Decorative panel made from flat glass
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of complex decorative panels for electronic household appliances with varying functionalities and designs is economically infeasible due to the need for multiple screen printing processes and thermal drying steps, especially for small lot sizes, which complicates the application of colored and conductive layers with high adhesion and resistance requirements.
Innovation Solution
A decorative panel made of thermally toughened flat glass with a digital print on the operational rear side, utilizing digital printing methods like inkjet printing that eliminates the need for physical printing forms, and optionally combining with screen printing on the front for additional features, allowing for efficient application of organic and inorganic materials with enhanced adhesion and resistance properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screen printing with multiple process steps is used to apply decorative and functional layers, then adhesion and resistance to thermal and chemical stress are improved, but production time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate screen printing process steps into a single digital printing operation. The digital print applies both decorative and functional layers (including conductive materials and colored elements) in one continuous process, eliminating the need for sequential screen printing steps and intermediate thermal drying cycles. This merging of processes maintains the required adhesion and resistance properties while dramatically reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital printing process serves multiple functions simultaneously: it applies decorative patterns, conductive materials for touch sensors, and protective coatings in a single operation. The print head can switch between different materials and functions without requiring separate dedicated processes for each, making the system universally capable of producing complex multi-functional panels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple screen printing processes are used for complex designs with colored and conductive layers, then design complexity and functionality are improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital printing system is designed to handle diverse materials and functions through a single unified process. It can print decorative patterns, apply conductive inks for capacitive touch sensors, and deposit protective coatings without requiring separate specialized equipment for each function. This universal approach enables complex multi-functional designs while keeping the production process relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital printing process allows for dynamic adjustment of printing parameters such as material composition, layer thickness, and pattern geometry without changing the fundamental process setup. This flexibility enables the production of varied complex designs using the same equipment, avoiding the need for multiple dedicated processes for different product variants.
3Reliability
If screen printing with separate process steps for each layer is used, then adhesion under adverse conditions is improved, but productivity decreases due to multiple drying steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the application of multiple layers into a single digital printing operation. Instead of applying each layer separately with intermediate drying steps, the digital print deposits all necessary layers (decorative, conductive, protective) in one continuous pass. This eliminates the time-consuming sequential process while maintaining the adhesion quality required for withstanding thermal and chemical stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital printing process operates continuously without interruption for drying between layers. The print head moves across the substrate in a single continuous motion, depositing all required materials without stopping for thermal drying cycles. This continuous operation significantly increases productivity while the final curing process ensures adequate adhesion under adverse conditions.
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 approach reduces production costs and time by eliminating the need for physical printing forms, achieving high adhesion and resistance to mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses, while enabling complex designs and functionalities such as touch-sensitive sensors and photo-realistic graphics.
Implementation Method 1
a base body made of thermally tempered flat glass
Implementation Method 2
utilizing digital printing methods like inkjet printing that eliminates the need for physical printing forms, and optionally combining with screen printing on the front for additional features, allowing for efficient application of organic and inorganic materials with enhanced adhesion and resistance properties
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a decorative panel made of flat glass for electronic household appliances, in particular stationary large household appliances, which has a base body made of thermally tempered flat glass with an operational front and an operational back and comprises at least one digital print on the operational back.