JPH1177990A - Method and apparatus for manufacturing color filter, color filter and display device, device equipped with this display device, and method for determining nozzle hole area - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A method of manufacturing a color filter capable of manufacturing color filters of various specifications without increasing the adjustment range of the ink discharge amount of an inkjet head. A method of manufacturing a color filter by ejecting ink toward an object to be colored by an ink-jet head and coloring the object, wherein a nozzle hole area varies depending on a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. Coloring is performed using an inkjet head.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter for manufacturing a color filter using, for example, an ink-jet method, a color filter and a display apparatus, an apparatus having the display apparatus, and a nozzle hole area. The determination method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a color filter used in a color liquid crystal display device or the like is manufactured by an ink-jet method, the same ink-jet head used to discharge each ink (the nozzle of the nozzle from which the ink is discharged) is used. With the same hole area). The major problems of the ink-jet method are as follows: (1) When the amount of ink to be injected into a pixel is small, the ink does not spread over the entire pixel and the density is partially reduced. When the amount of ink to be ejected is large, there are two types of “mixed colors” in which the ink passes over the range of one pixel and is mixed with ink of a different color of the next pixel.

In general, color filters used in color liquid crystal display devices have various pixel shapes (area, width, etc.) depending on the specifications of the display device manufacturer.

For example, if a small amount of ink is ejected to a pixel having a wide width, the problem of "white spots" tends to occur. Conversely, if a large amount of ink is ejected to a narrow pixel, "Color mixing" is likely to occur.

[0005] The above two problems, that is, "white spots", are encountered with respect to color filters having different specifications.
As a method of adjusting (optimizing) the amount of ejected ink in order to solve the problem of “mixing” with “color mixing”, a method of electrically controlling the ejection power for each nozzle (“bit correction”) is employed.

[0006] "Bit correction" will be described using a bubble jet head, which is one type of ink jet head.

A bubble jet head gives a pulse signal for a certain period of time to a thermal resistor incorporated in each nozzle, generates bubbles by the heat generated therein, and discharges ink by the force of the bubbles. It is. The bit correction is to adjust the amount of ink ejected by changing the length (time) of the pulse signal.

For example, FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between some pulse signal times (heating time) and the ink discharge amount at that time for three nozzles.

When adjusting the ink ejection amounts of all three nozzles to 20 ng, a pulse time as shown in FIG. 14 may be set for each nozzle. By drawing with this setting, an image with a uniform dot diameter as shown in FIG. 15 can be obtained.

[0010]

However, the width of the ink ejection amount that can be adjusted by bit correction is narrow, and a more complicated circuit configuration is required inside the head to adjust the wide width. This leads to an increase in the cost of the head.

The red (R), green (G), and blue (B) inks used for coloring the color filter generally have different solvent formulations for dissolving the dye. For this reason, there is a great difference in how the paint spreads after landing on the colored portion.

This means that when the ejection amount is controlled by bit correction, a wide ejection amount adjustment is required for each ink.

In other words, when a color filter is manufactured using heads having the same specifications, both the difference in the spread of R, G, and B inks and the difference in the pixel shape of the color filter are taken into consideration. It is necessary to prepare a head having an adjustment width that can cover them all.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to manufacture color filters of various specifications without increasing the adjustment range of the ink discharge amount of the ink jet head. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color filter manufacturing method and apparatus capable of adjusting a nozzle hole area.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a color filter and a display device manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method, and an apparatus provided with the display device.

[0016]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention comprises:
A method of manufacturing a color filter by discharging and coloring ink toward an object to be colored by an inkjet head, wherein an inkjet head having a different nozzle hole area according to the shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored is provided. It is characterized in that coloring is carried out by using.

Further, in the method for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, an ink amount in which the dot diameter or the line pattern width formed by the ink landed on the object to be colored is 50% or more of the pixel width is ejected. It is characterized by using an inkjet head having a possible nozzle hole area.

Further, in the method of manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the ink jet head is a head for discharging ink using thermal energy,
It is characterized by having a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

Further, the apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention is an apparatus for manufacturing a color filter by discharging an ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object. An ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area can be mounted according to the shape of a pixel to be formed.

