Display panel cleaning apparatus

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of display panel cleaning equipment, including panel cleaning line and transfer manipulator.Panel cleaning line includes conveying device and spraying device, conveying device is used to support the plane where display panel is located is inclined relative to horizontal plane, and spraying device is set to the top of conveying device.Transfer manipulator includes pedestal, telescopic mechanism and support, two telescopic mechanisms are spaced apart and set to the bottom of pedestal, two supports are respectively set to the output end of two telescopic mechanisms, telescopic mechanism is used to drive support lifting movement, and support is rotatably connected with the output end of telescopic mechanism.When display panel is placed on conveying device, display panel can be in parallel posture close to the bearing surface of conveying device, and then avoid bending of display panel, avoid to cause damage to film layer on display panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of display device manufacturing technology, and in particular to a display panel cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] The cleaning process for display panels is integrated throughout the entire production process. To ensure the cleanliness of the display panel surface, it must be cleaned before each coating process to remove impurities. (Refer to...) Figure 1 As shown, an existing cleaning device includes a conveying device 1' for conveying a display panel 3' and two robotic arms 2' for transferring the display panel 3'. Two robotic arms 2' are configured, each picking up the display panel 3' from one end of the display panel 3' and placing it onto the conveying device 1'. To facilitate the rapid flow of cleaning fluid from the surface of the display panel 3' during the cleaning process, the conveying device 1' is tilted, such that the surface of the conveying device 1' carrying the display panel 3' forms an angle α with the horizontal plane.

[0003] The existing technology has the following shortcomings: Due to the inclined arrangement of the conveyor 1', when placing the display panel 3', the display panel 3' will first contact the higher end of the conveyor 1' and then the lower end, causing the middle area of ​​the display panel 3' to bend at a certain angle. Especially when the display panel 3' already has a coating layer, the bending of the display panel 3' will damage the coating layer, such as causing the coating layer to crack or separate. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a display panel cleaning device that can adjust the tilt angle of the display panel so that all areas of the display panel can simultaneously contact the bearing surface of the conveying device, thereby preventing the display panel from bending.

[0005] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A display panel cleaning device is provided, comprising:

[0007] A panel cleaning line includes a conveying device and a spraying device. The conveying device is used to carry and transport the display panel. The plane on which the display panel is carried is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The spraying device is located above the conveying device.

[0008] A transfer robot is used to transfer the display panel into and out of the conveying device. The transfer robot includes a base, a telescopic mechanism, and two supports. The two telescopic mechanisms are spaced apart at the bottom of the base, and the two supports are respectively located at the output ends of the two telescopic mechanisms. The telescopic mechanism is used to drive the corresponding support to move up and down. The support is rotatably connected to the output end of the telescopic mechanism so that the support can be parallel to the plane of the conveying device used to support the display panel. The two supports pick up the display panel from opposite ends of the display panel.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of a display panel cleaning device, the support includes a main support plate and a plurality of sub-support plates spaced apart on the same side of the main support plate. The sub-support plates are used to pick up the display panel. Each support is provided with a limiting member, which is movably mounted on the sub-support plate.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, in the same support member, at least a portion of the sub-support plates are provided with the limiting member, the side of the sub-support plate facing the display panel is provided with a mounting groove, the limiting member is movably disposed in the mounting groove, and a portion of the limiting member extends to the outside of the mounting groove.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the transfer robot also includes a rotating mechanism, and the main support plate is connected to the telescopic mechanism through the rotating mechanism, which is used to drive the main support plate to rotate.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the limiting member is provided with a buffer airbag on the side facing the display panel.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the conveying device includes a plurality of first roller assemblies, which are spaced apart along the conveying direction of the display panel. Each first roller assembly includes a first drive shaft and a plurality of first rollers spaced apart on the first drive shaft. The axial direction of the first drive shaft is at an angle to the horizontal direction.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the conveying device further includes a limiting roller, which is rotatably disposed above the first drive shaft and located at the lower end of the first drive shaft. The limiting roller is used to abut against the side of the display panel.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the spraying device includes an infusion pipe and a plurality of nozzles spaced apart on the infusion pipe. The outlet ends of all the nozzles are coplanar, and the plane containing the outlet ends of all the nozzles is parallel to the plane of the conveying device used to support the display panel.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, the panel cleaning line further includes a drying device, which is disposed above the conveying device and downstream of the spraying device, and is used to blow air toward the conveying device.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the display panel cleaning equipment, it also includes a panel transport line, which is used to transport the display panel between various workstations. The plane on which the display panel is carried is parallel to the horizontal plane, and the transfer robot is movably disposed between the panel transport line and the panel cleaning line.

[0018] The advantages of this utility model compared to the prior art are:

[0019] This utility model discloses a display panel cleaning device. It employs a telescopic mechanism to drive the support member to rise and fall, and the support member to rotate relative to the telescopic mechanism to adjust the tilt angle of the display panel. When the display panel is placed on the conveyor, it can approach the bearing surface of the conveyor in a parallel posture, thereby preventing the display panel from bending and avoiding damage to the film layer on the display panel. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cleaning device in the prior art.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a display panel cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the panel cleaning line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a side view of the panel cleaning line according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the transfer robot according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the support member according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the support member according to an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0028] Figure 1 middle:

[0029] 1′ Conveying device; 2′ Robotic arm; 3′ Display panel.

[0030] Figures 2 to 7 middle:

[0031] 1. Panel cleaning line; 11. Conveying device; 110. Bearing surface; 111. First roller assembly; 1111. First drive shaft; 1112. First roller; 112. Limiting roller; 12. Spraying device; 121. Infusion pipe; 122. Nozzle; 13. Drying device; 2. Transfer robot; 21. Base; 22. Telescopic mechanism; 23. Rotating mechanism; 24. Support component; 241. Main support plate; 242. Sub-support plate; 243. Mounting groove; 244. Limiting component; 245. Buffer airbag; 246. Driving component; 3. Panel transport line; 31. Second roller assembly; 311. Second drive shaft; 312. Second roller; 4. Display panel. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The advantages and features of this invention, as well as methods of implementing them, will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, this invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of this invention and to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand its scope, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements throughout the specification.

[0033] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, this utility model provides a display panel cleaning device for cleaning display panels 4. Before depositing a film layer, the surface of the display panel 4 needs to be cleaned to remove impurities and ensure the quality of film deposition. The display panel cleaning device includes a panel cleaning line 1 and a transfer robot 2. The panel cleaning line 1 is used for spray cleaning of the display panel 4, and the transfer robot 2 is used for transferring the display panel 4 into and out of the panel cleaning line 1. The panel cleaning line 1 includes a conveying device 11 and a spraying device 12. The conveying device 11 is used to carry and transport the display panel 4 so that the display panel 4 moves along a preset direction. In this embodiment, the conveying direction of the display panel 4 is the X direction shown in the figure, that is, the conveying device 11 transports the display panel 4 along the X direction shown in the figure. The spraying device 12 is disposed above the conveying device 11 and is used to spray cleaning liquid onto the display panel 4 on the conveying device 11. The plane on which the conveying device 11 carries the display panel 4 is the bearing surface 110, which is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. Correspondingly, after the display panel 4 is placed on the bearing surface 110, the display panel 4 is also tilted to facilitate the rapid flow of cleaning fluid out of the surface of the display panel 4 and avoid a large amount of cleaning fluid residue. The transfer robot 2 includes a base 21, a telescopic mechanism 22, and a support member 24. Two telescopic mechanisms 22 and two support members 24 are provided, with the two telescopic mechanisms 22 spaced horizontally at the bottom of the base 21. The two support members 24 are respectively located at the output ends of the two telescopic mechanisms 22, so that the telescopic mechanisms 22 can drive the corresponding support members 24 to move up and down. The support members 24 are rotatably connected to the output ends of the telescopic mechanisms 22, so that the support members 24 can rotate relative to the telescopic mechanisms 22. By rotating the support members 24, the support members 24 can be parallel to the bearing surface 110, so that when the support members 24 are transferred into and out of the conveying device 11, the display panel 4 can remain parallel to the bearing surface 110. During the transfer of the display panel 4, the two support members 24 respectively pick up the display panel 4 from opposite ends of the display panel 4.

[0035] Understandably, the bearing surface 110 of the conveying device 11 is inclined to facilitate the drainage of cleaning fluid from the surface of the display panel 4. When the display panel 4 is placed on the conveying device 11, the display panel 4 needs to remain parallel to the bearing surface 110 so that all areas of the display panel 4 contact the bearing surface 110 simultaneously, preventing the display panel 4 from bending. By setting the telescopic mechanism 22 to drive the support member 24 to rise and fall, and by setting the support member 24 to rotate relative to the telescopic mechanism 22, the tilt angle of the display panel 4 can be adjusted to ensure that the display panel 4 can be placed on the conveying device 11 in an attitude parallel to the bearing surface 110.

