KR20110063723A - Cleaning unit and treatment solution coating apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A cleaning unit and processing liquid coating device with the same are provided to minimize the size of the contact area between processing liquid and a discharging surface, thereby increasing the efficiency of cleaning the nozzle. CONSTITUTION: A first cleaning unit(160) comprises a purge tank(162), an upper frame(163), a blade(164), and a fixing member(168). The purge tank collects ink eliminated by the blade. The blade eliminates processing liquid remaining on a processing liquid discharging surface of a head wherein the head discharges processing liquid. The upper part of the blade is tilted against the discharging surface. The fixing member is coupled with the blade to fix the location of the blade.

Description

CLEANING UNIT AND TREATMENT SOLUTION COATING APPARATUS HAVING THE SAME}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a treatment liquid applying apparatus of an ink jet method for applying a chemical liquid onto a substrate, and more particularly, to a cleaning unit for cleaning a nozzle from which the treatment liquid is discharged and a treatment liquid applying apparatus having the same.

A liquid crystal display for displaying an image includes two substrates on which various thin films are deposited and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two substrates. In general, since the thin films formed on each substrate have patterns of various shapes, they are formed through a deposition process and a photolithography process for the accuracy of the pattern. As such, since a photolithography process using an expensive mask is used to form one thin film, manufacturing cost increases and manufacturing process time increases.

Recently, a thin film forming method using an inkjet printing method has been used as an alternative to the thin film forming method. The inkjet printing method forms a thin film by applying a chemical to a specific position on the substrate, and thus does not require a separate etching process. The inkjet printing method may be used to form a color filter or an alignment layer of a liquid crystal display device.

Generally, an inkjet print apparatus includes a head for applying a chemical liquid on a substrate, and first and second cleaning units for cleaning the head. The head has a plurality of nozzles for discharging the chemical liquid and applies the chemical liquid to a specific position on the substrate. In general, the chemical liquid used in the inkjet printing apparatus is easily coagulated because of its high viscosity and volatility. In particular, after the chemical liquid is applied, the chemical liquid may remain around the ejection openings of the nozzles, and the residual chemical liquid may solidify around the ejection openings to block the ejection openings of the nozzles or may be applied to the substrate when the chemical liquid is applied to form a non-uniform film.

To prevent this, the first and second cleaning units clean the plurality of nozzles to improve the yield of the product. The first cleaning unit scrapes the chemical liquid remaining on the chemical liquid discharge surface of the head first to remove it, and the second cleaning unit removes the chemical liquid on the chemical liquid discharge surface to physically wipe the chemical liquid discharge surface. Specifically, the first cleaning unit has a blade, the blade scrapes off the chemical liquid on the chemical liquid discharge surface. The second cleaning unit includes a wiper, and the wiper contacts the chemical liquid discharge surface to wipe off the chemical liquid.

In particular, the blade is made of a soft material to prevent breakage of the nozzle when colliding with the nozzle in the process of scraping off the chemical. Such a soft material has a high surface friction coefficient, and it is difficult to process the surface smoothly. Therefore, even after the first cleaning by the first cleaning unit, a large amount of the chemical liquid is deposited on the chemical liquid discharge surface, so that the amount of the wiper used during the secondary cleaning increases. In addition, the chemical liquid on the upper end of the blade is difficult to flow to the lower end of the blade, the processing cost rises, it is difficult to replace.

Embodiments of the present invention are to provide a cleaning unit that can improve the cleaning efficiency of the nozzle for discharging the processing liquid.

In addition, embodiments of the present invention is to provide a treatment liquid applying apparatus having the cleaning unit described above.

The objects of the present invention are not limited thereto, and other objects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

According to an aspect of the invention, the blade having a sheet shape, scraping off the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head for discharging the processing liquid; And a fixing member coupled to the blade to fix the position of the blade, and an upper end of the blade may be provided with a cleaning unit formed to be inclined at an angle with respect to the discharge surface.

