A high-precision nanoparticle electronic ink jet printing device

Abstract

The application relates to a high-precision nano-particle electronic ink jet printing device in the technical fields of the application and printing, and relates to the technical scheme that the nozzle device includes a shell, the shell is sequentially and communicatively connected with a top seat, a mounting seat, a variable cavity and a nozzle assembly from top to bottom, the top seat is connected with an ink box through a liquid delivery pipe, the variable cavity includes a cavity shell and a plurality of circumferentially arranged cavity plates, the cavity plates are located in the cavity shell, rubber connecting pads are arranged between the adjacent cavity plates, the top end of the cavity plate is movably arranged in the mounting seat, and the tail end of the cavity plate is movably arranged at the bottom of the cavity shell. The variable cavity can also change the nozzle size formed by the plurality of nozzle plates, so that the blockage can be discharged during cleaning without disassembly, and the nozzle size can be adjusted according to the operation requirement, so that different operation modes can be met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to a high-precision inkjet printing device for nanoparticle electronic ink. Background Technology

[0002] High-precision inkjet printing equipment using nanoparticle electronic inks has wide applications in numerous fields, such as manufacturing flexible circuits and thin-film transistors in the electronics field, preparing biochips and cell printing in the biomedical field, and manufacturing microlens arrays and optical waveguides in the optics field. However, printhead clogging is a very common and challenging problem in practical use. Nanoparticle electronic inks typically contain various nanoscale particles, which may aggregate at the printhead due to various reasons during ink flow. On the one hand, the physical properties of the ink itself, such as poor particle dispersion stability, easily lead to particle aggregation; on the other hand, after prolonged operation of the printing equipment, the surface of the flow channels inside the printhead may develop minor imperfections due to wear, providing conditions for particle adhesion. Once the printhead is clogged, it will severely affect the continuity of printing, causing the printing process to be interrupted and unable to complete the printing of the intended pattern; at the same time, it will also greatly reduce the printing accuracy, resulting in uneven line thickness and blurred patterns, seriously affecting product quality and production efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to address the problems existing in the background art by proposing a high-precision inkjet printing device for nanoparticle electronic ink.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention: a high-precision inkjet printing device for nanoparticle electronic ink, including a nozzle device installed in the housing;

[0005] The nozzle device includes a housing, inside which a top seat, a mounting seat, a variable cavity, and a nozzle assembly are connected sequentially from top to bottom. The top seat is connected to an ink cartridge via an infusion tube. The variable cavity includes a cavity shell and several cavity plates arranged in a circular pattern. The cavity plates are located inside the cavity shell, and rubber connecting pads are installed between adjacent cavity plates. The top of the cavity plate is movably installed in the mounting seat, and the end of the cavity plate is movably installed at the bottom of the cavity shell.

[0006] A liquid chamber is formed between the cavity shell and the cavity plate. The liquid chamber is filled with magnetorheological fluid. A first electromagnetic coil is installed inside the outer shell and surrounds the liquid chamber. A push plate located inside the liquid chamber is fixed to the cavity plate.

[0007] The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing and several spray plates arranged in a circular pattern. The spray plates are located inside the nozzle housing, the nozzle housing is fixed to the bottom of the cavity housing, and the spray plates are fixed to the bottom of the cavity plate.

[0008] Preferably, an ear plate is fixed to the top of the cavity plate and is movably installed in the mounting base. A frame is fixed to the end of the cavity plate. The bottom of the cavity shell is a base plate, and the frame is fitted onto the base plate. A groove for the frame to move is provided on the top of the nozzle shell. An inner groove for receiving the spray plate is provided inside the nozzle shell. Sealing elements are provided at both the ear plate and the frame.

[0009] Preferably, a liquid chamber and a diversion chamber are formed between the cavity shell and the cavity plate, with the diversion chamber located above the liquid chamber. An elastic connecting plate is installed between the liquid chamber and the diversion chamber, and the elastic connecting plate has a notch.

[0010] Preferably, the nozzle device is provided with an anti-magnetic cover, and the anti-magnetic cover is also provided with a circuit for supplying power to the first electromagnetic coil.

[0011] Preferably, a cleaning device is provided on the nozzle device side. The cleaning device includes a spiral tube fixed and connected between the infusion tube and the mounting base, and also includes a first electromagnetic coil installed inside the nozzle device and surrounding the liquid chamber. The spiral tube has an outlet, and an arc-shaped filter plate located inside the spiral tube is installed at the outlet. The outlet is connected to a discharge pipe. The arc-shaped filter plate has a large opening facing the direction of ink flow, and a solenoid valve is provided on the discharge pipe.

