JP2001290164A - Method for producing liquid crystal cell - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a producing method enabling drastically reducing a production cost of a liquid crystal cell. SOLUTION: A first vacuum cup 23 is put on a hole 15 of one side and a second vacuum cup 25 is put on a hole 14 of another side and the respective ones are evacuated by an unshown vacuum pump in the direction of the arrow drawn whitely. The closed space part between double glazings 26 is deprived of air thereby and is made into the vacuum state. The upper glass sheet 13 is pressed downward by the atmospheric pressure. For example, when the size of the upper glass sheet 13 is 30 cm×30 cm, the upper glass sheet 13 is pressed toward the lower glass sheet 11 with a force of about 900 kg. In stead of a heating press machine used heretofore, the closed space between the upper and lower glasses is reduced and thus the upper and lower glasses are pressed by the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, an expensive heating press machine is unnecessitated and the production cost of the liquid crystal cell is drastically reduced.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an improvement in a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional method of manufacturing a typical liquid crystal cell will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a conventional double glass for a liquid crystal cell, in which a sealing material 102 is printed on a lower glass plate 101 to form a liquid crystal cell.
3 ... (... indicates a plurality). Note that, although the seal material 102 is drawn in a shape of a mouth, at least one place is cut to make a liquid crystal injection port. An upper glass plate 104 is put on the lower glass plate 101 provided with such a sealing material 102.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the principle of a conventional heating press machine.
.., And a vertically movable member 113 is attached to the columns 112 so as to be able to move up and down. A movable plate 114 is suspended from the vertically movable member 113, and the movable plate 114 is moved up and down by guides 115 and 115 and a cylinder unit 116. The heaters 117 and 118 are built in the movable plate 114 and the base 111, and work is performed so that foreign matter such as dust does not enter the double-layer glass 119 (the lower glass plate and the upper glass plate on which the sealing material is printed). This is performed in the clean room 120.

The sealing material (thermosetting resin) is thermally cured by placing the multi-layer glass 119 on the base 111 and heating it while pressing it down with the movable platen 114. When the sealing material is a photo-curable resin, a specified light is irradiated by a lamp instead of a heater.

[0005] A comprehensive liquid crystal cell manufacturing method including FIGS. 13 and 14 will be described with reference to the following drawings. FIG. 15 is a manufacturing flowchart of a conventional liquid crystal cell. ST101: Print electrodes and terminals on the lower glass plate. ST102: A thermosetting resin (or a photocurable resin) called a sealing material is printed on the lower glass plate (see FIG. 13). ST103: Print electrodes and terminals on the upper glass plate. ST104: The upper glass plate is overlaid on the lower glass plate (see FIG. 13). ST105: The double glazing is heated and compressed by a heating press in a clean room to thermally cure the sealing material (see FIG. 14).

ST106: The double glazing is put into the decompression chamber,
The pressure inside the double glazing is reduced. ST107: The double glazing is immersed in the liquid crystal reservoir so that the liquid crystal injection port is immersed in the liquid crystal. Next, the outer surface of the double glazing is returned to the atmospheric pressure (this is referred to as restoring pressure). Then, the liquid crystal is sucked into the inside of the multilayer glass by the pressure difference. ST108: The liquid crystal injection port is closed with a sealant. ST109: Thus, a liquid crystal cell can be obtained.

[0007]

To prevent foreign matter such as dust in the air from entering between the lower glass plate 101 and the upper glass plate 104 shown in FIG.
Operations up to 08 must be performed in a clean room.
The clean room is an expensive facility, and the operation cost increases because the inside is filled with clean air. FIG.
Since the heating press 110 shown in FIG. 4 is used in the clean room 120, a special press having a dustproof specification is required, which is an extremely expensive facility. Since such an expensive heating press 110 is required, there is naturally a limit in reducing the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal cell.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of greatly reducing the manufacturing cost of a liquid crystal cell.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is to attach a sealing material to a lower glass plate, superimpose an upper glass plate on the lower glass via the sealing material, and attach the upper glass plate to the lower glass plate. The closed space between the upper and lower glass is depressurized through the opened through hole, the upper and lower glass plates are pressed at atmospheric pressure, the sealing material is cured, and the liquid crystal is filled in the closed space between the upper and lower glass. I do.

