KR20060128389A - Apparatus and method for fabrication liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for fabricating an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) are provided to carry out rubbing of an orientation film by pressing a rubbing mask by a predetermined pressure, thereby reducing a rubbing time and minimizing stain reject during the rubbing caused by rubbing impurities. An apparatus and a method for fabricating an LCD include upper and lower stages(260,252) facing each other. The lower stage secures a substrate(214) formed with an orientation film(216). A rubbing mask(270) is mounted to the upper stage and carries out orientation of the orientation film by pressure. A driving unit(240) moves the upper stage in the vertical direction by a driving shaft(242) for the rubbing mask to press the orientation film. The rubbing mask has a plurality of rubbing brushes(272) inclined with at least an orientation, and is attached to a rear surface of the upper stage by an adhesion element having a both-sided tape.

Description

Manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FABRICATION LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE}

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a general liquid crystal panel.

2 is a view showing an alignment film printing apparatus in the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the related art.

3 is a view showing a rubbing device in the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the related art.

4 is a view illustrating a rubbing device in a manufacturing apparatus of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a rubbing method using a rubbing device of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of Signs of Major Parts of Drawings>

214: substrate 216: alignment layer

240 drive device 242 drive shaft

252: lower stage 260: upper stage

270: Loving Mask 272: Loving Mod

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device, which can shorten the time required for a rubbing process and prevent staining.

Recently, various flat panel display devices that can reduce weight and volume, which are disadvantages of cathode ray tubes, have emerged. Such flat panel displays include a liquid crystal display, a field emission display, a plasma display panel, a light emitting display, and the like.

Conventional liquid crystal display devices display an image by adjusting the light transmittance of the liquid crystal using an electric field. To this end, the liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel in which liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix, and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal panel.

The liquid crystal panel is provided with pixel electrodes and a common electrode for applying an electric field to each of the liquid crystal cells. In general, the pixel electrode is formed for each liquid crystal cell on the lower substrate, while the common electrode is integrally formed on the entire surface of the upper substrate. Each of the pixel electrodes is connected to a thin film transistor (hereinafter referred to as "TFT") used as a switch element. The pixel electrode drives the liquid crystal cell along with the common electrode according to the data signal supplied through the thin film transistor.

1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a general liquid crystal panel.

Referring to FIG. 1, a general liquid crystal panel includes a black matrix 44, a color filter 46, an overcoat layer 47, a common electrode 48, and an upper alignment layer 50a sequentially formed on an upper substrate 42. A color filter array substrate 4 composed of; A TFT array substrate 2 composed of a TFT formed on the lower substrate 1, a pixel electrode 22, and a lower alignment film 50b; The liquid crystal 52 injected into the space between the color filter array substrate 4 and the TFT array substrate 2 is provided.

The TFT of the TFT array substrate 2 includes a gate electrode 6 connected to a gate line, a source electrode 8 connected to a data line, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode 22 through a drain contact hole 26. (10) is provided. Further, the TFT further includes semiconductor layers 14 and 16 for forming a conductive channel between the source electrode 8 and the drain electrode 10 by the gate voltage supplied to the gate electrode 6. Such TFT selectively supplies the data signal from the data line to the pixel electrode 22 in response to the gate signal from the gate line.

The pixel electrode 22 is formed of a transparent conductive material having a high light transmittance and positioned in a pixel region divided by a data line and a gate line. The pixel electrode 22 is formed on the passivation layer 18 coated on the entire surface of the lower substrate 1, and is electrically connected to the drain electrode 10 through the drain contact hole 26 passing through the passivation layer 18. The pixel electrode 22 generates a potential difference from the common electrode 48 formed on the upper substrate 42 by the data signal supplied via the TFT. Due to this potential difference, the liquid crystal 52 positioned between the lower substrate 1 and the upper substrate 42 rotates due to the dielectric anisotropy. The amount of light transmitted from the light source to the upper substrate 42 through the pixel electrode 22 is adjusted by the rotated liquid crystal 52.

The black matrix 44 of the color filter array substrate 4 is formed to overlap the TFT region of the lower substrate 1 and the region of the gate lines and data lines, not shown, and the pixel region where the color filter 46 is to be formed. Section. The black matrix 44 prevents light leakage and absorbs external light to increase contrast.

The color filter 46 is formed in the pixel region separated by the black matrix 44. The color filter 46 is formed for each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) to implement red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors.

The overcoat layer 47 is coated with a transparent resin having insulating properties on the upper substrate 42 on which the color filter 46 is formed, and a black matrix 44 to which a constant voltage is applied and a common electrode to which a common voltage is applied ( 48) It serves to electrically insulate between. On the other hand, the overcoat layer 47 may not be formed in the TN mode device.

