JPH09244036A - Connector device for liquid crystal cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connector device capable of surely executing the vacuum suction of a cell prior to packing of liquid crystals into this cell. SOLUTION: The connector unit 20 of the connector device CR includes a body 30 and an elastic seal member 40 housed in the housing recessed part 35 of this body. This sealing member has a projecting part 42. This projecting part 42 constitutes the difference in level corresponding to the shape of the difference in level at the edge of the cell CL and has a first contact surface 45 in tight contact with the first receiving surface 1a of the cell, a second contact surface 46 in tight contact with the second receiving surface 2a of the cell and a third contact surface 47 in tight contact with the third receiving surface 2b of the cell. The first and second contact surfaces 45, 46 are paralleled with each other. The third contact surface 47 intersects with the first and second contact surfaces 45, 46. A recessed part 48 for linkage is formed on the third contact surface 47. This recessed part 48 for linkage faces the suction port 6 of the cell in the state that the connector device is held connected to the cell. A nozzle member 50 penetrates the sealing member and the front end of this nozzle member 50 faces the recessed part 48 for linkage.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector device which is connected to a suction port of a cell when the liquid crystal is filled in the cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to fill a cell with liquid crystal, an inlet port and a suction port are formed in the cell. The inner space of the cell is vacuum-sucked through the suction port, and in this state, liquid crystal is introduced into the inner space of the cell from the introduction port.

In the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 37529/89, connector devices are attached to the introduction port and the suction port, the inner space of the cell is vacuum-sucked through one connector device, and the other connector is connected. The liquid crystal is introduced into the internal space through the device under normal pressure or under pressure if necessary.

[0004]

However, the above publication does not disclose the detailed structure of the connector device. Further, in recent cells, the edge portion of one substrate extends outside the edge portion of the other substrate, and a large number of pixel control terminals are formed on the edge portion of this one substrate. As a result, the edges of the cells are stepped. With respect to the connector device connected to the suction port formed on the stepped edge portion, no prior art proposes a specific structure.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, first, second and third receiving surfaces are formed at edge portions forming a step, and
The receiving surface and the second receiving surface are parallel to each other, and the third receiving surface is formed at the boundary between the first and second receiving surfaces and is substantially orthogonal to the first and second receiving surfaces. The liquid crystal cell connector device to be connected to the cell having the suction port formed on the receiving surface is provided with 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 housed in the housing recess of the body, and a convex portion projecting from the body and forming a step, the convex portion having 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, and the first and second contact surfaces are formed. Is substantially orthogonal to the first contact surface and the third contact surface is formed with an interlocking recess, and the first, second and third contact surfaces respectively contact the first, second and third receiving surfaces of the cell. An elastic seal member in which the cooperation concave portion faces the suction port of the cell and communicates with the suction port. (C) While penetrating the seal member,
A nozzle member, one end of which is connected to the communication passage of the body and the other end of which faces the interlocking recess of the seal member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, in the connector device according to the first aspect, the height from the second contact surface to the first contact surface of the seal member is the second from the first receiving surface of the cell. It is characterized by being substantially equal to the height of the receiving surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the first or second aspect, a connector base is further provided, and the connector base is provided on a surface of the edge portion of the cell opposite to the first receiving surface. The connector base has a supporting surface in contact therewith, and a moving means is installed on the connector base. The moving means moves the connector unit obliquely toward the edge of the cell in contact with the connector base, The first, second, and third contact surfaces of the seal member are respectively brought into pressure contact with the first, second, and third receiving surfaces of the edge portion of the cell.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the third aspect, the moving means pushes the connector unit in a direction parallel to the cell, and a guide that linearly guides the connector diagonally. The guide means is provided on one of the connector unit and the connector base and extends obliquely and linearly, and on the other side, the guide means is movably engaged with the guide portion in the extending direction. And a mating engaging portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the connector device according to the third aspect, the moving means has a lever rotatably provided on the connector base and a driving means for rotating the lever. The connector unit is attached to the lever, and the connector unit moves in an oblique direction toward the cell along the rotation locus of the lever when the driving means is driven.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Before describing a connector device which constitutes an embodiment of the present invention, a cell will be described. As best shown 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 has a similar shape 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 an area inside the peripheral edge of the first substrate 1 with an 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). The adhesive layer 3 is interrupted at the center of one edge CLa of the cell CL, and this portion serves as the 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 location is at the suction port 6
It has become.

