JPH11119231A - Apparatus for production of liquid crystal device and production of liquid crystal device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the layer pressure of a liquid crystal to be end-sealed in compliance with a set value, by pressurizing a transparent substrate until a prescribed layer thickness is attained while viewing the numerical values of liquid crystal to correct a projecting shape and confining the liquid crystal. SOLUTION: A liquid crystal injection element 10 is placed between pressurizing force transmitting members 34a and 34b. A pressurized air is introduced via a pressure regulating valve into an air bag from a joint port disposed at the air bag. Supporting bases 32a, 32b are fixed with clasps and the pressurized air pressurizes the transparent substrates of the liquid crystal injected element 10 via the air bag. The pressure applied on the transparent substrates is changed in accordance with the result measured by a liquid crystal layer thickness measuring means. Namely, the means for pressurizing the transparent substrate is capable of changing the pressure for pressurizing the transparent substrates by the pressure regulating valve until the layer thickness attains a prescribed numerical value in accordance with the result of the measurement of the liquid crystal layer thickness measuring means. An end- sealing material dispenser 42 applies end-sealing material on the aperture of the liquid crystal injected element. The end-sealing material is cured by a light source 36 for curing the end- sealing material. The aperture is end-sealed in accordance with the result of the measurement of the layer thickness of the liquid crystals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element using the same, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal for uniformly controlling the thickness of a liquid crystal sealed between transparent substrates of the liquid crystal element. The present invention relates to a device manufacturing apparatus and a liquid crystal device manufacturing method using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a liquid crystal display element has a structure in which two transparent substrates on each of which a transparent conductive film pattern is formed are bonded via a sealing material so that the transparent conductive film patterns face each other, and an inner region surrounded by the sealing material. The liquid crystal is sandwiched between the transparent conductive film patterns facing each other.

Further, a super twisted nematic (hereinafter referred to as STN) which controls the orientation of liquid crystal molecules between opposing transparent substrates so that the angle is twisted by 180 ° or more between one transparent substrate and the other transparent substrate. ) Type liquid crystal display element, a structure in which an optical compensatory element is provided along with the liquid crystal display element in order to eliminate a coloring phenomenon caused by optical anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules.

The optical compensating element includes a method using an optical compensating film and a method using an optical compensating liquid crystal element having a structure similar to a liquid crystal display element. The structure of the optical compensation liquid crystal element is such that the liquid crystal molecules are bonded between the transparent substrates facing each other with a sealing material interposed between the transparent substrates facing each other in the inner region surrounded by the sealing material. The liquid crystal is sandwiched by controlling the alignment so that the liquid crystal is twisted in the opposite direction.

An example of a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device and an optically compensating liquid crystal device according to the prior art (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a liquid crystal device when it is not necessary to distinguish between the liquid crystal display device and the optically compensating liquid crystal device) is described below. I do.

In a conventional method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element, an empty cell is first formed by bonding two transparent substrates with a spacer interposed between the transparent substrates and a sealing material provided with an opening. Then, after the sealing material opening of the empty cell is put into the liquid crystal container in the depressurized liquid crystal injection chamber, the pressure of the liquid crystal injection chamber is set to the atmospheric pressure, thereby utilizing the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the empty cell. Liquid crystal is injected into the empty cell through the opening to form a liquid crystal injection element.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a liquid crystal injection element.
Spacer 1 between transparent substrate 12a and transparent substrate 12b
The liquid crystal 18 is injected via the seal 4 and the sealing material 16. The sealing material 16 has an opening 16a for injecting liquid crystal.

The liquid crystal injection element has a convex shape in which the transparent substrate 12a and the transparent substrate 12b protrude outward due to the difference in thermal expansion between the sealing material and the transparent substrate material. The phenomenon that the liquid crystal injection element becomes convex has already occurred at the stage where the sealing material is heated and cured, and cooled to form an empty cell.

