KR20060072938A - Apparatus for printing alignment film of lcd - Google Patents

Abstract

An alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment material is formed on the outer circumferential surface, the printing roll which rotates itself by a drive motor; Pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll; A table for supporting a substrate on which an alignment material is printed by the movement of the printing roll; A rack gear provided at a position spaced downward from the table by a predetermined distance; It is characterized in that it comprises a predetermined connecting pinion gear configured to engage between the rack gear and the pinion gear provided on both sides of the printing roll.

According to the present invention, by forming the position of the gear portion for moving the roll and the substrate on which the alignment film is printed differently, the exhaust device for discharging the foreign matter generated in the gear portion to the outside is provided in the form surrounding the gear portion, It is advantageous to prevent foreign substances generated in the gear part from flowing into the substrate and to stabilize the airflow generated during roll movement.

Description

Alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display device {apparatus for printing alignment film of LCD}

1 is a view showing a conventional alignment film printing apparatus and a method of forming an alignment film according thereto.

2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view of a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus.

3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view of an alignment film printing apparatus of a roll driving method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a side view of an alignment film printing apparatus of a roll driving method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are side and front cross-sectional views of an alignment film printing apparatus of a roll driving method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

300, 400: printing roll 310, 410: pinion gear

330: table 340: rack gear

350 exhaust device 352 exhaust device outer housing

354: fan 450: connecting pinion gear

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD), and more particularly, to an apparatus for forming an alignment film, which is one of elements formed on upper and lower substrates of a liquid crystal display.

In general, a liquid crystal display device is an apparatus for displaying an image by using optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal.

That is, when a voltage is applied, the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal changes according to the intensity of the electric field, and the image is expressed by using a property that can control light according to the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal. It consists of a liquid crystal filled between a substrate and it.

The manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display device as described above will be briefly described as follows.

First, the lower substrate of the two substrates forms a plurality of switching elements such as thin film transistors through a plurality of deposition, photolithography, and etching processes, and each of A pixel corresponding to a switching device is configured in a matrix form, and an array pattern is formed in which wiring is crossed around the switching device, and a pad portion is formed at one end of each of the wirings.

In addition, a common electrode is formed on a surface of the upper substrate facing the lower substrate, and a color filter is further attached in order to express a color image. Next, an alignment film is formed on the upper and lower substrates according to the alignment characteristics of the liquid crystal filled between the upper substrate and the lower substrate.

Next, after attaching the upper substrate and the lower substrate with a predetermined sealant, a liquid crystal panel is completed by filling an arbitrary liquid crystal in the space between the two substrates attached thereto.

The process of forming the alignment film on the substrate is essential for the following reasons.

The liquid crystal display device uses the electro-optic effect of the liquid crystal, and this electro-optic effect is determined by the anisotropy of the liquid crystal itself and the molecular arrangement state of the liquid crystal.

In addition, the control of the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal has a great influence on stabilizing the display quality of the liquid crystal display device.

Therefore, it is the role of the alignment film to impart a single crystal order to the liquid crystal and to allow a regular response to the liquid crystal molecules by one sheet. Such an alignment film is divided into an inorganic alignment film and an organic alignment film, and polyimide-based alignment films are used in particular among organic alignment films. The organic alignment film is subjected to a rubbing process after forming and curing the organic polymer film on the substrate by a rotary coating method or a printing coating method.

The rubbing process serves to give an alignment direction to the liquid crystal molecules by defining an alignment angle on the surface of the alignment layer.

1 is a view showing a conventional alignment film printing apparatus and a method of forming an alignment film according thereto.

Referring to FIG. 1, the alignment layer is coated on the glass substrate 10 by using a plurality of rolls engaged with each other, and includes a doctor roll 11, an anilox roll 13, and the like. Printing equipment consisting of a printing roll 15 and a rubber sheet 17 is used.

Of the plurality of rolls, the doctor roll 11 is engaged with the anilox roll 13 and the printing roll 15 is configured to engage with the anilox roll 13.

As shown in the figure, a fine groove 13a is formed on the side surface of the anilox roll 13.

In addition, a rubber plate 17 having an arbitrary pattern is attached to one surface of the printing roll 15.

The pattern of the rubber plate 17 is an embossed pattern, so that the alignment layer can be printed on a portion of the array substrate except for a portion to which an adhesive is applied and a portion to form a pad. By using a printing apparatus having the configuration as described above A method of forming an alignment layer on a glass substrate is described below.

First, the glass substrate 10 is fixed to an arbitrary fixing device 12. Next, any alignment material is sprayed onto the anilox roll 13 in the above-described configuration.

