KR101362137B1 - Apparatus for spreading an alignment film - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an alignment film applying apparatus for applying an alignment film to an upper substrate and a lower substrate of a liquid crystal display, and an object of the present invention is to provide an alignment film coating apparatus having a stage on which a heating line and a cooling line are disposed. . To this end, the alignment film applying apparatus according to the present invention includes a stage on which a substrate having a plurality of liquid crystal panel regions is placed; And an alignment liquid supply unit for injecting an alignment liquid onto the substrate placed on the stage, wherein the stage includes a heating line and a cooling line formed to correspond to each of the liquid crystal panel regions, and the heating line is inside the liquid crystal panel region. It is formed to correspond to control the temperature of the stage, and the cooling line is formed to correspond to the outer portion of the liquid crystal panel region to control the stage to a temperature lower than the temperature controlled by the heating line.

Description

Alignment film coating device {APPARATUS FOR SPREADING AN ALIGNMENT FILM}

1 is an exemplary view showing a liquid crystal panel of a general liquid crystal display device.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process of a general liquid crystal display device.

Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the alignment film coating apparatus using a conventional roller.

Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the alignment film coating apparatus using a conventional inkjet method.

Figure 5 is a configuration diagram of one embodiment of the alignment film applying apparatus according to the present invention.

6 is an exemplary view showing a state in which the alignment film is applied to the mother substrate using the alignment film applying apparatus according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

130: stage 131: temperature control area

180: mother substrate 181: liquid crystal panel region

161: heating line 171: cooling line

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 applying apparatus for applying an alignment film to an upper substrate and a lower substrate of a liquid crystal display device.

Liquid crystal displays (hereinafter referred to as "LCDs") are representative flat panel displays that display an image by adjusting the amount of light beams transmitted to correspond to an image signal. In particular, LCDs are becoming more and more widespread due to light weight, thinness, and low power consumption. As such, LCDs are used as display devices for office automation devices and notebook computers. have.

1 is an exemplary view illustrating a liquid crystal panel of a general liquid crystal display device, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing process of a general liquid crystal display device.

As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid crystal panel 10 of a general liquid crystal display includes a thin film transistor substrate (TFT substrate) (hereinafter, simply referred to as a 'TFT substrate') 11 for receiving a driving signal and a color filter layer. It is composed of a color filter substrate (C / F substrate) (hereinafter simply referred to as a 'C / F substrate') 12 and a liquid crystal layer 13 interposed between the TFT substrate and the C / F substrate.

The overall manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device including the liquid crystal panel 10 as described above is a substrate manufacturing process (S202), a liquid crystal panel process (S204), a liquid crystal panel inspection process (S206) and a module as shown in FIG. The process is divided into S208.

First, the substrate manufacturing process (S202) is divided into a process of manufacturing a TFT substrate using a cleaned glass substrate and a process of manufacturing a C / F substrate, respectively, wherein the TFT substrate manufacturing process comprises a signal line and a lower glass substrate. Refers to a process of forming a plurality of thin film transistors and pixel electrodes, the C / F substrate manufacturing process refers to the process of forming a black matrix (Blackmatirx), a color filter layer and a common electrode (ITO) on the upper glass substrate.

Next, the liquid crystal panel process (S204) is a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel by bonding a TFT substrate and a C / F substrate and injecting liquid crystal therebetween. In general, a single mother substrate includes a plurality of TFT substrates or C / F substrates. A substrate is formed, and the liquid crystal panel process again includes an alignment layer forming process, a rubbing process, a cell gap forming process, a liquid crystal injection or coating process, an assembly process, a cell cutting process, It consists of many unit processes, such as a grinding | polishing process.

Next, the liquid crystal panel inspection step (S206) uses an auto probe (AP) to determine whether there is a disconnection test or a point defect for the liquid crystal panel that has undergone the cell cutting process and the polishing process in the liquid crystal panel process (S204). Refers to the process of checking.

Lastly, the module process S208 is a final process of connecting the liquid crystal panel and the signal processing circuit part, and the liquid crystal display device is completed by the module process.

Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the alignment film coating apparatus using a conventional roller.

The process of forming the alignment layer in the liquid crystal panel process (S204) of all the processes of the liquid crystal display device as described above, first, forming an alignment layer by applying the alignment material to a TFT substrate or a C / F substrate, second, the In order to give strength to the alignment film, it can be subdivided into a process of hardening at a predetermined temperature, and third, a process of completing an alignment film having micro grooves by rubbing the surface of the cured alignment film. The apparatus which apply | coats an oriented film to the is shown.

That is, the conventional alignment film applying apparatus using a roller is a device for coating the alignment film on the mother substrate 40 placed on the stage 30 by using a plurality of rolls interlocking, the doctor roll (21) And an anilox roll 23, a printing roll 25, a rubber plate 17, and the like.

