Inkjet Head Pack Alignment for Multi-Head Nozzle Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The alignment of multiple inkjet heads in substrate treating apparatuses is complex and time-consuming, leading to potential misalignment of nozzles and increased equipment load, which affects the quality and productivity of display manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet head unit with a gantry unit that supports a plurality of heads arranged in packs, allowing for alignment in units of packs using motor units to adjust the position of the packs, reducing the need for individual head alignment and simplifying the equipment configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple inkjet heads are used to shorten processing time, then productivity is improved, but head alignment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet heads are divided into modular packs that can be independently aligned and replaced. Each pack contains multiple heads arranged in a fixed pattern, allowing alignment to be performed at the pack level rather than at the individual head level, thereby reducing alignment complexity while maintaining high productivity through multiple heads.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple inkjet heads are combined into single packs that function as a unified alignment unit. The pack structure integrates multiple heads with shared mounting and alignment mechanisms, reducing the overall complexity of aligning multiple individual heads while preserving the productivity benefits of using multiple heads for parallel processing.
2Device complexity
If multiple inkjet heads are arranged in packs, then alignment is simplified, but equipment load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inkjet head system is segmented into individual packs that can be independently handled and aligned. This segmentation allows the alignment mechanism to work with smaller, more manageable units rather than moving entire arrays of multiple heads, thereby reducing the equipment load while maintaining alignment simplicity through the modular pack structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual head alignment is performed, then positioning precision is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inkjet heads are merged into packs that maintain precise relative positioning through their integrated structure. The pack design ensures that when the pack is aligned as a unit, all individual heads within the pack achieve the required positioning precision without requiring time-consuming individual alignment operations for each head.
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
Simplifies head alignment, reduces equipment load, and allows for the use of a single gantry, thereby shortening setup time and facilitating installation, while preventing nozzle misalignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first motor unit including a first motor whose length is adjustable in the first direction and configured to push or pull the first pack from a first end of the first pack in the first direction to rotate the first pack
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate treating apparatus that can simplify the work and equipment for head alignment includes: an inkjet head unit configured to eject a substrate treating liquid; and a gantry unit configured to support the inkjet head unit, wherein the inkjet head unit comprises: a plurality of heads each provided with a plurality of nozzles; and a plurality of packs in each of which the heads are installed such that the nozzles are exposed, and within each of the packs, a plurality of heads are provided in a first direction and a second direction, in which the nozzles are arranged.