Inkjet Head Cleaning Device with Ejection and Suction System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing technologies face challenges with high viscosity and volatile chemicals clogging nozzles and requiring separate etching processes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies in forming thin films for liquid crystal display devices.
Innovation Solution
A head cleaning device with an ejection and suction system that uses a binary fluid of compressed air and cleaning liquid to remove residual chemicals from nozzle surfaces, preventing clogging and improving cleaning efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the cleaning process is simple, but fine liquid crystals remain on the head and block nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is divided into multiple functional components: a holder for positioning the head, an ejection unit with multiple nozzles for delivering cleaning liquid, and a suction unit with suction holes for removing debris. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, ensuring thorough cleaning while maintaining manageable device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection unit and suction unit are integrated into a single cleaning device body, combining the functions of cleaning liquid delivery and debris removal in one unified structure. This merging improves cleaning effectiveness by coordinating both actions simultaneously while avoiding the need for separate cleaning devices
2Manufacturing precision
If high viscosity chemicals are used for inkjet printing, then thin films can be formed, but the chemicals solidify and clog nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device performs preliminary cleaning actions by ejecting cleaning liquid onto the head surface before the nozzles become completely blocked. The suction unit simultaneously removes solidified chemicals and residual materials, preventing complete clogging and maintaining nozzle functionality for subsequent printing operations
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning liquid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the solidified chemical residues and the nozzle discharge holes. This cleaning liquid dissolves or loosens the solidified chemicals, enabling their removal through the suction unit and restoring nozzle passage without damaging the nozzle structure
3Productivity
If residual chemical remains on the head, then cleaning efficiency is low, but increasing cleaning intensity may damage the head
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device uses hydraulic principles by ejecting cleaning liquid under pressure through the ejection unit nozzles onto the head surface. The liquid pressure effectively removes residual chemicals without requiring excessive mechanical force that could damage the head, achieving high cleaning efficiency while protecting the head structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device replaces direct mechanical contact cleaning methods with a fluid-based cleaning system. The cleaning liquid is ejected onto the head and then suctioned away, substituting mechanical scrubbing with hydraulic action that is gentler on the head surface while maintaining effective cleaning of residual chemicals
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
The system effectively removes fine liquid crystals and enhances the head cleaning process efficiency, preventing nozzle damage and ensuring uniform film formation.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection part formed in the body and configured to eject a cleaning liquid to a nozzle surface of a head
Implementation Method 2
a suction part formed in the body and configured to suck the cleaning liquid ejected from the ejection part and used for cleaning the nozzle surface of the head and foreign substances separated from the nozzle surface of the head
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet head cleaning device includes a body; an ejection part formed in the body, and configured to eject a cleaning liquid to a nozzle surface of a head; and a suction part formed in the body, and configured to suck the cleaning liquid ejected from the ejection part and used for cleaning the nozzle surface of the head, and foreign substances separated from the nozzle surface of the head; and the ejection part includes a vertical passage through which the cleaning liquid flows and a discharge end at the end of the vertical passage and configured to guide the cleaning liquid to eject toward the suction part.