JP4414659B2 - Color filter defect correcting method and defect correcting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for correcting a protrusion defect portion and a black and white defect portion generated in a color filter of a liquid crystal panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a method for correcting defects of this type of color filter, after the processing area of the colored layer including the defective portion is removed by irradiating the defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter with laser light, the processing is performed by an inkjet apparatus. A method is known in which a correction ink having the same color as the color of the colored layer is dropped on an area, and then the dropped correction ink is cured and formed into a film by an ink curing device to correct the defective portion (for example, , See Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-66418
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the correction method of the color filter, since the size of the application range of the correction ink dropped from the inkjet head of the inkjet apparatus is about 30 μm in diameter, the defective portion has a small diameter such as a pinhole. In this case, the amount of the correction ink applied to the defective portion becomes too large, and even if it is expected to shrink due to the heat treatment by the ink curing device, the thickness of the correction portion is increased, and the thickness of the colored layer having no defect portion is increased. There was a risk that corrections would not be made and correction defects would occur. In addition, when the area of the defect portion is large, the defect portion area may not be an integral multiple of the number of times the correction ink is dropped when the correction ink is dropped a plurality of times by inkjet, which causes the same problem as described above.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and corrects a defective portion of a colored layer of a color filter by forming a correction ink that is appropriately matched with a thickness of the colored layer having no defective portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a defect correction method and defect correction apparatus for a color filter in which no defect occurs.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is characterized by the following points in order to solve the above problems.
That is, in the defect correction method for a color filter according to claim 1, the defect area of the color layer of the color filter is irradiated with a laser beam to remove the processing area of the color layer including the defect area, and then the ink jet is used for the defect correction method. In the defect correction method in which the correction ink is dropped on the processing area, and then the dripped correction ink is cured and formed into a film, the amount of correction ink dropped by the inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping area, and the dropping area Reference data indicating a correlation with the film thickness of the corrected ink dropped after film formation is obtained in advance, and based on the reference data, the set film thickness of the colored layer having the defective portion and laser light irradiation are used. From the area of the processing area of the colored layer to be removed, the amount of correction ink dripped onto the processing area is obtained.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a color filter defect correcting method comprising: irradiating a defective portion of a colored layer of a color filter with a laser beam to remove a processing area of the colored layer including the defective portion; In the defect correction method in which the correction ink is dropped on the processing area, and then the dripped correction ink is cured and formed into a film, the amount of correction ink dropped by the inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping area, and the dropping area Reference data indicating a correlation with the film thickness of the dropped corrected ink after film formation is obtained in advance, and based on the reference data, the set film thickness of the colored layer having the defective portion and the ink corrected ink The processing area of the colored layer to be removed by irradiation with the laser beam is obtained from an integral multiple of the minimum possible dripping amount.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a defect correcting device for a color filter, a measuring device for measuring a defective portion of a colored layer of a color filter, and irradiating the defective portion measured by the measuring device with a laser beam. A laser processing apparatus that removes a processing area of the colored layer, an ink jet apparatus that drops correction ink on the processing area from which the coloring layer has been removed by the laser processing apparatus, and the correction ink dropped by the ink jet apparatus is cured The ink curing device, the amount of correction ink dropped by the ink jet device, and the area of the colored layer processed area removed by the laser processing device are set, and the operations of the measuring device, laser processing device, and ink jet device are controlled. In the defect correction apparatus provided with the control device, the control device is obtained in advance, Storage means for storing reference data indicating the correlation between the amount of correction ink dropped from the ink jet device, the area of the correction ink dropping area, and the film thickness of the correction ink dropped on the dropping area after film formation; Based on the reference data stored in the storage means, the amount of correction ink dropped on the processing area from the set film thickness of the colored layer having a defect and the area of the processing area of the coloring layer to be removed by the laser processing apparatus Or a calculation control means for obtaining an area of a processing area of the colored layer to be removed by irradiation with the laser light from the set film thickness and an integral multiple of the minimum possible dripping amount of the correction ink by the ink jet apparatus. It is characterized by being.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a color filter defect correcting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a color filter defect correcting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The color filter defect correcting apparatus 1 supports a color filter 2 on a moving table 3 with a clamp 3a, and operates the driving motor 4 to move the moving table 3 on a base (not shown) in the Y-axis direction (FIG. 1). A substrate moving device 5 for moving the color filter 2 in the Y-axis direction by moving the color filter 2 in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface, a measuring device 6 for measuring a defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter 2, and A laser processing device 7 for irradiating a defective portion of the colored layer measured by the measuring device 6 with a laser beam to remove the colored layer in a processing area (processing area) including the defective portion, and removal by the laser processing device 7 In the processed area of the colored layer, the inkjet device 8 that drops the correction ink f of the same color as the color of the colored layer, and the correction ink dropped by the inkjet device 8 is baked (heat treatment) to cure and form a film. An ink curing device (not shown), a substrate moving device 5, a measuring device 6, a laser processing device 7, an ink jet device 8, and a control computer (control device) 9 for controlling the operation of the ink curing device, and the color filter 2. And a host computer (control device) 10 that stores basic information information and the like.
