KR101179674B1 - The Apparatus for Manufacturing the Light Guide Panel and the Method for Manufacturing the Light Guide Panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, the first transfer device for transferring the light guide plate substrate; A stamper assembly having a stamper on which an inverse-pattern inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate is formed and a stamper actuator for moving the stamper; A first pressing roller disposed above the stamper; A second pressing roller disposed below the stamper; And a second transfer device for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed.

Description

Light guide plate manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method {The Apparatus for Manufacturing the Light Guide Panel and the Method for Manufacturing the Light Guide Panel}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a light guide plate, and more particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing a light guide plate mounted on a backlight unit and a method for manufacturing a light guide plate.

Recently, instead of using a conventional thick CRT monitor, a thin panel, a flat panel display which is light in weight and does not emit electromagnetic waves, has been actively developed. Among them, a liquid crystal display (LCD) It is widely used as a representative flat panel display. Such an LCD necessarily requires a back light unit that emits light from the back of the LCD, and a representative configuration of such an illumination device is shown in FIG. 1.

1 is an example of a small to medium sized LCD (e.g., for a notebook computer), in which a long light source 11 (e.g., a linear lamp, or a plurality of linearly arranged LEDs) is disposed on one side of the light guide plate 12; In the bottom of the light guide plate, a reflecting plate 13 for simultaneously scattering and reflecting light is disposed, and a plurality of diffusion plates 14 and 17 and a prism plate 15 and 16 are stacked above the light guide plate. And an LCD panel 18 mounted thereon.

However, in order for an image to be displayed evenly and accurately on the LCD screen, the intensity distribution of light incident on the LCD panel 18 is required to be uniformly distributed throughout the LCD panel. To this end, a predetermined fine optical pattern is formed on the light guide plate. In order to form such an optical pattern on the light guide plate, a conventional light guide plate manufacturing apparatus arranges the inverse pattern of the fine optical pattern around the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roller, such a circumferential surface. A method of forming an optical pattern on the light guide plate was used by introducing and pressing the substrate for light guide plate between the patterned roller and the remaining corresponding rollers.

However, in the conventional light guide plate manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method, there is a problem in that the fine pattern shape of the reverse pattern is deformed in arranging the reverse pattern on the circumferential surface of the cylindrical roller, and the cylinders having different diameters corresponding to the various light guide plates There was a problem to be provided with a large number of rollers.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the problems described above, the pressure roller which can move the pattern stamper of the flat form up and down without mounting to surround the pattern stamper on the pressure roller by pressing the pattern on the light guide plate It is to provide a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus and a light guide plate manufacturing method capable of forming a.

In order to solve the above problems, the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first transfer device for transferring the light guide plate substrate; A stamper assembly having a stamper on which an inverse-pattern inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate is formed and a stamper actuator for moving the stamper; A first pressing roller disposed above the stamper; A second pressing roller disposed below the stamper; And a second transfer device for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed.

Here, the stamper has a flat plate shape parallel to the substrate.

The stamper actuator moves the stamper to bring the stamper into close contact with the substrate.

Meanwhile, the first pressing roller presses one side of the stamper, and the second pressing roller presses one side of the substrate.

The reverse-pattern is formed on the other side surface disposed opposite to one side of the stamper pressed by the first pressure roller.

The stamper actuators are disposed at both ends of the stamper.

Stamper actuators disposed at both ends of the stamper exert a tensile force on the stamper to prevent wrinkles on the stamper.

Heating means is disposed on at least one of the first and second pressure rollers and the stamper.

At least one of the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller may move up and down.

A light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first transfer device for transferring the light guide plate substrate; A stamper assembly having a stamper on which an inverse-pattern inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate is formed; A first pressing roller disposed above the stamper; A second pressing roller disposed below the stamper; And a second transfer device for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed, wherein the first transfer device may move upward toward the stamper.

Here, the stamper has a flat plate shape parallel to the substrate.

The first transfer device moves upward toward the stamper to closely adhere the substrate placed on the first transfer device to the stamper.

The method of manufacturing a light guide plate according to the present invention includes an introduction step of transferring and introducing a substrate for a light guide plate; An adhesion step of bringing the stamper and the substrate into close contact with each other on which a reverse pattern, which is an inverse phase of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate, is formed; A roller arrangement step of arranging a first pressure roller above the stamper and a second pressure roller below the stamper; A pressing step of pressing the substrate and the stamper by rotating the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller; And a carrying out step of transferring and transporting the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed.

The adhesion step includes moving the stamper toward the substrate.

The contacting step includes moving the substrate toward the stamper.

The roller arranging step includes moving the first pressure roller toward the stamper.

The light guide plate manufacturing method according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes the step of moving the first pressing roller away from the stamper after the pressing step.

