A droplet ejection device and a droplet ejection method

Abstract

The application provides a liquid droplet emitting device and a liquid droplet emitting method, and the liquid droplet emitting device comprises a liquid droplet emitting control system, a liquid droplet emitting unit, a first liquid source and a second liquid source; the liquid droplet emitting unit comprises a first liquid driving unit, a second liquid driving unit, a liquid droplet emitting driver, a liquid communication chamber and a liquid injection hole; the liquid droplet emitting control system controls the first liquid source and the second liquid source to make liquid enter and fill the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber through the first liquid inlet channel and the second liquid inlet channel respectively, and then controls the liquid droplet emitting driver to make the first liquid and the second liquid in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber flow through the liquid communication chamber and be injected from the liquid injection hole. The application realizes the design of multi-component liquid materials and the emission of liquid droplets with different concentration gradients, and has the characteristics of high material utilization rate and high liquid droplet emitting efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of droplet forming technology and relates to a droplet launching device and a droplet launching method. Background Technology

[0002] Droplets, as microreactors, have advantages such as high throughput, small size, and rapid reaction, and have wide applications in fields such as biochemical analysis, drug encapsulation, drug delivery and release, material synthesis, and digital printing. Therefore, the preparation and control of microdroplets have attracted increasing attention from researchers.

[0003] Currently, droplet emission is mainly driven by piezoelectric, thermal foaming, gas pressure, electrostatic, and ultrasonic methods. Each liquid storage chamber is a single structure, meaning that each droplet emission chamber can only emit a single droplet. This makes it ineffective for applications involving droplets with concentration gradients, droplets with different component ratios, or multi-color dye printing.

[0004] For example, in the biomedical field, the manufacturing methods for droplet microspheres require precise control over droplet size, multi-component ratios, and appropriate concentration gradients. Existing methods such as mechanical stirring, ultrasonication, membrane emulsification, and jet condensation cannot meet these requirements. In digital printing, inkjet printing is primarily used, where droplets are ejected from continuous or piezoelectric inkjet printheads and printed onto the substrate. Currently, this method often uses a single printhead and a single ink for digital printing and dyeing. In multi-color printing, multiple printheads are used to print different dyes, controlling the droplets of multiple dyes to fall at the same point for color mixing and dyeing. This method has disadvantages such as low material utilization, high cost, difficulty in operation control, and poor dyeing accuracy.

[0005] Therefore, how to provide a droplet launching device that can realize the material design of multi-component droplets and the launching of droplets with different concentration gradients has become an urgent technical problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the present invention aims to provide a droplet launching device and a droplet launching method. The droplet launching unit is designed as a multi-liquid chamber structure, and a liquid communication cavity is formed at the liquid nozzle. Under the precise control of the pulse signal of the control system, the liquids in the multi-liquid chambers enter the liquid communication cavity in a set proportion, mix, and then are ejected from the liquid nozzle as droplets. This enables the design of multi-component liquid materials and the launching of droplets with different concentration gradients. It features high material utilization, high droplet launching efficiency, simple operation, and low cost.

[0007] To achieve the above technical approach, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution:

[0008] A droplet launching device includes a droplet launching control system, a droplet launching unit, a first liquid source, and a second liquid source.

[0009] The droplet launching unit includes a first liquid driving unit, a second liquid driving unit, a droplet launching driver, a liquid communicating chamber, and a liquid nozzle.

[0010] The first liquid driving unit includes a first liquid inlet channel and a first liquid chamber. The second liquid driving unit includes a second liquid inlet channel and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid inlet channel and the first liquid chamber are fluidly connected, and the second liquid inlet channel and the second liquid chamber are fluidly connected. The liquid communication chamber is connected to the first liquid driving unit and the second liquid driving unit. The liquid nozzle is fluidly connected to the liquid communication chamber. The droplet launching device includes a first liquid source fluidly connected to the first liquid inlet channel and a second liquid source fluidly connected to the second liquid inlet channel. The droplet launching control system controls the droplet launching driver and the liquid source to cause liquid to be ejected from the liquid nozzle.

[0011] The droplet launching device includes at least one third liquid source and a third liquid driving unit connected to the third liquid source. The third liquid driving unit is fluidly connected to a liquid communication chamber. The droplet launching device includes, but is not limited to, the third liquid source.

[0012] The droplet emission control system is independently and electrically connected to the liquid source and the droplet emission driver. The liquid source inputs liquid into the liquid chamber, and the liquid in the liquid chamber flows into the liquid communication chamber.

