KR20120067110A

KR20120067110A - Appratus and method for forming an alignment layer of liquid crystal display device

Info

Publication number: KR20120067110A
Application number: KR1020100128546A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이동재
Original assignee: 엘지디스플레이 주식회사
Priority date: 2010-12-15
Filing date: 2010-12-15
Publication date: 2012-06-25

Abstract

PURPOSE: An alignment film forming device of a liquid crystal display device and a method thereof are provided to make all heads of a head array unit discharge alignment liquid without respect to a direction of aligning the substrate or the size of the substrate. CONSTITUTION: A head array unit(210) comprises a plurality of heads. The head array unit relatively moves about a stage in a first direction. The head array unit coats alignment liquid on a substrate. The head array unit defines a coating possible area. The coating possible area comprises two sides which are in parallel in the first direction. A stage rotating unit(250) rotates the stage so that two diagonal edge points of a coating area are located on two sides of the coating possible area.

Description

An alignment film forming apparatus and method of a liquid crystal display device {APPRATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING AN ALIGNMENT LAYER OF LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE}

The present invention relates to an alignment film forming apparatus and a method of a liquid crystal display device that allows the alignment liquid of all heads to be used evenly when applying the alignment liquid to a substrate.

As the information society develops, Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Organic Eltro Luminescence Display (OELD) and Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) in cathode ray tube (CRT) Flat panel display devices such as the above have been developed and used.

Among flat panel display devices, in particular, liquid crystal display devices are used most often for various advantages such as excellent image quality, light weight, thinness, and low power consumption.

The liquid crystal display device is driven by using the optical anisotropy and polarization properties of the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal molecules are oriented in an array because their structure is thin and long, and artificially applies an electric field to the liquid crystal to You can control the orientation of the array.

As such, when the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules is changed using an electric field, light is refracted in the arrangement direction of the liquid crystal molecules due to optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal, thereby displaying an image.

Such a liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate manufacturing process for forming a gate wiring, a data wiring, a thin film transistor (TFT), and a pixel electrode on an array substrate, and a black matrix, a color filter, and a common electrode on a color filter substrate. A cell process of forming a unit panel by combining a color filter substrate manufacturing process, an array substrate and a color filter substrate, cutting each cell unit, and injecting liquid crystal between the cell unit array substrate and the color filter substrate; It is completed through a module process of attaching a driving integrated circuit (IC) and a printed circuit board (PCB) to a unit panel and assembling with a backlight unit.

Among these processes, the cell process includes an alignment process for aligning liquid crystals in one direction to an array substrate and a color filter substrate on which thin film transistors are arranged, and a cell gap that bonds the two substrates that have undergone the alignment process while maintaining a constant gap. (cell gap) forming process, cell gap forming process, cell cutting process of cutting the bonded original panel into unit panel while maintaining a constant gap, and liquid crystal injecting liquid crystal into each unit panel It can be divided into injection and encapsulation process.

Here, the alignment process may be divided into photo-curing alignment and rubbing cloth orientation. For example, the description of the rubbing cloth orientation may be performed by forming an alignment layer material on an array substrate and a color filter substrate with an even thickness and curing the alignment layer. In order to make the oriented film have a certain orientation, the initial alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules is evened by rubbing the oriented film in a certain direction with a special cloth called a rubbing cloth to align the polymer chains in the oriented film in a certain direction.

Here, the alignment film serves to impart an order of the initial state to the liquid crystal and allow each of the liquid crystal molecules to perform a regular response.

Formation of such an alignment film can use a screen printing method, a photolithography method and an inkjet printing method.

The screen printing method is a simple process using a simple and inexpensive equipment, but the thickness and width of the alignment layer are not uniform, and the photolithography method can form the thickness and width of the alignment layer uniformly, but the cost of the material This has the disadvantage of using expensive, lossy and complicated manufacturing processes and expensive equipment.

The inkjet printing method is most commonly used because the thickness and width of the alignment film can be uniformly formed at low cost.

On the other hand, as the screen size of the liquid crystal display device becomes large in recent years, liquid crystal display devices of various sizes have been developed and released.

Accordingly, the size of the substrate applied to the alignment film forming apparatus was also variously changed.

1A and 1B illustrate a state in which a first substrate is loaded on an inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus, and FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a state in which a second substrate is loaded on an inkjet alignment layer forming apparatus. to be.

