WO2004079415A1

WO2004079415A1 - Polarizing film producing device and producing method

Info

Publication number: WO2004079415A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/002485
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shinya Ohmura; Yoshihide Ishibashi; Honggi Bae; Shino Takano; Powei Sung; Hiroshi Sasaki; Shoji Nakanishi
Original assignee: Nakan Corporation
Priority date: 2003-03-04
Filing date: 2004-03-01
Publication date: 2004-09-16

Abstract

When a polarizing film is to be produced using ordinary flexographic printing, it is desired to easily produce a polarizing film having high polarization performance without being affected by fine grooves in the plate. When a polarizing film is to be produced, a substrate (6) is placed on a table (5), a plate (1) is attached to a printing cylinder (2), the table (5) is adjusted in level, and the plate (1) is contacted with the substrate (6). And an ink liquid of dichroism dye is applied to the plate (1) to form a thin film of ink liquid on the plate surface, and the printing cylinder (2) rolls on the substrate (6) along the printing direction, whereby the thin film of ink liquid is transfer-applied from the plate (1) to the substrate (6). At this time, a difference is produced between the peripheral speed of the plate (1) and the plane speed of the substrate (6), whereby the plate (1) slides on the substrate (6) and is subjected to a shearing force, so that a stick-like supramolecular complex contained in the ink liquid is arranged in order on the substrate (6) along the printing direction. Thereby, the dye molecules constituting the supramolecular complex are arranged in regular array and polarization performance is produced in the thin film of ink liquid.

Description

Specification

Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method for polarizing film

The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus of a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a polarizing film to which a technique of forming a polarizing film by applying an ink solution of a dichroic dye is applied. Background art

Conventionally, polarizing plates placed on two sides sandwiching a liquid crystal cell have been attached to the outside of the liquid crystal cell that has passed panel inspection using an adhesive.

For this reason, it was necessary to attach a polarizing plate to each of the liquid crystal cells divided by the scriber, and the workability was extremely poor.

In addition, various measures must be taken during lamination, such as ensuring positioning accuracy and adhesion strength, preventing air bubbles and dust from being mixed, and preventing the generation of static electricity. It took a lot of time and effort to assemble it, for example, by performing autoclave processing to remove air bubbles remaining in the car.

In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has developed an ink liquid containing a liquid crystal supramolecular complex in which dichroic dyes developed by U.S.A. The company has developed a technology for producing a polarizing film by printing on glass or a plastic substrate using a normal flexographic printing device, and has filed an application for it (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-214206). This technology has made it possible to assemble a liquid crystal cell without the need to attach a polarizing plate, greatly improving LCD production efficiency.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus using this technology.

In the figure, plate 1 having many fine grooves a along the printing direction is Five

Two

The ink is dripped from the horizontally long dispenser 3 onto the rotating plate 1 and spread with a blade 4 to spread the liquid crystal molecules composed of dichroic dye into the fine grooves a.

At this time, since the blade 4 is held in contact with the plate 1 with a slight gap therebetween, a thin film of the ink solution is formed on the plate surface.

Then, when the substrate 6 fixed on the table 5 passes just below the plate cylinder 2, the plate 1 comes into contact with the substrate 6 and a thin film of the ink liquid is transferred and applied from the plate 1 to the substrate 6.

At this time, the liquid crystal molecules composed of dichroic dyes are oriented in the direction along the microgrooves a.At first, the dye molecules of the disordered arrangement are regularly arranged along with the evaporation of the solvent, and when the concentration becomes high, they are crystallized to improve the polarization performance. Occurs.

The polarization performance of this polarizing film depends on the quality of the liquid crystal molecules, and the quality of the alignment is affected by the depth and pitch of the fine grooves.

For example, the depth considered appropriate fine groove 2 0-3 0, the pitch is ¹ 2 0-5 0 0, Li a poor arrangement of the convex portions the interval of the pitch is too narrow, too wide And the direction in the flat part is disturbed.

