Ink Jet Recording Apparatus Two-Step Preliminary Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Photo-curable ink compositions face challenges when used on non-absorbable recording media, such as plastic or glass, as they exhibit color bleeding and poor image definition due to insufficient fluidity and wetting, and increasing curing ratios can lead to deteriorated glossiness and texture.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording apparatus with a two-step preliminary curing process using a first and second light source, where the photo-curable ink composition is illuminated with specific light sources in a controlled sequence to achieve a curing ratio of 1% to 30% and 30% to 80% respectively, followed by main curing, to control color bleeding, definition, and glossiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the photo-curable ink composition is fully illuminated with light immediately after application to non-absorbable recording medium, then the curing ratio is increased, but the liquid droplets do not have sufficient fluidity causing the image to be formed in the state where the shape of the applied liquid droplets is maintained, resulting in insufficient wetting and spreading, and deteriorated line width and glossiness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by illuminating the photo-curable ink composition with light immediately after application to non-absorbable recording medium to initiate curing before the liquid droplets can spread. This preliminary curing action controls the shape of liquid droplets to be maintained, ensuring sufficient wetting and spreading while achieving desired line width and glossiness. The illumination is performed at a timing that allows the liquid droplets to still have fluidity for proper spreading but initiates curing to prevent excessive spreading or color bleeding.
2Manufacturing precision
If the curing ratio is set to be in the range of 6 to 70% by using activation ray before complete curing, then the fluidity of the liquid droplets is decreased to obtain high-definition image, but the line width may be insufficient and the glossiness or texture may not necessarily be good
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the illumination conditions including light intensity, illumination time, and timing relative to ink application. By adjusting these parameters, the curing ratio is optimized to maintain liquid droplet fluidity for proper spreading and line width formation while achieving sufficient curing for image definition. The illumination is performed within a specific time window after ink application to achieve the desired balance between curing and fluidity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the photo-curable ink composition is applied on non-absorbable recording medium and remains with the shape of liquid droplets for a certain period without permeation, then the image definition may be improved, but adjacent liquid droplets may be combined to cause color bleeding or liquid droplets may wet and spread to cause deterioration of definition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by illuminating the photo-curable ink composition with light at a specific timing after application to non-absorbable recording medium. This preliminary illumination initiates curing before the liquid droplets can spread or combine with adjacent droplets, preventing color bleeding while maintaining proper image definition. The timing of illumination is critical to allow sufficient spreading for line width formation but initiate curing before excessive spreading occurs.
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 apparatus effectively reduces color bleeding and enhances image definition and glossiness on non-absorbable recording media by controlling the curing process of the photo-curable ink composition, resulting in high-quality images with improved surface smoothness and line width.
Implementation Method 1
the photo-curable ink composition is illuminated with light by using an appropriate light source and cured
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention includes a head, a first light source, a second light source. Liquid droplets of a photo-curable ink composition are applied to a recording medium. After one second or less elapses from the time when the liquid droplets are applied to the recording medium, the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the first light source. After 0.1 second or more and one second or less elapses from the time when the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the first light source, the liquid droplets are illuminated with light of the second light source.