COATING DEVICE AND COATING METHOD

A coating method includes arranging a nozzle portion with a plurality of nozzles above a substrate with a plurality of coating areas, moving the substrate or the nozzle portion in a first direction, and applying a coating liquid to respective coating areas through corresponding nozzles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when a layer or element is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Although the terms “first, second, and so forth” are used to describe diverse constituent elements, such constituent elements are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to discriminate a constituent element from other constituent elements. Accordingly, in the following description, a first constituent element may be a second constituent element.

A “coating device” described in the description may comprehensively refer to all devices that apply a coating material in liquid or semi-solid state to a coated body. In an exemplary embodiment, the coated body may be a substrate that is used in a semiconductor, a display device, or a solar cell, and the coating material may be a polymer organic material, but is not limited thereto. The coated body and the coating material may be diversely selected. In the following description, a substrate exemplifies the coated body, and a coating liquid exemplifies the coating material, but is not limited thereto.

Further, a “coating method” described in the description may comprehensively refer to all methods for applying a coating material using the “coating device,” but is not limited thereto.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a coating device according to an embodiment.FIG. 2is a plan view of a substrate900to which a coating liquid L is applied by the coating device ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a block diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the coating device ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, a coating device according to an embodiment may include a support portion100, a nozzle portion200, and a transport portion300. Further, the coating device according to an embodiment may include a control portion400.

Referring toFIG. 1, the support portion100may support the substrate900. That is, the support portion100may provide a place where the substrate900is seated. The support portion100may be, e.g., a stage or a transport rail of an apparatus for fabricating a display device. The support portion100may be, e.g., in a cubic plate shape. Further, a width of the support portion100may be equal to or larger than a width of the substrate900. Further, in order to minimize friction between the support portion100and the substrate900, the support portion100may be coated with fluorine or Teflon. The substrate900may be seated on the support portion100by a transport robot, other transport rails, or manual operation of a worker. The substrate900that is seated on the support portion100may be adsorbed and fixed to the support portion100by a vacuum pump that is connected to the support portion100.

Although not illustrated in the drawing, the coating device according to an embodiment may further include at least one lift bar, which makes the substrate900ascend, i.e., to separate the substrate900from the support portion100, or descend, i.e., to seat the substrate900on the support portion100. In this case, if the lift bar ascends, the substrate900is arranged at an end portion of the lift bar. If the lift bar descends, the substrate900is seated on one surface of the support portion100.

Referring toFIG. 2, the substrate900may include a base substrate910and a device layer920. The base substrate910may be in a quadrangular, e.g., square, plate shape. The base substrate910may be a rigid substrate, but is not limited thereto, e.g., the base substrate910may be a flexible substrate. If the base substrate910is a rigid substrate, it may be made of transparent glass. If the base substrate910is a flexible substrate, it may be made of plastic having superior heat-resistance and durability, e.g., polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyarylate, polyether imide, polyether sulfone, and polyimide. The device layer920may be positioned on the base substrate910. The device layer920may include various devices, e.g., a thin film transistor (not illustrated), a capacitor (not illustrated), and the like. The device layer920may be formed on the base substrate910by a deposition process or the like.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the substrate900may include a coating area C and a non-coating area N. Here, the coating area C may be an area to which the coating liquid L is applied by the coating device according to an embodiment, and the non-coating area N may be an area to which the coating liquid L is not applied by the coating device according to an embodiment. The coating area C may be surrounded by the non-coating area N. Further, the device layer920may be positioned on the coating area C. That is, the device layer920and the coating area C may completely overlap each other.

A plurality of coating areas C may be provided. For example, the plurality of coating areas C may be in a rectangular shape in plan view. In an exemplary embodiment, the sizes of the plurality of coating areas C may be equal to each other, but are not limited thereto, e.g., a size of at least one coating area C may be different from a size of the remaining coating areas C. Further, in the plurality of coating areas C, a gap distance between two adjacent coating areas C may be equal to each other, but is not limited thereto.

