An aerosol jet print head and aerosol jet printing apparatus
By introducing a design in the aerosol jet printhead with an adjustable angle for the fusion of multi-path sheath airflow and aerosol, the problem of poor universality of traditional printheads is solved, enabling printing requirements with varying line widths and improving printing accuracy and flexibility.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BEIJING DREAM INK TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Traditional aerosol jet printheads cannot meet the printing needs of varying line widths and have poor versatility.
Design an aerosol jet printhead comprising one aerosol air path and multiple sheath air path paths, each with a different angle of mixing between the sheath air path and the aerosol. Adjustment of various print line widths can be achieved by controlling a valve block.
It improves the versatility of the printhead, enabling it to meet the printing needs of varying line widths and enhancing printing accuracy and flexibility.
Smart Images
Figure CN115502421B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of additive manufacturing technology, and particularly relates to an aerosol jet printhead and an aerosol jet printing device. Background Technology
[0002] Aerosol jetting 3D printing is a cutting-edge 3D printing technology that atomizes nanoscale metal materials and their slurries into aerosols and deposits them onto the surface of a printing wound through 3D printing, stacking them layer by layer to form micro- and nano-scale components. Aerosol jetting technology can print integrated electronic devices on plastics, metals, ceramics, and flexible materials with extremely high precision and flexibility. Therefore, this technology can be applied to the fabrication of jettable printed circuit boards and other micro / nano electronic devices, such as micro / nano antennas, transistors, capacitors, flexible sensors, microprocessors, and implantable biological systems.
[0003] Aerosol jet 3D printing technology generally involves the following processes. First, metallic ink is atomized in an atomizing device, becoming an aerosol. Under the action of a high-pressure airflow, it is transported to the print head via a gas delivery pipeline. Finally, under the rectification effect of the sheath airflow, a more refined printed line is output. However, the fusion angle between the traditional sheath airflow and the aerosol airflow is fixed, so the print head can only output printed lines with a single linewidth accuracy, which cannot meet the printing requirements of varying linewidths. Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of this, one object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol jet printhead to solve the problem of poor universality of printheads in the prior art.
[0005] In some illustrative embodiments, the aerosol jet printhead includes: a jet gas path for outputting aerosol for printing; at least two independent annular gas paths arranged around the jet gas path for outputting sheath gas flow and merging the sheath gas flow with the aerosol output by the jet gas path at an acute angle to adjust the printing parameters of the output aerosol; wherein the merging angle between each annular gas path and the jet gas path is different.
[0006] In some optional embodiments, the aerosol jet printhead further includes: a sheath chamber communicating with each of the annular gas paths for providing sheath gas flow to the annular gas paths; and a control valve disposed between the sheath chamber and each of the annular gas paths for controlling the opening and closing state between the sheath chamber and each of the annular gas paths.
[0007] In some alternative embodiments, all the air inlets of the annular air passages communicating with the sheath chamber are located on the same horizontal plane; the air inlets of each annular air passage are at different distances from the center of the annulus and are staggered from each other in the radial direction; the control valve is a rotating valve block, which has a through hole in the vertical direction that cooperates with the air inlet of the annular air passage, and is configured to allow one of the annular air passages to communicate with the sheath chamber at the same time, while the others are closed.
[0008] In some alternative embodiments, each of the annular air passages has an annularly spaced air inlet.
[0009] In some alternative embodiments, a buffer chamber is formed inside the sheath chamber for providing buffered aerosol to the annular gas path.
[0010] In some alternative embodiments, a meandering air passage is also formed inside the sheath chamber, located between the buffer chamber and the annular air passage.
[0011] In some alternative embodiments, the fusion angle of the outer annular air path in the at least two independent annular air paths is greater than the fusion angle of the inner annular air path.
[0012] In some alternative embodiments, the fusion angle ranges from 0° to 45°.
[0013] In some alternative embodiments, the jet path has a cone-shaped jet nozzle for beam configuration.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol jet printing device to solve the problems in the prior art.