According to the present invention having the above-described configuration can implement the following effects.

First, the light guide plate of various sizes can be manufactured by replacing only a stamper while maintaining the size of the pressure roller, so that a light guide plate used for a large display such as a TV as well as a small and medium size display such as a notebook computer can be manufactured.

Second, the stamper is planar so that the shape of the inverse pattern formed on the stamper is not distorted, and thus the pattern according to the designed shape is transferred to the light guide plate.

Third, the pressure roller can move up and down to adjust the gap between the pressure roller to adjust the pressure and the thickness of the light guide plate being pressed, and by controlling the interval between the pressure roller to secure a space for the return operation of the stamper. have.

Fourth, the stamper actuator can give a tensile force to the stamper to prevent wrinkles on the stamper, and can improve the precision of the pattern formed on the light guide plate.

Fifth, since the stamper and the light guide plate substrate are disposed at a predetermined position, the pressing roller is moved up and down to press the stamper and the light guide plate substrate, thereby preventing the rear part of the stamper from being lifted.

Sixth, the stamper can be separated from the stamper and the light guide plate automatically, so that the continuous work is possible.

1 is a perspective view of a general backlight unit.
2 is a schematic side view of a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3A to 3F are schematic side views of a step of manufacturing a light guide plate as a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description and the annexed drawings are for understanding the operation according to the present invention, and a part that can be easily implemented by those skilled in the art may be omitted.

In addition, the specification and drawings are not provided to limit the invention, the scope of the invention should be defined by the claims. Terms used in the present specification should be interpreted as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical spirit of the present invention so as to best express the present invention.

2 is a schematic side view of the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Light guide plate manufacturing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first transfer device 110 for transferring the light guide plate substrate 130; A stamper assembly (120) having a stamper (122) on which an inverse-pattern (126), the inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate, is formed, and a stamper actuator (124) for moving the stamper; A first pressing roller 102 disposed above the stamper; A second pressing roller 104 disposed below the stamper; And a second transfer device 112 for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed.

Here, the stamper 122, which is a molded body to form a pattern on the light guide plate, has a flat plate shape parallel to the light guide plate substrate 130. The reverse pattern of the pattern to be formed on the light guide plate is formed on one side of the stamper 122, for example, the lower side, and since the stamper 122 and the light guide plate substrate 130 are both flat and flat, In the process of transferring, the distortion of the pattern does not occur and the designed pattern is accurately formed on the light guide plate substrate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the stamper assembly 120 may move up, down, left, and right between the first pressure roller 103 and the second pressure roller 104. The interval between the first pressing roller 103 and the second pressing roller 104 may be adjusted so as not to interfere with the vertical movement of the stamper assembly 120. Therefore, after the stamper assembly 120 completes the pattern forming operation, the automatic return operation is possible to the original position, thereby enabling automation of the operation.

Meanwhile, the stamper actuator 124 moves the stamper 122 to closely adhere the stamper 122 on the light guide plate substrate 130. On the contrary, the stamper actuator 124 may also play a role of retracting the stamper 122 from the light guide plate substrate 130.

The first pressure roller 102 presses one side of the stamper. Specifically, the first pressing roller 102 presses the upper side of the stamper. On the other hand, the second pressure roller 104 presses one side of the light guide plate substrate 130, in particular the lower side of the light guide plate substrate 130.

Therefore, the stamper assembly 120 forms an optical pattern on only one side of the light guide plate substrate 130. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. If an additional stamper for forming a pattern on the lower side of the light guide plate substrate is used, optical patterns may be formed on both sides of the light guide plate substrate.

The reverse-pattern 126 is formed on the other side surface disposed opposite to one side of the stamper 122 pressed by the first pressure roller 102. The inverse pattern includes various patterns, for example, an inverse pattern of a prism pattern, or an inverse pattern of a micro lens pattern.

The position of the uppermost point of the second pressure roller 104 is disposed to match the height of the bottom surface of the light guide plate substrate 130 to be transferred. Accordingly, the light guide plate substrate 130 moves through the first transfer device 110 to reach the second pressure roller 104 to prevent the vertical movement of the substrate due to the difference in height, and to prevent the pattern from being formed. Distortion can be prevented.

However, the position of the second press roller 104 is not always fixed relative to the first conveying device 110 and the second conveying device 112, and at a step other than the step of forming a pattern on the substrate, Can be moved as needed. That is, before the light guide plate substrate reaches the second pressure roller, the vertical movement of the second pressure roller is already completed, and the position of the uppermost peak of the second pressure roller 104 is transferred to the bottom of the light guide plate substrate 130. The face and height are arranged to match.

On the other hand, the stamper actuator 124 is disposed at both ends of the stamper 122. However, the position of the stamper actuator 124 is not limited to both ends of the stamper 122, and may be disposed at various positions of the stamper if the stamper can be moved.