[0010]
The measuring device 6 includes a CCD camera (camera) 11 that takes an image through a microscope, an illuminator 12, an illumination optical system 13, a pair of mirrors 14 and 14, and an objective lens 15, and the light from the illuminator 12. And observing with the CCD camera while illuminating the surface of the color filter 2 through the illumination optical system 13, the mirrors 14 and 14 and the objective lens 15, and detecting and measuring a defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter 2 Measurement data relating to the position, shape, dimensions, etc. of the defective portion is transmitted to the control computer 9.
[0011]
The laser processing device 7 includes a laser power source 16, a laser transmitter 17, and a laser optical system 18. The laser processing device 7 operates in response to a command from the control computer 9 and generates laser light generated by the laser transmitter 17. Is irradiated to the colored layer of the color filter 2 through the laser optical system 18, one mirror 14 shared with the measuring device 6 and the objective lens 15, and the processing area including the defective portion is melted and removed. It is like that. The objective lens 15 is a turret type that can be used by switching a plurality of lenses having different magnifications, and can be measured by the CCD camera 11 by changing the magnification as necessary.
[0012]
The inkjet device 8 includes an inkjet control circuit 19, a plurality of ink cartridges 20 filled with correction inks of different colors, and a minimum possible drop amount provided corresponding to the ink cartridge 20 (dropped from the inkjet head 21. A plurality of inkjet heads 21 having different minimum ink amounts that can be set to the minimum in the head 21, and operating according to a command from the control computer 8. The inkjet control circuit 19 Thus, the correction ink f whose discharge amount (drop amount) is controlled is dropped from the inkjet head 21 onto the processing area of the color filter 2.
The measuring device 6, the laser processing device 7, and the ink jet device 8 are supported by a gate-shaped support member (not shown) and move in the X-axis direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the Y-axis direction. It is attached to a free carriage (not shown), and when the carriage is moved by the operation of the X-axis driving means in response to a command from the control computer 9, the carriage moves back and forth together in the X-axis direction. In addition, the movement can be adjusted individually in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the XY axis.
[0013]
The amount of the correction ink f dropped by the ink jet head 21 of the ink jet apparatus 8, the area of the correction ink f dropping area (corresponding to the processing area), and the correction ink dropped on the dripping area by the ink curing apparatus. When the relationship with the film thickness after film formation was obtained in advance by experiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the film was deposited more as the correction ink f was dropped in the range of the correction ink f drop amount of 30 pl to 300 pl. Experimental data (hereinafter referred to as “reference data”) showing a correlation in which the film thickness decreases with a value along a hyperbolic curve as the film thickness increases and the dropping region increases.
The control computer 9 operates for the reference data indicating the correlation between the amount of the correction ink f to be dropped, the area of the drop region, and the film thickness after film formation, and the operations required for the devices 5, 6, 7, and 8. ROM (storage means) for storing a sequence program or the like for executing the above, RAM (storage means) for storing measurement data obtained by the measurement device 6, the reference data in the ROM, and the measurement data in the RAM , And a calculation control means for calculating the area of the processing area of the defective portion in the colored layer of the color filter 2 and the dripping amount of the correction ink f from the inkjet head 21, and the CCD camera according to a command from the calculation control means 11 and a display for displaying the image of the defective part obtained by 11 and the measurement data.
