Ink Jet Apparatus Inert Gas Slant Ejection for Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in efficiently curing radiation-curable inks due to oxygen hindrance, particularly at increased printing speeds, which requires larger gas generators and larger apparatus sizes when using inert gas blankets.
Innovation Solution
The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet head for ejecting radiation-curable ink, an inert gas supply portion that slantingly ejects inert gas toward the irradiation portion, and an irradiation portion for applying radiation to the ink under inert gas supply, creating a low-oxygen concentration area just under the irradiation portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inert gas blanket is used to reduce oxygen hindrance to curing, then curing efficiency is improved, but apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inert gas locally only in the irradiation area where curing occurs, rather than using a comprehensive blanket. The inert gas supply portion directs gas flow specifically to the region between the recording medium and irradiation portion, creating a low-oxygen environment exactly where needed for curing, thus improving curing efficiency without unnecessarily increasing overall apparatus size
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inert gas supply into a dedicated portion (inert gas supply portion) that is separate from the main apparatus structure. This segmented approach allows the inert gas system to be optimized independently, supplying gas only where required for curing, which resolves the contradiction between improving curing efficiency and minimizing apparatus size
2Productivity
If printing speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but oxygen hindrance to curing worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The inert gas is supplied in advance to the irradiation area before curing occurs. The inert gas supply portion positions the gas flow to reach the recording medium just before or during the irradiation process, ensuring that the oxygen-hindering environment is already mitigated when curing begins, thus maintaining curing efficiency even at high printing speeds
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous inert gas supply during the irradiation process. The inert gas supply portion maintains steady gas flow to the irradiation area throughout the curing operation, ensuring uninterrupted protection from oxygen hindrance. This continuous action allows high-speed printing to proceed without compromising curing efficiency, as the inert gas atmosphere is consistently maintained during each curing cycle
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 configuration improves the efficiency of oxygen concentration reduction by the inert gas, reduces apparatus size, and enhances curing efficiency without the need for a surrounding inert gas blanket, even at increased printing speeds.
Implementation Method 1
an inert gas supply portion for supplying an inert gas to the recording medium to which the radiation-curable ink jet composition is attached
Implementation Method 2
an irradiation portion for applying radiation to the radiation-curable ink jet composition attached to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus including an ink jet head for ejecting and attaching a radiation-curable ink jet composition to a recording medium, an inert gas supply portion for supplying an inert gas to the recording medium to which the radiation-curable ink jet composition is attached, and an irradiation portion for applying radiation to the radiation-curable ink jet composition attached to the recording medium under supply of an inert gas, wherein the inert gas supply portion slantingly ejects the inert gas toward just under the irradiation portion.