There are many trial and error aspects in setting the appropriate fine groove depth and pitch.

<, It is not easy to design a fine groove that provides high polarization performance.

In addition, the ink solution of the dichroic dye that forms the polarizing film is a liquid crystal pick (concentration transition) in which a liquid crystal state appears when the dichroic dye is dissolved in a solvent (water) and the concentration is appropriately adjusted. Form) Liquid crystal. When the concentration increases, the supramolecular complex of dichroic dyes contained in the ink solution crystallizes to produce polarization performance.

Therefore, when the ink solution applied to the substrate is made to have a high concentration, it rapidly crystallizes, and the orientation when shearing force is applied is maintained, and the polarization performance is improved. More likely to occur.

Conversely, when the ink solution is made low in concentration, the coating becomes smooth and the liquid unevenness decreases, but it takes time until crystallization, during which the orientation is disturbed and the polarization performance is reduced. T 脑 04/002485

3.

descend.

The basic unit of the dichroic dye ink for forming the polarizing film is a dye substance as shown in FIG. Add some sulfonic acid group to this to make ammonium salt. This is mixed in a fixed ratio and adjusted to a predetermined concentration. The solvent is water. pH is about 5-6.

This dye is a discoid molecule, and the sulfonic acid group substituted around it is hydrophilic. The direction perpendicular to the flat plate is hydrophobic because seven electrons are delocalized. Therefore, if this molecule is present in water, the hydrophobic parts will stack and grow into a stick-like supramolecular complex. This overlapping force is weaker than the water-based connection.

Suitable concentrations for application are between 10 and 15%. At this value, the ratio of the stick length to the width (aspect ratio) is said to be about 150.

When the concentration is lower than 10%, the growth of the supramolecular complex is insufficient, so that the dye molecules cannot be regularly arranged by coating to have polarization performance, while the concentration is higher than 15%. If it becomes too thick, it will crystallize and cannot be applied.

10 to 15% is a concentration suitable for application. This range mainly depends on the proportions of the basic dyes already mentioned.

This stick-like supramolecular complex is repeatedly separated and recombined by thermal vibration. Therefore, if the conditions such as concentration and temperature are changed, it takes about 72 hours to reach the equilibrium state.

When applying this ink solution to a substrate using a normal flexographic printing machine, the first -1 sheet can be applied uniformly without any problem.

On the other hand, since the second sheet, the remaining liquid and the newly supplied liquid are mixed to change the state, so that it becomes impossible to obtain desired polarization performance.

When a polarizing film is formed by applying an ink solution of a dichroic dye, The supramolecular complex composed of the dichroic dye transferred and applied to the substrate undergoes shearing force and orients in a certain direction, whereby the dye molecules are regularly arranged (crystallized) to produce polarization performance.

Ideally, the oriented supramolecular complex is arranged in parallel with the substrate, but generally, the orientation is largely or slightly deviated from this ideal arrangement. Supramolecular complexes originally have the property of aligning the major axis direction of the supramolecular complex in a specific direction, but the arrangement direction of the supramolecular complex depends on the surface condition of the substrate or plate. This is because it changes due to the magnitude of surface tension acting between the surface and the supramolecular complex and the action of elastic strain energy related to the arrangement of the supramolecular complex.

Since the polarizing film plays an important role in visualizing the change in the orientation of the liquid crystal due to the electric field, the polarizing film greatly affects the display characteristics of the LCD.

However, the effect of moisture or gas adsorbed on the surface of the substrate or plate or the contact of the supermolecular complex with the substrate or plate changes the effective critical surface tension.

In addition, the state of the elastic strain energy on the surface slightly varies depending on the substrate or plate used.

For this reason, the supramolecular composite applied to the substrate surface cannot obtain a uniform alignment, and the alignment is shifted from an ideal alignment, resulting in uneven alignment.

