Inkjet Line Image Formation via Contact Angle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing line image forming methods using inkjet technology often result in dot shapes instead of uniform line shapes due to high receding contact angles and inadequate control over droplet deposition and curing processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for forming line images by ejecting droplets from an inkjet head onto a non-permeable medium, where the receding contact angle is maintained at 10° or less, and the static contact angle is kept at 10° or more, with controlled ejection frequency and curing within specific time frames to ensure droplets combine into a single line shape, preventing jaggedness and bulges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the receding contact angle of the liquid is high, then the liquid resists spreading on the non-permeable medium, but this results in dot shapes instead of uniform line shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the contact angle parameter by controlling the receding contact angle to be 10° or less through liquid composition adjustment and surface treatment, enabling droplets to spread and merge into uniform line shapes rather than remaining as separate dots
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary action by controlling the receding contact angle before droplet deposition, ensuring that subsequent droplets will spread and merge properly to form continuous lines rather than discrete dots
2Shape
If the static contact angle is low, then the liquid spreads well on the non-permeable medium, but this may cause bleeding of the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the static contact angle parameter to be 10° or more, achieving a balance where droplets spread sufficiently to form continuous lines while maintaining enough resistance to prevent excessive bleeding and preserve pattern accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic contact angle control during the droplet deposition process, where the receding contact angle is kept low (≤10°) to promote spreading and merging, while the static contact angle is maintained at an appropriate level (≥10°) to prevent excessive bleeding
3Productivity
If droplets are deposited with insufficient time interval, then the deposition process is faster, but this may cause periodic bulges in the line shape
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses periodic action by controlling the ejection frequency to be 1 kHz or more, creating a regular deposition rhythm that allows droplets to merge properly without forming periodic bulges, while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the deposition time interval to ensure that each droplet merges with the previous one before the next droplet is deposited, preventing periodic bulges while maintaining high ejection frequency for productivity
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
This approach effectively prevents the formation of dot shapes and achieves stable, uniform line widths by ensuring proper wetting and spreading of droplets, suppressing jaggedness and bulges, and maintaining line segment uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
a receding contact angle of the liquid with respect to the non-permeable medium being not larger than 10°
Implementation Method 2
a static contact angle of the liquid with respect to the non-permeable medium is not smaller than 10°
Data Source
AI summary
A line image forming method includes the steps of: ejecting a plurality of droplets of liquid sequentially from an inkjet head, the liquid containing a functional component; and depositing the droplets of the liquid onto a non-permeable medium, the deposited droplets becoming joined together on the non-permeable medium to form a line pattern of the liquid, wherein a receding contact angle of the liquid with respect to the non-permeable medium being not larger than 10°.