The reason why the empty cell becomes convex will be described below.
The sealing material 16 is hardened by the heat treatment and the transparent substrate 11 is cured.
When cooling after laminating a and 11b, the thermal expansion coefficients of the sealing material and the transparent substrate material are each 10 ×
10-1 · K-1 to 60 × 10-6 · K-1 and 3 ×
Since the amount of shrinkage of the transparent substrate due to cooling is smaller than the amount of shrinkage of the sealing material because of 10−6 K−1 to 9 × 10−6 K−1, the transparent substrate has an amount corresponding to the difference between the respective coefficients of thermal expansion. Extend from the sealing material. At this time, since the spacer is interposed between the transparent substrates, the transparent substrate extending from the sealing material becomes convex outside the liquid crystal injection element. Here, epoxy resin is selected as an example of the sealing material, and glass is selected as an example of the transparent substrate material.

Next, after a single or a plurality of convex liquid crystal injection elements are stacked, the liquid crystal injection elements are sandwiched by a support and pressure is applied.
Alternatively, the liquid crystal injection element is heated to discharge the excess liquid crystal in the convex portion. Here, excess liquid crystal is discharged by heating when the volume expansion coefficient of the injected liquid crystal material is 6 × 10 −4 or more.
9 × 10−4 · K−1, which is realized because it is larger than the volume expansion coefficient of the transparent substrate material.

Next, the opening of the sealing material is sealed with a sealing material to obtain a liquid crystal element.

[0012]

In the above-described method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the prior art, the thickness of the liquid crystal sealed in each liquid crystal element is not constant, and the thickness distribution of the liquid crystal occurs. There are issues.

In other words, the liquid crystal injection element having a convex shape has an individual liquid crystal injection element due to the fact that the transparent substrate itself has warpage and uneven thickness, and the thickness and thickness of the sealing material have unevenness. Because the shape of the convex portion and the amount of the convex shape are different, even if the extra liquid crystal in the liquid crystal injection element of the convex portion is discharged and sealed by applying the same processing method of pressurizing or heating, individual liquid crystal is removed. There is a problem that the thickness of the liquid crystal layer of the element varies.

The problem that the layer thickness distribution of the liquid crystal occurs is that the STN
This is an important and serious problem from an industrial point of view in a liquid crystal display device. The reason will be described below.

First, in the STN type liquid crystal display element, in order to effectively use the electro-optical characteristics, it is necessary to control the liquid crystal layer thickness within a set range of 0.03 μm or less with respect to a set value. Second, it is necessary to control the relationship between the liquid crystal layer thicknesses of the STN type liquid crystal display element and the optical compensation liquid crystal element as described below.

As described above, in the case of the STN type liquid crystal display element, an optical compensation liquid crystal element is provided in order to optically compensate a coloring phenomenon caused by optical anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules. In the STN-type liquid crystal display element, the display quality is improved by performing optical compensation in black display.
It is important that the optical compensation liquid crystal element is adapted to the black display of the attached STN type liquid crystal display element.

In a liquid crystal display element which forms a matrix display pixel group with a plurality of row electrode groups and a plurality of column electrode groups and performs multiplex driving and displays black when not selected, the same row or column as the selected pixel is not selected. A non-selection voltage is also applied to the pixel. Therefore, the direction of the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules in the non-selected pixel portion is different from the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules in the optical compensation liquid crystal element to which no voltage is applied.

For the above reason, in order to achieve the purpose of more appropriate optical compensation, the optically compensating liquid crystal element is not only twisted in the reverse direction of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal display element but also twisted in the opposite direction.
The retardation (Δn · d), which is the product of the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) of the liquid crystal and the layer thickness (d) of the liquid crystal, is set to be approximately 50 nm smaller than the Δn · d of the liquid crystal display element. That is, the liquid crystal display element and the optically-compensated liquid crystal element are used as a combination in which Δn · d is different by 50 nm.

FIG. 4 is a production quantity distribution diagram of an industrially ideal liquid crystal display element and an optical compensation liquid crystal element.
FIG. 3 is a production quantity distribution diagram of a liquid crystal display element having n · d and an optical compensation liquid crystal element. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer is set to 0.0
The liquid crystal display element and the optically-compensated liquid crystal element are produced with the same distribution of Δn · d of the liquid crystal display element and the Δn · d of the optically-compensated liquid crystal element within a set range of 3 μm or less with a difference of 50 nm. A liquid crystal display element having a difference of Δn · d of 50 nm and an optical compensation liquid crystal element are combined. Here, Δn is a value uniquely determined by the liquid crystal.
D depends on the liquid crystal layer thickness (d).