As illustrated, the alignment film forming apparatus 1 includes a stage 20 having a rectangular plate shape and a head array unit 10 including a plurality of heads provided with an alignment liquid. At this time, the head array unit 10 is connected to a head moving unit (not shown) for moving the head array unit 10 in the application direction.

The stage 20 is a part in which a substrate is seated by a transfer robot (not shown) in a rectangular plate shape, and the substrate has a first size 32 having a first size or a second size smaller than the first size. The second substrate 34 may be seated.

The head array unit 10 includes a first application region (including first-first and first-second application regions) of the first substrate 32 seated on the stage 20 or a second of the second substrate 34. 1 to n (n is an even number) heads for injecting the alignment liquid into the application area (including the 2-1 and 2-2 application areas), which are divided into two rows. Will be arranged.

Here, the operation when the first substrate 32 or the second substrate 34 is mounted on the stage 20 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 1A, when the long side (long side) of the first substrate 32 is seated in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the application direction on the stage 20, the head array unit 10 may be removed. Since the 1st coating width W of the 1st coating width W and the long side of the 1st board | substrate 32 become the same mutually, the orientation liquid is discharged from each of the several head of the head array unit 10, and the 1st board | substrate 32 is carried out. The alignment liquid is applied to the first-first application region 32a of the substrate.

However, as shown in FIG. 1B, when the long side of the first substrate 32 is seated in the transverse direction parallel to the application direction on the stage 20, the first coating width W of the head array unit 10 is A large number of four heads (1, 2, n-1, n) arranged at both ends of the head array unit 10 by being larger than the first-second coating width of the short side of the first substrate 32 The alignment liquid is applied to the first-second application region 32b of the first substrate 32 by each of the heads.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2A, when the long side of the second substrate 34 is seated in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the application direction on the stage 20, the first coating width W of the head array unit 10 is Each of the plurality of heads, except for a total of four heads 1, 2, n-1, and n arranged at both ends of the head array unit 10 by being larger than the 2-1 coating width of the long side of the second substrate 34, respectively. As a result, the alignment liquid is applied to the second-first application region 34a of the second substrate 34.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the long side of the second substrate 34 is seated in the transverse direction parallel to the application direction on the stage 20, the first coating width W of the head array unit 10 is provided. Is larger than the 2-2 coating width of the short side of the second substrate 34 so that the total of eight heads 1, 2, 3, 4, n-3, n-2 arranged at both ends of the head array unit 10. The alignment liquid is applied to the second-second application region 34b of the second substrate 34 by each of the plurality of heads except for n-1 and n.

In this way, the head array unit according to the size of the first and second substrates 32 and 34 or the arrangement direction (lateral direction and longitudinal direction) in which the first and second substrates 32 and 34 are seated on the stage 20. Some of the plurality of heads included in 10 are not used.

As such, when a predetermined number of heads are left to stand in the air during the alignment film forming process of forming the alignment film, the predetermined number of heads are exposed in the air to be solidified or agglomerated. To prevent.

Due to the clogging of the nozzle (not shown), the alignment liquid is not discharged during the alignment film forming process, or the solidified or aggregated alignment liquid residue is discharged so that the alignment film is not uniformly formed on the substrate, and print unevenness occurs. .

In addition, these heads require a cleaning time for forcibly discharging the solidified agglomeration liquid, causing a delay in the process of forming the alignment film.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for forming an alignment film of a liquid crystal display device which allows all the heads of the head array unit to discharge the alignment liquid regardless of the size of the substrate or the arrangement direction of the substrate when the alignment liquid is applied to the substrate. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the alignment film forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises a stage on which a substrate on which an application area is defined is seated; A head array unit including a plurality of heads, the head array unit defining an applicable area including two sides parallel to the first direction by applying an alignment liquid on the substrate moving relative to the stage along the first direction and; And a stage rotating unit that can rotate the stage such that two diagonal edges of the application area are located on the two sides of the applicable area.

The applicable area is larger than the applicable area.

And a stage moving unit for moving the stage in the coating direction or moving the stage in a direction opposite to the coating direction so that the position of the stage is restored to an initial position.

And a head moving unit for moving the head array unit in the application direction.

The plurality of heads are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Each odd head of the plurality of heads is arranged along the second direction in a first row, and each even head of the plurality of heads is arranged along the second direction in a second row.

In addition, the present invention provides an alignment film forming apparatus comprising a stage and a head array unit defining a coatable region including a plurality of heads and including two sides parallel to the first direction, wherein the substrate having the coated region is defined. Seating on the stage; Rotating the stage such that two diagonal corners of the application area are located on the two sides of the application area; And moving the head array unit relative to the stage along the first direction to apply an alignment liquid on the substrate.

