Conductive Pattern Drawing Data Generation for Inkjet Board Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for manufacturing wiring boards, such as lithography techniques, are costly and time-consuming due to the complexity of conductive layer formation, and existing drawing apparatuses using inkjet methods face challenges in accurately forming conductive patterns without defects.

Innovation Solution

A board manufacturing system that includes an information processing apparatus and a drawing apparatus, where the information processing apparatus generates drawing data for the drawing apparatus using a computer program to compute and control the shape of conductive patterns formed by conductive liquid droplets, incorporating tools for image data generation, resolution decision, design rule checking, and modification to ensure accurate pattern formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If lithography technique is used to manufacture wiring boards, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductive pattern formation precisionVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex lithography process steps (conductive layer formation, resist application, exposure, development, etching) and replaces them with a direct inkjet drawing method that forms conductive patterns by directly discharging conductive liquid droplets onto the board, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical lithography system with an inkjet printing system that uses controlled liquid droplet discharge to form conductive patterns, substituting a simpler mechanical process for the complex multi-step lithography process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If lithography technique is used to manufacture wiring boards, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductive pattern formation precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and pre-generating the drawing data in raster format before the actual drawing process, converting the conductive pattern design into ready-to-print droplet discharge instructions, which accelerates the manufacturing process while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous drawing operation by directly forming conductive patterns through continuous or rapid droplet discharge without the interruptive steps of lithography (resist application, exposure, development, etching), thereby reducing manufacturing time while preserving manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If drawing apparatus uses inkjet method to form conductive patterns, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to potential defects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidconductive pattern accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating the exact droplet discharge positions and patterns before manufacturing, generating comprehensive drawing data that specifies each droplet's location and characteristics, thereby ensuring high manufacturing precision while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through design rule checking and verification processes that review the generated drawing data before actual drawing, allowing for correction of potential defects and ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained throughout the simplified inkjet process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of time

If drawing apparatus directly forms conductive patterns, then manufacturing time is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to defects in conductive patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing timeVSAvoidconductive pattern quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary calculation and generation of accurate drawing data before the rapid drawing process, ensuring that the conductive pattern design is optimized and verified in advance, which allows for fast manufacturing without sacrificing precision or increasing defect rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates verification and checking processes that provide feedback on the drawing data and formed patterns, allowing for real-time or pre-flight detection of potential defects and correction of issues before they affect manufacturing precision, thereby enabling rapid production with high quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 system efficiently generates data for the drawing apparatus, allowing for accurate and efficient formation of conductive patterns on boards, reducing the risk of defects and improving manufacturing efficiency by converting design data into raster format, deciding optimal resolution, and performing design rule checks.

Implementation Method 1

a drawing apparatus that performs drawing on the board using conductive liquid droplets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInkjet printing:

Data Source

PatentEP2804116B1Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, and board manufacturing system
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 ZUKEN
  • EP2804116B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2804116B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2804116B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

An information processing apparatus is configured to compute the shape of a conductive pattern to be formed on a board by a drawing apparatus that performs drawing on the board using conductive liquid droplets. The information processing apparatus includes an image data generation unit configured to generate image data in which dots each having a diameter determined according to a drawing condition of a conductive pattern by the drawing apparatus are arranged at respective positions which are indicated by data of a conductive pattern and at which conductive liquid droplets are to be landed.