KR101207916B1 - Pressing Apparatus and Method for Removing Air from Panel - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a bubble removing pressurization apparatus. In the bubble removing pressurization apparatus of the present invention, the volume of the space inside the pressure module is varied and the temperature of the space is varied, thereby increasing the rate of change (ΔP) of the pressure in the space to be generated on the adhesive surface of the panel located in the pressure module. Effectively removes bubbles. The volume of the pressure module is varied by reciprocating the piston in the cylinder connected to the sealed pressure module. In addition, the bubble removing pressure device of the present invention is provided with a pressure plate formed with a plurality of through-holes to increase the efficiency of bubble removal by dispersing the change in pressure applied to the panel in the pressure module.

Description

Pressing Apparatus and Method for Removing Air from Panel}

The present invention relates to a bubble removing pressurizing device and a method for removing bubbles formed on the adhesive surface of a panel formed by bonding two or more layers (Layer) to each other, more specifically, the internal volume is variable The present invention relates to a pressure removing device and method for removing bubbles, which effectively removes bubbles generated on an adhesive surface of a panel by increasing a change in pressure ΔP applied to the panel using a pressure module.

There are two types of capacitive touch sensors: Surface Capacitive Type and Projected Capacitive Type.Indume Tin Oxide (ITO) panels are etched to create transparent electrical patterns, which are reinforced on the patterns. The glass is made by attaching it with an optical clear adhesive (OCA) film. The ITO panel is formed by forming an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer, which is a transparent electrode, on a glass substrate, and acryl is mainly used as tempered glass.

When the tempered glass, which is a cover of the ITO panel, is bonded to the OCA film, some bubbles are formed on the adhesive surface by the known method. Therefore, the touch sensor manufacturing process includes a pressurization process for removing bubbles formed on the film.

On the other hand, such a bubble removing process is required to remove bubbles generated between the adhesion surface of the LCD cell and the polarizing plate in the TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display) panel production process as well as the touch sensor.

Conventionally, as a device for removing bubbles, there is a so-called auto clave. The device is made in the form of a large chamber of fixed size, and pressurizes the panel in a manner that varies the internal air pressure of the chamber using a vacuum device or the like to remove bubbles. The pressurized panel causes a force to push from the center to the edge to push the bubbles out.

The change in pressure in space is usually determined by Boyle Charles' ideal gas equation represented by Equation 1 below.

Where R is the universal gas constant.

According to the ideal gas equation, pressure P is a function of volume V and temperature T. However, the conventional pressurization device is in the form of a chamber of a fixed size, so that the volume V is treated as a constant, and a method of directly controlling the pressure using a vacuum pump is used. Therefore, although the conventional device has the advantage of being able to process a plurality of panels at the same time, it takes considerable time to adjust the pressure by the vacuum pump, which not only reduces the efficiency of bubble removal, but also makes the overall device complicated and larger. There is a problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a bubble removing pressure device and a method for easily adjusting the pressure by using a pressure module whose internal volume is variable in pressing the panel to remove bubbles generated on the adhesive surface of the panel. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bubble removing pressurizing device and method having a structure that increases the bubble removal efficiency by increasing the change in pressure ΔP applied to the panel.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bubble removing pressurizing device and method for effectively removing bubbles by dispersing the pressure from the center to the edge in pressing the panel.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a bubble removing pressurizing device for removing bubbles formed on the adhered surface of a panel in which two or more layers are bonded to each other is formed of a cylinder and the cylinder. A piston for reciprocating the inside and a pressure module are provided. The pressurizing module accommodates the panel in the inner space part and presses the panel in such a manner that the air pressure of the space part is changed by the reciprocating motion of the piston by being coupled to the end of the cylinder.

Here, the pressurization module includes a cylinder cover and a base plate connected to the end of the cylinder. The base plate is combined with the cylinder cover to form the space portion, and the panel is positioned at a position opposite to the end of the cylinder.

According to an embodiment, the bubble removing pressure device of the present invention, a pressure module opening and closing device for opening the pressure module while transferring the base plate up and down, and the base when the pressure module is opened by the pressure module opening and closing device It may further include a panel conveying device for loading and unloading the panel on the plate.

