Inkjet Nozzle Speed Control via Droplet Impact Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet technologies face challenges in precisely controlling ink droplet waveforms and speed measurements, particularly in manufacturing processes where precise ink droplet control is essential for electronic components and displays.
Innovation Solution
A substrate processing method that determines the impact of ink droplets ejected at different speeds, calculates a reference ejection speed, and compares the ink ejection speeds of nozzles to identify abnormal performance, using a substrate processing system with a nozzle head unit and inspection device to adjust voltages applied to piezoelectric elements for correction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink droplet ejection speed is increased to improve productivity, then manufacturing throughput is improved, but control precision of ink droplet waveform deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the actual ejection speeds of multiple nozzles are measured by detecting ink droplet impacts on the substrate, compared against a reference ejection speed, and abnormal nozzles are identified and corrected. This closed-loop feedback system enables precise control of ink droplet waveform even at high ejection speeds, resolving the contradiction between productivity and control precision.
2Productivity
If multiple nozzles are inspected simultaneously to improve measurement efficiency, then inspection speed is improved, but measurement precision of individual nozzle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inspection process by determining impacts of ink droplets from multiple nozzles separately and independently. Each nozzle's ink droplet impact is detected and analyzed individually to determine its specific ejection speed, allowing simultaneous inspection of multiple nozzles while maintaining precise measurement of each individual nozzle's performance characteristics.
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 method enables precise control and measurement of ink droplet speeds, improving the accuracy and reliability of ink ejection performance in substrate processing systems, allowing for effective identification and correction of abnormalities in nozzle performance.
Implementation Method 1
ejecting a plurality of ink droplets by respectively applying voltages to piezoelectric elements of a plurality of nozzles
Implementation Method 2
determining a first impact of an ink droplet ejected toward a substrate moving at a first speed
Data Source
AI summary
A substrate processing method includes determining a first impact of an ink droplet ejected toward a substrate moving at a first speed, determining a second impact of an ink droplet ejected toward the substrate moving at a second speed, determining a reference ejection speed based on the first impact and the second impact, determining a plurality of third impacts of a plurality of ink droplets respectively ejected from a plurality of nozzles toward the substrate moving at a third speed, determining an ink ejection speed of each of the plurality of nozzles based on the first impact and the plurality of third impacts, and comparing the ink ejection speeds of the plurality of nozzles with the reference ejection speed and determining whether ink ejection performance of the plurality of nozzles is abnormal.