In addition, the stamper actuator 124 may apply a tensile force to the stamper 122 to prevent wrinkles in the stamper. For example, the stamper actuator 124 may be disposed at both ends of the stamper or placed on the edge to exert a tensile force on the stamper.

Meanwhile, heating means 103, 105, and 123 may be disposed in at least one of the first pressure roller 102, the second pressure roller 104, and the stamper 122. When the light guide plate substrate 130 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heating means, when the light guide plate substrate 130 is pattern-formed by the stamper 122, the fluidity of the material may be increased to increase the molding efficiency. The heating means is controlled by the control means (not shown).

At least one of the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 may move up and down. Thus, the gap between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 can be adjusted, the stamper assembly (between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104) 120 allows for automatic reciprocating motion.

On the other hand, conventionally, the light guide plate substrate and the stamper are rolled into the fixed space between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller due to the fixed distance between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller. Since the sum of the heights of the stamper and the stamper is greater than the distance between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller, the rear part of the stamper may be lifted.

However, the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus and the manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention is the first light guide plate 102 and the first after the light guide plate substrate is placed in close contact with the lower side of the stamper is disposed in the pattern formation position By moving the pressing roller 104 up and down to pressurize the substrate for the light guide plate and the stamper, the lifting phenomenon of the rear portion of the stamper, which is a problem of the conventional light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, can be prevented.

That is, in the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, after placing the light guide plate substrate and the stamper at the pattern formation position, the gap between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is narrowed to simultaneously press the light guide plate substrate and the stamper. By pressing, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the back of the stamper is lifted when the stamper is introduced at a fixed interval between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller. Furthermore, the gap between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller can be prevented. It is possible to control the overall thickness of the light guide plate to be molded by controlling.

Light guide plate manufacturing apparatus 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the first transfer device 110 for transferring the light guide plate substrate 130; A stamper assembly (120) having a stamper (122) formed with an inverse pattern, the inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate; A first pressing roller 102 disposed above the stamper; A second pressing roller 104 disposed below the stamper; And a second transfer device 112 for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed, and the first transfer device 110 may be moved upward toward the stamper.

The first transfer device 110 moves upward toward the stamper 122 to closely adhere the light guide plate substrate 130 placed on the first transfer device to the stamper.

Therefore, as mentioned in the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus of the above-described embodiment, the stamper 122 is moved up, down, left and right by the action of the stamper actuator 124 of the stamper assembly 120 so that the stamper approaches the light guide plate substrate. In addition to the method of making or retracting, in the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, in parallel with the movement of the stamper, or leaving the stamper fixed, the light guide plate substrate is approached or withdrawn from the stamper. It will be prepared.

3A to 3F are schematic side views of a step of manufacturing a light guide plate as a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, a light guide plate manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F.

Method of manufacturing a light guide plate according to an embodiment of the present invention, the introduction step of transferring by introducing the substrate for the light guide plate; An adhesion step of bringing the stamper and the substrate into close contact with each other on which a reverse pattern, which is an inverse phase of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate, is formed; A roller arrangement step of arranging a first pressure roller above the stamper and a second pressure roller below the stamper; A pressing step of pressing the substrate and the stamper by rotating the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller; And a carrying out step of transferring and transporting the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 3A, a stamper assembly 120 is disposed between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104, which have sufficient clearance therebetween, and the stamper assembly 120 is disposed. The substrate for the light guide plate is introduced through the first transfer device 110 disposed below the. In the step where the light guide plate substrate is introduced, the light guide plate substrate does not contact the stamper.

Referring to FIG. 3B, the light guide plate substrate 130 is introduced until the uppermost point of the second pressure roller disposed at one end of the first transfer device 130 is reached. Since the uppermost points of the first conveying apparatus 110 and the second pressing roller are formed at the same height, the substrate for the light guide plate to be introduced may be smoothly introduced without a rattling impact in the process of being conveyed. In this process, the stamper actuator 124 of the stamper assembly 120 operates to move the stamper 122 to the light guide plate substrate 130 and to be in close contact with a predetermined position of the light guide plate substrate 130.

Alternatively, the light guide plate substrate 130 may be moved toward the stamper 122. In this case, the first transfer device 110 moves toward the stamper 122 with the light guide plate substrate 130 mounted thereon, thereby bringing the light guide plate substrate 130 into close contact with the stamper 122.

Referring to FIG. 3C, a roller arrangement step is performed in which a gap between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 is narrowed. As a method of narrowing the space | interval between the 1st press roller 102 and the 2nd press roller 104, it is possible to consider moving the said 1st press roller 102 toward the said stamper 122, for example. This roller arrangement step is performed after the light guide plate substrate is in close contact with the stamper and placed in the pattern formation position. The narrowed gap between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 is performed in consideration of the degree of pressure for pressing the light guide plate substrate and the stamper.

