TWI540053B - System for laminating optical film and method for manufacturing display unit using the same - Google Patents

Description

System for laminating optical film and method for preparing display unit using same

The present invention relates to a system for laminating optical films and a method of using the same for preparing a display unit, and more particularly to a system for attaching an optical film, which can increase the attachment of an optical film to a panel constituting a display device The process efficiency of the process on the surface, and the method of using the same for preparing a display unit.

This application claims the benefit (Priority and Benefit) of Patent Application No. 10-2014-0047336 to the Korea Intellectual Property Office on April 21, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In the display device, a display unit can be realized by attaching an optical film (for example, a polarizing film) to both surfaces of a panel prepared by a manufacturing system. 1 conceptually illustrates a portion of a system for preparing a display unit in accordance with the prior art, and FIG. 2 illustrates a process for preparing a display unit using a manufacturing system.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an optical film 2 is attached to a panel 3 by attaching a release sheet 1 to a surface thereof by using a roller, and The optical film 2 is cut to correspond to the size of the panel 3 and the optical film 2 is laminated on the surface of the panel while removing the release sheet 1 attached to the optical film 2, and then, the optical process is performed by the same process. The film 2 is laminated to the other surface of the panel 3, whereby a display unit is obtained.

However, in the flow of preparing the display unit according to the conventional technique, it is necessary to have a flow of inverting the panel 3, and thus the processing efficiency may be lowered.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, in the example of the optical film 2 to be attached to the panel 3 corresponding to the polarizing film, when a polarizing film is attached to both surfaces of the panel 3, a plurality of polarizing films should be The plurality of absorption axes are attached in a manner perpendicular to each other, and this also requires a flow of rotating the panel 3.

Additional circuitry is required to rotate the panel or the optical film to perform additional processing, however additional equipment can result in increased line lengths, resulting in reduced space efficiency.

The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and therefore the present invention is directed to increasing the processing efficiency of the process of attaching an optical film to both surfaces of a panel.

However, the object of the present invention is not limited to the above objects, and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, a system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a panel transfer unit for transporting a panel; and a first laminate unit mounted on a transmission line of the panel to follow An optical film is supplied perpendicular to one of the transport directions of the panel and is flat Laminating the supplied optical film to one of the first surfaces of the panel in one of the directions of the transport direction of the panel; and a second lamination unit mounted on the transmission line of the panel to be parallel The optical film is supplied in one of the transport directions of the panel, and the supplied optical film is laminated to one of the second surfaces of the panel in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the panel.

The panel transfer unit can include a conveyor belt to support and transport the panel.

The panel transfer unit can include a transfer roller to support and transport the panel.

The panel transfer unit can have a width corresponding to one of the widths of one of the panels.

The first lamination unit may include: a first supply roller that supplies the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the panel; and a first laminating device disposed on the supplied optical film And between the first supply rollers, the supplied optical film is laminated onto the first surface of the panel in the direction parallel to the supply direction of the panel.

The first supply roller can supply the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel.

The first lamination unit can include a first direction changing roller that changes the direction such that the optical film supplied by the first supply roller faces the first surface of the panel.

The first lamination unit may include a film holder disposed opposite the first laminating device via the optical film to support a release film to The release sheet can be attached to the optical film to be divided.

The first laminate unit may include a first cutter disposed between the first supply roller and the film holder for cutting the optical film to a predetermined length.

The first lamination unit can include a first collection roller for collecting the release sheet separated from the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel.

The first lamination unit may include a second direction changing roller for changing the direction such that the release film separated from the optical film can move to the first collecting roller in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel .

The first laminating device may be a laminating wheel having an adsorption hole formed on the periphery thereof.

The first laminating device may be a laminating wheel having an adsorption pad attached to the periphery thereof.

The second lamination unit may include: a second supply roller that supplies the optical film in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the panel; and a second laminating device that is parallel to the panel The direction of the transport direction laminates the supplied optical film onto the second surface of the panel.

The second lamination unit may include a stripper remover disposed between the second supply roller and the second laminating device for separating a release sheet attached to the optical film.

The second lamination unit can include a second collection roller for collecting the release sheet separated from the optical film by the release sheet remover.

The second laminating unit may include a second cutter, which is arranged Between the second supply roller and the release film, the optical film is half-cut to a predetermined length.

