TW201441060A - Gas enclosure systems and methods utilizing an auxiliary enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present teachings disclose various embodiments of a gas enclosure system can have a gas enclosure that can include a printing system enclosure and an auxiliary enclosure. In various embodiments of a gas enclosure system of the present teachings, a printing system enclosure can be isolated from an auxiliary enclosure. Various systems and methods of the present teachings can provide for the ongoing management of a printing system by utilizing various embodiments of isolatable enclosures. For example, various measurement and maintenance process steps for the management of a printhead assembly can be performed in an auxiliary enclosure, which can be isolated from a printing system enclosure of a gas enclosure system, thereby preventing or minimizing interruption of a printing process.

Description

Gas inclusion system and method using an auxiliary inclusion body [Reciprocal Reference of Related Applications]

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Serial No. 13/802,304, filed on Mar. U.S. Application Serial No. 13/802,304 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Application Serial No. 13/720,830, filed on Dec. U.S. Application Serial No. 13/720,830, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire content US Application No. 13/720,830, filed on December 19, 2012, is a continuation of the application filed on January 5, 2010, and issued on February 26, 2013 to U.S. Application Serial No. 12/652,040, filed on This U.S. Application Serial No. 12/652,040 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in the entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire entire all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all all U.S. Application Serial No. 12/652, 040 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/142,575, filed on Jan. 5, 2009. All cross-referenced applications listed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This teaching is directed to various embodiments of gas inclusion systems having an inert, substantially particle-free environment for fabricating OLED panels on a variety of substrate sizes and substrate materials.

The focus on the potential of OLED display technology is driven by the technical attributes of OLED displays, including demonstrations of display panels that have high saturation, high contrast, ultra-thin, fast response, and energy efficient. Additionally, various substrate materials including flexible polymeric materials can be used in the fabrication of OLED display technology. While demonstrations of displays for small screen applications (primarily for cell phones) have been used to highlight the potential of this technology, there are still challenges in scaling manufacturing to larger formats. For example, high capacity fabrication of OLED displays on substrates larger than the 5.5th generation substrate having a size of about 130 cm x 150 cm has proven to be challenging.

An organic light emitting diode (OLED) device can be fabricated by printing various organic thin films and other materials on a substrate using an OLED printing system. Such organic materials can be easily damaged by oxidation and other chemical processes. There are various challenges in accommodating an OLED printing system in a manner that can be scaled for various substrate sizes and can be performed in an inert, substantially particle-free printing environment. Manufacturing tools for large format substrate printing require a substantially large facility for containment. Therefore, maintaining large facilities under an inert atmosphere (gas purification may be required to remove reactive atmospheric species such as water vapor and oxygen as well as organic solvent vapors) and maintaining a substantially particle-free printing environment presents significant engineering challenges. For example, large facilities that provide a substantially hermetic seal can present engineering challenges. In addition, the various cable bundles, bundles, and bundles of tubes that are fed into and fed out of the OLED printing system for operating the printing system can produce significant dead volumes, and reactive gas species can be occluded in the dead volume. Thus, such cable bundles, wire bundles, and bundles of tubes can present challenges for gas inclusions to effectively achieve specifications for reactive atmospheric constituents such as oxygen and water vapor, as well as for organic vapors. In addition, such cable bundles, bundles, and bundles of tubes used in the operation of the printing system can be A continuous source of particulate matter. Thus, providing and maintaining a substantially inert and particle-free environment in an integrally enclosed gas inclusion system provides additional challenges to processes that can be performed in atmospheric conditions, such as under open air, high flow laminar flow hoods. It does not exist.

In this respect, OLEDs are printed from the 3.5th generation to the 8.5th generation and larger, while providing robust operation with minimal downtime for OLED printing systems in an inert, substantially particle-free gas inclusion environment. There are many challenges in the inclusion system. Accordingly, there is a need for various embodiments of gas inclusion systems that can house an OLED printing system in an inert, substantially particle-free environment and can be easily scaled to provide a variety of substrate sizes and OLED panel fabrication on substrate materials also provides various measurement and maintenance procedures with minimal downtime.

The present teachings disclose various embodiments of systems and methods that can have a gas enclosure that can include a gas inclusion assembly for receiving a printing system, that is, a printing system package, the gas inclusion body The assembly may define a first volume or working volume; and an auxiliary enclosure defining a second volume. In accordance with the present teachings, various embodiments of the gas enclosure can have openings that allow access between the printing system enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure and allow access between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure. In various embodiments of the gas enclosure, the opening can be closed in a sealable manner. Various embodiments of the gas enclosure of the present teachings can have openings and openings that can be hermetically sealed. In accordance with the teachings, the auxiliary package can be isolated from the printing system package, for example, by sealing in a sealable manner to allow access to the opening between the printing system package and the auxiliary package.

Separating the auxiliary package from the printing system package allows for each of the print head assemblies The various programs related to the management of the components are performed with minimal or no interruption in the printing process. The printing system can include various embodiments of a printhead management system that can be used to perform various measurement and maintenance procedures associated with the printhead assembly. The printhead management system can include subsystems that allow such measurement tasks, such as checking nozzle firing and measuring droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory from each nozzle in the printhead. And maintenance tasks such as wiping or sucking excess ink on the nozzle surface, priming and rinsing the print head by ejecting ink from the ink supply through the print head and into the waste pool, and replacing the print Head or print head unit.

Therefore, each subsystem can have various components that are essentially Consumed and need to be replaced, such as replacement of blotting paper, ink and waste storage. The various consumable parts can be packaged to prepare for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. As a non-limiting example, the blotter paper can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into an ink absorbing module for use. By way of another non-limiting example, the ink can be packaged in a replaceable reservoir and cartridge format for use in a printing system. Various embodiments of the waste reservoir can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into a rinse tank module for use. In addition, components that are subject to the various components of the continuously used printing system may require periodic replacement. For example, each printhead assembly can include between about 1 and about 60 printhead devices, wherein each printhead device can have between about 1 and about 30 in each printhead device. The print head between the two. Thus, various embodiments of the printing system of the present teachings can have between about 1 and about 1800 printheads. During the printing process, expediency management of the printhead assembly may be required, such as, but not limited to, the exchange of printhead devices or printheads. The printhead replacement module can have many components, such as a printhead device or a printhead, which can be easily inserted into the printhead assembly for use. Used to check nozzle emissions and A measurement system that measures based on optical detection of droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory from each nozzle can have a source and detector that can be periodically replaced after use. Various high usage components can be packaged for preparation for insertion using a handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. In this regard, various process steps associated with the ongoing management of the printing system can be performed in an auxiliary package that can be separated from the printing system package. All steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process.

In addition, in view of the relatively small volume of the auxiliary package, the recovery of the auxiliary package is comparable The recovery of the overall printing system package takes significantly less time. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 1% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 2% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 5% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 10% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 20% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system.

Including the first volume defined by the printing system package and defined by the auxiliary package Various embodiments of the second volume of gas inclusion system can include environmental control of various environmental parameters such as illumination, gas circulation and filtration, gas purification, and thermal control of the environment maintained in the gas inclusion system. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can have a print for defining the first volume A consistent controlled environment of both the system enclosure and the secondary enclosure defining the second volume. Such a consistent controlled environment for a gas inclusion system can provide, for example, an inert gas environment and a substantially particle free environment for many processes requiring this environment. Alternatively, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can provide a controlled environment in the printing system package of the gas inclusion system that can be maintained under conditions other than the controlled environment maintained for the auxiliary package. .

As mentioned previously, various embodiments of gas inclusions may have access to print A sealable opening or passage between the system enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure, and an opening that allows access between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure. Thus, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be isolated from the printing system package of the gas enclosure system such that each volume is a separate active segment. In addition, when the printing system package is isolated from the auxiliary package, the opening between the auxiliary package and the exterior of the gas enclosure can be open to ambient or non-inert air without contaminating the printing system package.

For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, the sealable opening or passage can be sealed Includes, by way of non-limiting example, a panel opening or channel, door or window. In accordance with the teachings and methods of the present teachings, a sealable opening or passageway can be allowed to enter between two volumes or compartments, such as between two enclosures or between an enclosure and an external environment of a gas enclosure. According to the present teachings, at least one volume or compartment isolation can be created when the sealable opening is sealed in a sealable manner. For example, in various embodiments of the present teachings, the printing system package and auxiliary can be sealed by sealing the opening or passage between the printing system package and the auxiliary package in a sealable manner by using a structural closure. Encapsulation isolation. Similarly, the auxiliary package can be externally isolated from the gas enclosure assembly by sealing the opening or passage between the auxiliary package and the external environment of the auxiliary package in a sealable manner using a structural closure. As will be discussed in more detail later, the structural closure can include various sealable covers for openings or passages; such openings or channels include an enclosure panel opening Or a non-limiting example of a channel, door or window. In accordance with the teachings and methods of the present teachings, the brake can be any structural closure that can be used to reversibly cover or reversibly seal any opening or passage in a sealable manner using pneumatic actuation, hydraulic actuation, electrical actuation, or manual actuation. Pieces.

In addition, the use of dynamic closures effectively seals the opening in a sealable manner or The passage, and thereby effectively preventing the inclusion body from being contaminated by reactive gases such as oxygen, water vapor, and organic vapor. For example, in various embodiments of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be effectively sealed in a sealable manner by using a dynamic closure to allow access to the opening or passage between the printing system enclosure and the auxiliary package. Isolated from the auxiliary package. Similarly, the auxiliary enclosure can be externally isolated from the gas enclosure assembly by effectively closing the opening or passage between the auxiliary enclosure and the external environment of the auxiliary enclosure in a sealable manner using a dynamic closure. According to the present teachings, the dynamic closure can be used between the various volumes or compartments, such as between the printing system package and the auxiliary package or between the auxiliary package and the exterior of the gas enclosure system. Use the pressure difference or air curtain. By way of non-limiting example, the printing system can be prevented by using a pressure differential at the opening or channel between the printing system package and the auxiliary package to prevent non-inert gas from being diffused into the printing system package. The package is dynamically isolated from the auxiliary package. Similarly, the auxiliary enclosure can be dynamically isolated from the exterior of the gas enclosure by using a pressure differential at the opening or passage between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure to prevent non-inert gas from diffusing back into the auxiliary enclosure. . As another non-limiting example, an air curtain can be used to dynamically isolate the printing system enclosure from the auxiliary enclosure, which can effectively act as a diffusion barrier between the printing system enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure. Similarly, an air curtain can be used to dynamically isolate the auxiliary enclosure from the exterior of the gas enclosure, which can effectively act as a diffusion barrier between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure.

For various embodiments of gas inclusion systems, dynamic closures can be used and Combinations of various embodiments of structural closures seal the opening or passage in a sealable manner. By way of non-limiting example, a printable cover may be used in combination with a dynamic closure such as a pressure differential or air curtain between an opening or passage that allows access between the printing system package and the auxiliary package. The system package is isolated from the auxiliary package. Similarly, between the opening or the passage between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure, a sealable covering can be used in combination with a dynamic closure such as a pressure differential or a curtain to enclose the auxiliary enclosure and the gas enclosure exterior. isolation. By way of another non-limiting example, a sealable cover can be used to isolate the printing system enclosure from the auxiliary enclosure between openings or passages that allow access between the printing system enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure. A dynamic closure such as a pressure differential or air curtain may be used to isolate the auxiliary enclosure from the exterior of the gas enclosure between openings or passages that allow access between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure.

According to various embodiments of the present teachings, the gas enclosure may have various externalities The auxiliary body of the shell. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be constructed as sections of the gas enclosure assembly for receiving the printing system. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be, for example, but not limited to, an adjustable controlled environmental enclosure, a transfer chamber, and a load lock chamber. Various embodiments of an auxiliary package such as an adjustable controlled environment enclosure, a transfer chamber, and a load lock chamber can be easily moved from one location to another. In various embodiments, the auxiliary enclosure can define a second volume that can be maintained in an inert environment. For embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings, the gas inclusion assembly for receiving a printing system defining a first volume can have a gas volume that can be maintained at 100 ppm or less. For example, at 10 ppm or lower, at 1.0 ppm or lower, or at 0.1 ppm or lower, for each of various reactive species, including various reactive atmospheric gases such as water vapor and oxygen. And organic solvent vapor. Additionally, the gas inclusion system of the present teachings, the auxiliary package defining the second volume, can have a gas volume that can be maintained at 100 ppm. Lower or lower, for example at 10 ppm or lower, at 1.0 ppm or lower, or at 0.1 ppm or lower, for each species in various reactive species, including such as water vapor and oxygen Various reactive atmospheric gases as well as organic solvent vapors. In addition, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system provide a low particle printing environment that meets the International Standards Organization Standard (ISO) 14644-1:1999 standard, "Clean rooms and associated controlled environments - Part 1: Air Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments-Part 1: Classification of air cleanliness, as specified in categories 1 to 5.

As mentioned previously, there are significant engineering challenges in the fabrication of OLED displays on substrates larger than the 5.5th generation substrate, which has a size of about 130 cm x 150 cm. For flat panel displays manufactured by non-OLED printing, the size of each generation of mother glass substrates has evolved since the early 1990s. The first generation of the mother glass substrate designated as the first generation is about 30 cm x 40 cm, and thus a 15" panel can be produced. In the mid-1990s, the existing technology for producing flat panel displays has evolved to the 3.5th generation mother glass. The substrate size has a size of about 60 cm x 72 cm.

As generations have progressed, the 7.5th and 8.5th generation mother glass sizes are used in the production of non-OLED printing manufacturing processes. The 7.5th generation mother glass has a size of about 195 cm x 225 cm and can be cut into eight 42" plates or six 47" plates per substrate. The mother glass used in the 8.5th generation is approximately 220 cm x 250 cm and can be cut into six 55" plates or eight 46" plates per substrate. The prospects for OLED flat panel displays for qualities such as more realistic colors, higher contrast, thinness, flexibility, transparency, and energy efficiency are known, while OLED manufacturing is actually limited to 3.5th generation and smaller. At present, Xianxin OLED printing is the best manufacturing technology, which breaks this limitation and makes OLED panel manufacturing not only suitable for the 3.5th generation and smaller mother glass size, but also suitable for The maximum mother glass size of the 5.5th, 7.5th, and 8.5th generations. One of the features of OLED panel printing includes the use of various substrate materials such as, but not limited to, various glass substrate materials and various polymeric substrate materials. In this regard, the terms set forth in the terms produced by the use of glass-based substrates can be adapted to substrates having any material suitable for OLED printing.

It should be covered that a wide variety of ink formulations can be used in the gas of the present teachings. The various embodiments of the inclusion system are printed in an inert, substantially particle-free environment. In addition to various ink formulations for printing an emissive layer (EL) of an OLED substrate, various ink formulations can include a hole transport layer (HTL), a hole injection layer (HIL), suitable for forming an OLED device, An ink of one or more components of at least one of an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL).

It should be further covered that the organic encapsulation layer can be printed on by inkjet printing. On the OLED panel. It should be noted that ink jet printing can be used to print organic encapsulation layers because ink jet printing can provide several advantages. First, a series of vacuum processing operations can be eliminated because such inkjet based fabrication can be performed at atmospheric pressure. Additionally, during the inkjet printing process, the organic encapsulation layer can be positioned to cover portions of the OLED substrate on or adjacent to the active regions to effectively encapsulate the active regions, including the lateral edges of the active regions. The use of targeted patterning by inkjet printing results in the elimination of material waste and the elimination of the additional processing typically required to achieve patterning of the organic layer. The encapsulating ink can comprise a polymer that can be cured using heat treatment (eg, baking), UV exposure, and combinations thereof, including, but not limited to, acrylates, methacrylates, urethanes, or other materials, and Copolymers and mixtures.

Regarding OLED printing, according to the teachings, it has been found that maintaining reactive species The substantially low content is associated with providing an OLED flat panel display that meets the necessary life specifications, The reactive species such as, but not limited to, atmospheric constituents such as oxygen and water vapor, and various organic solvent vapors used in OLED inks. The life specification is particularly important for OLED panel technology because it is directly related to the longevity of the display product; the longevity of the product is a product specification for all panel technologies, which is a challenge for current OLED panel technology. To provide a panel that meets the necessary life specifications, for each embodiment of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings, each of the reactive species such as water vapor, oxygen, and organic solvent vapor may be maintained at 100 ppm or more. Low, for example at 10 ppm or lower, at 1.0 ppm or lower, or at 0.1 ppm or lower. In addition, OLED printing requires a substantially particle free environment. Maintaining a substantially particle-free environment for OLED printing is particularly important because even very small particles can cause visible defects on the OLED panel. Maintaining a substantially particle-free environment in an overall closed system provides additional challenges that do not exist due to particle reduction for processes that can be performed in atmospheric conditions such as under open air, high flow laminar flow filters . Therefore, there are various challenges in maintaining the necessary specifications for an inert, particle-free environment in large facilities.

Print OLEDs in a facility when reviewing the information outlined in Table 1. The need for a panel can be stated in which the content of each of the reactive species such as water vapor, oxygen, and organic solvent vapor can be maintained at or below 100 ppm, such as at 10 ppm or less at 1.0 ppm. Lower or lower, or at 0.1 ppmm or lower. The data summarized in Table 1 was generated from a test of each test coupon manufactured in a large pixel, spin coater format containing each of red, green and blue. Organic film composition. Such attached test strips are generally easier to manufacture and test for the purpose of quickly evaluating various formulations and processes. Although the attached test strip test should not be confused with the life test of the print panel, it can indicate the effect of various formulations and processes on the life. The results shown in the table below indicate the manufacture of the attached test piece. A variation of the process steps in which the transfer coating environment is changed only for the attached test piece produced in a nitrogen environment, wherein the nitrogen is compared to the attached test piece manufactured in a similar manner in air rather than nitrogen. The reactive species in the environment is less than 1 ppm.

Obviously by checking the information in Table 1, for different processing environments, Particularly in the case of the attached test pieces produced under red and blue conditions, printing in an environment effective to reduce exposure of the organic film composition to reactive species can have a substantial effect on the stability of various EMLs, and thus on the life.

Additionally, as discussed previously, substantially no particles are maintained for OLED printing The environment is particularly important because even very small particles can cause visible defects on the OLED panel. Currently, the challenge for facilities that produce OLED displays is to meet the low levels of defects required for commercialization in order to maintain low levels of each of the reactive species such as water vapor, oxygen, and organic solvent vapors, as well as to maintain adequate low particles. surroundings. In addition, it should be covered that the gas inclusion system will have There are attributes including, for example but not limited to, the gas inclusion assembly can be easily scaled to provide an optimized working volume for an OLED printing system while providing a minimum inert gas volume, and additionally provided during processing. External read-only access to the OLED printing system, while providing internal maintenance with minimal downtime. In this regard, in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, a gas inclusion assembly for various air-sensitive processes requiring an inert environment is provided, the gas inclusion assembly can include a plurality of wall frames sealable together Components and roof frame members. In some embodiments, a plurality of wall frame members and a top frame member can be fastened together using reusable fasteners such as bolts and threaded holes. For various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with the present teachings, a plurality of frame members can be configured to define a gas enclosure frame assembly, each frame member including a plurality of panel frame segments.

The gas inclusion assembly of the teachings can be designed to enclose a package around the system The manner in which the volume of the body is minimized accommodates a printing system such as an OLED printing system. Various embodiments of such a printing system package can minimize the internal volume of the printing system package while at the same time optimizing the working volume for various footprints of various OLED printing systems. For example, an OLED printing system in accordance with various embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings can include, for example, a granite base; a movable bridge that can support an OLED printing device; and various types of self-pressurizing inert gas recirculation systems. Embodiments extend one or more devices and apparatus, such as a substrate floating table, an air bearing, a track, a rail; an inkjet printer system for depositing an OLED film forming material on a substrate, including an OLED ink supply subsystem And ink jet print heads, one or more robots, and the like. Various embodiments of OLED printing systems can have various footprints and form factors in view of the various components that can include an OLED printing system. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly thus constructed additionally provide ready access to the interior of the gas inclusion assembly from the outside during processing, This makes it easy to get into the printing system for maintenance while minimizing downtime. In this regard, various embodiments of gas inclusion assemblies in accordance with the present teachings can be formed with respect to various footprints of various OLED printing systems. According to various embodiments, once the formed frame members are configured to form a gas enclosure frame assembly, various types of panels may be sealably mounted in a plurality of panel sections constituting the frame members to complete the gas inclusion assembly. Installation. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, a plurality of frame members can be fabricated at one or more locations and then constructed at another location, including, but not limited to, a plurality of wall frame members and At least one roof frame member and a plurality of panels for mounting in the panel frame section. Moreover, in view of the transportable nature of the components of the gas enclosure assembly used to construct the present teachings, various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly can be repeatedly installed and removed via a cycle of construction and deconstruction.

In addition, the auxiliary package can be used by using a structural closure for the sealable opening Various embodiments of the body are isolated from the working volume of the printing system package of the gas enclosure system, isolated from the exterior of the gas enclosure, or both, which can be used to allow access to, for example, an auxiliary package and printing Between the system enclosures, or between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the structural closure can include various sealable covers for openings or passages; such openings or passages include enclosure panel openings or passages, doors or windows. A restrictive example. In accordance with the teachings and methods of the present teachings, the brake can be any structural closure that can be used to reversibly cover or reversibly seal any opening or passage in a sealable manner using pneumatic actuation, hydraulic actuation, electrical actuation, or manual actuation. Pieces. The auxiliary package can be used by using a dynamic closure such as a pressure differential or an air curtain at the opening between the working volume of the gas enclosure system and the auxiliary package or at the opening between the auxiliary package and the exterior of the gas enclosure. Various embodiments and columns The working volume of the printing system package is isolated from the outside of the gas package or both. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system, a combination of various embodiments of structural closures and dynamic closures can be used to isolate the auxiliary enclosure from the working volume of the printing system enclosure, from the exterior of the gas enclosure or Both are isolated at the same time.

For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 1% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 2% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 5% of the volume of the inclusions of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 10% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary inclusions can be less than or equal to about 20% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. Thus, in view of the relatively small volume of the auxiliary package, the recovery of the auxiliary package can be significantly less time consuming than the recovery of the overall printing system package. Thus, the simultaneous execution of various printhead management programs with the auxiliary package minimizes or eliminates gas package system downtime.

To ensure that the gas enclosure is hermetically sealed, various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings provide for joining each frame member to provide a frame seal. The various frame members can include a gasket or other seal by adequately sealing, for example, a hermetic seal interior by mating the intersecting sections between the various frame members. Once fully constructed, the sealed gas inclusion assembly can include an inner and a plurality of inner corner edges, at least one inner corner edge being provided at the intersection of each frame member and an adjacent frame member. One or more of the frame members, such as at least half of the frame members, can include one or more compressible pads secured along one or more of its respective edges sheet. The one or more compressible gaskets can be configured to establish a hermetic sealed gas enclosure assembly once the plurality of frame members are joined together and the airtight panel is installed. The sealed gas inclusion body can be formed into a corner edge having a frame member sealed by a plurality of compressible gaskets. For each frame member, such as, but not limited to, an inner wall frame surface, a top wall frame surface, a vertical side wall frame surface, a bottom wall frame surface, and combinations thereof, it may be provided with one or more compressible gaskets.

For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, each frame member can include a plurality of sections that are framed and fabricated to receive any of a variety of panel types that can be sealably mounted in each section to provide airtightness for each panel The panel is sealed. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings, each segment frame can have a segment frame shim that, along with the selected fasteners, ensures installation in each segment frame Each of the panels can provide a hermetic seal for each panel and thus for a fully constructed gas enclosure. In various embodiments, the gas inclusion assembly can have one or more of a window panel or service window in each wall panel; wherein each window panel or service window can have at least one glove collar. Each glove collar may have an attached glove during assembly of the gas enclosure assembly so that the glove can extend into the interior. According to various embodiments, each glove collar may have a hardware for mounting the glove, wherein the hardware utilizes a gasket seal around each glove collar that provides a hermetic seal for passage through the glove Leakage or molecular diffusion of the ferrule is minimized. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly of the present teachings, the hardware is further designed to provide the end user with the convenience of capping and uncovering the glove ferrule.

Various embodiments of gas inclusion systems in accordance with the teachings of the present teachings can include A gas inclusion assembly formed by a plurality of frame members and panel sections, and a gas circulation, filtration and purification assembly. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, the tube can be installed during the assembly process Road system. In accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, the piping system can be mounted within a gas enclosure frame assembly that has been constructed from a plurality of frame members. In various embodiments, the piping system can be mounted on the frame members prior to joining the plurality of frame members to form the gas enclosure frame assembly. The piping system for various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can be configured to move substantially all of the gas from the one or more piping inlets into the piping system via various embodiments of the gas circulation and filtration circuits for Remove particulate matter inside the gas inclusion system. Additionally, the piping system of various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can be configured to separate the inlet and outlet of the gas purification circuit external to the gas inclusion assembly from the gas recycle and filtration circuits within the gas inclusion assembly. In accordance with various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings, the gas circulation and filtration system can be in fluid communication with components such as, but not limited to, a particle control assembly. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the gas circulation and filtration system can be in fluid communication with the cable tray assembly exhaust system. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the gas circulation and filtration system can be in fluid communication with the printhead assembly exhaust system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, various components of the particle control system in fluid communication with the gas circulation and filtration system can provide a low particle region adjacent to the substrate positioned in the printing system.

For example, a gas inclusion system can have a gas circulation inside the gas inclusion body assembly And filtration system. Such an internal filtration system can have a plurality of fan filter units within the interior and can be configured to provide a laminar flow of gas within the interior. The laminar flow can be in the direction from the inner top to the inner bottom or in any other direction. Although the gas flow generated by the circulatory system does not have to be laminar, the gas laminar flow can be used to ensure complete and complete overturning of the gas in the interior. The laminar flow of gas can also be used to minimize turbulence, which is undesirable because it can cause particles in the environment to accumulate in such turbulent regions, thereby preventing the filtration system from The particles are removed from the environment. Moreover, to maintain the desired temperature in the interior, a thermal conditioning system utilizing a plurality of heat exchangers can be provided, for example, operating with, adjacent to or in conjunction with a fan or another gas circulation device. The gas purification loop can be configured to circulate gas from within the interior of the gas enclosure assembly via at least one gas purification component external to the enclosure. In this regard, the internal circulation and filtration system of the gas inclusion assembly, in combination with the gas purification circuit external to the gas inclusion assembly, provides a continuous circulation of substantially low particulate inert gas throughout the entire process. There are substantially low levels of reactive species in the gas inclusion system.

Various embodiments of gas inclusion systems can be configured to maintain very low levels of non- a desired component, such as an organic solvent and its vapor, and water, water vapor, oxygen, and the like, the gas inclusion system including a gas inclusion body having a gas inclusion body defining a first volume and defining A secondary envelope having a second volume of the gas purification system. In retrospect, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be easily integrated with environmental conditioning system components such as lighting assemblies for gas enclosure systems, gas circulation and filtration assemblies, gas purification assemblies, and thermostatic assemblies. Accordingly, various embodiments of a gas inclusion system including an auxiliary enclosure may have a consistent controlled environment for defining a first volume of gas inclusions and an auxiliary enclosure defining a second volume. Such a controlled environment can provide, for example, an inert, thermally controlled, and substantially particle free environment for processes requiring such an environment. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings, the controlled environment can provide, for example, a thermally controlled and substantially particle free environment for processes requiring such an environment.