In the apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, an ink amount is ejected in which the dot diameter or the width of the line pattern formed by the ink landed on the object to be colored is 50% or more of the width of the pixel. It is characterized in that an ink jet head having a possible nozzle hole area can be mounted.

In the apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to the present invention, the ink-jet head is a head for discharging ink using thermal energy,
It is characterized by having a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy given to the ink.

Further, the method of determining the nozzle hole area according to the present invention is characterized in that, when a color filter is manufactured by discharging an ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object, the nozzle is formed on the object to be colored. A method of determining a nozzle hole area in a method of performing coloring using an ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area according to a shape of a pixel to be drawn, wherein a dot pattern or a line pattern is drawn using actually used ink. And a measuring step of measuring the diameter of the dot pattern or the width of the line pattern drawn in the drawing step using an image processing apparatus, and based on the shape of the pixel and the diameter of the dot pattern or the width of the line pattern. A hole area determining step of determining the nozzle hole area.

Further, in the method for determining a nozzle hole area according to the present invention, a substrate on which pattern exposure equivalent to that of an actual color filter substrate has been performed is used as an object to be colored on which the dot pattern or line pattern is drawn. It is characterized by.

Further, in the method of determining a nozzle hole area according to the present invention, the ink jet head is a head for discharging ink by using thermal energy, and generates thermal energy for generating thermal energy given to the ink. It is characterized by having a body.

Further, the color filter according to the present invention comprises:
A color filter manufactured by discharging and coloring ink toward an object to be colored by an inkjet head, using an inkjet head having a different nozzle hole area according to the shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. It is characterized by being manufactured by coloring.

Further, a display device according to the present invention is a display device provided with a color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object. A color filter manufactured by performing coloring using an ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area in accordance with the shape of a pixel to be formed, and a light amount changing unit capable of changing a light amount are integrally provided.

An apparatus provided with a display device according to the present invention is a device provided with a display device having a color filter manufactured by ejecting ink toward a material to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object. A color filter manufactured by performing coloring using an ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area according to the shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored, and a light amount changing unit that can change the light amount are integrally formed. And a display device for supplying an image signal to the display device.

[0028]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The color filter defined in the present invention is provided with a colored portion and a material to be colored, and is capable of obtaining output light whose characteristics are changed with respect to input light.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the configuration of an embodiment of a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 51 denotes an apparatus mount; 52, an XYθ stage disposed on the mount 51; 53, a color filter substrate set on the XYθ stage 52;
Is a color filter formed on the color filter substrate 53, 55 is R (red) for coloring the color filter 54,
G (green) and B (blue) inkjet heads; 58, a controller for controlling the overall operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; 59, a teaching pendant (personal computer), which is a display unit of the controller; Is shown.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control controller of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90. 59 is a teaching pendant which is an input / output means of the controller 58;
Reference numeral denotes a display unit for displaying information such as the progress of manufacturing and whether or not the head is abnormal. Reference numeral 60 denotes an operation unit (keyboard) for instructing the operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90 and the like.

Reference numeral 58 denotes a controller for controlling the entire operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; 65, an interface for transferring data to and from the teaching pendant 59; 66, a CPU for controlling the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90; ROM, which stores a control program for operating the color filter, 68, a RAM for storing abnormality information and the like, 70, a discharge control unit for controlling the discharge of ink into each pixel of the color filter, 71, a color filter manufacturing apparatus A stage control unit 90 for controlling the operation of the 90 XYθ stage 52 is connected to the controller 58, and shows a color filter manufacturing apparatus that operates according to the instruction.

Next, FIG. 3 is a view showing the structure of the ink jet head 55 used in the color filter manufacturing apparatus 90 described above. In FIG. 1, three inkjet heads are provided corresponding to three colors of R, G, and B,
Since these three heads have the same structure, FIG. 3 shows only one of the three heads as a representative structure.

In FIG. 3, the ink jet head 55
Is schematically composed of a heater board 104 as a substrate on which a plurality of heaters 102 for heating ink are formed, and a top plate 106 overlaid on the heater board 104. A plurality of discharge ports 108 are formed in the top plate 106, and a tunnel-shaped liquid path 110 communicating with the discharge ports 108 is formed behind the discharge ports 108. Each liquid channel 110 is separated from an adjacent liquid channel by a partition 112. Each liquid path 110 is commonly connected to one ink liquid chamber 114 at the rear thereof, and ink is supplied to the ink liquid chamber 114 through an ink supply port 116. The liquid is supplied to each of the liquid paths 110.

