Patent Publication Number: US-11383263-B2

Title: Coating device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a National Stage Entry of PCT/CN2018/093444 filed on Jun. 28, 2018, which claims the benefit and priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 201710813615.X filed on Sep. 11, 2017, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as part of the present application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates to the technical field of product manufacturing and in particular to a coating device. 
     Coating of a material is often used in a manufacturing process of different products. For example, in the process of manufacturing a liquid crystal display, the color film substrate may suffer from the defect in discontinuous color film material layer, so it is necessary to use an ink needle to coat an ink material on the color film substrate for repair. 
     For this, a highly reliable ink coating device is needed. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a coating device including a first storage tank for storing a material to be coated, a needle cannula to which the first storage tank is connected by means of a corresponding first line, and a gas output device for outputting a first pressurized gas from a gas source, the gas output device including a first gas output line extending into the first storage tank, wherein the gas output device is capable of outputting the first pressurized gas to the first storage tank through the first gas output line such that the material to be coated stored in the first storage tank enters into the needle cannula through the first line. 
     The coating device may further include a second storage tank for storing a cleaning material, the second storage tank being connected to the first line through a second line, wherein the gas output device may further include a second gas output line extending into the second storage tank, the gas output device being capable of outputting gas to the second storage tank through the second gas output line such that the cleaning material in the second storage tank enters the first storage tank through the second line and the first line. 
     The number of the needle cannulas and the number of the first storage tanks may be equal and at least two in each case, and each of the needle cannulas may be connected to a corresponding one first storage tank through one first line respectively. The first line may be provided with a first multi-way reversing valve to which each of the gas source and the second storage tank is connected, wherein the first line may be in communication with the gas source, the second storage tank or the needle cannula by means of the first multi-way reversing valve. 
     Besides, the number of the needle cannulas may be at least two and each needle cannula may be connected to a corresponding first multi-way reversing valve. The number of the first storage tanks may be at least two and greater than the number of the needle cannulas. Each of the needle cannulas may be in communication with each of the first storage tanks through the first multi-way reversing valve and the first line. Each of the gas source and the second storage tank may be connected to each of the first multi-way reversing valves, wherein each of the first lines is in communication with the gas source or the second storage tank by means of the first multi-way reversing valve. 
     Different types of materials to be coated may be stored in different first storage tanks. 
     A second multi-way reversing valve may be disposed on the second line, upstream of the first multi-way reversing valve. The first line may be connected to the second storage tank by means of the first multi-way reversing valve, the second multi-way reversing valve and the second line sequentially. 
     The gas output device may further include a third gas output line, by means of which the first line may be connected to the gas source. 
     A third multi-way reversing valve may be disposed on the third gas output line, upstream of the first multi-way reversing valve, and the first line may be connected to the gas source by means of the first multi-way reversing valve, the third multi-way reversing valve, and the third gas output line sequentially. 
     The first gas output line may include a plurality of branch lines, each extending into one of the first storage tanks. 
     The coating device may further include a needle tip cleaning means which may be provided with a needle tip receiving groove. 
     The needle tip cleaning means may include a first body including a first end surface with a first slot, and a second body including a second end surface with a second slot, wherein the second body is connected to the first body by a pivot by means of which the second body is switchable between a first state in which the second end surface abuts against the first end surface, and the first slot and the second slot are combined to form the needle tip receiving groove, and a second state in which the second end surface is separated from the first end surface. 
     The needle cannula may include a connecting end formed with a central passage, and the first line may be provided with a line connector. The needle cannula may be connected with the first line by arranging the connecting end inside the line connector in a pluggable manner. 
     The connecting end may be provided with a circumferential slot, and at least two balls are arranged inside the line connector, wherein the balls may be clamped inside the slot when the connecting end is plugged inside the line connector. 
     The line connector may include a first cylinder having an inner wall surface, on which the balls are arranged circumferentially, and a first spring disposed inside the first cylinder and a positioner fixedly connected thereto, the positioner being provided with a central aperture, wherein when the connecting end is plugged inside the line connector, the connecting end may be aligned and connected with the positioner, and the central aperture may be in communication with the central passage of the connecting end. 
     The line connector may further include a second cylinder, sleeved on the first cylinder, and including a first portion that is fitted with the first cylinder and a second portion that is separated from the first cylinder to form a first mounting space, and a third portion forming a second mounting space, and a second spring sleeved on the first cylinder and disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder, with one part disposed in the first mounting space and the other part disposed in the second mounting space, wherein the second cylinder is movable in an axial direction relative to the first cylinder, and with the movement of the second cylinder relative to the first cylinder in the axial direction, a first portion of the first cylinder has a first state in which it abuts against the balls of the first cylinder and a second state in which it is separated from the balls. 
