Screen stretching machine for fine metal mask plate

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of display, in particular to a net stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate. The welding workbench and the net stretching workbench are arranged on the air floating platform of the net stretching machine, the net stretching workbench is used for clamping a mask only provided with a single Panel and arranging a plurality of masks in rows, and then the grabbing mechanisms on the first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the transfer assembly to the position above the net stretching workbench. The transferring assembly adsorbs masks arranged in rows on the net stretching workbench, the masks arranged in rows are transferred to the welding workbench from the net stretching workbench, the grabbing mechanism loosens the transferring assembly, then the first cross beam and the second cross beam move to drive the welding mechanism to weld the masks and the mask frame, and fixing of the masks and the mask frame is achieved. The invention provides the net stretching machine suitable for a new net stretching method, the requirements of a new production process are met, the overall transfer is realized, the production efficiency is improved, and the positioning precision of the mask and the mask frame is also ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of display technology, and in particular, to a mesh stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate. Background Art

[0002] The core structure of an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) device is composed of an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode stacked in sequence on a substrate. During its manufacturing process, each layer of material needs to be accurately deposited on the surface of the array substrate through a vacuum evaporation process. For the light-emitting layer, the OLED material is placed in a vacuum chamber and heated to gaseous sublimation, so that it passes through the micron-level pixel openings of a fine metal mask plate (FMM) and is deposited at a designated position on the substrate to form a thin film. As a key tool, the FMM controls the material distribution through its opening pattern and directly determines the geometric shape and resolution of the pixels.

[0003] The FMM is composed of a mask frame (Mask Frame) and a mask sheet (Mask Sheet). The manufacturing of the FMM requires the transfer device of the mesh stretching machine to load the Frame onto the bearing platform, stretch the Sheet to the designed position by the gripper of the mesh stretching machine, and use laser welding to weld and fix the Sheet to the Frame.

[0004] The existing technology has the following problems:

[0005] For the 1680 mm mask raw material required by the G8.6 FMM production line, only DNP can provide it, and domestic raw materials cannot meet the length required by the production line. In terms of width, the domestic raw material width only meets the mask with a width of less than 330 mm.

[0006] Moreover, a plurality of Panels are provided on the existing strip-shaped mask, and it is required that all Panels on the entire mask are qualified, resulting in a low yield of the ultra-wide strip-shaped mask, and greater delivery and cost pressures.

[0007] Furthermore, if one Panel of the strip-shaped mask is damaged, the entire mask needs to be replaced during repair, resulting in a large maintenance cost of the fine metal mask plate.

[0008] Therefore, the company has improved the structure of the mask and the connection method between the mask and the mask frame. The mask is processed into a mask with only a single panel. Then, according to the size of the mask frame, the number of masks with only a single panel required in the length direction of the mask frame is calculated. According to the calculated quantity, multiple masks are arranged in a column, and then the masks arranged in a column are integrally transferred to the mask frame and welded and fixed. Through the above improvement, the requirements for mask raw materials in higher-generation OLED product lines are reduced, thereby reducing the production cost and later maintenance cost of the mask plate, thus breaking the requirements for the length and width of the mask in the prior art in the form of strip-shaped masks, and breaking the foreign blockade and restriction on raw material resources.

[0009] The existing screen stretching machines are not suitable for this new type of mask and the screen stretching method of the mask plate. Therefore, the company has designed a screen stretching machine suitable for the new type of mask. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention designs a screen stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate suitable for a new type of mask and a screen stretching method for a new type of mask plate.

