Fringe Information Measuring Apparatus for Inkjet Nozzle Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of inkjet nozzle nozzles with fringe regions in micrometers is challenging due to the small size of both the droplets and the fringe region, making it difficult to accurately measure and align the position for effective droplet jetting in printing processes.
Innovation Solution
A fringe information measuring apparatus using a thermal sensor array and a control module to measure the position, size, and shape of the fringe region by detecting temperature changes, with a laser sensor forming the fringe region and a camera sensor for real-time position recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a PDPA device is used to measure droplet volume and speed, then measurement capability is provided, but alignment difficulty increases due to the small size of both droplets and fringe region
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal sensors as an intermediary measurement tool. Instead of directly observing the droplets or fringe region with PDPA, the thermal sensors detect temperature changes caused by laser absorption in the fringe region, creating an indirect measurement path that makes the invisible fringe region visible and measurable for alignment purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the optical measurement system (PDPA) with a thermal measurement system (thermal sensors) for the specific task of fringe region detection and alignment. This substitution allows the use of thermal field detection instead of optical field detection, making the fringe region observable through temperature changes rather than light interference patterns
2Measurement precision
If the fringe region size is kept small for accurate droplet measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from optical properties to thermal properties. By measuring temperature changes rather than light intensity or droplet optical characteristics, the system can detect the fringe region's position and size through thermal field distribution, enabling precise alignment even when the fringe region is very small
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of detection by using thermal sensors to measure temperature distribution across the fringe region. This thermal dimension provides additional information about the fringe region's position, size, and shape that complements the optical measurement capability, enabling more precise alignment
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
This solution allows for precise alignment of the nozzle with the fringe region, reducing the time required for focusing and improving the accuracy of droplet measurement and jetting, thereby minimizing printing defects.
Implementation Method 1
a laser sensor configured to output a first laser light and a second laser light to intersect each other
Implementation Method 2
a thermal sensor array configured to pass through a fringe region formed by the intersection of the first laser light and the second laser light; and a control module configured to measure a position of the fringe region based on information obtained when the thermal sensor array passes through the fringe region
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a fringe information measuring apparatus that measures information on a fringe region using a temperature sensor array and a substrate treating system including the same. The fringe information measuring apparatus comprises: a laser sensor configured to output a first laser light and a second laser light to intersect each other; a thermal sensor array configured to pass through a fringe region formed by the intersection of the first laser light and the second laser light; and a control module configured to measure a position of the fringe region based on information obtained when the thermal sensor array passes through the fringe region.