Ink Jet Recording Method Evaporation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods on non-absorptive or low-absorptive recording media face issues with image quality due to the drying state of the reaction liquid, leading to problems with covering property and color stability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves controlling the evaporation rates of water and organic solvent in the reaction liquid, with high water evaporation rates (70% or more) and low organic solvent evaporation rates (60% or less), and using a reaction liquid with an organic solvent having a normal boiling point between 150°C to 280°C, along with a pre-heating unit to adjust the recording medium temperature, to improve ink spreadability and prevent nozzle clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the reaction liquid is not sufficiently dried before ink adhesion, then the covering property is improved, but color stability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the evaporation rates of water and organic solvent in the reaction liquid to different extents (water: 70-90%, organic solvent: 10-60%). This differential evaporation control transforms the reaction liquid's composition parameters to achieve optimal balance between covering property and color stability, resolving the contradiction between these two quality attributes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing a controlled drying step of the reaction liquid before ink adhesion. This preliminary drying action removes excess water while preserving sufficient organic solvent, creating optimal conditions for subsequent ink adhesion. The pre-treatment resolves the contradiction by preparing the substrate in advance with the right balance of moisture and solvent content.
2Manufacturing precision
If the evaporation rate of water is increased, then the covering property is improved, but the remaining water that disturbs aggregation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by setting the water evaporation rate to a specific range (70-90%) rather than maximizing it completely. This controlled parameter change allows sufficient water removal for good covering property while maintaining enough remaining water (10-30%) to prevent excessive aggregation disturbance, resolving the contradiction between these two factors.
3Quantity of substance
If the evaporation rate of organic solvent is decreased, then the remaining organic solvent for mixing with ink is increased, but the drying time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the organic solvent evaporation rate to a specific range (10-60%) rather than minimizing it completely. This balanced parameter setting ensures sufficient organic solvent remains (40-90%) for effective ink mixing while limiting excessive drying time, resolving the contradiction between solvent retention and processing time.
4Productivity
If the recording medium temperature is increased to improve drying, then the evaporation rate increases, but nozzle clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the recording medium temperature to a specific range (20-45°C) rather than using high temperatures. This moderate temperature control provides sufficient drying efficiency while preventing thermal damage to the ink jet system that would cause nozzle clogging, resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and system reliability.
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 enhances image quality by improving covering properties, suppressing bleeding, and ensuring sufficient image fixability on non-absorptive or low-absorptive recording media while preventing nozzle clogging.
Implementation Method 1
evaporation rates of water and an organic solvent contained in a reaction liquid are significantly important for improvement in image quality
Implementation Method 2
In the reaction liquid adhesion step, the recording medium preferably has a surface temperature of 45°C or less
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
An inkjet recording method according to one aspect of the invention includes: a reaction liquid adhesion step of ejecting from an inkjet head, a reaction liquid in the form of liquid droplets containing an aggregating agent which aggregates an ink composition so as to adhere the reaction liquid to a recording medium which is a non-absorptive recording medium or a low-absorptive recording medium; a reaction liquid drying step of drying the reaction liquid adhered to the recording medium; and an ink composition adhesion step of ejecting the ink composition in the form of liquid droplets from the ink jet head so as to adhere the ink composition to the recording medium to which the reaction liquid is adhered, and when the ink composition is to be adhered, the reaction liquid is dried so that evaporation rates of water and an organic solvent contained in the reaction liquid are 70 percent by mass or more and 60 percent by mass or less, respectively.