In addition, the blade has an extension extending from the end of the upper end, the extension may be provided with a cleaning unit perpendicular to the discharge surface.

In addition, the blade may be provided with a cleaning unit comprising a base sheet made of compressed paper material.

In addition, the blade is coated on the outer surface of the base sheet, may be provided with a cleaning unit further comprising a coating layer made of a synthetic resin material.

In addition, the synthetic resin material may be provided with a cleaning unit of polypropylene (Polypropylene) or polyethylene (Polyethylene).

According to another aspect of the invention, the substrate support member on which the object is seated; At least one head for applying a treatment liquid to an object seated on the substrate support member; A first cleaning unit for thickening and removing the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head; And a second cleaning unit for wiping off the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface, wherein the first cleaning unit has a sheet shape and remains on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head for discharging the processing liquid. A blade for scraping off; And a fixing member coupled to the blade to fix the position of the blade, and an upper end portion of the blade may be provided with a treatment liquid applying device formed to be inclined at an angle with respect to the discharge surface.

In addition, the blade may be provided with an extension extending from the end of the upper end, the extension may be provided with a treatment liquid applying apparatus perpendicular to the discharge surface.

In addition, the blade may be provided with a treatment liquid applying apparatus comprising a base sheet made of a compressed paper material.

In addition, the blade is coated on the outer surface of the base sheet, may be provided with a treatment liquid applying apparatus further comprising a coating layer made of a synthetic resin material.

In addition, the synthetic resin material may be provided with a treatment liquid coating device of polypropylene or polyethylene.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the blade is formed in a sheet shape, and its shape can be easily changed, and the contact area with the treatment liquid remaining on the discharge surface can be minimized. Accordingly, the cleaning unit can improve the cleaning efficiency and reduce the manufacturing cost.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a thin film forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the inkjet print unit shown in FIG. 1.
3 is a plan view illustrating the inkjet print unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
4 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the first cleaning unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the first cleaning unit illustrated in FIG. 4.
6 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the fixing member and the blade shown in FIG. 5.
7 is a plan view of the blade shown in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a positional relationship between the blade and the first head shown in FIG. 6 when the treatment liquid is removed.
10 is a view showing another example of the blade shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a positional relationship between a blade and a first head illustrated in FIG. 10 when a treatment liquid is removed.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the first fixing part illustrated in FIG. 6.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of cleaning the first and second head assemblies by the first cleaning unit illustrated in FIG. 2.
FIG. 14 is a view showing an arrangement relationship between the blade and the first head shown in FIG. 6 when the treatment liquid is removed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail [name of the invention] according to an embodiment of the present invention. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related well-known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Example)

1 is a perspective view schematically showing a thin film forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the thin film forming apparatus 1000 includes an inkjet print unit 100, a processing liquid supply unit 200, a loader unit 300, an unloader unit 400, an indexer unit 500, and a baking unit 600. ), And the main controller 700.

The inkjet print unit 100 forms a color filter on the substrate by applying a processing liquid, for example, RGB inks, onto the substrate. In this embodiment, the inkjet print unit 100 applies RGB inks to form a color filter. However, the inkjet print unit 100 may apply various types of processing liquids in addition to RGB inks, and thus, various thin films, such as an alignment layer, may be formed on a substrate.

The main controller 700 installed at one side of the inkjet print unit 100 controls process conditions of the inkjet print unit 100, and the inkjet print unit 100 is applied under the control of the main controller 700. Proceed with the process.

The processing liquid supply unit 200 is installed at one side of the inkjet print unit 100. The processing liquid supply unit 200 stores the processing liquid to be applied to the substrate in the inkjet printing unit 100, and provides the processing liquid to the inkjet printing unit 100. In this embodiment, the processing liquid supply unit 200 stores the RGB inks separately from each other.

On the other side of the inkjet print unit 100, the loader 300 for receiving and loading a substrate waiting for processing from the outside and the unloader 400 for loading a substrate processed in the thin film forming apparatus 1000 are provided. Installed side by side.