Since the peripheral portion of the first substrate 1 extends outward from the peripheral portion of the second substrate 2, the edge portion CLa of the cell CL,
All edges including CLb are stepped portions. In particular, at the edge portions CLa and CLb forming 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,
The third receiving surface 2b is orthogonal to the first and second receiving surfaces 1a and 2a.

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 filling the cell CL with the liquid crystal. The connector device CR includes a connector base 10, a connector unit 20 movably supported by the connector base 10, and a moving mechanism 60 (moving means) for moving the connector unit 20.
And For convenience of explanation of the connector device CR, the X, Y, and Z axes are shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4. X and Y are horizontal axes orthogonal to each other, and Z axis is a vertical axis.

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, on the upper surface of the first wall 11 of the connector base 10, the Y-axis direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 2) is provided.
A positioning protrusion 13 extending to the center is formed. The upper surface of the first wall 11 located in front of the positioning protrusion 13 is a flat support surface 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector unit 20 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is arranged above the first wall 11 of the connector base 10 so as to be spaced apart therefrom. As best shown in FIGS. 4-6, the connector unit 20 includes a body 30. The body 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of a material having rigidity such as metal or hard resin. A storage recess 35 is formed on the lower surface 31 of the body 30, that is, on the surface of the base 10 facing the first wall 11. This storage recess 35
Extends in the Y-axis direction (the direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 2 and 4) and is also open to the two surfaces 32, 33 of the body 30 facing each other in the Y-axis direction. The sectional shape of the accommodating recess 35 is a shape obtained by cutting out a part of a circle, and has a sectional area larger than half of this circle.

A communication passage 36 extending in the Z-axis direction is formed in the body 30. One end of this communication passage 36 is opened to the inner peripheral surface of the storage recess 35, and the other end is connected to the body 3
It has an opening on a surface 34 facing the surface 31 of 0. A joint 37 is inserted in the communication passage 36, and the joint 3
A tube 38 is connected to 7. These joints 37
The tube 38 and the tube 38 are made of a fluororesin.

Connector device C to be connected to the introduction port 5
A liquid crystal supply source (not shown) is connected to the R joint 37 via a tube 38, and the joint 37 of the connector device CR to be connected to the suction port 6 is connected to the vacuum device 39 (vacuum suction device) via the tube 38. Means, see FIG. 2).

A sealing member 40 made of an elastic body such as elastically deformable fluorine rubber or soft plastic is housed in the housing recess 35 of the body 30. The seal member 40 has a substantially cylindrical base portion 41 extending in the Y-axis direction. The base portion 41 has a sectional shape slightly larger than the sectional shape of the accommodation recess 35, and is press-fitted into the accommodation recess 35.

The base portion 41 of the seal member 40 has a
A convex portion 42 that projects toward the first wall 11 of the connector base 10 is formed. The convex portion 42 extends in the Y-axis direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the base portion 41. The convex portion 42 forms a step, and thus 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 projects 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.
It is orthogonal to 46. The third contact surface 47 extends in the Y-axis direction, that is, parallel to the positioning protrusion 13 of the connector base 10. In the natural state of the seal member 40,
The width of the third contact surface 47, that is, the height of the first contact surface 45 from the second contact surface 46 is equal to the width of the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL, that is, the second receiving surface from the first receiving surface 1a. It is equal to the height of the surface 2b.

An interlocking recess 48 is formed in the center of the third contact surface 47 of the seal member 40. Further, 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. This through hole 4
9 has a flat cross-sectional shape, one end of which is continuous with the cooperation recess 48, and the other end of which is open at the center of the peripheral surface of the base 41 and communicates with the communication passage 36 of the body 30.

A nozzle member 50 made of a fluororesin having a flat cross section is press-fitted and fixed in the through hole 49. The nozzle member 50 extends in the Z direction, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the support surface 14 of the connector base 10, and is continuous with the joint 37. The tip 51 of the nozzle member 50 projects 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.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the base portion 41 of the seal member 40 has a pair of flat surfaces 43 arranged on both sides of the convex portion 42. These flat surfaces 43
Are arranged on the same plane. With the base portion 41 housed in the housing recess 35 of the body 30, the flat surface 4
3 is flush with the surface 31 of the body 30.

The seal member 40 is composed of four pressing plates 5.
5 to 58, it is stably supported by the body 30. That is, the bodies 3 located on both sides of the storage recess 35.
The pressing plates 55 and 56 are fixed to the surface 31 of 0, and these pressing plates 55 and 56 press the pair of flat surfaces 43 of the seal member 40, respectively. The side edges of the pressing plates 55 and 56 also press the side surfaces 42a and 42b of the convex portion 42 of the seal member 40. In addition, body 3
The pressing plates 57 and 58 are also fixed to the facing surfaces 32 and 33 of 0, and the pressing plates 57 and 58 press the both end surfaces of the seal member 40.

