KR20070113848A - Printing apparatus, patterning method and method of manufacturing liquid crystal display device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing apparatus, a patterning method, and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device using the same are provided to reduce an area that the printing apparatus occupies by containing and cleaning a printing nozzle, or coating a printing roll with a pattern substance through the rotation of the printing nozzle, thereby reducing equipment investment. A printing plate(500) and a substrate(100) are mounted on a rail(600). A printing roll(300) transfers patterns passing through the printing plate and the substrate mounted on the rail. A printing nozzle unit(700) coats the printing roll with a pattern substance. A printing nozzle containing unit(900) contains a printing nozzle(710) while the printing roll transfers the patterns to the printing plate and the substrate. A printing nozzle cleaning unit(800) cleans the printing nozzle.

Description

Printing Apparatus, Patterning Method and Method of manufacturing Liquid Crystal Display Device using the same}

1 is a process diagram schematically showing a photolithography process according to the prior art.

2A to 2C are process diagrams illustrating a process of forming a pattern on a substrate using a printing apparatus according to the prior art.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a perspective view schematically showing a printing nozzle unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view schematically showing a printing nozzle cleaning unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A to 6I are process diagrams schematically showing a pattern forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a process diagram schematically illustrating a process in which a brush cleans a printing nozzle, and is a plan view of FIG. 6D seen from above.

8A through 8D are process diagrams schematically illustrating a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of Signs of Major Parts of Drawing>

100: substrate 200: pattern material

300: printing roll 500: printing plate

600: rail 700: printing nozzle

710: printing nozzle 720: first drive unit

800: print nozzle cleaning unit 810: brush

820: second drive unit 830: brush storage unit

900: print nozzle storage unit 910: first region

920: second region

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly to a device and a pattern forming method for forming a pattern of the liquid crystal display device.

Ultra-thin flat panel displays with a display screen thickness of only a few centimeters (cm). Among them, liquid crystal displays have low operating voltages, which consume less power and can be used as portable devices. Applications range from monitors to spacecraft to aircraft.

The liquid crystal display device includes a lower substrate, an upper substrate, and a liquid crystal layer formed between the two substrates. In general, a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode are formed on the lower substrate, and a light blocking layer and a color are formed on the upper substrate. The filter layer and the common electrode are formed.

As such, the liquid crystal display includes various components, and numerous processes are repeatedly performed to form the components. In particular, photolithography is mainly used to pattern various components in various forms.

Hereinafter, a pattern forming method through a conventional photolithography process will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a photolithography process according to the prior art.

First, as shown in FIG. 1A, the pattern material layer 20 is formed on the transparent substrate 10.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1B, a mask 25 having a predetermined pattern is positioned on the pattern material layer 20 and then irradiated with light through a light irradiation apparatus.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1C, the pattern 20a is completed through a developing process.

However, since the photolithography process requires the use of a mask having a predetermined pattern, the manufacturing cost increases accordingly. In addition, since the photolithography process requires an exposure process and a developing process, the process is complicated and the process takes a long time.

Therefore, a new pattern forming method has been required to solve the disadvantages of the photolithography process, and a method of forming a pattern using a printing roll and a printing plate has been devised in accordance with such a request.

2A to 2C are cross-sectional views illustrating a process of forming a pattern on a substrate using a printing apparatus according to the prior art.

First, as can be seen in Figure 2a, using the printing nozzle 40, the pattern material 20 is applied to the printing roll 30, the blanket 32 is attached to the surface.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2B, the printing roll 30 is rotated on the printing plate 50 on which the protrusions 55 having a predetermined shape are formed, and thus, some pattern material 20b is formed on the protrusions 55 of the printing plate 50. ) Is transferred and a pattern of a predetermined shape is formed on the printing roll 30 by the remaining pattern material 20a.

The blanket 32 attached to the surface of the printing roll 30 is made of a resin having a certain degree of elasticity, and when the pattern material applied to the printing roll 30 is transferred to the printing plate 50, the printing roll Reduce the friction between the 30 and the printing plate (50).

Then, as can be seen in Figure 2c, by rotating the printing roll 30 on the substrate 10 to transfer the pattern material 20a on the substrate 10 to form a pattern on the substrate (10).

As described above, the pattern forming method using the printing roll 30 and the printing plate 50 does not require the use of a mask of a predetermined pattern, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and eliminating the need to go through an exposure process and a developing process.