[0015] In some illustrative embodiments, the aerosol jet printing apparatus includes an aerosol jet printhead as described in any of the preceding embodiments.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:
[0017] In this embodiment of the invention, the aerosol jet printhead has one aerosol air path and multiple sheath air path paths. The fusion angle between each sheath air path and the aerosol is different, thus meeting the adjustment requirements for the printed line width and improving the versatility of the printhead. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a structural example of the aerosol jet printhead in the embodiments of the present invention;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a second example of the structure of the aerosol jet printhead in this embodiment of the invention;
[0020] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the engagement of the rotating valve block in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0021] The following description and accompanying drawings fully illustrate specific embodiments of the invention to enable those skilled in the art to practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, procedural, and other changes. The embodiments represent only possible variations. Individual components and functions are optional unless explicitly required, and the order of operation may vary. Some portions and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace portions and features of other embodiments. The scope of embodiments of the invention includes the entire scope of the claims and all available equivalents thereof. In this document, these embodiments of the invention may be referred to individually or collectively with the term "invention," which is merely for convenience and is not intended to automatically limit the scope of the application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one invention is disclosed.
[0022] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the various technical features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other.
[0023] This invention discloses an aerosol jet printhead, specifically, as shown in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1-3 As shown, Figure 1 This is a structural example of the aerosol jet printhead in the embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a second example of the structure of the aerosol jet printhead in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the engagement of the rotating valve block in an embodiment of the present invention; the aerosol jet printhead includes:
[0024] The jet air passage 100 is used to output printing aerosol; and at least two independent annular air passages 200 arranged around the jet air passage 100 are used to output rectified sheath airflow.
[0025] The sheath airflow output from each annular air passage 200 merges with the aerosol output from the jet air passage 100 at an acute angle (i.e., the merging angle can be between 0° and 90°), and the merging angle between each annular air passage 200 and the jet air passage 100 is different, thereby adjusting the printing parameters of the output aerosol. Among them, the printing parameters include at least the linewidth of the output aerosol (i.e., the diameter of the output aerosol).
[0026] Preferably, the fusion angle range can be between 0° and 45°, thereby avoiding the generation of eddies at the fusion position of aerosol and sheath airflow due to excessively large angles, which would affect the printing quality.
[0027] Specifically, the at least two annular air passages 200 arranged around the outside of the injection air passage 100 can adopt a layered ring structure, that is, with Figure 1Taking the three-way annular air passage as an example, from the inside to the outside, they are the inner annular air passage 210, the middle annular air passage 220 and the outer annular air passage 230. The inner annular air passage 210 is directly arranged around the outside of the injection air passage 100, the middle annular air passage 220 is arranged around the outside of the inner annular air passage 210, and the outer annular air passage 230 is arranged around the outside of the middle annular air passage 220.
[0028] For example, the injection air path 100 is formed by a hollow injection pipe 1, which has an inlet 11 and an outlet 12. At least two annular air paths 200 are formed in an annular sheath seat 2, which are independent of each other, and each annular air path 200 has an inlet 21 and an outlet 22. The annular sheath seat 2 is sleeved on the injection pipe 1, and the outlet 22 of each annular air path 200 extends to the injection path outside the outlet 12 of the injection pipe 1, thereby realizing the rectification effect of the sheath airflow on the aerosol. At the same time, the outlet 22 of the annular air path 200 that is closer to the injection air path 100 is closer to the outlet 12 of the injection pipe 1, and conversely, the outlet 22 of the annular air path 200 that is farther away from the injection air path 100 is farther away from the outlet 12 of the injection pipe 1.
[0029] In some embodiments, the fusion angle of the outermost annular air passage in the at least two independent annular air passages is greater than the fusion angle of the innermost annular air passage.
[0030] In some embodiments, the jet path has a conical nozzle for beam-shaped jetting, thereby limiting the linewidth of the aerosol output from the jet path to a certain value, which is then further rectified and adjusted by the sheath gas flow.
[0031] In this embodiment of the invention, the aerosol jet printhead has one aerosol air path and multiple sheath air path paths. The fusion angle between each sheath air path and the aerosol is different, thus meeting the adjustment requirements for the printed line width and improving the versatility of the printhead.
