Meniscus Pillar Coating Apparatus Suction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coating methods face challenges in precisely forming a coating film on targets with the meniscus coating method, particularly in efficiently removing excess coating material at the application end point, leading to increased film thickness and complexity in the application head structure.
Innovation Solution
A coating apparatus with an application head, moving devices, a feeding device, and a suction device that forms a meniscus pillar between the application head and the target, allowing for precise control of the meniscus pillar formation and removal through controlled movement and suction, eliminating the need for additional steps to remove excess coating material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the meniscus coating method is used to apply coating material to the target, then the coating material can be coated in a film form on the coating surface, but excess coating material accumulates at the application end point causing increased film thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device extracts the excess coating material from the meniscus pillar at the application end point. By removing the harmful accumulation of coating material through suction, the film thickness uniformity is improved while preventing waste of coating material
Solution Approach 2:
The suction device acts as an intermediary between the meniscus pillar and the target surface. It mediates the excess coating material by selectively removing it from the meniscus pillar, thereby preventing direct transfer of excess material to the target and achieving uniform coating thickness
2Manufacturing precision
If additional mechanisms are added to remove excess coating material, then the coating precision can be improved, but the application head structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The suction device is integrated with the application head structure, merging the coating application function and the excess material removal function into a single unified device. This combination achieves precise coating control without requiring separate complex removal mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The application head is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the coating material application device and as the platform for the suction device that removes excess material. This universal design simplifies the overall structure while maintaining coating precision
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 precise coating film formation with reduced film thickness at the application end point and simplifies the application head structure, enhancing maintainability and reducing the need for complex removal mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the suction device is configured to suck the coating material. A distance between the application head and the coating surface is made greater than the predetermined distance, and the coating material is sucked from the meniscus pillar by the suction device
Implementation Method 2
there is known a meniscus coating method which is conducted by an action of surface tension of a liquid coating material. In a coating apparatus using this meniscus coating method, a meniscus pillar, which is formed of a coating material, is formed between a coating surface of the target
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a coating apparatus includes an application head, a first moving device, a second moving device, a feeding device, and a suction device. The application head is opposed to a coating surface of a target with a predetermined distance, and forms a meniscus pillar of a coating material between the application head and the coating surface. The first moving device moves the application head. The second moving device moves the application head. The feeding device feeds the coating material between the application head and the coating surface of the target. The suction device sucks the coating material. A distance between the application head and the coating surface is made greater than the predetermined distance, and the coating material is sucked from the meniscus pillar by the suction device.