Printing apparatus

Abstract

The printing apparatus may include: a reservoir accommodating a fluid; a first nozzle disposed at the lower part of the reservoir and including a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the fluid in the form of droplets; a plurality of first electrodes disposed in at least a portion of a lower portion of the first nozzle so as to correspond to the plurality of nozzle holes; and a first insulating layer surrounding the plurality of first electrodes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a printing device. Background Art

[0002] A printing device is a device that prints a pattern or shape on an object by ejecting a fluid through a nozzle. For example, a printing device using an electrohydraulic method can form an electric field between the nozzle and the object to apply electrostatic force to the fluid, thereby ejecting the fluid in the form of droplets. Utility Model Content

[0003] An object of the utility model is to provide a printing device which can realize the ejection of high-viscosity fluid and reduce the electric field interference between nozzles (or nozzle holes) so as to easily realize area printing.

[0004] However, the purpose of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned purpose, and various extensions can be made without exceeding the scope of the idea and field of the present invention.

[0005] The printing device involved in the utility model may include: a reservoir for storing fluid; a first nozzle, arranged at the lower part of the reservoir, including a plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting the fluid in the form of droplets; a plurality of first electrodes, arranged at least a part of the lower part of the first nozzle corresponding to the plurality of nozzle holes; and a first insulating layer, surrounding the plurality of first electrodes.

[0006] In the case where the interval between the plurality of nozzle holes is smaller than the size of the liquid droplet, the interval between the plurality of nozzle holes may be 50% to 90% of the size of the liquid droplet.

[0007] The size of particles included in the fluid may be less than 100 μm.

[0008] The inner diameters of the plurality of nozzle holes may be 100 μm to 500 μm.

[0009] The plurality of first electrodes may overlap at least a portion of a distal end of the first nozzle.

[0010] The first insulating layer may be in contact with at least a portion of a distal end of the first nozzle.

[0011] Alternatively, the printing device further comprises: a plurality of connecting electrodes electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes.

[0012] The printing device may further include: a control unit that individually controls whether or not the liquid droplets are ejected from each of the plurality of nozzle holes, and the control unit selectively applies an ejection voltage to each of the plurality of first electrodes.

[0013] An electric field may be formed between the plurality of first electrodes and a grounded object, so that the fluid is deformed into the droplets and ejected.

[0014] It may be that when the intervals between the plurality of nozzle holes are larger than the size of the droplet, the printing device rotates at a predetermined angle.

[0015] The predetermined angle may be less than 45°.

[0016] It may be that the plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a row.

[0017] The plurality of nozzle holes may be arranged in two rows, and the nozzle holes arranged in each row may be arranged in parallel.

[0018] The plurality of nozzle holes may be arranged in two rows, and the plurality of nozzle holes may be arranged in a zigzag form.

[0019] The printing device may further include: a second nozzle disposed at a lower portion of the first insulating layer; a plurality of second electrodes disposed at at least a portion of a lower portion of the second nozzle corresponding to the plurality of nozzle holes; and a second insulating layer surrounding the plurality of second electrodes.

[0020] The plurality of second electrodes may overlap at least a portion of a distal end of the second nozzle.

[0021] The second insulating layer may be in contact with at least a portion of a distal end of the second nozzle.

[0022] The fluid may be deformed into the liquid droplets and ejected by forming an electric field due to a potential difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes.

[0023] It may be that a negative voltage is applied to the plurality of first electrodes or no voltage is applied, and a positive voltage is applied to the plurality of second electrodes.

[0024] The printing device may form a pattern in the object by area printing.

[0025] (Effect of utility model)

[0026] According to the utility model, high-viscosity fluid can be ejected, and the electric field interference between nozzles can be reduced to easily realize area printing.

[0027] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above effects, and various extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the idea and field of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figure 1This is a diagram for explaining a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of a control unit of a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining area printing by a printing device involved in one embodiment.

[0031] Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining line printing by a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining area printing by a printing device involved in one embodiment.

[0033] Figures 7 to 9 It is a diagram for explaining the arrangement structure of the nozzle holes according to the embodiment.

[0034] Fig.10 This is a diagram for explaining a printing device according to an embodiment.