[0036] Specifically, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, two support members 24 are symmetrically arranged on the base 21. Each support member 24 includes a main support plate 241, sub-support plates 242, and limiting members 244. Multiple sub-support plates 242 are spaced apart on the same side of the main support plate 241, and the sub-support plates 242 are perpendicular to the main support plate 241. Each sub-support plate 242 is located on the side of the corresponding main support plate 241 facing the other main support plate 241; that is, all sub-support plates 242 are located between two main support plates 241. The sub-support plates 242 are used to pick up the display panel 4. By setting multiple sub-support plates 242, the contact surface between the display panel 4 and the support member 24 is increased, making the display panel 4 more stable on the support member 24. Each support member 24 has at least one limiting member 244, which is movably disposed on the sub-support plate 242. The limiting member 244 serves to limit the movement of the display panel 4, preventing the display panel 4 from moving on the support member 24 during the movement of the transfer robot 2. Two support members 24 respectively fork the display panel 4 from opposite ends. Corresponding limiting members 244 on the two support members 24 abut against opposite sides of the display panel 4, thus confining the display panel 4 between the limiting members 244 on the two support members 24. In this embodiment, each support member 24 is provided with two limiting members 244, located on the two outermost sub-support plates 242. The sub-support plates 242 have mounting grooves 243 on their sides facing the display panel 4. The limiting members 244 are movably disposed within the mounting grooves 243, with some extending outside the mounting grooves 243. The portion of the limiting members 244 located outside the mounting grooves 243 abuts against the side of the display panel 4. A driving component 246 is also provided within the mounting slot 243. The driving component 246 is connected to the limiting component 244. The driving component 246 is used to drive the limiting component 244 to move within the mounting slot 243, so that the limiting component 244 abuts against the display panel 4. The driving component 246 can be an existing cylinder, hydraulic cylinder, or linear motor, etc. To prevent the display panel 4 from being damaged by the impact of the limiting component 244, a buffer airbag 245 is provided on the side of the limiting component 244 facing the display panel 4. The elasticity of the buffer airbag 245 is used to reduce the risk of damage to the display panel 4.

[0037] Specifically, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5As shown, the transfer robot 2 also includes a rotating mechanism 23. The main support plate 241 and the telescopic mechanism 22 are connected through the rotating mechanism 23, so that the main support plate 241 can be driven to rotate by the rotating mechanism 23. The rotating mechanism 23 is existing technology and can be a rotating device such as a motor or a rotary cylinder. The telescopic mechanism 22 is existing technology and can be a telescopic device such as a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, or a linear motor. To realize the forking action of the support member 24 on the display panel 4, the telescopic mechanism 22 is movably mounted on the base 21 so that the two telescopic mechanisms 22 can move closer or further apart from each other. Alternatively, the forking action of the display panel 4 can be realized directly by the rotation of the support member 24. It should be noted that the working principle of the support member 24 is similar to that of an existing forklift, that is, the support member 24 is moved to the bottom of the display panel 4, and then the support member 24 is lifted up so that the display panel 4 is placed on the support member 24. In this embodiment, the working principle of the transfer robot 2 is as follows: First, the two support members 24 fork the display panel 4 from both sides of the display panel 4. At this time, the display panel 4 is in a horizontal state. Then, the base 21 moves above the conveying device 11, and one of the telescopic mechanisms 22 drives the corresponding support member 24 to descend. Simultaneously, the support member 24 rotates so that the display panel 4 is parallel to the bearing surface 110 of the conveying device 11. Finally, the transfer robot 2 lowers the display panel 4 to place it onto the conveying device 11. During the lifting and rotation of the support member 24, the distance between the two support members 24 increases. The display panel 4 cannot be clamped by the limiting member 244, and it will slide towards the lower support member 24. By providing a buffer airbag 245 on the side of the limiting member 244 facing the display panel 4, the risk of impact damage to the display panel 4 is reduced. During the sliding of the display panel 4, the extension and retraction of the drive member 246 can also be controlled to drive the limiting member 244 to move synchronously.

