Film separation apparatus and film separation method

A film separation apparatus and a film separation method are disclosed. The film separation apparatus includes a mechanical arm, a needle and a stopping member; the needle has one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end including a needle tip; the stopping member includes a connecting rod and a stopper, the connecting rod has one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end connected to the stopper, the needle tip is configured to be inserted into a film to be separated, the stopper and the needle tip are configured to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

The present disclosure claims the benefits of Chinese patent application No. 201810276550.4, filed on Mar. 30, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference as part of the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a film separation apparatus and a film separation method.

BACKGROUND

With continuous development of scientific and technological level, liquid crystal display (LCD) device and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display device have become mainstreams of display devices.

In a manufacturing process of the LCD device and the OLED display device, a packaging protective film is usually used for protecting a film layer to be protected. As a result, when using the film layer to be protected, it's required to utilize a film separation apparatus to separate and remove the packaging protective film.

SUMMARY

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a film separation apparatus, including a mechanical arm; a needle having one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end including a needle tip; and a stopping member including a connecting rod and a stopper, the connecting rod having one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end connected to the stopper, wherein the needle tip is configured to be inserted into a film to be separated, the stopper and the needle tip are configured to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a driving device disposed on the mechanical arm, the driving device is configured to drive at least one of the stopper and the needle tip so that the stopper and the needle tip move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopping member is fixed on the mechanical arm, the film separation apparatus further includes a first driving device which is disposed on the mechanical arm and is configured to drive the needle tip to move along the extension direction of the needle so as to move with respect to the stopper in the extension direction of the needle to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the needle is fixed on the mechanical arm, the film separation apparatus further includes a second driving device configured to drive the stopper to move so as to move with respect to the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second driving device is disposed in the connecting rod, and the second driving device is configured to drive the stopper to move along an extension direction of the connecting rod.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, a minimum distance between the stopper and the needle tip is smaller than 20 mm.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopper includes a stop ring, the extension direction of the needle passes through the stop ring, and the needle tip is configured to be capable of passing through the stop ring.

For example, the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes a clamping member which is disposed on the mechanical arm and is configured to clamp the film to be separated.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clamping member includes: a first clamping rod fixed with the mechanical arm; a second clamping rod hinged with the first clamping rod; and a first electric motor configured to drive one end of the second clamping rod far away from a hinged position to rotate about the hinged position.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first electric motor is disposed at a hinged position where the first clamping rod is hinged with the second clamping rod.

For example, in the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the clamping member further includes: a second electric motor which is disposed at one end of the second clamping rod close to the hinged position and is configured to drive the second clamping rod to revolve on its own axis.

For example, the film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes an adsorption device which is disposed on the mechanical arm and is configured to generate an adsorption force to adsorb a particle.

At least one embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a film separation method, including: inserting a needle tip of a needle into a film to be separated on a substrate; moving the needle to cause an upwarp portion in the film to be separated; moving the needle to drag the film to be separated so as to separate the film to be separated from the substrate; and driving a stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, the film separation method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure further includes: after moving the needle to cause an upwarp portion in the film to be separated, clamping the upwarp portion by using a clamping member.

For example, in the film separation method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, driving a stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip includes: driving the needle tip to move along the extension direction of the needle so as to move with respect to the stopper to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, in the film separation method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, driving a stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip includes: driving the stopper to move so as to move with respect to the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

For example, in the film separation method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stopper includes a stop ring, the extension direction of the needle passes through the stop ring, and the needle tip passes through the stop ring while the stopper and the needle tip moving with respect to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make objects, technical details and advantages of the embodiments of the disclosure apparent, technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely as below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of embodiments of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are only a part of but not all of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Based on the described embodiments of the present disclosure, various other embodiments can be obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative labor and those embodiments shall fall into the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms, such as “first,” “second,” or the like, which are used in the description and the claims of the present application, are not intended to indicate any sequence, amount or importance, but for distinguishing various components. The terms, such as “comprise/comprising,” “include/including,” or the like are intended to specify that the elements or the objects stated before these terms encompass the elements or the objects and equivalents thereof listed after these terms, but not preclude other elements or objects. The terms, such as “connect/connecting/connected,” “couple/coupling/coupled” or the like, are not intended to define a physical connection or mechanical connection, but may include an electrical connection/coupling, directly or indirectly.

