Ceramics Green Sheet Lamination for Gas Sensor Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for manufacturing gas sensors, such as those for measuring NOx concentration, face challenges in achieving high lamination accuracy due to deformation of ceramics green sheets during the printing and drying process, leading to yield deterioration and laminating failures.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the formation of a preceding lamination sheet by bonding at least two blank ceramics green sheets, followed by screen printing a pattern on a non-preceding lamination sheet, which is then laminated in a predetermined order with the preceding sheet, using a bonding paste with a specific binder and solvent composition to minimize deformation and ensure stable adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If printing is performed multiple times on a green sheet to form patterns, then the circuit pattern can be formed on each layer, but the green sheet deforms and lamination accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern formation capabilityVSAvoid lamination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into two distinct sequences: (1) laminate multiple green sheets first to form a thick laminated body, then print patterns on the laminated structure; or (2) print patterns on individual green sheets, then laminate them. This segmentation avoids repeated printing-deformation cycles on the same sheet while achieving the required circuit patterns on each layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The green sheets are prepared with patterns printed in advance before lamination, or the lamination structure is prepared in advance before pattern printing. This preliminary action ensures that printing operations are minimized and performed on stable, non-deformed green sheets or laminated bodies, preventing deformation-related accuracy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Strength

If multiple green sheets are laminated with bonding paste, then the laminated body can be formed, but the repeated printing and drying processes cause deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadhesion between layersVSAvoidlayered accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lamination and printing operations are segmented into separate process stages. Green sheets are either laminated first without patterns, then patterns are printed on the laminated body; or patterns are printed on individual sheets, then they are laminated. This eliminates the problematic sequence of printing then re-laminating the same sheet multiple times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bonding paste serves as an intermediary that enables lamination without requiring repeated printing on the same green sheet. By applying bonding paste to the lamination interface rather than printing circuit patterns on each sheet multiple times, strong adhesion is achieved while minimizing deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If thick green sheets are used to ensure structural integrity, then the sensor element has sufficient strength, but deformation during printing becomes more significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddeformation control
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Patterns are printed on green sheets before lamination, or the laminated body structure is prepared before final pattern printing. This preliminary action ensures that thick green sheets undergo printing only once under controlled conditions, minimizing deformation while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The printing process parameters (such as paste viscosity, drying conditions, and printing pressure) are optimized for thick green sheets to minimize deformation. Additionally, the lamination pressure and temperature parameters are adjusted to accommodate the thickness while achieving proper bonding without excessive deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for the formation of a laminated body with high accuracy, reducing deformation and lamination defects, thereby improving the yield and reliability of gas sensors by stabilizing the adhesion between green sheets.

Implementation Method 1

bonding paste with a specific binder and solvent composition to minimize deformation and ensure stable adhesion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

each of the ceramics green sheets includes an oxygen ion conductive solid electrolyte as a ceramics component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP2082870B1Method of manufacturing sensor element
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 NGK INSULATORS LTD
  • EP2082870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2082870B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2082870B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of forming a laminated body includes a first lamination step of forming a preceding lamination sheet which is substantially treated as one green sheet by laminating and bonding at least two green sheets out of a plurality of green sheets with predetermined pattern printed thereon; a printing step of printing a predetermined pattern on the preceding lamination sheet and at least one non-preceding lamination sheet which is a not used for forming the preceding lamination sheet; and a second lamination step of laminating and bonding the preceding lamination sheet and non-preceding lamination sheet, on which the predetermined pattern is printed in the printing step, in a predetermined order.