The common electrode 48 is applied with a common voltage as a reference when driving the liquid crystal to generate a potential difference with the pixel electrode 22 formed on the lower substrate 1. In the IPS mode, the common electrode is formed on the lower substrate 1.

In addition, the color filter array substrate 4 and the TFT array substrate 2 are formed by applying an alignment material such as polyimide (PI) to the upper and lower alignment layers 50a and 50b for liquid crystal alignment, and then performing a rubbing process. do.

As such, an alignment layer forming process is performed to arrange liquid crystal molecules inserted into the liquid crystal display device in a predetermined direction, and the alignment layers 50a and 50b are coated on the color filter array substrate 4 and the transistor array substrate 2. Rubbing is performed to arrange the liquid crystal molecules in a constant direction. In this case, the alignment layers 50a and 50b may be alignment liquids such as polyamic acid or soluble polyimide.

Specifically, in the alignment film forming process, the alignment liquid printing pattern is printed on the upper surface of the substrate using an alignment film printing apparatus, and the first alignment liquid is heated to a temperature of about 60 ° C. to 80 ° C. to first cure, and then the higher 80 ° C. to It heats to the temperature of about 200 degreeC, and hardens secondary. Thereafter, rubbing or light irradiation is performed on the surface of the alignment liquid to form an alignment film.

2 is a view showing an alignment film printing apparatus in the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the related art.

Referring to FIG. 2, an alignment film printing apparatus of a liquid crystal display according to a related art includes a stage 112 on which a substrate 114 is loaded and seated from a substrate loading apparatus, and a substrate 114 mounted on the stage 112. The printing part 115 for printing an alignment liquid is provided in this.

The stage 112 transfers the substrate 114 in the horizontal direction by a driving device (not shown).

The printing unit 115 includes a dispenser 117 for dispensing the alignment liquid 116 from the outside and a printing roll that is surrounded by a printing mask 124 to print the alignment liquid 116 on the substrate 114 ( 126, a first guide roll (or anilox roll) 122 for depositing the alignment liquid 116 on the printing mask 124, and the alignment liquid 116 provided by the dispenser 117. A doctor blade which uniforms the second guide roll (or doctor roll) 118 which is evenly applied to the first guide roll 122, and the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the first guide roll 122 ( Doctor Blade) 120.

The dispenser 117 is disposed on the first guide roll 122 and moved from side to side by a driving device (not shown) to dispense the alignment liquid 116 supplied from the outside to the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122. .

The second guide roll 118 is engaged with the first guide roll 122 to deposit the alignment liquid 116 supplied from the dispenser 117 on the surface of the first guide roll 122. That is, the second guide roll 118 has the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122 with the alignment liquid 116 from the dispenser 117 while its outer circumferential surface is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122. It evens out.

The printing mask 124 is a rubber material and is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the printing roll 126. The printing mask 124 rotates to engage the printing roll 126 and prints the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122 on the substrate 114.

The printing apparatus 110 as described above is the second guide roll 118 and the first agent while dispensing the alignment liquid 116 between the second guide roll 118 and the first guide roll 122 by the dispenser 117. The alignment liquid 116 is deposited on the printing mask 124 attached to the printing roll 126 via the first guide roll 122 by the rotation of the first guide roll 122. At this time, when the printing roll 126 starts to rotate, the stage 112 loaded with the substrate 114 is conveyed in one direction at a constant speed. Here, the rotational speed of the printing roll 126 and the conveyance speed of the stage 112 are set equal to each other.

The printing apparatus 110 then prints the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the printing mask 124 on the substrate 114 by the rotation of the printing roll 126 and the transfer of the stage 112. As such, the substrate 114 on which the alignment liquid 116 is printed is dried through a drying process and then supplied to the rubbing device.

3 is a view showing a rubbing device in the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display device according to the related art.

Referring to FIG. 3, the rubbing apparatus of the liquid crystal display according to the related art includes a stage 152 to which the substrate 114 on which the alignment layer 116 is printed is supplied, and a rubbing roll rotatably installed on the stage 152. And a rubbing cloth 170 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rubbing roll 160.

The stage 152 is transported in a horizontal direction by a conveying device (not shown) during the rubbing of the alignment layer 116. The substrate 114 on which the alignment layer 116 is printed is loaded on the stage 152 from the outside.

The rubbing roll 160 is fixedly installed to correspond to an upper portion of one side of the stage 152 and rotates in a constant direction and speed by a driving device (not shown).

The rubbing cloth 170 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rubbing roll 160 and rotates by the rotation of the rubbing roll 160 to rub the alignment layer 116 on the substrate 114 seated on the stage 152. To this end, the rubbing cloth 170 includes a plurality of rubbing hairs 172 having directivity to impart orientation to the alignment layer 116. Such a plurality of rubbing hairs 172 are linked to the rotation of the rubbing roll 160 to rub the alignment layer 116 in a predetermined direction.