These alignment non-uniformities appear as defects in the appearance and cause the display characteristics of the LCD to deteriorate. Disclosure of the invention

The problem to be solved by the first invention of the present invention is that the polarization performance of a polarizing film formed by applying an ink solution of a dichroic dye depends on the quality of the alignment of liquid crystal molecules. The good and bad points are affected by the depth and pitch of the fine grooves. In contrast, the first invention uses a normal flexographic printing device. The purpose of this method is to easily produce a polarizing film having high polarization performance without being affected by the fine grooves of the plate.

The problem to be solved by the second invention is that, when the concentration of the dichroic dye ink forming the polarizing film is increased, the unevenness tends to occur when the concentration is high, and when the concentration is reduced, it takes time to crystallize. On the other hand, the polarization performance is degraded due to the orientation being disturbed in the meantime. On the other hand, in the second invention, the concentration (viscosity) of the ink applied to the substrate is easily controlled to reduce the liquid unevenness and the crystal. The purpose is to increase the orientation of the supramolecular complex by shortening the time required for the formation. The problem to be solved by the third invention is that when an ink solution of a dichroic dye is applied to a substrate using a normal flexographic printing apparatus, the second remaining sheet is supplied with the previously remaining solution from the second sheet. However, in the third invention, the state of the ink liquid applied to the substrate is the first one, because the mixed liquid changes the state and the desired polarization performance cannot be obtained. The purpose is to keep it constant without changing between the first and second sheets.

The problem to be solved by the fourth invention is that the state of elastic strain energy on the surface of the substrate or plate slightly changes depending on the effect of water or gas adsorbed on the surface of the substrate or plate, and the substrate or plate used. Therefore, the supramolecular complex applied to the substrate surface is deviated from the ideal arrangement, causing uneven alignment.On the other hand, in the fourth invention, the ink solution of the dichroic dye is printed and applied. The purpose of the present invention is to obtain good LCD display characteristics by minimizing alignment unevenness generated when forming a polarizing film.

In order to achieve this object, the first invention is to apply an ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder. When a polarizing film is produced by transferring and coating this thin film from a plate to a substrate to produce a polarizing film, there is a speed difference between the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder and the plane speed of the substrate. The main feature of this method is that a thin film of ink solution is transferred from the plate to the substrate by sliding contact with the substrate. In the second invention, an ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form is applied to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder to form a thin film, Transferring the thin film from the plate to a substrate fixed to a table to produce a polarizing film, comprising: heating means for heating the table; and temperature adjusting means for adjusting the heating temperature. The most main feature is to produce a polarizing film by heating and keeping the temperature.

According to the third invention, an ink liquid containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form is applied to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder to form a thin film. The most important feature of the process for preparing a polarizing film by transferring and coating the plate from the plate to the substrate is that the plate is washed and dried each time a thin film of the ink solution is transferred and applied to the substrate.

In the fourth invention, an ink liquid containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form is coated with a plate fixed to a plate cylinder that rolls on a substrate. In the process of manufacturing a polarizing film by spreading, the most important feature is that the surface of the plate is mechanically rubbed along the printing direction before the ink solution is applied to the substrate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus embodying the first invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus embodying the first invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus embodying the second invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of various heaters embodying the second invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a temperature control method implementing the second invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a plate washing and drying process according to the third invention. Fig. 7 is an installation diagram of the washing and drying device. FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of the injection slit. FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a polarizing film printing apparatus for carrying out the fourth invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the method for manufacturing a polarizing film of the fourth invention. Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a conventional polarizing film manufacturing device. 7

is there. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of display colors of dichroic dyes and molecular structural formulas. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to the first invention.

The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus integrally mounts racks 7, 7 parallel to the printing direction on both sides of the table 5, and connects the pinions 8, 8 to the racks 7, 7. Then, the plate cylinder 2 having a different diameter from the pinions 8 and 8 is passed through the shaft 9 integrally with the pinions 8 and 8, and a motor (not shown) for rotating the pinions 8 and 8 is connected to the shaft 9.

