KR20090073313A - Transcription plate for forming alignment layer - Google Patents

Abstract

A transcription plate for forming an alignment layer is provided to reduce height of a mount part where thickness of the alignment layer drastically increases, thereby improving thickness uniformity of the alignment layer. A pattern part(120) is classified into the first area(EA1) of one side, the second area(EA2) of the other side, and the third area between the first and second areas. A plurality of mesh points is formed in each area. A ground part(115) has thickness which is thinner than thickness of the pattern part. Aperture ratios of the second area and another area are different values. The pattern part is mounted on an alignment layer printing device. When the alignment layer is printed on a substrate, the first area is contacted with the substrate first.

Description

Transcription plate for forming alignment layer

The present invention relates to a transfer plate for forming an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to a transfer plate for forming a uniform alignment layer and a method of forming an alignment layer using the same.

Recently, liquid crystal displays have been spotlighted as next generation advanced display devices having low power consumption, good portability, high technology value, and high added value.

Among the liquid crystal display devices, an active matrix liquid crystal display device having a thin film transistor, which is a switching element that can control voltage on and off for each pixel, has the best resolution and video performance. I am getting it.

In general, an LCD device forms an array substrate and a color filter substrate through an array substrate manufacturing process for forming a thin film transistor and a pixel electrode, and a color filter substrate manufacturing process for forming a color filter and a common electrode, and between the two substrates. It completes through the cell process through liquid crystal in the process.

In more detail, referring to FIG. 1, which is an exploded perspective view of a general liquid crystal display device, as illustrated, the array substrate 10 and the color filter substrate 20 face each other with the liquid crystal layer 30 interposed therebetween. The array substrate 10 of the lower part includes a plurality of gate lines 14 and data lines 16 arranged vertically and horizontally on the upper surface of the transparent substrate 12 to define a plurality of pixel regions P. Thin film transistors T are provided at the intersections of the two wires 14 and 16 so as to correspond one-to-one with the pixel electrodes 18 provided in the pixel regions P. FIG.

In addition, the upper color filter substrate 20 facing the array substrate 10 is a lower surface of the transparent substrate 22. The non-display of the gate wiring 14, the data wiring 16, the thin film transistor T, and the like is performed. A grid-like black matrix 25 is formed around the pixel region P so as to cover the region, and red (R) and green are sequentially arranged in order to correspond to the pixel region (P) in the grid. A color filter layer 26 including (G) and blue (B) color filter patterns 26a, 26b, and 26c is formed, and is transparent over the entire surface of the black matrix 25 and the color filter layer 26. The common electrode 28 is provided.

Although not shown in the drawing, these two substrates 10 and 20 are each substrate 10 in a state sealed with a sealant or the like along the edge to prevent leakage of the liquid crystal layer 30 interposed therebetween. , 20) and an upper and lower alignment layers interposed between the liquid crystal layer 30 and the liquid crystal layer 30 to provide reliability in the molecular alignment direction of the liquid crystal, and at least one outer surface of each of the substrates 10 and 20 is provided with a polarizing plate. .

In addition, a back-light is provided on the outer surface of the array substrate 10 to supply light, so that the on / off signal of the thin film transistor T is transmitted to the gate wiring 14. When the image signal of the data wiring 16 is transferred to the pixel electrode 18 of the selected pixel region P by being sequentially scanned and applied, the liquid crystal molecules are driven by the vertical electric field therebetween, and thus the transmittance of light Various images can be displayed by a change.

The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device having the above-described configuration will be briefly described.

First, the array substrate is formed by gate, data wiring, two wirings, and the like through a deposition, photo-lithography, development, and etching process of a metal or an inorganic material on a transparent insulating substrate. A thin film transistor connected to each other is formed, and a pixel electrode connected to each of the thin film transistors is formed.

In addition, the color filter substrate is completed by forming a color filter layer and a common electrode on a surface facing the array substrate.

The array substrate and the color filter substrate fabricated as described above are manufactured into a liquid crystal display device by performing a cell process of forming a liquid crystal panel by bonding the two substrates with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.

The liquid crystal display device uses the electro-optical effect of the liquid crystal, and the electro-optic effect is determined by the anisotropy of the liquid crystal itself and the molecular arrangement state of the liquid crystal, and the control of the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal is an image display in the liquid crystal display device. It will have a big influence on stabilizing dignity. Therefore, an alignment process is performed to even the initial arrangement of liquid crystal molecules.