Usually, after half cutting a top protection film on a panel by using cutting process, it needs to perform a peeling process to remove a portion of the top protection film at an edge of the panel. However, the inventors of the present application has noticed that, after separating a glue material of the top protection film to be separated from the panel and transporting the glue material to a waste port by using a needle tip and a clamping member, part of the glue material of the top protection film may be adhered to the needle tip and the clamping member, which influences subsequent processes; or, such glue material adhered to the needle tip and the clamping member may be dropped onto a stage of the machine, which influences subsequent processes, resulting in various adverse effects. On the other hand, during half cutting the top protection film on the panel by using cutting process, a portion of the top protection film corresponding to a position of a half cutting line would be subjected to a carbonization and generate particles; moreover, these particles, when dropped onto a pin, may result in various defects of the panel.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a film separation apparatus separating a film to be separated. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the film separation apparatus includes a mechanical arm10, a clamping member20disposed on the mechanical arm10, and a needle30disposed on the mechanical arm10; an end of the needle30far away from the mechanical arm10is provided with a needle tip31. As illustrated inFIG. 1, a film40is disposed on a substrate, and an upper portion of the film40that is to be cut along a cutting line50is referred to as a film41to be separated. When the above-mentioned film separation apparatus is used for separating the film41to be separated, it's possible to, firstly, insert the needle tip31into the film41to be separated, and drive the needle30to move horizontally by the mechanical arm10to cause an upwarp portion or a protrusion in the film41to be separated, then clamp the upwarp portion or the protrusion by the clamping member20, and finally drive the clamping member20and the needle tip31by the mechanical arm10to separate the film41to be separated from the substrate and transport the same to a waste port.

However, after separating the film41to be separated from the substrate and transporting the same to the waste port by the needle tip31and the clamping member20, a portion of the film41to be separated may be adhered to the needle tip31and the clamping member20, which influences subsequent processes; or such portion of film41to be separated that is adhered to the needle tip31and the clamping member20may be dropped onto a stage of the machine, which influences subsequent processes, resulting in various adverse effects. On the other hand, during half cutting the film40on the substrate by using cutting process, a portion of the film40corresponding to a position of a half cutting line would be subjected to a carbonization and generate particles; moreover, these particles, when dropped onto a pin, may cause various defects of the panel.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a film separation apparatus and a film separation method. The film separation apparatus includes a mechanical arm, a needle and a stopping member; the needle has one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end provided with a needle tip; the stopping member includes a connecting rod and a stopper, the connecting rod having one end connected to the mechanical arm and the other end connected to the stopper; the needle tip is configured to be inserted into a film to be separated; the stopper and the needle tip are configured to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. In this way, by an arrangement of the stopper and by utilizing the relative movement of the stopper and the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle, the film separation apparatus allows separating the film to be separated from the needle tip, so as to prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the needle tip and avoid various defects caused thereby.

Hereinafter, the film separation apparatus and the film separation method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2Aillustrates a film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 2A, the film separation apparatus100includes a mechanical arm110, a needle120and a stopping member130; the needle120has one end connected to the mechanical arm110and the other end provided with a needle tip121; the stopping member130includes a connecting rod131and a stopper132, the connecting rod131has one end connected to the mechanical arm110and the other end connected to the stopper132; the needle tip121can be inserted into a film to be separated; the stopper132and the needle tip121can move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle120so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. It should be explained that, the above-mentioned relative movement not only includes a movement along the extension direction of the needle120but also includes movements along other directions, as long as the movement has a component in the extension direction of the needle120.

