Double-Sided Recording Medium Pore Radius Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-sided recording media suffer from undertrapping issues when ink receiving layers are overlaid, due to differences in ink absorption capabilities and moisture movement between layers, leading to image quality issues.
Innovation Solution
A double-sided recording medium with ink receiving layers on both surfaces, where the peak pore radius distribution of the outermost layer is larger than the adjacent layer, and the arithmetic average roughness is 0.50 μm or more, to minimize moisture retention and movement between layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ink receiving layers are provided on both surfaces of the substrate to enable double-sided recording, then recording capability on both sides is improved, but undertrapping occurs when layers are overlaid due to moisture movement between layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous ink receiving layers with specifically controlled pore radius distributions. The outermost layer has a peak pore radius A1 and the adjacent layer has a peak pore radius A2, where A1 > A2. This porous structure with gradient pore sizes enables controlled moisture movement from the outermost layer to the adjacent layer, preventing undertrapping while maintaining double-sided recording capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pore radius distribution parameters (A1, A2, B1, B2) and surface roughness (Ra ≥ 0.50 μm) of the ink receiving layers. By optimizing these parameters, the ink absorption capabilities are balanced between layers, preventing moisture from remaining trapped in the outermost layer when recording media are overlaid.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pore radius distribution is optimized to prevent moisture retention, then undertrapping is suppressed, but image quality may deteriorate due to excessive moisture movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different pore radius distributions in different layers. The outermost layer has larger peak pore radius (A1 > A2) to facilitate moisture movement, while the adjacent layer has smaller peak pore radius to absorb and retain moisture appropriately. This localized differentiation in pore structure ensures moisture is moved from the outermost layer without excessive retention, maintaining both undertrapping suppression and image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains homogeneity by ensuring that the absolute difference between peak pore radii is limited (|A1−B1|≦1.0 nm). This constraint ensures that while there are differences between layers to prevent undertrapping, the overall moisture absorption characteristics remain balanced and homogeneous across both surfaces, preventing image quality deterioration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the surface roughness is increased to reduce moisture movement between layers, then undertrapping is suppressed, but ink absorption capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surface roughness parameter (Ra ≥ 0.50 μm) of the outermost ink receiving layers. This specific roughness range creates surface characteristics that reduce moisture movement between overlaid layers, suppressing undertrapping. Simultaneously, the underlying pore radius distribution (A1 > A2) ensures adequate ink absorption capability is maintained despite the reduced moisture movement.
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
This configuration effectively suppresses undertrapping by reducing moisture movement and maintaining image quality when layers are overlaid, ensuring consistent image reproducibility on both sides.
Implementation Method 1
the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer is larger than the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost ink receiving layer
Implementation Method 2
ink receiving layers each containing a pigment and a binder
Data Source
AI summary
A recording medium includes a substrate and two or more ink receiving layers on each of a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The ink receiving layers each contain a pigment and a binder. A1, A2, B1, and B2 (nm) satisfy the relationships (1), (2), and (3), where A1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the first surface side, A2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer, B1 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the outermost ink receiving layer on the second surface side, and B2 is the peak of the pore radius distribution of the ink receiving layer adjacent to the outermost layer. The arithmetic average roughness Ra specified in JIS B 0601 of each of the outermost ink receiving layers is 0.50 μm or more.