A screen for screen printing and a printing apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a screen printing's screen and printing equipment relates to screen printing equipment technical field. The screen includes: screen main part, the frame that surrounds the edge of above-mentioned screen main part is arranged and the air knife subassembly of setting in above-mentioned frame, above-mentioned air knife subassembly is in response to the scraper movement of printing equipment, and the airflow is guided between above-mentioned screen main part and the printing material, and the direction of above-mentioned airflow is same with the advancing direction of above-mentioned scraper, to separate above-mentioned screen main part and the printing material. This embodiment can effectively separate screen main part and the printing material, avoid the problem that the pattern is blurred because of the adhesion of both, improve printing quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of screen printing equipment technology, and in particular to a printing screen and printing equipment for screen printing. Background Technology

[0002] Screen printing is a common printing method for printing images and text onto a substrate (for example, using a solar cell substrate as a substrate, grid lines are printed on the solar cell substrate through screen printing). It mainly uses a squeegee to apply pressure to one side of the screen printing stencil. As the squeegee moves, the ink can be transferred through the mesh portion to the substrate on the other side of the screen printing stencil, thus achieving patterned printing on the substrate.

[0003] However, during the printing process, the substrate is prone to sticking to the screen printing stencil, especially when using high-viscosity pastes. Once the substrate sticks to the screen printing stencil, the patterned printing boundaries become blurred (such as blurred grid lines), leading to printing failure and greatly reducing the success rate of printing. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides a screen and printing equipment for screen printing, which can effectively separate the screen body and the substrate, and avoid the two from sticking together.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a screen printing plate is provided, comprising: a screen plate body, a border disposed around the edge of the screen plate body, and an air knife assembly disposed on the border.

[0006] The air knife assembly responds to the movement of the squeegee in the printing equipment by directing airflow between the screen body and the substrate. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee, so as to separate the screen body and the substrate.

[0007] Optionally, the air knife assembly includes an air guide pipe and a plurality of air outlets spaced apart along the extension direction of the air guide pipe.

[0008] The aforementioned air guide tube is embedded in the aforementioned frame;

[0009] The opening direction of several of the above-mentioned air outlets is towards the space between the screen body and the substrate.

[0010] Optionally, the air knife assembly further includes an air guide nozzle disposed at the air outlet.

[0011] The aforementioned air guide nozzles guide the airflow through the aforementioned air outlets to direct the airflow between the aforementioned screen body and the substrate.

[0012] Optionally, the aforementioned frame is provided with an inner open groove;

[0013] The aforementioned air guide tube is embedded in the aforementioned groove.

[0014] Optionally, the aforementioned air knife assembly further includes an air inlet; wherein,

[0015] The aforementioned air inlet is connected to one end of the aforementioned air guide pipe.

[0016] Optionally, the screen printing plate body includes a screen, an upper plate mold disposed on one side of the main surface of the screen and a lower plate mold disposed on the other side of the main surface of the screen. When the screen is installed on the printing equipment, the lower plate mold is closer to the side where the substrate is placed.

[0017] Optionally, the surface of the screen printing plate includes a patterned area and a blank area that is impermeable to the printing paste;

[0018] The patterned area is provided with through holes through which the paste can pass.

[0019] Optionally, it can be applied to printed grid lines on a solar cell substrate.

[0020] To achieve the above objectives, according to another aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided, comprising: a screen for screen printing according to the present invention.

[0021] To achieve the above objectives, according to another aspect of the present invention, a printing apparatus is provided, comprising: a printing body and an air knife assembly;

[0022] The air knife assembly responds to the movement of the squeegee in the printing equipment by directing airflow between the screen printing stencil and the substrate. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee, so as to separate the screen body and the substrate.

[0023] Optionally, the air knife assembly is disposed on one side of the platform on which the printing substrate is placed.

[0024] One embodiment of the above-mentioned utility model has the following advantages or beneficial effects: The printing equipment according to the embodiment of the present utility model is provided with a screen for screen printing. The screen includes an air knife assembly disposed on the edge. During the printing process, the airflow can be directed between the screen body and the substrate. As the squeegee moves, the airflow can effectively separate the screen body and the substrate, avoiding the problem of the two sticking together and causing the pattern to be blurry, thus improving the printing quality and further improving the printing success rate.

