KR20190134446A - Apparatus for forming hole in optical film, method of forming hole in optical film and optical film formed with hole by thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

In a hole forming method, an optical film is prepared. A preliminary hole is formed through the rotational movement of a hole cutting tool in the optical film. While maintaining the rotational movement, the hole cutting tool is moved horizontally so that a part of the side of the optical film is included in a movement trajectory of the hole cutting tool, thereby forming a hole having an expanded diameter from the preliminary hole. Rotation and movement of a cutting edge can improve the reliability of the cut surface.

Description

FIELD OF FORMING HOLE IN OPTICAL FILM, METHOD OF FORMING HOLE IN OPTICAL FILM AND OPTICAL FILM FORMED WITH HOLE BY THEREOF

This invention relates to the hole forming apparatus of an optical film, the hole formation method of an optical film, and the optical film in which the hole was formed by this. More specifically, it relates to the hole forming apparatus of an optical film using a cutting tool, the hole forming method of an optical film, and the optical film in which the hole was formed by this.

For example, an optical film such as a retardation film, a polarizing film, a brightness enhancement film, or the like may be inserted into an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device. In the case of the smart phone combined with the image display device, it is necessary to remove a part of the optical film or to remove the optical characteristics in order to implement additional functions such as a camera, a speaker, and a home button on the upper and lower ends, respectively.

For example, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0130360 discloses a method of solving the polarization degree locally on a polarizing plate. However, local resolution of the degree of polarization requires complex physical and chemical processes, and complete resolution of the degree of polarization is practically difficult.

Therefore, it is proposed to use physical and chemical methods to remove portions of the optical film to create holes. However, chemical hole processing also requires a separate complicated chemical process, which is expensive. In the physical hole processing method, a clean processing surface may not be formed according to the material of the optical film, and cracks may occur around the hole.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0130360

One object of the present invention is to provide an optical film hole forming apparatus having an improved process reliability and efficiency, a hole forming method of the optical film and thereby an optical film formed with holes.

1. preparing an optical film; Inserting a hole cutting tool into the optical film to form a preliminary hole in which the optical film is cut; And moving the hole cutting tool horizontally and forming a hole having an expanded diameter from the preliminary hole.

2. The method of 1 above, wherein the forming of the preliminary hole includes cutting the optical film while rotating the hole cutting tool; Forming the expanded hole comprises moving the hole cutting tool while maintaining the rotational movement of the hole cutting tool.

3. The method of 1 above, wherein horizontally moving the hole cutting tool includes circular hole or spiral motion of the hole cutting tool.

4. The method of 1 above, wherein forming a hole having a diameter extended from the preliminary hole, a part of the side of the optical film is included in the movement trajectory of the hole cutting tool, the hole forming method.

5. The method of 4 above, wherein the hole has a shape in which the top is cut by the side of the optical film, the top of the hole includes an inlet in communication with the outside of the optical film.

6. In the above 5, further comprising rounding both ends of the optical film defining the inlet, the hole forming method.

7. according to the above 1, including the step of polishing the side of the optical film, the hole forming method.

8. In the above 1, wherein the optical film is a laminate comprising a functional film for two or more image display device, the hole forming method.

9. It comprises a laminated structure of two or more functional films for an image display device, and includes one or more holes, the holes having a shape in which the top is cut by one side of the optical film, the width narrowed on the one side An optical film comprising an inlet.

10. a loading unit in which an optical film is placed; A hole cutting tool for forming a hole in the optical film; A first rotary motor for rotating the hole cutting tool; And a first moving part for circularly or spirally moving the hole cutting tool.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, when the hole of the optical film is formed, a cutting tool may be inserted in the thickness direction of the optical film to form a preliminary hole in which the optical film is cut. Thereafter, a hole in which the preliminary hole is extended while the cutting tool is moved may be formed.

For example, a hole in which the preliminary hole is expanded may be formed by moving the cutting tool while maintaining the rotational motion. The cutting tool may be rotated so that the rotation axis of the rotary motion moves along a circular or spiral track.

In addition, by forming an extended hole so that a part of the side of the optical film is located in the hole, it is possible to form a hole in the form of an open portion of the circle, such as omega in a short time without cracks in the optical film, In the process of forming it can reduce the damage the optical film receives. In addition, productivity and efficiency of the hole manufacturing process can be improved.