For example, the plurality of coating areas C may be arranged in the form of a matrix. For example, the support portion100or the nozzle portion200may be moved in one direction (arrow direction in an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1) by the transport portion300, and the plurality of coating areas C may be arranged in the form of a matrix having rows that are perpendicular to the one direction and columns that are parallel to the one direction. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, the plurality of coating areas C may be in the form of a 2×2 matrix, but are not limited thereto. That is, the plurality of coating areas C may be in the form of an n×m matrix (where, n and m are natural numbers). For example, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the plurality of coating areas C may include a first coating area C1, a second coating area C2, a third coating area C3, and a fourth coating area C4. The first coating area C1and the second coating area C2may be positioned in the same row, i.e., along the x axis. The third coating area C3and the fourth coating area C4may be positioned in the same row. Further, the first coating area C1and the third coating area C3may be positioned in the same column, i.e., along the y-axis. The second coating area C2and the fourth coating area C4may be positioned in the same column. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, four coating areas C that are arranged in a 2×2 matrix form are exemplified, but the example embodiments are not limited thereto.

Referring again toFIG. 1, the nozzle portion200may be positioned on the support portion100. The nozzle portion200may be positioned to be spaced apart from the support portion100by a predetermined distance. The substrate900may be interposed between the nozzle portion200and the support portion100. Here, the substrate900may be in contact with the support portion100, but may be spaced apart from the nozzle portion200without being in contact with the nozzle portion200. The nozzle portion200may apply the coating liquid L to the coating area C of the substrate900, while the nozzle portion200is moved in one direction. The nozzle portion200may include a nozzle210, a support plate220, a height adjuster230, and a supply pipe240.

The nozzle210may discharge the coating liquid L onto one surface of the substrate900. In detail, the nozzle210may selectively discharge the coating liquid L onto the coating area C of the substrate900. The nozzle210may be a slit nozzle, but is not limited thereto, e.g., the nozzle210may be a multi-hole nozzle. The nozzle210may be formed to extend in a predetermined direction. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the nozzle210is a slit nozzle extending in the x-axis direction. The extended length of the nozzle210corresponds to the width of the coating area C. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the length of the nozzle210that is measured in the x-axis direction may be equal to or larger than the width of the coating area C that is measured in the x-axis.

A plurality of nozzles210may be provided. The support portion100or the nozzle portion200may be moved in one direction (arrow direction in an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1) by the transport portion300, and the plurality of nozzles210may be arranged in parallel in the one direction. Further, a plurality of coating areas C on the substrate may be arranged in the form of a matrix having rows that are perpendicular to the one direction and columns that are parallel to the one direction. That is, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the plurality of coating areas C may be arranged in matrix pattern having rows along the x-axis and columns along the y-axis. The number of nozzles210may be equal to or larger than the number of coating areas. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, four nozzles210are provided for four coating areas C, but the numbers and arrangement thereof are not limited thereto.

In detail, the plurality of nozzles210may be arranged to correspond to a shape of an arrangement of the plurality of coating areas C on the substrate900. In an exemplary embodiment, a gap distance between two nozzles210adjacent to each other along the x-axis may be equal to or smaller than the gap distance between two coating areas C adjacent to each other along the x-axis. Therefore, when the length of each nozzle210, e.g., a length of an opening in each nozzle210, along the x-axis equals a width of the coating area C along the x-axis, each nozzle210is completely aligned with and overlaps the width of the corresponding coating area C.

Further, in an exemplary embodiment, if the plurality of coating areas C is arranged in the form of an n×m matrix, the plurality of nozzles210may also be arranged in the form of an n×m matrix. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the n×m matrix of the nozzles210may not overlap the entire n×m matrix of the coating areas C. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the 2×2 matrix of nozzles210may be arranged above the 2×2 matrix of coating areas C, such that two nozzles210may be aligned with a first coating area C in each row of the two rows of the coating areas C, but the numbers and arrangement thereof are not limited thereto.