When the film separation apparatus provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is used for separating a film (e.g., a top protection film) to be separated on a substrate (e.g., display panel), it's possible to, firstly insert the needle tip121into the film to be separated, and then move the needle120horizontally by the mechanical arm110to cause an upwarp portion or a protrusion in the film to be separated. After separating the film to be separated from the substrate and transporting the same to the waste port, it's possible to drive the stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other along the extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. In this way, by an arrangement of the stopper and by utilizing the relative movement of the stopper and the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle, the film separation apparatus allows separating the film to be separated from the needle tip, so as to prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the needle tip and avoid various defects caused thereby.

For example, in some examples, a minimum distance between the stopper132and the needle tip121is smaller than 20 mm. Thus it can ensure that the stopper132can separate the film to be separated on the needle tip121from the needle tip. It should be explained that the minimum distance between the stopper and the needle tip refers to a distance between a portion of the stopper closest to the needle tip and the needle tip when the stopper and the needle are located in a same plane parallel to the substrate. For example, in some examples, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, the stopping member130is fixed on the mechanical arm110, the film separation apparatus100further includes a first driving device140which is disposed on the mechanical arm110and can drive the needle tip121to move along the extension direction of the needle120, so as to move with respect to the stopper132in the extension direction of the needle120to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip121. That is to say, the stopping member130is fixed with respect to the mechanical arm110, and the needle tip121can move with respect to the stopper132under the drive of the first driving device140. Because the stopping member130can be fixed on the mechanical arm110, it has a simple structure, so as to reduce the cost of the film separation apparatus.

For example, in some examples, as illustrated inFIG. 2A, the stopper132includes a stop ring, the extension direction of the needle120passes through the stop ring, and the needle tip can pass through the stop ring. In this way, after passing through the stop ring, the needle tip can be inserted into the film to be separated; after retracting the needle tip to a side of the stop ring far away from the film to be separated and holding the needle tip there, the stop ring can block the film to be separated on the needle tip, so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip, which can prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the needle tip and avoid various defects caused thereby.

For example, the above-mentioned stop ring can have a shape including circle, polygon, ellipse and the like.

For example, when the above-mentioned stop ring has a circle shape, a radius of the stop ring is smaller than 20 mm.

FIG. 2Billustrates another film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 2B, the needle120is fixed on the mechanical arm110, the film separation apparatus100further includes a second driving device150which can drive the stopper132to move, so as to move with respect to the needle tip121in the extension direction of the needle120to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip121. That is to say, the needle120is fixed with respect to the mechanical arm110, and the stopper132can move with respect to the needle tip121under the drive of the second driving device150. When the needle120is fixed with respect to the mechanical arm110, the needle tip121can be inserted into the film to be separated by utilizing a movement of the mechanical arm110in a direction perpendicular to the film to be separated.

For example, in some examples, as illustrated inFIG. 2B, the second driving device150is disposed in the connecting rod131, and the second driving device150can drive the stopper132to move along an extension direction of the connecting rod131. Because the second driving device can be disposed in the connecting rod, a volume and an integration level of the film separation apparatus can be reduced.

For example, the second driving device150can include a driving device such as a hydraulic cylinder.

For example, embodiments including the first driving device and the second driving device respectively have been introduced above, but the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any driving device disposed on the mechanical arm that can drive at least one of the stopper and the needle tip can allow the stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle.

