Inkjet Nozzle Clogging Prevention via Aliphatic Acid Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face issues with clogging due to impurities formed when a reaction liquid containing a polyvalent metal salt interacts with the materials of the recording apparatus, and using a monovalent metal salt results in low-quality recorded images.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method that uses a reaction liquid containing a (meth)acrylic resin and a polyvalent metal salt, where at least one material in contact with the reaction liquid includes a C6 or higher aliphatic acid, acting as a coagulating agent to prevent impurity formation and ensure high-quality images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a reaction liquid containing a polyvalent metal salt is used, then the coagulation effect is improved, but impurities are generated causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific material containing C6 or higher aliphatic acid as an intermediary between the reaction liquid and the apparatus components. This material acts as a protective layer that prevents direct harmful interaction between the polyvalent metal salt and apparatus materials, thereby eliminating impurity formation while preserving the coagulation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the material in contact with the reaction liquid by specifying it must contain C6 or higher aliphatic acid. This parameter change transforms the material's properties to be resistant to dissolution by the reaction liquid, preventing impurity generation while allowing the polyvalent metal salt to maintain its coagulation effectiveness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a monovalent metal salt is used, then clogging is reduced, but recorded image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The C6 or higher aliphatic acid-containing material serves as a mediator that allows the use of polyvalent metal salts without causing clogging. It blocks the pathway for impurity formation while permitting the coagulation action to proceed, thus enabling high-quality image recording without the clogging problems that would otherwise require monovalent metal salts.
3Ease of operation
If the reaction liquid contacts the apparatus materials, then the apparatus function is maintained, but dissolved components form impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent effectively creates a disposable or replaceable material layer (containing C6 or higher aliphatic acid) that sacrificially protects the main apparatus. This material can be part of the reaction liquid container or passage and is designed to resist dissolution, preventing impurity formation while maintaining apparatus functionality.
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 method enables smooth discharge of the reaction liquid and achieves high-quality recorded images by preventing clogging and improving the coagulation of ink composition components, while maintaining the durability of apparatus materials.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction liquid contains a (meth)acrylic resin and a polyvalent metal salt, the polyvalent metal salt serving as a coagulating agent that is reactive with a component of the ink composition
Implementation Method 2
At least one of materials that constitute the reaction liquid container and the reaction liquid passage and that make contact with the reaction liquid contains a C6 or higher aliphatic acid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording method including: applying a reaction liquid to a recording medium by sending the reaction liquid from a reaction liquid container to a nozzle orifice in an ink jet head through a reaction liquid passage and discharging the reaction liquid from the nozzle orifice, the reaction liquid passage connecting the reaction liquid container to the nozzle orifice; and applying an ink composition to the recording medium by discharging the ink composition from a nozzle orifice in the ink jet head, the ink composition at least containing a color material. The reaction liquid contains a (meth)acrylic resin and a polyvalent metal salt, the polyvalent metal salt serving as a coagulating agent that is reactive with a component of the ink composition. At least one of materials that constitute the reaction liquid container and the reaction liquid passage and that make contact with the reaction liquid contains a C6 or higher aliphatic acid.