The heater board 104 and the top plate 106
Each heater 102 is positioned so as to come to a position corresponding to each liquid path 110, and assembled in a state as shown in FIG.
Although only two heaters 102 are shown in FIG. 3, one heater 102 is
Are arranged one by one. Then, when a predetermined drive pulse is supplied to the heater 102 in an assembled state as shown in FIG. 3, the ink on the heater 102 boils to form bubbles, and the ink expands from the ejection openings 108 by volume expansion of the bubbles. Extruded and discharged. Therefore, it is possible to control the driving pulse applied to the heater 102, for example, by controlling the magnitude of the electric power, to adjust the size of the bubble,
The volume of the ink ejected from the ejection port can be freely controlled.

In the color filter of the present invention, a light-transmitting substrate is preferable as the substrate, and a glass substrate is generally used. However, any material having necessary characteristics such as transparency and mechanical strength as a color filter for liquid crystal is used. However, it is not limited to a glass substrate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a manufacturing process of a color filter.

FIG. 4A shows a glass substrate 1 provided with a light transmitting portion 7 and a black matrix 2 as a light shielding portion. First, a resin composition curable by light irradiation or light irradiation and heating and having an ink receiving property is applied to the substrate 1 on which the black matrix 2 is formed, and prebaking is performed as necessary to form the resin layer 3. It is formed (FIG. 4B). For forming the resin layer 3, a coating method such as spin coating, roll coating, bar coating, spray coating, or dip coating can be used, and is not particularly limited.

Next, a portion of the resin layer, which is shielded by the black matrix 2, is subjected to pattern exposure using a photomask 4 in advance by using a photomask 4 so that a portion of the resin layer is cured and ink is not absorbed by a portion 5 (non-color 4) (FIG. 4)
(C)), and then R,
Each color of G and B is colored at a time (FIG. 4D), and the ink is dried if necessary.

As the photomask 4 used at the time of pattern exposure, a photomask having an opening for curing a light-shielded portion by a black matrix is used. At this time, it is necessary to apply a relatively large amount of ink in order to prevent color loss of the colorant in a portion in contact with the black matrix. Therefore, it is preferable to use a mask having an opening smaller than the (light-shielding) width of the black matrix.

As the ink used for coloring, both dye-based and pigment-based inks can be used, and both liquid inks and solid inks can be used.

As the curable resin composition used in the present invention, any resin can be used as long as it has an ink receiving property and can be cured by light irradiation or at least one of light irradiation and heating. Yes, as a resin, for example, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, silicone resin, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,
Examples include cellulose derivatives such as methylcellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, and modified products thereof.

It is also possible to use a photoinitiator (crosslinking agent) to cause these resins to undergo a crosslinking reaction by light or light and heat. As a photoinitiator, dichromate,
Bisazide compounds, radical initiators, cationic initiators, anionic initiators and the like can be used. These photoinitiators can be used as a mixture or in combination with other sensitizers. Further, a photoacid generator such as an onium salt can be used in combination as a crosslinking agent. Note that heat treatment may be performed after light irradiation in order to further promote the crosslinking reaction.

The resin layer containing these compositions is extremely excellent in heat resistance, water resistance and the like, and can sufficiently withstand a high temperature or a washing step in a later step.

As the ink jet system used in the present invention, a bubble jet type using an electrothermal converter or a piezo jet type using a piezoelectric element can be used as an energy generating element. It can be set arbitrarily.

Although this embodiment shows an example in which a black matrix is formed on a substrate, the black matrix is formed on the resin layer after forming a curable resin composition layer or after coloring. However, there is no particular problem, and the form is not limited to this example. Also,
As a forming method thereof, it is preferable to form a metal thin film on a substrate by sputtering or vapor deposition and pattern it by a photolithography process, but it is not limited thereto.

