TW201336671A - Alignment apparatus for optical display component and alignment method for optical display component - Google Patents

Abstract

The alignment apparatus for optical display component comprises: a camera device, which photographs a predetermined location (a corner) of the outermost edge of a black matrix of a display zone of a liquid crystal panel; and a control section, which carries out alignment of the liquid crystal panel by taking at least a portion (a top) of the predetermined location as a baseline for alignment. The camera device is arranged at one side of a component width direction that is normal to a conveyance direction of the optic display component.

Description

Alignment device of optical display element and alignment method of optical display element

The present invention relates to an alignment device for an optical display element and an alignment method of the optical display element.

The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-054621, filed on March 12, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Conventionally, a panel-shaped optical display element such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel is transported by a transport means such as a conveyor belt, and a film-shaped optical element is bonded to a production system of an optical display device of the optical display element, and an optical display element is mounted. The alignment determines the bonding position of the optical components. The detection of the alignment mark or the like of the optical display element is performed by, for example, irradiating light to a specific portion of the optical display element and photographing the reflected light image by a camera (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4307510

In the above production system, the panel-shaped optical display elements are mostly processed in a plurality of individual packaged card units, and at this time, the alignment marks of the optical display elements are not set at the required positions, and most of them are set at the predetermined position. position. In this case, in the head direction of the conveyance direction of the optical display element, the required alignment mark is not always present.

In other words, for example, if there is at least one pair of alignment marks on the head side in the transport direction of the optical display element, the alignment can be performed immediately at the time when the head side of the optical display element reaches the specific position in the transport direction, but as described above. In the case where the required alignment mark does not exist In this case, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the photographing device is lowered, and a means for additionally rotating the optical display element is required, which causes a problem of an increase in size or complexity of the device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an object of the invention is to suppress an increase in size or complication of an apparatus in an alignment device for an optical display element and an alignment method of an optical display element.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has achieved the following object.

(1) An alignment device for an optical display element according to an aspect of the present invention includes: an imaging device that captures a specific portion of an outermost edge of a black matrix in a display region of the optical display device; and a control portion that specifies the At least a portion of the portion is used as an alignment reference for alignment of the aforementioned optical display elements.

(2) In the aspect of the above aspect (1), the imaging device may be configured to be provided on at least one of both sides in the element width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the optical display element, and the most The corner of the head side is photographed in the conveyance direction of the outer edge.

(3) In the aspect of the above (2), the control unit may be configured to detect a vertex of the corner portion and use the vertex as an alignment reference.

(4) In the aspect of the above (2) or (3), the imaging device may be configured to be movable in the element width direction.

(5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (2) to (4), wherein the illuminating unit is configured to be disposed on one side of the front and back sides of the optical display element, and to face The specific portion emits light; and the camera is disposed on the other side of the front and back sides of the optical display element, and receives light transmitted through the illumination portion of the specific portion to photograph the specific portion.

(6) In the aspect of the above aspect (5), the imaging device may be configured to include a light diffusing plate disposed on the one side of the front and back sides of the optical display element at the specific portion and the illumination portion between.

(7) A method of aligning an optical display element according to an aspect of the present invention, comprising: photographing a specific step at an outermost edge of a black matrix of a display region of the optical display element; and performing at least a part of the specific portion The step of aligning the aforementioned optical display elements is performed for alignment of the reference.

With regard to the above aspects of the present invention, even in the case where the required alignment mark is not present on the head side in the transport direction of the optical display element, it is possible to utilize the specific outermost edge of the black matrix in the display area of the optical display element. As the main or auxiliary alignment standard, it is not necessary to reduce the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the photographing device, and the optical display element is additionally rotated, and it is possible to suppress an increase in size or complexity of the equipment of the production system.

Further, the outer edge portion of the optical display element itself is relatively likely to generate dust or debris, and if the portion is used as an alignment reference, reading failure is likely to occur, but by using the aforementioned inner side than the outer edge portion The specific portion of the aforementioned outermost edge of the black matrix serves as an alignment reference, so that the reading of the alignment reference can surely improve the stability of the system operation.

