KR100971388B1 - The device for coating alignment layer on the glass for the liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an alignment film coating apparatus capable of uniformly forming an alignment liquid on a substrate, comprising: a plurality of main supply pipes; A plurality of sub discharge pipes branched from each of the main supply pipes and branched adjacent to each other in the same main supply pipe; Each of the plurality of sub discharge pipes connected to each of the sub discharge pipes and branched from the same main supply pipe includes a plurality of heads sequentially connected to be adjacent to each other.

LCD, alignment film coating device, inkjet method, main supply pipe, sub supply pipe

Description

Alignment film coating device {The device for coating alignment layer on the glass for the liquid crystal display device}

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alignment film coating device

2 is a cross-sectional view of the first head of FIG.

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alignment film applying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

* Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

41: delivery pipe 42a: first main supply pipe

42b: second main supply pipe 43a: first sub supply pipe

43b: second sub supply pipe 43c: third sub supply pipe

43d: fourth sub supply pipe 44: sub discharge pipe

45: main discharge pipe 46a: first pressure pipe

46b: second pressure tube 51: pressure tank

52: alignment liquid supply part 53a: first head

53b: second head 53c: third head

53d: fourth head 61: seating portion

62 substrate 68 alignment liquid

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to an alignment film coating apparatus capable of uniformly forming an alignment liquid on all portions on a substrate.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is increasing in various forms.In recent years, liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), electro luminescent display (ELD), and vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) have been developed. Various flat panel display devices have been studied, and some of them are already used as display devices in various devices.

Among them, LCD is the most widely used as a substitute for CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) for the use of mobile image display device because of the excellent image quality, light weight, thinness and low power consumption. In addition, it is being developed in various ways, such as a television for receiving and displaying broadcast signals, and a monitor of a computer.

As described above, although various technical advances have been made in order for the liquid crystal display device to serve as a screen display device in various fields, the task of improving the image quality as the screen display device has many advantages and disadvantages.

Therefore, in order to use a liquid crystal display device in various parts as a general screen display device, the key to development is how much high definition images such as high definition, high brightness, and large area can be realized while maintaining the characteristics of light weight, thinness, and low power consumption. It can be said.

Such a liquid crystal display device may be classified into a liquid crystal display panel displaying an image and a driving unit for applying a driving signal to the liquid crystal display panel, wherein the liquid crystal display panel has a space and is bonded to the first and second substrates. And a liquid crystal layer injected between the first and second substrates.

The first substrate (TFT array substrate) may include a plurality of gate lines arranged in one direction at a predetermined interval, a plurality of data lines arranged at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the gate lines, and the respective gates. A plurality of thin film transistors which are switched by signals of the gate line and a plurality of pixel electrodes formed in a matrix form in each pixel region defined by crossing a line and a data line, transmit a signal of the data line to each pixel electrode. Formed.

The second substrate (color filter substrate) includes a black matrix layer for blocking light in portions other than the pixel region, R, G, and B color filter layers for expressing color colors, and a common electrode for implementing an image. Is formed.

The first and second substrates have a predetermined space by spacers and are bonded by a sealant to form a liquid crystal between the two substrates.

On the other hand, an alignment layer is formed on the facing surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate, respectively, and is rubbed to align the liquid crystal layer.

The alignment layer is a polymer material, and the alignment layer may be formed of a material such as polyamide, polyimide compound, polyvinyl alchol (PVA), polyamic acid, or the like. , 604b), and a photoreactive material such as polyvinyl cinnamate (PVC), poly siloxane cinnamate (PSCN), or cellulose cinnamate (CelCN) -based compound may be used.

In order to coat such an alignment film on a substrate, an alignment film coating apparatus capable of uniformly forming an alignment liquid as a raw material of the alignment film on a substrate is required.

The alignment layer coating apparatus may have various methods such as spin, spray, dip, print, and inkjet methods.

Hereinafter, the alignment film coating apparatus employing the inkjet method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional alignment film coating device.

In the conventional alignment film coating apparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a pressure tank 21 in which an alignment liquid 38, which is a raw material of the alignment film, is stored, receives an alignment liquid 38 from the pressure tank 21. An alignment liquid supply part 22 storing an appropriate amount of the alignment liquid 38; First, second, third and fourth heads 23a, 23b, 23c, which receive the alignment liquid 38 from the alignment liquid supply part 22 and discharge the alignment liquid 38 onto the substrate 31. 23d).

