Substrate Alignment Grippers for Accurate Inkjet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing substrate treating systems face challenges in accurately discharging ink droplets to desired positions due to unstable substrate movement, which can occur when the substrate is not moved in a straight direction.
Innovation Solution
A substrate treating apparatus and method that includes a stage with grippers on both sides to stabilize and align the substrate, using grippers that can rotate and yaw-control the substrate, along with a measurement unit to photograph alignment marks and adjust positioning, ensuring precise movement and discharge of ink droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the substrate is moved without stable control, then the movement speed can be maintained, but the ink droplet discharge position becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate movement control is segmented into multiple independent grippers (first gripper and second gripper) that can control different sides of the substrate separately. Each gripper can be independently positioned and controlled to maintain stable substrate movement, thereby improving ink droplet discharge position accuracy without requiring a completely complex control system.
Solution Approach 2:
Alignment marks are introduced as intermediary reference elements between the substrate and the inkjet printing system. The measurement unit photographs these alignment marks to determine substrate position, and the control unit calculates compensation values based on these marks. This intermediary reference system enables precise discharge position control without directly measuring every ink droplet placement point.
2Measurement precision
If alignment marks are used for positioning, then the discharge position accuracy improves, but the measurement and control process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment marks are pre-formed on the substrate itself during substrate preparation, rather than requiring external reference markers or complex measurement systems. The substrate essentially serves its own alignment function by containing the marks, which simplifies the overall measurement and control system while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system (measurement unit photographing alignment marks) replaces direct mechanical measurement or manual positioning methods. By using optical imaging of alignment marks, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring complex mechanical measurement apparatus, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the gripper structure is simplified, then the device complexity reduces, but the substrate movement stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different grippers are designed with different characteristics suited to their specific functions. The first gripper is optimized for initial substrate acquisition and alignment, while the second gripper is optimized for stable transport during printing. This local optimization of gripper characteristics enables stable substrate movement without requiring all grippers to be overly complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The grippers are designed with rotational capability around the first direction, allowing dynamic adjustment of their gripping force and angle. This dynamic property enables the grippers to adapt to slight variations in substrate position and maintain stable movement, achieving stability without requiring a completely rigid and complex structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a substrate treating apparatus capable of stably moving a substrate and discharging an ink at an accurate position. The substrate treating apparatus of the present disclosure comprises: a stage extending in a first direction and moving a substrate along the first direction; moving units disposed on both sides of the stage extending in the first direction, respectively, and configured to move the substrate in the first direction; and a control unit configured to align the substrate, wherein the moving unit includes a first gripper and a second gripper configured to adsorb one side and the other side of the substrate, respectively, after the first gripper adsorbs one side of the substrate, the control unit aligns the substrate, and after the substrate is aligned, the second gripper adsorbs the other side of the substrate and the substrate is moved in the first direction.