JPH08292310A - Method and apparatus for producing color filter and color filter and liquid crystal display device and device having this liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an apparatus for producing color filters capable of decreasing defective articles by discovering the abnormality of an ink jet head. CONSTITUTION: This process for producing the color filters produced by arraying and forming plural pieces of filter elements colored on a light transmissive substrate 12 includes a coloring stage for coloring the filter elements by discharging coloring agents of prescribed colors onto the filter elements while scanning the surface of the substrate 12 with the ink jet head, a detecting stage for picking up pattern images 211 of the filter elements on the peripheries including the parts colored in the last of the scanning of the head and detecting the abnormality of coloration from these pattern images and a correcting stage for correcting the filter elements with which the abnormality of the coloration is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter, a color filter and a liquid crystal display, which are manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements on a light-transmissive substrate. The present invention relates to a device including this liquid crystal display device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of manufacturing a color filter, a dyeing method and a pigment dispersion method have been widely used. The dyeing method is to pattern the colored matrix into a predetermined shape,
It is a method of dyeing with a dye. In the pigment dispersion method, a photosensitive resin in which a pigment is dispersed is applied, and then a pattern is formed into a predetermined shape.

In both types, pattern formation is performed by photolithography using a photomask and an exposure device.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, in the case of the dyeing method, there is a step of dyeing after pattern formation, and in the case of the pigment dispersion method, there is a washing step after exposure. When an abnormality occurs in the equipment, there is a time lag until the pattern abnormality is detected in the inspection process, and the manufacturing line continues to operate during that time, so the abnormality is detected and the line is stopped. However, there was a problem that many defective products were manufactured by the time.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to detect an abnormality in an ink jet head at an early stage to detect a defective product when coloring a color fill using the ink jet head. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color filter manufacturing method, a manufacturing apparatus, and an abnormality detection method in the apparatus that can reduce the number of color filters.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a color filter manufactured by the above manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus, a liquid crystal display device using the color filter, and a device including the liquid crystal display device. is there.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and to achieve the object, a method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention comprises a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light-transmissive substrate. A method of manufacturing a color filter manufactured by: discharging a colorant of a predetermined color to the filter element while scanning an inkjet head over the substrate, and a coloring step of coloring the filter element, A detection step of capturing a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head and detecting a coloring abnormality from the pattern image, and correcting the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected. And a correction step.

In the color filter manufacturing method according to the present invention, the ink jet head is a head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

The color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is a color filter manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a color filter by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements side by side on a light-transmissive substrate. An inkjet head for ejecting a colorant onto the filter element, a scanning means for relatively scanning the inkjet head with respect to the substrate, and the peripheral filter including a colored portion at the end of scanning by the inkjet head. It is characterized by comprising an image pickup means for picking up a pattern image of the element and a detection means for detecting an abnormality in coloring from a picked-up image of the image pickup means.

The color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention is further characterized by further comprising a correction means for correcting the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected.

In the color filter manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the ink jet head is a head for ejecting ink by utilizing thermal energy,
It is characterized in that it is provided with a thermal energy converter for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

The color filter according to the present invention is
A color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light-transmissive substrate, wherein a colorant of a predetermined color is applied to the filter element while scanning an inkjet head over the substrate. Discharging and coloring the filter element, capturing a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head, detecting a coloring abnormality from the pattern image, and detecting the coloring abnormality. It is characterized by being manufactured by modifying the detected filter element.

The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display device using a color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements side by side on a light transmissive substrate. While the head is scanning over the substrate, a colorant of a predetermined color is discharged onto the filter element to color the filter element, and a pattern image of the peripheral filter element including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head. And a color filter produced by correcting a filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected by detecting the coloring abnormality from the pattern image, and a substrate facing the color filter. The feature is that a liquid crystal compound is enclosed between them.

A device provided with a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display device using a color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements side by side on a light transmissive substrate. A device provided with a colorant of a predetermined color is discharged onto the filter element while scanning an inkjet head over the substrate to color the filter element, and a portion colored at the end of scanning of the head is A color filter manufactured by capturing a pattern image of the surrounding filter element including the color filter, detecting a coloring abnormality from the pattern image, and correcting the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected, and facing the color filter. And a liquid crystal display device in which a liquid crystal compound is sealed between both substrates, and an image signal is output to the liquid crystal display device. It is characterized by comprising an image signal output means.