1‧‧‧Film bonding system (production system for optical display devices)

5‧‧‧Roller conveyor

6‧‧‧Upstream conveyor belt

7‧‧‧ downstream conveyor belt

10‧‧‧Photographing device

11‧‧‧First adsorption device

11a‧‧‧ Panel Holder

11b‧‧‧Aligned camera (camera)

11c‧‧‧Lighting Department

11d‧‧‧Light diffuser

12‧‧‧The first dust collecting device

13‧‧‧First bonding device

14‧‧‧First shift inspection device

14a, 18a, 21a‧‧‧ camera

15‧‧‧First reversal device

15a‧‧‧Rotary axis

15b‧‧‧Reverse arm

16‧‧‧Second dust collecting device

17‧‧‧Second fitting device

18‧‧‧Second shift inspection device

19‧‧‧Second reversal device

20‧‧‧Control Department

21‧‧‧ Defect inspection device

22‧‧‧Transporting device

22a‧‧‧ Roll Holder

22b‧‧‧ Guide roller

22c‧‧‧cutting device

22d‧‧‧blade

22e‧‧‧Winding Department

23‧‧‧ Roller

23a‧‧‧Following roller

BM‧‧‧Black Matrix

F‧‧‧ optical film

F1‧‧‧ optical components

F2‧‧‧Adhesive layer

F3‧‧‧ isolation layer

F4‧‧‧Surface protection film

F5‧‧‧Fitting film

F6‧‧‧ polarizer

F7‧‧‧ first film

F8‧‧‧second film

P‧‧‧LCD panel (optical display element)

P1‧‧‧ first substrate

P2‧‧‧second substrate

P3‧‧‧ liquid crystal layer

P4‧‧‧ display area

P11‧‧‧One-sided fitting panel

P12‧‧‧Two-sided fitting panel

R1‧‧‧ raw material roll

R2‧‧‧Separator roll

S1‧‧‧ outer dimensions

S2‧‧ ‧ interval

C1, c2‧‧‧ optical axis

E1‧‧‧ vertical edge

E2‧‧‧ horizontal edge

Summit of t‧‧‧

The first drawing is a schematic configuration diagram of a film bonding system of an optical display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The second figure is an A-arrow view of the first figure.

The third drawing is a plan view of a liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The fourth drawing is a cross-sectional view of an optical sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view showing the vicinity of an inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The sixth drawing is a plan view of the periphery of the above inspection apparatus.

The seventh drawing is an explanatory diagram before image processing of the photographic data of the above-described inspection apparatus.

The eighth figure is an explanatory diagram after the image processing of the above photographic material.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The first figure shows a schematic configuration of the film bonding system 1 of the present embodiment. The film bonding system (production system of the optical display device) 1 is a panel-shaped optical display element in which a film-shaped optical element of a so-called polarizing film, an anti-reflection film, or a light-diffusion film is bonded to, for example, a so-called liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel. . The film bonding system 1 is configured as a part of a production system for producing an optical display device including the aforementioned optical display element and optical element. In the film bonding system 1, a liquid crystal panel (optical display element) P is used as the aforementioned optical display element.

The third diagram is a plan view of the liquid crystal panel P as viewed from the thickness direction of the liquid crystal layer P3. The liquid crystal panel P includes: a first substrate P1 having a rectangular shape in a plan view; a second substrate P2 having a relatively small rectangular shape disposed opposite to the first substrate P1; and a liquid crystal layer P3 sealed to the first substrate P1 and the second substrate Between the substrates P2. The liquid crystal panel P has a rectangular shape along the outer shape of the first substrate P1 in a plan view, and a region that is accommodated inside the outer periphery of the liquid crystal layer P3 at a planar viewing angle as the display region P4.

The fourth figure is a cross-sectional view of the optical sheet F including the optical element F1 attached to the liquid crystal panel P. The optical sheet F has the film-shaped optical element F1; the adhesive layer F2 is provided on one surface (upper side in the drawing) of the optical element F1; and the spacer layer F3 is detachably laminated on one side of the optical element F1 via the adhesive layer F2. And a surface protective film F4 laminated on the other side of the optical element F1 (lower in the figure). The optical element F1 operates as a polarizing plate and is attached to the entire area of the display area P4 of the liquid crystal panel P and its peripheral area. Moreover, for convenience of illustration, the hatching lines of the respective layers of the fourth drawing are omitted.

The optical element F1 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel P via the adhesive layer F2 while the adhesive layer F2 remains on one surface and the separation layer F3 is separated. Hereinafter, a portion where the separator F3 is removed from the optical sheet F is referred to as a bonding sheet F5.

The spacer layer F3 protects the adhesive layer F2 and the optical element F1 between the separation from the adhesive layer F2. The surface protective film F4 is bonded to the liquid crystal panel P together with the optical element F1. The surface protective film F4 is disposed on the opposite side of the liquid crystal panel P with respect to the optical element F1 and protects the optical element F1, and is separated from the optical element F1 at a specific time. Further, the optical sheet F may have a structure that does not include the surface protective film F4, and the surface protective film F4 may have a structure that is not separated from the optical element F1.

The optical element F1 has a sheet-like polarizer F6, a first film F7 bonded to one surface of the polarizer F6 with an adhesive or the like, and a second film F8 joined to the other surface of the polarizer F6 with an adhesive or the like. The first film F7 and the second film F8 are, for example, protective films for protecting the polarizer F6.