However, when forming a pattern using a printing apparatus according to the prior art has the following problems.

First, when the pattern material 20 is applied to the printing roll 30, the pattern material 20 may be entangled with the printing nozzle 40 and cause coating defects.

This is because, after the pattern material 20 is applied to the printing roll 30, while the printing roll 30 transfers the pattern via the printing plate 50 and the substrate 10, the printing nozzle 40 The pattern material 20 at the discharge port of the pattern material 20 is solidified, and the solidified pattern material 20 is entangled with the printing nozzle 40.

Second, since the printing nozzle 40 is fixed in one direction, it is impossible to change the angle of the printing nozzle 40 according to the material.

In FIG. 2A, the printing nozzle 40 is positioned above the printing roll 30 to apply the pattern material 20 in the vertical direction. However, the printing nozzle 40 may be applied depending on the type of the pattern material. It may be more efficient to apply it by tilting. However, according to the prior art, since the printing nozzle 40 is fixed in one direction, various correspondences according to the material are impossible.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a print nozzle storage unit and a print nozzle cleaning unit to prevent a phenomenon in which a pattern material is entangled in the print nozzle and cause coating defects, and to allow the print nozzle to rotate to respond to various pattern materials. The present invention provides a printing apparatus, a pattern forming method, and a liquid crystal display device manufacturing method using the same.

The present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the mounting plate and the board is mounted rail; A printing roll for transferring a pattern via the printing plate and the substrate seated on the rail; A printing nozzle unit for applying a pattern material to the printing roll; A printing nozzle storage unit for storing the printing nozzle while the printing roll is transferring the pattern onto the printing plate and the substrate; And a printing nozzle cleaning unit for cleaning the printing nozzle.

At this time, a printing plate cleaning unit for cleaning the printing plate may be further included.

The printing nozzle unit is a printing nozzle for discharging a pattern material; And a first driving part for driving the printing nozzle, wherein the first driving part comprises: a first motor part for rotating the printing nozzle; And a second motor unit for linearly moving the printing nozzle.

In this case, at least one of the first motor unit and the second motor unit may include a servo motor.

The print nozzle storage unit may include a first region into which a volatile solvent is introduced to prevent solidification of the pattern material; And a second region in which the volatile solvent and the pattern material are stored and released.

The printing nozzle cleaning unit includes a brush for cleaning the printing nozzle; A second driver for driving the brush; And a brush storage unit for storing and cleaning the brush, wherein the second driving unit comprises: a third motor unit for vertically and horizontally moving the brush; And a fourth motor unit for rotating the brush.

At least one of the third to fourth motor units includes a servo motor.

In addition, the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, the step of ejecting a portion of the pattern material using a printing nozzle; Rotating the print nozzle and cleaning the print nozzle; Applying a pattern material to a printing roll by rotating the printing nozzle and using the same; Transferring the pattern material to a protrusion of the printing plate by rotating the printing roll on a printing plate on which a protrusion having a predetermined shape is formed; And a step of transferring the remaining pattern material by rotating the printing roll on the substrate.

In this case, the printing plate may further include a process of cleaning.

The rotating of the printing nozzle and then cleaning the nozzle may include raising the brush of the printing nozzle cleaning unit; And horizontally moving the brush while rotating the brush of the printing nozzle cleaning unit.

In addition, the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, forming a light shielding layer on the first substrate; Forming a color filter layer on the first substrate including the light blocking layer; Preparing a second substrate; And forming a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein at least one of forming a light shielding layer on the first substrate and forming the color filter layer includes: Provided is a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, comprising the step of forming a pattern according to any one of claims 15 to 19.

At this time, the step of preparing the second substrate is a gate wiring to cross the vertical and horizontal mutually on the second substrate using a pattern forming method according to any one of the claims 15 to 19 to define a pixel region And a passivation layer on the first substrate including the thin film transistor, the thin film transistor, and a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor on the passivation layer at an intersection of the data line, the gate line and the data line. It can be made, including the process.

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

1. Printing Equipment

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the printing equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention is a printing plate 500 and the substrate 100 is mounted on the rail 600, the printing roll 300, the printing nozzle unit 700, three printing nozzles The government unit 800 includes a printing plate cleaning unit 850 and a printing nozzle storage unit 900.

