WO2005059635A1

WO2005059635A1 - Logo printing structure and printing method for lcd window

Info

Publication number: WO2005059635A1
Application number: PCT/KR2004/000945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jong Sun Bae
Original assignee: Ekolite Co. Ltd.
Priority date: 2003-12-19
Filing date: 2004-04-23
Publication date: 2005-06-30
Also published as: KR100445291B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a logo printing structure for LCD windows and a printing method thereof. The LCD window structure includes a logo display layer for providing a predetermined logo to an upper surface of the LCD window; a shield layer printed to a rear surface of the LCD window for preventing the transmission of light through all areas except for an area of a display window for LCD display and an area of a reverse logo of a transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than a size of the logo by a predetermined amount; and a diffusing layer for printing a color of the reverse logo to a semitransparent color.

Description

LOGO PRINTING STRUCTURE AND PRINTING METHOD FOR LCD WINDOW

Technical Field The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) window, and more particularly, to an LCD window structure and a manufacturing method thereof that allows for the display of various logos on the LCD window in a three-dimensional format using a light source of the LCD such that a more attractive exterior may be realized for a variety of electronic products including cell phones and for audio systems.

Background Art Personal convenience is being enhanced by the many recent developments in electronic products for personal use. In particular, as a result of supply and demand forces, electronic products such as cell phones have undergone repeated development in the functions that are offered as well as in design. The design of cell phones has become an essential aspect of development for every company in order to attract customers and maintain a competitive lead. Rather than making a purchasing decision based on the functions offered by a cell phone or its durability, consumers are increasingly basing their decision to purchase a cell phone on the design of the same. In overseas market for Korean cell phones that are the top exporters, the design of these products is also an important factor determining competitiveness. An LCD window of a cell phone displays each function and different states of the cell phone to the user. The LCD window is one of the most important aspects of design in determining the external appearance of the cell phone. Nevertheless, LCD windows used today have not kept up with the speed of developments in the overall design of the cell phone, and provide for only a two-dimensional display format . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an LCD for a conventional cell phone. As shown in FIG. 1, a window 101 mounted on an LCD 103 is made of an acrylic material. The window 101 includes a side printing surface 105 of an opaque color and having a design, and a predetermined logo 109 is printed on a specific area of the side printing surface 105. The logo 109 is formed by printing a characters or an emblem to advertise a company or product. If desired, light emitting diodes (LEDs) may be mounted under the window 101 on which the logo 109 is printed such that the LEDs act as light sources to enable the clear display of the logo 109. Electroluminescent (EL) lamps may also be used as the light source. The window 101 is made of a raw material that has undergone a hard coating treatment and has a light transmission rate of a predetermined value so that light emitted from the LCD 103 is passed therethrough without being refracted. The hard coating treatment ensures that the LCD 103 mounted to a rear surface of the window 101 is protected from external shocks. 'In addition, the side printing surface 105 makes the window 101 visually attractive and allows the LCD 103 to be framed in a predetermined design. The display of the logo 109 through the LEDs enables the two-dimensional window 101 to realize a visual effect of a dynamic, raised image. However, in the LCD window 101 for conventional cell phones described above, by providing a panel of a transparent acrylic material corresponding to the shape of the LCD 103 and providing the side printing surface 105 and the logo 109 of a plurality of colors on the panel, the window 101 maintains a two-dimensional, planar appearance such that the overall external appearance of the cell phone is only minimally enhanced. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome the problems associated with the continuous development of cell phones, and the external appearance and related limitations of the cell phone.

