Printhead processing method, printing apparatus, and printing method

Abstract

The application belongs to the field of organic light-emitting device manufacturing, and relates to a printhead processing method, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: injecting a soaking solvent into the printhead; determining the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time; and determining whether to terminate the soaking according to the refractive index of the soaking solvent. The application also relates to a printing device and a printing method. The technical scheme provided by the application can improve the processing quality and processing efficiency of the printhead.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of organic light-emitting device fabrication technology, and more specifically, to a printhead processing method, a printing device, and a printing method. Background Technology

[0002] OLEDs and QLEDs, with their self-emissive nature, low power consumption, fast response, and ability to be used in flexible products, have been widely adopted in commercial products, and their market share is increasing year by year. Inkjet printing technology holds promise for the production of large-size OLEDs and QLEDs, offering advantages such as simple processes, high material utilization, and the elimination of the need for high-precision metal masks (FMMs). When the printhead needs ink replacement, the conventional procedure is to drain the existing ink from the printhead, soak it in a solvent, then drain the solvent and inject new ink.

[0003] According to the standard ink replacement procedure, it is not entirely certain that a single soaking can completely remove all the original ink materials or solvents. However, using multiple solvent soakings or rinsing with new ink would lead to increased production costs and losses in manpower and time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a printhead processing method, a printing device, and a printing method.

[0005] This application provides a printhead processing method, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] A printhead processing method includes the following steps:

[0007] Inject soaking solvent into the print head;

[0008] The refractive index of the soaking solvent is determined after soaking for a first preset time;

[0009] Whether to terminate the soaking process is determined based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent.

[0010] Furthermore, the step of determining whether to terminate the soaking process based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent specifically includes:

[0011] The refractive index of the immersion solvent was analyzed to obtain analytical values;

[0012] The soaking process is terminated when the analytical values ​​are within a preset allowable range.

[0013] Alternatively, if the analytical values ​​exceed the preset allowable range, the soaking solvent can be replaced.

[0014] Furthermore, the analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index;

[0015] When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001.

[0016] When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

[0017] Preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 5%;

[0018] More preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 3%.

[0019] Furthermore, after the step of determining whether to terminate the soaking based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent, the method further includes:

[0020] The immersion solvent obtained at the end of the immersion process was used to prepare an organic light-emitting device, which was denoted as the test device.

[0021] Optionally, the test device is prepared by the following steps:

[0022] An anode layer is provided; an immersion solvent is disposed on the anode layer to form an auxiliary film; a functional layer is prepared on the auxiliary film; a cathode layer is prepared on the functional layer to form a test device; wherein the functional layer includes at least one of a hole functional layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron functional layer, the hole functional layer includes a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer, and the electron functional layer includes an electron injection layer and an electron transport layer.

[0023] Furthermore, when the printhead is used to prepare the hole injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the anode layer and the hole injection layer;

[0024] Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the hole transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer;

[0025] Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the light-emitting layer, the auxiliary film is located between the light-emitting layer and the hole functional layer or between the light-emitting layer and the electron functional layer;

[0026] Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the electron transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer;

[0027] Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the electron injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the cathode layer and the electron injection layer.

[0028] Furthermore, after the step of using the soaking solvent obtained during the termination of soaking to prepare an organic light-emitting device, referred to as a test device, the method further includes: providing a standard device, and detecting the device performance of the test device and / or the device performance of the standard device, including the following steps:

[0029] The optical performance of the test device and / or the standard device is detected using a current-voltage-luminance (IVL) detection device.

[0030] And / or, the lifespan of the test device and / or the standard device is detected by a life aging test device;

[0031] Optionally, after the step of detecting the device performance of the test device and / or the device performance of the standard device, the method further includes the following steps: calculating the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device; if the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device is ≤5%, then the processing of the printhead is completed; or, if the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device is >5%, then new soaking solvent is injected into the printhead for re-soaking.

