Coating Head Surface Layer for Solvent-Resistant Ink Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink containing solvents with strong solubility can dissolve the liquid contact parts of coating heads, particularly the adhesive layers, leading to damage and reliability issues during the manufacturing of electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A coating head design with a coating layer on liquid contact surfaces, including a layered structure of materials with high chemical resistance, adhesiveness, and wettability, such as metal oxide films, to protect against solvent dissolution and ensure stable ink discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive layers are used to bond liquid contact parts, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to dissolution by solvent-based inks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coating layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the adhesive layer and the solvent-based ink. This coating layer serves as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the solvent and the adhesive, thereby preventing dissolution while maintaining the bonding function of the adhesive layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid contact part is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers: the adhesive layer for bonding and the coating layer for chemical resistance. This composite material approach combines the advantages of both materials - the bonding capability of adhesive with the solvent resistance of the coating material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If coating layer is added to liquid contact surfaces, then resistance to ink dissolution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to ink dissolutionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating layer is applied selectively only to the liquid contact surfaces where it is needed for protection, rather than coating the entire device. This localized application provides the necessary chemical resistance while minimizing the increase in device complexity and manufacturing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

The coating layer enhances the resistance of liquid contact surfaces to ink, preventing dissolution and ensuring reliable operation by stabilizing discharge performance and reducing bubble formation, thereby improving the reliability of the coating head.

Implementation Method 1

a coating layer that is at least partially provided on liquid contact surfaces of the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of pressure chambers, and the ink flow path

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical resistance:

Implementation Method 2

a piezoelectric element (piezo element) that pressurizes the ink stored in the pressure chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12617204B2Coating head

Publication Date: 2026.05.05 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A coating head includes: a plurality of nozzles; a plurality of pressure chambers communicating with the plurality of nozzles; an ink flow path communicating with the plurality of pressure chambers; and a coating layer that is at least partially provided on liquid contact surfaces of the plurality of nozzles, the plurality of pressure chambers, and the ink flow path.