KR20230039104A - Spraying appratus and printing appratus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spraying device, and a printing device having the same. The spraying device comprises: a flow unit where solution, where a plurality of light emission diodes are mixed, flows; and a nozzle, where a guide unit guiding a flow of the solution introduced from the flow unit exists on an inner surface, spraying the solution. Therefore, the light emission diodes mixed in the solution are discharged while spaced from each other.

Description

Spray device and printing device {SPRAYING APPRATUS AND PRINTING APPRATUS}

The present invention relates to a spraying device and a printing device including the same.

Printing technology is used to manufacture display devices. An inkjet printing device generally used in the manufacture of a display device uses an inkjet head to eject minute droplets of printing ink or solution onto a desired location on a printing medium, for example, printing paper, so that the surface of the printing paper has a predetermined color. It is a device that prints an image of These inkjet printing devices have recently been developed in the field of flat-panel displays such as Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) and Organic Light Emitting Devices (OLEDs), flexible displays such as E-Paper, metal wires, etc. The range of applications is expanding to various fields such as printed electronics, and organic thin film transistors (OTFTs). When such an inkjet printing device is applied to the display field or the printed electronics field, one of the most important technical challenges in process technology is high resolution and ultra-precision printing. Accordingly, the need for a printing device for high-resolution and ultra-precision printing is on the rise.

An inkjet nozzle of the printing device ejects ink in which light emitting elements are mixed. When ink mixed with light emitting elements is continuously applied through an inkjet nozzle, agglomeration of light emitting elements may occur inside the nozzle or around a part where ink is ejected, resulting in manufacturing losses due to clogging of the nozzles, or damage to the printing device. lifespan may be reduced.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0022403 discloses a method for ensuring printing uniformity by adjusting the ink ejection interval of defective nozzles, but this does not block the occurrence of defective nozzles, but already generated defects. There is a disadvantage that it is only a post-action measure for the nozzle.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2012-0022403 (published on March 12, 2012)

An object of the present invention is to provide a spraying device and a printing device including the same for preventing nozzle clogging and improving process accuracy by discharging a plurality of light emitting elements mixed in a solution in a spaced apart state.

In order to achieve the above purpose,

The present invention is a spraying device for spraying a mixed solution of a plurality of light emitting elements, a moving part through which the solution moves, a nozzle spraying the solution moving in the moving part, and a flow of the solution flowing from the moving part to the nozzle. It provides an injection device including a guide portion formed on the inner surface of the nozzle to guide the.

In addition, the present invention includes a stage on which an electrode substrate is disposed and a spray device for spraying a solution in which a plurality of light emitting elements are mixed to the electrode substrate disposed on the stage, wherein the spray device is the spray device according to the present invention. It provides a printing device characterized by.

In the case of using the spraying device and the printing device according to the present invention, as the light emitting elements are applied on the electrode substrate in a state of being spaced apart from each other, the process precision is improved, the clogging of the nozzle is prevented in advance to improve the fairness, and the life of the nozzle is increased. It can provide a prolonging effect.

1 is a view showing a light emitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a view showing an injection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention and a diagram showing a guide portion on the inner surface of the nozzle.
4 is a diagram showing an example of a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A to 5B are diagrams illustrating another example of a guide part according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a view showing another example of a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing another example of a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8A to 8B are diagrams illustrating another example of a guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a solution in which light emitting elements are mixed according to an embodiment of the present invention is discharged through a nozzle having a guide unit.
10 is a diagram illustrating an inkjet printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a spraying device and a printing device.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

Throughout this specification, when a member is said to be located “on” another member, this includes not only a case where a member is in contact with another member, but also a case where another member exists between the two members.

When it is said that a certain part "includes" a certain component throughout this specification, it means that it may further include other components, not excluding other components unless otherwise stated.

Hereinafter, examples will be described in detail to explain the present invention in detail. However, the embodiments according to the present invention can be modified in many different forms, and the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described below. The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art.