[0011] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0012] A screen stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate, which is used for an OLED display panel, and is characterized in that: it includes an air-floating platform, the air-floating platform is arranged on the ground, a welding workbench and a screen stretching workbench are sequentially arranged on the air-floating platform along the length direction, and it also includes second brackets at both ends in the width direction of the air-floating platform, the lower ends of the second brackets are arranged on the ground, a first cross beam and a second cross beam are arranged between the two second brackets, and the first cross beam and the second cross beam can move along the length direction of the second brackets. A first moving mechanism and a second moving mechanism are arranged on the first cross beam, a third moving mechanism and a fourth moving mechanism are arranged on the second cross beam, a grabbing mechanism is arranged on both the first moving mechanism and the third moving mechanism, welding mechanisms are arranged on the second moving mechanism and the fourth moving mechanism, the screen stretching workbench is used to carry a plurality of masks arranged in a column, and it also includes a transfer component. The grabbing mechanisms of the first cross beam and the second cross beam grab both ends of the transfer component and move above the screen stretching workbench. The transfer component adsorbs the masks arranged in a column on the screen stretching workbench. The first cross beam and the second cross beam move to move the transfer component above the welding workbench, and the grabbing mechanism releases to place the transfer component on the welding workbench. The first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the welding mechanism to move to weld the mask and the mask frame located on the welding workbench.

[0013] Furthermore, third brackets are provided on the air-floating platforms at both ends in the width direction of the welding workbench. It further includes a third cross beam, which is connected to the third brackets and can move along the length direction of the third brackets. A fifth moving mechanism is provided on the third cross beam, and at least one camera assembly is provided on the fifth moving mechanism. The camera assembly is used for positioning and calibration of the mask on the welding workbench.

[0014] Furthermore, guide rails are provided on the air-floating platforms at both ends in the length direction of the welding workbench. Movable auxiliary support frames are provided on the guide rails, and clamping mechanisms are provided on the upper surfaces of the auxiliary support frames. The clamping mechanisms are used for supporting and clamping both ends of the transfer assembly.

[0015] Furthermore, the mesh stretching workbench includes a first mesh stretching table and a second mesh stretching table that can move towards each other on the air-floating platform. A plurality of clamping claws are symmetrically provided on the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table. The clamping claws are used for clamping both ends of the mask. An arrangement gap is formed between the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table, and the masks are arranged in columns in the arrangement gap and both ends are clamped by the clamping claws.

[0016] Furthermore, mesh stretching guide rails are provided along the length direction on the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table, and the clamping claws are arranged on the mesh stretching guide rails.

[0017] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0018] The present invention designs a mesh stretcher for a fine metal mask suitable for a new mesh stretching method. In the new mesh stretching method, the strip-shaped mask in the prior art is improved by breaking it into parts, and a new mask with only a single Panel is designed. The mask plate can be obtained by arranging multiple newly designed masks, thereby breaking the requirements for the width and length of the strip-shaped mask in the prior art and breaking the blockade and restriction of foreign raw material resources. The air-floating platform of the mesh stretcher designed by the present invention has a welding workbench and a mesh stretching workbench. The mesh stretching workbench is used to clamp the mask with only a single Panel and realize the column arrangement of multiple masks. Then, the gripping mechanisms on the first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the transfer assembly above the mesh stretching workbench. The transfer assembly adsorbs the masks arranged in columns on the mesh stretching workbench and transfers the columnar masks from the mesh stretching workbench to the welding workbench. The gripping mechanism releases the transfer assembly, and then the first cross beam and the second cross beam move to drive the welding mechanism to weld the mask and the mask frame, realizing the fixation of the mask and the mask frame. The present invention provides a mesh stretcher suitable for a new mesh stretching method, meets the requirements of the new production process, realizes overall transfer, improves production efficiency, and also ensures the positioning accuracy of the mask and the mask frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 Schematic three-dimensional view of the net spreading machine of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 Schematic three-dimensional view of the net spreading machine of the present invention from another perspective;

[0021] Figure 3 is Figure 2 Enlarged schematic view of part A in

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic view of the first cross beam, the second cross beam and the transfer assembly of the present invention on the net spreading workbench;

[0023] Figure 5 Schematic view of the first cross beam, the second cross beam and the transfer assembly of the present invention on the welding workbench;

[0024] Figure 6 Schematic three-dimensional view of the net spreading workbench of the present invention;