Further, the optical element F1 may have a single layer structure composed of one optical layer, or may have a laminated structure in which a plurality of optical layers are laminated to each other. The optical layer may be a phase difference film or a brightness enhancement film in addition to the polarizer F6. At least one of the first film F7 and the second film F8 may also be subjected to a surface treatment which obtains an outermost hard coat comprising a protective liquid crystal display element. Anti-glare effects such as treatment or antiglare treatment. The optical element F1 may not include at least one of the first film F7 and the second film F8. For example, in a state where the first film F7 is omitted, the separator F3 may be bonded to one surface of the optical element F1 via the adhesive layer F2.

The film bonding system 1 will be described below with reference to the first and second figures. In the figure, the right side of the figure indicates the upstream side of the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel P (hereinafter referred to as the panel transport upstream side), and the left side of the figure is the downstream side of the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel P (hereinafter referred to as the panel transport downstream side).

The film bonding system 1 transports the liquid crystal panel P from the start position to the end position of the bonding step, for example, by using a drive type roller conveyor 5, and sequentially applies specific processing to the liquid crystal panel P. The liquid crystal panel P is conveyed to the roller conveyor 5 while its front and back surfaces are horizontal.

The first reversing device 15, which will be described later, of the roller conveyor 5 is a boundary, and is divided into an upstream side conveyor belt 6 and a downstream side conveyor belt 7. The liquid crystal panel P is, for example, the upstream side conveyor belt 6, and conveys the short side of the display area P4 in the conveyance direction, and the downstream side conveyor belt 7 is conveyed by the long side of the display area P4 along the conveyance direction. On the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal panel P, the bonding sheet F5 having a specific length cut out from the strip-shaped optical sheet F is bonded. The respective portions of the film bonding system 1 are collectively controlled as the control unit 20 of the electronic control unit.

The film bonding system 1 includes a first adsorption device 11 that adsorbs the liquid crystal panel P that has been transported to the end position of the upstream step, and transports it to the home position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6 to align the liquid crystal panel P. The first dust collecting device 12 is disposed closer to the downstream side of the panel transporting than the initial position; the first bonding device 13 is disposed closer to the downstream side of the panel transporting than the first dust collecting device 12; the first shifting inspection device 14 , disposed closer to the downstream side of the panel transport than the first bonding apparatus 13 ; and the first reversing device 15 disposed closer to the downstream side of the panel transport than the first shift inspection device 14 and reaching the upstream side conveyor belt The liquid crystal panel P at the terminal position of 6 is transported to the start position of the downstream side conveyor belt 7.

Further, the film bonding system 1 includes a second dust collecting device 16 provided closer to the panel conveying downstream side than the starting position of the downstream side conveyor belt 7, and a second bonding device 17 provided in the second dust collecting device 16 is closer to the downstream side of the panel transporting; the second shifting inspection device 18 is disposed closer to the downstream side of the panel transport than the second bonding apparatus 17; and the second inverting device 19 is provided at a lower level than the second shifting inspection device 18 Adjacent to the panel transporting the downstream side; and the defect inspection device 21 is disposed at a second inversion The device 19 is closer to the downstream side of the panel transport.

The first adsorption device 11 includes a panel holding portion 11a that holds the liquid crystal panel P and is freely transported in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and performs alignment of the liquid crystal panel P, and an alignment camera (camera) 11b, for example, a panel holding portion. 11a and detecting the alignment reference of the liquid crystal panel P.

The panel holding portion 11a is held above the liquid crystal panel P at the end position of the upstream step by vacuum suction, and conveys the liquid crystal panel P to the initial position of the bonding step (the upstream side conveyor belt 6) while maintaining the horizontal state. This position releases the aforementioned adsorption and delivers the liquid crystal panel P to the upstream side conveyor belt 6.

The alignment camera 11b is, for example, the head side (downstream side) in the conveyance direction of the liquid crystal panel P from the lower side to the end position of the upstream step. The photographic data of the aligning camera 11b is transmitted to the control unit 20, and based on the photographic data, the control unit 20 activates the panel holding unit 11a. Thereby, the alignment of the liquid crystal panel P with respect to the upstream side conveyor 6 is performed. At this time, the liquid crystal panel P performs positioning in the horizontal direction (hereinafter referred to as the element width direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction and the rotation direction around the vertical axis (hereinafter referred to as the rotation direction) with respect to the upstream side conveyor belt 6. The alignment camera 11b is a part of the imaging device 10 to be described later.

The first dust collecting device 12 is close to the bonding position of the first bonding device 13 and is provided on the panel transport upstream side, and performs static electricity removal and dust collection on the lower surface side of the liquid crystal panel P before being introduced to the bonding position.