     The coating device may further include a holding seat and a holding block for holding the needle cannula, and a part of the needle cannula may be disposed inside the holding block and connected therewith integrally. The holding block may be disposed on the holding seat and may be in cooperative connection with the holding seat by means of detachably connected mating features arranged on the holding block and the holding seat respectively. 
     The detachably connected mating features may include a protrusion and a recess provided respectively on cooperating end surfaces of the holding block and the holding seat. 
     The holding block and the needle cannula may be made of plastic materials. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing a first type of line connecting structure of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a second type of line connecting structure of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing a connecting structure of the needle cannulas of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view of one of the needle cannulas of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view, showing the connecting end of the needle cannula assembled with the line connector of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective structural view of the connecting end of the needle cannula of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a first lengthwise sectional view of a line connector of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a second lengthwise sectional view of a line connector of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the cleaning means of the coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     When an ink needle is used for repairing a color filter substrate, generally, an ink material for repairing is directly injected into a needle cannula of the ink needle, and the ink is discharged by manually applying a pressure to the needle cannula. If the ink needle is made of a glass material, the needle becomes prone to breakage due to excessive length for storing the ink material, and also is inconvenient to operate. 
     Because of manual application of the pressure to extrude the ink, it is necessary to reset a pressure value for extrusion according to experience whenever a defect is to be repaired. In the case of inaccurate pressure setting, it is necessary to set repeatedly and pre-coat, and a desired repair on the color film substrate can be performed only after a coating size is determined, which is quite time-consuming. 
     In addition, since it is difficult to control the pressure during the extrusion process of the ink, the needle cannula is susceptible to blockage during the repair process. Even if it is cleaned every day, this problem cannot be fundamentally solved. 
     For this, the present disclosure provides a coating device, capable of solving at least one of the aforementioned problems. The technical solution in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings. Apparently, the embodiments illustrated herein are not exhaustive but only illustrative. Any other embodiments conceived by a skilled person in the art based on the present disclosure without inventive efforts shall be encompassed within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a first type of line connecting structure of a coating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the coating device includes a holding seat  10  for holding needle cannula(s). The structure for arranging the needle cannula on the holding seat  10  is not shown in  FIG. 1 , with arrows to indicate the position of the needle cannula and a flow path of the ink material therein. According to  FIG. 1 , the coating device in this embodiment includes four needle cannulas. 
     In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the coating device further includes four first storage tanks  20  for storing different types of ink materials. Specifically, the four first storage tanks  20  may respectively store ink materials corresponding to a black matrix layer (BM), red color (R), green color (G), and blue color (B) on the color filter substrate, wherein the primary components of the ink materials are organic bromine compounds and various esters. 
     According to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiment of the present disclosure, each first storage tank  20  is connected to one needle cannula by means of a first line  1  in each case, and different first storage tanks  20  are connected to different needle cannulas by means of the first lines  1 . 
     In the connecting structure of the embodiments in the present disclosure, the coating device further includes a gas output device  30  and a second storage tank  40 . Specifically, the gas output device  30  may be an air compressor for outputting a predetermined pressurized gas. The second storage tank  40  is for storing a cleaning material, wherein the cleaning material is a material capable of cleaning the ink material in the first storage tank  20 . A skilled person in the art should know the specific components of the cleaning material, which will not be described in detail herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the gas output device  30  extends into the first storage tank  20  through a first gas output line  2 , wherein the first gas output line  2  includes a plurality of branch lines  21 , each extending into one of the first storage tanks  20 , respectively, and extending into the second storage tank  40  through a second gas output line  3 . Specifically, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first gas output line  2 , the branch line  21  and the second gas output line  3  are connected by means of a three-way reversing valve to a gas output end of the gas output device  30 . When the gas output device  30  is used to output gas into the first storage tank  20  or into the second storage tank  40 , it is only necessary to switch the three-way reversing valve to a state of communicating with a corresponding line. 
