Cleaning Cloth Mechanism for LCD Alignment Roller Rubbing Cloth Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for cleaning rubbing cloths used in LCD manufacturing are inefficient, leading to uneven alignment grooves due to incomplete dirt removal, resulting in increased costs, environmental pollution, and interruptions in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus with a cleaning cloth mounted between two support members on an alignment roller, which rubs against the dirty rubbing cloth to effectively remove dirt, utilizing nozzles connected to a suction motor for dirt collection and a system to replace the cleaning cloth section when worn out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blank glass substrate is used to clean the rubbing cloth, then the dirt can be removed from the rubbing cloth, but the glass substrate cannot be recycled and must be discarded, resulting in environmental pollution and extra manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive and non-recyclable glass substrate with a cheap, disposable cleaning cloth that can be easily discarded after use. This resolves the contradiction by using a low-cost single-use object (cleaning cloth) instead of an expensive non-recyclable object (glass substrate), thereby eliminating waste problems while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Reliability
If a blank glass substrate is passed through the roller to clean the rubbing cloth, then the dirt is removed, but the manufacturing process of the LCD device is interrupted since the roller is needed for rubbing the alignment layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dedicated cleaning cloth as an intermediary object specifically for cleaning the rubbing cloth, separate from the alignment roller used in the main manufacturing process. This allows cleaning operations to be performed without interrupting the LCD manufacturing workflow, as the cleaning function is decoupled from the rubbing function.
3Productivity
If the rubbing cloth is not cleaned thoroughly, then the manufacturing process continues without interruption, but the alignment grooves become uneven and the pre-tilt angle of crystal molecules is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service cleaning mechanism where the rubbing cloth cleans itself by rubbing against a cleaning cloth. This ensures thorough cleaning without requiring external intervention or stopping the manufacturing process, thereby maintaining both manufacturing continuity and alignment groove uniformity.
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 reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes environmental impact, and ensures continuous operation by efficiently cleaning the rubbing cloths without the need for expensive glass substrates, thereby maintaining the integrity of the alignment grooves.
Implementation Method 1
The rubbing cloth is conditioned by rubbing with the cleaning cloth
Implementation Method 2
a cleaning cloth disposed on and extending between said first and second support members
Implementation Method 3
utilizing nozzles connected to a suction motor for dirt collection
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for cleaning a rubbing cloth disposed on an alignment roller includes: a first support member to be disposed parallel to the alignment roller; a second support member to be disposed parallel to the alignment roller and spaced apart from the first support member at a predetermined distance; and a cleaning cloth disposed on and extending between the first and second support members. The cleaning cloth cleans the rubbing cloth by rubbing.