[0032] This application also provides a printing device that adopts the following technical solution:

[0033] A printing device, the printing device including an analysis and processing unit and an ink replacement mechanism;

[0034] The analysis and processing device includes a detection mechanism and an analysis mechanism, wherein the analysis mechanism is connected to the detection mechanism;

[0035] The detection mechanism is used to extract and detect the immersion solvent to obtain the refractive index of the immersion solvent;

[0036] The analytical apparatus is used to analyze the refractive index of the soaking solvent, obtain analytical values, and determine whether the analytical values ​​are within a preset allowable range.

[0037] The ink replacement mechanism is used to perform an immersion solvent replacement process when the analytical value exceeds the preset allowable range.

[0038] Furthermore, the testing mechanism includes an ink storage device for storing the ink to be printed or the soaking solvent;

[0039] And / or, the testing facility further includes a printing device, which is used to perform inkjet printing when the analytical value is within the preset allowable range;

[0040] And / or, the testing mechanism further includes an ink testing chamber and a refractive index testing component;

[0041] The ink testing chamber is used to receive the soaking solvent drawn from the ink storage device;

[0042] The refractive index detection component is used to detect the refractive index of the immersion solvent in the ink detection chamber.

[0043] Furthermore, the analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index;

[0044] When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001.

[0045] When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

[0046] Preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 5%;

[0047] More preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 3%.

[0048] This application also provides a printing method, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0049] A printing method includes the following steps:

[0050] Empty the existing ink from the printhead;

[0051] The above-described printhead treatment method confirms that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained.

[0052] Empty the soaking solvent from the print head;

[0053] Inject functional layer ink into the printhead;

[0054] The printhead is controlled to spray ink onto the substrate to print functional layer ink, thereby forming a functional layer.

[0055] Optionally, before the step of injecting functional layer ink into the printhead, the method further includes:

[0056] The printhead is rinsed at least three times using the functional layer ink as a rinsing agent.

[0057] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of this application have the following main advantages:

[0058] This application calculates the refractive index of the soaking solvent before and after soaking to accurately determine whether the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained, ensuring the compliance of ink replacement of the printhead and improving the ink replacement efficiency of the printhead. Attached Figure Description

[0059] To more clearly illustrate the solution of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0060] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a printhead processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the test device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 3 This is a graph showing the brightness-time relationship between the test device and the test device in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the printing system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a printing method according to an embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure label:

[0066] 1. Anode layer; 2. Hole functional layer; 21. Hole injection layer; 22. Hole transport layer; 3. Auxiliary thin film; 4. Light-emitting layer; 5. Electron functional layer; 51. Electron transport layer; 52. Electron injection layer; 6. Cathode layer; 7. Printing system; 71. Memory; 72. Processor; 73. Network interface. Detailed Implementation

[0067] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terminology used herein in the specification of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, or foregoing drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a particular order.

[0068] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0069] Embodiments of the printhead processing method of this application

[0070] Please see Figure 1 As shown, this application embodiment provides a printhead processing method, including the following steps:

[0071] Step S100: Inject soaking solvent into the print head;

[0072] Step S200: After soaking for a first preset time, determine the refractive index of the soaking solvent;

[0073] Step S300: Determine whether to terminate the soaking process based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent.

[0074] The printhead processing method provided in this application can accurately determine whether the original ink in the printhead has been processed by observing the change in refractive index of the soaking solvent after immersion, ensuring that the printhead can meet the standards for ink replacement and improving the ink replacement efficiency of the printhead.

[0075] In some embodiments, step S100, injecting an immersion solvent into the printhead, includes the following steps:

[0076] The original ink inside the printhead is expelled.

[0077] Inject soaking solvent into the printhead until the printhead is completely filled with soaking solvent.

[0078] In this embodiment, the immersion solvent completely fills the printhead to prevent the original ink from adhering to the inner wall of the printhead, thereby improving the processing quality of the printhead.

[0079] In some embodiments, step S100 involves ultrasonically treating the printhead after the step of injecting the soaking solvent into the printhead, wherein the ultrasonic treatment is performed using an ultrasonic cleaner.

