Inspection Substrate with Penetrating Holes for Satellite Droplet Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing droplet inspection systems struggle to efficiently detect discharge defects of satellite droplets in inkjet heads, which have a low occurrence frequency and are not effectively targeted by current inspection methods.
Innovation Solution
A droplet inspection apparatus and method that utilize an inspection substrate with penetrating holes aligned to correspond to the nozzles in the inkjet head, allowing satellite droplets that do not reach the target position to land on the substrate's surface, where they can be measured by a camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods are used to detect satellite droplets, then the inspection system maintains simplicity, but the detection accuracy for satellite droplet discharge defects remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an inspection substrate as an intermediary component between the inkjet head and the target position. This substrate with penetrating holes captures satellite droplets that would otherwise be missed, enabling the camera to detect them effectively. The intermediary substrate solves the detection accuracy problem without requiring complex inspection system modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the inspection process by positioning the inspection substrate at a specific location between the inkjet head and target, and using a camera viewing from another angle. This dimensional approach allows satellite droplets to be captured on the substrate surface where they can be effectively imaged, improving detection accuracy without complicating the system.
2Reliability
If the inspection substrate has penetrating holes aligned with nozzles, then satellite droplets can be effectively captured and inspected, but the substrate structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection substrate is segmented with multiple penetrating holes arranged in specific patterns corresponding to nozzle configurations. This segmentation allows different regions of the substrate to capture satellite droplets from different nozzles, improving defect detection reliability while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through systematic hole arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection substrate serves multiple functions: it acts as a physical barrier to capture satellite droplets, provides a viewing surface for the camera, and its penetrating hole pattern can be configured to match different nozzle arrangements. This multi-functionality improves detection reliability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
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 solution enables the effective inspection of satellite droplet discharge defects, simplifying the process and improving detection accuracy, even for defects with low occurrence frequencies.
Implementation Method 1
a camera that measures the droplet disposed on one surface of the inspection substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for inspecting a plurality of droplets includes an inspection substrate defining a penetrating area corresponding to a nozzle portion that discharges the plurality of droplets, the penetrating area through which at least some of the plurality of droplets, which are discharged from the nozzle portion, pass and a camera that measures a droplet, among the plurality of droplets, disposed on one surface of the inspection substrate without passing the inspection substrate through the penetrating area.