Electrohydrodynamic printing device and method

Abstract

The disclosed embodiment relates to an electrohydrodynamic printing device and method, the device comprising: a power supply module, an air supply module, a liquid outlet module and a substrate fixing module, the power supply module and the air supply module are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module, the substrate fixing module is connected to a preset potential end, and is used to fix the substrate to be printed; wherein, the air supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of dripping, and the power supply module is used to provide an electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential at the preset potential end; the air supply module and the power supply module work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module be printed to the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics. In the disclosed embodiment, the power supply module and the air supply module jointly provide a printing driving force, that is, the corresponding electric field and air pressure energy are used to jointly drive the liquid outlet module to discharge liquid and print it to the substrate, which improves the driving energy at the nozzle and does not clog the nozzle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of micro-nano processing technology, and in particular to an electrohydrodynamic printing device and method. Background Art

[0002] The inkjet technology in existing printing technology is divided into two types: continuous inkjet and on-demand inkjet. In the printing process of electronic devices and some functional devices, the on-demand inkjet method is mainly used. The traditional on-demand inkjet method usually adopts piezoelectric and hot air bubble, and the working principles of the two are very similar.

[0003] However, the energy of the piezoelectric and hot air bubble drive methods at the nozzle is very limited, and as the nozzle size decreases, the pressure required to produce droplets increases, which easily clogs the nozzle. And because the printing method they use is single-channel printing, the printing efficiency is low and multiple cleanings are required, making the overall application cost high. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems or at least partially solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides an electrohydrodynamic printing device and method.

[0005] The present disclosure provides an electrohydrodynamic printing device, comprising: a power supply module, an air supply module, a liquid outlet module and a substrate fixing module;

[0006] The power supply module and the air supply module are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module, and the substrate fixing module is connected to a preset potential end and is used to fix the substrate to be printed;

[0007] Among them, the air supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of dripping, and the power supply module is used to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset potential end; the air supply module and the power supply module work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module be sprayed onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics.

[0008] Optionally, the liquid outlet module includes one or more pipeline syringes;

[0009] The power supply module and the gas supply module are respectively connected to each of the pipeline syringes.

[0010] Optionally, the liquid outlet module further includes a syringe fixing frame;

[0011] The syringe fixing frame is used for fixing the pipeline syringe.

[0012] Optionally, the air supply module includes an air pressure valve;

[0013] The air pressure valve is connected to the top of the liquid outlet module and is used to provide a corresponding adjustable pressure based on the amount of liquid in the liquid outlet module.

[0014] Optionally, the power supply module includes a power supply control module, a digital-to-analog conversion module, a voltage conversion module and a voltage distributor;

[0015] The power supply control module, the digital-to-analog conversion module, the voltage conversion module and the voltage distributor are connected in sequence, and the voltage distributor is connected to the liquid outlet module;

[0016] Among them, the power supply control module is used to control the on and off and size of the output voltage, the digital-to-analog conversion module is used to convert the output voltage of the digital quantity into the output voltage of the analog quantity, the voltage conversion module is used to convert the output voltage of the analog quantity converted by the digital-to-analog conversion module into a target voltage, and the target voltage is greater than the output voltage, and the voltage distribution module is used to distribute the target voltage to the liquid outlet module.

[0017] Optionally, the voltage conversion module has a built-in sliding resistor;

[0018] The sliding rheostat is used to control the magnitude of the target voltage output by the voltage conversion module by adjusting the resistance value.

[0019] Optionally, the substrate fixing module includes an XYZR axis moving table and a vacuum film suction table;

[0020] The vacuum film suction table is used to fix the substrate by vacuum adsorption, and the XYZR axis moving table is used to control the movement of the vacuum film suction table relative to the liquid outlet module.

[0021] Optionally, the substrate fixing module further includes a driver;

[0022] The XYZR axis moving platform is controlled by the driver to control the vacuum film suction platform to move relative to the liquid outlet module according to a preset trajectory.

[0023] Optionally, the device further includes an image acquisition module and a display module;

[0024] The image acquisition module is used to collect the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect;

[0025] The display module is used to display at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect.

[0026] Optionally, the device further comprises an optical platform and a shock absorbing block;

[0027] The optical platform is used to fix at least the power supply module, the gas supply module, the liquid outlet module and the substrate fixing module;

[0028] The shock absorbing block is arranged on a side of the optical platform away from the substrate fixing module, and the shock absorbing block is used to stabilize the optical platform.