In detail, as illustrated inFIG. 1, the plurality of nozzles210, i.e., a first nozzle210a,a second nozzle210b,a third nozzle210c,and a fourth nozzle210d,may be arranged to correspond to the plurality of coating areas C arranged on the substrate900, i.e., a first coating area C1, a second coating area C2, a third coating area C3, and a fourth coating area C4. That is, if the first coating area C1is positioned in the second row and second column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged, the first nozzle210amay be positioned in the second row and second column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of nozzles210are arranged. If the second coating area C2is positioned in the second row and first column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged, the second nozzle210bmay be positioned in the second row and first column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of nozzles210are arranged. If the third coating area C3is positioned in the first row and second column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged, the third nozzle210cmay be positioned in the first row and second column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of nozzles210are arranged. Further, if the fourth coating area C4is positioned in the first row and first column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged, the fourth nozzle210dmay be positioned in the first row and first column of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of nozzles210are arranged.

The support plate220may be positioned on an upper portion of the plurality of nozzles210to support the plurality of nozzles210. The support plate may be in a quadrangular, e.g., rectangular, plate shape. Further, the support plate220may overlap at least a part of the plurality of nozzles210. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the support plate220overlaps all the nozzles210, but is not limited thereto. A lower surface of the support plate220may be connected to the height adjuster230to be described later, and a side surface of the support plate220may be connected to a connection arm310to be described later. Although not illustrated in the drawing, the support plate220may be connected to a storage tank in which the coating liquid L is stored. In detail, the support plate220may be connected to the storage tank in which the coating liquid L is stored through a connection line, and a pump in the connection line may supply the coating liquid L into the nozzle210. In another exemplary embodiment, the storage tank may be accommodated in the support plate220.

The height adjuster230may be installed on the lower surface of the support plate220. The height adjuster230may adjust the height of the nozzle210. That is, the height adjuster230may adjust a distance between the nozzle210and the substrate900by making the nozzle210move upward and downward, i.e., along the z-axis.

A plurality of height adjusters230may be provided. The support portion100or the nozzle portion200may be moved in one direction (arrow direction in an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1) by the transport portion300, and the plurality of height adjusters230may be arranged in parallel to the one direction. Further, the plurality of coating areas C on the substrate900may be arranged in the form of a matrix having rows that are perpendicular to the one direction and columns that are parallel to the one direction, and the number of height adjusters230may be equal to or larger than the number of rows that are perpendicular to the one direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the number of height adjusters230may be equal to the number of rows that are perpendicular to the one direction, but is not limited thereto. The number of height adjusters230may be equal to the number of the coating areas C or the number of nozzles210, e.g., each nozzle210may have a separate corresponding height adjuster230.

The supply pipe240may connect the support plate220and the nozzle210to each other. In detail, the supply pipe240may connect the lower portion of the support plate220to the upper portion of the nozzle210. Since the nozzle210moves upward and downward by the height adjuster230, the supply pipe240may be made of a flexible material, and the length of the supply pipe240may be long enough to sufficiently cover the upward/downward movement.

A plurality of supply pipes240may be provided. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, two supply pipes24may be connected to one nozzle210. One of the two supply pipes240may be a coating liquid supply pipe240. The coating liquid supply pipe240may be connected to the above-described storage tank to supply the coating liquid L into the nozzle210. The other of the two supply pipes240may be a gas supply pipe. The gas supply pipe may apply pressure to the coating liquid L inside the nozzle210through supply of an inert gas into the nozzle210. If the pressure is applied to the coating liquid L, the coating liquid L in the nozzle210may be discharged out of the nozzle210.

For example, the transport portion300may move the support portion100or the nozzle portion200in one direction. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the one direction may be along arrow direction, i.e., along the y-axis direction. In another example, the transport portion300may move both the support portion100and the nozzle portion200. In the case where the transport portion300moves both the support portion100and the nozzle portion200, it may make the support portion100and the nozzle portion200perform relative movement in predetermined coating directions. For example, the transport portion300may move the nozzle portion200along the (+y) axis and may move the support portion100in an opposite direction, i.e., along the (−y) axis inFIG. 1.

