JP4863332B2 - Polarizing film laminating apparatus and liquid crystal display manufacturing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a polarizing film bonding apparatus and a liquid crystal display device for bonding a polarizing film to an upper surface and a lower surface of a liquid crystal panel (because the polarizing film is an object to be bonded to the upper and lower surfaces). It relates to a manufacturing system.

  Conventionally, liquid crystal display devices have been widely manufactured. In general, a polarizing film is bonded to a substrate (liquid crystal panel) used in a liquid crystal display device in order to control transmission or blocking of light. The polarizing film is bonded so that the absorption axes thereof are orthogonal.

  As a method of bonding the polarizing film to the substrate, a so-called chip to panel method in which the polarizing film is bonded to the substrate after being cut into a size corresponding to the substrate can be mentioned. However, this method has a disadvantage that the production efficiency is low because the polarizing films are bonded to the substrate one by one. On the other hand, as another method, there is a so-called roll to panel method in which a polarizing film is supplied to a conveyor roll and continuously bonded to a substrate. According to this method, bonding can be performed with high production efficiency.

  As an example of the roll to panel method, Patent Document 1 discloses an optical display device manufacturing system. The said manufacturing system rotates a board | substrate after bonding an optical film (polarizing film) on the upper surface of a board | substrate, and bonds a polarizing film from a lower surface.

Japanese Patent No. 4307510 (issued on August 5, 2009)

  However, the conventional apparatus has the following problems.

  First, when a polarizing film is bonded to a substrate, work is usually performed in a clean room in order to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering the bonding surface. In the clean room, air is rectified. This is because it is necessary to bond the polarizing film in a state in which rectification is performed on the substrate in a downflow in order to suppress the yield reduction due to the foreign matter.

  In this regard, the manufacturing system of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a polarizing film is bonded to the substrate from the upper surface and the lower surface. However, when bonding is performed from the upper surface of the polarizing film, there is a demerit that airflow (downflow) is hindered by the polarizing film and the rectification environment to the substrate is deteriorated. As an example of pasting from the upper surface of the polarizing film, FIGS. 9A and 9B show air velocity vectors in the top-paste type manufacturing system. In FIG. 9, area A is an area where an unwinding part for unwinding the polarizing film is installed, area B is an area through which the polarizing film mainly passes, and area C is peeled off from the polarizing film. This is an area in which a take-up unit or the like for winding the film is installed.

  Clean air is supplied from a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter 40. In FIG. 9A, since the grating 41 through which clean air can pass is installed, the airflow can move in the vertical direction via the grating 41. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, since the grating 41 is not installed, the airflow moves along the floor after contacting the floor at the bottom of FIG. 9B.

  9A and 9B, the areas A to C are arranged in the 2F (second floor) portion, and the clean air from the HEPA filter 40 is blocked by the polarizing film. Therefore, it is difficult to generate an airflow in the vertical direction with respect to the substrate passing through the 2F portion. On the other hand, the airflow vector in the horizontal direction is large (vector density is high). That is, it can be said that the rectification environment has deteriorated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and includes a first substrate transport mechanism that transports a rectangular substrate in a state in which a long side or a short side is along a transport direction, and the short side of the substrate. Alternatively, in the reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism including the second substrate transport mechanism that transports the long side along the transport direction, the above-described transported by the first substrate transport mechanism by the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit. It is based on the first technical idea of reversing the substrate and changing the arrangement and arranging it in the second substrate transport mechanism, and the purpose thereof is a polarizing film laminating apparatus that does not disturb the rectifying environment and An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device including the above.

  Further, the present invention provides a first substrate transport mechanism for transporting a rectangular substrate with a long side or a short side along the transport direction, and transports the substrate with a short side or a long side along the transport direction. In a reversing mechanism in a substrate transporting mechanism comprising a second substrate transporting mechanism that rotates, a substrate reversing unit that rotates about a reversing axis that is arranged at a fixed inclination with respect to the transporting direction of the substrate, based on rotational driving of a driving device. The reversing operation is based on the second technical idea of reversing the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism and changing the placement and placing it on the second substrate transporting mechanism. The purpose is to reverse the substrate by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, to change the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction of the substrate, and to shorten the tact time. It is to make it possible can be.

The polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention (first invention) according to claim 1 is:
A first substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism that transports a substrate, which is a rectangular liquid crystal panel , with a long side or a short side along the transport direction, and a polarizing film on the lower surface of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism A first bonding section to be bonded, a reversing mechanism for inverting the substrate conveyed by the first substrate conveying mechanism and placing it on a second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) conveying mechanism, and a short side or a long side of the substrate. Polarized light including a second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism that transports the sides along the transport direction, and a second bonding unit that bonds a polarizing film to the lower surface of the substrate in the second substrate transport mechanism. A film bonding apparatus, wherein the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism transport a substrate in the same direction, and a long side or a short side of the first substrate transport mechanism is along the transport direction. Suck and reverse Upper Symbol reversing mechanism short side or long side you state along the conveying direction in the second substrate transport mechanism comprises a suction unit for sucking the substrate, the substrate (liquid crystal panel) reversed portion coupled to the suction unit, The substrate reversing part is for reversing the substrate by rotating along the reversal axis, and the reversal axis is located in the plane of (1) below and at the position of (2) below. is there.
(1) In a plane parallel to the plane on which the lower surface of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism and the lower surface of the substrate disposed in an inverted manner in the second substrate transport mechanism are disposed. (2) The first substrate transport mechanism and A straight line having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the substrate transfer direction between the ends of the second substrate transfer mechanism

The bonding apparatus for the polarizing film of the present invention (second invention) according to claim 2 is:
The first substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism and the second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism are arranged in a straight line, and at the end of the first substrate transport mechanism on the second substrate transport mechanism side, both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first substrate transfer mechanism, the substrate (liquid crystal panel) mounting unit and the reversing mechanism is provided one each, in the end, the substrate from the end A transport means for transporting the substrate to the placement unit is provided, and the reversing mechanism reverses the substrate transported to each of the substrate placement units and places it on the second substrate transport mechanism.

The polarizing film laminating device of the present invention (third invention) according to claim 3 is:
In the first invention or the second invention,
A first film transport mechanism and a second film transport mechanism for transporting the polarizing film are provided, and the first film transport mechanism includes a plurality of unwinding sections for unwinding the polarizing film protected by the release film, and polarization A cutting unit for cutting the film, a removing unit for removing the release film from the polarizing film, and a plurality of winding units for winding the removed release film are provided, and the second film transport mechanism includes: A plurality of unwinding portions for unwinding the polarizing film protected by the release film, a cutting portion for cutting the polarizing film, a removal portion for removing the release film from the polarizing film, and a plurality of portions for winding the removed release film and winding section are provided, the first substrate (liquid crystal panel) transport mechanism and the second substrate (liquid crystal panel) transport mechanism of the first film transport mechanism and the second full The first laminating part that is provided on the upper part of the rum transport mechanism and bonds the polarizing film from which the release film has been removed to the substrate is between the first film transport mechanism and the first substrate transport mechanism. The 2nd bonding part which bonds the polarizing film from which the said peeling film was removed to a board | substrate is each provided between the said 2nd film conveyance mechanism and the 2nd board | substrate conveyance mechanism.

The bonding apparatus for the polarizing film of the present invention (fourth invention) according to claim 4 is:
In any one of the first to third inventions,
Before the polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate by the first bonding unit, a cleaning unit for cleaning the substrate is provided,
The first substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism transports the substrate with the short side of the substrate along the transport direction.