[0080] The ultrasonic cleaning machine has an ultrasonic frequency of 10 to 50 kHz. Specifically, the ultrasonic frequency of the ultrasonic cleaning machine can be set to any one of 10 kHz, 20 kHz, 30 kHz, 40 kHz, and 50 kHz, or a range formed between any two of these values.

[0081] The ultrasonic cleaning time of the ultrasonic cleaner is 1 to 60 minutes. Specifically, the duration of ultrasonic treatment of the inkjet printhead by the ultrasonic cleaner can be set to any one or any two of the following values: 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, 50 minutes, and 60 minutes.

[0082] The ultrasonic temperature of the ultrasonic cleaner is 20-50℃. Specifically, the temperature at which the ultrasonic cleaner ultrasonically treats the inkjet printhead can be set to any one of 20℃, 25℃, 30℃, 35℃, 40℃, 45℃, and 50℃, or a range between any two of these values.

[0083] In other embodiments, after the step of injecting the soaking solvent into the inkjet printhead, the method may further include: allowing the inkjet printhead to stand.

[0084] In some embodiments, the duration of the settling treatment is 12 to 24 hours. Specifically, the settling time of the immersion solvent in the inkjet printhead can be set to any one or any two of the following values: 12h, 13h, 14h, 15h, 16h, 17h, 18h, 19h, 20h, 21h, 22h, 23h, and 24h.

[0085] In some embodiments, the soaking first preset time in step S200 is the first preset time after ultrasonic treatment or the first preset time after static treatment.

[0086] In some embodiments, the step of determining the refractive index of the immersion solvent in step S200 specifically includes:

[0087] The original refractive index of the immersion solvent was detected by a refractometer and recorded as n0;

[0088] The refractive index of the soaking solvent obtained after soaking is detected by a refractometer and recorded as n.

[0089] In other embodiments, the original refractive index n0 of the immersion solvent can also be obtained from the original data provided by the manufacturer.

[0090] In some embodiments, step S300, which involves determining whether to terminate the soaking process based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent, specifically includes:

[0091] The refractive index of the immersion solvent was analyzed to obtain analytical values;

[0092] The soaking process is terminated when the analytical values ​​are within a preset allowable range.

[0093] Alternatively, if the analytical values ​​exceed the preset allowable range, the soaking solvent can be replaced.

[0094] In some embodiments, the analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index.

[0095] When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index after soaking in the soaking solvent for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, |n-n0|, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001.

[0096] When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

[0097] In some embodiments, the rate of change of refractive index Δn is calculated using the following formula:

[0098] Δn = (n - n0) / n0.

[0099] This application calculates the rate of change of refractive index by using the refractive index of the soaking solvent before soaking and the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time, so as to quickly determine whether the original ink in the printhead has been processed, thereby improving the processing quality and efficiency of the printhead.

[0100] In some embodiments, when the analysis value is within a preset allowable range, i.e. when Δn > 10% or |n - n0| ≥ 0.00001, the printhead is considered not to have completed the processing, and the soaking solvent replacement process is performed. Specifically, the soaking solvent after standing is removed from the printhead, and then new soaking solvent is injected into the printhead for soaking again.

[0101] In some embodiments, when the analyzed value exceeds a preset allowable range, i.e., when Δn≤10% and |n-n0|<0.00001, the soaking is terminated and the original ink in the printhead has been drained.

[0102] In some embodiments, the process involves injecting new soaking solvent into the printhead for a second soaking, and after a first preset soaking time, calculating the refractive index change rate Δn of the new soaking solvent again. When the refractive index change rate Δn of the new soaking solvent reaches the target range, it is determined that the residual ink in the printhead has been completely drained.

[0103] The printhead processing method provided in this application embodiment cleans the original ink inside the printhead by immersing it in a solvent. The refractive index of the immersion solvent is detected after immersion, and the rate of change of the refractive index of the immersion solvent is calculated. The original ink inside the printhead is determined to be completely drained by checking whether the rate of change of the refractive index reaches the target range. This improves the processing efficiency and quality of the printhead.

[0104] As a preferred option, soaking should be stopped when Δn≤5% and |n-n0|<0.00001.

[0105] As a more preferred option, soaking should be stopped when Δn≤3% and |n-n0|<0.00001.

