JP4346971B2 - Polarizing plate bonding method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a polarizing plate bonding method and apparatus for bonding a polarizing plate to a substrate.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the widespread use of liquid crystal display devices (hereinafter referred to as LCDs), the demand for polarizing plates is rapidly increasing. In the polarizing film, a protective film is generally bonded to both surfaces or one surface of a polarizing layer having polarizing ability (see FIG. 14B). As a material for the polarizing layer, polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter referred to as PVA) is mainly used. After the PVA film is uniaxially stretched, it is dyed with iodine or a dichroic dye or dyed, and then stretched. A polarizing film for a polarizing layer is formed by crosslinking with a compound. As the protective film, cellulose triacetate (hereinafter referred to as TAC) is mainly used because it is optically transparent and has a small birefringence. Since the polarizing plate is usually stretched in the longitudinal direction, the absorption axis of the polarizing film is substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction (see FIG. 14A). The polarizing plate film is provided with an adhesive layer for bonding onto the substrate, and a release film for protecting the adhesive layer from foreign matters such as dust is bonded thereon. The polarizing film to which the release film is bonded is supplied in the form of a roll of a strip-like film stretched in the longitudinal direction.
[0003]
In an LCD using conventional TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal, the transmission axis of the polarizing plate is inclined by 45 ° with respect to the vertical or horizontal direction of the screen. For this reason, a method (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-23151) for laminating pieces of polarizing plates in which roll-shaped polarizing plates are punched in advance in the direction of 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the roll, A method of cutting the polarizing plate after laminating the polarizing plate with the vertical or horizontal direction of the LCD screen inclined by 45 ° with respect to the roll longitudinal direction (see, for example, JP-A-11-95028, FIG. 14A). Has been devised. Also, in LCDs using VA (Vertical Alignment) liquid crystal and IPS (In Plane Switching) type liquid crystal, the transmission axis of the polarizing plate is arranged in the vertical or horizontal direction of the screen, Each sheet is attached to the LCD.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-23151 A
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-95028
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the method of bonding the polarizing plate pieces to the LCD one by one, when the polarizing plate pieces are bonded to the substrate, each polarizing plate piece is transferred and peeled off immediately before the bonding. Since it is necessary to peel off the film, there is a limit to shortening the process time. Moreover, since the polarizing plate piece is usually punched from a polarizing plate film in a roll form, curling easily occurs, and workability when transferring and transporting the polarizing plate piece is poor.
[0006]
Further, in the method of cutting the polarizing plate after laminating the polarizing plate by tilting the vertical or horizontal direction of the LCD screen by 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the roll, there are many unusable portions near the end of the roll. In particular, when a large-size polarizing plate is used with an increase in the screen size of the LCD, there is a problem that the yield is reduced. Moreover, since the piece of the polarizing plate which was not used for pasting is used in combination with a plurality of materials, it is difficult to reuse, resulting in an increase in waste. Such a problem is a problem common to the method of laminating the polarizing plate pieces one by one on the LCD.
[0007]
By the way, for the purpose of optical compensation such as coloring prevention and widening of the viewing angle, the retardation film is used by being adhered to a polarizing plate or the like forming an LCD, and the alignment axis is set at various angles with respect to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate. It is required to set. Conventionally, from a vertically or laterally uniaxially stretched film (for example, PET), a method is used in which the periphery is punched and cut so that the orientation axis has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the side. A decrease in yield has been a problem.
[0008]
In addition, a thick composite film like a film in which a retardation film and a polarizing plate are bonded together is likely to produce cutting waste during cutting, and is cut when the composite film is cut immediately before the substrate and the composite film are bonded. In some cases, debris enters between the substrate and the composite film.
[0009]
Furthermore, the roll-type polarizing film has become larger and heavier as the display screen becomes larger, making it difficult to replace the roll.
[0010]
The first object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate laminating method and apparatus with high work efficiency and high polarizing plate yield.
[0011]
The second object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate laminating method and apparatus having a high yield of a composite film obtained by laminating a retardation film and a polarizing plate.
[0012]
The third object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate laminating method and apparatus in which cutting waste hardly enters between the substrate and the film even if the film is cut just before laminating.
[0013]
The fourth object of the present invention is to provide a polarizing plate laminating method and apparatus in which rolls can be easily replaced.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the 1st viewpoint of this invention, it is a polarizing plate bonding apparatus which bonds a polarizing plate to a board | substrate, Comprising: The strip | belt-shaped film by which the peeling film was bonded via the adhesive bond layer on the polarizing plate is the longitudinal direction. When the cut surface on the side of the traveling direction orthogonal to the length of the substrate travels to a length corresponding to the substrate, at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, leaving the strip film. Cutting direction for cutting, peeling film separating means for separating the release film from the film piece cut by the cutting, and the direction of travel of the substrate that has been transported through the adhesive surface of the film piece from which the release film has been separated Bonding means for bonding to the corresponding position of the substrate so that the end face on the side and the cut surface of the film piece are parallel to each other. The release film separating means stretches a belt having air holes in pulleys provided at both ends of the frame endlessly, sucks and degass from the inner surface side in a flat area of the belt, and adsorbs the film onto the belt. It is a suction conveyor that conveys, and makes the adsorption area on the belt contact the release film surface of the belt-like film, and the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt with a carrying pulley to separate the release film. It is characterized by that.