Disclosure of Invention The present invention has been made in an effort to overcome the above problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a logo printing structure for LCD windows and a printing method thereof that allows for the display of various logos and graphic designs for an LCD window in a three-dimensional format to thereby improve the overall external appearance of electronic products such as cell phones. To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an LCD window structure for printing a logo on an LCD window made of a transparent acrylic material and used for personal and office products. The LCD window structure includes a logo display layer for providing a predetermined logo to an upper surface of the LCD window; a shield layer printed to a rear surface of the LCD window for preventing the transmission rate of light through all areas except for an area of a display window for LCD display and an area of a reverse logo of a transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than a size of the logo by a predetermined amount; and a diffusing layer for printing a color of the reverse logo to a semitransparent color. The LCD window is an LCD protection window for a mobile communication terminal. The LCD window structure further includes a deposition layer between the LCD window and the shield layer, and formed by vacuum deposition using a metal compound. The Vacuum deposition is chrome deposition or aluminum deposition. The reverse logo is increased to a size approximately 0.2mm greater than a size of the logo. The semitransparent color of the diffusing layer is a color manufactured including diffusing ink. The shield layer includes a white first shield layer, a black second shield layer, and a white third shield layer; or includes a gray first shield layer and a black second shield layer; or is a single layer having a silver colors, a chrome colors or a black colors. The logo display layer is printed using hologram ink, or the logo is attached using hologram film. The logo printing method for an LCD window includes (a) printing a logo of a predetermined shape on an upper surface of an acrylic material corresponding to the LCD window; (b) printing a shield layer to the rear surface of the acrylic material for preventing the transmission rate of light and at all areas except for an area of a display window for LCD display and an area of a reverse logo of a transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than a size of the logo by a predetermined amount; (c) printing a diffusing layer for printing a color of the reverse logo as a semitransparent color; and (d) performing ultraviolet ray coating of an entire surface of the acrylic material.