The cutting surface of the hole can be substantially polished by the movement of the cutting tool, and a clean cutting surface of desired dimensions can be formed while effectively suppressing cutting residues and cracks. In addition, since the hole is gradually expanded by the movement of the cutting tool, dimensional stability and precision may be improved.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hole forming apparatus according to example embodiments.
2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cutting tool of a hole forming apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments.
3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a cutting tool of a hole forming apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments.
4 is a schematic diagram for describing a hole forming process according to some example embodiments.
5 is a schematic diagram for describing a hole forming process according to some example embodiments.
6 is a schematic view illustrating a movement of a hole cutting tool according to some embodiments.
7 is a schematic view illustrating a movement of a hole cutting tool according to some embodiments.
8 and 9 are schematic partial plan views illustrating optical films having holes formed in accordance with example embodiments.
10 and 11 are schematic plan views illustrating a method of forming a hole according to example embodiments.
12 is a schematic plan view illustrating an image display apparatus including an optical film in which a hole is formed according to exemplary embodiments.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a rotational motion and a circular motion (or spiral motion) of a cutting tool are simultaneously performed to provide a hole forming method and a hole forming apparatus of an optical film having improved reliability.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following drawings attached to the present specification are intended to illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention, and together with the contents of the present invention serves to further understand the technical spirit of the present invention, the present invention described in such drawings It should not be construed as limited to matters.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hole forming apparatus according to example embodiments.

In FIG. 1, two directions perpendicular to each other on the same plane are defined as a first direction and a second direction. For example, the first direction may be a width direction of the optical film 50, and the second direction may be a length direction of the optical film 50. Directions perpendicular to the first and second directions are defined as third directions. The third direction may be, for example, a thickness direction of the optical film 50.

Referring to FIG. 1, the hole forming apparatus 100 may include a loading unit 110 and a hole cutting tool 130, and may further include a side cutting tool 150.

The optical film 50 may be placed on the loading unit 110 for hole processing. For example, the optical film 50 may be placed on one end of the loading unit 110. The loading unit 110 may further include a fixing unit (eg, a fixing plate) on which the optical film 50 is placed.

The bottom surface of the optical film 50 may contact the loading unit 110, and the top surface of the optical film 50 may be covered by the protective plate 115. The protective plate 115 may protect the remaining area of the optical film 50 except for the portion where the hole is formed. In addition, pressure may be applied to the optical film 50 by the protective plate 115 to be fixed.

Although not shown, a recess may be formed in the protection plate 115 so that the first cutting tool 130 may be inserted to cut the optical film 50.

The optical film 50 is a non-limiting example, and may include various functional films of an image display device such as a retardation film, a brightness enhancing film, a light diffusing film, a polarizing plate, a polarizing film, an anti-fingerprint film, an antifouling film, a hard coating film, and the like. Can be.

In one embodiment, the optical film 50 may be, for example, a polarizing plate including a polarizer 52 formed of elongated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) resin. In this case, the optical film 50 may further include protective films 56 and 58 formed on both surfaces of the polarizer 52, respectively. The protective films 56 and 58 may include a resin material such as cellulose resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, olefin resin, polycarbonate resin, cycloolefin resin, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and the like. At least one release film may be further formed on the protective films 56 and 58.

In one embodiment, the optical film 50 may have a laminated structure of two or more layers. For example, the optical film 50 may have a laminated structure of two or more of the above-described functional films.

As described above, when the optical film 50 including the functional film for two or more image display apparatuses is introduced into the hole forming apparatus 100, the optical film of a single layer is formed by the supporting force between the functional films for image display apparatuses having a laminated structure. Defects such as cracks can be prevented from occurring on the optical film 50 than when holes are formed in the 50.

Once the optical film 50 is loaded, the hole cutting tool 130 can be aligned above the optical film 50. The optical film 50 may be moved while being fixed by the first moving part 120. The first moving part 120 and the loading part 110 may be moved in the first direction and the second direction, respectively, so that the hole cutting tool 130 may be aligned above the hole forming position of the optical film 50.

The hole cutting tool 130 may move in the third direction and may be inserted into the optical film 50 to cut the optical film 50. Accordingly, a preliminary hole may be formed in the optical film 50. In some embodiments, the hole cutting tool 130 may include a cutting edge such as, for example, a circular knife, and a preliminary hole in which the optical film 50 is cut may be formed by the cutting edge.

In some embodiments, the hole cutting tool 130 may be fixed in the first rotary motor 140 to move in the third direction and be inserted into the optical film 50. The hole cutting tool 130 may include, for example, a cutting edge in the form of an end mill, and the cutting edge may rotate and penetrate the optical film 50 by the first rotary motor 140. . Accordingly, a preliminary hole may be formed in the optical film 50.

