Blanket Roll Offset Printing for Touch Screen Fabrication

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing photolithographic process for fabricating capacitive touch screen panels is complex and costly due to the need for multiple processes and masks in forming sensing patterns, insulating layers, and conductive lines.

Innovation Solution

The method involves forming different material patterns on a single blanket roll, with a gravure roll and dispensers applying materials to specific areas, allowing these patterns to be printed on a substrate using an offset printing scheme, reducing the number of processes and mask costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If photolithographic process is used to form sensing patterns, insulating layers, and conductive lines, then manufacturing precision is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formation precisionVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple photolithographic processes into a single printing process. Different material patterns (sensing patterns, insulating layers, conductive lines) are formed on different areas of a single blanket roll and printed simultaneously onto the substrate in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate photolithographic steps and masks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket roll serves multiple functions: it carries different material patterns for various components (sensing patterns, insulating layers, conductive lines) on its different areas, and acts as a universal printing surface that can transfer all these patterns in a single operation, replacing multiple specialized masks and process steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If photolithographic process with multiple masks is used, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formation precisionVSAvoidfabrication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple patterning operations that would traditionally require sequential photolithographic steps are merged into a single printing operation. The blanket roll contains all necessary material patterns pre-formed on different areas, allowing simultaneous transfer of sensing patterns, insulating layers, and conductive lines in one printing cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The material patterns are pre-formed on the blanket roll surface in different areas before the printing process. This preliminary preparation allows the actual printing step to transfer all patterns simultaneously without requiring multiple sequential operations, significantly reducing fabrication time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If photolithographic process with multiple masks is used, then manufacturing precision is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formation precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple mask-making and photolithographic processing operations into a single printing process. Different material patterns are formed on different areas of one blanket roll, eliminating the need for multiple expensive masks and associated processing steps, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The blanket roll serves as a disposable or reusable printing medium that replaces expensive, complex photolithographic masks. By forming patterns directly on the blanket roll surface and transferring them through printing, the system eliminates the need for multiple high-cost masks while maintaining pattern formation precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the fabrication process and reduces costs by enabling simultaneous formation of sensing patterns, insulating layers, and conductive lines on a transparent substrate, improving efficiency and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

forming patterns of print solutions or materials for components such as sensing patterns, insulating patterns, and conductive lines on different areas on a single blanket roll and printing the components on a transparent substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOffset printing:

Data Source

PatentUS10088926B2Apparatus for use in fabricating touch screen panel

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus and method for fabricating a touch screen panel is disclosed. The method includes forming material patterns on different areas of a blanket roll and printing the material patterns on a transparent substrate by rotating the blanket roll over the transparent substrate. An apparatus for fabricating a touch screen panel includes a blanket roll being rotatable about a rotational axis and configured to print a plurality of material patterns on a substrate while rotating over the substrate. A circumferential surface of the blanket roll includes circumferential areas that are angularly separate from each other about the rotational axis. Each of circumferential areas comprises a pattern for printing a component of a sensing cell to be formed on the substrate.