Ink Jet Recording Method Resolving Nozzle Clogging and Image Bleeding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges with nozzle clogging and image bleeding due to the welding of resin fine particles in the ink jet head, particularly when heating the recording medium, which affects the quality and durability of printed images.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition with a specific contact angle range (≥25° at 100 ms and ≥20° at 1000 ms) is used, containing resin fine particles, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and surfactants like acetylene glycol, silicone, and fluorine surfactants, to reduce the contact area between ink films and prevent welding, along with a nitrogen-containing solvent to enhance film formability and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a high boiling point solvent is added to the ink composition to improve nozzle clogging resistance, then the clogging resistance is improved, but the drying property deteriorates and image bleeding occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying precise proportions of water-soluble organic solvent (5-30 mass%), resin fine particles (1-20 mass%), and surfactants. This parameter optimization allows the ink to achieve both good nozzle clogging resistance and proper drying properties without image bleeding, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite ink composition containing multiple components: water-soluble organic solvent, resin fine particles, surfactants (including fluorine-containing and silicone-containing types), and pigments. This composite formulation synergistically improves nozzle clogging resistance while maintaining image quality and preventing bleeding, addressing both contradictory requirements simultaneously.
2Productivity
If the recording medium is heated to improve drying speed, then the drying speed is improved, but the resin fine particles weld and cause nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding suction cleaning before the heating/drying step. This preliminary cleaning removes welded resin fine particles from the nozzle before they can cause clogging, allowing the heating process to proceed at high temperature for fast drying without compromising nozzle reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediaries that modify the surface properties of resin fine particles and improve their compatibility with the water-based solvent system. This prevents premature welding of resin particles during heating, enabling fast drying speeds while maintaining nozzle clogging resistance through the mediating effect of surfactants.
3Productivity
If continuous printing is performed for an extended period, then productivity is improved, but landing deviation occurs and nozzles become clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by introducing scheduled suction cleaning intervals during continuous printing operations. This periodic maintenance removes accumulated resin deposits from nozzles, preventing landing deviation and clogging while allowing extended continuous printing periods for high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink composition is designed with self-service properties through the inclusion of surfactants and optimized solvent ratios that prevent resin particle aggregation and welding under continuous printing conditions. The ink formulation itself resists clogging and maintains landing accuracy throughout extended printing operations without external intervention.
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 effectively suppresses landing deviation and nozzle clogging, maintains image quality, and improves abrasion resistance while preventing image bleeding, allowing for continuous printing without maintenance for an extended period.
Implementation Method 1
moisture in the ink evaporates, and thus an organic solvent is likely to be rich
Implementation Method 2
a water-based ink composition which contains a resin fine particle, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a surfactant
Implementation Method 3
the water-based ink composition has a contact angle of the water-based ink composition with respect to an ink film obtained by drying the water-based ink composition
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method includes heating a recording medium, and discharging a water-based ink composition which contains a resin fine particle, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and a surfactant from an ink jet head so as to adhere the water-based ink composition to the heated recording medium in the heating, in which the water-based ink composition has a contact angle of the water-based ink composition with respect to an ink film obtained by drying the water-based ink composition is equal to or larger than 25° at 100 ms, and is equal to or larger than 20° at 1000 ms.