Modular printhead for OLED printing

• US 8,596,747 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2011
• Issued: 12/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kateeva, Inc.
• Inventors: Golda, Dariusz, Gassend, Valerie, Kim, Hyeun-Su
• Primary Examiner(s): FEGGINS, KRISTAL J
• Application Number:
  US13/327,745
• Publication Number:
  US 20120086764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 347/14, 347/20, 347/85, 347/237, 118/302, 438/21, 427/66, 427/61, 427/287
• US Class Current: 347/20
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/335 Structure of thermal heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/3359 Manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: B81C 1/00309 suitable for fluid transfer from the MEMS out of the package or vice versa, e.g. transfer of liquid, gas, sound
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00

Abstract

The disclosure generally relates to a modular printhead configured for ease of access and quick replacement of the printhead. In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to an integrated printhead which includes: a printhead die supporting a plurality of micropores thereon; a support structure for supporting the printhead die; a heater interposed between the printhead die and the support structure; and an electrical trace connecting the heater to a supply source. The support structure accommodates the electrical trace through a via formed within it so as to form a solid state printhead containing all of the connections within and providing easily replaceable printhead.

Claims

1. An integrated printhead, comprising:

a printhead die supporting a plurality of micropores thereon;

a support structure for supporting the printhead die;

a heater on the printhead die interposed between the printhead die and the support structure; and

an electrical trace connecting the heater to a supply source;

wherein the support structure accommodates the electrical trace through a via formed therethrough.

2. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the at least one micropore defines a blind micropore.

3. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises a ceramic material.

4. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the heater is linearly disposed over a proximal surface of the printhead die and the plurality of micropores are disposed on the distal surface of the printhead die.

5. The printhead of claim 4, wherein the distal surface of the printhead define a flatness tolerance of about 5-10 micron.

6. The printhead of claim 1, further comprising a complementary electrical trace connecting the heater to a complementary supply source.

7. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the integrated printhead die defines a device excluding external wiring.

8. The printhead of claim 1, wherein the printhead die further comprises a first trench forming a cavity through the printhead die.

9. The printhead of claim 1, further comprising at least one connection joint for connecting the support structure to at least one heater on the printhead die.

10. The printhead of claim 9, wherein the connection joint comprises at least one of a solder bump, a package pad or an under-bump metal (UMB).

11. A printhead for printing OLED on a substrate, comprising:

a printhead die having a proximal surface and a distal surface, the distal surface defining a plurality of micropores;

a heater in thermal communication with the proximal surface of the printhead die; and

a support structure for supporting the printhead die, the support structure providing a trace for connecting the heater to a supply source;

wherein the printhead die in combination with the heater and the support structure form a solid state printhead, and wherein the distal surface of the printhead die defines a flatness tolerance of less than 20 micron.

12. The printhead of claim 11, wherein the printhead die defines a flatness tolerance of less than 10 micron.

13. The printhead of claim 11, wherein the printhead die has defines a flatness tolerance in a range of about 5-10 micron.

14. The printhead of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of micropore define blind micropore.

15. The printhead of claim 11, wherein the support structure comprises a ceramic material.

16. The printhead of claim 11, the trace comprises a connection for connecting the heater to the supply source.

17. The printhead of claim 11, wherein the printhead die further comprises a first trench forming a cavity through the printhead die.

18. The printhead of claim 11, further comprising a connection joint for connecting the support structure to the heater.

19. The printhead of claim 18, wherein the connection joint comprises at least one of a solder bump, a package pad or an under-bump metal (UMB).

20. The printhead of claim 18, wherein the connection joint receives the trace.

21. The printhead of claim 11, wherein the printhead is positioned not more than about 40 microns from the substrate at printing.