Actually, since the production quantities of the liquid crystal display element and the optical compensation liquid crystal element with respect to Δn · d cannot be made exactly the same, the liquid crystal display element is divided into, for example, A, B, C blocks of the liquid crystal display element and the optical compensating liquid crystal element. The blocks a, b, and c of the compensating liquid crystal element are respectively combined. Even with this management method, if the production quantity distributions of the liquid crystal display element and the optical compensation liquid crystal element are different, one of the liquid crystal elements becomes excessive or insufficient, causing a problem.

Therefore, industrially, not only can the liquid crystal display element and the optical compensation liquid crystal element be produced within the set range of the liquid crystal layer thickness, but also the liquid crystal layer between the liquid crystal display element and the optical compensation liquid crystal element can be produced. It is important for production control and inventory control to make the production quantity of the liquid crystal element having the same thickness for each block.

[Object of the Invention] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element which controls a layer thickness of a liquid crystal to be sealed in each liquid crystal element according to a set value, and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element using the same. It is in.

[0023]

In order to achieve the above object, a liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration, and a liquid crystal device manufacturing method of the present invention employs the following method. .

According to the liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, the liquid crystal injection device in which the liquid crystal is injected between the inner region surrounded by the sealing material provided with the opening for bonding the opposing transparent substrate and the opposing transparent substrate is used. Means for measuring the layer thickness, means for pressing the transparent substrate facing each other based on the result of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal, means for sealing the opening of the sealing material based on the result of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal, It is characterized by having.

According to the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element of the present invention, a transparent liquid crystal is injected by providing an opening and bonding a transparent material to each other with a sealing material and injecting liquid crystal between the transparent substrates in an inner region surrounded by the sealing material. A step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal of the element, a step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate facing the liquid crystal based on the result of the measurement of the layer thickness of the liquid crystal, and an opening of the sealing material based on the result of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal. And a sealing step.

[Function] The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element of the present invention comprises:
Equipped with a means for measuring the liquid crystal layer thickness in each convex liquid crystal injection element, and monitoring the measured liquid crystal layer thickness numerical value until a predetermined liquid crystal layer thickness is reached. A configuration including means for pressing the substrate to correct the convex shape and sealing the liquid crystal is employed.

In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention, while measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal in each of the liquid crystal injection elements having a convex shape,
A method is employed in which the convex shape is corrected by applying pressure to the transparent substrate until the predetermined liquid crystal layer thickness reaches a predetermined value, and the liquid crystal is sealed.

As described above, in the liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus and the liquid crystal device manufacturing method using the same according to the present invention, the liquid crystal is sealed by correcting the individual convex shapes of the individual liquid crystal injection elements. For this reason, in the present invention, it is possible to obtain a liquid crystal element in which the thickness of the liquid crystal contained in each liquid crystal element is controlled according to a set value.

Here, the measurement principle for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal injection element will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the relationship between the orientation vector indicating the direction of the optical axis of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal element and the directions of the optical axes of the polarizer and the analyzer. An angle (θ) between the polarizer and the optical axis with respect to the axis, an angle (γ) with the optical axis of the analyzer, and an angle (φ) between the orientation vector optical axis of the liquid crystal on the exit light side are defined. It is.

The transmittance of light passing through the optical element using the liquid crystal shown in FIG. 5 is described in Mol. Crys
t. Liq. Letters, Vol. 4, pp. 69-75
As described on the page, the refractive index anisotropy of the liquid crystal (Δ
n), the liquid crystal layer thickness (d), and the wavelength of transmitted light (λ)
Can be calculated from the value

For example, φ, that is, the twist angle of the liquid crystal is 2
70 ° liquid crystal injection element, wherein θ is −45 ° and γ is 4
An equation representing the relationship with the transmittance (T) of the transmitted light of the example of the optical element in the case of 5 ° is shown below.