[0013] The droplet emission driver is associated with the liquid nozzle, that is, the droplet emission driver is set in a corresponding manner to the liquid nozzle. The installation position of the droplet emission driver is determined according to the different types of droplet emission drivers and the different liquid driving methods in the liquid nozzle.

[0014] The droplet emission actuator can be one of a piezoelectric actuator, a resistive actuator, a magnetic actuator, or an ultrasonic actuator.

[0015] The first liquid and the second liquid contain polymer materials.

[0016] Preferably, the liquid source includes dyes and / or pigments.

[0017] The droplet emission driver includes a first droplet emission driver and a second droplet emission driver; the first droplet emission driver is associated with a first liquid driving unit, and the second droplet emission driver is associated with a second liquid driving unit, that is, the first droplet emission driver is correspondingly set with the first liquid driving unit, the first droplet emission driver provides ejection driving force for the liquid in the first liquid driving unit, and the second droplet emission driver is correspondingly set with the second liquid driving unit, providing ejection driving force for the liquid in the second liquid driving unit.

[0018] The first liquid source includes a first pressure system, and the second liquid source includes a second pressure system. The first pressure system is disposed between the first liquid source and the first liquid chamber and is used to provide liquid pressure to deliver liquid into the first liquid chamber and spray it. The second pressure system is disposed between the second liquid source and the second liquid chamber and is used to provide liquid pressure to deliver liquid into the second liquid chamber and spray it.

[0019] As a preferred droplet emission technology solution of the present invention, the droplet emission driver is respectively disposed on the top surface of the liquid chamber.

[0020] Preferably, the droplet emission actuator can be a piezoelectric actuator.

[0021] Preferably, the liquid drive unit includes a narrowed structure in the liquid chamber, which is fluidly connected to the liquid inlet channel and the liquid chamber. The narrowed structure can effectively prevent liquid backflow during the operation of the droplet emission driver.

[0022] A method for a droplet launching device under this technical solution includes a control system controlling a first liquid source liquid to enter a first liquid chamber through a first liquid inlet channel, and a second liquid source liquid to enter a second liquid chamber through a second liquid inlet channel; the droplet launching control system provides a first driving signal to a first droplet launching driver; the droplet launching control system provides a second driving signal to a second droplet launching driver; the first droplet launching driver drives the first liquid in the first liquid chamber to flow into a liquid-connected chamber, where it merges with the second liquid in the second liquid chamber driven by the second droplet launching driver to flow into the liquid-connected chamber, and is ejected from a liquid nozzle.

[0023] Preferably, the first driving signal and the second driving signal are the same.

[0024] Preferably, the first driving signal and the second driving signal are pulse signals.

[0025] Preferably, the droplet emission control system sets a first driving signal and a second driving signal according to the composition ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid contained in the ejected droplet. For example, if the volume ratio of the first liquid to the second liquid is 1:1, then the first driving signal and the second driving signal are the same.

[0026] As another preferred droplet emission technology solution of the present invention, the liquid source includes a pressure supply system. The pressure supply system is used to transport the liquid in the liquid source to the liquid chamber. The pressure supply system is not a first pressure system or a second pressure system, but only provides liquid supply power to the liquid source.

[0027] Preferably, the droplet emission driver is disposed at the liquid nozzle. It should be noted that, in this invention, depending on the type of droplet emission driver, i.e. the different driving methods, those skilled in the art can select a suitable installation position.

[0028] A method for a droplet launching device under this technical solution includes: a droplet launching control system providing a first control signal to a first pressure system to continuously input liquid from a first liquid source into a first liquid chamber; the droplet launching control system providing a second control signal to a second pressure system to continuously input liquid from a second liquid source into a second liquid chamber; the droplet launching control system providing a droplet driving signal to the droplet launching driver; the first liquid pressure system driving the first liquid in the first liquid chamber to flow into a liquid-connected chamber and the second liquid pressure system driving the second liquid in the second liquid chamber to flow into the liquid-connected chamber to merge, and then ejecting from a liquid nozzle; the droplet launching driver, driven by the driving signal, causes the ejected liquid to break into droplets.

[0029] It should be noted that, in this invention, the control signal provided by the pressure system is set according to the required mixing ratio, which can be adjusted by controlling the liquid flow rate entering the liquid communication chamber. Furthermore, the control signal adjusts the power source of the pressure system according to the required liquid mixing ratio, so that the liquid flow rate entering the liquid communication chamber meets the mixing ratio requirements.