[0032] In some embodiments, the air inlet of each annular air passage 200 can be connected to a sheath gas device via a conduit, and the conduit or sheath gas device has a control valve for controlling the opening or closing of the annular air passage. Therefore, in use, the sheath gas flow in one of the annular air passages, providing a corresponding blending angle, can be controlled individually.
[0033] In other embodiments, the aerosol jet printhead of the present invention may further include: a sheath chamber 4 communicating with each annular air passage 200 (i.e., the sheath chamber 4 communicating with the air inlet 21 of each annular air passage 200 and having an air inlet 41), for providing sheath airflow to the annular air passage 200; in addition, it may further include: a control valve 3 disposed between the sheath chamber 4 and each annular air passage 200, for controlling the opening and closing state (i.e., conducting or closing state) between the sheath chamber 4 and each annular air passage 200. Preferably, the control valve 3 may be an electronic control valve.
[0034] Preferably, the control valve 3 can be a rotary valve block; specifically, all the air inlets of the annular air passages 200 that communicate with the sheath chamber 4 are located on the same horizontal plane (e.g., the upper surface of the annular sheath seat 2), and the air inlets of each annular air passage are at different distances from the center of the annulus and are staggered from each other in the radial direction (i.e., not on the same radial extension line). The rotary valve block 3 has a through hole 31 in the vertical direction that matches the air inlet 21 of the annular air passage 200, and is configured to allow one of the annular air passages to communicate with the sheath chamber at the same time, while the others are closed. That is, the rotary valve block 3 has a through hole 31 corresponding to the shape of each air inlet 21, and only when the rotary valve block 3 rotates to the point where the air inlet 21 and its corresponding through hole 31 are connected, is the sheath chamber 4 connected to the annular air passage 200 corresponding to that air inlet 21 connected, while the other air inlets 21 are necessarily blocked and closed by the rotary valve block 3.
[0035] For example, the rotary valve block 3 can be sleeved on the outside of the injection pipe 1 and docked with the upper part of the annular sheath seat 2.
[0036] In addition, the air inlet 21 of each annular air passage 200 can be an annularly spaced air inlet, thereby satisfying the requirement that the air inlets are at different distances from the annular center and are staggered from each other in the radial direction, while ensuring that the input sheath airflow is output through the exhaust port of the annular air passage 200 as evenly as possible.
[0037] In some embodiments of the present invention, a buffer cavity 300 is formed inside the sheath chamber 4 to provide buffered aerosol to the annular gas path 200. That is, the sheath gas flow entering the sheath chamber 4 first passes through the buffer cavity 300 and then exits to the annular gas path 200. In this embodiment, by first buffering the input sheath gas flow, it is possible to avoid the high-pressure gas flow from being unable to smoothly enter the air inlet 21 of the annular gas path 200.
[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, a detour air passage 400 is further formed inside the sheath chamber 4, which may be located between the buffer chamber 300 and the annular air passage 200. That is, the sheath airflow entering the sheath chamber 4 first enters the buffer chamber 300, then enters the detour air passage 400, and finally exits to the annular air passage 200. This embodiment can effectively control the injection state of the sheath airflow by setting the buffer chamber 300 and the detour air passage 400, ensuring that the sheath airflow enters the air inlet 21 of the annular air passage 200 uniformly and stably.
[0039] In some embodiments, an annular sealing ring is provided between the air inlets of each annular air passage 200 to avoid improving the airtightness between the individual air inlets.
[0040] For example, an annular groove is provided at the position between the air inlets of different annular air passages 200 on the annular sheath air seat, and an annular groove is also provided at the corresponding position on the rotating valve block 3, with an annular sealing ring disposed between the two annular grooves.
[0041] Example 1
[0042] The aerosol jet printhead includes: a jetting conduit 1 and an annular sheath gas seat 2 fitted onto the jetting port 12 of the jetting conduit 1. The sheath gas seat 2 has multiple annular gas passages 200 with different fusion angles with the jetting gas passages 100 of the jetting conduit 1. In addition, the jetting conduit 1 has an air inlet 11 located away from the jetting port 12, and each annular gas passage 200 has an air inlet 21 located away from its air outlet 22.