The loader unit 300 and the unloader unit 400 are installed at one side of the indexer unit 500, and the loader unit 300 and the unloader unit 400 are interposed between the indexer unit 500. The inkjet print unit 100 faces the inkjet print unit 100. The indexer unit 500 communicates with the inkjet print unit 100, the loader unit 300, the unloader unit 400, and the bake unit 600, and the inkjet print unit 100 and the loader. The substrate 300 is transferred between the unit 300, the unloader unit 400, and the bake unit 600.

In detail, the indexer 500 includes a transfer robot (not shown) for transferring a substrate, and the transfer robot draws the substrate from the loader 300 and transfers the substrate to the inkjet print unit 100. When the inkjet printing unit 100 completes the RGB ink coating of the substrate, the transfer robot draws the substrate on which the color filter is formed from the inkjet printing unit 100 and transfers the substrate to the baking unit 600. The bake unit 600 heats the inserted substrate to cure the thin film formed on the substrate, that is, the color filter, thereby completing the thin film forming process by the thin film forming apparatus 1000. The transfer robot withdraws the processed substrate from the bake unit 600 and transfers it to the unloader unit 400. The board | substrate mounted in the said unloader part 400 is carried out by a conveying apparatus.

In the above, the configuration of the thin film forming apparatus 1000 has been schematically described. Hereinafter, the inkjet print unit 100 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the inkjet print unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating the inkjet print unit illustrated in FIG. 2.

2 and 3, the inkjet print unit 100 may include a stage 110, a substrate support 120, a gantry 130, first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b, The first and second head moving parts 151 and 152, the first cleaning unit 160, and the second cleaning unit 170 may be included.

On the stage 110, facilities for applying the treatment liquid, that is, the substrate support 120, the gantry 130, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b, and the first and second heads are provided. The moving parts 151 and 152, the first cleaning unit 160, and the second cleaning unit 170 are installed. The stage 110 is provided with a central rail 111 extending along one side of the stage 110, and the substrate support 120 is coupled to the central rail 111. The substrate support part 120 supports the substrate on which the treatment liquid is to be applied and is movable along the center rail 111. In addition, the substrate support 120 may be rotatably installed on the support on which the substrate is mounted, and fixes the substrate to the support during the treatment liquid application process.

The stage 110 may include first and second guide rails 112a and 112b that face each other with the center rail 111 interposed therebetween. Each of the first and second guide rails 112a and 112b extends in the same first direction D1 as the center rail 111 and extends in the first direction D1. It has almost the same length as one side of.

The gantry 130 is coupled to the first and second guide rails 112a and 112b. Both ends of the gantry 130 may be coupled to the first and second guide rails 112a and 112b, respectively, and may move horizontally along the first and second guide rails 112a and 112b.

The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are fixed to the gantry 130. When the gantry 130 is horizontally moved, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b installed in the gantry 130 are moved together, and accordingly, the first and the first and second heads D1 are moved in the first direction D1. The position of the two head assemblies 140a and 140b may be changed.

The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b receive the treatment liquid from the treatment liquid supply part 200 and discharge the treatment liquid to the substrate fixed to the substrate support 120. In this embodiment, the inkjet print unit 100 has two head assemblies 140a and 140b, but the number of the head assemblies 140a and 140b is a process efficiency and the size of the head assemblies 140a and 140b. May increase or decrease depending on the

The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are disposed in parallel in the first direction D1 and are spaced apart from each other. In this embodiment, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b have the same configuration. Therefore, hereinafter, the configuration of the first head assembly 140a will be described in detail, and the detailed description of the second head assembly 140b will be omitted.

The first head assembly 140a is arranged in parallel with the first direction D1 in the second direction D2 perpendicular to the horizontal direction, and the first, second and third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a are arranged side by side. Each of the first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a includes a plurality of nozzles for discharging the processing liquid.

In this embodiment, the first head assembly 140a includes three heads 141a, 142a, and 143a, but the number of the heads 141a, 142a, and 143a depends on the process efficiency and the number of types of treatment liquid. May increase or decrease accordingly.