[0106] In this embodiment, the influence of the original ink on the soaking solvent is determined by analyzing the change in refractive index Δn. When the original ink in the printhead is drained, the original ink has no effect on the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking. That is, the original refractive index n0 of the soaking solvent is basically the same as the refractive index n of the soaking solvent after soaking. Under ideal conditions, the change in refractive index will be close to zero.

[0107] In this embodiment, the influence of the original ink on the soaking solvent is further verified by the difference between the original refractive index of the soaking solvent and the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking. When the original ink in the printhead is drained, the original ink has no effect on the soaking solvent. Therefore, the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking is basically unchanged from the original refractive index of the soaking solvent. That is, the difference between the original refractive index of the soaking solvent and the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking will be close to zero.

[0108] Therefore, when the rate of change of the refractive index of the immersion solvent is Δ≤10% (more preferably, Δn≤3%), and the difference between the original refractive index of the immersion solvent and the refractive index of the immersion solvent after immersion is |n-n0|<0.00001, it can be determined that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained, and the printhead processing is completed.

[0109] In other embodiments, if the change in refractive index of the immersion solvent Δn > 10%, or the difference between the original refractive index of the immersion solvent and the refractive index of the immersion solvent after immersion |n-n0| ≥ 0.00001, then it is considered that the refractive index of the immersion solvent after standing has not reached the target range, and the immersion solvent in the printhead needs to be drained and new immersion solvent of the same material injected into the printhead for repeated immersion cleaning.

[0110] This application embodiment confirms that the original ink does not affect the refractive index output of the soaking solvent after soaking, and the difference between the original refractive index of the soaking solvent and the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking, thereby improving the processing quality of the printhead.

[0111] Please see Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, when the rate of change of the refractive index of the immersion solvent Δn ≤ 10%, and the difference between the original refractive index of the immersion solvent and the refractive index of the immersion solvent after immersion |n-n0| < 0.00001, step S300, after determining whether to terminate the immersion based on the refractive index of the immersion solvent, further includes the following steps:

[0112] In step S400, the soaking solvent obtained at the end of the soaking process is used to prepare an organic light-emitting device, denoted as the test device.

[0113] In some embodiments, the test device is prepared by the following steps:

[0114] Provide an anode layer;

[0115] The immersion solvent is disposed on the anode layer to form an auxiliary film;

[0116] A functional layer is prepared on the auxiliary thin film;

[0117] A cathode layer is fabricated on the functional layer to form a test device.

[0118] The functional layer includes at least one of a hole functional layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electronic functional layer. The hole functional layer includes a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer, and the electronic functional layer includes an electron injection layer and an electron transport layer.

[0119] In this application, the printhead can be used to prepare any one of the hole injection layer, hole transport layer, light emission layer, electron injection layer, and electron transport layer.

[0120] When the printhead is used to prepare the hole injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the anode layer and the hole injection layer.

[0121] When the printhead is used to prepare the hole transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer.

[0122] When the printhead is used to prepare the light-emitting layer, the auxiliary film is located between the light-emitting layer and the hole functional layer or between the light-emitting layer and the electron functional layer.

[0123] When the printhead is used to prepare the electron transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer.

[0124] When the printhead is used to prepare the electron injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the cathode layer and the electron injection layer.

[0125] In this embodiment, taking the use of ink to be replenished for preparing the light-emitting layer as an example, the test device is prepared through the following steps:

[0126] Provides an anode layer.

[0127] A hole functional layer is prepared on the anode layer, wherein the hole functional layer includes a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer stacked together.

[0128] An auxiliary film is prepared on the vacuolated functional layer using the soaking solvent.

[0129] A light-emitting layer is prepared on the auxiliary thin film.

[0130] An electronic functional layer is fabricated on the light-emitting layer.

[0131] A cathode layer is fabricated on the electronic functional layer.

[0132] Please see Figure 2 As shown, the upright OLED device prepared by the above steps in this embodiment includes an anode layer 1, a hole injection layer 21, a hole transport layer 22, an auxiliary thin film 3, a light-emitting layer 4, an electron transport layer 51, an electron injection layer 52, and a cathode layer 6, which are stacked sequentially from bottom to top.

