JP2005275043A - Liquid crystal injecting method and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Liquid crystal injecting method and apparatus therefor Download PDF

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JP2005275043A
JP2005275043A JP2004088911A JP2004088911A JP2005275043A JP 2005275043 A JP2005275043 A JP 2005275043A JP 2004088911 A JP2004088911 A JP 2004088911A JP 2004088911 A JP2004088911 A JP 2004088911A JP 2005275043 A JP2005275043 A JP 2005275043A
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liquid crystal
cell
supply port
injection
crystal cell
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JP4665416B2 (en
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Masahiro Kosugi
正博 小杉
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Casio Computer Co Ltd
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal injecting method and an apparatus therefor that can speedily inject liquid crystal into a cell in a narrow gap while suppressing solution of gas causing air bubble generation as much as possible. <P>SOLUTION: In a chamber 1 which can be evacuated, a liquid crystal dish 7 where liquid crystal L is reserved and a support device 11 which supports a liquid crystal cell LC as an object of liquid crystal injection on an elevatable vertically upright are installed. The support device 11 supports the liquid crystal cell LC so that its liquid crystal injection hole 14a faces a liquid supply holes atop of a liquid crystal supply pipe 7a provided at the bottom part of the liquid crystal dish 7 above it. Then 1st and 2nd ultrasonic vibrators 9 and 12 are installed on the bottom part of the liquid crystal dish 7 and the stage 11a of the support device 11 respectively and a coil spring 8 is inserted into the liquid crystal supply pipe 7a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、液晶セルの内、外の気圧差を利用して液晶をセル内に注入する液晶注入方法とその方法を実施するための液晶注入装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a liquid crystal injection method for injecting liquid crystal into a cell using a pressure difference outside the liquid crystal cell, and a liquid crystal injection device for carrying out the method.

液晶表示パネル等の液晶素子は、一対の基板を枠状シール材により接合してなる液晶セルにおけるシール材と一対の基板とで囲まれた僅かな間隙の空間内に液晶を封入してなる。この液晶セルの僅かな間隙の空間内に液晶を注入する方法としては、特許文献１に示されるような真空注入方式が知られている。この真空注入方式は、シール材に液晶注入口を設けた液晶セルと液晶を貯溜した液晶皿を真空状態に排気可能な容器内にセットし、この容器内を真空にした状態で液晶セルの液晶注入口を液晶中に浸し、この後、容器内を大気圧に戻し、液晶セル内外の気圧差により液晶を注入するものである。   A liquid crystal element such as a liquid crystal display panel is formed by sealing a liquid crystal in a space having a slight gap surrounded by a sealing material and a pair of substrates in a liquid crystal cell formed by joining a pair of substrates with a frame-shaped sealing material. As a method for injecting liquid crystal into the space of a slight gap of the liquid crystal cell, a vacuum injection method as shown in Patent Document 1 is known. In this vacuum injection method, a liquid crystal cell in which a liquid crystal injection port is provided in a sealing material and a liquid crystal dish storing liquid crystal are set in a container that can be evacuated to a vacuum state, and the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal cell is kept in a vacuum state. The inlet is immersed in the liquid crystal, and then the inside of the container is returned to the atmospheric pressure, and the liquid crystal is injected by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid crystal cell.

上述の真空注入方式による場合、容器内を大気圧に戻すために送入した空気或いは窒素ガス等の気体が液晶皿に貯溜されている液晶に溶解し、この気体が溶解した液晶を液晶セル内に注入すると封止後のセル内に気泡となって発現する。この気泡は、液晶表示パネル等の液晶素子の動作不良を引き起こす原因となる。また、本注入方法は、液晶の自重に抗して気圧差と毛細管現象により、液晶をセル内に注入するため、注入時間が長くなるという欠点がある。
特公昭５８−４９８５３号公報 In the case of the vacuum injection method described above, a gas such as air or nitrogen gas sent to return the inside of the container to the atmospheric pressure is dissolved in the liquid crystal stored in the liquid crystal dish, and the liquid crystal in which the gas is dissolved is stored in the liquid crystal cell. When injected into the cell, it appears as bubbles in the sealed cell. This bubble causes a malfunction of a liquid crystal element such as a liquid crystal display panel. In addition, this injection method has a drawback that the injection time becomes long because the liquid crystal is injected into the cell by the pressure difference and the capillary action against the dead weight of the liquid crystal.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 58-49853

本発明の課題は、狭い間隙のセル空間内に液晶を気泡発生の原因となる気体の溶解を可及的に抑制して迅速に注入できる液晶注入方法とその装置を提供することである。   An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal injection method and apparatus capable of quickly injecting liquid crystal into a cell space having a narrow gap while suppressing the dissolution of a gas that causes bubble generation as much as possible.

