cell CL (the upper surface of the edge of the first substrate 1) with elasticity, and the second contact surface. 46 is elastically adhered to the second receiving surface 2a of the cell CL (the upper surface of the edge of the second substrate 2), and the third contact surface 47 is the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL (the edge of the second substrate 2). Surface) with elasticity. Thereby, the cooperation recessed part 48 of the sealing member 40 can be sealed in the state which opposed and communicated with the suction port 6 of the cell CL.
[0031]
As described above, the contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 30 approach the edge CLb of the cell CL from an oblique direction, so the first and second contact surfaces 45, 46 and the third contact surface Despite being orthogonal to 47, all the contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 can be simultaneously brought into close contact with the corresponding receiving surfaces 1a, 2a, 2b of the cell CL. Further, since the connector unit 20 is urged from the oblique direction by the force of the air cylinder 66, all the contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 40 are securely adhered to the receiving surfaces 1a, 2a, 2b of the cell CL, respectively. Can be made.
[0032]
In the above sealing state, the one end 51 of the nozzle member 50 is in a position retracted from the first contact surface 45 and the third contact surface 47, and therefore does not hit the receiving surfaces 1a and 2b of the cell CL.
The protruding height of the first abutting surface 45 of the seal member 40 from the second abutting surface 46 is equal to the protruding height of the second receiving surface 2a from the first receiving surface 1a of the cell CL. 45 and 46 can be brought into close contact with the receiving surfaces 1a and 2a with substantially equal elastic force.
[0033]
The pressing plate 55 that presses the side surface 42a of the convex portion 42 is thicker than the pressing plate 56, and the amount of protrusion of the convex portion 42 from the pressing plate 56 can be made appropriate. Therefore, when the convex portion 42 is elastically deformed, the pressing plate 55 can inhibit the elastic deformation so as to escape from the third receiving surface 2b. Therefore, the third contact surface 47 of the seal member 40 is sufficiently provided. It can be made to adhere to the 3rd receiving surface 2b with a sufficient elastic force.
[0034]
After the connector device CR is connected to all of the introduction port 5 and the suction port 6 as described above, the vacuum device 39 is driven, and the air in the internal space 4 of the cell CL is supplied to the suction port 6 and the suction port 6. The connector device CR connected to the connector device CR is eliminated through the coupling recess 48, the nozzle member 50, the joint 37, and the tube 38.
When the internal space 4 of the cell CL reaches a predetermined degree of vacuum, a valve (not shown) provided in the tube 38 of the connector device CR on the introduction port 5 side is opened. Thereby, the liquid crystal pressurized to several atmospheric pressure is sent from the liquid crystal supply source through the tube 38 to the connector device CR.
The liquid crystal is discharged through the nozzle member 50 into the cooperation recess 48 and is supplied from the introduction port 5 of the cell CL into the internal space 4.
[0035]
After the liquid crystal supply into the internal space 4 is completed as described above, the rod 67 is retracted by driving the air cylinder 66 in all the connector devices CR, and the connector unit 20 is moved obliquely backward to the initial stage. Return to position. As a result, the seal members 40 of these connector devices CR are separated from the edges CLa and CLb of the cell CL.
[0036]
When the liquid crystal is filled in the cell CL as described above, the liquid crystal adheres to the cell CL only on the surface facing the cooperation recess 48. Accordingly, the amount of liquid crystal attached can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional filling device, and it is possible to prevent wasteful use of expensive liquid crystal and to wipe off the attached liquid crystal easily. it can.
[0037]
Further, in all the connector devices CR, the three contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 40 can be securely brought into close contact with the three receiving surfaces 1a, 2a, 2b of the liquid crystal cell CL. As a result, the connector device CR on the introduction port 5 side can reliably prevent leakage of liquid crystal, and the connector device CR on the suction port 6 side can reliably perform vacuum suction.
[0038]
In the description of the above configuration and operation, the case where the connector device CR is connected in a state where the cells CL are horizontally arranged has been described for the sake of easy understanding. It is preferable to connect the connector device CR in an aligned state.
[0039]
In the first embodiment, the means for guiding the connector unit 20 in an oblique direction may be a pin provided on the bracket 62 and a guide groove provided on the connector unit 20. The guide means may be a parallel link mechanism that connects the connector unit 20 and the connector base 10.