In the alignment process, an alignment layer is formed by applying a polymer material such as polyimide to each of the completed array substrate and the color filter substrate, and friction in a predetermined direction with a special cloth called a rubbing cloth so that the polymer chains on the surface thereof have a certain orientation. By aligning the polymer chain in the alignment film in one direction, it serves to even the initial arrangement state of the liquid crystal molecules.

The most important factor in carrying out this alignment process is the thickness of the alignment film. This is because the alignment film must be formed with a uniform thickness for the display area displaying the image so that no defect occurs in the subsequent rubbing process.

FIG. 2 is a view showing that an alignment liquid is transferred to a substrate from a conventional transfer plate mounted on a plate in an alignment film printing apparatus, and FIG. 3 illustrates that an alignment solution is transferred by contacting a conventional transfer plate and a substrate to form an alignment film. It is sectional drawing which shows the state.

As shown, the alignment liquid is transferred onto the substrate 60 by applying a constant pressure in the state in which the plate 51 and the substrate 60 are in contact with each other via the transfer plate 53, and thus the alignment film 63. It can be seen that this is formed. That is, the transfer plate 53 containing the alignment liquid is pressed by a constant force while contacting the substrate 60, wherein the alignment liquid transferred from the transfer plate 53 to the substrate 60 by the pressing force is It spreads up, down, left, and right to make the coating thickness constant, and is pushed out at the end of the transfer plate 53, more precisely, at the end of the pattern portion (not shown) that substantially contacts the substrate 60 at the transfer plate 53. Since there is no portion where the alignment liquid is pressurized, it has a very thick form compared to other regions.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the alignment layer 63 finally formed on the substrate 60 has the pattern portion 54 of the transfer plate 53 formed on the substrate 60 by rotation of a plate cylinder (not shown). Due to the phenomenon that the alignment liquid is pushed, including the start portion 63a to be contacted, the end portion 63b has a problem of being formed 3-4 times thicker than the center portion 63c. This thick portion at both ends of the center portion is referred to as an alignment liquid mount portion for convenience of description.

In order to solve this problem, a transfer plate having different meshes with respect to the center and the periphery thereof has been proposed in the pattern portion in contact with the substrate of the transfer plate.

4 is a plan view showing one pattern portion of a transfer plate designed to vary the amount of alignment liquid in the central and peripheral portions of the related art, and FIGS. 5A and 5B are enlarged views of regions A and B of FIG. 4, respectively. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion taken along the cutting line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

 As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer plate 70 is divided into a pattern portion 72 and a base portion 74, and the pattern portion 72 has a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm thicker than that of the base portion 74. Therefore, only the pattern portion 72 is in contact with the substrate through the alignment liquid printing apparatus, thereby forming the alignment film on the substrate.

At this time, if the pattern portion 72 is looked at well, the pattern portion 72 is composed of an edge portion 72a having a width of about 1mm to 3mm along the edge thereof and a central portion 72b inside the edge portion 72a. It can be seen that these two regions 72a and 72b form different meshes. A mesh is a mesh score that protrudes over an area that is 1 inch wide. 5A and 5B, it can be seen that the central portion 72b has a small mesh and the edge portion 72b has a large mesh.

Referring also to FIG. 6, the depth d2 at the edge portion 72a rather than the depth d1 at the center portion 72b for the region defined as the groove portion 78 between the halftone dot 76 and the halftone dot 76. Shows low formation.

The amount of the alignment liquid contained in the edge portion 72a rather than the central portion 72b due to the difference in the area and depth of the groove portion 78 containing the culture solution when the alignment layer is formed on the substrate using the transfer plate 70 having such a structure. This decreases the height of the mount portion of the alignment film formed on the substrate.

However, even when the alignment layer is formed using the transfer plate 70 having a different mesh size with respect to the center portion 72b and the edge portion 72a surrounding the pattern portion 72, the alignment layer still has its center portion. In contrast, a thick mount portion is generated.