The polarizing film laminating device of the present invention (the fifth invention) according to claim 5 is:
In the third invention,
In the first film transport mechanism and the second film transport mechanism, a defect detection unit that detects a defect display attached to the polarizing film unwound from the first unwinding unit;
A bonding avoidance unit that determines the defect display and stops the conveyance of the substrate,
It has a collection | recovery part which collect | recovers the polarizing films in which pasting with a board | substrate was avoided.

A manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention (sixth invention) according to claim 6
The polarizing film laminating apparatus of the first invention to the fifth invention,
The present invention includes a misalignment inspection device that inspects misalignment in a substrate on which a polarizing film is bonded by the second bonding portion.

A manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention (seventh invention) according to claim 7 comprises:
In the sixth invention,
The apparatus includes a sorting / conveying device that determines the presence / absence of sticking misalignment based on the inspection result of the sticking misalignment inspection apparatus, and sorts the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result.

A manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention (eighth invention) according to claim 8
A polarizing film laminating device according to any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The apparatus includes a bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device that inspects foreign matters on a substrate on which a polarizing film has been bonded by the second bonding portion in the bonding device.

A manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device of the present invention (the ninth invention) according to claim 9
In the eighth invention,
The present invention includes a sorting and conveying device that determines the presence or absence of foreign matter based on the inspection result of the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection apparatus, and sorts the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result.

A liquid crystal display manufacturing system according to a tenth aspect of the present invention (tenth aspect) according to the tenth aspect of the present invention,
Provided with a bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device for inspecting foreign matter on a substrate on which a polarizing film has been bonded by the second bonding portion, and an inspection result by the bonding deviation inspection device, and an inspection by the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device Based on the result, a judgment is made as to whether or not there is a sticking deviation and foreign matter, and based on the judgment result, a sorting and conveying device is provided that sorts the substrates on which the polarizing film is bonded.

Other inventions will be described below.
The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
A first substrate transport mechanism for transporting a rectangular substrate with a long side or a short side along the transport direction;
In a substrate transport mechanism comprising a second substrate transport mechanism for transporting the substrate in a state where the short side or the long side is along the transport direction,
A reversing mechanism configured to reverse the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism by a reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, and to change the placement and place the second substrate transporting mechanism on the second substrate transporting mechanism; It is what.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In the above invention,
The reversing mechanism includes a substrate reversing portion that rotates around a reversing axis disposed at a certain inclination with respect to the transport direction of the substrate by a rotational drive of a driving device and performs a reversing operation.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In the above invention,
The inclination of the inversion axis is 45 °.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In the above invention,
One end of the substrate reversing portion is disposed with an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the reversing axis.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In any of the above inventions,
The reversing shaft of the reversing mechanism, the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism, and the substrate reversed by the substrate reversing unit on the second substrate transporting mechanism are disposed on the same plane. Is.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In any of the above inventions,
The reversing mechanism includes means for allowing the reversing shaft to be lifted, tilted and adjusted in position.

The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention is:
In any of the above inventions,
Two reversing mechanisms are disposed on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism, and two substrates on which the substrates transported by the first substrate transport mechanism are alternately transported on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism. The substrate placement unit is disposed, and the substrates transferred to the two substrate placement units are alternately reversed by the two reversing mechanisms, and the arrangement is changed to the second substrate conveyance mechanism. It is comprised so that it may arrange.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
A first substrate transport mechanism for transporting a rectangular substrate with a long side or a short side along the transport direction;
A first bonding unit for bonding a polarizing film to the lower surface of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism;
A second substrate transport mechanism for transporting the substrate in a state where the short side or the long side is along the transport direction;
In the polarizing film bonding apparatus including the second bonding portion for bonding the polarizing film to the lower surface of the substrate in the second substrate transport mechanism,
A reversing mechanism configured to reverse the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism by a reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, and to change the placement and place the second substrate transporting mechanism on the second substrate transporting mechanism; It is what.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
A first substrate transport mechanism for transporting a rectangular substrate with a long side or a short side along the transport direction;
A first bonding unit for bonding a polarizing film to the lower surface of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism;
A second substrate transport mechanism for transporting the substrate in a state where the short side or the long side is along the transport direction;
A second bonding part for bonding a polarizing film to the lower surface of the substrate in the second substrate transport mechanism;
A polarizing film laminating apparatus comprising: a holding unit that holds the substrate conveyed by the first substrate conveying mechanism; and a holding mechanism that controls the holding unit to a held state or a state in which the holding is released.
Based on the rotational drive of the driving device, the substrate reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit having one end connected to the holding unit of the holding mechanism reverses the substrate transported by the first substrate transport mechanism and held by the holding unit. And a reversing mechanism configured to change the arrangement and arrange the arrangement on the second substrate transport mechanism.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In the above invention,
The inclination of the inversion axis is 45 °.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In the above invention,
One end of the substrate reversing portion is disposed with an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the reversing axis.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In the above invention,
The reversal axis includes a straight line that passes through the center of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism and has a 45 ° inclination with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the transport direction of the substrate, and is located in a plane perpendicular to the substrate. It is.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In any of the above inventions,
The reversing shaft of the reversing mechanism, the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism, and the substrate reversed by the substrate reversing unit on the second substrate transporting mechanism are disposed on the same plane. Is.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In any of the above inventions,
The reversing mechanism includes means for allowing the reversing shaft to be lifted, tilted and adjusted in position.

The inversion mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention,
In any of the above inventions,
Two reversing mechanisms are disposed on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism, and two substrates on which the substrates transported by the first substrate transport mechanism are alternately transported on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism. The substrate placement unit is disposed, and the substrates transferred to the two substrate placement units are alternately reversed by the two reversing mechanisms, and the arrangement is changed to the second substrate conveyance mechanism. It is comprised so that it may be arrange | positioned.

As described above, the polarizing film laminating apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention having the above-described configuration is such that the first substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism and the second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism are substrates that are liquid crystal panels. In the first substrate transport mechanism, the long side or short side of the first substrate transport mechanism sucks and reverses the substrate along the transport direction, and the second substrate transport mechanism has the short side or long side along the transport direction. upper Symbol reversing mechanism you the state, a suction unit for sucking the substrate, comprising a substrate (liquid crystal panel) reversed portion coupled to the suction unit, the substrate by the substrate reversing unit is rotated along the inversion axis The reversal axis is located in the plane of the following (1) and at a position along the following (2).
(1) In a plane parallel to the plane on which the lower surface of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism and the lower surface of the substrate disposed in an inverted manner in the second substrate transport mechanism are disposed. (2) The first substrate transport mechanism and A straight line having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the substrate transport direction between the ends of the second substrate transport mechanism. In the first invention, the polarizing film is applied to the lower surface of the substrate that is a liquid crystal panel by the first bonding unit. Bonding and reversing the substrate by rotation along the reversal axis having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the substrate transport direction of the substrate reversing part in the reversing mechanism, and changing the long side and short side with respect to the transport direction There is an effect of being able to.
Moreover, since the operation | movement of a reversing mechanism is one simple operation | movement, the said 1st invention has an effect that a tact time is short and can implement | achieve bonding with a short tact time.
Furthermore, the said 1st invention can bond a polarizing film to the lower surface of a board | substrate by the 2nd bonding part after inversion of a board | substrate. That is, since a polarizing film can be bonded from the lower surface to both surfaces of the substrate, the rectifying environment is not hindered. Further, the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism transport the substrate in the same direction. That is, it does not have a complicated structure such as an L shape. Therefore, the bonding apparatus according to the present invention is very simple to install and is excellent in area efficiency.