Instead of the heating press used conventionally, the closed space between the upper and lower glass is depressurized, and the upper and lower glass plates are pressed at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, an expensive heating press is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal cell can be significantly reduced.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of a glass plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention. A lower glass plate 11 required for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell is prepared. Alternatively, the sealing material 12 made of a thermosetting resin is applied by a method such as printing. on the other hand,
An upper glass plate 13 is prepared, and a plurality of through holes 14, 14, 15, 15 are formed in the upper glass plate 13. These through holes 14, 14, 15, 15 are opened at positions slightly inside the seal material 12.

FIG. 2 is a layout view of the sealing material according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The lower glass plate 11 is placed on a suitable surface plate 21 so that the sealing material 12 is on the upper surface. The spacers 22 are sprayed on the lower glass plate 11. The method of spraying the spacers 22 will be described later. Then, a second vacuum cup 25 having a first vacuum cup 23 and a liquid crystal injection tube 24 is made to face above the upper glass plate 13.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the internal decompression of the double-glazed glass according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. Called glass 26. In this double-glazed glass 26, the first vacuum cup 23 is placed over one of the through holes 15,
A vacuum cup 25 is placed over one of the through holes 14, and the air is evacuated by a vacuum pump (not shown) as indicated by white arrows. As a result, the air in the closed space in the multi-layer glass 26 disappears, and a reduced pressure (vacuum) state is set. The upper glass plate 13 is pushed downward at atmospheric pressure (1 kg / cm ² ). For example, if the size of the upper glass plate 13 is 30 cm × 30 cm, it means that the upper glass plate 13 is pressed toward the lower glass plate 11 at about 900 kg.

Although the upper glass plate 13 is lowered by the pressing, the gap in the closed space becomes constant at the stage where the upper glass plate 13 hits the spacers 22. Therefore, if the sealing material 12 is an ultraviolet-curing resin, the sealing material 12 is cured by irradiating with ultraviolet lamps 27, 27. If the sealing material 12 is a thermosetting resin, it is placed in an oven and thermally cured.
In this way, a reduced-pressure closed space was formed between the upper and lower glass plates 11 and 13.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a liquid crystal filling procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The second vacuum valve 29 connected to the second vacuum cup 25 is closed and the first vacuum cup 23 is closed.
The liquid crystal 3 is passed through the liquid crystal injection tube 24 while exhausting air at
0 is injected into the double-glazed glass 26. The sealed space in the double-glazed glass 26 is a vacuum (decompression) space, and no gas such as air that hinders the filling of the liquid crystal 30 remains. There, the liquid crystal is filled, so that the liquid crystal can be
6 can be filled well.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. After filling the liquid crystal, the holes 14 and 15 are quickly filled with sealants 31 and 31 and cured by light or heat. Thus, a high-grade liquid crystal cell 33 can be obtained without using a heating press. Since a heating press is unnecessary, a clean room large enough to accommodate the press is not required.

The above description will be described again based on the manufacturing flow. FIG. 6 is a manufacturing flowchart of the liquid crystal cell according to the present invention, where STxx indicates a step number. ST01: IT processed into electrodes of a predetermined shape as a lower plate
A glass with O (indium / tin / oxide) transparent conductive film is prepared. ST02: Electrode processing is performed as needed. ST03: A polyimide precursor is applied to the portion of the glass with the transparent conductive film which will be the inner surface of the liquid crystal cell, and is applied at about 300 ° C. for about 3 hours.
A heat treatment is performed for 0 minutes, and then an alignment groove is formed by scripting using a cloth. This process is called an alignment film process. ST04: Printing is performed on an oriented glass plate using an epoxy resin, which is a thermosetting resin, as a sealing material (see FIG. 2). ST05: A suspension of epoxy resin beads having a particle size of 5 to 10 μm in an alcohol solution is sprayed. If the alcohol evaporates, the beads remain on the glass plate. These beads serve as spacers when two glass plates are overlaid. This processing is called spacer spraying (spacers 22 in FIG. 2).
·reference).

