Glass-Ceramic Plate Surface Control for Inkjet Print Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass and glass-ceramic plates used in cooking appliances face challenges in achieving high-quality print images, particularly in non-contact printing methods like inkjet printing, due to issues with surface roughness and flatness, which affect print quality and consistency.
Innovation Solution
The plates are designed with a flatness of less than 0.1% of the lateral dimension and a mean surface roughness of less than 0.5 µm with a standard deviation of less than 0.1 µm, featuring coatings on different sub-regions with controlled raggedness, allowing for precise inkjet printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing is used to print on glass or glass ceramic plates, then production flexibility and batch size variability are improved, but print quality and edge sharpness deteriorate due to surface roughness and flatness issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying that only certain regions of the glass or glass ceramic plate need to have improved surface properties (flatness and roughness) where the coating will be applied. The plate may have different surface qualities in different areas, with the coated regions having Rz < 0.5 μm and flatness < 0.1% while other areas can have standard surface characteristics. This allows selective surface treatment to optimize print quality without compromising production flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface parameters of the glass or glass ceramic plate by controlling and optimizing surface roughness (Rz < 0.5 μm) and flatness (< 0.1% of lateral dimension). These parameter changes create optimal conditions for inkjet printing, enabling high print quality while maintaining the flexibility of inkjet printing processes. The controlled surface parameters ensure homogeneous coating application and reduced raggedness.
2Manufacturing precision
If screen printing is used to print on glass or glass ceramic plates, then print quality and edge sharpness are improved, but production flexibility and batch size variability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-treating or selecting glass or glass ceramic plates with specific surface properties (flatness < 0.1% and roughness Rz < 0.5 μm) before the printing process. This preliminary preparation of the substrate ensures that subsequent inkjet printing achieves print quality comparable to screen printing, while retaining the flexibility advantages of inkjet technology for varying batch sizes and designs.
3Manufacturing precision
If the surface roughness of the plate is reduced to improve print quality, then coating homogeneity is improved, but surface strength and resistance to mechanical damage may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface parameters by controlling roughness to Rz < 0.5 μm while maintaining adequate surface strength. This optimized parameter range provides sufficient smoothness for homogeneous coating application and high print quality, while retaining enough mechanical strength for cooking applications. The balance is achieved through precise control of surface treatment parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent may employ composite approaches by combining glass or glass ceramic materials with specific surface treatments or coatings that provide both smooth surfaces for printing and enhanced mechanical strength. The composite structure ensures both coating homogeneity and surface durability are achieved simultaneously.
4Manufacturing precision
If the flatness of the plate is improved to enhance print quality, then coating uniformity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and processing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by requiring high flatness (< 0.1% of lateral dimension) only in the regions where coating will be applied, rather than throughout the entire plate. This localized requirement reduces manufacturing complexity while still achieving the necessary print quality and coating uniformity in the critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flatness parameter to < 0.1% of lateral dimension, which provides optimal conditions for inkjet printing and homogeneous coating application. This parameter change balances print quality requirements with manufacturing feasibility, avoiding excessive flatness requirements that would unduly complicate production while still achieving excellent coating uniformity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates generally to plates comprising glass or glass-ceramic, in particular those which are at least partially covered with a coating, a method for producing such plates and their use.