[0015]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, when the ink jet head is scanned to color the filter element, the coloring abnormality can be found immediately after the scanning is completed. It is possible to detect abnormalities at an early stage and prevent a large number of defective products from being manufactured.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of a color filter manufactured by a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

The color filter 10 is mounted on the front surface of a color liquid crystal display or the like used in a portable personal computer or the like.
As shown in (a) and (b), R (red), G (green), B
The filter elements 10a colored in (blue) are arranged two-dimensionally, for example, in a grid pattern. The filter element 10a shown in FIG.
Are arranged in a simple grid pattern, and the one shown in FIG. 1B is an example in which the filter elements 10a are arranged in a staggered grid pattern. Between each filter element 10a,
A light-shielding grid 10b is formed in order to clarify the boundaries between the respective filter elements 10a and to make the screen clear.

FIG. 2 shows the color filter 10 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of FIG. 1, showing a state in which a light-shielding grid 10b is formed on a glass substrate 12 that constitutes the main body of the color filter 10, and a filter element 10a of each color is formed thereon.

In manufacturing the color filter 10, chromium is deposited on the glass substrate 12 by sputtering, and a grid pattern is formed by photolithography. This becomes the light-shielding grating 10b. next,
A liquid-absorbent layer 14 made of cellulose, acrylic resin, gelatin or the like is formed on the light-shielding grid 10b.
A droplet containing a colorant (dye) (hereinafter referred to as ink) is sprayed onto the filter element forming region of the layer to be dyed 14 by an inkjet recording head. As a result, the layer to be dyed 14 is colored to form the color filter element 10a. It is possible to use pigments other than dyes, and it is also possible to use ultraviolet curable inks. In addition, when the pigment or the ultraviolet curable ink is used, the dyed layer 14 may not be necessary.

Further, a protective layer is formed if necessary.
As the protective layer, a photocurable type, a thermosetting type or a photothermal combined type resin material, an inorganic film formed by vapor deposition, sputtering or the like can be used, and it has transparency when used as a color filter. ITO (Indium
Any material can be used as long as it can withstand the Tin Oxide) forming process, the alignment film forming process, and the like.

A color liquid crystal panel is generally formed by combining the color filter substrate 12 and the counter substrate 54 and enclosing the liquid crystal compound 52. Inside the one substrate 54 of the liquid crystal panel, a TFT (Thin Film Trans
istor) (not shown) and transparent pixel electrodes 53 are formed in a matrix. Further, inside the other substrate 12, a color filter 10 is installed so that RGB color materials are arranged at positions facing the pixel electrodes, and a transparent counter electrode (common electrode) 50 is formed on one surface of the color filter 10. To be done. The light-shielding grid 10b is usually formed on the color filter substrate 12 side (see FIG. 3), but is formed on the opposing TFT substrate side in a BM (black matrix) on-array type liquid crystal panel (see FIG. 4). Further, an alignment film 51 is formed in the plane of both substrates, and by rubbing the alignment film 51, liquid crystal molecules can be aligned in a certain direction. A polarizing plate 5 is provided on the outside of each glass substrate.
5 is bonded, and the liquid crystal compound 52 is filled in the gap (about 2 to 5 μm) between these glass substrates. Also,
As a backlight, a combination of a fluorescent lamp (not shown) and a scattering plate (not shown) is generally used, and display is performed by causing a liquid crystal compound to function as an optical shutter that changes the transmittance of the backlight light. .

An example in which such a liquid crystal panel is applied to an information processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the above liquid crystal panel is applied to an information processing apparatus having a function as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying apparatus.

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 / Os.
It has a port and outputs control signals, data signals, etc. to each section, and controls by inputting control signals and data signals from each section. A display unit 1802 displays various menus, document information, image data read by the image reader 1807, and the like on this display screen. A transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel 1803 is provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like, items or coordinate positions can be input on the display unit 1802.

1804 is an FM (Frequency M)
The audio source section stores the music information created by a music editor or the like in the memory section 1810 or the external storage device 18
The data is stored as digital data in 12, and is read from the memory or the like to perform FM modulation. FM
The electric signal from the 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 photoelectrically reading and inputting original data, which is provided in the original feeding path and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals.

Reference numeral 1808 denotes a facsimile (F) which transmits the original data read by the image reader unit 1807 by facsimile and receives and decodes the transmitted facsimile signal.
AX) transmitting / receiving unit, and has an interface function with the outside. 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 for storing a system program, a manager program, other application programs, etc., a character font, a dictionary, etc.
The memory unit includes an application program loaded from the external storage device 1812, document information, and a video RAM.