In addition, various embodiments of a gas enclosure system including an auxiliary enclosure provide gas A controlled environment in the working portion of the body package system that can be maintained under conditions other than the controlled environment maintained for the auxiliary package. Thus, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be isolated from the working volume of the gas enclosure system such that each volume is a separate active segment. for For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system, a structural closure for the opening can be used to isolate the auxiliary enclosure from the working volume of the gas enclosure system, such as an enclosure panel opening or passage, door or window. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the structural closure can include various sealable covers for openings or passages; such openings or passages include enclosure panel openings or passages, doors or windows. A restrictive example. In accordance with the teachings and methods of the present teachings, the brake can be any structural closure that can be used to reversibly cover or reversibly seal any opening or passage in a sealable manner using pneumatic actuation, hydraulic actuation, electrical actuation, or manual actuation. Pieces. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be used with a combination of various embodiments of a dynamic closure and a structural closure between a working volume of the gas enclosure system and the auxiliary package, such as a pressure differential or a dynamic closure of the air curtain, and various embodiments of the dynamic closure and structural closure The working volume of the gas inclusion system is isolated. In addition, each of the working volume of the gas enclosure and the auxiliary package can have an independently controlled environment to provide independent adjustment of capabilities such as, but not limited to, temperature, illumination, particle control, and gas purification. Therefore, the specifications of the thermal control, the illumination control, the particle control, and the inert gas environment control for assisting the volume of the package and the working volume of the gas inclusion can be set to be the same or different for each volume.

In addition to providing gas circulation, filtration, and purification components, the piping system can be large Smallly set and shaped to accommodate at least one of a wire, a bundle of wires, and various fluid containing tubular members in the piping system, the wire, bundle of wires, and various fluid containing tubular members having a substantial dead volume when bundled, such as water, The atmospheric constituents of water vapor, oxygen, and the like can be trapped in the dead volume and difficult to remove by the purification system. In addition, these bundles are the source of identification of particulate matter. In some embodiments, the cable and cable and the combination of the wire and bundle and the fluid containing tube can be disposed substantially within the piping system and can be separately associated with the optical system, electrical system, optical system, mechanical system, and At least one of the fluid systems is operatively associated. Because of gas circulation, The filtration and purification assembly can be configured such that substantially all of the circulating inert gas is drawn through the piping system, so that the particles produced by the bundle can be effectively removed by accommodating the bundled materials within the piping system and A collection of atmospheric constituents in the dead volume of various bundled materials.

Various embodiments of systems and methods of the present teachings can include having a first body Various embodiments of the second volume of gas inclusions and gas recycle, filtration and purification assemblies, as well as additional various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recycle systems. As will be discussed in more detail later, such pressurized inert gas recirculation systems can be utilized in the operation of OLED printing systems for various pneumatic drives and devices.

In accordance with the present teachings, several engineering challenges have been addressed to provide various embodiments of a pressurized inert gas recirculation system in a gas enclosure system. First, under typical operation of a gas inclusion system in the absence of a pressurized inert gas recirculation system, the gas inclusion system can be maintained at a slightly positive internal pressure relative to external pressure, such as occurs in a gas inclusion system. The leak prevents external gases or air from entering the interior. For example, under typical operation, for various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings, the interior of the gas enclosure system can be maintained at a pressure relative to the ambient atmosphere outside the enclosure system, such as at least 2 mbarg. The pressure, for example a pressure of at least 4 mbarg, a pressure of at least 6 mbarg, a pressure of at least 8 mbarg or higher. Maintaining a pressurized inert gas recirculation system within a gas enclosure system can be challenging because it requires a slight positive internal pressure to maintain the gas inclusion system while introducing pressurized gas into the gas inclusion system. Continuous balancing action. In addition, the variable requirements of various devices and devices can create an irregular pressure profile for various gas inclusion assemblies and systems of the present teachings. Maintaining dynamic pressure balance of the gas enclosure system maintained under a slightly positive pressure relative to the external environment under such conditions can provide continuous OLED printing process integrity.

For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, according to the teachings of this teaching The pressurized inert gas recirculation system can include various embodiments of a pressurized inert gas circuit that can utilize at least one of a compressor, an accumulator, and a blower, and combinations thereof. Various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recirculation systems including various embodiments of pressurized inert gas circuits may have specially designed pressure controlled bypass circuits that may stabilize the defined values to provide a gas inclusion system in the teachings of the present teachings. Internal pressure of the inert gas. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, the pressurized inert gas recirculation system can be configured to pass the pressure controlled bypass circuit when the inert gas pressure in the accumulator of the pressurized inert gas circuit exceeds a preset threshold pressure To recycle the pressurized inert gas. The threshold pressure can be, for example, in the range of from about 25 psig to about 200 psig, or more specifically in the range of from about 75 psig to about 125 psig, or, more specifically, in the range of from about 90 psig to 95 psig. In this regard, the present teachings have a gas inclusion system with a pressurized inert gas recirculation system that maintains a balance of a pressurized inert gas recirculation system in a hermetic sealed gas enclosure that The circulatory system has various embodiments of specially designed pressure controlled bypass circuits.

According to the teachings, various devices and devices can be placed in the interior and have Various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recirculation systems of various pressurized inert gas circuits are in fluid communication, and the various pressurized inert gas circuits may utilize various pressurized gas sources, such as at least one of a compressor, a blower, and combinations thereof. . For various embodiments of the gas enclosures and systems of the present teachings, the use of various pneumatic operating devices and devices provides low particle generation performance with low maintenance. Exemplary devices and apparatus that can be disposed within the gas enclosure system and in fluid communication with various pressurized inert gas circuits can include, for example, but are not limited to, pneumatic robots, substrate floating tables, air bearings, air bushings, compressed gas tools, pneumatically induced One or more of the actuators and combinations thereof. Substrate floating The stage and air bearing can be used to operate various aspects of the OLED printing system of various embodiments of the gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings. For example, a substrate floating stage utilizing air bearing technology can be used to transport the substrate into a position in the printhead chamber and support the substrate during the OLED printing process.

A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present disclosure will be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic illustration of a gas inclusion system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

2 is a left front perspective view of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

3 is a right front perspective view of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

4 depicts an expanded view of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

5 is an expanded front perspective view of a frame member assembly depicting various panel frame sections and section panels in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

6A, 6B, and 6C are top schematic views of various embodiments of a gasket seal for forming a joint.

7A and 7B are various perspective views depicting the sealing of frame members of various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with the present teachings.

8A and 8B are various views related to the sealing of the segment panel, the region The segment panel is for receiving an easily removable service window of various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with the present teachings.

9A and 9B are enlarged perspective cross-sectional views of a seal of a segment panel for receiving an embedded panel or window panel in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

10 is a view of a top panel including a lighting system for various embodiments of a gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings.

11 is a chart depicting LED spectra of illumination systems for various embodiments of gas enclosures in accordance with the present teachings.

12 is a phantom front perspective view of a gas inclusion assembly depicting a ductwork installed in the interior of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

13 is a hypothetical top perspective view of a gas inclusion assembly depicting a piping system installed in the interior of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

14 is an imaginary bottom perspective view of a gas enclosure assembly depicting a piping system installed in the interior of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

15 is a schematic illustration of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

16 is a schematic illustration of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

17 is a schematic illustration of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

18 is a schematic illustration of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

19 is a front perspective view of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

20A depicts an expanded view of various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly as depicted in FIG. 19 and related printing systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings. Figure 20B depicts an enlarged iso perspective view of the printing system depicted in Figure 20A.

21 depicts a perspective view of a floating stage in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

22A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

22B and 22C are schematic cross-sectional views of a gas enclosure system depicting continuous movement of a printhead assembly in a position for maintenance, in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

22D-22F are schematic cross-sectional views of a gas enclosure system in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

23 depicts a perspective view of a maintenance station installed in an auxiliary package of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

24A and 24B depict various embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the present teachings.

25 is a perspective view of an auxiliary package of a gas enclosure assembly in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

26A is a front perspective view of an OLED printing tool in accordance with various embodiments of systems and methods of the present teachings.

26B is a first imaginary perspective view of the OLED printing tool shown in FIG. 26A in accordance with various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings.

26C is a second imaginary perspective view of the OLED printing tool shown in FIG. 26A in accordance with various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings.

27 is an iso perspective view of a printing system in accordance with various embodiments of the printing system in accordance with the present teachings.

28A is a front perspective view of an OLED printing tool in accordance with various embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the present teachings.

28B is a schematic plan view of the OLED printing tool depicted in FIG. 28A in accordance with various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings.

28C is a schematic plan view of an OLED printing tool in accordance with various embodiments of the system and method associated with FIG. 28A in accordance with the present teachings.

29A, 29B, and 29C are schematic plan views of various embodiments of a gas enclosure system having the teachings of an auxiliary package.

30A, 30B, and 30C are schematic plan views of various embodiments of a gas enclosure system having the teachings of an auxiliary package.

As previously discussed, various embodiments of the substrate floating table and air bearing can be adapted to operate various embodiments of an OLED printing system housed in a gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings. As shown schematically in Figure 1 for gas inclusion system 500, the basis of air bearing technology is utilized. A plate floating table can be used to transport the substrate into a position in the printhead chamber and to support the substrate during the OLED printing process. In FIG. 1, a gas enclosure assembly 1100 for housing a printing system can be a load lock system that can have an inlet chamber 1110 for receiving a substrate via an inlet gate 1112 and a substrate from the inlet chamber 1110. The gas package assembly 1100 is moved to the first package gate 1114 for printing. Various gates in accordance with the present teachings can be used to isolate the chambers from each other and to isolate the chamber from the surrounding environment. According to the teachings, the various gates can be selected from physical gates and air curtains.

During the substrate receiving process, the inlet gate 1112 can be opened while the first body gate is 1114 can be in a closed position to prevent atmospheric gases from entering the gas inclusion assembly 1100. Once the substrate is received in the inlet chamber 1110, both the inlet gate 1112 and the first body gate 1114 can be closed, and the inlet chamber 1110 can be flushed using an inert gas such as nitrogen, any noble gas, and any combination thereof until The reactive atmospheric gas is at a low content of 100 ppm or less, for example, at 10 ppm or less, at 1.0 ppm or less, or at 0.1 ppm or less. After the atmospheric gas has reached a sufficiently low level, the gate first cladding gate 1114 can be opened and the inlet gate 1112 remains closed to allow the substrate 2050 to be transported from the inlet chamber 1110 to the gas inclusion assembly 1100, as shown in the figure. Depicted in 1. Delivery of the substrate from the inlet chamber 1110 to the gas inclusion assembly 1100 can be accomplished via, for example, but not limited to, a gas enclosure assembly 1100 and a floating station provided in the inlet chamber 1110. The transfer of the substrate from the inlet chamber 1110 to the gas inclusion assembly 1100 can also be accomplished via, for example, but not limited to, a substrate transfer robot that can place the substrate 2050 into a floating table provided in the gas package assembly 1100 on. The substrate 2050 can remain supported on the substrate floating stage during the printing process.

Various embodiments of gas inclusion system 500 can have a second containment gate The outlet chamber 1120 is in fluid communication with the gas inclusion assembly 1100. According to various embodiments of the gas encapsulation system 500, the substrate 2050 can be transferred via the second inclusion gate 1124 after the printing process is completed. The gas inclusion assembly 1100 is delivered to the outlet chamber 1120. Delivery of the substrate from the gas inclusion assembly 1100 to the outlet chamber 1120 can be accomplished via, for example, but not limited to, a gas enclosure assembly 1100 and a floating station provided in the outlet chamber 1120. The transport of the substrate from the gas inclusion assembly 1100 to the exit chamber 1120 can also be accomplished via, for example, but not limited to, a substrate transport robot that can pick up the substrate 2050 from a floating table provided in the gas package assembly 1100 and It is delivered into the outlet chamber 1120. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 500, when the second body gate 1124 is in the closed position, the substrate 2050 can be retrieved from the outlet chamber 1120 via the outlet gate 1122 to prevent reactive atmospheric gases from entering the gas inclusions. Assembly 1100.

In addition to including gas through the first body gate 1114 and the second body gate 1124, respectively The gas enclosure system 500 can include a system controller 1130 in addition to the inlet chamber 1110 in which the body assembly 1100 is in fluid communication and the load lock system in the outlet chamber 1120. System controller 1130 can include one or more processor circuits (not shown) in communication with one or more memory circuits (not shown). The system controller 1130 can also communicate with a load lock system including an inlet chamber 1110 and an outlet chamber 1120, and ultimately with a print nozzle of the OLED printing system. In this manner, system controller 1130 can coordinate the opening and closing of gates 1112, 1114, 1122, and 1124. System controller 1130 can also control ink dispensing to the print nozzles of the OLED printing system. The substrate 2050 can be transported via various embodiments of the load lock system of the present teachings, the load lock system including an inlet chamber 1110 and an outlet chamber 1120, respectively, via a gate 1114 and a gate 1124, for example, but not limited to A gas floating body assembly 1100 is in fluid communication using a substrate floating table of air bearing technology or a combination of a substrate floating stage using air bearing technology and a substrate transfer robot.

Various embodiments of the load lock system of Figure 1 may also include a pneumatic control system 1150, which may include a vacuum source and an inert gas that may include nitrogen, any noble gas, and any combination thereof source. The substrate floating system housed within the gas enclosure system 500 can include a plurality of vacuum ports and gas bearing ports typically disposed on a flat surface. Substrate 2050 can be lifted and held away from the hard surface by the pressure of an inert gas such as nitrogen, any noble gas, and any combination thereof. The discharge of the bearing volume is accomplished by means of a plurality of vacuum ports. The flying height of the substrate 2050 above the substrate floating table typically varies with gas pressure and gas flow. The vacuum and pressure of the pneumatic control system 1150 can be used to support the substrate 2050 during internal processing of the gas enclosure assembly 1100 in the load lock system of FIG. 1, such as during printing. Control system 1150 can also be used to support substrate 2050 during transport via the load lock system of FIG. 1 including inlet chamber 1110 in fluid communication with gas enclosure assembly 1100 via gates 1114 and 1124, respectively. Oral chamber 1120. To control delivery of substrate 2050 via gas inclusion system 500, system controller 1130 communicates with inert gas source 1152 and vacuum 1154 via valves 1156 and 1158, respectively. Additional vacuum and inert gas supply lines and valves, not shown, may be provided to the gas enclosure system 500 exemplified by the load lock system of Figure 1 to further provide various gas and vacuum facilities required for controlling the enclosed environment.

In order to give various embodiments of the gas inclusion system according to the teachings of the present teaching A spatial perspective view, FIG. 2 is a left front perspective view of various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 501. 2 depicts a load lock system including various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly 100, which will be discussed later. Gas enclosure system 501 can have a load lock inlet chamber 1110 that can have an inlet gate 1112. The gas inclusion system 501 of FIG. 2 can include a gas purification system 3130 for providing a constant inert gas supply to the gas inclusion body assembly 100 having a substantially low content of reactive atmospheric species such as water vapor and oxygen. And the organic solvent vapor produced by the OLED printing process. The gas inclusion system 501 of Figure 2 can also have system control as discussed previously Controller system 1130 for the function.

3 is a fully constructed gas inclusion body in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings. The right front perspective view of the assembly 100. The gas inclusion assembly 100 can contain one or more gases for maintaining an inert environment within the interior of the gas inclusion assembly. The gas inclusion system of the present teachings can be adapted to maintain an inert gas atmosphere in the interior. An inert gas is any gas that does not undergo a chemical reaction under a defined set of conditions. Some common examples of inert gases can include nitrogen, any noble gases, and any combination thereof. The gas inclusion assembly 100 is configured to enclose and protect an air sensitive process, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) printing using an industrial printing system. Examples of atmospheric gases that react with OLED inks include water vapor and oxygen. As previously discussed, the gas inclusion assembly 100 can be configured to maintain a sealed atmosphere and allow the assembly or printing system to operate efficiently while avoiding contamination, oxidation, and other damage to the reactive materials and substrates.

As depicted in FIG. 3, various embodiments of gas inclusion assembly 100 can include groups Forming components including front wall panel or first wall panel 210', left wall panel or second wall panel (not shown), right wall panel or third wall panel 230', rear wall panel or fourth A wall panel (not shown) and a top panel panel 250', the gas enclosure assembly can be attached to a chassis 204 that is resting on a base (not shown). As will be discussed in more detail later, various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly 100 of FIG. 3 may be comprised of a front wall frame or first wall frame 210, a left or second wall frame (not shown), a right wall frame, or The third wall frame 230, the rear wall panel or the fourth wall panel (not shown) and the top panel frame 250 are constructed. Various embodiments of the roof frame 250 can include a fan filter unit cover 103, as well as a first top frame frame conduit 105 and a first top frame frame conduit 107. In accordance with embodiments of the present teachings, various types of segment panels can be mounted in any of a plurality of panel segments that form a frame member. In various embodiments of the gas enclosure 100 of Figure 1, during construction of the frame The sheet metal panel section 109 is welded into the frame member. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly 100, the type of segment panels that can be repeatedly installed and removed via the cycle of construction and deconstruction of the gas enclosure assembly can include, for example, for the wall panel 210' The panel 110 is embedded, as well as the window panel 120 and the easily removable service window 130 as indicated for the wall panel 230'.

Ready into the interior of the package 100 can be provided via the easily removable service window 130 In, any panel that can be removed can be used to provide access to the interior of the gas enclosure system for maintenance and periodic service purposes. Such access for service or overhaul differs from access provided by panels such as window panel 120 and the easily removable service window 130, which may provide for gas inclusions from outside the gas inclusion assembly during use. The end user gloves inside the assembly enter. For example, any of the gloves, such as the gloves 142 attached to the glove collar 140 (shown as panel 230 in FIG. 3), can provide end user access to the interior during use of the gas enclosure system.

Figure 4 depicts an exhibition of various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly as depicted in Figure 3. Open map. Various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly can have a plurality of wall panels, including a front side panel 210' outer side perspective view, a left wall panel 220' outer side perspective view, an inner perspective view of the right wall panel 230', a rear wall panel An internal perspective view of the 240' and a top perspective view of the top panel panel 250', which may be attached to the chassis 204 resting on the base 202 as shown in FIG. An OLED printing system can be mounted on top of the chassis 204, which is known to be sensitive to atmospheric conditions. According to the present teachings, the gas enclosure assembly may be constructed from frame members such as wall frame 210 of wall panel 210', wall frame 220 of wall panel 220', wall frame 230 of wall panel 230', wall panel 240 The wall frame 240 of the 'wall frame 240 and the top panel 250' can then be mounted with a plurality of segment panels in the frame members. In this regard, it may be desirable to repeat the installation and removal of the various configurations and destructuring cycles of the various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings. The segment panel is designed to be streamlined. In addition, the gas inclusion assembly 100 can be formed to accommodate the footprint of various embodiments of the OLED system to provide the desired inertness in the gas inclusion assembly during use of the gas inclusion assembly and during maintenance. The volume of gas is minimized and ready access is provided to the end user.

Using the front wall panel 210' and the left wall panel 220' as an example, the frame member Various embodiments may have sheet metal panel segments 109 that are welded into the frame members during construction of the frame members. The inset panel 110, the window panel 120, and the easily removable service window 130 can be mounted in each wall frame member and can be repeatedly installed and removed via the configuration and deconstruction cycle of the gas enclosure assembly 100 of FIG. As can be seen, in the example of wall panel 210' and wall panel 220', the wall panel can have a window panel 120 adjacent to the easily removable service window 130. Similarly, as depicted in the exemplary rear wall panel 240', the wall panel can have a window panel such as a window panel 125 having two adjacent glove ferrules 140. For various embodiments of the wall frame members in accordance with the present teachings, and as seen for the gas enclosure assembly 100 of Figure 3, such an arrangement of gloves provides for easy access from the exterior of the gas enclosure to the components within the enclosed system. Pick up. Thus, various embodiments of the gas enclosure can provide two or more glove ferrules so that the end user can extend the left and right gloves into the interior and manipulate one or more items in the interior without interfering with the interior The composition of the gaseous atmosphere inside. For example, any of the window panel 120 and the service window 130 can be positioned to facilitate easy access from the exterior of the gas enclosure assembly to the adjustable components in the interior of the gas enclosure assembly. According to various embodiments of window panels, such as window panel 120 and service window 130, such windows may not include glove collars and glove collar assemblies when not instructed by an end user via glove ferrule gloves.

As depicted in Figure 4, various embodiments of wall panels and roof panels may have complex A plurality of embedded panels 110. As can be seen in Figure 4, the embedded panels can have a variety of shapes and aspect ratios. except In addition to the inset panel, the top panel panel 250' can have a fan filter unit cover 103, and a first top panel frame conduit 105 that is mounted, bolted, screwed, secured, or otherwise secured to the top panel frame 250. And a second top frame frame pipe 107. As will be discussed in more detail later, the piping system in fluid communication with the conduit 107 of the roof panel 250' can be mounted within the interior of the gas enclosure assembly. According to the present teachings, such a piping system can be part of a gas circulation system inside the gas inclusion body assembly and can be provided for separating the flow stream exiting the gas inclusion body assembly for external passage via the gas inclusion body assembly. At least one gas purification component is circulated.

Figure 5 is an exploded front perspective view of the frame member assembly 200, wherein the wall frame 220 can be constructed to include a complete complement of the panel. While not limited to the illustrated design, the frame member assembly 200 using the wall frame 220 can be used as an example of various embodiments of the frame member assembly in accordance with the present teachings. Various embodiments of the frame member assembly can include various frame members and segment panels that are mounted in various frame panel sections of various frame members in accordance with the present teachings.

Various embodiments of various frame member assemblies in accordance with the teachings herein, frame construction The piece assembly 200 can include a frame member such as a wall frame 220. For various embodiments of a gas inclusion assembly such as the gas inclusion assembly 100 of Figure 3, the process of utilizing the equipment contained in such a gas enclosure assembly may not only require a hermetic seal that provides an inert environment. Encapsulation, and requires an environment that is substantially free of particulate matter. In this regard, frame members in accordance with the present teachings can utilize various sized metal tube materials for constructing various embodiments of the frame. Such metal tube materials address desirable material properties including, but not limited to, high integrity materials that do not degrade to produce particulate matter and produce frame members with high strength and optimum weight, provided Ready transport, construction, and deconstruction of one of the gas inclusion assemblies of the various frame members and panel sections from one location to another. Any material that meets these requirements can be used to create roots Various frame members according to the teachings.

For example, various embodiments of frame members in accordance with the present teachings, such as frames The component assembly 200 can be constructed from extruded metal tubing. Aluminum, steel, and various metal composite materials can be utilized to construct the frame members in accordance with various embodiments of the frame members. In various embodiments, having dimensions such as, but not limited to, 2"w x 2"h, 4"w x 2"h, and 4"w x 4"h and having a wall thickness of 1/8" to 1/4" Metal tubing can be used to construct various embodiments of the frame members in accordance with the present teachings. Additionally, various tubes or other forms of reinforcing fiber polymer composites are available that have material properties including, but not limited to, that are high integrity materials that are not degraded Particulate matter, and produces frame members with high strength and best weight, providing ready transport, construction, and deconstruction from one point to another.

Regarding the construction of various frame members from various sized metal tube materials, should be covered Yes, welding of various embodiments for producing frame weldments can be performed. In addition, suitable industrial adhesives can be used to construct various frame members from various sized building materials. It should be understood that the construction of the various frame members should be performed in a manner that does not inherently create a leakage path through the frame members. In this regard, the construction of the various frame members can be performed using any method that does not inherently create a leakage path through the frame members of the various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly. In addition, various embodiments of frame members in accordance with the present teachings, such as wall frame 220 of FIG. 4, may be painted or coated. For various embodiments of a frame member made of, for example, a metal tubular material that tends to oxidize, in the case where the material formed at the surface can produce particulate matter, a paint or coating to prevent the formation of particulate matter or Other surface treatments such as anodizing.

A frame member assembly such as frame member assembly 200 of Figure 5 can have, for example, a wall Frame member of frame 220. The wall frame 220 can have a top 226 and a bottom 228, the top wall frame A partition 227 can be fastened to the top and the bottom wall frame partition 229 can be fastened to the bottom. As will be discussed in more detail later, the baffle mounted on the surface of the frame member is part of a shim sealing system that is sealed in combination with a shim of a panel mounted in the frame member section to provide guidance in accordance with the present teachings. A hermetic seal of various embodiments of the gaseous inclusion body of the content. A frame member such as the wall frame 220 of the frame member assembly 200 of FIG. 5 can have a plurality of panel frame segments, wherein each segment can be fabricated to receive various types of panels, such as, but not limited to, the inset panel 110, the window panel 120, and The service window 130 can be easily removed. Various types of panel sections can be formed in the construction of the frame members. Types of panel sections may include, for example, but are not limited to, an embedded panel section 10 for receiving the embedded panel 110, a window panel section 20 for receiving the window panel 120, and a service for receiving the easily removable service window 130. Window panel section 30.

Each type of panel section may have a panel section frame for receiving a panel Racks, and it may be provided that each panel may be secured to each panel section in a sealable manner in accordance with the teachings herein to form a hermetic sealed gas enclosure assembly. For example, in Figure 5 depicting a frame assembly in accordance with the present teachings, the inset panel section 10 is shown with a frame 12, the window panel section 20 is shown with a frame 22, and the service window panel section 30 is shown with a frame 32. For various embodiments of the wall frame assembly of the present teachings, the various panel segment frames can be sheet metal materials that are welded into the panel sections using continuous beads to provide a hermetic seal. For various embodiments of the wall frame assembly, the various panel segment frames can be made from a variety of sheet materials including construction materials selected from the group consisting of reinforcing fiber polymer composites, which can be made using suitable industrial adhesives. Will be installed in the panel section. As discussed in more detail in the subsequent teachings regarding sealing, each panel section frame can have a compressible gasket disposed thereon to ensure that each of the panel sections can be formed for installation and secured in each panel section A panel of hermetic seals. In addition to the panel section box In addition to the shelves, each frame member section can have a hardware associated with the positioning panel and associated with securely fastening the panel to the panel section.

Various implementations of the embedded panel 110 and the panel frame 122 for the window panel 120 Examples may be constructed from sheet metal materials such as, but not limited to, aluminum, various aluminum alloys, and stainless steel. The properties of the panel material may be the same as those of the structural materials of the various embodiments that make up the frame member. In this regard, materials having properties for various panel members include, but are not limited to, high integrity materials that do not degrade to produce particulate matter and produce frame members having high strength and optimum weight. To provide ready delivery, construction, and deconstruction from one point to another. Various embodiments, such as honeycomb core chip material, may have the necessary attributes for use as a panel material for constructing the embedded panel 110 and the panel frame 122 for the window panel 120. The honeycomb core chip material can be made of various materials: metal and metal composite materials and polymers, and polymer composite honeycomb core chip materials. When fabricated from a metallic material, various embodiments of the removable panel can have a ground connection included in the panel to ensure that the overall structure is grounded when constructing the gas enclosure assembly.

In view of the transportable components of the gas enclosure assembly used to construct the teachings Properties, any of the various embodiments of the section panels of the present teachings can be repeatedly installed and removed during use of the gas enclosure system to provide access to the interior of the gas enclosure assembly.

For example, the panel section 30 for receiving the easily removable service window panel 130 can be There is a set of four spacers, one of which is indicated as a window guiding spacer 34. Additionally, the panel section 30 configured to receive the easily removable service window panel 130 can have a set of four clamping pegs 36 that can be used for installation in each of the easily removable services. A set of four inverse toggle clamps 136 on the service window frame 132 of the window 130 to clamp the service window 130 to the service window panel In section 30. Additionally, two window handles 138 can each be mounted on the easily removable service window frame 132 to provide end user convenience for removing and installing the service window 130. The number, type, and placement of removable service window handles can be changed. Additionally, the service window panel section 30 for receiving the easily removable service window panel 130 can have at least two window clamps 35 selectively mounted in each service window panel section 30. Although described as being at the top and bottom of each service window panel section 30, at least two window clamps can be actuated in any manner that secures the service window 130 in the panel section frame 32. A window clamp 35 can be removed and installed using a tool to allow removal and reinstallation of the service window 130.