     The second storage tank  40  is also connected to each of the first lines  1  through a second line  4 , and the gas output device  30  is also connected to the first line  1  through a third gas output line  5 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , in the embodiments of the present disclosure, each of the first lines  1  is provided with a four-way reversing valve in each case, and the second line  4  connected with the second storage tank  40  is provided with a plurality of three-way reversing valves. The connection between the second line  4  and the first line  1  is realized by interconnecting one of the four-way reversing valves on the first line  1  with one of the three-way reversing valves. Each of the four-way reversing valves has a state in which the first line  1  is in communication with the second line  4  and a state in which the communication therebetween is cut off, and when the first line  1  and the second line  4  is disconnected, the whole first line  1  itself is unblocked such that the ink material in the first storage tank  20  can be conveyed to the needle cannula. When it is required to communicate the second storage tank  40  with one of the first storage tanks  20  for cleaning the latter, the three-way reversing valve and the four-way reversing valve on the corresponding lines can be controlled to switch between different states so that the corresponding lines are in a communication state. 
     Besides, the third gas output line  5  connected to the gas output device  30  is provided with a plurality of three-way reversing valves, and the connection between the third gas outlet line  5  and the first line  1  is realized by connecting one of the three-way reversing valves on the third gas output line  5  with one of the four-way reversing valves on the first line  1 . Each of the four-way reversing valves further has a state in which the first line  1  is in communication with the third gas output line  5  and a state in which the communication therebetween is cut off. When the gas output device  30  is required to output gas to one of the first lines  1  so as to dry the corresponding first line  1  and the needle cannula by blowing, it is possible to control the three-way reversing valve and the four-way reversing valve on the corresponding lines to switch their states, thereby allowing the corresponding lines in communication state. 
     In the first type of line connecting structure shown in  FIG. 1 , each needle cannula is connected to one of the first storage tanks  20  via one first line  1 , and different needle cannulas are connected to different first storage tanks  20 . When it is required to use one of the ink materials to repair the color film substrate, the four-way reversing valve on the first line  1 , which line is connected to the first storage tank  20  storing the corresponding ink material, is controlled in such a state that the whole first line  1  itself is unblocked, and the corresponding branch line is connected to the gas output device. By virtue of the interconnected first gas output line  2  and the branch line  21 , the gas output device  30  can output the gas into the corresponding first storage tank  20  such that the ink material in the corresponding first storage tank  20  is discharged under gas pressure, enters the needle cannula through the corresponding first line  1 , and then flows out from a needle tip of the needle cannula for repairing the color film substrate. 
     Because the gas output device  30  is also connected to the first line  1  by means of the third gas output line  5 , when the corresponding first line  1  and the third gas output line  5  are in communication by controlling the communication state of the four-way reversing valve on the first line  1  and the three-way reversing valve on the third gas output line  5 , it is possible to output gas to the corresponding first line  1  from the gas output device  30 , and to dry the first line and the needle cannula by blowing so as to prevent the ink material blocking the needle tip during the use of the needle cannula on the corresponding first line  1 . 
     Further, when the ink material in one of the first storage tanks  20  has run out, the second line  4  is in communication with the first storage tank  20  by way of controlling the communication state of the four-way reversing valve on the first line  1 , which line is connected to the first storage tank  1 , and the three-way reversing valve on the second line  4 , and the second storage tank  4  is in communication with the gas output device  3  through the second gas output line  3  so as to output gas into the second storage tank  40  such that the cleaning material in the second storage tank  40  is discharged under gas pressure and enters into the first storage tank  20  through the second line  4  and the first line  1  for cleaning the first storage tank  20  and preparing for refilling fresh ink material into the first storage tank  20 . 
     In addition, the coating device of the embodiments in the present disclosure further provides a second type of line connecting structure. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the coating device includes a holding seat  10  for holding needle cannulas. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the coating device includes four needle cannulas. 
     Further, similar to the first type of line connecting structure, the coating device further includes four first storage tanks  20  for storing different types of ink materials. Specifically, the four first storage tanks  20  may respectively store ink materials corresponding to the black matrix layer (BM), red color (R), green color (G), and blue color (B) on the color filter substrate. 
     In the connecting structure of the embodiments in the present disclosure, each needle cannula is connected to one first storage tank  20  by means of the first line  1 , and the first line  1  is provided with a seven-way reversing valve by means of which the needle cannula may be in communication with one of the first storage tanks  20 . Specifically, according to  FIG. 2 , each first storage tank  20  is connected to one first line  1  in each case, and each first line  1  is connected to two seven-way reversing valves which are connected to a needle cannula respectively. The two seven-way reversing valves are capable of controlling the connected needle cannula in communication with one of the first lines  1  so that the ink material in the first storage tank  20  connected to the first line  1  can enter into the needle cannula for repairing the color film substrate. 