In one embodiment, when forming the preliminary hole, the hole cutting tool 130 may repeatedly move up and down along a straight line in the third direction. Thereby, the ease of the said preliminary hole and the hole expansion process mentioned later can be ensured.

According to exemplary embodiments, the hole cutting tool 130 may cut the optical film 50 while moving along a circular or spiral track after forming the preliminary hole. Accordingly, a hole having a diameter extended from the preliminary hole may be formed.

In some embodiments, the hole cutting tool 130 may maintain a rotational movement while moving in the circular or spiral track. Thus, the diameter of the preliminary hole can be gradually expanded by the horizontal movement of the cutting edge while the rotation of the cutting edge is maintained.

The first moving part 120 may drive or move the hole cutting tool 130 so that the hole cutting tool 130 may move along the circular or spiral track. In some embodiments, the first rotary motor 140 may induce a rotational motion of the hole cutting tool 130, and the first moving part 120 may induce a circular motion or a spiral motion of the hole cutting tool. .

As described above, the circular motion or the spiral motion may be performed together so that the diameter gradually expands as the hole cutting tool 130 moves. Therefore, the cutting process for hole formation and the polishing process of the cutting surface of the hole can be performed together. Therefore, the roughness at the cutting surface is reduced, and cracks, cutting residues resulting from the hole forming position can be removed or reduced with the polishing process. In addition, since the hole expansion is gradually performed after the preliminary hole is formed, the dimensional precision of the hole can be further improved.

In some embodiments, the hole forming apparatus 100 may further include a side cutting tool 150. The side cutting tool 150 may include a cutting edge for grinding or smoothing the side of the optical film 50. The side cutting tool 150 is rotated by the second rotating motor 160, and the second moving part 170 may cut the side surface of the optical film 50 while moving in the first direction and the second direction. Can be.

For example, the side cutting tool 150 is in contact with the side of the optical film 50 by the relative movement of the loading unit 110 and the second moving unit 170 and then the four sides of the optical film 50. Moving along them, a side polishing process can be performed.

In one embodiment, after the side polishing process of the optical film 50 is performed by the side cutting tool 150, a hole forming process by the hole cutting tool 130 may be performed.

Rotation and movement of the hole cutting tool 130 and the side cutting tool 150 may be controlled by the controller 180. For example, the rotation speed of the first rotary motor 140 and the second rotary motor 160, the circular motion or the spiral motion speed by the first moving part 120, and the second moving part ( The horizontal moving speed of 170 may be adjusted.

2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a hole cutting tool of a hole forming apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hole cutting tool 130 may include a tool body 132 and a cutting edge 134 formed at one end of the tool body 132.

The cutting edge 134 may have a spiral twisted shape or an end mill shape as shown in FIG. 2. The portion where the cutting edge 134 is formed may have a diameter that is relatively smaller than that of the tool body 132 to promote the formation of the preliminary hole, for example, may have a needle shape including the cutting edge 134. .

The shape of the hole cutting tool 130 shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary, and for example, the shape of the cutting edge 134 may be appropriately changed according to the material of the optical film 50.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a cutting tool of a hole forming apparatus according to some exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hole cutting tool 130 may have a circular knife shape. The hole cutting tool 130 includes a tool body 133 and a cutting edge 136 formed on the distal end or the bottom of the tool body 133, the cutting edge 136 having a circular circumference on the bottom of the tool body 133. Can be disposed along.

The shape of the cutting edge 136 shown in FIG. 3 is exemplary, and the height of the cutting edge 136, the inclination angle of the cutting edge, and the like may be appropriately changed.

4 is a schematic diagram for describing a hole forming process according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 4, for example, the end mill-shaped hole cutting tool 130 moves in the thickness direction (eg, the third direction) of the optical film 50 and substantially the hole cutting tool 130. A preliminary hole having a first diameter D1 corresponding to the diameter may be formed.

In some embodiments, when forming the preliminary hole, the hole cutting tool 130 may rotate along the rotation axis 135 and move in the thickness direction.

Thereafter, the hole in which the preliminary hole is expanded may be formed while the hole cutting tool 130 moves horizontally or by a spiral motion.

In some embodiments, the axis of rotation 135 can be moved by circular or spiral motion while maintaining the rotational motion. Accordingly, a hole extending from the first diameter D1 to the second diameter D2 may be formed. While the hole expansion is performed, since the hole cutting tool 130 may continue to rotate about the rotation axis 135, fine grinding of the hole cutting surface may be implemented.