The second laminating device can be a laminating drum comprising a first roller and a second roller respectively disposed on the first surface and the second surface of the panel to be transported.

Meanwhile, the above object can also be achieved by a method of preparing a display unit in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the method of preparing a display unit comprising supplying a panel for preparing a display unit in a direction along a transmission direction of the vertical panel Supplying an optical film, and laminating the supplied optical film onto the first surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the panel, and supplying the optical film in a direction along the transport direction of the parallel panel, and The supplied optical film is laminated to the second surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of transport of the panel.

According to the present invention, the processing efficiency of the process flow for attaching the optical film to both surfaces of the panel can be increased.

F, F1, F2‧‧‧ optical film

S‧‧‧ release film

P‧‧‧ panel

D‧‧‧ display unit

10‧‧‧ Panel Transmission Unit

20‧‧‧First laminate unit

21‧‧‧First supply roller

22‧‧‧Change the roller in the first direction

23‧‧‧First laminating device

24‧‧‧membrane frame

25‧‧‧First cutter

26‧‧‧First collection roller

27‧‧‧Change the roller in the second direction

30‧‧‧Second lamination unit

31‧‧‧Second supply roller

32‧‧‧Second laminating device

33‧‧‧ Tension roller

34‧‧‧Removal strip remover

35‧‧‧Second collection roller

36‧‧‧Second cutter

M1, M2‧‧‧ absorption axis

L‧‧‧cut length

W‧‧‧Width

The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings .

Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the processing performed by the system for laminating optical films shown in Fig. 1 in the related art.

3 and 4 illustrate the direction in which the absorption axes of the pair of polarizing films attached to one of the two sides of a panel are attached as shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the lamination direction of the first laminate unit and the second laminate unit shown in Fig. 5 with respect to the optical film.

Fig. 7 is a view showing an exemplary embodiment of the first laminating unit shown in Fig. 5 as seen from the direction of the arrow A of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the first laminating unit shown in Fig. 5 as seen from the direction of the arrow B of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a view showing an example of the embodiment of the second laminating unit shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing an example of the laminating wheel shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing another example of the laminating wheel shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms and terms used in the specification should not be construed as being limited to the meaning of the general and the meaning of the dictionary, but should be based on the principles of the invention and the meaning and concepts of the technical aspects. It is understood that the inventors are allowed to define terms appropriately to obtain the best interpretation. Therefore, the description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the invention. Spirit and scope.

First, please refer to FIG. 5, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The overall architecture of the laminated optical film system is described herein.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a panel transfer unit 10, a first laminate unit 20, and a second laminate unit 30.

Within the system, the panel transport unit 10 transports an optical film F to which a panel P is attached, and the width of the panel transport unit 10 corresponds to the width of the panel P.

Various transport devices, such as a conveyor belt or a transport roller, can be used as the means for supporting and transporting the panel P.

The first laminate unit 20 and the second laminate unit 30 are mounted on a transmission line of the panel P for laminating the optical films F1 and F2 to the first surface of the panel P and the opposite On the surface.

Referring to Figures 6 through 11, the specific functions and architecture of the first laminate unit 20 and the second laminate unit 30 will be described in more detail in the following paragraphs.

First, please refer to the lamination direction of the first surface of the panel P and the lamination direction on the second surface as described in FIG.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view showing the lamination direction of the first laminate unit and the second laminate unit shown in Fig. 5 with respect to the optical film.

Referring to FIG. 6, the laminate on the first surface of the panel P is along a direction approximately parallel to the transport direction of the panel P, and uses one direction along the transmission direction of the panel P. Supplyed The optical film is executed.

In another aspect, the laminate on the second surface of the panel P is oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of transport of the panel P and in a direction that is approximately parallel to the direction of transmission of the panel P. The supplied optical film is executed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the first lamination unit 20 supplies the optical film F1 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the transport direction of the panel P, and is approximately parallel to the panel P. The supplied optical film F1 is laminated to the first surface of the panel P in one of the directions of the transport. That is, the first lamination unit 20 performs one direction of supplying the optical film F1 and one direction of performing lamination is approximately perpendicular to each other.

In another aspect, the second lamination unit 30 supplies the optical film F2 in a direction approximately parallel to the transport direction of the panel P, and in a direction approximately parallel to the transport direction of the panel P. The supplied optical film F2 is laminated onto the second surface of the panel P. That is, one direction in which the supply of the optical film F2 is performed by the second lamination unit 30 and one direction of performing lamination is approximately parallel to each other.