(Equation 1)

The layer thickness of the liquid crystal can be calculated by measuring the transmittance of the measuring light passing through the liquid crystal injection element using the liquid crystal whose Δn is known from this equation.

[0034]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a liquid crystal device manufacturing apparatus and a liquid crystal device manufacturing method using the same in the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Description of Manufacturing Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a manufacturing apparatus for a liquid crystal element according to the present invention.

The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention comprises: means for measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element; means for pressing the transparent substrate facing each other based on the result of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal;
Means for sealing the opening of the sealing material based on the result of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

First, the configuration of the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element comprises a light source for measurement, a spectrophotometer, a polarizer, and an analyzer.

The measuring light emitted from the measuring light source 22 composed of a halogen lamp, a xenon lamp or the like is transmitted through the liquid crystal injection element 10 through the polarizer 26 and the analyzer 28, and then transmitted through the spectrophotometer 24 at various wavelengths. It is measured as a percentage.

As described above, the measured transmittance is determined by the optical element including the liquid crystal injection element 10, the polarizer 26, and the analyzer 28.

That is, an angle (φ) between the orientation vector optical axis of the liquid crystal on the incident light side and the orientation vector optical axis of the liquid crystal on the exit light side, and the refractive index anisotropy (Δn) of the liquid crystal are determined. An angle (θ) between the injection element and the optical axis of the polarizer with respect to the optical axis of the liquid crystal on the incident light side;
In an optical element having an angle (γ) between the analyzer and the optical axis, the measured transmittance (T) depends on the liquid crystal layer thickness (d) of the liquid crystal injection element 10, and the measured transmitted light The thickness (d) of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element 10 can be calculated from the transmittance (T) of the liquid crystal.

Next, the structure of the means for pressing the opposing transparent substrates comprises a pair of supporting bases and a pressing force transmitting material.

A pressing force transmitting member 34a and a pressing force transmitting member 34b each formed of an air bag made of a silicone rubber material are attached to the support base 32a and the support base 32b made of a metal plate or the like.

The support 32a, the support 32b, the pressure transmitting material 34a, and the pressure transmitting material 34b have measuring ports 36a through which measurement light emitted from a measuring light source is passed in a means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal. There is a measurement port 36b, a measurement port 38a, and a measurement port 38b.

The liquid crystal injection element 10 is placed between the pressure transmitting member 34a and the pressure transmitting member 34b, and pressurized air is supplied from a joint provided in an air bag serving as the pressure transmitting member as a pressure variable mechanism. Can be introduced into the air bag via a pressure regulating valve (not shown).

The support table 32a and the support table 32b are fixed by a clasp (not shown), and the introduced pressurized air can press the transparent substrate of the liquid crystal injection element 10 through an air bag. The pressure applied to the transparent substrate can be changed by the pressure variable mechanism based on the result measured by the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal.

Here, an air bag is used as the pressure transmitting material, but an elastic member such as a rubber member may be used, and the support table may be directly mechanically pressed by a spring or the like.

Next, the structure of the means for sealing the opening of the sealing material includes a sealing material dispenser and a light source for curing the sealing material.

The sealing material dispenser 42 composed of a syringe or the like is for applying the sealing material to the opening of the liquid crystal injection element. The sealing material curing light source 44 is for curing the applied sealing material, and is a light source that emits ultraviolet rays or infrared rays depending on the sealing material. The opening of the sealing material can be sealed based on the result measured by the means for measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

Although omitted in the above description, when the sealing material is applied to the opening of the liquid crystal injection element, the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal injection element is applied from the opening by means of pressing the transparent substrate facing each other. If a mechanism for wiping out the extruded liquid crystal after the extrusion is provided, the effect of increasing the adhesive strength of the sealing material to the transparent substrate can be increased.

The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention comprises a means for measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element, a means for pressing the opposing transparent substrates, and a means for sealing the opening of the sealing material. Provided, each means has a configuration related to each other.

That is, the means for pressing the transparent substrate measures the layer thickness of the liquid crystal by the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal, and the layer thickness of the liquid crystal measured on the basis of the measurement result becomes a predetermined numerical value. Until it is possible, the pressure for pressing the transparent substrate can be changed by a pressure adjusting valve as a pressure variable mechanism.