The inverse action toggle clamp 136 of the service window 130 and the panel section 30 are mounted The upper hardware including the clamp pin 36, the window guide spacer 34, and the window clamp 35 can be constructed from any suitable material and combination of materials. For example, one or more of such elements can comprise at least one metal, at least one ceramic, at least one plastic, and combinations thereof. The removable service window handle 138 can be constructed from any suitable material and combination of materials. For example, one or more of such elements can comprise at least one metal, at least one ceramic, at least one plastic, at least one rubber, and combinations thereof. The enclosure window, such as window 124 of window panel 120 or window 134 of service window 130, can comprise any suitable material as well as a combination of materials. According to various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings, the inclusion window may comprise a transparent material and a translucent material. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly, the inclusion window may comprise a cerium oxide based material such as, but not limited to, such as glass and quartz, and various types of polymer based materials such as, but not limited to, various types of poly Carbonate, polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl. Various composite materials of exemplary window materials and combinations thereof can also be used as the transparent material and translucent material in accordance with the teachings herein.

Wall frame as will be discussed below with respect to the teachings of Figures 8A-9B The combination of the component seal and the top frame member seal with the hermetic section panel frame seal provides various embodiments of a hermetically sealed gas package assembly for an air sensitive process requiring an inert environment. Components in a gas inclusion system that provide a substantially low concentration of reactive species and a substantially low particulate environment may include, but are not limited to, hermetic sealed gas inclusion assemblies, as well as high efficiency gas circulation and particle filtration systems, including piping systems. . Providing an effective hermetic seal for a gas inclusion assembly can be challenging; especially if the three frame members are brought together to form a three-sided joint. Thus, three-sided joint seals present a particularly difficult challenge relative to providing an easily mountable hermetic seal for a gas enclosure assembly that can be assembled and disassembled via construction and deconstruction cycles.

In this regard, various implementations of gas inclusion assemblies in accordance with the teachings herein An example of an effective gasket seal through a joint provides a hermetic seal that fully constructs the gas enclosure system and provides an effective gasket seal around the load bearing construction assembly. Unlike conventional joint seals, joint seals in accordance with the present teachings: 1) include uniform parallel alignment of the length of the orthogonally oriented shims at the top and bottom end frame joint joints of the three frame members joined by the adjacent mat segments. , thereby avoiding angular seam alignment and sealing; 2) providing abutting lengths for forming across the width of the joint, thereby increasing the sealing contact area at the three-sided joint joint; 3) being designed with a spacer, the partition The sheet provides uniform compressive force across all vertical and horizontal and top and bottom three side joint gasket seals. Additionally, the choice of gasket material can affect the effectiveness of providing a hermetic seal, as will be discussed later.

6A-6C are top schematic views depicting a comparison of a conventional three-sided joint seal with a three-sided joint seal in accordance with the present teachings. According to various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings, there may be, for example, but not limited to, at least four wall frame members, a top frame member, and a chassis that are engageable to form a gas enclosure assembly, thereby creating a need for a hermetic seal A plurality of vertical, horizontal and three-sided joints. In FIG. 6A, a top schematic view of a conventional three-sided gasket seal formed from a first gasket I that is oriented orthogonal to the gasket II in the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 6A, the seam formed by the XY plane orthogonally oriented with the length of contact between the two segments W between the width dimension of the spacer ₁ as defined. In addition, as indicated by the hatching, the final end portion of the spacer III may abut the spacer I and the spacer II, and the spacer III is a spacer oriented orthogonally to both the spacer 1 and the spacer II in the vertical direction. . In FIG. 6B, a top schematic view of a conventional three-sided joint gasket seal formed from a first gasket length I, the first gasket length I being orthogonal to the second gasket length II and having two lengths joined A 45° face seam wherein the seam has a contact length W ₂ between the two segments that is greater than the width of the gasket material. Similar to the configuration of FIG. 6A, the ends of the spacers III orthogonal to both the spacers I and the spacers II in the vertical direction may abut the spacers I and the spacers II as indicated by the hatching. Assuming that the spacers in FIGS. 6A and 6B have the same width, the contact length W _{2 of} FIG. 6B is greater than the contact length W _{1 of} FIG. 6A.

6C is a top plan view of a three-sided joint gasket seal in accordance with the teachings. The first spacer length I can have a pad segment I' formed orthogonal to the direction of the spacer length I, wherein the pad segment I' has a length that can be substantially the width dimension of the joined structural component, the bonded structural component A 4"w x 2" h or 4" w x 4" h metal tube such as various wall frame members used to form the gas enclosure assembly of the present teachings. Shim II is orthogonal to spacer I in the XY plane and has a pad segment II' having a length that is substantially overlapping the pad segment I' by the width of the bonded structural component. The width of the pad segments I' and II' is the width of the selected compressible gasket material. The spacer III is oriented orthogonally to both the spacer I and the spacer II in the vertical direction. The pad segment III' is the end of the spacer III. The orthogonal orientation of the pad segment III' from the pad segment III' is such that it reaches the vertical length of the spacer III. The pad segment III' can be formed such that the pad segment has a length that is substantially the same as the pad segments I' and II' and a width that is the thickness of the selected compressible gasket material. In this respect, the contact length W ₃ of the three alignment segments shown in FIG. 6C is greater than the conventional three-corner joint seals having the contact lengths W ₁ and W ₂ shown in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B, respectively. Contact length.

In this respect, the three-sided joint gasket according to the teachings is sealed at the end. Uniformly aligned pad segments are produced at the joint bond strips, rather than orthogonally aligned pads as shown in the conditions of Figures 6A and 6B. This uniform parallel alignment of the three-sided joint gasket seal segments provides for the application of a uniform lateral sealing force across the segments to facilitate the closure of the three-sided joint seal at the top and bottom corners of the joint formed by the wall frame members. . Additionally, each of the uniform alignment pad segments of each of the three side joint seals is selected to be substantially the width of the joined structural component to provide a maximum contact length for the uniform alignment segments. In addition, the joint seals in accordance with the present teachings are designed with spacer sheets that provide uniform compressive forces across all vertical, horizontal, and three-sided gasket seals of the construction joint. It can be discussed that the width of the gasket material selected for the conventional three-sided seals given for the examples of Figures 6A and 6B can be at least the width of the joined structural components.

In the expanded perspective view of Figure 7A, it is depicted that all of the frame members have been joined The prior sealing assembly 300 according to the present teachings is such that the shims are depicted in an uncompressed state. In FIG. 7A, a plurality of wall frame members, such as wall frame 310, wall frame 350, and roof frame 370, are sealably engageable in a first step of constructing a gas enclosure from various components of the gas enclosure assembly. The frame member seal in accordance with the present teachings is a substantial component that provides a hermetic seal when the gas enclosure assembly is fully constructed and provides a seal that can be implemented via a cycle of construction and deconstruction of the gas enclosure assembly. Although the examples given in the teachings of Figures 7A-7B below are used to seal a portion of a gas enclosure assembly, such teachings apply to The entirety of any gas inclusion assembly of this teaching.

The first wall frame 310 depicted in FIG. 7A can have a spacer plate 312 mounted thereon. The inner side 311, the vertical side 314, and the top surface 315 on which the spacer plate 316 is mounted. The first wall frame 310 may have a first spacer 320 disposed and adhered to a space formed by the spacer plate 312. The gap 302 left after the first spacer 320 is disposed and adhered to the space formed by the spacer plate 312 may extend the vertical length of the first spacer 320 as shown in FIG. 7A. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the compliant shim 320 can be disposed and adhered to the space formed by the spacer plate 312 and can have a vertical shim length 321 , a curved shim length 323 , and a shim length 325 . The length 325 forms 90° in the plane with the vertical shim length 321 on the inner frame member 311 and terminates at the vertical side 314 of the wall frame 310. In FIG. 7A, the first wall frame 310 can have a top surface 315 on which a spacer plate 316 is mounted to form a space on the surface 315, the second gasket 340 being disposed and adhered to the space adjacent to the wall frame Edge 317 within 310. The gap 304 left after the second spacer 340 is disposed and adhered to the space formed by the spacer plate 316 may extend the horizontal length of the second spacer 340 as shown in FIG. 7A. Additionally, as indicated by the hatching, the length 345 of the spacer 340 is evenly parallel and aligned with the length 325 of the spacer 320.

The second wall frame 350 depicted in FIG. 7A can have an outer frame side 353, The vertical side 354 and the top surface 355 of the spacer plate 356 are mounted. The second wall frame 350 can have a first gasket 360 disposed and adhered to the first gasket space formed by the spacer sheets 356. The gap 306 left after the first spacer 360 is disposed and adhered to the space formed by the spacer plate 356 may extend the horizontal length of the first spacer 360 as shown in FIG. 7A. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the compliant shim 360 can have a horizontal length 361, a curved length 363, and a length 365 that forms 90° on the plane of the top surface 355 and terminates at the outer frame member 353.

The internal frame structure of the wall frame 310 as indicated in the expanded perspective view of Figure 7A The piece 311 can be joined to the vertical side 354 of the wall frame 350 to form one of the gas enclosure frame assemblies to form the joint. With respect to the seal of the build joint thus formed, in various embodiments of the shim seal at the end joint joint strip of the wall frame member according to the present teachings as depicted in Figure 7A, the length 325 of the shim 320, the shim The length 365 of the 360 and the length 345 of the spacer 340 are all aligned and evenly aligned. Additionally, as will be discussed in greater detail below, various embodiments of the spacer sheets of the present teachings can provide a uniform compression that is compressible between various embodiments of a gas enclosure assembly for hermetic sealing of the teachings. Between about 20% of the gasket material and about 40% deflection.

Figure 7B depicts the density according to the teachings after all of the frame members are joined The assembly 300 is sealed such that the shims are depicted in a compressed state. 7B is a perspective view showing details of a three-sided joint corner seal formed at a top end joint joint band between the first wall frame 310, the second wall frame 350, and the top plate frame 370, the top frame being shown in phantom lines. As shown in FIG. 7B, the spacer space defined by the spacer sheets can be measured as a width such that after joining the wall frame 310, the wall frame 350, and the top frame 370 (shown as phantom lines), Uniform compression between about 20% and about 40% deflection of the compressible gasket material forming the vertical, horizontal and three-sided gasket seals ensures that the gasket seal at all surfaces of the seal at the wall frame member joint provides containment Sealed. Additionally, the shim gaps 302, 304, and 306 (not shown) are sized such that after optimal compression between about 20% and about 40% deflection of the compressible gasket material, each shim can be The spacer gap is filled in FIG. 7B for spacer 340 and spacer 360. Thus, in addition to providing uniform compression by defining the space in which each shim is placed and adhered, various embodiments of the septum plate designed to provide clearance also ensure that each compression shim can conform to the septum plate Wrinkling or bulging or otherwise irregularly in a defined space without forming a leak path A compressed state is formed.

Various embodiments of gas inclusion assemblies in accordance with the teachings herein, various types The segment panels can be sealed using a compressible gasket material disposed on the frame of each panel segment. In combination with the frame member gasket seal, the position and material of the compressible gasket for forming the seal between the various segment panels and the panel segment frame provides a hermetic seal gas inclusion assembly with little or no gas leakage. . Additionally, the seal design for all types of panels such as the inset panel 110, the window panel 120, and the easily removable service window 130 of Figure 5 can provide a durable panel seal after repeated removal and installation of such panels, which may be required Such panels are repeatedly removed and installed to access the interior of the gas enclosure assembly, for example, for servicing.

For example, Figure 8A depicts a service window panel section 30 and an easily removable service window An expanded view of 130. As previously discussed, the service window panel section 30 can be manufactured for receiving the easily removable service window 130. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly, a panel section such as the removable service panel section 30 can have a panel section frame 32 and a compressible gasket 38 disposed on the panel section frame 32. In various embodiments, the hardware associated with securing the easily removable service window 130 in the removable service window panel section 30 provides the end user with ease of installation and reinstallation while at the same time ensuring The end user, who needs to access the interior of the gas enclosure assembly as needed, maintains a hermetic seal when the easily removable service window 130 is installed and reinstalled in the panel section 30. The easily removable service window 130 can include a rigid window frame 132 that can be constructed of, for example, but not limited to, a metal tube material, as described for any frame member that constructs the present teachings. The service window 130 may utilize a snap action fastening hardware such as, but not limited to, a reverse toggle clamp 136 to provide an end user of the service window 130 ready to remove and reinstall.

As shown in the front view of the removable service window panel section 30 of Figure 8A, The easy-to-remove service window 130 can have a set of four toggle clamps 136 that are secured to the window frame 132. The service window 130 can be positioned in the panel section frame 30 at a defined distance for securing a suitable compressive force against the shim 38. The spacers 34 are guided using a set of four windows, as shown in Figure 8B, which can be mounted in each corner of the panel section 30 for positioning the service window 130 in the panel section 30. . A set of clamping pegs 36 can each be provided to receive an inverse toggle clamp 136 that can be easily removed from the service window 130. In accordance with various embodiments in which the service window 130 achieves a hermetic seal via a cycle of installation and removal, the combination of mechanical strength of the service window frame 132 incorporates a service window 130 provided by a set of window guide spacers 34 relative to the compressible gasket. The defined position of 38 can ensure that the service window frame 132 can be, for example, but not limited to, using the inverse toggle clamp 136 fastened in the respective clamp pin 36 to secure the service window 130 in place. A uniform force is provided on the panel section frame 32 by a defined compression set by the set of window guiding spacers 34. The set of window guiding spacers 34 are positioned such that the compressive force of the window 130 against the spacer 38 deflects the compressible spacer 38 by between about 20% and about 40%. In this regard, the construction of the service window 130 and the manufacture of the panel section 30 provide a hermetic seal of the service window 130 in the panel section 30. As previously discussed, the window clamp 35 can be installed into the panel section 30 after securing the service window 130 into the panel section 30 and removed when the service window 130 needs to be removed.

The inverse toggle clamp 136 can be secured using any suitable mechanism and combination of mechanisms The service window frame 132 is easily removed. Examples of suitable fastening mechanisms that can be used include at least one adhesive (such as, but not limited to, an epoxy or cement), at least one bolt, at least one screw, at least one other fastener, at least one slot, at least one track, At least one solder and combinations thereof. The inverse toggle clamp 136 can be directly coupled to the removable service window frame 132 or indirectly via a mating plate. Reverse acting toggle clamp 136, clamping bolt 36, window guiding spacer 34 and window clamp The implement 35 can be constructed from any suitable material and combination of materials. For example, one or more such elements can comprise at least one metal, at least one ceramic, at least one plastic, and combinations thereof.

In addition to sealing for easy removal of service windows, hermetic seals are also available for insert surfaces Board and window panel. Other types of segment panels that can be repeatedly installed and removed in the panel section include, for example, but are not limited to, the inset panel 110 and the window panel 120 as shown in FIG. As can be seen in Figure 5, the panel frame 122 of the window panel 120 is constructed similar to and embedded in the panel 110. Thus, depending on various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly, the manufacture of the panel sections for receiving the embedded panels and window panels can be the same. In this regard, the sealing of the embedded panel and the window panel can be implemented using the same principles.

Referring to Figures 9A and 9B, and in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, such as Any of the panels of the gas enclosure of the gas enclosure assembly 100 of FIG. 1 can include one or more embedded panel sections 10 that can have a frame 12 configured to receive the respective embedded panels 110. Fig. 9A is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion shown in Fig. 9B. In FIG. 9A, the inset panel 110 is depicted as being positioned relative to the inset frame 12. As seen in Figure 9B, the inlay panel 110 is attached to the frame 12, wherein the frame 12 can be constructed, for example, from metal. In some embodiments, the metal can comprise aluminum, steel, copper, stainless steel, chromium, alloys, combinations thereof, and the like. A plurality of blind screw holes 14 can be made in the embedded panel section frame 12. The panel section frame 12 is configured to include a gasket 16 between the embedded panel 110 and the frame 12, wherein a compressible gasket 18 can be disposed. The blind screw hole 14 can have an M5 variant. The screw 15 can be received by the blind screw hole 14 to compress the gasket 16 embedded between the panel 110 and the frame 12. Once secured to the position against the shim 16, the inset panel 110 forms a hermetic seal within the inset panel section 10. As previously discussed, such panel seals can be implemented for various segment panels including, but not limited to, the inset panel 110 and the window panel 120 as shown in FIG.

According to various embodiments of compressible gaskets in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, for use in a frame The compressible gasket material of the component seal and the panel seal may be selected from various compressible polymer materials such as, but not limited to, any type of closed cell polymer material, also referred to in the art as a cast rubber material or exhibit. Polymer material. Briefly, closed cell polymers are prepared by encapsulating a gas in a discrete unit cell, wherein each discrete unit cell is encapsulated by a polymeric material. The properties of the compressible closed cell polymer gasket material required for hermetic sealing of the frame and panel assembly include, but are not limited to, chemical attack against a wide range of chemical species, with excellent moisture barrier properties, in width The temperature range is elastic and resistant to permanent compression set. In general, closed unit cell materials have higher dimensional stability, lower moisture absorption coefficient, and higher strength than open cell structure polymeric materials. Various types of polymeric materials that can be made into closed unit cell polymeric materials include, for example, but are not limited to, polyfluorene oxide, neoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPT); use of ethylene-propylene-diene- Polymers and composites made from monomer (EPDM), vinyl nitrile, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and various copolymers and blends thereof.

The desirable material properties of closed cell polymers are only in the inclusion of bulk materials The unit cell will be maintained while it remains intact during use. In this regard, the use of such materials in a manner that exceeds the material specifications set for the closed cell polymer, for example, beyond the specifications applicable to the specified temperature or compression range, can cause degradation of the gasket seal. In various embodiments of the closure unit cell gasket for sealing the frame members and the segment panels in the frame panel section, the compression of such materials should not exceed a deflection of between about 50% and about 70%. And for optimal performance, it can be between about 20% and about 40% deflection.

In addition to closing the unit cell compressible gasket material, for construction according to the teachings Another example of a compressible gasket material having one of the desirable attributes of an embodiment of a gas inclusion assembly includes a hollow extruded compressible gasket material. As a class of materials, hollow extruded gasket materials Some attributes, including but not limited to chemical attacks that are robust against a wide range of chemical species, have excellent moisture barrier properties, are elastic over a wide temperature range and are resistant to permanent compression set. Such hollow extruded compressible gasket materials can have a variety of form factors such as, but not limited to, U-shaped unit cells, D-type unit cells, square unit cells, rectangular unit cells, and various custom shape factors for hollow extruded gasket materials. Any shape factor in . Various hollow extruded gasket materials can be made from polymeric materials used to seal unit cell compressible gaskets. Various embodiments of hollow extruded gaskets can be made, for example, but not limited to, polyfluorene, neoprene, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPT); use of ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer Polymers and composites made of (EPDM), vinyl nitrile, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and various copolymers and blends thereof. The compression of such hollow cell gasket materials should not exceed about 50% deflection in order to maintain the desired properties.

Although the closed cell compressible gasket material category and hollow extrusion pressure have been given The shim material category is exemplified, but any compressible gasket material having the desired properties can be used for sealing structural components, such as various wall and ceiling frame members; and as provided by the teachings, various types within the sealing panel section frame panel.

Figure 10 is a top panel of the teachings (such as the gas inclusion assembly of Figure 3) A bottom view of various embodiments of a top panel panel 250' of 100. In accordance with various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly of the present teachings, the illumination device can be mounted on an interior top surface of a ceiling panel, such as the roof panel 250' of the gas enclosure assembly 100 of FIG. As depicted in Figure 10, the top frame 250 having the inner portion 251 can have illumination devices mounted on the interior portions of the various frame members. For example, the roof frame 250 can have two roof frame sections 40 that collectively have two roof frame beams 42 and 44. Each top frame frame section 40 can have a first side 41 positioned toward the interior of the top plate frame 250 and a second side positioned toward the exterior of the top plate frame 250 43. For various embodiments that provide illumination for a gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings, pairs of illumination elements 46 can be installed. Each pair of lighting elements 46 can include a first lighting element 45 adjacent the first side 41 and a second lighting element 47 adjacent the second side 43 of the top plate frame section 40. The number, positioning, and grouping of lighting elements shown in Figure 10 are exemplary. The number and grouping of lighting elements can vary in any desired or suitable manner. In various embodiments, the lighting elements can be mounted flat, while in other embodiments, the lighting elements can be mounted such that they can be moved to various positions and angles. The placement of the lighting elements is not limited to the top panel top panel 433, but may additionally or alternatively be located on any other interior surface, exterior surface, and surface combination of the gas enclosure assembly 100 shown in FIG.

Various lighting elements can include any number, type of lamp or combination of lights, such as Halogen, white, incandescent, arc or LED or device (LED). For example, each lighting element can include from 1 LED to about 100 LEDs, from about 10 LEDs to about 50 LEDs or greater than 100 LEDs. LEDs or other illumination devices can emit any color or combination of colors within the chromatogram, outside of the chromatogram, or a combination thereof. According to various embodiments of gas inclusion assemblies for ink jet printing OLED materials, the wavelength of light of the illumination device mounted in the gas enclosure assembly can be specifically selected because some materials are sensitive to some wavelengths of light. To avoid material degradation during processing. For example, a 4X cool white LED can be used as a 4X yellow LED or any combination thereof. An example of a 4X cold white LED is LF1B-D4S-2THWW4, available from IDEC Corporation of Sunnyvale, California. An example of a 4X yellow LED that can be used is LF1B-D4S-2SHY6, also available from IDEC Corporation. The LED or other lighting element can be positioned or suspended from the inner portion 251 of the top plate frame 250 or anywhere on the other surface of the gas enclosure assembly. The lighting elements are not limited to LEDs. Any suitable lighting element or combination of lighting elements can be used. Figure 11 is A chart of the IDEC LED spectrum and showing the X-axis corresponding to the intensity at 100% peak intensity and the Y-axis corresponding to the wavelength in nanometers. Show the spectrum of the following: LF1B yellow type, yellow fluorescent light, LF1B white type LED, LF1B cold white type LED and LF1B red type LED. Other combinations of spectra and spectra may be used in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings.

A gas enclosure system according to the teachings can have a gas inclusion body assembly Department of gas circulation and filtration system. Such an internal filtration system can have a plurality of fan filter units within the interior and can be configured to provide a laminar flow of gas within the interior. The laminar flow can be in the direction from the inner top to the inner bottom or in any other direction. Although the gas flow generated by the circulatory system does not have to be laminar, the gas laminar flow can be used to ensure complete and complete overturning of the gas in the interior. Gas laminar flow can also be used to minimize turbulence, which is undesirable because it can cause particles in the environment to accumulate in such turbulent regions, thereby preventing the filtration system from removing such particles from the environment. .

Figure 12 depicts a hypothetical perspective view of the right front of the circulation and filtration system 1500. The ring and filtration system can include a piping system assembly 1501 of the gas inclusion assembly 100 and a fan filter unit assembly 1502. The body duct system assembly 1501 can have a front wall panel duct system assembly 1510. As shown, the front wall panel duct system assembly 1510 can have a front wall panel inlet duct 1512, a first front wall panel riser 1514, and a second front wall panel riser 1516, both of which are front panel panel risers It is in fluid communication with the front wall panel inlet duct 1512. The first front wall panel riser 1514 is shown with an outlet 1515 that is sealably engaged with the top plate duct 1505 of the fan filter unit cover 103. In a similar manner, the second front wall panel riser 1516 is shown with an outlet 1517 that is sealably engaged with the top plate conduit 1507 of the fan filter unit cover 103. In this regard, the front wall panel duct system assembly 1510 is provided for utilizing the front wall panel inlet duct 1512 to circulate the inert gas from the bottom through each of the front wall panel risers 1514 and 1516 in the gas enclosure system and to deliver air through the outlets 1505 and 1507, respectively, such that the air can be assembled, for example, by a fan filter unit. The fan filter unit 1552 of 1502 filters. Adjacent to the fan filter unit 1552 is a heat exchanger 1562 that, as part of the thermal conditioning system, maintains the inert gas circulating through the gas inclusion assembly 100 at the desired temperature.

The right wall panel duct system assembly 1530 can have a right wall panel inlet duct 1532, the right wall panel inlet duct is in fluid communication with the right wall panel upper duct 1538 via the right wall panel first riser 1534 and the right wall panel second riser 1536. The right wall panel upper conduit 1538 can have a first conduit inlet end 1535 and a second conduit outlet end 1537 that is in fluid communication with the rear wall duct system assembly 1540 followed by the wall panel upper conduit 1546. The left wall panel duct system assembly 1520 can have the same components as described for the right wall panel assembly 1530, wherein the first left wall panel riser 1524 and the first left wall panel riser 1524 and the left wall are illustrated in FIG. The upper wall duct (not shown) is in fluid communication with the left wall panel inlet duct 1522. The rear wall panel duct system assembly 1540 can have a rear wall panel inlet duct 1542 that is in fluid communication with the left wall panel assembly 1520 and the right wall panel assembly 1530. Additionally, the rear wall panel duct system assembly 1540 can have a rear wall panel bottom duct 1544 that can have a rear wall panel first inlet 1541 and a rear wall panel second inlet 1543. The rear wall panel bottom duct 1544 can be in fluid communication with the rear wall panel upper duct 1546 via the first bulkhead 1547 and the second bulkhead 1549, wherein the bulkhead structure can be used, for example, but not limited to, to bundle various cable bundles, wire harnesses, and pipe bundles. The analog is fed from the outside of the gas inclusion assembly 100 to the interior. A conduit opening 1533 is provided for removing cable bundles, bundles and bundles of tubes and the like from the rear wall panel upper conduit 1546, which may pass through the upper portion of the rear wall panel via the bulkhead 1549. Pipe 1546. Spacer 1547 and bulkhead 1549 can be hermetically sealed to the exterior using a removable inset panel as previously described. The rear wall panel upper duct is in fluid communication with, for example, but not limited to, a fan filter unit 1554 via a vent 545, one of which is shown in FIG. In this regard, the left wall panel duct system assembly 1520, the right wall panel duct system assembly 1530, and the rear wall panel duct system assembly 1540 are provided for utilizing the wall panel inlet ducts 1522, 1532, and 1542, respectively, and the lower portion of the rear panel. A conduit 1544 is used to circulate the inert gas from the bottom within the gas inclusion assembly, which is in fluid communication with the vent 1545 via various risers, conduits, bulkhead passages, and the like, as previously described. Thus, air may be filtered by fan filter unit 1554, such as fan filter unit assembly 1502 of circulation and filtration system 1500. Adjacent to the fan filter unit 1554 is a heat exchanger 1564 that maintains the inert gas as part of the thermal conditioning system circulating through the gas inclusion assembly 100 at the desired temperature. The number, size and shape of the fan filter unit for the fan filter unit assembly, such as the fan filter unit assembly 1502 including the fan filter units 1552 and 1554 of the circulation and filtration system 1500, as discussed in more detail later, It can be selected based on the physical location of the substrate in the printing system during processing. The number, size, and shape of the fan filter units for the fan filter unit assembly selected relative to the physical travel of the substrate can provide a low particle area adjacent the substrate during the substrate fabrication process.

