Ink Jet Printing Apparatus Circulation Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printing methods face issues with ejection failures and degraded image quality due to ink thickening and clogging, particularly when using inks containing nonionic resin particles and multivalent metal salts, which can lead to increased apparatus size and cost.
Innovation Solution
The method involves circulating the coloring ink composition through a circulation path while not circulating the non-coloring composition, using a dual ink jet head system where the coloring ink is circulated before ejection and the non-coloring composition is not, and incorporating heating and flushing steps to maintain ink consistency and prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a circulation path is provided in the ink jet head to circulate the ink, then ejection consistency is improved, but the size and mass of the ink jet printing apparatus are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is segmented by type: coloring ink compositions (which contain pigment and are prone to thickening) are circulated through circulation paths, while non-coloring compositions (which do not contain pigment) are not circulated. This selective segmentation allows circulation benefits to be applied only where necessary, avoiding the need to circulate all inks and thereby reducing the overall size and mass of the circulation system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different circulation strategies are applied to different ink types based on their local characteristics. Coloring inks containing pigment receive circulation treatment to prevent thickening and clogging, while non-coloring inks without pigment do not require circulation. This local differentiation optimizes ejection consistency for pigment-containing inks while minimizing the apparatus size increase.
2Reliability
If the ink is circulated to prevent thickening, then ejection failure is reduced, but the device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system is divided into two distinct paths: one for coloring ink compositions that requires circulation to prevent thickening and ejection failure, and another for non-coloring compositions that does not require circulation. This segmentation reduces device complexity by eliminating unnecessary circulation infrastructure for non-coloring inks while maintaining reliability for coloring inks.
3Manufacturing precision
If pigment in the ink is used for high-definition printing, then image quality is improved, but clogging of ejection openings occurs due to thickening
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system continuously moves coloring ink compositions through circulation paths before ejection, preventing the ink from remaining stationary and thickening. This continuous circulation action maintains the fluidity of pigment-containing inks, ensuring both high-definition printing quality and consistent ejection without clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation process changes the physical state and flow characteristics of the coloring ink composition by continuously moving it through the circulation path, preventing viscosity increase and thickening that would otherwise occur with stationary ink, thereby maintaining ejection consistency for high-definition printing.
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 enables high-quality image production without increasing the size or mass of the ink jet printing apparatus, maintaining ejection consistency, and extending filter lifetime while preventing clogging and foreign matter formation.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation path through which the coloring ink composition is circulated
Implementation Method 2
incorporating heating and flushing steps to maintain ink consistency and prevent clogging
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet printing method includes an application step of ejecting a coloring ink composition functioning to color a printing medium through an ejection opening of a first ink jet head to apply the coloring ink composition onto a printing medium, and an application step of ejecting a non-coloring composition different from the coloring ink composition through an ejection opening of a second ink jet head to apply the non-coloring composition onto the printing medium. The coloring ink composition is circulated through a circulation path connected to the first ink jet head after being fed into the first ink jet head and before being ejected through the ejection opening of the first ink jet head. The non-coloring composition is not circulated through a circulation path after being fed into the second ink jet head and before being ejected through the ejection opening of the second ink jet head.