In the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the second invention having the above-described configuration, the first substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism and the second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism are arranged in a straight line, and the first substrate transport At the end of the mechanism on the second substrate transport mechanism side, the substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) mounting portion and the reversing mechanism are respectively disposed on both sides of the end in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the first substrate transport mechanism. 1 is provided, and the end portion is provided with transport means for transporting the substrate from the end portion to the substrate mounting portion, and the reversing mechanism is configured to transfer the substrate transported to each of the substrate mounting portions. Since it is reversed and placed in the second substrate transport mechanism, since two reversing mechanisms are provided, it is possible to perform reversal processing of twice as many substrates per unit time. Can be reversed Therefore, the tact time is shortened, and the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism are arranged in a straight line, so that it is possible to provide a bonding apparatus having a structure with more excellent area efficiency. .

  Further, the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the third invention includes a first film transport mechanism and a second film transport mechanism for transporting the polarizing film, and the first film transport mechanism is protected by a release film. A plurality of unwinding sections for unwinding the polarized film, a cutting section for cutting the polarizing film, a removing section for removing the release film from the polarizing film, and a plurality of winding sections for winding the removed release film. The second film transport mechanism includes a plurality of unwinding sections for unwinding the polarizing film protected by the peeling film, a cutting section for cutting the polarizing film, and removing the peeling film from the polarizing film. A removing unit and a plurality of winding units that wind up the removed release film are provided, and the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism are the first film transport. The first bonding unit is provided on the top of the structure and the second film transport mechanism, and bonds the polarizing film from which the release film has been removed to the substrate. The first film transport mechanism, the first substrate transport mechanism, Since the 2nd bonding part which bonds the polarizing film from which the said peeling film was removed to between a board | substrate is provided between the said 2nd film conveyance mechanism and the 2nd board | substrate conveyance mechanism in between Since a plurality of unwinding portions and winding portions are provided, when the remaining amount of the original film of the polarizing film in one unwinding portion is reduced, the unwinding material provided in the other unwinding portion is attached to the unwinding portion. As a result, it is possible to continue the operation without stopping the unwinding of the polarizing film, and as a result, it is possible to increase the production efficiency.

  Moreover, the polarizing film bonding apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes a cleaning unit for cleaning the substrate before the polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate by the first bonding unit, and the first substrate transport mechanism. Since the substrate is transported with the short side of the substrate along the transport direction, the cleaning unit can perform cleaning of the substrate with the long side of the substrate orthogonal to the transport direction of the substrate. The distance between the substrates along the transport direction can be reduced, so that the tact time required for cleaning can be further shortened, and as a result, a polarizing film laminating device with further excellent production efficiency can be obtained. There is an effect that it can be provided.

  Furthermore, the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the fifth aspect of the invention detects a defect display attached to the polarizing film unwound from the first unwinding portion in the first film transport mechanism and the second film transport mechanism. The defect detection unit, a bonding avoidance unit that discriminates the defect display and stops the conveyance of the substrate, and a recovery unit that recovers the polarizing film from which the bonding with the substrate is avoided. According to a detection part, a bonding avoidance part, and a collection | recovery part, since the bonding with the polarizing film and board | substrate which has a fault can be avoided, there exists an effect that a yield can be raised.

  Moreover, the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention includes a bonding inspection apparatus that inspects a bonding deviation between the polarizing film bonding apparatus and the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded by the second bonding section. Since it comprises, this has the effect that it becomes possible to test | inspect the sticking deviation which arose on the board | substrate which bonded the polarizing film.

  Furthermore, the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device according to the seventh aspect of the invention determines the presence or absence of misalignment based on the inspection result of the misalignment inspection device, and sorts the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result. Since a sorting and conveying device is provided, it is possible to quickly sort defective products and reduce the tact time when a misalignment occurs on the substrate to which the polarizing film is bonded. Has an effect.

  Moreover, the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device of this 8th invention is the bonding which test | inspects the foreign material in the board | substrate with which the polarizing film was bonded by the bonding apparatus of a polarizing film, and the 2nd bonding part in the said bonding apparatus. Since the foreign matter automatic inspection device is provided, this brings about an effect that it is possible to inspect foreign matter mixed in the liquid crystal panel bonded with the polarizing film.

  Furthermore, the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device of the ninth invention determines the presence or absence of foreign matter based on the inspection result by the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection apparatus, and sorts the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result. Since the sorting / conveying device is provided, when a foreign substance is mixed in the liquid crystal panel to which the polarizing film is bonded, it is possible to quickly sort defective products and to shorten the tact time. There is an operational effect.

Moreover, in the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal display device includes the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device that inspects the foreign material on the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded by the second bonding portion, Based on the inspection result by the above and the inspection result by the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device, it is determined whether or not there is a misalignment and foreign matter, and based on the determination result, the sorting and conveying device that sorts the substrate on which the polarizing film is bonded As a result, when the liquid crystal panel bonded with the polarizing film is misaligned or mixed with foreign matters, defective products can be quickly sorted and the tact time can be shortened. There is an operational effect.

The effects of other inventions will be described below.
As described above, in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention, the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism transport the substrate in the same direction, and the long side in the first substrate transport mechanism or The second substrate transport mechanism includes a reversing mechanism that causes the short side or the long side to be along the transport direction in the second substrate transport mechanism, and the reversing mechanism sucks the substrate. A suction part and a substrate reversing part connected to the suction part are provided, and the substrate reversing part turns the substrate by rotating along a reversing axis. The reversing axis is in the plane of (1) below. In addition to being positioned, it is in the vertical position (2) below.
(1) In a plane perpendicular to the substrate, including a straight line that passes through the center of the substrate in the first substrate transport mechanism and has an inclination of 45 ° with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the transport direction of the substrate. (2) First substrate Position perpendicular to the substrate in the transport mechanism Therefore, the substrate can be reversed by the reversing mechanism, and the long side and the short side in the transport direction can be changed. Thereby, since a polarizing film can be bonded from the lower surface with respect to both surfaces of a board | substrate, a rectification environment is not prevented. Moreover, since the operation of the reversing mechanism is a simple operation, the tact time is short. Therefore, it is possible to realize bonding with a short tact time. Further, the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism transport the substrate in the same direction. That is, it does not have a complicated structure such as an L shape. Therefore, the bonding apparatus according to the present invention is very simple to install and also has an effect of being excellent in area efficiency.

  The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration is the first substrate transport mechanism that transports a rectangular substrate with the long side or the short side along the transport direction by the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit. The substrate transported in the above is reversed, and the arrangement is changed and the substrate is disposed in the second substrate transport mechanism that transports the short side or the long side along the transport direction. One reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit can invert the substrate, change the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction of the substrate, and shorten the tact time. Play.

  In the reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in the above invention, the substrate reversing portion of the reversing mechanism is disposed at a constant inclination with respect to the transport direction of the substrate by the rotational drive of the driving device. Since the reversing operation is performed by rotating around the reversing axis, the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit that rotates around the reversing axis disposed at a certain inclination with respect to the transport direction of the substrate, While reversing the said board | substrate, while being able to change the direction of the short side and long side along the conveyance direction of the said board | substrate, there exists an effect that a tact time can be shortened.

