Ink Set with Reactive Liquid for Consistent Dot Diameter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording methods face challenges in maintaining dot diameter consistency and accuracy of spotting position, particularly when forming images with multiple colors, leading to potential issues with image resolution and quality.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising a pigment dispersion by a water-insoluble polymer formed from a monomer mixture including a styrenic macromer, self-dispersing polymer particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, which enhances aggregation formation without altering dot diameter and improves color accuracy and resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional inkjet recording methods are used, then recording operation is simple, but dot diameter consistency and spotting position accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures in two forms: (1) The ink composition contains a composite of water-insoluble polymer dispersant and self-dispersing polymer particles, where the water-insoluble polymer provides steric stabilization and the self-dispersing polymer enables controlled aggregation. (2) The ink set combines ink composition with reactive liquid containing polyvalent metal salts that react with the polymer particles to form aggregates. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by using chemically distinct components that work synergistically to achieve precise dot formation and consistent diameter while maintaining a relatively simple inkjet recording process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the physical and chemical properties of the ink particles. The self-dispersing polymer particles undergo controlled aggregation when contacted with the reactive liquid containing polyvalent metal salts. This aggregation process changes the particle size parameter from individual small particles to controlled aggregates, enabling precise control over dot diameter consistency and spotting position accuracy without requiring complex inkjet head modifications.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional ink compositions are used, then formulation is simple, but image resolution and color accuracy worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The ink composition uses a composite system comprising water-insoluble polymer particles with self-dispersing properties and reactive liquid components. The water-insoluble polymer provides structural integrity and dispersion stability, while the self-dispersing polymer enables controlled aggregation upon contact with the reactive liquid containing polyvalent metal salts. This composite structure achieves high image resolution by ensuring consistent aggregate formation and color accuracy through controlled particle aggregation, without requiring overly complex formulation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-equipping the polymer particles with self-dispersing properties and reactive functional groups before ink ejection. The particles are prepared in advance with specific surface characteristics that enable controlled aggregation when they contact the reactive liquid on the recording medium. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent aggregation behavior and high-resolution image formation without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms during the recording process.
3Productivity
If ink aggregation is accelerated, then fixation speed improves, but dot diameter consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the aggregation process by changing the chemical parameter of the liquid environment. The reactive liquid contains polyvalent metal salts that chemically interact with the self-dispersing polymer particles, inducing controlled aggregation. This chemical parameter change accelerates aggregation speed for rapid fixation while maintaining dot diameter consistency through stoichiometric control of the metal salt concentration and controlled diffusion conditions during the aggregation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance - the self-dispersing polymer particles with reactive functional groups - that mediates between the ink composition and the reactive liquid. These particles serve as intermediaries that undergo controlled aggregation when contacted with the polyvalent metal salts in the reactive liquid. This intermediary mechanism accelerates fixation by enabling rapid aggregation while maintaining dot diameter consistency through uniform particle structure and controlled aggregation kinetics.
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 ink set ensures consistent dot diameter and enhanced accuracy of spotting position across primary and secondary colors, resulting in high-resolution images with improved color fidelity and stability.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition including a dispersion of a pigment dispersed by a water-insoluble polymer which is formed by copolymerizing a monomer mixture containing a styrenic macromer
Implementation Method 2
self-dispersing polymer particles, a water-soluble organic solvent and water; and a reactive liquid which forms aggregates by contacting with the ink composition
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set for inkjet recording including an ink composition including a dispersion of a pigment dispersed by a water-insoluble polymer which is formed by copolymerizing a monomer mixture containing a styrenic macromer, as well as self-dispersing polymer particles, a water-soluble organic solvent, and water; and a reactive liquid which forms an aggregate when contacted with the ink composition; and an image recording method using the ink set, are provided.