[0025] Meanwhile, since the airflow can effectively separate the screen body and the substrate, the screen of this utility model embodiment still has good applicability even for high viscosity pastes. It can solve the problem that high viscosity pastes are more likely to cause the screen body and the substrate to stick together, and improve the yield of products printed with high viscosity pastes.

[0026] The further effects of the aforementioned unconventional alternative methods will be explained below in conjunction with specific implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings are provided to better understand this utility model and do not constitute an undue limitation on it. Wherein:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a screen printing plate for screen printing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the air knife assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of the screen according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air knife assembly with an air guide nozzle according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the back structure of a screen without an air knife assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0033] Figure 6 According to embodiments of this utility model, the printing process involves a squeegee, a printing substrate, and... Figure 1 The screen shown is a cross-sectional view along the AA direction;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a structural schematic diagram of an air knife assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure label:

[0037] 1-Screen printing plate; 11-Screen printing plate body; 111-Screen printing plate; 112-Upper mold; 113-Lower mold; 114-Patterned area; 115-Blank area; 12-Border; 121-Groove; 122-Air vent; 13-Air knife assembly; 131-Air guide pipe; 132-Air vent; 133-Air guide nozzle; 134-Air inlet; 2-Scraper; 3-Substrate; 4-Printing equipment; 41-Housing shell. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrates exemplary embodiments of the present invention, including various details to aid understanding. These embodiments should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Similarly, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted in the following description.

[0039] The accompanying drawings show various structural schematic diagrams according to embodiments of the present invention. These drawings are not to scale, and some details have been enlarged for clarity, and some details may have been omitted. The shapes of the various regions and layers shown in the drawings, as well as their relative sizes and positional relationships, are merely exemplary and may deviate from reality due to manufacturing tolerances or technical limitations. Furthermore, those skilled in the art can design regions / layers with different shapes, sizes, and relative positions as needed.

[0040] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments of this utility model and the technical features thereof can be combined with each other.

[0041] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a screen printing plate 1 for screen printing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the screen printing plate 1 for screen printing in this embodiment of the present invention mainly includes: a screen plate body 11, a frame 12 surrounding the edge of the screen plate body 11, and an air knife assembly 13 disposed on the frame 12.

[0042] The screen body 11 is fixedly connected to the frame 12. During the printing process, the screen body 11 covers the substrate 3, and the squeegee 2 transfers part of the paste on the screen body 11 to the surface of the substrate 3 to achieve pattern printing.

[0043] The aforementioned air knife assembly 13 is used to separate the screen body 11 from the substrate 3 after the squeegee 2 has passed, preventing the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 from sticking together and affecting printing quality. Specifically, the air knife assembly 13 responds to the movement of the squeegee 2 of the printing equipment by directing airflow between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee 2, so as to separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, thereby effectively avoiding the sticking phenomenon during the screen printing process.

[0044] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 2As shown, the air knife assembly 13 includes an air guide pipe 131 and a plurality of air outlets 132 spaced apart along the extending direction of the air guide pipe 131. The air guide pipe 131 is used to transmit gas to the air outlets 132 for ejection, forming an airflow. The number of air outlets 132 can be set according to actual conditions and is not specifically limited here.

[0045] Optionally, such as Figure 3 As shown, the air guide tube 131 can be embedded in the frame 12. The frame 12 with the air guide tube 131 embedded should be a frame 12 that is close to the squeegee 2 when printing starts and whose extension direction is perpendicular to the squeegee 2's travel direction. The opening direction of the plurality of air outlets 132 is towards the space between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, so that after printing starts, gas is ejected from the air outlets 132 and forms an airflow that can separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3.

