KR101196721B1 - Paste dispenser and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The paste dispenser according to the present invention proposes a configuration and method for accurately measuring whether the head support is aligned in parallel in the X-axis direction with respect to the stage on which the frame or the substrate on which the head support is supported is mounted.

Frame, stage, head support

Description

Paste Dispenser and Control Method {PASTE DISPENSER AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a paste dispenser for applying paste onto a substrate and a control method thereof.

In general, a flat panel display (FPD) is an image display device that is thinner and lighter than a television or a monitor employing a CRT. As flat panel displays, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Field Emission Display (FED), Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED), etc. It is used.

Among them, the liquid crystal display is a display device in which a desired image is displayed by individually supplying data signals according to image information to liquid crystal cells arranged in a matrix to adjust light transmittance of the liquid crystal cells. Liquid crystal displays are widely used because of their thinness, light weight, low power consumption and low operating voltage. The manufacturing method of the liquid crystal panel generally employed in such a liquid crystal display will be described.

First, a color filter and a common electrode are formed on an upper substrate, and a thin film transistor (TFT) and a pixel electrode are formed on the lower substrate corresponding to the upper substrate. Subsequently, after the alignment films are applied to the substrates, the alignment films are rubbed to provide a pre-tilt angle and an orientation direction to the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer to be formed therebetween.

Then, paste is applied to at least one substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a paste pattern so as to maintain a gap between the substrates and to prevent the liquid crystal from leaking to the outside and to seal the substrates. Through the process of forming a liquid crystal layer in the liquid crystal panel is manufactured.

In the manufacture of such a liquid crystal panel, a device called a paste dispenser is used to form a paste pattern on a substrate. The paste dispenser includes a stage disposed on a frame, on which a substrate is mounted, a head unit equipped with a nozzle through which paste is discharged, and a head support for supporting the head unit.

Such a paste dispenser forms a paste pattern on a substrate while varying the relative position of each nozzle and the substrate. That is, the paste dispenser horizontally moves the nozzles and / or the substrate in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction while constantly controlling the distance between the nozzle outlet and the substrate by moving the nozzles mounted on each head unit in the Z-axis direction. The paste is ejected from the nozzle onto the substrate to form a paste pattern.

On the other hand, when the head support is installed on the frame or when the paste dispenser is used for a long time, a problem may occur in which the head support is not aligned correctly on the frame and is distorted at a predetermined angle.

As such, when the head support is not aligned correctly on the frame, not only the movement of the head support is not smoothly performed, but also the position of the head unit is incorrectly moved, thereby causing a problem in the paste pattern formed on the substrate.

The present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a paste dispenser and a control method for accurately measuring whether the head support is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame or stage To provide.

The paste dispenser according to the present invention for achieving the above object, a frame, a stage disposed on the frame and the substrate is mounted, a head support supported on the frame and extending in the X-axis direction from the top of the stage; A paste dispenser comprising a head unit installed on the head support to be movable in the X axis direction and having a nozzle for discharging paste, the paste dispenser being disposed in a plurality of lines in the frame or the stage along the X axis direction. It may be configured to include a reference unit and a sensing unit provided in the head unit for detecting the reference unit.

Here, the reference unit may be configured to include a light emitting unit for emitting light, and the detection unit may be configured to include a light receiving unit for receiving the light emitted from the light emitting unit.

The control method of the paste dispenser according to the present invention includes the steps of (a) moving the head unit to move the sensing unit to a position for detecting one of the plurality of reference units, and (b) the head unit. It may be configured to include a step of measuring whether the sensing unit detects the reference unit disposed in the moving direction of the head unit while moving along the head support.

Here, the paste dispenser according to the present invention, in the step (b), when the sensing unit does not detect the reference unit disposed in the moving direction of the head unit, the extension shaft extending the head support is X And calibrating the position of the head support to be parallel to the axis.

In addition, the paste dispenser according to the present invention, the reference unit may be configured to include a reference mark displayed on the frame or the stage, the detection unit includes an imaging device installed toward the frame or the stage Can be configured.

The control method of the paste dispenser according to the present invention includes (a) moving the head unit to move the imaging device to a position where the imaging center of the imaging device coincides with the center of the first reference mark among the plurality of reference marks. And (b) moving the head unit along the head support to move the image pickup apparatus to a position of a second preset reference mark among the plurality of reference marks, and imaging the position of the second preset reference mark. And (c) measuring whether the imaging center of the imaging apparatus and the center of the second reference mark coincide with each other.

Here, the paste dispenser according to the present invention, in the step (c), when the center of the image pickup center and the second reference mark of the imaging device does not coincide, the X axis is the extension axis extending the head support And calibrating the position of the head support to be parallel to.

