Dispensing apparatus and dispensing method

Abstract

A dispensing apparatus includes a dispensing unit having a main body, a channel through the main body, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the main body, the plurality of nozzles being configured to dispense fluid flowing in the channel, a gap sensor unit configured to determine size of gaps between adjacent nozzles in the dispensing unit, and a thermal expansion adjusting unit configured to thermally expand or contract the main body of the dispensing unit to adjust the gap size between adjacent nozzles to a predetermined size, based on the gap size determined by the gap sensor unit.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A dispensing method, comprising:
 providing a substrate having a plurality of pixel structures thereon;   arranging a dispensing unit above the substrate, the dispensing unit including a main body, a channel through the main body, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the main body;   determining size of gaps between adjacent nozzles in the dispensing unit with a gap sensor unit;   thermally expanding or contracting the main body of the dispensing unit with a thermal expansion adjusting unit, such that the gaps between adjacent nozzles are adjusted to reach a predetermined size, based on the gap size determined by the gap sensor unit; and   dispensing fluid flowing in the channel of the dispensing unit onto the pixel structures on the substrate through the plurality of nozzles.   
     
     
         9 . The dispensing method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein thermally expanding or contracting the main body includes adjusting gaps between adjacent nozzles to correspond to gaps between adjacent pixel structures on the substrate. 
     
     
         10 . The dispensing method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the gaps between adjacent nozzles to correspond to the gaps between adjacent pixel structures includes:
 sensing the temperature of the main body; and   increasing or decreasing the temperature of the main body, such that the sensed temperature of the main body reaches a predetermined temperature.   
     
     
         11 . The dispensing method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the gaps between adjacent nozzles to correspond to the gaps between adjacent pixel structures includes aligning each nozzle with a respective pixel structure. 
     
     
         12 . The dispensing method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein arranging the dispensing unit on the substrate includes:
 positioning the substrate on a seating unit; and   arranging the main body of the dispensing unit above the substrate by moving one or more of the seating unit and the dispensing unit.