Brief Description of Drawings Further objects and advantages of the invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view used to describe an LCD window structure for a conventional cell phone. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view used to describe a logo printing structure for an LCD window according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the LCD window of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a flow chart used to describe a logo printing method for an LCD window according to the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an LCD window logo of the present invention in a state being used.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view used to describe a logo printing structure for an LCD window according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the logo printing structure includes a transparent panel 201 of an acrylic raw material; a logo display layer 205 made of a transparent material for displaying a predetermined logo 217; a deposition layer 207 for realizing a display window 203 for LCD display to a rear surface of the transparent panel 201, and that is chrome deposited or aluminum deposited to all areas except the display window 203 and an area of a reverse logo 219 that has a reverse form with respect to the logo 217; a shield layer 223 provided to the rear of the deposition layer 207 and for blocking light at all areas except the display window 203 and the area of the reverse logo 219 that has a reverse form with respect to the logo 217; and a diffusing layer 215 provided to the rear of the shield layer 223, and for providing color to the reverse logo 219 and dispersing corresponding colors. The shield layer 223 may be realized using a single printing film having a silver color, a chrome colors or black, or may be formed of overlapping gray and black printing films. In the present invention, in order to increase reflecting efficiency, the shield layer 223 includes a first shield layer 209 having a white printing film, a second shield layer 211 having a black printing film, and a third shield layer 213 having a white printing film. Preferably, background color printing for the shield layer 223 is performed using silk screen printing, which utilizes a solvent ink, for improving the light blocking effect. Further, the reverse logo 219 is enlarged to a size that is approximately 0.2mm greater than a size of the logo 217. It is also possible for there to be a one- to-one correspondence between the sizes of the reverse logo 219 and the logo 217. Although there is a small reduction in the display effect in this case, this is not a departure from the gist of the present invention. The logo 217, which is provided through the logo display layer 205, is realized using hologram film that is adhered to the logo display layer 205 or using hologram ink that is printed on the logo display layer 205. As a result, a three-dimensional effect of the logo 217 is increased. The acrylic raw material is an acrylic flat panel in a predetermined shape and made of a common acrylic material such as polycarbonate, acrylic, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) , etc. In the case where the LCD window 210 is used for a cell phone, a hard coating process to a thickness of 0.5mm~0.8mm is performed, and a thickness of the acrylic material may be varied depending on its use for a household electric appliance, personal electronic product, office electronic product, or communications product. The acrylic material is able to withstand temperatures of between -40^°C and 135^°C without undergoing deformation, is able to provide a light transmission rate of between 85% and 91%, and is able to undergo silk screen printing. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the LCD window of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a flow chart used to describe a logo printing method for an LCD window according to the present invention. First, in step S401, films are manufactured for each layer corresponding to the above flat panels according to a plurality of individual tentative plans in order to manufacture a plurality of LCD windows using flat panel acrylic material such as transparent polycarbonate, ABS resin, acrylic resin, etc. The films for each layer include a film used for silk screen manufacture for printing the logo 217, and at least one film for printing a light blocking color corresponding to the shield layer 223. The chrome deposition or aluminum deposition is performed to a background color of the LCD window 201. Each of the films corresponding to the shield layer 223 is realized through a film used for silk screen printing to block light at all areas except an area corresponding to the display window 203 of the LCD window 201 and an area of the reverse logo 219 formed at a position corresponding to the logo 217. The films include a first film for printing the white first shield layer 209, a second film for printing the black second shield layer 211, and a third film for printing the white third shield layer 213. The shield layer 223 may be made of a single layer having a silver colors, chrome colors or black colors, or may be made of a double layer of white and black colors. Next, the flat panels made of acrylic material are mounted on a silk screen jig used for printing a large number of LCD windows 201 to thereby minimize errors. Subsequently, in step S403, manufacture of each of the panels is performed through the films for each layer. That is, with reference to FIG. 3, the process of panel manufacture is performed for printing the logo 217 on the upper surface of the LCD window 210 and printing the shield layer 223 to the rear surface of the LCD window 201. The process of panel manufacture uses a polyester mesh, nylon mesh, or SUS (Steel Use Stainless) mesh of 300 ~ 350 meshes or more to increase a precision of the printing logo. After depositing an emulsion on the mesh, drying is performed. The film is placed on the dried mesh and ultraviolet (UV) rays are irradiated thereon to thereby remove a graphic shape corresponding to the graphic or logo for each layer. For each screen manufactured in this manner, film removal is performed by spraying water at a high pressure using a spray gun. Accordingly, graphics formed for each layer are generated in a reverse form for each screen. In step S405, chrome deposition or aluminum deposition is performed according to a design corresponding to the deposition layer 207 to the rear surface of the LCD window 201. Since chrome deposition or aluminum deposition is used to perform a light blocking function and for a background color of the LCD window 201, it is necessary to select the type and method of deposition according to home or office product that the LCD window 201 is used for. Further, depending on how the LCD window 201 is used, it is possible to make the deposition layer 207 into a shield layer of a predetermined color. Chrome deposition is performed for 10-20 minutes at 70^°C~100^°C for the LCD window 201 of the present invention, and these deposition conditions may be varied according to the thickness and material quality of the LCD window 201. Subsequently, silk screen printing is performed according to the panel manufacturing operation. That is, in step S407, after a film corresponding to the logo display layer 205 is provided on an upper surface of the LCD window 201, the logo 217 is printed corresponding to the film design. Through this process, the logo 217 is printed on the upper surface of the LCD window 201 as shown in FIG. 3. Further, after a film corresponding to the shield layer 223 is provided on top of the chrome- deposited or aluminum deposited deposition layer 207, each color is printed. Here, the logo that is printed in reverse by the shield layer 223, that is, the reverse logo 219 is provided at a position corresponding to the logo 217 and is enlarged to a size that is approximately 0.2mm greater than the size of the logo 217 such that there is a gap (a) between the logo 217 and the reverse logo 219. The reverse logo 219 has the same shape and size regardless of the specific layer of the shield layer 223. Accordingly, in step S409, silk printing corresponding to the first shield layer 209 is performed, and the reverse logo 219 excluding the area corresponding to the display window 203 in the first shield layer 209 is not printed to allow for the passage of light therethrough. Preferably, the first shield layer 209 for blocking light undergoes white printing. Next, in step S411, printing is performed corresponding to the second shield layer 211 through the same processes used in step S409. Preferably, the second shield layer 211 undergoes black printing. Step S413 is then performed in which printing is performed corresponding to the third shield layer 213 using the same processes used to form the first shield layer 209. Preferably, the third shield layer 213 undergoes white printing. As described earlier, the shield layer 223 may be formed of a single layer having a silver colors or white colors, or may be formed of a double printing layer of white and black colors. Next, in step S415, a semitransparent color of the reverse logo 219 is provided, and the diffusing layer 215 for diffusing the color of the reverse logo 219 is printed. The diffusing layer 215 uses diffusing ink to diffuse light. In step S417, a UV coating process is performed. The UV coating process involves providing scratch resistance to a surface of the LCD window 201 in such a manner that colors of the logo 217, background colors, and diffusing colors provided on the LCD window 201 are not altered. A plurality of LCD windows are provided as acrylic flat panels through the above printing and coating processes. In step S419, a CNC lathe is used to cut the plurality of LCD windows . In the LCD window structure described above, when lighting is performed by a pilot lamp of a home or office product, the emitted light is irradiated to the diffusing layer 215 and the shield layer 223 from under the LCD window 201. Accordingly, the reverse logo 219 illuminates to a corresponding color by the semitransparent color diffusing layer 215, and part of the light passes through the reverse logo 219 of the at least one shield layer 223 to be irradiated to the LCD window 201. Part of the light irradiated to the LCD window 201 is reflected by the logo 217 of an opaque color. This process is repeated such that part of the light undergoes diffused reflection between the logo 217 and the diffusing layer 215. As a result, with reference to FIG. 5, a brightness of the reverse logo 219 is increased, and the contrast with the logo 217 is increased such that the logo 217 appears (by way of an optical illusion) as a three-dimensional logo 501 that is protruded by a predetermined amount.

