Inkjet Printing System Nozzle Position Error Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In piezoelectric inkjet printing systems, ink discharge position errors due to non-uniform nozzles or misalignment result in distance differences between the discharge and target positions, compromising the resolution and productivity of display devices, especially when high transferring speeds are required.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing system that includes an inkjet head with nozzles, a transfer part, and a discharge waveform signal generator and selector, which generates and selectively applies different discharge waveform signals to each nozzle based on pixel interval, transferring speed, and discharge position error data to accurately control ink discharge positions while maintaining high substrate transfer speeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the transferring speed of the pixel target substrate is reduced to accurately control the ink discharge position, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting discharge waveform signals (voltage, frequency, pulse width) for each nozzle based on measured discharge position errors. This allows compensation for positional deviations without reducing substrate transfer speed, thereby maintaining both manufacturing precision and productivity. The system dynamically modifies discharge parameters to correct errors caused by nozzle shape variations and misalignment.
2Productivity
If the transferring speed of the pixel target substrate is maintained at high speed, then the productivity is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by measuring the discharge position of each nozzle before actual printing and storing correction data. This pre-characterization allows the system to apply appropriate discharge waveform signals during high-speed operation, ensuring accurate ink placement even at high substrate transfer speeds without requiring real-time position adjustment.
3Device complexity
If uniform discharge waveform signals are applied to all nozzles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to nozzle variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning individual discharge waveform signals to each nozzle based on its specific discharge characteristics. Instead of using a uniform signal for all nozzles, the system tailors the discharge parameters (voltage, frequency, pulse width) to each nozzle's performance, compensating for manufacturing variations and ensuring consistent ink discharge position across all nozzles.
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 accurately controls ink discharge positions across multiple nozzles, ensuring high-resolution display device manufacturing with maintained high transferring speeds, thereby enhancing productivity by minimizing position errors and optimizing ink placement.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element including the piezoelectric material is used in the piezoelectric inkjet printing technology. For example, the ink may be discharged to the surface of the pixel printing target substrate through a nozzle by varying the shape of the piezoelectric element by applying the electric signal to the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing system includes an inkjet head including first to n-th nozzles disposed in a row in a first direction, where the inkjet head discharges an ink onto a pixel printing target substrate, a transfer part which transfers the pixel printing target substrate toward the inkjet head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, a discharge waveform signal generator which generates different discharge waveform signals based on a pixel interval in the pixel printing target substrate and a transferring speed of the pixel printing target substrate, and a discharge waveform signal selector which selects first to n-th discharge waveform signals among the plurality of different discharge waveform signals based on discharge position error data respectively corresponding to the first to n-th nozzles, such that the first to n-th discharge waveform signals are selectively provided to each of the first to n-th nozzles.