The printing roll 300 is formed to transfer the pattern via the printing plate 500 and the substrate 100 seated on the rail 600, the surface of the blanket made of an Si-based resin layer ( 320 is formed.

4 is a perspective view schematically showing a printing nozzle unit 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the printing nozzle unit 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed to apply the pattern material 200 to the printing roll 300, the printing nozzle for discharging the pattern material 200 710 and a first driving unit 720 for driving the printing nozzle 710.

The first driving unit 720 includes a first motor unit 721 for rotating the printing nozzle 710 and a second motor unit 724 for linearly moving the printing nozzle 710.

The first motor unit 721 is formed to rotate the printing nozzle 710 and the second motor unit 726. Although not shown, the first motor unit 721 includes a servo motor having a speed reducer.

The second motor unit 726 includes a motor 722, a converter 723, a link unit 724, and a jig 725.

Although not shown, the motor 722 is formed of a servo motor having a speed reducer.

The conversion unit 723 converts the rotational kinetic energy of the motor 722 into linear kinetic energy, and serves to linearly move the printing nozzle 710, and is connected to the first motor unit 721. .

The link unit 724 connects the motor 722 and the conversion unit 723, and a belt or the like is used as a specific means thereof.

The jig 725 supports and fixes the printing nozzle 710, and is connected to the conversion unit 723, and moves the printing nozzle 710 by linearly moving up and down.

In addition, the first driving unit 720 is symmetrically formed on both sides of the printing nozzle 710 to rotate and linearly move the printing nozzle 710.

5 is a perspective view schematically showing a printing nozzle cleaning unit 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As can be seen in Figure 5, the printing nozzle cleaning unit 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a brush 810, the second drive unit 820 and the brush storage unit 830 for driving the brush 810, It is made to include.

The brush 810 is made of an elastic polymer material and rotates in a state immersed in a volatile solvent such as thinner to wash the printing nozzle 710.

The second drive unit 820 includes a third motor unit 822 for vertically and horizontally moving the brush 810 and a fourth motor unit 824 for rotating the brush 810.

The brush 824 is connected to the fourth motor unit 824, and the fourth motor unit 824 is connected to the third motor unit 822.

Although not shown, the third motor portion 822 and the fourth motor portion 824 are formed of a servo motor having a speed reducer.

The brush storage unit 830 is formed to store and clean the brush 810, and is filled with thinner or acetone therein.

The printing plate cleaning unit 850 is formed to move to the printing plate 500 through the rail 600 to clean the printing plate 500, but is not illustrated, and includes a cleaning solution spraying device and a drying device.

The printing nozzle storage unit 900 is formed to hold the printing nozzle 700 while the printing roll 300 transfers the pattern to the printing plate 500 and the substrate 100, and the pattern material 200 And a first region 910 through which volatile solvent is introduced to prevent solidification, and a second region 920 through which the volatile solvent and the pattern material are stored and discharged.

A volatile solvent inlet 911 is formed in the first region 910, and a volatile solvent outlet 921 is formed in the second region.

In addition, a diaphragm having a predetermined opening is formed at a boundary between the first region 910 and the second region 920.

2. Pattern Formation Method

6A to 6I are process diagrams schematically showing a pattern forming method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the printing nozzle 710 is positioned in the printing nozzle storage unit 900 using the first driving unit 720 of the printing nozzle unit 700.

When the print nozzle 710 moves to the print nozzle storage unit 900, volatile solvent is introduced from the volatile solvent inlet 911 formed in the first region 910 of the print nozzle storage unit 900.

The volatile solvent introduced from the volatile solvent inlet 911 wets the pattern material discharge port of the printing nozzle 710 to prevent the pattern material 200 from solidifying.

The introduction of the volatile solvent continues while the printing nozzle 710 is located in the print nozzle storage unit 900, and the introduced volatile solvent is formed in the second area 920 of the printing nozzle storage unit 900. Exit to the volatile solvent inlet (921).

At this time, the printing nozzle 710 discharges a part of the pattern material 200, which is a pattern of the solidified pattern material 200 before the printing nozzle 710 is positioned in the print nozzle storage unit 700. To remove it.

A portion of the pattern material 200 discharged from the printing nozzle 710 also exits through the volatile solvent inlet 921 formed in the second region 920 of the printing nozzle storage unit 900.

