Dipole Alignment Process Using Heat, Light, and Electric Fields

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current display device manufacturing lacks an efficient method for aligning dipoles, such as light-emitting elements, on substrates with high precision and alignment quality, particularly in OLED and LCD panels, due to limitations in controlling the viscosity of solvents and the alignment reactivity of dipoles under electric fields.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus comprising an inkjet printing device, an electric field forming unit, a light irradiation device, and a temperature control device is used to spray ink with dipoles dispersed in a solvent onto a substrate, where the temperature is controlled and light is irradiated to increase the dipole moment, facilitating alignment by reducing solvent viscosity and enhancing alignment reactivity through an electric field.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If temperature is increased to reduce solvent viscosity for better dipole alignment, then alignment quality improves, but solvent evaporation accelerates causing manufacturing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedipole alignment qualityVSAvoidprocess control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the substrate before inkjet printing to establish optimal temperature conditions in advance. This allows the solvent to maintain reduced viscosity during printing and alignment processes, ensuring better dipole alignment quality while controlling evaporation rates through predetermined temperature management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically adjusting temperature as a critical parameter throughout the manufacturing process. By controlling temperature at different stages (substrate heating, printing, alignment), the system optimizes solvent viscosity for each phase, improving dipole alignment while managing evaporation through parameter optimization rather than simple increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If light irradiation is applied to increase dipole moment for alignment, then alignment reactivity improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment reactivityVSAvoidlight energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by directing light irradiation only to specific regions where dipole alignment is required, rather than uniform illumination of the entire substrate. This localized approach increases alignment reactivity at target areas while minimizing overall energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary irradiation of non-critical regions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes periodic action by applying light irradiation in controlled pulses or cycles rather than continuous illumination. This allows dipole moments to be enhanced during irradiation periods while reducing energy consumption during non-irradiation periods, maintaining alignment reactivity through intermittent stimulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 apparatus achieves improved alignment of dipoles on substrates by controlling temperature and applying light, resulting in higher alignment quality and efficiency, which enhances the performance and reliability of display devices.

Implementation Method 1

a temperature control device including a temperature control unit, the temperature control unit being configured to control a temperature of the solvent sprayed on the stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature control: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a light irradiation device configured to irradiate light onto the stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

an electric field forming unit including a stage and a probe unit, the probe unit being configured to form an electric field on the stage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric field formation: Electric Field

Data Source

PatentUS20230386878A1Apparatus for and method for aligning dipoles and method of fabricating display device
Publication Date: 2023.11.30 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • US20230386878A1 patent drawing
  • US20230386878A1 patent drawing
  • US20230386878A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus for aligning dipoles is provided. The apparatus includes: an electric field forming unit including a stage and a probe unit, the probe unit being configured to form an electric field on the stage; an inkjet printing device including an inkjet head, the inkjet head being configured to spray ink including a solvent and dipoles dispersed in the solvent onto the stage; a light irradiation device configured to irradiate light onto the stage; and a temperature control device including a temperature control unit, the temperature control unit being configured to control a temperature of the solvent sprayed on the stage.