[0014]
Further, the ink curing device (not shown) processes the color filter 2 by lamp heating means arranged near the ink jet device 8 in the defect correcting device 1 or on the lower surface side of the color filter 2 on the opposite side. Heated and baked correction ink f dropped on the area, or a heater in a heating furnace installed separately from the defect correction apparatus 1, was dropped on the processing area in a subsequent process of the defect correction apparatus 1. The correction ink can be heated and baked.
[0015]
Next, together with the operation of the color filter defect correcting apparatus 1 according to the embodiment, a color filter defect correcting method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
When the operation of the defect correcting device 1 is started, the control computer 9 inputs substrate information relating to the color filter 2 from the host computer 10 and stores it in the RAM (step S1), and also drives the substrate moving device 5 The motor 4 and the X-axis driving means (not shown) are actuated to move the color filter 2 in the Y-axis direction and the measuring device 6 in the X-axis direction. The defective portion is made to enter (step S2). As a result, the image data measured by the CCD camera 11 through the microscope is sent to the control computer 9 for image processing, and the color filter is arranged so that the defective portion is located at the center of the field of view of the microscope. 2 and the microscope are relatively moved in the XY-axis direction (step S3).
[0016]
Next, the objective lens 15 is converted to a high-magnification lens so that the shape of the defective portion G is automatically recognized (step S4). Based on the measurement data (image data) obtained from the CCD camera 11, The arithmetic control means of the control computer 9 uses the minimum area of the right quadrilateral having the X and Y axis directions including the defect G as the minimum processing area K, and the dimension x of each side in the X and Y axis directions. , Y are calculated (step S5) (see FIG. 4A).
Further, the calculation control means of the control computer 9 uses the film thickness t and the area of the processing area K (based on the film thickness (set film thickness) t of the colored layer 2a in the substrate information on the color filter 2 ( x · y), the volume Vd (= x · y · t) of the colored layer 2a in the processing area K is calculated (step S6), and the volume Vd is corrected ink from the inkjet head 21 of the inkjet device 8. It is compared whether or not the minimum drop amount Vijmin of f is larger than the minimum drop amount (Vijmin × F) obtained by multiplying the minimum possible drop amount Vijmin by a coefficient F that is expected to reduce the corrected ink f by the heat treatment (Vd ≧ Vijmin × F). Step S7).
[0017]
When the volume Vd is larger than the minimum dripping amount (Vijmin × F), a command is sent from the control computer 9 to the laser processing device 7, and the dimension x, x of the minimum processing area K calculated in step S5 is sent. The process of removing the colored layer 2a with the laser beam L is performed in step y (step S8) (see FIG. 4B), and then the corrected ink f is discharged from the inkjet head 21 of the inkjet apparatus 8 with the minimum possible drop amount Vijmin. Is dropped into the processing area K, the number of times of dropping (Vd / Vijmin) is calculated to determine the number of times the correction ink f is dropped, and the correction ink f is dropped into the processing area K by the calculated number of drops. (Step S9) (see FIG. 4C). In this case, when the calculated value of the number of drops is a fraction, a positive integer (excluding zero) number of drops close to the calculated value is selected. In addition, if there is reference data of a capacity capable of dropping a drop amount corresponding to the volume Vd at a time on the inkjet head 21, or a reference data of a capacity capable of dropping a positive integer multiple of the minimum possible drop amount Vijmin. If there is reference data that can drop a drop amount corresponding to the volume Vd by adding a plurality (a number smaller than the number of drops obtained in the calculation), the inkjet control circuit 19 sets the drop amount to the volume Vd. It is preferable to perform the control so as to match only once or to drop only the added number because the defect processing time can be shortened.