As such, by preventing the solidification of the pattern material 200 by using a volatile solvent, and by discharging a part of the pattern material 200 to remove the solidified pattern material 200, the pattern material 200 during the coating is printed nozzle ( 710 can be prevented from tangling and causing defects.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6B, the print nozzle 710 is vertically moved by using the second motor part 726 of the print nozzle part 700 to store the print nozzle 710 in the print nozzle. It removes from the part 900.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, the printing nozzle 710 is rotated by 90 degrees using the first motor unit 726 of the printing nozzle unit 700.

At this time, the brush 810 of the printing nozzle cleaning unit 800 stored in the brush storage unit 830 also rises vertically by the third motor unit 822 of the printing nozzle cleaning unit 800.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6D, the print nozzle 710 is positioned on the brush 810 of the print nozzle cleaning unit 800 using the second motor unit 726 of the print nozzle unit 700. The print nozzle 710 is cleaned.

7 is a process diagram schematically illustrating a process in which a brush cleans a printing nozzle, and is a plan view of FIG. 6D seen from above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the brush 810 cleans the print nozzle 710 after the print nozzle 710 is positioned on the brush 810 of the print nozzle cleaner 800. 810 is rotated and at the same time by the horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction of the printing nozzle 710.

The brush 810 is rotated by the fourth motor unit 824 of the print nozzle cleaner 800, and the horizontal movement of the brush 810 is a third motor of the print nozzle cleaner 800. By section 822.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6E, the print nozzle 710 is horizontally moved by using the second motor unit 726 of the print nozzle unit 700 to move the print nozzle 710 to the brush 810. Remove from)

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6F, the printing nozzle 710 is rotated 180 degrees using the first motor unit 726 of the printing nozzle unit 700.

However, the rotation angle of the printing nozzle 710 may vary according to the type of the pattern material 200 to be applied to the printing roll 300.

This is because, depending on the type of the pattern material 200, the application of the pattern material 200 by inclining the printing nozzle 710 slightly inclined rather than in a direction perpendicular to the tangent of the printing roll 300 is effective for uniform application. Because there is.

At this time, the brush 810 is moved to the brush storage unit 830 containing a volatile solvent, such as thinner, acetone, is cleaned and stored.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6G, the printing nozzle 710 is positioned on the printing roll 300 by using the second motor unit 726 of the printing nozzle unit 700, and the printing roll 300. The pattern material 200 is applied to it.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6H, the printing roll 300 coated with the pattern material 200 is rotated on the printing plate 500 and the substrate 100, thereby rotating on the printing plate 500 and the substrate 100. The pattern material 200 is transferred to form a pattern on the substrate 100.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6I, the printing plate cleaning unit 850 is moved onto the printing plate 500 to clean the printing plate 500.

At this time, the printing nozzle 710 is moved to the printing nozzle storage unit 900 by the first driving unit 720 of the printing nozzle unit 700.

3. Liquid crystal display device manufacturing method

8A to 8D are process diagrams schematically illustrating a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 8A, the light blocking layer 230 is formed on the first substrate 130.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8B, the color filter layer 260 is formed on the first substrate 130 including the light blocking layer 230.

Here, at least one of the process of forming the light blocking layer 230 (see FIG. 8A) and the process of forming the color filter layer 260 (see FIG. 8B) forms a pattern using the aforementioned printing equipment. It can be made to the process.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8C, the second substrate 160 is prepared.

Although not illustrated, a process of preparing the second substrate 160 may include gate wiring and data wiring crossing the vertical and horizontal crosses on the second substrate using the above-described printing equipment to define pixel regions, and the gate wiring. And forming a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor at an intersection area of the data line.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8D, the liquid crystal layer 290 is formed between the first substrate 130 and the second substrate 160.

At this time, the process of forming the liquid crystal layer 290, although not shown, the sealing material without the injection hole is formed on any one of the first substrate 130 and the second substrate 160, the substrate formed with the seal material After dropping the liquid crystal 290 to the two substrates (130, 160) can be formed by bonding.

In addition, the process of forming the liquid crystal layer 290, although not shown, after forming the sealing material to form an injection hole in any one of the first substrate 130 and the second substrate 160, both substrates 130 and 160 may be bonded to each other, and then the liquid crystal 700 may be injected by using a capillary phenomenon and a pressure difference through the injection hole.