[0030] It should be noted that the present invention does not impose specific requirements or special limitations on the location, size, or type of the droplet emission driver.

[0031] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: In specific operation, the droplet launching device and method of the present invention (1) after multiple liquids are mixed in the liquid communication chamber, they are ejected from the liquid nozzle, which can realize the material design of multi-component liquids, such as in printing and dyeing, multi-component biological microsphere droplet printing, etc.; (2) the droplet launching driver is controlled by the droplet launching control system, such as using piezoelectric or thermal resistance drivers, which can realize high-frequency droplet launching; (3) by adjusting the structural dimensions of the droplet launching driver, the liquid driving unit, the driving voltage and frequency of the droplet launching control system and other related parameters, the volume and launching speed of droplet launching can be precisely controlled, and droplets with different liquid component ratios and concentration gradients can be launched; (4) the material utilization rate is high and the droplet launching efficiency is high; (5) the operation is simple and the cost is low. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a droplet emission device provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a droplet emission unit provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 Schematic diagram of section A in the diagram;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another droplet emission unit provided in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Among them, 1-droplet emission control system; 2-droplet emission unit; 21-first liquid chamber; 22-second liquid chamber; 23-droplet emission driver; 24-liquid nozzle; 25-liquid communication chamber; 26-first liquid inlet channel; 27-second liquid inlet channel; 3-first liquid source; 4-second liquid source. Detailed Implementation

[0037] The technical solution of the present invention will be further illustrated below through specific embodiments.

[0038] This invention provides a droplet emission device, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the droplet launching device includes a droplet launching control system 1, a droplet launching unit 2, a first liquid source 3, and a second liquid source 4. The droplet launching unit 2 includes a first liquid driving unit, a second liquid driving unit, a liquid communication chamber, and a liquid nozzle. The liquid driving unit includes a liquid inlet channel and a liquid chamber, and the liquid source is connected to the liquid chamber through the liquid inlet channel. A liquid communication cavity 25 is formed between the liquid nozzle 24 and the liquid chamber.

[0039] Specifically, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the liquid drive unit includes a first liquid inlet channel 26, a first liquid chamber 21, a second liquid inlet channel 27, and a second liquid chamber 22 arranged in parallel. The first liquid inlet channel 26 and the second liquid inlet channel 27 are respectively connected to the first liquid source 3 and the second liquid source 4. Furthermore, the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22 are both connected to the liquid communication chamber 25, and the liquid communication chamber 25 is connected to the liquid nozzle 24.

[0040] The present invention designs the droplet emission unit 2 as having a structure with multiple liquid chambers, in which different liquid materials are introduced into each liquid chamber. Under the control of the control system, the liquid in each liquid chamber enters the liquid communication chamber for mixing, and then the droplets are emitted from the liquid nozzle 24.

[0041] In one specific embodiment, the present invention provides a droplet emission method, wherein the droplet emission method employs the above-described droplet emission device, and the droplet emission method includes:

[0042] Specifically, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, each liquid chamber is independently equipped with a droplet emission driver 23, which independently drives the liquid in its corresponding liquid chamber. Optionally, the droplet emission drivers 23 are respectively disposed on the top surface of each liquid chamber. Further, a narrowing structure is provided within each liquid chamber. Liquid is input from the liquid source into the liquid inlet channel, and under the action of the droplet emission drivers 23, flows through the narrowing structure into the liquid chamber. After mixing in the liquid communication chamber 25, droplets are ejected. The narrowing structure effectively prevents liquid backflow during the operation of the droplet emission drivers 23.

[0043] Furthermore, the droplet emission actuator 23 includes one of a piezoelectric actuator, a resistive actuator, a magnetic actuator, or an ultrasonic actuator.

[0044] Specifically, the droplet emission control system 1 controls the first liquid source 3 and the second liquid source liquid 4 to enter the first liquid inlet channel 26 and the second liquid inlet channel 27, respectively, and then enter the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22. The control system then controls the first droplet emission driver and the second droplet emission driver to drive the first liquid in the first liquid chamber 21 to flow into the liquid communication chamber and the second liquid in the second liquid chamber 22 to flow into the liquid communication chamber 25, where they converge and are ejected from the liquid nozzle 24.

