Configurable Nozzle Ionizing Bar for FPD Neutralization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional static neutralization systems for Flat Panel Display (FPD) applications face high operational costs, insufficient gas stream cleanliness, and inefficient charge neutralization due to traditional ionizing bars, which struggle with rapid throughput and high resolution requirements.

Innovation Solution

A linear ionizing bar with configurable nozzles that direct charged carriers toward a target in a reconfigurable pattern, utilizing a linear ion emitter, a reference electrode, and a manifold with interchangeable nozzle inserts to optimize gas flow and ionization efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional ionizing bars with fixed nozzles are used, then the system structure is simple, but the charge neutralization efficiency is insufficient for high-speed FPD applications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharge neutralization efficiencyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold is divided into multiple interchangeable nozzle inserts, each with specific aperture patterns. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for different neutralization requirements without redesigning the entire system, thereby improving productivity while managing complexity through modular components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from fixed nozzles to dynamically reconfigurable nozzle inserts. By allowing insertion and removal of different nozzle configurations, the system adapts to varying production speeds and panel sizes, optimizing charge neutralization efficiency for high-speed FPD applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If high gas flow rates are used to improve neutralization speed, then charge neutralization efficiency improves, but gas consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutralization speedVSAvoidgas consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different nozzle inserts provide localized gas flow patterns optimized for specific regions of the display panel. By directing gas flow precisely where needed rather than using uniform high-flow patterns across the entire manifold, the system achieves fast neutralization speeds while reducing overall gas consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes gas flow parameters (flow rate, distribution pattern, direction) by swapping nozzle inserts. This allows optimization of the balance between neutralization speed and gas consumption for different production scenarios, improving productivity without excessive gas usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional nozzle configurations are used, then the system is easy to operate, but the gas stream cleanliness is insufficient for high-resolution FPD requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas stream cleanlinessVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The manifold is segmented into interchangeable nozzle inserts that can be selected based on cleanliness requirements. Each insert type is pre-configured with specific aperture patterns that generate controlled gas streams, ensuring particle-free flow for high-resolution displays while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle inserts are designed as replaceable components that can be easily swapped. This allows the system to maintain high gas stream cleanliness by replacing worn or contaminated inserts, ensuring consistent particle-free gas flow for high-resolution FPD manufacturing without complex maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If the ionizing bar is designed for close-distance neutralization, then neutralization efficiency is high, but the system cannot handle large-area FPD panels at required distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveneutralization efficiencyVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different nozzle inserts create localized gas flow patterns optimized for specific coverage areas. By selecting appropriate inserts, the system can concentrate ion delivery for close-distance efficient neutralization or distribute flow wider for large-area panels, maintaining high neutralization efficiency across varying distances and panel sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts its coverage area and ion distribution pattern by更换 nozzle inserts. This allows the same ionizing bar to efficiently neutralize both small close-distance areas and large distant areas of FPD panels, maintaining high productivity across different manufacturing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution reduces operational costs, enhances gas stream cleanliness, and improves charge neutralization efficiency by allowing flexible reconfiguration of gas flow patterns to better match the demands of high-speed and high-resolution FPD applications.

Implementation Method 1

a linear ion emitter, for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to the provision of an ionizing voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

a manifold for receiving gas from a source and for directing the gas past the linear ion emitter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3111522B1Linear ionizing bar with configurable nozzles
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3111522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3111522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3111522B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Ionizing bars for delivering charged carriers to charge neutralization target objects may include an ion emitter for establishing an ion cloud of charge carriers in response to application of an ionizing voltage. Disclosed bars may also include a reference electrode that presents a non-ionizing electric field to urge ions to move away from the ion emitter. The disclosed bars may also include a manifold. The manifold may receive and divide gas into plural gas streams directed past the ion emitter in a pattern to thereby urge charge carriers toward the target. The manifold may have plural apertures with nozzled inserts received therein. At least some of the inserts may have at least one aperture through which gas may flow and the nozzle inserts may collectively direct the divided gas streams away from the manifold and toward the target in one or more predetermined patterns.