[0029] The present disclosure also provides an electrohydrodynamic printing method, which is implemented by using any of the above-mentioned devices; the method comprises:

[0030] Using the substrate fixing module to fix the substrate to be printed, and connecting the substrate fixing module to a preset potential end;

[0031] The gas supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of dripping; and the power supply module is used to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset electric potential end;

[0032] The gas supply module and the power supply module work together to enable the liquid in the liquid outlet module to be sprayed onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics.

[0033] Optionally, the liquid outlet module includes one or more pipeline syringes; the power supply module includes a voltage distribution module; the method further includes:

[0034] The step of using the power supply module to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module comprises:

[0035] Using the voltage distribution module, the voltage is distributed to the target pipeline syringe.

[0036] Optionally, the substrate fixing module includes an XYZR axis moving table and a vacuum film suction table; in the process of printing the liquid in the liquid outlet module onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics, the method further includes:

[0037] Based on the XYZR axis moving table, the vacuum film suction table is controlled to move relative to the liquid outlet module.

[0038] Optionally, the device further comprises an image acquisition module and a display module; during the process of printing the liquid in the liquid outlet module onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics, the method further comprises:

[0039] Using the image acquisition module to collect the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect;

[0040] The display module is used to display at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect.

[0041] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure has the following advantages:

[0042] The electrohydrodynamic printing device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a power supply module, an air supply module, a liquid outlet module and a substrate fixing module; the power supply module and the air supply module are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module, the substrate fixing module is connected to a preset potential end, and is used to fix the substrate to be printed; wherein, the air supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of about to drip, and the power supply module is used to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential at the preset potential end; the air supply module and the power supply module work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module based on electrohydrodynamics printing to the substrate. wherein, the air supply module provides air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of about to drip; at the same time, the electric charge is provided to the liquid in the liquid outlet module through the power supply module, so that the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential at the preset potential end, so that the electric driving force and the air driving force can be used to work together to make the liquid spray out of the liquid outlet module. Therefore, the power supply module and the air supply module work together, that is, the energy of the electric field and the air pressure are used to drive the liquid outlet module to discharge liquid and print it onto the substrate, thereby increasing the driving energy at the nozzle and preventing the nozzle from being blocked. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0044] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, for ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0045] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a printing device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of another printing device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0047] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another printing device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0048] Figure 4 A schematic flow chart of a printing method provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Among them: 210, power supply module; 220, air supply module; 230, liquid outlet module; 240, base fixing module; 231, pipeline syringe; 232, syringe fixing bracket; 222, air pressure valve; 211, power supply control module, i.e. PC control end; 212, digital-to-analog conversion module; 213, voltage conversion module; 214, voltage distributor; 214, XYZR axis displacement stage; 242, vacuum suction stage; 243, driver; 250, microscope, i.e. image acquisition module; 260, display module, i.e. PC control end; 270, optical platform; 280, shock-absorbing block. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In order to more clearly understand the above-mentioned objectives, features and advantages of the present disclosure, the scheme of the present disclosure will be further described below. It should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0051] In the following description, many specific details are set forth to facilitate a full understanding of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein; it is obvious that the embodiments in the specification are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0052] First, in combination with the relevant background, the defects of the prior art and the improvements of the present technical solution are explained.

[0053] In existing inkjet printing technologies, such as traditional inkjet printing processes, inkjet technologies are mainly divided into two types: continuous inkjet and drop-on-demand inkjet. In the printing process of electronic devices and some functional devices, the drop-on-demand inkjet method is mainly used.

[0054] Traditional on-demand inkjet printing usually uses piezoelectric and hot air bubble printing, and the working principles of the two are very similar. The working principle of the piezoelectric type is that after receiving electrical energy at the nozzle, the nozzle will deform and squeeze out the ink, and the hot air bubble type heats the solution at the nozzle and sprays it out in the form of atomization. However, both have limited driving energy at the nozzle, and the pressure required to produce droplets increases as the nozzle size decreases, which makes it easy to clog the nozzle. The single-channel printing method used has problems such as low efficiency and high process application cost.

[0055] In view of this, the embodiments of the present disclosure propose an electrohydrodynamic printing device and method, which utilize the electrohydrodynamic printing principle to improve the printing drive energy and improve the problem of easy clogging at the nozzle; further, a multi-syringe pipeline is designed to help improve the printing (also called "printing") efficiency; at the same time, since the clogging situation at the nozzle is improved, the device does not need to be cleaned multiple times, which is conducive to the repeated use of the device and has low maintenance and repair costs; at the same time, compared with traditional photolithography processes, compared with patterning processes, the device and its corresponding method do not require too many auxiliary materials and steps, thereby reducing application costs.

