Multi-Nozzle Inkjet Apparatus with Evaporation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jetting technologies are limited in forming liquid droplets smaller than 20 to 30 micrometers, leading to limitations in line-width patterning and precision, with piezoelectric methods experiencing issues with linearity due to external disturbances during droplet flight.
Innovation Solution
An ink jetting apparatus with multi-nozzles that incorporates a liquid droplet generating unit and an evaporation control unit, utilizing piezoelectric, thermal bubble, or electrostatic jet methods, combined with a hybrid approach, to control droplet evaporation and direction, forming micro-fine droplets and improving precision by using an ejection electrode, focusing electrode, and gas supply for precise substrate targeting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional ink jetting technologies (piezoelectric or thermal bubble methods) are used to discharge liquid droplets, then the liquid droplets can be formed and discharged, but the liquid droplets fail to hit the targeted place on the substrate due to lack of linearity from external disturbance during flight
Solution Approach 1:
A gas flow path is introduced as an intermediary medium between the nozzle and substrate. Gas flows through this path to push the liquid droplets toward the substrate, providing a controlled medium that compensates for external disturbances and ensures reliable droplet placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing gas flow through a dedicated gas flow path. The gas flow acts as a pushing force to propel liquid droplets toward the substrate, improving flight stability and placement precision through controlled pneumatic pressure.
2Manufacturing precision
If piezoelectric inkjet method is used to form liquid droplets of small size, then the liquid droplets can be discharged at about 20 micrometers, but the linearity is compromised due to external disturbance during droplet flight
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow path serves as an intermediary that maintains droplet flight linearity. The controlled gas flow pushes droplets in a straight path toward the substrate, preventing deviations caused by external disturbances while preserving the small droplet size formed by piezoelectric method.
Solution Approach 2:
Pneumatic pressure from gas flow is used to maintain droplet trajectory stability. The gas flow provides a controlled pushing force that ensures linear flight path, allowing piezoelectric method to achieve both small droplet size and flight linearity.
3Manufacturing precision
If electrostatic inkjet method is added to form smaller liquid droplets, then the droplet size is reduced by about 30%, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrostatic inkjet method with piezoelectric or thermal bubble methods in a hybrid configuration. This merging allows the system to achieve smaller droplet sizes through electrostatic forces while using the existing piezoelectric or thermal mechanisms for droplet generation, managing complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The inkjet head is designed with multi-functionality, accommodating both electrostatic and piezoelectric or thermal bubble mechanisms. This universal design allows the same hardware platform to achieve droplet size reduction through electrostatic method while maintaining compatibility with other inkjet methods.
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
The apparatus achieves micro-fine line widths of less than 1 micrometer and enhances precision by controlling droplet flight and evaporation, ensuring accurate substrate targeting and environmental control.
Implementation Method 1
an ejection electrode which is arranged in a position spaced apart from the multi-nozzles in a direction in which the liquid droplets are jetted, has a through-hole where the liquid droplets jetted from the multi-nozzles penetrate and are discharged, and is configured to generate the electric field with the applied voltage to generate the liquid droplets from the ink
Implementation Method 2
a focusing electrode which is arranged below the second spacer, has a through-hole for discharging the liquid droplets that passed through the second spacer, and is configured to allow the liquid droplets to be focused to a center of the through-hole and discharged using a voltage applied
Implementation Method 3
a heating unit for heating the focusing electrode
Implementation Method 4
a gas supply unit for supplying gas to an inside of the first spacer to focus the liquid droplets to a center of the path
Implementation Method 5
the liquid droplets being jetted from the multi-nozzles pass through the evaporation control unit, so that the flying distance of the liquid droplets can be controlled and the liquid droplets can be evaporated while the liquid droplets pass through the evaporation control unit, to form micro-fine liquid droplets
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an ink jetting apparatus with multi-nozzles, the apparatus including a liquid droplet generating unit configured to generate liquid droplets from ink and jet the liquid droplets through the multi-nozzles, and an evaporation control unit configured to guide the liquid droplets jetted from the multi-nozzles to protect the liquid droplets from thermal and physical disturbance and control evaporation of the liquid droplets.