[0038] Specifically, refer to Figures 2 to 4As shown, the conveying device 11 includes a plurality of first roller assemblies 111, which are spaced apart along the conveying direction of the display panel 4 (i.e., the X direction in the figure). When the support member 24 places the display panel 4 onto the conveying device 11, the gap between two adjacent first roller assemblies 111 can be used to avoid the support plate 242. The first roller assembly 111 includes a first drive shaft 1111, first rollers 1112, and a frame (not shown in the figure). The two ends of the first drive shaft 1111 are rotatably mounted on the frame, and the axial direction of the first drive shaft 1111 is the Y direction in the figure. There are multiple first rollers 1112, which are spaced apart on the first drive shaft 1111 and arranged along the axial direction of the first drive shaft 1111. Correspondingly, the conveying device 11 also includes a drive mechanism, which is mounted on the frame. The drive mechanism can be a gear drive mechanism or a chain drive mechanism, and is connected to the first drive shaft 1111 to drive the first drive shaft 1111 to rotate. The first roller 1112 carries the display panel 4, and its rotation drives the display panel 4 to move along the X direction on the conveying device 11. The top plane of the first roller 1112 forms the bearing surface 110 of the conveying device 11. It should be noted that since the first roller 1112 is rotating, the bearing surface 110 is not a fixed structure on the conveying device 11. For ease of description of the structure and function of this embodiment, the top plane of all the first rollers 1112 is referred to as the bearing surface 110. The axial direction of the first drive shaft 1111 is at an angle to the horizontal plane, so that the bearing surface 110 of the conveying device 11 is at an angle to the horizontal plane.

[0039] The conveying device 11 also includes a limiting roller 112, which is rotatably mounted on the frame. The limiting roller 112 is located above the first drive shaft 1111, and at the lower end of the first drive shaft 1111. Because the first roller assembly 111 is tilted, the display panel 4 will slide towards the lower end of the first roller assembly 111. By providing the limiting roller 112 on the lower side of the first roller assembly 111, the limiting roller 112 is used to abut against the side of the display panel 4, thereby blocking the display panel 4.

[0040] A spraying device 12 is positioned above the conveying device 11. The spraying device 12 includes a liquid delivery pipe 121 and spray nozzles 122. The liquid delivery pipe 121 delivers cleaning fluid, and multiple spray nozzles 122 are spaced apart on the liquid delivery pipe 121. The spray nozzles 122 spray cleaning fluid toward the display panel 4 on the conveying device 11. The outlet ends of all spray nozzles 122 are coplanar, and the plane containing the outlet ends of the spray nozzles 122 is parallel to the plane of the conveying device 11 that supports the display panel 4. This can also be understood as the distance from the outlet ends of all spray nozzles 122 to the supporting surface 110 being equal. This structure ensures that the spraying distance of the spray nozzles 122 toward the display panel 4 is the same, resulting in a more uniform distribution of spray volume and spray intensity across different areas of the display panel 4, thus guaranteeing the cleaning effect of the display panel 4. In this embodiment, by tilting the first roller assembly 111, the display panel 4 is tilted while the spraying devices 12 are installed at equal intervals above the first roller assembly 111, minimizing the distance between the nozzles 122 and the display panel 4, and increasing the spraying force of the cleaning fluid. To improve the cleaning effect of the display panel 4, multiple spraying devices 12 are arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device 11.

[0041] The panel cleaning line 1 also includes a drying device 13, which is positioned above the conveyor 11 and is used to blow air towards the conveyor 11. The drying device 13 employs an existing air knife, and the air blown by the drying device 13 dries the display panel 4. Along the conveying direction of the conveyor 11, the drying device 13 is installed downstream of the spray device 12. As the display panel 4 passes under the drying device 13, the airflow from the drying device 13 drives the cleaning liquid on the surface of the display panel 4 to be rapidly discharged.

[0042] Specifically, refer to Figure 2As shown, the display panel cleaning equipment also includes a panel transport line 3, which is used to transport the display panel 4 between various stations. The plane on which the display panel 4 is supported by the panel transport line 3 is parallel to the horizontal plane. A transfer robot 2 is movably positioned between the panel transport line 3 and the panel cleaning line 1. It is understood that the display panel 4 needs to repeatedly flow through the deposition station, exposure station, development station, and etching station during the coating process. The panel transport line 3 transports the display panel 4 between various stations. To ensure the stability of the transport of the display panel 4, the display panel 4 needs to be placed horizontally, that is, the plane on which the display panel 4 is supported by the panel transport line 3 is parallel to the horizontal plane. The panel transport line 3 includes a second roller assembly 31 and a frame (not shown in the figure). The structure of the second roller assembly 31 is similar to that of the first roller assembly 111. The second roller assembly 31 includes a second drive shaft 311 and a plurality of second rollers 312. The two ends of the second drive shaft 311 are rotatably connected to the frame, and the plurality of second rollers 312 are spaced apart on the second drive shaft 311. Correspondingly, a drive mechanism is also provided on the frame. The drive mechanism can be a gear drive mechanism or a chain drive mechanism. The drive mechanism is connected to the second transmission shaft 311 to drive the second transmission shaft 311 to rotate.