The first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a discharge ink having different colors to form a color filter on the substrate. Specifically, the first head 141a discharges R ink having a red color, the second head 142a discharges G ink having a green color, and the third head 143a has B ink having a blue color. To discharge. Here, the ink arrangement of the first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a may be changed according to the color pixel arrangement of the color filter.

Each of the heads 141a, 142a, and 143a is rotatable based on the central axis of each of the heads 141a, 142a, and 143a.

In the treatment liquid applying process, the first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a may discharge ink at the same time, or ink may be discharged from only one head at a time. In addition, the first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a may alternately discharge ink.

In addition, during the process liquid applying process, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b may be driven simultaneously to eject ink from the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b simultaneously. The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b may alternately eject ink. In addition, when the first or second head assembly (140a, 140b) is first driven to apply ink, and then all the ink supplied to the head assembly is exhausted, the remaining head assembly may be driven to apply ink.

Meanwhile, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are fixedly installed on the first head moving part 151, and the first head moving part 151 extends in the second direction D2. 1 moving rails are provided. The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b may be coupled to different first moving rails and may reciprocate in the second direction D2 along the combined first moving rails. Here, the heads of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are individually movable along the combined first moving rail.

The first head moving part 151 is fixed to the second head moving part 152, and a second moving rail (not shown) is installed in the second head moving part 152. The second moving rail extends in a direction D3 perpendicular to the first and second directions D1 and D2, that is, in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the upper surface of the stage 110. The first head moving part 151 is coupled to the second moving rail, and can be reciprocated in the up / down direction D2 along the second moving rail. The second head moving part 152 is fixed to the gantry 130. A third moving rail extending in the second direction D2 is installed in the gantry 130. The second head moving part 152 is coupled to the third moving rail, and reciprocating in the second direction D2 is possible along the third moving rail.

As such, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 14b may be formed by the gantry 130 and the first and second head moving parts 151 and 152 in the first to third directions D1 and D2. , D3). That is, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are movable in the first direction D1 by the horizontal movement of the gantry 130, and by the movement of the second head moving unit 152. It is movable in the second direction D2, and is movable in the third direction D3 by the movement of the first head moving part 151. In addition, the heads of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are movable in the second direction D2 along the corresponding first moving rail.

In the process liquid applying process, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b move by the first and second head moving parts 151 and 152 and the gantry 130 to apply ink to the substrate. It can be applied. In addition, the substrate support 120 moves in the first direction D1 along the center rail 111, and the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are moved in the second and third directions ( The ink application may be performed only by moving to D2 and D3).

Meanwhile, the first and second cleaning units 160 and 170 are installed in a maintenance area provided between the center rail 111 and the second guide rail 112b of the stage 110.

The first cleaning unit 160 scrapes and removes the ink remaining in the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b. A description of the configuration of the first cleaning unit 160 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. 4 to 12.

The second cleaning unit 170 is installed at one side of the first cleaning unit 160. When the gantry 130 is positioned at the home position, the second cleaning unit 170 faces the gantry 130 with the first cleaning unit 160 interposed therebetween. The second cleaning unit 170 wipes the ink on each nozzle of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b to improve the yield of the product. Here, the second cleaning unit 170 may secondary clean the nozzles first cleaned by the first cleaning unit 160, and clean the nozzles not cleaned by the first cleaning unit 160. You may.

The second cleaning unit 170 may include a supply roller, a recovery roller, and a wiper. Specifically, the feed roller and the recovery roller is connected through the wiper. The wiper has a tape shape, a first end is fixed to the feed roller, and a second end is fixed to the recovery roller. When the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are cleaned, the wiper is in contact with the discharge surface through which ink is discharged from each head of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b and remains in each of the heads. Wipe off the ink. The wiper is supplied while being wound on the supply roller, and a portion contaminated by the cleaning of the nozzle is wound on the recovery roller. That is, the feed roller provides an uncontaminated wiper, and the recovery roller recovers a contaminated wiper.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the first cleaning unit 160 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the first cleaning unit shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the first cleaning unit shown in FIG. 4.