The first bonding apparatus 13 performs bonding of the bonding sheet F5 cut into a specific size to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel P introduced to the bonding position.

The first bonding apparatus 13 includes a conveying device 22 that winds up the optical sheet F from the raw material roll R1 around which the optical sheet F is wound, and conveys the optical sheet F along the longitudinal direction thereof; and the pressing roller 23, and the conveying device 22 is optically The bonding sheet F5 of a specific length separated by the sheet F is bonded to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel P conveyed by the upstream side conveyor belt 6.

The conveying device 22 has a roller holding portion 22a, and conveys the bonding sheet F5 by using the separator F3 as a carrier, so that the raw material roll R1 around which the strip-shaped optical sheet F is wound is held and the optical sheet F is fed along the longitudinal direction thereof; a plurality of guide rollers 22b, the optical sheet F is wound to guide the optical sheet F taken up from the raw material roll R1 along a specific transport path; the cutting device 22c is placed on the transport path The optical sheet F on the diameter is half-cut; the blade 22d winds the half-cut optical sheet F at an acute angle, separates the bonded sheet F5 from the separation layer F3, and supplies the bonded sheet F5 to the bonding position; The take-up portion 22e holds the spacer roller R2, and the spacer roller R2 is wound up into a separate spacer layer F3 via the blade 22d.

The roller holding portion 22a located at the starting point of the conveying device 22 and the winding portion 22e located at the end point of the conveying device 22 are, for example, driven in synchronization with each other. Thereby, the roller holding portion 22a feeds the optical sheet F in the conveyance direction, and the winding portion 22e winds up the separation layer F3 via the blade 22d. Hereinafter, the transport direction of the optical sheet F (isolation layer F3) of the transport device 22 is referred to as a sheet transport upstream side, and the transport direction downstream side is referred to as a sheet transport downstream side.

Each of the guide rollers 22b changes the traveling direction of the optical sheet F during transport along the transport path, and at least a part of the plurality of guide rollers 22b is movable to adjust the tension of the optical sheet F during transport.

When the optical sheet F is fed by a specific length, the cutting device 22c is entirely wide in the width direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical sheet F, and cuts a part of the thickness direction of the optical sheet F (application of half cut).

In order to prevent the optical sheet F (separation layer F3) from being broken (to remain in the spacer layer F3 for a specific thickness), the cutting device 22c adjusts the advancement and retreat position of the cutting blade in order to prevent the movement of the optical sheet F from being carried out. Half cut until the vicinity of the interface between the adhesive layer F2 and the isolation layer F3. Alternatively, a laser device may be used instead of the cutting blade.

In the half-cut optical sheet F, the optical element F1 and the surface protective film F4 are cut in the thickness direction to form a tangent line extending over the entire width of the optical sheet F in the width direction. The tangent line is formed in a plurality of juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped optical sheet F. For example, in a state in which the bonding step of the liquid crystal panel P of the same size is carried out, a plurality of tangents are formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the optical sheet F. The optical sheet F is divided into a plurality of divisions in the longitudinal direction by the plurality of tangent lines. The divisions sandwiched by a pair of tangential lines adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the optical sheet F are respectively formed as sheets on the bonding sheet F5.

The blade edge 22d is disposed below the upstream side conveyor belt 6, and extends over at least the full width in the width direction of the optical sheet F. The blade 22d is wound to be slid to the side of the spacer F3 of the half-cut optical sheet F.

The blade 22d has a first surface configured to be from the width direction of the optical sheet F (upper The width direction of the flow side conveyor belt 6 is seen as a lying posture; the second surface is disposed at an acute angle to the first surface from the width direction of the optical sheet F above the first surface; and the front end portion is first Face and second meeting.

The blade 22d winds the optical sheet F at an acute angle at the front end portion thereof. When the optical sheet F is folded back at an acute angle at the tip end portion of the blade 22d, the sheet of the bonded sheet F5 is separated from the separator F3. The front end portion of the blade 22d is disposed on the downstream side of the panel conveyance of the pressure roller 23. The bonding sheet F5 separated from the separator F3 by the blade 22d is superposed on the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel P conveyed by the upstream side conveyor 6, and is introduced between the pair of bonding rollers of the pressure roller 23.

The rolling roller 23 has a pair of bonding rollers 23a arranged in parallel with each other in the axial direction. A specific gap is formed between the pair of bonding rollers 23a, and the gap is the bonding position of the first bonding apparatus 13. In the gap described above, the liquid crystal panel P and the bonding sheet F5 are superposed and introduced. The liquid crystal panel P and the bonding sheet F5 are pressed against the respective bonding rollers 23a and sent to the downstream side of the panel conveyance. Thereby, the bonding sheet F5 is integrally bonded to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel P. Hereinafter, the bonded panel is referred to as a one-sided bonding panel P11.