[0035] Fig.11 It is a diagram for explaining a printing method involved in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] References and Attachments Figure 1 The advantages, features and methods of achieving the advantages and features of the present invention will become clear from the detailed embodiments described below. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various different forms. The embodiments are only provided to make the disclosure of the present invention complete and to fully inform the technical personnel of the field of the present invention of the scope of the present invention. The present invention should be defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0037] The terms used in this specification are intended to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless otherwise specified. The term "comprises and / or comprising" used in the specification does not exclude the presence or further presence of one or more other constituent elements, steps, operations and / or elements in the constituent elements, steps, operations and / or elements mentioned.

[0038] "Connected" or "connected" may be used to refer to physical and / or electrical connections or connections. This may be used to refer to direct or indirect connections or connections and integral or non-integral connections or connections.

[0039] When an element or layer is “on” another element or layer, it includes not only the case where it is directly on the other element but also the case where another layer or another element is interposed therebetween. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same constituent elements.

[0040] Although the terms "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are certainly not limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from other components. Therefore, the first component mentioned below can also be the second component within the technical concept of the present utility model.

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 This is a diagram for explaining a printing device PD1 according to an embodiment. Figure 2 This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the control unit CON of the printing device PD1 involved in one embodiment.

[0043] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The printing device PD1 of one embodiment may be a device for printing a pattern or shape on the object TG. In one embodiment, the printing device PD1 may use electrohydrodynamic printing to eject the fluid FL. The electrohydrodynamic printing method is to form an electric field to apply electrostatic force to the fluid FL, thereby forming a droplet DL (see Figure 3 ) form of ejecting fluid FL.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , the printing device PD1 may include a reservoir RSV, a nozzle NZ, an electrode EL, and an insulating layer IL.

[0045] The reservoir RSV can contain the fluid FL. The reservoir RSV can be connected to a fluid supply unit (not shown) to receive the fluid FL from the fluid supply unit.

[0046] The nozzle NZ may be disposed at the lower portion of the reservoir RSV. The nozzle NZ is a structure for ejecting the fluid FL stored in the reservoir RSV. To this end, the nozzle NZ may include a plurality of nozzle holes NH for ejecting the fluid FL. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , two adjacent nozzle holes NH1 and NH2 are shown as an example of the nozzle holes NH, but the number of the nozzle holes NH is not limited thereto.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, the inner diameter HD of the nozzle hole NH may be larger than the size of the particles PT included in the fluid FL. Thus, the fluid FL can be stably ejected through the nozzle hole NH. At this time, the specific value of the inner diameter HD of the nozzle hole NH may be determined according to the size of the particles PT included in the fluid FL. In the case where the fluid FL is a high-viscosity fluid with large viscosity, the size of the particles PT included in the fluid FL may be 20μm to 100μm. When the viscosity of the fluid FL is hundreds of centipoise to tens of thousands of centipoise, the viscosity of the fluid FL can be considered to be large. In addition, in the case where the fluid FL is a low-viscosity fluid with small viscosity, the size of the particles PT included in the fluid FL may be less than 20μm. When the viscosity of the fluid FL is tens of centipoise, the viscosity of the fluid FL can be considered to be small.

[0048] In one embodiment, the inner diameter HD of the nozzle hole NH may be 100 μm to 500 μm. That is, the inner diameter HD of the nozzle hole NH may be larger than the size of the particles PT included in the fluid FL regardless of the viscosity of the fluid FL. Therefore, the fluid FL can be stably ejected through the nozzle hole NH not only when the viscosity of the fluid FL is small, but also when the viscosity is large. As a result, the printing device PD1 can easily eject high-viscosity fluids, and thus can print thick patterns or shapes with a small number of prints. In addition, a protective film, cover glass, etc. of a display panel formed of a high-viscosity material can be directly printed without a lamination process, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process of the display device and reducing the cost of the display device.

[0049] The plurality of electrodes EL are configured to form an electric field in each nozzle hole NH. The electrodes EL may be arranged corresponding to each nozzle hole NH. Therefore, when the ejection voltage DV is applied to the electrode EL, an electric field caused by the potential difference between each electrode EL and the grounded object TG may be formed in the nozzle hole NH. For example, if the first ejection voltage DV1 is applied to the electrode EL arranged corresponding to the first nozzle hole NH1, an electric field may be formed in the first nozzle hole NH1. Furthermore, if the second ejection voltage DV2 is applied to the electrode EL arranged corresponding to the second nozzle hole NH2, an electric field may be formed in the second nozzle hole NH2.

