Liquid Discharge Nozzle Grouping for Consistent Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid discharge methods face challenges in achieving precise control over the discharge amount and consistency across multiple nozzles, leading to fluctuations in the deposited liquid quantity due to variations in the number of nozzles discharging simultaneously and differences in their operating states.
Innovation Solution
The method involves setting a predetermined number of nozzles to discharge simultaneously and maintaining a consistent operating state by adjusting the discharge pattern to ensure equal discharge cycles and intervals, thereby minimizing fluctuations in the discharge amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of discharge nozzles is increased to improve drawing efficiency, then productivity increases, but discharge amount fluctuation worsens due to peripheral nozzle interference
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle array is divided into multiple independent groups, with each group containing a specific number of nozzles (e.g., 4 nozzles per group). By controlling nozzles in groups rather than individually, the system maintains consistent discharge patterns even when the total number of nozzles is large, thereby preventing discharge amount fluctuation while preserving high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge operation is organized into periodic cycles where a predetermined number of nozzles discharge in each cycle. This periodic structure ensures that the number of discharging nozzles remains constant across cycles, eliminating fluctuations caused by varying nozzle participation and maintaining precise discharge amounts despite having numerous nozzles available.
2Manufacturing precision
If drive pulse correction is implemented for each nozzle to improve discharge precision, then manufacturing precision improves, but controller load and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of correcting drive pulses for each individual nozzle, the invention merges the correction approach by controlling nozzles in groups. The controller manages group-level discharge patterns rather than individual nozzle corrections, significantly reducing processing complexity while maintaining discharge precision through consistent group-based discharge cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system implements a universal discharge pattern that applies to all nozzle groups simultaneously. By using a standardized group-based control mechanism that can be applied across different nozzle configurations, the system achieves precise discharge control without requiring complex individualized correction algorithms for each nozzle.
3Manufacturing precision
If individual nozzle correction is performed to reduce discharge variation, then manufacturing precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes group configurations and discharge patterns before actual discharge operations begin. By organizing nozzles into predetermined groups with fixed discharge cycles in advance, the controller eliminates the need for time-consuming individual nozzle corrections during operation, achieving both precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Regular periodic discharge cycles are implemented for each nozzle group, creating a predictable and efficient operation rhythm. This periodic structure allows the controller to manage discharge operations systematically without requiring additional processing time for individual corrections, as the group-based periodic control inherently maintains discharge consistency.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge method is a method for depositing liquid on a plurality of target discharge partitioned areas formed on a substrate as the liquid is selectively discharged from a plurality of discharge nozzles while the substrate and the discharge nozzles are moved relative to each other. The liquid discharge method includes setting an arrangement pattern according to shapes and positions of the target discharge partitioned areas so that a number of the discharge nozzles selected to be used among the discharge nozzles capable of depositing the liquid in the target discharge partitioned areas is the same in each discharge timing.