Further, the lamination directions of the optical films on the first surface and the second surface of the panel P are approximately perpendicular to each other, and thus the absorption axes of the optical films F1 and F2 attached to both surfaces of the panel P are attached. M1 and M2 should be perpendicular to each other.

As described above, since the lamination directions of the optical films F1 and F2 attached to the both surfaces of the panel P are perpendicular to each other, one of the optical films F1 to be laminated onto the first surface has a cutting length equal to To be laminated to the second The width W of the optical film F2 on the surface, and the width of the optical film F1 to be laminated onto the first surface is equal to the cutting length L of the optical film F2 to be laminated on the second surface.

Next, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the structure of the first lamination unit 20 will be described in more detail.

Figure 7 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the first lamination unit shown in Figure 5 as seen from the direction of the arrow A of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a view of Figure 5 as seen from the direction of the arrow B of Figure 6 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of a laminate unit.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , the first laminating unit 20 can be implemented to include a first supply roller 21 , a first direction changing roller 22 , a first laminating device 23 , a film frame 24 , and a first cutting device . The cutter 25, a first collecting roller 26 and a second direction changing roller 27.

The first supply roller 21 is supplied with an optical film F1 positioned thereon in a direction approximately perpendicular to the panel P, the optical film F1 being wound and having a release sheet S attached to one surface thereof .

That is, the first supply roller 21 minimizes the space occupied by the device by minimizing the overall width of the system of the laminated optical film to which the optical film F1 is to be supplied.

The first laminating device 23 is disposed between the optical film F1 and the first surface of the panel P. The first direction changing roller 22 changes the moving direction of one of the optical films F1 such that the optical film F1 is along The direction perpendicular to the direction of the transport direction of the panel P is moved while the drum 22 is facing the panel P by the first direction.

The first laminating device 23 is approximately cylindrical in shape, and when moving between the panel P and the optical film F1, the optical film F1 is separated from the release sheet S and the optical film F1 is laminated to the panel P On the first surface.

Meanwhile, the first laminating device 23 may correspond to the optical film F1 having the adsorption wheel of the adsorption structure to be adsorbed on the periphery thereof, and an example of the adsorption structure in the laminating wheel is exemplified in FIGS. 10 and 11 .

First, referring to Fig. 10, the laminating wheel 23 may have a plurality of adsorption holes H formed on the periphery thereof. In this case, one of the inner spaces of the laminating wheel 23 can be connected to a vacuum pump (not shown), and the optical film F1 can be adsorbed on the laminating wheel when the vacuum pump is operated. On the periphery of 23.

Next, referring to FIG. 11, the adsorption pad 23a having a plurality of adsorption grooves G may be attached to the periphery of the laminating wheel 23.

As described above, the surface structure can adsorb the optical film F1, and the first laminated wheel 23 attaches the optical film F1 separated from the release sheet S to the periphery of the first laminated wheel 23 and moves to the panel P The optical film F1 is then laminated onto the first surface of the panel P in a direction parallel to the direction of transport of the panel P.

In this case, the adhesion between the panel P and the optical film F1 is achieved by an adhesive layer formed on a surface which is attached to either of the two surfaces of the optical film F1. surface.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the film holder 24 is disposed opposite the first laminating device 23 via the optical film F1 for supporting the release sheet S to attach the release sheet S. To the optical film F1 to be divided.

The structure of the film holder 24 is not particularly limited as long as the film stack 24 has a structure that can hold the release film when the first laminate device 23 adsorbs the optical film F1 and moves to the panel P. S is such that the release sheet S can be separated from the optical film F1. For example, the adsorption structure of the laminate wheel 23 shown in Figs. 10 and 10 can be applied.

The first cutter 25 is disposed between the first supply roller 21 and the film holder 24, and only cuts (half cuts) the optical film F1 into a predetermined length and simultaneously leaves the release film S intact. Next, the optical film F1 is continuously attached to the panel P.

Here, the cutting length of one of the optical films F1 depends on the width of the panel P, and when it is half-cut to the size of the panel P, the optical film F1 can be continuously laminated for each panel P.