5 is a schematic diagram for describing a hole forming process according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 5, for example, a hole cutting tool 130 including a cutting edge 136 having a circular knife shape penetrates in the thickness direction of the optical film 50 to form a preliminary hole having a first diameter D1. Can be.

Thereafter, the moving shaft 139 of the hole cutting tool 130 may horizontally move through a circular motion or a spiral motion, and a hole extending to the second diameter D2 may be formed.

6 is a schematic view illustrating a movement of a hole cutting tool according to some embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 6, a hole cutting tool 130 described with reference to FIG. 1 may be inserted while rotating to the hole forming point C of the optical film 50 to form a preliminary hole.

Thereafter, the hole cutting tool 130 may move horizontally along the circular track 65 after horizontal movement. The circular motion and the rotational motion of the cutting edge are performed together and the hole forming process can be performed.

7 is a schematic view illustrating a movement of a hole cutting tool according to some embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 7, the hole cutting tool 130 may be inserted while rotating to the hole forming point C of the optical film 50 to form a preliminary hole.

Thereafter, the hole cutting tool 130 can move along the spiral track 67 whose radius gradually extends from the hole forming point C. FIG. In some embodiments, the helical motion and the rotational motion of the cutting edge may be performed together and a hole forming process may be performed. Since the hole cutting tool 130 moves gradually with the movement radius being expanded, more precise adjustment of the hole dimension is realized, and cracks on the cutting surface can be effectively prevented.

8 is a schematic partial plan view illustrating an optical film having a hole according to exemplary embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, the hole 60 may be formed to overlap one side of the optical film 50, for example, the upper side 51.

For example, a hole 60 having an upper portion cut by the upper side 51 of the optical film 50 and having an inlet 61 narrowed toward the upper side 51 may be formed. Accordingly, the inlet 61 for communicating the hole 60 to the outside of the optical film 50 may be formed in the upper portion of the optical film 50. The inlet 61 may be defined as an area between both ends 62 formed on the upper side of the optical film 50.

As the inlet 61 for communicating the hole 60 on the optical film 50 to the outside of the optical film 50 using the hole cutting tool 130 is formed, the hole cutting tool 130 is formed of an optical film ( The damage to the inside and the upper side 51 of 50 is small, and it can prevent that a defect, such as a crack, arises in the inside and the upper side 51 of the optical film 50. FIG. Accordingly, the hole 60 having a shape suitable for the use of the optical film 50 (for example, an omega shape and a circular shape cut at the top) on one side of the optical film 50 is formed by the optical film ( The upper side 51 of 50) can be manufactured easily.

In addition, when the optical film 50 including the hole including the inlet 61 communicated with the outside is applied to the camera device hole or the like, the inlet 61 communicates with the outside and does not affect light passing through the hole 60. Since it is an open area, light generated at the boundary between the optical film 50 and the hole 60 may be prevented from diffraction or scattering, thereby improving optical properties of the optical film 50.

The width D3 of the inlet 61 may be about 1.3 mm or more (endmill 1 mm / abrasive cutting amount 0.3 mm), and the diameter of the hole 70 (the second diameter D2 described above) may be about 1.3 mm or more. The upper limit of the width D3 of the inlet 61 is not particularly limited. For example, the width D3 of the inlet 61 may be about 3 mm or less, about 4 mm or less, or about 5 mm or less. In the above range, the damage received by the optical film 50 by the hole cutting tool 130 is reduced, so that an omega shape or a circular shape in which an upper portion is cut without generation of cracks on one side of the optical film 50. Of holes 60 can be easily formed.

9 is a schematic partial plan view illustrating an optical film with a hole formed in accordance with some example embodiments.

8 and 9, both ends 62 of the optical film 50 defining the inlet 61 of the hole 60 may be rounded. Both ends 62 of the optical film 50 defining the inlet 61 of the hole 60 may be rounded to form a rounded rounded portion 64 such as a portion indicated by a dotted circle.

For example, the rounding process can be performed by mechanical polishing by the side cutting tool. As the both ends 62 of the optical film 50 defining the inlet 61 of the hole 60 are rounded, both ends 62 of the optical film 50 having a pointed shape are caused by external impact or the like. It can prevent problems such as easily broken.

In addition, in applying the optical film 50 including the rounded both ends 62 to the camera device hole or the like, the light that may be generated at both ends 62 may be prevented from diffraction or scattering, so that the optical film 50 Optical properties can be improved. In applying the optical film 50 including the rounding unit 64 to the display device 200, which will be described later, a problem in which the display device 200 and the like are damaged by sharp portions of both ends 62 that are not rounded. Can be prevented.