[0046] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the air knife assembly 13 also includes an air guide nozzle 133 disposed at the air outlet 132. The air guide nozzle 133 guides the airflow through the air outlet 132 to direct the airflow between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3. The air guide nozzle 133 can cause the gas to converge and form an airflow before being ejected, increasing the airflow range and precisely controlling the airflow ejection direction. This avoids the problem that the gas ejected through the air outlet 132 is diffuse, resulting in the airflow direction being difficult to control and the airflow range being short. It further solves the problem that the airflow cannot effectively separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 at a position far from the air knife assembly 13.

[0047] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the air knife assembly 13 also includes an air inlet 134, which is connected to one end of the air guide pipe 131 and is used to guide gas into the air guide pipe 131. Specifically, one end of the air guide pipe 131 extends from one end of the frame 12 with the groove 121 and is connected to the air inlet 134.

[0048] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the aforementioned frame 12 is provided with an inner open groove 121, and the aforementioned air guide tube 131 is embedded in the aforementioned groove 121 to fix the air knife assembly 13 and prevent the air knife assembly 13 from shifting during the printing process. Here, the inner side of the frame 12 refers to the side of the frame 12 facing the center of the screen body 11.

[0049] Optionally, an air outlet 122 may also be provided on the frame 12 with the groove 121, and the opening direction of the air outlet 122 is different from that of the groove 121. The air outlet 122 communicates with the space inside the groove 121, so that when the air knife assembly 13 sprays gas outward, part of the gas inside the groove 121 can be discharged to prevent the air pressure inside the groove 121 from being too high.

[0050] It should be noted that when the frame 12 includes multiple horizontal and vertical frames 12, the groove 121 and the air outlet 122 are provided only in one of the frames 12, so that the air knife assembly 13 is only provided in one of the frames 12, and the groove 121 and the air outlet 122 are not provided in the other frames 12.

[0051] The border 12 can be made of a rigid material to support the fixed screen body 11 and prevent deformation during printing. As an example, the border 12 can be made of steel or aluminum alloy, etc.

[0052] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 6 As shown, the screen printing plate body 11 includes a screen 111, an upper mold 112 disposed on one side of the main surface of the screen 111, and a lower mold 113 disposed on the other side of the main surface of the screen 111, i.e., the upper mold 112 and the lower mold 113 are respectively attached to both sides of the screen 111. When the screen printing plate 1 is installed in a printing device, the lower mold 113 is closer to the side where the substrate 3 is placed. The side of the upper mold 112 away from the lower mold 113 can be provided with printing paste, and during the printing process, the paste is transferred by the squeegee 2 to print a pattern on the substrate 3.

[0053] The upper mold 112 and the lower mold 113 can be made of polymer materials, including at least one of the following: polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, sulfonated polyethersulfone, polyimide, and polyetheretherketone, but not limited to these. The upper mold 112 and the lower mold 113 can be made of the same or different materials.

[0054] The screen 111 serves as the supporting framework for the upper mold 112 and the lower mold 113, fixing their positions and shapes, and providing structural strength. This ensures the high stability of the screen body 11, reduces wear on the screen body 11 from the squeegee during printing, and extends its lifespan. The screen 111 can be any type of nylon mesh, steel wire mesh, composite mesh, nickel mesh, or expanded metal mesh, but is not limited to these.

[0055] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, the surface of the screen body 11 includes a patterned area 114 and a blank area 115 that is impermeable to ink. The patterned area 114 has through-holes through which ink can pass. During the printing process, the squeegee 2 moves across the surface of the screen body 11, allowing ink to pass through the through-holes of the patterned area 114 and transfer to the surface of the substrate 3, thus achieving pattern printing.

[0056] The screen printing body 11 may contain multiple pattern areas 114, depending on the pattern to be printed.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, during screen printing using the screen 1 of this embodiment, the substrate 3 is placed below the screen 1 and close to the lower mold 113. The squeegee 2 is placed on the surface of the upper mold 112, and the ink is placed on the surface of the upper mold 112. When the squeegee 2 begins to move, the air knife assembly 13 is activated. Gas enters the air guide pipe 131 from the air inlet 134 and is ejected from the air guide nozzle 133 to form an airflow and guide it between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee 2. As the squeegee 2 moves, the ink gradually transfers to the surface of the substrate 3. The airflow can separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 behind the squeegee 2, thereby solving the problem that the substrate 3 easily sticks to the screen body 11 during the printing process.