The first collecting roller 26 collects the stripping sheet S separated from the optical film F1 in a direction perpendicular to the panel P, and can be disposed between the film frame 24 and the first collecting roller 26 The second direction changing roller 27 reaches a direction in which the movement of the release sheet S is changed.

That is, the second direction changing roller 27 is for changing a direction to allow the release sheet S separated from the optical film F1 to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the panel P to the second direction changing roller 27 .

Therefore, the system for laminating an optical film can minimize the width occupied by the system by collecting the release sheet S separated from the optical film F1 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel P. In order to maximize the space efficiency of the device.

However, the present invention clearly indicates that the first lamination unit 20 It is possible to laminate an optical film in the system, so that the first direction changing drum 22 and the second direction changing drum 27 can be omitted by adjusting the mounting positions of the first supply drum 21 and the first collecting drum 26. .

Subsequently, the structure of the second lamination unit 30 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

Fig. 9 is a view showing an example of the embodiment of the second laminating unit shown in Fig. 5.

Referring to FIG. 9, the second lamination unit 30 can be implemented to include a second supply roller 31 and a second laminating device 32. The optical film F2 having the release sheet S is attached to one surface of the second supply roller 31 and wound so that the second supply roller 31 can supply the optical film F2. The second laminating device 32 laminates the optical film F2 separated from the release sheet S onto the second surface of the panel P in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the panel P.

Here, the optical film F2 is supplied by the first supply roller 31 and the optical film F2 is laminated by the second laminating device 32 in a direction parallel to the transmission direction of the panel P (a Contains concepts that face the opposite direction and face the same direction).

At the same time, the second surface of the panel P is a surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface and the second surface are applied to the following, for example, the first surface can correspond to the lower surface, and the second surface The surface may correspond to an upper surface or vice versa.

In addition, the second laminating device 32 can be implemented in the shape of a laminating roller, which is disposed on the first surface of the panel P to be transported. a first roller and a second roller disposed on the second surface.

Further, the second lamination unit 30 may further include at least one force roller 33 to maintain the tension of the optical film F2 between the second supply roller 31 and the lamination roller 32.

Meanwhile, the second lamination unit 30 may include a stripper remover 34 disposed between the second supply roller 31 and the laminating roller 32 for separating and attaching to the optical film F2. Release film S. In this case, the second lamination unit 30 may include a second collection roller 35 to collect the separated release sheets S.

In addition, the second laminating unit 30 further includes a second cutter 36 disposed between the second supply roller 31 and the release film remover 34 for half-cutting the optical film F2. Into a preset length.

Here, when the optical film F2 and the release sheet S attached thereto are cut to a predetermined length, the half cut means that only the optical film F2 is cut while retaining the complete release sheet S, The same applies to the following. The half cutting allows continuous supply of the drum and lamination of the optical film F2.

Meanwhile, although FIG. 9 of the present invention only shows that the optical film F2 is laminated onto the panel P while passing between a pair of laminating rolls, the present invention is not limited thereto.

That is, if the roll to panel (RTP) technology can be continuously laminated, the method of laminating the optical film F2 on the second surface of the panel P is sufficient, and therefore, other laminating devices (For example, the laminating wheel in Figures 10 and 11) can be used in place of the laminating drum.

Meanwhile, although FIG. 5 of the present invention is only shown by the first layer After the press unit 20 completes the lamination, lamination is performed by the second lamination unit 30, but the invention is not limited thereto. That is, the lamination order shown in FIG. 5 may be reversed, and lamination may be performed by the first lamination unit 20 and the second lamination unit 30 at the same time.

As described above, in the preparation of the display unit D by laminating an optical film onto both surfaces of a panel (as shown in FIG. 5), the system of the laminated optical film of the present invention is approximately along each other. The supply of an optical film to the first surface and the supply of an optical film to the second surface are performed in the vertical direction. Therefore, according to the system for laminating optical films of the present invention, it is not necessary to rotate and/or flip an individual procedure of a panel or an optical film so that the absorption axes of the optical films attached to both surfaces of the panel are perpendicular to each other.

Further, the system for laminating an optical film according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is used for lamination along the long side (i.e., the longitudinal direction) of the panel P by the first lamination unit 20, thereby laminating Devices 23 and 32 may have a width W (i.e., a width corresponding to the short side) of the optical films F1 and F2, which in turn facilitates maintaining the flatness of the optical films F1 and F2.