Next, only the light irradiation, only the heat treatment, or the light irradiation and the heat treatment are performed to cure the curable resin composition (FIG. 4E), and a protective layer 8 is formed as needed (FIG. 4E).
(F). In the drawing, hν indicates the intensity of light, and in the case of heat treatment, heat is applied instead of the light of hν. The protective layer 8 can be formed using a second resin composition of a photo-curing type, a thermo-setting type or a combination of light and heat, or can be formed by vapor deposition or sputtering using an inorganic material. Any material can be used as long as it has the transparency in this case and can sufficiently withstand the subsequent ITO forming process, alignment film forming process, and the like.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which a resin composition is formed on a substrate. However, ink may be applied directly to the substrate as described below.

That is, using the ink jet method, R, G, and B inks are applied so as to fill the light transmitting portion between the black matrices constituting the light shielding portion. The R, G, and B patterns may be formed in a so-called casting shape. Further, it is preferable that the printing is performed within a range where the respective color inks do not overlap on the black matrix.

As long as the ink used can be cured by the application of energy such as light or heat, any of dyes and pigments can be used, and both liquid inks and solid inks can be used. It is essential that the ink contains a photo-curable component or a thermo-curable component or a component curable by both light and heat,
As such a component, various commercially available resins and curing agents can be used, and the component is not particularly limited as long as it does not cause a problem such as fixation in the ink. Specifically, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, melamine resins, and the like are suitably used.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are sectional views showing the basic structure of a color liquid crystal display device 30 incorporating the above-mentioned color filter.

The color liquid crystal display device is generally formed by combining the color filter substrate 1 with the counter substrate 21 and enclosing the liquid crystal compound 18. A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is provided inside one substrate 21 of the liquid crystal display device.
r) (not shown) and transparent pixel electrodes 20 are formed in a matrix. In addition, a color filter 54 is provided inside the other substrate 1 so that RGB color materials are arranged at positions facing the pixel electrodes, and a transparent counter electrode (common electrode) 16 is formed on the entire surface. Is done. The black matrix 2 is usually formed on the color filter substrate 1 side (see FIG. 5), but is formed on the opposite TFT substrate side in a BM (black matrix) on-array type liquid crystal panel (see FIG. 6). Further, an alignment film 19 is formed in the planes of both substrates, and rubbing the alignment film 19 allows liquid crystal molecules to be aligned in a certain direction. A polarizing plate 1 is provided outside each glass substrate.
The liquid crystal compound 18 is filled in the gap (about 2 to 5 μm) between these glass substrates.
In addition, a combination of a fluorescent lamp (not shown) and a scattering plate (not shown) is generally used as the backlight, and the display is performed by making the liquid crystal compound function as an optical shutter that changes the transmittance of the backlight light. I do.

As shown in FIG. 7, a colored portion may be formed on the pixel electrode 20 to function as a color filter. That is, the colored portion constituting the color filter is not limited to being formed on the glass substrate. In the form shown in FIG. 7, there are a case where an ink receiving layer is formed on a pixel electrode and ink is applied to this receiving layer, and a case where a resin ink mixed with a coloring material is directly projected on the pixel electrode. is there.

An example in which such a liquid crystal display device is applied to an information processing device will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration when the above-described liquid crystal display device is applied to an information processing device having functions as a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile device, and a copying device.

In the figure, reference numeral 1801 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire apparatus, which includes a CPU such as a microprocessor and various I / O ports, outputs control signals and data signals to each unit, and controls signals from each unit. And control by inputting data signals. Reference numeral 1802 denotes a display unit, on which various menus, document information, and the image reader 18 are displayed.
In step 07, the read image data and the like are displayed. 18
Reference numeral 03 denotes a transparent pressure-sensitive touch panel provided on the display unit 1802. By pressing the surface of the touch panel with a finger or the like, it is possible to input items, coordinate positions, and the like on the display unit 1802.

Reference numeral 1804 denotes an FM (Frequency Modulation) sound source unit which stores music information created by a music editor or the like as digital data in a memory unit 1810 or an external storage device 1812, and reads out the FM information from the memory or the like.
The modulation is performed. The electric signal from the FM sound source unit 1804 is converted into an audible sound by the speaker unit 1805.
The printer unit 1806 is used as an output terminal of a word processor, a personal computer, a facsimile machine, and a copying machine.

Reference numeral 1807 denotes an image reader unit for reading and inputting original data photoelectrically, and is provided in the original conveying path, and reads various originals such as facsimile originals and copy originals.

