Ink Jet Recording Head Circulation Pump Wax Particle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in achieving both intermittent ejection stability and abrasion resistance when using aqueous inks on non- to hardly absorbing recording media, particularly due to the interaction of wax particles with the ink's surface and the recording head's ejection orifices, leading to instability and reduced image quality.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method and device that incorporates a recording head with an ejection unit and a circulation unit, where the aqueous ink contains a pigment and a wax particle, and a circulation pump is used to circulate the ink within the recording head, limiting the ink circulation range and reducing wax separation, thereby enhancing both ejection stability and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If aqueous ink containing wax particles is used to record on non- to hardly absorbing recording medium, then abrasion resistance of the image is improved, but intermittent ejection stability of the ink deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wax particles from the bulk ink circulation system and applies them only to the recording medium surface during the ejection process. The circulation unit is configured to supply ink to the ejection orifices without allowing wax particles to accumulate in the circulation channels, thereby maintaining ejection stability while still achieving abrasion resistance through controlled wax deposition on the recorded image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality by concentrating wax particles at the ejection orifice and recording medium interface rather than distributing them uniformly throughout the ink circulation system. The circulation unit is designed with specific flow characteristics that promote wax particle accumulation at the ejection point, ensuring that wax is applied locally where it is needed for abrasion resistance without interfering with the overall ink ejection stability.
2Strength
If wax particles are added to aqueous ink, then abrasion resistance of recorded image is improved, but wax particles separate from ink during circulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous circulation of the aqueous ink through the circulation unit, which prevents wax particles from separating and settling. The continuous flow keeps the wax particles suspended in the ink, ensuring uniform distribution and composition stability throughout the ink supply system while still allowing wax to be deposited on the recording medium for abrasion resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation unit is designed with feedback mechanisms that monitor ink flow characteristics and adjust circulation parameters to maintain optimal wax particle distribution. By detecting changes in ink composition or flow patterns that indicate wax separation, the system can adjust circulation speed or pressure to restore uniform distribution, thereby maintaining both abrasion resistance and composition stability.
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 method and device improve intermittent ejection stability and abrasion resistance of images on non- to hardly absorbing recording media by effectively managing wax particle distribution and preventing ink evaporation, resulting in more reliable and durable image recording.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation pump causing the aqueous ink in the supply channel to flow into the collecting channel
Implementation Method 2
an ejection unit that includes an ejection element disposed in the pressure chamber and generating energy for ejecting the aqueous ink from the ejection orifice
Implementation Method 3
ejecting an aqueous ink from an ejection orifice of a recording head to record an image on a recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method includes ejecting an aqueous ink from an ejection orifice of a recording head to record an image on a recording medium. The recording head includes the ejection orifice that ejects the aqueous ink, a pressure chamber that communicates with the ejection orifice, an ejection unit that includes an ejection element disposed in the pressure chamber and generating energy for ejecting the aqueous ink from the ejection orifice, and a circulation unit that includes a supply channel supplying the aqueous ink to the pressure chamber and a collecting channel collecting the aqueous ink from the pressure chamber. The aqueous ink contains a pigment and a wax particle, and the circulation unit further includes a circulation pump causing the aqueous ink in the supply channel to flow into the collecting channel.