Ink Jet Recording Method for Drying and Streak Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording methods face challenges in achieving good drying properties while suppressing streaks in the recorded image.
Innovation Solution
An image recording method that jets ink containing water and a colorant as at least two types of liquid droplets with different sizes, following specific ratios and contact angles, using an ink jet recording method to enhance drying properties and reduce streaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink jet recording methods are used, then the recording process is simple, but drying properties are poor and streaks occur in the recorded image
Solution Approach 1:
The ink ejection process is segmented into multiple passes, with different droplet sizes ejected in different passes. The first pass uses larger droplets for base coverage, while the second pass uses smaller droplets for detail and density enhancement. This segmentation allows optimization of drying properties for each pass while maintaining overall image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink jet recording is performed in periodic cycles with multiple passes. Each pass follows a specific pattern of droplet ejection with controlled intervals, allowing the substrate to partially dry between passes. This periodic action prevents excessive ink accumulation that causes streaks while ensuring adequate coverage for good drying properties.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple liquid droplet sizes are jetted in a single pass, then drying properties improve and streaks are suppressed, but the jetting control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the image are formed using droplets of different sizes. Larger droplets are used for areas requiring higher density and coverage, while smaller droplets are used for areas requiring finer detail and lower density. This local differentiation optimizes image quality in each region while managing overall jetting complexity through systematic control rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The droplet size parameter is changed between different jetting passes rather than within a single pass. The first pass uses a first droplet size for base coverage, and the second pass uses a different droplet size for enhancement. This parameter change approach improves image precision while keeping the control system manageable by avoiding simultaneous multi-parameter control.
3Quantity of substance
If larger droplet sizes are used, then coverage and density improve, but drying time increases and streaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ink application is segmented into multiple passes with different droplet sizes. Larger droplets are used in the first pass to establish base coverage, while smaller droplets are used in subsequent passes to add density without excessive ink accumulation. This segmentation achieves high coverage density while controlling drying time by avoiding over-saturation in any single pass.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying all required ink in a single excessive action that would cause streaks and long drying times, the ink application is divided into partial actions across multiple passes. Each pass applies a controlled amount of ink that is sufficient for that stage but not excessive, allowing progressive building of density with manageable drying time at each stage.
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 achieves excellent drying properties and suppresses streaks in the recorded image by optimizing droplet sizes, jetting ratios, and contact angles, particularly effective on non-permeable substrates.
Implementation Method 1
an ink jet recording head that jets liquid droplets containing a functional component onto a surface of a substrate
Implementation Method 2
a contact angle of the liquid droplet with respect to the substrate is denoted as θ
Implementation Method 3
each droplet of the group composed of two or more droplets is landed on the recording medium so as to overlap with an adjacent droplet in the same group
Implementation Method 4
a proportion of a volume of a volatile solvent contained in the liquid droplet is set to a specific proportion
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An image recording method includes: a step of jetting ink containing water and a colorant onto a substrate as at least two types of liquid droplets having liquid droplet sizes different from each other by a single-pass method using an ink jet recording method, and the V1, the V2, the a1, the a2, and the θ, which are parameters related to the first liquid droplet and the second liquid droplet, satisfy Expression (1) and Expression (2). 0.45 ≤ V2/V1 ≤ 0.9 ... (1) 3.5 ≤ {V11/3 × (1 + cosθ)}2 × a1 + {V21/3 × (1 + cosθ)}2 × a2 ≤ 7.0 ... (2)