Diagonal Dispensing Mechanism for OLED Liquid Materials
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet dispensing apparatuses struggle to accurately dispense liquid materials in diagonal directions on enlarged substrates for OLED manufacturing, leading to contamination and mechanical stress issues.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing apparatus with a three-degree-of-freedom movement system, comprising a first moving unit, a second moving unit, and a third rotating unit, allows the dispensing unit to move in arbitrary directions, including diagonally, by using guide rails and rotating wheels, enabling precise dispensing of light emitting materials on substrates without separate stage rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a conventional inkjet dispensing apparatus is used on enlarged substrates, then the substrate size can be increased, but the dispensing accuracy in diagonal directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the guide member rotatable to change the movement direction of the dispensing unit dynamically. The guide member can rotate around a rotation axis, allowing the dispensing unit to move not only in the X and Y directions but also in diagonal directions, thereby maintaining dispensing accuracy across the entire enlarged substrate area without being constrained by fixed linear guide rails.
2Device complexity
If the dispensing unit is constrained to move only in X and Y directions, then the mechanical structure can be simplified, but the ability to dispense in diagonal directions is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member is designed to be rotatable around a rotation axis, enabling the dispensing unit to dynamically adjust its movement direction. This rotational capability allows the system to dispense materials in diagonal directions while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure compared to having separate linear actuators for each direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational dimension to the traditionally two-dimensional (X-Y) linear movement system. By allowing the guide member to rotate, the dispensing unit gains the ability to move in diagonal directions, effectively adding a directional degree of freedom without significantly complicating the mechanical structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate stage rotation is used to achieve diagonal dispensing, then the dispensing direction can be changed, but the risk of mechanical damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the entire substrate stage, the patent rotates only the guide member locally, allowing the dispensing unit to change movement direction without subjecting the heavy substrate stage to rotational mechanical stress. This localized rotation significantly reduces the risk of mechanical damage while achieving the same diagonal dispensing capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid dispensing apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes i) a first moving unit configured to move in a first direction that is a movement direction of a patterning target object and ii) a second moving unit configured to move in a second direction crossing the first direction. The apparatus further includes a dispensing unit formed on the second moving unit; and a third moving unit formed between the first moving unit and the second moving unit and configured to rotate the second moving unit and the dispensing unit with respect to the first moving unit on a virtual plane that is substantially parallel to the first and second directions.