[0043] Example 2
[0044] The aerosol jet printhead includes: a jetting conduit 1 and an annular sheath gas seat 2 fitted onto the jetting port 12 of the jetting conduit 1. The sheath gas seat 2 has multiple annular gas passages 200 with different fusion angles with the jetting gas passages 100 of the jetting conduit 1. Additionally, the jetting conduit 1 has an air inlet 11 located away from the jetting port 12, and each annular gas passage 200 has an air inlet 21 located away from its outlet 22. A rotating valve block 3 is fitted onto the middle of the jetting conduit 1, and the two are locked together. A sheath gas chamber 4 is fitted onto the upper part of the jetting conduit 1, and the two are locked together.
[0045] Example 3
[0046] Compared to Embodiment 2, in Embodiment 3, the sheath chamber 4 is fitted outside the entire injection pipe 1, the rotating valve block 3, and the annular sheath seat 2. Its bottom is open and sealed to the sheath seat 2 by a slip ring 5. The connection / disconnection between the sheath chamber 4 and the rotating valve block 3 is achieved by rotating the annular sheath seat 2. The interior of the sheath chamber 4, together with the rotating valve block 3, forms a buffer chamber 300.
[0047] Example 4
[0048] Compared to Example 3, in Example 4, the internal structure of the sheath chamber 4 is fitted with a rotating valve block 3 to form a buffer chamber 300 and a detour air passage 400.
[0049] Another object of the present invention is to provide an aerosol jet printing device to solve the problems in the prior art.
[0050] The aerosol jet printing device includes an aerosol jet printhead as described in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. Specifically, it may also include:
[0051] The aerosol atomizer is connected to the jet gas path (or jet pipeline);
[0052] Sheath gas generator, connected to an annular gas path (or sheath gas chamber);
[0053] The motion mechanism, connected to the aerosol jet printhead, is used to control the movement and displacement of the aerosol jet printhead.
[0054] Those skilled in the art will also understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability between hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described above are generally described in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in alternative ways for each specific application; however, such implementation decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this disclosure.
Claims
1. An aerosol jet printhead, characterized in that, include: The jet air path is used to output aerosol for printing; At least two independent annular air passages are arranged around the outside of the jet air passage for outputting rectified sheath airflow; In this configuration, the sheath gas flow output from each of the annular gas paths merges with the aerosol output from the jet gas path at an acute angle; the merging angle between each of the annular gas paths and the jet gas path is different, thereby adjusting the linewidth of the output aerosol. The aerosol jet printhead further includes: a sheath chamber communicating with each of the annular gas paths for providing sheath gas flow to the annular gas paths; and a control valve disposed between the sheath chamber and each of the annular gas paths for controlling the opening and closing state between the sheath chamber and each annular gas path. In this configuration, all the air inlets of the annular air passages that communicate with the sheath chamber are located on the same horizontal plane; the air inlets of each annular air passage are at different distances from the center of the annulus and are staggered from each other in the radial direction; the control valve is a rotating valve block with a through hole in the vertical direction that mates with the air inlet of the annular air passage, and the rotating valve block is configured to allow one of the annular air passages to communicate with the sheath chamber at the same time, while the others are closed.
2. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned annular air passages has annularly spaced air inlets.
3. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sheath chamber has a buffer cavity inside, which is used to provide buffered aerosol to the annular gas path.
4. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sheath chamber also has a meandering air passage located between the buffer chamber and the annular air passage.
5. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fusion angle of the outermost annular air path in the at least two independent annular air paths is greater than that of the innermost annular air path.
6. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fusion angle ranges from 0° to 45°.
7. The aerosol jet printhead according to claim 1, characterized in that, The jet path has a cone-shaped jet nozzle for beam-shaped jets.
8. An aerosol jet printing device, characterized in that, Includes the aerosol jet printhead according to any one of claims 1-7.