JPH09160038A - Orientation processing method and its processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the production of an alignment defect. SOLUTION: The surface of an alignment layer is continuously rubbed by a rubbing roll 19 while continuously carrying a long film substrate 21 on which the orientation film is formed between the roll 19 and a backup roll 20 oppositely arranged on the lower side of the roll 19. When an adhesive roll 14 arranged on the lower side of the substrate 21 is rotated in the same direction as the rotating direction of the roll 19, the Y component PY of frictional force P by an adhesive roll 14 is applied to the substrate 21 so that the Y component RY of frictional force R to the substrate 21 by the roll 19 is canceled, so that even when the rotational frequency of the roll 19 is increased and rubbing density is increased, the substrate 21 can be prevented from being oscillated and the alignment layer can be uniformly rubbed. Consequently the production of an alignment defect can be prevented.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alignment treatment method and a treatment apparatus therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of aligning liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal cell, there is known a method of forming an alignment film on the surface of a substrate and rubbing the surface of the alignment film in one direction by a rubbing roll. By the way, when a film substrate is used as a substrate, it is inefficient to perform rubbing treatment on each film substrate of a fixed size corresponding to each liquid crystal cell, so continuous roll-to-roll is performed using a long film substrate. The process is rubbing.

Now, in the method of rubbing by this continuous roll-to-roll process, a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on its upper surface is intermittently conveyed along the upper surface of a rubbing stage to form a film substrate. There is a method in which the surface of the alignment film in a predetermined range on the film substrate is rubbed in one direction by a rubbing roll in a state where the transportation of is stopped. However, in such a conventional orientation treatment method, since rubbing is performed while the film substrate is stopped, the film substrate is interrupted each time rubbing is performed, which causes a problem of poor productivity. It was Therefore, as a solution to such a problem, a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on the upper surface is continuously conveyed between a rubbing roll and a backup roll arranged opposite to the rubbing roll. However, a method has been proposed in which the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate is continuously rubbed in one direction by a rubbing roll.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an example of an alignment treatment apparatus used in the conventional alignment treatment method as described above. In this orientation processing apparatus, a rubbing roll 3 is provided between the carry-in side sprocket 1 and the carry-out side sprocket 2 so as to face the backup roll 4, and a long film substrate 5 is provided between the rubbing roll 3 and the backup roll 4. By arrow A with both sprockets 1 and 2
It is designed to be continuously conveyed in the direction. Although not shown, an alignment film made of polyimide or the like is formed on the upper surface of the film substrate 5. Rubbing roll 3
Includes a roll body 3a and a rubbing cloth 3b made of flocked cloth wound around the outer peripheral surface of the roll body 3a. The rubbing roll 3 and the backup roll 4 are configured to be rotatable in the horizontal direction about the center in the axial direction in order to set the rubbing angle, and to be vertically movable.
The rubbing roll 3 is rotatable in the arrow B direction, and the backup roll 4 is rotatable in the arrow C direction.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the rubbing roll 3 having the rubbing angle θ is rotated in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the film substrate 5, that is, in the direction of arrow B, and the film substrate 5 is moved. When the surface of the upper alignment film is contacted, the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 5 is rubbed in one direction. Then, by this, the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 5 is subjected to the alignment treatment. In this case, the film substrate 5
Friction force R by the rubbing roll 3 in the upper rubbing direction
Works. The X component R _X of this frictional force R, that is, the component in the length direction of the film substrate 5 acts in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the film substrate 5, but R _{X is} generated by the transport force of the film substrate 5 on both sprockets 1 and 2. The displacement of the film substrate 5 in the direction is canceled. Also,
The Y component R _Y of the frictional force R, that is, the component in the width direction of the film substrate 5 acts in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the film substrate 5, but the tension of the film substrate 5 causes the displacement of the film substrate 5 in the R _Y direction. Is supposed to be canceled.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional orientation treatment method, when the number of revolutions of the rubbing roll 3 is increased to increase the rubbing density, the frictional force R by the rubbing roll 3 becomes large, so that the film substrate The tension of 5 alone cannot cancel the Y component R _Y of the frictional force R, and the film substrate 5 may be displaced in the R _Y direction. In this case, there is a problem in that the rubbing state differs between the displaced state and the normal state in which the displacement does not occur, resulting in defective orientation. An object of the present invention is to prevent misalignment.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment treatment method in which a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on one surface thereof is continuously conveyed by a rubbing roll that rotates in a predetermined direction. A frictional force is applied to the film substrate so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate caused by the frictional force of the rubbing roll against the film substrate when the surface of the alignment film is continuously rubbed for alignment treatment. It is something that is done. Claim 2
The alignment treatment apparatus described is a transporting means for continuously transporting a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on one surface thereof, and a predetermined direction when the film substrate is continuously transported by the transporting means. A rubbing roll that continuously rubs the surface of the alignment film by rotating the alignment film, and when the surface of the alignment film is continuously rubbed by the rubbing roll, to the film substrate by the rubbing roll. And a frictional force imparting means for imparting a frictional force to the film substrate so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate caused by the frictional force.

According to this invention, since the frictional force is applied to the film substrate so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate caused by the frictional force on the film substrate by the rubbing roll, the number of revolutions of the rubbing roll is increased to increase the rubbing density. It is possible to prevent the film substrate from displacing even when the value is increased, to uniformly rub the alignment film, and to prevent alignment failure.

[0009]

1 (A) and 1 (B) show a standby state of a main part of an alignment treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In this orientation processing device, a rubbing unit 13 is provided between the carry-in side substrate transport unit 11 and the carry-out side substrate transport unit 12, and an adhesive roll (friction force application) is provided between the carry-in side substrate transport unit 11 and the rubbing unit 13. (Means) 14 is provided. Of these, the loading-side board transport unit 1
The reference numeral 1 includes a carry-in side sprocket 15 and a carry-in side pressing roll 16 which is arranged above the carry-in side sprocket 15 so as to face each other. The carry-out side substrate transport unit 12 is provided with a carry-out side sprocket 17 and a carry-out side pressing roll 18 that is disposed above the carry-out side sprocket 17 so as to face it. The rubbing unit 13 includes a rubbing roll 19 and a backup roll 20 arranged below the rubbing roll 19 so as to face each other.
And The rubbing roll 19 is the roll body 1
A rubbing cloth 19b made of a flocked cloth is wound around the outer peripheral surface of 9a. Further, the backup roll 20 has almost no frictional force with the film substrate 21. The rubbing roll 19 and the backup roll 20 are rotatable in the horizontal direction about the axial center part for setting the rubbing angle,
Also, it can move up and down. Also, rubbing roll 1
9 is rotatable in the direction of arrow C, and the backup roll 20 is rotatable in the same direction as the rubbing roll 19, that is, in the direction of arrow D. Adhesive roll 14
The roll main body 14 a is provided with an adhesive resin 14 b on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and has a smaller diameter than the rubbing roll 19. The pressure-sensitive adhesive roll 14 is rotatable in the horizontal direction about the center in the axial direction for setting the shaft angle, and is also movable in the vertical direction.
It is designed to be rotatable in the same direction as 9, that is, in the direction of arrow E. On the other hand, sprocket holes 22 are formed on both sides of the long film substrate 21 in the width direction, and an alignment film made of polyimide or the like is formed on the upper surface, which is not shown.

The film substrate 21 is passed between the sprocket 15 on the loading side and the pressing roll 16 on the loading side, then on the upper side of the adhesive roll 14, and then on the rubbing roll 1.
9 and the backup roll 20, and then between the carry-out side sprocket 17 and the carry-out side pressing roll 18, and by fitting both sprockets 15 and 17 into the sprocket holes 22, respectively. ,
There is tension between the sprockets 15 and 17.
Further, in the standby state, the rubbing roll 19 is located in a raised position in a state of being orthogonal to the film substrate 21, the backup roll 20 is located in a lowered position in a state of being parallel to the rubbing roll 19, and the adhesive roll 14 is in contact with the film substrate 21. It is in the descending position in a state of being orthogonal.

Next, a case where rubbing is performed by this alignment treatment apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) and 2 (B). First, both the rubbing roll 19 and the backup roll 20 are rotated in the horizontal direction about the center in the axial direction to set the rubbing angle ψ, and at the same time, the adhesive roll 14 is rotated in the horizontal direction about the center in the axial direction. Then, the axis angle α is set. That is, when the rubbing angle ψ of the rubbing roll 19 is set to 0 <ψ <90 degrees, the axial angle α of the adhesive roll 14 is set to 0 <α <90 degrees, and the rubbing angle ψ of the rubbing roll 19 is 90 <. ψ <180
If the angle is set to 0, the axis angle α of the adhesive roll 14 is set to 90.
<Α <180 degrees (however, ψ = α need not be set). In this case, the axis angle α of the adhesive roll 14 is 0 <
When α <90 degrees, the smaller the shaft angle α, the more the adhesive roll 14
Y component P _Y frictional force P due to increases, the axial angle alpha of the adhesive roll 14 is 90 <alpha <In 180, axial angle alpha as the frictional force P by the adhesive roll 14 is larger Y component P _Y
In consideration of the increase in the friction coefficient R, the Y component P _Y of the frictional force P of the adhesive roll 14 on the film substrate 21 becomes equal to the Y component R _Y of the frictional force R of the rubbing roll 19 on the film substrate 21. Thus, the axis angle α of the adhesive roll 14 is set.

Next, the rubbing roll 19 is lowered and the backup roll 20 is raised to bring the rubbing roll 19 into contact with the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 21 and the backup roll 20 to the film substrate 2.
The lower surface of the film substrate 21 is brought into contact with the lower surface of the film substrate 21. Next, both sprockets 15 and 17 are synchronized and rotated clockwise in FIG. 2B, and the film substrate 21 is continuously conveyed in the arrow F direction. Further, the rubbing roll 19 is rotated in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, in the direction of arrow C, and the backup roll 20 is rotated in the same direction as the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, in the direction of arrow D, with the transport speed of the film substrate 21. When the pressure-sensitive adhesive roll 14 is rotated synchronously and rotated in the same direction as the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, in the arrow E direction at a rotation speed corresponding to the rotation speed of the rubbing roll 19, the gap between the rubbing roll 19 and the backup roll 20 is increased. The surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 21 that is continuously conveyed is rubbed by the rubbing roll 19 continuously. Then, by this, the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 21 is subjected to the alignment treatment. in this case,
The axial angle of the adhesive roll 14 is adjusted so that the magnitude of the Y component P _Y of the frictional force P of the adhesive roll 14 on the film substrate 21 becomes equal to the magnitude of the Y component R _Y of the frictional force R of the rubbing roll 19 on the film substrate 21. since α is set, caused by the Y component R _Y frictional force R due to the rubbing roll 19 to the film substrate 21 R _Y
The displacement of the film substrate 21 in the direction is canceled by the Y component P _Y of the frictional force P with respect to the film substrate 21 by the adhesive roll 14 acting in the opposite direction.

As described above, in this orientation processing apparatus, the adhesive roll 14 arranged on the lower side of the film substrate 21 is rotated in the same direction as the rubbing roll 19 arranged on the upper side of the film substrate 21 so that the rubbing roll 19 is used. The friction force P exerted by the adhesive roll 14 on the film substrate 21 so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate 21 caused by the Y component R _Y of the friction force R on the film substrate 21.
Since the Y component P _Y is given, the film substrate 21 can be prevented from being displaced in the P _Y direction even if the number of rotations of the rubbing roll 19 is increased to increase the rubbing density, and the alignment film is uniformly rubbed. It is possible to prevent misalignment. Further, since the adhesive roll 14 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the rubbing roll 19 and the backup roll 20, the adhesive roll 14 can be brought closer to the backup roll 20 and the frictional force P with respect to the film substrate 21.
It is easy to give.

Although the adhesive roll 14 is provided separately from the backup roll 20 in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and the backup roll itself may be an adhesive roll.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a second embodiment of the present invention.
3 illustrates a standby state of a main part of the alignment treatment device according to the embodiment. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIGS. 1A and 1B are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be appropriately omitted. In this alignment treatment apparatus, the first rubbing unit 3 is provided between the carry-in side substrate transport unit 11 and the carry-out side substrate transport unit 12.
1 is provided, and the second rubbing section (friction force applying means) 32 is provided between the first rubbing section 31 and the loading-side substrate transport section 11. The first rubbing section 31 is
First rubbing roll 33 and this first rubbing roll 33
And a first backup roll 34 which is arranged to face the lower side of the first backup roll 34. The second rubbing unit 32 includes a second rubbing roll 35 and a second backup roll 36 that is disposed below and facing the second rubbing roll 35.
Both rubbing rolls 33, 35 are roll bodies 33a, 3
Rubbing cloth 33b, 35 made of flocked cloth on the outer peripheral surface of 5a
It consists of a wound b and has the same diameter. Further, both backup rolls 34 and 36 are such that a frictional force is hardly generated between the backup rolls 34 and 36 and the film substrate 21. Both rubbing rolls 33 and 35 and both backup rolls 34 and 36 are rotatable in the horizontal direction around the axial center part for setting the rubbing angle,
Also, it can move up and down. First rubbing roll 33
Is rotatable in the direction of arrow G, and the first backup roll 34 is in the same direction as the first rubbing roll 33, that is, arrow H.
It is designed to be rotatable in any direction. The second rubbing roll 35 is rotatable in the opposite direction to the first rubbing roll 33, that is, the arrow I direction, and the second backup roll 36 is rotatable in the opposite direction to the second rubbing roll 35, that is, the arrow J direction. It is like this.

Next, a case of performing rubbing with this alignment treatment apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B). First, the first and second rubbing rolls 33,
The rubbing angle ψ is set by rotating 35 and the first and second backup rolls 34 and 36 in the horizontal direction about the center in the axial direction. Next, both rubbing rolls 33 and 35 are lowered, and both backup rolls 34 and 36 are raised, so that both rubbing rolls 33 and 35
Contact the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 21 and attach both backup rolls 34 and 36 to the film substrate 2.
1. Contact the lower surface of 1. In this case, both rubbing rolls 3
The rubbing conditions such as the hair tip pushing amount of Nos. 3 and 35 are the same. Next, both sprockets 15 and 17 are synchronized and rotated clockwise in FIG. 4 (B), and the film substrate 21 is continuously conveyed in the arrow F direction. Also, the first
The rubbing roll 33 is rotated in the direction opposite to the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, in the arrow G direction, and the first backup roll 34 is rotated in the same direction as the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, in the arrow H direction. 35 is rotated at the same speed as the first rubbing roll 33 in the same direction as the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, the arrow I direction, and the second backup roll 36 is rotated in the same direction as the transport direction of the film substrate 21, that is, the arrow J direction. Then, the surface of the alignment film on the film substrate 21, which is continuously conveyed between the both rubbing rolls 33 and 35 and the both backup rolls 34 and 36, is continuously rubbed by the second rubbing roll 35, and then the second rubbing roll 35 is rubbed. The first rubbing roll 33 continuously re-rubbins the second rubbing roll 35 in the opposite direction. It is. In this case, since the rubbing angles ψ of both rubbing rolls 33 and 35 are set and they are rotated at the same speed in the opposite directions, the first rubbing roll 33
Y component R _Y of frictional force R on the film substrate 21 due to
And the Y component Q _Y of the frictional force Q applied to the film substrate 21 by the second rubbing roll 35 have the opposite directions and the same size.
The displacement of the film substrate 21 in the R _Y direction caused by the Y component R _Y of the frictional force R against the first rubbing roll 3
Y component Q of frictional force Q with respect to the film substrate 21
Canceled by _Y.

As described above, in this orientation processing apparatus, the two rubbing rolls 3 arranged on the upper side of the film substrate 21.
By rotating 3, 35 in opposite directions, the first
The Y component Q _Y of the frictional force Q by the second rubbing roll 35 is applied to the film substrate 21 so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate 21 caused by the Y component R _Y of the frictional force R with respect to the film substrate by the rubbing roll 33. Therefore, even if the number of rotations of the rubbing rolls 33 and 35 is increased to increase the rubbing density, the film substrate 21 can be prevented from being displaced in the R _Y direction, and the alignment film can be uniformly rubbed. It is possible to prevent defects.

Although the two rubbing rolls 33 and 35 having the same diameter are used in the second embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and two rubbing rolls having different diameters may be used. In this case, the rubbing angle of each rubbing roll is set so that the Y components of the frictional force of each rubbing roll cancel each other out.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention, the displacement of the film substrate caused by the frictional force of the rubbing roll against the film substrate is canceled.
Since a frictional force is applied to the film substrate, the film substrate can be prevented from being displaced even if the rubbing roll rotation speed is increased to increase the rubbing density, and the alignment film can be uniformly rubbed. Thus, it is possible to prevent alignment failure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

1A is a plan view showing a standby state of a main part of an alignment treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a front view thereof.

2A is a plan view showing a rubbing state of the alignment treatment apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a front view thereof.

3A is a plan view showing a standby state of a main part of an alignment treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a front view thereof.

4A is a plan view showing a rubbing state of the alignment treatment apparatus, and FIG. 4B is a front view thereof.

5A is a plan view showing a standby state of a main part of a conventional alignment treatment apparatus, and FIG. 5B is a front view thereof.

6A is a plan view showing a rubbing state of the alignment treatment apparatus, and FIG. 6B is a front view thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Carrying-In Side Substrate Conveying Section 12 Carrying Out Side Substrate Conveying Section 13, 31, 32 Rubbing Section 19, 33, 35 Rubbing Roll 20, 34, 36 Backup Roll 14 Adhesive Roll 21 Film Substrate

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An alignment treatment by continuously rubbing the surface of the alignment film with a rubbing roll that rotates in a predetermined direction while continuously transporting a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on one surface. In this case, a frictional force is applied to the film substrate so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate caused by the frictional force of the rubbing roll against the film substrate. 2. A transport means for continuously transporting a long film substrate having an alignment film formed on one surface, and a rotation in a predetermined direction when the film substrate is continuously transported by the transport means. A rubbing roll that continuously rubs the surface of the alignment film by performing an alignment treatment, and when the surface of the alignment film is continuously rubbed by the rubbing roll, a frictional force on the film substrate by the rubbing roll. And a frictional force imparting means for imparting a frictional force to the film substrate so as to cancel the displacement of the film substrate caused by the alignment treatment device. 3. The frictional force imparting means is disposed on the side opposite to the rubbing roll with respect to the film substrate,
The alignment treatment apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an adhesive roll that rotates in the same direction as the rubbing roll. 4. The rubbing force applying means includes a rubbing roll which is disposed on the same side as the rubbing roll with respect to the film substrate and which rotates in a direction opposite to the rubbing roll. Alignment treatment device.