上記課題を解決するため、本発明の液晶注入方法は、一対の基板を枠状シール材を介して接合してなる液晶セルの前記シール材で囲まれた一対の基板間に液晶を注入する方法であって、内部を真空状態に排気可能な容器内に、前記シール材に液晶注入口が設けられた液晶セルと底部に液晶供給口が設けられた液晶貯溜槽とを、それぞれ、前記液晶注入口に対して前記液晶供給口が上方に位置して接合された接続位置と、前記液晶注入口と前記液晶供給口とが離隔した分離位置との間を、互いに相対移動可能に設置し、前記液晶貯溜槽に液晶を貯溜した後、前記容器内を排気して所望の真空状態とし、前記液晶貯溜槽と前記液晶セルとを前記接続位置に相対移動させて前記液晶供給口と前記液晶注入口を接合し、この後、前記容器内に気体を送給して前記液晶セル外の気圧を上昇させ、前記液晶セル内と前記液晶セル外の気圧差と液晶の自重により液晶を前記液晶セル内に注入することを特徴とするものである。   In order to solve the above problems, a liquid crystal injection method of the present invention is a method of injecting liquid crystal between a pair of substrates surrounded by the sealing material of a liquid crystal cell formed by joining a pair of substrates via a frame-shaped sealing material. A liquid crystal cell provided with a liquid crystal injection port in the sealing material and a liquid crystal storage tank provided with a liquid crystal supply port at the bottom, respectively, in a container that can be evacuated to a vacuum state. Between the connection position where the liquid crystal supply port is located above and joined to the inlet and the separation position where the liquid crystal injection port and the liquid crystal supply port are separated from each other, the liquid crystal supply port is installed to be movable relative to each other. After the liquid crystal is stored in the liquid crystal storage tank, the inside of the container is evacuated to a desired vacuum state, and the liquid crystal storage tank and the liquid crystal cell are relatively moved to the connection position to thereby supply the liquid crystal supply port and the liquid crystal injection port. After this, gas is sent into the container. Increasing the pressure outside the liquid crystal cell and is characterized in that to inject the liquid crystal by pressure difference and liquid crystal own weight outside the liquid crystal cell and the liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal cell.

また、本発明の液晶注入装置は、上記課題を解決するため、一対の基板を枠状シール材を介して接合してなる液晶セルの前記シール材で囲まれた一対の基板間に液晶を注入する液晶注入装置であって、内部を真空状態に排気可能な容器と、底部に液晶供給口が設けられた液晶貯溜槽と、前記シール材に液晶注入口が設けられた液晶セルと前記液晶貯溜槽とを、前記液晶注入口に対して前記液晶供給口が上方に位置して接合された接続位置と、前記液晶注入口と前記液晶供給口とが離隔した分離位置との間で、互いに相対移動させる接離駆動機構とを有することを特徴とするものである。   In order to solve the above problems, the liquid crystal injection device of the present invention injects liquid crystal between a pair of substrates surrounded by the sealing material of a liquid crystal cell formed by joining a pair of substrates via a frame-shaped sealing material. A liquid crystal injection device that can be evacuated to a vacuum, a liquid crystal storage tank provided with a liquid crystal supply port at the bottom, a liquid crystal cell provided with a liquid crystal injection port in the sealing material, and the liquid crystal storage device The tank is relative to each other between a connection position where the liquid crystal supply port is bonded to the liquid crystal injection port and the separation position where the liquid crystal injection port and the liquid crystal supply port are separated from each other. It is characterized by having a contact / separation drive mechanism to be moved.

本発明の液晶注入方法とその装置によれば、液晶貯溜槽の底部に液晶供給口を設けて貯溜されている液晶のうちの送給気体の溶解が少ない底部層から液晶セル内に注入するから、液晶セル内への気体の混入が大幅に抑えられ、液晶封入後の液晶セル内における気泡の発生を顕著に抑制することができる。また、液晶セルに対して液晶を上方から供給し液晶セルの底部から充填させるから、液晶の自重も注入に寄与し、液晶を隙間なく円滑に充填できると共に液晶の注入時間が短縮される。   According to the liquid crystal injecting method and apparatus of the present invention, a liquid crystal supply port is provided at the bottom of the liquid crystal storage tank, and the liquid crystal stored therein is injected into the liquid crystal cell from the bottom layer where the dissolved gas is less dissolved. Gas mixing into the liquid crystal cell is greatly suppressed, and generation of bubbles in the liquid crystal cell after liquid crystal encapsulation can be significantly suppressed. Further, since the liquid crystal is supplied to the liquid crystal cell from above and filled from the bottom of the liquid crystal cell, the weight of the liquid crystal also contributes to the injection, so that the liquid crystal can be filled smoothly without any gap and the injection time of the liquid crystal is shortened.

本発明の液晶注入方法においては、容器内に送給される気体を所定温度に加熱することが好ましく、これにより、貯溜されている液晶に送給気体が溶解する度合いが低減され、封入液晶中における気泡の発生をより顕著に抑制することができる。   In the liquid crystal injection method of the present invention, it is preferable to heat the gas fed into the container to a predetermined temperature, thereby reducing the degree of dissolution of the feed gas in the stored liquid crystal, The generation of bubbles in can be more significantly suppressed.

また、液晶を液晶セル内に注入するときに、液晶に超音波を加えながら注入することが好ましく、これにより、液晶が脱気されると共に加熱されつつ注入されるから、封入液晶中における気泡の発生が略確実に防止されるとともに、液晶温度の上昇により粘度が低下して液晶の注入時間がさらに短縮される。   Further, when injecting the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal cell, it is preferable to inject the liquid crystal while applying an ultrasonic wave. This allows the liquid crystal to be degassed and injected while being heated. Occurrence is almost certainly prevented, and the liquid crystal injection time is further shortened by decreasing the viscosity due to an increase in the liquid crystal temperature.

