JP3073139B2 - Rubbing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a rubbing device used for forming an alignment film on a liquid crystal panel in a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel device used for a computer terminal, an image display device, an optical shutter and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a process of manufacturing a liquid crystal panel, a surface of a polymer film such as polyimide or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on a glass substrate on which a TFT (thin film transistor) element is formed is formed by artificially short fibers such as nylon. A rubbing treatment for controlling the orientation by generating a pretilt of the liquid crystal by rubbing with a brush or cloth manufactured by controlling by a flocking method is indispensable.

Since the static electricity generated during the rubbing process, particularly the amount of electrostatic charge generated on the rubbing roller, accumulates and increases with the progress of the rubbing process, the change in the threshold voltage due to the charge injection into the insulating film of the liquid crystal panel. TF such as
This causes deterioration of the T characteristic or partial or complete dielectric breakdown between the source and the gate or between the storage electrode and the gate.

[0004] As a countermeasure against static electricity removal of the rubbing roller, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rubbing roller 3 is applied to the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the support base 1 and the liquid crystal panel 2 is oriented, the rubbing roller is used. In order to neutralize the negative charge accumulated in the cover 3, a plurality of static elimination bars 2
1 was provided, and positively ionized air was blown against the rubbing roller 3.

Another method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-259.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 118 (name of the invention; a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device), a method has been proposed in which a conductive thin plate is brought into direct contact with the surface of a rubbing roller to remove generated static electricity.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-218175 (title of the invention; substrate transfer device) discloses a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device manufacturing wafer or glass plate housed in a non-conductive material cassette. There has been proposed a device for removing static electricity by contacting a rotating roller made of a conductive member and connecting the rotating roller to the ground to release the static electricity of the substrate to the ground.

[0007]

However, the capability of the static elimination bar as shown in FIG. 4 involves a time delay, and the next rubbing process is performed before the static elimination is completed, so that the charge is completely neutralized. There is an inconvenience that you cannot do it. Also,
The prior art relating to the above-mentioned "method of manufacturing a liquid crystal device" has disadvantages such as that the fibers of the rubbing roller are cut by friction or worn in a short time.

Further, the prior art relating to the above-mentioned "substrate transfer device" temporarily removes static electricity charged on a substrate, and does not completely remove static electricity but reduces the voltage of static electricity. This is not suitable for rapid neutralization of charges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a rubbing device for quickly neutralizing the electric charge generated in a rubbing roller and reducing the fatigue of members.

[0010]

A rubbing device according to the present invention includes a rubbing roller for aligning a liquid crystal panel, and a static electricity removing roller that contacts the rubbing roller and rotates in synchronization with the rubbing roller.

Further, the rubbing device according to the present invention includes a rubbing roller for aligning the liquid crystal panel, and a static electricity removing roller which rotates in synchronization with the rubbing roller and comes into contact with the processed portion of the liquid crystal panel.

[0012]

In the structure of the present invention, if an electrostatic removing roller which rotates synchronously with the rubbing roller is used, the charge generated on the rubbing roller is immediately neutralized by the electrostatic removing roller, and the accumulation of the charge on the liquid crystal panel is also reduced. Be relaxed. Also, because of the contact between the rollers, wear fatigue is small.

Further, if a static electricity removing roller which rotates in synchronism with the rubbing roller in contact with the processed portion of the liquid crystal panel is used, the liquid crystal panel can be preferentially neutralized and the concentration of the electric charge of the rubbing roller can be reduced.

[0014]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a rubbing device according to the present invention. The same components as those of the conventional example shown in FIG. In this embodiment,
The liquid crystal panel 2 is mounted on the upper surface of the support 1, and the roller box 4 in which the rubbing roller 3 is stored is disposed thereon.

In the roller box 4, a static electricity removing roller 5 is housed above the rubbing roller 3. The rubbing roller 3 and the static electricity removing roller 5 are motively connected so as to rotate synchronously in opposite directions via belts 6 wrapped between the respective pulleys 3a and 5a.

Further, a support rod 7 is provided at the axis of the static electricity removing roller 5, a support rod 8 is provided at the axis of the rubbing roller 3, and a spring 9 is provided between the support rods 7 and 8 to urge it. Thus, the two rollers 3 and 5 are configured to contact each other while rotating in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the static elimination roller 5 is grounded via the support rod 7. Note that, instead of the engagement by the belt 8, a gear engagement, a chain engagement, or the like may be used.

In the rubbing apparatus having the above-described configuration, for example, when the rubbing roller 3 covered with a cloth in which nylon short fibers are artificially planted is rotated while being pressed against the liquid crystal panel 2, the rubbing roller 3 is subjected to an alignment treatment. Charge is generated. However, the negative charge escapes to the ground via the static elimination roller 5 and the support rod 7 which comes into contact with the rubbing roller 3 while rotating synchronously with the rubbing roller 3.
There is no charge concentration on the surface.

As a material for the static electricity removing roller 5, a high-resistance conductive material in which an insulator (eg, synthetic rubber or fluororesin) having a charge inducing property and a conductive material are mixed is used. In this embodiment, the static elimination roller 5 neutralizes negative charges mainly by charge induction, and the charge elimination time is significantly shortened as compared with the related art, as shown in FIG. As a result, the charge of the rubbing roller 3 is quickly neutralized, and the charge of the liquid crystal panel 2 is also alleviated, so that deterioration of TFT characteristics and dielectric breakdown are prevented.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the rubbing device according to the present invention. The same components as those shown in FIG.

The present embodiment has a configuration in which the rubbing roller 3 and the static electricity removing roller 5 housed in the roller box 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and the static electricity removing roller 5 contacts the liquid crystal panel 2. Is configured. For this reason, the roller box 4 has a flat and horizontally long shape. The rubbing roller 3 and the static electricity removing roller 5 are motively connected so as to rotate synchronously in the same direction with each other via a belt 6 wound between the respective pulleys 3a and 5a.

In the case of this embodiment, the static electricity removing roller 5 made of a high-resistance conductive material is in contact with the aligned portion of the liquid crystal panel 2 and removes the positive charges generated by the alignment process.
As shown in the graph of FIG.
Therefore, the static electricity removing roller 5 mainly functions as a conductive material. As a result of the removal of the charges of the liquid crystal panel 2, the adhesion of particles to the liquid crystal panel 2 is suppressed, and the occurrence of a gap failure during film formation is prevented.

As described above, since the static elimination roller 5 rotates in synchronization with the rubbing roller 3 and neutralizes or discharges an amount of charge proportional to the amount of generated charge, a quick neutralization process can be performed. . Further, the static electricity removing roller 5 made of a high-resistance conductive material functions functionally according to the type of electric charge.

[0023]

According to the present invention, the static electricity generated by the alignment treatment of the liquid crystal panel is neutralized very quickly.
The effect is obtained that it is possible to prevent a change in the TFT characteristics of the liquid crystal panel, dielectric breakdown, adhesion of foreign substances, and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a rubbing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a characteristic diagram of a charging ratio.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional rubbing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support stand 2 Liquid crystal panel 3 Rubbing roller 4 Roller box 5 Static elimination roller 6 Belt 7,8 Support rod 9 Spring

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A rubbing device comprising: a rubbing roller for aligning a liquid crystal panel; and a static electricity removing roller that contacts the rubbing roller and rotates in synchronization with the rubbing roller. 2. A rubbing device comprising: a rubbing roller for aligning a liquid crystal panel; and a static electricity removing roller that rotates in synchronization with the rubbing roller and contacts a processed portion of the liquid crystal panel.