[0058] It should be noted that the screen 1 for screen printing in this embodiment of the present invention can be used for printing patterns on the surface of various substrates 3, such as paper products, plastic products, wood products, metal products, glass and ceramic products, etc., and can also be used for printing grid lines on the surface of solar cell substrates.

[0059] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the screen 1 for screen printing, through the air knife assembly 13 set on the frame 12, can guide the airflow between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 during the printing process. As the squeegee 2 moves, the airflow can effectively separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, avoiding the problem of the two sticking together and causing the pattern to be blurry, thus improving the printing quality and further increasing the printing success rate.

[0060] Meanwhile, since the airflow can effectively separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, the screen 1 of this utility model embodiment still has good applicability even for high viscosity pastes. It can solve the problem that high viscosity pastes are more likely to cause the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 to stick together, and improve the yield of products screen printed with high viscosity pastes.

[0061] This utility model embodiment also provides a printing apparatus, including a screen 1 for screen printing according to any embodiment of this utility model. The screen 1 includes a screen body 11, a frame 12 surrounding the edge of the screen body 11, and an air knife assembly 13 disposed on the frame 12. The air knife assembly 13, in response to the movement of the squeegee 2 of the printing apparatus, directs airflow between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee 2, thereby separating the screen body 11 and the substrate 3.

[0062] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 includes an air guide pipe 131 and a plurality of air outlet holes 132 spaced apart along the extending direction of the air guide pipe 131; the air guide pipe 131 is embedded in the frame 12; the opening direction of the plurality of air outlet holes 132 is towards the space between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3.

[0063] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 further includes an air guide nozzle 133 disposed at the air outlet 132; the air guide nozzle 133 guides the airflow through the air outlet 132 to direct the airflow between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3.

[0064] In an optional embodiment, the frame 12 is provided with an inner open groove 121; the air guide tube 131 is embedded in the groove 121.

[0065] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 further includes an air inlet 134; wherein the air inlet 134 is connected to one end of the air guide pipe 131.

[0066] In an optional embodiment, the screen body 11 includes a screen 111, an upper mold 112 disposed on one side of the main surface of the screen 111, and a lower mold 113 disposed on the other side of the main surface of the screen 111. When the screen 1 is installed on a printing device, the lower mold 113 is close to the side where the substrate 3 is placed.

[0067] In an optional embodiment, the surface of the screen printing body 11 includes a patterned area 114 and a blank area 115 that is impermeable to the ink; the patterned area 114 is provided with through holes through which the ink can pass.

[0068] According to the printing equipment of this utility model embodiment, by providing a screen 1 for screen printing, the screen 1 includes an air knife assembly 13 disposed on the border 12. During the printing process, the airflow can be guided between the screen body 11 and the substrate 3. As the squeegee 2 moves, the airflow can effectively separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, avoiding the problem of the two sticking together and causing the pattern to be blurry, thus improving the printing quality and further increasing the printing success rate.

[0069] Meanwhile, since the airflow can effectively separate the screen body 11 and the substrate 3, the screen 1 of this utility model embodiment still has good applicability even for high viscosity pastes. It can solve the problem that high viscosity pastes are more likely to cause the screen body 11 and the substrate 3 to stick together, and improve the yield of products printed with high viscosity pastes.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, this utility model also provides a printing device 4, including: a printing body and an air knife assembly 13. The air knife assembly 13, in response to the movement of the squeegee 2 of the printing device 4, directs airflow between the screen printing screen and the substrate 3. The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee 2, so as to separate the screen printing screen and the substrate 3.

[0071] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 includes an air guide pipe 131 and a plurality of air outlet holes 132 spaced apart along the extending direction of the air guide pipe 131; the opening direction of the plurality of air outlet holes 132 is towards the space between the screen printing plate body and the substrate 3.