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

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

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, 1901 is a flat panel display using the above liquid crystal panel, and displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 on the display 1901 with a finger or the like, coordinate input or item designation input can be performed. 1902 is a handset used when the device functions as a telephone. Keyboard 19
Reference numeral 03 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord, and various document functions and various data can be input. The keyboard 1903 has various function keys 1
904 and the like are provided. 1905 is the external storage device 1
812 is an insertion port of a floppy disk.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper stacking unit on which a document read by the image reader unit 1807 is placed, and the read document is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. When receiving a facsimile or the like, the image is printed 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 printer unit 1 is processed.
It is output to 806 as an image.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile information input from the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808 via the communication line is received and processed by the control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program, and the printer unit 1806.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copying machine, the image reader unit 1807 reads a document, and the read document data is transferred to the printer unit 18 via the control unit 1801.
It is output as a copied image in 06. In addition, when functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, the image reader unit 1
The document data read by 807 is the control unit 180.
After the transmission processing according to the predetermined program by 1,
It is transmitted to the communication line via the FAX transmission / reception unit 1808.

The information processing apparatus described above may be an integral type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 7, and in this case, it becomes possible to further enhance the portability. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the corresponding reference numerals.

Next, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of a color filter manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. In FIG.
12 is a glass substrate on which a color filter is formed,
The dyed layer 14 is previously formed on the surface as described above. Reference numeral 202 is a color inkjet head that ejects ink for coloring the color filter pattern, 203a and 203b are substrate position detectors for detecting the position of the glass substrate 12, and 204 is a filter formed on the glass substrate 12. Image pickup device for picking up images, 205a and 205b are illumination devices for picking up images with the image input device 204, 206 is a holding device for holding the glass substrate 12, and 207 is positioning / positioning of the glass substrate 12.
Stages 208a, 20 for changing posture and moving
9b is an alignment mark which is a position reference of the glass substrate 12, and 209 is a colored region. In this embodiment, since the width of the color inkjet head 202 is narrower than the colored region 209, it is divided into four regions 209a, 209b, 209c and 209d. The filter is colored by scanning once.

Next, FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of a monochrome ink jet head IJH which constitutes a color ink jet head 202 for spraying ink onto the glass substrate 12 in the above apparatus. The color inkjet head 202 is a monochrome inkjet head IJ.
One H is provided for each color, that is, R (red), G (green), and B (blue).

In FIG. 9, the ink jet head IJ
The H is generally composed of a heater board 104 which is a substrate on which a plurality of heaters 102 for heating ink are formed, and a top plate 106 which is placed on the heater board 104. The top plate 106 has a plurality of discharge ports 108.
Is formed, and a tunnel-shaped liquid path 110 communicating with the discharge port 108 is formed behind the discharge port 108. Each liquid passage 110 is isolated from an adjacent liquid passage by a partition wall 112. Each liquid channel 110 has one
The two ink liquid chambers 114 are commonly connected, and the ink is supplied to the ink liquid chambers 114 through the ink supply ports 116. The inks are supplied from the ink liquid chambers 114 to the respective liquid paths 110.

The heater board 104 and the top plate 106 are
The heaters 102 are aligned so that they come to the positions corresponding to the respective liquid paths 110, and the state is assembled as shown in FIG.
Although only two heaters 102 are shown in FIG. 9, the heaters 102 correspond to the respective liquid passages 110 by one.
They are arranged one by one. When a predetermined drive pulse is supplied to the heater 102 in the assembled state as shown in FIG. 9, the ink on the heater 102 boils to form bubbles, and the ink expands from the ejection openings 108 due to the volume expansion of the bubbles. It is pushed out and discharged. Therefore, the size of the bubble can be adjusted by controlling the drive pulse applied to the heater 102, for example, by controlling the magnitude of the electric power,
The volume of ink ejected from the ejection port can be freely controlled.

Next, the operation of the above-described color filter manufacturing apparatus will be described.