The measurement by the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal and the pressing of the transparent substrate by the means for pressing the transparent substrate may be performed in a time-sequentially and alternately manner. A configuration in which the process is performed continuously is preferable.

The means for sealing the opening of the sealing material is measured by means for measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer is determined in advance by means for pressing the transparent substrate based on the measurement result. After the pressure is changed to a predetermined value, a sealing material is applied to the opening of the sealing material to seal the liquid crystal.

The sealing of the opening by the means for sealing the opening of the sealing material is performed by pressing the transparent substrate by the means for pressing the transparent substrate until the liquid crystal layer thickness reaches a predetermined value. It is preferable that the configuration is performed in a state.

In addition to the structure in which these series of operations are performed manually and sequentially, it is also possible to have a structure in which each means is automatically controlled by an electric signal to be continuously performed.

[Explanation of Manufacturing Method] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a manufacturing method of a liquid crystal element of the present invention, which is a liquid crystal injection element and a manufacturing apparatus.

The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention comprises the steps of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal injected between the transparent substrates facing each other of the liquid crystal injection element, and the steps of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal injected between the transparent substrates. The method includes a step of applying pressure to the substrate and a step of closing the opening of the sealant based on the result of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

First, the transparent substrates facing each other are provided with openings and bonded with a sealing material, and then liquid crystal is injected between the transparent substrates facing each other in the inner region surrounded by the sealing material to form a liquid crystal injection element. At this stage, as described above, the liquid crystal injection element has a convex shape.

Next, the step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal injected between the opposing transparent substrates comprises a method of measuring the transmittance of light transmitted through the injected liquid crystal element.

The measurement light source 22, the polarizer 26, the liquid crystal injection element 10, the analyzer 28, and the spectrophotometer 24 are arranged in the stated order, and the measurement light emitted from the measurement light source 22 is applied to the liquid crystal injection element 1.
The transmitted light passing through 0 is received by a spectrophotometer, and the transmittance of the transmitted light is measured.

The thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element 10 whose refractive index anisotropy (Δn) of the liquid crystal is known is calculated from the transmittance transmitted through the liquid crystal injection element 10 by the method described above.

Next, the step of applying pressure to the opposing transparent substrate is constituted by a method in which pressure is applied via a pressure transmitting material sandwiching the liquid crystal injection element to push out excess liquid crystal in the convex portion of the liquid crystal injection element. .

The liquid crystal injection elements 10 are sandwiched between air bags made of silicone rubber material as the pressure transmitting members 34a and 34b attached to the support tables 32a and 32b, respectively. Pressurized air is introduced into the air bag through a joint opening provided in the air bag through a pressure regulating valve (not shown).

The support table 32a and the support table 32b are fixed by a clasp (not shown), and pressurize the transparent substrate of the liquid crystal injection element 10 with the introduced pressurized air through an air bag. As a result, the liquid crystal injection element 10 having the convex shape is corrected, and the amount of the liquid crystal in the convex portion of the liquid crystal injection element determined by the pressing force is discharged from the opening 16a of the sealing material.

In the step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate, the pressure applied to the transparent substrate is changed based on the result measured in the step of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

Next, the step of sealing the opening of the sealing material includes:
After applying the sealing material to the opening, the sealing material is cured.

Excess liquid crystal which has been pressurized and discharged from the opening 16a of the sealing material is wiped off, and an ultraviolet curable resin as a sealing material is applied to the opening 1 of the sealing material by a sealing material dispenser 42 such as a syringe.
6a. Then, the ultraviolet curable resin is cured by ultraviolet rays emitted from an ultraviolet light source as the light source 44 for curing the sealing material, and the liquid crystal is sealed in the liquid crystal injection element to form a liquid crystal element.

In the step of sealing the opening of the sealing material, the opening of the sealing material is sealed based on the result measured in the step of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer.

The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention comprises the steps of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal injected between the transparent substrates facing each other in the liquid crystal injection element, applying pressure to the opposing transparent substrates, A step of sealing the opening, and the respective steps are configured to be related to each other.

