KR101929926B1 - Non contacting type roll to roll web transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A non-contact roll-to-roll web transfer apparatus includes: unwinder and rewinder units continuously supplying and recovering a web; a printing unit forming a pattern on a first surface of the web; and a plurality of transfer units transferring the web. The transfer units each include: a crown roll contacting a second surface of the web, opposite to the first surface, transferring the web, and having the convexly protruding center; and a dumbbell-shaped roll facing the crown roll, contacting the first surface, and transferring the web.

Description

[0001] NON CONTACTING TYPE ROLL TO ROLL WEB TRANSFER APPARATUS [0002]

The present invention relates to a non-contact roll-to-roll web feeder, and more particularly, to a non-contact roll-to-roll web feeder that minimizes damage to a printed surface of a web (e.g., a flexible substrate) Roll-to-roll web feeder.

In general, a roll-to-roll process apparatus is a device that performs various types of processes on rolls of film or webs (materials such as thin films, sheets, flexible substrates, etc.) . Such a roll-to-roll processing apparatus includes an unwinder for unwinding the web wound in a roll form, a processing unit for performing various processes such as a web printing process, and a rewinder for rewinding the web in a roll form And may include various transport units for transporting the web therebetween.

In order to improve the quality of products produced through such a roll-to-roll processing apparatus, it is very important to adjust the tension of the web constantly throughout the roll-to-roll processing apparatus or minimize the deformation amount of the web.

For this purpose, in Korean Patent No. 10-1730438, the driving of unweaders, process units, rewinders, various transfer units, and the like constituting the roll-to-roll process apparatus is controlled, However, due to the above control, a disturbance occurs depending on a driving change of a specific component, thereby affecting a web adjacent to a specific component, and thereby controlling the driving of another component .

Korean Patent No. 10-1729587 discloses a new type of web feed roller for controlling the deformation amount or correcting the position of the web, but there is a limitation in correcting the deformation amount or position of the web through the web feed roller.

On the other hand, in the conventional roll-to-roll system, after the operation of forming the pattern on the web is completed, the web is fed to the rewinder through the transport guide and finally wound. In this process, contact occurs on both sides of the web . Accordingly, there is a risk of damaging the pattern formed on the web, and ultimately, the defect rate of the product may be increased.

Korean Patent No. 10-1730438 Korean Patent No. 10-1729587

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-contact type roll-to-roll web feeding device capable of maintaining the tension of a web constant while minimizing pattern damage in a process of transferring a patterned web. .

The non-contact roll-to-roll web transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the object of the present invention includes an unwinder part and a rewinder part for continuously supplying and recovering a web, a printing part for forming a pattern on the first side of the web, Unit, and a plurality of transfer units for transferring the web.

Each of the transfer units being in contact with a second side of the web opposite to the first side for transferring the web and facing the crown roll and the crown roll with a convexly protruding center, And a dumbbell-shaped roll which contacts and transports the web.

In one embodiment, both sides of the dumbbell roll contact the web and the middle may be formed in a shape that does not contact the web.

In one embodiment, the dumbbell-shaped roll may have a dumbbell structure in which the diameters of both side surfaces are larger than the diameter of the center portion.

In one embodiment, the crown roll includes a body portion and a rotating shaft provided at a center portion of the body portion, and the body portion may have an outer shape that is reduced in diameter toward the outer side from the center.

In one embodiment, the central portion of the body portion is made of a metal material, and the upper and lower portions of the central portion may be made of a rubber material.

In one embodiment, the metal material has a central concave shape, and the upper and lower portions may be expanded by air or gas to protrude from the center.

In one embodiment, the body portion includes a piezoelectric actuator which contracts or expands by a voltage applied from the outside to a central portion, and the outer periphery of the body portion can be expanded by the piezoelectric actuator.

In one embodiment, the web may further include a drive roll that transfers power to the web such that the web is transferred from the unwinder to the rewinder.

In one embodiment, the drive roll may be formed in the same shape as the crown roll and disposed below the end of the crown roll.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, in the web transfer, the dumbbell-shaped roller and the crown roller are engaged with each other so that the dumbbell-shaped roller and the crown roller are combined, The difference in tension between the center and the side of the web in the case of using only the rollers can be minimized by the crown roller.