  The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described structure is the above-described invention, wherein the substrate reversing portion of the reversing mechanism rotates about a reversing axis disposed at a constant inclination with respect to the substrate transport direction. Therefore, the substrate is reversed by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing portion that rotates around the reversing axis disposed at an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the transport direction of the substrate. As a result, the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction of the substrate can be changed, and the tact time can be shortened.

  In the reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in the above-described invention, one end of the substrate reversing portion is disposed with an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the reversing axis. With one reversing operation of the reversing unit, the substrate disposed at one end of the substrate reversing unit can be reversed, and the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction of the substrate can be changed, There is an effect that the tact time can be shortened.

  The reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration is the reversing mechanism according to any one of the above inventions, wherein the reversing shaft of the reversing mechanism and the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism and the second substrate transporting mechanism. The substrate reversed by the substrate reversing unit is disposed on the same plane, so that the substrate is reversed by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit and the transport direction of the substrate It is possible to change the direction of the short side and the long side along the line and to shorten the tact time.

  In the reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in any one of the above inventions, the means provided in the reversing mechanism enables the reversing shaft to be lifted, tilted, and adjusted in position. There is an effect of enabling adjustment and control in the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit.

  In the reversing mechanism in the substrate transport mechanism of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in any of the above inventions, two reversing mechanisms are disposed on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism, and on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism. , Two substrate platforms that alternately transport the substrates transported by the first substrate transport mechanism are disposed, and the two substrates transported to the two substrate platforms are the two Are reversed alternately by the reversing mechanism, and the arrangement is changed and disposed in the second substrate transport mechanism, so the tact time in transporting the substrate is halved and the transport processing of the substrate is doubled. There is an effect that can be done.

  The reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration is a state in which the long side or the short side of the rectangular substrate is along the transport direction by the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit in the polarizing film laminating apparatus. In the first substrate transport mechanism, the substrate having the polarizing film bonded to the lower surface in the first bonding section is reversed, and the arrangement is changed and disposed in the second substrate transport mechanism. Therefore, the substrate is transported by the second substrate transport mechanism in a state where the short side or the long side is along the transport direction, and the polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate in the second bonding unit. There is an effect of realizing that.

  The reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration is controlled in the polarizing film laminating apparatus so that the holding state or the holding state of the holding mechanism is released based on the rotational drive of the driving device. By the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit having one end connected to the holding unit, the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism and reversed by the holding unit is reversed, and the second substrate transport is performed by changing the arrangement. Since it arrange | positions to a mechanism and enables conveyance of the said board | substrate and bonding of a polarizing film, there exists an effect of implement | achieving that a polarizing film is bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of the said board | substrate, respectively.

  The reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration is the substrate according to the above-described invention, by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing portion rotating around the reversing axis disposed at an inclination of 45 °. And the direction of the short side and the long side along the substrate transport direction can be changed, and the tact time can be shortened.

  In the reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in the above 0 invention, one end of the substrate reversing portion is disposed with an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the reversing axis. Therefore, by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, the substrate disposed at one end of the substrate reversing unit is reversed and the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction of the substrate is changed. This has the effect of reducing the tact time.

  In the reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the reversing axis is based on a straight line that passes through the center of the substrate in the first substrate transporting mechanism and is perpendicular to the transporting direction of the substrate. As a straight line having an inclination of 45 ° and located in a plane perpendicular to the substrate, the substrate is reversed by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, and the substrate is moved in the transport direction. It is possible to change the direction of the short side and the long side along the line and to shorten the tact time.

  The reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration is the reversing mechanism according to any one of the above inventions, the reversing shaft of the reversing mechanism and the substrate transported by the first substrate transporting mechanism and the second substrate. Since the substrate reversed by the substrate reversing unit is arranged on the same plane in the substrate transport mechanism, the substrate is reversed by one reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit, and the substrate It is possible to change the direction of the short side and the long side along the transport direction, and to shorten the tact time.

  In the reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, in any one of the above inventions, the means provided in the reversing mechanism enables adjustment of the lifting, tilting, and position of the reversing shaft. Therefore, there is an effect of enabling adjustment and control in the reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit.

  The reversing mechanism in the polarizing film laminating apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration is any one of the above inventions, wherein two reversing mechanisms are disposed on both sides of the first substrate transporting mechanism, and the first substrate transporting mechanism is provided. The two substrate platforms that alternately convey the substrates conveyed by the first substrate conveyance mechanism are disposed on both sides of the substrate, and the substrates conveyed to the two substrate platforms are Since the two reversing mechanisms are alternately reversed and the arrangement is changed and the second substrate transport mechanism is disposed, the tact time in transporting the substrate is halved, and the transport process of the substrate is performed. There is an effect that it can be doubled.

It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the manufacturing system which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the peripheral part of the nip roll in the manufacturing system of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the velocity vector of the airflow in the underlay type manufacturing system similar to this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the process in which a board | substrate is reversed by the inversion mechanism which concerns on this invention. It is a top view which shows the process in which a board | substrate is reversed by the inversion mechanism based on this invention. It is a top view which shows the modification of the bonding apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the relationship of each member with which the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on this invention is provided. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the velocity vector of the airflow in an upper sticking type manufacturing system.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, but the present invention is not limited to this. First, the structure of the manufacturing system (liquid crystal display device manufacturing system) according to the present invention will be described below. The manufacturing system includes a bonding apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a manufacturing system. As shown in the figure, the manufacturing system 100 has a two-stage structure. The 1F (first floor) portion is a film transport mechanism 50, and the 2F (second floor) portion is a substrate transport mechanism (first substrate ( liquid crystal panel). ) A bonding device 60 including a transport mechanism and a second substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) transport mechanism).

<Film transport mechanism>
First, the film transport mechanism 50 will be described. The film transport mechanism 50 plays the role of unwinding the polarizing film (polarizing plate) and transporting it to the nip rolls 6 · 6a and 16 · 16a and winding up the peeling film that is no longer needed. On the other hand, the bonding device 60 plays a role of bonding the polarizing film unwound by the film transport mechanism 50 to the liquid crystal panel ( substrate ) 5.

  The film transport mechanism 50 includes a first film transport mechanism 51 and a second film transport mechanism 52. The 1st film conveyance mechanism 51 conveys a polarizing film to the nip roll 6 * 6a which bonds a polarizing film to the lower surface of the board | substrate 5 first. On the other hand, the second film transport mechanism 52 transports the polarizing film to the bottom surface of the inverted substrate 5.

  The first film transport mechanism 51 includes a first unwinding unit 1, a second unwinding unit 1a, a first winding unit 2, a second winding unit 2a, a half cutter 3, a knife edge 4, and a defect film winding roller. 7 · 7a. The first unwinding unit 1 is provided with a polarizing film original, and the polarizing film is unwound. A known polarizing film may be used as the polarizing film. Specifically, a polyvinyl alcohol film is dyed with iodine or the like, and a film stretched in a uniaxial direction can be used. Although it does not specifically limit as thickness of the said polarizing film, A polarizing film 5 micrometers or more and 400 micrometers or less can be used preferably.

  In the original film of the polarizing film, the direction of the absorption axis is located in the flow direction (MD direction). The polarizing film has a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer protected by a release film. As the release film (also referred to as a protective film or a separator), a polyester film, a polyethylene terephthalate film, or the like can be used. Although it does not specifically limit as thickness of the said peeling film, The peeling film of 5 micrometers or more and 100 micrometers or less can be used preferably.