In Figure 12, a cable feed through opening 1533 is shown. As will be more detailed later In detail, various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings are provided for passing cable bundles, bundles of wire and bundles of tubes and the like through a piping system. To eliminate leakage paths formed around such bundles, various methods of using conformal materials to seal bundles of different sizes of cables, wires, and tubing can be used. Also shown in Fig. 12 is conduit I and conduit II of the body conduit system assembly 1501, which are shown as part of the fan filter unit cover 103. Conduit I provides an outlet for the inert gas to An external gas purification system, while conduit II provides a recycle of the inert gas to the interior of the gas inclusion assembly 100 and the return of the filtration circuit.

In Figure 13, the top imaginary perspective of the packaged pipe system assembly 1501 is shown. Figure. The symmetrical nature of the left wall panel duct system assembly 1520 and the right wall panel duct system assembly 1530 can be seen. For the right wall panel duct system assembly 1530, the right wall panel inlet duct 1532 is in fluid communication with the right wall panel upper duct 1538 via the right wall panel first riser 1534 and the right wall panel second riser 1536. The right wall panel upper conduit 1538 can have a first conduit inlet end 1535 and a second conduit outlet end 1537 that is in fluid communication with the rear wall duct system assembly 1540 followed by the wall panel upper conduit 1546. Similarly, the left wall panel duct system assembly 1520 can have a left wall panel inlet duct 1522 that passes through the left wall panel first riser 1524 and the left wall panel second riser 1526 and the left wall panel upper duct 1528 is in fluid communication. The left wall panel upper duct 1528 can have a first duct inlet end 1525 and a second duct outlet end 1527 that is in fluid communication with the rear wall duct system assembly 1540 followed by the wall panel upper duct 1546. Additionally, the rear wall panel duct assembly can have a rear wall panel inlet duct 1542 that is in fluid communication with the left wall panel assembly 1520 and the right wall panel assembly 1530. Additionally, the rear wall panel duct system assembly 1540 can have a rear wall panel bottom duct 1544 that can have a rear wall panel first inlet 1541 and a rear wall panel second inlet 1543. The rear wall panel bottom duct 1544 can be in fluid communication with the rear wall panel upper duct 1546 via the first bulkhead 1547 and the second bulkhead 1549. As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the ductwork assembly 1501 provides an effective circulation of inert gas from the front wall panel ductwork assembly 1510 that allows inert gas to pass from the front wall via the front wall panel outlets 1515 and 1517, respectively. The panel inlet duct 1512 is circulated to the top panel ducts 1505 and 1507 and provides inert gas from the left wall panel assembly 1520, the right wall panel assembly 1530 and the rear wall. The effective circulation of the panel duct system assembly 1540 circulates air from the inlet ducts 1522, 1532, and 1542 to the vents 1545, respectively. Once the inert gas is discharged into the body region under the fan filter unit cover 103 of the package 100 via the top panel ducts 1505 and 1507 and the vent holes 1545, the exhaust gas thus discharged can pass through the fan of the fan filter unit assembly 1502. Filter units 1552 and 1554 are used for filtering. Additionally, the recycle inert gas can be maintained at the desired temperature by heat exchangers 1562 and 1564 that are part of the thermal conditioning system.

Figure 14 is an imaginary view of the bottom of the body piping system assembly 1501. Inlet pipe The assembly 1509 includes a front wall panel inlet duct 1512, a left wall panel inlet duct 1522, a right wall panel inlet duct 1532, and a rear wall panel inlet duct 1542 in fluid communication with one another. As previously discussed, the conduit I provides an outlet for the inert gas to the external gas purification system, while the conduit II provides a recycle of the purified inert gas to the interior of the gas inclusion assembly 100 and the return of the filtration loop.

For each inlet pipe included in the inlet duct system assembly 1509, There is an evenly distributed surface opening across the bottom of each pipe, and for each of the purposes of this teaching, each set of openings is specifically highlighted as an opening 1504 of the front wall panel inlet duct 1512 and an opening 1521 of the left wall panel inlet duct 1522. The opening 1531 of the right wall panel inlet duct 1532 and the opening 1541 of the right wall panel inlet duct 1542. Since such openings are surface openings across the bottom of each inlet conduit, such openings provide for effective absorption of inert gas within the enclosure 100 for continuous cycling and filtration. The continuous circulation and filtration of the inert gas of various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly is part of a particle control system that can be provided for maintaining a substantially particle free environment within various embodiments of the gas inclusion system. Various embodiments of gas circulation and filtration systems can be designed to provide a low particle environment with airborne particulates that meets the International Standards of Organizations (ISO) 14644-1:1999 standard: "Clean rooms and associated controlled environments - Part 1: Air cleanliness Classification, as specified in categories 1 through 5.

In addition to the use of gas circulation and filtration systems to provide a laminar flow of gas to ensure gas In addition to the thoroughly and completely inverted gas inclusion system in the interior, a thermal conditioning system utilizing a plurality of heat exchangers can be provided to maintain the desired temperature in the interior. For example, a plurality of heat exchangers can be provided for operation with, adjacent to or in conjunction with a fan or another gas circulation device. The gas purification loop can be configured to circulate gas from within the interior of the gas enclosure assembly via at least one gas purification component external to the enclosure. In this regard, the internal circulation and filtration system of the gas inclusion assembly, in combination with the gas purification circuit external to the gas inclusion assembly, provides a continuous circulation of substantially low particulate inert gas throughout the entire process. There are substantially low levels of reactive species in the gas inclusion system. Various embodiments of a gas inclusion system having a gas purification system can be configured to maintain very low levels of undesirable components, such as organic solvents and their vapors, as well as water, water vapor, oxygen, and the like.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a gas inclusion system 502. According to the teachings Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 502 can include a gas inclusion assembly 1101 for housing a printing system, a gas purification circuit 3130 in fluid communication with the gas inclusion assembly 1101, and at least one thermal conditioning system 3140. Additionally, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 502 can have a pressurized inert gas recirculation system 3000 that can supply an inert gas for operating various devices, such as a substrate floating table for an OLED printing system. Various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recirculation system 3000 may utilize a compressor, a blower, and a combination of both as a source of various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recirculation system 3000, as will be discussed in greater detail below. Additionally, the gas enclosure system 502 can have a circulation and filtration system (not shown) within the gas enclosure system 502.

As depicted in Figure 15, for a gas inclusion assembly in accordance with the teachings herein In various embodiments, the piping system is designed to separate the inert gas circulating through the gas purification circuit 3130 from the inert gas continuously filtered and circulated within various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly. The gas purification circuit 3130 includes an outlet line 3131 from the gas inclusion body assembly 1101 to the solvent removal assembly 3132 and then to the gas rinsing system 3134. The inert gas purified to remove solvent and other reactive gas species such as oxygen and water vapor is then returned to gas inclusion assembly 1101 via inlet line 3133. Gas purification circuit 3130 can also include suitable conduits and connections, as well as sensors such as oxygen, water vapor, and solvent vapor sensors. A gas circulation unit such as a fan, blower or motor and the like may be provided separately or integrated in, for example, a gas purification system 3134 to circulate gas through the gas purification circuit 3130. Depending on various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly, although solvent removal system 3132 and gas purification system 3134 are shown schematically as separate units in Figure 15, solvent removal system 3132 and gas purification system 3134 can be used as a single purification unit. To accommodate.

The gas purification circuit 3130 of Figure 15 can be placed in a gas purification system 3134 The upstream solvent removal system 3132 is such that inert gas circulated from the gas inclusion assembly 1101 passes through the solvent removal system 3132 via the outlet line 3131. According to various embodiments, the solvent removal system 3132 can be a solvent capture system based on solvent vapors that absorb inert gases from the solvent removal system 3132 of FIG. One or more beds such as, but not limited to, adsorbents such as activated carbon, molecular sieves, and the like, are effective to remove a variety of organic solvent vapors. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, cold trapping techniques can be employed to remove solvent vapors from the solvent removal system 3132. As previously described, for various embodiments of gas inclusion systems in accordance with the present teachings, sensors such as oxygen, water vapor, and solvent vapor sensors can be used to monitor such species from a continuous cycle through a gas package. The inert gas of the bulk system (such as the gas inclusion system 502 of Figure 15) is effective Remove. Various embodiments of the solvent removal system can indicate when the adsorbent, such as activated carbon, molecular sieves, and the like, reaches a capacity such that one or more beds of the adsorbent can be regenerated or replaced. Regeneration of the molecular sieve can involve heating the molecular sieve, contacting the molecular sieve with the mixed gas, combinations thereof, and the like. The molecular sieve configured to capture various species including oxygen, water vapor, and solvent can be regenerated by heating and exposure to a mixed gas containing hydrogen, which is, for example, a mixed gas containing about 96% of nitrogen and 4% of hydrogen. The percentages are by volume or by weight. Physical regeneration of activated carbon can be carried out using a similar heating procedure in an inert environment.

Any suitable gas purification system can be used in the gas purification system 3134 of the gas purification circuit 3130 of FIG. For example, a gas purification system available from MBRAUN Inc. of Statham, New Jersey or Innovative Technology of Amesbury, Mass., can be adapted for integration into gas inclusions in accordance with the teachings herein. The various embodiments of the assembly. The gas purification system 3134 can be used to purify one or more inert gases within the gas inclusion system 502, such as the overall gas atmosphere within the purified gas inclusion assembly. As previously described, to circulate gas through the gas purification circuit 3130, the gas purification system 3134 can have a gas circulation unit such as a fan, blower or motor, and the like. In this regard, the gas purification system can be selected depending on the volume of the inclusion body, the volume of which can define the volumetric flow rate at which the inert gas moves through the gas purification system. For various embodiments of a gas inclusion system having a gas inclusion body having a volume of up to about 4 ^m3, a gas purification system that can move about 84 ^m3 /h can be used. For various embodiments of a gas inclusion system having a gas inclusion body having a volume of up to about 10 m ^{3 ,} a gas purification system that can move at about 155 m ³ /h can be used. For various embodiments having a gas inclusion body volume between about 52 m ³ and 114 m ³ , more than one gas purification system can be used.

Any suitable gas filter or purification device can be included in this teaching The gas is flushed into the system 3134. In some embodiments, the gas purification system can include two parallel purification devices such that one of the devices can be taken offline for maintenance while the other device can be used to continue system operation without interruption. In some embodiments, for example, a gas purification system can include one or more molecular sieves. In some embodiments, the gas purification system can include at least a first molecular sieve and a second molecular sieve such that when one of the molecular sieves becomes saturated with impurities or otherwise deemed insufficient for efficient operation, the system can be switched to another molecular sieve, At the same time, the saturated or non-effective molecular sieve is regenerated. A control unit can be provided for determining the operational efficiency of each molecular sieve for switching between operations of different molecular sieves, for regenerating one or more molecular sieves, or for combinations thereof. As previously described, the molecular sieve can be regenerated and reused.

The thermal conditioning system 3140 of Figure 15 can include at least one cooler 3142 that is cold The damper may have a fluid outlet line 3141 for circulating coolant into the gas inclusion assembly and a fluid inlet line 3143 for returning the coolant to the chiller. At least one fluid cooler 3142 can provide a gas atmosphere for cooling the gas inclusion system 502. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings, the fluid cooler 3142 delivers a cooling fluid to a heat exchanger within the enclosure, wherein the inert gas is delivered over a filtration system within the enclosure. The at least one fluid cooler may also be provided with a gas enclosure system 502 for cooling the heat evolved from equipment enclosed within the gas enclosure system 502. For example, but without limitation, at least one fluid cooler may also be provided for the gas inclusion system 502 to cool the heat evolved from the OLED printing system. The thermal conditioning system 3140 can include a heat exchange or Peltier device and can have various cooling capacities. For example, for various embodiments of a gas inclusion system, the chiller can provide a cooling capacity between about 2 kW and about 20 kW. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can have a plurality of ones that can cool one or more fluids Fluid cooler. In some embodiments, the fluid cooler can use a variety of fluids as the coolant, such as, but not limited to, water as a heat exchange fluid, antifreeze, refrigerant, and combinations thereof. A suitable leak-free locking connection can be used to connect the associated conduit and system components.

As shown in Figure 15, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can include pressurized inertia Gas recirculation system 3000. Various embodiments of pressurized inert gas recirculation loops may utilize compressors, blowers, and combinations thereof.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, various embodiments of gas inclusion system 503 can be There is an external gas circuit 3200 for integrating and controlling an inert gas source 3201 and a clean dry air (CDA) source 3203 suitable for operating various aspects of the gas inclusion system 503. Gas inclusion system 503 can also include various embodiments of internal particle filtration and gas circulation systems, as well as various embodiments of external gas purification systems as previously described. In addition to the external circuit 3200 for integrating and controlling the inert gas source 3201 and the CDA source 3203, the gas enclosure system 503 can have a compressor circuit 3250 that can supply an inert gas for operation to be placed in the gas enclosure Various devices and devices within the system 503.

The compressor circuit 3250 of Figure 16 can include compression configured to be in fluid communication The machine 3262, the first accumulator 3264, and the second accumulator 3268. The compressor 3262 can be configured to compress the inert gas drawn from the gas inclusion assembly 1101 to a desired pressure. The inlet side of compressor circuit 3250 can be in fluid communication with gas enclosure assembly 1101 via gas line assembly outlet 3252 via line 3254 having valve 3256 and check valve 3258. The compressor circuit 3250 can be in fluid communication with the gas inclusion assembly 1101 on the outlet side of the compressor circuit 3250 via the external gas circuit 3200. Accumulator 3264 can be disposed between the junction of compressor 3262 and compressor circuit 3250 and external gas circuit 3200 and can be configured to produce a pressure of 5 psig or greater. Second accumulator 3268 can be in compressor circuit 3250 for providing damping fluctuations due to the compressor piston cycling at about 60 Hz. For various embodiments of the compressor circuit 3250, the first accumulator 3264 can have a capacity between about 80 gallons and about 160 gallons, and the second accumulator can have between about 30 gallons and about 60 gallons. Capacity between. According to various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 503, the compressor 3262 can flow into the compressor at zero. Various types of zero inflow compressors can operate without impeding atmospheric gas leakage into various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings. Various embodiments of zero inflow compressors may continue to operate, for example, during OLED printing processes utilizing the use of various devices and devices that require compression of inert gases.

Accumulator 3264 can be configured to receive and accumulate compression from compressor 3262 Inert gas. Accumulator 3264 can supply a compressed inert gas to gas inclusion assembly 1101 as needed. For example, accumulator 3264 can provide gas to maintain the pressure of various components of gas enclosure assembly 1101, such as but not limited to one or more of the following: pneumatic robots, substrate floats, air bearings, air bushings, compression Gas tools, pneumatic actuators, and combinations thereof. As shown in FIG. 16 for gas inclusion system 503, gas inclusion assembly 1101 can have an OLED printing system 2003 encased therein. As schematically depicted in Figure 16, the inkjet printing system 2003 can be supported by a printing system mount 2100, which can be a granite rock platform. The printing system base 2100 can support a substrate support device, such as a chuck, such as but not limited to a vacuum chuck; a substrate floating chuck having a pressure gauge; and a substrate floating chuck having a vacuum and pressure. In various embodiments of the present teachings, the substrate support apparatus can be a substrate floating stage, such as the substrate floating stage 2200 as indicated in FIG. The substrate floating stage 2200 can be used for frictionless support of the substrate. In addition to the low particle generating floating stage, the printing system 2003 can have a y-axis motion system utilizing an air bushing for frictionless y-axis transfer of the substrate. Additionally, the printing system 2003 can have at least one X, Z-axis bracket assembly, The assembly has motion control provided by the low particle generating X-axis air bearing assembly. Various components of the low particle generating motion system, such as the X-axis air bearing assembly, can be used in place of, for example, various particle-generating linear mechanical bearing systems. For various embodiments of the gas enclosures and systems of the present teachings, the use of various pneumatic operating devices and devices provides low particle generation efficiency and low maintenance. The compressor circuit 3250 can be configured to continuously supply pressurized inert gas to various devices and devices of the gas enclosure system 503. In addition to supplying a pressurized inert gas, the substrate floating stage 2200 of the ink jet printing system 2003 utilizing air bearing technology also utilizes a vacuum system 3270 that is coupled to the gas inclusion body via line 3272 when valve 3274 is in the open position. 1101 is in fluid communication.

A pressurized inert gas recirculation system according to the teachings of the present teachings can have a Figure 16 In the pressure controlled bypass circuit 3260 shown in compressor circuit 3250, the pressure controlled bypass circuit acts to compensate for the variable demand of pressurized gas during use, thereby providing various aspects of the gas inclusion system for the teachings. Embodiments provide dynamic balancing. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings, the bypass loop can maintain a constant pressure within the accumulator 3264 without interfering with or changing the pressure within the enclosure 1101. The bypass circuit 3260 can have a first bypass inlet valve 3261 on the inlet side of the bypass circuit that closes until the bypass circuit 3260 is used. The bypass circuit 3260 can also have a back pressure regulator 3266 that can be used when the second valve 3263 is closed. The bypass circuit 3260 can have a second accumulator 3268 disposed at the outlet side of the bypass circuit 3260. For embodiments that utilize a zero-inflow compressor compressor circuit 3250, the bypass circuit 3260 can compensate for small pressure deviations that can occur over time during use of the gas inclusion system. The bypass circuit 3260 can be in fluid communication with the compressor circuit 3250 on the inlet side of the bypass circuit 3260 when the bypass inlet valve 3261 is in the open position. When the bypass inlet valve 3261 is opened, if the inert gas from the compressor circuit 3250 is no longer needed inside the gas inclusion body assembly 1101, the inertia is bypassed via the bypass circuit 3260. The gas can be recycled to the compressor. The compressor circuit 3250 is configured to split the inert gas via the bypass circuit 3260 when the pressure of the inert gas in the accumulator 3264 exceeds a preset threshold pressure. The preset threshold pressure of the accumulator 3264 can be between about 25 psig and about 200 psig at a flow rate of at least about 1 cubic foot (cfm) per minute, or at a flow rate of at least about 1 cubic inch (cfm) per minute. Between about 50 psig and about 150 psig, or between about 75 psig and about 125 psig at a flow rate of at least about 1 cubic foot (cfm) per minute, or at least about 1 cubic inch (cfm) per minute. The ratio is between about 90 psig and about 95 psig.

Various embodiments of compressor circuit 3250 may utilize a different flow from zero to the compressor Various compressors, such as variable speed compressors or compressors that can be controlled to be in an open or closed state. As previously discussed, zero inflow compressors ensure that atmospheric reactive species cannot be introduced into the gas inclusion system. Thus, any compressor configuration that prevents atmospheric reactive species from being introduced into the gas inclusion system can be used for the compressor circuit 3250. According to various embodiments, the compressor 3262 of the gas enclosure system 503 can be housed in, for example, but not limited to, a hermetic sealed enclosure. The interior of the outer casing can be configured to be in fluid communication with an inert gas source, such as the same inert gas as the inert gas atmosphere used to form the gas inclusion body assembly 1101. For various embodiments of the compressor circuit 3250, the compressor 3262 can be controlled to be at a constant speed to maintain a constant pressure. In other embodiments that do not utilize zero-inflow compressor compressor circuit 3250, compressor 3262 can be turned off when the maximum threshold pressure is reached and turned on when the minimum threshold pressure is reached.

In Figure 17, for a gas enclosure system 504, a vacuum blower is utilized The blower circuit 3280 of 3290 shows a substrate floating table 2200 for operating the ink jet printing system 2003, which is housed in a gas enclosure assembly 1101. As previously discussed for compressor circuit 3250, blower circuit 3280 can be configured to continuously supply pressurized inert gas to the column Substrate floating table 2200 of printing system 2003.

Various types of gas inclusion systems that can utilize pressurized inert gas recirculation systems Embodiments may have various circuits that utilize various sources of pressurized gas, such as at least one of a compressor, a blower, and combinations thereof. In FIG. 17, for gas inclusion system 504, compressor circuit 3250 can be in fluid communication with external gas circuit 3200, which can be used to supply inert gas to high consumption manifold 3225 and low consumption manifold 3215. For various embodiments of a gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings, as shown for gas enclosure system 504 in FIG. 17, high consumption manifold 3225 can be used to supply inert gas to various devices and devices, such as but not It is limited to one or more of a substrate floating table, a pneumatic robot, an air bearing, an air bushing, and a compressed gas tool, and combinations thereof. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system in accordance with the present teachings, the low consumption manifold 3215 can be used to supply inert gas to one or more of various devices and devices, such as, but not limited to, isolators and pneumatic actuators. And their combinations.

For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 504 of FIG. 17, the blower circuit 3280 can be used to supply pressurized inert gas to various embodiments of the substrate floating table 2200, while the compressor circuit 3250 is in fluid communication with the external gas circuit 3200. It can be used to supply pressurized inert gas to one or more of, for example, but not limited to, a pneumatic robot, an air bearing, an air bushing, and a compressed air tool, and combinations thereof. In addition to supplying a pressurized inert gas, the substrate floating stage 2200 of the OLED inkjet printing system 2003 utilizing air bearing technology also utilizes a vacuum blower 3290 that is coupled to the gas inclusion body via line 3292 when valve 3294 is in the open position. In 1101, it is in fluid communication. The outer casing 3282 of the blower circuit 3280 can maintain the first blower 3284 for supplying a source of pressurized inert gas to the substrate floating stage 2200, and the second blower 3290 serves as a vacuum source for the substrate floating stage 2200, the substrate floating stage being housed in the gas The inclusion body assembly 1101 is in an inert gas atmosphere. Attributes of various embodiments that may be adapted to be used as a pressurized inert gas source or vacuum source for a substrate floating table include, for example, but are not limited to, having high reliability; such that its maintenance rate is low; with shift control; volume of the wide range of flow; various embodiments can be provided interposed between the volume flow rate of about 100m ³ / h and about 2,500m ³ / h. Various embodiments of the blower circuit 3280 may additionally have a first isolation valve 3283 at the inlet end of the blower circuit 3280, and a check valve 3285 and a second isolation valve 3287 at the outlet end of the blower circuit 3280. Various embodiments of the blower circuit 3280 can have an adjustable valve 3286 that can be, for example, but not limited to, a gate valve, a butterfly valve, a needle valve, or a ball valve, and for maintaining the inert gas at a defined temperature from the blower circuit 3280 to the substrate floating table 2200. Heat exchanger 3288.

Figure 17 depicts an external gas circuit 3200, also shown in Figure 16, for the entire The inert gas source 3201 and the clean dry gas (CDA) source 3203 are applied to control various aspects of the gas inclusion system 503 of FIG. 16 and the gas inclusion system 504 of FIG. The outer gas circuit 3200 of Figures 16 and 17 can include at least four mechanical valves. These valves include a first mechanical valve 3202, a second mechanical valve 3204, a third mechanical valve 3206, and a fourth mechanical valve 3208. These various valves are located at various locations within various flow lines that allow control of both inert gases (e.g., nitrogen, any noble gases, and any combination thereof) and air sources (such as clean dry air (CDA)). The contained inert gas line 3210 extends from the contained inert gas source 3201. The contained inert gas line 3210 continues to extend linearly with the low consumption manifold line 3212, which is in fluid communication with the low consumption manifold 3215. The crossover line first section 3214 extends from a first flow bond belt 3216 that is located at the intersection of the contained inert gas line 3210, the low consumption manifold line 3212, and the cross line first section 3214. The crossover line first section 3214 extends to the second flow bond belt 3218. Compressor inert gas line 3220 from compressor circuit 3250 The accumulator 3264 extends and terminates in the second flow bond belt 3218. The CDA line 3222 extends from the CDA source 3203 and continues to extend with the high consumption manifold line 3224, which is in fluid communication with the high consumption manifold 3225. The third flow bond belt 3226 is located at the intersection of the cross line second section 3228, the clean dry air line 3222, and the high consumption manifold line 3224. The crossover line second section 3228 extends from the second flow bond belt 3218 to the third flow bond belt 3226. The various components of high consumption can be supplied to the CDA by means of a high consumption tube 3225 during maintenance. The use of valves 3204, 3208, and 3230 to isolate the compressor prevents reactive species such as oxygen and water vapor from contaminating the inert gas within the compressor and accumulator.

As discussed previously, the present teachings disclose various implementations of gas inclusion systems For example, the gas inclusion system can include a gas inclusion body defining a first volume and an auxiliary package defining a second volume. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can have an auxiliary package that can be configured in a sealable manner as a section of the gas inclusion assembly and that is easily integrated with the gas circulation, filtration, and purification components to form an inert A gas inclusion system that is substantially free of particle environments and that has little or no interruption in the printing process. This inert, substantially particle-free environment is used in many processes that require this environment. For example, all steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process.

In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, various embodiments of a printing system package and an auxiliary package configured as segments of a gas enclosure assembly can be constructed in a manner that provides an independently functioning frame member assembly segment. The gas inclusion system 505 of FIG. 18, in addition to having all of the elements disclosed for the gas inclusion systems 502-504, may have a first gas inclusion assembly section 1101 defining a first volume of gas inclusion assembly 1101. -S1 and a second gas inclusion body segment 1101-S2 defining a second volume of gas inclusion assembly 1101. If all of the valves V _1, V _2, V ₃ and V ₄ are opened, the gas purification circuit 3130 to 1101 substantially as previously described operation of gas bag assembly and body 15 of the system of FIG. In the case of V ₃ and V ₄ is closed, only the first section of the gas bag body assembly 1101-S1 and in fluid communication with a gas purification circuit 3130. Such a valve condition can be used, for example, but not limited to, when the second gas inclusion body section 1101-S2 can be hermetically sealed and thereby requires a second gas inclusion body section 1101-S2 The various gas inclusion assembly sections 1101-S1 are isolated during various measurement and maintenance procedures for atmospheric opening. In the case where V ₁ and V ₂ is closed, only the second section of the gas bag body assembly 1101-S2 and gas purification circuit 3130 is in fluid communication. Such a valve state can be used, for example, but not limited to, during the recovery of the second gas inclusion body assembly section 1101-S2 after it has been opened to the atmosphere. As previously mentioned for the teachings associated with FIG. 15, the requirements for the gas purification circuit 3130 are specified relative to the total volume of the gas inclusion assembly 1101. Thus, the recovery time can be substantially reduced by contributing to the recovery of the source of the gas purification system, such as the second gas inclusion assembly section 1101-S2, by contributing to the recovery of the gas inclusion body assembly section. It is depicted in Figure 18 as having a volume that is significantly smaller than the total volume of the gas inclusions 1101.

In addition, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be easily adjusted with a dedicated set of environments System components are integrated, such as lighting components, gas circulation and filtration components, gas purification components, and thermostatic components. In this regard, various embodiments of a gas enclosure system including an auxiliary enclosure that can be configured in a sealable manner as a section of a gas inclusion assembly can have a controlled environment that is set and controlled by The first volume defined by the gas inclusion assembly that houses the printing system is identical. In addition, including an auxiliary body that can be configured in a sealable manner as a section of the gas inclusion body assembly Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can have a controlled environment that is set differently than the controlled environment of the first volume defined by the gas inclusion assembly that houses the printing system.

In retrospect, various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly for use in embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings can be constructed in a manner that minimizes the internal volume of the gas inclusion assembly and is optimal at the same time. It is used to adapt to the working volume of various coverage areas of OLED printing system design. For example, according to various gases forming the bag body of the cartridge according to the present teachings of the embodiments may be directed to various embodiments of the present teachings block assembly of the gas bag between the gas bag body having a volume of between about 6m ³ and about 95m ^3, Thus, the substrate size of the 3.5th to the 10th generation is covered. Various embodiments of the shaped gas encapsulation assembly in accordance with the present teachings can have, for example, but are not limited to, a gas inclusion volume between about 15 m ³ and about 30 m ³ , the gas inclusion volume being applicable, for example, to have a 5.5th OLED printing of the 8.5th generation substrate size. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be constructed as a section of a gas inclusion assembly and are easily integrated with gas recycle and filtration and purification components to form a gas inclusion system that maintains inertness, substantially A particle-free environment for each process that requires such an environment.

