Ink Jet Recording Apparatus Metal Pigment Ejection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink jet recording technologies face challenges in achieving stable ink ejection with short ejection intervals, particularly with metal pigments, which result in uneven behavior and decreased stability due to particle shape and size issues, making it difficult to form fine patterns on curved surfaces and support multi-product production with metal tone gradation.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording apparatus using a base metal pigment ink composition with a 50% average particle diameter of 100 nm to 1 μm and an organic compound with a surface tension of 35 mN/m or greater, along with a specific nozzle configuration and ejection interval management, to ensure stable ejection even at short intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If metal pigment ink is used for metallic printing, then metallic luster and fine pattern formation are achieved, but ejection stability deteriorates due to particle shape and size causing uneven behavior near the nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the metal pigment particles by controlling their average particle diameter to be 0.5 μm or less and aspect ratio to be 5 or more. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by enabling both fine pattern formation (improving manufacturing precision) and stable ejection (improving reliability) simultaneously.
2Productivity
If ejection interval is shortened for high-speed recording, then productivity increases, but ejection stability of metal pigment ink deteriorates considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink composition parameters by incorporating specific surfactants and adjusting surface tension to 30 mN/m or less. This enables stable ejection even at short ejection intervals (within 100 μs), resolving the contradiction between high-speed recording (productivity) and ejection stability (reliability).
3Illumination intensity
If conventional metallic ink methods are used, then metallic luster is achieved, but adaptability to curved surfaces and multi-product production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink formulation parameters including using water-soluble polymers with specific molecular weights (10,000-1,000,000) and controlling viscosity to 10-1000 cP. These parameter adjustments enable the ink to adapt to curved surfaces and support diverse production needs while maintaining metallic luster, resolving the contradiction between metallic appearance and application versatility.
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 solution enables excellent ejection stability and waveform responsiveness, allowing for high-speed recording with consistent ink droplet placement and improved glossiness of the recorded image, even on curved surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
an organic compound of which a surface tension at 20° C. is 35 mN/m or greater
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording apparatus including: a base metal pigment ink composition; and a first nozzle that ejects the base metal pigment ink composition, in which the base metal pigment ink composition contains a flat base metal pigment of which a 50% average particle diameter D50 is in a range of 100 nm to 1 μm, and an organic compound of which a surface tension at 20° C. is 35 mN/m or greater, and an ejection interval T1 after the base metal pigment ink composition is ejected from the first nozzle and before the base metal pigment ink composition is ejected again from the first nozzle is within 100 μs.