Printing Roll Blanket Solvent Absorption for LCD Patterning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing printing methods for liquid crystal display (LCD) devices face challenges with solvent absorption by the blanket on the printing roll, leading to deformation and the formation of defective patterns due to swelling, which complicates the patterning process and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A printing device equipped with an absorption nozzle that absorbs solvent from the blanket using vacuum pressure, and optionally an air knife to evaporate remaining solvent, preventing blanket swelling and ensuring precise pattern formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a blanket is used to transfer pattern material in a printing method, then the pattern can be transcribed onto the substrate, but the blanket absorbs solvent from the pattern material causing swelling and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful solvent is extracted from the pattern material through a solvent removal unit positioned between the pattern material application and blanket transfer stages. This prevents the solvent from being absorbed by the blanket, eliminating the swelling and deformation problem while maintaining the beneficial pattern transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent is removed from the pattern material in advance before the blanket comes into contact with it. This preliminary action prevents the solvent absorption issue from occurring in the first place, allowing the blanket to maintain its shape stability throughout the pattern transfer process.
2Quantity of substance
If the blanket swells due to solvent absorption, then the pattern material may contact the printing plate within groove patterns, but this results in defective pattern formation
Solution Approach 1:
The solvent is extracted from the pattern material before it contacts the blanket, preventing blanket swelling that would cause pattern material to improperly contact the printing plate within groove patterns. This ensures only the intended pattern areas receive material transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent removal unit performs a preliminary anti-action by removing the harmful solvent before it can cause the blanket to swell and deform. This prevents the sequence of events leading to defective pattern formation, including improper material contact within groove patterns.
3Manufacturing precision
If photolithography is used to pattern components, then precise patterns can be formed, but the manufacturing process becomes complicated with exposure and development steps
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful solvent is extracted from the pattern material before blanket contact, preventing swelling and deformation. This enables the printing method to achieve pattern precision comparable to photolithography while maintaining the simplicity of the printing process without exposure and development steps.
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 solution prevents blanket swelling, reduces the formation of defective patterns, and enhances the absorption efficiency, leading to lower manufacturing costs and simpler processes for producing LCD devices.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption nozzle that absorbs solvent from the blanket using vacuum pressure
Implementation Method 2
an air knife to evaporate remaining solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device, a patterning method using the same and a method of fabricating an LCD device using the same are disclosed. The printing device includes a printing roll having a blanket adhered to an outer surface thereof; and an absorption nozzle to absorb solvent from the blanket. The absorption nozzle may include an absorber having a slit, a vacuum controller connected to the absorber, and a pipe connected to the vacuum controller.