That is, in order to reduce the height of the mount portions at both ends of the alignment film formed by contacting with the pattern portion 72 of the transfer plate 70, the pattern portion 70 has two regions, the center portion 72b and the edge portion 72a. Although it is produced by dividing into, the printing of the alignment film on the substrate using the transfer plate 70 having such a structure has an effect of reducing the height of the mount part to the beginning of the alignment film to some extent, The thickness of the wealth is not reduced. This is because the flow of the fluid which pushes the alignment liquid to the end of the pattern portion in accordance with the printing direction through the alignment film printing apparatus is not considered.

7A and 7B are graphs of thicknesses at the printing start and end portions of the alignment film when the alignment film is printed on the substrate using a transfer plate including a pattern portion having two regions.

 As shown, it can be seen that the region corresponding to the center portion of the transfer plate pattern portion (left side of FIG. 7A and right side of FIG. 7B) has an average thickness of about 500 mW to 1000 mW, but the beginning part (protrusion part of FIG. 7A) In the case of the maximum value is about 2500Å, it can be seen that at the end (projection of Figure 7b) the maximum value has a thickness of about 4500Å.

In order to solve such a problem, when the mesh of the edge portion of the pattern portion of the transfer plate is further increased to reduce the area occupied by the groove portion, the alignment film printing characteristics at the printing start point are deteriorated and tearing occurs.

Accordingly, the present invention is to provide a transfer plate that can minimize the sharp difference in the thickness of the center portion and the edge portion of the alignment film printed on the substrate by changing the structure of the transfer plate to solve the above problems. For that purpose.

The transfer plate for orientation film printing which concerns on this invention is a base film; A pattern portion disposed on the base film, divided into a first region on one side, a second region on the other side, and a third region between the first and second regions, and each of which has a plurality of halftones formed as convex portions; A base portion formed with a thickness thinner than the thickness of the pattern portion around the pattern portion over the base film, wherein an opening ratio defined by a ratio of the sum of the area of the upper surface of the dot dot to the total area of each region is different from the second region; In the region having different values, the pattern portion is mounted on the alignment film printing apparatus so that the first region contacts the substrate first when printing the alignment film on the substrate.

When the aperture ratios in the first to third regions are X1, Y1, and Z1, respectively, the pattern part is formed to satisfy a relationship of Y1> X1 ≥ Z1, and the number of unit dots of the dot is defined as a mesh. When the mesh sizes in the first to third regions are X2, Y2, and Z2, respectively, the pattern portion is formed to satisfy the relationship of Y2> X2? Z2.

In the case where the upper surface area of each of the dots is X3, Y3, and Z3 in each of the first to third regions, the pattern portion is formed to satisfy the relationship of Y3> X3 ≥ Z3.

Also, when the recesses between the dots are defined as grooves, and the depths of the grooves in the first to third regions are D1, D2, and D3, respectively, the pattern portions are formed to satisfy an inequality of D2 <D1? Is characteristic.

In addition, the first and the second region is characterized in that the width of 0.3mm to 2mm, the base film is a polyethylene film, the base portion and the pattern portion is characterized by consisting of a photocurable resin.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the alignment layer is formed on the substrate by using a transfer plate formed in the center portion of the transfer plate pattern portion and each of the first and second edge portions, the transfer plate is formed to have a mesh structure having different mesh sizes or areas of the top surface of the dots. By considering the printing orientation, the height of the mount portion in which the thickness of the alignment film at the edge portion of the formed alignment film is rapidly increased can be reduced, thereby improving the thickness uniformity of the alignment film.

By reducing the thickness of the mount portion of the alignment layer, rubbing defects can be suppressed, and furthermore, tearing defects due to contact with the seal pattern can be further suppressed.

Hereinafter, a transfer plate for forming an alignment film according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A feature of the present invention is to provide a transfer plate capable of suppressing the film thickness of the edge portion of the alignment film transferred to the substrate via the alignment film printing apparatus from three times to four times higher than the central portion thereof.

8 is a plan view of four pattern parts of a transfer plate according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9A and 9B are enlarged plan views of regions A and B of FIG. 8, respectively, and FIG. It is sectional drawing about the part cut along the cutting line VIII-VIII.

