A cleaning and drying device for display panel production baskets and a method of using the same

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of display panel production, and particularly relates to a cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket and a use method thereof, which comprises a device main body, two groups of lifting devices arranged in the device main body and a basket body arranged on the lifting devices. The application has the advantages that the display panel is vertically lowered into a cleaning cavity through the basket, a mechanical moving arm which can revolve around a center is arranged in the cavity, a spraying assembly and a hot air assembly are integrated on the same mechanical arm, the center area carrying the display panel is first revolved and washed by the spraying assembly during operation, the mechanical arm is switched to a work station after completing one revolution, the hot air assembly revolves and blows and dries the same center area, the cleaning and drying processes are continuously completed in the same area, and the interval between the processes is shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of display panel production, specifically a cleaning and drying device for display panel production baskets and its usage method. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of display panel manufacturing technology, a display panel refers to a flat panel device used for image display, such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic light-emitting diode display panel. It is usually composed of a glass or flexible substrate and multiple thin film patterns such as thin film transistor arrays, pixel electrodes, and light-emitting functional layers formed thereon.

[0003] During the production of this display panel, after the substrate undergoes multiple wet processes such as photolithography, etching, and stripping, chemical solutions, photoresist residues, and particulate contaminants will inevitably remain on the surface. Therefore, it is necessary to spray and rinse to completely remove them to avoid affecting the adhesion of subsequent film layers and pattern accuracy. After rinsing, the large amount of water adhering to the substrate surface must be dried quickly by hot air blowing to prevent problems such as watermarks, redeposition of contaminants, or oxidation of electrode materials caused by slow natural drying. This ensures that the substrate reaches a highly clean and dry state, meeting the strict requirements of subsequent vacuum coating, cell assembly, or encapsulation processes.

[0004] In the existing display panel production basket cleaning and drying process, the typical practice is to first vertically lower the entire basket of display panels into a separate cleaning chamber, where a fixed spray pipe inside the chamber completes the wet rinsing. After rinsing, the basket lifts the wet panels, which are still covered with a large amount of liquid, out of the cleaning chamber and then transfers them to another separate drying chamber to be dried by hot air.

[0005] While the existing chamber operation mode is technologically mature, in actual production applications, it requires the configuration of two independent chamber structures and corresponding basket reciprocating conveying mechanisms, resulting in a relatively large overall space occupation of the device. At the same time, the reciprocating transfer process of the basket between the cleaning chamber and the drying chamber will prolong the product processing time and will also cause the moisture on the surface of the cleaned panel and basket to evaporate naturally during the transfer process, forming water stains that are difficult to remove. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cleaning and drying apparatus for display panel production baskets and a method for using the same, so as to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0008] A cleaning and drying apparatus for display panel production baskets includes a main body, two sets of lifting devices disposed inside the main body, and a basket body disposed on the lifting devices. The main body contains two processing chambers and a cleaning and drying assembly disposed within each processing chamber. Each cleaning and drying assembly includes a circular guide rail disposed inside the processing chamber and a mechanical moving arm disposed on the circular guide rail. The mechanical moving arm includes a base and a sliding platform disposed at one end of the base. The base is disposed on the circular guide rail via the sliding platform. A connecting rod and a protective shell disposed on the connecting rod are disposed on the top of the base. An arc-shaped guide groove is formed on the top of the base, and an elastic outward expansion assembly is slidably disposed on the arc-shaped guide groove. A support assembly is disposed on the top of the elastic outward expansion assembly, and a hot air drying device and a spray assembly are disposed on the support assembly.

[0009] As described above, a cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket includes an elastic expansion component comprising an arc-shaped guide groove formed on the base. The arc-shaped guide groove extends furthest at both ends in the length direction and has a narrower gap between the upper and lower sides in the width direction.

[0010] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: the elastic expansion assembly further includes two sliding frames disposed on the arc guide groove and a sliding rod disposed between the two sliding frames, and the same spring is disposed between the two sliding frames.

[0011] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: one end of each of the two sliding frames is provided with a roller, and both rollers are in contact with the arc guide groove.

[0012] As described above, a cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket includes: one end of each of the two sliding frames is provided with a limiting slider and a support rod slidably disposed between the two limiting sliders, and one end of each of the two limiting sliders is provided with the same disc.

[0013] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: a groove is provided at the bottom of the disc, and the support rod is disposed on the groove.