[0012] Preferably, the cleaning device also includes a housing located outside the outer casing, the housing being divided into a cleaning water tank and an impurity recovery tank, the discharge pipe being connected to the impurity recovery tank, and the cleaning device also includes a water supply pipe connected to the infusion pipe, the water supply pipe being equipped with a valve.

[0013] Preferably, a moving mechanism and an electronic component moving stage are installed inside the housing. The nozzle device and the cleaning device are both mounted on the moving mechanism. The moving mechanism includes an X-axis drive platform, a Y-axis drive platform and a Z-axis drive platform. The electronic component moving stage includes a placement seat. A control device is also installed outside the nozzle device.

[0014] Compared with existing technologies, the beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0015] 1. The nozzle device of the present invention consists of a top seat, a mounting seat, a variable cavity, and a nozzle assembly. By providing a magnetorheological fluid in the variable cavity, the size of the ink flow channel formed by several cavity plates can be changed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing and a spray plate. The variable cavity also allows the size of the nozzle formed by several spray plates to be changed. This facilitates the removal of blockages during cleaning without disassembly. In addition, the nozzle size can be adjusted according to the operational requirements to meet different operational needs.

[0016] 2. This invention equips the nozzle device with a cleaning device. A spiral tube is installed between the top seat and the mounting seat. An outlet is provided inside the spiral tube, and an arc-shaped filter plate is installed at the outlet. The arc-shaped filter plate is connected to the discharge pipe. A second electromagnetic coil is installed outside the spiral tube, so that when the second electromagnetic coil is energized, the spiral tube has a magnetic force. Therefore, the ink passing through the spiral tube will be adsorbed by the impurities inside. In addition, through the outlet and the arc-shaped filter plate, when clean water is introduced into the spiral tube, the impurities inside the spiral tube will be discharged from the discharge pipe. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation positions of the nozzle device and the cleaning device of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the nozzle device of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the nozzle device of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cavity plate of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the spray plate of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the nozzle housing of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 9 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the spiral tube of the present invention.

[0026] Reference numerals: 1. Nozzle assembly; 2. Cleaning device; 3. Ink cartridge; 4. Variable cavity; 5. Printhead assembly; 11. Housing; 12. Infusion tube; 13. Top seat; 14. Mounting base; 15. First electromagnetic coil; 16. Second electromagnetic coil; 21. Coiled tube; 22. Housing; 23. Outlet; 24. Arc-shaped filter plate; 25. Discharge pipe; 26. Water supply pipe; 27. Solenoid valve; 41. Cavity shell; 42. Cavity plate; 421. Ear plate; 43. Liquid 44. Diversion chamber; 45. Magnetorheological fluid; 46. Elastic connecting plate; 47. Base plate; 48. Push plate; 49. Frame; 51. Nozzle housing; 52. Spray plate; 53. Tank; 54. Inner tank; 100. Housing; 200. Control device; 300. Moving mechanism; 301. X-axis drive platform; 302. Y-axis drive platform; 303.; 400. Electronic component moving stage; 401. Placement seat; 500. Antimagnetic cover; 600. Rubber connecting pad. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0028] Example 1

[0029] See attached document Figures 1-8 A high-precision inkjet printing device for nanoparticle electronic ink includes a nozzle device 1 installed inside a housing 100;

[0030] The nozzle device 1 includes a housing 11, and inside the housing 11, from top to bottom, a top seat 13, a mounting seat 14, a variable cavity 4, and a nozzle assembly 5 are connected in sequence. The top seat 13 is connected to an ink cartridge 3 through an infusion tube 12. The variable cavity 4 includes a cavity shell 41 and several cavity plates 42 arranged in a circle. The cavity plates 42 are located inside the cavity shell 41, and rubber connecting pads 600 are installed between adjacent cavity plates 42. The top of the cavity plate 42 is movably installed in the mounting seat 14, and the end of the cavity plate 42 is movably installed at the bottom of the cavity shell 41.

[0031] A liquid chamber 43 is formed between the cavity shell 41 and the cavity plate 42. The liquid chamber 43 is provided with magnetorheological fluid 45. A first electromagnetic coil 15 is installed inside the outer shell 11 and surrounds the liquid chamber 43. A push plate 48 located inside the liquid chamber 43 is fixed in the cavity plate 42.