In addition, a lower portion of each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d is provided with a mounting portion 31 that can move in one direction, and the substrate 32 is seated and fixed to the mounting portion 31.

Here, a delivery pipe 11 is formed between the pressure tank 21 and the alignment liquid supply part 22 to transfer the alignment liquid 38 stored in the pressure tank 21 to the alignment liquid supply part 22. Between the alignment liquid supply part 22 and each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, the alignment liquid 38 stored in the alignment liquid supply part 22 is placed in each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d. The 1st, 2nd main supply pipe 12a, 12b for supplying in a furnace is formed.

Here, each of the main supply pipes 12a and 12b is not directly connected to each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the first, second, third, and fourth sub supply pipes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. It is connected to each of the head (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) through.

That is, the first, second, third, and fourth sub supply pipes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d branch from the main supply pipes 12a and 12b, and the sub supply pipes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d respectively. ) Is connected to one side of each head (23a, 23b, 23c, 23d).

Specifically, the first and third sub supply pipes 13a and 13c branch from the first main supply pipe 12a and the second and fourth sub supply pipes 13b and 13d from the second main supply pipe 12b. Is forked.

In addition, the first and third sub supply pipes 13a and 13c are connected to one side of the first and third heads 23a and 23c, respectively, and the second and fourth sub supply pipes 13b and 13d are respectively made of 2, it is connected to one side of the fourth head (23b, 23d).

In addition, a plurality of sub discharge pipes 14 are connected to the other side of each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, and the sub discharge pipes 14 extending from the heads 23 are one main discharge pipe ( 15 is coupled to the main discharge pipe 15 is connected to the pressure tank (21).                         

On the other hand, the pressure tank 21 in the pressure tank so that the alignment liquid 38 stored in the inside of the pressure tank 21 can be delivered to the alignment liquid supply part 22 through the transfer pipe 11. A first pressure tube 16a is formed in the interior of the 21 to transfer pressure, and the alignment liquid supply part 22 includes the alignment liquid 38 stored in the alignment liquid supply part 22. Through the main supply pipes 12a and 12b and the sub supply pipes 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d to the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, inside the alignment liquid supply part 22. A second pressure tube 16b for transmitting pressure is formed.

N2 gas is injected into the first and second pressure pipes 16b from the outside.

On the other hand, each of the main supply pipe (12a, 12b), each of the sub supply pipe (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) and each of the sub discharge pipe 14 is formed with a valve (v) for controlling the flow of the alignment liquid 38 It is.

Here, reference numeral d1 which is not described is branched from the second main supply pipe 12b or the distance between the first sub supply pipe 13a and the third sub supply pipe 13c branched from the first main supply pipe 12a. The distance between the 2nd sub supply pipe 13b and the 4th sub supply pipe 13d is shown.

Here, the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d will be described in detail as follows.

Since the first, second, third and fourth heads all have the same structure, the first head will be described as a representative.                         

2 is a cross-sectional view of the first head of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first head 23a includes a storage unit 36 for temporarily storing an alignment liquid 38 supplied through the first sub supply pipe 13a; A concave-convex diaphragm 35 for applying pressure to the alignment liquid 38 stored in the storage 36; The pressure of the diaphragm 35 is composed of a plurality of holes 37 through which the alignment liquid 38 stored in the storage part 36 is discharged.

In addition, a cable 24 for applying a voltage and a frequency to the diaphragm 35 is formed on the upper portion of the first head 23a so that the diaphragm 35 of the first head 23a may vibrate. .

Referring to the operation of the alignment film coating device configured as described above in detail.

First, the substrate 32 to which the alignment liquid 38 is to be applied is fixed to the seating portion 31.

Subsequently, when N2 gas enters the inside of the pressure tank 21 in which the alignment liquid 38 is stored through the first pressure tube 16a, the alignment liquid 38 is transferred to the delivery pipe 11 by the pressure of the N2 gas. ) Is delivered to the alignment liquid supply part 22.

An appropriate amount of the alignment liquid 38 is always stored in the alignment liquid supply part 22, and the alignment liquid 38 stored in the alignment liquid supply part 22 is supplied to the alignment liquid supply part through the second pressure tube 16b. The pressure of the N2 gas introduced into the inside of 22 flows along each of the main supply pipes 12a and 12b.