[0045] In another specific embodiment, the present invention also provides a droplet emission method, wherein the droplet emission method employs a droplet emission device with a pressure system, and the droplet emission method includes:

[0046] The liquid source also includes a pressure system, which provides the power for the liquid to be ejected from the liquid nozzle 24. Figure 4 As shown, the droplet ejector 23 is disposed at the liquid nozzle 24. The pressure system transmits liquid from the liquid source to the liquid chamber and pressurizes the liquid into the liquid communication chamber 25 for mixing. The droplet ejector 23 drives the liquid to eject droplets from the liquid nozzle 24. In this invention, a pressure system is added to the liquid source to provide a power source for liquid ejection. Furthermore, a droplet ejector 23 is disposed at the liquid nozzle 24, and the actuator 23 provides the perturbation energy for the liquid to break into droplets.

[0047] Specifically, each liquid source includes a pressure supply system, which delivers the liquid from the liquid source to the liquid chamber.

[0048] Example 1

[0049] This embodiment provides a droplet launching device, based on a specific implementation, including a droplet launching control system 1, a droplet launching unit 2, a liquid source 3, and a liquid source 4, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the droplet emission unit 2 includes a first liquid inlet channel 26, a first liquid chamber 21, a second liquid inlet channel 27, and a second liquid chamber 22. Each liquid chamber has a reduced diameter structure. The liquid in the first liquid source 3 is a C-color dye liquid, and the liquid in the second liquid source 4 is an M-color dye liquid. The first liquid source 3 enters the first liquid chamber 21 through the first liquid inlet channel 26, and the second liquid source 4 enters the second liquid chamber 22 through the second liquid inlet channel 27.

[0050] The droplet emission driver 23 includes a first piezoelectric driver disposed on the top of the first liquid chamber 21 and a second piezoelectric driver disposed on the top of the second liquid chamber 22.

[0051] This embodiment also provides a droplet emission method for the above-mentioned droplet emission device, the droplet emission method comprising:

[0052] The first liquid source 3 and the second liquid source 4 supply liquid to the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22 through the first liquid inlet channel 26 and the second liquid inlet channel 27, respectively. The droplet emission control system 1 sends pulse signals to the first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator, respectively. The pulse signals are set according to the liquid ratio in the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22. The first piezoelectric actuator and the second piezoelectric actuator drive the liquid in the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22 to flow into the liquid communication cavity 25 to converge. After mixing, the liquid droplets are directly ejected from the liquid nozzle 24.

[0053] Example 2

[0054] This embodiment provides a droplet launching device, based on a specific implementation, including a droplet launching control system 1, a droplet launching unit 2, a liquid source 3, and a liquid source 4, such as... Figure 1 and 4 As shown, the droplet emission unit 2 includes a first liquid inlet channel 26, a first liquid chamber 21, a second liquid inlet channel 27, and a second liquid chamber 22. The liquid source 3 includes a first liquid source 31 and a second liquid source 32. The first liquid source 31 is a sodium alginate solution, and the second liquid source 32 is a metal ion solution. The liquid from the first liquid source 3 enters the first liquid chamber 21 through the first liquid inlet channel 26, and the liquid from the second liquid source 4 enters the second liquid chamber 22 through the second liquid inlet channel 27.

[0055] The droplet emission driver 23 is located at the liquid nozzle 24, the first liquid source 3 is equipped with a first pressure system, and the second liquid source 4 is equipped with a second pressure system.

[0056] This embodiment also provides a droplet emission method for the above-mentioned droplet emission device, the droplet emission method comprising:

[0057] The droplet emission control system 1 sends pulse signals to control the first pressure system and the second pressure system respectively, so that the liquid in the first liquid source 3 and the second liquid source 3 enters the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22 through the first liquid inlet channel 26 and the second liquid inlet channel 27 respectively, wherein the pulse signal is set according to the composition ratio of the droplet to be formed;

[0058] The liquids in the first liquid chamber 21 and the second liquid chamber 22 flow to the liquid connecting chamber 25 under pressure. After mixing in the liquid connecting chamber 25, the liquids are ejected from the liquid nozzle 24. At the liquid nozzle 24, the droplet ejection driver 23 provides perturbation energy under the drive of the control system, causing the ejected liquid to break into droplets.

