Lattice Heating Unit for Uniform Sealant Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sealant curing methods, particularly for large area flat panel displays, face challenges in achieving uniform curing due to increased sealant region size, leading to inefficiencies and longer processing times, especially with laser irradiation.
Innovation Solution
A sealant curing apparatus featuring a processing object panel with a conductive layer pattern including a heating unit in a lattice pattern, coupled electrodes with different polarities, and a controller to manage electrode movement and distance, generating Joule heat for simultaneous and uniform curing of sealants between substrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser irradiation is used for sealant curing, then curing can be achieved, but uniform curing becomes difficult and processing time increases for large area panels
Solution Approach 1:
The heating unit is designed with a lattice pattern that divides the heating function into multiple distributed heating zones across the panel surface. This segmentation allows simultaneous heating of multiple sealant regions, achieving uniform curing across large areas while reducing processing time compared to sequential laser irradiation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the laser irradiation system with an electrical heating system. The heating unit uses electrical current to generate heat through resistive heating, providing more uniform and controllable thermal distribution across the sealant area compared to focused laser beams, thereby improving curing uniformity and reducing processing time
2Area of stationary object
If sealant region size increases for large area displays, then display area increases, but curing uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice pattern heating unit divides the large sealant region into multiple smaller heating zones distributed across the entire display area. Each zone independently heats its corresponding sealant region, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and curing uniformity even as the overall display area increases
Solution Approach 2:
The heating unit provides localized heating control at different positions across the panel. The lattice pattern allows each region to receive appropriate heating intensity tailored to its specific requirements, maintaining curing uniformity across the entire large area display regardless of position
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
Enables efficient and uniform curing of sealants over large areas in a shorter time, improving manufacturing efficiency by ensuring consistent sealant bonding between substrates.
Implementation Method 1
A sealant curing apparatus featuring a processing object panel with a conductive layer pattern including a heating unit in a lattice pattern, coupled electrodes with different polarities, and a controller to manage electrode movement and distance, generating Joule heat for simultaneous and uniform curing of sealants between substrates
Data Source
AI summary
A sealant curing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a processing object panel, a panel supporting unit supporting the processing object panel and a voltage applying unit including a first electrode and a second electrode positioned on the panel supporting unit via the processing object panel interposed therebetween and having different polarities. The processing object panel includes: i) a conductive layer pattern including a heating unit that includes a lattice (grid) pattern, a connecting unit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode, and a coupling unit connecting the heating unit and the connecting unit and ii) a sealant formed according to the heating unit.