Depending on various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the construction of frame member construction, panel construction, frame and panel seals, and gas enclosure assemblies (such as gas enclosure assembly 100 of FIG. 3) can be adapted to a variety of sizes. And design of the gas inclusion body assembly. For example, but without limitation, covers the 3.5th generation to generation of the first substrate 10 forming the various sizes of gas inclusions cartridge teachings of the present embodiments may have an internal volume of between about and about 6m ³ to 95m ³ For internal bodies that are unformed and have a substantial total size, the internal volume can be saved between about 30% and about 70% in volume. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly can have various frame members that are configured to contour the gas inclusion assembly to facilitate optimization of various embodiments of the printing system adapted to the teachings herein. Volume; while minimizing the volume of inert gas, and allowing ready access to the OLED printing system from the outside during processing. In this regard, the molding topology and volume of the various gas inclusion assemblies of the present teachings can vary.

Moreover, various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings can be utilized with a gas inclusion body of the auxiliary package, the auxiliary package being sealably constructed as a section of the gas inclusion assembly for easily performing various procedures related to the continuous management of the printing system, for example, but not Limited to the process associated with managing the printhead assembly. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly having an auxiliary inclusion, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 1% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 2% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 5% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 10% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas enclosure system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 20% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas enclosure system. Various procedures related to the ongoing management of the printing system, such as, but not limited to, various process steps associated with the management of the printhead assembly, can be performed within the auxiliary package. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the auxiliary package can be separated from the closed portion of the printing system of the gas enclosure system to ensure minimal or no interruption in the printing process. Moreover, in view of the relatively small volume of the auxiliary package, the recovery of the auxiliary package can be significantly less than the recovery time of the overall printing system package.

In addition, various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings can provide independence Constructed in the manner of a functional frame member assembly section. In retrospect, regarding Figure 5, according to this The frame assembly assembly of the various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly and system of the teachings can include a frame member having various panels that are sealably mounted to the frame member. For example, but without limitation, the wall frame member assembly or wall panel assembly can be a wall frame member that includes various panels that are sealably mounted to the wall frame member. Accordingly, various fully constructed panel assemblies, such as, but not limited to, wall panel assemblies, roof panel assemblies, wall and ceiling panel assemblies, base support panel assemblies, and the like, are various types of frame member assemblies. The gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings can provide various embodiments for a gas inclusion assembly having various frame member assembly sections, wherein each frame member assembly section is the total volume of the gas inclusion assembly. portion. The various frame member assembly sections that make up the various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly can generally have at least one frame member. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the various frame member assembly sections that make up the gas enclosure assembly can generally have at least one frame member assembly. The various frame member assembly sections that make up the various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly can generally have a combination of at least one frame member and a frame member assembly.

According to the present teachings, various frame member assembly sections may be via, for example, but not limited to The openings or channels or combinations thereof that are common to each of the frame member assembly sections are divided into a plurality of sections. For example, in various embodiments, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can cover the opening or channel or combination thereof within the frame member or frame member panel common to each frame member assembly section; thereby effectively closing the opening Or channels or a combination thereof to separate. In various embodiments, the auxiliary frame member assembly sections can be separated by sealing openings or channels or combinations thereof that are common to each frame member assembly section. In this regard, the closure of the opening or channel or combination thereof in a sealable manner may result in separation, thereby interrupting the gas inclusion frame member assembly section defining the working volume and each volume of the auxiliary package defining the second volume. Fluid communication, where each volume is the total gas inclusion One part of the total volume contained within. Closing the opening or passage in a sealable manner thereby isolates the working volume of the gas enclosure assembly from the auxiliary frame member assembly section defining the second volume.

19 depicts various embodiments of a gas inclusion assembly in accordance with the present teachings. A perspective view of the gas inclusion assembly 1000. The gas inclusion assembly 1000 can include a front panel assembly 1200', an intermediate panel assembly 1300', and a rear panel assembly 1400'. The front panel assembly 1200' can include a front roof panel assembly 1260', a front wall panel assembly 1240' that can have an opening 1242 for receiving a substrate, and a front base panel assembly 1220'. The rear panel assembly 1400' can include a rear roof panel assembly 1460', a rear wall panel assembly 1440', and a rear base panel assembly 1420'. The intermediate panel assembly 1300' can include a first intermediate body panel assembly 1340', an intermediate wall and roof panel assembly 1360', and a second intermediate body panel assembly 1380' and an intermediate base panel assembly 1320'. Additionally, the intermediate panel assembly 1300' can include a first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and a second printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly (not shown). Various embodiments of the auxiliary package configured as a section of the gas inclusion body may be sealed from the working volume of the gas enclosure system in a sealable manner. Such physical isolation of the auxiliary package may allow for various procedures, such as, but not limited to, various maintenance procedures on the printhead assembly, with little or no interruption to the printing process, thereby minimizing or eliminating gas packets. Body system downtime.

As depicted in Figure 20A, the gas enclosure assembly 1000 can include a front base panel Assembly 1220', intermediate base panel assembly 1320' and rear base panel assembly 1420', the assemblies form a docking base or chassis when fully constructed, and the OLED printing system 2000 can be mounted to the docking base or chassis on. Various frame members including the gas body assembly 1000 front panel assembly 1200', the intermediate panel assembly 1300', and the rear panel assembly 1400', and in a manner similar to that described for the gas inclusion assembly 100 of FIG. The panels can be joined around the OLED printing system 2000. Therefore, such as gas The fully constructed gas inclusion assembly of body package assembly 1000 can form various embodiments of gas inclusion systems when integrated with various environmental control systems, including various embodiments of OLED printing system 2000. According to various embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings as previously described, the environmental control of the internal volume defined by the gas inclusion body may include: by the number and placement of lamps having a particular wavelength Control of particulate matter by various embodiments of lighting control, gas circulation and filtration systems, control of reactive gas species using various embodiments of gas purification systems, and gas inclusion assemblies using various embodiments of thermal control systems Temperature control.

An OLED printing system 2000 such as that of FIG. 20A, shown in an expanded view in FIG. 20B The OLED inkjet printing system can include a number of devices and devices that allow for reliable placement of ink drops at specific locations on the substrate. Such devices and devices may include, but are not limited to, a print head assembly, an ink delivery system, a motion system, a substrate support device, a substrate loading and unloading system, and a printhead management system.

The print head assembly can include at least one inkjet head that is capable of being subjected to Controlling the rate, speed, and size to eject at least one orifice of the ink droplet. The inkjet head is fed by an ink supply system that supplies ink to the inkjet head. As shown in the expanded view of FIG. 20B, the OLED inkjet printing system 2000 can have a substrate such as a substrate 2050 that can be supported by a substrate support device such as a chuck, such as but not limited to a vacuum chuck. A substrate floating chuck having a pressure enthalpy and a substrate floating chuck having a vacuum crucible and a pressure crucible. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the substrate support apparatus can be a substrate floating stage. As will be discussed in more detail later, the substrate floating stage 2200 of FIG. 20B can be used to support the substrate 2050 and can be combined with a Y-axis motion system to provide portions of the substrate transport system for frictionless transfer of the substrate 2050. The basis of the OLED inkjet printing system 2000 shown in Figures 20A and 20B The plate floating stage 2200 can define the travel of the substrate 2050 through the gas inclusion assembly 1000 of FIG. 19 during the printing process. Printing requires relative movement between the print head assembly and the substrate. This is done using a motion system, typically a gantry or split shaft XYZ system. The print head assembly can be moved over a stationary substrate (gantry) or, in the case of a split shaft configuration, both the print head and the substrate can be moved. In another embodiment, the printhead assembly can be substantially stationary; for example, on the X-axis and the Y-axis, and the substrate can move relative to the printheads on the X-axis and the Y-axis, Wherein the Z-axis motion is provided by a substrate support device or by a Z-axis motion system associated with the printhead assembly. As the print heads move relative to the substrate, the droplets of ink are ejected at the correct time for deposition in a desired location on the substrate. The substrate can be inserted into the substrate using a substrate loading and unloading system and the substrate removed from the printer. Depending on the printer configuration, this can be done using a mechanical conveyor, a substrate floating table with a transfer assembly, or a substrate transfer robot with a terminator. The printhead management system can include subsystems that allow such management tasks as: checking nozzle firing and measuring the droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory from each nozzle in the printhead; And maintenance tasks such as wiping or sucking excess ink on the nozzle surface, priming and rinsing the print head by ejecting ink from the ink supply through the print head and into the waste pool, and replacing the print head . Various embodiments of OLED printing systems can have various footprints and form factors in view of the various components that can include an OLED printing system.

In the expanded view of the OLED printing system 2000 of FIG. 20B, the printing system Various embodiments may include a substrate floating table 2200 supported by a substrate floating table base 2220. The substrate floating table base 2220 can be mounted on the printing system base 2100. The substrate floating stage 2200 of the OLED printing system can support the substrate 2050 and define a stroke of the substrate 2050 that can be moved through the gas inclusion assembly 1000 during printing of the OLED substrate. In this regard, the substrate floating table 2200 can be The motion system of the Y-axis motion system as depicted in Figure 20B combines to provide frictionless transfer of the substrate 2050 through the printing system.

21 depicts a frictionless support in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings. A floating stage that, in conjunction with the transport system, achieves a stable transfer of the load of the substrate 2050, such as FIG. 20B. Various embodiments of the floating station can be used with any of the various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings. As previously discussed, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings can handle a range of OLED flat panel display substrate sizes, i.e., from a size less than a 3.5th generation substrate having a size of about 61 cm x 72 cm and progressing to greater The size of the algebra. It should be understood that various embodiments of the gas inclusion system can process a 5.5th generation substrate size having a size of about 130 cm x 150 cm, and a 7.5th generation substrate size having a size of about 195 cm x 225 cm, and can be cut into each The substrate has eight 42" plates or six 47" plates and larger. The 8.5th generation substrate is approximately 220 x 250 cm and can be cut into six 55" plates or eight 46" plates per substrate. However, the substrate algebra size continues to advance so that the currently available 10th substrate generation having a size of about 285 cm x 305 cm does not seem to be the final generation substrate size. Additionally, the dimensions set forth in the terms produced by the use of glass-based substrates can be adapted to substrates having any material suitable for OLED printing. For various embodiments of OLED inkjet printing systems, various substrate materials can be used for substrate 2050 such as, but not limited to, various glass substrate materials and various polymeric substrate materials. Thus, in various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings, there are various substrate sizes and materials that require stable delivery during printing.

As depicted in Figure 21, the substrate floats in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings The stage 2200 can have a floating table base 2220 for supporting a plurality of floating stages. The substrate floating stage 2200 can have a zone 2210 in which both pressure and vacuum can be applied via a plurality of turns. With pressure Such a zone of both force control and vacuum control provides a fluid spring between zone 2210 and a substrate (not shown). Zone 2210, which has both pressure control and vacuum control, is a fluid spring with bi-directional stiffness. The gap that exists between the load and the surface of the floating table is called the fly height. A region of zone 2210, such as substrate floating table 2200 of Figure 21, can provide a controllable fly height for loads such as substrates in which a plurality of pressure ports and vacuum ports are used to create a fluid spring having bi-directional stiffness.

The adjacent area 2210 is a first transition area 2211 and a second transition area 2212, respectively. And then adjacent to the first transition zone 2211 and the second transition zone 2212 are pressure unique zones 2213 and 2214, respectively. In the transition zones, the ratio of pressure nozzles to vacuum nozzles gradually increases toward the pressure only zone to provide a gradual transition from zone 2210 to zones 2213 and 2214. As indicated in Figure 21, Figure 14B depicts an expanded view of three zones. For various embodiments of the substrate floating table, such as depicted in FIG. 21, the pressure unique regions 2213, 2214 are depicted as including a rail structure. For various embodiments of the substrate floating table, the pressure unique zone, such as the pressure unique zones 2213, 2214 of FIG. 21, can comprise a continuous plate, such as the continuous plate depicted for the pressure-vacuum zone 2210 of FIG.

For various embodiments of the floating table as depicted in Figure 21, pressure-vacuum There may be a substantially uniform height between the zone, the transition zone and the pressure zone, such that within the tolerances, the three zones are substantially in one plane and the length may vary. For example, but without limitation, to provide a sense of scale and proportion, for various embodiments of the floating station of the present teachings, the transition zone may be about 400 mm and the pressure only zone may be about 2.5 m, and The pressure-vacuum zone can be about 800 mm. In Figure 21, the pressure unique zones 2213 and 2214 do not provide a fluid spring with bi-directional stiffness and therefore do not provide the control that the zone 2210 can provide. Therefore, the flying height above the unique zone of pressure can generally be greater than the flying height of the substrate above the pressure-vacuum zone. Degrees in order to allow sufficient height so that the load will not collide with the floating table in the unique zone of pressure. For example, but without limitation, it may be desirable to process an OLED panel substrate having a flying height between about 150[mu] to about 300[mu] above the pressure unique regions such as regions 2213 and 2214, and subsequently a pressure-vacuum such as region 2210. Above the zone there is a flying height of between about 30μ and about 50μ.

Various embodiments of the substrate floating table 2200 can be housed in a gas enclosure, the gas The body package includes a gas inclusion assembly of the teachings such as, but not limited to, the gas inclusion assemblies depicted and described in Figures 3 and 19, which may be as shown in Figures 15-18. The integration of various system functions described by them. For example, various embodiments of gas inclusion systems may utilize a pressurized inert gas recirculation system for operation of various pneumatic operating devices and equipment. Additionally, as previously discussed, embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly of the present teachings can be maintained at a slightly positive pressure relative to the external environment, such as, but not limited to, a pressure of between about 2 mbarg to about 8 mbarg. Maintaining a pressurized inert gas recirculation system within a gas enclosure system can be challenging because it requires a slight positive internal pressure to maintain the gas inclusion system while continuously introducing pressurized gas into the gas inclusion system. And continuous balancing action. In addition, the variable requirements of various pneumatic operating devices and equipment can create an irregular pressure profile for various gas inclusion assemblies and systems of the present teachings. Thus, maintaining dynamic pressure balance of a gas enclosure system that maintains a slightly positive pressure relative to the external environment under such conditions can provide continuous OLED printing process integrity.

Referring back to FIG. 20B, the printing system base 2100 can include a first riser (not Visible) and the second riser 2122, the bridge 2130 is mounted on the second riser. For various embodiments of the OLED printing system 2000, the bridge 2130 can support the first X, Z-axis bracket assembly 2301 and a second X, Z-axis bracket assembly 2302 that can control movement of the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502, respectively. Although FIG. 20B depicts two carriage assemblies and two print head assemblies, for various embodiments of the OLED inkjet printing system 2000, there may be a single carriage assembly and a single print head assembly. For example, any of the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 can be mounted on the X, Z-axis bracket assembly, and the camera system for inspecting the features of the substrate 2050 can be mounted on The second X, Z-axis bracket assembly. Various embodiments of the OLED inkjet printing system 2000 can have a single printhead system, for example, any of the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 can be mounted to an X, Z-axis bracket On the assembly, a UV lamp for curing the encapsulation layer printed on the substrate 2050 can be mounted on the second X, Z-axis carrier assembly. For various embodiments of the OLED inkjet printing system 2000, there may be a single printhead assembly, such as one of the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502, mounted to X, A heat source for curing the encapsulation layer printed on the substrate 2050 can be mounted on the second carrier assembly.

In Figure 20B, the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301 can be used to print the first print The head assembly 2501 is positioned above the substrate 2050, and the first print head assembly is mountable on the first Z-axis moving plate 2310, the substrate being shown supported on the substrate floating table 2200. The second X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2302 can be similarly configured to control the movement of the second print head assembly 2502 relative to the X-Z axis of the substrate 2050. Each of the printhead assemblies, such as the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 of Figure 20B, can have a plurality of printheads mounted in at least one of the printhead assemblies, such as the first column Depicted in a partial view of the printhead assembly 2501, the partial view depicts a plurality of printheads 2505. The printhead device can include, for example, but not limited to, fluid and electrical connections to at least one of the printheads; each printhead has a plurality of sprays capable of ejecting ink at a controlled rate, speed, and size. Mouth or orifice. For various embodiments of the printing system 2000, the printhead assembly can include between about 1 and about 60 printhead devices, wherein each printhead device can have a printhead device in each of the printhead devices. A print head between about 1 and about 30. For example, a printhead of an industrial inkjet head can have between about 16 and about 2048 nozzles that can eject a droplet volume between about 0.1 pL and about 200 pL.

Gas inclusion assembly 1000 and printing system 2000 according to Figs. 20A and 20B In various embodiments, the printing system can have a printhead management system mountable adjacent to the printhead assembly, for example, the first printhead management system 2701 and the second printhead management system 2702 can be mounted first The print head management system platform 2703 and the second print head management system platform 2704 are mounted. The first print head management system platform 2703 and the second print head management system platform 2704 are depicted in FIG. 20B as being attached to the floating stage base 2100. Various embodiments of the printhead management system can perform various measurement tasks and maintenance tasks on the printhead assembly. The various measurements performed on the printhead can include, for example, but are not limited to, inspecting nozzle emissions, measuring droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory, and tuning the printheads such that each nozzle ejects droplets of known volume. Maintenance of the print head may include, for example but without limitation, a process such as print head rinsing and priming, which requires collecting and containing ink ejected from the print head; removing excess ink after rinsing or priming procedures, and print heads Or replacement of the print head unit. In a printing process, such as for the printing of OLED display panel substrates, reliable emission of the nozzles is critical to ensure that the printing process can produce a qualified OLED panel display. It is therefore necessary that the various procedures associated with printhead management can be easily and reliably performed to eliminate or minimize the exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors and Particulate pollutants. According to various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system package can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can affect the printing of contaminants. The contaminant is removed prior to the process.

Various embodiments of a gas enclosure system in accordance with the teachings herein, in view of the number The plurality of print head devices and the print heads, the first print head management system 2701 and the second print head management system 2702 can be housed in the auxiliary package, and the auxiliary package can be isolated during the printing process so as to be Perform various measurement tasks and maintenance tasks with little or no interruption in the printing process. As can be seen in Figure 20B, it can be seen that the first printhead assembly 2501 is positioned relative to the first printhead management system 2701 in preparation for performing various amounts that can be performed by the first printhead management system devices 2707, 2709, and 2711. Test procedures and maintenance procedures. Devices 2707, 2709, and 2011 can be any of a variety of subsystems or modules for performing various printhead management functions. For example, the devices 2707, 2709, and 2011 can be any of a droplet measurement module, a printhead replacement module, a rinse tank module, and a blotter paper module.

In retrospect, the printhead assembly can include between about 1 and about 60 printheads. A device wherein each of the printhead devices can have between about 1 and about 30 printheads in each of the printhead devices. Thus, various embodiments of the printing system of the present teachings can have between about 1 and about 1800 printheads. A large number of print heads may require periodic measurement and maintenance procedures to be performed as needed. For example, the droplet measurement module can be used for maintenance tasks, such as checking nozzle firing and measuring the droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory from each nozzle in the printhead. The rinsing pool module can be used to priming and rinsing the print head by ejecting ink from the ink supply through the print head and into the waste pool, while the blotter module can be used to wipe or blot excess of the surface of the ink jet nozzle Ink.

In this respect, each subsystem can have various components, and the components It is consumable and needs to be replaced, such as replacing blotting paper, ink and waste storage. The various consumable parts can be packaged to prepare for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. Make By way of non-limiting example, the blotter paper can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into an ink absorbing module for use. By way of another non-limiting example, the ink can be packaged in a replaceable reservoir and cartridge format for use in a printing system. Various embodiments of the waste reservoir can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into a rinse tank module for use. In addition, components that are subject to the various components of the continuously used printing system may require periodic replacement. During the printing process, expediency management of the printhead assembly may be required, such as, but not limited to, the exchange of printhead devices or printheads. The printhead replacement module can have many components, such as a printhead device or a printhead, which can be easily inserted into the printhead assembly for use. The droplet measurement module for inspecting nozzle emissions and measuring optical detection based on droplet volume, velocity and trajectory from each nozzle may have sources and detectors that may need to be periodically replaced after use. The various consumable and high usage components can be packaged for preparation for insertion, for example, using a handler in a fully automated mode or by an end user mitigation exchange. Thus, automated or end-user mitigation of the various components of the printing system with the auxiliary package ensures that the printing process can continue uninterrupted. As depicted in FIG. 20B, first printhead management system devices 2707, 2709, and 2711 can be mounted on linear guide motion system 2705 for positioning relative to first printhead assembly 2501.

Regarding having a sealable and separate from the first working volume and being sealable Various embodiments of a gas inclusion assembly of an auxiliary package isolated from the first working volume are again referenced to FIG. 20A. As depicted in Figure 20B, there may be four isolators on the OLED printing system 2000; a first isolator group 2110 (not shown on the opposite side of the second isolator) and a second isolator group 2112 (not shown) A second isolator, shown on the opposite side, supports the substrate floating table 2200 of the OLED printing system 2000. For the gas inclusion assembly 1000 of Figure 20A, a first isolator set 2110 and a second isolator set 2112 can be mounted in each individual isolator wall panel, For example, it is mounted in the first isolator wall panel 1325' and the second isolator wall panel 1327' of the intermediate base panel assembly 1320'. For the gas enclosure assembly 1000 of Figure 20A, the intermediate base assembly 1320' can include a first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and a second printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. The gas inclusion body assembly 1000 of Figure 20A depicts a first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' that can include a first back wall panel assembly 1338'. Similarly, a second printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' that can include a second back wall panel assembly 1378' is also depicted. The first back wall panel assembly 1338' of the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can be constructed in a manner similar to that shown for the second back wall panel assembly 1378'. The second back wall panel assembly 1378' of the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' can be constructed from a second back wall frame assembly 1378 having a second seal support panel 1375, which can be configured Mounted to the second back wall frame assembly 1378 in a sealable manner. The second seal support panel 1375 can have a second passage 1365 adjacent the second end of the base 2100 (not shown). The second seal 1367 can be mounted on the second seal support panel 1375 surrounding the second passage 1365. The first seal can similarly be positioned and mounted about the first passage for the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. Each of the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the auxiliary panel assembly 1370' can be adapted such that each of the first maintenance system platform 2703 and the second maintenance system platform 2704 of FIG. 20B passes through each channel . As will be discussed in more detail later, to isolate the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the auxiliary panel assembly 1370' in a sealable manner, the passages such as the second passage 1365 of Figure 20A must be sealable. It should be contemplated that various seals, such as inflatable seals, bellows seals, and lip seals, can be used to seal a passage such as the second passage 1365 of Figure 20A about a maintenance platform attached to the print system base.

The first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management The system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' can include a first printhead assembly opening 1342 of the first backplane panel assembly 1341' and a second printhead assembly opening 1382 of the second backplane panel assembly 1381', respectively. The first floor panel assembly 1341' is depicted in FIG. 20A as part of the first intermediate body panel assembly 1340' of the intermediate panel assembly 1300'. The first floor panel assembly 1341' is a panel assembly that is shared by both the first intermediate body panel assembly 1340' and the first row head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. The second floor panel assembly 1381' is depicted in Figure 20A as part of the second intermediate body panel assembly 1380' of the intermediate panel assembly 1300'. The second floor panel assembly 1381' is a panel assembly that is shared by both the second intermediate body panel assembly 1380' and the second row head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'.

As mentioned previously, the first print head assembly 2501 can be accommodated in the first print head The assembly head 2503 is in the assembly and the second print head assembly 2502 can be received in the second print head assembly package 2504. As will be discussed in more detail later, the first printhead assembly body 2503 and the second printhead assembly package 2504 can have openings at the bottom that can have a rim (not shown) to enable various The printhead assembly can be positioned for printing during the printing process. Additionally, portions of the first printhead assembly body 2503 and the second printhead assembly body 2504 that form the outer casing can be constructed as previously described for the various panel assemblies to enable the frame assembly members and panels to provide Closed sealed enclosure.

Compressible gaskets, such as previously described for hermetic seals of various frame members Attaching each of the first printhead assembly opening 1342 and the second printhead assembly opening 1382, or alternatively, surrounding the first printhead assembly package 2503 and the second printhead assembly package The rim of the body 2504 is attached.

As depicted in Figure 20A, the first print head assembly docking pad 1345 and the second The print head assembly docking pad 1385 can respectively surround the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print The head assembly opening 1382 is attached. During the various printhead measurement and maintenance procedures, the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 can be coupled to the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly system 2301 and the second X, respectively. The Z-axis bracket assembly 2302 is positioned over the first printhead assembly opening 1342 of the first floor panel assembly 1341' and the second printhead assembly opening 1382 of the second floor panel assembly 1381', respectively. In this regard, for various printhead measurement and maintenance procedures, the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 can be positioned respectively in the first backplane panel assembly 1341' a print head assembly opening 1342 and a second print head assembly opening 1382 of the second bottom panel assembly 1381', without covering or sealing the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly Opening 1382. The first X, Z-axis bracket assembly 2301 and the second X- and Z-axis bracket assembly 2302 can respectively respectively respectively the first print head assembly body 2503 and the second print head assembly package 2504 A print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and a second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' are docked. In various print head measurement and maintenance procedures, such docking effectively closes the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly opening 1382 without sealing the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second row of print head assemblies opening 1382. For various printhead measurement and maintenance procedures, the docking may include the formation of a shim seal between the printhead assembly package and each of the printhead management system panel assemblies. In combination with a sealable closed passage such as the second passage 1365 of FIG. 20A and the complementary first passage, when the first print head assembly body 2503 and the second print head assembly package 2504 and the first print head management system The auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second row of print head management system auxiliary panel assemblies 1370' are butted to seal the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly opening 1382 in a sealable manner. The combined structure is hermetically sealed.

Therefore, the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly opening The 1382 seal can be used as the auxiliary package section for the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' And separating the second column of print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' as an auxiliary package section from the remaining volume of the gas inclusion body assembly 1000. For various print head measurement and maintenance procedures, the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502 can be respectively connected to the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head total The opening 1382 is formed on one of the spacers in the Z-axis direction, thereby closing the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly opening 1382. According to the teachings, the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second are dependent on the force applied to the first print head assembly body 2503 and the second print head assembly body 2504 in the Z-axis direction. The printhead assembly opening 1382 can be covered or sealed. In this aspect, the force of the sealable first print head assembly opening 1342 applied to the first print head assembly body 2503 in the Z-axis direction can be used to the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly. 1330' is isolated as an auxiliary containment section from the remaining frame member assembly sections that make up the gas inclusion body assembly 1000. Similarly, the force applied to the sealable second printhead assembly opening 1382 of the second printhead assembly body 2504 in the Z-axis direction can be used as the second printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. The auxiliary body section is isolated from the remaining frame member assembly sections that make up the gas enclosure assembly 1000.

22A-22F are schematic cross-sectional views of a gas inclusion body assembly 1001, It may further illustrate various aspects of the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. Various embodiments of a printing system such as the printing system 2000 of Figures 20A and 20B can be symmetrical and can have a first position for positioning the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502, respectively. An X, Z-axis bracket assembly 2301 and a second X- and Z-axis bracket assembly 2302. In addition, various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly can have a first auxiliary package and a second auxiliary package, such as the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' of FIG. 20A and the second print head management system. An auxiliary panel assembly 1370' for docking the first X-axis bracket assembly and A second X-axis bracket assembly that can have at least one printhead assembly and various other devices that may require maintenance. In this regard, with respect to Figures 22A-22D, in view of the symmetry of the printing system of the various printing systems of the present teachings, the following teachings set forth for the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' may be Applicable to the second column head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'.