The first shift inspection device 14 checks whether or not the position of the liquid crystal panel P of the bonding sheet F5 bonded to the first bonding apparatus 13 of the sheet-face bonding panel P11 is correct (whether the positional displacement is within the tolerance range). The first shift inspection device 14 includes a pair of cameras 14a that are imaged on the panel of the sheet-face bonding panel P11, for example, to convey the edge of the bonding sheet F5 on the upstream side and the downstream side. The photographic data obtained by the imaging of each camera 14a is transmitted to the control unit 20, and based on the photographic data, it is determined whether or not the relative positions of the bonding sheet F5 and the liquid crystal panel P are correct. When it is determined that the aforementioned relative position is not correct, the sheet-face bonding panel P11 is discharged to the outside of the system by a discharging means not shown.

The first reversing device 15 has a rotating shaft 15a that is inclined at a viewing angle of 45° with respect to a plane of view of the liquid crystal panel P, and an inverting arm 15b that is supported by the end position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6 via the rotating shaft 15a and Between the starting positions of the downstream side conveyor belt 7. The reverse arm 15b holds the sheet-face fitting panel P11 that reaches the end position of the upstream-side conveying belt 6 by suction or holding or the like via the first displacement inspection device 14, and the reverse arm 15b is rotated around the rotating shaft 15a. At 180°, the front surface and the back surface of the sheet-face bonding panel P11 are reversed, and, for example, the direction of the sheet-surface bonding panel P11 conveyed parallel to the short side of the display region P4 is converted into a long side conveyed parallel to the display region P4.

In the reverse rotation operation, each of the optical members F1 bonded to the front surface and the back surface of the liquid crystal panel P is disposed at right angles to each other in the polarization axis direction. The upstream side conveyor belt 6 and the downstream side conveyor belt 7 together serve as the conveyance direction of the liquid crystal panel P from the right side of the drawing to the left side, but the upstream side conveyor belt 6 and the downstream side conveyor belt 7 are via the first reversing device 15 The plane angle of view is offset by a certain amount. That is, the displacement disposed between the upstream side conveyor belt 6 and the downstream side conveyor belt 7 is offset by the first reversing device 15.

Further, in a state where the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal panel P are reversed, for example, an inverting device having an inversion arm having a rotation axis parallel to the conveyance direction may be used. In this case, when the sheet conveying direction of the first bonding apparatus 13 and the sheet conveying direction of the second bonding apparatus 17 are arranged at right angles to each other at the plane viewing angle, the surface and the back surface of the liquid crystal panel P can be bonded to the polarization axis. The positions are arranged to each other as a right angle optical member F1.

The reverse arm 15b has the same alignment function as the panel holding portion 11a of the aforementioned first suction device 11. The first reversing device 15 is provided with an alignment camera 11b (photographing device 10) similar to the first adsorption device 11.

The second dust collecting device 16 is a bonding device that is close to the second bonding device 17, and is provided on the liquid crystal conveying upstream side, and removes and collects static electricity on the lower surface side of the sheet surface bonding panel P11 before being introduced to the bonding position. .

The second bonding apparatus 17 performs bonding of the bonding sheet F5 cut into a specific size to the lower surface of the sheet surface bonding panel P11 which is introduced to the bonding position. Similarly to the first bonding apparatus 13, the second bonding apparatus 17 includes a conveying apparatus 22 and a rolling roller 23.

In the gap between the pair of bonding rollers 23a of the pressure roller 23 (the bonding position of the second bonding device 17), the sheet-face bonding panel P11 and the bonding sheet F5 are introduced in an overlapping state, and the bonding sheet F5 is introduced. It is integrally bonded to the lower surface of the sheet-face bonding panel P11. Hereinafter, the laminated panel is referred to as a double-sided bonding panel P12.

The second shift inspection device 18 checks whether or not the position of the liquid crystal panel P of the bonding sheet F5 bonded to the second bonding apparatus 17 of the double-sided bonding panel P12 is correct (whether the positional displacement is within the tolerance range). The second shift inspection device 18 includes a pair of cameras 18a, for example, which are used to convey the edge of the bonding sheet F5 on the upstream side and the downstream side of the panel bonded to the panel P12 on both sides. The photographic data obtained by each camera 18a is transmitted to the control unit 20, and is judged based on the photographic data. Whether the relative positions of the fixed sheet F5 and the liquid crystal panel P are correct. When it is determined that the aforementioned relative position is not correct, the double-sided bonding panel P12 is discharged to the outside of the system by the discharging means not shown.

The second inverting device 19 reverses the front surface and the back surface of the liquid crystal panel P (the double-sided bonding panel P12) on the backlight side via the first inverting device 15, and the same as when the film bonding system 1 is carried in, The display side is up.