<light emitting device>

1 is a diagram showing a light emitting device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The light emitting diode 100 according to the present embodiment has a size of a micrometer or nanometer unit and may be an inorganic light emitting diode made of an inorganic material. However, it is not limited thereto.

When an electric field is formed in a specific direction between two electrodes facing each other, a polarity is formed between the two electrodes, and the inorganic light emitting diode may be aligned between the two electrodes having the polarity. That is, the nanodevice or inorganic light emitting diode corresponding to the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment may be aligned between two electrodes on the substrate.

When explaining the light emitting device 100 in more detail, the light emitting device 100 may be a bar-shaped dipole LED. For example, the light emitting device 100 may include a first electrode layer 110, a first semiconductor layer 120, an active layer 130, a second semiconductor layer 140, and a second electrode layer 150. However, it is not limited thereto. At this time, the first electrode layer 110, the first semiconductor layer 120, the active layer 130, the second semiconductor layer 140, and the second electrode layer 150 included in the light emitting device 100 are sequentially along one direction. or may have a stacked structure.

As the first electrode layer 110 and the second electrode layer 150 of the light emitting element 100 simultaneously contact the first electrode part and the second electrode part of the electrode substrate, the light emitting element 100 and the electrode substrate first It may be electrically connected through the electrode part and the second electrode part. At this time, the first end portion 102 and the second end portion 104 according to the present embodiment may indicate a portion where the light emitting device 100 contacts the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion of the electrode substrate.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the light emitting device 100 according to this embodiment may have a cylindrical shape having a length L 105 and a width W1 107, but is not limited thereto. At this time, the length L (105) of the light emitting element 100 may be 10 μm, but is not limited thereto, and may preferably be 1.5 μm or more and 7 μm or less. In addition, the width W1 107 of the light emitting element 100 may be 2 μm, but is not limited thereto, and may be preferably 50 nm or more and 3 μm or less.

The light emitting device 100 may have a polygonal columnar shape such as a rod having a length L (105) extending in one direction, a rectangular shape, a hexagonal columnar shape, and the like. In addition, the shape of the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and may have a shape such as a cube, a tube, or a wire, or may have a shape extending in one direction and having a partially inclined outer surface, and various other shapes. can have a shape.

The first semiconductor layer 120, the active layer 130, and the second semiconductor layer 140 of the light emitting device 100 may emit light of a specific wavelength range when an electric signal is applied. For example, the first semiconductor layer 120 may include an n-type semiconductor layer, and the second semiconductor layer 140 may include a p-type semiconductor layer. Accordingly, when an electrical signal from an external power source is applied to the light emitting device 100, the active layer 130 transitions to a lower energy level as electrons and holes recombine, and generates and emits light having a wavelength corresponding to the electrons and holes. can

An electrical signal must be applied to the light emitting device 100 so that the light emitting device 100 according to the present embodiment can generate light. In order to stably and efficiently apply an electrical signal to the light emitting element 100, an electrode substrate including two electrode parts may be used, and as the light emitting element 100 is electrically connected to the electrode substrate, light of a small wavelength can create

In order to electrically connect the light emitting devices 100 to the electrode substrate according to the present embodiment, the light emitting devices 100 need to be coated on the electrode substrate. For example, the light emitting devices 100 may be provided on an electrode substrate in a state of being mixed in a predetermined solution, and for this purpose, a spraying device for spraying a solution in which the light emitting devices 100 are mixed is required.

<Injector>

2 is a view showing an injection device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a spraying device 200, the spraying device 200 according to this embodiment may include a moving unit 210 and a nozzle 220. 2 shows only one nozzle 220, but is not limited thereto, and the injection device 200 may further include a plurality of nozzles 220.

