Solvent Composition for Accurate Printing Patterns

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photolithography methods for liquid crystal display patterning are costly and time-consuming due to the need for patterned masks and light exposure processes, and the selection of an optimal solvent for printing is crucial for accurate pattern formation but has not been adequately addressed, leading to issues with non-uniform application, drying time, viscosity, and substrate interaction.

Innovation Solution

A solvent composition comprising a first solvent (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or methanol) and a second solvent (propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, isopropanol, or butyl acetate) is used, which allows for uniform application, rapid evaporation, and controlled viscosity to ensure accurate pattern transfer without substrate dissolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If photolithography is used for patterning, then pattern formation is achieved, but fabrication cost increases and processing time lengthens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern formation accuracyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the mask and light exposure steps from the conventional photolithography process by adopting a direct printing method. The pattern composition is applied directly through a printing nozzle to form patterns without requiring masks or light irradiation, thereby reducing fabrication cost and processing time while maintaining pattern formation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical system (light exposure and photoresist development) with a direct mechanical printing system. The printing nozzle applies pattern composition material directly onto the substrate to form patterns, substituting the complex optical-mechanical photolithography process with a simpler direct deposition approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a single solvent is used in pattern composition, then application is simplified, but uniformity and drying control become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication simplicityVSAvoidpattern uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite solvent system consisting of multiple solvents with different evaporation rates and properties. This composite solvent formulation allows for better control of wetting, uniformity, and drying characteristics during the printing process, overcoming the limitations of single solvents while maintaining ease of application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the composition ratios and evaporation characteristics of multiple solvents in the pattern composition to achieve controlled drying rates. By adjusting solvent parameters (evaporation rates, viscosity, solubility), the process achieves both uniform pattern formation and manageable application characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If pattern composition is applied too quickly, then productivity increases, but application uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidapplication uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a printing system with dynamically adjustable parameters including printing speed, nozzle-to-substrate distance, and pattern composition flow rate. This dynamic control allows the system to maintain application uniformity while operating at high productivity levels by optimizing the interaction between deposition rate and solvent evaporation rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solvent composition enables uniform application, rapid drying, and controlled viscosity, resulting in precise and accurate pattern formation on liquid crystal display substrates, overcoming the limitations of conventional photolithography and improving the efficiency of the printing process.

Implementation Method 1

when a solvent contained in the pattern composition is not evaporated within a short time, the transfer of the pattern composition is poorly performed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

when the blanket is dissolved in a solvent present in the pattern composition after the application step, swelling of the blanket occurs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8137889B2Solvent for printing, pattern composition for printing comprising the solvent, and patterning method using the composition

Publication Date: 2012.03.20 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a solvent for printing which comprises a first solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methanol and mixtures thereof, and a second solvent selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), propylene glycol monomethyl ether (PGME), isopropanol, butyl acetate, ethyl-3-ethoxypropionate and mixtures thereof. Further disclosed are a pattern composition for printing comprising the solvent for printing, and a patterning method using the composition. The use of the solvent for printing enables formation of an accurate pattern.