[0025] In the figure, 1 is the air floating platform,

[0026] 10 is the welding workbench,

[0027] 11 is the net spreading workbench, 12 is the third support, 13 is the third cross beam, 130 is the fifth moving mechanism, 131 is the camera assembly, 14 is the guide rail, 15 is the auxiliary support frame, 150 is the clamping mechanism,

[0028] 2 is the second support, 20 is the first cross beam, 21 is the second cross beam, 201 is the first moving mechanism, 202 is the second moving mechanism, 211 is the third moving mechanism, 212 is the fourth moving mechanism,

[0029] 3 is the grasping mechanism,

[0030] 4 is the welding mechanism,

[0031] 5 is the transfer assembly,

[0032] 110 is the first net spreading table, 111 is the second net spreading table, 112 is the jaw, 113 is the arrangement gap, 114 is the net spreading guide rail. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, so that those skilled in the art can better understand the present invention and be able to implement it, but the specific embodiments given are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as "disposed on" or "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as "fixed to" another element or "fixedly connected" to another element, the connection between them can be a detachable fixing method or a non-detachable fixing method. When an element is considered to be "connected" or "rotationally connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right", "up", "down" and similar expressions are only for illustrative purposes and do not represent the only implementation.

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which this invention belongs. The terms used in the description of this invention herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0036] In this invention, the terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc. do not represent specific quantities and sequences, but are only used for name distinction.

[0037] See Figure 1As shown in the figure, a fine metal mask stretching machine for an OLED display panel includes an air-floating platform 1 set on the ground. Along the length direction on the air-floating platform 1, there are successively a welding workbench 10 and a stretching workbench 11. It also includes second brackets 2 at both ends in the width direction of the air-floating platform. The lower ends of the second brackets 2 are set on the ground. Between the two second brackets 2, there are a first cross beam 20 and a second cross beam 21. The first cross beam 20 and the second cross beam 21 can move along the length direction of the second brackets. The first cross beam and the second cross beam are moved along the second brackets through a linear drive mechanism. Commonly used linear drive mechanisms include servo lead screw mechanisms, linear guide rail mechanisms, etc. Any linear drive mechanism that meets the accuracy requirements can be used in the present invention. On the first cross beam 20, there are a first moving mechanism 201 and a second moving mechanism 202. On the second cross beam 21, there are a third moving mechanism 211 and a fourth moving mechanism 212. The first moving mechanism, the second moving mechanism, the third moving mechanism, and the fourth moving mechanism are linear motion mechanisms. On both the first moving mechanism 201 and the third moving mechanism 211, there are gripping mechanisms 3. The gripping mechanism is a pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit and a gripping jaw connected to and driven by the pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit. The gripping mechanism is used to achieve picking and placing. On the second moving mechanism 202 and the fourth moving mechanism 212, there is a welding mechanism 4. The welding mechanism is a laser welding device, which is used to weld both ends of the mask to connect the mask to the mask frame. The stretching workbench 11 is used to carry a number of masks arranged in a column. It also includes a transfer component 5. The gripping mechanisms 3 of the first cross beam and the second cross beam grip both ends of the transfer component and move to above the stretching workbench. The transfer component adsorbs the masks arranged in a column on the stretching workbench. Specifically, the transfer component can be a transfer mechanism with electrostatic adsorption, vacuum adsorption, or magnetic adsorption, which is used to adsorb the masks arranged in a column on the stretching workbench. The adsorbed masks can move along with the transfer component, and during the movement, the connection between the masks and the transfer component is stable and reliable. The first cross beam and the second cross beam move to move the transfer component above the welding workbench, and the gripping mechanism releases to place the transfer component on the welding workbench. The gripping component is specifically used to pick and place the transfer component. First, pick the transfer component, then the first cross beam and the second cross beam move to move the transfer component to the stretching workbench. The transfer component adsorbs the masks arranged on the stretching workbench. Then the first cross beam and the second cross beam move to above the welding workbench again. After positioning, the gripping mechanism places the transfer component down. The first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the welding mechanism to move to weld the mask and the mask frame located on the welding workbench. The present invention designs a new type of stretching machine. On the one hand, through the stretching workbench, the masks are arranged in a column, and both ends of the masks are clamped by the stretching workbench, which is beneficial to ensuring the consistency of the masks on the stretching workbench. On the other hand,Through the first cross beam, the second cross beam and the transfer assembly, the synchronous transfer of multiple masks arranged in columns can be achieved, ensuring the working efficiency and the consistency of each mask after transfer. Further, the first cross beam and the second cross beam of the present invention are arranged on the second support, and there is no physical connection relationship between the second support and the air floating platform, thereby reducing the influence of the first cross beam and the second cross beam on the air floating platform during movement and ensuring the stability and reliability of the air floating platform.