[0018]
In the step S7, when the volume Vd is less than the minimum drop amount (Vijmin × F), the calculation control means of the control computer 9 uses the minimum drop amount (Vijmin × F) from the inkjet head 21 as the value. Divide by the film thickness t (Vijmin × F / t) to calculate the area (x ′ · y ′ = Vijmin × F / t) of the processing area K to be removed from the colored layer 2a, and x ′ ≧ x, y After calculating back the dimensions x ′ and y ′ of the processing area K under the condition “≧ y”, the removal processing of the processing area K of the colored layer 2a by the laser processing apparatus 7 is performed based on these dimensions x ′ and y ′. (Step S10). Thereafter, the calculation (x ′ · y ′ · t / Vijmin) is performed, and the number of times of dripping of the corrected ink f by the minimum possible dripping amount Vijmin is obtained in the same manner as in step S9. The correction ink f is dropped on the processing area K (step S11). In the above calculation, when the number of times of dropping becomes a fraction, since the amount of dropping corresponding to the fraction cannot be obtained from the inkjet head 21, it is a positive integer multiple close to the calculated number of drops (the minimum possible dropping amount Vijmin). The correction ink is dropped after calculating the area (x ′ · y ′) of the processing area K and reprocessing the processing area K so that the number of times of dropping is a positive integer (excluding zero) times. Shall. Also in this case, a plurality of reference data on the amount of dripping corresponding to the volume (x ′ · y ′ · t), or a plurality of pieces of reference data on the volume capable of dropping a positive integer multiple of the minimum possible dripping amount Vijmin (described above) If there is reference data that can drop a drop amount corresponding to the volume Vd by adding a number less than the number of drops obtained by calculation), the inkjet control circuit 19 sets the drop amount to the volume (x ′ · y ′). It is preferable that the control is performed so as to meet t) only once or only the addition number is dropped, because the correction processing time of the defective portion can be shortened.
[0019]
When the correction ink f is dropped on the processing area K of the colored layer 2a of the color filter 2, the dropped correction ink f1 spreads over the entire surface of the processing area K and rises from the surface of the coloring layer 2a. The ink f1 is heated and baked by an ink curing device (not shown). As a result, the correction ink f1 is reduced to be formed to a thickness consistent with the normal colored layer 2a without the defect portion G, and the correction processing of the defect portion G in the color filter 2 by the defect correction device 1 is completed. (See FIG. 4 (d)).
[0020]
According to the color filter defect correcting method according to the embodiment, the defect portion G of the color layer 2a of the color filter 2 is irradiated with the laser light L from the laser processing apparatus 7 to thereby color the defect portion G. After removing the processing area K of the layer 2a, the correction ink f is dropped onto the processing area K by ink jet from the ink jet head 21 of the ink jet device 8, and then the dripped correction ink f1 is cured by an ink curing device. In the defect correcting method for forming a film, the amount (volume) Vd of the correction ink f dropped by the ink jet from the ink jet apparatus 8, the area (x · y) of the dropping area of the correction ink f, and the correction dropped on the dropping area Reference data indicating a correlation with the film thickness t after the film formation of the ink f1 is obtained in advance, and based on the reference data, the previous data From the set film thickness t of the colored layer 2a having the defective portion G and the area (x · y) of the processed area K of the colored layer 2a to be removed by irradiation with the laser light L, the amount of the correction ink f dropped onto the processed area K Since Vd is obtained, the drop amount Vd of the correction ink f is appropriately set to the volume (x · y · t) of the processing area K of the colored layer removed by the laser beam L from the laser processing device 7. The defective portion G of the colored layer 2a of the color filter 2 can be set and corrected by forming a correction ink that is evenly aligned with the film thickness t of the colored layer 2a without it. The occurrence of defects can be reliably prevented.
[0021]
Further, according to the defect correction method of the color filter according to the embodiment, based on the correlation data, the set film thickness t of the colored layer 2a where the defect portion G is present and the minimum of the correction ink by the inkjet of the inkjet head 21 are corrected. Since the area (x ′ · y ′) of the processed area K of the colored layer 2a to be removed by irradiation with the laser beam L is obtained from an integral multiple of the possible dripping amount Vijmin, the colored layer 2a of the color filter 2 is obtained. Even if the defective portion G has a very small diameter such as a pinhole, the area where the corrected ink f of the ink jet head 21 of the ink jet apparatus 8 exceeds the minimum possible dripping amount Vijmin is adapted to this area. The film thickness after the correction of the colored layer 2a in the color filter 2 can be dripped almost into the processing area K having , It can be equally aligned relative to the thickness t of the colored layer 2a did defect portion G.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained.
According to the defect correction method for a color filter according to claim 1, the amount of correction ink dropped by inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping area, and the film thickness of the correction ink dropped on the dropping area after film formation Reference data indicating the correlation is obtained in advance, and based on the reference data, from the set film thickness of the colored layer of the color filter having the defective portion and the area of the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by laser light irradiation Since the amount of the correction ink dropped on the processing area is obtained, the amount of the correction ink dripping can be appropriately set with respect to the volume of the processing area of the colored layer removed by the laser beam. Defects in the colored layer can be corrected by forming a correction ink that is evenly aligned with the thickness of the colored layer without it, and the occurrence of defective correction is reliably prevented. Rukoto can.