  Since the manufacturing system 100 includes two unwinding portions and two unwinding portions corresponding to the unwinding portions, the first unwinding portion 1 has a low remaining amount of raw material. It is possible to connect the original fabric provided in the two unwinding portions 1 a to the original fabric of the first unwinding portion 1. As a result, it is possible to continue the operation without stopping the unwinding of the polarizing film. With this configuration, production efficiency can be increased. Of course, a plurality of unwinding sections and winding sections may be provided, and three or more winding sections may be provided.

  The half cutter (cutting unit) 3 half-cuts the polarizing film (film laminate composed of the polarizing film, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and the peeling film) protected by the peeling film, and cuts the polarizing film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. As the half cutter 3, a known member may be used. Specifically, a cutter, a laser cutter, etc. can be mentioned. After the polarizing film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are cut by the half cutter 3, the release film is removed from the polarizing film by the knife edge (removal part) 4.

  An adhesive layer is applied between the polarizing film and the release film, and after the release film is removed, the adhesive layer remains on the polarizing film side. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include acrylic, epoxy, and polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesive layers. Although the thickness in particular of an adhesive layer is not restrict | limited, Usually, it is 5-40 micrometers.

  On the other hand, the 2nd film conveyance mechanism 52 is the structure similar to the 1st film conveyance mechanism 51, and is the 1st unwinding part 11, the 2nd unwinding part 11a, the 1st winding part 12, and the 2nd winding part 12a. , Half cutter 13, knife edge 14 and defect film winding rollers 17 and 17 a. About the member which attached | subjected the same member name, the effect | action same as the member in the 1st film conveyance mechanism 51 is shown.

  As a preferred embodiment, the manufacturing system 100 includes a cleaning unit 71. The cleaning unit 71 cleans the substrate 5 before the polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate 5 by the nip rolls 6 and 6a. As the cleaning unit 71, a known cleaning unit composed of a nozzle and a brush for injecting a cleaning liquid may be used. By cleaning the substrate 5 immediately before the bonding by the cleaning unit 71, the bonding can be performed in a state where there are few adhered foreign substances on the substrate 5.

  Next, the knife edge 4 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a peripheral portion of the nip rolls 6 and 6a in the manufacturing system 100. FIG. FIG. 2 shows a situation where the substrate 5 is conveyed from the left direction and the polarizing film 5a having an adhesive layer (not shown, the same hereinafter) is conveyed from the lower left direction. The polarizing film 5a is provided with a release film 5b. The polarizing film 5a and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer are cut by the half cutter 3, and the release film 5b is not cut (half cut).

  A knife edge 4 is provided on the release film 5b side. The knife edge 4 is an edge-shaped member for peeling the peeling film 5b, and the polarizing film 5a and the peeling film 5b having a low adhesive force are peeled off along the knife edge 4.

  Thereafter, the release film 5b is wound around the first winding portion 2 in FIG. In addition, it can replace with a knife edge and can also use the structure which winds up a peeling film using an adhesion roller. In that case, the winding efficiency of a peeling film can be improved by providing an adhesive roller in two places similarly to a winding part.

  Next, the bonding apparatus 60 will be described. The bonding apparatus 60 conveys the board | substrate 5, and bonds the polarizing film conveyed by the film conveyance mechanism 50 to a board | substrate. Although not shown, clean air is supplied to the upper surface of the substrate 5 in the bonding apparatus 60. That is, downflow rectification is performed. Thereby, it is possible to perform conveyance and bonding of the substrate 5 in a stable state.

<Bonding device>
The bonding device 60 is provided on the upper part of the film transport mechanism 50. Thereby, space saving of the manufacturing system 100 can be achieved. Although not shown in the drawings, a substrate transport mechanism including a conveyor roll is installed in the bonding apparatus 60, whereby the substrate 5 is transported in the transport direction (first substrate transport mechanism 61 and second described later in FIG. 5). The substrate transport mechanism 62 corresponds to the substrate transport mechanism).

  In the manufacturing system 100, the substrate 5 is transported from the left side, and then transported from the right side in the drawing, that is, from the top of the first film transport mechanism 51 to the top of the second film transport mechanism 52. Between the film conveyance mechanism 50 and the bonding apparatus 60, the nip rolls 6 * 6a (1st bonding part) and the nip rolls 16 * 16a (2nd bonding part) which are bonding parts are each provided. The nip rolls 6, 6 a and 16, 16 a are members that serve to bond the polarizing film from which the release film has been removed to the lower surface of the substrate 5. In addition, since a polarizing film is bonded to both surfaces of the substrate 5 from the lower surface, the substrate 5 is reversed by the reversing mechanism 65 after being bonded by the nip rolls 6 and 6a. The reversing mechanism 65 will be described later.

  The polarizing film conveyed to the nip rolls 6 and 6a is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate 5 through an adhesive layer. As the nip rolls 6 and 6a, known configurations such as a pressure roll and a pressure roll can be employed. Moreover, what is necessary is just to adjust the pressure and temperature at the time of bonding in the nip rolls 6 and 6a suitably. The configuration of the nip rolls 16 and 16a is the same. Although not shown, in the manufacturing system 100, as a preferable configuration, a defect display (mark) detection unit is provided between the first unwinding unit 1 and the half cutter, and a polarizing film having a defect is detected. It has a configuration.

  In addition, the said defect display is provided at the time of the 1st unwinding part 11 or the 2nd unwinding part 11a rather than a defect display detection part by performing the detection at the time of original film production of a polarizing film, and providing a defect display. It attaches | subjects to a polarizing film by a fault display provision part. The defect display imparting unit includes a camera, an image processing device, and a defect display forming unit. First, a polarizing film is imaged by the camera, and the presence or absence of a defect can be inspected by processing the imaging information. Specific examples of the drawback include foreign matters such as dust and fish eyes. When a defect is detected, a defect display is formed on the polarizing film by the defect display forming unit. A mark such as ink is used as the defect display.

  Further, a bonding avoiding unit (not shown) discriminates the mark with a camera and transmits a stop signal to the bonding apparatus 60 to stop the conveyance of the substrate 5. Thereafter, the polarizing film in which the defect is detected is not bonded by the nip rolls 6 and 6a and is wound by the defect film winding roller (collecting unit) 7 and 7a. Thereby, pasting with substrate 5 and a polarizing film which has a fault can be avoided. If such a series of structures is provided, it is possible to avoid the bonding between the polarizing film having a defect and the substrate 5, so that the yield can be increased, which is preferable. A publicly known inspection sensor can be used suitably as a fault detection part and a pasting avoidance part.

  As shown in FIG. 1, after the substrate 5 is reversed by the reversing mechanism 65, the substrate 5 is conveyed to the nip rolls 16 and 16a. Then, a polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate 5. As a result, the polarizing film is bonded to both surfaces of the substrate 5, and the two polarizing films are bonded to both surfaces of the substrate 5 with different absorption axes. Thereafter, if necessary, the both sides of the substrate 5 are inspected for misalignment. The inspection can be usually performed by an inspection unit equipped with a camera.

  Thus, in the manufacturing system 100, when the polarizing film is bonded to the substrate 5, the bonding is performed from the lower surface of the substrate 5, and the rectifying environment to the substrate 5 is not hindered. For this reason, foreign matter mixing into the bonding surface of the substrate 5 can be prevented, and more accurate bonding can be performed.

  FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show the velocity vector of the airflow in the under-paste type manufacturing system similar to the present invention. Regions A in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are regions where the unwinding part is installed, region B is a region through which the polarizing film mainly passes, and region C is a region where the winding unit and the like are installed. It is. Further, clean air is supplied from the HEPA filter 40. In FIG. 3A, since the grating 41 through which clean air can pass is installed, the airflow can move in the vertical direction via the grating 41. On the other hand, in FIG. 3B, since the grating 41 is not installed, the airflow moves along the floor after contacting the floor.

  Since the manufacturing system shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) is a bottom-attached type, the air current from the HEPA filter 40 is not hindered by the polarizing film, as shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). For this reason, the direction of the airflow vector is almost directed toward the substrate, and it can be said that a preferable rectification environment is realized in the clean room. In FIG. 3 (a), the grating 41 is installed and not installed in FIG. 3 (b), but both drawings show the same preferable state. In FIGS. 3 and 9, the substrate transport mechanism is formed horizontally, but it is not installed as a series of structures. For this reason, the airflow can pass between the substrate transport mechanisms. After the substrate is held by a reversing mechanism to be described later, the substrate is transferred between the substrate transport mechanisms.

  Moreover, in the manufacturing system 100, the board | substrate 5 is first conveyed by a long side opening (a long side is orthogonal to a conveyance direction), and is conveyed by a short side opening (a short side is orthogonal to a conveyance direction) after that. It has become.

<Reversing mechanism>
The reversing mechanism 65 changes the arrangement of the substrate 5 whose short side or long side is along the transport direction to a state where the long side or short side is along the transport direction and reversed. 4A to 4C are perspective views illustrating a process of reversing the substrate 5 by the reversing mechanism 65. FIG.

  FIG. 4A shows a state where the substrate 5 transported by the first substrate transport mechanism is adsorbed. FIG. 4B shows a process of moving the substrate 5, and FIG. 4C shows a state in which the substrate 5 is inverted by the second substrate inversion mechanism. For convenience of illustration, the first substrate transport mechanism and the second substrate transport mechanism are omitted in FIG. 4, but will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the reversing mechanism 65 includes a suction unit 66, a substrate reversing unit 67, and a lifting unit 68. The adsorption unit 66 is a member that adsorbs to the surface of the substrate 5. The surface of the substrate 5 is held by the suction unit 66 by the suction unit 66. As the adsorption unit 66, a known adsorption unit can be used, and for example, an air suction type adsorption unit can be used.

  The substrate reversing unit 67 is connected to the adsorption unit 66 and is formed so as to connect the adsorption unit 66 and the elevating unit 68. The substrate reversing unit 67 reverses the substrate 5 by rotating around the reversing axis M. In FIG. 4A, the lifting / lowering portion 68 side of the substrate reversing portion 67 has a shape extending toward the substrate 5 in a direction perpendicular to the reversing axis M. Further, the suction unit 66 side of the substrate reversing unit 67 has a shape bent about 40 ° along a straight line passing through the center of the substrate 5 in the first substrate transport mechanism and parallel to the long side (transport direction) of the substrate 5. ing. The shape of the substrate reversing part 67 shown in FIG. 4A is merely an example, and is not limited to the shape. As another shape, for example, instead of being bent like the substrate reversing portion 67, a shape that is curved from the lifting / lowering portion 68 side to the suction portion 66 side may be employed. Further, a structure having a plurality of movable parts such as a robot arm may be adopted.

  The substrate reversing unit 67 is configured such that a movable unit that can rotate is provided in the lifting unit 68. The movable part is arranged along the reversal axis M, and the substrate reversing part 67 is rotatable along the reversal axis M.

  The inversion axis M includes (1) a straight line that passes through the center of the substrate 5 in the first substrate transport mechanism and has an inclination of 45 ° with respect to a straight line perpendicular to the transport direction of the substrate 5, and is perpendicular to the substrate 5. (Refer to FIG. 5A), and (2) located at a position horizontal to the substrate 5 (see FIG. 4A). The inversion axis M is located in the plane and may be moved in the direction perpendicular to the substrate 5.

  The substrate reversing part 67 is configured to rotate along the reversing axis M via the movable part, but is not limited to this structure as long as it can rotate along the reversing axis M. For example, the substrate reversing unit 67 has a rotating shaft structure, and the rotation shaft structure rotates along the reversing axis M and the entire substrate reversing unit 67 rotates. The substrate reversing part 67 is rotated by a driving device such as a motor (not shown).

  The substrate inversion unit 67 can invert the substrate 5 by one rotation about the inversion axis M. Inversion means that the substrate 5 is rotated to the opposite surface. In other words, the substrate 5 is disposed so that the front surface of the substrate 5 is the back surface.

  The elevating part 68 has an arm shape having a bent part, and the substrate reversing part 67 can be raised by reducing the angle of the arm. On the other hand, the substrate inversion part 67 can be lowered by increasing the angle of the arm. The suction unit 66 is disposed above the substrate 5 so as not to contact the substrate 5 when the substrate 5 is not being transported. When the substrate 5 is transferred, the substrate reversing unit 67 is lowered and the adsorption unit 66 is also lowered by the elevating unit 68, so that the substrate 5 can be adsorbed by the adsorption unit 66. Further, after the substrate 5 is inverted, the adsorption of the adsorption unit 66 is released, but after the release, the substrate reversing unit 67 is moved by the lifting unit 68 and the adsorption unit 66 is separated from the substrate 5.

  The operation of the reversing mechanism 65 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, FIG. 4A shows a case where the short side of the substrate 5 is along the transport direction. After the surface of the substrate 5 is adsorbed by the adsorption unit 66, the substrate inversion unit 67 rotates along the inversion axis M. In the drawing, the vicinity of the center of the substrate 5 is adsorbed by the adsorbing portion 66, but the adsorbing portion is not particularly limited as long as the substrate 5 is fixed so as not to come off during rotation. Further, the number of adsorption locations is not limited to 4 and may be increased or decreased.

  Next, from the state of FIG. 4A, the substrate reversing unit 67 rotates along the reversal axis M toward the substrate surface side. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the substrate reversing unit 67 is rotated by 90 ° with respect to the substrate 5 (in the first substrate transport mechanism) in FIG. 4B, the substrate reversing unit 67 continues to rotate and the substrate 5 is reversed as shown in FIG. 4C.

  As described above, the direction of the short side and the long side of the substrate 5 can be changed and reversed by the rotation operation of the reversing mechanism 65. That is, the substrate 5 can be reversed with a short tact time without complicated rotation operation. As a result, the polarizing film can be bonded to the substrate 5 including reversal in a short tact time.

  In FIG. 4, in order to move the substrate 5 in the transport direction, a substrate reversing unit 67 is installed on the transport direction side with respect to the substrate 5 in FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, the second substrate transport mechanism can be reversed in a state where the substrate 5 is moved further in the transport direction. Thereby, the tact time concerning double-sided bonding including reversal can be further shortened.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the rotation process of the substrate 5 corresponding to FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62. Although not shown, the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 are provided with a conveyor roll. The first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 transport the substrate 5 in the same direction. For this reason, the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 have a linear shape along the transport direction. That is, it does not have a complicated structure such as an L shape. Therefore, the bonding apparatus 60 according to the present invention is very simple to install and has a structure with excellent area efficiency.