     In the connecting structure of the embodiments in the present disclosure, the coating device further includes a gas output device  30  and a second storage tank  40 . Specifically, the gas output device  30  may be an air compressor for outputting gas with a predetermined pressure, and the second storage tank  40  is for storing a cleaning material. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in the connecting structure of the embodiment in the present disclosure, the gas output device  30  extends into the first storage tank  20  through the first gas output line  2 . The first gas output line  2  includes a plurality of branch lines  21  each extending into one of the first storage tanks  20 , and further extending into the second storage tank  40  through the second gas output line  3 . The first gas output line  2 , the branch line  21 , and the second gas output line  3  are connected to one another via a three-way reversing valve, and are connected to a gas output end of the gas output device  30  such that when the gas output device  3  is used to output gas into one of the first storage tanks  20  or into the second storage tank  40 , it is only necessary to switch the corresponding three-way reversing valve to a state in which the corresponding lines are in communication. 
     The second storage tank  40  is also connected to each first line  1  via the second line  4 , and the gas output device  30  is also connected to the first line  1  via the third gas output line  5 . In the connecting structure of the embodiments in the present disclosure, the second line  4  and the third gas output line  5  are each provided with a three-way reversing valve, and are connected to each first line  1  and therefore to the two needle cannulas by means of the three-way reversing valves which are each connected to the two seven-way reversing valves. 
     According to the above, each seven-way reversing valve has a state in which one of the first lines  1  is in communication with the connected needle cannula, a state in which one of the first lines  1  is in communication with the second line  4 , and a state in which the first line  1  is in communication with the third gas output line  5 . 
     By virtue of the second type of line connecting structure shown in  FIG. 2 , two needle cannulas may be connected to each first storage tank  20 , respectively. When one of the ink materials is required to repair the color film substrate, it is possible to control the seven-way reversing valve connected to one of the needle cannulas so as to switch its state such that the first line  1  connected to the first storage tank  20  storing the corresponding ink material is in communication with the corresponding needle cannula, and also to control the branch line corresponding to the first storage tank  20  storing the corresponding ink material to be connected to the gas output device  30 . The gas output device  30  may output gas into the corresponding first storage tank  20  through the first gas output line  2  and the branch line  21  connected to each other, so that the ink material in the corresponding first storage tank  20  is discharged under the gas pressure, enters the needle cannula connected to the seven-way reversing valve through the corresponding first line  1  and then flows out from the needle tip of the needle cannula for repairing the color film substrate. 
     Since the gas output device  30  is also connected to each seven-way reversing valve via the third gas output line  5 , during the process of controlling repair of the color film substrate, when the seven-way reversing valve connected to the other needle cannula different from the used one is switched to a state in which the third gas output line  5  is in communication with the line to which the other needle cannula is connected (that is, the third gas output line  5  is in communication with the other needle cannula), the gas can be output to the other needle cannula through the gas output device  30 . Thereby one needle cannula can be dried by blowing while the other is in use. Therefore, by virtue of the second type of line connection, when one needle cannula is used to repair the color film substrate, the other may be subjected to drying to be ready for another ink material output from the needle cannula for the color film substrate repair. This saves time for repairing the color film substrate. 
     In addition, when the ink material in one of the first storage tanks  20  has run out, the first line  1  connected to the first storage tank  20  and the second line  4  connected to the second storage tank  40  are in communication by controlling the communication state of one of the seven-way reversing valves, and the second storage tank  40  is in communication with the gas out output device  30  by means of the second gas output line  3  to output gas into the second storage tank  40  such that the cleaning material in the storage tank  40  is discharged by the gas pressure, and enters the first storage tank  20  through the second line  4  and the first line  1  for cleaning the first storage tank  20  and preparing for refilling fresh ink material into the first storage tank  20 . 
     When one needle cannula is used to repair the color film substrate with the ink material in one of the first storage tanks  20 , another first storage tank  20  can be cleaned in the above manner, reference of which is made to the above description. The process will not be illustrated herein again. 
     Compared with the first type of line connecting structure, the second type of line connecting structure makes it possible to output different ink materials by using a needle cannula, and drying of another needle cannula or cleaning of another storage tank can be completed simultaneously while the color film substrate is repaired by using one of the needle cannulas and one of the first storage tanks. 
