Ink Jet Recording Surface Tension Distribution for Feathering Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The ink jet recording method faces challenges in forming high-quality images on various recording media with different ink absorption and wettability, as it struggles with ink feathering, uneven line widths, uneven colors, and surface concaves and convexes, especially in high-density solid image expressions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming an energy beam curable liquid layer with a distribution pattern of different surface tensions on the recording medium, followed by ejecting an energy beam curable ink and curing it with energy beams to regulate ink dot definition and spreading, utilizing liquids with varying surface tensions to achieve high-resolution and high-definition images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If direct ejection method is used to deposit ink on recording media, then recording can be performed in a simpler apparatus construction, but image quality is likely to be influenced by recording media due to differences in ink absorption and wettability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an energy beam curable liquid layer as an intermediary between the recording medium and the ink. This liquid layer has controlled surface tension to prevent ink from directly interacting with the recording medium's surface, thereby eliminating the influence of medium variations on image quality while maintaining the simplicity of the direct ejection method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies energy beam irradiation to change the physical and chemical parameters of the energy beam curable liquid layer, transforming it from a liquid state that controls ink spreading to a cured state that provides a stable base for high-quality image formation
2Productivity
If ink is ejected on ink-absorptive recording media such as paper, then recording can be performed, but ink droplets permeate into the recording medium causing feathering and bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The energy beam curable liquid layer serves as a mediator that sits between the ink and the ink-absorptive recording medium. It allows the ink to be deposited without permeating into the paper, preventing feathering and bleeding while still enabling recording on such media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by forming and curing the energy beam curable liquid layer before ink ejection. This pre-formed layer creates a barrier that prevents the harmful permeation effect before it can occur, thereby protecting the image quality
3Manufacturing precision
If photocurable pretreating agent is semi-cured before ink ejection, then excessive spreading of ink droplets is prevented, but uneven curing occurs making conditions difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes energy beam irradiation to precisely control the curing parameters of the energy beam curable liquid layer. By adjusting irradiation intensity and timing, uniform curing is achieved without the uneven curing problems associated with photocurable pretreating agents
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the photocurable chemical system with an energy beam curable system. This substitution eliminates the complexity of controlling photocuring conditions while maintaining effective ink spreading control through the cured liquid layer
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 enables the formation of high-quality images with evenness across different recording media, effectively suppressing feathering and unevenness, achieving high optical density and fine character expression with minimal surface irregularities.
Implementation Method 1
applying at least two energy beam curable liquids different from each other in surface tension on a recording medium to form an energy beam curable liquid layer having a distribution pattern of different surface tensions
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink with energy beams to cure the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink to form an image
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method including: applying at least two energy beam curable liquids different from each other in surface tension on a recording medium to form an energy beam curable liquid layer having a distribution pattern of different surface tensions; ejecting an energy beam curable ink on the energy beam curable liquid layer formed on the recording medium; and irradiating the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink with energy beams to cure the energy beam curable liquid layer and the energy beam curable ink to form an image.