一方、本発明の液晶注入装置においては、液晶貯溜槽の液晶供給口にコイルスプリングを挿着することが好ましく、これにより、液晶を適量づつ円滑に液晶セル内に供給することができる。   On the other hand, in the liquid crystal injection device of the present invention, it is preferable to insert a coil spring into the liquid crystal supply port of the liquid crystal storage tank, so that an appropriate amount of liquid crystal can be smoothly supplied into the liquid crystal cell.

以下、本発明の好適な実施形態について、図１と図２に基づき説明する。
図１及び図２は共に本発明の一実施形態としての液晶注入装置の全体構成を示す説明図で、図１は液晶注入前の状態を示し、図２は液晶注入中の状態を示している。 Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are explanatory diagrams showing the overall configuration of a liquid crystal injection apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a state before liquid crystal injection, and FIG. 2 shows a state during liquid crystal injection. .

チャンバ１とこれに充填する窒素ガスを貯溜するタンク２とが連通管１ａにより連通接続され、この連通管１ａには、圧力調整弁３、ヒータ４及びポンプ５がチャンバ１側から順に介設されている。これら圧力調整弁３、ヒータ４及びポンプ５は、それぞれ、中央制御部６に信号線で接続されている。   A chamber 1 and a tank 2 for storing nitrogen gas filled in the chamber 1 are connected to each other by a communication pipe 1a. A pressure adjusting valve 3, a heater 4 and a pump 5 are provided in this communication pipe 1a in order from the chamber 1 side. ing. The pressure regulating valve 3, the heater 4 and the pump 5 are each connected to the central control unit 6 by signal lines.

チャンバ１内には、液晶皿７が図示しない支持具により所定位置に固定設置されている。この液晶皿７の底部には、貯溜した液晶Ｌを外部に供給するために先端を液晶供給口として外部に開いた液晶供給管７ａが設けられている。本実施形態の液晶供給管７ａは円筒形をなし、内部にコイルスプリング８が挿着されている。なお、この液晶供給管７ａは、その複数本が等間隔で配設されており、本実施形態では紙面垂直方向に等間隔で配設されている。   In the chamber 1, a liquid crystal dish 7 is fixedly installed at a predetermined position by a support tool (not shown). At the bottom of the liquid crystal dish 7, there is provided a liquid crystal supply pipe 7a that opens to the outside with the tip as a liquid crystal supply port in order to supply the stored liquid crystal L to the outside. The liquid crystal supply tube 7a of the present embodiment has a cylindrical shape, and a coil spring 8 is inserted therein. A plurality of the liquid crystal supply pipes 7a are arranged at equal intervals. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal supply tubes 7a are arranged at equal intervals in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface.

そして、液晶皿７の底部外面には、第１超音波振動子９が設置されている。第１超音波振動子９は、増幅器等が内蔵された超音波駆動部１０に電気接続され、超音波駆動部１０は前述した中央制御部６に信号接続されている。   A first ultrasonic vibrator 9 is installed on the outer surface of the bottom of the liquid crystal dish 7. The first ultrasonic transducer 9 is electrically connected to an ultrasonic drive unit 10 incorporating an amplifier or the like, and the ultrasonic drive unit 10 is signal-connected to the central control unit 6 described above.

液晶皿７の下方には、液晶注入対象の液晶セルＬCを保持する保持装置１１が設置されている。保持装置１１は、液晶セルＬCが載置されるステージ１１ａとこれを所定位置に対し昇降させる昇降駆動部１１ｂとからなる。ステージ１１ａは、図示しない支持具により複数の液晶セルＬCを等間隔で垂直方向に立てた状態で支持可能に構成されている。この場合、前述した液晶皿７の液晶供給管７ａに対応させて同じ間隔で各液晶セルＬCを支持する構成となっている。また、このステージ１１ａの載置面には第２超音波振動子１２が埋設されている。この第２超音波振動子１２も、前述した超音波駆動部１０に電気接続されている。一方、昇降駆動部１１ｂは、中央制御部６に信号接続されており、中央制御部から入力される駆動信号に応じてステージ１１ａを昇降移動させる。   A holding device 11 that holds a liquid crystal cell LC to be injected with a liquid crystal is installed below the liquid crystal dish 7. The holding device 11 includes a stage 11a on which the liquid crystal cell LC is placed, and a lift drive unit 11b that lifts and lowers the stage 11a with respect to a predetermined position. The stage 11a is configured to be able to support a plurality of liquid crystal cells LC upright at equal intervals by a support tool (not shown). In this case, each liquid crystal cell LC is supported at the same interval corresponding to the liquid crystal supply tube 7a of the liquid crystal dish 7 described above. A second ultrasonic transducer 12 is embedded in the mounting surface of the stage 11a. The second ultrasonic transducer 12 is also electrically connected to the ultrasonic drive unit 10 described above. On the other hand, the raising / lowering drive part 11b is signal-connected to the central control part 6, and moves the stage 11a up and down according to the drive signal input from the central control part.