According to the alignment film forming apparatus and method of the liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, when the coating width of the substrate parallel to the coating width of the head array unit is smaller than the width of the head array unit, the substrate is rotated by an angle to rotate the substrate. By placing two diagonal corners of the application area of the substrate on two sides parallel to the application direction in the application area, the alignment liquid can be discharged from each of all heads of the head array unit.

As a result, the alignment liquids of all the heads are discharged regardless of the size of the substrate or the arrangement direction of the substrates. As a result, the alignment liquids of the heads are dried and hardened to prevent curling. It is possible to prevent the phenomenon of clogging the nozzle of the head.

In addition, it is possible to solve the problem that the staining caused by the solid alignment liquid residue is discharged through exposure and the alignment film is not formed uniformly.

In addition, the time required for cleaning the unused alignment liquid is not required as in the related art, thereby shortening the alignment film forming process time.

1A and 1B illustrate a state in which a first substrate is loaded on an inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus.
2A and 2B illustrate a state in which a second substrate is loaded on an inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus.
3 is a view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of an alignment film forming apparatus of an inkjet liquid crystal display device according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a first substrate loaded on an inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
6A and 6B illustrate a state in which a second substrate is loaded on an inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

3 is a view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal display device 100 includes a liquid crystal display panel and a liquid crystal display panel including an array substrate and color filter substrates 112 and 114 bonded to each other with the liquid crystal layer 116 interposed therebetween. It includes a backlight unit (not shown) located on the back.

In addition, the first and second polarizing plates 110a and 110b are attached to the outer surfaces of the array substrate and the color filter substrate 112 and 114, respectively, to selectively pass only the light vibrating in a specific direction.

Here, the pixel P is defined by the intersection of the gate wiring and the data wiring on the inner surface of the array substrate 112, and a pixel electrode 129 is formed in each pixel P.

In addition, the thin film transistor T, which is a switching element composed of the gate electrode 121, the gate insulating film 123, the semiconductor layer 125, the source and drain electrodes 127a and 127b, is formed at the intersection of the gate wiring and the data wiring. It is.

A protective layer 128 is formed on the thin film transistor T.

The drain electrode 127b of the thin film transistor T is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 129.

On the other hand, the inner surface of the color filter substrate 114 facing the array substrate 112 is independent of the liquid crystal drive such as the thin film transistor T, the gate wiring, the data wiring, and the edge of the pixel electrode 129. A black matrix 132 is formed to cover a non-display area to suppress light leakage.

In addition, R, G, and B color filters 134 are formed to correspond to the display areas, respectively, and cover the black matrix 132 and the color filter 134 and sandwich the liquid crystal layer 116 therebetween. The common electrode 136 is provided opposite to the pixel electrode 129.

In this case, the liquid crystal molecules are interposed between the liquid crystal layer 116, the pixel electrode 129, and the common electrode 136 by interposing first and second alignment layers 131a and 131b, each having a surface facing the liquid crystal in a predetermined direction. Align the initial arrangement of the and the alignment direction uniformly.

The liquid crystal layer 116 is interposed between the array substrate and the color filter substrates 112 and 114 so that the spacers 144 are dispersed to maintain a constant cell gap, and the array substrate and the color filter substrate 112 provided with each component thereof. A sealant 146 is formed at an edge of the 114 to bond the array substrate and the color filter substrate 114 together and prevent leakage of the liquid crystal layer 116.

When the on / off signal is applied to the thin film transistor T, the liquid crystal display device transfers the pixel signal to the selected pixel electrode 129, and the pixel electrode 129 and the common electrode generated at this time The electric field between 136) artificially adjusts the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules interposed therebetween.

Accordingly, the transmittance of light is determined while passing through the first polarizing plate 110a, the liquid crystal layer 116, and the second polarizing plate 110b, and the color according to the transmittance appears while passing through the color filter 134.

Hereinafter, the alignment film forming apparatus of the inkjet method which forms an alignment film in a board | substrate is demonstrated.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a structure of an alignment film forming apparatus of an inkjet liquid crystal display device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a first substrate of the inkjet type alignment film forming device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state of loading.

As shown in the figure, the alignment layer forming apparatus 200 includes a stage 220 on which the first substrate 232 is seated, a head array unit 210 including a plurality of heads provided with alignment liquid, and a head array. A head moving unit 215 for moving the unit 210 in the application direction, a stage moving unit 260 for moving the stage 220 and a stage rotating unit 250 for rotating the stage 220.