10 and 11 are schematic diagrams for describing a hole-hole forming method of an optical film according to example embodiments. For example, FIGS. 10 and 11 are views for explaining a method of forming a hole described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring to FIG. 10, the hole cutting tool 130 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 may be inserted while rotating to the hole forming point C of the optical film 50 to form a preliminary hole.

Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 6, the hole cutting tool 130 may horizontally move along the circular track 65 after horizontal movement. The circular motion and the rotational motion of the cutting edge are performed together and the hole forming process can be performed. A part of the side of the optical film may be located inside the circular track 65.

Referring to FIG. 10, the hole cutting tool 130 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 may be inserted while rotating to the hole forming point C of the optical film 50 to form a preliminary hole.

Thereafter, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the hole cutting tool 130 may move along the spiral track 67 whose radius gradually extends from the hole forming point C. Referring to FIG. A portion of the side of the optical film may be located inside the spiral track 67. Since the hole cutting tool 130 gradually moves with the movement radius expanded, more precise adjustment of the hole dimension can be realized.

As described above, when a part of the side of the optical film is located inside the circular track 65 or the spiral track 67 of the hole cutting tool 130, an omega shape or an upper portion of the optical film The optical film including the cut circular hole 60 can be easily manufactured.

In addition, since a part of the side of the optical film is positioned inside the circular track 65 or the spiral track 67 of the hole cutting tool 130 described above, cracks on the side of the optical film 50 that may occur in the manufacturing process Can be effectively prevented.

12 is a schematic plan view illustrating an image display apparatus including an optical film in which a hole is formed according to exemplary embodiments. For example, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the window side external shape of the smartphone.

Referring to FIG. 12, the image display apparatus 200 may include a display area 210 and a peripheral area 220. The peripheral area 220 may be disposed at both sides and / or both ends of the display area 210, for example. The peripheral area 220 may correspond to, for example, the light blocking portion or the bezel portion of the image display device.

For example, the device hole 230 may be disposed in the peripheral area 230 of the upper end of the image display apparatus 200. The device hole 230 may include, for example, a camera hole, a microphone hole, a speaker hole, or the like of the image display apparatus 200.

The device hole 230 penetrates an optical film such as a polarizing plate of the image display apparatus 200, and may be formed by a process through the hole forming apparatus according to the exemplary embodiments described above.

When the display area 210 of the image display apparatus 200 is expanded, the device hole 230 may be formed in the display area 210. In this case, since the hole having the improved reliability of the cutting surface is formed through the hole forming apparatus and the process according to the exemplary embodiments, it is possible to prevent image degradation in the display area 210 and to sufficiently secure the effective area of the optical film. Can be.

50: optical film 60: hole
100: hole forming apparatus 110: loading part
120: first moving part 130: hole cutting tool
140: first rotary motor 150: side cutting tool
160: second rotary motor 170: second moving part
180: control unit 200: image display device
210: display area 220: peripheral area
230: device hole

Claims (10)

Preparing an optical film;
Inserting a hole cutting tool into the optical film to form a preliminary hole in which the optical film is cut; And
Moving the hole cutting tool horizontally and forming a hole having an expanded diameter from the preliminary hole.
The method of claim 1, wherein forming the preliminary hole includes cutting the optical film while rotating the hole cutting tool;
Forming the expanded hole comprises moving the hole cutting tool while maintaining the rotational movement of the hole cutting tool.
The method of claim 1, wherein horizontally moving the hole cutting tool comprises circular or helical movement of the hole cutting tool.
The method of claim 1, wherein forming a hole having a diameter extended from the preliminary hole includes a part of a side of the optical film included in a moving trajectory of the hole cutting tool.
The method of claim 4, wherein the hole has a shape in which an upper portion is cut by the side of the optical film, and the upper portion of the hole includes an inlet communicating with an outside of the optical film.
The method of claim 5, further comprising rounding both ends of the optical film defining the inlet.
The method of claim 1, comprising polishing the side of the optical film.
The hole forming method according to claim 1, wherein the optical film is a laminate comprising two or more functional films for an image display device.
A laminated structure of two or more functional films for an image display device, and including one or more holes,
The hole has a shape in which the upper portion is cut by one side of the optical film, the optical film including an entrance narrowed on the side.
A loading unit in which an optical film is placed;
A hole cutting tool for forming a hole in the optical film;
A first rotary motor for rotating the hole cutting tool; And
And a first moving part for circularly or spirally moving the hole cutting tool.

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