Here, only the valve v of the main supply pipe 12a or 12b intended to send the alignment liquid 38 to the first main supply pipe 12a and the second main supply pipe 12b is opened, and the remaining main supply pipe 12a or 12b is opened. To the valve (v).

That is, if the alignment liquid 38 is to be sent to the first main supply pipe 12a, the valve v of the second supply pipe 12b, which is the second medium, is closed, and only the valve v of the first main supply pipe 12a is closed. Open it.

This is to prevent the pressure of the N2 gas from being dispersed.

Then, the alignment liquid 38 flowing along the first main supply pipe 12a encounters the first and third sub supply pipes 13a and 13c branched from the first main supply pipe 12a.

At this time, the valve v of the first and third sub supply pipes 13a and 13c connected to the first main supply pipe 12a is opened, so that the alignment liquid 38 opens the respective sub supply pipes 13a and 13c. Therefore, it flows into the 1st, 3rd head 23a, 23c.

Then, the alignment liquid 38 is stored in the storage unit 36 of each of the heads 23a and 23c.

Thereafter, the valve v of the first main supply pipe 12a is closed, and only the valve v of the second main supply pipe 12b is opened to send the alignment liquid 38 to the second main supply pipe 12b.

Subsequently, the valves of the second and fourth sub supply pipes 13b and 13d branched from the second main supply pipe 12b are opened, so that the alignment liquid 38 is formed into the second and fourth sub supply pipes 13b and 13d. ) To be filled in the second and fourth heads 23b and 23d.

When the alignment liquid 38 is filled in each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d by the above process, the substrate 31 is formed through the holes 37 of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d. ), The alignment liquid 38 is discharged.

That is, when voltage and frequency are applied to the diaphragm 35 inside each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d through the cable 24, the diaphragm 35 vibrates and the Pressure is applied to the alignment liquid 38 stored in the lower storage part 36, which causes the alignment liquid 38 to be discharged onto the substrate 32 through the hole 37.

Here, the amount of the alignment liquid 38 is adjusted by the magnitude of the voltage, and the discharge period of the alignment liquid 38 is adjusted by the frequency.

As the seating part 31 on which the substrate 32 is mounted moves in one direction, an alignment liquid 38 is uniformly applied to the entire surface of the substrate 32.

Meanwhile, each sub discharge pipe 14 connected to the other side of each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d includes the delivery pipe 11, each main supply pipe 12a and 12b, and each sub supply pipe 13a, 13b, and 13c. 13d) and the cleaning liquid used to clean the inside of each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

That is, the cleaning solution is filled into the pressure tank 21 instead of the alignment solution 38, and then the cleaning solution is delivered in the process of supplying the alignment solution 38 as described above.

However, even if the cleaning liquid is filled in each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, voltage and frequency are not applied to the diaphragm 35.

This is because the cleaning liquid filled in each of the heads 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d is filled with the delivery pipe 11, each main supply pipe 12a, 12b, each sub supply pipe 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, and each head. This is to continuously circulate along the storage section 36, the sub discharge pipe 14, and the main discharge pipe 15 of the 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d.

However, the conventional alignment film coating apparatus has the following problems.

In the conventional alignment film coating apparatus, each head is not sequentially connected to each main supply pipe, so that a plurality of sub supply pipes connected to the same main supply pipe are spaced apart from each other by a distance of d1.

 As a result, the pressure difference between the respective sub supply pipes increases, so that the difference in the amount of the alignment liquid delivered to each head through each sub supply pipe increases, so that the amount of the alignment liquid discharged between the heads also occurs, so that the head There was a problem that the alignment liquid discharged from the film was formed nonuniformly on the substrate.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, by connecting a plurality of sub supply pipes sequentially to each main supply pipe, and by connecting a plurality of heads sequentially to the sub supply pipe, each connected to the same main supply pipe It is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment film applying apparatus capable of delivering a uniform amount of an alignment liquid from the sub supply pipes to the respective heads by reducing the pressure difference between the sub supply pipes.

An alignment film coating apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the alignment film coating apparatus for forming an alignment liquid on a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, a plurality of main supply pipe; A plurality of sub discharge pipes branched from each of the main supply pipes and branched adjacent to each other in the same main supply pipe; Each of the plurality of sub discharge pipes connected to each of the sub discharge pipes and branched from the same main supply pipe comprises a plurality of heads sequentially connected to be adjacent to each other.