The transport portion300may include a connection arm310and a guide rail320. The connection arm310may be interposed between the support portion100or the nozzle portion200and the guide rail320to connect the support portion100or the nozzle portion200to the guide rail320. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the connection arm310is interposed between the support plate220of the nozzle portion200and the guide rail320to connect the support plate220and the guide rail320, but is not limited thereto. The connection arm310may be formed to be perpendicular to the one direction and to extend in parallel to one surface of the support portion100. The guide rail320may be positioned at least on one side of the support portion100. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the guide rail320is formed at both sides of the support portion100, but is not limited thereto, e.g., the guide rail320may be formed only at one side of the support portion100. The guide rail320may be formed to extend in the one direction to guide the support portion100or the nozzle portion200in the one direction.

Referring toFIG. 3, the coating device according to an embodiment may further include the control portion400. Although not illustrate inFIG. 1, the control portion400may be integrally formed with the support portion100, the nozzle portion200, or the transport portion300. Alternatively, the control portion400may be formed separately, e.g., spaced apart, from the support portion100, the nozzle portion200, and the transport portion300.

The control portion400may control the support portion100, the nozzle portion200, and the transport portion300. In an exemplary embodiment, the control portion400may control the transport portion300to move the support portion100or the nozzle portion200at a constant speed in the one direction, e.g., along the y-axis. Further, the control portion400may control the respective nozzles210that correspond to the respective coating areas C to apply the coating liquid L to the respective coating areas C. Further, if the respective nozzles210that correspond to the respective coating areas C overlap the respective coating areas C, the control portion400may control the respective nozzle210to descend and to apply the coating liquid L to the respective coating areas C. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the control portion400may control the first nozzle210athat corresponds to the first coating area C1to apply the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1, control the second nozzle210bthat corresponds to the second coating area C2to apply the coating liquid L to the second coating area C2, control the third nozzle210cthat corresponds to the third coating area C3to apply the coating liquid L to the third coating area C3, and control the fourth nozzle210dthat corresponds to the fourth coating area C4to apply the coating liquid L to the fourth coating area C4. That is, the control portion400may control each nozzle210to apply the coating liquid L to each coating area in a one-to-one manner.

Hereinafter, a coating method according to an embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 to 8.FIGS. 4 to 8are side views explaining a coating method according to an embodiment. For convenience in explanation, same reference numerals are used for elements that are substantially the same as the respective elements illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and a duplicate explanation thereof wine omitted.

First, referring toFIG. 4, the substrate900may be seated on the support portion100. The substrate900may be seated on the support portion100by a transport robot, other transport rails, or manual operation of a worker. The substrate900that is seated on the support portion100may be adsorbed and fixed to the support portion100by a vacuum pump that is connected to the support portion100.

The nozzle portion200may be positioned on, e.g., above, an upper portion of the edge of the support portion100. In this case, the nozzle210of the nozzle portion200may be preset to facilitate the discharge of the coating liquid L and to make the thickness of the discharged coating liquid L uniform. In an exemplary embodiment, before the nozzle210is moved to the coating area C, the nozzle210may pre-dispense a small amount of coating liquid L to remove a pore in the nozzle210. Further, after the nozzle210pre-dispenses the small amount of coating liquid L, an end portion of the nozzle210, e.g., which may be stained with the coating liquid L, may be wiped.