According to another embodiment, the bubble removing pressurization apparatus of the present invention may further include a heater provided on one side of the pressurizing module to heat the temperature of air in the pressurizing module. The heater contributes to the adjustment of the air pressure of the space part by varying the temperature of the space part.

According to another embodiment, the bubble removing pressurization apparatus of the present invention, the pressure is provided to the upper portion of the base plate and at least one through hole is formed to control the flow of air pressurized by the piston to the position of the through hole. It may further include a plate.

Here, it is preferable that a plurality of through holes of the pressing plate are provided radially from the center of the panel, and become smaller while going from the center of the panel to the edge.

According to still another embodiment, a bubble removing pressurization method for removing bubbles formed on the bonded surface of a panel in which two or more layers are bonded to each other includes: a cylinder in which a piston reciprocates; Providing a pressurizing module extending from the cylinder and having a closed space; Receiving a panel in a space portion of the pressure module, wherein the panel is placed at a position facing the piston; And removing air bubbles in the panel by varying the air pressure of the space while the piston reciprocates in the cylinder.

The bubble removing pressurization apparatus according to the present invention is very easy to change the pressure change (ΔP) applied to the panel and the change rate thereof through a two-step control mechanism in which the volume inside the pressurization module is variable and the temperature of the inner space is varied. By controlling it easily, bubbles can be easily removed.

Therefore, the pressurization device of the present invention does not need to have a large capacity chamber as in the conventional pressurization device, and does not use a fixed volume chamber, thereby eliminating the need for a heavy press operation by a vacuum pump. Therefore, the pressurization device of the present invention is very simple and light system is sufficient.

The pressurizing device of the present invention can remove bubbles at a faster time than the conventional apparatus by increasing the pressure change ΔP affecting bubble removal and the rate of change thereof.

1 is a view showing a schematic structure of a bubble removing pressure device of the present invention,
2 is a view provided for the description of the operation of the bubble removing pressure device of the present invention,
Figure 3 is a flow chart provided in the description of the bubble removing method of the bubble removing pressure device of the present invention, and
4 is a perspective view of a pressing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

The bubble removing pressurization device 100 of the present invention is a foam formed on the adhesive surface in the panel by a method of pressurizing air around the panel with respect to the panel formed by bonding two or more layers (Layer) to each other. Can be removed. Applicant has experimentally obtained that the removal (or force acting on the removal) of the bubble according to the change in air pressure is a function of the change in pressure in the space (ΔP) or the rate of change thereof, and the bubble removal pressurization device of the present invention. 100 has a structure that directly controls the volume (V) and temperature (T) variables causing such a change in pressure (ΔP).

Referring to FIG. 1, the bubble removing pressurization device 100 of the present invention includes a cylinder 101, a piston 103 reciprocating in the cylinder 101, and a pressure coupled to a lower end of the cylinder 101. Module 110.

As the piston 103 reciprocates up and down, the pressurized air in the cylinder 101 changes the air pressure in the pressure module 110 while flowing to the pressure module 110 connected to the cylinder 101. This type of pressurization is distinguished from the conventional fixed volume chamber method, so that the change in pressure or the rate of change in the pressure in the pressurizing module 110 can be easily adjusted.

Various known methods may be used to vertically reciprocate the piston 103. For example, referring to FIG. 1, a motor 131 for generating a rotational force, a cam member 133 for converting the rotational force of the motor 131 into a vertical reciprocating motion, and a cam member 133 received by the cam member 133 are received. It includes a shaft 135 for transmitting the vertical reciprocating motion to the piston (103). The cam member 133 corresponds to one of various examples of the power transmission structure for transmitting the rotational force of the motor 131 to the vertical reciprocating motion of the shaft 135. In addition, a load cell 137 or the like for measuring the degree of pressurization by the piston 103 may be provided.

The pressurizing module 110 has a sealed structure, and when pressurized by the piston 103, the air pressure of the inner space 117 is changed. The pressurizing module 110 forms a top surface of the pressurizing module 110 and is coupled to the cylinder cover 111, which is connected to the cylinder 101, and a base plate which forms the space part 117 by combining with the cylinder cover 111. Plate) 113. The panel 10 faces the cylinder 101 by being located on the upper surface of the base plate 113. According to an embodiment, the pressurizing module 110 may include a pressurizing module body 115 between the cylinder cover 111 and the base plate 113 as shown in FIG. 1 to form a space 117.