As shown, the transfer plate 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention a plurality of base film 112 and the base film in contact with the substrate (not shown) to transfer the alignment liquid to the substrate (not shown) The pattern portion 120 and the base portion 115 positioned around the plurality of pattern portions 120. In this case, as the most characteristic configuration of the present invention, in each of the pattern parts 120, the first contact with the substrate (not shown) when the alignment film is formed on the substrate (not shown) mounted on the alignment film printing apparatus (not shown). One edge portion of the pattern portion 120 to be positioned is located at the first edge portion EA1 and the opposite side thereof, and the second edge portion EA2 having the latest contact with the substrate (not shown), and these first and second portions. The center part CA is positioned between the two edge parts EA1 and EA2, and the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA have different mesh sizes. In this case, the widths of the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 are 0.3 mm to 2 mm, respectively.

Mesh refers to the number of meshes formed in a square of 1 inch or 2.54 cm in width and length, respectively. For example, a 400 mesh transfer plate refers to a transfer plate in which 400 dots are formed in the square when a square region having a horizontal and vertical length of 2.54 cm is defined in the pattern portion.

In addition, in the pattern portion 120 of the transfer plate 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA are dotted on the halftone 130 instead of the mesh size. It is characterized in that the surface area or the depth of the dot 130 is formed differently. Here, the opening ratio of the halftone 130 refers to an area ratio of the entire area of each pattern portion 120 to the upper surface (surface) in contact with the substrate of the halftone 130, and the depth of the halftone 130 is the halftone ( It refers to the height of the 130 or the depth of the groove 135 located between the dot 130 and the dot 130. In this case, the mesh size or the area of the upper surface of the mesh dot 130 determines the opening ratios of the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA. That is, in the case of having the same mesh size, increasing the area of the upper surface of the dot 130 increases the opening ratio, which means that the opening ratio is proportional to the area of the upper surface of the dot 130. On the other hand, in the case of having the same area of the upper surface of the same halftone 130, increasing the mesh size, that is, increasing the number of the halftone 130 in the same area, the aperture ratio increases, the aperture ratio and the mesh size is proportional to each other it means.

In the alignment liquid that the pattern portion 120 is brought into contact with the anilox roll of the alignment film printing apparatus, the amount of the pattern portion 120 becomes larger as the opening ratio of the pattern portion 120 decreases and the depth of the dot 130 increases. In this case, the alignment film formed on the substrate has a thick thickness.

Based on this fact, in the transfer plate 110 for printing an alignment film according to the present invention, the pattern portion 120 is largely composed of three regions. The opening ratio of the pattern portion 120 in the first edge portion EA1 having a width of 0.3 mm to 2 mm of the portion of the pattern portion 120 that first comes into contact with the substrate during printing is x at the center portion CA. The opening ratio of the pattern portion 120 of y is y, and the opening ratio of the pattern portion 120 of the second edge portion EA2 having a width of 0.3 mm to 2 mm that reaches the end of the substrate during printing is z. In this case, the pattern portion 120 is configured such that a relationship of z> x ≥ y is established.

In addition, in the case of the depth of the halftone 130, when the depth of the halftone at the first edge portion EA1, the center portion CA, and the second edge portion EA2 is D1, D2, D3, respectively, D3. Another feature is that it is formed such that a relationship of <D1? D2 is established.

9A and 9B, the case where the size s of the halftone 130 is the same in the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA (the halftone point 130 is shown in a circle) is illustrated. And the area of the upper surface of the halftone 130 is proportional to the size (s)), the configuration of the mesh size is shown. That is, based on the same area, the smallest number of halftone dots 130 are formed in the central portion CA, and the largest number of halftone dots 130 are formed in the second edge portion EA2. Therefore, the opening ratio of the second edge portion EA2 is the largest, and the opening ratio of the central portion CA is the smallest. Although the opening ratio of the first edge portion EA1 is larger than the central portion CA in the drawing, the opening ratios of the first edge portion EA1 and the central portion CA may be the same.

As an example, if the central portion CA of the pattern portion 120 is formed of 400 mesh, the first edge portion EA1 is formed of 400 to 600 mesh that is equal to or larger than the 400 mesh, and the second edge portion EA2. For the feature is formed to have a larger mesh than the mesh of the first edge portion (EA1).

10 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer plate 110 including the pattern portion 120 having depths of different dot dots 130. As described above, a base portion 115 and a pattern portion 120 having a height greater than that of the base portion 115 are formed on the base film 112 of the transfer plate 110, and the pattern portion 120 is formed. Is composed of first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and a central part CA therebetween. In addition, each of the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the central part CA has a plurality of halftone dots 130 which are convex portions, and a plurality of recesses between the plurality of halftone dots 130. Grooves 135 are formed.