For example, in some examples, as illustrated inFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B, the film separation apparatus further includes a clamping member160which is disposed on the mechanical arm110and can clamp the film to be separated.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating a film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure separating a film to be separated. As illustrated inFIG. 3, a film200is disposed on a substrate300, and an upper portion of the film200that is isolated by a cutting line is referred to as a film210to be separated. It's possible to, firstly, insert the needle tip121into the film210to be separated, and then drive the needle120to move horizontally by the mechanical arm110to cause an upwarp portion or a protrusion in the film210to be separated. At this moment, clamping the upwarp portion or the protrusion by the clamping member160, and then completely separating the film210to be separated from the substrate300by the needle121and the clamping member160which are driven by the mechanical arm110; moreover, after transporting the film210to be separated to the waste port, driving the stopper132and the needle tip121to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle120so as to separate the film210to be separated from the needle tip121.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating a clamping member in a film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, the clamping member160can include a first clamping rod161, a second clamping rod162, and a first electric motor163; the first clamping rod161is fixed with the mechanical arm110; the second clamping rod162is hinged with the first clamping rod161; the first electric motor163is disposed at a hinged position where the first clamping rod161is hinged with the second clamping rod162, and can drive an end of the second clamping rod162far away from the hinged position to rotate about the hinged position; that is to say, the end of the second clamping rod162far away from the hinged position moves in an arc around the hinged position rather than revolving on its own axis. For example, the first electric motor is not limited to be disposed at the hinged position where the first clamping rod161is hinged with the second clamping rod162, but can be disposed at any other appropriate positions as long as it allows driving the end of the second clamping rod162far away from the hinged position to rotate about the hinged position. Thus, the clamping member can pass through a space between the above-mentioned unwarp portion and the substrate by means of a rotation of the second clamping rod so as to clamp the film to be separated, and can also separate the film to be separated from the substrate under the drive of the mechanical arm. Moreover, after transporting the film to be separated to the waste port, in addition to the relative movement of the stopper and the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle which can separate the film to be separated from the needle tip, it's also possible to restore the second clamping rod to a vertical state by means of a rotation of the second clamping rod, that is, a state where the second clamping rod is parallel to the first clamping rod, so as to prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the clamping member.

FIG. 4Bis a schematic diagram illustrating a clamping member in another film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 4B, the clamping member160further includes a second electric motor164; the second electric motor164is disposed at an end of the second clamping rod162close to the hinged position, and can drive the second clamping rod162to revolve on its own axis. After transporting the film to be separated to the waste port, by revolving the second clamping rod, it can further prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the clamping member. It should be explained that, after transporting the film to be separated to the waste port, the revolving and rotation of the second clamping rod can be performed at the same time; that is, it's possible to restore the second clamping rod to the vertical state and meanwhile revolving the second clamping rod, so as to further prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the clamping member.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating a working process of a clamping device in a film separation apparatus provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 5, when the needle tip121is inserted into the film210to be separated, the mechanical arm110drives the needle120to move horizontally so as to cause an upwarp portion or a protrusion in the film210to be separated, and then the first electric motor163drives the second clamping rod162to rotate in an arc around the hinged position where the first clamping rod161is hinged with the second clamping rod162, that is, rotating about the above-mentioned hinged position, so as to drive the second clamping rod162to pass through the space between the above-mentioned upwarp portion or protrusion and the substrate300to clamp the film210to be separated. The mechanical arm110drives the needle tip121and the second clamping rod162to move so as to completely separate the film210to be separated from the substrate300. After the film210to be separated is transported to the waste port, the stopper132and the needle tip121are driven to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle120, so as to separate the film210to be separated from the needle tip121; the first electric motor163drives the second clamping rod162to rotate and restore to the vertical state, so as to prevent the film210to be separated from adhering to the clamping member160. Moreover, after the film to be separated is transported to the waste port, revolving the second clamping rod162while restoring the second clamping rod162to the vertical state, so as to further prevent the film210to be separated from adhering to the clamping member160.

For example, in some examples, the film separation apparatus100can further include an adsorption device170which is disposed on the mechanical arm110and can generate an adsorption force to adsorb particles.FIG. 6is a schematic diagram illustrating an adsorption device provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure; in order to clearly illustrate the adsorption device170,FIG. 6omits some components such as the needle, the stopping member and the clamping member. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the adsorption device170can include a plurality of adsorption holes171which can generate an adsorption force by means of negative pressure. The plurality of adsorption holes171are disposed at a side of the mechanical arm110close to the film to be separated. In this way, when there are particles at a position of a cuffing line of the film to be separated, the adsorption device can be utilized to remove the particles by the adsorption force while separating the film to be separated, which prevents the particles from dropping onto the substrate and hence can avoid various defects caused by the particles dropping onto the substrate.

For example, the adsorption device can include a vacuum adsorption device.