As the piston 103 is transported downward, the compressed air moves along the cylinder 101 to pressurize the panel 10 located on the base plate 113 in the pressure module 110. Subsequently, when the piston 103 is conveyed upward, the compression of the air is released and the pressure on the panel 10 located on the base plate 113 in the pressure module 110 is also released. Therefore, since the pressure in the space 117 is varied only by changing its volume V in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the piston 103, it is very easy to adjust the pressure of the space 117.

Furthermore, the bubble removing pressurization device 100 of the present invention may further include a heater 119 attached to one side of the base plate 113 or embedded in an upper portion to heat air in the space 117. The heater 119 heats the air in the space 117, thereby facilitating a change in pressure ΔP and at the same time making it easier to adjust the pressure. The heater 119 is preferable in that a flat ceramic heater that generates heat by electrical energy is capable of instantaneous heat generation and the heat generation is stopped by cutting off electricity.

Hereinafter, the operation mechanism of the bubble removing pressure device 100 of the present invention. The pressurization device 100 of the present invention notes that the removal of bubbles on the panel 10 is a function of the pressure change ΔP and the temperature T, rather than merely by providing a pressure.

In order to achieve such a mechanism efficiently, while reducing the size of the space portion 117 to which pressure acts, the volume of the space portion 117 is changed by a simple movement of the piston 103, 'pressing' → 'release' '→' Pressure '→' Release 'is adopted. Further, by additionally providing pressure control by the temperature T in a manner in which the heater 119 heats the space 117, the change in pressure is made easier.

As described above, the bubble removing pressurization device 100 of the present invention can easily control the change in the pressure by a method of varying the volume V and the temperature T, as well as sufficient dynamic change rate of the internal pressure. By providing a level, bubbles in the panel 10 can be more easily removed if the rate of change exceeds a certain threshold.

Example 1 Loading of Panels

According to an embodiment, a structure for loading the panel 10 into the pressing module 110 may be required.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the pressure module 110 is formed by the cylinder cover 111, the pressure module main body 115, and the base plate 113, the bubble removing pressure device 100 of the present invention opens and closes the pressure module. A device 150 and a panel transfer device (not shown) may be further provided to automatically load the panel 10.

The pressure module opening and closing device 150 of FIG. 2 opens and closes the pressure module 110 downward by transferring the base plate 113 up and down using a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder.

The panel transfer device (not shown) loads and unloads the panel on the base plate 113 when the base plate 113 is moved downward by the pressure module opening and closing device 150 to open the pressure module 110. do. In the case of Figure 2, the panel conveying apparatus (not shown) includes a suction means 171 for vacuum suction the panel 10 from the cabinet 11 to the base plate 113.

When the panel 10 is adsorbed by the adsorption means 171 to be loaded on the base plate 113, the pressurizing module opening and closing device 150 transfers the base plate 113 upward to closely contact the cylinder cover 111. Thereafter, the rotational force of the motor 131 is transmitted, the piston 103 reciprocates, and the pressure of the space 117 in the pressure module 110 increases as the heater 119 generates heat.

The operation of the bubble removing pressurizing device 100 of the present invention based on the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 2, when the base plate 113 is opened by the pressure module opening and closing device 150, the adsorption means 171 adsorbs the panel 10 accommodated in the cabinet and loads it onto the base plate 113. (S301).

When the panel 10 is loaded on the base plate 113, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the pressurizing module opening and closing device 150 transfers the base plate 113 to be in close contact with the cylinder cover 111 so that the space is enclosed. The part 117 is formed (S303).

When the pressure module 110 is sealed, the piston 103 is transferred downward to pressurize the space portion 117, while the heater 119 generates heat by electrical energy, thereby accelerating the change in the pressure of the space portion 117. The panel 10 in the space 117 is pressed (S305).

When it is determined that the pressurization of the panel 10 reaches a predetermined threshold value using the load cell 137, the piston 103 is transferred upward and the pressure on the space 117 is released, and the heater 119 is released. The heat generated by the heater 119 is interrupted by cutting off the electric energy supplied thereto, and the pressurization of the panel 10 in the space 117 is released (S307).

Steps S305 to S307 are performed by one reciprocation of the piston 103, and the rate of change of the pressure applied to the panel is adjusted according to one reciprocation speed of the piston 103 (additionally, heating of the heater). . When the one-time reciprocating operation according to the above steps S305 to S307 is repeated a predetermined number of times, the pressing operation is terminated (S309).