Specifically, in order to solve the problem of increasing the risk of damaging a pattern due to frequent contact on a web surface where a fine and precise pattern is formed in a printing electronic field, a web contact However, when the dumbbell-shaped roll is applied only to the dumbbell-shaped roll as described above, tension is applied to both ends of the web more than the center part in the width direction of the web when the dumbbell roll contact of the web is applied, The tension was not constant and the web was deformed.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the tension of the web can be kept constant by arranging the crown rolls, which are able to apply the tension to the center portion of the web more than both ends of the web, with the dumbbell roll, The tension of the web can be adjusted to a constant level with a simpler structure without addition to the roll-to-roll processing apparatus.

Furthermore, by forming the crown roll with a rubber material or by inserting a piezo actuator therein, the cylindrical roller can be deformed into a crown roller shape only when necessary, thereby realizing the same effect as the crown roller shape.

1 is a schematic diagram showing a non-contact roll-to-roll web transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is an example of the transfer unit of Fig.
Fig. 3 is another example of the transfer unit of Fig.
Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the dumbbell roll of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is an example showing the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.
Figs. 6A and 6B show another example of the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.
Figs. 7A and 7B show another example of the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.
Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the transfer unit and drive roll of Figure 1;
9 is a schematic diagram showing the drive roll of Fig.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. Like reference numerals are used for like elements in describing each drawing. The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms.

The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. The terminology used in this application is used only to describe a specific embodiment and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

In the present application, the term "comprises" or "comprising ", etc. is intended to specify that there is a stated feature, figure, step, operation, component, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the contextual meaning of the related art and are to be interpreted as either ideal or overly formal in the sense of the present application Do not.

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

1 is a schematic diagram showing a non-contact roll-to-roll web transporting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the non-contact roll-to-roll web transport apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an unwinder 100, a printing unit 200, a rewinder 300, Unit 400 and a driven roll 500.

The unwinder part 100 continuously discharges a film (hereinafter referred to as a web) wound on a roller in the form of a roll to supply the web W to the printing unit .

The material of the web W is not limited. For example, at least one of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylenenaphthalate), PES (polyether sulfone), PAR (polyarylate), PC (polycarbonate), COC (cycloolefin copolymer) And any material that is movable and can be made of a flexible material such as woven and non-woven fabric, assembled fabric, yarn, and stainless steel can be used.

The printing unit 200 may perform at least one process with respect to the web W supplied from the unwinder portion 100. The printing unit 200 may include at least one of the printing units 200 according to the number of processes performed on the web W, and may sequentially perform a series of processes for the web W to be transferred .

That is, the printing unit 200 performs printing on the web W, and the printing unit 200 may be applied to various types of printing processes. For example, the printing unit 200 may include a rotary screen printing unit, a gravure printing unit, and a gravure printing unit provided in a roll-to-roll continuous printing process apparatus. A screen printing unit for performing screen printing, a roll printing unit for performing roll printing, an ink jet printing unit for performing inkjet printing, and the like.

In addition, the printing unit 200 may be formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, a sputtering process, a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) process The present invention can be applied to various vacuum deposition processes.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example in which six printing units 200 are provided, the number and arrangement of the printing units 200 may be changed by a person skilled in the art.

The rewinder unit 300 may continuously wind the web W printed in the printing unit 200. That is, the web W supplied from the unwinder part 300 and finished with the printing process is continuously collected, and the roller is rotated in the same manner as the unwinder part 100 to wind the web W Recall.

The transfer unit 400 is positioned between the unwinder part 100 and the rewinder part 300 and transfers the web W to the unwinder part 100 while supporting the web W. [ To the rewinder unit 300 via the printing unit 200. [0050]

In FIG. 1, five transfer units 400 installed between the six printing units 200 are illustrated. However, the number and location of the transfer units 400 are not limited to those of a person skilled in the art As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, Fig. 2 is an example of the transfer unit of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is another example of the transfer unit of Fig.

Referring first to FIG. 2, the transfer unit 400 includes a crown roll 401 and a dumbbell roll 402.

When the web W is formed in a pattern on the first surface 410a and supplied in a horizontal direction, the crown roll 401 is positioned on the first surface 410a of the web W, And conveys the web W in contact with the opposite second side 410b.