On the other hand, the step of calibrating the position of the head support, the first step of measuring the distance in the Y-axis direction between the imaging center of the imaging device and the center of the second reference mark, and the second reference from the first reference mark The X axis and the extension axis of the head support are formed from a distance in the Y axis direction between the moving distance of the imaging device to the reference mark and the imaging center of the imaging device measured in the first step and the center of the second reference mark. A second step of calculating an angle and a third step of correcting the position of the head support such that the extension axis of the head support is parallel to the X axis based on the angle calculated in the second step. have.

The paste dispenser according to the present invention includes a frame, a stage disposed on the frame, on which the substrate is mounted, a head support supported on the frame and extending in the X axis direction from the top of the stage, and an X axis on the head support. A paste dispenser comprising a head unit provided to be movable in a direction and having a nozzle for discharging paste, the paste dispenser comprising: a reference unit provided in the head unit and a plurality of lines in the frame or the stage along the X-axis direction It may be configured to include a sensing unit disposed to detect the reference unit.

The paste dispenser and its control method according to the present invention can accurately detect whether the head support is aligned parallel to the X-axis with respect to the frame on which the head support is supported or the stage on which the substrate is mounted. Since it can be aligned parallel to the X-axis, there is an effect that can accurately apply the paste in a desired pattern on the substrate.

In addition, the paste dispenser and its control method according to the present invention can measure whether the head support is aligned in the X-axis direction based on the frame on which the head support is supported or the stage on which the substrate is mounted. Even if not, there is an effect that can measure whether the head support is aligned in the X-axis direction.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the paste dispenser and its control method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the paste dispenser for forming a paste pattern on a board | substrate is demonstrated. The paste dispenser according to the present invention includes a frame 10, a stage 20 provided on the frame 10 and a substrate S mounted thereon, and a pair of stages provided on both sides of the stage and extending in the Y-axis direction. Both ends are supported by the support movement guide 30 and the pair of support movement guides 30, which are installed on the upper portion of the stage 20 and extend in the X-axis direction, and the head support 40. A head unit 50 installed to be movable in the X-axis direction and equipped with a nozzle 53 for discharging paste and a laser displacement sensor 54, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the application operation of the paste. Can be configured.

On the frame 10, an X-axis moving device 21 for moving the stage 20 in the X-axis direction and a Y-axis moving device 22 for moving the stage 20 in the Y-axis direction may be installed. That is, the Y-axis guide 221 of the Y-axis moving device 22 is installed on the frame 10, and the X-axis guide 211 of the X-axis moving device 21 is installed above the Y-axis moving device 22. The stage 20 may be mounted on the X-axis guide 211. By such a configuration, the stage 20 may be guided by the X-axis guide 211 and moved in the X-axis direction, and the X-axis guide 211 is guided and moved by the Y-axis guide 221 to the Y-axis. Can be moved in a direction. On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the Y-axis guide 221 is installed on the upper portion of the frame 10 and the X-axis guide 211 is mounted on the upper portion of the Y-axis guide 221, the frame 10 of the The X-axis guide 211 is installed on the upper portion and the configuration that the Y-axis guide 221 is mounted on the upper portion of the X-axis guide 211 can be applied. Of course, only one of the X-axis moving device 21 and the X-axis guide 211 and the Y-axis moving device 22 and the Y-axis guide 221 is applied, so that the stage is in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. A configuration that moves only in either direction can be applied.

Both ends of the head support 40 may be installed with a support for moving the support 41 is connected to the support guide movement guide (30). By the interaction of the support movement guide 30 and the support movement device 41, the head support 40 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the support movement guide 30, that is, the Y-axis direction. Accordingly, the head unit 50 may be moved in the Y-axis direction by the movement of the head support 40 in the Y-axis direction.

The head support 40 may be provided with a head moving guide 42 disposed in the X-axis direction, and the head unit 50 may include a head moving device 51 connected to the head moving guide 42 of the head support 40. ) Can be installed. By the interaction of the head moving guide 42 and the head moving device 51, the head unit 50 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the head support 40, that is, the X axis direction.

As such, the head unit 50 may be horizontally moved in the X-axis direction and / or Y-axis direction according to the XY equipment coordinate system defined by the X-axis and Y-axis.

As shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 50 is disposed adjacent to the syringe 52 in which the paste is filled, the nozzle 53 in communication with the syringe 52, and the paste is discharged. Laser displacement sensor 54 for measuring the distance between the nozzle 53 and the substrate S, and a Y-axis driving portion 55 for moving the nozzle 53 and the laser displacement sensor 54 in the Y-axis direction; , Z-axis driving unit 56 for moving the nozzle 53 and the laser displacement sensor 54 in the Z-axis direction can be configured.