Here, when the pinions 8 and 8 are rotated forward and backward, the plate cylinder 2 moves on the table 5 while rotating back and forth.

The racks 7 and 7 may be movable, and the shaft 9 of the pinions 8 and 8 may be rotated at a fixed position.

In this case, when the pinions 8 and 8 are rotated forward and backward, the table 5 moves back and forth under the rotating plate cylinder 2.

The racks 7 and 7 and the pinions 8 and 8 may be provided on only one side of the table 5 and the other may be omitted.

The diameter of the plate cylinder 2 is made smaller than that of the pinions 8, 8 so that the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder 2 is lower than the plane speed of the table 5.

Alternatively, the peripheral speed of the plate cylinder 2 may be higher than the plane speed of the table 5 by making the diameter of the pinions 8 and 8 larger.

At this time, the diameter of the plate cylinder 2 is more preferably about 10 <½ than the pinion 8, 8. Have a speed difference of degrees.

In this way, the table 5 and the plate cylinder 2 are different in diameter from the racks 7 and 7, respectively. Instead of connecting to the pinions 8 and 8 to provide a speed difference, each may be connected to a separate power source to provide a speed difference.

In this case, a controller is provided to individually control the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder 2 and the flat surface speed of the table 5.

Thus, the speed difference can be arbitrarily changed by controlling the controller.

The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus embodying the first invention is configured as described above.When manufacturing a polarizing film, a substrate 6 is set on a table 5 as shown in FIG. Attach 1. Also, the height of the table 5 is adjusted so that the plate 1 comes into contact with the substrate 6.

FIG. 2 (a) shows a side view of the pinions 8, 8 as viewed from the outside, and FIG. 2 (b) shows a side view of the pinions 8, 8 as viewed from the inside.

Then, an ink solution of a dichroic dye is applied to plate 1 to form a thin film of the ink solution on the plate surface, and a motor is driven to rotate pinions 8 and 8.

As a result, the plate cylinder 2 rolls on the substrate 6 along the printing direction, and a thin film of the ink solution is transferred and applied from the plate 1 to the substrate 6.

At this time, the difference in diameter between the pinions 8, 8 and the plate cylinder 2 causes a difference in speed between the peripheral surface speed of the plate 1 and the plane speed of the substrate 6, whereby the plate 1 slides on the substrate 6 and is parallel to each other. In this case, shear stress is applied in the opposite direction, that is, a shearing force is applied, and the stick-like supramolecular composite contained in the ink liquid is aligned on the substrate 6 in the printing direction.

As a result, the dye molecules constituting the supramolecular complex are regularly arranged, and the thin film of the ink solution has polarization performance.

The shearing force at this time is controlled by the diameter difference between the pinions 8 and 8 and the plate cylinder 2, that is, the speed difference between the plate 1 and the substrate 6, and if the speed difference is large, the shearing force becomes stronger and the speed difference becomes smaller. The smaller the value, the lower the shearing force.

The film thickness at this time is controlled by the moving speed of the plate cylinder 2 or the substrate 6. Trolled.

It is well known that liquid crystals align when subjected to shear forces.

Therefore, when an ink solution is applied to the substrate while applying a shearing force, the liquid crystal molecules are oriented along the printing direction, and the dye molecules of the liquid crystal are regularly arranged.

As a result, high polarization performance can be obtained without being affected by the fine grooves of the plate.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of a polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to the second invention.

The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus attaches a plate 1 having a number of fine grooves a along a printing direction to a plate cylinder 2, and makes a horizontally long dispenser 3 and a blade 4 face each other along the axial direction of the peripheral surface of the plate cylinder 2. .

A table 5 is arranged below the plate cylinder 2, and a substrate 6 is placed thereon. Also, a heater 20 is built inside the table 5.