Reference numeral 1808 denotes facsimile transmission of the original data read by the image reader unit 1807 and facsimile (F) for receiving and decoding the transmitted facsimile signal.
AX), and has an external interface function. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a telephone unit having various telephone functions such as a normal telephone function and an answering machine function.

Reference numeral 1810 denotes a ROM for storing a system program, a manager program, other application programs, character fonts, a dictionary, and the like; an application program and document information loaded from an external storage device 1812; and a memory including a video RAM and the like. Department.

Reference numeral 1811 denotes a keyboard for inputting document information and various commands.

Reference numeral 1812 denotes an external storage device using a floppy disk, a hard disk, or the like as a storage medium. The external storage device 1812 stores document information, music or audio information,
A user application program and the like are stored.

FIG. 9 is a schematic overview of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 1901 denotes a flat panel display using the above-mentioned liquid crystal display device, which displays various menus, graphic information, document information and the like. By pressing the surface of the touch panel 1803 with a finger or the like on the display 1901, coordinate input and item designation input can be performed. A handset 1902 is used when the device functions as a telephone. Keyboard 190
3 is detachably connected to the main body via a cord,
Various document functions and various data inputs can be performed. The keyboard 1903 has various function keys 1904.
Etc. are provided. 1905 is an external storage device 1812
This is the slot for the floppy disk.

Reference numeral 1906 denotes a paper placing portion on which a document to be read by the image reader portion 1807 is placed. The read document is discharged from the rear of the apparatus. In the case of facsimile reception or the like, printing is performed by the inkjet printer 1907.

When the information processing apparatus functions as a personal computer or a word processor, various information input from the keyboard section 1811 is processed by the control section 1801 according to a predetermined program, and the information is processed by the printer section 1.
The image is output to an image 806.

When functioning as a receiver of a facsimile apparatus, facsimile information input from a facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808 via a communication line is received and processed by a control unit 1801 according to a predetermined program.
Is output as a received image.

When functioning as a copier, a document is read by an image reader 1807 and the read document data is sent to a printer 18 via a controller 1801.
06 is output as a copy image. When functioning as a facsimile receiver, the image reader unit 1
The original data read by 807 is transmitted to control unit 180.
After transmission processing according to a predetermined program by 1
The data is transmitted to the communication line via the facsimile transmission / reception unit 1808.

The information processing apparatus described above may be of an integrated type in which an ink jet printer is built in the main body as shown in FIG. 10. In this case, portability can be further improved. In the figure, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the corresponding reference numerals.

Next, a method for changing the area of the nozzle hole of the ink jet head according to the shape of the pixel of the color filter, which is a characteristic part of the present invention, will be described.

(First Embodiment) First, R, G,
B: Measure the spread of each ink in the ink receiving layer. As the method, for example, a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 11 is drawn on a glass substrate coated with an ink receiving layer by using all nozzles of a head.

FIG. 11 shows a case where R, G, and B dot patterns are drawn by three heads.

The dot diameter (or dot area) may be measured for all the ink dots using the image processing means of the measuring device shown in FIG.

In FIG. 12, reference numeral 31 denotes an image processing apparatus;
Is a computer that controls the entire apparatus, 33 is a microscope that enlarges the captured image, 34 is a stage on which a glass substrate on which the dot pattern is drawn is placed, 35 is a CCD camera that captures the enlarged image into the image processing device 31,
36 is a transmission light source.

The dot pattern is illuminated with transmitted light 36,
The image is enlarged by the microscope 33 and input to the image processing device 31 through the CCD camera 35. Then, image processing such as binarization is performed, and its diameter or area is obtained.

After the measurement of the dot diameter, it is calculated whether the extent of the spread is appropriate for the actual width (or area) of the pixel of the color filter.

As a result, when it becomes necessary to adjust the discharge amount at a certain rate, if the discharge amount is to be increased, the hole area of the head nozzle should be increased, and if the discharge amount should be reduced, the head nozzle should be adjusted. Reduce the hole area.

A specific method for adjusting the nozzle hole area of the head is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is a method described in Japanese Patent Publication No.