[0050] The electrode EL may be arranged at least in a portion of the lower portion of the nozzle NZ. That is, the electrode EL may be arranged to contact at least in a portion of the lower portion of the nozzle NZ. At this time, the interval EI between the electrodes EL is an important factor affecting the electric field interference between the nozzle holes NH. For example, the smaller the interval EI between the electrodes EL, the more the electric field interference between the first nozzle hole NH1 and the second nozzle hole NH2 may increase. In particular, in the case where the fluid F is a high-viscosity fluid with a large viscosity, the magnitude of the ejection voltage DV applied to the electrode EL increases, so that the electric field interference may be further deepened.

[0051] In one embodiment, the electrode EL may be disposed at the lower portion of the nozzle NZ and overlap at least a portion of the end of the nozzle NZ. When the electrode EL is disposed near the end of the nozzle NZ, the interval EI between the electrodes EL may be increased to reduce the electric field interference between the nozzle holes NH. That is, when the electrode EL is disposed near the end of the nozzle NZ, the electric field interference caused by the short interval EI between the electrodes EL or the application of the high ejection voltage DV may be reduced.

[0052] The insulating layer IL may be configured to surround the electrode EL. For example, the insulating layer IL may be configured to contact the lower portion of the electrode EL and at least a portion of the end of the nozzle NZ, thereby surrounding the electrode EL. Thus, the insulating layer IL may prevent the electrode EL from directly contacting external factors (moisture, air, etc.) or the ejected fluid FL. The insulating layer IL may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc., and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0053] The printing device PD1 according to one embodiment may further include a connection electrode CEL. The end of each electrode EL may be connected to the corresponding connection electrode CEL. That is, the connection electrode CEL may be arranged corresponding to the end of each electrode EL. The discharge voltage DV may be applied to the electrode EL through the connection electrode CEL.

[0054] The printing device PD1 according to one embodiment may further include a control unit CON. The control unit CON may individually control the nozzle holes NH that eject the fluid FL. For example, the control unit CON may apply a first ejection voltage DV1 to the connection electrode CEL connected to the electrode EL configured corresponding to the first nozzle hole NH1, so that the fluid FL is ejected from the first nozzle hole NH1. In addition, the control unit CON may apply a second ejection voltage DV2 to the connection electrode CEL connected to the electrode EL configured corresponding to the second nozzle hole NH2, so that the fluid FL is ejected from the second nozzle hole NH2. That is, the control unit CON may selectively control the ejection voltage applied to the connection electrode CEL.

[0055] The control unit CON can control the discharge voltage DV based on the viscosity of the fluid FL. For example, when the viscosity of the fluid FL is large, the discharge voltage DV can be hundreds to thousands of volts. On the contrary, when the viscosity of the fluid FL is small, the discharge voltage DV can be tens of volts.

[0056] Figure 3 This is a diagram for explaining area printing by the printing device PD1 according to one embodiment. Figure 4 and Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining line printing by the printing device PD2 involved in one embodiment. Figure 6 This is a diagram for explaining area printing by the printing device PD2 involved in one embodiment.

[0057] Reference Figure 3 The printing device PD1 according to one embodiment can print a pattern or shape on the object TG by area printing. Figure 1 ) respectively apply the first discharge voltage DV1 and the second discharge voltage DV2, then in the first nozzle hole NH1 (refer to Figure 1 ) and the second nozzle hole NH2 (refer to Figure 1 ) forms an electric field, thereby applying electrostatic force to the fluid FL. As a result, the shape of the fluid FL is deformed, and the fluid FL is ejected from the first nozzle hole NH1 and the second nozzle hole NH2 in the form of droplets DL, so that the droplets DL reach the object TG.

[0058] In one embodiment, the nozzle hole NH (refer to Figure 1 ) may be smaller than the size DD of the ejected droplets DL. For example, the interval HI1 between the nozzle holes NH may be 50% to 90% of the size DD of the droplets DL. In this case, the interval HI1 between the nozzle holes NH may be the same as the interval DI1 between the droplets DL. That is, since the interval DI1 between the droplets DL is smaller than the size DD of the droplets DL, an overlapping area OA is formed between the droplets DL that reach the object TG, thereby facilitating area printing.

[0059] On the other hand, the size DD of the ejected droplet DL can be changed according to the characteristics of the fluid FL, the surface state of the object TG, the intensity of the electric field, and the like.