[0015]
In the 2nd viewpoint of this invention, it is a polarizing plate bonding method which bonds a polarizing plate to a board | substrate, Comprising: The strip | belt-shaped film by which the peeling film was bonded via the adhesive bond layer on the polarizing plate is the longitudinal direction. When the cut surface on the side of the traveling direction orthogonal to the length of the substrate travels to a length corresponding to the substrate, at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, leaving the strip film. A step of cutting, a step of separating the release film from the film piece cut out by the cutting, and an adhesive surface of the film piece from which the release film is separated. Bonding to a corresponding position on the substrate so as to be parallel to the end surface of the substrate. In the step of separating the release film, a belt having air holes is stretched endlessly on pulleys provided at both ends of the frame, and the film is sucked and degassed from the inner surface side of the belt in a flat region. Using a suction conveyor that sucks and conveys, the suction area on the belt is brought into contact with the release film surface of the belt-like film, and only the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt by a carrying pulley to separate the release film. Do It is characterized by that.
[0016]
In the 3rd viewpoint of this invention, it is a polarizing plate bonding method which bonds a polarizing plate to a board | substrate, Comprising: A peeling film is stuck on a polarizing plate through an adhesive bond layer, and it is roll shape with fixed width. The step of unwinding and supplying the strip-shaped film wound in the longitudinal direction, and whenever the cut surface on the traveling direction side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped film proceeds to a length corresponding to the substrate, Cutting the strip film at least in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer leaving the release film, separating the release film from the film piece cut out by the cutting, and The step of supplying the film piece from which the release film is separated in accordance with the position of the substrate to be transported, and the adhesive surface of the supplied film piece, As cross-section parallel to the end surface in the traveling direction of the substrate, a step of bonding the corresponding position of the substrate, the free In the step of separating the release film, a belt having air holes is stretched endlessly on pulleys provided at both ends of the frame, and the film is sucked and degassed from the inner surface side of the belt in a flat region. Using a suction conveyor that sucks and conveys, the suction area on the belt is brought into contact with the release film surface of the belt-like film, and only the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt by a carrying pulley to separate the release film. Do It is characterized by that.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a strip film used in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 1, a polarizing plate laminating apparatus 1 for laminating a polarizing plate on a substrate, in which a strip-shaped film 10 having a release film 11 stuck on the polarizing plate via an adhesive layer is in its longitudinal direction. On the other hand, when the cut surface on the direction of travel perpendicular to the substrate 20 travels to a length corresponding to the substrate 20, at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer are perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, leaving the strip film 10 leaving the release film 11. Cutting means 2 for cutting in the direction, release film separating means 3 for separating the release film 11 from the film piece 19 cut out by the cutting, and an adhesive surface of the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 has been separated, By including bonding means 4 and 5 for bonding at corresponding positions of the substrate so that the cut surface of the film piece 19 is parallel to the end surface of the substrate 20 on the traveling direction side. , Can be continuously automatically laminating the polarizing plate film pieces, the yield ratio of the polarizing plate can be 100%.
[0019]
The belt-like film 10 applied in the present invention is a film using a polarizing plate to which a release film 11 is attached via an adhesive layer. For example, as shown in FIG. A circularly polarizing film to which the retardation film 13 is bonded may be used. When the polarizing plate 16 is used for an LCD for a TN liquid crystal, the transmission axis direction is obliquely oriented with respect to the film longitudinal direction, and the inclination angle between the film longitudinal direction and the transmission axis direction is 20 ° or more and 70 °. Although it is preferably below, it is more preferably 40 ° or more and 50 ° or less, and usually 45 ° (see FIG. 2 (A)). For a method for producing such a polarizing plate, refer to JP-A-2002-86554. The polarizing plate 16 preferably has protective films 15 and 17 attached to both sides thereof. Since the polarizing plate 16 here is a polarizing plate that is obliquely stretched with respect to the longitudinal direction of the film, it is hereinafter referred to as an “obliquely stretching polarizing plate”. If the obliquely stretched polarizing plate 16 is used, a continuous film can be supplied. In the case of a circularly polarizing film in which the retardation film 13 is bonded to the obliquely stretched polarizing plate 16 (protective film 15) via the adhesive layer 14, the retardation film 13 has an orientation axis orthogonal or parallel to the film longitudinal direction. It is preferable to use what has. If it does in this way, a circularly-polarizing film can be supplied continuously. The thickness of the polarizing plate 16 is, for example, about 5 to 100 μm. The width of the polarizing plate 16 is appropriately selected according to the size of the substrates to be bonded. The adhesives 12 and 14 may be ordinary adhesives (for example, acrylic adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, rubber adhesives, etc.) used for bonding the substrate and the optical film. . The release film 11 is a release material and may be an ordinary release material (for example, a polyethylene terephthalate film, a polyester film, etc.) used for an optical film. In order to protect the surface of the film from scratches or the like, an interleaf paper 18 may be attached to the surface of the polarizing plate 16 facing the surface on which the release film 11 is attached. The strip film 10 is preferably supplied from the unwinding roll 6 (see FIG. 1). In addition, when using for LCD for VA liquid crystal or LCD for IPS system liquid crystal, the polarizing plate 16 can be used in which the transmission axis direction is parallel or perpendicular to the film longitudinal direction.
