Ink Jet Applicator Nozzle Bubble Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet applicators face issues with bubble formation in nozzles due to normal pressure solutions, leading to uneven inkjetting and differential drying times on substrates, causing thickness variations.

Innovation Solution

The ink jet applicator incorporates a seal mechanism with pressure vessels, a solvent supply system, and a solvent humidity maintaining unit to control nozzle sealing, bubble removal, and uniform solvent evaporation, ensuring consistent inkjetting and controlled drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If solution is filled into ink jet head at normal pressure, then filling process is simple, but bubbles are formed in the ink which accumulate in nozzles and prevent smooth jetting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling process simplicityVSAvoidjetting smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pressurizing the solution before it enters the ink jet head to prevent bubble formation during filling. The pressurization is performed in advance to ensure bubbles are eliminated before the ink reaches the nozzles, thereby preventing jetting problems while maintaining simple filling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses pneumatic principles by applying pressure to the solution through a pressurization mechanism. This hydraulic/pneumatic approach forces the solution into the ink jet head without allowing bubbles to form, resolving the contradiction between simple filling and reliable jetting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Ease of operation

If liquid droplets are applied onto substrate in open air, then drying occurs naturally, but different drying times at periphery and center cause thickness variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying process simplicityVSAvoidink thickness uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a humid atmosphere environment around the substrate during drying. By controlling the atmospheric conditions with increased humidity, the evaporation rate is reduced and equalized across the substrate surface, preventing thickness variations while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the environmental parameters by controlling humidity levels in the drying atmosphere. This parameter adjustment ensures uniform evaporation rates across different regions of the substrate, achieving consistent ink thickness without complex drying procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables reliable and stable inkjetting with uniform ink thickness across substrates by preventing bubble interference and managing solvent evaporation, thus overcoming the challenges of uneven drying and thickness variations.

Implementation Method 1

a pressure applied to the nozzles by piezoelectric elements will be absorbed by the bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

liquid droplets applied onto the substrate or the like tend to dry when exposed in an open air

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS7481512B2Ink jet applicator

Publication Date: 2009.01.27 KK TOSHIBA

AI summary

An ink jet applicator includes an ink jet head having nozzle via which liquid droplets are jetted, a seal mechanism sealing the nozzle using a pressure vessel; a solution supply mechanism supplying a solution to the nozzle at a predetermined pressure.