以上の様に構成された本液晶注入装置による液晶注入動作について、図１と図２の各説明図に基づき説明する。   A liquid crystal injection operation by the liquid crystal injection apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the explanatory diagrams of FIGS.

まず、図１に示すように、チャンバ１内の液晶皿７に所要量の液晶Ｌを貯溜しておく。このとき、貯溜された液晶Ｌが液晶供給管７ａ内を下降するが、液晶供給管７ａにはコイルスプリング８が挿着されているため、コイルスプリング８の先端でその表面張力により下降が阻止され、そのまま落下することはない。   First, as shown in FIG. 1, a required amount of liquid crystal L is stored in the liquid crystal dish 7 in the chamber 1. At this time, the stored liquid crystal L descends in the liquid crystal supply tube 7a, but since the coil spring 8 is inserted into the liquid crystal supply tube 7a, the liquid crystal supply tube 7a is prevented from descending by the surface tension at the tip of the coil spring 8. , Will not fall as it is.

この状態下において、液晶を注入すべき複数の空の液晶セルＬCをステージ１１ａ上にセットする。本実施形態において液晶が注入される液晶セルＬCは一対の矩形ガラス基板１３ａ、１３ｂが枠状シール材１４により接合されてなり、その枠状シール材１４には、液晶注入口１４ａが形成されている。液晶注入口１４ａは、シール材１４のガラス基板１３ａ、１３ｂにおける一方の長手縁辺に沿って延在する長辺部の略中央部に、形成されている。ここで、各液晶セルＬCは、図示されるように、液晶注入口１４ａを上方に向けて開いた形態で支持されている。   Under this state, a plurality of empty liquid crystal cells LC into which liquid crystal is to be injected are set on the stage 11a. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal cell LC into which liquid crystal is injected is formed by joining a pair of rectangular glass substrates 13a and 13b with a frame-shaped sealing material 14, and the frame-shaped sealing material 14 has a liquid crystal injection port 14a formed therein. Yes. The liquid crystal injection port 14a is formed at a substantially central portion of the long side portion extending along one longitudinal edge of the glass substrate 13a, 13b of the sealing material 14. Here, as shown in the drawing, each liquid crystal cell LC is supported in a form in which the liquid crystal injection port 14a is opened upward.

液晶セルＬCのセットが完了したら、中央制御部６からの指示により圧力調整弁３とポンプ５を駆動させ、チャンバ１内の窒素ガスを排気してタンク２内に戻し、チャンバ１内と各液晶セルＬC内を５０Ｐａ程度の真空状態にする。   When the setting of the liquid crystal cell LC is completed, the pressure control valve 3 and the pump 5 are driven according to an instruction from the central control unit 6, the nitrogen gas in the chamber 1 is exhausted and returned to the tank 2, and the chamber 1 and each liquid crystal are The inside of the cell LC is evacuated to about 50 Pa.

次に、中央制御部６から保持装置１１の昇降駆動部１１ｂに駆動信号を送ってステージ１１ａを上昇させ、図２に示されるように、保持された各液晶セルＬCの液晶注入口１４ａを液晶皿７の対応する液晶供給管７ａの各液晶供給口にそれぞれ接合させる。このとき、液晶供給管７ａの先端部つまり供給口近傍には液晶が充分に付着しているため、液晶供給管７ａ先端の液晶供給口と液晶注入口１４ａの接合面にも液晶が侵入して両開口が隙間なく接合される。   Next, a driving signal is sent from the central control unit 6 to the raising / lowering driving unit 11b of the holding device 11 to raise the stage 11a. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid crystal injection port 14a of each held liquid crystal cell LC is liquid crystal. Each of the liquid crystal supply pipes 7a corresponding to the plate 7 is joined to each liquid crystal supply port. At this time, since the liquid crystal is sufficiently attached to the tip of the liquid crystal supply tube 7a, that is, near the supply port, the liquid crystal also enters the bonding surface between the liquid crystal supply port at the tip of the liquid crystal supply tube 7a and the liquid crystal injection port 14a. Both openings are joined without gaps.

液晶供給管７ａと液晶注入口１４ａの接合が完了したら、液晶の注入を開始する。液晶の注入開始に際して、中央制御部６は、ポンプ５を停止させると共にヒータ４をオンさせる。これにより、タンク２内に返送されていた窒素ガスがヒータ４により所定温度に加熱されて再びチャンバ１内に充填され始める。この窒素ガスのチャンバ１内への返送は、圧力調整弁３により制御されて徐々に行われる。   When the joining of the liquid crystal supply pipe 7a and the liquid crystal injection port 14a is completed, the injection of liquid crystal is started. At the start of liquid crystal injection, the central control unit 6 stops the pump 5 and turns on the heater 4. As a result, the nitrogen gas returned to the tank 2 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 4 and begins to fill the chamber 1 again. The return of the nitrogen gas into the chamber 1 is gradually performed under the control of the pressure regulating valve 3.

