# US 12,109,806 B2 · Inkjet printing apparatus and method for inspecting inkjet head using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,806 B2 - Document ID: US12109806B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/904,370 - Filed: 2020-06-02 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-17 - Assignees: Samsung Display Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung Display Co., LTD. - Inventors: Byung Chul Lee; Heung Cheol Jeong; Myung Soo Huh; Cheol Lae Roh; Do Hun Lee - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109806B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/0451: {for detecting failure, e.g. clogging, malfunctioning actuator} - B41J 2/2142: {Detection of malfunctioning nozzles (generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers B41J2/045, B41J2/05; jet deflection sensors B41J2/125; for cleaning purposes B41J2/16579)} - B41J 2/04586: {controlling heads of a type not covered by groups B41J2/04575 - B41J2/04585, or of an undefined type} - B41J 2/175: Ink supply systems {; Circuit parts therefor} - B41J 3/44: Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions - B41J 3/46: Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication - C09D 11/30: Inkjet printing inks - G01N 15/0612: {Optical scan of the deposits (G01N15/0625 takes precedence)} - G01N 15/1429: Signal processing - G01N 15/1433: using image recognition - G01N 15/1434: Optical arrangements - B41J 2/2139: {Compensation for malfunctioning nozzles creating dot place or dot size errors (generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers B41J2/045)} - B41J 2202/09: Ink jet technology used for manufacturing optical filters - G01N 2015/1486: {Counting the particles} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and a method for inspecting an inkjet head using same. The inkjet printing apparatus comprises: an inspection stage unit on which an inspection substrate is seated; an inkjet head unit including at least one inkjet head that ejects ink containing dipoles and a solvent in which the dipoles disperse, on the inspection stage unit; and a particle count inspection unit that is located so as to be spaced apart from the inkjet head unit in one direction. The particle count inspection unit comprises: a first heat treatment unit that is located on the top portion of the inspection stage unit; and a first sensing unit that is located on the bottom portion of the inspection stage unit and measures the number of dipoles sprayed onto the inspection substrate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inkjet printing apparatus comprising: an inspection stage unit configured to support an inspection substrate; an inkjet head unit including at least one inkjet head configured to eject ink, which contains a solvent, and dipoles dispersed in the solvent, on the inspection stage unit; a particle count inspection unit that is located apart from the inkjet head unit in one direction, and that includes a first heat treatment unit located above the inspection stage unit; and a first sensing unit located below the inspection stage unit and configured to measure a number of dipoles ejected onto the inspection substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second sensing unit configured to measure a position of first ink that is ejected from the inkjet head and applied onto the inspection substrate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first sensing unit is configured to the number of dipoles located in a region corresponding to the position of the first ink. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first sensing unit is configured to measure the number of dipoles that remain on the inspection substrate after the solvent is removed by the first heat treatment unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 2, wherein: the particle count inspection unit further includes a light irradiation unit that is located above the inspection stage unit and emits light toward the inspection stage unit; and the first sensing unit includes a camera unit for photographing a lower surface of the inspection substrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 5, wherein the camera unit is configured to generate image data by photographing a region corresponding to the position of the first ink. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second sensing unit is configured to measure an area of the first ink, and the first sensing unit is configured to calculate a dipole pattern using the image data and is configured to measure an area of the dipole pattern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the particle count inspection unit is configured to measure the number of dipoles by comparing the area of the first ink with the area of the dipole pattern. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the particle count inspection unit is configured to compare the number of dipoles with a reference set value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an ink supply device for supplying the ink to the inkjet head unit, wherein the particle count inspection unit is configured to control the ink supply device according to a result of a comparison of the number of dipoles and the reference set value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a stage moving unit configured to move the inspection stage unit in one direction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first heat treatment unit radiates light in an infrared wavelength band. ### Claim 13 An inkjet printing apparatus comprising: an inspection stage unit on which an inspection substrate is placed; a stage unit that is located apart from the inspection stage unit and on which a target substrate is placed; an inkjet head unit that is located above the inspection stage unit and the stage unit and that includes a plurality of inkjet heads configured to eject ink, which contains dipoles and a solvent in which the dipoles are dispersed; a first heat treatment unit located above the stage unit and configured to radiate first light; a first sensing unit configured to measure a position of the ink applied onto the inspection substrate; and a particle count inspection unit configured to inspect a number of dipoles contained in the ink applied onto the inspection substrate, wherein the particle count inspection unit includes a second heat treatment unit located above the inspection stage unit and configured to radiate second light, and a second sensing unit located above the inspection stage unit and configured to measure the number of dipoles contained in the ink applied onto the inspection substrate. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second sensing unit is configured to measure the number of dipoles that remain on the inspection substrate after the solvent is removed by the second heat treatment unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The inkjet printing apparatus of claim 14 further comprising an ink supply device configured to supply the ink to the inkjet head unit, wherein the particle count inspection unit configured to control the ink supply device according to a result of comparing the number of dipoles with a reference set value. ### Claim 16 A method of inspecting an inkjet head, comprising: ejecting ink, which contains a plurality of dipoles and a solvent in which the plurality of dipoles are dispersed, on an inspection substrate; inspecting a discharge amount of the ink applied onto the inspection substrate; removing the solvent contained in the ink applied onto the inspection substrate; and measuring a number of dipoles remaining on the inspection substrate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the inspecting of the discharge amount of the ink includes measuring a diameter and area of the ink applied onto the inspection substrate. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the measuring of the number of dipoles includes calculating a dipole pattern by photographing the inspection substrate from under the inspection substrate and measuring an area of the dipole pattern. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the measuring of the number of dipoles comprises comparing the area of the ink with the area of the dipole pattern. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein the dipoles remaining on the inspection substrate are arranged regardless of orientation.