JPS6161083B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel using a flexible plastic film having a transparent conductive film formed on its surface as a substrate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost liquid crystal display panel.

Conventional liquid crystal display panels use glass as a substrate.

The general manufacturing process for liquid crystal display panels includes treating a glass substrate with a conductive film, forming a pattern by photo-etching or printing, applying an alignment treatment film, rubbing, printing stickers, pressing the upper and lower substrates, encapsulating liquid crystal,
It is manufactured through a process of sealing and attaching a polarizing plate, and since the process is extremely long, processing costs account for a very large portion of the total cost of the liquid crystal display panel.

Therefore, the key to lowering the cost of liquid crystal display panels is how to reduce processing costs.

Initially, LCD panels were made using glass raw materials that corresponded 1:1 to the finished LCD panel, which was the starting point for processing, and in this case, manufacturing costs were extremely high. It was hot.

Currently, the process has gone even further and developed a method of manufacturing multiple liquid crystal display panels from the glass raw material, which is the starting point for processing, resulting in significant cost reductions compared to the original method.

If this idea can be further developed and continuous supply can be achieved using long raw material substrates, further significant cost reductions will be possible.

However, when glass is used as a substrate material for a liquid crystal display panel, it is impossible to apply the above concept.

In other words, glass is not a physically flexible material, and the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel has extremely precise smoothness (smoothness within a few microns).
This is because, as the glass substrate becomes larger or longer, it becomes extremely difficult to achieve smoothness in processing, and there is a limit to the shape of the substrate that can be used.

For the above reasons, when glass is used for the substrate of a liquid crystal display panel, it is impossible to unnecessarily increase the size of the raw material substrate, which is the starting point for processing, and it is even more difficult to continuously It is impossible to manufacture liquid crystal display panels, and it is extremely difficult to significantly reduce the cost of current liquid crystal display panels.

The present invention is a liquid crystal display panel using a conventional glass substrate, by continuously manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel using a flexible plastic film having a transparent conductive film formed on a long surface of the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel. This technology broke through the limits of cost reduction and made it possible to achieve significant cost reductions.

Furthermore, the present invention not only significantly reduces processing costs, but also reduces material costs as compared to conventional methods using glass for the substrate.

The details of the present invention will be explained based on examples.

Example 1 A circular hole was punched on both sides of a polyester film 1-1 having a length of 50 m, a width of 8 cm, and a thickness of 100 μm. FIG. 1 This circular hole punch is used for aligning the upper and lower substrates when assembling the liquid crystal cell in a later process.

The plastic film 1-1 used for the substrate is
In addition to polyester film, relatively transparent and flexible plastic films such as polycarbonate film, acrylic film, and cellulose triacetate film can be used.

Next, the polyester film 1-1 is wound onto a reel 2, and the polyester film 1-1 is sequentially passed through the liquid of the Si-based coupling agent 3, and the surface of the polyester film 1-1 is coated with the Si-based coupling agent 3. Apply.

The purpose of applying the Si coupling agent is to improve the adhesion between the polyester film 1-2 and the In ₂ O ₃ film of the conductive film to be treated in the next step. The polyester film 1-2 coated with the Si-based coupling agent 3 is reeled onto the reel 2.
is wound up. FIG. 2 In FIG. 2, 4 is a guide roller, and 5 is a tank for containing the Si coupling agent 3.

Next, In ₂ O ₃ is vapor-deposited to a thickness of 300 Å on the surface of the polyester film 1-2 coated with the Si-based coupling agent 3 using a sputtering device 6 capable of continuous processing. Figure 3 Next, using a roll coater method resist coating material, Si
A resist 8 is continuously applied to the surface of the polyester film _1-4 coated with the coupling agent 3 and the conductive film _1-4 . Figure 4 In Figure 4, 7 is a roll coater.