The heater 20 is disposed at the temperature center of gravity of the table 5 in order to prevent the table 5 from being deformed due to a thermal stress due to a thermal stress during the temperature rise.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), hot water or steam controlled at a constant temperature is circulated through the coil 21 to heat the table 5 evenly and planarly, or as shown in FIG. 4 (b). In addition, a thin and light planar electric heater 22 such as a silicon rubber heater in which a heat-resistant insulating layer is bonded to both sides of the special heating element may be inserted into the inside of the table 5 for heating.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4 (c), a linear electric heater 23 in which a nickel wire or a flexible belt heater or a cord heater is curved in a coil or wave shape is inserted into the inside of the table 5 as shown in Fig. 4 (c). It may be heated.

When an electric heater is used as a heat source, temperature control is easier than with hot water or steam.

In this case, use a thermostat (temperature controller) to turn on and off the heater 20 ■ The simple control method to turn off the heater 20 and the heater 20 as shown in Fig. 5 A temperature sensor 30 such as a thermocouple or a resistance temperature detector detects the temperature of the heater, and an electric signal from the temperature sensor 30 is input to the power regulator 40 to control the heater capacity (power). There is.

The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus embodying the second invention has the above configuration.When manufacturing a polarizing film, the ink is dripped from the dispenser 3 onto the rotating plate 1 and spread with the blade 4. Then, a supramolecular complex composed of a dichroic dye is pushed into the fine groove a.

At this time, the supramolecular complex contained in the ink solution is aligned (orientated) along the printing direction on the substrate 6, and the dye molecules constituting the supramolecular complex are regularly arranged with the evaporation of the solvent. Higher concentrations crystallize and produce polarization performance. ·

The temperature of the substrate 6 placed on the table 5 rises due to the heat generated by the heater 20 ^ ^).

Therefore, the fluidity of the high-concentration ■ high-viscosity ink liquid is increased, and the transfer coating of the thin film of the ink liquid from the plate 1 to the substrate 6 becomes smooth.

In addition, since the viscosity of the ink increases in a short time due to an increase in the evaporation rate of the solvent, it is difficult for the supramolecular complex to move in an aligned (orientated) state. It is completed.

Nonionic surfactants are often used in ink solutions, and at temperatures higher than 40 ° C, the surfactant may separate from water, so the temperature of the tape 5 should be lower than room temperature. Adjust to a maximum of 40 ° C.

Also, the substrate 6 was heated to a high temperature of 40 ° C. and then placed on the table 5. In some cases, the ink adhering to the glass may not be applied because the water adsorbed on the glass flies.

Therefore, the heater 20 built in the table 5 is heated to raise the temperature of the table 5, and then the substrate 6 is placed thereon.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a plate washing and drying process according to the third invention. To clean and dry the plate, close the plate 1 and wash it in parallel with the axis. Attach the drying device 50. This cleaning ■ Water (A) from the jet slit 60 provided in the center of the drying device 50 ) To wash the plate surface along the direction of rotation.

At the same time, the water in which the dye is dissolved is sucked together with the air (B) that has entered through the gap b between the plate 1 and the washing / drying device 50 by the suction slits 70 provided before and after the injection slit 60. Dehydrate the printing plate.

At this time, the plate surface dries simultaneously with dehydration due to the flow of the air (B) sucked in.

Air may be blown out from between the injection slit 60 and the suction slit 70 to dry the printing plate, but this is not necessary, and the plate is dried sufficiently using only the sucked air (B).

At this time, the gap b and the vacuum pressure of the suction slit 70 are adjusted to prevent water adhering to the plate surface from dripping.

This allows the plate 1 to be washed and dried at a speed commensurate with the normal printing speed.

When water is blown out from the injection slit 60, it is useful to spray water in a mist state to save water.

As shown in FIG. 7, the washing / drying apparatus 50 has a structure in which it is integrally attached to the plate cylinder 2 via a side wall 80, so that it can be easily installed and removed.

Therefore, each time the substrate 6 is applied once, the plate cylinder 2 is removed, washed and dried, and the separately washed and dried plate cylinder 2 is attached by one touch, and the next substrate 6 is attached. It can also be applied.