[0056] The electrohydrodynamic printing technology is a new technology for preparing micro-nano structures and devices. Compared with micro-nano processing technologies such as photolithography, this electrohydrodynamic printing technology has the advantages of low cost, simple and flexible process and manufacturing process, no need for mask, non-contact with the substrate to reduce wear and scratches on the substrate, and can achieve high-viscosity solution printing. It has a high application in the field of micro-nano processing, for example, it can be used in the preparation of various functional devices such as electronic devices, flexible electronic displays, solar thin-film batteries, biological scaffolds, organic light-emitting diodes, biosensors and 3D printing structures.

[0057] The electrohydrodynamic printing device and method provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0058] For example, Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a printing device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided, wherein the printing device is specifically an automated printing device that atomizes droplets based on electrohydrodynamics and prints the droplets onto a substrate.

[0059] Reference Figure 1 The printing device includes: a power supply module 210, an air supply module 220, a liquid outlet module 230 and a substrate fixing module 240; the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module 230, the substrate fixing module 240 is connected to a preset potential end, and is used to fix the substrate 200 to be printed; wherein, the air supply module 220 is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module 230 is in a state of about to drip, and the power supply module 210 is used to provide an electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset potential end; the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230 be printed to the substrate 200 based on electrohydrodynamics.

[0060] The substrate 200 is a substrate for forming a printing film layer; illustratively, the substrate can be a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate, a flat substrate or a curved substrate, a bare substrate without a circuit structure or a chip with a partial circuit structure, which is not limited here. The formed printing film layer can be a completely printed film layer, or a patterned film layer formed by a partial mask, which is not limited here.

[0061] In the disclosed embodiment, the substrate 200 is placed on the substrate fixing module 240 and fixed so as to perform printing on the chip.

[0062] The liquid outlet module 230 can discharge liquid and print on the substrate 200 based on electrohydrodynamics. Specifically, the gas supply module 220 and the power supply module 210 are connected to the liquid outlet module 230 respectively; wherein the gas supply module 220 can provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module 230 is in a state of dripping; at the same time, the power supply module 210 can provide positive charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, and the preset potential end connected to the substrate fixing module 240 is connected to a preset potential end, such as grounding, so that an electric field is formed between the liquid outlet module 230 and the substrate fixing module 240, and then the electric field energy can be used to make the liquid with positive charge fly to the substrate 200 to be printed. Therefore, in the printing device, the power supply module 210 and the gas supply module 220 work together, that is, the energy of the electric field and the air pressure is used to drive together, so that the liquid outlet module 230 discharges liquid and prints on the substrate 200, thereby increasing the driving energy at the nozzle, and thus the nozzle will not be blocked.

[0063] It can be understood that the nozzle is the end of the liquid outlet module 230 .

[0064] In addition, it should be noted that Figure 1 Taking the connection method shown in as an example, only the spatial relative position relationship between the modules in the printing device is shown by way of example; in other embodiments, the above modules in the printing device can also be adaptively adjusted in spatial orientation according to the specific application scenario and the corresponding internal specific components. It is only necessary to ensure that the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module 230, and the substrate fixing module 240 is located on the opposite side of the liquid outlet module 230 so that the liquid outlet module 230 prints droplets onto the substrate 200. It is not limited here.

[0065] The electrohydrodynamic printing device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a power supply module 210, an air supply module 220, a liquid outlet module 230 and a substrate fixing module 240; the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module 230, and the substrate fixing module 240 is connected to a preset potential end and is used to fix the substrate to be printed; wherein, the air supply module 220 is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module 230 is in a state of about to drip, and the power supply module 210 is used to provide an electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset potential end; the air supply module 220 and the power supply module 210 work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230 be printed to the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics. Among them, the air supply module 220 provides air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module 230 is in a state of dripping; at the same time, the power supply module 210 provides electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the potential at the preset potential end, so that the electric driving force and the air driving force can be used to jointly cause the liquid to be ejected from the liquid outlet module 230. Therefore, the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 work together, that is, the energy of the electric field and the air pressure is used to jointly drive, so that the liquid outlet module 230 discharges liquid and prints it on the substrate, thereby increasing the driving energy at the nozzle, and thus preventing the nozzle from being blocked.

[0066] In some embodiments, Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure of another printing device provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 Based on Figure 2 In the device, the liquid outlet module 230 includes one or more pipeline syringes 231; the power supply module 210 and the gas supply module 220 are respectively connected to each pipeline syringe 231.