また、中央制御部６は、上述の窒素ガスのチャンバ１内への充填開始に併行して超音波駆動部１０に信号を送り、液晶皿７に設置した第１超音波振動子９とステージ１１ａに設置した第２超音波振動子１２を作動させる。この場合、第１超音波振動子９の周波数は液晶Ｌ及び液晶皿７のそれぞれの厚さと材質に基づく音速値とに応じ、第２超音波振動子１２の周波数は液晶セルＬCのガラス基板１３ａ、１３ｂの材質に基づく音速値に応じて、それぞれ最適に設定される。なお、本実施形態においては、液晶注入中において、図示しない自動補給機構により液晶が液晶皿７に適量づつ補給され、液晶皿７に貯溜されている液晶Ｌの厚さ（深さ）ｄが略一定に維持されるようになっている。   Further, the central control unit 6 sends a signal to the ultrasonic driving unit 10 in parallel with the start of the filling of the nitrogen gas into the chamber 1 described above, and the first ultrasonic transducer 9 and the stage 11a installed in the liquid crystal dish 7. The 2nd ultrasonic transducer | vibrator 12 installed in is operated. In this case, the frequency of the first ultrasonic vibrator 9 depends on the thickness and the sound velocity value based on the material of the liquid crystal L and the liquid crystal dish 7, and the frequency of the second ultrasonic vibrator 12 is the glass substrate 13a of the liquid crystal cell LC. , 13b are set optimally according to the sound velocity value based on the material of 13b. In the present embodiment, during liquid crystal injection, an appropriate amount of liquid crystal is replenished to the liquid crystal dish 7 by an unillustrated automatic replenishment mechanism, and the thickness (depth) d of the liquid crystal L stored in the liquid crystal dish 7 is approximately. It is designed to be kept constant.

チャンバ１内に窒素ガスが充填されてチャンバ１内の気圧が上昇すると、液晶セルＬC内外の気圧に差が生じ、この気圧差と液晶自体の自重により貯溜液晶Ｌが液晶セル内に進入し始める。そして、液晶セル内に進入した液晶Ｌ´は、図示されるように、液晶セルＬCのセル空間内壁面に沿って下降し、セル空間の底部から充填されていく。   When nitrogen gas is filled in the chamber 1 and the atmospheric pressure in the chamber 1 rises, a difference occurs between the atmospheric pressure inside and outside the liquid crystal cell LC, and the stored liquid crystal L begins to enter the liquid crystal cell due to this atmospheric pressure difference and the weight of the liquid crystal itself. . Then, the liquid crystal L ′ that has entered the liquid crystal cell descends along the inner wall surface of the liquid crystal cell LC and is filled from the bottom of the cell space, as shown in the figure.

この液晶注入過程においては、チャンバ１内に送給される窒素ガスが所定温度に加熱されているから、この窒素ガスの貯溜液晶Ｌ中への溶解が大幅に抑制される。また、液晶Ｌが液晶皿７と共に適正な周波数により超音波振動されているから、液晶Ｌに既に溶解していた窒素ガスの熱容量が大きくなって溶解し切れなくなり、液晶Ｌからガスとして放出される。このように、本実施形態においては、窒素ガスの加温と液晶Ｌへの超音波振動の照射により、貯溜液晶Ｌ中の溶存窒素ガスの濃度は極力小さく抑えられている。   In this liquid crystal injection process, since the nitrogen gas fed into the chamber 1 is heated to a predetermined temperature, dissolution of this nitrogen gas into the stored liquid crystal L is greatly suppressed. Further, since the liquid crystal L is ultrasonically vibrated at an appropriate frequency together with the liquid crystal dish 7, the heat capacity of the nitrogen gas already dissolved in the liquid crystal L becomes large and cannot be completely dissolved, and is discharged from the liquid crystal L as a gas. . As described above, in the present embodiment, the concentration of the dissolved nitrogen gas in the stored liquid crystal L is suppressed as small as possible by heating the nitrogen gas and irradiating the liquid crystal L with ultrasonic vibration.

そして、本発明に係わる液晶皿７は底部に液晶供給管７ａを設けて貯溜液晶Ｌの底層部分から液晶セルＬC内に注入するから、液晶セルＬC内に注入される液晶Ｌ´中に窒素ガスは略溶存していない。何故なら、液体中に溶解した気体は液体の表層部に偏って存在する傾向があり、上述の超音波振動によっても除去されず僅かに溶存する窒素ガスも貯溜液晶Ｌの表層部に残存しており、従って、貯溜液晶Ｌの底層部分から液晶セルＬC内に注入すれば、残存する窒素ガスはそのまま貯溜液晶Ｌ中に残りセル内に注入されないからである。   Since the liquid crystal dish 7 according to the present invention is provided with a liquid crystal supply tube 7a at the bottom and is injected into the liquid crystal cell LC from the bottom layer portion of the stored liquid crystal L, nitrogen gas is injected into the liquid crystal L 'injected into the liquid crystal cell LC. Is almost undissolved. This is because the gas dissolved in the liquid tends to exist in the surface layer portion of the liquid, and the nitrogen gas slightly dissolved without being removed by the above-described ultrasonic vibration remains in the surface layer portion of the storage liquid crystal L. Therefore, if the liquid crystal cell LC is injected into the liquid crystal cell LC from the bottom layer portion of the stored liquid crystal L, the remaining nitrogen gas is not directly injected into the stored liquid crystal L into the cell.

