Printhead Flow Branching Components for High-Resolution Droplet Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In display product manufacturing, existing printheads face challenges in controlling droplets for high-resolution patterns due to limitations in nozzle structure and operation, leading to low material utilization and resolution issues.

Innovation Solution

A printhead design featuring primary liquid discharging nozzles and flow branching components that split primary droplets into multiple branched droplets, with secondary liquid discharging channels and tines to control droplet volume and direction, combined with static electricity generators to enhance droplet placement precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional nozzles are used in printhead, then the structure is simple, but the droplet placement precision and pattern resolution are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedroplet placement precisionVSAvoidprinthead structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The printhead is divided into multiple independent nozzle groups, with each nozzle equipped with separate control electrodes. This segmentation allows independent control of droplet ejection timing and positioning for each nozzle, thereby improving droplet placement precision while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-dimensional control mechanism by adding controlled droplet ejection timing and positioning capabilities beyond simple droplet discharge. This enables precise spatial control of droplets in three-dimensional space, significantly enhancing pattern resolution through advanced positioning in multiple dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of substance

If photolithographic process is used to form patterns, then the process is mature, but the material utilization rate is low due to etching away parts of the film layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial utilization rateVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary photolithographic etching step from the manufacturing process. By directly depositing patterns through controlled droplet ejection, the method removes the material removal step entirely, achieving high material utilization rates while simplifying the manufacturing process to a single additive step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental manufacturing parameter from subtractive (etching) to additive (direct deposition). This parameter change transforms the material utilization approach, allowing precise placement of materials only where needed, thereby dramatically improving material utilization rate while maintaining ease of manufacture through a streamlined process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional printing method is used, then the material utilization rate is high, but the resolution of the formed pattern is limited due to nozzle structure limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepattern resolutionVSAvoiddroplet ejection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of droplet ejection by independently adjusting the timing and positioning of each nozzle's droplet discharge. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt ejection parameters in real-time, achieving high pattern resolution while maintaining high productivity through optimized ejection sequences and parallel operation of multiple nozzles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Improves material utilization and pattern resolution by precisely controlling droplet volume and placement on the substrate, enabling the production of high-resolution display products with reduced material waste.

Implementation Method 1

each of the plurality of flow branching components is configured to be in contact with the primary droplet formed by the corresponding primary liquid discharging nozzle, and to split each of the primary droplets into at least two branched droplets

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

combined with static electricity generators to enhance droplet placement precision

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic force: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS10308036B2Printhead, printing equipment and printing method

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a printhead, a printing equipment and a printing method. The printhead includes: a primary liquid discharging assembly, including a plurality of primary liquid discharging nozzles for forming primary droplets; and a plurality of flow branching components below the primary liquid discharging assembly, and the plurality of flow branching components being in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of primary liquid discharging nozzles, wherein each of the plurality of flow branching component is configured to be in contact with the primary droplet formed by the corresponding primary liquid discharging nozzle of the plurality of primary liquid discharging nozzles, and split each of the primary droplets into at least two branched droplets.