     In the coating device of the embodiments in the present disclosure, an ink material is supplied to the needle cannula by connecting the first storage tank for storing the ink material to the needle cannula for repairing the color filter substrate, which can reduce the length of the needle cannula and prevent breakage of the needle cannula caused by its excessive length. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the coating device of the embodiment in the present disclosure may further include a holding block  50 , a portion of the needle cannula  100  being positioned inside the holding block  50  and connected thereto integrally, wherein the holding block  50  is disposed on the holding seat  10  and in cooperative connection therewith. 
     In the coating device, the holding block  50  and the needle cannula  100  are made of plastic materials. Compared with the needle cannulas made of glass materials, the needle cannula  100  made of plastic materials is not easy to break. In addition, the holding block  50  and the holding seat  10  are respectively provided with a detachably connectable mating structure. For example, a protrusion  41  is provided on an end surface of the holding block  50 , and a recess may be provided in an end surface of the holding seat  10  that may cooperate with the holding block  50  such that when the holding block  50  is arranged on the holding seat  10 , the protrusion  41  on the holding block  50  is in cooperative connection with the recess in the holding seat  10 . The detachable connection makes the assembling and disassembling of the needle cannula  100  simple and convenient. In addition, the holding block  50  also functions to buffer the needle cannula  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , each needle cannula  100  includes a connecting end  110  formed with a central passage, and the first line connected to the needle cannula  100  is provided with a line connector  200  (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The needle cannula  100  is connected to the first line by arranging the connecting end  110  inside the line connector  200  in a pluggable manner. 
     Specifically, with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connecting end  110  is provided with a circumferential slot  111 . At least two balls are disposed inside the line connector  200 , and the balls are clamped in the slot  111  when the connecting end  110  is inserted into the line connector  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the line connector  200  specifically includes a first cylinder  210  having an inner wall surface, on which the balls  220  are arranged circumferentially, and a first spring  230  disposed inside the first cylinder  210  and a positioner  240  fixedly connected thereto, wherein the positioner  240  is provided with a central aperture which has a central axis where the central axis of the first cylinder  210  is also located, wherein when the connecting end  110  is inserted into the line connector  200 , the connecting end  110  is aligned with and connected to the positioner  240 , and the central aperture of the positioner  240  and the connecting end  110  are in communication. 
     In addition, the line connector  200  further includes a second cylinder  250  sleeved onto the first cylinder  210 , the second cylinder  250  including a first portion that is fitted with the first cylinder  210 , a second portion that is separated from the first cylinder  210  to form a first mounting space  251 , and a third portion forming a second mounting space  252 , and a second spring  260  sleeved onto the first cylinder  210  and disposed between the first cylinder  210  and the second cylinder  250 , with one part arranged in the first mounting space  251 , and the other part arranged in the second mounting space  252 . 
     The second cylinder  250  is movable in an axial direction relative to the first cylinder  210 . With the movement of the second cylinder  250  relative to the first cylinder in the axial direction, the first portion of the first cylinder  210  has a first state in which it abuts against the balls  220  of the first cylinder  210  and a second state in which it is separated from the balls  220 . 
     The balls  220  mounted on the first cylinder  210  is movable in a space upwards and downwards, that is, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the first cylinder  210 . The balls  220  have a diameter greater than the wall thickness of the first cylinder  210 . There is less portion of the ball  220  that protrudes radially from the inner wall surface of the first cylinder  210  when the first portion of the second cylinder  250  does not abut against the ball  220 . Then the connecting end of the first line  1  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can be smoothly inserted into the first cylinder  210 . When the first portion of the second cylinder  250  is pressed against the ball  220 , the ball  220  that protrudes radially from the inner wall surface of the first cylinder  210  becomes greater. In this case, if the connecting end  110  has been inserted into the first cylinder  210  and the position of the slot  111  corresponds to that of the balls  220 , the balls  220  can be clamped into the slot  111  so as to fix the connecting end  110  in the line connector  200 . 
     With respect to the connection between the connecting end  110  and the line connector  200 , the first spring  230  is used to provide an axial force for the positioner  240  that moves it along the central axis direction of the first cylinder  210 , thereby ensuring accurate positioning and fitted connection of the positioner  240  and the connecting end  110 . The second spring  260  is used to provide an axial force for the second cylinder  250  that moves it along the central axis direction of the first cylinder  210 , so that the second cylinder  250  is switched between the first state and the second state. 