As described above, when a printing apparatus composed of a plurality of rolls is operated, the doctor roll 11 rotates to engage with the anilox roll 13 to detect the alignment material sprayed on the anilox roll 13. It is deposited in the fine groove (13a) of the anilox roll 13, and the alignment material deposited in the anilox roll 13 continuously is the anilox roll 13 and the printing roll 15 It is transferred again to the rubber plate 17 of the said printing roll 15 by engaging.

Next, as the alignment material transferred to the rubber plate 17, the alignment roll is formed on the glass substrate 10 in accordance with an embossed pattern of the rubber plate 17 as the printing roll 15 rotates.

Next, a process of curing the alignment film 21 formed on the substrate 10 at a predetermined temperature is performed, and a process of rubbing the surface of the cured alignment film 21 using a rubbing roll 23 is performed. Through this, an alignment layer may be finally formed on the glass substrate.

However, the conventional alignment film forming method as described above requires a thorough preliminary preparation to clean each roll cleanly, including attaching a rubber plate to the printing roll, as can be seen from the configuration of the printing apparatus.

If the cleaning is not cleaned, the glass substrate coated with the alignment layer is very likely to be stained or cause pinholes during the curing process due to contamination. In addition, since the microgrooves are formed on the surface of the anilox roll 13 as described above, the anilox roll 13 wears down as a certain time passes while operating with the doctor roll 11. The form will change. Of course, since the doctor roll 11 also wears, the anilox roll 13 and the doctor roll 11 should be replaced after a certain time.                         

Therefore, during the exchange of the anilox roll 13 and the doctor roll 11 it is impossible to continuously produce, there is a disadvantage that the work efficiency is significantly reduced and at the same time the manufacturing cost increases. In addition, the rubber plate 17 attached to the printing roll 15 has a lower hardness than other components, so the lifespan is not only short, but the size of the glass substrate is diversified, and the pattern must be changed according to the model of the substrate. This results in a significant decrease in work efficiency.

In the roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus, a liquid crystal display which prevents foreign substances generated in the gear portion from flowing into the substrate by differently configuring the position of the substrate on which the alignment film is printed and the gear portion for moving the roll. It is an object to provide an alignment film printing apparatus of the apparatus.

In addition, the present invention is a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus, the exhaust device for discharging the foreign substances generated in the gear portion for moving the roll to the outside is provided in the form surrounding the gear portion, thereby being generated in the gear portion It is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display device which prevents foreign matter from flowing into the substrate and stabilizes the airflow generated during roll movement.

In order to achieve the above object, an alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention, the alignment material is formed on the outer peripheral surface, and a self-rotating printing roll by a drive motor; Pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll; A table for supporting a substrate on which an alignment material is printed by the movement of the printing roll; A rack gear provided at a position spaced downward from the table by a predetermined distance; It is characterized in that it comprises a predetermined connecting pinion gear configured to engage between the rack gear and the pinion gear provided on both sides of the printing roll.

Here, the predetermined connection pinion gear transmits the rotation of the pinion gear provided on both sides of the printing roll to the rack gear, characterized in that composed of one or more pinion gear.

The exhaust device may further include an exhaust device provided to surround an area in which the predetermined connection pinion gear and the rack gear are engaged. The exhaust device may further include an exhaust port surrounding an area in which the connection pinion gear and the rack gear are engaged. And an outer housing and a fan for forcibly discharging foreign matters generated by the meshing gear to the outside.

In addition, the alignment film printing apparatus of the liquid crystal display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, the printing material is formed on the outer circumferential surface and rotated by a drive motor; Pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll; A table for supporting a substrate on which an alignment material is printed by the movement of the printing roll; A rack gear formed at a side of the table to which a printing roll is moved to engage the pinion gear; And an exhaust device provided in a form to surround an area where the pinion gear and the rack gear engage with each other, wherein the exhaust device includes an exhaust port outer housing surrounding the area where the pinion gear and the rack gear engage with each other; The bite includes a fan forcibly discharging foreign objects generated by the gear to the outside.

In order to overcome the problems of the conventional alignment film printing apparatus described above, a roll driving type alignment film printing apparatus for printing an alignment film on a substrate has been developed by directly moving a printing roll rather than a substrate on the substrate.

2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view of a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus.

2A and 2B, in the roll driving type alignment film printing apparatus, a motor (not shown) is provided on a printing roll 200 so that the printing roll 200 moves directly, so that the printing roll 200 has an outer circumferential surface. Characterized in that the alignment material formed in the printed on the substrate 232.