[0072] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 further includes an air guide nozzle 133 disposed at the air outlet 132; the air guide nozzle 133 guides the airflow through the air outlet 132 to direct the airflow between the screen printing plate body and the substrate 3.

[0073] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 further includes an air inlet 134; wherein the air inlet 134 is connected to one end of the air guide pipe 131.

[0074] In one alternative embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the air knife assembly 13 also includes a hollow housing 41. The air guide pipe 131 and the air nozzle 133 can be disposed in the housing 41. The housing 41 has an opening facing between the screen printing screen and the substrate 3. The outlet of the air nozzle 133 is in the same direction as the opening of the housing 41. During the printing process, the air nozzle 133 can spray gas and guide the airflow between the screen printing screen and the substrate 3 to prevent them from sticking together. In addition, the housing 41 allows the air knife assembly 13 to be modularized, making it easy to replace and preventing damage from external forces.

[0075] In an optional embodiment, the air knife assembly 13 is disposed on one side of the platform on which the printing substrate 3 is placed. Specifically, the air knife assembly 13 may be placed on the side of the platform near the starting point of the squeegee 2 at the start of printing.

[0076] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the printing equipment 4 is equipped with an air knife assembly 13, which can guide the airflow between the screen printing screen and the substrate 3 during the printing process. As the squeegee 2 moves, the airflow can effectively separate the screen body of the screen printing screen and the substrate 3, avoiding the problem of the two sticking together and causing the pattern to be blurry, thus improving the printing quality and further increasing the printing success rate.

[0077] Meanwhile, since the airflow can effectively separate the screen printing stencil and the substrate 3, the printing equipment 4 of this utility model embodiment still has good applicability even for high viscosity pastes. It can solve the problem that high viscosity pastes are more likely to cause the screen printing stencil body and the substrate 3 to stick together, and improve the yield of products printed with high viscosity pastes.

[0078] The specific embodiments described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions can occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A screen for screen printing, characterized in that, include: The screen body (11), the border (12) surrounding the edge of the screen body (11), and the air knife assembly (13) disposed on the border (12). The air knife assembly (13) responds to the movement of the squeegee (2) of the printing equipment by directing airflow between the screen body (11) and the substrate (3), the direction of the airflow being the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee (2) to separate the screen body (11) and the substrate (3).

2. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air knife assembly (13) includes an air guide pipe (131) and a plurality of air outlets (132) spaced apart along the extension direction of the air guide pipe (131). The air duct (131) is embedded in the frame (12). The opening direction of several of the air outlets (132) is towards the space between the screen body (11) and the substrate (3).

3. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air knife assembly (13) also includes an air guide nozzle (133) disposed at the air outlet (132). The air guide nozzle (133) guides the airflow through the air outlet (132) to direct the airflow between the screen body (11) and the substrate (3).

4. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The frame (12) is provided with an inner open groove (121); The air guide tube (131) is embedded in the groove (121).

5. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 2, characterized in that, The air knife assembly (13) further includes an air inlet (134); wherein, The air inlet (134) is connected to one end of the air guide pipe (131).

6. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screen body (11) includes a screen (111), an upper plate mold (112) disposed on one side of the main surface of the screen (111), and a lower plate mold (113) disposed on the other side of the main surface of the screen (111). When the screen (1) is installed on the printing equipment, the lower plate mold (113) is close to the side where the substrate (3) is placed.

7. The screen printing plate for screen printing according to claim 1, characterized in that, The surface of the screen printing body (11) includes a patterned area (114) and a blank area (115) that is impermeable to the paste. The patterned area (114) is provided with through holes through which the slurry can pass.

8. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, include: The screen printing plate for screen printing according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A printing apparatus, characterized in that, include: Printing body and air knife assembly (13); The air knife assembly (13) responds to the movement of the squeegee (2) of the printing equipment (4) and directs the airflow between the screen printing screen and the substrate (3). The direction of the airflow is the same as the direction of travel of the squeegee (2) to separate the screen body (11) and the substrate (3).

10. The printing equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that, The air knife assembly (13) is disposed on one side of the platform on which the printing substrate (3) is placed.

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