     When the connecting end  110  is mounted and dismounted relative to the line connector  200 , only the second cylinder  250  needs to be dragged such that the second cylinder  250  moves relative to the first cylinder  210  in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the connecting end  110 , and is switched from a first state to a second state. The connecting end  110  can therefore be smoothly inserted into or extracted from the first cylinder  210 . Then the force for dragging the second cylinder  250  may be cancelled, and under an elastic reset force of the second spring  260 , the second cylinder  250  returns to the first state to accomplish the insertion or extraction process of the connecting end  110 . Therefore, this process can be implemented simply and conveniently. In addition, the cooperation of the balls and the slot of the connecting end  110  and the line connector  200  can ensure a relative rotation of the connecting end  110  with respect to the line connector  200  after connection. 
     Further, according to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the positioner  240  is provided with a seal  241 . An outer surface of the seal  241  abuts against the inner wall surface of the first cylinder  210  to ensure sealing between the connecting end  110  and the positioner  240  during convey of the ink materials. 
     In the coating device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , the coating device further includes a needle tip cleaning means  300 , which in use is disposed on a side of the holding seat  10  where the needle tip of the needle cannula  100  is exposed. The needle tip cleaning means  300  is provided with a needle tip receiving groove for insertion of the needle tip of the needle cannula  100 . The number of the needle tip receiving grooves is the same as that of the needle cannulas  100 , each needle tip receiving groove for insertion of one needle tip of the needle cannula  100 . 
     Specifically, the needle tip cleaning means  300  includes a first body  310  including a first end surface with a first slot  311 , and a second body  320  including a second end surface with a second slot  321 , wherein the second body  320  is connected to the first body  310  via a pivot, and is switchable by the pivot between a first state in which the second end surface and the first end surface abut against each other and the first slot  311  and the second slot  322  are combined to form a needle tip receiving groove, and a second state in which the second end surface is separated from the first end surface. 
     In addition, the first body  310  includes a first base and a first inner core  3101  made of a rubber material, wherein the first slot  311  is arranged in the first inner core. The second body  320  includes a second base and a second inner core  3201  made of a rubber material, wherein the second slot  321  is arranged in the second inner core  3201 . Moreover, the first inner core and the second inner core made of rubber materials are detachably connected to the first base and the second base respectively for convenient replacement. 
     When the needle tip cleaning means  300  is in use, the first body  310  may be in an open state relative to the second body  320 , and the needle tip exposed from the holding seat  10  is moved into the second slot  321  of the second body  320 , and then the first body  310  is closed relative to the second body  320  such that the entire needle tip is inserted into the needle tip receiving groove formed by the needle tip cleaning means  300 . Thereafter, the entire holding seat  10  is moved relative to the needle tip cleaning means  300  away therefrom, so that the needle tip is cleaned by its movement relative to the needle tip receiving groove. Of course, after the entire needle tip is inserted into the needle tip receiving groove formed by the needle tip cleaning means  300 , the holding seat  10  may be stationary and the needle tip cleaning means  300  is movable toward and away from the holding seat  10  to clean the needle tip. 
     In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the coating device further includes a receptacle disposed below the needle tip cleaning means  300  for receiving materials that fall when the needle tip being cleaned. 
     In the coating device of the embodiments in the present disclosure, compared with storage of the ink material with the needle cannula, by connecting the first storage tank for storing the ink materials to the needle cannula and by using the gas output device to apply gas pressure to the ink materials in the first storage tank, a constant pressure can be ensured during the repair process, and the pressurizing process can be subjected to automatic controlling, thereby solving the problem in long repair time and easy blockage of the needle tip caused by manual control of the pressure for extruding the ink materials when ink is used to repair the color filter substrate. 
     Due to the coating device of the present disclosure, the pressure during the repair process is constant, and excessively large or small ink coating area can be prevented. Furthermore it is not necessary to pre-coat before each repair. Instead, the repair operation can be directly carried out, thereby saving the repair time and enhancing the efficiency of repair. 
     In the coating device of the embodiments in the present disclosure, it is possible to clean the first storage tank when the ink material therein has run out by providing the second storage tank for storing the cleaning material and by connecting the second line with the first line of the first storage tank. Also, it is possible to communicate the gas output device with the first line by providing the third gas output line, and to dry the first line and the needle cannula by blowing. The arrangements of these components and the connection of the lines enable automatic cleaning and drying of different parts to avoid blocking. 
     The above is particular embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be noted that various improvements and modifications can be made by a skilled person in the art without departing from the principles of the present disclosure, which improvements and modifications shall be encompassed within the protection scope of the present disclosure.