Figure 22A depicts a schematic cross-sectional view of a gas inclusion assembly 1001, shown The first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. The first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' of FIG. 22A can accommodate a first print head management system 2701 that can be operated by a first print head management system positioning system 2705 relative to the first The print head assembly opening 1342 is positioned. The first print head assembly opening 1342 is an opening in the first floor panel assembly 1341'. The first floor panel is always the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the first intermediate package. Panel assembly 1340' shared panel. The first print head management system positioning system 2705 can be mounted on a first print head management system platform 2703 that can be securely mounted to the first end 2101 of the base 2100. The first printhead management system platform 2703 can extend from the first end 2101 of the base 2100 through the first passage 1361 to the first printhead system auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. Similarly, as depicted in FIG. 22A, the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' of FIG. 22A can accommodate a second print head management system 2702 that can be printed by a second print head. Head management system positioning system 2706 is positioned relative to second printhead assembly opening 1382. The second print head assembly opening 1382 is an opening in the first floor panel assembly 1381'. The first floor panel is always a second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' and a second intermediate package. Panel assembly 1380' shared panel. The second print head management system positioning system 2706 can be installed in the second print head management On the system platform 2704, the second printhead management system platform can extend from the second end 2102 of the base 2100 through the second channel 1365 to the second printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'.

The first seal 1363 can be on the first outer surface of the first seal support panel 1335 The 1337 is mounted around the first channel 1361. Similarly, the second seal 1367 can be mounted around the second passage 1365 on the second outer surface 1377 of the second seal support panel 1375. With respect to seals 1361 and 1367 of Figure 22A, it should be noted that various gaskets providing mechanical seals can be used to seal passages 1361 and 1367.

In various embodiments, inflation for sealing channels 1361 and 1367 can be used Gasket. Various embodiments of the inflatable gasket can be made from a self-reinforced elastomeric material into a hollow molded structure that can be in a recessed configuration, a spiral configuration, or a flat configuration when not inflated. In various embodiments, the gasket can be mounted on the first outer surface 1337 of the first seal support panel 1335 and the second outer surface 1377 of the second seal support panel 1375 for sealing in a sealable manner around the base 2100, respectively. Channels 1361 and 1367 are closed. Thus, various embodiments of the inflatable gasket for sealing the passages 1361 and 1367 in a sealable manner around the base 2100 can be respectively mounted on the mounting surface when inflated using any of a variety of suitable fluid media such as, but not limited to, an inert gas. Forming a tight barrier between the impact surface, such as a first outer surface 1337 of the first seal support panel 1335 and a second outer surface 1377 of the second seal support panel 1375, such as the first end of the base 2100 2101 and the surface of the second end 2012. In various embodiments, inflatable gaskets can be mounted to the first end 2101 and the second end 2012 of the base, respectively, thereby sealing the channels 1361 and 1367. In this regard, for various embodiments, the first end 2101 and the second end 2012 of the base 2100 can be a mounting surface, and the first outer surface 1337 of the first sealing support panel 1335 and the second sealing support panel 1375 The two outer surfaces 1377 can each be an impact surface. That should In aspects, various embodiments of the conformal seal can be used to seal the channels 1361 and 1365 in a sealable manner.

In addition to various embodiments of inflatable gaskets, such as bellows seals or lips The flexible seal of the seal can also be used to seal passages such as channels 1361 and 1365 of Figure 22A. Various embodiments of the flexible seal may be permanently attached, such as to the first outer surface 1337 of the first seal support panel 1335 and the second outer surface 1377 of the second seal support panel 1375. Alternatively, various embodiments of the flexible seal can be permanently attached to the first end 2101 and the second end 2102 of the base 2100. Such a permanent attachment seal can provide the flexibility needed to accommodate the various translational and vibratory movements of the base 2100 while providing a hermetic seal for passages such as channels 1361 and 1365.

Closed version of various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly with the teachings of the present teachings Sealing the various challenges associated with forming a conformal seal around a well defined edge can be problematic. In various embodiments of the gas enclosure, wherein a seal is applied around a structure, such as a first printhead management system platform 2703 and a second print respectively attached to the first end 2101 and the second end 2012 of the base 2100, respectively. Head management system platform 2703. These platform structures can be fabricated to eliminate well-defined edges that require sealing. For example, the first printhead management system platform 2703 and the second printhead management system platform 2703 attached to the first end 2101 and the second end 2012 of the base 2100 can be initially fabricated to have a circular lateral orientation for facilitating sealing. edge. The first printhead management system platform 2703 and the second printhead management system platform 2703 attached to the first end 2101 and the second end 2012 of the base 2100 can be provided with stability required to support the printhead management system It is also made of materials modified to promote sealing, such as, but not limited to, granite and steel.

22B and 22C illustrate each of the gas inclusion assemblies 1001 of the present teachings. Covering and sealing of openings and passages, examples of such illustrations, for various procedures related to the management of the print head assembly, the first print head assembly 2501 relative to the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly Positioning of the 1330'. As previously mentioned, the following teachings for the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' may also be applied to the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'.

In FIG. 22B, the first print head assembly 2501 can include at least one column A printhead device 2505 of the printhead, the at least one printhead comprising a plurality of nozzles or orifices. The print head device 2505 can be received in the first print head assembly package 2503. The first print head assembly package can have a first print head assembly package opening 2507, and the print head device 2505 can The first row of print head assembly opening openings are positioned such that during printing, the nozzles eject ink at a controlled rate, speed and size onto the substrate mounted on the substrate floating table 2200. As previously discussed, the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301 can be controlled to position the first printhead assembly 2501 over the substrate for printing during the printing process. Additionally, as depicted in FIG. 22B, for various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly 1001, a first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301 having controllable XZ-axis movement can position the first printhead assembly 2501 Above the first row of printhead assembly openings 1342. As depicted in Figure 22B, the first printhead assembly opening 1342 of the first floor panel assembly 1341' is a first intermediate package panel assembly 1340' and a first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' Share.

The first print head assembly body 2503 of Figure 22B can include a first print head assembly The body rim 2509 can be an abutment surface that surrounds the first row of head assembly openings 1342 and the first floor panel assembly 1341'. The first printhead assembly wrap rim 2509 can engage the first printhead assembly docking pad 1345, which is depicted in Fig. 22B as being attached around the first printhead assembly opening 1342. Although the first print head assembly body rim 2509 is depicted as an inwardly protruding knot Any of the various rims can be constructed on the first print head assembly body 2503. Additionally, although the first printhead assembly docking pad 1345 is depicted in FIG. 22B as being attached around the first printhead assembly opening 1342, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill that the spacer 1345 can be attached to the first column. The print head assembly body rim 2509. The first row of print head docking pads 1345 can be any of the gasket materials as previously described for the sealing frame member assembly. In various embodiments of the gas enclosure assembly 1001 of FIG. 22B, the first printhead assembly docking pad 1345 can be an inflatable gasket, such as a gasket 1363. In this regard, the first row of print head docking pads 1345 can be an inflatable gasket as previously described with respect to Figure 22A. As previously suggested, the first seal 1363 can be mounted about the first channel 1361 on the first outer surface 1337 of the first seal support panel 1335.

As depicted in Figures 22B and 22C, for fully automatic mode The first print head assembly 2501 can remain positioned above the first print head assembly opening 1342 in terms of various measurement and maintenance procedures. In this regard, the first print head assembly 2501 can be adjusted in the Z-axis direction by the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301 to print the print head relative to the first print head management system 2701. Device 2505 is positioned above first printhead assembly opening 1342. Additionally, the first print head management system 2701 can be adjusted in the Y-X axis direction on the first print head management system positioning system 2705 to position the first print head management system 2701 relative to the print head unit 2505. In various programs related to the management of the print head assembly, the first print head assembly 2501 can be placed by the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301 in the Z-axis direction for further adjustment. The first print head assembly wrap 2503 is placed in contact with the first print head assembly pad 1345 to cover the first print head assembly opening 1342 (not shown). As depicted in Figure 22C, for various maintenance procedures related to the management of the printhead assembly, such as, but not limited to, maintenance procedures that require direct access to the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330', By the first X, Z axis The carriage assembly 2301 is further adjusted in the Z-axis direction to interface the first print head assembly 2501 with the first print head assembly docking pad 1345 to seal the first print head assembly opening 1342. As previously mentioned, the first row of print head docking pads 1345 can be a compressible gasket material as previously described for the hermetic seal of various frame members, or an inflatable cushion as previously described with respect to Figure 22A. sheet. Additionally, as depicted in Figure 22C, the inflatable gasket 1363 can be inflated thereby sealing the first passage 1361 in a sealable manner. In addition, portions of the first printhead assembly body 2503 that form the outer casing can be constructed as previously described for the various panel assemblies such that the frame assembly members and panels can provide a closed enclosure. Therefore, for FIG. 22C, when the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the first passage 1361 are hermetically sealed, the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the gas inclusion body can be The remaining volume of 1001 is isolated.

In Figures 22D and 22E, various embodiments of a gas enclosure 1001 are depicted, The first print head management system 2701 and the second print head management system 2702 can be respectively installed on the first print head management system platform 2703 and the second print head management system platform 2704. In FIG. 22D and FIG. 22E, the first print head management system platform 2703 and the second print head management system platform 2704 are respectively wrapped in the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print. Head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. As previously mentioned, the following teachings for the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' may also be applied to the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370'. In this regard, as depicted in FIG. 22D, the first print head assembly 2501 and the first can be made by the first X, Z-axis bracket assembly 2301 with sufficient force applied in the Z-axis direction. The printhead assembly docking pad 1345 is docked such that the first printhead assembly opening 1342 can be sealed. Thus, for FIG. 22D, when the first printhead assembly opening 1342 is hermetically sealed, the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can be residual with the gas inclusion assembly 1001. Separate from.

Various implementations of the gas inclusion assembly 1001 as previously described with respect to Figures 22A-22C As taught by the example, during various procedures associated with the management of the printhead assembly, the printhead can remain positioned over the first printhead assembly opening 1342 without covering or sealing the first printhead assembly opening. 1342 to close the first printhead assembly opening 1342. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly 1001, such as, but not limited to, for various maintenance procedures, the printhead assembly can be placed in contact with the spacer to cover the printhead by adjusting the Z-axis. The assembly is open. In this regard, Figure 22E can be interpreted in two ways. In a first explanation, the first row of printhead docking pads 1345 and the second row of head assembly docking pads 1385 can be made of a compressible gasket material such as the hermetic seal previously described for various frame members. . In Figure 22E, the first print head assembly 2501 has been positioned over the first print head management system 2701 in the Z-axis direction such that the spacer 1345 has been compressed thereby sealing the first print in a sealable manner. The head assembly opening 1342. In comparison, the second print head assembly 2502 has been positioned over the second print head management system 2702 in the Z-axis direction to contact the second print head assembly docking pad 1385, thereby overwriting the The two-row head assembly opening 1382. In a second explanation, the first printhead assembly docking pad 1345 and the second row of printhead docking pads 1385 can be inflatable gaskets as previously described with respect to Figure 22A. In FIG. 22E, the first print head assembly 2501 can be positioned over the first print head management system 2701 in the Z-axis direction to contact the first print head assembly docking pad 1345 prior to being inflated. Thereby the first print head assembly opening 1342 is covered. In comparison, the second print head assembly 2502 has been positioned over the second maintenance system assembly 2702 in the Z-axis direction so that when the second print head assembly docking pad 1385 is inflated, the second column The printhead assembly opening 1382 is sealed in a sealable manner.

Figure 22F depicts, for example, the use of the first print head management system as exemplified The volume defined by the booster panel assembly 1330' and the second row of printhead management system auxiliary panel assemblies 1370' can be sealed using a cover such as, but not limited to, a gate-valve assembly. The following teachings for the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' can be applied to the print head management system panel assembly and the gas package assembly. Various embodiments. As depicted in FIG. 22F, the first print head assembly opening 1342 and the second print head assembly are closed using, for example, but not limited to, a first print head assembly gate valve 1347 and a second print head assembly gate valve 1387, respectively. The opening 1382 can provide continuous operation of the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502, respectively. As depicted in the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' of FIG. 22F, the first print head assembly gate valve 1347 is used to seal the first print head assembly opening 1342 in a sealable manner and in a sealable manner Closing the first passage 1361 around the base 2100 can be performed remotely and automatically. Similarly, as depicted in the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' of FIG. 22F, the second print head assembly gate 1387 can be used to seal the second print head assembly opening 1382 in a sealable manner. It is done automatically and automatically. It should be noted that the volume defined by the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be isolated, for example by the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370 'Defined volume to facilitate various print head measurement and maintenance procedures while still providing continuity with the printing process of the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502.

As mentioned previously, the first print head assembly docking pad 1345 and the second print The head assembly docking pads 1385 can be attached around the first printhead assembly opening 1342 and the second printhead assembly opening 1382, respectively. In addition, as depicted in FIG. 22F, the first print head assembly butt pad 1345 and the second print head assembly docking pad 1385 can surround the first print head assembly wrap rim 2509 and the second, respectively. The print head assembly body rim 2510 is attached. When the maintenance of the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502 is indicated, the first print head assembly gate valve 1347 and the second print head assembly gate The valve 1387 can be opened, and the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502 can be combined with the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly. 1370' docking as previously described.

For example, but without limitation, it can be managed by isolating the first print head separately The system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and the second column head management system panel assembly 1370' are implemented on the first column head management system 2701 and the second column head management system 2702 in connection with the management of the print head assembly. Any program without interrupting the printing process. It should be further covered that the loading of the new printhead or printhead assembly into the system, or the removal of the printhead or printhead assembly from the system, can be aided by the first printhead management system, respectively. The panel assembly 1330' and the second intermediate printhead management system panel assembly 1370' are isolated without interrupting the printing process. Such activities may be facilitated automatically, for example, but not limited to, using a robot. For example, but without limitation, an auxiliary frame member stored in an auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and a second head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370', such as the first print head management system of FIG. 22F, may be used. The print head in the volume defined by the assembly section is robotically retrieved, and then the first print head assembly 2501 print head device 2505 or the second print head assembly 2502 print head device 2506 The faulty print head is changed to a valid print head by the robot. This can then be automatically stored in the module in the first print head management system 2701 or the second print head management system 2702. These maintenance procedures can be implemented in an automatic mode without interrupting the ongoing printing process.

The faulty print head robot is in the first print head management system 2701 or the second print After storage in the head management system 2702, the first printhead assembly opening 1342 and the second are closed by using, for example, but not limited to, a first printhead assembly gate valve 1347 and a second printhead assembly gate valve 1387, respectively. The print head assembly opening 1382 can be sealed and isolated in a sealable manner by A print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' and a second print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1370' of the auxiliary frame member assembly section defined by the volume. In addition, the volume defined by the auxiliary frame member assembly section can then be opened to the atmosphere, for example, according to prior teachings, such that the faulty print head can be retrieved and replaced. As will be discussed in more detail later, since various embodiments of the gas purification system are designed relative to the volume of the overall gas inclusion body assembly, the gas purification resources can be dedicated to rinsing by the auxiliary frame member assembly section space. A significantly reduced volume in the defined volume, thereby significantly reducing the system recovery time by the volume defined by the auxiliary frame member assembly section. In this regard, various procedures associated with managing the printhead assembly that require the auxiliary frame member assembly section to be open to the atmosphere can be implemented without interruption or minimal interruption of the ongoing printing process.

Figure 23 depicts a gas inclusion assembly and system housed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An expanded view of the first print head management system 2701 within the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' of various embodiments. As previously discussed, the printhead management system can include, for example, but is not limited to, a droplet measurement module, a rinsing station, an ink absorbing station, and a printhead exchange station. In various embodiments of the printhead management system, the droplet measurement module can perform measurements on the printhead, such as checking nozzle firing, measuring droplet volume, velocity, and trajectory, and tuning the printhead to make each A nozzle ejects droplets of known volume. For various embodiments of the printhead management system, the rinsing station can be used to priming and flushing the printhead, which requires collecting and enclosing the ink ejected from the printhead, while the ink absorbing station can be used in the priming procedure or rinsing procedure. Excess ink is then removed. Additionally, the printhead management system can include one or more printhead exchange stations for receiving one or more printheads or printhead devices that have been removed from the printhead assembly, the print The head assembly, such as the first print head assembly 2501 and the second print head assembly 2502 of Figure 20B; and for storing print heads or print head devices, such print heads or print heads The device can be loaded into the first printhead assembly 2501 and the second printhead assembly 2502 during various programs associated with managing the printhead assembly.

A print head management system according to the teachings (such as the first print of Figure 23) The various embodiments of the head management system 2701, devices 2707, 2709, and 2011) may be various modules for performing various functions. For example, the devices 2707, 2709, and 2011 can be one or more of a droplet measurement module, a printhead replacement module, a rinse tank module, and a blotter paper module. The first print head management system 2701 can be mounted on the first print head management system positioning system 2705. The first print head management system positioning system 2705 can provide Y-axis movement to selectively align each of the various modules with the print head assembly with the first print head assembly opening 1342, the column The printhead assembly has a printhead device with at least one printhead, such as the printhead assembly 2505 of Figure 22B. The positioning of the various modules with the printhead assembly (the printhead assembly having at least one printhead) can use the first printhead management system positioning system 2705 and such as Figure 20B. A combination of the first X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2301's printhead assembly positioning system is utilized. For various embodiments of the gas assembly system of the present teachings, the printhead management system positioning system 2705 can provide various modules of the first printhead management system 2701 relative to the first printhead assembly opening 1342. The YX is positioned while the first XZ-axis carriage assembly 2301 can provide XZ positioning of the first print head assembly 2501 above the first print head assembly opening 1342. In this regard, a printhead device with at least one printhead can be positioned over or within the first printhead assembly opening 1342 for maintenance.

24A depicts a gas inclusion assembly and system housed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. An expanded view of the first print head management system 2701A within the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' of various embodiments. As depicted in Figure 24A, the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' is shown lacking a front removable service window to more clearly observe the details of the first print head management system 2701A. Section. Various embodiments of a printhead management system (such as the first printhead management system 2701A, devices 2707, 2709, and 2011 of Figure 24A) in accordance with the teachings herein can be various subsystems or modules for performing various functions. For example, the devices 2707, 2709, and 2011 can be a droplet measurement module, a printhead rinse tank module, and a blotter paper module. As depicted in Figure 24A, the printhead replacement module 2713 can provide a location for docking at least one of the printhead devices 2505. In various embodiments of the first printhead management system 2701A, the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can be maintained at the same environmental specifications as the maintenance gas enclosure assembly 1000 (see Figure 19). The first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can have a handler 2530 that is positioned to perform tasks associated with various print head management programs. For example, each subsystem can have various components that are inherently consumable and need to be replaced, such as replacing blotter paper, ink, and waste reservoirs. The various consumable parts can be packaged to prepare for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. As a non-limiting example, the blotter paper can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into an ink absorbing module for use. By way of another non-limiting example, the ink can be packaged in a replaceable reservoir and cartridge format for use in a printing system. Various embodiments of the waste reservoir can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into a rinse tank module for use. In addition, components that are subject to the various components of the continuously used printing system may require periodic replacement. During the printing process, expediency management of the printhead assembly may be required, such as, but not limited to, the exchange of printhead devices or printheads. The printhead replacement module can have many components, such as a printhead device or a printhead, which can be easily inserted into the printhead assembly for use. The droplet measurement module for inspecting nozzle emissions and measuring optical detection based on droplet volume, velocity and trajectory from each nozzle may have sources and detectors that may need to be periodically replaced after use. Various consumable and high usage components can be packaged for preparation for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. The handler 2530 can have a terminator 2536 mounted to the arm 2534. Various embodiments of the terminator configuration can be used, such as blade type terminators, clip type terminators, and clamp type terminators. Various embodiments of the terminator can include a mechanical grip and clamping assembly, and a pneumatic or vacuum assist assembly to actuate portions of the terminator or otherwise hold the printhead device or from the printhead device Print the head.

Regarding the replacement of the print head device or the print head, the print head management system of Figure 24A The printhead replacement module 2713 of the 2701A can include a docking station for a printhead device having at least one printhead and a storage container for the printhead. Since each print head assembly (see FIG. 20B) can include between about 1 and about 60 print head devices, and since each print head device can have between about 1 and about 30 The various print heads, and thus the various embodiments of the printing system of the present teachings, can have between about 1 and about 1800 print heads. In various embodiments of the printhead replacement module 2013, each of the printheads mounted to the printhead device can be maintained in an operable condition while not being used in the printing system while the printhead device is docked. status. For example, each of the print heads on each of the print head devices can be coupled to the ink supply and electrical connections when placed in the docking station. A source can be provided to each of the printheads on each of the printhead devices such that a periodic firing pulse can be applied to each of the nozzles of each of the printheads during docking to ensure that the nozzles remain energized and are not clogged. The handler 2530 of Figure 24A can be positioned adjacent to the printhead assembly 2500. As depicted in Figure 24A, the printhead assembly 2500 can be docked over the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. During the process for swapping the printheads, the handler 2530 can remove the target component from the printhead assembly 2500, either a printhead or a printhead device having at least one printhead. The handler 2530 can retrieve replacement components such as a printhead device or a printhead from the printhead replacement module 2013 and complete the replacement process. The removed component can be placed in the printhead replacement module 2713 for retrieval.

As depicted in Figure 24B, the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can have a front mounted The first removable service window 130A and the second removable service window 130B on the board are for ready access from outside the gas enclosure such as the gas enclosure 1000 of FIG. 20A. Additionally, a load lock such as load lock 1350 can be mounted to the wall panel of the auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. In accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, the printhead management process illustrated by FIG. 24A as illustrated by FIG. 24A can be performed remotely by the end user via various glove ferrules, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B. The various positions of the gloves and glove ferrules are shown.

Moreover, for various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, negative The load lock 1350 can be used to transfer various components of the subsystems and modules of the various embodiments of the print head management system used in the present teachings. The various replacement components of the printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A are, for example, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device, and the handler 2530 of Figure 24A can be used. Transfer to the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' using the load lock 1350, and move to the printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A. Conversely, components that need to be replaced, such as, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device, may be self-printing head management system 2701A by the handler 2530 of Figure 24A. Removed and placed in load lock 1350. In accordance with the present teachings, the load lock 1350 can have a gate that is open to the exterior of the gas enclosure, such as the gas enclosure 1000 of Figure 20A, while allowing access to the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' to be closed, thereby being used for transferring components. Only load lock 1350 is exposed to ambient gas during the procedure. After the procedure for retrieving the component, the procedure for replacing the component, or both have been completed, the gate for the load lock 1350 that is allowed to enter the outside of the gas enclosure can be closed, and the load lock 1350 can undergo a recovery procedure to load The gas environment of the lock is restored to the target specification. In the next step, the gate between the load lock 1350 and the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can be opened for retrieval from the auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. Returning or removing the components and transferring the replacement components to the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can all be performed by a handler such as the handler 2530 of Figure 24A.

In view of the fact that the load lock 1350 is substantially larger than the volume of the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' With a small volume, the recovery time is substantially shorter than the recovery time for the auxiliary panel assembly 1330', allowing the components between the load lock 1350 and the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' to be ready for transfer without interrupting the printing process. . Additionally, if any maintenance that requires direct access to the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' is indicated, the removable service windows 130A and 130B may allow for external auxiliary panel assembly 1330' from a gas enclosure such as the gas enclosure 1000 of Figure 20A. This kind of direct entry. In view of the substantially small volume of the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' compared to the volume of the working volume of the gas enclosure such as the gas enclosure 1000 of Figure 20A, the recovery time for the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' is greater than that for the gas The recovery time of the overall working volume of the inclusion body is substantially short. Thus, all steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process. In this regard, various embodiments of the auxiliary panel assembly 1330' can provide for a fully automated replacement of components in the printhead management system while maintaining an inert, particle-free environment with little or no interruption in the printing process.

Figure 25 illustrates an expanded perspective view of the first print head management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330'. As indicated, it should be contemplated that the volume of the various printhead management system panel assemblies, such as the first printhead management system auxiliary panel assembly 1330', may be about 2 ^m3 . It should be contemplated that various embodiments of the auxiliary frame member assembly section can have a volume of about 1 m ³ , while for various embodiments of the auxiliary frame member assembly section, the volume can be about 10 m ³ . For various embodiments of a gas inclusion assembly such as gas inclusion assembly 100 of FIG. 3 and gas inclusion assembly 1000 of FIG. 19, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be an inclusion body of a gas inclusion system The fractional value of the volume. For example, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 1% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas enclosure system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 2% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas enclosure system. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 5% of the total volume of the gas enclosure system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 10% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas enclosure system. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion body assembly, the auxiliary frame member assembly section can be less than or equal to about 20% of the volume of the inclusion body of the gas inclusion system. Thus, in view of the relatively small volume of the auxiliary package, the recovery of the auxiliary package can be significantly less than the recovery time of the overall printing system package.

The various programs associated with printhead management can be performed in a fully automated mode. Such as As will be discussed in more detail later, in some cases, where a degree of end user intervention can be indicated during various procedures associated with the management of the printhead assembly, the end user can enter via, for example, a glove cover. The circle is performed externally. As previously discussed, various embodiments of a gas inclusion assembly having an auxiliary inclusion as a section of a gas inclusion assembly are effective in reducing OLED printing processes as depicted in Figures 19-25. The volume of inert gas required, while at the same time providing ready access to the interior of the gas enclosure.

a gas package having an auxiliary package configured as a section of a gas inclusion assembly In addition to the various embodiments of the body system, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be associated with the gas enclosure system without the need for an auxiliary frame member assembly section configured as a gas enclosure assembly.

For example, for various embodiments of the gas enclosure system of the present teachings, The auxiliary enclosure can be an adjustable controlled environment enclosure. According to the present teachings, the adjustable controlled environment enclosure is adjustable in terms of design and construction flexibility, which may include, for example, the number and type of openings, the environmental control system, the size of the material used to construct, Choose breadth and ease of installation. For example, in various embodiments, the adjustable controlled environment enclosure can be a soft wall construction, where the architecture can be, for example, steel, powder coated steel, or aluminum, and the panels can be from about 1 mm to 2 mm thick, such as ethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and Polyurethane flexible polymer sheet material. For various embodiments of the soft wall construction, the flexible polymeric sheet material can be installed as a series of strips, a complete sheet, and a combination of strip and sheet. In other embodiments of the auxiliary package, the adjustable controlled environment enclosure can be a hard wall construction wherein the panel material is a rigid material such as a rigid plastic such as an acrylic or polycarbonate material or a tempered glass material. For various embodiments of hard wall construction, various panels of hard wall construction such as wall panels, window panels, and door panels can be selected from different materials. In various embodiments of the present teachings, the adjustable controlled environment enclosure can be a combination of a hard wall construction and a soft wall construction. Panel materials for various embodiments of the tunable controlled environmental enclosure for the present teachings can be selected for properties including, for example, but not limited to, low particle generation, high optical transparency, effective electrostatic dissipation, and mechanical durability.

In addition to the adjustable controlled environment enclosure, various embodiments of the auxiliary enclosure may be Move the chamber. In other embodiments, the auxiliary chamber can be a load lock chamber. In accordance with the present teachings, various embodiments of the auxiliary package may have an independent environmental control system separate from the working volume of the gas enclosure system, while other embodiments of the auxiliary package may use the same working volume as the gas enclosure system. Control system to maintain. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package may be stationary, while other embodiments of the auxiliary package may be movable, such as may be located on a wheel or on a track assembly such that it can be easily positioned adjacent to the gas enclosure system. For use.