[0014] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: a partition is provided at one end of the disc, and the hot air drying equipment includes multiple sets of drying fans arranged in an array at one end of the partition.

[0015] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: the spray assembly includes a diversion pipe disposed on one side of the partition and multiple spray pipes disposed at one end of the diversion pipe, one end of the diversion pipe is provided with a guide tube, and a protective shell is disposed outside the drying fan, the diversion pipe and the partition.

[0016] A cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket as described above: a connecting arm is provided at one end of the base and a friction plate is provided on the connecting arm, and both the friction plate and the disc are provided with anti-slip textures.

[0017] A method for cleaning and drying a display panel using a cleaning and drying apparatus for producing a display panel basket as described above includes the following steps:

[0018] Step 1: First, the lifting device lowers the basket body carrying the display panel into the processing chamber; then, the mechanical moving arm set in the processing chamber moves along the circular guide rail through the set sliding platform, so that the mechanical moving arm revolves around the center of the chamber. At the same time, the spray assembly set on it is aligned with the central area carrying the display panel and performs a revolving spray rinsing.

[0019] Step 2: After the mechanical moving arm completes one revolution, the disc will reach one side of the friction plate. At this time, after the disc has circled to a specific position, it will generate friction with the friction plate, thereby driving the disc to rotate. During the rotation, the disc drives the two sets of sliding frames to deflect.

[0020] Step 3: During the deflection process, the rollers slide to the area where the arc guide groove gradually narrows. This will cause the two sets of rollers to be squeezed and the spring to be compressed. Then, the two sets of rollers gradually rotate from the area where the arc guide groove narrows to the area where the arc guide groove has the maximum groove width at both ends of the long axis, thereby driving the disc to rotate 180° and forcibly switching the position of the spray assembly and the hot air drying equipment, so that the hot air drying equipment is aligned with the central area.

[0021] Step 4: The mechanical moving arm then continues to rotate and blows hot air to dry the display panel; after drying is completed, the basket body lifts and resets the cleaned and dried display panel basket, and the device completes a complete cleaning and drying operation and enters standby mode to wait for the next work command.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0023] The display panel is vertically lowered into the cleaning chamber via a basket. A mechanical arm that can revolve around the center of the chamber is installed inside the chamber. The spray assembly and the hot air assembly are integrated on the same mechanical arm. During operation, the spray assembly first sprays and washes the central area carrying the display panel in a revolving manner. After the mechanical arm completes one revolution, it switches positions so that the hot air assembly can spray and dry the same central area in a revolving manner. This allows the cleaning and drying processes to be completed continuously in the same area, shortening the process interval.

[0024] This invention enables the cleaning and drying processes to be completed continuously in the same area, improving production efficiency. Furthermore, the hot air drying acts directly on the freshly cleaned surface, quickly removing moisture and preventing water stains, thus improving the drying effect and panel cleanliness. After the operation is completed, the robotic arm automatically retracts, achieving automated operation. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of the cleaning and drying device for producing baskets for display panels.

[0026] Figure 2 A side view of the cleaning and drying apparatus for producing baskets for display panels.

[0027] Figure 3 A side view of the internal structure of a cleaning and drying apparatus for producing baskets for display panels.

[0028] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the lifting device, basket body, and processing chamber structure in a cleaning and drying apparatus for display panel production baskets.

[0029] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the lifting device, basket body, processing chamber, and mechanical moving arm in a cleaning and drying apparatus for display panel production baskets.

[0030] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the separation structure of the lifting device, basket body, processing chamber, and mechanical moving arm in the cleaning and drying device for display panel production baskets.

[0031] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the mechanical moving arm and circular guide rail structure in a cleaning and drying device for producing baskets for display panels.

[0032] Figure 8 Another angle schematic diagram of the mechanical moving arm and circular guide rail in the cleaning and drying device for producing baskets for display panels.

[0033] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the mechanical moving arm in a cleaning and drying device for producing baskets for display panels.

[0034] Figure 10A schematic diagram of the base, partition, disc, connecting arm, and friction plate structure in a cleaning and drying device for display panel production baskets.

[0035] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the partition, disc, and flexible expansion assembly in a cleaning and drying apparatus for producing display panel baskets.

[0036] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of the partition, disc, limiting slider, and support rod structure in the cleaning and drying device for display panel production baskets.

[0037] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the base and flexible expansion assembly in a cleaning and drying apparatus for manufacturing baskets for display panels.