The dumbbell roll 402 faces the crown roll 401 and contacts the first surface 410a of the web W guided by the crown roll 401 to rotate the web W .

In this case, there are two crown rolls 401 and one dumbbell roll 402, and the crown rolls 401 are positioned on both sides of the dumbbell roll 402.

However, although not shown, when the web W is formed in a pattern on the second surface 410b and supplied in the horizontal direction, one crown roll 401, two dumbbell rolls 402, So that the dumbbell rolls 402 can be positioned on both sides of the crown roll 402.

Referring to FIG. 3, the dumbbell roll 402 may be formed at a position higher than the crown rolls 401.

In this case, the crown roll 401 contacts the second surface 410b of the web W to guide the web W in a vertical or horizontal direction, and the dumbbell roll 402 Contacts the first surface 410a of the web W to guide the web W in the vertical direction.

In the non-contact type roll-to-roll web transfer apparatus 10, the dumbbell roll 402 may include a first surface 410a on which a pattern of the web W is formed, And the crown roll 401 is brought into contact with the second surface 410b of the web W. [

However, when the web W is a flexible substrate on which an integrated circuit pattern is printed, such frequent contact occurs on a web surface on which a fine and precise pattern is formed, which increases the risk of damaging the pattern.

In a conventional web transfer apparatus, only a dumbbell-shaped roll, which has both sides thereof contacted with the web W and formed at a central portion thereof so as not to contact the web W, . However, by applying a greater tension to both ends of the web W than to the center portion in the width direction of the web W, both ends of the web W may be bent or the center portion of the web W may be bent There arises a problem that deformation of the web W such as swelling occurs.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to uniform tension applied to the web W, the crown roll 401 (which can apply a greater tension to the center portion of the web W than both ends of the web W) And the dumbbell roll 402 is moved from the first surface 410a of the web W to the second surface 410a of the web W by maintaining the tension of the web W constant, The web W can be transported without damaging the first surface 410a by nipping only a margin portion provided at both end portions in the width direction rather than the region where the pattern is formed.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the dumbbell roll of Fig. 2 or Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an example showing the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.

Referring to FIG. 4, the dumbbell roll 402 is configured to have a so-called dumbbell-like shape in which both side surfaces are in contact with the web W and the central portion is not in contact with the web W, . In addition, the dumbbell roll 402 may have a shape in which the diameters of both side surfaces in the direction of the rotation axis 421 are larger than the diameter of the center portion.

Referring to FIG. 5, the crown roll 401 may include a body portion 430 and a rotation shaft 431 disposed at a center portion of the body 430.

In this case, the body portion 430 may have a convexly protruding shape at the center, and may have an outer shape that is reduced in diameter toward the outer side from the center.

As described above, of the two surfaces of the web W, the first surface 410a on which the pattern is formed is supported on the side surface, and the damage of the pattern formed on the first surface 410a can be minimized by transferring the web. However, in order to prevent the phenomenon of sagging of the central portion of the web W which may occur due to the tension of the web W being conveyed being supported only on the side surface, the second surface 410b of the web W has a central portion And is conveyed by the crown roll 401 formed to be relatively protruded so that deflection of the central portion of the web W is improved by the contact force of the central portion of the crown roll 401, Accordingly, the web W can be transported with a more uniform tension, in particular, with minimizing the difference in the transport speed between the side portion and the center portion according to the deflection of the center portion.

Figs. 6A and 6B show another example of the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.

6A, the center portion 433 of the crown roll 401 is made of a metal material having a central concave shape, and the upper portion 435 and the lower portion 436 of the center portion 433 are made of a rubber material. have. 6B, the first and second crown rolls 401 and 403 may have a convexly protruded crown shape, as shown in FIG. 6B, by the air or gas introduced from the outside .

Figs. 7A and 7B show another example of the crown roll of Fig. 2 or Fig.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the crown roll 401 may be provided with a piezo actuator 440 which is contracted or expanded by a voltage applied from the outside.

In this case, the outer periphery of the body portion 430 expands due to the expansion of the piezo actuator 440, and as shown in FIG. 7B, the crown roll 401 has a crown shape protruding at the center .

