Liquid Droplet Discharge Evaluation via Absorbing Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing discharge amount evaluation methods for liquid droplet discharging devices are inefficient and lack precision due to the need for drying, which introduces errors and increases measurement time, and require three-dimensional shape measurements that are cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method that evaluates discharge amounts by discharging liquid onto a test piece with a receiving layer that absorbs the solvent or dispersion medium, allowing for two-dimensional measurement of the absorbed area to calculate the volume, eliminating the need for drying and simplifying the measurement process while maintaining high precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the liquid is dried to perform outline measurement, then the measurement can be performed, but the measurement time becomes extremely long (approximately eight hours)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and measures the solvent component separately from the solid component. By using a receiving layer that selectively absorbs only the solvent, the method enables measurement of the liquid discharge amount without waiting for complete drying of the liquid. This separates the measurement of solvent distribution (which occurs quickly) from the solid residue, eliminating the need for lengthy drying periods while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving layer acts as an intermediary substance between the discharged liquid and the measurement system. This layer selectively absorbs the solvent component of the liquid, making the invisible solvent distribution visible through area measurement. The receiving layer mediates the measurement process by capturing and preserving the solvent pattern without requiring complete evaporation or drying of the liquid, thus enabling rapid measurement.
2Productivity
If heating processing is applied to reduce drying time, then the measurement efficiency improves, but the evaluation precision deteriorates due to liquid quality deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving layer serves as an intermediary that captures the solvent immediately upon liquid discharge, preventing the need for heating or prolonged drying. By transferring the solvent to the receiving layer through absorption, the measurement can proceed at ambient temperature, avoiding thermal deterioration of the liquid components while maintaining measurement efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If multiple-point measurements are performed by changing measurement plane distance, then the three-dimensional shape measurement precision improves, but the measurement work and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the solvent component and measures its distribution area directly on the receiving layer plane, eliminating the need for complex three-dimensional shape reconstruction. By focusing measurement on the two-dimensional area of solvent absorption rather than attempting to measure the full three-dimensional liquid structure, the method achieves sufficient precision for discharge amount evaluation while dramatically simplifying the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from attempting to measure three-dimensional liquid shape to measuring the two-dimensional area of solvent absorption on the receiving layer. This dimensional reduction simplifies the measurement process from requiring multiple focal plane adjustments to a single-plane area measurement, reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to evaluate discharge amount accurately.
4Measurement precision
If the outline measurement is performed after drying the liquid, then the discharge amount can be evaluated, but shape distortion occurs due to drying effects
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving layer absorbs and preserves the solvent distribution pattern immediately upon liquid discharge, before any drying or evaporation can cause shape distortion. By capturing the solvent pattern in its original spatial distribution without allowing drying to occur, the method prevents the formation of distorted shapes that would otherwise result from evaporation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving layer acts as an intermediary that preserves the solvent distribution pattern without subjecting it to drying-induced distortion. By transferring and fixing the solvent pattern in the receiving layer, the measurement captures the true original shape and distribution of the discharged liquid, free from the artifacts introduced by drying processes.
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
Enables high-precision and efficient evaluation of discharge amounts without drying, reducing measurement time and avoiding errors associated with drying and shape distortion, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of discharge amount assessment.
Implementation Method 1
a receiving layer that absorbs at least one of the solvent and the dispersion medium as components included in the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge amount evaluation method of a liquid droplet discharging device evaluates a discharge amount of a liquid discharged by the liquid droplet discharging device. The liquid includes at least one of a solution prepared by dissolving a solute in a solvent and a dispersion prepared by dispersing a dispersoid in a dispersion medium. The method includes discharging the liquid by the liquid droplet discharging device on a receiving layer of a test piece, the test piece including the receiving layer that absorbs at least one of the solvent and the dispersion medium as components included in the liquid and a base layer that is abutted with the receiving layer and that does not absorb the at least one component absorbed by the receiving layer in the components included in the liquid; and evaluating the discharge amount of the liquid based on a result obtained by evaluating an area of an absorbing portion where the at least one absorbed component has spread in the receiving layer.