Next, using a non-contact exposure device capable of continuous processing, the pattern of the mask 12 is exposed and transferred onto the polyester film 1-4 which has been processed up to the previous step. The position where the mask is exposed and transferred onto the polyester film 1-4 which has been processed up to the previous step is determined by circular holes punched on both sides of the polyester film 1-1 and positioning pins 12. FIG. 5 In FIG. 5, 9 is a mercury lamp, and 10 is a lens.

Next, the polyester film 1-4 processed up to the previous step is passed through a developer 13, and the resist 8 in the portions not exposed to light in the previous step is continuously removed. FIG. 6 Next, the polyester film 1-5, which has been treated up to the previous step, is passed through a baking oven 14 at 150° C. to continuously bake the resist 8. FIG. 7 Next, the polyester film 1-5 treated up to the previous step is passed through an etching solution of hydrochloric acid, and the In ₂ O ₃ film in the areas where the resist 8 is not coated is continuously etched. FIG. 8 In FIG. 8, 15 is a spray nozzle.

Next, the resist 8 is continuously peeled off by passing the polyester film 1-6 treated up to the previous step into the resist peeling liquid 16. FIG. 9 Next, the alignment treatment agent 17 is continuously applied to the entire surface of the polyester film 1-7 that has been treated up to the previous step by passing it through the alignment treatment liquid 17.
FIG. 10 Next, the previously treated polyester film 1-8 is continuously rubbed between rolls 18 covered with plastic brushes. FIG. 11 Next, a sealing agent is continuously applied to a portion of the polyester film 1-8 that has been treated up to the previous step using a seal printing machine. Figure 12 The position where the sealant is partially printed on the polyester film 1-8 that has been processed up to the previous step is determined by the circular holes punched on both sides of the film 1-8 and the positioning pins 12. It is carried out with

In FIG. 12, 19 is a squeegee and 20 is a screen printing plate.

Next, the liquid crystal display panel 2 that has undergone the above steps
Two types of long polyester films 1-9 for upper and lower panels constituting 8 were made, and each long polyester film 1-9 was sealed with a sealant,
Continuously attach them one after another by heat and pressure bonding. 13th
In this case, the positions at which the upper and lower polyester films 1-9 are pasted are aligned with the circular holes punched on both sides of each polyester film 1-9.

Next, liquid crystal 22 is continuously injected into each of the liquid crystal display panel films 21-1 made up of a plurality of upper and lower panels made up to the above steps. FIG. 14 In FIG. 14, 23 is a piston.

Next, the injection port of the liquid crystal display panel film 21-2 into which the liquid crystal has been injected is continuously plugged with the mounting medium 24. FIG. 15 Next, a polarizing plate 2 with adhesive is attached to both sides of the liquid crystal display panel 21-3 in which the liquid crystal is sealed with the sealant 24.
Glue 5 continuously. FIG. 16 Next, polarizing plate films 25 are adhered to both sides of the two superimposed polyester films 21-3. FIG. 16 Finally, the liquid crystal display panel 28 is completed by sequentially cutting the plurality of successively produced liquid crystal display panel films 26 using a press. FIG. 17 In the figure, 27 is a slitter.

From the above, the effects obtained by the present invention are as follows.

First, by continuously manufacturing a long flexible plastic film in its long form until a plurality of liquid crystal display panels are completed, automation using a machine is possible. Therefore, a higher quality liquid crystal display panel with a higher yield can be obtained.
Naturally, processing costs can also be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, by providing guide holes on both sides of the film, aligning the holes, and sequentially pasting the top and bottom of the long film together, accurate positioning is possible, and the electrodes are placed accurately, making dot-to-dot trimming possible. It is also possible to manufacture liquid crystal panels with very small pixels and high resolution, such as Tux-type liquid crystal panels.