As described above, the crown roll 401 described with reference to Figs. 6A to 7B is used when the conveyance of the web W is not performed or when the tension is uniformly maintained in the conveyance of the web W In the case where the tension is not uniform in the conveyance of the web W or in the conveyance of the web W, the central portion of the cylindrical shape is extended outward to form a convexly curved central portion as a whole And may be changed so as to maintain the protruding crown shape of the roller.

Accordingly, since it is selectively deformed in the form of a crown roll only when necessary, it is possible to selectively implement the effect of maintaining the tension through the crown roll, and its usability can be improved.

8 is an enlarged view showing the conveying unit and the driving roll in Fig. 1, and Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the driving roll in Fig.

8 and 9, the driving roll 400 serves to transmit power to the web W so that the web W is transferred from the unwinder 100 to the rewinder 300 do.

The driving roll 500 may be formed in the same shape as the crown roll 403 and disposed under the end of the crown roll 401. That is, the driving roll 500 has the same shape as the crown roll 403 and contacts the front surface of the web W, thereby providing a constant driving force to the entire surface of the web W, (W) can be transported at a constant speed.

The driving roll 500 is connected to the driving motor 501 as shown in FIG. The drive motor 501 is synchronized to rotate the drive roll 500 and the crown roll 401 to rotate with the web W interposed therebetween to transmit power to the web W, .

According to the embodiments of the present invention, in the web transfer, the dumbbell-shaped roller and the crown roller are formed to be opposed to each other so that the dumbbell-shaped roller and the crown roller are combined, The difference in tension between the center and the side of the web in the case of using only the rollers can be minimized by the crown roller.

Specifically, in order to solve the problem of increasing the risk of damaging a pattern due to frequent contact on a web surface where a fine and precise pattern is formed in a printing electronic field, a web contact However, when the dumbbell-shaped roll is applied only to the dumbbell-shaped roll as described above, tension is applied to both ends of the web more than the center part in the width direction of the web when the dumbbell roll contact of the web is applied, The tension was not constant and the web was deformed.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the tension of the web can be kept constant by arranging the crown rolls, which are able to apply the tension to the center portion of the web more than both ends of the web, with the dumbbell roll, The tension of the web can be adjusted to a constant level with a simpler structure without addition to the roll-to-roll processing apparatus.

Furthermore, by forming the crown roll with a rubber material or by inserting a piezo actuator therein, the cylindrical roller can be deformed into a crown roller shape only when necessary, thereby realizing the same effect as the crown roller shape.

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 present invention as defined by the following claims. It can be understood that it is possible.

10: Non-contact roll-to-roll web feeder
100: Unwinder part 200: Printing unit
300: Rewinder unit 400: Feed unit
500: driving roll

Claims (9)

An unwinder portion and a rewinder portion for continuously feeding and retrieving the web, a printing unit for forming a pattern on the first side of the web, and a plurality of conveying units for conveying the web,
Wherein each of the transfer units comprises:
A crown roll contacting the second side of the web opposite the first side and conveying the web and having a convexly protruded center; And
And a dumbbell roll facing the crown roll and contacting the first surface to transport the web,
Wherein the crown roll includes a body portion,
The central portion of the body portion is formed of a metal material, and the diameter of the central portion is increased toward the outer side,
The upper and lower portions of the central portion are formed of a rubber material and are bulged by air or gas,
Wherein the body portion has an outer shape in which the diameter decreases as the upper and lower portions expand from the center to both outer sides as the upper and lower portions expand. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein both side surfaces of the dumbbell-shaped roll are in contact with the web and the center portion is formed in a shape that does not contact the web. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the dumbbell-
Wherein the diameter of the both side surfaces is larger than the diameter of the center portion. The crown roll according to claim 1,
And a rotating shaft provided at a central portion of the body portion. delete delete [5] The apparatus of claim 4,
And a piezoelectric actuator which contracts or expands by a voltage applied from the outside to the center portion,
And the outer periphery of the body portion is expanded by the piezo actuator. The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising a drive roll for transmitting power to the web such that the web is transferred from the unwinder to the rewinder. 9. The apparatus according to claim 8,
Wherein the crown roll is formed in the same shape as the crown roll and is disposed under the end of the crown roll.

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