[0020]
The substrate 20 is a flat plate member such as a glass substrate or a synthetic resin substrate used in a display device such as a liquid crystal display device or a plasma display device, and may be a substrate on which components such as a liquid crystal cell and an electrode are formed in advance. Good. The shape of the substrate 20 is preferably a substantially square shape such as a square or a rectangle (see FIGS. 1 and 2A).
[0021]
The cutting means 2 is a push-cut cutter, a dicing cutter, or the like used for normal cutting of an optical film. For example, a cutter blade, a cylinder that drives the cutter blade, a bottom dead center that adjusts a bottom dead center position of the cutter blade. The thing provided with a position adjustment member is mentioned. By adjusting the bottom dead center position to 0.5 times or less of the thickness of the release film 11, the other layers (polarizing plate, adhesive) of the strip-like film 10 are left leaving the release film 11 (thickness of 10 to 50 μm or less). Layer) can be cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the film (see FIG. 1). If it is larger than 0.5 times, the other layers (polarizing plate, adhesive layer, etc.) of the strip-shaped film 10 may be left uncut, and if it is smaller than 0 times, the release film 11 may be cut.
[0022]
The release film separating means 3 is means (a roller in FIG. 1) for separating the release film from the belt-like film (film piece), and examples thereof include the following.
[0023]
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the first release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As the first peeling film separating means, an edge member 31 having a rounded edge at the tip is used (see FIG. 3). The edge tip of the edge member 31 is directed in the traveling direction of the film piece 19, one edge surface of the edge member 31 is brought into contact with the surface of the release film 11, and only the release film 11 is attached to the other edge member 31 at the edge tip. The film piece 19 from which the release film 11 has been separated is advanced in the direction of travel as it is, and only the release film 11 is wound up.
[0024]
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the second release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As a second release film separating means, a belt 36 having air holes is provided endlessly on pulleys 34 and 35 provided at both ends of a frame (not shown), and a suction table 33 is formed from the inner surface side of the belt 36 in a flat region. Then, a suction conveyor 32 that sucks and degass and sucks and conveys the film piece 19 on the belt 36 is used (see FIG. 4). The suction area on the belt 36 of the suction conveyor 32 is brought into contact with the surface of the release film 11 of the film piece 19, and only the release film 11 is folded back to the return side of the belt 36 by the carrying pulley 34, and the release film 11 is separated. The film piece 19 is advanced in the traveling direction as it is, and only the release film 11 is wound up. The pulley 34 on the carrying side here is a separation roller.
[0025]
FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the third release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the 3rd peeling film separation means improved in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the improved 3rd peeling film separation means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The suction conveyor 37 is also used as the third peeling film separating means, but the suction area on the belt of the suction conveyor 37 is brought into contact with the surface of the film piece 19 on the opposite side of the peeling film 11 and brought into contact with the belt 41. The separation roller 42 is brought into contact with the surface of the release film 11 of the film piece 19 in the region, the film piece 19 is conveyed while being sucked by the suction conveyor 37, and only the release film 11 is folded back by the separation roller 42 so that the release film 11 is separated. The film piece 19 is advanced in the traveling direction as it is, and only the release film 11 is wound up (see FIG. 5). The suction conveyor 37 here serves as a film piece supply means for supplying the film piece 19. In addition, the arrangement position of the film piece 19, the separation roller 42, and the suction conveyor 37 may be not only the upper surface side of the substrate 20, but also the lower surface side thereof (see FIG. 6). The separation roller 42 may be provided with a nip function and pressed against the belt 41 side. When the separation roller 42 is pressed against the pulley 39 on the carrying side of the suction conveyor 37, the suction does not have to be performed (see FIG. 7).