[0038] In the diagram: 1. Main body of the equipment; 2. Lifting device; 3. Basket body; 4. Processing chamber; 5. Circular guide rail; 6. Base; 7. Sliding platform; 8. Connecting rod; 9. Protective shell; 10. Arc guide groove; 11. Sliding frame; 12. Slide rod; 13. Spring; 14. Roller; 15. Limiting slider; 16. Support rod; 17. Disc; 18. Slide groove; 19. Partition plate; 20. Drying fan; 21. Diversion pipe; 22. Spray pipe; 23. Connecting arm; 24. Friction plate. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 13 As an embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning and drying device for a display panel production basket includes a main body 1, two sets of lifting devices 2 disposed inside the main body 1, and a basket body 3 disposed on the lifting devices 2. The main body 1 is provided with two sets of processing chambers 4 and a cleaning and drying assembly disposed inside the processing chambers 4. The cleaning and drying assembly includes a circular guide rail 5 disposed inside the processing chamber 4 and a mechanical moving arm disposed on the circular guide rail 5. The mechanical moving arm includes a base 6 and a sliding platform 7 disposed at one end of the base 6. The base 6 is disposed on the circular guide rail 5 through the sliding platform 7. The top of the base 6 is provided with a connecting rod 8 and a protective shell 9 disposed on the connecting rod 8. The top of the base 6 is provided with an arc guide groove 10 and an elastic expansion assembly slidably disposed on the arc guide groove 10. The top of the elastic expansion assembly is provided with a support assembly and a hot air drying device and a spray assembly disposed on the support assembly.

[0041] In this embodiment, the lifting device 2 first lowers the basket body 3, which carries the display panel, into the processing chamber 4. Then, the mechanical moving arm, located in the processing chamber 4, moves along the circular guide rail 5 via the sliding platform 7 and begins to revolve around the center of the chamber. At the same time, the spray assembly configured on it is aligned with the central area carrying the display panel and performs a revolving spray rinsing. After each revolution, the mechanical moving arm forcibly switches the positions of the spray assembly and the hot air drying equipment, aligning the hot air drying equipment with the central area. The mechanical moving arm continues to revolve and blows hot air to dry the display panel. After drying is completed, the basket body 3 lifts and resets the cleaned and dried display panel basket. The device completes one complete cleaning and drying operation and enters standby mode, waiting for the next work instruction.

[0042] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the elastic expansion component includes an arc guide groove 10 formed on the base 6 and being elliptical in shape. The arc guide groove 10 extends the furthest at both ends in the length direction and has a narrower gap between the upper and lower sides in the width direction.

[0043] In this embodiment, reference is made to the appendix. Figure 13 An elliptical arc guide groove 10 is provided on the base 6. The arc guide groove 10 has the maximum groove width at both ends of the long axis and the minimum groove width at the upper and lower ends of the short axis. The groove width gradually narrows from both ends of the long axis to the upper and lower ends of the short axis, forming a variable width arc channel structure that is wide at both ends and narrow in the middle.

[0044] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the elastic expansion assembly further includes two sliding frames 11 disposed on the arc guide groove 10 and a sliding rod 12 disposed between the two sliding frames 11, and a common spring 13 is disposed between the two sliding frames 11.

[0045] In this embodiment, two sets of sliding frames 11 are provided on the arc guide groove 10. The two sets of sliding frames 11 are slidably connected by a slide rod 12, and the same spring 13 is provided between the two sets of sliding frames 11 for abutment.

[0046] As a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the two sliding frames 11 is provided with a roller 14 at one end, and both rollers 14 are in contact with the arc guide groove 10.

[0047] In this embodiment, one end of each of the two sliding frames 11 is rotatably provided with a roller 14. The two rollers 14 are in contact with the arc guide groove 10. By default, the elastic force of the spring 13 will cause the two rollers 14 to abut against the maximum groove width at both ends of the long axis of the arc guide groove 10.

[0048] As a further embodiment of the present invention, each of the two sliding frames 11 is provided with a limiting slider 15 and a support rod 16 slidably disposed between the two limiting sliders 15, and one end of the two limiting sliders 15 is provided with the same disk 17.

[0049] In this embodiment, a limit slider 15 is provided at one end of each of the two sliding frames 11, and the two limit sliders 15 are slidably disposed at one end of the disc 17. The support rod 16 provides slidable support for the two limit sliders 15.

[0050] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a groove 18 is provided at the bottom of the disk 17, and the support rod 16 is disposed on the groove 18.