Next, referring toFIG. 5, as the nozzle portion200is moved in the one direction, i.e., in the arrow direction along the y-axis inFIG. 5, the nozzle210of the nozzle portion200may be positioned on, e.g., above, the coating area C. At this time, the nozzle210that corresponds to the coating area C may descend through the height adjuster230to apply the coating liquid L to the coating area C. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, both the first nozzle210aand the third nozzle210care positioned on the first coating area Cl. However, only the first nozzle210athat corresponds to the first coating area C1may descend through the height adjuster230to apply the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1. At this time, the height adjuster230may adjust the thickness of the coating liquid L that is applied to the first coating area C1to be uniform by properly adjusting the height of the first nozzle210a.Specifically, the height adjuster230may adjust the height of the first nozzle210ato the lowest level at the end portion of the first coating area C1to form a bead of the coating liquid L on the first coating area C1, and then may adjust the height of the first nozzle210ato be a little higher to apply the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1with a desired thickness while the first nozzle210ais moved in the one direction.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 5, a second nozzle210band a fourth nozzle210dmay be positioned on the second coating area C2that is positioned in the same row as the first coating area C1. Although both the second nozzle210band the fourth nozzle210dare positioned on the second coating area C2, only the second nozzle210bthat corresponds to the second coating area C2may descend through the height adjuster230and apply the coating liquid L to the second coating area C2. At this time, the height adjuster230may adjust the thickness of the coating liquid L that is applied to the second coating area C2uniform by properly adjusting the height of the second nozzle210b.

Next, referring toFIG. 6, as the nozzle portion200is continuously moved in the one direction, the third nozzle210cmay be positioned on, e.g., above, the third coating area C3. That is, if the third nozzle210cthat corresponds to the third coating area C3is positioned on the third coating area C3, the third nozzle210cmay descend through the height adjuster230to apply the coating liquid L to the third coating area C3. That is, while the first nozzle210athat is positioned above the first coating area C1continues applying the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1, the third nozzle210cabove the third coating area C3may begin applying the coating liquid L to the third coating area C3. At this time, the height adjuster230may adjust the thickness of the coating liquid L that is applied to the third coating area C3to be uniform by properly adjusting the height of the third nozzle210c.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 6, as the nozzle portion200is continuously moved in the one direction, the fourth nozzle210dmay be positioned on the fourth coating area C4that is positioned in the same row as the third coating area C3. That is, if the fourth nozzle210dthat corresponds to the fourth coating area C4is positioned on the fourth coating area C4, the fourth nozzle210dmay descend through the height adjuster230to apply the coating liquid L to the fourth coating area C4. That is, the second nozzle210bthat is positioned on the second coating area C2may apply the coating liquid L to the second coating area C2, and the fourth nozzle210dthat is positioned on the fourth coating area C4may apply the coating liquid L to the fourth coating area C4. At this time, the height adjuster230may adjust the thickness of the coating liquid L that is applied to the fourth coating area C4uniform by properly adjusting the height of the fourth nozzle210d.

Next, referring toFIG. 7, as the nozzle portion200is continuously moved in the one direction, the first nozzle210aand the third nozzle210cmay be positioned above the third coating area C3. Although both the first nozzle210aand the third nozzle210care positioned above the third coating area C3, only the third nozzle210cthat corresponds to the third coating area C3may descend to apply the coating liquid L to the third coating area C3. In other words, the first nozzle210athat does not corresponds to the third coating area C3may ascend to return to its original state after completing the discharge of the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1without applying any coating to the third coating area C3.

Although not illustrated inFIG. 7, the second nozzle210band the fourth nozzle210dmay be positioned on the fourth coating area C4that is positioned in the same row as the third coating area C3. Although both the second nozzle210band the fourth nozzle210dare positioned on the fourth coating area C4, only the fourth nozzle210dthat corresponds to the fourth coating area C4may descend to apply the coating liquid L to the fourth coating area C43. The second nozzle210bthat does not corresponds to the fourth coating area C4may ascend to return to its original state after completing the discharge of the coating liquid L to the second coating area C2.

Next, referring toFIG. 8, after the nozzle portion200passes through the whole coating area C through continuous movement in the one direction, the nozzle portion200may be positioned on a non-coating area N or on the support portion100. That is, the third nozzle210cmay ascend to return to its original state after completing the discharge of the coating liquid L to the third coating area C3. Although not illustrated inFIG. 8, the fourth nozzle210dmay ascend to return to its original state after completing the discharge of the coating liquid L to the fourth coating area C4. Accordingly, all the nozzles210are in an ascending state to complete the coating process. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of nozzles210, which have completed the coating process, may be safely kept after a cleaning process is performed. In another exemplary embodiment, the plurality of nozzles210, which have completed the coating process, may be moved in an opposite direction to the one direction to apply the coating liquid L to another substrate.

