Aqueous Ink Dynamic Surface Tension Control for Image Density and Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet recording technologies face challenges in achieving high image density and fixing ability, particularly when using recording media with varying textures and void structures, as they focus on controlling the properties of coloring materials without considering the dynamic surface tension's influence on ink permeation and evaporation.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous ink with specific dynamic surface tension properties is developed, maintaining a value of 49 mN/m or more at 50 milliseconds and reducing to 38 mN/m or less at 5,000 milliseconds, using a surfactant and water-soluble organic solvent to inhibit ink permeation and enhance fixing ability across different recording media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional coloring material control techniques are used, then image density can be enhanced on smooth media, but fixing ability deteriorates on coarse-textured media with high permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the dynamic surface tension of the ink at different time points. Specifically, the ink is designed to have a dynamic surface tension of 40 mN/m or more at 10 milliseconds to prevent premature permeation and maintain image density, while having a dynamic surface tension of 35 mN/m or less at 1,000 milliseconds to ensure proper fixing ability on coarse-textured media. This time-dependent parameter control resolves the contradiction between image density and fixing ability.
2Manufacturing precision
If ink permeation is inhibited to maintain coloring material on surface, then image density is improved, but fixing ability worsens on fine-textured media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the surface tension property of the ink dynamic rather than static. The ink formulation includes surfactants that cause the dynamic surface tension to change over time according to the ink jet process stages. At the early stage (10 milliseconds), high dynamic surface tension prevents excessive permeation and maintains image density. At the later stage (1,000 milliseconds), low dynamic surface tension enables proper permeation for fixing on fine-textured media. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction for different media types.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ink achieves high image density and excellent fixing ability by controlling the dynamic surface tension, ensuring the coloring material remains on the surface of the recording medium, even with coarse textures, and accelerates fixing on media with fine textures, improving overall printing performance.
Implementation Method 1
a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 50 milliseconds as determined by a maximum bubble pressure method is 49 mN/m or more, and wherein a dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 5,000 milliseconds as determined by the maximum bubble pressure method is 38 mN/m or less
Implementation Method 2
from the beginning of evaporation of the ink on the recording medium to the end of fixing of the ink to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
Novel conditions in the physical properties of an ink have been found out to provide an aqueous ink, which can give a high image density and achieve excellent fixing ability. The aqueous ink comprises at least water, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant and a coloring material, wherein the dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 50 milliseconds as determined by a maximum bubble pressure method is 49 mN/m or more, and the dynamic surface tension at a lifetime of 5,000 milliseconds as determined by the maximum bubble pressure method is 38 mN/m or less.