As shown in FIG. 8, the injection slit 60 has a configuration in which a number of partition plates 62 are sandwiched between two metal plates 61 in a sandwich shape to form a flow path pattern. A large number of nozzles 83 are formed by dividing the tip end with a vertical partition plate 62, and the upstream of the nozzle is divided by a horizontal partition plate 62, and the tip of the water supply port 64 is diverted to each nozzle 63. The amount of water to be supplied is controlled uniformly.

The partition plate 62 is formed by patternwise exposing the photosensitive resin adhering to the pet film in the same manner as in the production of the plate 1 and washing away the unexposed portions.

The suction slit 70 has a configuration sandwiching both sides of the injection slit 60, and can be manufactured by the same method as the injection slit 60, although the flow path pattern is different.

The injection slit 60 may be formed by arranging a large number of nozzle sprays at the tip end in addition to the flow path pattern formed inside.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a polarizing film printing apparatus for carrying out the fourth invention. In the polarizing film printing apparatus, bearings 10 and 10 are planted on both sides of the table 5, and the bearings 10 and 10 are provided with longitudinal grooves 11 and 11 to provide the shaft ⁹ of the plate cylinder 2 with the shaft ¹⁰ . Both ends are dropped, and the shaft 9 of the plate cylinder 2 is loosely fitted to the left and right bearings 10 and 10.

The bearings 10 and 10 are configured to be horizontally movable and connected to horizontal moving means (not shown).

A plate 1 having a number of fine grooves a is mounted on a plate cylinder 2, and a substrate 6 is placed on a table 5.

Weights 12 and 12 of equal weight are attached to both sides of the shaft 9 of the plate cylinder 2 to adjust the force acting between the plate 1 and the substrate 6.

At the opposite ends of the shaft 9 of the plate cylinder 2, wheels 13 and 13 integral with the shaft 9 are attached, and this is braked so that the shaft 9 of the plate cylinder 2 is braked. The wheels 13 and 13 are made of a material with a high coefficient of friction, and a pad is pressed against the material to suppress its rotation.

Alternatively, it is formed of an iron-based magnetic material, and the rotation of the coil is suppressed in a non-contact manner by the lines of magnetic force generated by applying a current to a coil adjacent to the magnetic material.

The polarizing film printing apparatus shown in Fig. 9 is configured as described above, while applying a shearing force to an ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form. Before coating on substrate 6, the surface of plate 1 is mechanically rubbed along the printing direction, and the alignment state of the supramolecular complex when coated on substrate 6 is changed to a uniform molecular alignment state. Reduce unevenness.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the polarizing film manufacturing method of the fourth invention.

In the manufacturing method of the polarizing film, first, the glass plate 16 is taken out of the storage stage 15 by the robot arm 14 and placed on the table 5 (step 101).

Next, the plate cylinder 2 is placed on the glass plate 16 and the bearings 10 and 10 are moved horizontally while applying a light brake (step 102).

At this time, the plate cylinder 2 rolls while slipping on the glass plate 16 to slide the plate 1, and rubs the surface of the plate 1, though very slightly.

As a result, it is possible to make a scratch on the surface of the plate 1 in a direction corresponding to the size of the supramolecular complex contained in the ink solution.

Next, the glass plate 16 is removed from above the table 5 by the robot arm 14 and returned to the original storage stage 15 (step 103).

Next, it is determined whether the number of times of rubbing using the same glass plate 16 has reached the limit number (step 104), and if so, another glass plate obtained by cleaning the glass plate 16 is determined. Replace with 16 (step 105).

Next, the substrate 6 is pulled out from the substrate cassette 17 by the robot arm 14 and placed on the table 5 (step 106).

Next, a needle-shaped or wide slit-shaped dispenser (not shown) Then, the ink liquid is dropped on the substrate 6, and the plate cylinder 2 is placed on the substrate 6, and the bearings 10 and 10 are moved horizontally without applying a brake (Step 107).