However, since the doctor roll 21 or the anilox roll 23 is worn out by using for a long time, the alignment film coating apparatus using the conventional roller having the configuration as described above should be replaced periodically. The rubber plate 17 attached to the roll 25 has a problem that the life is short because the hardness is low compared to other components. In addition, since the size of the mother substrate 40 on which the plurality of liquid crystal panels are formed is increased, it is difficult to uniformly apply the alignment layer to the mother substrate 40 having the increased size using the roller as described above. The coating apparatus using the inkjet method was developed.

Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the alignment film coating apparatus using a conventional inkjet method.

As shown in FIG. 4, the alignment film coating apparatus using a conventional inkjet method includes a moving tube 41 for supplying an alignment liquid, a plurality of nozzles 42 for spraying the alignment liquid supplied from the moving tube, and a plurality of nozzles. The stage 30 includes a gantry 43 to be connected and a mother substrate 40 on which a plurality of liquid crystal panel regions 11 and 12 are formed.

In the conventional alignment layer coating apparatus using the inkjet method having the structure as described above, the mother substrate 40 is seated on the stage 30, and then the nozzle 30 is moved while moving the stage 30 or the gantry 43. By spraying the alignment liquid from 42, an alignment film is applied to the liquid crystal panel regions 11 and 12. FIG.

However, since the alignment film applying apparatus using the conventional inkjet method injects the alignment liquid from each of the plurality of nozzles 42 disposed in one gantry 43, the alignment liquid is applied repeatedly in the portion between the nozzle and the nozzle. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a problem that streaks 50 may be formed in the alignment layer applied to the liquid crystal panel region along the nozzle gap. In addition, the spot 50 as described above means a non-uniform application of the alignment film, the non-uniformity of the alignment film has a problem that will cause an operation error of the liquid crystal panel.

In order to solve the above problems, a conventional method of adjusting the viscosity of the alignment liquid is used in the alignment film coating apparatus using the inkjet method. That is, a method may be used in which the alignment liquid injected into the liquid crystal panel regions 11 and 12 is evenly dispersed by keeping the viscosity of the alignment liquid low. However, in this case, the alignment liquid may diffuse out of the liquid crystal panel regions 11 and 12, which may cause a problem that application of a sealing agent for bonding the lower substrate and the upper substrate becomes difficult.

In addition, if the viscosity of the alignment solution is maintained in order to solve the above problems, the diffusion problem as described above will not occur, but the probability of occurrence of streaks 50 will increase, and furthermore the nozzle will be clogged. Problems may arise.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention for solving the above problems is to provide an alignment film coating apparatus having a stage in which a heating line and a cooling line are arranged.

In order to achieve the above object, the alignment film coating apparatus according to the present invention, the substrate is placed; And an alignment solution supply unit for injecting an alignment solution onto the substrate placed on the stage, wherein the stage comprises: a heating line for controlling the temperature; And a cooling line controlled to a temperature lower than a temperature controlled by the heating line.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5 is a configuration diagram of an alignment film applying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a configuration of an alignment film coating apparatus using an inkjet method.

In the alignment film coating apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 5, a moving tube 141 for supplying an alignment liquid, a plurality of nozzles 142 for spraying the alignment liquid supplied from the moving tube, and the plurality of nozzles are connected to each other. And a stage 130 on which a gantry 143 and a mother substrate on which a plurality of liquid crystal panel regions are formed are placed. The moving tube 141, the plurality of nozzles 142, and the gantry 143 constitute an alignment liquid supply device. That is, the alignment film applying apparatus according to the present invention includes the alignment liquid supplyers 141, 142, 143 and the stage 130.

In the alignment film coating apparatus according to the present invention having the structure as described above, the mother substrate is placed on the stage 130, and then the alignment liquid is removed from the nozzle 142 while moving the stage 130 or the gantry 143. By spraying, the alignment film is applied to the liquid crystal panel region of the mother substrate.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the stage 130, a heating line 161 and a cooling line 171 have a temperature control region 131 in which a liquid crystal panel region of the mother substrate is placed. Are arranged in various forms.

First, the cooling line 171 is arranged along the outer portion of the temperature control region 131. That is, the cooling line 171 is to prevent the alignment liquid injected from the nozzle 142 from diffusing out of the liquid crystal panel region of the mother substrate. Even when applied to the hardened by the cooling line 171 it can not be diffused out of the liquid crystal panel region. The temperature of the cooling line 171 may be controlled by the cooling unit 170, the temperature of the cooling line 171 is maintained at 0 ℃ ~ 22 ℃ when considering the viscosity and curing characteristics of the alignment liquid desirable.

Next, the heating line is arranged throughout the temperature control region 131 in the cooling line 171. In other words, the heating line 161 is for dispersing the alignment liquid sprayed from the nozzle 142 evenly within the liquid crystal panel region of the mother substrate. Even when applied, the viscosity may be lowered by the heating line 161 and may be evenly dispersed in the liquid crystal panel region. The heating line 161 may be temperature controlled by the heating unit 160, the temperature of the heating line 161 is preferably maintained at 22 ℃ ~ 50 ℃ considering the viscosity characteristics of the alignment liquid. . The heating line 161 may be formed in various ways, but considering that the cooling line 171 is arranged in a rectangular line in consideration of the liquid crystal panel region, the heating line 161 may also be formed. It is preferable to arrange in the form of a plurality of square lines. In addition, the heating line 161 may be arranged in a planar shape on the inner side of the cooling line.