[0059] Through the above embodiments, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: In specific operation, the droplet launching device and method of the present invention (1) after mixing multiple liquids in the liquid communication chamber 25, they are ejected from the liquid nozzle 24, which can realize the material design of multi-component liquids, such as in printing and dyeing, multi-component biological microsphere droplet printing, etc.; (2) the droplet launching driver 23 is controlled by the droplet launching control system 1, such as using piezoelectric or thermal resistance drivers, which can realize high-frequency droplet launching; (3) by adjusting the relevant parameters such as the structural size of the droplet launching driver 23, the liquid driving unit, the driving voltage and frequency of the droplet launching control system 1, the volume and launching speed of droplet launching can be precisely controlled, and droplets with different liquid component ratios and concentration gradients can be launched; (4) the material utilization rate is high and the droplet launching efficiency is high; (5) the operation is simple and the cost is low.

[0060] The applicant declares that the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art should understand that any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention fall within the protection and disclosure scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A droplet launching device for designing multi-component liquid materials, characterized in that, The droplet launching device includes a droplet launching control system, a droplet launching unit, a first liquid source, and a second liquid source; The droplet launching unit includes a first liquid driving unit, a second liquid driving unit, a droplet launching driver, a liquid communicating chamber, and a liquid nozzle; The first liquid driving unit includes a first liquid inlet channel and a first liquid chamber, and the second liquid driving unit includes a second liquid inlet channel and a second liquid chamber. The first liquid inlet channel and the first liquid chamber are fluidly connected, and the second liquid inlet channel and the second liquid chamber are fluidly connected. The droplet emission driver is respectively disposed on the top surface of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber; The first liquid chamber is provided with a reduced diameter structure, which is fluidly connected to the first liquid inlet channel and the first liquid chamber respectively; the second liquid chamber is provided with a reduced diameter structure, which is fluidly connected to the second liquid inlet channel and the second liquid chamber respectively. The liquid-connected chamber is fluidly connected to the first liquid drive unit and the second liquid drive unit; The liquid nozzle is fluidly connected to the liquid communication chamber; The droplet launching device includes a first liquid source fluidly connected to a first liquid inlet channel and a second liquid source fluidly connected to a second liquid inlet channel; The droplet emission control system controls the first liquid source and the second liquid source to allow liquid to enter through the first liquid inlet channel and the second liquid inlet channel and fill the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber respectively. Then, it controls the droplet emission driver to make the first liquid and the second liquid in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber flow through the liquid communication chamber and be ejected from the liquid nozzle. The first liquid source includes a first pressure system, and the second liquid source includes a second pressure system.

2. The droplet emission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The droplet launching device includes at least one third liquid source and a third liquid driving unit connected to the third liquid source, wherein the third liquid driving unit is fluidly connected to a liquid communication chamber.

3. The droplet emission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The droplet emission driver is configured to correspond to the liquid nozzle.

4. The droplet emission device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The droplet emission actuator includes one of the following: piezoelectric actuator, resistive actuator, magnetic actuator, and ultrasonic actuator.

5. The droplet launching device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first and second liquids include polymer materials.

6. The droplet launching device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first and second liquids include dyes and pigments.

7. The droplet emission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The droplet emission driver includes a first droplet emission driver and a second droplet emission driver; the first droplet emission driver drives a first liquid driving unit, and the second droplet emission driver drives a second liquid driving unit.

8. A droplet emission method of the droplet emission device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The droplet emission method includes: The droplet emission control system provides a first drive signal to the first droplet emission driver; The droplet emission control system provides a second drive signal to the second droplet emission driver; The first droplet emission driver drives the first liquid in the first liquid chamber to flow into the liquid communication chamber, where it merges with the second liquid in the second liquid chamber driven by the second droplet emission driver, and is ejected from the liquid nozzle.

9. The droplet emission method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first drive signal and the second drive signal are the same.

10. The droplet emission method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first driving signal and the second driving signal are pulse signals.

11. The droplet emission method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The droplet emission control system sets a first driving signal and a second driving signal according to the composition ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid contained in the ejected droplet.

12. A droplet emission method of the droplet emission device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The droplet emission method includes: The droplet launch control system provides a first control signal to the first pressure system; The droplet emission control system provides a second control signal to the second pressure system; The droplet emission control system provides droplet driving signals to the droplet emission driver; The first liquid pressure system drives the first liquid in the first liquid chamber to flow into the liquid communication chamber, where it merges with the second liquid in the second liquid chamber driven by the second liquid pressure system, and is ejected from the liquid nozzle. The droplet driving signal causes the ejected liquid to break into droplets.

13. The droplet emission method according to claim 12, wherein the droplet emission control system sets a first control signal and a second control signal according to the composition ratio of the first liquid and the second liquid contained in the ejected droplet.

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