Here, the size s of the halftone point 130 is the same, and the groove portion of the first edge portion EA1 in the first and second edge portions EA1 and EA2 and the central portion CA having different mesh sizes. The depth d1 of 135 is greater than the depth d3 of the second edge portion EA2 and smaller than the depth d2 of the central portion CA. Since the size of the depth is proportional to the amount of the alignment liquid contained in each region of the pattern portion 120 and the thickness of the alignment layer to be formed, the thickness of the alignment layer corresponding to the second edge portion EA2 can be minimized.

On the other hand, in the case of the depth of the halftone 130, due to the manufacturing characteristics of the transfer plate 110 does not have a high degree of freedom, but can be arbitrarily adjusted, but changing the halftone depth according to the aperture ratio (A / R) and the mesh of the transfer plate 110 Referring to FIG. 11, which is a graph showing the change in the size of the dot depth, it can be seen that the tendency of the mesh size increases and decreases as the aperture ratio increases.

Therefore, in the transfer plate according to the present invention, referring to Figures 8, 9a, 9b and 10, the depth of the halftone 130 tends to be inversely proportional to the mesh size and the opening ratio, so that the mesh size or the opening ratio is referred to as the 'second edge. When the portion EA2> the first edge portion EA1 ≥ the center portion CA is formed in the order, the depth of the dot is naturally 'second edge portion EA2 <the first edge portion EA1 ≤ the center portion CA'. You can see that in order.

12A and 12B show an alignment film at the boundary between the first edge portion and the center portion, and at the boundary between the center portion and the second edge portion, when the alignment film is formed on the substrate through the alignment film printing apparatus equipped with the transfer plate according to the present invention. Is a graph measuring the thickness of each.

First, referring to FIG. 12A, which shows the thickness of the alignment film at the boundary between the first edge portion and the center portion, the thickness of the alignment film at the first edge portion that is first touched upon printing is about 2500 kPa, which is compared with the prior art. It is a similar level.

 Referring to FIG. 12B, which shows the thickness of the alignment film at the boundary between the center portion and the second edge portion, it can be seen that the thickness of the alignment layer at the second edge portion which is in contact with the substrate at the time of printing reaches a maximum of about 3300 mm 3, which is the conventional center portion. And it can be seen that the thickness of about 1000 부 lower than that of the case of forming the alignment layer using a transfer plate designed differently with the pattern portion as the edge portion.

13A and 13B are partially enlarged views of a pattern portion of a transfer plate according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and correspond to portions A and B of FIG. 8, respectively.

As shown, the mesh sizes are the same in the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA. That is, the number of dots 130 formed in the same area is the same. On the other hand, the areas of the upper surface of the halftone point 130 are different in the first and second edge parts EA1 and EA2 and the center part CA. Referring to the circular halftone point 130, the size s2 of the halftone point 130 at the first edge portion EA1 is greater than the size s1 of the halftone point 130 at the center portion CA. It is smaller than the size s3 of the halftone point 130 in one edge part EA2. As described above, the size of the dots 130 is proportional to the aperture ratio, and the aperture ratio is inversely proportional to the thickness of the alignment layer to be formed. Therefore, the opening ratio of the first edge portion EA2 having the largest size s3 of the halftone point 130 is the largest, and the thickness of the alignment layer to be formed is the smallest.

When the alignment film is formed by using the transfer plate on which the pattern portion having the above configuration is formed, the alignment film having the same tendency as in FIGS. 12A and 12B can be obtained. That is, the thickness of the alignment film at the second edge portion which comes into contact with the substrate at the time of printing at last becomes smaller than before, and the thickness uniformity of the alignment film is improved.

Hereinafter, the manufacturing method of the transfer plate which has the above-mentioned structure is briefly demonstrated.

The transfer plate used for alignment film printing is formed by adhering a photocurable resin called APR (Asahi kasei Photosensitive Resin) with a polyethylene film called a base film.

First of all, a UV lamp is located underneath, a thick base substrate having a flat surface and transparent quartz or crystal material is provided on the UV lamp, and a cover having a plurality of UV lamps and a flat and transparent surface corresponding to the base substrate. On the base substrate of the provided exposure apparatus, a negative number of circular transmissive portions corresponding to the size of the mesh to be formed on the pattern portion of the transfer plate and regions other than the above is placed on the negative film made of a blocking portion that blocks the transmission of light.

