Electrostatic Screen Printer Uniform Powder Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrostatic screen printers fail to achieve even powder adherence to printing media due to uneven powder distribution on the screen, leading to inconsistent layer thickness in applications like all-solid secondary batteries.

Innovation Solution

An electrostatic screen printer with a conductive screen, rubbing members, and a direct current power source for electrostatic induction, featuring a rotation mechanism and a scraper to evenly distribute powder, along with a powder feeding unit and screen vibration for enhanced evenness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If powder is rubbed into the screen using a single rotation mechanism, then the powder can be adhered to the printing medium, but the thickness of the powder layer is not uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of powder layer thicknessVSAvoidcomplexity of rubbing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dual-motion system where the rubbing member simultaneously rotates about its own axis and revolves around the screen. This dynamic combination of rotation and revolution ensures that the rubbing member contacts different portions of the screen uniformly, distributing powder evenly across the entire surface and achieving uniform powder layer thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single rotational motion (one-dimensional) to a combined rotation-revolution motion (two-dimensional). By adding the revolution dimension where the rubbing member orbits the screen while rotating, the system achieves comprehensive coverage and uniform powder distribution that a single rotation cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If the amount of powder placed on the screen is uneven, then the powder can be applied to the screen, but the powder adheres unevenly to the printing medium

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevenness of powder adherenceVSAvoiddifficulty of controlling powder distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic rubbing action with combined rotation and revolution mechanically redistributes powder across the screen surface. This motion compensates for initial powder placement不均匀 by continuously working the powder into the screen mesh uniformly, ensuring even adherence regardless of initial distribution variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the motion parameters of the rubbing member by implementing both rotation speed and revolution speed. By optimizing these parameters, the rubbing action achieves uniform powder incorporation into the screen, transforming uneven powder distribution into even adherence patterns.

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

The solution ensures a significantly more even powder adherence to the printing medium, reducing standard deviation in film thickness by up to one-fifth compared to conventional methods, thereby improving the uniformity of powder layers.

Implementation Method 1

a direct current power source configured to apply a voltage to the printing medium and the powder, wherein the powder rubbed into the screen is adhered to the printing medium by electrostatic induction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic induction: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3165364B1Electrostatic screen printer
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 HITACHI ZOSEN CORP
  • EP3165364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3165364B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3165364B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

An electrostatic screen printer 10 includes: an electrically conductive screen 6 arranged in non-contact with a printing medium; a first sponge 1 and a second sponge 2 (hereinafter "the sponges 1, 2") configured to rub a powder 7 into the screen 6; and a direct current power source configured to apply a voltage to the printing medium and the powder 7, wherein the powder 7 rubbed into the screen 6 is adhered to the printing medium by electrostatic induction. The electrostatic screen printer 10 includes a rotation mechanism 5 for rotating the sponges 1,2, a parent revolution mechanism 3 for parent revolution of the sponges 1, 2, and a child revolution mechanism 4 for child revolution of the sponges 1,2. The revolution speed ratio of the child revolution to the parent revolution (ωc/ωp) may preferably be 4.0 or greater, a scraper 34 is provided on the parent revolution mechanism 3 so as to be interlocked with the revolution of the sponges 1,2, and the scraper 34 is arranged so as to scrape the powder 7 on the screen 6 toward an axis Op of the parent revolution because of the interlocking.