Glass Substrate Alignment via Optoelectronic Detection and Pneumatic Pushers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Displays (TFT-LCDs) faces challenges in aligning glass substrates during transportation, as they often offset due to differences in handling equipment, leading to frequent manual alignment, which is time-consuming and reduces yield, and can damage the substrates.
Innovation Solution
An aligning apparatus with a roller conveyor, directional beams, and a detecting system using optoelectronic transmitters and receivers to automatically correct misalignments by moving positioning devices with pushers and pistons to bring the glass substrate back to its intended position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment is performed frequently during glass substrate transportation, then the quality of glass substrate is maintained, but production time increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-alignment by automatically detecting substrate position through optoelectronic sensors and correcting deviations using positioning devices with pushers, eliminating the need for manual intervention and maintaining continuous production flow
Solution Approach 2:
The detecting device continuously monitors substrate position and provides real-time feedback to the positioning device, which automatically adjusts the substrate position back to the correct trajectory, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains precision without manual intervention
2Productivity
If glass substrate is transferred by conveyor equipment, then transportation efficiency is improved, but substrate offset and damage risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting device continuously monitors substrate position during conveyor transfer and provides real-time feedback to the positioning device, which automatically corrects any deviations from the intended trajectory, ensuring stable positioning throughout the transportation process
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device with adjustable pushers is pre-configured to intervene and correct substrate position before significant offset occurs, preventing damage by maintaining proper alignment throughout the conveyor transfer process
3Productivity
If automatic alignment system is implemented, then production efficiency is increased, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated control system using optoelectronic detection and pneumatic positioning devices, achieving higher efficiency while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning device with adjustable pushers and the roller conveyor serve multiple functions - they not only transport the substrate but also perform alignment corrections, reducing the need for separate alignment equipment and simplifying the overall system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables real-time detection and automatic alignment of glass substrates, reducing defects and increasing production efficiency by ensuring safe and precise transfer, thereby enhancing the yield and quality of the glass substrates.
Implementation Method 1
The detecting device includes a plurality of optoelectronic transmitters and receivers arranged along sides of a transferring surface
Implementation Method 2
each of the positioning devices is interconnected with a piston so as to maneuver the positioning device to move along the beams
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an aligning apparatus for glass substrate to properly align the glass substrate during transfer along a conveyor. The aligning apparatus includes a plurality of rollers, at least a pair of directional beams, at least a pair of positioning devices, a piston, and a detecting device. The detecting device is used to detect whether there is an offset of the glass substrate during the transportation, and the piston will be triggered once an offset is found and determined. The piston will move the positioning device such that a portion of the positioning device which extends to the roller will push the offset glass substrate so as to bring the glass substrate back to the correct position. The present invention also discloses a method to conduct the alignment of the glass substrate. By the disclosure of the present invention, the glass substrate transferred on the rollers can be automatically adjusted and aligned once an offset is found.