  As described with reference to FIG. 4, first, the surface of the substrate 5 is held by the suction portion 66 as shown in FIG. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, along the direction of the reversal axis M, the substrate reversing portion 67 is rotated by 90 ° so that the substrate 5 is vertical. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5C, the substrate reversing unit 67 further rotates along the direction of the reversal axis M, and the substrate 5 is reversed. When the substrate 5 is reversed, the substrate 5 is disposed on a conveyor roll (not shown), and the substrate reversing unit 67 does not contact the conveyor roll. For this reason, the reversing mechanism 65 is located below the substrate 5.

  Thereafter, the suction of the suction part 66 is released, whereby the holding of the substrate 5 is released, and the substrate 5 is transported by the second substrate transport mechanism 62. Then, the reversing mechanism 65 returns to the position shown in FIG. 5A and reverses the other substrates 5 that are sequentially conveyed by the same operation.

  As described above, according to the reversing mechanism 65, after the suction by the suction unit 66, the substrate 5 can be reversed by the operation of 1, and the long side and the short side with respect to the transport direction can be changed. Before the reversing operation, a polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the substrate 5, and after performing the reversing operation, a polarizing film can be further bonded to the lower surface of the reversed substrate 5. . (1) In this way, a polarizing film can be bonded to both surfaces of the substrate 5 from the lower surface. (2) The reversing operation is a simple rotating operation, and the tact time is short because of one operation. Therefore, it is possible to realize bonding with a short tact time without disturbing the rectification environment.

  The reversing operation of the substrate reversing unit 67 is one operation. However, even if the operation of raising and lowering the substrate 5 and / or adjusting the position of the substrate reversing unit 67 is included before and after the operation, the present invention Are included in the operation of the reversing mechanism 65.

  In FIG. 5, the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 transport the substrate 5 in the same direction, and have a structure adjacent to each other. This is because, as shown in FIG. 5C, the substrate reversing unit 67 replaces the short side and the long side with respect to the transport direction of the substrate 5, so that the second substrate transport mechanism 62 and the first substrate transport the substrate 5 after the reversal. This is because the transport directions in the transport mechanism 61 are not positioned on a straight line with each other, and a shift occurs. The first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 do not necessarily have to be adjacent to each other, and the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 may be spaced from each other.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4, in order to move the substrate 5 further in the transport direction, the substrate reversing unit 67 is installed on the transport direction side with respect to the substrate 5 before reversal. However, when there is a limitation on the arrangement of the reversing mechanism 65, the reversing mechanism 65 may be arranged as shown in FIG. In this case, the substrate 5 cannot be moved further in the transport direction, but it is possible to deal with restrictions such as the arrangement of the reversing mechanism 65.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a modification of the bonding apparatus 60. Changes in the modification include (1) two reversing mechanisms 65, (2) two substrate mounting portions 61 a on both sides of the first substrate transport mechanism 61, and (3 ) The first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 are arranged on a straight line. The first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 are the same in that the substrate 5 is transported in the same direction.

  The substrate platform 61a and the reversing mechanism 65 are arranged at both ends of the first substrate transport mechanism 61 on the second substrate transport mechanism 62 side, which are horizontal with respect to the transport direction of the first substrate transport mechanism 61 at the end. Are provided along. The reversing mechanism 65 is the same as the structure described in FIGS. Further, the end region 61b is provided with transport means for transporting the substrate 5 to the substrate platform 61a. Specifically, a conveyor roll can be mentioned, for example.

The substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) placement unit 61 a is a place where the substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) 5 is arranged by the adsorption unit 66. According to the modification, the substrates 5 transported to the first substrate transport mechanism 61 are transported alternately to the two substrate platforms 61a. Since the reversing mechanism 65 is provided one for one substrate platform 61a, the substrate 5 that is conveyed on the substrate platform 61a is inverted by a single operation by the reversing mechanism 65.

  In this modification, the two substrate platforms 61 a are provided along both horizontal directions of the first substrate transport mechanism 61, and the inverted substrate 5 is along the transport direction of the first substrate transport mechanism 61. Will be placed. Therefore, the first substrate transport mechanism 61 and the second substrate transport mechanism 62 can be arranged on a straight line.

  According to the modification, (1) since two reversing mechanisms 65 are provided, the substrate 5 can be processed twice per unit time. Thereby, since many substrates 5 can be reversed per unit time, the tact time is shortened. (2) Furthermore, since the 1st board | substrate conveyance mechanism 61 and the 2nd board | substrate conveyance mechanism 62 are arrange | positioned on the straight line, the bonding apparatus of the structure excellent in area efficiency can be provided. Especially in a clean room, since the area efficiency is required, the bonding apparatus is very preferable.

<Other incidental configurations>
Furthermore, as a preferable form, the manufacturing system 100 includes a control unit 70, a cleaning unit 71, a sticking misalignment inspection device 72, a bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73, and a sorting and conveying device 74. The sticking deviation inspection device 72, the bonding foreign substance automatic inspection device 73, and the sorting and conveying device 74 perform processing such as inspection on the substrate 5 after bonding, that is, the liquid crystal display device.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the relationship of each member provided in the liquid crystal display device manufacturing system, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the liquid crystal display device manufacturing system. Hereinafter, the operation of the liquid crystal display device will be described together with the description of each member.

  The control unit 70 is connected to the cleaning unit 71, the bonding deviation inspection device 72, the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73, and the sorting and conveying device 74, and controls them by transmitting control signals thereto. The control unit 70 is mainly configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and includes a memory or the like as necessary.

  In the case where the cleaning unit 71 is provided in the manufacturing system 100, the substrate 5 in the first substrate transport mechanism 61 is transported to the cleaning unit 71 at the front edge of the long side in order to reduce the tact time in the cleaning unit 71. Is preferred. Usually, since the cleaning in the cleaning unit 71 takes a long time, this configuration is very effective from the viewpoint of shortening the tact time.

  Next, although the bonding process (including the reversing operation of the substrate 5) for bonding the polarizing film to both surfaces of the substrate 5 is performed (S2 in FIG. 8), this process is described with reference to FIGS. That's right.

  The sticking deviation inspection device 72 inspects the presence or absence of sticking deviation of the polarizing film in the bonded substrate 5. The sticking displacement inspection device 72 is constituted by a camera and an image processing device, and the camera is installed at the bonding position of the substrate 5 on which the polarizing film is bonded by the nip rolls 16 and 16a. The substrate 5 is photographed by the camera, and the photographed image information is processed, whereby it is possible to inspect whether or not there is a sticking deviation on the substrate 5 (sticking deviation inspection step, S3 in FIG. 8). Note that as the misalignment inspection apparatus 72, a conventionally known misalignment inspection apparatus can be used.

  The bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73 inspects the presence or absence of foreign matters in the bonded substrate 5. The bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73 is configured by a camera and an image processing device, like the misalignment inspection device 72, and transports the second substrate of the substrate 5 after the polarizing film is bonded by the nip rolls 16 and 16a. The camera is installed in the mechanism (bonding device 60). The board | substrate 5 is image | photographed with the said camera, and the presence or absence of the bonding foreign material to the board | substrate 5 can be test | inspected by processing the image | photographed image information (bonding foreign material inspection process, S4). Examples of the foreign matter include foreign matters such as dust, fish eyes, and the like. In addition, as the bonding foreign material automatic inspection apparatus 73, a conventionally well-known bonding foreign material inspection apparatus can be used.

  S3 and S4 may be performed in the reverse order or simultaneously. One step can be omitted.