The laser displacement sensor 54 is composed of a light emitting unit 541 for emitting a laser, and a light receiving unit 542 spaced apart from the light emitting unit 541 at a predetermined interval and receiving a laser beam reflected from the substrate S. The light emitted from the unit 541 and outputs an electrical signal according to the imaging position of the laser reflected from the upper surface of the substrate (S) to the control unit serves to measure the distance between the substrate (S) and the nozzle (53).

In addition, the head unit 50 may be provided with a cross-sectional area sensor 57 for measuring the cross-sectional area of the paste pattern (P) applied to the substrate (S). The cross-sectional area sensor 57 measures the cross-sectional area of the paste pattern P by continuously emitting a laser to the substrate S and scanning the paste pattern P. FIG. Data on the cross-sectional area of the paste pattern P measured from the cross-sectional area sensor 57 may be used to measure whether the paste pattern P is defective.

In addition, the head unit 50 may be provided with an imaging device 58 that is installed to face the substrate (S) in a portion adjacent to the nozzle (53). The imaging device 58 performs a role of measuring the current position of the nozzle 53 while moving together with the nozzle 53 by the movement in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the head unit 50. Can be.

3 and 4, as an embodiment of the present invention, a structure capable of measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame 10 or the stage 20 is described. And a method will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 10 or the stage 20 may be provided with reference units 70 arranged in a plurality of lines along the X-axis direction, and the head unit 50 may include such reference units ( 70 may be provided with a sensing unit 80 for sensing.

In the present invention, the reference unit 70 is provided with a frame 10 or a stage 20 to measure whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame 10 or the stage 20. And methods are presented. As such, when measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame 10 or the stage 20, the head support 40 is positioned on the X axis based on the substrate S. Compared to the case of measuring parallel alignment, it is possible to more accurately measure whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis. This is because the substrate S may not be carried on the stage 20 in a state of being exactly aligned with the stage 20, so that the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis when the substrate S is referred to. This may be due to an error in measuring the accuracy. In addition, when measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame 10 or the stage 20, the substrate S does not need to be carried on the stage 20. Whether or not the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis can be measured regardless of whether or not the (S) is carried on the stage 20.

As such, according to the present invention, since the reference unit 70 is provided in the frame 10 or the stage 20, the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis without the carrying-in and alignment process of the substrate S. Can be detected.

In addition, according to the present invention, the configuration of the reference unit 70 and the sensing unit 80 can be diversified. That is, the reference unit 70 may be configured as a light emitting unit for emitting light, and the sensing unit 80 may be configured as a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit. By such a configuration, it is possible to measure whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X-axis by detecting whether the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the reference unit 70 is received by the light receiving portion of the sensing unit 80. Can be.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the reference unit 70 is provided in the frame 10 or the stage 20 and the sensing unit 80 is provided in the head unit 50, the reference unit 70 is a head unit The configuration provided in the 50 and the sensing unit 80 is provided in the frame 10 or the stage 20 can be applied. That is, the light emitting unit is provided in the head unit 50 and the light receiving unit is arranged in a line in the X-axis direction on the frame 10 or the stage 20 so that the head support unit can detect whether the light emitted from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. It can be determined whether 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the control method of the paste dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is as follows.

When the head support 40 is installed on the support movement guide 30 of the frame 10, when the components included in the head support 40 are replaced, and the paste dispenser is driven for a long time, the frame 10 Alternatively, a process of measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the stage 20 may be performed. In addition, this process may be performed every predetermined time or from time to time.

In order to measure whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis, first, the head unit 50 is moved in the X axis direction and / or the Y axis direction to detect the sensing unit 80 of the head unit 50. Move the reference unit 70 of one of the plurality of reference units 70 provided on the frame 10 or the stage 20 to a position capable of detecting (S11).

As such, in a state where the sensing unit 80 is located at a position for sensing one reference unit 70 of the plurality of reference units 70, the head unit 50 is moved along the head support 40 to detect the sensing unit 80. The unit 80 is moved (S12).

At this time, it is measured whether the detection unit 80 detects at least one reference unit 70 disposed in the X-axis direction (S13).

When the sensing unit 80 detects the reference unit 70 arranged in the X-axis direction, the moving direction of the head unit 50 and the direction in which the reference unit 70 is disposed (the X-axis direction) are parallel to each other. That is, since the extension shaft EL of the head support 40 is parallel to the X axis, the operation of measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis is terminated.