[0060] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the printing device PD2 of one embodiment, the interval HI2 between the nozzle holes NH1 and NH2 may be larger than the size DD of the ejected droplets DL. In this case, since the interval DI2 between the droplets DL is larger than the size DD of the droplets DL, a gap area GA is formed between the droplets DL reaching the object TG, making it difficult to achieve area printing. Figure 5 , the printing device PD2 can move in one direction in parallel with the object TG and eject droplets DL toward the object TG. For example, the printing device PD2 and the object TG can be located in the area defined by the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2, respectively, but can be spaced apart from each other in parallel by a predetermined distance. The printing device PD2 can eject droplets DL toward the object TG in the third direction DR3 while moving in the second direction DR2. That is, when the interval HI2 between the nozzle holes NH1 and NH2 becomes larger than the size DD of the ejected droplets DL, no overlapping area OA is formed between the droplets DL (refer to Figure 3 ), so that line printing can be achieved instead of area printing.

[0061] Reference Figure 6 , when the interval HI2 between the nozzle holes NH1 and NH2 is larger than the size DD of the ejected droplets DL, the printing device PD2 can rotate a predetermined angle θ°. At this time, the printing device PD2 can rotate a predetermined angle θ° from a state parallel to the object TG. For example, the printing device PD2 can rotate a predetermined angle θ° within an area defined by a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2. In one embodiment, the predetermined angle θ° may be less than 45°. As the printing device PD2 rotates the predetermined angle θ°, the interval DI3 between the droplets DL ejected from the nozzle holes NH1 and NH2 and reaching the object TG can be reduced, thereby becoming smaller than the size DD of the droplets DL. As a result, an overlapping area OA can be formed between the droplets DL reaching the object TG, thereby facilitating regional printing.

[0062] Figures 7 to 9 It is a diagram for explaining the arrangement structure of the nozzle holes NH according to the embodiment.

[0063] Reference Figure 7 In the nozzle NZ, a plurality of nozzle holes NH may be arranged in a row. The number of nozzle holes NH arranged in a row may be variable.

[0064] Reference Figure 8 In the nozzle NZ, a plurality of nozzle holes NH may be arranged in two rows. The nozzle holes NH arranged in each column may be arranged in parallel. The number of nozzle holes NH arranged in two rows may be variable.

[0065] Reference Fig. 9 In the nozzle NZ, the plurality of nozzle holes NH may be arranged in two rows, or the plurality of nozzle holes NH may be arranged in a zigzag form.

[0066] On the other hand, the arrangement structure of the nozzle hole NH is not limited to Figures 7 to 9The arrangement structure of the nozzle holes NH is shown, and the arrangement structure of the nozzle holes NH can be changed in various ways according to the printing purpose.

[0067] Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printing device PD3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 Simplify or omit Figure 1 Description of the repeated composition.

[0068] Reference Fig.10 The printing device PD3 according to an embodiment may include a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of first electrodes EL1, a plurality of second electrodes EL2, and a plurality of insulating layers IL1 and IL2. The first nozzle NZ1 may be Figure 1 The nozzle NZ shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same in structure as the nozzle NZ shown in FIG. Figure 1 The electrode EL shown in FIG. 1 is substantially the same in structure as the electrode EL shown in FIG. Figure 1 The insulating layers IL shown have substantially the same structure.

[0069] The second nozzle NZ2 may be disposed at a lower portion of the first insulating layer IL1. The second nozzle NZ2 may include a plurality of nozzle holes NH for ejecting the fluid FL. That is, the first nozzle NZ1 and the second nozzle NZ2 may have the same nozzle holes NH1 and NH2.

[0070] The second electrode EL2 may be disposed at least partially below the second nozzle NZ2. In one embodiment, the second electrode EL2 may overlap at least partially with the end of the second nozzle NZ2. The second electrode EL2 may play a role in applying an electric field of electrostatic attraction to the fluid FL together with the first electrode EL1.

[0071] The printing device PD3 according to one embodiment can generate a potential difference between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2 to form an electric field. For example, when a negative voltage or no voltage is applied to the first electrode EL1 and a positive voltage (or a discharge voltage DV (refer to Figure 2 )), a potential difference is generated between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2 to form an electric field, so that the droplet DL (refer to Figure 3 ) form to eject the fluid FL. That is, the polarities of the voltage applied to the first electrode EL1 and the voltage applied to the second electrode EL2 may be opposite to each other. Different from this, when no potential difference is generated between the first electrode EL1 and the second electrode EL2, the fluid FL may not be ejected.