[0133] In some embodiments, the provided standard device includes an anode layer, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode layer stacked from bottom to top; in this embodiment, compared with the standard device, the test device provided in this embodiment adds an auxiliary thin film 3 located between the hole transport layer 22 and the light-emitting layer 4.

[0134] Because using mixed inks to fabricate devices reduces the performance of light-emitting devices, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the lifespan of OLED devices is reduced. Therefore, by comparing the device performance of the test device with that of the standard device, the impact of the auxiliary film 3 on the device performance of the OLED device can be confirmed. Based on the device performance of the OLED device containing the auxiliary film 3, it can be confirmed that the original ink and soaking solvent are mixed in the print head, thereby determining whether the print head has completed the processing.

[0135] Please see Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, after step S400, where the soaking solvent obtained during the termination of soaking is used to prepare an organic light-emitting device, denoted as the test device step, the following step is also included:

[0136] Step S500: Provide a standard device and test the device performance of the test device and / or the device performance of the standard device, specifically including testing the optical performance and lifespan of the test device.

[0137] The optical performance of the test device and / or the optical performance of the standard device are obtained by current-voltage-luminance (IVL) detection equipment;

[0138] The lifespan of the test device and / or the lifespan of the standard device are obtained by testing with a lifespan aging device.

[0139] In some embodiments, step S500, providing a standard device, further includes the following steps after detecting the device performance of the test device and / or the device performance of the standard device:

[0140] Step S600: Calculate the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device.

[0141] In this embodiment, the device performance includes the device's optical performance and lifespan. The device performance of the test device is obtained by testing through the above steps. The optical performance of the standard device can be obtained by current-voltage-luminance (IVL) testing equipment or by obtaining data from the manufacturer. The lifespan of the standard device can be obtained by life aging equipment or by obtaining data from the manufacturer.

[0142] If the performance difference between the test device and the standard device is ≤5%, the printhead processing is completed; or, if the performance difference between the test device and the standard device is >5%, new immersion solvent is injected into the printhead for re-immersion.

[0143] In this embodiment, if the optical performance and lifespan of the test device are less than 5% different from those of the standard device, then the processing of the printhead is completed.

[0144] In other embodiments, if the optical performance and lifespan of the test device differ from those of the standard device by 5% or more, it is considered that the original ink in the printhead has not been completely drained. The soaking solvent in the printhead needs to be drained, and new soaking solvent needs to be injected into the printhead for re-soaking.

[0145] The printhead processing method provided in this application detects the refractive index of the soaking solvent after it has been allowed to stand. When the refractive index of the soaking solvent reaches a target range, it is preliminarily determined that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained. An organic light-emitting device is prepared using the soaking solvent with the refractive index reaching the target range after soaking as a test device, and the device performance of the test device is tested. When the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device is within a first threshold, it is further determined that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained. By detecting the soaking solvent twice after soaking, it is possible to accurately determine that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained, thereby improving the processing quality and efficiency of the printhead.

[0146] Based on the above printhead processing method, this application also provides a printing system, please refer to the following for details. Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a basic structural block diagram of the printing system in this embodiment.

[0147] The printing system 7 includes a memory 71, a processor 72, and a network interface 73 that are interconnected via a system bus. It should be noted that only a computer device 7 with components 71-73 is shown in the figure; however, it should be understood that it is not required to implement all the shown components, and more or fewer components can be implemented alternatively. Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer device described here is a device capable of automatically performing numerical calculations and / or information processing according to pre-set or stored instructions, and its hardware includes, but is not limited to, microprocessors, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), embedded devices, etc.

[0148] The memory 71 includes at least one type of readable storage medium, including flash memory, hard disk, multimedia card, card-type memory (e.g., SD or DX memory), random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), magnetic memory, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc. In some embodiments, the memory 71 may be an internal storage unit of the computer device 7, such as the hard disk or memory of the computer device 7. In other embodiments, the memory 71 may also be an external storage device of the computer device 7, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the computer device 7. Of course, the memory 71 may include both the internal storage unit and its external storage device of the computer device 7. In this embodiment, the memory 71 is typically used to store the operating system and various application software installed on the computer device 7, such as the program code of the printhead processing method. In addition, the memory 71 can also be used to temporarily store various types of data that have been output or will be output.

[0149] In some embodiments, the processor 72 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a controller, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, or other data processing chip. The processor 72 is typically used to control the overall operation of the computer device 7. In this embodiment, the processor 72 is used to run program code stored in the memory 71 or to process data, for example, to run program code for the printhead processing method.

[0150] The network interface 73 may include a wireless network interface or a wired network interface, which is typically used to establish communication connections between the computer device 7 and other electronic devices.

[0151] Based on the above printhead processing method, this application embodiment also provides a printing device for performing the above printhead processing method.

[0152] The printing equipment includes an analysis and processing unit and an ink replacement mechanism.

[0153] In some embodiments, the analytical processing apparatus includes a detection mechanism and an analysis mechanism, wherein the analysis mechanism is connected to the detection mechanism;

[0154] The detection mechanism is used to extract and detect the immersion solvent to obtain the refractive index of the immersion solvent; the analysis mechanism is used to analyze the refractive index of the immersion solvent to obtain the analysis value and determine whether the analysis value is within a preset allowable range.

[0155] The ink replacement mechanism is used to perform an immersion solvent replacement process when the analytical value exceeds the preset allowable range.

[0156] In this embodiment, when the ink to be printed needs to be replaced, the materials of the original ink and the ink to be printed are different. Therefore, if the ink to be printed is replaced directly, the residue of the original ink will cause problems with the ink to be printed, affecting the optical performance of the functional layer subsequently prepared. Therefore, before replacing the ink to be printed, the immersion solvent is extracted and tested by a detection agency, and based on the analytical values ​​obtained by the analysis agency, it is determined that the residual ink should be drained, thereby ensuring that the device performance of the light-emitting device prepared using this application is guaranteed.

[0157] In some embodiments, the testing apparatus includes an ink storage device for storing ink to be printed or the soaking solvent.

[0158] In some embodiments, the testing apparatus further includes a printing device for performing inkjet printing when the analytical value is within the preset allowable range.

[0159] This application involves injecting an immersion solvent into an ink storage device and immersing it for a first preset time. Then, a detection mechanism measures the refractive index of the immersion solvent. Next, an analysis mechanism analyzes the refractive index of the immersion solvent to obtain an analytical value, and determines whether the analytical value is within a preset allowable range. When the analytical value is within the preset allowable range, the immersion of the ink storage device with the immersion solvent is stopped, and then ink to be replenished is injected for inkjet printing. When the analytical value exceeds the preset allowable range, a new round of immersion is performed by injecting new immersion solvent, thereby ensuring that the original ink in the ink storage device is completely drained.

[0160] In some embodiments, the testing mechanism further includes an ink testing chamber and a refractive index testing component;

[0161] The ink testing chamber is used to receive the soaking solvent drawn from the ink storage device;

[0162] The refractive index detection component is used to detect the refractive index of the immersion solvent in the ink detection chamber.

[0163] In some embodiments, the analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index;

[0164] When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001.

[0165] When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

[0166] Preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 5%;

[0167] More preferably, when the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 3%.

[0168] When the analysis agency analyzes the analytical values, if the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index after soaking in the soaking solvent for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent is less than 0.00001, and the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the soaking solvent is less than or equal to 10%, then the analytical values ​​are considered to be within the preset allowable range, the soaking of the ink storage device with the soaking solvent is ended, and then the ink to be replenished is injected for inkjet printing.

[0169] Please see Figure 5 As shown in the figure, this application provides a printing method, including the following steps:

[0170] Step S10: Empty the existing ink from the printhead;

[0171] Step S20: Determine that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained using the printhead processing method described above;

[0172] Step S30: Empty the soaking solvent inside the printhead;

[0173] Step S40: Inject functional layer ink into the printhead;

[0174] Step S50: Control the print head to spray ink onto the substrate to print functional layer ink, forming a functional layer.