In the first embodiment, the tip of the rod of the air cylinder 66 may simply contact the connector unit 20. In this case, a return spring for connecting the connector unit 20 and the connector base 10 is required. When the rod advances, the connector unit 20 moves diagonally toward the cell against the return spring, and when the rod moves backward, the connector unit 20 returns to the initial position by the return spring.
[0040]
Next, based on FIG. 8, FIG. 9, the connector apparatus which makes the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. In the second embodiment, only the mechanism 70 for moving the connector unit 20 is different from the first embodiment, and the other corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawing and description thereof is omitted. The moving mechanism 70 includes a pair of plate-like levers 71 that are rotatably connected to the connector base 10. The connector unit 20 is fixed between the upper portions of the pair of levers 71. A receiving plate 72 is bridged between the lower portions of the pair of levers 71. Further, the moving mechanism 70 includes an air cylinder 75 (driving means) and a return spring 77. The air cylinder 75 is provided on the first wall 11 of the connector base 10 and its rod 76 is moved up and down. The tip of the rod 76 has a conical surface 76a. The return spring 77 is bridged between the connector base 10 and the connector unit 20.
[0041]
In the second embodiment, when the air cylinder 75 is driven to move the rod 76 downward, the tip thereof pushes the receiving plate 71 downward, and the lever 71 rotates in the clockwise direction in FIG. As a result, the connector unit 20 moves obliquely toward the cell CL along the rotation trajectory of the lever 71, and the seal member 40 comes into close contact with the edge CLa or CLb of the cell CL as in the first embodiment. . When the urging force of the air cylinder 75 is eliminated, the connector unit 20 returns to the initial position by the force of the return spring, and the rod 76 is pushed by the receiving plate 72 and retracts upward.
[0042]
The connector device that forms the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 includes a connector unit 80 different from the first and second embodiments. Since other configurations such as a moving mechanism and a connector base are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, illustration is omitted. The connector unit 80 includes a body 85 and a seal member 90. The body 85 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a storage recess 86 having a circular cross section is formed on the lower surface thereof. The body 85 has a communication passage 87 formed in communication with the storage recess 86, and a joint 88 is attached to the communication passage 87.
[0043]
The seal member 90 has a cylindrical shape and is fitted into the storage recess 86. A convex portion 92 having a step is formed on the lower surface of the seal member 90. The convex portion 92 has a first contact surface 95, a second contact surface 96, and a third contact surface 97, as in the above-described embodiment. A cooperative recess 98 is formed at the center of the third contact surface 95. The nozzle member 100 whose tip protrudes into the cooperation recess 98 passes through the seal member 90. The nozzle member 100 extends in a direction orthogonal to the cell CL, and continues to the communication passage 87 of the body 85.
[0044]
The body 85 defines a housing recess 86 and has a peripheral wall 89 surrounding the seal member 90 over the entire circumference. The peripheral wall 89 includes a wall portion 89a surrounding most of the portion where the first contact surface 95 is formed in the seal member 90, and a wall portion 89b surrounding the portion where the second contact surface 96 is formed. ing. The wall portion 89a is higher than the wall portion 89b, and the protruding amount of the first contact surface 95 from the wall portion 89a can be set to an appropriate amount. Therefore, when the seal portion 90 is pressed against the cell CL with elastic deformation, the wall portion 89a prevents elastic deformation of the seal member 90 that escapes from the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL, and the third abutment. The close contact of the surface 97 to the third receiving surface 2b can be ensured.
[0045]
In all the embodiments described above, the connector device of the present invention may be connected only to the suction port. In particular, when the edge of the cell in which the introduction port is formed does not have a step, a connector device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-244290 is used as a connector device connected to the introduction port.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, by using the elastic seal member having a step corresponding to the step of the edge of the cell, the connector device can be connected to the suction port with a good sealing property, It is possible to satisfactorily perform vacuum suction in the cell that is performed prior to liquid crystal filling.
According to the invention of claim 2, by making the height of the step equal, the first and second contact surfaces of the elastic seal member are in close contact with the first and second receiving surfaces of the cell with substantially the same elastic force. Thus, the sealing performance can be further improved, and the vacuum suction can be ensured.