As described above, the seal member 40 is used as the pressing plate 5.
While being pressed by 5, 56, the first contact surface 45 and the second contact surface 45
The contact surface 46 projects from the pressing plates 55 and 56 toward the first wall 11, respectively. The pressing plate 55 is thicker than the pressing plate 56, and the first contact surface 4 from the pressing plate 55 is
The protrusion amount of 5 is substantially equal to the protrusion amount of the second contact surface 46 from the pressing plate 56, and is an appropriate amount.

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 (driving 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) that is a long hole is formed in a pair of walls of the bracket 62 that face each other. The extending direction of the guide hole 63 is inclined by about 45 ° with respect to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction so as to approach the first wall 11 as it goes toward the front side of the first wall 11. This inclination direction is indicated by reference symbol S in FIGS.

The connector unit 20 is arranged between a pair of walls of the bracket 62 and is supported by these walls. More specifically, the pressing plates 57 and 58 on both sides of the connector unit 20 are each provided with two pins 64 (engagement portions). By fitting the pins 64 into the guide holes 63, the connector unit 20
Are slidably supported in the S direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the air cylinder 66 is provided with a connector 62 through a bracket 62.
0 is fixed to the second wall 12 and is arranged between the second wall 12 and the connector unit 20. The air cylinder 66 has a rod 67 extending in the X-axis direction. A large-diameter disc portion 67a is formed at the tip of the rod 67, and the disc portion 67a is formed in a groove 39 having a T-shaped cross section formed on the surface of the body 30 of the connector unit 20 facing the second wall 12. It is housed slidably. 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, and therefore the connector unit 20 can slide in the S direction.

Next, the step of filling the liquid crystal in the cell CL 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 these connector devices CR is connected to the introduction port 5 of the cell CL.
The suction ports 6 are set at the edges CLa and CLb, respectively. At this time, the first substrate 1 of the cell CL is brought into contact with the supporting surface 14, and the positioning protrusion 1 is attached to the edge of the first substrate 1.
The connector base 10 is positioned by abutting 3.

The operation of the connector device CR to be connected to the suction port 6 will be described below.
The operation of the connector device CR to be connected to is similar. As shown in FIG. 2, when 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
Is separated from the edge CLb of the cell CL.

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, due to 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 diagonal direction toward the edge CLb of the cell CL. When the connector unit 20 is moved, the first and second contact surfaces 45 and 46 are kept parallel to the cell CL.

As a result of the diagonal 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 the first contact surface 45 of the cell CL.
It elastically adheres to the receiving surface 1a (the upper surface of the edge of the first substrate 1), and the second contact surface 46 is the second receiving surface 2a of the cell CL (second
The third contact surface 47 elastically adheres to the upper surface of the edge portion of the substrate 2 and the third contact surface 47 elastically adheres to the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL (the edge surface of the second substrate 2). As a result, the cooperation recess 48 of the seal member 40 can be sealed while facing and communicating with the suction port 6 of the cell CL.

As described above, the abutting surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 30 are arranged so that the edge portion CL of the cell CL is obliquely seen.
Since it approaches b, the first and second contact surfaces 45, 46 and the third contact surface 45, 46
Despite the orthogonal relationship with the abutment surface 47, all the abutment surfaces 45, 46, 47 are replaced by the corresponding receiving surface 1 of the cell CL.
It is possible to closely adhere to a, 2a, and 2b, respectively. Further, the force of the air cylinder 66 causes the connector unit 2
Since 0 is biased from an oblique direction, all the contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 40 are received by the receiving surfaces 1a, 2 of the cell CL.
It can be surely brought into close contact with a and 2b respectively.

In the above-mentioned sealed state, the nozzle member 5
Since the one end 51 of 0 is at a position retracted from the first contact surface 45 and the third contact surface 47, it does not hit the receiving surfaces 1a and 2b of the cell CL. Since the protruding height of the first contact surface 45 of the seal member 40 from the second contact surface 46 is equal to the protruding height of the second receiving surface 2a from the first receiving surface 1a of the cell CL, these contact surfaces 45 and 46 are receiving surfaces 1 with substantially equal elastic force
It can be closely attached to a and 2a.