26A depicts an OLED printer in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings. With a perspective view of 4000, the OLED printing tool can include a first module 3400, a printing module 3500, and a second module 3600. Various modules, such as first module 3400, can have a first transfer chamber 3410 that can have a gate, such as gate 3412, for each side of first transfer chamber 3410 to accommodate having Specify the various chambers for the function. As depicted in Figure 26A, the first transfer chamber 3410 can have a load lock gate (not shown) and a buffer lock (not shown) for integrating the first load lock chamber 3450 with the first transfer The chamber 3410 is for integrating the first buffer chamber 3460 with the first transfer chamber 3410. The gate 3412 of the first transfer chamber 3410 can be used with a movable chamber or unit such as, but not limited to, a load lock chamber. An observation window can be provided to the end user to, for example, monitor a process such as viewing windows 3402 and 3404 of the first transfer chamber 3410 and the viewing window 3406 of the first buffer chamber 3460. The print module 3500 can include a gas inclusion assembly 3510 that can have a first panel assembly 3520, a printing system package assembly 3540, and a second panel assembly 3560. Similar to the gas inclusion assembly 1000 of Figure 19, the gas enclosure assembly 3510 can accommodate various embodiments of the printing system. The second module 3600 can include a second transfer chamber 3610 that can have a gate such as a gate 3612 for each side of the second transfer chamber 3610 to accommodate various chambers having a specified function room. As depicted in Figure 26A, the second transfer chamber 3610 can have a load lock gate (not shown) and a buffer lock (not shown) for integrating the second load lock chamber 3650 with the second transfer The chamber 3610 is used to integrate the second buffer chamber 3660 with the second transfer chamber 3610. The gate 3612 of the second transfer chamber 3610 can be used with a movable chamber or unit such as, but not limited to, a load lock chamber. An observation window can be provided to the end user to monitor, for example, a process such as viewing windows 3602 and 3604 of the second transfer chamber 3610.

The first load lock chamber 3450 and the second load lock chamber 3650 are respectively A transfer chamber 3410 and a second transfer chamber 3610 can be adhesively associated, or the load lock chambers can be movable, such as can be located on a wheel or on a track assembly so that they can be easily positioned adjacent to the chamber to For use. As previously described for the gas enclosure system 500 of Figure 1, the load lock chamber can be mounted to the support structure and can have at least two gates. For example, the first load lock chamber 3450 can be supported by the first support structure 3454 and can have a first gate 3452 and a second gate (not shown) that can allow fluid with the first transfer module 3410 Connected. Similarly, the second load lock chamber 3650 can be supported by the second support structure 3654, and can have a second gate 3652 and a first gate (not shown), which can be allowed to interact with the second transfer module 3610 Fluid communication.

Figure 26B is a first imaginary perspective of the OLED printing tool 4000 of Figure 26A. In particular, the figure depicts the placement of a plurality of fan filter units adjacent to a substrate travel position. As previously discussed, the number, size, and shape of the fan filter unit of the fan filter unit assembly of the circulation and filtration system can be selected based on the physical location of the substrate in the printing system during processing. The number, size, and shape of the fan filter units of the selected fan filter unit assembly relative to the physical travel of the substrate can provide a low particle region adjacent the substrate during the substrate fabrication process. The various embodiments of the printing module 3500 of Figures 26A-26C may also include a controlled particle level that meets the International Standards Organization (ISO) 14644-1:1999 standard, "Clean Room and Associated Controlled Environment - Part 1: Classification of Air Cleanliness, as specified in Classes 1 to 5. In the illustrative example of FIG. 26B, the array of fan filter units can be positioned along a path that the substrate traverses during processing, such fan filter units such as fan filter units 3422 and 3423 of the first module 3400, and Fan modules 3522, 3542, 3544, and 3562 of the second module 3500 are depicted in Figure 26B. The fan filter unit can be included in other chambers, and the fan filters The unit is such as one or more fan filter units located within the transfer chamber 3610 of the second module 3600, or similar to the fan filter units 3422 and 3423 of the first module 3400, located in the first buffer chamber 3460 Or within the second buffer chamber 3660. As previously stated, various embodiments of the teachings of the circulation and filtration system of the present teachings do not need to provide a direction of downflow of the airflow. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the duct system and fan filter unit can be positioned to provide a substantially laminar flow in a lateral direction and in a vertical direction across a surface of a substrate, such as substrate 2050, As depicted in Figure 26B. Such laminar flow may enhance or otherwise provide particle control.

Figure 26C is a second imaginary perspective of the OLED printing tool 4000 of Figure 26A. The figure shows more details of the handler and printing system in accordance with the teachings. As previously discussed, the OLED printing tool 4000 can include a first load lock chamber 3450 that can be sealably coupled to the first transfer chamber 3410. The first load lock chamber 3450 can be in fluid communication with the transfer chamber 3410 by a weir, such as a gas impermeable brake. When the airtight gate is opened, the interior of the first load lock chamber 3450 can be accessed by a handler such as the handler 3430 in the first transfer chamber 3410 depicted in Figure 26C. The handler 3430 shown in Figure 26C can have a base 3432, an arm assembly 3434, and a terminator 3436. A handler 3430 adjacent to the first transfer module print system gate 3418 can position the substrate on the input of the floating stage 2200, which can be supported by the printing system base 2100. In view of the location of the handler 3430 within the first module 3400, the handler 3430 can be adjacent to any of the chambers of the first module 3400 and can, for example, position the substrate in any of the chambers. In this regard, the handler 3430 can position the substrate in the buffer chamber 3460 via the first module buffer gate 3416 as may be required by the workflow. The handler 3430 can be a robotic assembly having various degrees of freedom to manipulate a substrate, such as a substrate 2050, which is shown in FIG. 26C as being supported on a floating table 2200 of the printing system 2000. The handler 3430 can use a terminator, such as the terminator 3436, to manipulate the substrate. A terminator such as terminator 3436 can include a tray or frame configured to support the substrate by gravity, or the terminator can securely grip or clamp the substrate to allow, for example, to secure the transfer chamber from a position to The next position, or for redirecting the substrate from face up or face down configuration to one or more other configurations. Various embodiments of the terminator configuration can be used, such as a fork type terminator, a blade type terminator, a clip type terminator, and a clamp type terminator. Various embodiments of the terminator can include a mechanical grip and clamping assembly, and a pneumatic or vacuum assist assembly to actuate portions of the terminator or otherwise retain the substrate. Various embodiments of the terminator can include a vacuum cup.

Regarding other special features of the OLED printing tool 4000 as depicted in Figure 26C As previously discussed with respect to the gas inclusion assembly 100 of FIG. 3 and the gas inclusion assembly 1000 of FIG. 19, the printing module 3500 of the OLED printing tool 4000 can include a gas inclusion assembly 3510. The gas inclusion assembly 3510 can have a first panel assembly 3520, a printing system package assembly 3540, and a second panel assembly 3560. The print module 3500 can have an internal environment maintained in an inert gas environment, and as previously discussed, the internal environment can be sealed (eg, hermetic seal) to isolate the surrounding environment. In addition, the first module 3400 and the second module 3600 and all associated chambers can have an internal environment maintained in an inert gas environment so that the OLED printing tool 4000 can be completely sealed (eg, hermetic seal). The surrounding environment has an internal environment that maintains an inert gas environment. As will be discussed in more detail later, the printhead management system (such as the printhead management system 2701 of Figures 20B and 23 and the printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A) can be positioned in the print system package assembly area 3570. The first bridge end 2132 and the print head assembly 2500 are adjacent. An encapsulation system, including various owners of the inner regions of the encapsulation, such as printing tool 4000, can be monitored and controlled to maintain one or more of the following levels: gas purity, contaminants, or particulates. In retrospect, gas can be used The body maintains an inert gas environment such as nitrogen, any noble gases, and any combination thereof. The inert gas environment within the gas inclusion system can have each of the reactive species (such as water vapor, oxygen) and organic solvent vapor maintained at the following levels for various embodiments of the gas inclusion system of the present teachings. : 100 ppm or less, such as 10 ppm or less, 1.0 ppm or less, or 0.1 ppm or less.

For the various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4000 of Figure 26C, A processing module 3400 can include a buffer or retention module 3460 that is configured to provide separate environmentally controlled regions to accommodate the individual substrates being fabricated. The various environment-receiving regions can be offset from each other along a designated (eg, vertical) axis of the buffer or retention module to provide a "stack buffer" configuration. In this manner, one or more substrates can be buffered or stored in an inert environment of the OLED printing tool 4000, such as queued for further processing in one or more other modules. The individual substrates can be transferred to respective environmentally controlled regions using a handler 3430, which can have a terminator 3436 for robotic operation, which can be a forked terminator as depicted in Figure 26C. In retrospect, various OLED substrates can be from the 3.5th generation to the 8.5th generation and above, so that the substrate size can be changed from about 60 cm x 72 cm to about 220 cm x 250 cm and larger. To further secure the substrate via various operations, the forked terminators can be equipped with mechanical grip and clamping assemblies, or can be designed to use mechanical suction or vacuum suction.

As previously described for the gas inclusion system 500 of Figure 1, the first load of Figure 26C The lock chamber 3450 can receive the substrate via the gate 3452. When the substrate is received in the load lock chamber 3450, the chamber can be isolated and flushed with an inert gas such as nitrogen, any noble gas, and any combination thereof until the reactive atmospheric gas is at a low level of 100 ppm or less, For example, 10 ppm or less, 1.0 ppm or less, or a low content of 0.1 ppm or less. Substrate self-load locking cavity The transfer of the chamber 3450 to the first transfer module 3400 can be performed by a handler 3430 that can place a substrate (such as the substrate 2050) on the floating stage 2200 in the printing module 3500. As depicted in Figure 26C, the floating stage 2200 can be supported by the printing system base 2100. The substrate 2050 can be supported on the substrate floating stage during the printing process and can be moved relative to the print head assembly 2500 by a Y-axis positioning system mountable to the X-axis bracket assembly 2300. The printing system 2000 of the printing module 3500 can be used to controllably deposit one or more thin film layers on the substrate during fabrication of the OLED device. The print module 3500 can also be coupled to an output package area such as the second module 3600 of FIG. 26C. As depicted by the processor 3430 of the first module 3400, the second module 3600 can have a second transfer module output gate 3614 and can have a handler positioned in the second transfer module 3610. The floating stage 2200 and the Y-axis positioning system can extend along with the travel of the substrate in the printing module 3500, so that the substrate can travel to a position adjacent to the second transfer module printing system gate 3614, and can be easily positioned by the second transfer. The handler in module 3610 is accessed for transfer to second module 3600. As described for the handler 3430 positioned in the first transfer module 3410, the handler can be located in the second module 3600 to facilitate positioning of the substrate in any of the chambers of the second module 3600. In this regard, the handler positioned in the second transfer chamber 3610 can position the substrate in the buffer 3660 as may be required by the workflow.

In the first module 3400, the printing module 3500, and the second module 3600, the base The plates can be repositioned as desired for various processes or during a single deposition operation. In various embodiments of the OLED printing tool, the inert environment within the first module 3400, the printing module 3500, and the second module 3600 can be maintained by a common environmental control system. For various embodiments of the OLED printing tool, the inert environment within the first module 3400, the printing module 3500, and the second module 3600 can be maintained by an independent environmental control system. Such as one or more related to the printing module 3500 After the deposition operation or after other processing, the second load lock chamber 3650 can be used to transfer the substrate out of the second module 3600 using the handler in the second transfer module 3610.

Printing system 2000 can include at least one of having one or more printhead devices A print head assembly, the print head assembly having at least one print head, for example, for nozzle printing, the print head can be a thermal spray type, a nozzle spray type or an ink jet type. The at least one printhead assembly can be mounted to an overhead carrier, such as configured to deposit one or more film layers onto the substrate in a "face up" configuration. For example, one or more thin film layers that may be deposited by one or more printheads may include one or more of an electron injecting or transporting layer, a hole injecting or transporting layer, a barrier layer, or an emissive layer. These materials may provide one or more electrical functional layers. Other materials, such as monomeric or polymeric materials, may be deposited using printing techniques, such as those used to provide one or more encapsulation layers for the substrate 4000 being fabricated, as described in other examples herein.

Although various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4000 can utilize the columns of Figure 20B The printing system 2000, but other embodiments of the printing system, such as the exemplary printing system 2001 of FIG. 27, can be readily utilized in the OLED printing tool 4000. Figure 27 is a front perspective view of the printing system 2001, shown as having a cable tray assembly exhaust system 2400 mounted on top of the bridge 2130 to contain and discharge particulates formed by continuous movement of the cable bundle substance. As previously described with respect to the printing system 2000 of FIG. 20B and the printing system 2001 of FIG. 27, various embodiments of the printing system 2001 can have many features. For example, the printing system 2001 can be supported by the printing system base 2101. The first riser 2120 and the second riser 2122 can be mounted on the printing system base 2101, and the bridge 2130 can be mounted on the first riser and the second riser. For various embodiments of the inkjet printing system 2001, the bridge 2130 can support at least one X, Z-axis carriage assembly 2300 that can be moved relative to the substrate support apparatus 2250 in the X-axis direction. Pass the cable carrier path 2401. In various embodiments of the printing system 2001, the second X, Z-axis bracket assembly can be mounted to the bridge 2130. For embodiments of the printing system 2001 having two X, Z-axis carriage assemblies, the print head assembly can be mounted on each X, Z-axis carriage, or as shown in Figure 20B. As described in 2000, various devices such as cameras, UV lamps, and heat sources can be mounted on at least one of the two X, Z-axis bracket assemblies of the printing system 2001. According to various embodiments of the printing system 2001, the substrate supporting apparatus 2250 for supporting the substrate 2050 may be a floating stage similar to the substrate floating stage 2200 of the printing system 2000 of FIG. 20B; or it may be a chuck, as before The printing system 2000 of Figure 20B is described. The printing system 2001 of Figure 27 can have an inherent low particle generation X-axis motion system, and the X, Z bracket assembly 2300 can be mounted in the low particle generation X-axis motion system and positioned using an air bearing linear slider assembly. On the bridge 2130. Various embodiments of the air bearing linear slider assembly can wrap around the integral bridge 2130, thereby allowing frictionless movement of the X, Z bracket assembly 2300 on the bridge 2130, and allowing for the provision of a retainable X, Z bracket total A three-point installation with 2300 travel accuracy and resistance to skewness.

The sequence from Figure 28A to Figure 30C is depicted for use in fully automated mode Or remote operator assisted mode embodiments of systems and methods for printhead management that have little or no interruption to ongoing processes while maintaining an inert, substantially particle-free process environment. In review, the printhead assembly can include between about 1 and about 60 printhead devices, wherein each printhead device can have between about 1 and about 30 in each printhead device. The print head between. Thus, various embodiments of the printing system of the present teachings can have between about 1 and about 1800 printheads. Additionally, a printhead such as an industrial inkjet head can have between about 16 and about 2048 nozzles that can eject a droplet volume between about 0.1 pL and 200 pL. A large number of print heads can be continuously executed as needed Measurement and maintenance procedures. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, various process steps associated with the ongoing management of various components of the printing system, such as various process steps associated with ongoing measurement and maintenance procedures, may be utilized, such as FIG. 20B and The print head management system 2701 of Fig. 23 and the print head management system of the print head management system 2701A of Fig. 24A are executed. Various embodiments of the printhead management system can include various subsystems or modules, such as a printhead replacement module, a droplet measurement module, a printhead rinse cell module, and a blotter paper module.

Each subsystem or module can have various components that are essentially Consumed and need to be replaced, such as replacement of blotting paper, ink and waste storage. The various consumable parts can be packaged to prepare for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode. As a non-limiting example, the blotter paper can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into an ink absorbing module for use. By way of another non-limiting example, the ink can be packaged in a replaceable reservoir and cartridge format for use in a printing system. Various embodiments of the waste reservoir can be packaged in a cartridge format that can be easily inserted into a rinse tank module for use. In addition, components that are subject to the various components of the continuously used printing system may require periodic replacement. During the printing process, expediency management of the printhead assembly may be required, such as, but not limited to, the exchange of printhead devices or printheads. The printhead replacement module can have many components, such as a printhead device or a printhead, which can be easily inserted into the printhead assembly for use. The droplet measurement module for inspecting nozzle emissions and measuring optical detection based on droplet volume, velocity and trajectory from each nozzle may have sources and detectors that may need to be periodically replaced after use. Various consumable and high usage components can be packaged for preparation for insertion using the handler, for example, in a fully automated mode.

For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings (the embodiments represented by Figures 28A-30C), for example, by way of non-limiting example, a printing system package The body can be isolated from various embodiments of the auxiliary package. Thus, the use of an auxiliary package for automated or end-user mitigation of the various components of the printing system ensures that the printing process can be continued with minimal or no interruption. Various embodiments of the gas enclosure may have a sealable opening or passage that allows access between the printing system enclosure and the auxiliary enclosure, as well as an opening that allows access between the auxiliary enclosure and the exterior of the gas enclosure. Thus, various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be isolated from the printing system package of the gas enclosure system such that each volume is a separate active segment. In addition, when the printing system package is isolated from the auxiliary package, the opening between the auxiliary package and the exterior of the gas enclosure can be open to ambient or non-inert air without contaminating the printing system package.

For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system, an auxiliary package can be used for An open structural closure is isolated from the printing system enclosure of the gas enclosure system, such as an enclosure panel opening or passage, door or window. For various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the structural closure can include various sealable covers for openings or passages; such openings or passages include enclosure panel openings or passages, doors or windows. A restrictive example. In accordance with the teachings and methods of the present teachings, the brake can be any structural closure that can be used to reversibly cover or reversibly seal any opening or passage in a sealable manner using pneumatic actuation, hydraulic actuation, electrical actuation, or manual actuation. Pieces. Various embodiments of the auxiliary package can be used with a combination of various embodiments of a dynamic closure and a structural closure between a working volume of the gas enclosure system and the auxiliary package, such as a pressure differential or a dynamic closure of the air curtain, and various embodiments of the dynamic closure and structural closure The working volume of the gas inclusion system is isolated. In addition, each of the working volume of the gas enclosure and the auxiliary package can have an independently controlled environment to provide independent adjustment of capabilities such as, but not limited to, temperature, illumination, particle control, and gas purification. Therefore, the specifications of the thermal control, the illumination control, the particle control, and the inert gas environment control for assisting the volume of the package and the working volume of the gas inclusion can be set to be the same or different for each volume.

28A-28C depicting for use in a fully automated mode or remote operator The auxiliary mode performs various embodiments of the printhead management printing system and method that hardly or uninterrupted the ongoing process while maintaining an inert, substantially particle-free process environment in the OLED printing tool 4001. Various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4001 of FIGS. 28A-28C may include an auxiliary package such as, for example, but not limited to, a transfer chamber, a load lock cavity, as compared to the OLED printing system 4000 of FIGS. 26A-26C Room and adjustable controlled environment enclosure. For embodiments of the system and method of the present teachings, the OLED printing tool 4001 can have an auxiliary package that can be maintained in a controlled environment for the printed environment and for the printing module 3500. The specifications are the same under the specification. In various embodiments of the system and method of the present teachings, the OLED printing tool 4001 can have an auxiliary package that can be maintained in a controlled environment for the printing environment and for the printing module 3500. The specification is different under the specification, without compromising the integrity of the environment of the OLED printing tool 4001.

As shown in FIG. 28A, the printing system module of the OLED printing tool 4001 The 3500 can have a third module 3700 coupled to the printing system package assembly 3540. The third module 3700 can be positioned adjacent to the first bridge end 2132 of the bridge 2130, wherein the print head assembly 2500 mounted on the X-axis bracket assembly 2300 can be positioned adjacent to the third module 3700. The third module 3700 of FIG. 28A can have a third transfer chamber 3710 that can be an auxiliary package for the OLED printing tool 4001 that is suitable for implementing various print head maintenance procedures. The third module 3700 of FIG. 28A can have a third load lock chamber that can be coupled to the third transfer chamber 3710. In various embodiments of the systems and methods of the present teachings, the third chamber 3700 can be positioned adjacent to the second bridge end 2134. For various embodiments of the system and method of the present teachings, the printing system module 3500 can have a module such as the third module 3700 of FIG. 28A. It is adjacent to the first bridge end 2132 and the second bridge end 2134. Additionally, while a single bay is shown as a printing system 2000 for the OLED printing tool 4001 shown in Figure 28A, a printing system such as the printing system of Figure 20B can have additional brackets that can have Various devices, such as a printhead assembly mounted on a second carriage, a camera, a UV lamp, and a heat source are as previously described for the printing system 2000 of Figure 20B and the printing system 2001 of Figure 27.

In FIG. 28A, although an additional cavity associated with the third module 3700 is not shown The chamber, but the chamber can be coupled to the first side 3702 of the third transfer chamber 3710 and can enter the third transfer chamber 3710 via the gate 3714. Similarly, the chamber can be coupled to the second side 3704 of the third transfer chamber 3710 and can enter the third transfer chamber 3710 via the gate 3718. The various additional chambers coupled to the third transfer chamber 3710 can be adapted for a variety of printhead maintenance procedures. For various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4001, the third transfer chamber 3710 of the third module 3700 can be used to house a handler, and the additional chamber associated with the third transfer module 3710 can be used for storage and transfer. The teachings herein include various components of the subsystems and modules of various embodiments of the printhead management system. In various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4001, the printing system package assembly 3540 can have a volume or region, such as a first printing system package assembly region 3570 adjacent to the first bridge end 2132 and A second print system package assembly region 3572 adjacent to the second bridge end 2134. In accordance with various embodiments of the OLED printing tool of the present teachings, one or both of the first printing system package assembly region 3570 and the second printing system package assembly region 3572 can be used to accommodate printhead management. The system, such as the printhead management system 2701 of Figures 20B and 23 and the printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A (see also Figure 26C). In this regard, for example, the processor located in the third transfer module 3710 can be in various chambers associated with the third transfer module 3710 and the print head maintenance system located in the print system module 3500 ( Such as but not limited to a load lock chamber Move parts between 3750).

28B is a plan view of the OLRD printing tool 4001 shown in FIG. 28A. According to various embodiments of the present teachings, wherein the third transfer chamber 3710 is an auxiliary package. The third transfer chamber 3710 can have a gate 3412 that can provide access to the load lock chamber 3750 and can have a gate 3416 that can provide access to the print module 3500. The third load lock chamber 3750 can have a gate 3752 that can provide access to the third load lock chamber 3750 from outside the OLED print tool 4001. As previously discussed, the handler 3430 and the handler 3630 can have features selected for substrate handling tasks. In accordance with the present teachings, the handler 3730 of FIG. 28B can have features selected for handling various components associated with a printhead management system such as the printhead management system 2700. The printhead management system 2700 can be, for example but not limited to, a printhead management system 2701 such as those of Figures 20B and 23 and a printhead management system of the printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A. As mentioned previously with reference to the teachings of FIG. 28A, the printhead management system can be located in a volume or area such as 3570 or 3572 of the printing module 3500. As depicted in Figure 28B, the handler 3730 housed within the auxiliary package defining the third transfer chamber 3710 can be positioned such that the handler can enter the printing system package assembly region 3570, which prints the system package The assembly area is adjacent to the X-axis bracket assembly 2300. The carriage assembly 2300 mounted to the bridge 2130 can support the printhead assembly 2500, which can include a plurality of printhead assemblies. Various embodiments of the handler 3730 can have various terminator configurations, such as fork-type terminators, blade-type terminators, clip-type terminators, and clamp-type terminators, which can be used with the terminators For manipulating the various components of the print head management system. In accordance with the present teachings, the terminator can include a mechanical grip and clamping assembly, and a pneumatic or vacuum assist assembly to actuate portions of the terminator or otherwise retain various components of the printhead management system, such as For example, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device.

With respect to print head replacement in accordance with various embodiments of the present teachings, FIG. 28B The handler 3730 can retrieve components that need to be replaced, such as a printhead or printhead device, for example from a printhead assembly 2500 mounted on the X-axis carriage assembly 2300. In the latter step, the handler 3730 can retrieve the replacement component from the printhead, such as from the management system 2700. Once the replacement component has been retrieved, the handler 3730 can then insert a replacement component, such as a printhead device or printhead, into the printhead assembly 2500 to complete the printhead replacement procedure. In addition, for various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4001 of FIG. 28B, the third transfer chamber 3710 of the third module 3700 can be used to house a handler, and the load lock chamber 3750 can be used to store and transfer the teachings. The various components of the various embodiments of the head management system and the various components of the module. The various replacement components for the printhead management system 2700 stored in the load lock chamber 3750 can be accessed by the handler 3730 and moved to the printhead management system 2700, such as but not limited to blotting paper. A cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a print head, and a print head device. Conversely, components that need to be replaced, such as, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device, may be removed from the printhead management system 2700 by the handler 3730 and Placed in the load lock chamber 3750. In various embodiments of the printhead management program, components such as a printhead device or printhead can be removed from the load lock chamber 3750 by the handler 3730 and inserted into the printhead assembly 2500. The gate 3752 of the load lock chamber 3750 can be opened while the gate 3712 and the gate 3716 are closed to retrieve or remove components from the load lock chamber 3750, and transferring the replacement component to the load lock chamber 3750 can be by a handler or The end user located in the ambient air outside the OLED printing tool 4001 performs.

After the procedure for retrieving the component, the procedure for replacing the component, or both have been completed, the gate 3752 of the load lock chamber 3750 can be closed and the load lock chamber 3750 can undergo recovery A procedure is performed to restore the gas environment of the chamber to the target specification. In view of the substantially small volume of the load lock chamber 3750 compared to the volume of the OLED print tool 4001, the recovery time is substantially shorter than the recovery time for the OLED print tool 4001. All steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process. In this regard, various embodiments of OLED printing tool 4001 can provide for fully automated replacement of components in a printhead management system while maintaining an inert, particle-free environment with little or no interruption in the printing process. While various printhead management programs can be performed in a fully automated mode, end user access can be via, for example, use, in the event that a certain level of end user intervention can be indicated during various procedures associated with the management of the printhead assembly. The glove ferrule is carried out on the outside.

An OLED such as the OLED printing tool 4002 depicted in plan view in FIG. 28C Various embodiments of the printing tool can have an auxiliary package 3550, which can be a load lock chamber or an adjustable controlled environment package. The auxiliary package 3550 can have a first gate 3552 and a second gate 3554. The print system package 3500 can have a volume or area such as a first print system package assembly area 3570 and a second print system package assembly area 3572, respectively (see also Figure 26C). For various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4002, the volume or regions 3570 and 3572 of the printing system package 3500 of Figure 28C can be used, for example, to accommodate a printhead management system, such as the printhead management of Figures 20B and 23. System 2701 and print head management system 2701A of Figure 24A. As depicted in FIG. 28C, for various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4002, a volume or region 3570 can be used to house the printhead management system 2700 and the handler 3530. For the various implementations of Figure 28C For example, printhead management system 2700 and handler 3530 can be positioned, for example, in print system package assembly area 3570 adjacent to X-axis carriage assembly 2300. The printhead assembly 2500 can be mounted to an X-axis bracket assembly 2300 (see also FIG. 26C) that is supported on the bridge 2130. The printhead assembly 2500 can include a plurality of printhead devices. Various embodiments of the handler 3530 can have various terminator configurations, such as fork-type terminators, blade-type terminators, clip-type terminators, and clamp-type terminators, which can be used with the terminators The various components of the printhead management system are manipulated, such as, for example, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device.