4 and 5, the first cleaning unit 160 includes a main frame 161, a purge tank 162, an upper frame 163, a plurality of blades 164, and a plurality of fixing members 168. ) May be included.

Specifically, the main frame 161 has a rectangular shape, the upper surface is opened, the side is partially opened. The purge tank 162 is installed in the main frame 161, and the purge tank 162 recovers ink removed by the blades 164.

The upper frame 163 is installed above the main frame 161 and the purge tank 162. The upper frame 163 is coupled to the upper end of the main frame 161, has a rectangular shape similar to the main frame 161, the upper and lower surfaces are opened.

The plurality of blades 164 are spaced apart at equal intervals inside the upper frame 163, and scrapes and removes the treatment liquid, for example, ink, remaining on the discharge surface of each head. In this embodiment, the first cleaning unit 160 has six blades 164, but the number of blades 164 is the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b (see FIG. 2). Increases with the number of heads provided.

The plurality of blades 164 are installed in one-to-one correspondence with the heads of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b, and the arrangement of the heads of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b is also provided. Is the same as That is, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are disposed in parallel to each other, and the heads of the head assemblies 140a and 140b are disposed in the direction in which the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are disposed. It is arranged in the direction orthogonal to. Similarly, the blades are arranged in two rows of three in the direction of placement of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b.

In this embodiment, the separation distance between the blades located in the same row is set by the separation distance between the first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a, wherein the plurality of blades 164 are one head assembly. The first to third heads 141a, 142a, and 143a provided at the same time may be simultaneously cleaned.

The plurality of blades 164 are fixed to the upper frame 163 by the plurality of fixing members 168. The plurality of fixing members 168 are installed in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of blades 164 and are combined with the corresponding blades. The configuration of each of the blade 164 and the fixing member 168 and the coupling relationship between the blade 164 and the fixing member 168 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 to 12.

The first cleaning unit 160 may further include cleaning nozzles 169 for cleaning the purge tank 162. The cleaning nozzles 169 are disposed side by side inside the upper end of the purge tank 162 and receive the cleaning liquid through the cleaning liquid supply port 162a to clean the inside of the purge tank 162. That is, the cleaning liquid injected from the cleaning nozzles 169 flows along the inner wall of the purge tank 162 and foreign matter remaining on the inner wall of the purge tank 162, for example, the purge tank 162 from the blade 164. ), Let the ink flow into the outside. Here, the lower end of the purge tank 162 may be provided with an exhaust port 162b for exhausting the foreign matter introduced into the purge tank 162 to the outside, the exhaust port is the exhaust pressure for sucking the foreign matter Can be provided.

Hereinafter, the blade 164 and the fixing member 168 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating the fixing member and the blade illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the blade illustrated in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II ′ of FIG. 7.

6 to 8, the blade 164 has a sheet shape, and scrapes off the processing liquid, for example, ink, remaining on the discharge surface of the corresponding head. In this embodiment, the blade 164 has a square shape, but the shape of the blade 164 is not limited to this may have a variety of shapes.

The blade 164 may include a base sheet 61 and a coating layer 62 coated on a surface of the base sheet 61 to protect the base sheet 61. The base sheet 61 is made of a material that is easy to process a shape, always maintains a constant shape, and is capable of bending, for example, compressed paper. As described above, since the blade 164 is made of inexpensive compressed paper, it is possible to reduce the cost and minimize damage of the corresponding head even if it collides with the discharge surface of the corresponding head.

The coating layer 62 is chemically stable, has chemical resistance, and is made of a synthetic resin material having a lower surface friction coefficient than that of the compressed species, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene. Accordingly, ink deposited on the blade 164 easily flows down along the blade 164, easily flows into the purge tank 162 (see FIG. 4), and improves cleaning efficiency.