[0026]
FIG. 8: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the 4th peeling film separation means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. As a fourth release film separating means, a suction drum 46 is used which sucks and degass a drum member having air holes from the inside and sucks and conveys the film piece 19 on the cylindrical surface of the drum member (see FIG. 8). By controlling the drive of the separation roller 47 including the drive for supplying the film piece 19 and the drive of the suction drum 46, the opposite of the adhesive surface of the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 has been separated by the separation roller 47 The film piece 19 is conveyed while rotating while adsorbing the side surface to the surface of the suction drum 46, and the supply of the film piece 19 is stopped for a certain period of time while the suction drum 46 is being rotated. The piece 19 'is supplied again and these are repeated (see FIG. 8). The suction drum 46 here is also a pressure roller, and becomes a bonding means when used in parallel with the receiving roller 48. This operation is suitable in the case of so-called frame pasting in which a film piece having a surface area smaller than the plate surface of the substrate is pasted at a predetermined interval from the end of the substrate. If the length of the film piece 19 in the traveling direction matches the length of the substrate 20 in the traveling direction, the drive of the separation roller 47 and the drive of the suction drum 46 are kept synchronized (separation roller). 47 may be continuously supplied to the suction drum 46 without a gap between the film pieces 19 (without stopping the driving of 47).
[0027]
In addition, what is necessary is just to wind up and collect | recover the peeling film 11 isolate | separated from the strip | belt-shaped film 10 (film piece 19) (refer FIG. 1).
[0028]
The bonding means 4 and 5 paste the adhesive surface of the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 is separated at a corresponding position on the substrate so that the cut surface of the film piece 19 is parallel to the end surface on the traveling direction side of the substrate. For example, the following may be mentioned.
[0029]
FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the first bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. As a first bonding means, a swinging-type suction table 51 that sucks and deaerates the substrate from the inside of the table and sucks and holds the substrate and conveys it, and a film piece 19 by pressing toward the swinging-type suction table side. And a pressure roller 52 that bonds the substrate to the substrate (see FIG. 9). While moving the oscillating suction table 51 holding the substrate 20 by suction, the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 has been separated is pressed from the upper surface side of the substrate 20 by the pressure roller 52 so that the film piece 19 is placed at a predetermined position on the substrate 20. Paste to.
[0030]
FIG. 10: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the 2nd bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. As the second pasting means, the swing type suction table 54 similar to the swing type suction table used in the first pasting means, the press roller 55 similar to the press roller used in the first pasting means, A fixed-type suction table 57 that adsorbs the film piece 19 is used (see FIG. 10). While the oscillating suction table 54 holding the substrate 20 is moved, the surface opposite to the adhesive surface of the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 is separated is slid while being sucked by the fixed suction table 57 and slid. The film piece 19 is pressed by the pressure roller 55 from the upper surface side of the substrate 20, and the film piece 19 is bonded to a predetermined position of the substrate 20.
[0031]
FIG. 11: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the 3rd bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. As third bonding means, a roller conveyor 58 that horizontally conveys the substrate 20 on a plurality of arranged rollers, a pressure roller 59 similar to the pressure roller used in the first bonding means, and a substrate that has been conveyed. A receiving roller 60 that conveys 20 and receives pressure from the pressure roller 59 on the lower side, and a fixed suction table 62 similar to the fixed suction table used in the second bonding means are used (see FIG. 11). . The substrate 20 is conveyed between the pressure roller 59 and the receiving roller 60 by the roller conveyor 58, and the surface opposite to the adhesive surface of the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 is separated is slid while being sucked by the fixed suction table 62, The slid film piece 19 is pressed by the pressure roller 59 from the upper surface side of the substrate 20, and the film piece 19 is bonded to a predetermined position of the substrate 20.
[0032]
The pressure roller (52 in FIG. 9, 55 in FIG. 10, 59 in FIG. 11) and the receiving roller (48 in FIG. 8, 60 in FIG. 11) in the first to third bonding means are rubber rolls or metal rollers. is there. The rubber roller is preferably made of rubber having a hardness of 60 to 80 °. One of the pressure roller or the receiving roller is preferably a rubber roller. When two rollers are used as shown in FIG. 11, it is preferable to use a combination of two rubber rolls having a hardness of 60 to 80 °, or a combination of one rubber roll having a hardness of 60 to 80 ° and a metal roll. The nip pressure of the roller at the time of pasting is preferably a linear pressure of 1 kg / cm or less. If the hardness is less than 60 °, pressure unevenness occurs and adhesion unevenness occurs. On the other hand, when the hardness is larger than 80 °, there arises a problem of damaging the substrate or the film. Further, a linear pressure greater than 1 kg / cm with respect to the nip pressure causes a problem of damaging the substrate or the film.
[0033]
Next, a processing example will be described. For each substrate of a certain size that is conveyed, a film piece may be bonded and used as it is as a bonded substrate (see FIG. 12).