[0067] The pipeline syringe 231 is a syringe for discharging liquid, and is connected to the power supply module 210 and the gas supply module 220 through corresponding pipelines or electrical connection lines. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid outlet module 230 may include a liquid outlet needle tube 231. In other embodiments, the liquid outlet module 230 may also include other structural forms of liquid outlet structures, which are not repeated or limited here.

[0068] In the liquid outlet module 230 , the number of the pipeline syringes 231 may be one, two, three or more, which is not limited here.

[0069] For example, Figure 2 It is shown that the number of pipeline syringes 231 is three, so as to achieve the distribution of liquid in three pipelines; and by setting the number of pipeline syringes 231 to two or more, multi-channel printing can be achieved, thereby improving the printing efficiency.

[0070] In the disclosed embodiment, the power supply module 210 and the gas supply module 220 are respectively connected to each pipeline syringe 231, so that the liquid in each pipeline syringe 231 is sprayed onto the substrate 200 based on the principle of electrofluidic dynamics, and each pipeline syringe 231 is sprayed smoothly and not easily clogged.

[0071] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 2 The device further includes a syringe fixing frame 232, which is used to fix the pipeline syringe 231. The syringe fixing frame 232 can be a structural component of the liquid outlet unit 230, or a structural component independent of the liquid outlet unit 230, which is not limited here.

[0072] Among them, the syringe fixing frame 232 can fix the pipeline syringe by mechanical fixing, adhesive fixing, etc., and this embodiment does not limit the specific fixing method.

[0073] Exemplarily, the syringe fixing frame 232 may be an acrylic syringe fixing frame, or a fixing frame made of other materials, as long as it can fix the pipeline syringe 231. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not limit its structural form, fixing method, fixing distance, etc.

[0074] In some embodiments, Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of another printing device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 or Figure 2 Based on Figure 3 In the device, the air supply module 220 includes an air pressure valve 222; the air pressure valve 222 is connected to the top of the liquid outlet module 230, and is used to provide a corresponding adjustable pressure based on the amount of liquid in the liquid outlet module 230.

[0075] Among them, the adjustable pressure provided by the air pressure valve 222 is adjusted and set accordingly based on the different amounts of liquid inside the pipeline syringe 231, in order to provide a stable air pressure for the liquid in the syringe so that the liquid at the needle tip is in a state of about to drip.

[0076] Exemplarily, when the amount of liquid inside the pipeline syringe 231 is large, the air pressure provided to the pipeline syringe 231 by the air pressure valve 222 is also large; when the amount of liquid inside the pipeline syringe 231 is small, the air pressure provided to the pipeline syringe 231 by the air pressure valve 222 is small.

[0077] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, by setting the air pressure valve 222, a corresponding adjustable pressure can be provided according to the amount of liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the pressure can be flexibly adjusted according to different printing amounts of liquid, thereby meeting the printing requirements of various different liquid amounts.

[0078] In some embodiments, Figure 1Based on this, continue to refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3 In the device, the power supply module 210 includes a power supply control module 211, a digital-to-analog conversion module 212, a voltage conversion module 213 and a voltage distributor 214; the power supply control module 211, the digital-to-analog conversion module 212, the voltage conversion module 213 and the voltage distributor 214 are connected in sequence, and the voltage distributor 214 is connected to the liquid outlet module 230; wherein the power supply control module 211 is used to control the on-off and size of the output voltage, the digital-to-analog conversion module 212 is used to convert the output voltage of the digital quantity into the output voltage of the analog quantity, the voltage conversion module 213 is used to convert the output voltage of the analog quantity converted by the digital-to-analog conversion module 212 into a target voltage, the target voltage is greater than the output voltage, and the voltage distribution module is used to distribute the target voltage to the liquid outlet module 230.

[0079] Among them, the power supply control module 211 can control the on-off and size of the output voltage. Exemplarily, the power supply control terminal 211 can be a PC control terminal; specifically, the voltage mode of printing can be determined at the PC control terminal 211, and the corresponding PC control terminal 211 determines the size of the output voltage and the on-off status of the output voltage, and the graphics to be printed can also be determined at the PC control terminal 211. Further, the PC control terminal 211 can also distribute voltages of different pulse sizes to multiple pipeline syringes 231 by controlling the voltage conversion module 213 and the voltage distributor 214, and draw different graphics to be printed by controlling the voltage of each different pipeline syringe 231.

[0080] The output voltage may include the initial voltage output by the power supply control module 211, the voltage of the analog quantity output by the digital-to-analog conversion module 212, and finally the voltage output to each pipeline syringe 231 after distribution by the voltage distributor 214. The target voltage is the voltage output by the voltage conversion module 213. Generally, the voltage conversion module 213 may be a high voltage module, which can convert the low voltage output by the digital-to-analog conversion module 212 into a high voltage.