  The sorting and conveying device 74 determines the presence or absence of sticking misalignment and foreign matter based on the inspection results from the sticking misalignment inspection device 72 and the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73. The sorting and conveying device 74 only needs to receive an output signal based on the inspection result from the sticking misalignment inspection device 72 and the bonding foreign matter automatic inspection device 73 and can sort the bonded substrates 5 into non-defective products or defective products. . Therefore, a conventionally known sorting and conveying system can be used.

  In the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device, as a preferred mode, both the misalignment and foreign matter are detected. When it is determined that the misalignment or foreign matter has been inspected (YES), the bonded substrate 5 is not used. Sorted as good (S7). On the other hand, when it is determined that neither sticking deviation nor foreign matter is detected (NO), the bonded substrates 5 are classified as non-defective products (S6).

  According to the manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device provided with the sorting and conveying device 74, the non-defective product and the defective product can be sorted quickly, and the tact time can be shortened. When only the sticking misalignment inspection device 72 or the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 73 is provided, the sorting and conveying device 74 may be configured to determine the presence / absence of only one of the sticking misalignment and the foreign matter.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the technical means disclosed in different embodiments can be appropriately combined. Such embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The polarizing film bonding apparatus according to the present invention can be used in the field of bonding a polarizing film to a substrate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st unwinding part 1a 2nd unwinding part 2 1st winding part 2a 2nd winding part 3 Half cutter 4 Knife edge 5 Liquid crystal panel (board | substrate)
5a Polarizing film 5b Peeling film 6 / 6a Nip roll (1st bonding part)
7.7a Defect film winding roller 11 First unwinding part 11a Second unwinding part 12 First winding part 12a Second winding part 13 Half cutter 14 Knife edge 16 / 16a Nip roll (second bonding part)
17.17a Defect film winding roller 40 HEPA filter 41 Grating 50 Film transport mechanism 51 First film transport mechanism 52 Second film transport mechanism 60 Bonding device (polarizing film bonding device)
61 1st board | substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) conveyance mechanism 61a board | substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) mounting part 62 2nd board | substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) conveyance mechanism 65 inversion mechanism 66 adsorption | suction part 67 board | substrate ( liquid crystal panel ) inversion part 68 raising / lowering part 70 control part 71 Cleaning unit 72 Inspection device 73 Bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device 74 Conveying device 100 Manufacturing system (Liquid crystal display manufacturing system)
M Reverse axis

Claims (10)

A first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism rectangular liquid crystal panel long side Le or short side of the carries in the state along the conveying direction, laminating the polarizing film to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel in the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism a first bonding portion, the reversing mechanism arranged in the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism by reversing the transported liquid crystal panel in the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism, the liquid crystal panel short side or long side conveyor Bonding of a polarizing film including a second liquid crystal panel transport mechanism that transports in a state along the direction and a second bonding section that bonds the polarizing film to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel in the second liquid crystal panel transport mechanism. an apparatus, said first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism and the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism, the liquid crystal panel is intended to convey the same direction, the long or short side conveyance direction in the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism Adsorbed by inverting the liquid crystal panel along the upper Symbol reversing mechanism you ready to short side or long side along the conveying direction in the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism includes a suction unit for sucking the liquid crystal panel, adsorption a liquid crystal panel inversion unit coupled to parts, the liquid crystal panel inversion unit is intended to invert the liquid crystal panel by rotating along the inversion axis, the inversion axis is located in the plane of the following (1) And it exists in the position which follows the following (2), The bonding apparatus of the polarizing film characterized by the above-mentioned.
(1) a plane parallel to the plane in which the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel disposed inverted in the lower surface and the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism of the liquid crystal panel in the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism is disposed (2) first A straight line having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the liquid crystal panel transport direction between the ends of the liquid crystal panel transport mechanism and the second liquid crystal panel transport mechanism The first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism and the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism is disposed on a straight line, at the end of the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism side of the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism, the first liquid crystal panel of the end portion both sides in the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying mechanism, the liquid crystal panel mounting portion and the reversing mechanism is provided one each, to the said end, the liquid crystal from the end to the liquid crystal panel mounting portion panel is provided with a conveying means for conveying the claim the reversing mechanism, characterized in that the disposing the second liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism by reversing the liquid crystal panel conveyed to each of the liquid crystal panel mounting portion 1. A polarizing film laminating apparatus according to 1. A first film transport mechanism and a second film transport mechanism for transporting the polarizing film are provided, and the first film transport mechanism includes a plurality of unwinding sections for unwinding the polarizing film protected by the release film, and polarization A cutting unit for cutting the film, a removing unit for removing the release film from the polarizing film, and a plurality of winding units for winding the removed release film are provided, and the second film transport mechanism includes: A plurality of unwinding portions for unwinding the polarizing film protected by the release film, a cutting portion for cutting the polarizing film, a removal portion for removing the release film from the polarizing film, and a plurality of portions for winding the removed release film is provided with a winding portion, said first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism and the second liquid crystal panel transport mechanism of the first film transport mechanism and the second film transport mechanism Is provided with a part, between the first bonding portion to be bonded to a polarizing film in which the release film is removed in the liquid crystal panel is between the first film transport mechanism and the first liquid crystal panel conveyance mechanism, the release The second bonding part for bonding the polarizing film from which the film has been removed to the liquid crystal panel is provided between the second film transport mechanism and the second liquid crystal panel transport mechanism, respectively. Or the bonding apparatus of the polarizing film of 2. Before the polarizing film is bonded to the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel by the first bonding unit, a cleaning unit for cleaning the liquid crystal panel is provided.
The first liquid crystal panel transport mechanism, lamination of the polarizing film according to any one of 3 claims 1, characterized in that for conveying the liquid crystal panel in a state where the short sides of the liquid crystal panel along the conveying direction Combined device. In the first film transport mechanism and the second film transport mechanism, a defect detection unit that detects a defect display attached to the polarizing film unwound from the first unwinding unit;
Determine the above drawbacks display, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a laminating avoidance unit stopping the conveyance of the liquid crystal panel, and a recovery portion for recovering the polarizing film bonding is avoided and the liquid crystal panel A polarizing film laminating apparatus. A polarizing film laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device provided with the sticking deviation test | inspection apparatus which test | inspects the sticking gap in the liquid crystal panel by which the polarizing film was bonded by the said 2nd bonding part. 7. A sorting / conveying device for judging presence / absence of sticking misalignment based on an inspection result by the sticking misalignment inspection apparatus, and sorting liquid crystal panels bonded with a polarizing film based on the determination result. A manufacturing system of a liquid crystal display device according to 1. A polarizing film laminating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A manufacturing system for a liquid crystal display device, comprising: a bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device that inspects foreign matter in a liquid crystal panel on which a polarizing film is bonded by a second bonding portion in the bonding device. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sorting and conveying device that determines the presence or absence of foreign matter based on the inspection result by the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device, and sorts the liquid crystal panel on which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result. The manufacturing system of the liquid crystal display device of Claim 8. Provided with a bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device for inspecting foreign matter in a liquid crystal panel on which a polarizing film has been bonded by the second bonding portion, and according to an inspection result by the sticking misalignment inspection device and the bonded foreign matter automatic inspection device The apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a sorting and conveying device that determines whether or not there is a misalignment and foreign matter based on the inspection result, and sorts the liquid crystal panel to which the polarizing film is bonded based on the determination result. Liquid crystal display manufacturing system.

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