[0038] Third supports 12 are provided on the air floating platforms 1 at both ends in the width direction of the welding workbench. The device further includes a third cross beam 13, which is connected to the third supports 12 and can move along the length direction of the third supports. A fifth moving mechanism 130 is provided on the third cross beam 13, and at least one camera assembly 131 is provided on the fifth moving mechanism. The camera assembly is used for the positioning and calibration of the mask on the welding workbench. After the mask is transferred to the mask frame, it is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the position of the mask on the mask frame. The camera assembly is driven to move by the third cross beam and the fifth moving assembly on the third cross beam, and the position of the mask is positioned and calibrated by comparing images through the camera assembly.

[0039] Guide rails 14 are provided on the air floating platforms 1 at both ends in the length direction of the welding workbench. Movable auxiliary support frames 15 are provided on the guide rails 14, and a clamping mechanism 150 is provided on the upper surface of the auxiliary support frames 15. The clamping mechanism 150 is used for supporting and clamping both ends of the transfer assembly. Further, the added auxiliary support frames are used for supporting the transfer assembly, and the clamping mechanism is used to fix both ends of the transfer assembly, so that the position between the transfer assembly and the auxiliary support frames is fixed and reliable. Since the auxiliary support frames can move on the guide rails, combined with the aforementioned camera assembly, when the camera assembly detects an error in the positioning of the mask, the position of the mask can be corrected by adjusting the position of the auxiliary support frames on the guide rails, thereby better ensuring the positioning accuracy between the mask and the mask frame. In the present invention, the clamping mechanism uses a pneumatic or hydraulic drive unit to clamp and fix both ends of the transfer assembly, making the transfer assembly and the auxiliary support frames an integral whole, and having better accuracy for the subsequent position correction of the mask.

[0040] The described net stretching workbench 11 includes a first net stretching table 110 and a second net stretching table 111 that can move towards each other on an air floating platform. A number of clamping jaws 112 are symmetrically arranged on the first net stretching table 110 and the second net stretching table 111. The clamping jaws 112 are used to clamp both ends of the mask. A layout gap 113 is formed between the first net stretching table 110 and the second net stretching table 111. The masks are arranged in columns within the layout gap and both ends are clamped by the clamping jaws. Here, the structure of the net stretching workbench is defined. It includes a first net stretching table and a second net stretching table, and both can move on the air floating platform, thereby realizing the adjustment of the distance between the two to meet the usage requirements of masks of different lengths. Here, masks of different lengths are due to the different sizes of a single Panel, and correspondingly, the sizes of the masks will also vary. The adjustable distance between the first net stretching table and the second net stretching table is more suitable for various usage scenarios.

[0041] On the first net stretching table 110 and the second net stretching table 111, net stretching guide rails 114 are provided along the length direction. The clamping jaws 112 are arranged on the net stretching guide rails 114. With the above structure, the clamping jaws can move on the net stretching guide rails, thereby adjusting the distance between adjacent clamping jaws. When the width of the mask changes, the distance between adjacent clamping jaws can be adjusted to better clamp the mask and improve the applicability of the equipment.