[0081] The voltage distributor 214 is used to distribute the high voltage output by the voltage conversion module 213 to the pipe needles 231 used for printing as needed; illustratively, the distribution as needed can be equal or unequal, and can be achieved based on controlling at least one of the voltage amplitude and the voltage pulse. It can be understood that the pipe syringes 231 used for printing in this section are part of the pipe syringes 231 in the device, or all of the pipe syringes 231 in the device, which can be set based on the printing requirements and are not limited here.

[0082] In the disclosed embodiment, voltage is distributed to multiple pipeline syringes 231 through a voltage distributor 214, so that the liquid in each pipeline syringe 231 is sprayed out at the nozzle with electric field energy of different magnitudes. The magnitude of the voltage distribution can be set based on the printing requirements, which will not be elaborated or limited here.

[0083] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 2 or Figure 3 In the device, the voltage conversion module 213 has a built-in sliding rheostat (not shown in the figure); the sliding rheostat is used to control the size of the target voltage output by the voltage conversion module 213 by adjusting the resistance value.

[0084] The sliding resistor can adjust its effective resistance value, change the magnitude of its output voltage value relative to the input voltage value, and thus realize voltage conversion. It can be understood that the effective resistance value in this paragraph is the resistance value in the connected circuit.

[0085] In some embodiments, the sliding resistor may be a resistor with continuously changing resistance to achieve continuous adjustment of the target voltage. In other embodiments, the sliding resistor may also be other types of resistors, which may be set based on the requirements of the printing device and are not limited here.

[0086] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 3 In the device, the substrate fixing module 240 includes an XYZR axis moving table 241 and a vacuum suction table 242; the vacuum suction table 242 is used to fix the substrate by vacuum adsorption, and the XYZR axis moving table 241 is used to control the movement of the vacuum suction table 242 relative to the liquid outlet module 230.

[0087] The vacuum film suction table 242 is a film carrier table that combines a vacuum pump to vacuum absorb the substrate. For example, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the vacuum film suction table 242 is grounded, and correspondingly, the power supply module 210 provides positive charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230; in other embodiments, the film suction table and the liquid can be set to other potentials respectively, as long as the potential of the charge carried by the liquid is higher than the potential of the film suction table, which is not limited here.

[0088] For example, Figure 3 Taking the orientation shown in as an example, the vacuum pump and the vacuum film suction table 242 are arranged and connected from left to right, and the vacuum film suction table 242 is grounded on the side away from the vacuum pump. In other embodiments, the vacuum film suction table 242 and the vacuum pump, and the corresponding grounding end can also be arranged in other spatial orientations, which are not limited here.

[0089] With this arrangement, the substrate is fixed by vacuum adsorption, so that the surface of the substrate to be printed is not damaged; at the same time, the non-contact film-forming method of printing is adopted to reduce the wear and scratches on the substrate, which is conducive to the printing of high-viscosity solutions.

[0090] Among them, the XYZR-axis moving table 241 can also be simply referred to as a moving table. The moving end of the XYZR-axis moving table 241 is fixedly connected to the vacuum suction table 242, and can drive the vacuum suction table 242 and the substrate disposed thereon to move, thereby realizing the control of the spatial position of the substrate relative to the liquid outlet unit 230.

[0091] Exemplarily, in a three-dimensional space, three directions that are perpendicular to each other, such as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis, are used to define a spatial rectangular coordinate system. Exemplarily, the X-axis and the Y-axis are both in a horizontal plane, and the Z-axis is a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The XYZR-axis moving table 241 can translate along the X-axis, along the Y-axis, along the Z-axis, and rotate in any horizontal direction, so that the substrate and the liquid outlet plane of the liquid outlet module 230 are relatively parallel, and the distance between the liquid outlet unit 230 and the substrate can be adjusted.

[0092] In the disclosed embodiment, the substrate is moved by the XYZR axis moving table 241, so that the substrate can be adjusted to an appropriate position relative to the liquid outlet module 230; at the same time, the voltage mode and printing pattern of the printing are set in combination with the PC control terminal 211, and the relative position of the substrate and the liquid outlet module 230 is adjusted as needed during the printing process, as well as the voltage of the liquid distributed to each pipeline syringe 231. Therefore, different patterns can be printed on the substrate based on the cooperation between the XYZR axis moving table 241 and the power supply module 210, so as to flexibly meet a variety of different printing needs.

[0093] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 3 The device also includes a driver 243; the XYZR axis moving table 241 is controlled by the driver 243 to control the vacuum suction table 242 to move relative to the liquid outlet module 230 according to a preset trajectory.

