Real-Time Drop Measurement and Droplet Compensation in Inkjet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet technologies face challenges in obtaining real-time position, size, and volume information of ink drops simultaneously, leading to increased production time and reduced productivity due to the need for additional operations and head movement during measurement.
Innovation Solution
A real-time drop information measurement unit and discharging droplet compensating apparatus that includes a sensor module with pressure or electrode sensors to measure and map drop position, size, and volume, and a discharge control unit that adjusts the inkjet head based on this information, allowing for real-time feedback and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If inkjet head is moved for measurement, then position, size, and volume information can be obtained, but production time increases and productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the inkjet head to perform measurements, the patent inverts the approach by placing sensors below the substrate to measure drops from a fixed position. This eliminates the need for head movement while maintaining measurement capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as an intermediary measurement device positioned between the substrate and the measurement system. These sensors detect drop characteristics without requiring the inkjet head to move, enabling simultaneous measurement of position, size, and volume information while maintaining high productivity
2Measurement precision
If separate measurements are performed for position, size, and volume, then each parameter can be measured, but additional operations are required and real-time measurement is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple measurement functions into a single integrated sensor system. The sensors simultaneously measure position, size, and volume information of drops in one operation, eliminating the need for separate measurement steps and reducing overall system complexity while achieving real-time measurement capability
3Loss of information
If multiple measurement operations are performed, then comprehensive drop information is obtained, but feedback time increases and real-time control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement and feedback by using sensors that operate throughout the droplet discharge process. The measurement system continuously monitors drop characteristics and provides real-time feedback to the control unit, eliminating interruptions and delays associated with sequential measurement operations, thereby achieving both complete information gathering and real-time control
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 simultaneous measurement of drop information without moving the inkjet head, allowing for precise real-time control of droplet discharge, thereby improving productivity by reducing production time and enhancing precision.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor module in which a plurality of sensor are disposed, and the drop measurement unit measures a drop position, a drop size, and a drop volume by using information measured by the sensor module
Implementation Method 2
the drop measurement unit may include at least one pair of electrode sensor modules, and calculate and maps a drop position, a drop size, and a drop volume of a droplet having conductivity according to a change in electric field by electrode sensors provided in the electrode sensor module
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to real time discharging droplet compensating apparatus and method capable of compensating a discharging degree in real time by feeding-back drop information. To this end, the present invention provides a real time discharging droplet compensating apparatus which is configured by including a discharge control unit controlling the driving of an inkjet head; and a drop measurement unit provided below a substrate to measure drop information of a droplet to be discharged on the substrate and feed-back the measured drop information to the drop measurement unit, wherein the discharge control unit compensates a nozzle waveform of discharging the droplet by using the drop information. Therefore, according to the present invention, the position, size, and volume information of the drop are measured at the same time to be fed-back to the inkjet head unit in real time, thereby acquiring drop information without movement of a separate head unit.