ST01 to ST05 are processing steps for the lower glass plate. ST06 to ST09 shown below are processing steps for the upper glass plate. Of course, S
Since T01 to 05 and ST06 to 09 are independent of each other, it is free to perform simultaneous parallel processing or processing of either one first. ST06: IT processed into electrodes of predetermined shape as upper plate
A glass with an O transparent conductive film is prepared. ST07: Open a through hole in the upper glass plate (see FIG. 1). ST08: Electrode processing is performed as necessary. ST09: The same orientation film treatment as in ST03 is performed.

ST10: The upper glass plate is overlaid on the lower glass plate to form a double glazing. ST11: The closed space in the double-glazed glass is depressurized and the upper glass plate is pressed toward the lower glass plate (see FIG. 3). ST12: The sealing material is cured by light or heat (see FIG. 3).

ST13: Inject the liquid crystal into the inside of the double glass (see FIG. 4). ST14: The through hole is closed with a sealant (see FIG. 5). ST15: When a large number of liquid crystal cells are obtained from one double-glazed glass as in the third embodiment described later, cutting is performed here. ST16: Thus, the liquid crystal cell shown in FIG. 5 is completed.

The above-described flow of manufacturing a liquid crystal cell is an example, and steps may be interchanged, or steps may be omitted or increased without departing from the method of the present invention.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition,
In another embodiment, description parts that are the same as in the first embodiment will be omitted on the condition that the first embodiment is referred to, and description will be made mainly of changed parts.

FIG. 7 is a layout view of a glass plate and a sealing material according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The lower glass plate 11 having the through holes 16, 17 and the sealing material 12 and the spacer 22 on the upper surface, and the upper surface Then, the intermediate glass plate 34 having the sealing material 12 and the spacer 22 and the upper glass plate 13 having the through holes 14 and 15 are laminated. The platen 21 below the lower glass plate 11 is provided with a first exhaust port 35 and a second exhaust port 37 having a liquid crystal injection pipe 36. Above the upper glass plate 13, the first vacuum cup 23 and the liquid crystal are provided. The second vacuum cup 25 provided with the injection tube 24 faces.

FIG. 8 is a view showing the internal depressurization of a double glazing according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an intermediate glass plate 34 is placed on a lower glass plate 11 with a sealing material 12 interposed therebetween. 34, the upper glass plate 13
Is referred to as a double-glazed glass 26. In this double-glazed glass 26, the closed space between the lower glass plate 11 and the intermediate glass plate 34 is depressurized by the first exhaust port 35 and the second exhaust port 37 as described with reference to FIG. 1st 1st
The pressure in the closed space between the intermediate glass plate 34 and the upper glass plate 13 is reduced by the vacuum cup 23 and the second vacuum cup 25.

As a result, the air in the closed space of the double glazing 26 is depleted and a reduced pressure (vacuum) state is established. Upper glass plate 13
Is pushed downward at atmospheric pressure (1 kg / cm ² ). For example, if the size of the upper glass plate 13 is 30 cm × 30 cm, the upper glass plate 13 is
That is, it is pressed toward.

The intermediate glass plate 34 and the upper glass plate 13 are lowered by the pressing, but the gap in the closed space becomes constant at the stage where they hit the spacers 22. Then, the sealing material 12 is cured by light or heat. Next, the liquid crystal is filled into the decompressed space of the multi-layer glass 26 by the liquid crystal injection tubes 24 and 36.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention. When the liquid crystals 30, 30 are filled, the sealants 31,. Filling,
Cure with light or heat. Thus, a high-grade liquid crystal cell 33B can be obtained without using a heating press. Since a heating press is unnecessary, a clean room large enough to accommodate the press is not required.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a glass plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention. A lower glass plate 11 required for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell is prepared.
Is printed with a sealing material 12 made of an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin. In this example, four liquid crystal filling chambers 39 are drawn by the sealant 12. On the other hand, the upper glass plate 1
3 and a plurality of through holes 14.
..., 15 ..., 18 ... are opened. In addition, these through holes 1
, 15,..., 18 are opened at positions slightly inside the sealing material 12.