[0051] In this embodiment, a groove 18 is provided at the bottom of the disc 17, and the disc 17 is connected to the support rod 16 through the groove 18.

[0052] As a further embodiment of the present invention, a partition 19 is provided at one end of the disc 17, and the hot air drying equipment includes multiple sets of drying fans 20 arranged in an array at one end of the partition 19.

[0053] In this embodiment, a partition 19 is centrally located at one end of the disk 17, and a drying fan 20 is arrayed at one end of the partition 19. The drying fan 20 is combined with an infrared radiation module to achieve uniform heating across the entire area using infrared radiation. With the multi-dimensional airflow of the drying fan 20, residual liquid in the gaps of the basket, the surface of the workpiece, and the micropores can be quickly removed, and the temperature gradient is controllable.

[0054] In detail, the infrared radiation module has multiple sets, each corresponding to a different temperature range, including 50-60℃ and 45-55℃; the drying fan 20 has multi-band and multi-dimensional adjustability, and is matched with the infrared radiation module under different working conditions to achieve multi-dimensional drying effect.

[0055] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the spray assembly includes a diversion pipe 21 disposed on one side of the partition 19 and a plurality of spray pipes 22 disposed at one end of the diversion pipe 21. One end of the diversion pipe 21 is provided with a conduit, and the protective shell 9 is disposed outside the drying fan 20, the diversion pipe 21 and the partition 19.

[0056] In this embodiment, a diversion pipe 21 is provided at the other end of the partition 19, and multiple sets of spray pipes 22 are provided on the diversion pipe 21. A protective shell 9 is provided outside the drying fan 20, the diversion pipe 21 and the partition 19 for protection. Water is introduced into the diversion pipe 21 and the multiple sets of spray pipes 22 through a conduit.

[0057] As a further embodiment of the present invention, one end of the base 6 is provided with a connecting arm 23 and a friction plate 24 disposed on the connecting arm 23, and both the friction plate 24 and the disc 17 are provided with anti-slip textures.

[0058] In this embodiment, the connecting arm 23 is disposed at one end of the base 6, and the end of the connecting arm 23 is provided with a friction plate 24. The friction plate 24 can cooperate with the side of the disc 17, and anti-slip textures are provided on the contact surfaces of the friction plate 24 and the disc 17.

[0059] A method for cleaning and drying a display panel using a cleaning and drying apparatus for producing a display panel basket as described above includes the following steps:

[0060] Step 1: First, the lifting device 2 lowers the basket body 3, which carries the display panel, into the processing chamber 4. The lifting device 2 is driven by a fast-rotating variable control motor with a maximum rotation speed ≥160rpm and a maximum lifting speed of 120mm / s. The lifting deviation of the basket is within the range of 0.1-0.3mm. Subsequently, the mechanical moving arm, located in the processing chamber 4, moves along the circular guide rail 5 via the sliding platform 7, causing the mechanical moving arm to revolve around the center of the chamber. At the same time, the spray assembly on it is aligned with the central area carrying the display panel and performs a revolving spray rinsing. During the spray rinsing process, an ultrasonic micro-turbulence integrated vibrating box unit is also used for auxiliary cleaning. The frequency range of the ultrasonic micro-turbulence integrated vibrating box unit is 19.5-50kHz, and the power is ≥1000W. The spray rinsing pressure is 0.5-1.0MPa, the coverage angle range is 95-180°, and the rinsing time is 10-30s.

[0061] Step 2: After the mechanical moving arm completes one revolution, the disc 17 will reach one side of the friction plate 24. At this time, after the disc 17 has circled to a specific position, it will generate friction with the friction plate 24, thereby driving the disc 17 to rotate. During the rotation, the disc 17 drives the two sets of sliding frames 11 to deflect.

[0062] Step 3: During the deflection process, the roller 14 slides to the area where the arc guide groove 10 gradually narrows. This will cause the two sets of rollers 14 to be squeezed and compress the spring 13. Then, the two sets of rollers 14 gradually rotate from the area where the arc guide groove 10 narrows to the area where the arc guide groove 10 has the maximum groove width at both ends of the long axis, thereby driving the disc 17 to rotate 180°, forcibly switching the position of the spray assembly and the hot air drying equipment, so that the hot air drying equipment is aligned with the central area. The hot air drying area ranges from 45 to 120°, and the water temperature is 30 to 75°.