Referring to FIG. 3D, a pressing step of pressing the light guide plate substrate 130 and the stamper 122 by rotating the first pressing roller 102 and the second pressing roller 104 is illustrated. Through this step, a pattern is formed on one side of the light guide plate substrate by an inverse pattern formed on one side of the stamper 122.

In this pressing step, the interval between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 is preferably maintained, but is not necessarily limited thereto, according to a predetermined design of a pattern formed on the light guide plate substrate. The distance between the first press roller and the second press roller may be changed.

The first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 simultaneously press the light guide plate substrate and the stamper 122 in a state where the stamper 122 is placed on the light guide plate substrate 130. The first pressure roller 102 is in contact with the stamper and the second pressure roller 104 is rotated by the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller in a state of being in close contact with the light guide plate substrate 130. A slip phenomenon may occur between the 130 and the stamper 122. In this case, when the reverse-pattern of the stamper forms a pattern on the light guide plate substrate, the pattern may be distorted in its shape in the lateral direction.

In order to prevent such a problem, the stamper actuator 124 adjusts the feed rate of the stamper 122 even in the pressing step in which the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 rotate, thereby forming a substrate for a stamper and a light guide plate. Slip is prevented from occurring between the 130.

3E and 3F illustrate a step of transferring and transporting the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed. Specifically, according to FIG. 3E, the gap between the first pressure roller 102 and the second pressure roller 104 is opened again. For example, the first pressing roller 102 moves in an upward direction away from the stamper 122. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3F, the stamper assembly 120 is also separated from the components indicated by reference numeral 130, which is completed molding from the light guide plate to the light guide plate (in the present application, the light guide plate substrate and the light guide plate after molding). The same reference numeral 130 is used for the same). The stamper actuator 124 separates the stamper 122 from the light guide plate 130 to transfer the stamper 122 to its original position for the next light guide plate forming operation.

By repeating the light guide plate manufacturing step as described above, it is possible to perform an automated light guide plate manufacturing step.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

100: light guide plate manufacturing apparatus 102: first pressure roller
104: second pressure roller 103: heating means
105: heating means 110: first transfer device
112: second transfer device 120: stamper assembly
122: stamper 124: stamper actuator
123: heating means 126: reverse-pattern
130: substrate

Claims (13)

A first transfer device for transferring the light guide plate substrate;
A stamper assembly having a stamper on which an inverse pattern, which is inverse of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate, is formed, and a stamper actuator to move the stamper;
A first pressing roller disposed above the stamper;
A second pressing roller disposed below the stamper; And
A second transfer device for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed;
The stamper is disposed between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller,
Light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the distance between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is variable. The method of claim 1,
The stamper is a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the parallel to the substrate. The method of claim 2,
And the stamper actuator moves the stamper to closely adhere the stamper onto the substrate. The method of claim 3, wherein
The first pressure roller presses one side of the stamper,
The second pressure roller is a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that for pressing one side of the substrate. The method of claim 4, wherein
The reverse-pattern is formed on the other side surface disposed opposite to one side of the stamper pressed by the first pressing roller, characterized in that the light guide plate manufacturing apparatus. The method of claim 5, wherein
The stamper actuator is a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that disposed on both ends of the stamper. The method according to claim 6,
The stamper actuator is a light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that for applying a tensile force on both ends of the stamper. A first transfer device for transferring the light guide plate substrate;
A stamper assembly having a stamper having an inverse pattern, which is a reverse phase of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate.
A first pressing roller disposed above the stamper;
A second pressing roller disposed below the stamper; And
A second transfer device for transferring the light guide plate on which the optical pattern is formed,
The first transfer device may be moved upwards toward the stamper,
The stamper is disposed between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller,
Light guide plate manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the distance between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller is variable. An introduction step of transferring and introducing the light guide plate substrate;
An adhesion step of bringing the stamper and the substrate into close contact with each other to form a reverse pattern, which is an inverse phase of an optical pattern to be formed on the substrate;
A roller arrangement step of arranging a first pressure roller above the stamper and a second pressure roller below the stamper;
A pressing step of pressing the substrate and the stamper by rotating the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller; And
An export step of transporting and transporting the light guide plate having the optical pattern formed thereon;
The stamper is disposed between the first pressure roller and the second pressure roller,
The distance between the first pressing roller and the second pressing roller is variable, characterized in that the light guide plate manufacturing method. The method of claim 9,
The step of adhering comprises moving the stamper toward the substrate. The method of claim 9,
The contacting step includes the step of moving the substrate toward the stamper. The method of claim 9,
The roller disposing step includes the step of moving the first pressure roller toward the stamper. The method of claim 12,
And moving the first pressing roller in a direction away from the stamper after the pressing step.

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