However, when the sensing unit 80 does not detect the reference unit 70 disposed in the X-axis direction, the moving direction of the head unit 50 and the direction in which the reference unit 70 is disposed (the X-axis direction) Since it is not parallel, a process of correcting the position of the head support 40 may be performed such that the extension shaft EL of the head support 40 is parallel to the X axis (S14).

In order to calibrate the head support 40, one side end of the head support 40 may be moved to move only the other end of the head support 40 in the Y-axis direction in a fixed state. Accordingly, the head support 40 may be performed. The position of the head support 40 can be corrected such that the extension axis EL is parallel to the X axis. To this end, the control unit may control to stop one of the support moving devices 41 installed at both ends of the head support 40 and operate only the other.

On the other hand, after performing the process of correcting the position of the head support 40 as described above, a process of determining whether to measure again whether the head support 40 is aligned in parallel in the X-axis direction may be performed. (S15).

5 to 7, as another embodiment of the present invention, a configuration capable of measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis with respect to the frame 10 or the stage 20 is described. And a method will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the frame 10 or the stage 20 may be provided with reference units 70 arranged in a plurality of lines along the X-axis direction, and the head unit 50 may include such reference units ( 70 may be provided with a sensing unit 80 for sensing.

The reference unit 70 may be composed of a reference mark 71 displayed on the frame 10 or the stage 20, and the sensing unit 80 may be an imaging device 58 provided in the head unit 50. Can be.

A plurality of reference marks 71 may be displayed on the upper surface of the frame 10 or the stage 20 in a line in the X-axis direction. The reference mark 71 may be formed in a point shape having a predetermined diameter, and may be formed in a cross shape, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

6 and 7, a control method of a paste dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described below.

In order to detect whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis, first, the head unit 50 is moved in the X axis direction and / or Y axis direction to move the imaging device 58 to the imaging device 58. The imaging center CC moves to a position coinciding with the center of the first reference mark 711 of the plurality of reference marks 71 (S21).

Then, the head unit 50 is moved along the head support 40 to move the imaging device 58 toward a predetermined position of the second reference mark 712 among the plurality of reference marks 71. In step S22).

At this time, when the head support 40 is parallel to the X axis, the X axis direction distance DX in which the imaging device 58 is moved is determined by moving the imaging device 58 from the first reference mark 711 to the second reference mark. When moving to 712, the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 is the X-axis direction distance DX which coincides with the center MC of the second reference mark 712. FIG.

In this manner, the image capturing device 58 captures the position of the second reference mark 712 with the image capturing device 58 while the imaging device 58 is moved toward the second reference mark 712 by a predetermined distance DX (S23). .

Therefore, if the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X-axis, when the imaging device 58 is moved from the first reference mark 711 to the second reference mark 712, the imaging device 58 The imaging center CC and the center MC of the second reference mark 712 coincide with each other. However, when the head support 40 is not aligned parallel to the X axis, when the imaging device 58 is moved from the first reference mark 711 to the second reference mark 712, the head support 40 shown in FIG. As described above, the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 and the center MC of the second reference mark 712 do not coincide.

Therefore, the control unit measures the position of the center MC of the second reference mark 712 and the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 from the image of the position where the position of the second reference mark 712 is picked up, and thus the imaging. It is measured whether the imaging center CC of the device 58 and the center MC of the second reference mark 712 coincide with each other (S24).

At this time, when the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 coincides with the center MC of the second reference mark 712, the extension axis EL of the head support 40 is parallel to the X axis. Therefore, the operation of detecting whether the head support 40 is aligned parallel to the X axis ends.

However, when the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 and the center MC of the second reference mark 712 do not coincide, the head is extended so that the extension axis EL of the head support 40 is parallel to the X axis. A process S25 of correcting the position of the support 40 may be performed.

The step S25 of correcting the position of the head support 40 is performed in the Y-axis direction between the imaging center CC of the imaging device 58 and the center MC of the second reference mark 712. DY) is measured (S251), and the measured Y-axis distance DY and the distance DX moved by the imaging device 58 from the first reference mark 711 to the second reference mark 712 are measured. An angle A formed between the extension axis EL of the head support 40 and the X axis is calculated (S252), and the extension axis EL of the head support 40 is obtained using the calculated angle A. ) May be configured to adjust the position of the head support 40 to be parallel to the X axis (S253).

The step S253 of adjusting the position of the head support 40 may be performed by moving only the other end of the head support 40 in the Y-axis direction while one end of the head support 40 is fixed. For this purpose, the control unit may control to stop one of the support moving devices 41 installed at both ends of the head support 40 and operate only the other.