In the defect inspection device 21, the liquid crystal panel P (the double-sided bonding panel P12) with the display surface side facing upward via the second inverting device 19 is irradiated with light from the lower surface side (backlight side) and is displayed from the upper surface side by the camera 21a (display) On the face side), according to the photographic data, it is checked whether the two-sided bonding panel P12 has a defect (a fitting error, etc.).

Next, the alignment of the liquid crystal panel P by this embodiment will be described. Further, the following description describes an example of alignment performed by the first adsorption device 11 at the end position of the upstream step, but may be performed at the initial position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6. Further, the alignment by the second inverting device 19 is also performed in the same manner.

Referring to the first drawing, the panel holding portion 11a of the first adsorption device 11 is introduced into the liquid crystal panel P at the bonding position by the upstream side conveying belt 6, and the liquid crystal panel is operated in a specific position in the element width direction and the rotation direction. When the P is aligned, the liquid crystal panel P is placed at the initial position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6. At the terminal position of the upstream step, a pair of imaging devices 10 that are symmetrical in the direction of the element width are provided, and the imaging device 10 captures a specific portion of the liquid crystal panel P in order to align the liquid crystal panel P.

As shown in the fifth and sixth figures, each of the imaging devices 10 includes an illuminating unit 11c that is disposed above the end portion on the head side (downstream side) in the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel P at the end position of the upstream step; the light diffusing plate 11d, The liquid crystal panel P and the illumination unit 11c are disposed sideways on the liquid crystal panel P side; and the alignment camera 11b is disposed under the liquid crystal panel P to transmit light of the illumination unit 11c of the liquid crystal panel P, and the image is included in the display area. A portion of a specific portion (corner portion) of the outermost edge (edge portion) of the black matrix BM of P4.

The illuminating unit 11c is disposed above the corners on both sides in the element width direction of the outermost edge of the black matrix BM on the head side in the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel P. The illumination unit 11c is composed of, for example, a high-intensity LED lamp, and is disposed such that its optical axis c2 is along the thickness direction of the liquid crystal panel P and faces the both corners.

The light diffusion plate 11d is disposed between the illumination unit 11c and the liquid crystal panel P so as to be close to the liquid crystal panel P. The light diffusing plate 11d is formed in a flat plate shape parallel to the liquid crystal panel P, and is disposed so as to overlap the peripheral portion of the both corner portions in the plane viewing angle of the liquid crystal panel P.

The alignment camera 11b is disposed to face the illumination unit 11c in the thickness direction of the liquid crystal panel P such that the optical axis c1 coincides with the optical axis c2 of the illumination unit 11c. The alignment camera 11b is composed of an imaging element such as a CCD, and the light receiving unit is disposed upward, and receives light that has passed through the illumination unit 11c around the corner.

Further, each of the imaging devices 10 can perform the imaging of the periphery of the corner portion when the liquid crystal panel P having a different width or the like is moved in the element width direction.

The control unit 20 obtains the position information of the liquid crystal panel P based on the image data of the alignment camera 11b and controls the operation of the panel holding portion 11a. Specifically, the control unit 20 applies specific image processing to the image data of the alignment camera 11b, and detects the vertex t of the both corners.

Based on the positional information of the apexes t of the two corner portions, positional information in the element width direction and the rotation direction of the liquid crystal panel P is obtained.

Referring to the seventh and eighth figures, in the image processing, for example, a threshold value is set for the brightness of the photographic material of the alignment camera 11b, and the brightness and the outline of the black matrix BM (the outline of the pixel portion) are used as Noise to eliminate. Thereby, an image in which only the outermost shape of the black matrix BM as shown in the eighth figure is projected is obtained from the image in which the lattice condition of the black matrix BM as shown in the seventh figure is projected.

The control unit 20 projects the vertical edge e1 along the transport direction of the outermost liquid crystal panel P and the lateral edge e2 along the element width direction from the image processed image. The control unit 20 finds the intersection point of each of the edges e1 and e2 (that is, the vertex t of the corner portion) as an alignment reference of the liquid crystal panel P. Further, the image pre-image as shown in FIG. 7 may be registered in the control unit 20, and the alignment of the liquid crystal panel P may be performed by collating with the registered image.

Referring to the fifth and sixth figures, the control unit 20 appropriately operates the panel holding portion 11a to perform alignment of the liquid crystal panel P with respect to the start position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6 based on the position information obtained from the above-described alignment reference. In other words, when the panel holding portion 11a adsorbs and transports the liquid crystal panel P to the initial position of the upstream side conveyor 6 from the end position of the upstream step, the front end position of the upstream side conveyor belt 6 on the liquid crystal panel P is as described above. Component width direction and direction of rotation Positioning.