The rubbing method using the rubbing device of the liquid crystal display device according to the related art supplies the substrate 114 having the alignment layer 116 formed thereon onto the stage 152, and then rotates the rubbing roll 160. The stage 152 is transferred in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the plurality of rubbing wools 172 of the rubbing cloth 170 rub the alignment layer 116 on the substrate 114 to be seated and transported on the stage 152. Therefore, the alignment layer 116 on the substrate 114 is rubbed to have a predetermined direction.

Since the rubbing device of the liquid crystal display according to the related art rubs the alignment layer 116 on the substrate 114 by using the transfer of the stage 152 and the rotation of the rubbing roll 160, the rubbing process takes a long time. There is a problem. In addition, the rubbing device of the liquid crystal display according to the related art generates rubbing portals and foreign material residues floating in the air due to the continuous rubbing process, thereby causing stain defects during rubbing.

Accordingly, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device to shorten the time required for the rubbing process and to prevent stain defects.

An apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a lower stage on which a substrate on which an alignment layer is formed is seated, an upper stage installed to face the lower stage, and facing the lower stage. And a rubbing mask installed on the upper stage to orient the alignment layer by pressing, and a driving device for transferring the upper stage such that the rubbing mask pressurizes the alignment layer.

The rubbing mask includes a plurality of rubbing hairs inclined to have at least one orientation to orient the alignment layer.

The rubbing mask is installed on the rear surface of the upper stage by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape.

A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include preparing a substrate on which an alignment layer is formed, and attaching a rubbing mask to orient the alignment layer on an upper stage provided to face the lower stage on which the substrate is seated. And mounting the substrate on the lower stage, and lowering the upper stage to press the alignment layer with the rubbing mask to orient the alignment layer.

Orienting the alignment layer is characterized in that for pressing the alignment layer with a plurality of rubbing wool inclined to have at least one orientation to orient the alignment layer.

The rubbing mask is attached to the back of the upper stage by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape.

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

4 is a view illustrating a rubbing device in a manufacturing apparatus of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a rubbing device of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include a lower stage 252 to which a substrate on which an alignment layer is formed is supplied and seated therefrom, and an upper portion installed to face the lower stage 252. A stage 260, a rubbing mask 270 provided in the upper stage 260 to face the lower stage 252, and a driving device 240 for transferring the upper stage 260 up and down.

First, the substrate is printed by the alignment liquid printing apparatus shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the apparatus for manufacturing a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an alignment film printing apparatus includes a stage 112 and a stage 112 on which a substrate 114 is loaded and seated from a substrate loading apparatus. The printing part 115 for printing the alignment liquid on the board | substrate 114 seated in this is provided.

The stage 112 transfers the substrate 114 in the horizontal direction by a driving device (not shown).

The printing unit 115 includes a dispenser 117 for dispensing the alignment liquid 116 from the outside and a printing roll that is surrounded by a printing mask 124 to print the alignment liquid 116 on the substrate 114 ( 126, a first guide roll (or anilox roll) 122 for depositing the alignment liquid 116 on the printing mask 124, and the alignment liquid 116 provided by the dispenser 117. A doctor blade that uniforms the second guide roll (or doctor roll) 118 that is evenly applied to the first guide roll 122, and the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the first guide roll 122 ( Doctor Blade) 120.

The dispenser 117 is disposed on the first guide roll 122 and moved from side to side by a driving device (not shown) to dispense the alignment liquid 116 supplied from the outside to the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122. .

The second guide roll 118 is engaged with the first guide roll 122 to deposit the alignment liquid 116 supplied from the dispenser 117 on the surface of the first guide roll 122. That is, the second guide roll 118 has the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122 with the alignment liquid 116 from the dispenser 117 while its outer circumferential surface is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122. It evens out.

The printing mask 124 is a rubber material and is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the printing roll 126. The printing mask 124 rotates to engage the printing roll 126 and prints the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the outer circumferential surface of the first guide roll 122 on the substrate 114.

The printing apparatus 110 as described above is the second guide roll 118 and the first agent while dispensing the alignment liquid 116 between the second guide roll 118 and the first guide roll 122 by the dispenser 117. The alignment liquid 116 is deposited on the printing mask 124 attached to the printing roll 126 via the first guide roll 122 by the rotation of the first guide roll 122. At this time, when the printing roll 126 starts to rotate, the stage 112 loaded with the substrate 114 is conveyed in one direction at a constant speed. Here, the rotational speed of the printing roll 126 and the conveyance speed of the stage 112 are set equal to each other.