As a result, the plate cylinder 2 rolls on the substrate 6 and the ink liquid is spread by the plate 1 to form a thin film of the ink liquid on the surface of the substrate 6.

At this time, a shear force is applied to the supramolecular complex contained in the ink liquid in the small gap between the fine groove a of the plate 1 and the substrate 6, and at the same time, the direction is given by the scratches on the surface of the plate "!" As a result, the supramolecular complex is oriented in a certain direction and aligned on the substrate 6.

For this reason, the thin film of the ink liquid formed on the substrate 6 has polarization performance. Next, the substrate 6 is removed from above the table 5 by the robot arm 14 and stored in another substrate cassette 17 or the same substrate cassette 17 (step 108).

Next, each time the plate 1 is rubbed once, it is determined whether or not the number of substrates 6 that can be continuously applied has reached the limit number (step 109). , Remove from 10, wash and replace with another plate cylinder 2 with dry plate 1 and return to step 106 (step 110).

Prepare multiple plates 1 and 2 and wash the replaced plates 1 and 2 offline. Dry them and wait for the next change.

This makes it possible to reduce the tact time and simplify the device. If the number of sheets has reached the limit, it is next determined whether or not the processing of all the substrates 6 has been completed (step 11 1). If the processing has not been completed, the plate cylinder 2 is similarly mounted with the bearings 10, 10. Remove from 10 and wash ■ Replace with another plate cylinder 2 with dry plate 1 and return to step 101 (step 1 12). If not, the process ends.

If the plate is rubbed each time and then applied, the orientation quality of the plate will be kept at the highest level, but the plate will be damaged.

Therefore, once the plate is rubbed once, multiple substrates are then applied successively. However, the number of sheets that can be applied continuously is limited to five, and if it is more than that, the effect of friction decreases.

Therefore, it is preferable to set the limit number of sheets for continuous coating to 5, thereby keeping the orientation quality of the plate within a required level.

In addition, the number of times that the same glass plate can be rubbed is limited to 30 times, and it is better to replace the glass plate with another washed ■ dried glass plate when the friction is repeated 30 times.

Once used, wash the plate with different chemicals depending on the material of the plate.

For example, plates made of butadiene or urethane-based photosensitive resin should be washed with alkali, washed with a permanganic acid mixture, rinsed, and drained.

At this time, it is preferable that the wiping coefficient is large with the wire cloth. If the coefficient of friction is small, the washing method will be insufficient.

When changing the material of the plate, it is advisable to change the alkali used first according to the material to another appropriate chemical.

A similar orientation film can be obtained by using a rubber port having many fine grooves instead of a plate.

In this case, it is better to wash the glass plate for friction with a mixed solution of MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) and toluene.

After that, the same treatment may be performed using permanganate. Industrial applicability

In the polarizing film manufacturing apparatus of the first invention, when a thin film of the ink solution is applied, there is a speed difference between the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder and the plane speed of the substrate. As a result, the supramolecular complex in the liquid crystal state contained in the ink solution is aligned along a certain printing direction. For this reason, a polarizing film with high polarization performance can be provided using a normal flexographic printing apparatus without being affected by the fine grooves of the plate. It can be easily manufactured.

In addition, since a pinion with a different diameter from the plate cylinder is combined with the rack to provide a speed difference between the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder and the plane speed of the substrate, it is easy with a single power source and simple device configuration. Speed difference can be controlled.

The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus of the second invention heats and maintains the table at a predetermined temperature to form the polarizing film, so that the ink solution is heated to increase the fluidity, and the ink solution is highly concentrated despite the high viscosity. Can be applied uniformly without unevenness.

Also, the drying of the liquid film applied to the substrate is accelerated, and the supramolecular complex in the liquid film is crystallized before being disturbed by thermal vibration, so that the orientation of the crystal is increased and the polarization performance is improved.