An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a film separation method.FIG. 7is a flow chart illustrating a film separation method provided by an embodiment according to the present disclosure. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the method includes the following steps S701-S704.

Step S701, inserting a needle tip of a needle into a film to be separated disposed on a substrate.

Step S702, moving the needle and causing an upwarp portion in the film to be separated.

Step S703, moving the needle to drag the film to be separated, so as to separate the film to be separated from the substrate.

Step S704, driving a stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in an extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip.

The film separation method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, when used for separating a film (e.g., top protection film) to be separated, firstly can allow the needle tip of the needle to be inserted into the film to be separated, and then drives the needle to move horizontally by the mechanical arm so as to cause an upwarp portion or protrusion in the film to be separated. After separating the film to be separated from the substrate and transporting the same to the waste port, the stopper and the needle tip can be driven to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. In this way, the film separation apparatus can separate the film to be separated from the needle tip by arranging the stopper and by utilizing the relative movement of the stopper and the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle, so as to prevent the film to be separated from adhering to the needle tip and to avoid various defects caused thereby.

For example, in some examples, the film separation method further includes: after moving the needle to cause an upwarp portion in the film to be separated, clamping the upwarp portion by a clamping member. Subsequently, moving the clamping member and the needle tip to drag the film to be separated, so as to separate the film to be separated from the substrate, which ensures a separation of the film to be separated from the substrate by utilizing the clamping member.

For example, in some examples, a minimum distance between the needle tip and the stopper is smaller than 20 mm. In this way, it ensures that the film to be separated on the needle tip can be separated from the needle tip by the stopper.

For example, in some examples, driving the stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip includes: driving the needle tip to move along the extension direction of the needle by using a first driving device so that the needle tip moves with respect to the stopper to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. In other words, the topper is fixed relatively, and the needle tip can move with respect to the stopper under the drive of the first driving device. Because the stopper is fixed relatively, it has simple structure so as to reduce the cost of the film separation method.

For example, in some examples, the stopper includes a stop ring, the extension direction of the needle passes through the stop ring, and the needle tip can pass through the stop ring. In this way, after passing through the stop ring, the needle tip can be inserted into the film to be separated; after retracting the needle tip to a side of the stop ring far away from the film to be separated and holding the needle tip there, the stop ring can block the film to be separated on the needle tip so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip, thereby preventing the film to be separated from adhering to the needle tip and avoiding various defects caused thereby.

For example, the above-mentioned stop ring can have a shape including circle, polygon, ellipse and the like.

For example, when the above-mentioned stop ring has a circle shape, a radius of the stop ring is smaller than 20 mm.

For example, driving the stopper and the needle tip to move with respect to each other in the extension direction of the needle so as to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip includes: driving the stopper to move by using a second driving device so that the stopper moves with respect to the needle tip in the extension direction of the needle to separate the film to be separated from the needle tip. In other words, the needle can be fixed relatively, and the stopper can move with respect to the needle tip under the drive of the second driving device.

For example, in some examples, the film separation method can further include: adsorbing particles on the substrate by an adsorption device. In this way, when there are particles at a position of a cutting line of the film to be separated, the adsorption device can be utilized to remove the particles by an adsorption force while separating the film to be separated, which prevents the particles from dropping onto the substrate and hence can avoid various defects caused by the particles dropping onto the substrate.

For example, in some examples, the film separation method further includes: before inserting the needle tip of the needle into the film to be separated disposed on the substrate, cutting a film by using a cutting process to produce the film to be separated.

The following statements should be noted:

(1) The accompanying drawings in the embodiment(s) of the present disclosure involve only the structure(s) in connection with the embodiment(s) of the present disclosure, and other structure(s) can be referred to common design(s).

(2) In case of no conflict, features in one embodiment or in different embodiments of the present disclosure can be combined with each other.

The above are merely specific implementations of the present disclosure without limiting the protection scope of the present disclosure thereto. Any change or replacement that is easily conceivable for those skilled in the art without departing from the technical scope revealed by the present disclosure shall be fallen within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure should be based on the protection scope of the appended claims.