The printing apparatus 110 then prints the alignment liquid 116 deposited on the printing mask 124 on the substrate 114 by the rotation of the printing roll 126 and the transfer of the stage 112. As such, the substrate 114 on which the alignment liquid 116 is printed is dried through a drying process and then supplied to the rubbing device.

The lower stage 252 is loaded with a substrate on which an alignment layer is printed from the outside.

The upper stage 260 is supported by the drive shaft 242 that is interlocked by the drive device 240. The upper stage 260 moves up and down by the drive shaft 242 linked by the driving device 240.

The driving device 240 drives the driving shaft 242 so that the upper stage 260 is lowered toward the lower stage 252 when rubbing, and moves the driving shaft 242 to raise the upper stage 260 to its original position when rubbing is completed. Drive.

The rubbing mask 270 is attached to the rear surface of the upper stage 260 in a flat form so as to face the lower stage 252. At this time, the rubbing mask 270 is attached to the front rear surface of the upper stage 260 by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape.

The rubbing mask 270 includes a plurality of rubbing wools 272 installed to have at least one direction. That is, the plurality of rubbing hairs 272 are aligned to have a slope corresponding to the first direction when the alignment film formed on the substrate is rubbed in the first direction, and the rubbing hairs 272 may be rubbed in different first and second directions. The case is aligned to have a slope corresponding to the first and second directions.

5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating a rubbing method using a rubbing device of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The rubbing method of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B as follows.

First, as shown in FIG. 5A, a rubbing mask 270 having a plurality of directional rubbing hairs 272 is installed on the rear surface of the upper stage 260. In addition, after the substrate 114 on which the alignment layer 216 is formed is provided, the substrate 114 on which the alignment layer 216 is formed is loaded on the lower stage 252 to be seated.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the driving unit 240 is driven to lower the driving shaft 242 to lower the upper stage 260 toward the lower stage 252.

In this case, the driving device 240 may press the predetermined pressure on the alignment layer 216 formed on the substrate 214 on which the rubbing mask 270 attached to the upper stage 260 is seated on the lower stage 252. Down). Accordingly, the plurality of rubbing hairs 272 rubs the alignment film 216 according to the aligned orientation by pressing the alignment film 216 by the pressure applied thereto.

Subsequently, when rubbing of the alignment layer 216 is completed by pressing the plurality of rubbing wools 272, the driving device 240 drives the driving shaft 242 to raise the upper stage 260 to the original position. Accordingly, the upper stage 260 returns to its original position. At the same time, the substrate 214 on which the alignment layer 216 has been rubbed by the pressing of the plurality of rubbing wools 272 is unloaded from the lower stage 252 to the outside by an unloading device (not shown), and the lower stage 252 is provided. The new substrate 214 is loaded and seated by a loading device.

Then, the rubbing process as described above is repeated.

As described above, the rubbing device and the rubbing process of the liquid crystal display according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention provide a rubbing process by rubbing the alignment layer 216 by pressing the rubbing mask 270 to a predetermined pressure on the alignment layer 216 formed on the substrate 214. The time required for the process can be shortened. That is, according to the present invention, rubbing of the alignment layer 216 by one press may minimize the defects during rubbing due to the rubbing portal and the foreign matter floating in the air due to the continuous rubbing process.

On the other hand, the present invention described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment and the accompanying drawings, it is possible that various substitutions, modifications and changes within the scope without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention It will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing process of the liquid crystal display according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above can reduce the time required for the rubbing process by rubbing the alignment layer by pressing the rubbing mask to a predetermined pressure on the alignment layer formed on the substrate. Such, the present invention can minimize the defects during rubbing due to the rubbing portal and foreign matter residues floating in the air due to the continuous rubbing process by rubbing the alignment film in one press.

Claims (6)

A lower stage on which the substrate on which the alignment layer is formed is seated; An upper stage installed to face the lower stage; A rubbing mask installed on the upper stage to face the lower stage to orient the alignment layer by pressing; And a driving device for transferring the upper stage such that the rubbing mask presses the alignment layer. The method of claim 1, And wherein the rubbing mask includes a plurality of rubbing hairs inclined to have at least one orientation to orient the alignment layer. The method of claim 2, And the rubbing mask is installed on a rear surface of the upper stage by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape. Providing a substrate on which an alignment layer is formed; Attaching a rubbing mask to orient the alignment layer on an upper stage provided to face the lower stage on which the substrate is seated; Mounting the substrate on the lower stage; And lowering the upper stage to press the alignment layer with the rubbing mask to orient the alignment layer. The method of claim 4, wherein And aligning the alignment layer by pressing the alignment layer with a plurality of rubbing wools inclined to have at least one orientation to orient the alignment layer. The method of claim 3, wherein And the rubbing mask is attached to the rear surface of the upper stage by an adhesive member including a double-sided tape.

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