Conductive Ink UV Curing for Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording methods using conductive inks struggle to achieve high image quality due to issues with noise and the effectiveness of the conductive layer formation process, particularly in maintaining a sufficient liquid component content during ultraviolet irradiation.
Innovation Solution
An image recording method involving the application of a conductive ink with a high initial liquid component content using an ink jet recording method, followed by ultraviolet irradiation to form a conductive layer, where the liquid component content is 5% by mass or more at the start of irradiation, and the process is optimized with specific timing and lamination steps to ensure high image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conductive ink is applied and allowed to dry completely before ultraviolet irradiation, then the liquid component content becomes low, but the ink spreads and wets the base material causing poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultraviolet irradiation to the conductive ink while it still contains a sufficient liquid component content (5% by mass or more), before the ink has completely dried and spread. This preliminary curing action prevents the ink from wetting and spreading on the base material, thereby maintaining high image quality while still achieving effective conductive layer formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the liquid component content parameter to be 5% by mass or more at the time of ultraviolet irradiation. By maintaining this specific parameter range, the ink remains sufficiently fluid for proper application but is cured quickly enough to prevent excessive spreading, resolving the contradiction between maintaining liquid content and preventing wetting
2Manufacturing precision
If ultraviolet irradiation is performed immediately after ink application, then the liquid component content remains high preventing spread, but the curing effectiveness may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultraviolet irradiation continuously or in multiple passes while the ink liquid component content is maintained at 5% by mass or more. This continuous curing action ensures both effective conductive layer formation and prevention of ink spreading, achieving both high image quality and reliable curing
3Area of stationary object
If the ink is allowed to spread on the base material, then coverage is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to noise and unwanted conductive paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultraviolet irradiation to the conductive ink while it still contains sufficient liquid component content (5% by mass or more) to prevent the ink from spreading and wetting the base material. This preliminary curing action counteracts the natural tendency of the ink to spread, thereby preventing noise and unwanted conductive paths while maintaining proper coverage
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 method effectively records images with high quality by ensuring the conductive ink is cured before wetting and spreading, resulting in improved conductivity and image fidelity.
Implementation Method 1
performing ultraviolet irradiation on the conductive ink applied onto the base material to form a conductive layer
Data Source
AI summary
An image recording method includes applying a conductive ink onto a base material by using an ink jet recording method and performing ultraviolet irradiation on the conductive ink applied onto the base material to form a conductive layer, in which a content of a liquid component of the conductive ink at a time when the ultraviolet irradiation begins is 5% by mass or more with respect to a content of the liquid component of the conductive ink at a time when the conductive ink is applied onto the base material.