First, the glass substrate 1 is placed on the holding device 206.
Set 2. At this time, the glass substrate 12 is positioned by the outer shape, but the outer shape of the glass substrate 12 and the colored region 209
Since the positional relationship between and does not satisfy the accuracy required for coloring, the position of the alignment mark 208 is measured using the substrate position detector 203, and the glass substrate 1 is moved by the stage 207.
Correct the position and orientation of 2. Next, the glass substrate 12 is moved to a standby position for coloring the colored region 209a on the stage 207, and scanning for coloring is started from here. After the scanning for coloring is started, the coloring region 209a is formed at a position where the ink ejected from the inkjet head 202 reaches.
When the head of the colored area 209a is reached, a coloring signal is sent to the inkjet head 202 to start coloring, and when the trailing edge of the colored area 209a passes the position where the ink reaches, the colored area 209a.
Is finished, the transmission of the coloring signal to the inkjet head 202 is stopped, and the stage 207 is placed at the standby position for coloring the colored region 209b.
Move 2. By repeating the same operation, the colored region 20
9b, 209c and 209d are colored.

When the coloring of the entire colored area 209 is completed in this way, the stage 207 moves the area to be inspected in the colored area 209 to the visual field of the image input device 204. The image input device 204 captures an image of the inspection area,
An image processing apparatus (not shown) inspects whether a predetermined pattern is colored. After the inspection is completed, the stage 207 moves to a discharge position for taking out the glass substrate 12. At this time, if the inspection result is OK, the process normally ends, and if a defect is found in the inspection, an abnormal process such as issuing an alarm to the operator is performed and the process ends.

Next, the principle of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing a pattern colored by the ink jet head 202. When ink droplets fly out from the ink jet head 202 are called nozzles, ten nozzles are used and a glass substrate 12 is formed. On the other hand, the inkjet head 202 is relatively moved in the direction of the arrow, and the colored regions 209a → 209b → 20 are obtained by scanning four times.
The filters are formed in the order of 9c → 209d. In the figure, 210 is the inkjet head 20.
An abnormal occurrence area in which an abnormality occurs in 2 and a final colored area 211 is a final colored area.

As a defect peculiar to the inkjet type coloring device, there is a defect that the nozzle is clogged and the ink is not ejected. In this case, a normal pattern cannot be colored unless some restoration work is performed on the head.
Therefore, if the nozzle is clogged during the coloring of the abnormality occurrence area 210 in FIG. 10, the defect continues to the final coloring area 211. Therefore, in the case of such a defect due to the head abnormality, the defect can be detected by inspecting the final colored area 211.

Next, the inspection area will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 13. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 11 to FIG.
Scan the colored area 209a → 209b → 209c → 2
It is assumed that coloring is performed in the order of 09d. However, a solid arrow indicates a colored portion, and a broken arrow indicates a movement without coloring. In addition, FIG. 11 (a), FIG. 12 (a), and FIG.
3A is a diagram when the inkjet head 202 is reciprocally scanned, and FIGS. 11B, 12B, and 13 are shown.
(B) is a diagram obtained by unidirectional scanning.

11A and 11B show a colored area 209.
a, 209b, 209c and 209d are all colored with the same width using the same nozzle. Therefore, each of the nozzles used for coloring lastly colored is the final coloring area 211, which is the last portion of the coloring area 209d, and this portion becomes the inspection area.

In FIGS. 12A and 12B, the width of the colored region 209d colored last is different from that of the other colored regions 209a and 209.
b, 209c is a diagram when it is narrower than the final colored region 2
The part 211b of 11 is not colored. In this case, the colored portion 211a in the final colored area 211 and the portion 212b corresponding to 211b at the end of the colored area 209c colored before the colored area 209d are the inspection areas.

13A and 13B, the width of the colored region 209a to be colored first is narrow, and in the colored region 209d to be colored last, all nozzles are used for coloring. In this case, As in FIG. 11, the final colored area 211 becomes the inspection area.

Next, a processing method for defect detection will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the state of the inspection region. In FIG. 14, 10 is a light-shielding grid that shields light between the filter elements, 221 is a peripheral region where no filter is formed, and 222 is partly colored due to an abnormality in the head. The partially defective element 223 which was not colored is a completely defective element which was not colored at all.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the state of illumination.
In the figure, 225 is the glass substrate 12 from the light source 205.
The incident light 226 projected on is the reflected light reflected by the surface of the holding device 6. Since the glass substrate 12 is thick, the light obliquely incident from the peripheral region 221 enters under the colored region and is reflected by the surface of the holding device 206 to be reflected by the glass substrate 12.
Is illuminated from the back side, and a part of the light passing through the glass substrate 12 enters the image input device 204. On the other hand, the light directly projected from the light source 205 onto the glass substrate 12 is the glass substrate 1
Since it is specularly reflected by the surface of No. 2, it does not enter the image input device 204. Therefore, when the image input device 204 captures an image of the glass substrate 12, a so-called backlight image in which the glass substrate 12 is illuminated from the back side is obtained.