On the other hand, after performing the process of correcting the position of the head support 40 as described above (S25), the process of determining whether to measure again whether the head support 40 is aligned in parallel in the X-axis direction is performed It may be (S27).

As described above, the paste dispenser according to the present invention and the control method thereof include an X-axis of the head support 40 relative to the frame 10 on which the head support 40 is supported or the stage 20 on which the substrate S is mounted. It is possible to accurately measure whether or not aligned parallel to the, and by using this to align the head support 40 parallel to the X-axis, the effect of accurately applying the paste in the desired pattern on the substrate (S) have.

In addition, in the paste dispenser according to the present invention and a control method thereof, the head support 40 is in the X-axis direction based on the frame 10 on which the head support 40 is supported or the stage 20 on which the substrate S is mounted. Since it is possible to measure whether the alignment is in the X-axis direction, even if the substrate S is not carried on the stage, there is an effect of measuring whether the head support 40 is aligned in the X-axis direction.

The technical idea described in each embodiment of the present invention may be implemented independently, or may be implemented in combination with each other.

1 is a perspective view showing a paste dispenser according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a head unit of the paste dispenser of FIG. 1.

3 is a perspective view showing the head unit and the head support of the paste dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the paste dispenser of FIG. 1.

5 is a perspective view showing the head unit and the head support of the paste dispenser according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for describing a control method of the paste dispenser of FIG. 5.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the paste dispenser of FIG. 5.

*** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing ***

40: head support 50: head unit

58: imaging device 70: reference unit

71: reference mark 80: detection unit

Claims (9)

A frame, a stage disposed on the frame, on which the substrate is mounted, a head support supported on the frame and extending in the X-axis direction from the top of the stage, and movable in the X-axis direction on the head support; In a paste dispenser comprising a head unit provided with a nozzle for discharging paste, A reference unit arranged in a plurality of lines in the frame or the stage along the X-axis direction; And A sensing unit provided in the head unit to sense the reference unit, And moving the head unit along the head support to determine whether the sensing unit senses the plurality of reference units to determine whether the head support is aligned parallel to the X axis. The method of claim 1, The reference unit includes a light emitting unit for emitting light, The sensing unit includes a paste dispenser comprising a light receiving unit for receiving light emitted from the light emitting unit. In the control method for controlling the paste dispenser according to claim 1, (a) moving the head unit to move the sensing unit to a position of detecting one reference unit of the plurality of reference units; And (b) measuring whether the sensing unit senses a reference unit arranged in the moving direction of the head unit while moving the head unit along the head support. The method of claim 3, In the step (b), when the sensing unit does not detect the reference unit disposed in the moving direction of the head unit, the position of the head support is corrected so that the extension axis from which the head support extends is parallel to the X axis. The control method of the paste dispenser further comprising the step of. The method of claim 1, The reference unit includes a reference mark displayed on the frame or the stage, And the sensing unit includes an imaging device installed toward the frame or the stage. In the method of controlling the paste dispenser according to claim 5, (a) moving the head unit to move the imaging device to a position where an imaging center of the imaging device is coincident with a center of a first reference mark among the plurality of reference marks; (b) moving the head unit along the head support to move the image pickup apparatus to a position of a second preset reference mark among the plurality of reference marks, and imaging the position of the second preset reference mark; And and (c) measuring whether the imaging center of the imaging device and the center of the second reference mark coincide with each other. The method of claim 6, In step (c), when the imaging center of the imaging device and the center of the second reference mark do not coincide with each other, the position of the head support is corrected such that an extension axis from which the head support extends is parallel to the X axis. The control method of the paste dispenser further comprising the step. The method of claim 7, wherein Correcting the position of the head support, A first step of measuring a distance in the Y axis direction between an imaging center of the imaging device and a center of the second reference mark; The head support from the distance in the Y axis direction between the moving distance of the imaging device from the first reference mark to the second reference mark and the imaging center of the imaging device measured in the first step and the center of the second reference mark; Calculating an angle formed by the extension axis of the X axis and the X axis; And And a third step of correcting the position of the head support so that the extension axis of the head support is parallel to the X axis based on the angle calculated in the second step. A frame, a stage disposed on the frame, on which the substrate is mounted, a head support supported on the frame and extending in the X-axis direction from the top of the stage, and movable in the X-axis direction on the head support; In a paste dispenser comprising a head unit provided with a nozzle for discharging paste, A reference unit provided in the head unit; And And a sensing unit arranged in a plurality of lines in the frame or the stage along the X-axis direction to sense the reference unit.

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