[0034]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13: is the side view which showed typically the structure of the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention. The polarizing plate laminating apparatus 70 includes an unwinding means 71, a first feeding roller 72, a second feeding roller 73, a film conveying conveyor 74, a cutting means 75, and a film piece conveying conveyor 76. A roller 77, a third feeding roller 78, a fourth feeding roller 79, a winding means 80, a first substrate transfer conveyor 81, a first position guiding means 82, a receiving roller 83, and a pressure roller 84. , Second substrate transfer conveyor 85, second position guide means 86, encoder, film piece position sensor, substrate positioning member, and control means.
[0035]
The substrate used here (20 in FIG. 13) is a flat and rectangular liquid crystal display substrate for TN liquid crystal. As shown in FIG. 2B, the unwinding roll (87 in FIG. 13) is a release film 11, an adhesive 12, a retardation film 13, an adhesive 14, a protective film 15, an obliquely stretched polarizing plate 16, and a protective film. 17 is a roll in which the belt-like film 10 having a structure in which the interleaving paper 18 and the interleaving paper 18 are laminated in this order is wound with the interleaving paper 18 as the surface side. Referring to FIG. 2A, the obliquely stretched polarizing plate 16 is a polarizing plate having a transmission axis of about 45 ° with respect to the film longitudinal direction. The retardation film 13 is a retardation film whose orientation axis is in the same direction as the film longitudinal direction. The winding roll (88 in FIG. 13) is a roll that winds the release film 11 separated from the belt-like film 10 (film piece 19).
[0036]
The unwinding means 71 is a means for unwinding the belt-like film 10 from the unwinding roll 87 while supporting the unwinding roll 87 horizontally, and a shaft (not shown) for rotatably supporting the unwinding roll 87. And a brake (not shown) for braking the rotation of the shaft (see FIG. 13). By this brake, excessive unwinding of the unwinding roll 87 is prevented. As the brake, a band brake in which the outer periphery of a disc attached to the shaft is fastened with a band is used, but other brakes may be used.
[0037]
The first feeding roller 72 and the second feeding roller 73 are undriven rollers for feeding the unwound belt-like film 10 to the film conveying conveyor 74 side at a necessary angle (see FIG. 13).
[0038]
The film transporting conveyor 74 is a means for transporting the unwound belt-like film 10 to the cutting means 75 side, and here is a suction conveyor (belt conveyor) that transports the belt-shaped film 10 at a constant angle while sucking on the belt (see FIG. 13). The belt is pulled in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction so that the vicinity of the center of the belt is not recessed. The film transporting conveyor 74 is driven and controlled according to the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20.
[0039]
The cutting means 75 is means for cutting (half-cutting) a portion other than the release film 11 in the strip-like film 10 in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and has a cutter and driving means for driving the cutter (see FIG. 13). . Further, the cutting means 75 is controlled so as to cut when the belt-like film advances and reaches a certain length (necessary size to be bonded to the substrate 20) according to the position of the film piece and the position of the substrate. The In the half cut, cutting is performed from the lower surface (interleaf side) of the belt-like film 10, so that the chips are less likely to go to the release film 11 side (adhesion surface side).
[0040]
The film piece conveying conveyor 76 is a means for conveying the film piece 19 cut out by the cutting means 75 to the pressure roller 84 side, and sucks the interleaf surface of the film piece 19 on the belt while keeping a certain angle toward the pressure roller side. (See FIG. 13). The conveyance surface of the film piece conveyance conveyor 76 is an extension of the conveyance surface of the film conveyance conveyor 74. The belt is pulled in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction so that the vicinity of the center of the belt is not recessed. Further, the film piece conveying conveyor 76 is driven and controlled in accordance with the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20, and synchronizes with the operation of the film conveying conveyor 74.
[0041]
The separation roller 77 is disposed in the vicinity of the center of the belt feeding side of the film piece conveying conveyor 76, and the roller shaft is orthogonal to the traveling direction of the film piece and is driven to separate only the release film 11 from the film piece 19. No roller (see FIG. 13).
[0042]
The third feeding roller 78 and the fourth feeding roller 79 are undriven rollers for feeding the release film 11 separated by the separation roller 77 toward the take-up roll 88 (see FIG. 13).
[0043]
The winding means 80 is means for winding the release film 11 by rotating the winding roll 88. The winding means 80 is driven and controlled according to the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20 (see FIG. 13).
[0044]
The first substrate transporting conveyor 81 is a roller conveyor (wheel conveyor) in which rollers for transporting the substrate 20 to which the film piece 19 is not attached in a horizontal and constant direction are arranged (see FIG. 13). Further, the first substrate transfer conveyor 81 is driven and controlled according to the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20.
[0045]
The first position guiding means 82 is a guide member that guides the traveling direction by regulating the position of the substrate in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the substrate 20 on the first substrate transporting conveyor 81 from both sides (see FIG. 13). ). The substrate 20 is guided in a certain direction by pressing the substrate 20 against the fixed guide member on the opposite side by the spring force of the guide member on one side.