[0175] The printing method provided in this application fully removes the original ink from the printhead using the above-described printhead processing method before injecting functional layer ink. This reduces the impact of the original ink in the printhead on the performance of the subsequently fabricated OLED devices, improves the processing efficiency of the printhead, and lowers the production cost of functional layer printing.

[0176] In this embodiment, the use of functional layer ink to prepare the light-emitting layer is taken as an example for further explanation. The printing method specifically includes the following steps:

[0177] Step S10: Empty the existing ink from the printhead;

[0178] Step S20: Determine that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained using the printhead processing method described above;

[0179] In this embodiment, the printhead processing method specifically includes the following steps:

[0180] Immerse the printhead with an immersion solvent until it is full, where the original refractive index of the immersion solvent is denoted as n0.

[0181] Let the soaking solvent stand inside the inkjet printhead for 24 hours;

[0182] After 24 hours of static soaking, the refractive index of the soaking solvent was measured by a refractometer and recorded as n;

[0183] The change in refractive index Δn of the immersion solvent can be calculated using the following formula:

[0184] Δn = (n - n0) / n0

[0185] Determine if the rate of change of refractive index Δn of the soaking solvent is less than or equal to 3%; if yes, proceed to the next step; if no, drain the soaking solvent from the printhead, add new soaking solvent, and let the new soaking solvent stand for 24 hours.

[0186] When the rate of change of refractive index of the immersion solvent Δn ≤ 5%, and the refractive index of the immersion solvent after immersion is less than 0.00001 compared with the original refractive index of the immersion solvent |n-n0|, immersion is stopped, and an organic light-emitting device is prepared using the immersion solvent obtained when immersion is stopped, as a test device. The test device is a positive OLED device, which includes an anode, a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, an auxiliary thin film, a light-emitting layer, an electron transport layer, an electron injection layer, and a cathode stacked from bottom to top.

[0187] The optical performance of the test device was detected using a current-voltage-luminance (IVL) testing device, and the lifespan of the test device was detected using a life aging device.

[0188] The optical performance and lifespan of the test device are compared with those of the standard device. If the performance difference between the test device and the standard device is less than 5%, it is considered that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained, and the process proceeds to the next step.

[0189] Step S30: Empty the soaking solvent inside the printhead;

[0190] In this embodiment, after the step of emptying the soaking solvent from the printhead, the following steps are also included:

[0191] The inkjet printhead is rinsed at least three times using functional layer ink as a rinsing agent to avoid the influence of residual soaking solvent on the concentration of the ink to be replenished after the soaking solvent is drained from the inkjet printhead. In this embodiment, the solvent of the functional layer ink is the same material as the soaking solvent.

[0192] Step S40: Inject functional layer ink into the printhead;

[0193] Step S50: Control the print head to spray ink onto the substrate to print functional layer ink, forming a functional layer.

[0194] In this embodiment, the printhead is controlled to spray ink onto the hole functional layer to print the light-emitting layer ink, thereby forming the light-emitting layer.

[0195] The printing method provided in this application reduces the impact on the performance of subsequent OLED device fabrication by fully draining the original ink in the printhead before replacing the functional layer ink, thereby improving printhead processing efficiency and reducing the production cost of printhead printing.

[0196] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of this application, not all embodiments. The accompanying drawings show preferred embodiments of this application, but do not limit the patent scope of this application. This application can be implemented in many different forms; rather, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of this application. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing specific embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any equivalent structures made using the content of this application's specification and drawings, directly or indirectly applied to other related technical fields, are similarly within the scope of patent protection of this application.

Claims

1. A printhead processing method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Inject soaking solvent into the print head; The refractive index of the soaking solvent is determined after soaking for a first preset time; Whether to terminate the soaking is determined based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent; The immersion solvent obtained at the end of the immersion process was used to prepare an organic light-emitting device, which was denoted as the test device. Provide standard devices to test the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard devices; Calculate the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device; When the performance difference between the test device and the standard device is ≤5%, the processing of the printhead is completed.