[0094] Among them, the preset trajectory is a trajectory set based on the position adjustment requirements of the substrate or the patterned printing requirements; illustratively, the preset trajectory can be a straight line trajectory, a broken line trajectory, an arc trajectory or other arbitrary curve trajectory, which is not limited here.

[0095] The driver 243 may also be referred to as an XYZR axis moving stage driver 243 .

[0096] Exemplarily, in combination with the above, by driving the movable table to move on the Z axis by the driver 243, the distance between the vacuum suction table 242 and the liquid outlet module 230 can be adjusted; by driving the movable table to move on the X axis and / or Y axis by the driver 243, the facing position of the liquid outlet module 230 and the vacuum suction table 242 can be adjusted; by driving the movable table to rotate in any horizontal direction by the driver 243, the angle of the liquid outlet plane of the liquid outlet unit 230 relative to the plane to be printed on the substrate can be adjusted.

[0097] For example, after the printing process is completed, the driver 243 can also be used to drive the movable table to move along the Z axis in the direction away from the liquid outlet module 230, thereby driving the movement of the substrate, increasing the distance between the substrate and the liquid outlet unit 230, and thus facilitating the removal of the printed substrate, thereby improving the operational convenience.

[0098] In the printing device provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, the XYZR-axis moving table 241 is driven by the driver 243, and the vacuum suction table 242 fixed to the XYZR-axis moving table 241 is driven to move, thereby driving the substrate fixed by adsorption by the vacuum suction table 242 to move, and then realizing the relative movement between the substrate and the liquid outlet module 230. Based on this, the distance and relative angle between the substrate and the liquid outlet unit can be adjusted, and targeted and flexible adjustments can be realized for different types of substrates, and the operational convenience of placing and removing the substrate is improved.

[0099] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 3 , the device may further include an image acquisition module 250 and a display module 260 .

[0100] The image acquisition module 250 is used to collect the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module 230, the printing process and the printing effect.

[0101] Exemplarily, the image acquisition module 250 is a microscope for observing the state, printing process and effect of the needle liquid jet flow of the pipeline syringe 231. In other embodiments, the image acquisition module 250 can also be other types of components for printing related to the above-mentioned state, process or effect, which will not be repeated or limited here.

[0102] The display module 260 is used to display at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid display module 230 , the printing process, and the printing effect.

[0103] Exemplarily, the display module 260 is a PC control terminal. In combination with the above, the display module 260 and the power supply control module 211 can be implemented by the PC control terminal. Among them, the display of the PC control terminal can be used as a display associated with the microscope, and the display can present at least one of the state of the syringe needle liquid jet observed by the microscope, the printing process and the printing effect, so as to facilitate the direct observation of the operator, give the operator a better observation experience, improve the visual observation effect, and then improve the printing effect.

[0104] In some embodiments, continue to refer to Figure 3 The printing device further includes an optical platform 270 and a shock absorbing block 280; the optical platform 270 is used to fix at least the power supply module 210, the gas supply module 220, the liquid outlet module 230 and the substrate fixing module 240; the shock absorbing block 280 is arranged on a side of the optical platform 270 away from the substrate fixing module 240, so as to Figure 3 Taking the direction shown as an example, it is arranged below the XYZR axis translation stage 241 , and the shock absorbing block 280 is used to stabilize the optical platform 270 .

[0105] The optical platform 270 is a platform for fixing other components in the printing device; for example, the optical platform 270 can be a porous platform made of stainless steel. In other embodiments, the optical platform 270 can also be a platform made of other materials or other structural forms for stabilizing other components, which will not be repeated or limited here.

[0106] The shock absorbing block 280 is arranged below the optical platform 270, and other components in the printing device are arranged above the optical platform 270. The shock absorbing block 280 can stabilize the optical platform 270, thereby enabling other components on the optical platform 270 to maintain good overall stability.

[0107] Exemplarily, the shock absorbing block 280 may adopt any structural form known to those skilled in the art, which is not limited here.

[0108] Among them, Figure 3 Taking the structure shown as an example, if the three-dimensional shape of the optical platform 270 is a quadrilateral, the number of the shock absorbing blocks 280 may be four, so as to support the four vertices of the optical platform 270, thereby stabilizing the optical platform 270. In other embodiments, the shape of the optical platform 270 may be other shapes, and correspondingly, the number of the shock absorbing blocks 280 may be other numbers, which may be specifically set based on the shape of the optical platform 270 and the overall requirements of the printing device, and can ensure that the overall stability of the printing device meets the printing requirements, and is not limited here.