That is, in the step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate, the thickness of the liquid crystal is measured in the step of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal.
The pressure applied to the transparent substrate is changed until the layer thickness of the liquid crystal measured based on the measurement result reaches a predetermined numerical value.

Then, while measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, the pressure applied in the step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate is gradually increased, and when the thickness of the liquid crystal layer reaches a predetermined value, the opening of the sealing material is closed. In the sealing step, a liquid crystal is sealed by applying a sealing material to an opening of the sealing material.

The measurement performed in the step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal and the pressurization in the step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate may be performed in a time-sequentially and alternately manner.
It is preferable that the configuration be performed simultaneously and continuously.

Further, the step of sealing the opening of the sealing material includes:
In the step of measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal layer, applying pressure to the transparent substrate based on the measurement result, changing the pressure until the thickness of the liquid crystal layer reaches a predetermined value, and then sealing A liquid crystal is sealed by applying a sealing material to the opening of the material.

The step of closing the opening of the sealing material is performed in a step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate until the thickness of the liquid crystal reaches a predetermined value, while maintaining the pressure applied to the transparent substrate. Preferably, there is.

In addition to the configuration in which a series of these operations are performed manually and sequentially, the configuration in which the means in each step are automatically controlled by an electric signal to perform the operations continuously may be employed.

[0076]

As is apparent from the above description, the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention includes means for measuring the thickness of the liquid crystal in each of the liquid crystal injection elements having a convex shape. A means for correcting the convex shape by pressing the transparent substrate until a predetermined liquid crystal layer thickness is obtained while observing the numerical value of the obtained liquid crystal layer thickness, and a means for holding the liquid crystal and holding the state. In the method of manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to the present invention, while measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal in each liquid crystal injection element having a convex shape, a pressure is applied to the transparent substrate until a predetermined liquid crystal layer thickness value is obtained. In addition, the convex shape is corrected, and the liquid crystal is sealed while maintaining the state.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the thickness of the liquid crystal layer can be controlled, and a liquid crystal element having a desired liquid crystal layer thickness can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a shape of a liquid crystal injection element.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a production quantity distribution of an industrially ideal liquid crystal element.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between components of an optical element using a liquid crystal.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 liquid crystal injection element 22 light source for measurement 24 spectrophotometer 26 polarizer 28 analyzer 32a, 32b support base 34a, 34b pressure transmitting material 42 sealing material dispenser 44 light source for curing sealing material

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal sandwiched between opposing transparent substrates, wherein the opposing transparent substrates are provided with an opening and bonded with a sealing material, and an inner region surrounded by the sealing material. A means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element in which the liquid crystal is injected between the transparent substrates opposed to each other, and a means for pressing the opposed transparent substrate based on the result measured by the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal. And a means for sealing an opening of a sealing material based on a result measured by the means for measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal. 2. The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the means for pressing the opposing transparent substrate has a liquid crystal layer thickness measured by the means for measuring the liquid crystal layer thickness having a predetermined value. An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, comprising: a pressure variable mechanism for changing a pressure for pressing a transparent substrate facing each other. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 1, wherein the means for sealing the opening of the sealing material holds the transparent substrate pressed by the transparent substrate pressing means. An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, comprising a mechanism for sealing an opening of a sealant. 4. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal device comprising a liquid crystal sandwiched between opposed transparent substrates, wherein the opposed transparent substrates are provided with an opening, bonded together with a sealing material, and an inner region surrounded by the sealing material. Applying pressure to the opposing transparent substrate based on the result of the step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal and the step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal injection element in which the liquid crystal is injected between the opposing transparent substrates. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, comprising: a step of sealing an opening of a sealing material based on a result measured in a step of measuring a layer thickness of the liquid crystal. 5. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 4, wherein the step of applying pressure to the opposing transparent substrate includes the step of measuring the layer thickness of the liquid crystal in which the layer thickness of the liquid crystal measured is a predetermined numerical value. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, characterized by changing a pressure applied to an opposing transparent substrate until the pressure is reduced. 6. The method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element according to claim 4, wherein the step of sealing the opening of the sealing material includes the step of applying pressure to the transparent substrate while maintaining the state of applying pressure to the transparent substrate. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal element, comprising: