KR20210035733A - Apparatus for manufacturing liquid crystal panel and irradiation unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to in facilitating maintenance work, wherein the irradiation unit of an embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting elements, a cooling block, a cooling tube, and a third flow path, the plurality of light emitting elements are mounted on the front surface of the substrate and the cooling block has a first flow path extending along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, the cooling tube has a second flow path parallel to the first flow path when disposed on the rear surface of the substrate, and the third flow path connects one end of the first flow path and one end of the second flow path when disposed on the rear surface side of the cooling block. Therefore, according to the present invention, maintenance work can be facilitated.

Description

Irradiation unit and liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus TECHNICAL FIELD [APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING LIQUID CRYSTAL PANEL AND IRRADIATION UNIT}

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an irradiation unit and a liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus.

Conventionally, an irradiation unit is known that illuminates light by lighting a plurality of light-emitting elements. The irradiation unit is used in various industrial fields such as manufacture of liquid crystal panels and curing of ink and adhesive.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. 2009-61702

However, in order to manufacture a large-sized liquid crystal panel, for example, there are cases in which a plurality of long irradiation units with an overall length exceeding 2 [m] are arranged and arranged, improving workability of maintenance work such as inspection and replacement of constituent members. This was being needed.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an irradiation unit and a liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus capable of facilitating maintenance work.

The irradiation unit of the embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting elements, a cooling block, a cooling tube, and a third flow path. A plurality of light emitting devices are mounted on the entire surface of the substrate. The cooling block has a first flow path extending along the length direction of the substrate, and is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate. The cooling pipe has a second flow path parallel to the first flow path, and is disposed on the rear side of the cooling block. The third flow path communicates one end of the first flow path and one end of the second flow path.

According to the present invention, it is possible to facilitate maintenance work.

1 is a side view of a liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.
2 is a front view of an irradiation unit according to an embodiment.
3 is a side view of an irradiation unit according to an embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel.
5 is a schematic diagram of an ultraviolet irradiation module according to an embodiment.

The irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment described below includes a plurality of light emitting elements 52, a cooling block 10, a cooling tube 20, and a third flow path (flow path 31). The plurality of light emitting elements 52 are mounted on the front surface of the substrate 51. The cooling block 10 has a first flow path (channel 11) extending along the length direction of the substrate 51 and is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 51. The cooling pipe 20 has a second flow path (channel 21) parallel to the first flow path (channel 11), and is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate 51 with the cooling block 10 therebetween. The third flow path (flow path 31) communicates one end of the first flow path (flow path 11) and one end of the second flow path (flow path 21).

Further, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment described below is provided with a holding mechanism for holding the cooling block 10 along the length direction of the substrate 51.

In addition, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment described below includes a first joint member (joint member 71) connected to the other end of the first passage (channel 11), and a second passage (channel ( 21)) and a second joint member (the joint member 72) connected to the other end side.

Further, the cooling block 10 according to the embodiment described below is disposed so as to be detachable along the length direction of the substrate 51.

In addition, the liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment described below is provided with a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices. The plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices irradiate light to the panel 6 to be processed containing a photoreactive substance. The ultraviolet irradiation device is the irradiation unit 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In addition, each embodiment shown below does not limit the technique disclosed by this invention. In addition, each embodiment and each modification example shown below can be combined suitably within the range which does not contradict. Incidentally, in the description of each embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description to be described later is appropriately omitted.

[Embodiment]

First, an outline of a liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. 1 is a side view of a liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment.

In addition, in order to make the explanation easier to understand, FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system including a Z-axis in which the irradiation direction is the positive direction. Such a Cartesian coordinate system may also be shown in other drawings used in the following description.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes an irradiation unit 140 and a stage unit 150. The liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus 100 is an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal panel by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the panel 6 disposed on the stage unit 150.

The irradiation unit 140 includes an ultraviolet irradiation module 141, a lighting device 142, and a reflector 143. The ultraviolet irradiation module 141 has a plurality of irradiation units 1. The irradiation unit 1 emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength suitable for processing of the panel 6 to be processed by power supplied from a power supply device (not shown) through the lighting device 142.

The reflective plate 143 reflects the ultraviolet rays emitted from the irradiation unit 1 toward the stage unit 150 to increase irradiation efficiency. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the reflective plate 143 is disposed only on the rear side of the ultraviolet irradiation module 141 (the negative Z-axis direction side), but is not limited thereto, for example, the irradiation unit 140 or the stage unit 150 ) May be placed inside.

Here, an example of the configuration of the irradiation unit 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. 2 is a front view of an irradiation unit according to an embodiment. 3 is a side view of an irradiation unit according to an embodiment.

2 and 3, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment includes a light source unit 50, a cooling block 10, a cooling pipe 20, a connection member 30, and a joint member 71, 72. ), an attachment part 60, a holding part 40, and a support member 80.

The light source unit 50 includes a substrate 51 and a plurality of light emitting elements 52. The substrate 51 is formed of, for example, a long substrate formed of ceramics, and a printed wiring (not shown) formed in a desired pattern shape of, for example, silver is provided. On the front surface of the substrate 51, a plurality of light-emitting elements 52 are electrically connected to the printed wiring. The plurality of light emitting devices 52 are arranged in a line along the length direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 51.

In addition, although not shown, in the substrate 51, a region excluding a connection terminal to which the light emitting element 52 is connected and a power supply terminal to which power is supplied from a power supply device is formed on the coating film in order to secure insulation and prevent corrosion. Covered by. The coating film is formed of, for example, an inorganic material containing a glass material or the like as a main component. Further, if necessary, the substrate 51 may be formed of white alumina having a relatively high reflectivity in order to increase reflectivity for reflecting light emitted by the light emitting element 52. Further, in order to ensure high thermal conductivity, the substrate 51 may be formed of aluminum nitride having relatively high thermal conductivity.

A light emitting diode (LED) or a semiconductor laser (LD) that emits ultraviolet rays is used for the light emitting element 52. The light-emitting element 52 emits ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of about 300 [nm] to 400 [nm] as a dominant wavelength, and a peak wavelength of 365 [nm], for example.

In addition, "ultraviolet rays" in the embodiment is light having a wavelength of 450 [nm] or less, and specifically, light having a wavelength of 365 [nm] emitted by the light-emitting element 52, but light of other wavelengths is also allowed. In addition, the light-emitting element 52 is not limited to LEDs or LDs that emit light with a wavelength of 450 [nm] or less, for example, not only emit light with a wavelength of 450 [nm] or less, but with a wavelength of 450 [nm]. It may be an LED or LD that emits light on the longer wavelength side. That is, if it is an LED or LD that emits light with a wavelength of 450 [nm] or less, the light emission mode is not limited.

The cooling block 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 51. For the cooling block 10, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or the like is used.

Further, the cooling block 10 has a flow path 11 as a first flow path extending in the length direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 51. The cooling block 10 functions as a so-called liquid cooling block by passing a fluid through the flow path 11, and can rapidly dissipate heat transferred from the light emitting element 52 through the substrate 51. Also, the fluid is water, for example. Further, as the fluid, for example, a liquid such as liquid nitrogen or antifreeze, or a gas such as dry air or nitrogen may be used.

The cooling pipe 20 has a flow path 21 as a second flow path extending in the X-axis direction so as to be parallel to the flow path 11, and is a straight tubular member disposed on the rear side of the cooling block 10. For the cooling pipe 20, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or the like is used. The flow path 21 passes through both ends (ends 20a and 20b) of the cooling tube 20.

The connecting member 30 is a tubular member having a flow path 31 as a third flow path. The connecting member 30 is, for example, a 90[°] elbow joint, with one end at one end (end 10b) side of the cooling block 10, and the other end at one end (end 20b) of the cooling tube 20 On the side, each is connected. The flow path 31 penetrates both ends of the connection member 30, and makes the flow path 11 and the flow path 21 communicate with each other. For the connection member 30, for example, aluminum, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, or the like is used. Further, the connecting member 30 may be a straight tubular member. In addition, if the cooling block 10 and/or the cooling pipe 20 has a flow path that extends in the Z-axis direction corresponding to the flow path 31, the cooling block 10 and the cooling pipe 20 are cooled without interposing the connection member 30. The configuration in which the pipes 20 are connected may be used.

The joint member 71 is connected to a flow path 11 that opens to the other end (end 10a) side of the cooling block 10. Further, the joint member 72 is connected to a flow path 21 that opens to the other end (end 20a) side of the cooling pipe 20. The joint members 71 and 72 are also called couplings (couplers) and one-touch (quick) joints, for example, and are members that facilitate attachment and detachment of corresponding hoses or other tubular members. If the joint members 71 and 72 are provided with a non-return valve or other non-return prevention mechanism, fluid leakage from the inside of the cooling block 10 or the cooling pipe 20 occurs when the irradiation unit 1 is attached or detached. It becomes difficult to do so, and it is possible to suppress contamination, damage and other problems of the light source unit 50 due to leakage of fluid.

The attachment part 60 is attached to the top plate 144 and is disposed on both sides in the Y-axis direction with the irradiation unit 1 therebetween. In addition, the holding part 40 is arrange|positioned in the attachment part 60. The holding portion 40 extends along the length direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 51, and a plurality of attachment portions 60 are disposed along the X-axis direction, whereby the holding portion 40 is positioned.

The holding portions 40 are disposed on both sides in the Y-axis direction with the cooling block 10 therebetween, and are formed to protrude from the cooling block 10 side of the irradiation unit 1. The holding part 40 engages with the concave part 12 provided on the side surface of the cooling block 10 to hold the irradiation unit 1. The concave portion 12 is an example of a holding mechanism that acts together with the holding portion 40 to hold the cooling block 10 along the longitudinal direction of the substrate 51, that is, the X-axis direction.

In addition, the holding portion 40 also functions as a guide for attaching and detaching the cooling block 10. That is, the cooling block 10 may attach and detach the cooling block 10 along the X-axis direction so that the concave portion 12 is engaged with the holding portion 40. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the work time required for inspection or replacement of the cooling block 10 including the light source unit 50 or the irradiation unit 1.

The support member 80 is disposed between the cooling pipe 20 and the cooling block 10 and prevents a problem that may occur in the light source unit 50 due to bending or vibration of the cooling block 10. One or more support members 80 may be disposed depending on the length or mass of the irradiation unit 1 along the X-axis direction.

In the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment, the cooling medium flows in the order of the flow path 11 -> the flow path 31 -> the flow path 21 so that the cooling medium is returned in a substantially U-shape. In addition, the direction in which the cooling medium flows may be opposite.

Here, as the irradiation unit 1, in the interior of the cooling block 10, a first flow path (flow path 11), a third flow path (flow path 31), and a second flow path (flow path 21) are provided. , In one cooling block 10, the cooling medium flows in a substantially U-shape along the XY plane, but the cooling tube 20 is installed in parallel in the Y-axis, and the same XY plane as the cooling block 10 It is also possible to have a configuration in which the cooling medium flows in a substantially U-shape along the line. However, in the above configuration, since the cooling block 10 or the cooling pipe 20 occupies a width in the Y-axis direction, it is not preferable. In addition, since it is difficult to achieve a desired interval (pitch) when a plurality of irradiation units 1 are arranged along the Y axis, it is not preferable.

In addition, without installing the cooling tube 20 in the irradiation unit 1, the first flow path of the cooling block 10 of the plurality of irradiation units 1 is connected to the third flow path, and the plurality of irradiation units 1 It is also possible to have a configuration in which the cooling medium flows integrally with respect to. However, the temperature of the cooling medium is different between the irradiation unit 1 in which the joint member 71 is installed and the irradiation unit 1 in which the joint member 72 is installed. For this reason, it becomes difficult to control the temperature of the cooling medium in the plurality of irradiation units 1, and since there is a possibility that the irradiance of ultraviolet rays differs in the plurality of irradiation units 1, it is not preferable. In addition, if the first flow path of the cooling block 10 of the plurality of irradiation units 1 is connected to the third flow path, the replacement of the irradiation unit 1 subject to replacement unless all the third flow paths are separated during maintenance work. It is not preferable because it cannot be performed.

In order to solve the above problem, it is preferable that the irradiation unit 1 flows so that the cooling medium returns substantially in a U-shape along the X-axis direction as in the present embodiment.

As described above, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment can efficiently manufacture a liquid crystal panel by emitting ultraviolet rays having a wavelength suitable for processing of the panel 6 to be processed. Here, the panel 6 to be processed will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a liquid crystal panel. The processing target panel 6 shown in FIG. 4 has a pair of substrates 7 and 8 and a liquid crystal layer 9 provided between the substrate 7 and the substrate 8.

The substrate 7 is, for example, a color filter substrate in which a color filter (not shown) that transmits red, green, and blue light is disposed on a substrate, and the color filter is covered with a protective film. The substrate 8 is a counter substrate provided so as to face the substrate 7 across the liquid crystal layer 9, and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in an array shape.

The liquid crystal layer 9 contains a liquid crystal composition and a polymerizable monomer as a photoreactive substance. The liquid crystal layer 9 absorbs ultraviolet rays having a specific wavelength emitted from the irradiation unit 1, thereby polymerizing the polymerizable monomer, and stabilizing the liquid crystal composition in which the orientation is controlled by application of a voltage on the stage 151. .

Next, an arrangement example of the plurality of irradiation units 1 in the ultraviolet irradiation module 141 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. 5 is a schematic diagram of an ultraviolet irradiation module according to an embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 5, the plurality of irradiation units 1 are each fixed to the top plate 144, and are arranged in parallel so that the longitudinal direction of the irradiation unit 1 follows the X-axis direction, which is the opening and closing direction of the shutter. Has been. In addition, the top plate 144 may also serve as the reflecting plate 143 (see Fig. 1).