[0042] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0043] The present invention designs a net stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate suitable for a new net stretching method. In the new net stretching method, the strip-shaped mask in the prior art is improved by dividing it into parts. A new mask with only a single Panel is designed. The mask plate can be obtained by arranging multiple newly designed masks. Thus, it breaks the requirements for the width and length of the mask in the prior art for strip-shaped masks and breaks the foreign blockade and restriction on raw material resources. The air floating platform of the net stretching machine designed by the present invention has a welding workbench and a net stretching workbench. The net stretching workbench is used to clamp the mask with only a single Panel and realize the columnar arrangement of multiple masks. Then, the grasping mechanisms on the first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the transfer component above the net stretching workbench. The transfer component adsorbs the masks arranged in columns on the net stretching workbench and transfers the columnar masks from the net stretching workbench to the welding workbench. The grasping mechanisms release the transfer component, and then the first cross beam and the second cross beam move to drive the welding mechanism to weld the mask and the mask frame, realizing the fixation of the mask and the mask frame. The present invention provides a net stretching machine suitable for a new net stretching method, meeting the requirements of the new production process, realizing overall transfer, improving production efficiency, and also ensuring the positioning accuracy of the mask and the mask frame.

[0044] Based on the embodiments of the present invention described, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mesh stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate, which is used for an OLED display panel, characterized in that: It includes an air-floating platform which is set on the ground. On the air-floating platform, a welding workbench and a mesh stretching workbench are successively arranged along the length direction. It also includes second supports at both ends of the air-floating platform in the width direction. The lower ends of the second supports are set on the ground. A first cross beam and a second cross beam are arranged between the two second supports, and the first cross beam and the second cross beam can move along the length direction of the second supports. A first moving mechanism and a second moving mechanism are arranged on the first cross beam, and a third moving mechanism and a fourth moving mechanism are arranged on the second cross beam. Gripping mechanisms are arranged on both the first moving mechanism and the third moving mechanism, and welding mechanisms are arranged on the second moving mechanism and the fourth moving mechanism. The mesh stretching workbench is used to carry a number of masks arranged in a column. It also includes a transfer component. The gripping mechanisms of the first cross beam and the second cross beam grip both ends of the transfer component and move above the mesh stretching workbench. The transfer component adsorbs the masks arranged in a column on the mesh stretching workbench. The first cross beam and the second cross beam move to move the transfer component above the welding workbench. The gripping mechanisms release to place the transfer component on the welding workbench. The first cross beam and the second cross beam drive the welding mechanisms to move to weld the masks and mask frames located on the welding workbench.

2. The stretching machine for a fine metal mask plate according to claim 1, characterized in that: Third supports are arranged on the air-floating platform at both ends of the welding workbench in the width direction. It also includes a third cross beam which is connected to the third supports and can move along the length direction of the third supports. A fifth moving mechanism is arranged on the third cross beam, and at least one camera component is arranged on the fifth moving mechanism. The camera component is used for positioning and calibration of the masks on the welding workbench.

3. The mesh stretching machine for the fine metal mask plate according to claim 1, wherein: Guide rails are arranged on the air-floating platform at both ends of the welding workbench in the length direction. Movable auxiliary support frames are arranged on the guide rails, and clamping mechanisms are arranged on the upper surfaces of the auxiliary support frames. The clamping mechanisms are used for supporting and clamping both ends of the transfer component.

4. The stretching machine for the fine metal mask plate according to claim 1, wherein: The mesh stretching workbench includes a first mesh stretching table and a second mesh stretching table which are arranged on the air-floating platform and can move towards each other. A number of clamping jaws are symmetrically arranged on the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table. The clamping jaws are used for clamping both ends of the masks. A layout gap is formed between the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table, and the masks are arranged in a column in the layout gap and both ends are clamped by the clamping jaws.

5. The stretching machine for fine metal mask plates according to claim 4, characterized in that: Mesh stretching guide rails are arranged along the length direction on the first mesh stretching table and the second mesh stretching table, and the clamping jaws are arranged on the mesh stretching guide rails.

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