Ink Image Fixation Using Vapor-Saturated Two-Step Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image fixation methods in printing technologies are inefficient and energy-intensive, limiting the temperature of the ink due to evaporative cooling, which hinders the formation of a stable film on the substrate.
Innovation Solution
A two-step fixation process involving a confined space where the image is heated in an atmosphere saturated with the liquid carrier fluid, allowing resin and pigment particles to form a film in the presence of the liquid carrier fluid, followed by drying to cure the ink.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the image is heated to promote film formation, then the film formation is improved, but evaporative cooling limits the temperature and reduces fixation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inert atmosphere principle by creating a confined space saturated with liquid carrier fluid vapor, which prevents evaporative cooling of the ink image during heating. This vapor-saturated environment acts as an inert atmosphere that eliminates the harmful evaporative cooling effect, allowing the image to be heated to higher temperatures for improved film formation while reducing energy consumption. The confined space ensures the atmosphere remains saturated with carrier fluid vapor throughout the heating process.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional drying methods are used, then the ink is dried, but the temperature is limited by evaporative cooling and film formation is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a vapor-saturated confined space that prevents evaporative cooling, enabling higher processing temperatures for improved film formation. The liquid carrier fluid vapor atmosphere eliminates the temperature limitation that normally occurs during drying, allowing resin and pigment particles to form a stable film at higher temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drying environment by saturating the confined space atmosphere with liquid carrier fluid vapor. This parameter change (from normal air to vapor-saturated atmosphere) fundamentally alters the drying process, allowing temperature to increase without evaporative cooling limitation, thereby improving film formation quality.
3Productivity
If the image is heated in normal air, then drying occurs, but evaporative cooling reduces temperature and fixation efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a confined space saturated with liquid carrier fluid vapor to eliminate evaporative cooling during heating. This inert vapor atmosphere allows efficient fixation by maintaining higher temperatures without the energy loss associated with continuous evaporation, thereby improving productivity while reducing energy consumption.
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 method enables higher temperature processing without evaporative cooling, promoting film formation and reducing energy consumption by maintaining the liquid carrier fluid presence, resulting in a more efficient and cost-effective image fixation.
Implementation Method 1
heating the image containing liquid carrier fluid of the applied ink and subjecting the image to an atmosphere that is saturated with the carrier fluid, thereby causing resin particles and pigment particles in the image to form a film
Implementation Method 2
evaporation of the carrier fluid is suppressed when the air volume above the applied image is saturated with the carrier fluid
Implementation Method 3
drying the image
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of printing comprising: forming an image (14b) by applying ink onto the surface of a substrate (14), the ink containing a liquid carrier fluid (40), resin particles (42), and pigment particles (44); and subjecting the image (14b) to a fixation treatment, a first fixation treatment step comprising: transporting the substrate (14) with the image (14b) thereon through a confined space (22) delimited by a delimiting surface (24a) opposite to the surface (14a) of the substrate (14); and, inside the confined space (22), heating the image (14b) containing liquid carrier fluid (40) of the applied ink and subjecting the image (14b) to an atmosphere that is saturated with the carrier fluid, thereby causing resin particles (42) and pigment particles (44) in the image (14b) to form a film in the presence of the liquid carrier fluid (40). A second fixation treatment step comprises: drying the image (14b).