Ink Jet Recording Head Oscillation for Large Particle Stability
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in maintaining ejection stability when using coloring materials with large particle diameters, which are necessary for improved abrasion resistance, as they tend to precipitate in the recording head's circulation channels, leading to decreased performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an ink jet recording device with a recording head that includes a circulation unit for aqueous ink, where the ink is circulated and the recording head is oscillated during scanning to prevent precipitation of the coloring material, ensuring ejection stability even with particles larger than 160 nm in diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a coloring material with a large particle diameter is used to improve abrasion resistance, then the abrasion resistance is improved, but the ejection stability is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The recording head performs reciprocal scanning in the conveyance direction of the recording medium, creating mechanical vibration that prevents coloring material particles from precipitating in the circulation channels. This vibration keeps the ink flowing and particles suspended, maintaining ejection stability even with large particle diameter coloring materials (D50 ≥ 160 nm) that provide improved abrasion resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static circulation system to a dynamic one by implementing reciprocal scanning of the recording head. This dynamic motion creates continuous ink circulation and prevents particle settling, allowing the system to handle large particle diameter coloring materials that would otherwise cause ejection instability
2Reliability
If additives are used to improve weather resistance, then the weather resistance is improved, but the coloring material layer strength is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the particle diameter parameter of the coloring material to D50 ≥ 160 nm, which provides improved abrasion resistance without requiring additional additives that would weaken the coloring material layer. This parameter change achieves weather resistance improvement while maintaining layer strength
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording method by a so-called multi-pass method. The recording head includes a plurality of ejection orifices for ejecting the aqueous ink, a pressure chamber that communicates with the ejection orifices, an ejection unit that includes an ejection element disposed in the pressure chamber and generating energy for ejecting the aqueous ink from the plurality of ejection orifices, and a circulation unit that includes a supply channel for supplying the aqueous ink to the pressure chamber of the ejection unit and a collecting channel for collecting the aqueous ink from the pressure chamber of the ejection unit. The aqueous ink contains a coloring material having a volume-based cumulative 50% particle diameter D50 (nm) of 160 nm or more.