Inkjet Nozzle Diameter Calibration for Temperature Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printing apparatuses face challenges in achieving uniformity of ink ejection due to variations in temperature and viscosity across the nozzle surface, affecting the reliability and consistency of the printing process.
Innovation Solution
The design includes an inkjet printing apparatus with a nozzle surface having areas at different temperatures, where the diameters of the nozzles are calibrated based on the specific temperature and physical properties of the ink, ensuring consistent ejection characteristics by using the Ohnesorge number equation to determine nozzle diameters that match the ink's density, viscosity, and surface tension at each temperature zone.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single nozzle diameter is used across the entire nozzle surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the uniformity of ink ejection deteriorates due to temperature variations across different areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the nozzle surface into multiple temperature zones (first area, second area, third area) and assigning different nozzle diameters to each zone. Specifically, nozzles in the first area have a first diameter, nozzles in the second area have a second diameter, and nozzles in the third area have a third diameter. This localized differentiation compensates for temperature variations across the nozzle surface, ensuring uniform ink ejection characteristics despite the increased design complexity.
2Temperature
If the heater heats the inkjet head to a reference temperature, then the ink viscosity is controlled, but temperature variations across different areas of the nozzle surface cause non-uniform ink ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recognizes that even when the inkjet head is heated to a reference temperature, different areas (first area, second area, third area) exhibit temperature variations. To compensate, the patent implements local quality by configuring nozzles in each area with different diameters tailored to the specific temperature conditions of that area, thereby achieving uniform ink ejection across the entire nozzle surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the nozzle diameter parameter according to the temperature conditions of different areas. The first diameter, second diameter, and third diameter are specifically selected to account for temperature variations, allowing the system to maintain consistent ink ejection characteristics despite spatial temperature gradients across the heated inkjet head.
3Manufacturing precision
If nozzle diameters are adjusted for different temperature zones, then the uniformity of ink ejection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts the increased device complexity as necessary to achieve uniform ink ejection. By implementing local quality with different nozzle diameters (first diameter, second diameter, third diameter) in different temperature zones, the patent ensures that each area of the nozzle surface compensates for its specific temperature conditions, resulting in consistent ejection performance across the entire array.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the nozzle surface into distinct areas (first area, second area, third area) with different temperature characteristics and configuring nozzles in each segment with appropriate diameters. This segmentation allows for precise control of ink ejection in each zone while maintaining an organized and manageable nozzle array structure.
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 enhances the uniformity and reliability of the printing process by ensuring that the ejection characteristics of the ink are consistent across different temperature zones, improving the overall printing quality and process reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a heater that heats a temperature of the inkjet head to a reference temperature
Implementation Method 2
c1 is a surface tension of the ink at the first temperature of the first area
Implementation Method 3
b1 is a viscosity of the ink at the first temperature of the first area
Implementation Method 4
a1 is a density of the ink at the first temperature of the first area
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head including an inkjet head having a nozzle surface; nozzles disposed on the nozzle surface, that spray an ink from the nozzles; and a heater that heats a temperature of the inkjet head to a reference temperature. The nozzles include a first nozzle having a first diameter; and a second nozzle having a second diameter different from the first diameter of the first nozzle, the nozzle surface includes a first area in which the first nozzle is disposed and a second area in which the second nozzle is disposed, the first area has a first temperature in case that the heater heats the inkjet head to the reference temperature, and the second area has a second temperature different from the first temperature in case that the heater heats the inkjet head to the reference temperature.