The pressing plate 55 for pressing the side surface 42a of the convex portion 42 is thicker than the pressing plate 56, so that the protruding amount of the convex portion 42 from the pressing plate 56 can be made appropriate.
Therefore, when the convex portion 42 elastically deforms, the third receiving surface 2b
It is possible to prevent the pressing plate 55 from elastically deforming so as to escape from it, and therefore, the third contact surface 4 of the seal member 40 is prevented.
7 can be brought into close contact with the third receiving surface 2b with a sufficient elastic force.

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 sucked into the suction port 6. The connector device CR connected to the suction port 6 is eliminated through the cooperation 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. As a result, from the liquid crystal supply source,
The liquid crystal pressurized to several atmospheres is sent to the connector device CR through the tube 38. This liquid crystal is the nozzle member 50.
It is discharged to the cooperation recessed portion 48 through and is supplied into the internal space 4 from the introduction port 5 of the cell CL.

After the liquid crystal has been supplied to the internal space 4 as described above, in all the connector devices CR,
By driving the air cylinder 66, the rod 67 is retracted, the connector unit 20 is moved diagonally rearward, and returned to the initial position. As a result, the seal member 40 of these connector devices CR separates from the edge portions CLa and CLb of the cell CL.

When the cell CL is filled with the liquid crystal as described above, the liquid crystal adheres to the cell CL only on the surface facing the cooperation recess 48. Therefore, the amount of liquid crystal adhered can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional filling device, and it is possible to prevent the expensive liquid crystal from being wasted.
The attached liquid crystal can be easily wiped off.

In all the connector devices CR, the three contact surfaces 45, 46, 47 of the seal member 40 are used.
Can be reliably brought into close contact with the three receiving surfaces 1a, 2a, 2b of the liquid crystal cell CL. As a result, liquid crystal leakage can be reliably prevented in the connector device CR on the introduction port 5 side,
The connector device CR on the suction port 6 side can reliably perform vacuum suction.

In the above description of the structure and operation, the case where the connector device CR is connected in the state where the cells CL are arranged horizontally has been described for the sake of clarity. However, in the case of mass production, the cells CL are arranged vertically. It is preferable to connect the connector devices CR in a state where a large number of them are arranged side by side.

In the first embodiment, means for guiding the connector unit 20 in the oblique direction may be a pin provided on the bracket 62 and a guide groove provided on the connector unit 20. Further, this 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 hit the connector unit 20. In this case, a return spring that connects the connector unit 20 and the connector base 10 is required. When the rod moves forward, the connector unit 20 moves diagonally toward the cell against the return spring, and when the rod moves backward, the connector spring returns the connector unit 20 to the initial position.

Next, a connector device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This second
The embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the mechanism 70 for moving the connector unit 20, and the other corresponding configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawing and the description thereof is omitted. The moving mechanism 70 includes a pair of plate-shaped levers 71 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. Furthermore, the moving mechanism 7
Reference numeral 0 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 has the rod 7
6 is moved up and down. The tip of the rod 76 has a conical surface 7
6a. The return spring 77 is bridged between the connector base 10 and the connector unit 20.

In the second embodiment, when the air cylinder 75 is driven to move the rod 76 downward, the tip portion of the rod pushes the receiving plate 71 downward, and the lever 71 rotates clockwise in FIG. As a result, the connector unit 20 diagonally moves toward the cell CL along the rotation locus of the lever 71, and the sealing member 40 thereof is brought into close contact with the edge portion CLa or CLb of the cell CL as in the first embodiment. . When the urging force of the air cylinder 75 is removed, 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.

The connector device according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is provided with a connector unit 80 different from those of the first and second embodiments. The other structures such as the moving mechanism and the connector base are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and are not shown. 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 is formed with a communication passage 87 continuous with the storage recess 86.
A joint 88 is attached to the.

The seal member 90 has a columnar shape and is fitted in the storage recess 86. On the lower surface of the seal member 90, a convex portion 92 having a step is formed. This 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 cooperation recess 98 is formed at the center of the third contact surface 95. A nozzle member 100, the tip of which protrudes into the cooperation recess 98, penetrates through the seal member 90. The nozzle member 100 extends in a direction orthogonal to the cell CL and is connected to the communication passage 87 of the body 85.

