Inkjet Print Head Dispersion Plate Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet printers face challenges in uniformly supplying light-emitting elements to a substrate, leading to non-uniform distribution and potential luminance deviations in display devices due to ink flow patterns that concentrate solids in specific areas.

Innovation Solution

A print head unit with a dispersion plate and resistance plates is used to disperse ink in a direction intersecting the primary flow direction, preventing ink from flowing back and ensuring uniform distribution of light-emitting elements by maintaining equal pressure across the head block surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ink is supplied directly from the manifold to the head block without dispersion control, then the ink flow path is simple, but the light-emitting elements are not uniformly distributed on the substrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of light-emitting element distributionVSAvoidstructure of ink supply path

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ink supply path is segmented into distinct functional zones: the manifold for bulk ink supply, the dispersion plate for distributing ink in the second direction, and the head block for discharge. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, with the dispersion plate creating uniform flow patterns that ensure even distribution of light-emitting elements across the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispersion plate acts as an intermediary component between the manifold and the head block. It receives ink from the manifold and redistributes it in the second direction before supplying it to the head block, thereby mediating the ink flow to achieve uniform concentration of light-emitting elements without requiring direct connection between manifold and head block.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If resistance plates are not used, then the device structure is simpler, but ink flows unevenly in the first direction causing concentration variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of ink concentrationVSAvoidnumber of flow control components

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Resistance plates are strategically positioned at specific locations within the dispersion plate where ink flow in the first direction needs to be controlled. These plates create localized flow resistance that prevents uneven concentration variations without requiring the entire device to be complex. The resistance plates are placed to match the specific flow patterns and concentration requirements of different regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the dispersion plate does not disperse ink in the second direction, then the ink flow path is shorter, but solids concentrate in specific areas leading to luminance deviations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniformity of solid distributionVSAvoidink flow path length

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dispersion plate disperses ink not only in the first direction (from manifold to head block) but also in the second direction (across the width of the ink flow). This two-dimensional dispersion ensures that light-emitting elements are evenly distributed across the entire substrate area, preventing concentration in specific regions and eliminating luminance deviations, while the plate is designed to achieve this with minimal additional path length.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration ensures a uniform concentration of light-emitting elements is discharged onto the substrate, preventing luminance deviations and improving image quality by maintaining consistent ink distribution.

Implementation Method 1

piezoelectric elements adjacent to the channels to discharge the ink through the channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11660865B2Print head unit and inkjet printer including the same

Publication Date: 2023.05.30 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An Inkjet printer includes a substrate on a stage. A print head unit is positioned above the stage and discharges an ink on the substrate. The print head unit includes a manifold for guiding movement of the ink in a first direction therein. A head block is under the manifold and includes a plurality of channels connected to the manifold and piezoelectric elements adjacent to the channels to discharge the ink through the channels. A nozzle unit is under the head block and includes nozzles corresponding to the channels. A dispersion plate is between the manifold and the head block and disperses the ink in a second direction intersecting the first direction to supply the ink to the head block. Resistance plates are between the dispersion plate and the head block, are formed parallel substantially to the second direction, and prevent the ink from flowing in the first direction.