[0072] The second insulating layer IL2 may be configured to surround the second electrode EL2. For example, the second insulating layer IL2 may be configured to contact the lower portion of the second electrode EL2 and at least a portion of the end of the second nozzle NZ2 to surround the second electrode EL2. Thus, the second insulating layer IL2 may prevent the second electrode EL2 from directly contacting external factors (moisture, air, etc.) or the ejected fluid FL. The second insulating layer IL2 may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, etc., and may have a single-layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0073] exist Figure 1 In the printing device PD1 shown, since the distance between the electrode EL and the fluid FL is short, when a high ejection voltage DV is applied to the electrode EL, the intensity of the electric field increases, and the fluid FL may be ejected through an unintended nozzle hole NH. For example, even when no voltage is applied to the electrode EL corresponding to the second nozzle hole NH2, since a high ejection voltage DV is applied to the electrode EL corresponding to the first nozzle hole NH1 to form a strong electric field, the electric field may exert an electrostatic force on the fluid FL near the second nozzle hole NH2, and the fluid FL may be ejected through the second nozzle hole NH2.

[0074] On the contrary, Fig.10 In the printing device PD3 shown, the distance between the second electrode EL2 to which the discharge voltage DV is applied and the fluid FL is relatively far, so that the fluid FL can be prevented from being discharged to an unintended nozzle hole NH.

[0075] Fig.11 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.11 For the sake of convenience, Figure 1 The printing device PD1 shown in the figure has a nozzle NZ in which a nozzle hole NH is formed.

[0076] Reference Fig.11 , since it is possible to eject fluid FL (refer to Figure 1 ) of the nozzle hole NH (see Figure 2 ), so the printed pattern or shape can be freely formed. The area where the fluid FL is ejected can be the printing area PA, and the area where the fluid FL is not ejected can be the non-printing area NPA. That is, various patterns or shapes can be printed by controlling the printing area PA and the non-printing area NPA. For example, the printed pattern can have a square, trench, round, hole, etc.

[0077] The utility model is specifically described according to the above embodiments, but it should be noted that the embodiments are used to illustrate the utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of the utility model. Those skilled in the art should be able to understand that various modifications can be implemented within the scope of the technical concept of the utility model.

[0078] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but shall be determined only by the claims. In addition, it shall be interpreted that all deformations or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts are included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: include: A reservoir, which contains fluid; a first nozzle, disposed at a lower portion of the reservoir, comprising a plurality of nozzle holes for ejecting the fluid in the form of droplets; a plurality of first electrodes, arranged at least in part of a lower portion of the first nozzle in correspondence with the plurality of nozzle holes; as well as The first insulating layer surrounds the plurality of first electrodes.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the case where the interval between the plurality of nozzle holes is smaller than the size of the liquid droplet, the interval between the plurality of nozzle holes is 50% to 90% of the size of the liquid droplet.

3. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The size of particles included in the fluid is less than 100 μm.

4. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameters of the plurality of nozzle holes are 100 μm to 500 μm.

5. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of first electrodes overlap at least a portion of a distal end of the first nozzle.

6. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first insulating layer contacts at least a portion of a distal end of the first nozzle.

7. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: A plurality of connection electrodes are electrically connected to the plurality of first electrodes.

8. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a control unit that individually controls whether or not the droplets are ejected from each of the plurality of nozzle holes; The control unit selectively applies a discharge voltage to each of the plurality of first electrodes.

9. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electric field is formed between the plurality of first electrodes and a grounded object, so that the fluid is deformed into the liquid droplets and ejected.

10. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the intervals between the plurality of nozzle holes are larger than the size of the droplet, the printing device rotates at a predetermined angle.

11. The printing device according to claim 10, characterized in that: The predetermined angle is less than 45°.

12. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a row.

13. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in two rows, and the nozzle holes arranged in each row are arranged in parallel.

14. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in two rows, and the plurality of nozzle holes are arranged in a zigzag form.

15. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: a second nozzle, disposed at a lower portion of the first insulating layer; a plurality of second electrodes, arranged at least in part of a lower portion of the second nozzle in correspondence with the plurality of nozzle holes; as well as The second insulating layer surrounds the plurality of second electrodes.

16. The printing device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The plurality of second electrodes overlap at least a portion of a distal end of the second nozzle.

17. The printing device according to claim 15, characterized in that: The second insulating layer contacts at least a portion of a distal end of the second nozzle.

18. The printing device according to claim 15, characterized in that: An electric field is formed by a potential difference between the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes, so that the fluid is deformed into the liquid droplets and ejected.

19. The printing device according to claim 18, characterized in that: applying a negative voltage or no voltage to the plurality of first electrodes, A positive voltage is applied to the plurality of second electrodes.

20. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The printing device forms a pattern in an object by area printing.

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