[0032] The nozzle assembly 5 includes a nozzle housing 51 and a plurality of spray plates 52 arranged in a circular pattern. The spray plates 52 are located inside the nozzle housing 51. The nozzle housing 51 is fixed to the bottom of the cavity housing 41, and the spray plates 52 are fixed to the bottom of the cavity plate 42.

[0033] Existing nozzles are prone to clogging. Once the printhead is clogged, it severely affects the continuity of printing, causing interruptions in the printing process and preventing the completion of the intended pattern. At the same time, it also greatly reduces printing accuracy, resulting in uneven line thickness and blurry patterns, seriously affecting product quality and production efficiency.

[0034] This invention incorporates a variable cavity 4, allowing the internal dimensions of the nozzle assembly 5 to be adjusted. This enables the nozzle assembly 5 to be enlarged to facilitate the removal of blockages during cleaning when blockages occur. Furthermore, while existing cleaning methods require nozzle removal, this solution only needs to enlarge the internal dimensions of the nozzle assembly 5 for effective cleaning. Additionally, the dimensions of the nozzle assembly 5 can be adjusted according to operational requirements, accommodating different work methods.

[0035] In actual operation, the first electromagnetic coil 15 is powered to generate a magnetic force in the liquid chamber 43. The magnetic force causes the magnetorheological fluid 45 to solidify. The solidified magnetorheological fluid 45 can support the push plate 48, thus preventing the cavity plate 42 from moving at the bottom of the cavity shell 41. Subsequently, the ink cartridge 3 inputs ink into the infusion tube 12. The ink enters the flow channel formed by several cavity plates 42, and then the ink is discharged from the small-diameter nozzle formed by several spray plates 52. The channel formed by several spray plates 52 has the smallest diameter, which can achieve high-precision spraying.

[0036] After prolonged operation, blockages may occur in the small-diameter nozzles formed by the spray plates 52. At this time, the first electromagnetic coil 15 is de-energized, causing the magnetic force in the liquid chamber 43 to disappear, and the magnetorheological fluid 45 to become fluid. The magnetorheological fluid 45 no longer supports the push plate 48. After the cleaning water is introduced into the flow channel formed by the cavity plates 42, the water pressure will push the cavity plates 42 towards the cavity shell 41. As a result, the cavity plates 42 will drive the spray plates 52 to move towards the nozzle shell 51, and the rubber connecting pads 600 between adjacent cavity plates 42 will be stretched. Thus, the spray plates 52 form a large-diameter nozzle, and the debris blocked at the spray plates 52 will be dispersed. This increases the water flow during cleaning and the cleaning area, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0037] Furthermore, when high-flow printing is required, the first electromagnetic coil 15 can be de-energized, causing the multiple printing plates 52 to form large-diameter nozzles. Therefore, this invention also enables switching between high-flow and high-precision printing modes, improving the adaptability of the printing equipment to different products and processes, and enhancing product quality and production efficiency.

[0038] In this embodiment, an ear plate 421 is fixed to the top of the cavity plate 42, and the ear plate 421 is movably installed in the mounting base 14. A frame 49 is fixed to the end of the cavity plate 42. The bottom of the cavity shell 41 is a base plate 47, and the frame 49 is fitted onto the base plate 47. A groove 53 for the frame 49 to move is opened on the top of the nozzle shell 51. An inner groove 54 for receiving the spray plate 52 is opened inside the nozzle shell 51. Sealing elements are provided at both the ear plate 421 and the frame 49. A liquid chamber 43 and a diversion chamber 44 are formed between the cavity shell 41 and the cavity plate 42. The diversion chamber 44 is located above the liquid chamber 43. An elastic connecting plate 46 is installed between the liquid chamber 43 and the diversion chamber 44. The elastic connecting plate 46 has a notch. An antimagnetic cover 500 is provided outside the nozzle device 1. A line for powering the first electromagnetic coil 15 is also provided inside the antimagnetic cover 500.

[0039] Specifically, when the first electromagnetic coil 15 is de-energized, and high-flow printing is required, the ink enters the flow channel composed of several cavity plates 42. The ink pressure pushes the cavity plates 42 towards the cavity shell 41, causing the frame 49 to move on the base plate 47. The bottom of the frame 49 enters the tank 53, and the cavity plates 42 drive the spray plate 52 into the inner tank 54. The spray plate 52 adheres to the printhead shell 51, and the pushed cavity plates 42 squeeze the magnetorheological fluid 45 through the push plate 48, causing the magnetorheological fluid 45 to enter the distribution chamber 44 through the notch in the elastic connecting plate 46. Similarly, when cleaning is required and the ink is replaced with cleaning water, the above movements are repeated.