The heating unit 160 and the cooling unit 170 for controlling the temperature of the heating line 161 and the cooling line 171 may be operated by a separate control device, but by one control device (not shown) Can be controlled. In addition, the control device for controlling the heating unit 160 and the cooling unit 170 may be a control device for controlling the overall driving of the alignment layer coating device.

On the other hand, the temperature of the heating line 161 and the cooling line 171 may be controlled to be maintained at the same value during one alignment film coating process, but may vary depending on the characteristics of the alignment liquid and the coating process.

6 is an exemplary view showing a state in which the alignment film is applied to the mother substrate by using the alignment film applying apparatus according to the present invention. The mother substrate 180 is placed on the stage 130 of the alignment film applying apparatus shown in FIG. The state to be formed is shown.

The mother substrate 180 applied to the present invention refers to a substrate in which a plurality of TFT substrates or C / F substrates for forming a liquid crystal panel are formed, and a plurality of mother substrates 180 are formed in one mother substrate 180 in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device. Two TFT substrates (or C / F substrates) and cutting the TFT substrates (or C / F substrates) from the mother substrate 180 and then fabricating the C / F substrates (or TFT substrates) by the same method. Is bonded to the TFT substrate (or C / F).

A region where a plurality of TFT (or C / F) substrates are formed among the surface regions of the mother substrate 180 is called a liquid crystal panel region 181, and the liquid crystal panel region 181 among the surface regions of the stage 130 is formed. The portion corresponding to the portion is called the temperature control region 131.

The cooling line 171 is arranged at an outer portion of the liquid crystal panel region 181 and the temperature control region 131, and is formed at an outer portion of the cooling line 171 or a liquid crystal panel region formed along the cooling line. The sealing agent may be applied in a subsequent process. That is, when the TFT substrate (or C / F substrate) including the liquid crystal panel region 181 is cut from the mother substrate 180 and bonded to the C / F substrate (or TFT substrate), it is used as a bonding material. The sealing material is applied to the outer portion of the liquid crystal panel region 181 where the alignment film cured by the cooling line 171 is formed.

Hereinafter, the process of applying the alignment film using the alignment film coating apparatus having the above configuration will be described.

First, a mother substrate 180 in which a TFT pattern or a C / F pattern is formed in the liquid crystal panel region 180 is loaded and placed on the stage 130. The liquid crystal panel region 181 is disposed to coincide with the temperature control region 131 of the stage 130. The cooling line 171 is arranged outside the temperature control region 131 as described above, and the heating line 161 is arranged in various forms inside the temperature control region 131. The cooling line 171 is to prevent the alignment liquid sprayed into the liquid crystal panel region 180 from being diffused out of the liquid crystal panel region 180. The cooling liquid oriented by the cooling line 171 is hardened. The sealing material may be applied to the outside of the liquid crystal panel region in a later process.

As described above, when the mother substrate 180 is placed on the stage 130, the alignment liquid is injected from the nozzle 142 while the stage 130 or the gantry 143 moves. The injected alignment liquid is diffused and applied in the liquid crystal panel region 181. At this time, the heating unit 160 or the cooling unit 170 is started to drive, the heating line 161 is maintained at 22 ℃ ~ 50 ℃, the cooling line 171 is 0 ℃ ~ 22 ℃ maintain. As a result, the alignment liquid sprayed on the upper end of the heating line 161 may have a low viscosity, which may be uniformly applied throughout the liquid crystal panel region 181, and the alignment liquid sprayed on the upper end of the cooling line 171. The silver is cured to increase the viscosity so that it cannot be diffused out of the liquid crystal panel region 181.

The present invention as described above has an excellent effect that the alignment film is uniformly applied to the upper or lower substrate of the liquid crystal panel.

In addition, the present invention has an excellent effect of reducing the failure rate of the liquid crystal panel by preventing the alignment film from being diffused into the region where the sealing material is applied.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

Claims (6)

A stage on which a substrate having a plurality of liquid crystal panel regions is placed; And An alignment liquid supply for injecting the alignment liquid to the substrate placed on the stage, The stage includes a heating line and a cooling line formed to correspond to each of the liquid crystal panel region, The heating line is formed to correspond to the inside of the liquid crystal panel region to control the temperature of the stage, And the cooling line is formed to correspond to an outer portion of the liquid crystal panel region to control the stage at a temperature lower than a temperature controlled by the heating line. delete delete The method of claim 1, The heating line, An alignment film coating device, characterized in that controlled to 22 ℃ ~ 50 ℃. The method of claim 1, The cooling line, An alignment film coating device, characterized in that controlled to 0 ℃ ~ 22 ℃. The method according to any one of claims 1, 4, and 5, The viscosity of the alignment liquid sprayed on the substrate, Alignment film coating apparatus characterized in that the variable by the heating line or the cooling line.

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