In one example of the invention, the blade 164 may have a thickness of about 0.2mm to about 1mm.

In this embodiment, the blade 164 is made of a base sheet 61 and the coating layer 62, but may be made of only the base sheet 61. When the blade 164 is made of only the base sheet 61, the thickness of the blade 164 may be reduced than when the coating layer 62 is provided.

FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a positional relationship between the blade and the first head shown in FIG. 6 when the treatment liquid is removed. For reference, in FIG. 9, only the positional relationship between the first head 141a of the first head assembly 140a (see FIG. 2) and the corresponding blade 164 is illustrated. The positional relationship is the same.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the ink remaining on the discharge surface of each head is removed, the first head 141a of the first head assembly 140a corresponds to the movement of the gantry 130 (see FIG. 2). Is disposed on top of the blade 164.

A plurality of nozzles 41 for discharging ink are provided on a lower surface of the first head 141a, and the blades 164 are disposed perpendicular to the discharge surface 41a of the nozzle 41. When the ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a is removed, the first end of the blade 164 may be flush with the discharge surface 41a to prevent damage of the discharge surface 41a by the blade 164. It is spaced apart and in contact with the ink 20 remaining on the discharge surface 41a. That is, the blade 164 is in contact with only the ink 20 in a non-contact state with the discharge surface 41a to remove the ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a.

In this embodiment, the separation distance T1 between the blade 164 and the discharge surface 41a is about 0.3 mm to about 0.1 mm.

Also, in this embodiment, the first end of the blade 164 in contact with the ink 20 is disposed perpendicular to the discharge surface 41a.

The blade 164 includes first and second guide surfaces 64a and 64b and a removal surface 64c. The first and second guide surfaces 64a and 64b are disposed perpendicular to the discharge surface 41a and face each other. The removal surface 64c is positioned between the first and second guide surfaces 64a and 64b, and is formed substantially perpendicular to the first and second guide surfaces 64a and 64b, and has a flat surface. The removal surface 64c is positioned at the first end of the blade 164 and contacts the ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a when the ink 20 is removed.

When the ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a is removed, the first head 141a is horizontally moved while the ink 20 is in contact with the first end of the blade 164, and by surface tension. Ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a is drawn to the first end of the blade 164 and removed from the discharge surface 41a. At this time, the advancing direction HD of the first head 141a is a direction traveling from the first guide surface 64a side to the second guide surface 64b side.

Since the blade 164 has a sheet shape, the contact area with the ink 20 may be minimized. Accordingly, the blade 164 may have the removal surface to minimize the contact area of the ink 20. It is not necessary to process 64c into an inclined surface, and washing efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 10 is a view illustrating another example of the blade illustrated in FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 is a side view illustrating a positional relationship between the blade and the first head illustrated in FIG. 10 when the treatment liquid is removed.

10 and 11, the blade 180 illustrated in FIG. 10 has a shape of a first end 182 contacting the ink 20 remaining on the discharge surface 41a when the nozzle 41 is cleaned. Except for having the same configuration and shape as the blade 164 shown in Figs. Therefore, in the following detailed description of the blade 180, description overlapping with the blade 164 shown in Figure 6 will be omitted.

When the nozzle 41 is cleaned, the blade 180 is disposed perpendicularly to the discharge surface 41a, and the first end 182 is bent toward one surface of the blade so that one surface of the blade 180 is disposed. It is installed inclined with respect to. In this embodiment, the angle CA formed by one surface of the blade 180 contacting the first end 182 in the bending direction of the first end 182 and the first end 182 is 90 degrees. Greater than and less than 180 degrees.

When the ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a is removed, the first head 141a moves horizontally while the ink 20 is in contact with the first end 182 of the blade 180. The ink 20 of the discharge surface 41a is drawn to the first end 182 of the blade 180 by the tension and is removed from the discharge surface 41a. In this case, the blade 180 is disposed such that the bending direction of the first end 182 is opposite to the traveling direction HD of the first head 141a. Accordingly, when the nozzle 41 is cleaned, the ink 20 deposited on the first end 182 is separated from the blade 180 by gravity and falls into the purge tank 162 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the blade 180 can improve the cleaning efficiency.