FIG. 11 is a layout view of a vacuum cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The double glass 2 has an upper glass plate 13 placed on a lower glass plate 11 via a sealing material 12.
6 is placed on a suitable surface plate 21. And the upper glass plate 13
Above the first vacuum cup 23 and the liquid crystal injection tube 24
The second vacuum cup 25 and the third vacuum cup 41 provided with.

The first to third vacuum cups 23, 25,
41 is covered with the through holes 14, 15, and 18 to reduce the pressure in the closed space of the double glazing 26. As a result, the air in the closed space of the double-glazed glass 26 disappears, and a reduced pressure (vacuum) state is set. The upper glass plate 13 is pushed downward at atmospheric pressure (1 kg / cm ² ). For example, the size of the upper glass plate 13 is 30 cm × 30
cm means that the upper glass plate 13 was pressed toward the lower glass plate 11 with about 900 kg. In this state, the sealing material 12 is cured by light or heat.

Next, the central second vacuum valve 29 is closed, and the first
While the pressure is reduced by the vacuum cup 23 and the third vacuum cup 41, the liquid crystal is injected into the closed space of the multilayer glass 26 from the liquid crystal injection pipe 24 at the center.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a double-glazed glass filled with liquid crystal according to a third embodiment of the present invention, which is quickly sealed in through holes 14,..., 15,. The agent 31 is filled and cured by light or heat. And the cut line 42
The multi-layer glass 26 is cut along. After cutting, the resin inlets 43 of the liquid crystal filling chambers 39 are sealed. Specifically, the resin inlets 43 are filled with a photocurable resin or a thermosetting resin, and the sealing agent is cured by irradiating or heating with light. As a result, four liquid crystal cells can be obtained. Thus, many high-grade liquid crystal cells can be obtained without using a heating press. Since a heating press is unnecessary, a clean room large enough to accommodate the press is not required.

The liquid crystal injection tube 24 described with reference to FIG.
Is integrated with the second vacuum cup 25, but may be separate from the second vacuum cup 25. In the embodiment, the seal material is printed on the lower glass plate, but the seal material can be printed on the upper glass plate.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the following effects are exhibited by the above configuration. Claim 1 attaches a sealing material to the lower glass plate, overlaps the upper glass plate on the lower glass via the sealing material, and decompresses the closed space between the upper and lower glasses through a through hole formed in the upper glass. The upper and lower glass plates are pressed at atmospheric pressure, the sealing material is cured, and the liquid crystal is filled in the sealed space between the upper and lower glass. The closed space is depressurized and the upper and lower glass plates are pressed at atmospheric pressure. Therefore, an expensive heating press is not required, and the manufacturing cost of the liquid crystal cell can be significantly reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a glass plate according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a layout diagram of a sealing material according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal pressure reduction of a double-glazed glass according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a liquid crystal filling procedure according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a manufacturing flowchart of the liquid crystal cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a layout view of a glass plate and a sealing material according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the internal depressurization of a double glazing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a glass plate according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a layout view of a vacuum cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a double-glazed glass filled with liquid crystal according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a conventional double glazing for a liquid crystal cell.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the principle of a conventional heating press machine.

FIG. 15 is a manufacturing flow chart of a conventional liquid crystal cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... lower glass plate, 12 ... sealing material, 13 ... upper glass plate, 14-18 ... through-hole, 23, 25 ... vacuum cup, 24 ... liquid crystal injection tube, 27 ... ultraviolet lamp, 30 ... liquid crystal, 31 ... sealing Agents, 33, 33B: liquid crystal cell.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sealing material is attached to a lower glass plate, an upper glass plate is superimposed on the lower glass via the sealing material, and a closed space between the upper and lower glasses is depressurized through a through hole formed in the upper glass. A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal cell, wherein upper and lower glass plates are pressed at atmospheric pressure, the sealing material is cured, and a liquid crystal is filled in a sealed space between the upper and lower glasses.