As shown here, by using the method of adjusting the power of the excimer laser with a mask, the nozzle hole area of the head can be easily changed.
An optimal nozzle hole area can be obtained. The head processed through such a procedure is mounted on the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and the ink is ejected onto the color filter substrate and colored while the ink jet head and the color filter substrate are relatively scanned. It is possible to manufacture a color filter with a wide margin for the problem of “white spots” and “color mixture”.

(Second Embodiment) In the first embodiment, an optimum head nozzle hole area is determined by drawing a dot pattern and measuring the dot diameter or dot area. However, the dot pattern is not necessarily used as the drawing pattern. The line pattern shown in FIG. 13 may be drawn by all nozzles. Then, the width of the line pattern may be measured by the measuring device shown in FIG. 12, and the nozzle hole area of each head may be determined based on the value.

The line pattern drawing is particularly close to the actual coloring of the color fill, and better results can be obtained by measuring the width of the line pattern (the extent of spreading) and determining the nozzle hole area at this time. Expected to be

Here, as a substrate for drawing a dot pattern or a line pattern, a glass substrate coated with a receptor layer may be used, but a glass substrate subjected to pattern exposure equivalent to that of an actual color filter substrate is used. Thus, it is possible to determine the area of the nozzle hole at which a more optimal ink ejection amount is obtained.

In the first embodiment, a method using a laser and a mask has been described as a method for manufacturing a head.
Without being limited to this, for example,
A method using a photosensitive resin described in JP-A-672 may be used. It is also conceivable to use a photolithography method. The laser drilling method is easy and the cost is very large, but the photolithographic method is advantageous in terms of making the hole area uniform. It is desirable to select one of the methods according to the required head accuracy.

The present invention is particularly provided with a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ejecting ink even in an ink jet recording system. The printing apparatus of the type that causes a change in the state of the ink has been described.
High definition can be achieved.

The typical configuration and principle are described in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740.
It is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent No. 796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, liquid (ink)
By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recorded information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer arranged corresponding to the sheet or the liquid path holding the Since thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer and film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface of the recording head, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. It is valid. By discharging the liquid (ink) through the discharge opening by the growth and contraction of the bubble, at least one droplet is formed. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that the ejection of the liquid (ink) having particularly excellent responsiveness can be achieved, which is more preferable.

As the pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further, if the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface are adopted, more excellent recording can be performed.

As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal converter (linear liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) as disclosed in the above-mentioned respective specifications, A configuration using U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,333 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,600, which discloses a configuration in which a heat acting surface is arranged in a bent region, is also included in the present invention. In addition, for multiple electrothermal transducers,
JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge part of an electrothermal transducer, and JP-A-59-123670 which discloses a configuration in which an opening for absorbing a pressure wave of thermal energy corresponds to a discharge part. A configuration based on 138461 may be adopted.

Further, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is determined by combining a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above-mentioned specification. This may be either a configuration satisfying the above requirements or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally.

In addition, the print head is replaceable with a print head of a replaceable chip type, which can be electrically connected to the main body of the apparatus or supplied with ink from the main body of the apparatus, or is integrated with the print head itself. Alternatively, a cartridge type recording head provided with an ink tank may be used.

It is preferable to add recovery means for the recording head, preliminary auxiliary means, and the like provided as components of the recording apparatus of the present invention since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. . If these are specifically mentioned, capping means for the recording head, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means, preheating means using an electrothermal transducer or another heating element or a combination thereof, and printing Performing a preliminary ejection mode for performing another ejection is also effective for performing stable printing.

In the embodiments of the present invention described above, the ink is described as a liquid. However, an ink which solidifies at room temperature or lower, or an ink which softens or liquefies at room temperature may be used. It is only necessary that the ink be in a liquid state when the recording signal is applied.

In addition, in order to positively prevent the temperature rise due to thermal energy as energy for changing the state of the ink from the solid state to the liquid state, the temperature is positively prevented.
Alternatively, in order to prevent evaporation of the ink, an ink which solidifies in a standing state and liquefies by heating may be used. In any case, the application of heat energy causes the ink to be liquefied by application of the heat energy according to the recording signal and the liquid ink to be ejected, or to start to solidify when reaching the recording medium. The present invention is also applicable to a case where an ink having a property of liquefying for the first time is used. In such a case, as described in JP-A-54-56847 or JP-A-60-71260, the ink is held in a liquid state or a solid state in the concave portion or through hole of the porous sheet. It is good also as a form which opposes an electrothermal transducer. In the present invention, the most effective one for each of the above-mentioned inks is to execute the above-mentioned film boiling method.

