Ink Set Anion Concentration Control for Dot-Size Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording technologies face challenges in achieving dot-size uniformity due to significant differences between primary and secondary color dot sizes, which existing ink sets and methods have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising a first ink with specific anion concentrations, such as nitrate, acetate, or methacrylic acid ions, and a second ink with sulfate, phosphate, or oxalate ions, where the anion concentrations satisfy certain conditions to form salts with varying solubility, ensuring improved dot-size uniformity by controlling the interaction with cations in the recording medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional ink compositions are used, then the recording process is simple, but dot-size uniformity deteriorates due to large differences between primary and secondary color dot sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the concentrations of specific anions (nitrate, acetate, acrylic acid, formic acid, or methacrylic acid ions in the first ink; sulfate, phosphate, or oxalate ions in the second ink) within defined ranges. This chemical parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving uniform dot sizes through controlled ionic interactions without complicating the overall ink formulation or recording process
2Manufacturing precision
If ink compositions with additives are used to control dot size, then dot-size uniformity improves, but the ink formulation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than introducing complex additive systems, the patent achieves dot-size uniformity by optimizing the concentration parameters of naturally occurring anions in the ink compositions. The first ink contains 1-100 ppm of specific anions and the second ink contains 1-50 ppm, creating controlled interactions with cations in the recording medium that prevent excessive dot growth while maintaining formulation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses specific anions as intermediary substances that mediate the interaction between ink and recording medium. These anions (nitrate, acetate, acrylic acid, formic acid, methacrylic acid, sulfate, phosphate, or oxalate ions) act as controlled intermediaries that regulate dot formation and growth, providing precise control over dot-size uniformity without requiring complex formulation systems
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 proposed ink set effectively improves dot-size uniformity by adjusting anion concentrations in the first and second inks, preventing blurring and maintaining consistent dot sizes across primary and secondary colors, thereby enhancing the quality of recorded images.
Implementation Method 1
An ink set comprising a first ink and a second ink, wherein the first ink contains a first anion... and the second ink contains a second anion... to form salts with varying solubility
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set includes: a first ink containing a first anion which is at least one selected from the group consisting of a nitrate ion, an acetate ion, an acrylic acid ion, a formic acid ion, and a methacrylic acid ion; and a second ink containing a second anion which is at least one selected from the group consisting of a sulfate ion, a phosphate ion, and an oxalate ion, wherein the first ink satisfies the following condition (A) and condition (B) and the second ink satisfies the following condition (C) and condition (D):X1≥50 Condition (A):X1/(X1+X2)>0.6 Condition (B):X1: concentration of the first anion in the first ink (ppm)X2: concentration of the second anion in the first ink (ppm)Y2≥40 Condition (C):Y1/(Y1+Y2)<0.6 Condition (D):Y1: concentration of the first anion in the second ink (ppm)Y2: concentration of the second anion in the second ink (ppm).