Liquid Droplet Jetting Apparatus with Helium Environment and Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid droplet jetting apparatuses face challenges in maintaining a stable jetting state when operating in low-density gas environments, as air resistance affects the landing of fine ink droplets on substrates.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a liquid droplet jetting head with a circulation flow channel and a control device that circulates the liquid through this channel during printing, while maintaining a low-density gas, such as helium, between the jetting head and the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the distance between the ink jet head and the substrate is increased, then the printing area coverage is improved, but the liquid droplets fail to land accurately due to air resistance and wind disturbance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the gas environment by replacing air with helium, which has lower density and viscosity. This parameter change reduces air resistance and wind disturbance forces acting on the liquid droplets, enabling accurate droplet landing even at increased distances between the ink jet head and substrate, thus resolving the contradiction between printing area coverage and droplet landing accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by filling the printing chamber with helium gas, which is chemically inert and has favorable aerodynamic properties. This inert atmosphere eliminates oxidative reactions and provides a stable, low-resistance environment for droplet transport, maintaining printing precision over larger areas without the harmful effects of air
2Manufacturing precision
If helium is used to reduce air resistance, then droplet transport is improved, but solvent evaporation increases and jetting state deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by circulating liquid through the circulation flow channel before and during the jetting process. This preliminary circulation ensures that the liquid maintains stable temperature and composition, preventing solvent evaporation and maintaining consistent jetting properties even in the helium environment, thus preserving jetting state stability while benefiting from improved droplet transport
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous useful action through the circulation flow channel that continuously moves liquid through the jetting head. This continuous circulation replaces evaporated solvent, maintains uniform liquid composition, and ensures stable jetting conditions throughout the printing process, counteracting the evaporative effects of the helium environment
3Manufacturing precision
If finer liquid droplets (3 pL or less) are used, then printing resolution is improved, but air resistance significantly affects droplet landing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the gas medium parameter from air to helium, which has approximately 6 times lower viscosity and 7 times lower density than air. This parameter change dramatically reduces the drag force and wind disturbance affecting fine droplets, enabling 3 pL or less droplets to maintain their trajectory and land accurately, thus achieving high printing resolution without the harmful effects of air resistance
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 maintains a good jetting state by reducing air resistance and stabilizing the ink flow, even at larger distances between the jetting head and the substrate, thereby ensuring accurate droplet landing.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid droplet jetting head includes a circulation flow channel inside the liquid droplet jetting head, and the control device circulates the liquid through the circulation flow channel at least during printing
Implementation Method 2
a low-density gas having a lower density than air is contained between the liquid droplet jetting head and the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a liquid droplet jetting apparatus and a manufacturing method of a printed article that maintain a good jetting state even in a case in which a low-density gas is used. A liquid droplet jetting apparatus includes: a liquid droplet jetting head that jets a liquid; a relative movement mechanism that moves a substrate and the liquid droplet jetting head relative to each other; and a control device that moves the substrate and the liquid droplet jetting head relative to each other and causes the liquid droplet jetting head to jet the liquid, to print an image on the substrate, in which a low-density gas having a lower density than air is contained between the liquid droplet jetting head and the substrate, the liquid droplet jetting head includes a circulation flow channel for circulating the liquid, and the control device circulates the liquid at least during printing.