[0094]

As described above, according to the present invention, "white spots" and "color mixing" which are major problems in a method of manufacturing a color filter by an ink-jet method without adding an electric circuit relating to head cost. ”Can be expanded. This leads to an increase in the production yield of the color filter, which leads to a reduction in the cost of the color filter itself.

[0095]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit that controls the operation of the color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an ink jet head used in a color filter manufacturing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a manufacturing process of a color filter.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a basic configuration of a color liquid crystal display device incorporating a color filter according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the basic configuration of the color liquid crystal display device incorporating the color filter of one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing still another example of the basic configuration of the color liquid crystal display device incorporating the color filter of one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an information processing apparatus in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an information processing device in which a liquid crystal display device is used.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dot pattern drawn using an inkjet head.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line pattern drawn using an inkjet head.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a pulse time (heating time) and an ink ejection amount.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a dot pattern image drawn by each nozzle after bit correction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 Image Processing Device 32 Personal Computer 33 Optical Microscope 34 XY Stage 35 Color CCD Camera 36 Transmission Light Source 52 XYθ Stage 53 Glass Substrate 54 Color Filter 55 Coloring Head 58 Controller 59 Teaching Pendant 60 Keyboard

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a color filter by discharging an ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object, wherein a nozzle hole area is determined according to a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. A method for producing a color filter, wherein coloring is performed using an inkjet head of a different color. 2. An ink jet head having a nozzle hole area capable of discharging an ink amount such that a dot diameter or a line pattern width formed by the ink landed on the object to be colored is 50% or more of the pixel width. The method for manufacturing a color filter according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The ink-jet head according to claim 1, wherein the ink-jet head is a head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. A method for producing the color filter according to the above. 4. An apparatus for producing a color filter by discharging ink to an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object, wherein a nozzle hole area is determined according to a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. An apparatus for manufacturing a color filter, to which different inkjet heads can be mounted. 5. An ink jet head having a nozzle hole area capable of discharging an amount of ink in which a dot diameter or a line pattern width formed by the ink landed on the coloring target body is 50% or more of the pixel width. The apparatus for manufacturing a color filter according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus is capable of being manufactured. 6. The ink-jet head according to claim 4, wherein the ink-jet head is a head that ejects ink using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. An apparatus for manufacturing the color filter according to the above. 7. When a color filter is manufactured by discharging and coloring an ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head, a nozzle hole area varies depending on a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. A method of determining a nozzle hole area in a method of performing coloring using an inkjet head, comprising: a drawing step of drawing a dot pattern or a line pattern using ink actually used; A measurement step of measuring the diameter or the width of the line pattern using an image processing apparatus; and a hole area determination step of determining the nozzle hole area based on the shape of the pixel and the diameter of the dot pattern or the width of the line pattern. A method for determining a nozzle hole area, comprising: 8. The nozzle hole according to claim 7, wherein a substrate on which pattern exposure equivalent to that of an actual color filter substrate has been performed is used as the object to be colored on which the dot pattern or line pattern is drawn. How to determine the area. 9. The ink-jet head according to claim 8, wherein the ink-jet head is a head that ejects ink by using thermal energy, and includes a thermal energy generator for generating thermal energy to be applied to the ink. The method for determining the nozzle hole area described. 10. A color filter manufactured by discharging an ink toward an object to be colored by an inkjet head and coloring the object, wherein a nozzle hole area is determined according to a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. A color filter manufactured by coloring using different ink jet heads. 11. A display device provided with a color filter manufactured by discharging ink toward an object to be colored by an inkjet head and coloring the object, according to a shape of a pixel formed on the object to be colored. A display device, comprising: a color filter manufactured by performing coloring using an ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area; and a light amount changing unit capable of changing a light amount. 12. A device provided with a display device having a color filter manufactured by discharging an ink toward an object to be colored by an ink jet head and coloring the object, wherein a pixel formed on the object to be colored is provided. A display device integrally including a color filter manufactured by performing coloring using an ink jet head having a different nozzle hole area according to a shape, and a light amount changing unit that can change a light amount; and An image signal supply means for supplying the image signal.