In addition, the drying zone can be shortened, and the equipment becomes inexpensive. The substrate has a small heat capacity of 0.4 to 1.1 mm in thickness and approaches the table temperature within a predetermined time before the coating is started. At this time, a large amount of adsorbed water does not fly.

The substrate is heated during coating, so that the temperature of the coating liquid rises and the viscosity decreases. At the same time, the evaporation of water as a solvent from the liquid film after coating is accelerated.

Thus, evaporation can be accelerated while maintaining the orientation, and the drying zone can be shortened.

In the method for manufacturing a polarizing film of the third invention, the plate is washed and dried each time the thin film of the ink solution is transferred onto the substrate, so that the state such as the concentration and temperature of the ink solution applied to the substrate is constant. It is possible to easily produce a polarizing film that is kept and always has stable polarization performance.

In addition, when conditions such as concentration and temperature change, it takes a long time to reach an equilibrium state, and work efficiency is greatly reduced, but such problems are also eliminated. In the method for manufacturing a polarizing film according to the fourth invention, the surface of the plate is rubbed to impart directionality before the ink solution is applied to the substrate, so that the supramolecular complex on the surface in contact with the plate is oriented in one direction. And align on the substrate.

As a result, the arrangement state of the supramolecular complex can be changed to a uniform molecular arrangement state to reduce uneven orientation.

Therefore, LGD with excellent display characteristics can be produced stably.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. An ink liquid containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form is applied to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder to form a thin film, and the thin film is transferred from the plate to a substrate. In the one to produce a polarizing film by transfer coating to give a speed difference between the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder and the plane speed of the substrate,

The apparatus for manufacturing a polarizing film, wherein the plate is slid on the substrate to transfer and apply a thin film of the ink liquid from the plate to the substrate.

2. A pinion having a diameter different from that of the plate cylinder is integrally attached to the shaft of the plate cylinder, and this pinion is combined with a rack arranged on the side of the substrate,

2. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a speed difference is provided between the peripheral surface speed of the plate cylinder and the plane speed of the substrate.

3. An ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state, in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form, is applied to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder to form a thin film. When a polarizing film is manufactured by transfer coating on a substrate fixed to

Heating means for heating the table,

Temperature adjusting means for adjusting the heating temperature;

With

A polarizing film manufacturing apparatus characterized in that the table is heated and kept at a predetermined temperature to form a polarizing film.

4. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heating means is a hot water coil or a steam coil.

5. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heating means is a planar electric heater.

6. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heating means is a linear electric heater formed in a coil shape or a wave shape.

7. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a thermostat is used for the temperature control means.

8. The polarizing film manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a temperature sensor and a power adjuster of an electric heater are used as the temperature adjusting means.

9. An ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick form is applied to a plate fixed to a plate cylinder to form a thin film, and the thin film is removed from the plate. In the step of preparing a polarizing film by transferring and applying to a substrate, a washing and drying process of the plate is performed each time the thin film of the ink solution is transferred and applied to the substrate.

10. An ink solution containing a supramolecular complex in a liquid crystal state in which dichroic dyes are spontaneously stacked in a stick shape is spread by a plate fixed on a plate cylinder that rolls on a substrate, and polarized. In the step of producing a film,

A method of manufacturing a polarizing film, comprising mechanically rubbing the surface of the plate along a printing direction before applying the ink solution to a substrate.

11. The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 10, wherein the friction is performed by sliding the plate on a glass plate.

1 2. After applying the ink solution to the substrate,

10. The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 10, wherein the plate is replaced by another washing (1) and a dried plate is prepared for the next coating.

1 3. Repeat the friction of the plate and the application of the substrate,

The method for producing a polarizing film according to claim 10, wherein n substrates are continuously applied for one friction.

1 4. Set a limited number of times for the friction of the plate,

When the plate friction reaches the limit,

10. The method for manufacturing a polarizing film according to claim 10, wherein the glass plate is replaced with another washed glass plate and prepared for the next friction.