The jetting device 200 according to this embodiment may be an inkjet head of an inkjet printing device, but is not limited thereto. For example, the inkjet printing device discharges a solution in which the light emitting elements 100 are mixed, that is, minute droplets of printing ink, to a desired location on an electrode substrate using an inkjet head, thereby forming a layer of printing paper. An image of a predetermined color can be printed on the surface. At this time, the solution in which the light emitting devices 100 are mixed may be provided in a colloidal state. To this end, the solvent is methyl ethyl ketone, methyl butyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, isopropyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, isoamyl alcohol, distilled water, hexamethyl phosphate triamide, acetonitrile, diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, It may be methyl-t-butyl ether or the like, but is not limited thereto. That is, the plurality of light emitting devices 100 may be included in a dispersed state in a solvent, supplied to the injection device 200, and then discharged.

The injection device 200 generally converts an electrical signal into a physical force so that the solution is ejected in the form of droplets through a small nozzle 220. For this operation, the injection device 200 is a moving unit 210, which is a path through which the solution injected from the solution storage device (not shown) can move to the nozzle 220, and the solution flowing through the moving unit 210 to the outside. It includes a nozzle 220 for spraying. In the injection device 200 according to the present embodiment, the nozzle 220 has a moving part ( 210) may include a guide part 221 for guiding the flow of the introduced solution.

moving parts (210)

The mixed solution of the light emitting devices 100 according to the present embodiment moves through the moving unit 210 . For example, the moving unit 210 receives a mixed solution of the light emitting elements 100 through the solution supply unit 212 . Referring to FIG. 2 , the solution supplied through the solution supply unit 212 may move in the direction of the arrow.

Nozzle (220)

The nozzle 220 according to the present embodiment sprays the solution moving in the moving unit 210 . The nozzle 220 may be connected to the moving unit 210, and a solution flowing along the moving unit 210 may be discharged through the nozzle 220 and provided to the upper surface of the electrode substrate. The injection speed (m/s) of the solution discharged from the nozzle 220 according to the present embodiment may be adjusted according to the voltage applied to the nozzle 220 . For example, the injection speed (m/s) of the solution discharged from the nozzle 220 may be 10 m/s or less, preferably 5 m/s to 10 m/s, but is not limited thereto.

The nozzle 220 according to the present embodiment may have a shape capable of spraying a solution in which the light emitting devices 100 are mixed. For example, the nozzle 220 may have a cylindrical shape, a rectangular shape, or a cylindrical shape in which a diameter decreases from top to bottom, but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, the nozzle 220 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3 .

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the nozzle 220 according to the present embodiment and a diagram showing a guide portion on the inner surface of the nozzle. Referring to FIG. 3 , the nozzle 220 may include a solution inlet 222 , a solution outlet 224 and a connection part 226 . The solution inlet 222 is connected to the moving unit 210 , and the solution moved in the moving unit 210 may flow into the nozzle 220 through the solution inlet 222 .

The solution discharge unit 224 is located on the opposite side of the solution inlet 222, and the solution introduced through the solution inlet 222 may be discharged. For example, the diameter of the solution inlet 222 has a larger value than the diameter of the solution outlet 224 . The solution discharged from the nozzle 220 having this shape is easily sprayed in a desired direction, and accordingly, the light emitting devices 100 mixed with the solution can be provided at a desired position, so that the precision of the process can be improved. .

The connection unit 226 connects the solution inlet 222 and the solution outlet 224, and allows the solution introduced from the solution inlet 222 to be discharged through the solution outlet 224. Referring to FIG. 3, in order to connect the solution inlet 222 and the solution outlet 224 having different diameters, the diameter of the connection portion 226 is shown to gradually decrease, but is not limited thereto, and the connection portion ( 226) can have various forms in which the solution can move.

Guide part (221)

Referring back to FIG. 3, the left side of FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nozzle 220, and the right side of FIG. 3 is a view showing the inner surface of the nozzle 200 when the nozzle 220 is unfolded. Referring to FIG. 3 , a guide part 221 exists on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 according to the present embodiment to guide the flow of the solution flowing from the moving part 210 to the nozzle 220 . For example, the guide part 221 may be present on the inner surface of the connection part 226 of the nozzle 220 .