[0023]
According to the defect correction method for a color filter according to claim 2, the amount of correction ink dropped by inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping area, and the film thickness of the correction ink dropped on the dropping area after film formation Reference data indicating the correlation is obtained in advance, and based on the reference data, the laser beam is obtained from the set film thickness of the colored layer having the defective portion and an integral multiple of the minimum possible drop amount of the correction ink by the inkjet. Since the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by irradiation is determined, even if the defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter has a very small diameter such as a pinhole, the minimum by the inkjet Over a drip amount of corrected ink can be dripped onto a processing area with an area adapted to it without excess or deficiency. The film thickness after the correction of the colored layer can be uniformly aligned with respect to the film thickness of the colored layer was not defective portion.
[0024]
According to the color filter defect correcting apparatus of the third aspect, it is possible to provide a defect correcting apparatus that can reliably carry out the color filter defect correcting method of the first and second aspects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a color filter defect correcting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the correlation between the area of the laser processing area in the colored layer of the color filter, the thickness of the correction ink after film formation, and the amount of correction ink dropped.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a color filter defect correcting method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a process of a color filter defect correcting method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Defect correction apparatus 2 Color filter 3 Moving stand 5 Substrate moving apparatus 6 Measuring apparatus 7 Laser processing apparatus 8 Inkjet apparatus 9 Control computer (control apparatus)
10 Host computer (control device)
11 CCD camera (camera)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Illuminator 15 Objective lens 17 Laser transmitter 19 Inkjet control circuit 20 Ink cartridge 21 Inkjet head G Defect part K Processing area L Laser light f Correction ink x Dimension of processing area in X-axis direction y Dimension of processing area in Y-axis direction

Claims (3)

By irradiating the defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter with laser light, the processed area of the colored layer including the defective portion is removed, and then the correction ink is dropped onto the processed area by inkjet, and then the dropped In the defect correction method for curing and film-forming the correction ink,
Reference data indicating the correlation between the amount of correction ink dropped by the inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping region, and the thickness of the correction ink dropped on the dropping region after film formation is obtained in advance, and the reference Based on the data, the amount of the correction ink dripped onto the processed area is obtained from the set film thickness of the colored layer having the defective portion and the area of the processed area of the colored layer to be removed by laser light irradiation. Color filter defect correction method. By irradiating the defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter with laser light, the processed area of the colored layer including the defective portion is removed, and then the correction ink is dropped onto the processed area by inkjet, and then the dropped In the defect correction method for curing and film-forming the correction ink,
Reference data indicating a correlation between the amount of the correction ink dropped by the inkjet, the area of the correction ink dropping region, and the thickness of the correction ink dropped on the dropping region after film formation is obtained in advance, and the reference Based on the data, the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by irradiation with the laser light is obtained from the set film thickness of the colored layer having the defective portion and an integral multiple of the minimum possible drop amount of the correction ink by the inkjet. The defect correction method for a color filter according to claim 1. A measuring device for measuring a defective portion of the colored layer of the color filter, a laser processing device for irradiating the defective portion measured by the measuring device with a laser beam to remove a processing area of the colored layer including the defective portion, and An inkjet device that drops correction ink onto the processing area from which the colored layer has been removed by a laser processing device, an ink curing device that cures the correction ink dropped by the inkjet device, and an amount of correction ink dropped by the inkjet device; In the defect correction apparatus provided with a control device for controlling the operation of the measurement device, the laser processing device, and the ink jet device, while setting the area of the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by the laser processing device,
The control device correlates the predetermined amount of correction ink dropped from the ink jet device, the area of the correction ink dropping region, and the thickness of the corrected ink dropped on the dropping region after the film formation. Storage means for storing the reference data indicating, and based on the reference data stored in the storage means, the set film thickness of the colored layer having a defect and the area of the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by the laser processing apparatus The amount of the correction ink dripped onto the processing area is obtained, or the processing area of the colored layer to be removed by the laser light irradiation is determined from the set film thickness and an integral multiple of the minimum possible dripping amount of the correction ink by the inkjet apparatus. A color filter defect correcting device comprising: an arithmetic control means for obtaining an area.

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