Industrial Applicability In the LCD window structure and method for manufacturing the same of the present invention described above, by including the logo printed on the upper surface of the LCD window, the at least one shield layer on which the reverse logo is printed corresponding to the position of the ^• logo, and the diffusing layer that provides a semitransparent color to the reverse logo and diffuses the color of the reverse logo by a predetermined light, when lighting using an LED that irradiates light from under the diffusing layer, a halo effect is improved by the increase in the brightness of the reverse logo such that the logo printed on the upper surface of the LCD window appears to be protruded in a three-dimensional configuration by the optical illusion realized by this structure. Therefore, the attractiveness of the LCD panel used in electronic products is improved and the appearance of any design is visually enhanced. While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is: 1. An LCD window structure for printing a logo on an LCD window made of a transparent acrylic material and used for personal and office products, the LCD window structure comprising: a logo display layer for providing a predetermined logo to an upper surface of the LCD window; a shield layer printed to a rear surface of the LCD window for preventing the transmission rate of light through all areas except for an area of a display window for LCD display and an area of a reverse logo of a transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than a size of the logo by a predetermined amount; and a diffusing layer for printing a color of the reverse logo to a semitransparent color.

2. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the LCD window is an LCD protection window for a mobile communication terminal.

3. The LCD window structure of claim 1, further comprising a deposition layer between the LCD window and the shield layer, and formed by vacuum deposition using a metal compound.

4. The LCD window structure of claim 3, wherein vacuum deposition is chrome deposition or aluminum deposition.

5. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the reverse logo is increased to a size approximately 0.2mm greater than a size of the logo, and has a permissible error of 0.2mm.

6. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the semitransparent color of the diffusing layer is a color manufactured including diffusing ink.

7. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the shield layer includes a white first shield layer, a black second shield layer, and a white third shield layer.

8. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the shield layer includes a gray first shield layer and a black second shield layer.

9. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the shield layer is a single layer having a silver colors, a chrome colors or black colors .

10. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the acrylic material is one of polycarbonate, acrylic, and ABS, and maintains a light transmission rate of between 85% and 91%.

11. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the logo display layer is printed using hologram ink.

12. The LCD window structure of claim 1, wherein the logo display layer attaches the logo using hologram film.

13. A logo printing method for an LCD window used in personal and office products, comprising the steps of: (a) displaying a logo of a predetermined shape on an upper surface of an acrylic material corresponding to the LCD window; (b) printing a shield layer to the rear surface of the acrylic material for preventing the transmission of light and at all areas except for an area of a display window for LCD display and an area of a reverse logo of a transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than a size of the logo by a predetermined amount; (c) printing a diffusing layer for printing a color of the reverse logo as a semitransparent color; and (d) performing ultraviolet ray coating of an entire surface of the acrylic material.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising (a-1) performing vacuum deposition using a metal compound following step (a) to provide a background color of the LCD window and prevent the passage of light at all areas except for the area of the display window for LCD display and the area of the reverse logo of the transparent color that is positioned opposing the logo and formed to a size that is larger than the size of the logo by a predetermined amount .

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the vacuum deposition is chrome deposition or aluminum deposition.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the reverse logo is increased to a size approximately 0.2mm greater than a size of the logo, and has a permissible error of 0.2mm.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the semitransparent color of the diffusing layer is a color manufactured including diffusing ink.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises (b-1) printing a white first shield layer, (b-2) printing a black second shield layer, and (b-3) printing a white third shield layer.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises (bb-1) printing a gray first shield layer, and (bb-2) printing a black second shield layer.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein step (b) comprises printing a single layer having a silver colors, a chrome colors or black colors.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the logo displaying process prints the logo using hologram ink.

22. The method of claim 13, wherein the logo displaying process attaches the logo using hologram film.