Assuming that the mesh sizes of the pattern portions are the same, the negative film has different sizes of transmission portions for transmitting the light at the center portions of the pattern portions of the transfer plate and the portions corresponding to the first and second edge portions. It is characterized by being formed. A portion corresponding to the first edge portion of the transfer plate pattern portion (the portion that contacts the substrate first when printing), a first region, a portion corresponding to the center portion the second region, and a second edge portion (the last portion contacting the substrate when printing) Is defined as a third region, that is, the size of the circle pattern of the second region is the smallest, the circle pattern of the first region has an intermediate size, and the size of the circle pattern of the third region Is characterized by the largest formation.

Subsequently, APR, which is a photocurable resin, is applied to a negative film having the above-described structure in a predetermined thickness to form a photocurable resin layer, and a transparent base film of polyethylene is adhered on the photocurable resin layer.

Next, after the cover is positioned with respect to the photocurable resin layer to which the base film is attached, UV exposure is performed by lighting a UV lamp located under the base substrate of the exposure apparatus and in the cover in an on state. In this case, the ultraviolet rays emitted through the UV lamp located under the exposure apparatus reach the photocurable resin layer through the plurality of circular transmission portions in the negative film, and the circular transmission portion of the photocurable resin layer is The portion through which ultraviolet rays are irradiated is cured by the ultraviolet rays. In addition, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to the entire surface in response to the portion where the base film is attached by the UV lamp inside the cover, and the portion contacting the base film is hardened entirely by irradiation of the entire surface of the ultraviolet rays.

 Subsequently, when the base film on which the photocurable resin layer has been subjected to the ultraviolet light exposure is washed, the cured portion of the photocurable resin layer is removed while the remaining photoirradiation is not removed. . Therefore, the portions irradiated with ultraviolet rays on both sides remain to form the pattern portion while maintaining the thickness of the photocurable resin layer, and the portions irradiated with the ultraviolet rays by the cover form the base portion having a thickness thinner than the pattern portions. do.

Next, as described above, the transfer plate forming the pattern portion and the base portion by washing is completed by drying through a drying process, followed by a post-exposure process to further harden the surface of the pattern portion and the base portion.

The transfer plate manufactured through the above-described process has a different structure from the center portion and the first and second edge portions to the area of the mesh or the upper surface of the mesh (the size of the dots) and the depth of the dots in the pattern portion, respectively. do.

The size of the dot and the depth of the dot is determined by the exposure time and the size of the circle pattern on the negative film during ultraviolet exposure, the smaller the size of the dot is the smaller the size of the circular transmission portion implemented on the negative film, In addition, the depth of the dot or the depth of the groove is formed deep.

Hereinafter, the method for forming the alignment film on the substrate using the transfer plate according to the present invention having the above-described structure will be briefly described.

14A and 14B are views schematically showing a process of forming an alignment film on a substrate using an alignment film printing apparatus equipped with a transfer plate according to the present invention, respectively.

As shown, the alignment film printing apparatus 150 according to an embodiment includes a printing table 152 that reciprocates in one direction, a plate 155 that rotates in engagement with the printing table 152, and the plate 155. The transfer plate 110 mounted on the transfer plate, an anilox roll 158 for transferring the alignment liquid 160 to the transfer plate 110, and evenly apply the alignment liquid 160 to the anilox roll 158. And a dispenser 168 for supplying the alignment liquid 160 between the doctor roll 165 and the doctor roll 165 and the anilox roll 158, and another printing apparatus is provided in the above-described configuration. It can be seen that the doctor blade 169 is configured in place of the doctor roll 165 which evenly distributes the alignment liquid to the anilox roll 158. The doctor roll 165 and the doctor blade 169 are both in contact with the anilox roll 158 and serve to make the alignment liquid 160 evenly on the surface of the anilox roll 158. .

On the other hand, when the substrate 170 is placed on the printing table 152, the printing table 152 moves at a constant speed in one direction, and the plate 155 engaged with the printing table 152 rotates at a constant speed. At this time, the transfer plate 110 mounted on the plate 155 is in contact with the anilox roll 158 to apply the alignment liquid 160 to the transfer plate 110, the transfer in this state The plate 110 is in contact with the substrate 170 positioned on the printing table 152, and the substrate 170 is transferred by transferring the alignment liquid 160 contained in the transfer plate 110 to the substrate 170. An alignment film 173 is formed on the substrate.