As described above, according to the coating device and the coating method of the example embodiments, the coating liquid L can be selectively applied to the plurality of coating areas C on the substrate900. As such, the coating efficiency may increase in terms of materials and time. Further, since the process of removing the coating liquid L applied to the non-coating areas N can be omitted, damage to the device layer920may prevented.

In contrast, conventionally, when the coating liquid L is applied to an entire surface of a substrate using a single slit nozzle, i.e., without selective application to predetermined areas, the coating liquid L may also be applied to the non-coating areas N. Accordingly, waste of materials occurs. Further, the coating liquid L applied to the non-coating areas N may require removal, e.g., by etching through plasma processing, thereby subjecting the device layer920on the coating areas C adjacent to the non-coating areas N to unnecessary stress and potential damage.

In addition, according to the coating device and the coating method of the example embodiments, the coating liquid L is applied to one coating area using a preset nozzle210only, thereby improving uniformity of the thickness of the coating liquid L on the coating area C. In contrast, if the coating liquid L is discharged through a single slit nozzle onto an entire substrate, i.e., via scanning of the substrate, it may be difficult to properly control the coating liquid L in the single nozzle, thereby causing application of the coating liquid L with a non-uniform thickness. In particular, if the single slit nozzle discharges the coating liquid L by alternately passing through a coating area C and a non-coating area N, the thickness of the coating liquid L in a middle region may be thicker than a desired thickness.

Hereinafter, referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, a coating device according to another embodiment will be described.FIG. 9is a perspective view illustrating a coating device according to another embodiment, andFIG. 10is an enlarged perspective view of a nozzle of the coating device ofFIG. 9. For convenience in explanation, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are substantially the same as the respective elements illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and a duplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 9, a number of nozzles211may be equal to a number of rows along the x-axis, which are perpendicular to the one direction, of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged. That is, if the number of rows, which are perpendicular to the one direction, of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged is n, the nozzle portion201may be provided with n nozzles211. For example, inFIG. 9, the nozzles211may include a first nozzle211aand a second nozzle211b,and a length of the first nozzle211aand a length of the second nozzle211bmay be equal to or larger than a total length of the rows that are perpendicular to the one direction: Accordingly, in comparison to the coating device inFIG. 1, a number of supply pipes241may be reduced, e.g., the number of the supply pipes241may be reduced by 2.

Referring toFIG. 10, the nozzle211may include a discharge port211a-1that corresponds to the coating area C. Here, the discharge port211a-1may be formed to extend in a predetermined direction. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the extended length of the discharge port211a-1along the x-axis may correspond to a total width of the coating area C along the x-axis, e.g., a total width of the two coating areas C along the x-axis and the gap therebetween. That is, the length of the discharge port211a-1may be equal to or smaller than the width of the coating area C. Further, the nozzle211may include a barrier film211a-2that corresponds to the non-coating area N, e.g., to the gap between two coating areas C adjacent to each other along the x-axis. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 10, the length of the barrier film211a-2along the x-axis may be equal to or larger than a width of a gap G along the x-axis.

As described above, the number of nozzles211in the embodiment ofFIGS. 9-10may be reduced in comparison to the coating device according to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-2, thereby reducing nozzle manufacturing costs. Further, since a smaller number of nozzles211is controlled, a number of supply pipes is reduced and overall control may be easily performed.

