Ink-jet Apparatus Piezoelectric Control for Ejection Angle Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet apparatuses face challenges in controlling the direction of ink ejection and reducing variation in ink ejection angle, leading to defects such as color mixing during the manufacturing of high-definition organic EL display panels, which lowers product yield.
Innovation Solution
The ink-jet apparatus is designed with a specific arrangement of piezoelectric elements, diaphragms, and partition walls, where the widths of these components satisfy certain relationships to allow for a wide control range of ink ejection direction, enabling reliable correction of ink ejection angle variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional ink-jet apparatus is used, then manufacturing process is simple, but ink ejection angle variation is large causing color mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the partition wall movable by introducing a piezoelectric element that changes the wall's position based on applied voltage. This dynamic adjustment allows real-time correction of ink ejection angle variations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving precise ejection control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the partition wall by using piezoelectric material that responds to voltage changes. By applying different voltages, the partition wall position is adjusted, thereby changing the ink ejection angle dynamically to correct variations without complicating the overall apparatus structure.
2Productivity
If ink ejection direction is not controlled, then apparatus operation is simple, but product yield decreases due to defects
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-correction of ink ejection angle by using feedback from the piezoelectric element's response to applied voltage. The partition wall automatically adjusts its position to compensate for ejection variations, improving product yield without requiring complex external control mechanisms or increasing operational complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If piezoelectric element width L1 is increased, then ink ejection direction control is improved, but ink discharge amount decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having different widths for different parts of the piezoelectric element structure. The first piezoelectric element has width L1 for directional control, while the second has width L2 for ink discharge. By optimizing each local region's width independently, the system achieves both precise ejection direction control and sufficient ink discharge amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second dimension to the control mechanism by adding a second piezoelectric element with different width orientation. This allows independent control of ejection direction (via first element) and ink discharge amount (via second element), resolving the contradiction between precision and quantity through dimensional differentiation.
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 design effectively reduces defects in ink ejection, improves the control range of ink direction, and enhances the yield of electronic devices manufactured using the ink-jet apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
piezoelectric elements for applying a pressure to the pressure chamber via the diaphragm when a voltage is applied thereto
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink-jet apparatus that: has a wide control range of the direction for ink ejection; can correct a variation in the direction for ink ejection; and can improve the yield of a product when used for manufacture of electronic devices. The ink-jet apparatus includes: pressure chamber 110 configured with a pair of partition walls 111; nozzle plate 101 having nozzle 100; diaphragm 112 supported by partition walls 111; piezoelectric elements 131 and 132 that are in contact with diaphragm 112 for pressurizing pressure chamber 110; and piezoelectric elements 141, 142 and 143 supporting partition walls 111. A voltage can be applied individually to piezoelectric elements 131, 132, and 141 to 143. The widths of part A and part B of diaphragm 112, part A being in contact with a piezoelectric element, and part B being in contact with partition wall 111 satisfy a particular relationship.