Here, the plurality of main supply pipe is connected, characterized in that it further comprises an alignment liquid supply for storing the alignment liquid.

A lower portion of each head, characterized in that further comprising a seating portion for mounting the substrate.

Hereinafter, an alignment film coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an alignment film applying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the alignment film coating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3, the pressure tank 51 and the alignment liquid is stored: to receive the alignment liquid from the pressure tank 51 to store an appropriate amount of the alignment liquid An alignment liquid supply part 52; First, second, third, and fourth heads (53a, 53b, 53c, 53d) for receiving the alignment liquid from the alignment liquid supply part (52) and for discharging the alignment liquid on the substrate (62); It is provided in the lower portion of each of the heads (53a, 53b, 53c, 53d) is largely composed of a mounting portion 61 for mounting and fixing the substrate 62.

Here, in order to supply the alignment liquid 68 from the pressure tank 51 to each of the heads 53a, 53b, 53c, and 53d, the pressure tank 51, the alignment liquid supply part 52, and each head ( Between the 53a, 53b, 53c, and 53d, the delivery pipe 41, the first and second main supply pipes 42a and 42b and the first, second, third and fourth sub supply pipes 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d. ) Is configured.

In addition, to apply pressure to the pressure tank 51 to the inside of the pressure tank 51 so that the alignment liquid 68 stored in the pressure tank 51 can flow along the delivery pipe 41. The first pressure pipe 46a is connected thereto, and the alignment liquid supply part 52 connects the first and second media supply pipes 42a and 42b to the alignment liquid 68 received from the pressure tank 51. A second pressure pipe 46b for applying pressure to the inside of the alignment liquid supply part 52 is connected to flow along.

In general, N2 gas is injected into the first and second pressure pipes 46a and 46b.

In addition, a valve v for controlling the flow of the alignment liquid 68 is formed in each of the main supply pipes 42a and 42b, each of the sub supply pipes 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, and each of the sub discharge pipes 44. It is.

Here, for convenience of explanation, as described above, the main supply pipes 42a and 42b are configured in two, and the sub supply pipes 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d are configured in four.

Therefore, the head 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d provided corresponding to the said sub supply pipe 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d is also comprised by four.

Here, the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b branch adjacent to each other from the first main supply pipe 42a, and the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c from the second main supply pipe 42b. , 43d) branches adjacent to each other.

The first, second, third and fourth sub-supply pipes 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d respectively have one side of the first, second, third and fourth heads 53a, 53b, 53c, and 53d. The discharge pipe 44 is connected to the other side of each of the heads (53a, 53b, 53c, 53d), respectively.

In addition, each discharge pipe 44 is connected to one main discharge pipe 45 again.

The first and second main supply pipes 42a and 42b may be sequentially viewed as first and second main supply pipes 42a and 42b, and the first, second, third and fourth sub supply pipes may be sequentially connected to each other. 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d may be sequentially viewed as the first, second, third and fourth sub supply pipes 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d, and the first, second, third, and third The four heads 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d can be seen as the first, second, third and fourth heads 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d.

Accordingly, the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b are connected to the first main supply pipe 42a, and the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b are respectively the first and second heads 53a. , 53b).

In addition, third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d are connected to the second main supply pipe 42b, and the third and fourth head supply pipes 43c and 43d are respectively connected to the third and fourth heads 53c. , 53d).

As a result, the first head (53a) to the second head (53b) is sequentially connected to each other in sequence to the first main supply pipe (42a), from the third head (53c) from the second main supply pipe (42b) The fourth head 53d is sequentially connected.

Therefore, the distance d2 between the first sub supply pipe 43a and the second sub supply pipe 43b branching from the first main supply pipe 42a is shorter than the conventional distance d1.

Of course, the distance d2 between the third sub-supply pipe 43c and the fourth sub-supply pipe 43d branched from the second main supply pipe 42b is also shorter than the conventional distance d1.

As a result, the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b receive almost the same pressure from the first main supply 42a pipe, and the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d receive the first pressure. The two main supply pipes 42b receive almost the same pressure.

Therefore, by the pressure, almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 is transferred from the first main supply pipe 42a to the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b, and the second main supply pipe ( Almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 is transferred from 42b) to the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d.

Referring to the operation of the alignment film coating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above in detail.

First, the substrate 62 on which the alignment film is to be formed is seated and fixed on the seating portion 61 of the alignment film coating apparatus.