In the above, the disclosure of the present invention has been described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the particular embodiments of the invention, Various changes and corrections within.

P‧‧‧ panel

D‧‧‧ display unit

F1, F2‧‧‧ optical film

M1, M2‧‧‧ absorption axis

L‧‧‧cut length

W‧‧‧Width

Claims (18)

A system for laminating an optical film, comprising: a panel transfer unit for transporting a panel; and a first laminate unit mounted on one of the transmission lines of the panel to extend along one of the transport directions of the panel vertically Supplying an optical film in a direction and laminating the supplied optical film to a first surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of the transport of the panel; and a second lamination unit mounted thereon The transmission line of the panel supplies the optical film in a direction parallel to the direction of the transmission of the panel, and laminates the supplied optical film to the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of the transmission of the panel a second surface, wherein the first lamination unit comprises: a first supply roller that supplies the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the panel; and a first laminating device disposed on Between the supplied optical film and the first supply roller, the supplied optical film is laminated onto the first surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the supply direction of the panel. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 1, wherein the panel transport unit includes a transport belt to support and transport the panel. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 1, wherein the panel transport unit comprises a transport roller to support and transport the panel. The system for laminating optical films of claim 1, wherein the width of the panel transport unit corresponds to the width of the panel. The system for laminating an optical film of claim 1, wherein the first supply roller supplies the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 5, wherein the first lamination unit comprises a first direction changing roller, the first direction changing roller system changing the direction such that the first supply roller is supplied The optical film faces the first surface of the panel. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 6, wherein the first lamination unit comprises a film holder, and the film frame is disposed opposite the first laminating device via the optical film. The release sheet is attached to the optical film to be separated by holding a release sheet. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 7, wherein the first laminating unit comprises a first cutter, the first cutter is disposed on the first supply roller and the film Between the shelves, the optical film is cut into a predetermined length. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 7, wherein the first laminating unit comprises a first collecting roller for collecting the separation from the optical film in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel. The release film. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 9, wherein the first laminate unit comprises a second direction changing roller for changing the direction such that the release film is separated from the optical film The direction of the surface perpendicular to the panel is moved to the first collection roller. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 1, wherein the first laminating device is a laminating wheel, and the outer periphery of the laminating wheel is shaped There is an adsorption hole. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 1, wherein the first laminating device is a laminating wheel, and an adsorption pad is attached to a periphery of the laminating wheel. A system for laminating an optical film, comprising: a panel transfer unit for transporting a panel; and a first laminate unit mounted on one of the transmission lines of the panel to extend along one of the transport directions of the panel vertically Supplying an optical film in a direction and laminating the supplied optical film to a first surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of the transport of the panel; and a second lamination unit mounted thereon The transmission line of the panel supplies the optical film in a direction parallel to the direction of the transmission of the panel, and laminates the supplied optical film to the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of the transmission of the panel a second surface, wherein the second lamination unit comprises: a second supply roller that supplies the optical film in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the panel; and a second laminating device The supplied optical film is laminated onto the second surface of the panel in a direction parallel to the supply direction of the panel. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 13, wherein the second lamination unit comprises a stripper remover, and the stripper remover is disposed on the second supply roller The second laminating device is configured to separate and attach a release sheet to the optical film. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 14, wherein the second laminating unit comprises a second collecting roller for collecting the separated film from the optical film by the strip removing device. The release film. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 13, wherein the second laminating unit comprises a second cutter, the second cutter is disposed on the second supply roller and the off Between the film removers, the optical film is half-cut to a predetermined length. The system for laminating an optical film according to claim 13, wherein the second laminating device is a laminating roller, the laminating roller comprising the first surface disposed on the panel to be transported, and a first roller and a second roller on the second surface. A method of preparing a display unit, comprising: providing a panel for preparing a display unit; supplying an optical film by a first supply roller in a direction perpendicular to one of the transmission sides of the panel, and a laminating device laminating the supplied optical film onto one of the first surfaces of the panel in a direction parallel to the direction of transport of the panel, wherein the first laminating device is disposed at the supplied optics Between the film and the first supply roller; and supplying the optical film in a direction parallel to one of the transmission sides of the panel by a second supply roller, and parallel to the second laminate device The supplied optical film is laminated to one of the second surfaces of the panel in one of the directions of the transport direction of the panel.