The illuminating unit 11c serves as a high-brightness LED to ensure the brightness, and is relatively separated from the liquid crystal panel P positioned at the end position of the upstream step to ensure that the panel holding portion 11a adsorbs the moving space when the liquid crystal panel P is transported.

The light diffusing plate 11d can be separated from the liquid crystal panel P positioned at the end position of the upstream step by a relatively small amount, so that the specific amount of the liquid crystal panel P can be raised, and the liquid crystal panel P at the time of the rise can be approached (in the fifth figure The dotted line indicates the top of the). As a result, the light of the illumination unit 11c ensures the brightness of the liquid crystal panel P at the time of the rise and effectively distributes the light.

The pair of photographing devices 10 are separated from each other in the above-described element width direction, and between these, the panel holding portion 11a can pass in the transport direction. In other words, the outer dimension S1 in the element width direction of the panel holding portion 11a becomes smaller than the interval S2 between the pair of imaging devices 10 (particularly, between the pair of light diffusion plates 11d close to the liquid crystal panel P). Further, when the panel holding portion 11a is moved, the pair of imaging devices 10 may be advanced and moved in the element width direction and separated.

Here, in the existing rectangular liquid crystal panel, if alignment marks are provided at only three of the four corners of the plane viewing angle, the alignment marks on the head side of the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel will exist only in the aforementioned components. a corner of the width direction. In this case, the alignment of the liquid crystal panel cannot be performed, and it is necessary to move the alignment camera 11b on the flow side in the transport direction (even if the liquid crystal panel is transported closer to the downstream side of the transport direction than the alignment camera 11b), and it is necessary to make The liquid crystal panel is rotated by 90 or 180 around the vertical axis.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the edge of the black matrix BM of the liquid crystal panel P is detected, and the alignment reference of the liquid crystal panel P is found from the edge, even if the alignment mark is not present in the head side of the liquid crystal panel P. In the case, an alignment reference can be found on at least both sides in the element width direction of the liquid crystal panel P. Therefore, it is not necessary to additionally convey and rotate the liquid crystal panel P, and alignment of the liquid crystal panel P can be performed.

Since the edge of the black matrix BM is generally located closer to the inner side than the outer edge portion of the liquid crystal panel P, it is hardly affected by the adhesion of dust or foreign matter, and is hard to be broken even in the case where the liquid crystal panel P is made of a glass substrate. Influence such as shavings. Therefore, the occurrence of a reading failure of the alignment reference is suppressed, and it is difficult to cause interruption of the system operation or the like.

In the case where the bonding sheet F5 (polarizing plate) is bonded to one surface or both surfaces of the front surface and the back surface, and the alignment of the liquid crystal panel P is performed, light of white at a general wavelength is caused by the structure of the bonding sheet F5. Photography becomes difficult (detection of alignment standards becomes difficult). In this case, the light of the illumination unit 11c may be changed to light such as red, blue, and green, and the treatment that is hardly affected by the polarizing plate may be performed.

As described above, the alignment device for the optical display device of the present embodiment includes the imaging device 10, which is imaged at a specific portion (corner portion) of the outermost edge of the black matrix BM of the display region P4 of the liquid crystal panel P, and a control portion. 20. Aligning at least a portion of the foregoing specific portion as an alignment reference and performing alignment of the liquid crystal panel P described above.

According to this configuration, even in the case where the alignment mark is not present on the head side in the conveyance direction of the liquid crystal panel P, the specific outermost portion of the black matrix BM of the display region P4 of the liquid crystal panel P can be made main or By using the auxiliary alignment standard, it is not necessary to reduce the degree of freedom in installation of the photographing apparatus 10, and the optical display element is additionally rotated, and it is possible to suppress an increase in size or complexity of the equipment of the production system.

Further, the outer edge portion of the liquid crystal panel P itself is relatively likely to generate dust or debris, and if the portion is used as an alignment reference, the reading failure is likely to occur, but by using the aforementioned inner side than the outer edge portion The specific position of the outermost edge is used as the alignment reference, so that the reading of the alignment reference can ensure the stability of the operation of the system.

Here, the alignment method of the optical display element of the present embodiment includes a step of photographing a specific portion (corner portion) of the outermost edge of the black matrix BM of the display region P4 of the liquid crystal panel P; and the specific portion At least a part of the step of performing alignment of the liquid crystal panel P as an alignment reference can obtain the same operational effects as those of the alignment device of the optical display element described above.

Further, in the alignment device of the optical display device, the imaging device 10 is provided on both sides in the element width direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the liquid crystal panel P, and the corner portion on the head side in the conveyance direction of the outermost edge is imaged, and the control is performed. By using the vertex t of the corner portion as an alignment reference, the alignment standard can be easily found on the liquid crystal panel P on both sides in the element width direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the head side in the transport direction of the liquid crystal panel P. The alignment direction can be immediately performed when the head side reaches the specific position.