[0046]
The receiving roller 83 is a roller that transports the substrate 20 transported by the first substrate transporting conveyor 81 to the second substrate transporting conveyor 85 side and receives the pressing force of the pressure-bonding roller 84 from below (FIG. 13). reference). The receiving roller 83 is driven and controlled according to the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20.
[0047]
The pressure roller 84 is a nip roller that entrains the film piece 19 and presses it against the lower plate surface of the substrate 20 by being pressed from the lower surface side of the substrate 20 toward the receiving roller 83 (see FIG. 13). The pressure roller 84 is attached to an elevating mechanism (not shown). When the film piece 19 is bonded to the substrate 20 according to the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate, the elevating mechanism rises and applies a pressing force to the receiving roller 83 side to bond one substrate 20. Until the next substrate 20 is ready for bonding.
[0048]
The second substrate transporting conveyor 85 is a roller conveyor (wheels) in which rollers for transporting the substrate 20 that is passed through the space between the pressure roller 84 and the receiving roller 83 and the film piece 19 is bonded horizontally and in a certain direction are arranged. Conveyor (see FIG. 13). The second substrate transfer conveyor 85 is driven and controlled in accordance with the position of the film piece 19 and the position of the substrate 20, and is synchronized with the operation of the first substrate transfer conveyor 81.
[0049]
The second position guiding means 86 is a guide member that guides the traveling direction by regulating the position of the substrate in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction on the second substrate transporting conveyor 85 from both sides (see FIG. 13). The substrate 20 is guided in a certain direction by pressing the substrate 20 against the fixed guide member on the opposite side by the spring force of the guide member on one side.
[0050]
Although not shown, the encoder is a device for measuring the supply amount of the belt-like film 10, and here, the supply amount of the belt-like film is measured by measuring the number of rotations of the pulley of the film piece conveying conveyor 76. Is done.
[0051]
Although not shown, the film piece position sensor is a photosensor for detecting the position of the film piece 19 (the front end side cross section) sent to the pressure roller 84 side of the film piece conveying conveyor 76.
[0052]
Although not shown, the substrate positioning member is a stopper that is disposed in the vicinity of the bonding portion including the receiving roller 83 and the pressure roller 84 and prevents the substrate 20 from moving. After the bonding of one substrate 20 is completed and sent downstream, the stopper comes out on the conveyance line, and the end surface of the next substrate 20 conveyed by the first substrate conveyance conveyor 81 comes into contact with the stopper. . At the same time when the substrate is prevented from being conveyed by the stopper, the detection device related to the substrate positioning member notifies the arrival of the substrate, and the driving of the first substrate conveying conveyor 81 is stopped. The film piece 19 is sent out from the standby position while being measured by the encoder, and the tip of the film piece 19 reaches the bonding position of the substrate 20. After the front end of the film piece 19 is bonded to the substrate 20 between the pressure roller 84 and the receiving roller 83, the stopper is retracted to release the lock, and the rotation of the receiving roller 83, the conveyance of the substrate 20 and the supply of the film piece 19 are performed. Each operation is driven in synchronism, and the substrate 20 and the film piece 19 are bonded by the receiving roller 83 and the pressure roller 84.
[0053]
Although not shown, the control means is based on the respective signals from the encoder, the film piece position sensor, and the detection device relating to the substrate positioning member, the film carrying conveyor 74, the cutting means 75, and the film piece carrying conveyor. 76, a winding control unit 80, a first substrate transfer conveyor 81, a receiving roller 83, a pressure roller 84, a substrate positioning member and a second substrate transfer conveyor 85.
[0054]
Next, operation | movement of the polarizing plate bonding apparatus which concerns on one Example of this invention is demonstrated.
[0055]
Referring to FIG. 13, first, the belt-like film 10 unwound from the unwinding roll 87 is unwound at an angle corresponding to the transport surface of the film transporting conveyor 74 by the first unwinding roller 72 and the second unwinding roller 73.
[0056]
Next, the fed belt-like film 10 is transported to the cutting means 75 side by the film transporting conveyor 74, and the front end side cut surface of the belt-like film 10 has a certain length (a length corresponding to the substrate or a length slightly shorter thereof). ), The progress of the belt-like film 10 is stopped, and the belt-like film 10 is half-cut in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (the remaining part is cut and the other part is cut). This half-cut is performed every time the cut surface on the traveling direction side orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped film 10 proceeds to a length corresponding to the substrate 20.
[0057]
Next, the film piece 19 cut out by the half cut is conveyed to the pressure roller 84 side by the film piece conveying conveyor 76, and the film piece 19 passes between them by the separation roller 84 on the conveying surface of the film piece conveying conveyor 76. Only the release film 11 is separated. The separated release film 11 is fed by the third feeding roller 78 and the fourth feeding roller 79 and is wound on the winding roll 88.