5 and 6, the blade 164 is coupled to the fixing member 168 and its position is fixed. The fixing member 168 may be fixed to the upper frame 163 and include first and second fixing parts 165 and 167. The first fixing part 165 may have a plate shape, is disposed to face the blade 164, and is fixed to the upper frame 163. In this embodiment, the first fixing part 165 may be integrally installed on the upper frame 163, or may be detachably installed.

The second fixing part 166 is disposed to face the first fixing part 165, and is coupled to the first fixing part 165 with the blade 164 interposed therebetween so that the blade 164 is attached to the second fixing part 166. It is fixed to the first fixing part 165. When the fixing member 168 and the blade 164 are coupled to each other, the blade 164 is disposed such that a first end of the blade 164 protrudes above the upper ends of the first and second fixing parts 165 and 166.

The second fixing part 166 may further include guide bars 166a at both ends facing each other in the horizontal direction. The guide bar 166a protrudes from the second fixing part 166 and guides a coupling position between the first fixing part 165 and the blade 164. In this embodiment, the second fixing part 166 has two guide bars 165a, but the number of the guide bars 165a is increased according to the size and coupling efficiency of the fixing member 168 or May decrease.

The blade 164 is formed with a plurality of through holes 164a into which the guide bar 166a is inserted. The plurality of through holes 164a are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and are formed at both ends adjacent to the first end of the blade 164. In this embodiment, three blades 164a are formed at both ends of the blade 164, but the number of the through holes 164a depends on the size and coupling efficiency of the fixing member 168. It may increase or decrease.

The guide bar 166a is inserted into one of the vertically arranged through holes of the blade 164, and the first and second heights are positioned at the positions of the through holes into which the guide bar 166a is inserted. The relative vertical position of the blade 164 with respect to the ends 165, 166 is changed.

Meanwhile, the first fixing part 165 is provided with a coupling hole 165a into which the guide bar 166a is inserted, and the coupling hole 165a is formed in one-to-one correspondence with the guide bar 166a. The guide bar 166a sequentially passes through any one of the plurality of through holes 164a and the corresponding coupling hole 165a and is inserted into the corresponding through hole and the coupling hole 165a.

The fixing member 168 may further include a plurality of coupling members 167 for tightly fixing the blade 164 to the first fixing portion 165. In this embodiment, the fixing member 168 is provided with two coupling members 167, the number of the coupling member 167 may increase or decrease according to the coupling efficiency.

The coupling member 167 is inserted into the second fixing part 166 to be in contact with one surface of the blade 164, and the second fixing part 166 is formed to have a one-to-one correspondence with the coupling member 167 An insertion hole 166b into which the coupling member 167 is inserted is formed.

Specifically, the coupling member 167 may include a support head 167a, a coupling pillar 167b, and a magnetic portion 167c. The support head 167a has a larger size than the insertion hole 166a, and the coupling pillar 167a extends from the support head 167a and is inserted into the insertion hole 166b. The magnetic part 167c is inserted into the coupling pillar 167b, has magnetic properties, and one surface thereof contacts one surface of the blade 164. The magnetic part 167c tightly fixes the blade 164 to the first fixing part 165 by using a magnetic force formed between the first fixing part 165. In this embodiment, the first fixing part 165 is made of a material that reacts to the magnetic force, for example, a stainless material to form a magnetic force between the coupling member 167.

As such, the fixing member 168 is easy to assemble since the first and second fixing parts 165 and 166 are coupled to each other by the magnetism of the coupling member 167.

A thread may be formed on an outer surface of the coupling pillar 167a, and a thread corresponding to the thread of the coupling pillar 167a may be formed on a surface defining the insertion hole 166b of the second fixing part 166. Can be. Accordingly, the thread of the coupling pillar 167a and the thread of the insertion hole 166b are engaged with each other.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of the first fixing part illustrated in FIG. 6.