[0040] Additionally, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the rubber connecting pad 600 and the elastic connecting plate 46 are made of the same material, both of which are made of silicone rubber. Silicone rubber has high elasticity and tensile strength, as well as excellent chemical stability. It can be stretched for a long time and can also be in contact with ink and magnetorheological fluid for a long time.

[0041] Additionally, it should be noted that the magnetic level changer in this embodiment includes a base liquid made of silicone oil, micron- or nano-sized ferromagnetic particles, and contains a certain amount of dispersant, stabilizer, and antioxidant.

[0042] The specific operating principle is as follows: energizing the first electromagnetic coil 15 generates a magnetic force. Magnetic particles, under the influence of this magnetic force, rapidly align themselves into chain-like or columnar structures along the magnetic field direction. The particles form a mechanical network through magnetic dipole interactions. This chain-like structure hinders the flow of the base fluid, causing a sharp increase in viscosity and shear stress, even exhibiting solid-like properties. The stronger the magnetic field, the tighter the particle arrangement, the more stable the chain-like structure, and the higher the shear stress and viscosity of the fluid. When the magnetic force is removed, the chain-like structure of the magnetic particles quickly disintegrates, the particles return to a random distribution, and the magnetorheological fluid returns to a low-viscosity fluid state.

[0043] Example 2

[0044] See attached document Figures 3-9 Based on Embodiment 1, a cleaning device 2 is provided on the nozzle device 1 side. The cleaning device 2 includes a spiral tube 21 fixed and connected between the infusion tube 12 and the mounting base 14, and a first electromagnetic coil 15 installed inside the nozzle device 1 and surrounding the liquid chamber 43. The spiral tube 21 is provided with an outlet 23, and an arc-shaped filter plate 24 located inside the spiral tube 21 is installed at the outlet 23. The outlet 23 is connected to a discharge pipe 25. The arc-shaped filter plate 24 has a large opening facing the direction of ink flow. A solenoid valve 27 is provided on the discharge pipe 25. The cleaning device 2 also includes a box 22 located outside the outer shell 11. The box 22 is divided into a cleaning water tank and an impurity recovery tank. The discharge pipe 25 is connected to the impurity recovery tank. The cleaning device 2 also includes a water infusion pipe 26 connected to the infusion tube 12. The water infusion pipe 26 is provided with a valve.

[0045] In this embodiment, when printing is performed, the second electromagnetic coil 16 and the first electromagnetic coil 15 are energized simultaneously. The energization of the second electromagnetic coil 16 makes the coil tube 21 magnetic, and the ink flows into the coil tube 21 through the ink cartridge 3. The magnetic force of the coil tube 21 can adsorb some impurities in the ink. The coil tube 21 is coiled, which can prolong the time for the ink to be adsorbed. The arc-shaped filter plate 24 filters the ink and intercepts the impurities. At this time, the solenoid valve 27 and the valve on the water supply pipe 26 are both closed.

[0046] During cleaning, the second electromagnetic coil 16 and the first electromagnetic coil 15 are de-energized, the magnetic force disappears, the valve of the water supply pipe 26 and the solenoid valve 27 are opened, and clean water is introduced into the infusion pipe 12 through the water supply pipe 26. The water will enter the spiral pipe 21, and the water flow will wash away the impurities adsorbed on the wall of the spiral pipe 21. The impurities move with the direction of the water flow. When they reach the arc-shaped filter plate 24, they will be intercepted by the arc-shaped filter plate 24 and enter the discharge pipe 25. The impurities will flow into the discharge pipe 25 and be discharged into the impurity recovery box.

[0047] Furthermore, the cleaning water will enter the circulation chamber composed of several cavity plates 42 after passing through the spiral pipe 21. The water pressure will push the cavity plates 42 towards the cavity shell 41, causing the cavity plates 42 to separate and the rubber connecting gasket 600 to be stretched. This increases the water flow during cleaning and the cleaning area, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0048] It should also be noted that in this embodiment, the printhead assembly 5, the top seat 13, and the cavity plate 42 are all made of ceramic materials. The ceramic materials can be zirconia ceramics or alumina ceramics, both of which have excellent hardness and wear resistance. In addition, they have excellent insulation properties, which can effectively prevent electrical faults caused by factors such as ink conductivity or equipment static electricity, ensuring the safe operation of the equipment. Furthermore, their smooth surfaces and low roughness can reduce the flow resistance of ink in the flow channel, making ink jetting smoother and reducing the risk of printhead clogging caused by ink residue and accumulation.