Further, the plurality of irradiation units 1 are arranged in different directions in the irradiation region R1 and the irradiation region R2. Specifically, in the irradiation region R1, the joint members 71 and 72 are located at the end 145 on the side of the X-axis negative direction, and in the irradiation region R2, the joint member ( 71 and 72) are arranged respectively. This makes it possible to attach and detach the irradiation unit 1 from the end 145 in the irradiation region R1 and from the end 146 in the irradiation region R2, respectively. For this reason, maintenance work can be made easy. Further, when the irradiation area is narrow, or when the total length of the irradiation unit 1 is large, the plurality of irradiation units 1 may be arranged in all the same directions.

Returning to Fig. 1, further explanation will be given. The stage unit 150 includes a stage 151 and a lift pin 152. The stage 151 applies a voltage to the panel 6 to be processed mounted on a predetermined position. The stage 151 may be formed of, for example, aluminum having high heat dissipation. In addition, if the surface of the stage 151 is coated with a fluororesin, rapid static elimination after panel replacement is possible, and a liquid crystal panel can be efficiently manufactured.

The lift pin 152 is an elevator that lifts and lowers the mounted panel 6 and is mainly used for carrying in/out of the panel 6 to be processed. Specifically, the lift pin 152 receives the to-be-processed panel 6 carried into the stage unit 150 from an unshown carrying inlet. Further, the lift pin 152 floats the panel 6 to be treated after UV irradiation placed on the stage 151 and passes it to a transfer robot (not shown).

As described above, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting elements 52, a cooling block 10, a cooling tube 20, and a third flow path (flow path 31). The plurality of light emitting devices 52 are mounted on the entire surface of the substrate 51. The cooling block 10 has a first flow path (channel 11) extending along the length direction of the substrate 51 and is disposed on the rear surface of the substrate 51. The cooling pipe 20 has a second flow path (channel 21) parallel to the first flow path (channel 11), and is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate 51 with the cooling block 10 therebetween. The third flow path (flow path 31) communicates one end of the first flow path (flow path 11) and one end of the second flow path (flow path 21). For this reason, maintenance work can be made easy.

Further, the cooling block 10 according to the embodiment is disposed so as to be detachable along the length direction of the substrate 51. For this reason, maintenance work can be made easy.

In addition, the irradiation unit 1 according to the embodiment includes a first joint member (joint member 71) connected to the other end of the first passage (channel 11) and a second passage (channel 21). A second joint member (joint member 72) connected to the other end is provided. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the cooling medium to fall during maintenance work.

Further, the cooling block 10 according to the embodiment is disposed so as to be detachable along the length direction of the substrate 51. For this reason, maintenance work can be made easy.

In addition, the liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices. The plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices irradiate light to the panel 6 to be processed containing a photoreactive substance. The ultraviolet irradiation device is the irradiation unit 1. For this reason, maintenance work can be made easy.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, although the concave portion 12 of the cooling block 10 is described as an example of a holding mechanism that acts together with the holding portion 40, the cooling block 10 is not limited thereto. The substrate 51 may have a convex portion protruding along the longitudinal direction, and the holding portion 40 may have a concave portion engaged with the convex portion.

In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, it has been described that the light-emitting elements 52 are arranged in a row along the length direction of the substrate 51, but are not limited thereto, for example, in a direction crossing the array direction along the array direction. It may be in a so-called zigzag arrangement in which the positions are alternately shifted.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described, the embodiment has been presented as an example, and there is no intention to limit the scope of the invention. The embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The embodiment and its modifications are included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalent ranges, just as they are included in the scope and summary of the invention.

1: irradiation unit 6: target panel
10: cooling block 12: recess
20: cooling unit 30: connection member
40: holding unit 50: light source unit
51: substrate 52: light emitting element
71, 72: joint member 140: irradiation unit
141: ultraviolet irradiation module 100: liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus

Claims (5)

A plurality of light emitting devices mounted on the entire surface of the substrate;
A cooling block having a first flow path extending along a length direction of the substrate and disposed on a rear surface of the substrate;
A cooling pipe having a second flow passage parallel to the first flow passage and disposed on a rear side of the cooling block; And
A third flow path communicating one end of the first flow path and one end of the second flow path;
With a, irradiation unit. The method of claim 1,
A holding mechanism for holding the cooling block along the length direction of the substrate;
With a, irradiation unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
A first joint member connected to the other end of the first flow path; And
A second joint member connected to the other end of the second flow path;
With a, irradiation unit. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
The cooling block is disposed detachably along the length direction of the substrate, irradiation unit. A plurality of ultraviolet irradiation devices for irradiating light onto a panel to be treated containing a photoreactive material;
And,
The said ultraviolet irradiation apparatus is the irradiation unit of Claim 1 or 2, The liquid crystal panel manufacturing apparatus.

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