Ink Jet Recording Head Flow Path and Dynamic Surface Tension Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods using line heads face challenges in maintaining ejection stability and preventing fine unevenness in high-speed single-pass recording due to variations in ejection volume and ink characteristics, particularly with the thickening of ink leading to reduced ejection performance and uneven image quality.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an ink jet recording apparatus with a recording head that includes an ejection orifice, an ejection element, and first and second flow paths, where the ink flows from the first to the second flow path separately from the ejection step, utilizing aqueous ink with a dynamic surface tension of 35 mN/m or more to 48 mN/m at 10 milliseconds to maintain stable meniscus formation and prevent ink thickening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a line head is used for single-pass recording to increase recording speed, then productivity is improved, but ejection stability deteriorates due to difficulty in recovery operation from nozzles with low ejection frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a preliminary ejection operation before actual recording to prevent ink thickening in nozzles. This advance action ensures that even nozzles with low ejection frequency maintain proper ink flow, resolving the reliability issue while preserving the high productivity of line head single-pass recording
2Reliability
If ink flows in the first flow path to the second flow path separately from the ejection step to improve intermittent ejection stability, then ejection stability is improved, but fine unevenness occurs in solid images recorded at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the dynamic surface tension of the ink within a specific range (35-48 mN/m at 10 milliseconds) and adjusting the flow rate in the flow paths. This optimization resolves the contradiction by maintaining stable meniscus formation for ejection stability while preventing ink accumulation that causes fine unevenness in high-speed recording
3Manufacturing precision
If the dynamic surface tension of ink is reduced to improve ink spreading, then image quality is improved, but meniscus stability deteriorates leading to unstable ejection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the dynamic surface tension to a specific range (35-48 mN/m at 10 milliseconds) rather than simply reducing it. This balanced parameter setting ensures sufficient ink spreading for good image quality while maintaining adequate meniscus stability for reliable ejection
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 approach enhances ejection stability and reduces fine unevenness in high-speed single-pass recording by ensuring consistent ejection volume and improved ink spreading on the recording medium, resulting in high-quality images.
Implementation Method 1
aqueous ink having a dynamic surface tension of 35 mN/m or more to 48 mN/m or less at 10 milliseconds
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method capable of recording a high-quality image in which occurrence of fine unevenness is decreased. The ink jet recording method includes recording an image by ejecting ink from a recording head including an ejection orifice for ejecting the ink, an ejection element generating energy for ejecting the ink, and first and second flow paths that communicate between the ejection orifice and the ejection element and in which the ink flows. The ink jet recording method includes an ejection step of ejecting the ink from the ejection orifice, and a flow step of flowing the ink from the first flow path to the second flow path separately from the ejection step. The ink is an aqueous ink having a dynamic surface tension of 35 mN/m or more to 48 mN/m or less at 10 milliseconds.