Inkjet Printing Alignment via Pre-formed Reference Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
As the size of mother glass substrates for display devices increases, the alignment of inkjet heads in inkjet printing systems becomes more complex and time-consuming, particularly when forming color filters and organic light emitting members, due to the need for precise alignment of multiple nozzles and substrates.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an inkjet printing system with a stage-mounted substrate featuring alignment keys, an inkjet head device, and an alignment key sensing device, which includes sensors and position adjustment mechanisms to accurately align the inkjet head and substrate, ensuring precise ink deposition by adjusting the position of the inkjet head relative to the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the size of mother glass substrates is increased to produce more display panels, then the productivity and output capacity are improved, but the alignment complexity and time required for head unit alignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment keys are pre-formed on the mother glass substrate before the inkjet printing process. These keys serve as predetermined reference markers that enable rapid alignment without requiring complex real-time adjustments during printing, thus reducing alignment time while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment keys act as intermediary reference elements between the head unit and the substrate. By providing fixed, easily detectable markers on the substrate, the system simplifies the alignment process and reduces the time required to achieve precise positioning of the inkjet head
2Measurement precision
If multiple alignment keys are used on the substrate, then the alignment precision is improved, but the device complexity and alignment process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment system is segmented into simple, discrete alignment keys formed on the substrate and corresponding sensors on the head unit. Each alignment key is a simple geometric feature that can be independently detected, allowing multiple keys to be used without significantly increasing overall system complexity while improving alignment precision through redundant reference points
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing system is provided, which comprises: a stage on which a substrate including at least two alignment keys is mounted; an inkjet head device disposed above the stage; and an alignment key sensing device disposed above the stage, wherein the inkjet head device comprises a head unit including an inkjet head, and a supporting unit which supports the head unit and scanning the substrate in a first direction, and wherein the alignment key sensing device comprises: at least two alignment key sensors for sensing positions of the alignment keys; a sensor supporting unit for supporting the at least two alignment key sensors; and a sensor position adjustment device for adjusting positions of the alignment key sensors with respect to the alignment key sensing device.