In more detail, the guide part 221 guides the flow of the solution so that each of the plurality of light emitting elements 100 mixed in the solution can be spaced apart. Accordingly, the guide part 221 has various shapes capable of guiding the flow of the solution so that the flow of the solution in which the light emitting elements 100 are mixed is not hindered and agglomeration or contact between the light emitting elements 100 can be minimized. can have

The light emitting elements 100 mixed in the solution flowing into the nozzle 220 may be spaced apart from each other by the guide part 221 . That is, the light emitting elements 100 may be mixed in a state of being agglomerated in the solution, and when the light emitting elements 100 in the agglomerated state exist in the nozzle 220, there is a problem in that the solution cannot be discharged due to nozzle clogging may occur. In addition, when the mixed solution is discharged in a state in which the light emitting elements 100 are agglomerated, it is not easy to electrically connect the light emitting elements 100 on the electrode substrate, and thus the light emitting efficiency may decrease. Accordingly, the guide unit 221 guides the flow of the solution passing through the nozzle 220 so that the light emitting elements 100 mixed in the solution are spaced apart from each other.

To this end, the guide unit 221 according to the present embodiment may have a predetermined pattern implemented in a concave-convex or protruding shape. The width W2 (504) of the predetermined pattern may be implemented to have the same or greater value than the width W1 (107) of the light emitting device 100, and the predetermined pattern may be engraved on the inner surface of the nozzle 220. shape can be formed.

As such, as the predetermined pattern is implemented in the form of irregularities, the solution passing through the nozzle 220 forms a vortex due to the irregularities having a predetermined pattern, and thus, the flowability of the solution can be further improved, resulting in a solution The light emitting elements 100 mixed in may be spaced apart from each other.

In addition, FIG. 3 shows the shape of the nozzle 220 as a shape in which the diameter of the connection part 226 is gradually reduced in order to connect the solution inlet 222 and the solution discharge part 224 having different diameters, As described above, in terms of improving the flowability of the solution by forming a vortex, the shape of the connecting portion 226 of the nozzle 220 may be formed in a spiral shape having an angle of 45°.

In addition, as the predetermined pattern is implemented in a concavo-convex shape, some of the light emitting devices 100 mixed in the solution passing through the nozzle 220 are aligned according to the pattern, and other light emitting devices 100 that are not aligned around them ), the light emitting devices 100 mixed in the solution may be spaced apart from each other.

Hereinafter, the shapes of various patterns will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8 .

4 is a diagram showing an example of the guide unit 221 according to the present embodiment. Although FIG. 4 shows the nozzle 220 in a cylindrical shape, the shape of the nozzle 220 is not limited thereto, and as shown in FIG. 204 may be a shape in which the diameter gradually narrows.

4A is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle 220, and referring to FIG. 4A, a guide part 221 is formed on the inner surface of the nozzle 220, and the guide part 221 has a predetermined pattern of concavo-convex shape. is implemented as That is, the pattern is formed in an intaglio shape on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 .

FIG. 4B is a view showing a part of the guide part 221 shown in FIG. 4A. In more detail, FIG. 4B is a view showing a predetermined pattern formed on the guide portion 221 by rotating the first portion 510 of the guide portion 221 of FIG. 4A by 90° so as to be viewed from the front.

For example, a predetermined pattern constituting the guide portion 221 may be formed by contacting a first straight line 501 and a second straight line 502 formed with a predetermined length. As such, a predetermined pattern formed on the guide portion 221 may be a zigzag shape, but is not limited thereto. At this time, the predetermined length may be appropriately adjusted according to the number of patterns constituting the guide portion 221, and is not particularly limited as long as it can improve the flowability of the solution and/or exhibit the separation effect of the light emitting device.