さらに、たとえ注入液晶Ｌ´内に窒素ガスが僅かに紛れ込んでいたとしても、液晶セルＬC内に注入された液晶Ｌ´にも第２超音波振動子１２により適正な周波数の超音波が照射されているから、その紛れ込んだ窒素ガスは底部に溜まる注入液晶Ｌ´の表層部に集められている。   Further, even if the nitrogen gas is slightly mixed in the injected liquid crystal L ′, the second ultrasonic vibrator 12 also irradiates the liquid crystal L ′ injected into the liquid crystal cell LC with ultrasonic waves of an appropriate frequency. Therefore, the mixed-in nitrogen gas is collected in the surface layer portion of the injected liquid crystal L ′ that accumulates at the bottom.

また、この液晶注入過程においては、液晶Ｌを液晶セルＬCに対して上方から供給し注入するから、液晶の自重も液晶の注入に寄与する。これに加え、液晶皿７から供給される液晶Ｌは加熱された窒素ガスからの伝熱や超音波の照射により適度に加温されて粘度が低下しているから、液晶の落下が速くなる。このように、液晶の注入には、液晶セルＬC内外の気圧差だけでなく、液晶自体の自重や粘度低下が寄与し、液晶の注入時間が大幅に短縮される。   Further, in this liquid crystal injection process, the liquid crystal L is supplied and injected into the liquid crystal cell LC from above, so that the weight of the liquid crystal also contributes to the liquid crystal injection. In addition to this, the liquid crystal L supplied from the liquid crystal dish 7 is moderately heated by heat transfer from the heated nitrogen gas or irradiation of ultrasonic waves, and the viscosity is lowered, so that the liquid crystal falls faster. Thus, not only the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid crystal cell LC but also the weight of the liquid crystal itself and the decrease in viscosity contribute to the liquid crystal injection, and the liquid crystal injection time is greatly shortened.

液晶の液晶セルＬC内への注入が完了したら、中央制御部６は保持装置１１の昇降駆動部１１ｂを駆動してステージ１１ａと共にこれに支持された液晶セルＬCを下降させる。この後、直ちに液晶が注入された液晶セルＬCをチャンバ１外に取り出し、液晶セルＬCの基板面全体に均一に圧力を加えて基板間隙（ギャップ）を所期の間隙に調整すると共に液晶注入口１４ａを封止剤により封止する。この加圧によるギャップ調整の際に、ある程度余分に注入されていた液晶が溢出する。ここで、注入液晶Ｌ´中に窒素ガスが紛れ込んで溶存していたとしても、それら溶存窒素ガスはそれら自体の浮力と第２超音波振動子１２により前述したように表層部に集められているので、加圧によるギャップ調整で溢出する余剰液晶と共に液晶セルＬC外に排出される。   When the injection of the liquid crystal into the liquid crystal cell LC is completed, the central control unit 6 drives the lifting / lowering driving unit 11b of the holding device 11 to lower the liquid crystal cell LC supported by the stage 11a. Thereafter, the liquid crystal cell LC into which the liquid crystal has been immediately injected is taken out of the chamber 1, and the substrate gap of the liquid crystal cell LC is uniformly applied to adjust the substrate gap (gap) to the desired gap and the liquid crystal injection port. 14a is sealed with a sealant. During the gap adjustment by pressurization, the liquid crystal that has been injected to some extent overflows. Here, even if nitrogen gas is dissolved and dissolved in the injected liquid crystal L ′, the dissolved nitrogen gas is collected on the surface layer portion as described above by the buoyancy of the liquid crystal L 2 itself and the second ultrasonic vibrator 12. Therefore, it is discharged out of the liquid crystal cell LC together with surplus liquid crystal overflowing by gap adjustment by pressurization.

以上のように、本実施形態の液晶注入方法によれば、窒素ガスの加温と貯溜液晶Ｌへの超音波の照射により貯溜液晶Ｌ中の溶存窒素ガスの濃度が極力小さく抑えられるとともに、貯溜液晶Ｌを窒素ガスが溶存し難い底層部から液晶セルＬCへ注入するから、液晶セルＬC内の注入液晶Ｌ´中には窒素ガスが略溶存しておらず、且つ、注入液晶Ｌ´中に紛れ込んだ僅かな窒素ガスもその浮力と液晶セルＬCへの超音波照射により表層部に集められ、液晶注入後のギャップ調整時に余剰液晶ととも液晶セルＬC外に排出される。その結果、液晶封入後の液晶セルＬC中における気泡の発生が略確実に防止される。   As described above, according to the liquid crystal injection method of the present embodiment, the concentration of dissolved nitrogen gas in the stored liquid crystal L can be suppressed as much as possible by heating the nitrogen gas and irradiating the stored liquid crystal L with ultrasonic waves. Since the liquid crystal L is injected into the liquid crystal cell LC from the bottom layer where nitrogen gas is difficult to dissolve, the nitrogen gas is not substantially dissolved in the injected liquid crystal L ′ in the liquid crystal cell LC, and the injected liquid crystal L ′ A slight amount of nitrogen gas mixed in is collected on the surface layer by the buoyancy and ultrasonic irradiation of the liquid crystal cell LC, and is discharged out of the liquid crystal cell LC together with the excess liquid crystal when adjusting the gap after liquid crystal injection. As a result, the generation of bubbles in the liquid crystal cell LC after the liquid crystal encapsulation is almost certainly prevented.

