UV-Curable Ink Composition for Display Bezel Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming bezel patterns on display substrates, such as photolithography and screen printing, result in high production costs, complex processes, and issues like short-circuiting and appearance quality deterioration due to large step differences and film peeling, especially when using transparent conductive films and adhesive materials.
Innovation Solution
A UV-curable ink composition comprising a colorant, epoxy resin, oxetane resin, photopolymerization initiator, and surfactant with a polar functional group, with a specific ratio of epoxy to oxetane resin, is used to form a bezel pattern with a small taper angle and thin film thickness, improving adhesion and coatability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If screen printing method is used to form bezel pattern, then the pattern can be formed on substrate, but the thickness of formed pattern is increased to several tens of μm due to high viscosity of composition, causing step difference between pattern formation part and pattern non-formation part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific resins (epoxy resin with epoxy group, oxetane resin with oxetane group) and photopolymerization initiators. This allows the ink to have low viscosity in uncured state for thin pattern formation, then transforms to high viscosity/crosslinked state after UV curing for mechanical strength, resolving the contradiction between pattern thickness control and manufacturing ease
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite ink system combining multiple components: epoxy resin, oxetane resin, photopolymerization initiator, and surfactant. This composite formulation enables the ink to exhibit dual characteristics - fluidity for coating and adhesion after curing - thereby achieving both thin pattern thickness and good manufacturability
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple recoating is performed to obtain proper optical density for white or gold color bezel part, then the color quality is improved, but the step difference between pattern formation part and pattern non-formation part is further increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical properties by incorporating colorants and optimizing the resin composition to achieve proper optical density in a single coating. The UV-curable system allows for precise control of film thickness and curing degree, enabling adequate optical density without multiple recoatings that would increase step difference
3Manufacturing precision
If bezel pattern is formed with large step difference and taper angle, then the pattern can be formed on internal side surface of display device, but the transparent conductive film becomes discontinuously coated or short-circuited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface properties by incorporating surfactants with polar functional groups in the ink composition. This modifies the surface energy and wetting characteristics, enabling the ink to form patterns with smaller taper angles that allow continuous coating of transparent conductive films without short-circuiting
4Manufacturing precision
If film is attached to surface with large step difference, then the bezel pattern can be formed, but the film is partially peeled off at the step difference site due to restoring force being larger than adhesive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition to include epoxy resin and oxetane resin that provide excellent adhesion to various substrates. The UV-curing process creates a crosslinked network structure that enhances bonding strength, enabling the film to adhere properly even on surfaces with minimal step differences
Solution Approach 2:
The composite ink system combines epoxy resin, oxetane resin, and surfactants to achieve both good adhesion to substrate and controlled surface properties. This composite formulation ensures that the cured pattern provides sufficient bonding strength to prevent film peeling while maintaining the required surface characteristics
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 method produces a bezel pattern with improved adhesion to both the substrate and upper base materials, reducing short-circuiting and appearance quality issues, while maintaining excellent coatability and attaching force.
Implementation Method 1
UV-curable ink composition comprising a colorant, an epoxy resin, an oxetane resin, a photopolymerization initiator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a UV-curable ink composition, a method for producing a bezel pattern of a display substrate using same, and a bezel pattern produced thereby, the UV-curable ink composition comprising a colorant, an epoxy resin, an oxetane resin, a photopolymerization initiator, and a surfactant comprising a polar functional group, wherein the content ratio of the epoxy resin to the oxetane resin is 1:0.5-1:6.