As described above, the present invention achieves a significant improvement in terms of manufacturing and quality compared to the prior art, and is also of great value in practical terms.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a long transparent flexible polyester film having circular holes punched on both sides thereof. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously applying a Si-based coupling agent to a polyester film. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously depositing an In ₂ O ₃ film as a conductive film on a polyester film. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously applying resist to polyester film. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously exposing a polyester film coated with a resist. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for continuously developing a polyester film coated with exposed resist. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for continuously baking a resist partially applied to a polyester film.
Figure 8 shows the polyester film covered
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for partially and continuously etching an In ₂ O ₃ film. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously peeling off resist partially coated on the surface of a polyester film. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously applying an alignment agent to a polyester film. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of an apparatus that continuously rubs an alignment agent applied to a polyester film. Figure 12 shows
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a screen printing machine that partially and continuously applies a sealant to a polyester film. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for continuously pasting together films of upper and lower panels constituting a liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 14 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously injecting liquid crystal into a liquid crystal display panel film. FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously sealing an encapsulant into a liquid crystal display panel. FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously bonding polarizer films to both sides of a liquid crystal display panel film. FIG. 17 is a sectional view of an apparatus for continuously cutting a liquid crystal display panel film. 1-1 is a polyester film, 1-2 is a polyester film whose surface is coated with a Si-based coupling agent, 1-3 is a polyester film whose surface is coated with a Si-based coupling agent,
Polyester film coated _{with In2O3} , 1-
4 is a polyester film whose surface is coated with Si-based coupling agent, In ₂ O ₃ and resist, 1-5
is a polyester film whose surface is coated with Si-based coupling agent, In ₂ O ₃ , and resist (partially).
1-6 is a polyester film whose surface is coated with a Si coupling agent, In ₂ O ₃ (partially), and a resist (partially); 1-7 is a polyester film whose surface is coated with a Si coupling agent, In ₂ O ₃ (partially) 1-8 is a polyester film coated with Si-based coupling agent,
In ₂ O ₃ (partially), a polyester film coated with an alignment agent, 1-9 has a Si-based coupling agent on the surface, In ₂ O ₃ (partially), an alignment agent, and a sealant (partially). coated polyester film,
2 is a reel, 3 is a Si-based coupling agent, 4 is a guide roller, 5 is a tank, 6 is a sputtering device,
7 is a roller, 8 is a resist, 9 is a mercury lamp,
10 is a lens, 11 is a mask, 12 is a positioning pin, 13 is a developer, 14 is a baking oven, 15 is a spray gun, 16 is a resist peeling solution, 17 is an alignment treatment agent, and 18 is a roller covered with a plastic brush. , 19 is a squeegee, 20 is a screen printing board, 21-1 is a liquid crystal display panel with two types of films pasted together for the upper and lower panels, and 21-2 is a liquid crystal display panel film with liquid crystal attached to the upper and lower panels. Injected liquid crystal, 21-3, liquid crystal was injected into the liquid crystal display panel films that constitute the upper and lower panels, and then the liquid crystal was sealed with a sealant.
2 is a liquid crystal, 23 is a piston, 24 is a sealant, 25
26 is a polarizing plate film, 26 is a liquid crystal display film in which a liquid crystal is sealed, with polarizing plate films adhered to both sides, 27 is a slitter, and 28 is a completed liquid crystal display panel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. (a) A step of providing guide holes on both sides of a long flexible plastic film; (b) A step of continuously configuring a plurality of transparent electrodes on the film; (c) (d) Two long plastic films that have undergone the steps (a), (b), and (c) are subjected to continuous alignment treatment on the film, and the two long plastic films are subjected to the steps (a), (b), and (c) in units of liquid crystal display panels.
(e) Applying a sealant, aligning the guide holes, and sequentially pasting the top and bottom together; a step of continuously injecting liquid crystal into each liquid crystal display panel; (f) a step of continuously blocking the injection port of the liquid crystal panel film with a mounting agent; and (g) a step of continuously injecting liquid crystal into each liquid crystal panel film; A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel, comprising the steps of: (h) sequentially cutting the liquid crystal panel film; and (h) sequentially cutting the liquid crystal panel film.