In the present embodiment, a backlight image utilizing reflection from the surface of the holding device 206 is used, but the holding device 206 is made of a transparent material or is held only around the glass substrate 12 for inspection. The illuminating device 205 may be arranged below the glass substrate 12 with a space below the region.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a video signal of the image input device 204 in the portion AA ′ in FIG. 14, in which the vertical axis represents brightness and the horizontal axis represents position. In the figure, the peripheral area 221 is brightest and the defective portion has almost the same brightness as the peripheral area. Since the normal filter area is dimmed by the filter, it becomes darker than the peripheral area and the light-shielding grid 10
The part b is the most dark because it transmits almost no light.

FIG. 17 is an image obtained by binarizing the image of FIG. 14 with a predetermined threshold value. In FIG. 17, the white portion is the logical value 1
, The vertical line portion is a logical value 0, the defective portion and the peripheral area have a logical value 1, and the normal portion and the light-shielded area have a logical value 0.
It has become.

As a method of determining the threshold value, the transmittance of the peripheral area is T%, the transmittance of the normal filter portion is F%, the value of the brightest portion in the image is Imax, and the value of the darkest portion is Imin. If the margin for noise is D, then threshold = (F / T) × (Imax−Imin) + Im
When determined by in + D, the threshold value follows the temporal or spatial variation of the illumination, so that the defective portion and the normal portion can be stably distinguished. However, a fixed value may be used as long as the maximum value of the signal of the filter section where the image is stable and normal does not exceed the minimum value of the signal of the peripheral section.

When the area or circumscribing rectangle of each region is obtained for the portion of logical value 1 in FIG. 17, the defective portion has a size of one normal cell at the maximum, and the peripheral portion is much larger than the normal cell. Because of the large size, it can be determined that there is a defect when the area or the circumscribed rectangle detects a region having a logical value of 1 that is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, and that there is no defect when there is no region that has a logical value of 1 that is equal to or smaller than the predetermined size.

Next, a method of correcting the color filter in which the defect is found as described above will be described.

First, uncolored filter elements are detected on the entire surface of the filter. Since the uncolored filter element has a higher transmittance than the colored filter element by the amount of ink, the unfiltered filter element can be detected by obtaining a region having a predetermined transmittance or higher.

Since the uncolored filter element has no ink attached and is in a state before coloring, the coloring device is controlled by the position information of the uncolored filter element, and the uncolored filter element is placed on the uncolored filter element. Only the ink is ejected for coloring. As a result, the uncolored portion is also colored and the color filter is corrected.

The correction work is performed on a line different from the manufacturing line, using a head dedicated to the correction.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect a pattern defect immediately after coloring the filter element and detect an abnormality of the ink jet head, thereby causing a large number of defective products. It can be prevented.

The present invention can be applied to the modified or modified embodiment described above without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The present invention is provided with means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink, particularly in the ink jet recording system, and by the thermal energy, The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of ink has been described. According to such a method, the recording density is increased,
High definition can be achieved.

With regard to its typical structure and principle, see, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4740.
What is done using the basic principles disclosed in 796 is preferred. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type, but especially in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal to the electrothermal converter arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path in which the liquid crystal is held, which corresponds to the recorded information and causes a rapid temperature rise exceeding film boiling. Since the electrothermal converter is caused to generate heat energy to cause film boiling on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal in a one-to-one relationship can be formed. It is valid. The liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection openings by the growth and contraction of the bubbles to form at least one droplet. It is more preferable to make this drive signal in a pulse shape, because bubbles can be grown and contracted immediately and appropriately, and thus a liquid (ink) with excellent responsiveness can be achieved.

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

As the constitution of the recording head, in addition to the combination constitution of the ejection port, the liquid passage, and the electrothermal converter (the linear liquid passage or the right-angled liquid passage) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, The present invention also includes configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose configurations in which the heat-acting surface is arranged in a bending region. In addition, for multiple electrothermal converters,
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 59-123670, which discloses a structure in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal converter, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-63, which discloses a structure in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy is associated with the discharge portion. A configuration based on Japanese Patent No. 138461 may be used.

Further, as a full line type recording head having a length corresponding to the maximum recording medium width that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length can be increased by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. Either of the structure satisfying the requirement or the structure as one recording head integrally formed may be used.

