I-Shaped Liquid Crystal Display Manufacturing Line

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display manufacturing systems require larger installation spaces due to L-shaped configurations, which complicates lamination accuracy and cleanliness control, especially as displays increase in size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A compact I-shaped manufacturing line is implemented by horizontally rotating and turning the liquid crystal panel, allowing optical functional films to be fed linearly alongside the panel, with a partition structure for improved airflow and contamination prevention, using continuous rolls with different widths for efficient film feeding and bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If an L-shaped manufacturing line is used to bond optical films to liquid crystal panels, then the bonding process can be completed, but the installation space becomes larger than required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidmanufacturing line configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from an L-shaped manufacturing line (requiring perpendicular film feeding directions) to an I-shaped manufacturing line where both first and second optical films are fed in the same direction. This dimensional reconfiguration allows the feed paths to be arranged linearly, reducing the installation space while maintaining the bonding functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the feeding directions of the first and second optical films to be parallel and in the same direction, rather than perpendicular. This consolidation of feeding paths into a linear arrangement simplifies the overall manufacturing line configuration and reduces the space required for installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If rolls with different widths are used for long and short sides of rectangular liquid crystal panel, then the bonding accuracy is improved, but the installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamination accuracyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the feed paths of optical films with different width requirements in a linear I-shaped configuration rather than perpendicular L-shaped arrangement. This allows rolls of different widths to be positioned along the same linear path, maintaining precise lamination accuracy while minimizing the installation footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent assigns different width specifications to specific feed paths based on the local requirements of the liquid crystal panel sides being bonded. The first optical film feed path accommodates the width for the long side, while the second optical film feed path accommodates the width for the short side, optimizing space utilization while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If the manufacturing line is made compact, then the installation space is reduced, but the cleanliness control and temperature-humidity control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidcleanliness control
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The linear I-shaped arrangement of feed paths creates a more streamlined and compact configuration compared to L-shaped arrangements. This linear topology facilitates easier implementation of enclosed cleanroom structures and controlled environment chambers, maintaining cleanliness and temperature-humidity control while reducing overall installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2431309B1System and method for manufacturing liquid crystal display element
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 NITTO DENKO CORP
  • EP2431309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2431309B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP2431309B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

There are provided a system and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display element, which make it possible to perform a lamination process in a smaller installation space, and which are provided to perform a process including turning over and horizontally rotating a liquid crystal panel (W) using a panel turning unit (200), feeding optical functional films from first and second continuous rolls (R1,R2), respectively, using film feeding lines arranged linearly in planar view, feeding the liquid crystal panel using a panel feeding line placed above the film feeding lines in an overlapping manner and shaped linearly in planar view, and bonding each of the optical functional films, which are fed from the first and second rolls, to the liquid crystal panel from below.