また、液晶セルＬC内外の気圧差に加えて、液晶自体の自重と貯溜液晶Ｌが超音波照射等で加温されることによる粘度の低下とが液晶の注入に寄与するから、液晶の注入時間が大幅に短縮される。   Further, in addition to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the liquid crystal cell LC, the weight of the liquid crystal itself and the decrease in viscosity due to heating of the stored liquid crystal L by ultrasonic irradiation or the like contribute to the injection of the liquid crystal. Is greatly shortened.

なお、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば、液晶皿７の液晶供給口７ａに挿着されるコイルスプリング８を省略することも可能である。その場合、液晶供給口７ａを自在に開閉できる弁を設ければ、貯溜液晶Ｌの不用意な漏出がより確実に防止されると共に、チャンバ内を排気する際に貯溜液晶Ｌに超音波を照射して脱気することもできる。   In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, it is also possible to abbreviate | omit the coil spring 8 inserted in the liquid crystal supply port 7a of the liquid-crystal dish 7. FIG. In that case, if a valve capable of freely opening and closing the liquid crystal supply port 7a is provided, inadvertent leakage of the stored liquid crystal L is more reliably prevented, and ultrasonic waves are applied to the stored liquid crystal L when the chamber is exhausted. You can also deaerate.

また、第１、第２の超音波振動子９、１２は共に省略可能であり、チャンバ１内に送給する窒素ガスを加熱するヒータ４も必ずしも必要ではない。すなわち、本発明の液晶注入方法及びその装置は、少なくとも、液晶セルに対してその上方に液晶貯溜層を配置し、貯溜液晶の底層部から液晶を供給できる構成とすればよく、これにより、充分に注入液晶への充填ガスの溶解が防止されて有害な気泡の発生を防止できるとともに、気圧差に加えて液晶の自重を液晶の注入推進力として利用するから、注入時間も充分に短縮できる。   Further, both the first and second ultrasonic transducers 9 and 12 can be omitted, and the heater 4 for heating the nitrogen gas fed into the chamber 1 is not necessarily required. That is, the liquid crystal injecting method and apparatus of the present invention may be configured such that at least the liquid crystal reservoir layer is disposed above the liquid crystal cell and the liquid crystal can be supplied from the bottom layer portion of the stored liquid crystal. In addition, dissolution of the filling gas into the injected liquid crystal can be prevented to prevent generation of harmful bubbles, and since the self-weight of the liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal injection driving force in addition to the pressure difference, the injection time can be shortened sufficiently.

加えて、液晶セルに対して液晶皿を移動させるか、或いは双方を共に移動させることにより、液晶注入口と液晶供給口を接離する構成としてもよい。   In addition, the liquid crystal injection port and the liquid crystal supply port may be contacted and separated by moving the liquid crystal dish relative to the liquid crystal cell or by moving both of them together.

本発明の一実施形態としての液晶注入装置の全体構成と液晶注入工程を示す説明図で、液晶注入前の状態を示している。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquid crystal injection device and a liquid crystal injection process as an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state before liquid crystal injection. 本発明の一実施形態としての液晶注入装置の全体構成と液晶注入工程を示す説明図で、液晶注入中の状態を示している。BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a liquid crystal injection device and a liquid crystal injection process as an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state during liquid crystal injection.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１ チャンバ
３ 圧力調整弁
４ ヒータ
５ ポンプ
２ タンク
６ 中央制御部
７ 液晶皿
７ａ 液晶供給管
８ コイルスプリング
９ 第１超音波振動子
１０ 超音波駆動部
１１ 支持機構
１１ａ ステージ
１１ｂ 昇降駆動部
１２ 第２超音波振動子
１３ａ、１３ｂ ガラス基板
１４ シール材
１４ａ 液晶注入口
Ｌ 貯溜液晶
Ｌ´ 注入液晶
ＬC 液晶セル DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chamber 3 Pressure regulating valve 4 Heater 5 Pump 2 Tank 6 Central control part 7 Liquid crystal dish 7a Liquid crystal supply pipe 8 Coil spring 9 1st ultrasonic transducer 10 Ultrasonic drive part 11 Support mechanism 11a Stage 11b Elevation drive part 12 2nd Ultrasonic vibrator 13a, 13b Glass substrate 14 Sealing material 14a Liquid crystal injection port L Reservoir liquid crystal L 'Injection liquid crystal LC Liquid crystal cell

Claims (5)