[0049] It should also be noted that, as Figure 4 As shown, not all stages of the spiral tube 21 are equipped with discharge tubes 25. In order to ensure the normal installation of the second electromagnetic coil 16, there needs to be a sufficient gap between adjacent discharge tubes 25, and the discharge tubes 25 are made of non-metallic materials.

[0050] Finally, it should be noted that a moving mechanism 300 and an electronic component moving stage 400 are installed inside the housing 100. The nozzle device 1 and the cleaning device 2 are both installed on the moving mechanism 300. The moving mechanism 300 includes an X-axis drive platform 301, a Y-axis drive platform 302 and a Z-axis drive platform 303. The electronic component moving stage 400 includes a placement seat 401. A control device 200 is also installed outside the nozzle device 1.

[0051] During operation, the position of the nozzle device 1 can be adjusted by the moving mechanism 300 to carry out the printing operation, and the workpiece to be printed is placed on the placement seat 401. All of the above are electrically connected to the control device 200, and the parameters are adjusted by the control device 200.

[0052] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0053] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0054] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A high-precision inkjet printing device for nanoparticle electronic ink, characterized in that, Including nozzle devices installed inside the housing; The nozzle device includes a housing, inside which a top seat, a mounting seat, a variable cavity, and a nozzle assembly are connected sequentially from top to bottom. The top seat is connected to an ink cartridge via an infusion tube. The variable cavity includes a cavity shell and several cavity plates arranged in a circular pattern. The cavity plates are located inside the cavity shell, and rubber connecting pads are installed between adjacent cavity plates. The top of the cavity plate is movably installed in the mounting seat, and the end of the cavity plate is movably installed at the bottom of the cavity shell. A liquid chamber is formed between the cavity shell and the cavity plate. The liquid chamber is filled with magnetorheological fluid. A first electromagnetic coil is installed inside the outer shell and surrounds the liquid chamber. A push plate located inside the liquid chamber is fixed to the cavity plate. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle housing and several spray plates arranged in a circular pattern. The spray plates are located inside the nozzle housing. The nozzle housing is fixed to the bottom of the cavity housing, and the spray plates are fixed to the bottom of the cavity plate. The top of the cavity plate is fixed with an ear plate, which is movably installed in the mounting base. The end of the cavity plate is fixed with a frame. The bottom of the cavity shell is a base plate, and the frame is fitted onto the base plate. The top of the nozzle shell is provided with a groove for the frame to move. The nozzle shell is provided with an inner groove for storing the spray plate. Both the ear plate and the frame are provided with seals. A liquid chamber and a flow divider are formed between the cavity shell and the cavity plate. The flow divider is located above the liquid chamber. An elastic connecting plate is installed between the liquid chamber and the flow divider. The elastic connecting plate has a notch. A cleaning device is provided on the nozzle device side. The cleaning device includes a spiral tube that is fixed and connected between the infusion tube and the mounting base, and also includes a first electromagnetic coil installed inside the nozzle device and surrounding the liquid chamber. The spiral tube has an outlet, and an arc-shaped filter plate located inside the spiral tube is installed at the outlet. The outlet is connected to a discharge pipe. The arc-shaped filter plate has a large opening facing the direction of ink flow, and a solenoid valve is provided on the discharge pipe.

2. The high-precision inkjet printing equipment for nanoparticle electronic ink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nozzle device is equipped with an anti-magnetic shield, and inside the anti-magnetic shield is a circuit for supplying power to the first electromagnetic coil.

3. The high-precision inkjet printing equipment for nanoparticle electronic ink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning device also includes a housing located outside the outer casing, which is divided into a cleaning water tank and an impurity recovery tank. The discharge pipe is connected to the impurity recovery tank. The cleaning device also includes a water supply pipe connected to the infusion pipe, and the water supply pipe is equipped with a valve.

4. The high-precision inkjet printing equipment for nanoparticle electronic ink according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing contains a moving mechanism and an electronic component moving stage. The nozzle device and cleaning device are both mounted on the moving mechanism, which includes an X-axis drive platform, a Y-axis drive platform, and a Z-axis drive platform. The electronic component moving stage includes a placement seat, and a control device is also installed outside the nozzle device.

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