In addition, the angle 503 between the first straight line 501 and the second straight line 502 may be 30° or more and 70° or less. That is, when the angle 503 is less than 30 °, the flow of the solution is rather hindered, making it difficult to control the flow rate. It is desirable to appropriately maintain the angle 503 between the second straight lines 502.

Also, the width W2 504 of the predetermined pattern constituting the guide portion 221 may be equal to or greater than the width W1 107 of the light emitting device 100 . Referring to FIG. 4B , each of the first straight line 501 and the second straight line 502 of the guide part 221 may be implemented as a straight line having a width W2 504 . Accordingly, as some of the light emitting elements 100 are aligned by the guide part 221 and other parts of the light emitting elements 100 are not aligned by the guide part 221, the light emitting elements 100 are effectively can be separated

5A is a view showing the guide part 221 formed on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 in more detail. 4b shows only the first portion 510 of the nozzle 220, and FIG. 5a shows the entire inner surface of the nozzle 220 when it is unfolded, that is, the first portion 510 and the second portion of the nozzle 220. It is a drawing showing that both parts 520 are included. Referring to FIG. 5A , the guide portion 221 present on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 may have two zigzag patterns formed in a concavo-convex shape. However, the guide portion 221 is not limited thereto, and three or more zigzag patterns may be formed in a concavo-convex shape.

FIG. 5B is a view showing the entire inner surface of the nozzle 220 when it is unfolded. As in FIG. 5B, the guide part 221 may be a zigzag-type concavo-convex shape including one zigzag pattern.

6 is a view showing another example of the guide unit according to the present embodiment. 6A to 6B are identical to the guide portion 221 described in FIGS. 4 to 5, except that the guide portion 221 has a linear concavo-convex shape, and thus duplicate descriptions are omitted.

7 is a view showing another example of a guide unit according to the present embodiment. 7A to 7B are the same as the guide portion 221 described in FIGS. 4 to 5, except that the guide portion 221 is a bracket-shaped concavo-convex shape, and thus duplicate descriptions are omitted.

8A to 8B are diagrams illustrating another example of the guide unit 221 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 8A, when the connecting portion 226 of the nozzle 220 has a cylindrical shape, in FIG. 8B, the diameter of the connecting portion 226 of the nozzle 220 gradually decreases from the solution inlet 222 to the solution ejection portion 224. It is a perspective view of each in the case of a cylindrical shape. In more detail, each guide part 221 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is a perspective view showing that it is formed on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 .

As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , the guide part 221 may be formed as a spiral concavo-convex shape and may be implemented on the inner surface of the nozzle 220 according to the shape of the nozzle 220 .

9 is a diagram showing an example in which a solution 910 in which light emitting elements 100 according to the present embodiment are mixed is discharged through a nozzle 220 in which a guide part 221 is present. 9 is a view showing a cross-sectional view of the injection device 200. Referring to FIG. 9, the nozzle 220 has a guide portion 221, and a solution 910 in which a plurality of light emitting elements 100 are mixed is When flowing into the nozzle 220 through the moving unit 210, the guide unit 221 guides the flow of the solution passing through the nozzle 220.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the plurality of light emitting devices 100 are united through the solution inlet 222 and the mixed solution 910 flows into the nozzle 220, the flow of the solution in the guide part 221 As the guide guides, in the solution discharge unit 224 through which the solution 610 is discharged, the plurality of light emitting devices 100 are mixed with the solution 910 while being spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, since the light emitting devices 100 may be present in a solution droplet 920 discharged from the nozzle 220 while being spaced apart from each other, the precision and luminous efficiency of the process may be improved.

<Printing device>

10 is a diagram showing an inkjet printing apparatus 1000 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an inkjet printing device 1000. The inkjet printing device 1000 includes an ejection device 200 and a stage 1010. Since the ink of the inkjet printing device 1000 according to the present embodiment may represent a mixed solution of the light emitting elements 100 described in FIGS. 1 to 9, the description in relation to FIGS. may also be applied. Hereinafter, ink and solution may be used as the same meaning.