In addition, by being mounted on the apparatus main body, it can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and can be supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by a replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

Further, it is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, etc., which are provided as a constitution of the recording apparatus of the present invention, because the effect of the present invention can be further stabilized. . Specific examples thereof include capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suctioning means for the recording head, preheating means using an electrothermal converter or another heating element or a combination thereof, and recording. It is also effective to perform a stable recording by performing a preliminary discharge mode in which another discharge is performed.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid, but an ink that solidifies at room temperature or lower, or one that softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used, or In the inkjet method, it is common to control the temperature of the ink itself within a range of 30 ° C to 70 ° C to control the temperature of the ink so that the viscosity of the ink is within a stable ejection range. It is sufficient that the ink is liquid.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy from being used as the energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state,
Alternatively, in order to prevent the ink from evaporating, an ink that solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, by applying heat energy, such as ink that is liquefied by applying heat energy according to the recording signal and liquid ink is ejected, or that begins to solidify when it reaches the recording medium. The present invention can be applied to the case where an ink having a property of being liquefied for the first time is used. In such a case, the ink is retained as a liquid or solid in the recesses or through holes of the porous sheet as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260. It may be configured to face the electrothermal converter. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the inkjet head is scanned and the filter element is colored, the abnormal coloring can be detected immediately after the scanning is completed, so that the abnormalities of the inkjet head can be detected early and many defective products are manufactured. It is possible to prevent the accident.

[0076]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially enlarged view of a color filter manufactured by a manufacturing method and a manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the color filter shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a color liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a structure of a color liquid crystal panel.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an information processing device in which a liquid crystal panel is used.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an information processing device in which a liquid crystal panel is used.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an information processing device in which a liquid crystal panel is used.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a color filter manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a structure of an inkjet head IJH for spraying ink on a layer to be dyed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating how a defect appears due to an abnormality of the device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an inspection area.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an inspection area.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an inspection area.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a region where inspection processing is performed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a state of illumination.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a signal of a pattern including a defective portion.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a result of binarization processing in the defect processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 glass substrate 202 inkjet head 203 position detector 204 image input device 205 illumination device 206 holding device 207 stage

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a color filter, which is manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light-transmissive substrate, wherein the ink jet head scans the substrate while the filter element is being scanned. A coloring step of ejecting a colorant of a predetermined color onto the filter element, and a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head is captured, and the pattern image is colored. And a correction step of correcting the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected. 2. The ink jet head is a head for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with a heat energy converter for generating heat energy applied to the ink. 1. The method for manufacturing a color filter according to 1. 3. A color filter manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a color filter by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light transmissive substrate, wherein the inkjet head discharges a colorant to the filter element. Scanning means for scanning the inkjet head relative to the substrate; imaging means for capturing a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the inkjet head; An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter, comprising: a detection unit that detects an abnormality in coloring from an image picked up by the image pickup unit. 4. The color filter manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a correction unit that corrects the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected. 5. The ink jet head is a head for ejecting ink by utilizing heat energy, and is provided with a heat energy converter for generating heat energy applied to the ink. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to item 3. 6. A color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light-transmissive substrate, wherein a predetermined amount is provided on the filter element while an inkjet head scans the substrate. Coloring the filter element by discharging a colorant, capturing a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head, and detecting an abnormality in coloring from the pattern image, A color filter manufactured by modifying a filter element in which the abnormal coloring is detected. 7. A liquid crystal display device using a color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements arranged side by side on a light transmissive substrate, wherein an inkjet head is scanned over the substrate. A colorant of a predetermined color is ejected onto the filter element to color the filter element, and a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head is captured and colored from the pattern image. And a substrate facing the color filter, and a liquid crystal compound is sealed between both substrates. Characteristic liquid crystal display device. 8. A device provided with a liquid crystal display device, which uses a color filter manufactured by arranging a plurality of colored filter elements side by side on a light-transmissive substrate, wherein an inkjet head is provided on the substrate. Coloring the filter element by discharging a colorant of a predetermined color onto the filter element while scanning the top, and capturing a pattern image of the filter element in the periphery including a colored portion at the end of scanning of the head, A color filter manufactured by detecting a coloring abnormality from the pattern image and correcting the filter element in which the coloring abnormality is detected, and a substrate facing the color filter, and a liquid crystal compound between both substrates. A liquid crystal display device enclosing the liquid crystal display device, and image signal output means for outputting an image signal to the liquid crystal display device. Device equipped with a crystal display device.