In this case, the transfer plate 110 according to the present invention includes a first edge portion (not shown) and a central portion (not shown) at which contact with the substrate 170 is started in a pattern portion (not shown) in contact with the substrate 170. The opening ratio (mesh size or the size of the dot) or the depth of the dot in the second edge portion (not shown) in contact with the last and not at the end, respectively, by the second edge portion (not shown). The thickness at the portion of the alignment film to be formed is significantly reduced compared to the formation of the alignment film formed by using a transfer plate having a conventional double structure pattern portion, thereby improving the thickness uniformity of the alignment film.

1 is an exploded perspective view of a general liquid crystal display device.

2 is a view showing that the alignment liquid is transferred to a substrate from a transfer plate mounted on a plate in a conventional alignment film printing apparatus.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an alignment film is formed by contacting a transfer plate and a substrate.

4 is a plan view showing one pattern portion of a transfer plate designed to vary the amount of alignment liquid in the central and peripheral portions of the prior art;

5A and 5B are plan views showing enlarged areas A and B in FIG. 4, respectively.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion taken along the cutting line VI-VI of FIG. 4. FIG.

7A and 7B are graphs of measuring thicknesses at the printing start and end portions of an alignment film when the alignment film is printed on a substrate using a transfer plate including a pattern portion having two regions.

8 is a plan view of four pattern portions of the transfer plate according to the embodiment of the present invention;

9A and 9B are enlarged plan views of regions A and B of FIG. 8, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion taken along the cutting line VIII-VIII of FIG. 8; FIG.

11 is a graph showing a change in the depth of the halftone according to the aperture ratio and the mesh of the transfer plate.

 12A and 12B illustrate an alignment film at the boundary between the first edge portion and the center portion, and at the boundary between the center portion and the second edge portion when the alignment film is formed on the substrate through the alignment film printing apparatus equipped with the transfer plate according to the present invention. Graph measuring each thickness.

13A and 13B are respective plan views of a portion of a pattern portion of a transfer plate according to another embodiment of the present invention.

14A and 14B are views schematically showing a process of forming an alignment film on a substrate using an alignment film printing apparatus equipped with a transfer plate according to the present invention, respectively.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: transfer plate 115: the base

120: pattern part CA: center part (pattern part)

EA1: first edge portion (pattern portion) EA2: second edge portion (pattern portion)

Claims (7)

A base film; A pattern portion disposed on the base film, divided into a first region on one side, a second region on the other side, and a third region between the first and second regions, and each of which has a plurality of halftones formed as convex portions; A base portion having a thickness thinner than the thickness of the pattern portion around the pattern portion over the base film, The aperture ratio defined by the ratio of the sum of the area of the dot top surface to the total area of each area has a different value in the second area and the other area, and the pattern portion is mounted on an alignment film printing apparatus to print the alignment film on the substrate. And the first area is in contact with the substrate first. The method of claim 1, When the opening ratios in the first to third regions are X1, Y1, and Z1, respectively, A transfer plate for alignment film printing, characterized in that said pattern portion is formed so as to satisfy the relationship of Y1> X1? The method of claim 2, When the number per unit area of the dot is defined as a mesh, and the mesh sizes in the first to third regions are X2, Y2, and Z2, respectively, A transfer plate for alignment film printing, characterized in that the pattern portion is formed so as to satisfy the relationship of Y2> X2? The method of claim 2, When the upper surface area of each of the dots in each of the first to third regions is X3, Y3, Z3, A transfer plate for alignment film printing, wherein the pattern portion is formed so as to satisfy a relationship of Y3> X3 ≥ Z3. The method of claim 1, When the recesses between the dots are defined as grooves, and the depths of the grooves in the first to third regions are D1, D2 and D3, respectively. A transfer plate for alignment film printing, characterized in that the pattern portion is formed so as to satisfy an inequality of D2 < D1 &lt; D3. The method of claim 1, And the first and second regions have a width of 0.3 mm to 2 mm. The method of claim 1, The base film is a polyethylene film, the base portion and the pattern portion transfer plate for printing an alignment film, characterized in that made of a photocurable resin.

Images