[0058]
Next, the film piece 19 from which the release film 11 has been separated is bonded to the substrate 20 conveyed by the first substrate conveyance conveyor 81 (the cut surface of the film piece 19 is the end surface on the traveling direction side of the substrate 20). The adhesive surface is supplied toward the substrate 20 between the lower surface of the substrate 20 passing between the receiving roller 83 and the pressure roller 84 and the pressure roller 84 in accordance with the corresponding position of the substrate in parallel). The substrate is transferred to the second substrate transfer conveyor 85 side while being bonded to the substrate by the pressing force. The substrate 20 that has passed between the receiving roller 83 and the pressure roller 84 is transported by the second substrate transporting conveyor 85 in a state where the film piece 19 is bonded to the lower surface side thereof.
[0059]
【The invention's effect】
According to this invention, a polarizing plate can be continuously and automatically bonded.
[0060]
Moreover, according to this invention, while supplying the film piece from the downward side of the board | substrate conveyed, and half-cutting from the surface below the strip | belt-shaped film, mixing of refuse can be prevented.
[0061]
Moreover, according to this invention, since there is no need of transfer of a film piece and the peeling film is not cut | disconnected, it can bond at high speed.
[0062]
Moreover, according to this invention, since a film piece is conveyed, being attracted | sucked to the vicinity of the place bonded with a board | substrate, the fall of workability | operativity by the curl of a film piece can be suppressed.
[0063]
In addition, according to the present invention, since no unnecessary piece of the polarizing plate is produced, the yield of the polarizing plate can be 100%.
[0064]
In addition, according to the present invention, the circularly polarizing plate film obtained by laminating the retardation film and the polarizing plate can be continuously pasted to the substrate, and no unnecessary cut pieces of the circularly polarizing plate film are produced. The yield of the circularly polarizing film can be 100%.
[0065]
Furthermore, according to this invention, since a strip | belt-shaped film is supplied from the downward side of the board | substrate conveyed, replacement | exchange of the roll of a strip | belt-shaped film is easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a strip film used in a polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of first release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of second release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of third release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of an improved third release film separating means in the polarizing plate laminating apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of an improved third release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of fourth release film separating means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the first bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of second bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a third bonding means in the polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a first processing example of a substrate bonded by a polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 13 is a side view schematically showing a configuration of a polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 14A and 14B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a strip film used in a conventional polarizing plate laminating apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Polarizing plate bonding equipment
2 Cutting means
3 Release film separation means
4, 5 Pasting means
6 Unwinding roll
7 Winding roll
8 Board transfer means
10 Band-shaped film
11 Release film
12, 14 Adhesive layer
13 Retardation film
15, 17 Protective film
16 Polarizing plate
18 slip
19, 19 'film piece
20 substrates
31 Edge member
32, 37 Suction conveyor
33, 38 Suction table
34, 35, 39, 40 Pulley
36, 41 belt
42 Separation roller
43 Conveying means
44 Receiving roller
45 Pressure roller
46 Suction drum
47 Separation roller
48 Receiving roller
51, 54 Oscillating suction table
52, 55 Pressure roller
53, 56 Separation roller
57 Fixed Suction Table
58 Roller conveyor
59 Pressure roller
60 Receiving roller
61 Separation roller
62 Fixed Suction Table
70 Polarizing plate bonding equipment
71 Unwinding means
72 First feeding roller
73 Second feeding roller
74 Conveyor for film transport
75 Cutting means
76 Film piece conveyor
77 Separation roller
78 Third feeding roller
79 Fourth feeding roller
80 Winding means
81 First substrate transfer conveyor
82 First position guide means
83 Receiving roller
84 Pressure roller
85 Second Board Conveyor
86 Second position guide means
87 Unwinding roll
88 Winding roll

Claims (21)

When the strip-like film having the release film attached on the polarizing plate via the adhesive layer has traveled to the length corresponding to the substrate, the strip-like film on the traveling direction side orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is Cutting means for cutting at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction leaving a release film;
Release film separating means for separating the release film from the film piece cut out by the cutting,
The adhesive surface of the film piece from which the release film has been separated is bonded to a corresponding position on the substrate so that the end surface on the traveling direction side of the substrate that has been conveyed and the cut surface of the film piece are parallel to each other. Pasting means,
Equipped with a,
The release film separating means stretches a belt having air holes in pulleys provided at both ends of the frame endlessly, sucks and degass from the inner surface side in a flat area of the belt, and sucks and conveys the film onto the belt. A suction conveyer, wherein the suction region on the belt is brought into contact with the release film surface of the belt-like film, and the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt with a carrying pulley to separate the release film. Polarizing plate laminating device.   The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a polarizing plate having a transmission axis obliquely oriented with respect to the film longitudinal direction is used as the polarizing plate.   The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a polarizing plate having a transmission axis oriented parallel to the film longitudinal direction is used as the polarizing plate.   The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a polarizing plate having a transmission axis oriented at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the film is used as the polarizing plate.   