Subsequently, N2 gas is injected into the first pressure pipe 46a to apply pressure to the inside of the pressure tank 51. The alignment liquid 68 stored in the pressure tank 51 is transferred to the alignment liquid supply part 52 through the delivery pipe 41.

Next, the valve v of the first main supply pipe 42a connected to the alignment liquid supply part 52 is opened, the valve v of the second main supply pipe 42b is closed, and the second pressure pipe 46b is closed. N2 gas is injected to apply pressure to the inside of the alignment liquid supply part 52.

Then, the alignment liquid 68 moves along the first main supply pipe 42a in which the valve v is opened by the pressure of the N 2 gas applied to the inside of the alignment liquid supply part 52.

Thereafter, the alignment liquid 68 is transferred to the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b branched from the first main supply pipe 42a.

Subsequently, the valves v of the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b are opened so that the alignment liquid 68 in the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b is first and second. It enters inside the heads 53a and 53b.

As described above, since the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b are configured to be adjacent to each other, the pressure of the N2 gas transferred from the first main supply pipe 42a is equal to the first and second sub supply pipes. Almost equally is transmitted to the supply pipes 43a and 43b, which causes almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 to be transferred to the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b.

Therefore, almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 is also transferred inside the first and second heads 53a and 53b receiving the alignment liquid 68 from the first and second sub supply pipes 43a and 43b. do.

Next, the valve v of the first main supply pipe 42a is closed, the valve v of the second main supply pipe 42b is opened, and the pressure of the N2 gas applied to the inside of the alignment liquid supply part 52 is then. By this, the alignment liquid 68 is transferred along the second main supply pipe 42b.

Then, the alignment liquid 68 moves along the second main supply pipe 42b in which the valve v is opened by the pressure of the N2 gas applied to the inside of the alignment liquid supply part 52.

Thereafter, the alignment liquid 68 is transferred to the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d branched from the second main supply pipe 42b.

Subsequently, the valves v of the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d are opened, so that the alignment liquid 68 in the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d becomes the third and fourth. It enters inside the heads 53c and 53d.

As described above, since the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d are configured to be adjacent to each other, the pressure of the N2 gas delivered from the second main supply pipe 42b is the third and fourth subs. Almost equally is transmitted to the supply pipes 43c and 43d, which causes almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 to be transferred to the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d.

Therefore, almost the same amount of the alignment liquid 68 is transferred to the inside of the third and fourth heads 53c and 53d receiving the alignment liquid 68 from the third and fourth sub supply pipes 43c and 43d. do.                     

Thus, since the uniform amount of the alignment liquid 68 is supplied into the first, second, third and fourth heads 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, the heads 53a, 53b, 53c, The difference in the amount of the alignment liquid 68 discharged onto the substrate 62 from 53d is reduced, whereby a uniform amount of the alignment liquid 68 is formed in all portions of the substrate 62.

The present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, and it is common in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes can be made without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention. It will be evident to those who have knowledge of.

The alignment film coating apparatus according to the present invention described above has the following effects.

In the alignment liquid applying apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of heads are sequentially connected to each other through the sub supply pipes in the same main supply pipe so that a plurality of sub supply pipes branched from each main supply pipe are adjacent to each other.

Therefore, the pressure transmitted from the same main supply pipe to each sub supply pipe can be maintained almost the same, whereby the amount of the alignment liquid transferred from each sub supply pipe to each head can be kept uniform.

Thus, the alignment liquid discharged from the head onto the substrate is uniformly formed in all parts of the substrate.

Claims (3)

In an alignment film coating device for forming an alignment liquid on a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, A plurality of main supply pipes receiving the alignment liquid from the alignment liquid supply; A plurality of sub supply pipes branched from each main supply pipe to deliver the alignment liquid from the plurality of main supply pipes to the plurality of heads; Sub supply pipes branched from the same main supply pipe are located adjacent to each other; Each head is connected one-to-one to each of said sub feed pipes; And the plurality of main supply pipes are sequentially supplied with an alignment solution from the alignment solution supply unit. The method of claim 1, The alignment liquid supplying unit stores the alignment liquid; And the plurality of main supply pipes are connected to the alignment liquid supply unit. The method of claim 1, The lower portion of each of the head, the alignment film coating apparatus further comprises a mounting portion for mounting the substrate.

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