The body 85 defines a storage recess 86,
It has a peripheral wall 89 that surrounds the seal member 90 over the entire circumference. The peripheral wall 89 is a wall portion 89a that surrounds most of the portion of the seal member 90 where the first contact surface 95 is formed.
And a wall portion 89 surrounding the portion where the second contact surface 96 is formed.
b. The wall portion 89a is higher than the wall portion 89b, and the first contact surface 95 from the wall portion 89a is formed.
The amount of protrusion of 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 the elastic deformation of the seal member 90 that escapes from the third receiving surface 2b of the cell CL, and the third contact Adhesion of the surface 97 to the third receiving surface 2b can be ensured.

In all the above-mentioned embodiments, the connector device of the present invention may be connected only to the suction port. In particular, when the edge portion of the cell in which the introduction port is formed does not have a step, the connector device connected to the introduction port is disclosed in JP-A-7-244290.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, by using the elastic seal member having the step corresponding to the step of the edge portion of the cell, the connector port is well sealed in the suction port. Can be connected with good properties, and the vacuum suction inside the cell, which is performed prior to filling the liquid crystal, can be favorably performed. According to the invention of claim 2, by making the heights of the steps equal, the first and second contact surfaces of the elastic seal member are brought into close contact with the first and second receiving surfaces of the cell with substantially equal elastic force. Therefore, the sealing performance can be further enhanced, and the vacuum suction can be ensured. According to the invention of claim 3, by biasing the elastic seal member obliquely,
Not only the first and second contact surfaces are in good contact with the first and second receiving surfaces of the cell, but also the third contact surface is in good contact with the third contact surface of the cell, which further improves the sealing performance. 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 invention of claim 5, since the elastic seal member is obliquely moved by the rotation of the lever,
The configuration becomes simple.

[Brief description of 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 an introduction port and a suction port of a cell.

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 sectional view of an essential 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 of the cell and the internal space are exaggerated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a main part of the connector device as viewed from diagonally below.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the connector device as viewed obliquely from below.

FIG. 7 is a view of the seal 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 a suction port of a cell.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the connector device.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a main part of a connector device according to 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 of the cell and the internal space are 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 portion 42, 92 convex portion 45, 95 first contact surface 46, 96 second contact surface 47, 97 third contact surface 48, 98 cooperation recessed part 50, 100 nozzle member 60, 70 moving means 61 guide means 63 guide part 64 engaging part 66 air cylinder (driving means) 71 lever 75 air cylinder (driving means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first receiving surface, a second receiving surface and a third receiving surface are formed on an edge portion forming a step, the first receiving surface and the second receiving surface are parallel to each other, and the third receiving surface is the first receiving surface. , A connector device connected to a cell formed at the boundary of the second receiving surface and substantially orthogonal to the first and second receiving surfaces and having a suction port formed on the third receiving surface. A connector device for a liquid crystal cell, comprising 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 housed in the housing recess of the body,
A convex portion protruding from the body and forming a step, the convex portion having first, second and third contact surfaces,
The second contact surface is substantially parallel to each other, the third contact surface is formed at the boundary between the first and second contact surfaces, and the third contact surface is substantially the first and second contact surfaces. The third and third contact surfaces are orthogonal to each other and the cooperation recess is formed, and the first, second, and third contact surfaces are respectively contacted with the first, second, and third receiving surfaces of the cell, and the above-mentioned cooperation is performed. An elastic seal member whose concave portion faces the suction port of the cell and communicates with this suction port. (C) A nozzle member which penetrates the seal member and has one end connected to the communication passage of the body and the other end facing the cooperation recess of the seal member. 2. The height from the second contact surface to the first contact surface of the sealing member is substantially equal to the height of the second contact surface from the first contact surface of the cell. Item 2. A liquid crystal cell connector device according to item 1. 3. A connector base is further provided, and the connector base has a supporting surface in contact with a surface of the edge portion of the cell opposite to the first receiving surface, and the moving means is installed in the connector base. The moving means moves the connector unit diagonally toward the edge of the cell that is in contact with the connector base, and the first, second, and third sealing members are moved.
3. The liquid crystal cell connector device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface is brought into pressure contact with each of the first, second and third receiving surfaces of the stepped portion of the cell. 4. The moving means comprises drive 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 comprises the connector unit and the connector base. One of the guide portions is provided on one side and extends obliquely and linearly, and the other is provided with an engaging portion that is movably engaged with the guide portion in the extending direction. The liquid crystal cell connector device according to claim 3. 5. The moving means includes a lever rotatably provided on the connector base, and drive means for rotating the lever. The connector unit is attached to the lever to drive the drive means. The connector device for a liquid crystal cell according to claim 3, wherein the connector unit sometimes moves in an oblique direction toward the cell along the rotation locus of the lever.