At this time, both regions of the printing roll 200 has a pinion gear 210 structure, and a rack gear 240 structure meshing with the pinion gear 210 structure has the printing roll. It is formed in the side part of this moving table 230.

That is, the table not only supports the substrate 232 but also the rack gear 240 meshing with the pinion gear 210 provided in the printing roll 200 so that the printing roll 200 can move. Is provided.

Accordingly, when power is applied to the motor and the printing roll 200 rotates, the pinion gear 210 also rotates, and the printing roll is rotated by the rack gear 240 configured to mesh with the pinion gear 210. The substrate 230 moves in a predetermined direction, and as a result, an alignment material formed on the outer circumferential surface of the printing roll 200 when the substrate 232 moves on the table 230. Will print up.

According to such a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus, it is possible to remove anilox rolls and doctor rolls provided in the conventional alignment film printing apparatus, thereby improving the process efficiency.

In other words, the anilox roll and the doctor roll are consumables, so they need to be replaced after a certain period of time. With this, the roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus can overcome the above problems.

However, in the roll driving alignment film printing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2, foreign matter is generated due to friction between the rack gear 240 and the pinion gear 210 when the printing roll is driven, and the rack gear 240 is formed of a substrate ( 232) is provided on the same surface as the formed surface there is a problem that the foreign material can be introduced into the substrate.

In addition, the vortex is generated as the printing roll 200 moves, and the foreign matter may be more easily introduced into the substrate 232 by the vortex.

In order to overcome such a problem, an embodiment of the present invention is a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus, the exhaust device for discharging the foreign matter generated in the gear portion to the outside provided in the form surrounding the gear portion and / or alignment film It characterized in that the position of the gear portion for moving the substrate to be printed and the roll is configured differently, thereby preventing foreign substances generated in the gear portion from entering the substrate, stabilizing the air flow generated during the printing roll movement You can do it.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view of a roll drive type alignment film printing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In the roll driving type alignment film printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, the foreign substances generated in the gears 310 and 340 for moving the printing roll 300 are discharged to the outside. Apparatus 350 is provided in the form of surrounding the gear portion, that is, the pinion gear 310 provided on both sides of the printing roll 3033 and the rack gear 340 provided on the table side meshing with the pinion gear. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display device which prevents foreign substances generated from the gear part from flowing into the substrate and stabilizes the airflow generated when the printing roll 300 moves.

3A and 3B, in the alignment film printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, a motor is provided on a printing roll 300 so that the printing roll 300 directly moves, thereby printing the roll 300. The alignment material formed on the outer circumferential surface is operated by a roll driving method for printing on the substrate 332, wherein both regions of the printing roll 300 have a pinion gear 310 structure, and the pinion A rack gear 340 structure meshing with the gear 310 is formed on the side of the table 330 to which the printing roll 300 moves.

Accordingly, when power is applied to the motor (not shown) and the printing roll 300 rotates, the pinion gear 310 also rotates, and the rack gear 340 is configured to mesh with the pinion gear 300. The printing roll 300 moves in a predetermined direction on the table 330, and as a result, an alignment material formed on an outer circumferential surface of the printing roll 300 when moving on the substrate 332 positioned on the table 330. This is printed onto the substrate.

However, in this case, foreign matter is generated due to friction between the rack gear 340 and the pinion gear 310 when the printing roll 300 is driven. As shown in the first embodiment of the present invention, the pinion gear 310 And the outer housing 352 of the exhaust device 350 is provided to surround the area in which the rack gear 340 is engaged, it is possible to efficiently prevent foreign matter generated by the friction flow into the substrate. .

At this time, a fan 354 may be installed in the exhaust device 350, and the fan forcibly discharges the air containing the foreign matter to the outside.

4 is a side view of the alignment film printing apparatus of the roll driving method according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the case of the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, since the rack gear is provided on the same surface as the surface on which the substrate is formed, foreign matters generated as the printing roll moves may be more easily introduced into the substrate.

Accordingly, the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 4 is characterized in that the positions of the substrate 432 on which the alignment film is printed and the gear parts 440 and 450 for moving the printing roll 400 are configured differently. It is an object of the present invention to provide an alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display device to prevent foreign substances generated in the gear unit from being introduced into the substrate 432.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the alignment film printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the substrate on which the alignment film is printed is different from that of the gear parts 440 and 450 for moving the printing roll 400. The rack gear is not formed at the side of the table 430 supporting the rack, and the rack gear 440 is provided at the lower end spaced apart from the table 430 by a predetermined interval, and the predetermined connection is engaged with the rack gear 440. Pinion gear 450 is configured to mesh with pinion gear 410 provided on both sides of the printing roll.

That is, the gear parts 440 and 450 which are to be provided to move the printing roll 400 are provided at the lower end spaced apart from the table 430 by a predetermined distance, thereby providing the gear parts 440 and 450 and the table 430. Since it is not located on the same surface it is possible to prevent the foreign substances generated in the gears 440, 450 flow into the substrate 432. However, the printing roll 400 moving back and forth for printing is located on the table 430.

At this time, the predetermined connection pinion gear 450 serves to transmit the rotation of the pinion gear 410 provided on both sides of the printing roll 400 to the rack gear 440, at least one pinion gear Can be configured.

Accordingly, when power is applied to a motor (not shown) and the printing roll 400 rotates, the pinion gear 410 provided on both sides of the printing roll 400 also rotates, and the pinion gear 410 is rotated. The print roll 400 is moved in a predetermined direction on the table 430 by the rack gear 440 provided at the bottom of the table that rotates and engages the at least one connecting pinion gear 450 configured to be engaged. As a result, the alignment material formed on the outer circumferential surface of the printing roll 400 is printed onto the substrate when moving on the substrate 432 positioned on the table.

5A and 5B are side and front cross-sectional views of an alignment film printing apparatus of a roll driving method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

The third embodiment is an alignment film printing apparatus of a combination of Figs. 3 and 4 in the alignment film printing apparatus of the roll driving method, the exhaust device for discharging the foreign substances generated in the gear portion to the outside in a form surrounding the gear portion And a different position of the substrate on which the alignment film is printed and the gear portion for moving the roll, thereby preventing foreign substances generated in the gear portion from flowing into the substrate, and generating air flow during the roll movement. The purpose is to be able to stabilize.

Therefore, the description of the components already described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 will be omitted.

FIG. 5B is a partial region of the front sectional view of the roll driving type alignment film printing apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the rack gear 440 and the connecting pinion gear 450 are engaged with each other, and are formed to surround the exhaust device. As shown to indicate 350, it can be seen that the outer shape of the exhaust device 350 provided in the third embodiment of the present invention is configured to surround the rack gear 440 and the connecting pinion gear 450. As such, the outer housing 352 of the exhaust device 350 is provided to surround an area where the pinion gear 450 and the rack gear 440 engage with each other, so that foreign matters generated by friction of the gear parts 440 and 450 are provided. It is possible to effectively prevent the flow into the substrate. In this case, a fan 354 may be installed in the exhaust device 350, and the fan 354 may forcibly discharge air containing the foreign matter to the outside.

However, the pinion gear 450 meshing with the rack gear 440 serves to transmit the rotation of the pinion gear 410 provided on both sides of the printing roll to the rack gear 440 as described in FIG. 4. .

According to the present invention, by forming the position of the gear portion for moving the roll and the substrate on which the alignment film is printed differently, the exhaust device for discharging the foreign matter generated in the gear portion to the outside is provided in the form surrounding the gear portion, It is advantageous to prevent foreign substances generated in the gear part from flowing into the substrate and to stabilize the airflow generated during roll movement.

Claims (7)

A printing roll having an alignment material formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof and rotating by itself by a drive motor; Pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll; A table for supporting a substrate on which an alignment material is printed by the movement of the printing roll; A rack gear provided at a position spaced downward from the table by a predetermined distance; And a predetermined connecting pinion gear configured to engage between the rack gear and the pinion gear provided on both sides of the printing roll. The method of claim 1, The predetermined pinion gear transfers the rotation of the pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll to the rack gear, and the alignment film printing apparatus of the liquid crystal display device, characterized in that composed of one or more pinion gears. The method of claim 1, And the printing roll moves back and forth on the table. The method of claim 1, And an exhaust device provided to surround an area where the predetermined pinion gear and the rack gear are engaged with each other. The method of claim 4, wherein The exhaust device includes an exhaust port outer housing surrounding an area where the pinion gear and the rack gear engage with each other, and a fan for forcibly discharging foreign matters generated by the meshing gear to the outside. Printing device. A printing roll having an alignment material formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof and rotating by itself by a drive motor; Pinion gears provided on both sides of the printing roll; A table for supporting a substrate on which an alignment material is printed by the movement of the printing roll; A rack gear formed on a side of the table to which a printing roll is moved to engage the pinion gear; And an exhaust device provided to surround an area where the pinion gear and the rack gear are engaged with each other. The method of claim 6, The exhaust device includes an exhaust port outer housing surrounding an area where the pinion gear and the rack gear engage with each other, and a fan for forcibly discharging foreign matters generated by the meshing gear to the outside. Printing device.

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