According to the invention of claim 3, by urging the elastic sealing member obliquely, the first and second contact surfaces are not only closely adhered to the first and second receiving surfaces of the cell, but also the first The three abutment surfaces are in good contact with the third receiving surface of the cell, the sealing property can be further improved, and the vacuum suction can be ensured.
According to the invention of claim 4, since the oblique movement locus of the elastic seal member is a straight line, the adhesion of the elastic seal member to the cell can be enhanced.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the elastic seal member is obliquely moved by turning the lever, the configuration is simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of connector devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention are connected to a cell introduction port and a suction port.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state before one of the connector devices is connected to a suction port of a cell.
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the cell.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part showing a state in which the connector device is connected to a suction port of a cell. In this figure, the thickness of the adhesive layer and the internal space of the cell is exaggerated.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the main part of the connector device as viewed obliquely from below.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the main part of the connector device as viewed obliquely from below.
FIG. 7 is a view of a sealing member of the connector device as viewed from substantially below.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which the connector device according to the second embodiment of the present invention is connected to the suction port of the cell.
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connector device.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a main part of a connector device showing a third embodiment of the present invention is connected to a suction port of a cell. In this figure, the thickness of the adhesive layer and the internal space of the cell is exaggerated.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the main part of the connector device.
[Explanation of symbols]
CL cell
CLa, CLb edge
CR connector device
1a First receiving surface
2a Second receiving surface
2b Third receiving surface
5 Introduction port
6 Suction port
10 Connector base
20,80 Connector unit
30,85 body
35,86 storage recess
36,87 communication passage
39 Vacuum device (vacuum suction means)
40,90 seal member
41 Base part
42,92 Convex
45, 95 First contact surface
46,96 Second contact surface
47,97 Third contact surface
48, 98 Coupling recess
50,100 nozzle member
60, 70 moving means
61 Guide means
63 Guide section
64 engaging part
66 Air cylinder (drive means)
71 lever
75 Air cylinder (drive means)

Claims (5)

First, second, and third receiving surfaces are formed at the edges forming the step, the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface are parallel to each other, and the third receiving surface is the first, second receiving surface. In the connector device to be connected to the cell formed at the boundary and substantially orthogonal to the first and second receiving surfaces and having the suction port formed on the third receiving surface, A connector unit for a liquid crystal cell, comprising a connector unit having the structure of (c) to (c).
(A) A body having a storage recess and a communication passage having one end connected to the storage recess and the other end connected to the vacuum suction means.
(B) a base portion that is housed in the housing recessed portion of the body, and a convex portion that protrudes from the body and forms a step, and the convex portion has first, second, and third contact surfaces. The first and second contact surfaces are substantially parallel to each other, and the third contact surface is formed at the boundary between the first and second contact surfaces. Are substantially perpendicular to each other, and the third abutting surface is formed with a cooperative recess, and the first, second, and third abutting surfaces abut on the first, second, and third receiving surfaces of the cell, respectively. An elastic seal member in which the cooperation recess faces the suction port of the cell and communicates with the suction port.
(C) A nozzle member that penetrates the seal member, has one end connected to the communication passage of the body, and the other end facing the cooperative recess of the seal member. The height of the first contact surface from the second contact surface of the sealing member is substantially equal to the height of the second reception surface from the first reception surface of the cell. Connector device for liquid crystal cells. The connector base further includes a support surface in contact with a surface opposite to the first receiving surface of the edge of the cell, and the moving means is installed on the connector base. Moves the connector unit obliquely toward the edge of the cell in contact with the connector base, and the first, second, and third contact surfaces of the seal member are moved to the first of the stepped portion of the cell. 3. The liquid crystal cell connector device according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third receiving surfaces are pressed into contact with each other. The moving means includes driving means for pushing the connector unit in a direction parallel to the cell, and guide means for linearly guiding the connector in an oblique direction, and the guide means is provided on one of the connector unit and the connector base. And a guide portion that extends obliquely and linearly, and an engaging portion that is provided on the other side and engages with the guide portion so as to be movable in the extending direction. The connector device for liquid crystal cells of description. The moving means includes a lever rotatably provided on the connector base, and a driving means for rotating the lever. A connector unit is attached to the lever, and the connector unit is operated when the driving means is driven. The connector device for a liquid crystal cell according to claim 3, wherein the connector device moves in an oblique direction toward the cell along a rotation locus of the lever.

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