一対の基板を枠状シール材を介して接合してなる液晶セルの前記シール材で囲まれた一対の基板間に液晶を注入する方法であって、
内部を真空状態に排気可能な容器内に、前記シール材に液晶注入口が設けられた液晶セルと底部に液晶供給口が設けられた液晶貯溜槽とを、それぞれ、前記液晶注入口に対して前記液晶供給口が上方に位置して接合された接続位置と、前記液晶注入口と前記液晶供給口とが離隔した分離位置との間を、互いに相対移動可能に設置し、
前記液晶貯溜槽に液晶を貯溜した後、前記容器内を排気して所望の真空状態とし、
前記液晶貯溜槽と前記液晶セルとを前記接続位置に相対移動させて前記液晶供給口と前記液晶注入口を接合し、
この後、前記容器内に気体を送給して前記液晶セル外の気圧を上昇させ、前記液晶セル内と前記液晶セル外の気圧差と液晶の自重により液晶を前記液晶セル内に注入することを特徴とする液晶注入方法。 A method of injecting liquid crystal between a pair of substrates surrounded by a sealing material of a liquid crystal cell formed by joining a pair of substrates via a frame-shaped sealing material,
A liquid crystal cell provided with a liquid crystal injection port in the sealing material and a liquid crystal storage tank provided with a liquid crystal supply port at the bottom are respectively provided in a container that can be evacuated to a vacuum state with respect to the liquid crystal injection port. Between the connection position where the liquid crystal supply port is located above and joined, and the separation position where the liquid crystal injection port and the liquid crystal supply port are separated from each other, are installed to be movable relative to each other.
After storing the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal storage tank, the container is evacuated to a desired vacuum state,
The liquid crystal storage tank and the liquid crystal cell are relatively moved to the connection position to join the liquid crystal supply port and the liquid crystal injection port,
Thereafter, gas is fed into the container to increase the pressure outside the liquid crystal cell, and liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal cell by the pressure difference between the liquid crystal cell and outside the liquid crystal cell and the weight of the liquid crystal. A liquid crystal injection method characterized by the above. 前記容器内に送給される気体が所定温度に加熱されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の液晶注入方法。   The liquid crystal injection method according to claim 1, wherein the gas fed into the container is heated to a predetermined temperature. 液晶が前記液晶セル内に注入されるときに、液晶に超音波が照射されていることを特徴とする請求項１又は請求項２に記載の液晶注入方法   The liquid crystal injection method according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid crystal is injected into the liquid crystal cell, the liquid crystal is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. 一対の基板を枠状シール材を介して接合してなる液晶セルの前記シール材で囲まれた一対の基板間に液晶を注入する液晶注入装置であって、
内部を真空状態に排気可能な容器と、
底部に液晶供給口が設けられた液晶貯溜槽と、
前記シール材に液晶注入口が設けられた液晶セルと前記液晶貯溜槽とを、前記液晶注入口に対して前記液晶供給口が上方に位置して接合された接続位置と、前記液晶注入口と前記液晶供給口とが離隔した分離位置との間で、互いに相対移動させる接離駆動機構と、
を有することを特徴とする液晶注入装置。 A liquid crystal injection device for injecting liquid crystal between a pair of substrates surrounded by the sealing material of a liquid crystal cell formed by bonding a pair of substrates via a frame-shaped sealing material,
A container that can be evacuated to a vacuum;
A liquid crystal storage tank provided with a liquid crystal supply port at the bottom;
A liquid crystal cell in which a liquid crystal injection port is provided in the sealing material and the liquid crystal storage tank; a connection position where the liquid crystal supply port is positioned above the liquid crystal injection port; and the liquid crystal injection port. A contact / separation driving mechanism for moving the liquid crystal supply port relative to each other between the liquid crystal supply port and a separation position;
A liquid crystal injection apparatus characterized by comprising: 前記液晶貯溜槽の液晶供給口には、コイルスプリングが挿着されていることを特徴とする請求項４に記載の液晶注入装置   5. The liquid crystal injection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a coil spring is inserted into the liquid crystal supply port of the liquid crystal storage tank.
JP2004088911A 2004-03-25 2004-03-25 Liquid crystal injection method and apparatus. Expired - Fee Related JP4665416B2 (en)

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JPS57165813A (en) * 1981-04-06 1982-10-13 Canon Inc Manufacture of electrooptic display device
JPH06265856A (en) * 1993-03-11 1994-09-22 Hitachi Ltd Liquid crystal display device
JPH08320492A (en) * 1995-05-24 1996-12-03 Casio Comput Co Ltd Method for injecting liquid crystal and jig for injecting liquid crystal used for the method
JPH10115831A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-05-06 Hitachi Ltd Manufacture of liquid crystal display device
JPH10239695A (en) * 1997-02-25 1998-09-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Method and device for charging liquid crystal
JPH11249156A (en) * 1998-03-06 1999-09-17 Sharp Corp Liquid crystal injection device and liquid crystal injection method

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS54156653A (en) * 1978-05-31 1979-12-10 Seiko Epson Corp Liquid injector of narrow bodies
JPS57165813A (en) * 1981-04-06 1982-10-13 Canon Inc Manufacture of electrooptic display device
JPH06265856A (en) * 1993-03-11 1994-09-22 Hitachi Ltd Liquid crystal display device
JPH08320492A (en) * 1995-05-24 1996-12-03 Casio Comput Co Ltd Method for injecting liquid crystal and jig for injecting liquid crystal used for the method
JPH10115831A (en) * 1996-10-11 1998-05-06 Hitachi Ltd Manufacture of liquid crystal display device
JPH10239695A (en) * 1997-02-25 1998-09-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Method and device for charging liquid crystal
JPH11249156A (en) * 1998-03-06 1999-09-17 Sharp Corp Liquid crystal injection device and liquid crystal injection method

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