The cutting means includes a cutter, and the bottom dead center of the cutter is set to 0 to 0.5 times the thickness of the release film, whereby the release film having a thickness of 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less is obtained. The polarizing plate laminating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the other layer of the belt-like film is cut and left. The polarizing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the pasting means sandwiches the film piece and the substrate between two rubber rolls having a hardness of 60 to 80 °. Bonding device. The polarization according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the pasting means sandwiches the film piece and the substrate between a rubber roll and a metal roll having a hardness of 60 to 80 °. Board bonding device. The polarizing plate laminating apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the laminating means nips the film piece to the substrate with a linear pressure of a laminating nip pressure of 1 kg / cm or less.   The bonding means has a cylindrical surface that adsorbs the surface opposite to the adhesive surface of the film piece from which the release film is separated, and bonds the film piece adsorbed by rotating to the substrate. The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a suction drum. According to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a conveying means for conveying the substrate are perpendicular to the traveling direction of the one end face of said substrate to said laminating means side or its extension direction Polarizing plate bonding device. The transport means is a transport base that serves as a base when the film piece is bonded to the substrate while transporting the substrate while adsorbing and holding the substrate with one end surface of the substrate orthogonal to the traveling direction. The polarizing plate bonding apparatus of Claim 10 characterized by these. The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the conveying means is a roller conveyor in which rollers are arranged or a wheel conveyor in which wheels are arranged. The polarizing plate according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the strip-shaped film comprises a film supply means for supplying to the wound roll unwinding said filmstrip in a longitudinal direction at a constant width Bonding device. Using a substantially square and constant size substrate,
The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the transport unit transports the plurality of substrates arranged in series in a traveling direction. The transport means transports the substrate surface substantially horizontally,
The cutting means and the release film separating means are disposed below the substrate conveyed by the conveying means,
The polarizing plate according to any one of claims 10 to 14 , wherein the bonding unit bonds the film piece supplied from a lower side of the substrate conveyed by the conveying unit to the substrate. Bonding device. The polarizing plate bonding apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the film supply unit is disposed below a substrate conveyed by the conveyance unit. The polarizing plate laminating apparatus according to claim 15 or 16 , wherein the cutting means cuts from a lower surface of the supplied belt-like film. 18. The retardation film having an orientation axis perpendicular or parallel to the film longitudinal direction is interposed between the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer in the belt-like film. 18. The polarizing plate bonding apparatus as described in. When the strip-like film having the release film attached on the polarizing plate via the adhesive layer has traveled to the length corresponding to the substrate, the strip-like film on the traveling direction side orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is Cutting at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction leaving a release film;
Separating the release film from the film piece cut out by the cutting;
Bonding the adhesive surface of the film piece from which the release film has been separated, to a corresponding position on the substrate such that the cut surface of the film piece is parallel to the end surface on the traveling direction side of the substrate;
Only including,
In the step of separating the release film, a belt having air holes is stretched endlessly on pulleys provided at both ends of the frame, and the film is adsorbed on the belt by suction and deaeration from the inner surface side in a flat area of the belt. The suction area on the belt is brought into contact with the release film surface of the belt-like film using a suction conveyor that conveys the belt, and only the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt with a carrying pulley to separate the release film. The polarizing plate bonding method characterized by this. A step of unwinding a strip-like film wound in a roll with a constant width and supplying it in its longitudinal direction while the release film is stuck on the polarizing plate via an adhesive layer;
Each time the cut surface on the traveling direction side orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the belt-like film advances to a length corresponding to the substrate, the strip-like film is left at least the polarizing plate and the adhesive layer, leaving the release film. Cutting in a direction perpendicular to the direction;
Separating the release film from the film piece cut out by the cutting;
Supplying the film piece from which the release film is separated in accordance with the position of the substrate to be transported;
Bonding the adhesive surface of the supplied film piece to a corresponding position on the substrate so that the cut surface of the film piece is parallel to the end surface on the traveling direction side of the substrate;
Only including,
In the step of separating the release film, a belt having air holes is stretched endlessly on pulleys provided at both ends of the frame, and the film is adsorbed on the belt by suction and deaeration from the inner surface side in a flat area of the belt. The suction area on the belt is brought into contact with the release film surface of the belt-like film using a suction conveyor that conveys the belt, and only the release film is folded back to the return side of the belt with a carrying pulley to separate the release film. The polarizing plate bonding method characterized by this. The polarizing plate laminating method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the film piece is supplied from a lower side of a substrate to be conveyed with a plate surface substantially horizontal, and is bonded to a lower surface side of the substrate. .

Images