6 and 12, the first fixing part 190 includes a fixing body 191 coupled with the second fixing part 166, and a metal layer 192 formed on one surface of the fixing body 191. can do. The metal layer 192 faces the blade 164 and is made of a metal material, for example, stainless steel, which reacts with the magnetism. Accordingly, a magnetic force is formed between the magnetic portion 167c of the coupling member 167 and the metal layer 192.

In this embodiment, the metal layer 192 is formed on one surface of the fixing body 191 and exposed to the outside, but may be embedded in the fixing body 191.

Hereinafter, a process of cleaning the discharge surfaces of the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b by the first cleaning unit 160 will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of cleaning the first and second head assemblies by the first cleaning unit illustrated in FIG. 2. The figure shown.

2, 5, 13 and 14, first, the fixing member 168 is fixed to the blade 164 in the upper frame 163 (step S110).

Thereafter, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are disposed on the first cleaning unit 160 (step S120).

The first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b move horizontally, and at the same time, the blade 164 scrapes and removes the chemical liquid remaining on the discharge surface of the corresponding head (step S130). At this time, the blade 164 is disposed at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to any line extending in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding head, as shown in FIG.

When the first cleaning by the first cleaning unit 160 is completed, the first and second head assemblies 140a and 140b are cleaned by the second cleaning unit 160 (step S140).

In this embodiment, the cleaning by the first cleaning unit 160 may be performed after the ink is applied to a single substrate, to remove the solidified ink inside each nozzle when the process waiting time is long It may be done for.

On the other hand, if the cleaning of the first and second head assembly (140a, 140b) is repeated a predetermined number of times, the blade 164 removes the contaminated portion by the cleaning of the discharge surface and reuse (step S150) ). That is, since the blade 164 is easy to change the shape, it is easy to cut the contaminated portion, it is possible to reuse after cutting the contaminated portion. When the contaminated portion is cut, the height of the blade 164 is reduced, so that the through hole into which the guide portion 166a is inserted is changed.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

** Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawing **
100: inkjet print portion 200: chemical liquid supply portion
300: loader part 400: unloader part
500: indexer 600: baking unit
700: main control unit

Claims (10)

A blade having a sheet shape and scraping off the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head for discharging the processing liquid; And
And a fixing member coupled to the blade to fix the position of the blade.
The upper end of the blade is a cleaning unit formed to be inclined at an angle with respect to the discharge surface. The method of claim 1,
The blade has an extension extending from the end of the upper end, the extension is a cleaning unit perpendicular to the discharge surface. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The blade unit is a cleaning unit comprising a base sheet made of compressed paper material. The method of claim 3,
The blade is coated on the outer surface of the base sheet, the cleaning unit further comprises a coating layer made of a synthetic resin material. The method of claim 4, wherein
The synthetic resin material is a polypropylene (Polypropylene) or polyethylene (Polyethylene) cleaning unit. A substrate support member on which an object is mounted;
At least one head for applying a treatment liquid to an object seated on the substrate support member;
A first cleaning unit for thickening and removing the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head; And
A second cleaning unit for wiping off the treatment liquid remaining on the treatment liquid discharge surface;
The first cleaning unit,
A blade having a sheet shape and scraping off the processing liquid remaining on the processing liquid discharge surface of the head for discharging the processing liquid; And
And a fixing member coupled to the blade to fix the position of the blade.
The upper end of the blade is a treatment liquid applying device formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the discharge surface. The method of claim 6,
And the blade has an extended portion that is bent at the upper end and the extended portion is perpendicular to the discharge surface. The method according to claim 6 or 7,
The blade is a treatment liquid applying device comprising a base sheet made of compressed paper material. The method of claim 8,
The blade is coated on the outer surface of the base sheet, and further comprising a coating layer made of a synthetic resin material. 10. The method of claim 9,
The synthetic resin material is polypropylene (Polypropylene) or polyethylene (Polyethylene) treatment liquid coating device.

Images