[0043] The transfer robot 2 is used to transfer display panels 4 from the panel transport line 3 to the panel cleaning line 1, and vice versa. Therefore, the transfer robot 2 needs to move between the panel transport line 3 and the panel cleaning line 1. Correspondingly, the display panel cleaning equipment also includes a guide rail, and a base 21 is movably mounted on the guide rail so that the transfer robot 2 can move between the panel transport line 3 and the panel cleaning line 1. In practical applications, the panel transport line 3 can be above the panel cleaning line 1 or on the same plane as the panel cleaning line 1. The installation position and drive mechanism of the transfer robot 2 are adaptively arranged according to the actual distribution of the panel transport line 3 and the panel cleaning line 1 to ensure that the transfer robot 2 can transfer display panels 4 between the panel transport line 3 and the panel cleaning line 1.

[0044] The beneficial effects of this embodiment are as follows: by setting the telescopic mechanism 22 to drive the support member 24 to rise and fall, and by setting the support member 24 to rotate relative to the telescopic mechanism 22, the tilt angle of the display panel 4 can be adjusted. When the display panel 4 is placed on the conveying device 11, the display panel 4 can approach the bearing surface 110 of the conveying device 11 in a parallel posture, thereby avoiding bending of the display panel 4 and avoiding damage to the film layer on the display panel 4.

[0045] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be made in various forms, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

Claims

1. A display panel cleaning device, characterized in that, include: A panel cleaning line includes a conveying device and a spraying device. The conveying device is used to carry and transport the display panel. The plane on which the display panel is carried is inclined relative to the horizontal plane. The spraying device is located above the conveying device. A transfer robot is used to transfer the display panel into and out of the conveying device. The transfer robot includes a base, a telescopic mechanism, and two supports. The two telescopic mechanisms are spaced apart at the bottom of the base, and the two supports are respectively located at the output ends of the two telescopic mechanisms. The telescopic mechanism is used to drive the corresponding support to move up and down. The support is rotatably connected to the output end of the telescopic mechanism so that the support can be parallel to the plane of the conveying device used to support the display panel. The two supports pick up the display panel from opposite ends of the display panel.

2. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support member includes a main support plate and a plurality of sub-support plates spaced apart on the same side of the main support plate. The sub-support plates are used to pick up the display panel. Each support member is provided with a limiting member, which is movably disposed on the sub-support plate.

3. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the same support member, at least a portion of the sub-support plates are provided with the limiting member, the side of the sub-support plate facing the display panel is provided with a mounting groove, the limiting member is movably disposed in the mounting groove, and a portion of the limiting member extends to the outside of the mounting groove.

4. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transfer robot also includes a rotating mechanism, and the main support plate is connected to the telescopic mechanism through the rotating mechanism, which is used to drive the main support plate to rotate.

5. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, A cushioning airbag is provided on the side of the limiting member facing the display panel.

6. The display panel cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The conveying device includes a plurality of first roller assemblies, which are spaced apart along the conveying direction of the display panel. Each first roller assembly includes a first drive shaft and a plurality of first rollers spaced apart on the first drive shaft. The axial direction of the first drive shaft is at an angle to the horizontal direction.

7. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The conveying device further includes a limiting roller, which is rotatably disposed above the first drive shaft and located at the lower end of the first drive shaft. The limiting roller is used to abut against the side of the display panel.

8. The display panel cleaning equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The spraying device includes an infusion pipe and a plurality of nozzles spaced apart on the infusion pipe. The outlet ends of all the nozzles are coplanar, and the plane containing the outlet ends of all the nozzles is parallel to the plane on which the conveying device carries the display panel.

9. The display panel cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The panel cleaning line also includes a drying device, which is located above the conveying device and downstream of the spraying device, and is used to blow air toward the conveying device.

10. The display panel cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It also includes a panel transport line, which is used to transport the display panel between various workstations. The plane on which the display panel is carried is parallel to the horizontal plane. The transfer robot is movably positioned between the panel transport line and the panel cleaning line.

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