[0109] The electrohydrodynamic printing device provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to the liquid outlet module 230 through the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 respectively, so that the power supply module 210 can provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, and the liquid supply module 220 provides air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230. Therefore, the power supply module 210 and the air supply module 220 work together to realize the use of the energy of air pressure and electric field to drive the liquid to be ejected, thereby using electrohydrodynamics to drive the liquid to be ejected, thereby increasing the driving energy at the nozzle and improving the problem of nozzle clogging.

[0110] On the basis of the above-mentioned embodiments, the embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an electrohydrodynamic automated printing method, which can be implemented by applying any of the devices provided in the above-mentioned embodiments and has corresponding beneficial effects.

[0111] In some embodiments, Figure 4 is a flow chart of a printing method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 , the method comprises the following steps:

[0112] S11, using a substrate fixing module to fix the substrate to be printed, and connecting the substrate fixing module to a preset potential end.

[0113] The preset potential end is a potential end for providing electric charge to the substrate fixing module. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The vacuum suction table 242 in the substrate fixing module is directly grounded, and the power supply module 210 provides positive charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module 230, so that the potential of the charge carried by the liquid is higher than the potential of the vacuum suction table 242, so that the liquid to be printed can fly to the substrate placed on the vacuum suction table 242 based on the electric field, thereby realizing printing.

[0114] S12, using the air supply module to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of about to drip.

[0115] Among them, the air supply module may include an air pressure valve for providing corresponding air pressure to the liquid in the syringe according to the amount of liquid in each syringe. The air pressure provided to the liquid can be adjusted through the air pressure valve, and the energy of the air pressure can be used to maintain the liquid in the pipeline syringe in a relatively stable state about to drip toward the base.

[0116] For example, Figure 3 Taking the structure shown as an example, the air pressure valve is connected to the top end of each pipeline syringe to achieve targeted adjustment of the air pressure through the air pressure valve, thereby ensuring that the air pressure of the liquid inside each pipeline syringe is stable and the liquid at the needle tip is about to drip downward.

[0117] S13, using the power supply module to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, wherein the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset electric potential end.

[0118] The gas supply module and the power supply module work together to enable the liquid in the liquid outlet module to be sprayed onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics.

[0119] Exemplarily, the liquid in the liquid outlet module carries a positive charge, the potential of the preset potential end is the ground potential, and the preset potential end is connected to the substrate fixing module, so that the potential of the charge carried by the liquid is higher than the potential of the substrate fixing module, and then the liquid is sprayed toward the substrate based on the electric field to achieve printing.

[0120] In the printing method provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, the air supply module provides air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of about to drip; at the same time, the power supply module provides electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the potential corresponding to the charge is higher than the potential at the preset potential end, so that the electric driving force and the air driving force can be used to jointly cause the liquid to be ejected from the liquid outlet module. Thus, the power supply module and the air supply module work together, that is, the energy of the electric field and the air pressure are used to jointly drive, so that the liquid outlet module discharges liquid and prints it to the substrate, thereby increasing the driving energy at the nozzle, and thus preventing the nozzle from being blocked.

[0121] In some embodiments, in combination with the above, the liquid outlet module in the device includes one or more pipeline syringes; the power supply module includes a voltage distribution module.

[0122] Based on this, the method of “using the power supply module to provide charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module” includes:

[0123] Using the voltage distribution module, the voltage is distributed to the target pipeline syringe.

[0124] When there are two or more pipeline syringes in the device, all pipeline syringes can be used for printing; or, some pipeline syringes can be left idle or used as spares, and the remaining pipeline syringes can be used as pipeline syringes actually used for printing. The target pipeline syringe is the pipeline syringe actually used for printing.

[0125] Based on this, when the voltage distribution module is used for voltage distribution, the voltage is distributed to the target pipe syringe as needed to achieve on-demand printing.

[0126] At the same time, when the number of target pipeline syringes is two or more, it is also beneficial to improve the printing efficiency.

[0127] In some embodiments, in combination with the above, the substrate fixing module in the device includes an XYZR axis moving table and a vacuum suction table. Based on this, in the process of printing the liquid in the liquid outlet module onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics, the method may also include the following steps:

[0128] Based on the XYZR axis moving table, the vacuum film suction table is controlled to move relative to the liquid discharge module.

[0129] Among them, the vacuum film suction table drives the substrate to move synchronously; by controlling the movement of the vacuum film suction table relative to the liquid outlet module, the movement of the substrate relative to the liquid outlet unit can be controlled.

[0130] With such a setting, the distance and angle of the substrate relative to the liquid outlet unit can be flexibly adjusted according to various substrate adjustment requirements or printing graphic requirements, thereby flexibly meeting diverse printing requirements; and by adjusting the distance between the substrate and the liquid outlet module, the operations of placing and removing the substrate are facilitated, thereby improving operational convenience.

[0131] In some embodiments, in combination with the above, the device further includes an image acquisition module and a display module. Based on this, in the process of printing the liquid in the liquid outlet module onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics, the method may further include the following steps:

[0132] The image acquisition module is used to collect the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect;

[0133] The display module is used to display at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid display module, the printing process and the printing effect.

[0134] Such an arrangement can realize the real-time observation and presentation of at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow, the printing process and the printing effect, which is convenient for recording and controlling the printing process and is beneficial to improving the printing effect.

[0135] In other embodiments, the printing method may further include other steps known to those skilled in the art, such as configuration and filling of the liquid to be printed, cleaning and drying of the substrate, which are not elaborated or limited here.

[0136] It should be noted that, in this article, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprise a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the elements.

[0137] The above description is only a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, so that those skilled in the art can understand or implement the present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure will not be limited to the embodiments described herein, but will conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An electrohydrodynamic printing device, characterized in that: include: A power supply module, a gas supply module, a liquid outlet module and a base fixing module; The power supply module and the air supply module are respectively connected to the liquid outlet module, and the substrate fixing module is connected to a preset potential end and is used to fix the substrate to be printed; The gas supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of dripping, and the power supply module is used to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the potential of the preset potential end; the gas supply module and the power supply module work together to make the liquid in the liquid outlet module spray-printed onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics; The device also includes an image acquisition module and a display module; The image acquisition module is used to collect the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect; The display module is used to display at least one of the state of the liquid jet flow of the liquid outlet module, the printing process and the printing effect; Wherein, the image acquisition module includes a microscope; The liquid outlet module includes one or more pipeline syringes; the power supply module and the gas supply module are respectively connected to each pipeline syringe; The air supply module includes an air pressure valve; the air pressure valve is connected to the top of the liquid outlet module, and is used to provide a corresponding adjustable pressure based on the amount of liquid in the liquid outlet module; The power supply module at least includes a voltage distributor, which is connected to the liquid outlet module and is used to distribute the target voltage to the target pipeline syringe in the liquid outlet module; wherein, based on the graphic setting to be printed, at least one of the voltage amplitude and the voltage pulse is controlled to achieve the distribution of the target voltage.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a syringe holder; The syringe fixing frame is used for fixing the pipeline syringe.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The power supply module also includes a power supply control module, a digital-to-analog conversion module and a voltage conversion module; The power supply control module, the digital-to-analog conversion module, the voltage conversion module and the voltage distributor are connected in sequence; Among them, the power supply control module is used to control the on and off and size of the output voltage, the digital-to-analog conversion module is used to convert the output voltage of the digital quantity into the output voltage of the analog quantity, and the voltage conversion module is used to convert the output voltage of the analog quantity converted by the digital-to-analog conversion module into the target voltage, and the target voltage is greater than the output voltage.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The voltage conversion module has a built-in sliding resistor; The sliding rheostat is used to control the magnitude of the target voltage output by the voltage conversion module by adjusting the resistance value.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: The substrate fixing module includes an XYZR axis moving table and a vacuum film suction table; The vacuum film suction table is used to fix the substrate by vacuum adsorption, and the XYZR axis moving table is used to control the movement of the vacuum film suction table relative to the liquid outlet module.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that Also includes the drive; The XYZR axis moving platform is controlled by the driver to control the vacuum film suction platform to move relative to the liquid outlet module according to a preset trajectory.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that: It also includes an optical platform and shock-absorbing blocks; The optical platform is used to fix at least the power supply module, the gas supply module, the liquid outlet module and the substrate fixing module; The shock absorbing block is arranged on a side of the optical platform away from the substrate fixing module, and the shock absorbing block is used to stabilize the optical platform.

8. An electrohydrodynamic printing method, characterized in that: The method is implemented by using the device described in any one of claims 1 to 7; the method comprises: Using the substrate fixing module to fix the substrate to be printed, and connecting the substrate fixing module to a preset potential end; The gas supply module is used to provide air pressure to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, so that the liquid at the end of the liquid outlet module is in a state of dripping; and the power supply module is used to provide electric charge to the liquid in the liquid outlet module, and the electric potential corresponding to the electric charge is higher than the electric potential of the preset electric potential end; The gas supply module and the power supply module work together to enable the liquid in the liquid outlet module to be sprayed onto the substrate based on electrohydrodynamics.

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