Printing alignment layers on LCD substrates within ink jet printing apparatus

a technology of ink jet printing and alignment layer, which is applied in the manufacture of electrode systems, instruments, electric discharge tubes/lamps, etc., can solve the problems of adversely affecting the alignment of liquid crystal molecules of display, the quality of the image formed, and the increase of lcd production costs

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-06-17
SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The apparatus achieves a uniform alignment layer thickness, eliminating stripes and improving image quality by reducing ink wastage and enhancing the alignment of liquid crystal molecules.

Problems solved by technology

However, a drawback involved with using the foregoing flexography type of alignment layer printing apparatus is that it wastes a relatively large amount of the alignment layer ink during the process, thereby increasing LCD production costs.
However, as shown in FIG. 3B, right, even with this “two-session” ejection-and-leveling procedure, the alignment layer can still exhibit a variation in its thickness that results in the formation of undesirable longitudinal “stripes” in the alignment layer that can adversely affect the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules of the display, and hence, the quality of the images that it forms.

Method used

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  • Printing alignment layers on LCD substrates within ink jet printing apparatus
  • Printing alignment layers on LCD substrates within ink jet printing apparatus
  • Printing alignment layers on LCD substrates within ink jet printing apparatus

Examples

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Embodiment Construction

[0028]FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of an ink jet head of an exemplary embodiment of an alignment layer printing apparatus in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink jet head comprises an orifice unit 400, a plurality of piezoelectric elements 500, an alignment layer ink supply unit 600 and a plurality of potentiometers, or variable resistors 700. In the schematic view of FIG. 4, the variable resistors and the piezoelectric elements are shown in elevation view and mounted on and coupled to each other through a printed circuit board (PCB), whereas, the ink supply unit 600 and the orifice unit are disposed below the piezoelectric elements and shown in partial plan views rotated to lie in the plane of the PCB for illustration purposes.

[0029]As described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5A to 6C, the orifice unit 400A contains a plurality of orifices for ejecting an alignment layer ink directly onto an LCD substrate (not illustrated) disposed ...

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Abstract

An apparatus for printing a liquid crystal alignment layer of uniform thickness on a substrate of an LCD and a method for its use include an ink jet head that prevents the formation of stripes in the alignment layer as a result of variations in thickness of the alignment layer. The apparatus includes an alignment layer ink ejecting unit that includes an orifice unit having a plurality of orifices, and a plurality of control units, each including a piezoelectric element that controls the flow of ink through a corresponding one of the orifices. Each of the orifices includes a plurality of ink ejection passages through which the ink is ejected, and each of the passages terminates at nozzle, or ink ejection hole.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 654,296, filed Jan. 16, 2007, which claims priority of Korean Pat. App. No. 10-2006-0004428, filed Jan. 16, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]The present invention relates to an ink jet printing apparatus for printing an alignment layer on a substrate of a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a method for printing an alignment layer using the novel apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an LCD alignment layer printing apparatus having an ink jet head incorporating a structure for ensuring that the printed alignment layer has a uniform thickness.[0003]A liquid crystal display (LCD) forms desired images by adjusting the amount of light transmitted through the panel in accordance with image signals applied to a number of control switches arrayed in a matrix on a substrate of the panel. The LCD comprises an LCD pan...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01J9/20H01J9/00
CPCB41J2/14201G02F1/133711B41J2002/14419B41J2/145B41J2002/0055B41J2002/14475
InventorYUN, YONG KUKJEON, BAEK KYUNJUNG, JIN SOO
OwnerSAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD