Light-Emitting Element Reservoir with Electroosmotic Stirring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display device manufacturing methods face challenges in preventing the sedimentation of light emitting elements and microbubbles in reservoirs, leading to supply failures during the printing process.
Innovation Solution
A reservoir design with electrodes forming an electric field to stir the light emitting elements via electroosmosis, combined with holes in the electrodes to remove microbubbles, ensuring the light emitting elements remain suspended and are effectively supplied to the print head unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light emitting elements are stored in a reservoir without electroosmotic stirring, then the reservoir structure is simple, but sedimentation of light emitting elements occurs leading to supply failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stirring mechanisms with an electroosmotic system. Electrodes are embedded in the reservoir to generate electroosmotic flow that circulates the material, preventing sedimentation of light emitting elements without requiring mechanical moving parts. This electrical field-based approach maintains supply reliability while avoiding complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The electroosmotic stirring system is integrated directly into the reservoir structure, allowing the reservoir to self-stir the material through electroosmotic flow generated by embedded electrodes. This eliminates the need for external stirring devices and maintains a relatively simple overall structure while preventing sedimentation.
2Reliability
If electrodes are added to stir light emitting elements, then sedimentation is prevented, but microbubbles are generated causing supply instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes microbubbles from the system by providing escape paths through the electrode structure. Holes are formed in the electrodes to allow generated microbubbles to escape from the material, preventing bubble accumulation that would cause supply instability. This extraction approach maintains the beneficial electroosmotic stirring while eliminating the harmful bubble effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of microbubbles into a beneficial outcome by designing electrodes with holes that allow bubbles to escape. The electroosmotic flow that generates bubbles also creates circulation patterns that bring bubbles to the electrode surfaces where they can escape through the holes, transforming a harmful byproduct into a self-cleaning mechanism.
3Reliability
If holes are formed in electrodes to remove microbubbles, then supply stability is improved, but electrode structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming holes only in specific regions of the electrodes where they can effectively remove bubbles without compromising overall structural integrity. The holes are strategically positioned to provide bubble escape paths while maintaining sufficient electrode material in critical load-bearing areas. This localized modification allows the electrode to perform dual functions: electroosmotic stirring and bubble removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous electrode structures with controlled porosity. The holes create a porous configuration that allows bubble penetration and escape while the remaining solid matrix maintains mechanical strength. This porous design enables the electrode to function as both an electroosmotic actuator and a bubble filtration/escape structure.
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 prevents sedimentation and microbubble-related supply failures, ensuring a stable and efficient delivery of light emitting elements, improving the accuracy and reliability of the display device manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
the solvent may flow upwardly at a center of an area of each of the first electrode and the second electrode and may flow downwardly between the first electrode and the second electrode, by electroosmosis, and the material may be stirred in the storage container by the flowing of the solvent
Implementation Method 2
an electric field may be formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that the material may be stirred by electroosmosis, and the light emitting element may be maintained in a floating state in the storage container
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir of a light emitting element includes a storage container accommodating a material in which at least one light emitting element is dispersed. A first electrode and a second electrode are spaced apart from each other in the inside of the storage container. A power supply is electrically coupled to each of the first electrode and the second electrode to apply a power source corresponding to each of the first electrode and the second electrode. Holes are formed in each of the first electrode and the second electrode.