Hereinafter, referring toFIG. 11, a coating device according to still another embodiment will be described.FIG. 11is a perspective view of a coating device according to still another embodiment. For convenience in explanation, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are substantially the same as the respective elements illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, and a duplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 11, a coating device according to still another embodiment may include a nozzle portion202of a different type. That is, among a plurality of nozzles212of the nozzle portion202, a distance between a first nozzle212aand a third nozzle212cand/or a distance between a second nozzle212band a fourth nozzle212dmay be increased. In an exemplary embodiment, the distance between the first nozzle212aand the third nozzle212cand the distance between the second nozzle212band the fourth nozzle212dmay be equal to the distance between center portions of two adjacent rows of the matrix in the form of which the plurality of coating areas C are arranged. In other words, as illustrated inFIG. 11, each nozzle212may be aligned above a corresponding coating area C, so each nozzle212is positioned only above the corresponding coating area C during the entire coating process. Accordingly, a size of a support plate222, the position of a height adjuster232, and the position of a supply pipe242may be changed. Accordingly, the coating liquid L may be applied to all the coating areas C at the same time.

Hereinafter, referring toFIGS. 12 to 14, a coating method according to another embodiment will be described.FIGS. 12 to 14are side views of stages in a coating method according to another embodiment. For convenience in explanation, same reference numerals are used for elements that are substantially the same as the respective elements illustrated inFIG. 11, and a duplicate explanation thereof will be omitted.

First, referring toFIG. 12, the substrate900may be seated on the support portion100. The substrate900that is seated on the support portion100may be adsorbed and fixed to the support portion100by a vacuum pump that is connected to the support portion100.

The nozzle portion202may be positioned on, e.g., above, an upper portion of the edge of the support portion100. In this case, the nozzle212of the nozzle portion202may be preset to facilitate the discharge of the coating liquid L and to make the thickness of the discharged coating liquid L uniform. For example, each nozzle212may be positioned just at the edge of, e.g., just before, a corresponding coating area C.

Next, referring toFIG. 13, as the nozzle portion202is moved in the one direction, i.e., arrow direction inFIG. 13, all nozzles212of the nozzle portion202may be positioned on all coating areas C. At this time, all nozzles212may descend through the height adjuster232to apply the coating liquid L to all coating areas C, e.g., simultaneously. In an exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 13, the first nozzle212athat is positioned on the first coating area C1and the third nozzle212cthat is positioned on the third coating area C3may descend to apply the coating liquid L to the first coating area C1and the third coating area C3, respectively. Further, although not illustrated inFIG. 13, the second nozzle212bthat is positioned on the second coating area C2and the fourth nozzle212dthat is positioned on the fourth coating area C4may descend to apply the coating liquid L to the second coating area C2and the fourth coating area C4, respectively.

Next, referring toFIG. 14, after the nozzle portion202passes through the whole coating areas C through continuous movement in the one direction, all the nozzle212may ascend to return to their original states. Therefore, as described above, the coating liquid L is applied to all the coating areas C at the same time, and thus the efficiency of the coating process may be increased.

According to the example embodiments, by selectively applying a coating liquid onto a plurality of coating areas on a substrate, efficiency in terms of material may be improved. Further, since the process of removing the coating liquid applied to the non-coating areas may be omitted, a potential damage to the device layer on the coating areas may be prevented. Further, the thickness of the coating liquid applied to the coating areas of the substrate may be uniformly controlled.

In contrast, when a coating liquid is conventionally applied to an entire surface of a substrate, which includes a plurality of coating areas and non-coating areas, via a single slit nozzle, the coating liquid may be applied to the non-coating areas as well. Therefore, since the coating liquid is applied to unnecessary areas, waste of materials occurs. Further, the coating liquid applied to the non-coating areas may require removal by etching through plasma processing, thereby causing potential damage to a device layer on the coating areas adjacent to the non-coating areas. Further, if the coating liquid is controlled to be discharged from a nozzle only through the single slit nozzle, which scans the substrate and passes through the coating areas, it may be difficult to properly control the coating liquid inside the nozzle, thereby causing non-uniform thickness of the coating liquid. In particular, if the single slit nozzle discharges the coating liquid as the nozzle alternately passes through the coating area and the non-coating area, the thickness of the coating liquid which is initially applied to the coating area that is positioned in midway may become thicker than a desired thickness.