The inkjet printing apparatus 1000 may employ various ink ejection methods such as a piezoelectric method or an electrostatic method. The piezoelectric method is a method of ejecting ink by deformation of a piezoelectric body, and the electrostatic method is a method of ejecting ink by electrostatic force. The electrostatic method may be divided into a method in which ink is discharged by electrostatic induction and a method in which charged pigments are accumulated by electrostatic force and then discharged as ink droplets.

An inkjet printing device 1000 according to the present embodiment may include a stage 1010 on which an electrode substrate 1020 may be disposed, and an ejection device 200 for ejecting ink, that is, an inkjet head. With respect to the injector 200 shown in FIG. 10, the descriptions described in relation to FIGS. 1 to 9 may be applied to the injector 200 of FIG. 10, so duplicate descriptions are omitted. Referring to FIG. 10 , the injection device 200 includes four nozzles 220, but is not limited thereto, and the injection device 200 may include at least two nozzles 220.

The electrode substrate 1020 may be disposed above the stage 1010 . That is, the stage 1010 may provide an area where the electrode substrate 1020 is disposed, where ink is applied, and an area where an electric field generating unit (not shown) is disposed. Also, the stage 1010 may be disposed on a movable rail (not shown). In this case, the rail may include a first rail and a second rail moving in different directions. The stage 1010 may move on the rail through a separate moving member. In addition, the electric field generating unit may move together with the stage, and the ink ejected from the nozzle 220 may be directed through the electric field formed on the stage 1010 and applied to the electrode substrate 1020 .

Accordingly, in the solution discharged from the printing device 1000, since the plurality of light emitting elements 100 may exist in a state of being spaced apart from each other, the precision of the process and the uniformity of printing may be improved, and the nozzle 220 may not be clogged. can be suppressed, and the lifespan of the printing apparatus 1000 can be increased.

Claims (13)

In the spraying device for spraying a mixed solution of a plurality of light emitting elements,
a moving part through which the solution moves;
a nozzle spraying the solution moving in the moving unit; and
A spray device comprising a; guide part formed on the inner surface of the nozzle to guide the flow of the solution flowing into the nozzle from the moving part. According to claim 1,
The guide unit injection device, characterized in that the predetermined pattern is implemented in the form of concavo-convex. According to claim 2,
The predetermined pattern is formed by contacting a first straight line and a second straight line formed with a predetermined length,
The injector, characterized in that the angle between the first straight line and the second straight line is 30 ° or more and 70 ° or less. According to claim 2,
The width of the predetermined pattern is equal to or greater than the width of the light emitting device, characterized in that the injection device. According to claim 2,
The spray device, characterized in that the predetermined pattern is formed in an intaglio form on the inner surface of the nozzle. The method of claim 1, wherein the nozzle
a solution inlet connected to the moving unit; and
a solution discharge unit located on the opposite side of the solution inlet and discharging the solution; and
A connection portion connecting the solution inlet and the solution outlet,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion is present on the inner surface of the connection portion. According to claim 1,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion is a zigzag unevenness. According to claim 1,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion is a bracket-shaped concavo-convex. According to claim 8,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion comprises a plurality of clamp-shaped irregularities. According to claim 1,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion is a spiral concavo-convex. According to claim 1,
The injection device, characterized in that the guide portion is a straight concavo-convex. According to claim 1,
The injection device, characterized in that the length of each of the plurality of light emitting elements is 10 μm or less. a stage on which an electrode substrate is disposed; and
Including; a spraying device for spraying a solution in which a plurality of light emitting elements are mixed to the electrode substrate disposed on the stage,
The printing device, characterized in that the spraying device is the spraying device according to claim 1.

Images