Various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4002 with respect to print head replacement In other words, the applicator 3530 can retrieve components that need to be replaced, such as a printhead or printhead device, from, for example, the printhead assembly 2500 mounted on the X-axis carriage assembly 2300. In the latter step, the handler 3530 can retrieve the replacement component, for example, from the printhead management system 2700. Once the replacement component has been retrieved, the handler 3530 can then insert a replacement component, such as a printhead device or printhead, into the printhead assembly 2500 to complete the printhead replacement procedure. In addition, for various embodiments of the OLED printing tool 4002 of FIG. 28C, the auxiliary package 3550 can be used to store and transfer various components of the subsystems and modules of various embodiments of the printhead management system of the present teachings. The various replacement components of the printhead management system 2700 stored in the auxiliary package 3550 can be accessed by the handler 3530 and moved to the printhead management system 2700, such as but not limited to a blotter cartridge, Ink cartridges, waste reservoirs, printheads, and printhead devices. Conversely, components that need to be replaced, such as, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a printhead, and a printhead device, may be removed from the printhead management system 2700 by the handler 3730 and Placed in the auxiliary package 3550. In various embodiments of the printhead management program, components such as printhead devices or printheads can be disposed of by The device 3530 is removed from the auxiliary package 3550 and inserted into the printhead assembly 2500. The gate 3552 of the auxiliary package 3550 can be opened while the gate 3554 is closed to retrieve or remove the component from the auxiliary package 3550, and the transfer of the replacement component to the auxiliary package 3550 can be by the handler or located in the OLED printing tool 4002. The external user is in the surrounding air.

The procedure for retrieving parts, the procedure for replacing parts, or both have been completed Thereafter, the gate 3552 of the auxiliary package 3550 can be closed, and the auxiliary package 3550 can undergo a recovery procedure to restore the gaseous environment of the auxiliary package to the target specification. In view of the substantially small volume of the auxiliary package 3550 compared to the volume of the OLED printing tool 4002, the recovery time is substantially shorter than the recovery time for the OLED printing tool 4002. All steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process. In this regard, various embodiments of OLED printing tool 4002 can provide for fully automated replacement of components in a printhead management system while maintaining an inert, particle-free environment with little or no interruption in the printing process. While various printhead management programs can be performed in a fully automated mode, end user access can be via, for example, use, in the event that a certain level of end user intervention can be indicated during various procedures associated with the management of the printhead assembly. The glove ferrule is carried out on the outside.

29A-29C depicting for use in a fully automated mode or remote operator The auxiliary mode performs various embodiments of the printhead management printing system and method that hardly or uninterrupted the ongoing process while maintaining an inert, substantially particle-free process environment in the printing system package 1102. For execution in the gas inclusion system 506 of Figures 29A-29C For various printhead management programs, the auxiliary package 1010 can be maintained under the same specifications as the controlled environment of the printing system package 1102 for a controlled environment. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506 of Figures 29A through 29C can be incorporated into an OLED printing tool, such as the OLED printing tool 4000 of Figure 26A and the OLED printing tool 4001 of Figure 28A.

29A-29C depict a gas enclosure system 506 that can be A printing system enclosure 1102 and a printing system 2002 are included, which may have a printhead assembly 2500. The printing system enclosure 1102 can be any gas enclosure in which the printing system 2002 can be housed and maintained in a target controlled environment. The printing system enclosure 1102 can have a controlled environment that can include target specifications for reactive species such as water vapor and oxygen as well as target specifications for particulate matter. The printing system package 1102 can be, for example but not limited to, any of the gas inclusion assemblies as described with respect to Figures 1, 3, 15, 18, and 19. As previously described, the printing system 2002 can be any printing system such as, but not limited to, a non-limiting example including FIGS. 20B and 27. The printhead assembly 2500 can have at least one printhead. As previously described, the printhead management system 2700 can be any printhead management system such as, but not limited to, a printhead management system 2701 comprising the printhead management system 2701 of Figures 20B and 23 and a printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A. A restrictive example.

The auxiliary package 1010 of FIGS. 29A to 29C may have a first gate 1012 and a second Gate 1014, the first and second gates may remain closed during normal operation. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506, the auxiliary package 1010 depicted in Figures 29A-29C can be a load lock chamber. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506, the auxiliary package 1010 depicted in Figures 29A-29C can be a hard wall adjustable controlled environmental enclosure. In other embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506, the auxiliary package 1010 depicted in Figures 29A-29C can be a transfer chamber. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion assembly 506, the controlled environment of the auxiliary package can be Target specifications for reactive species such as water vapor and oxygen, as well as various organic vapors, and target specifications for particulate matter are included. In various embodiments of the gas enclosure 506 of FIGS. 29A-29C, the auxiliary enclosure 1010 can be maintained to the same environmental specifications as the print system enclosure 1102. For the various embodiments of the gas enclosure 506 of Figures 29A-29C, the auxiliary package 1010 and the printing system package 1102 can be maintained to different environmental specifications. The gas enclosure system 506 of Figures 29A and 29B can have a handler 3830 that is positioned to perform the tasks associated with the printhead management program. The handler 3830 can have a terminator 3836 that is mounted to the arm 3834. Various embodiments of the terminator configuration can be used, such as blade type terminators, clip type terminators, and clamp type terminators. Various embodiments of the terminator can include a mechanical grip and clamping assembly, and a pneumatic or vacuum assist assembly to actuate portions of the terminator or otherwise retain various components of the printhead management system, such as, for example, However, it is not limited to a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, a print head, and a print head device.

Regarding print head replacement, the handler 3830 of Figure 29A can be adjacent to the printing system In 2002, the head assembly 2500 and the print head management system 2700 were positioned. During the process for printhead replacement, the handler 3830 can remove the target component from the printhead assembly 2500; the target component is a printhead or a printhead device having at least one printhead. In various procedures for printhead replacement for the gas enclosure system 506 of Figure 29A, the removed components can be placed in the printhead management system 2700 for later retrieval. For removing the removed component from the printing system package 1102, the second gate 1024 can be opened while the first gate 1012 remains closed so that the handler 3830 can place the removed component in the auxiliary package. In body 1010. In the latter step, the handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the printhead management system 2700. Alternatively, the handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the auxiliary package 1010. Once the replacement component has been retrieved, the handler 3830 can then print such as A replacement component of the head unit or printhead is inserted into the printhead assembly to complete the printhead replacement procedure. After completing the movement of the component between the printing system package 1102 and the auxiliary package 1010, the gate 1014 can be closed so that the printing system package 1102 can be isolated from the auxiliary package 1010. The gate 1012 can be opened and the removed component placed in the auxiliary package 1010 can be retrieved by the source (handler or end user) and additional features can be replaced (replacement of the print head or replacement of the print) The head unit) is placed in the auxiliary package 1010 for use in the subsequent print head exchange program. Finally, after closing gate 1012, auxiliary enclosure 1010 can undergo a recovery procedure to achieve target specifications for reactive species (such as water vapor and oxygen) and target specifications for particulate matter to initiate when needed The latter print head replacement program. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506, the auxiliary package 1010 can have the same specifications for the controlled environment as the printing system package 1102. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 506 of FIG. 29A, the auxiliary package 1010 can have a different specification for the controlled environment than the printing system package 1102.

For the gas enclosure system 506 of Figure 29B, the handler 3830 can be positioned in the auxiliary package 1010 such that the terminator 3836 of the handler 3830 can easily reach the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system and the printhead Management system 2700.

With respect to the printhead replacement procedure for the gas enclosure system 506 of FIG. 29B, the second gate 1014 can be opened while the gate 1012 remains closed so that the handler 3830 can self-print the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system 2002. The target component is removed; the target component is a printhead or a printhead device having at least one printhead. In various procedures for printhead replacement for the gas enclosure system 506 of Figure 29B, the removed components can be placed in the printhead management system 2700 for later retrieval. For removing the removed component from the printing system enclosure 1102, the second gate 1014 can be opened while the gate 1012 remains closed so that the handler 3830 can place the removed component In the auxiliary package 1010. In the latter step, the handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the printhead management system 2700. Alternatively, the handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the auxiliary package 1010. Once the replacement component has been retrieved, the handler 3830 can then insert a replacement component, such as a printhead device or printhead, into the printhead assembly to complete the printhead replacement procedure. After the removed component is in the auxiliary package 1010, the replacement component has been inserted into the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system package 1102, and the handler 3830 is within the auxiliary package 1010 and the brake can be closed. 1014, so that the printing system package 1102 can be isolated from the auxiliary package 1010. At any time after the replacement component has been inserted into the printhead assembly and the gate 1014 has been closed, the gate 1012 can be opened and the handler 3830 can place the removed component to a position external to the auxiliary package 1010. Additional features (replacement of the printhead or replacement of the printhead device) can be placed in the auxiliary package 1010 for use in the subsequent print head exchange program. Finally, the auxiliary package 1010 can undergo a recovery procedure to achieve target specifications for reactive species such as water vapor and oxygen as well as target specifications for particulate matter to initiate a subsequent print head replacement procedure when needed. . In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506, the auxiliary package 1010 can have the same specifications as the printing system package 1102 for a controlled environment. For various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 506 of Figure 29B, the auxiliary package 1010 can have a different specification for the controlled environment than the printing system package 1102.

In addition, various implementations of the gas inclusion system 506 of Figures 29A and 29B By way of example, the auxiliary package 1010 can be used to store and transfer the various components of the subsystems and modules of various embodiments of the printhead management system of the present teachings. The various replacement components of the printhead management system 2700 stored in the auxiliary package 1010 can be accessed by the handler 3830 and moved to the printhead management system 2700 via the gate 1014 while the gate 1012 is closed to maintain the gas enclosure system 506. In an inert environment, such replacement components such as, but not limited to, blotter cartridges, ink cartridges, waste reservoirs, The print head and the print head device. Conversely, the components that need to be replaced can be removed from the printhead management system 2700 via the gate 1014 by the handler 3830 while the gate 1012 is closed and the removed components are placed in the auxiliary package 1010. In the latter step, the gate 1012 of the auxiliary package 1010 can be opened while the gate 1014 is closed to retrieve or remove the component from the auxiliary package 3550 and the replacement component can be transferred to the auxiliary package 3550 by means of a handler or The end user in the ambient air outside of the gas enclosure system 506 of Figures 29A and 29B is operated by the end user.

The procedure for retrieving parts, the procedure for replacing parts, or both have been completed Thereafter, the gate 1012 of the auxiliary package 1010 can be closed, and the auxiliary package 1010 can undergo a recovery procedure to restore the gaseous environment of the auxiliary package to the target specification. In view of the substantially small volume of the auxiliary package 1010 compared to the volume of the gas inclusion system 506 of Figures 29A and 29B, the recovery time is substantially greater than the recovery time of the gas inclusion system 506 for Figures 29A and 29B. short. All steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air and water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate contaminants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process. In this regard, various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 506 of Figures 29A and 29B can provide for fully automated replacement of components in a printhead management system while maintaining an inert, particle-free environment with little or no Interrupt the printing process.

Variations in the print head replacement procedure for the various embodiments of Figures 29A and 29B can be made without departing from the spirit of the automated process for maintaining the printhead array. For example, in various embodiments, when the gate 1012 of the auxiliary package 1010 is closed and the gate 1014 of the auxiliary package 1010 is opened, the handler 3830 of Figures 29A and 29B can be moved from the printhead assembly 2500. In addition to the print head component and placed in the auxiliary package 1010, the print head component is a printhead or a printhead device having at least one printhead. In the next step, as previously described with respect to Figures 29A and 29B, when the gate 1014 of the auxiliary package 1010 is closed, the gate 1012 can be opened to allow the removed component to be retrieved from the auxiliary package 1010 and the replacement component Placed in the auxiliary package 1010. Once the removed component has been retrieved and the replacement component is located within the auxiliary package 1010, the gate 1012 can be closed and the auxiliary package 1010 can undergo a recovery procedure to achieve for reactive species such as water vapor and oxygen. Target specifications and target specifications for particulate matter. Once the auxiliary package 1010 is placed in a suitably controlled environmental specification, the gate 1014 can be opened and the replacement component can be inserted into the printhead assembly. When the replacement component has been inserted into the printhead assembly, the gate 1014 can be closed so that the print system package 1102 can be isolated from the auxiliary package 1010.

In Fig. 29C, the print head replacement process as described in Figs. 29A and 29B For various embodiments of the sequence, the end user can be executed via manipulation as set forth when executed remotely by the handler via various glove ferrules. Although two glove ferrules are shown in Figure 29C, it will be appreciated that the various positions are provided for the various positions (e.g., as shown previously in Figure 1 for the gas enclosure assembly 100 and as shown in Figure 24B). Case) For the purpose of remote entry, the glove ferrule can be placed at several locations.

30A to 30C depicting use in a fully automated mode or remote operator The auxiliary mode performs various embodiments of the printhead management printing system and method that hardly or uninterrupted the ongoing process while maintaining an inert, substantially particle-free process environment in the printing system package 1102. The auxiliary package 1020 can be maintained in a controlled environment with the printing system package 1102 for a controlled environment for various print head management programs that can be executed in the gas package system 507 of Figures 30A through 30C. Under different specifications, without compromise the printing system package 1102 ring The integrity of the environment. Various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506 of Figures 29A through 29C can be incorporated into an OLED printing tool, such as the OLED printing tool 4000 of Figure 26A and the OLED printing tool 4001 of Figure 28A.

30A-30C depict a gas inclusion system 507 that can be A printing system enclosure 1102 and a printing system 2002 are included, which may have a printhead assembly 2500. The printing system enclosure 1102 can be any gas enclosure in which the printing system 2002 can be housed and maintained in a target controlled environment. The printing system enclosure 1102 can have a controlled environment that can include target specifications for reactive species such as water vapor and oxygen as well as target specifications for particulate matter. The printing system package 1102 can be, for example but not limited to, any of the gas inclusion assemblies as depicted in Figures 1, 3, 15, 18, and 19. As previously described herein, the printing system 2002 can be any printing system such as, but not limited to, a non-limiting example including FIGS. 20B and 27. The printhead assembly 2500 can have at least one printhead. As previously described, the printhead management system 2700 can be any printhead management system such as, but not limited to, a printhead management system 2701 comprising the printhead management system 2701 of Figures 20B and 23 and a printhead management system 2701A of Figure 24A. A restrictive example.

The auxiliary package 1020 of FIGS. 30A to 30C may have an opening 1022 and a gate 1024. And a conduit 1026 that is in fluid communication with an inert gas source. During normal operation, the gate 1024 of the auxiliary package 1020 can be maintained in the closed position. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, the auxiliary package 1020 depicted in Figures 30A-30C can be an adjustable controlled environmental enclosure having a soft wall configuration. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, the auxiliary package 1020 depicted in Figures 30A-30C can be an adjustable controlled environmental enclosure having a hard wall configuration. In other embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, the auxiliary package 1020 depicted in Figures 30A-30C can be an adjustable controlled environmental enclosure having a combination of a hard wall configuration and a soft wall configuration.

For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, the opening 1022 can be A channel such as, but not limited to, a window or door having a solid material. In various embodiments in the gas enclosure system 507, the opening 1022 can be a flexible doorway that can be covered, for example, by a curtain having a strip of flexible polymeric sheet material to provide access and exit. The ready channel of the auxiliary package 1020. According to various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 507 of Figures 30A-C, various embodiments of the dynamic closure can be used to effectively seal the opening 1022, as previously discussed. For various embodiments of the auxiliary package, the opening 1022 can be a window that can be covered by a flexible polymeric material, thereby providing a ready passage for material to enter and exit the auxiliary package 1020. In various embodiments of the auxiliary package, the opening 1022 can be a channel such as, but not limited to, a window or a door, which can have an air curtain for use in assisting it, in addition to being covered by a flexible polymeric material. The inclusions are externally isolated from the gas inclusion system 507. In various embodiments of the auxiliary package, the opening 1022 can be a channel such as, but not limited to, a window or door that can have an air curtain for isolating the auxiliary package from the exterior of the gas enclosure system 507. As will be discussed in more detail later, in addition to the air curtain, the auxiliary package 1020 having the opening 1022 can be isolated using a pressure differential between the auxiliary package 1020 and the printing system package 1102. The gas enclosure system 507 of Figures 30A and 30B can have a handler 3830 that is positioned to perform the tasks associated with the printhead management program. The handler 3830 can have a terminator 3836 that is mounted to the arm 3834. Various embodiments of the terminator configuration can be used, such as blade type terminators, clip type terminators, and clamp type terminators. Various embodiments of the terminator can include a mechanical grip and clamping assembly, and a pneumatic or vacuum assist assembly to actuate portions of the terminator or otherwise hold the printhead device or from the printhead device Print the head.

As indicated in Figures 30A-30C, the catheter 1026 of the auxiliary package 1020 can be The inert gas source is in fluid communication such that various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507 of FIG. 30A In other words, the auxiliary package 1020 can be maintained to a target specification for reactive species such as oxygen and water vapor, as well as organic solvent vapors, which is the same as the specification for the printing system package 1102. In various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507 of Figure 30A, the gaseous environment of the auxiliary inclusion 1020 can be maintained under target specifications for reactive species such as oxygen and water vapor and organic solvent vapors, which is different from the specification. Print the specification of the system package 1102. According to various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, particulate matter in the source of inert gas can be filtered. In retrospect, the gas inclusion body can be maintained at a pressure above atmospheric pressure. It should be noted that, for example, during various process steps of various print head management procedures, the pressure of the auxiliary package 1020 can be maintained above the atmospheric pressure value and below a value of the pressure value of the printing system package 1102 to The stagnation or prevention of gas diffuses from the auxiliary package 1020 to the printing system package 1102. In this regard, for various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507 of Figures 30A-C, the target specification for the auxiliary inclusions 1020 for reactive species, such as water vapor and oxygen, and for particulate matter The target specifications may not be as stringent as their target specifications for printing system package 1102.

Regarding the print head replacement, the handler 3830 of Figure 30A can be adjacent to the printing system In 2002, the head assembly 2500 and the print head management system 2700 were positioned. During the process for swapping the printheads, the handler 3830 can remove the target component from the printhead assembly 2500; the target component is a printhead or a printhead device having at least one printhead. In various procedures for printhead replacement for the gas package system 576 of Figure 30A, the removed components can be placed in the printhead management system 2700 for later retrieval. For removal of a removed component from the printing system enclosure 1102, the gate 1024 can be opened so that the handler 3830 can place the removed component in the auxiliary enclosure 1020. When the gate 1024 is opened, the various openings of the dynamic closure can be used to seal the opening 1022 as previously described. In the latter step, the handler 3830 can be retrieved from the printhead management system 2700 for replacement. component. Alternatively, the handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the auxiliary package 1020. Once the replacement component has been retrieved, the handler 3830 can then insert a replacement component, such as a printhead device or printhead, into the printhead assembly to complete the printhead replacement procedure. After completing the movement of the component between the printing system package 1102 and the auxiliary package 1010, the gate 1024 can be closed so that the printing system package 1102 can be isolated from the auxiliary package 1020. For various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 507, the transition time of the moving component of the handler between the printing system enclosure 1102 and the auxiliary enclosure 1010 can be minimized for integration in the printing system enclosure 1102. Relative to the positive pressure of the inert gas environment of the auxiliary package 1020, any reactive species and particulate matter that can diffuse into the printing system package during the printhead replacement process can be easily utilized by gas purification systems and gases. The circulation and filtration system is removed. Additionally, as previously discussed, the air curtain can be used in conjunction with the opening 1020 to isolate the auxiliary enclosure from the exterior of the gas enclosure system 506. The removed components placed in the auxiliary enclosure 1020 can be retrieved by a source (handler or end user) positioned external to the auxiliary enclosure 1020, and additional features (replacement of the printhead or replacement column) The print head device can be placed in the auxiliary package 1020 for use in the subsequent print head exchange program.

For the gas enclosure system 507 of Figure 30B, the handler 3500 can be positioned In the auxiliary package 1020, the terminator 3836 of the handler 3830 can easily reach the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system and the printhead management system 2700.

Regarding the procedure for replacing the print head of the gas inclusion system 507 of FIG. 30B, The gate 1024 can be opened so that the handler 3830 can remove the target component from the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system 2002 and place the removed component in the auxiliary package 1020; the target component is the printhead Or a printhead device having at least one printhead. As previously discussed, the opening 1024 can be effectively closed using various embodiments of the structural closure to seal or use various embodiments of the dynamic closure. seal. The handler 3830 can retrieve the replacement component from the auxiliary package 1020 and insert the replacement component into the printhead assembly 2500 of the printing system 2002 to complete the replacement process. Once the replacement component has been inserted into the printhead assembly 2500 and the handler 3830 is within the auxiliary package 1020, the gate 1024 can be closed so that the print system package 1102 can be isolated from the auxiliary package 1020. At any time after the replacement procedure has been completed, the handler 3830 can position the removed component via the opening 1022 to a location external to the auxiliary enclosure 1010, and can add additional features (replace the printhead or replace the printhead) The device) is placed in the auxiliary package 1020 for use in the subsequent print head exchange program.

In addition, various embodiments of the gas inclusion system 506 of FIGS. 30A and 30B By way of example, the auxiliary package 1010 can be used to store and transfer the various components of the subsystems and modules of various embodiments of the printhead management system of the present teachings. The various replacement components of the printhead management system 2700 stored in the auxiliary package 1020 can be accessed by the handler 3830 and moved to the printhead management system 2700 via the gate 1024, while the opening 1022 can utilize various implementations of the structural closure. Various embodiments for closing or using dynamic closures are effectively sealed to maintain an inert environment in the gas enclosure system 507, such as, but not limited to, a blotter cartridge, an ink cartridge, a waste reservoir, The print head and the print head device. Conversely, the components that need to be replaced can be removed from the printhead management system 2700 by the handler 3830 via the gate 1024, while the openings 1022 can be closed using various embodiments of the structural closure or various embodiments of the dynamic closure are effective. The ground is sealed and the removed component is placed in the auxiliary package 1020. In the latter step, when the gate 1024 is closed, the component is retrieved or removed from the auxiliary package 3550, and the replacement component is transferred to the auxiliary package 3550 by the handler or the gas enclosure of Figures 30A and 30B. The system 506 is external to the end user in the ambient air. All steps associated with the printhead management program can be performed to eliminate or minimize exposure of the printing system package to contaminants such as air And water vapor and various organic vapors, as well as particulate pollutants. In accordance with various systems and methods of the present teachings, the printing system enclosure can be introduced to achieve a sufficiently low level of contamination so that the purification system can remove contaminants before they can affect the printing process. In this regard, various embodiments of the gas enclosure system 507 of Figures 30A and 30B can provide for fully automated replacement of components in a printhead management system while maintaining an inert, particle-free environment with little or no Interrupt the printing process.

In Figure 30C, the print head replacement as described with respect to Figures 30A and 30B For various embodiments of the procedure, the end user can be executed via manipulation as set forth when executed remotely by the handler via various glove ferrules. Although two glove ferrules are shown in Figure 30C, it will be appreciated that the various positions are provided for the various positions (e.g., as previously shown for gas inclusion assembly 100 in Figure 1 and as shown in Figure 24B). Case) For the purpose of remote entry, the glove ferrule can be placed at several locations.

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are The citations are incorporated herein by reference to the extent of the extent of the disclosure of the disclosure of each of the disclosures of

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will now be aware of numerous changes, modifications, and substitutions without departing from the disclosure. It should be appreciated that the present disclosure may be practiced with various alternatives to the embodiments disclosed herein. The following claims are intended to define the scope of the disclosure, and the methods and structures falling within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are intended to be covered by the claims.

Claims (30)

A gas inclusion system comprising: a gas inclusion comprising: a printing system package defining a first volume; an auxiliary package defining a second volume; wherein the gas inclusion has an allowable entry a first sealable opening between the printing system package and the auxiliary package and a second sealable opening allowing access to the auxiliary package from the outside of the gas package; an industrial printing system, which is housed in The printing system package includes: a print head assembly including at least one print head device; a substrate support device for supporting a substrate; and a motion system for relative Positioning the printhead assembly relative to the substrate; and a handler positioned in the gas enclosure, wherein the handler is positioned adjacent the first opening to allow the handler to perform the printing system required The operation of moving between the package and the auxiliary package. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the first volume of the printing system package is maintained in an inert gas environment. The gas inclusion system of claim 2, wherein the first volume of the inert gas environment is maintained using a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, any noble gas, and combinations thereof. The gas inclusion system of claim 2, wherein the inert atmosphere contained in the interior of the printing system package comprises water and oxygen in an amount of 100 ppm or less. The gas inclusion system of claim 2, wherein the inert atmosphere contained in the interior of the printing system package comprises water and oxygen in an amount of 1 ppm or less. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the second volume of the auxiliary package is between about 1% and about 10% of the total volume of the gas inclusion. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the handler has an end connector. The gas inclusion system of claim 7, wherein the terminator is selected from the group consisting of a blade type terminator, a clamp type terminator, and a clip type terminator. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the handler is positioned in the printing system enclosure defining the first volume. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the handler is positioned in the auxiliary package defining a second volume. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, further comprising a printhead management system housed in the gas enclosure. The gas inclusion system of claim 11, wherein the print head management system is positioned in the auxiliary package. The gas inclusion system of claim 11, wherein the print head management system is positioned in the printing system package. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary package system defining a second volume is configured as a section of the gas inclusion. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary package defining a second volume is an adjustable controlled environmental enclosure. A gas inclusion system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the adjustable controlled environment enclosure is easily movable. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary volume of the second volume is a transfer chamber. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary package is a load lock chamber. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the substrate support apparatus supports a substrate having a size between about 3.5th generation and about 10th generation. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the substrate support device supports a substrate having a size between about 5th generation and about 8.5th generation. The gas inclusion system of claim 1, wherein the substrate supporting device is a floating table. A method for automated maintenance of an industrial printing system, the method comprising: maintaining a gas inclusion in an inert gas environment, the gas inclusion comprising: a printing system package, wherein an industrial printing system accommodates In the printing system package; an auxiliary package adjacent to the printing system package; and a first sealable opening permitting access between the printing system package and the auxiliary package; For maintaining an inert environment in the printing system package, when the first sealable opening is open, maintaining the auxiliary package in an inert environment; placing a handler adjacent to the printing system package Positioning the first sealable opening between the body and the auxiliary package; Using the handler to remove a component from the printing system; and using the handler to move the removed component to the auxiliary package. The method of claim 22, further comprising removing the removed component from the auxiliary chamber via a second sealable opening between the auxiliary chamber and the exterior of the gas enclosure, wherein The first sealable opening between the printing system package and the auxiliary package is sealed when the auxiliary package is exposed to a non-inert gas. The method of claim 22, further comprising: using the handler to retrieve a replacement component for the printing system; and using the handler to insert the replacement component into the printing system; wherein the retrieval is performed; And the steps of replacing a replacement component may be performed after the step of removing a component from the printing system or after the step of moving the removed component to the chamber. The method of claim 23, further comprising: when the second sealable opening is opened, placing a replacement component for the printing system into the auxiliary package; closing the second Sealing the opening; and restoring the gaseous environment of the auxiliary package to an inert gas environment; wherein the step of removing the removed component from the auxiliary package and placing a replacement component in the auxiliary package It can be done in any order. The method of claim 19, wherein the second volume of the auxiliary package is between about 1% and about 5% of the total volume of the gas inclusion body. The method of claim 19, wherein the printing system can print an OLED base The OLED substrate has a size between about 3.5th generation and about 10th generation. The method of claim 19, wherein the inert gas environment of the gas inclusion is maintained using a gas selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, any noble gas, and combinations thereof. The method of claim 19, wherein the inert gas atmosphere of the gas inclusion body comprises water and oxygen in an amount of 1 ppm or less. The method of claim 19, wherein the inert gas atmosphere of the gas inclusion body comprises water and oxygen in an amount of 100 ppm or less.