[0063] Step 4: The mechanical moving arm then continues to rotate and blows hot air to dry the display panel; after drying is completed, the basket body 3 lifts and resets the cleaned and dried display panel basket, and the device completes a complete cleaning and drying operation and enters standby mode to wait for the next work command.

[0064] The above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. Therefore, any technical solutions that can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic characteristics of the present invention are included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning and drying apparatus for a display panel production basket, comprising a main body (1), two sets of lifting devices (2) disposed inside the main body (1), and a basket body (3) disposed on the lifting devices (2), wherein the main body (1) is provided with two sets of processing chambers (4) and a cleaning and drying assembly disposed inside the processing chambers (4), characterized in that, The cleaning and drying assembly includes a circular guide rail (5) disposed inside the processing chamber (4) and a mechanical moving arm disposed on the circular guide rail (5). The mechanical moving arm includes a base (6) and a sliding platform (7) disposed at one end of the base (6). The base (6) is disposed on the circular guide rail (5) via the sliding platform (7). A connecting rod (8) is disposed on the top of the base (6) and a protective shell (9) is disposed on the connecting rod (8). An arc guide groove (10) is opened on the top of the base (6) and an elastic expansion assembly is slidably disposed on the arc guide groove (10). A support assembly is disposed on the top of the elastic expansion assembly and a hot air drying device and a spray assembly are disposed on the support assembly. The elastic expansion component includes an arc guide groove (10) formed on the base (6) and is elliptical in shape. The arc guide groove (10) extends the furthest at both ends in the length direction and has a narrower gap between the upper and lower sides in the width direction. The elastic expansion assembly also includes two sliding frames (11) disposed on the arc guide groove (10) and a slide rod (12) disposed between the two sliding frames (11), and the same spring (13) is disposed between the two sliding frames (11). Each of the two sliding frames (11) is provided with a roller (14) at one end, and both rollers (14) are in contact with the arc guide groove (10); Each of the two sliding frames (11) is provided with a limit slider (15) at one end and a support rod (16) slidably disposed between the two limit sliders (15). The two limit sliders (15) are provided with the same disk (17) at one end. The bottom of the disc (17) is provided with a sliding groove (18), and the support rod (16) is disposed on the sliding groove (18); A partition (19) is provided at one end of the disc (17), and the hot air drying equipment includes multiple sets of drying fans (20) arranged in an array at one end of the partition (19). The spray assembly includes a diversion pipe (21) disposed on one side of the partition (19) and multiple spray pipes (22) disposed at one end of the diversion pipe (21). One end of the diversion pipe (21) is provided with a conduit, and a protective shell (9) is disposed outside the drying fan (20), the diversion pipe (21) and the partition (19). One end of the base (6) is provided with a connecting arm (23) and a friction plate (24) disposed on the connecting arm (23). Both the friction plate (24) and the disc (17) are provided with anti-slip textures.

2. A method for cleaning and drying a display panel using a cleaning and drying apparatus for a display panel production basket as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: First, the lifting device (2) lowers the basket body (3) carrying the display panel into the processing chamber (4) and places it in place; then, the mechanical moving arm set in the processing chamber (4) moves along the circular guide rail (5) through the set sliding platform (7), so that the mechanical moving arm revolves around the center of the chamber, and at the same time, the spray assembly set on it is aligned with the central area carrying the display panel to perform the revolving spray rinsing; Step 2: After the mechanical moving arm completes one revolution, the disc (17) will reach one side of the friction plate (24). At this time, after the disc (17) has circled to a specific position, it will generate friction with the friction plate (24), thereby driving the disc (17) to rotate. During the rotation, the disc (17) drives the two sets of sliding frames (11) to deflect. Step 3: During the deflection process, the roller (14) slides to the area where the arc guide groove (10) gradually narrows. This will cause the two sets of rollers (14) to be squeezed and compress the spring (13). Then, the two sets of rollers (14) gradually rotate from the area where the arc guide groove (10) narrows to the area where the arc guide groove (10) has the maximum groove width at both ends of the long axis, thereby driving the disc (17) to rotate 180° and forcibly switching the position of the spray assembly and the hot air drying equipment so that the hot air drying equipment is aligned with the central area. Step 4: The mechanical moving arm then continues to revolve and blows hot air to dry the display panel; after drying is completed, the basket body (3) lifts and resets the cleaned and dried display panel basket, and the device completes a complete cleaning and drying operation and enters standby mode to wait for the next work instruction.

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