Electrostatic Ink Phosphorescent Pigment Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic printing processes face challenges in creating multi-colored images that are visible under non-visible radiation, as existing technologies lack effective phosphorescent pigments that emit light for extended periods, affecting the visibility and quality of printed images.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic ink composition comprising a phosphorescent pigment, such as strontium aluminate or zinc sulfide, dispersed in a liquid carrier with a resin, which is used to create images that can be transferred to a print substrate, ensuring the pigment emits light for an extended period, enhancing visibility under non-visible radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing electrostatic ink compositions are used, then the printing process can be completed, but the images are not visible under non-visible radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the ink composition by incorporating phosphorescent pigments that emit light in the visible spectrum when exposed to non-visible radiation. This modifies the emission characteristics of the electrostatic ink to enable visibility under non-visible radiation sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite electrostatic ink composition by combining conventional ink components with phosphorescent pigments. This composite material exhibits both the electrostatic properties needed for printing and the phosphorescent emission properties for visibility under non-visible radiation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If phosphorescent pigments are added to enhance visibility, then the emission duration is extended, but the ink composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the concentration and type of phosphorescent pigments in the ink composition to achieve extended emission duration while controlling the overall complexity. By optimizing the phosphorescent material parameters, the patent extends the duration of action without proportionally increasing composition complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If phosphorescent pigments are used to improve image quality, then the visibility is enhanced, but the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size, concentration, and type of phosphorescent pigments to achieve high image quality while maintaining ease of manufacture. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent enhances visibility without creating insurmountable manufacturing difficulties.
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 use of phosphorescent pigments in the electrostatic ink composition allows for the creation of images that are visible under non-visible radiation, improving the visibility and quality of printed images by emitting light for an extended duration, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The photoconductive surface is selectively charged with a latent electrostatic image having image and background areas with different potentials. The charged toner particles adhere to the image areas of the latent image
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Herein is disclosed an electrostatic ink composition. In some examples, the electrostatic ink compositions comprise: a carrier liquid; a resin; and a phosphorescent pigment.