When the pressurization is finished, the pressurizing module opening and closing device 150 transfers the base plate 113 downward to open the pressurizing module 110, and the panel 10 is unloaded by the suction means 171. Removal of bubbles by the pressurizing device 100 is completed (S311).

Example 2: Pressing Plate

In order to remove bubbles on the adhesive surface of the panel 10, a force pushing from the center of the panel 10 to the edge is required. Air pressurized by the piston 103 provides this force.

Therefore, it is preferable that the distribution of air pressure acting on the panel 10 also decreases from the center of the panel 10 toward the edge. In order to distribute the air pressure, the bubble removing pressure device 100 of the present invention includes a pressure plate 190 provided below the cylinder cover 111 and having a plurality of through holes 191 formed therein. The pressing plate 190 controls the flow of air pressurized by the piston 103 to the position of the through hole 191.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of through holes 191 are radially formed from the center of the pressing plate 190 to induce directivity from the center of the panel 10 to the edges, thereby effectively removing bubbles.

Furthermore, the size of the through hole 191 is preferably smaller from the center to the edge. The structure of the through hole forms a distribution of air pressure lowered from the center of the panel 10 to the edge, and the distribution of air pressure forms a flow of air from the center of the panel 10 toward the edge. Therefore, it is effective to remove bubbles as if sweeping from the center to the edge.

If the size of the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 is similar or larger than the size of the panel 10 on the base plate 113, the air pressurized by the piston 103 will act evenly on the front of the panel 10, Conversely, if the size of the panel 10 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101, the air pressurized by the piston 103 will first act in the center of the panel 10 and then spread to the edge of the panel 10.

Therefore, since the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 is larger or similar to that of the panel 10, it is preferable to pressurize from the center of the panel 10 rather than to press the entire panel 10, and the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 is the panel 10. (Or base plate) is preferred.

However, the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 depends not only on the size of the panel 10, but also on the size and speed of the variable air pressure, the volume of the pressure module 110 affecting the size, the size of the motor 131, the standard size, and the like. It will be determined by factors such as mass productivity, and in some cases, the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 may be provided larger or similar to the panel 10.

When the cross-sectional area of the cylinder 101 is larger or similar to the panel 10, in order to increase the efficiency of removing the bubbles, the bubble removing pressurizing device 100 of the present invention is provided above the base plate 113 and at least The pressure plate 190 has one through hole 191 formed therein. The flow of air pressurized by the piston 103 will be controlled by the position of the through hole 191.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 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 present invention.

10: Panel 11: cabinet
101: cylinder 103: piston
110: pressure module 111: cylinder cover
113: base plate 115: pressure module body
117: space 119: heater
131: motor 133: cam member
135: shaft 137: load cell
150: pressurizing module opening and closing device 171; Adsorption means
190: pressure plate 191: through hole

Claims (10)

In the bubble removing pressure device for removing bubbles formed on the bonded surface of the panel formed by bonding two or more layers (Layer),
cylinder;
A piston reciprocating in the cylinder;
A means for vertically reciprocating movement of the piston, comprising: a motor for generating a rotational force, a cam member for converting the rotational force of the motor into a vertical reciprocating motion, and a shaft for transmitting the vertical reciprocating motion transmitted by the cam member to the piston;
Receives the panel in the inner space, coupled to the end of the cylinder and the air pressure of the space is closed by the reciprocating motion of the piston is variable, in combination with the cylinder cover and the cylinder cover to form the space, A pressure module including a base plate on which the panel is placed at a position opposite to the end of the cylinder;
A pressurizing module opening and closing device for opening the pressurizing module while transferring the base plate up and down;
A panel transfer device for loading and unloading a panel on the base plate when the pressure module is opened by the pressure module opening and closing device;
A heater provided at one side of the pressurizing module to heat the air in the space part in accordance with the reciprocating motion of the piston to promote a change in air pressure in the space part; And
Is provided below the end of the cylinder, a plurality of radially provided from the center of the panel is provided with a through hole that is reduced from the center of the panel to the edge to form a flow of air pressurized by the piston to the position of the through hole Pressure plate for removing bubbles comprising a; pressure plate for controlling.


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