The stage 220 includes a rectangular plate-shaped base plate 222 and a tetrahedral support block 224 having a plurality of insertion grooves 226 positioned at regular intervals on the upper surface of the base plate 222. Contains a large number.

Accordingly, the transfer robot (not shown) moves the first substrate 232 to place the plurality of support blocks 224 on the stage 220 or to place the first substrate 232 placed on the plurality of support blocks 224. When lifting, an arm of a transfer robot (not shown) is inserted into a plurality of insertion grooves 226 provided between the plurality of support blocks 224.

Here, when the first substrate 232 is placed on the stage 220, the longitudinal direction of the first substrate 232 perpendicular to the application direction is called the longitudinal direction, and the long edge of the first substrate 232 is the application direction. The direction parallel to is called the transverse direction. In addition, when the first substrate 232 is placed in the longitudinal direction, the coating width of the first substrate 232 parallel to the first coating width W of the head array unit 210 is referred to as first-first coating width. The coating area of the first substrate 232 is referred to as the 1-1st application area, and is formed in parallel with the first coating width W of the head array unit 210 when the first substrate 232 is placed in the horizontal direction. The coating width of the first substrate 232 is called the 1-2 coating width, and the coating area of the first substrate 232 is called the 1-2 coating area 232b.

The head array unit 10 may include first to third spraying alignment liquids on a first coating area (including first-first and first-second application areas) of the first substrate 232 seated on the stage 220. n (n is an even number) of heads, and the first to n heads may be arranged in a plurality of rows. Further, each of the first to n heads includes a nozzle 212 for discharging the alignment liquid.

For example, as shown in the drawing, when the first to nth heads are divided into two rows, odd-numbered heads of the first to nth heads are arranged in the first row, and even-numbered heads are arranged in the first row. The second column may be arranged in parallel with the first column.

At this time, odd-numbered heads of the first to n-th heads are arranged in a line with a predetermined distance from each other, and even-numbered heads are arranged in a line with a predetermined distance from each other, both ends of each of the even-numbered heads. Is arranged to overlap each of the odd-numbered heads by a predetermined length.

The number of heads included in the head array unit 210 and the arrangement method of the heads are determined according to the size of the substrate.

In addition, the head array unit 210 may discharge the alignment liquid to the coatable area including two sides parallel to the application direction and two sides perpendicular to the application direction by using a plurality of heads. The length between the sides becomes the first coating width W.

The head moving unit 215 moves the head array unit 210 in the application direction so that the first application region of the first substrate 232 on which the head array unit 210 is seated on the stage 220 (first to 1-1). And the 1-2 coating area).

The stage rotating unit 250 includes a motor (not shown) and the stage rotating unit 250 connected to the stage 220 is rotated a predetermined angle in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by the motor (not shown) so that the stage 220 is rotated. Rotate

At this time, the stage 220 is moved to a predetermined position in the coating direction by using the stage moving unit 260 to provide a space in which the stage 220 can be rotated.

The stage moving unit 260 moves the stage 220 in the application direction so that the stage 220 can be rotated, or moves the stage 220 in the application direction so that the position of the stage 220 is restored to the initial position. Move in the opposite direction of.

Here, the driving of the stage moving unit 260 is determined according to the rotation angle of the stage rotating unit 250. The rotation angle is determined according to the size of the substrate, and the smaller the size of the substrate, the larger the rotation angle. In addition, if the rotation angle of the stage rotation unit 250 is a rotation angle that can be rotated at the initial position of the stage 220, the stage moving unit 260 is not driven.

Referring to the operation of the alignment layer forming apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. 5, when the long edge of the first substrate 232 is seated in the transverse direction parallel to the coating direction on the stage 220, the head array is arranged. The first to second coating widths of the first substrate 232 parallel to the first coating width W of the unit 210 become smaller than the first coating width W of the head array unit 210.

Accordingly, the stage moving unit 260 moves the stage 220 at a predetermined position in the coating direction, and the stage rotating unit 250 has two diagonal edges of the first-second application region 232b of the first substrate 232. The stage 220 is rotated so that the dot is located on two sides parallel to the application direction in the applicable area of the head array unit 210.

Thereafter, the head array unit 210 is moved in the application direction by the head moving unit 215, and corresponding heads according to the first-second application region 232b of the first substrate 232 rotated by a predetermined angle. The alignment liquid is discharged through each nozzle, and the alignment liquid is applied to the first-second application region 232b of the first substrate 232.

