Nozzle Assembly Throttle Plate Flexible Portion Pressure Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing technologies for organic semiconductor materials in electronic devices face pressure variations that lead to non-uniform deposition and degradation of organic electronic devices, particularly due to stitching issues caused by pressure pulses in continuous printing methods.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle assembly with a throttle plate and flexible portion acts as a fluidic RC circuit to mitigate pressure variations, using a throttling action and accumulation space to stabilize the ink flow, thereby improving printing uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous printing method is used, then productivity is improved, but pressure variations cause non-uniform deposition
Solution Approach 1:
A compliant accumulator is introduced as an intermediary element between the liquid supply and the nozzle. This accumulator acts as a buffer that absorbs pressure variations and flow pulsations, decoupling the continuous printing process from pressure fluctuations. The accumulator maintains stable pressure at the nozzle inlet while allowing continuous liquid flow, thus resolving the contradiction between high productivity and deposition uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and compliance parameters of the fluid path by introducing a compliant accumulator. This modifies the system's pressure-flow characteristics, transforming the rigid fluid path into a compliant one that can absorb pressure variations. The parameter change enables continuous printing while maintaining pressure stability, addressing both productivity and precision requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If pressure pulses are isolated in non-continuous system, then deposition uniformity is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The compliant accumulator serves as a mediator that enables continuous printing while maintaining pressure isolation benefits. It allows the system to operate continuously like a high-speed printer but maintains the pressure stability characteristics of pulsed systems, thus achieving both high productivity and deposition uniformity simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If additional tubing length is added to act as capacitive element, then pressure variations are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using additional tubing length as a capacitive element, the invention introduces a dedicated compliant accumulator as an intermediary component. This accumulator is specifically designed to provide pressure stabilization functionality, making the pressure stability feature more reliable and less sensitive to tubing configuration variations. The accumulator maintains pressure stability while simplifying the overall device design compared to multiple tubing configurations.
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 solution effectively reduces pressure variations, enhancing printing uniformity and quality, leading to improved performance of organic electronic devices by minimizing stitching and other deposition irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible portion, the flexible portion being able to define an accumulation space within the nozzle body in response to a pressure variation in the ink
Implementation Method 2
The throttle plate having a passage therein. The passage in the throttle plate is, for example, in fluid communication with the nozzle body, the throttle plate being operative to impart a throttling action on a flow of liquid ink passing into the nozzle body
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly with a nozzle body cooperating with a flexible portion, the nozzle assembly also contains a throttle plate, and this combination is used to mitigate pressure variations transmitted to the nozzle assembly. The combination results in a more uniform liquid deposition during continuous liquid printing.