Substrate Holder Assembly for Precise Inkjet Height Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face challenges in achieving precise placement of print material on substrates due to micro-scale deviations in timing, quantity, or rate of print material ejection, as well as imprecision in substrate positioning, leading to off-target deposition of print material.
Innovation Solution
A substrate holder assembly with a base member, contact member, holder carriage, linear extenders, and flex members is used to precisely control the distance and orientation of the substrate, coupled with sensors to monitor and adjust the substrate's position and height, ensuring accurate placement of print material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If substrate distance from print ejectors is not precisely controlled, then the structure is simpler, but the print material arrives at the substrate off target
Solution Approach 1:
The holder assembly is divided into multiple independent components: base member, contact member, linear extender, and flex member. Each component has a specific function and can be adjusted independently, allowing precise control of substrate distance while maintaining modularity and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flex member introduces dynamic flexibility to the holder assembly, allowing the contact member to adjust its position relative to the base member. This dynamic capability enables precise substrate distance control to compensate for positioning variations without requiring a completely rigid and complex structure.
2Manufacturing precision
If micro-scale deviations occur in timing or quantity of print material ejection, then the dispensing process is simpler, but the print material placement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the holder assembly to monitor substrate position and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables real-time adjustments to compensate for micro-scale deviations in print material ejection timing and quantity, ensuring precise placement without requiring overly complex monitoring systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If substrate position is not precisely controlled, then the holder assembly structure is simpler, but the print material arrives off target
Solution Approach 1:
The holder assembly is divided into multiple independent components: base member, contact member, linear extender, and flex member. Each component has a specific function and can be adjusted independently, allowing precise control of substrate distance while maintaining modularity and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a combination of linear extenders (providing precise linear motion) and flex members (providing controlled flexibility). This substitution achieves high precision substrate position control with a simpler, more elegant mechanical structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printer is described. The inkjet printer has a substrate holder assembly that includes a base member having a long axis in a first direction and a short axis in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a contact member coupled to the base member, the contact member having a long axis in the first direction and a short axis in the second direction; a holder carriage coupled to the base member; a linear extender coupled between the base member and the contact member and extending in a third direction intersecting with the first direction and the second direction from the base member toward the contact member; and a flex member coupled to the base member, extending in the second direction between the linear extender and the contact member, and having a flex direction in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.