As such, the stage 220 is rotated by a predetermined angle so that two diagonal corners of the first-second application area 232b in the first substrate 232 are parallel to the application direction in the application area of the head array unit 210. By disposing the alignment liquids of all the heads of the head array unit 210 so as to be positioned on the sides, it is possible to prevent drying of the alignment liquids and to prevent the alignment liquids from solidifying and clumping to block the nozzles of the head. .

On the other hand, although not shown in the drawings, when the first substrate 232 is mounted on the stage 220 in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the application direction of the long edge of the first substrate 232, the head array unit 210 The first-first coating width of the first substrate 232 parallel to the first coating width is the same so that the alignment liquid of each head of the head array unit 210 is discharged without the need to move and rotate the stage 220. The alignment liquid is applied to the first-first application region 232a of the first substrate 232.

6A and 6B illustrate a state in which a second substrate is loaded on the inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and has the same structure as the inkjet type alignment film forming apparatus of FIG. 4. This will be described with reference.

As shown in the drawing, the alignment layer forming apparatus 300 includes a stage 320 on which the second substrate 334 is seated, a head array unit 310 including a plurality of heads provided with alignment liquid, and a head array. The head moving unit (215 of FIG. 4) for moving the unit 310 in the application direction, the stage moving unit (260 of FIG. 4) for moving the stage 320 and the stage rotating unit (rotating the stage 320) (FIG. 4, 250).

The stage 320 is provided with a rectangular plate-shaped base plate (222 of FIG. 4) and a plurality of insertion grooves (226 of FIG. 4) positioned at regular intervals on an upper surface of the base plate (222 of FIG. 4). It includes a plurality of tetrahedral shaped support blocks (224 of FIG. 4).

Accordingly, the transfer robot (not shown) moves the second substrate 334 to place on the plurality of support blocks (224 of FIG. 4) or to the plurality of support blocks (224 of FIG. 4) of the stage 320. When lifting the second substrate 334, the arm of the transfer robot (not shown) is inserted into the insertion groove (226 of FIG. 4) provided between the plurality of support blocks (224 of FIG. 4).

Here, when the second substrate 334 is placed on the stage 320, the longitudinal direction of the second substrate 334 perpendicular to the application direction is referred to as the longitudinal direction, and the long edge of the second substrate 334 is the application direction. The direction parallel to is called the transverse direction. In addition, when the second substrate 334 is placed in the longitudinal direction, the coating width of the second substrate 334 parallel to the first coating width W of the head array unit 310 is referred to as 2-1 coating width. The application area of the second substrate 334 is referred to as the 2-1st application area 334a, and when the second substrate 334 is placed in the lateral direction, the application area parallel to the first application width of the head array unit 310 is defined. The coating width of the second substrate 334 is called the 2-2 coating width, and the coating area of the second substrate 334 is called the 2-2 coating region 334b.

The head array unit 310 may include first to third spraying alignment liquids on a second coating region (including the 2-1 and 2-2 coating regions) of the second substrate 334 seated on the stage 320. n (n is an even number) of heads, and the first to n heads may be arranged in a plurality of rows. Further, each of the first to n heads includes a nozzle (212 in FIG. 4) for discharging the alignment liquid.

The number of heads included in the head array unit 310 and the arrangement method of the heads are determined according to the size of the substrate.

In addition, the head array unit 310 may discharge the alignment liquid into the coatable area including two sides parallel to the application direction and two sides perpendicular to the application direction by using a plurality of heads. The length between the sides becomes the first coating width W.

The head moving unit (215 of FIG. 4) moves the head array unit 310 in the application direction so that the head coating unit 310 has a second coating area of the second substrate 334 seated on the stage 320. 2-1 and 2-2 coating area) to discharge the alignment liquid.

The stage rotating unit 250 of FIG. 4 includes a motor (not shown), and the stage rotating unit 250 of FIG. 4 connected to the stage 320 is predetermined clockwise or counterclockwise by a motor (not shown). The angle is rotated to rotate the stage 320.

At this time, the stage 320 is moved to a predetermined position in the application direction by using the stage moving unit 260 to provide a space in which the stage 320 is rotatable.

Such a stage moving unit (260 of FIG. 4) moves the stage 320 in the application direction so that the stage 320 can be rotated, or the stage 320 is restored to the initial position. Move in the opposite direction of application direction.