Further, at this time, the photographing device 10 is set to be movable in the direction of the aforementioned element width Therefore, it is also possible to easily correspond to the alignment of the liquid crystal panel P having different element widths.

Further, in the alignment device of the optical display device, the imaging device 10 includes an illumination unit 11c, is disposed on one side of the front and back sides of the liquid crystal panel P, and emits light toward the specific portion; and the camera 11b. It is disposed on the other side of the front and back sides of the liquid crystal panel P, and receives the light transmitted through the illumination portion 11c at the specific portion to photograph the specific portion. Therefore, the light passing through the illumination portion 11c at the specific portion can be used. The quasi-camera 11b vividly photographs the aforementioned specific portion, and the alignment reference is well found.

In addition, the image capturing apparatus 10 has the light diffusing plate 11d disposed between the specific portion and the illuminating portion 11c on one side of the front and back sides of the liquid crystal panel P, so that the irradiation can be ensured to the foregoing. The brightness of the light of the illumination unit 11c at a specific place can improve the degree of freedom in arrangement of the illumination unit 11c.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the liquid crystal panel may be photographed by the light of the illumination unit 11c on the side of the camera 11b or the reflected light of the liquid crystal panel P caused by the natural light (the light there). P. At least one of the optical axes c1 and c2 of the alignment camera 11b and the illumination unit 11c may be inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the liquid crystal panel P, and the optical axes c1 and c2 of the alignment camera 11b and the illumination unit 11c may be shifted from each other. Configuration. The optical element may be bonded to the optical element from at least one surface of the front and back surfaces of the liquid crystal panel P. It is not limited to the top of the corner of the outermost edge of the black matrix BM, and the groove or the height difference of the outermost edge is used as an alignment reference. It is also possible to combine the edges of the black matrix BM with other alignment marks to perform alignment of the liquid crystal panel P.

Further, the present invention is also applicable to an optical display device in which an optical element is bonded to only one surface of the front surface and the back surface of the optical display element, a backlight or a reflecting plate as an illumination system, or the like, or a plurality of optical display devices. At the time of forming the optical display device, it is also possible to arrange a suitable element such as one or two or more diffusion plates, a light shielding layer, an antireflection film, a protective plate, a ruthenium array, and a lens array sheet at appropriate positions.

Further, in the present invention, the optical elements bonded to both the front and back surfaces of the optical display element may have the same structure or may have different structures. The bonding steps of the optical elements may be performed simultaneously or almost simultaneously with each other, and any surface and back may be performed first in a different time. It is also possible to adopt a structure in which the optical element is completely cut into individual liquid crystal panels and used as individual sheets, and the sheet is conveyed and attached to the liquid crystal panel.

The configuration of the above-described embodiment is an example of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

10‧‧‧Photographing device

11‧‧‧First adsorption device

11a‧‧‧ Panel Holder

11b‧‧‧Aligned camera (camera)

11c‧‧‧Lighting Department

11d‧‧‧Light diffuser

20‧‧‧Control Department

BM‧‧‧Black Matrix

P‧‧‧LCD panel (optical display element)

P4‧‧‧ display area

S1‧‧‧ outer dimensions

S2‧‧ ‧ interval

Summit of t‧‧‧

Claims (7)

An alignment device for an optical display element, comprising: an imaging device that photographs a specific portion of an outermost edge of a black matrix of a display region of the optical display element; and a control portion that treats at least a portion of the specific portion as a pair A quasi-reference is made to align the aforementioned optical display elements. The aligning device for an optical display element according to claim 1, wherein the photographic device is provided on at least one of two sides in a width direction of the element perpendicular to a conveying direction of the optical display element, in the black matrix At the outermost edge of the transport direction, the corner portion on the head side is photographed. The aligning device for an optical display element according to claim 2, wherein the control unit detects an apex of the corner portion and uses the apex as an alignment reference. The aligning device for an optical display element according to claim 2, wherein the photographic device is configured to be movable in the element width direction. The aligning device for an optical display device according to claim 1, wherein the photographic device includes an illuminating portion disposed on one side of the front and back sides of the optical display element, and illuminating the light toward the specific portion And the camera is disposed on the other side of the front and back sides of the optical display element, and receives light transmitted through the illumination portion of the specific portion to photograph the specific portion. The aligning device for an optical display element according to claim 5, wherein the photographic device has a light diffusing plate disposed on the one side of the front and back sides of the optical display element at the specific portion and the illumination Between the ministries. A method of aligning an optical display element, comprising: photographing a specific portion of an outermost edge of a black matrix of a display region of the optical display element; and performing at least a portion of the specific portion as an alignment reference The step of alignment of the optical display elements.