Ejection Apparatus Negative Pressure Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ejection apparatuses do not effectively handle leakage of ejection material from ejection openings, leading to potential contamination of substrates and apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An ejection apparatus with a pressure control unit that maintains negative pressure inside a storage container, allowing for the formation of a meniscus in ejection openings and automatically dropping pressure to prevent leakage, featuring a flexible partition and a breakage detection mechanism to collect leaked material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pressure inside the storage container is maintained at a predetermined positive pressure, then ejection material can be supplied to the ejection head, but the ejection material may leak from the ejection openings causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from positive to negative pressure inside the storage container. This parameter change prevents ejection material leakage while maintaining supply to the ejection head, resolving the contradiction between material supply and contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies negative pressure as a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the harmful effect of leakage before it occurs. The negative pressure creates a pressure differential that opposes any tendency of the ejection material to leak from the ejection openings
2Object-affected harmful factors
If pressure inside the storage container is maintained at negative pressure, then ejection material leakage is prevented, but ejection material may not be supplied adequately to the ejection head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pump that dynamically adjusts pressure inside the storage container based on detection signals. When ejection material supply is insufficient, the pump increases pressure to the first pressure level, ensuring adequate supply while maintaining negative pressure conditions for leakage prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a detection unit monitors ejection material supply conditions and signals the control unit to adjust pressure accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures adequate material supply while preventing leakage through appropriate pressure management
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a breakage detection mechanism is added to detect leakage, then contamination can be detected, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the detection unit to serve multiple functions: detecting ejection material supply conditions, monitoring for leakage, and triggering pressure adjustments. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively suppresses contamination by preventing ejection material leakage and allowing for efficient collection of leaked material, ensuring clean operation and reducing substrate and apparatus contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure control unit that maintains pressure inside the storage container at a negative pressure
Implementation Method 2
the first pressure being capable of forming a meniscus of the ejection material in the ejection opening
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ejection apparatus including: an ejection head having an ejection opening for ejecting an ejection material in a liquid state; a storage container storing therein the ejection material and communicating with the ejection head; and a pressure control unit that maintains the pressure inside the storage container at a negative pressure. The pressure control unit generates a first pressure in the storage container in a normal operation, the first pressure being capable of forming a meniscus of the ejection material in the ejection opening. The pressure control unit drops the pressure inside the storage container to at least the first pressure in a case where the pressure inside the storage container reaches a predetermined pressure above the first pressure.