Inkjet Ejection Head Circulation Flow Path Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink jet recording methods face challenges in maintaining ejection stability of the reaction liquid over time, particularly when recording a large number of images, due to moisture evaporation leading to changes in physical properties and deposition of reactants in the ejection orifice, which affects the quality of the recorded image.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an ejection head with a circulation flow path that includes a first reaction liquid flow path through the liquid chamber and a second flow path that branches off without going through the chamber, allowing for increased flow rate without enlarging the flow path diameter, thereby reducing pressure loss and maintaining stable ejection of the reaction liquid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reaction liquid is continuously ejected for a long period of time to record a large number of images, then the productivity is improved, but the ejection stability of the reaction liquid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation flow path enables continuous circulation of the reaction liquid through the ejection head, maintaining constant flow and preventing stagnation. This continuous action ensures stable ejection characteristics even during prolonged recording operations, resolving the contradiction between extended productivity and maintained reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation flow path is extracted as a separate functional component from the simple ejection system. By isolating the circulation function with dedicated flow paths, the system can maintain reaction liquid stability independently while enabling continuous high-volume recording, thus improving productivity without sacrificing ejection stability.
2Reliability
If the flow path diameter is enlarged to increase the flow rate of reaction liquid, then the ejection stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into multiple functional sections: a circulation flow path for maintaining liquid stability and a reaction liquid flow path for ejection. This segmentation allows optimization of each section independently, achieving stable ejection without requiring overall enlargement of the flow path structure, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing flow rate by enlarging the flow path diameter (one-dimensional solution), the invention introduces a circulation dimension - a separate circulation loop that maintains liquid stability through continuous flow. This dimensional approach improves ejection stability without modifying the ejection flow path geometry, avoiding complexity increases.
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 configuration enhances the stability of the reaction liquid ejection, preventing changes in physical properties and deposition, ensuring consistent high-quality image recording over extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
a circulation flow path configured to circulate the reaction liquid between an inside and an outside of the liquid chamber going through the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
an ejection orifice configured to eject the reaction liquid filled inside thereof
Implementation Method 3
a reactant that reacts with the aqueous ink such as a coloring material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording method including using an aqueous ink and a reaction liquid, in which ejection stability of the reaction liquid is excellent and a high-quality image can be recorded. Specifically, provided is an ink jet recording method including recording an image on a recording medium with an aqueous ink and an aqueous reaction liquid. The ink jet recording method includes a reaction liquid applying step and an ink applying step. An ejection head includes: an ejection element substrate including an ejection orifice configured to eject the reaction liquid; and a circulation flow path configured to circulate the reaction liquid between an inside and an outside of the ejection element substrate.