Temperature-Controlled Inkjet Head for Liquid Crystal Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for dispensing liquid crystals in liquid crystal display devices face issues such as over-supply, contamination, and non-uniform droplet size, leading to stains and complexity in the manufacturing process, particularly with the dropping and spray methods.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus utilizing an inkjet head with temperature control to synchronize the surface temperature of the inkjet head and substrate, ensuring a temperature difference of less than 1°C, which stabilizes the jetting of liquid crystal molecules and prevents damage to the alignment layer, thereby preventing stains and ensuring uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dropping method is used to dispose liquid crystal molecules, then the liquid crystal can be disposed between substrates, but the droplet size is too large and spread degree varies causing stains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical dropping method with an inkjet printing system that uses controlled ejection mechanisms. The inkjet head with multiple nozzles precisely controls liquid crystal ejection through pressure and temperature management, achieving uniform droplet sizes without the spreading issues of manual dropping methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the temperature of both the inkjet head and substrate to be within 1°C of each other. This temperature parameter control prevents excessive spreading of liquid crystal droplets while ensuring complete coverage, directly addressing the droplet size uniformity issue.
2Manufacturing precision
If the spray method is used to dispose liquid crystal, then the stain problem can be solved, but it is hard to control droplet size, volume, and position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid crystal ejection into discrete droplets through multiple independent nozzles in the inkjet head. Each nozzle independently controls droplet ejection at specific positions, enabling precise control of droplet size, volume, and placement while maintaining uniformity across the substrate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates temperature sensing and control mechanisms that monitor the temperature difference between the inkjet head and substrate. This feedback system adjusts heating or cooling to maintain temperatures within 1°C of each other, ensuring consistent droplet formation and placement.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional injecting method is used, then liquid crystal can be supplied to cell gap, but more liquid crystal than intended amount can be supplied causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional injecting method with inkjet printing technology that ejects liquid crystal through controlled pressure pulses. This substitution enables precise control of the liquid crystal quantity through digital signal control of each nozzle, preventing oversupply and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple nozzles that can be selectively activated to deposit liquid crystal only where needed. This partial action approach ensures that liquid crystal is supplied in the exact intended amount at specific locations, avoiding the excessive supply problem of conventional injecting methods.
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 temperature-controlled inkjet method allows for precise and uniform deposition of liquid crystals, reducing the risk of stains and simplifying the manufacturing process by maintaining the alignment layer integrity and achieving consistent layer thickness.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a surface temperature of the inkjet head and the substrate to be a setting temperature
Implementation Method 2
jetting liquid crystal molecules on the substrate having the setting temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method of jetting a liquid crystal includes loading a substrate on a stage, controlling a surface temperature of an inkjet head and a substrate to be a setting temperature, and jetting the liquid crystal molecules on the substrate having the setting temperature.