Fluidic Extractor EHD Printing for Non-Conductive Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrohydrodynamic printing technologies are limited by the need for conductive printing surfaces and face issues with ink interference and limited throw distance, leading to inconsistent printing quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of a fluidic extractor, which is a stream of carrier fluid at a different electrical potential than the printing fluid, to extract and carry the printing fluid to the printing surface, allowing for high-resolution printing on non-conductive surfaces with improved throw distance and reduced interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive printing surface is used as an electrode to produce the electric field, then the electric field consistency is improved, but the printing surface versatility is limited and deposited ink causes field interference
Solution Approach 1:
A fluidic extractor consisting of a stream of conductive liquid is introduced as an intermediary component between the power supply and the printing surface. This extractor generates the necessary electric field locally at the extraction zone without requiring the printing surface to be conductive, thereby enabling printing on non-conductive surfaces while maintaining field consistency. The extractor acts as a mobile electrode that follows the print head, eliminating the need for the substrate to serve as a static electrode.
2Force
If the electric field is produced between electrodes including the printing surface, then the field strength is sufficient for extraction, but the deposited ink causes interference with the field as printing progresses
Solution Approach 1:
The electric field generation is segmented into a localized zone around the fluidic extractor rather than spanning the entire distance between power supply electrodes. By concentrating the field generation at the extraction point and allowing the extractor to move with the print head, the system maintains consistent field strength without the degradation caused by accumulated ink on a static printing surface electrode.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional e-jet printing is used, then high-resolution printing is achieved, but the throw distance is limited and arcing and clogging occur
Solution Approach 1:
The fluidic extractor serves as a moving intermediary that carries the extracted printing fluid from the print head to the printing surface over extended distances. The continuous stream of conductive liquid maintains the electric field connection throughout the throw distance, enabling long-distance printing without arcing or clogging while preserving high-resolution capabilities through controlled extraction at the nozzle level.
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
Enables high-resolution printing on a wide range of surfaces, including non-conductive materials, with enhanced throw distance and reduced arcing and clogging, facilitating the use of high viscosity fluids.
Implementation Method 1
a stream of carrier fluid that merges with extracted printing fluid and carries the printing fluid toward a printing surface
Implementation Method 2
Electrohydrodynamic printing, also known as e-jet printing, is a printing technique that relies on an electric field to extract a charged or polarized printing fluid from a printing nozzle
Implementation Method 3
the printer includes a piezoelectric element configured to deform at a constant frequency to vary the pressure of the carrier fluid in the first nozzle
Implementation Method 4
the printer includes an electrode located external to the first nozzle. The stream of carrier fluid is charged by the electrode to provide at least a portion of the difference in electrical potential
Data Source
AI summary
An electrohydrodynamic printer has a fluidic extractor. A stream of liquid or carrier fluid at a different electrical potential than the printing fluid passes by an extraction opening to extract printing fluid from the extraction opening. The stream of liquid can be a continuous stream, a uniform stream of droplets, or a non-uniform stream of droplets. The extracted printing fluid can merge with the extraction fluid to be carried to a printing surface for deposition. The stream of extraction fluid can be intermittently charged to intermittently extract printing fluid such that selective portions of the stream do not extract printing fluid.