Ink Circulation Temperature Control for Stable Resin-Particle Jetting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in maintaining ink ejection stability and abrasion resistance when circulating ink containing resin particles at high speeds, as resin particle aggregation is exacerbated by circulation flow rate and temperature, leading to unstable ejection.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an ink circulation system with a cooling portion to lower ink temperature before the pump, a heating portion to raise ink temperature before ejection, and a pump to maintain stable ink flow, thereby controlling temperature variations and preventing resin particle aggregation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink containing resin particles is circulated for a long period to maintain ejection stability, then abrasion resistance is improved, but resin particle aggregation occurs due to pump impact and temperature changes, leading to unstable ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling portion is positioned before the pump in the circulation flow path to preemptively cool the ink before it undergoes pump impact. This preliminary cooling action prevents resin particle aggregation that would otherwise occur during pumping, allowing long-term circulation without ejection instability. The cooling occurs in advance, before the harmful effect (aggregation) can manifest.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling portion acts as an intermediary element between the ink storage and the pump, modifying the ink temperature to a state that prevents aggregation during pumping. This intermediary cooling action mediates between the need for circulation (to maintain ejection stability) and the need to prevent resin particle aggregation, enabling both goals to be achieved simultaneously.
2Productivity
If ink temperature is increased to reduce viscosity for high-speed recording, then ejection stability is improved, but resin particle aggregation occurs, deteriorating ejection stability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The ink circulation system performs periodic circulation through the flow path, with the cooling portion applying periodic cooling actions to the ink. This periodic cooling prevents progressive resin particle aggregation that would occur with continuous high-temperature operation, enabling sustained high-speed recording while maintaining ejection stability over time through repeated cooling cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically controls the temperature parameter of the ink by positioning the cooling portion before the pump. This parameter change (cooling) counteracts the temperature increase that would lead to aggregation, allowing the ink to maintain optimal viscosity for high-speed ejection without the harmful side effect of resin particle aggregation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ink is circulated continuously to prevent evaporation and maintain consistent viscosity, then image uniformity is improved, but resin particle aggregation due to pump impact causes ejection instability
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling portion is strategically positioned before the pump to apply cooling action in advance, before the ink experiences pump impact. This preliminary cooling creates a protective effect that prevents resin particle aggregation during pumping, allowing continuous circulation to proceed without the aggregation problem that would otherwise compromise ejection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling portion converts the potentially harmful effect of pump impact (which causes aggregation) into a beneficial effect. By cooling the ink before pumping, the system transforms what would be a harmful high-temperature pumping process into a beneficial low-temperature circulation process that prevents aggregation while maintaining the desirable continuous circulation for viscosity consistency.
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 ensures stable ink ejection and excellent abrasion resistance by suppressing resin particle aggregation, even with prolonged ink circulation, maintaining ink viscosity and flow stability during high-speed recording.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling portion for cooling the aqueous ink
Implementation Method 2
a heating portion for heating the aqueous ink
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an inkjet recording method capable of recording images with good ink ejection stability and excellent abrasion resistance while circulating ink between the ink storage portion and the recording head over a long period of time. An ink jet recording method in which an aqueous ink is ejected from a recording head and applied to a recording medium to record an image, the ink jet recording method uses an ink jet recording apparatus equipped with an ink circulation flow path for circulating the aqueous ink from an ink storage portion to the recording head, including the ink storage portion for storing the aqueous ink, the recording head of an ink jet system for ejecting the aqueous ink, a cooling portion for cooling the aqueous ink, a heating portion for heating the aqueous ink, and a pump for circulating the aqueous ink.