Here, driving of the stage moving unit (260 of FIG. 4) is determined according to the rotation angle of the stage rotating unit (250 of FIG. 4). The rotation angle is determined according to the size of the substrate, and the smaller the size of the substrate, the larger the rotation angle. In addition, if the rotation angle of the stage rotating unit 250 of FIG. 4 is a rotation angle rotatable at the initial position of the stage 320, the stage moving unit 260 of FIG. 4 is not driven.

Referring to the operation of the alignment layer forming apparatus 300, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second substrate 334 is formed in the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the application direction of the second edge 334 on the stage 320. In this case, the 2-1st coating width of the second substrate 334 parallel to the first coating width W of the head array unit 310 is the first coating width W of the head array unit 310. It becomes smaller.

Accordingly, the stage moving unit (260 of FIG. 4) moves the stage 320 in a predetermined position in the application direction, and the stage rotating unit (250 of FIG. 4) moves the second-first application region (2) in the second substrate 334. The stage 320 is rotated such that two diagonal corners of 334a are positioned on two sides parallel to the application direction in the applicable area of the head array unit 310.

Thereafter, the head array unit 310 is moved in the application direction by the head moving unit 215 of FIG. 4 and corresponds to the second-first application region 334a of the second substrate 334 rotated by a predetermined angle. The alignment liquid is discharged through the nozzles of each of the plurality of heads, and the alignment liquid is applied to the second-first application region 334a of the second substrate 334.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the second substrate 334 is seated in the transverse direction in which the long edge of the second substrate 334 is parallel to the application direction on the stage 320, the head array unit 310 is mounted. The second-second coating width of the second substrate 334 parallel to the first coating width W of the substrate becomes smaller than the first coating width W of the head array unit 310.

Accordingly, the stage moving unit (260 of FIG. 4) moves the stage 320 at a predetermined position in the application direction, and the stage rotating unit (250 of FIG. 4) moves the second-to-two application area (2) in the second substrate 334. The stage 320 is rotated such that two diagonal corners of 334b are located on two sides parallel to the application direction in the applicable area of the head array unit 310.

Thereafter, the head array unit 310 is moved in the application direction by the head moving unit (215 in FIG. 4) and corresponds to the second-second application region 334b of the second substrate 334 rotated by a predetermined angle. The alignment liquid is discharged through the nozzles of the plurality of heads, and the alignment liquid is applied to the second-second application region 334b of the second substrate 334.

As described above, the stage 320 of the alignment layer forming apparatus 300 according to the present invention is rotated by a predetermined angle so that the diagonals of the 2-1 or 2-2 application regions 334a and 334b in the second substrate 334 are rotated. Orientation of a predetermined number of heads by placing two corners on two sides parallel to the application direction in the applicable area of the head array unit 210 so that the alignment liquid of each head provided in the head array unit 31 is discharged. It is possible to prevent the liquid from drying, and to prevent the phenomenon that the alignment liquid hardens and aggregates to block the nozzle of the head.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

210, 310: head array unit 215: head moving unit
220, 320: stages 232, 332: first substrate
234, 334: second substrate 250: stage rotating unit
260: stage moving unit

Claims

A stage on which a substrate having an application area defined thereon is mounted;
A head array unit including a plurality of heads, the head array unit defining an applicable area including two sides parallel to the first direction by applying an alignment liquid on the substrate moving relative to the stage along the first direction and;
A stage rotating unit rotatable to the stage such that two diagonal corners of the application area are located on the two sides of the application area
Alignment film forming apparatus comprising a.

The method of claim 1,
And the applicable area is larger than the applicable area.

The method of claim 1,
And a stage moving unit which moves the stage in the coating direction or moves the stage in a direction opposite to the coating direction so that the position of the stage is restored to an initial position.

The method of claim 1,
And a head moving unit for moving the head array unit in the application direction.

The method of claim 1,
And the plurality of heads are arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The odd-numbered heads of the plurality of heads are arranged in the first row in the second direction, and the even-numbered heads of the plurality of heads are arranged in the second row in the second direction. .

An alignment film forming apparatus comprising a stage and a head array unit including a plurality of heads and defining an applicable region including two sides parallel to a first direction,
Mounting a substrate having an application area defined thereon on the stage;
Rotating the stage such that two diagonal corners of the application area are located on the two sides of the application area;
Moving the head array unit relative to the stage along the first direction to apply an alignment liquid on the substrate
An alignment film forming method comprising a.