2. The printhead processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to terminate the soaking based on the refractive index of the soaking solvent specifically includes: The refractive index of the immersion solvent was analyzed to obtain analytical values; The soaking process is terminated when the analytical values ​​are within a preset allowable range. Alternatively, if the analytical values ​​exceed the preset allowable range, the soaking solvent can be replaced.

3. The printhead processing method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index; When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001. When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

4. The printhead processing method according to claim 3, characterized in that, When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 5%.

5. The printhead processing method according to claim 4, characterized in that, When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 3%.

6. The printhead processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The test device is fabricated through the following steps: providing an anode layer; depositing the immersion solvent on the anode layer to form an auxiliary film; and fabricating a functional layer on the auxiliary film. A cathode layer is fabricated on the functional layer to form a test device; wherein the functional layer includes at least one of a hole functional layer, a light-emitting layer, and an electron functional layer, the hole functional layer includes a hole injection layer and a hole transport layer, and the electron functional layer includes an electron injection layer and an electron transport layer.

7. The printhead processing method according to claim 6, characterized in that, When the printhead is used to prepare the hole injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the anode layer and the hole injection layer; Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the hole transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the hole injection layer and the hole transport layer; Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the light-emitting layer, the auxiliary film is located between the light-emitting layer and the hole functional layer or between the light-emitting layer and the electron functional layer; Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the electron transport layer, the auxiliary film is located between the electron transport layer and the electron injection layer; Alternatively, when the printhead is used to prepare the electron injection layer, the auxiliary film is located between the cathode layer and the electron injection layer.

8. The printhead processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of providing a standard device and testing the device performance of the test device and the standard device includes the following steps: The optical performance of the test device and the standard device was detected using an IVL (infrared luminance) testing device. And / or, the lifespan of the test device and the standard device is detected by a life aging test device.

9. The printhead processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Following the step of calculating the difference between the device performance of the test device and the device performance of the standard device, the method further includes the following steps: If the performance difference between the test device and the standard device is greater than 5%, then a new soaking solvent is injected into the printhead for a second soaking.

10. A printing apparatus for performing the printhead processing method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The printing equipment includes an analysis and processing device and an ink replacement mechanism; The analysis and processing device includes a detection mechanism and an analysis mechanism. The analysis mechanism is connected to the detection mechanism. The detection mechanism is used to extract and detect the immersion solvent to obtain the refractive index of the immersion solvent. The analytical apparatus is used to analyze the refractive index of the soaking solvent, obtain analytical values, and determine whether the analytical values ​​are within a preset allowable range. The ink replacement mechanism is used to perform an immersion solvent replacement process when the analytical value exceeds the preset allowable range.

11. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The testing apparatus includes an ink storage device for storing ink to be printed or the soaking solvent; And / or, the testing facility further includes a printing device, which is used to perform inkjet printing when the analytical value is within the preset allowable range; And / or, the testing mechanism further includes an ink testing chamber and a refractive index testing component; The ink testing chamber is used to receive the soaking solvent drawn from the ink storage device; The refractive index detection component is used to detect the refractive index of the immersion solvent in the ink detection chamber.

12. The printing apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that, The analytical values ​​include the refractive index difference and the rate of change of refractive index; When the analytical value is a refractive index difference, it refers to the absolute value of the difference between the refractive index of the soaking solvent after soaking for a first preset time and the original refractive index of the soaking solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than 0.00001. When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, it refers to the ratio of the refractive index difference to the original refractive index of the immersion solvent, and the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 10%.

13. The printing apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 5%.

14. The printing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, When the analytical value is the rate of change of refractive index, the corresponding preset allowable range is less than or equal to 3%.

15. A printing method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Empty the existing ink from the printhead; The printhead processing method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 is used to determine that the original ink in the printhead has been completely drained; Empty the soaking solvent from the print head; Inject functional layer ink into the printhead; The printhead is controlled to spray ink onto the substrate to print functional layer ink, thereby forming a functional layer.

16. The printing method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Before the step of injecting functional layer ink into the printhead, the method further includes: The printhead is rinsed at least three times using the functional layer ink as a rinsing agent.

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