Fixing Agent Density Control for Two-Liquid Ink Smearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers using two-liquid type ink face issues with smearing and color blur due to inadequate fixing agent amounts, leading to viscosity-related problems and color unevenness, where excessive fixing agent causes ink to float and shift from intended positions before fixation.
Innovation Solution
A method for setting the fixing agent amount based on corresponding fixing agent density, with upper and lower limits determined to prevent smearing and color unevenness, involving pre-printing tests on media with varying ink and fixing agent densities to establish optimal ranges for each color printing condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sufficient amount of fixing agent is used to suppress ink smearing, then smearing is prevented, but color blur occurs due to excessive fixing agent causing ink to float and shift from intended positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of fixing agent amount from a fixed value to a variable value that is adjusted based on ink amount and printing conditions. By dynamically adjusting the fixing agent amount within an optimal range, the system prevents both smearing (insufficient fixing agent) and color blur (excessive fixing agent), resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Ease of operation
If the ink viscosity is reduced to enable smooth ejection from the nozzle, then ejection performance is improved, but smearing occurs on the medium due to low viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary action by ejecting the fixing agent onto the medium before ejecting the ink. This allows the fixing agent to be in place and ready to immediately fix the ink upon contact, preventing smearing while allowing the ink to maintain low viscosity for smooth ejection. The fixing agent creates a preliminary protective layer that prevents the low-viscosity ink from smearing.
3Reliability
If the fixing agent amount is increased to ensure complete ink fixation, then fixation completeness is improved, but ink position shifts occur causing color blur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies partial action by using an optimal amount of fixing agent that is sufficient for complete fixation without being excessive. Rather than using a fixed high amount, the system calculates and applies precisely the right amount of fixing agent needed based on ink amount and printing conditions, achieving complete fixation without the excess that causes ink to float and shift positions.
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 approach effectively suppresses smearing and color blur by ensuring the fixing agent density is within optimal limits, allowing for precise and high-quality printing with two-liquid type inks by preventing ink movement and ensuring accurate color representation.
Implementation Method 1
the fixing agent fixes the ink to the medium by, for example, enhancing the viscosity of the ink. More specifically, in this case, for example, ink (latex ink, etc.) containing resin is used, and the resin is clumped together with the fixing agent to fix the ink to the medium.
Data Source
AI summary
To allow printing through a more appropriate method when carrying out printing using a two-liquid type ink. A fixing agent amount setting method of setting a usage amount of a fixing agent, which is liquid for fixing an ink, which is a colored ink, on a medium, where a fixing agent density, which is an amount of the fixing agent to eject per unit area is made to correspond with a colored ink density, which is an amount of the ink to eject per unit area, and set to a value smaller than or equal to an upper limit value of a fixing agent density corresponding to a maximum fixing agent density at which color unevenness does not occur on the medium.