According to the present invention by the above configuration, it is possible to store and clean the printing nozzle or to apply the pattern material to the printing roll through a simple rotation of the printing nozzle, it is possible to reduce the area occupied by the printing equipment. As the area occupied by printing equipment is reduced, the capital investment can be reduced.

In addition, by injecting a volatile solvent into the printing nozzle storage unit to prevent the solidification of the pattern material, by discharging a part of the pattern material from the printing nozzle storage unit it is possible to remove the partially solidified pattern material, the coating of the pattern material ( Coating) quality is improved.

In addition, by changing the rotation angle of the printing nozzle to position the printing nozzle in an oblique direction rather than in a direction perpendicular to the tangent of the printing roll, the pattern material can be applied to the printing roll. Responsiveness is improved.

Claims (22)

A rail on which a printing plate and a substrate are mounted; A printing roll for transferring a pattern via the printing plate and the substrate seated on the rail; A printing nozzle unit for applying a pattern material to the printing roll; A printing nozzle storage unit for storing the printing nozzle while the printing roll is transferring the pattern onto the printing plate and the substrate; And And a printing nozzle cleaning unit for cleaning the printing nozzle. The method of claim 1, The printing nozzle unit A printing nozzle for discharging a pattern material; And And a first driving part for driving the printing nozzle. The method of claim 2, The first driving unit A first motor unit for rotating the printing nozzle; And And a second motor unit for linearly moving the printing nozzle. The method of claim 3, And the second motor unit comprises a jig for fixing the printing nozzle. The method of claim 3, At least one of the first motor unit and the second motor unit at least one of the printing equipment comprising a servo (Servo) motor. The method of claim 1, The print nozzle storage unit A first region into which a volatile solvent is introduced to prevent solidification of the pattern material; And And a second area in which the volatile solvent and the pattern material are stored and discharged. The method of claim 6, The volatile solvent inlet is formed in the first region, the volatile solvent outlet is formed in the second region. The method of claim 6, The volatile solvent is thinner (Thinner) or acetone (Acetone) characterized in that the printing equipment. The method of claim 1, The printing nozzle cleaning unit A brush for cleaning the printing nozzle; A second driver for driving the brush; And Printing equipment comprising a brush storage for storing and cleaning the brush. The method of claim 9, The brush Printing equipment, characterized in that made of elastic polymer material. The method of claim 9, The second drive unit A third motor unit for vertically and horizontally moving the brush; And And a fourth motor unit for rotating the brush. The method of claim 11, At least one of the third to fourth motor unit at least one of the printing equipment comprising a servo motor. The method of claim 9, The brush storage unit Printing equipment characterized by being filled with a volatile solvent. The method of claim 13, The volatile solvent is a printing equipment, characterized in that consisting of thinner or acetone. The method of claim 1, And a printing plate cleaning unit for cleaning the printing plate. Discharging a portion of the pattern material using a printing nozzle; Rotating the print nozzle and cleaning the print nozzle; Applying a pattern material to a printing roll by rotating the printing nozzle and using the same; Transferring the pattern material to a protrusion of the printing plate by rotating the printing roll on a printing plate on which a protrusion having a predetermined shape is formed; And And rotating the printing roll on the substrate to transfer the remaining pattern material. The method of claim 16, Discharging a portion of the pattern material by using the printing nozzle Pattern forming method characterized in that the printing nozzle storage. The method of claim 16, After rotating the printing nozzle to clean it Raising the brush of the print nozzle cleaning unit; And And moving the brush horizontally while rotating the brush of the print nozzle cleaning unit. The method of claim 18, Raising the brush of the printing nozzle cleaning unit And rotating the print nozzle after the rotating of the print nozzle. The method of claim 16, And a step of cleaning the printing plate. Forming a light shielding layer on the first substrate; Forming a color filter layer on the first substrate including the light blocking layer; Preparing a second substrate; And And forming a liquid crystal layer between the first substrate and the second substrate, At least one of forming a light shielding layer on the first substrate and forming a color filter layer comprises a step of forming a pattern according to any one of claims 16 to 20. Liquid crystal display device manufacturing method. The method of claim 21, Preparing the second substrate is 21. A gate wiring and a data wiring for defining a pixel region by crossing vertically and horizontally with each other on the second substrate by using the pattern forming method according to any one of claims 16 to 20. Forming a thin film transistor at an intersection region, a protective film on a first substrate including the thin film transistor, and a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode of the thin film transistor on the protective film. Device manufacturing method.

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