Inkjet Recording Temperature Control Suppresses White Haze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods using aqueous ink compositions with aggregating agents often result in white haze due to crystallization issues, which affects image quality and appearance.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method that includes a treatment liquid adhesion step, an ink adhesion step, a first heating step, a cooling step, and a second heating step, where the recording medium is cooled to a lower temperature after the first heating step before the second heating step, using a cooling mechanism like an air blow mechanism to prevent crystal growth and enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent is used to solidify aqueous ink composition, then image quality is improved, but white haze is generated in the recorded matter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature profile during the recording process. Specifically, the recording medium is heated to a first temperature to promote ink penetration and aggregating agent action, then cooled to a lower temperature to prevent crystal growth that causes white haze, and finally heated to a second higher temperature to complete the solidification process. This multi-stage temperature control resolves the contradiction by optimizing conditions at different process stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through sequential heating and cooling cycles. The process includes a first heating step, followed by a cooling step, and then a second heating step. This periodic temperature variation allows the system to achieve both ink solidification and suppression of white haze formation by creating favorable conditions at different time points in the process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the recording medium is heated to promote ink solidification, then image quality improves, but crystal growth occurs causing white haze
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing a first heating step before the main solidification process. This initial heating promotes ink penetration and aggregating agent action while the medium is still relatively cool, preventing premature crystal growth. The cooling step that follows further suppresses crystal formation before the final heating that completes solidification.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling step serves as a cushioning measure between the first and second heating steps. By cooling the recording medium to a temperature lower than the first temperature, the patent creates a protective phase that suppresses crystal growth that would otherwise occur during the heating process, thereby preventing white haze formation while maintaining image quality.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a cooling step is introduced between heating steps, then white haze is suppressed, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling step acts as an intermediary phase between the first and second heating steps. This intermediate cooling phase mediates the transition by suppressing crystal growth that would otherwise occur during heating, thereby preventing white haze. The cooling mechanism serves as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of heating for solidification and cooling for crystal suppression.
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 effectively suppresses the generation of white haze while maintaining excellent image quality by controlling the temperature and preventing crystal growth, resulting in improved image clarity and abrasion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling step of, after the first heating step and before the second heating step, cooling the recording medium by a cooling mechanism, and by the cooling step, a surface temperature of the recording medium is decreased to a temperature lower than the first surface temperature
Implementation Method 2
a first heating step of heating the recording medium to which the treatment liquid and the aqueous ink composition are adhered to a first surface temperature by a first heating mechanism
Implementation Method 3
a second heating step of heating the recording medium after the first heating step to a second surface temperature which is higher than the first surface temperature by a second heating mechanism
Implementation Method 4
a treatment liquid adhesion step of adhering a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent to a recording medium; a component of the aqueous ink composition is aggregated, and the aqueous ink composition is rapidly solidified
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method includes: a treatment liquid adhesion step of adhering a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent to a recording medium; an ink adhesion step of adhering an aqueous ink composition containing a colorant to the recording medium by ejection thereof from an ink jet head; a first heating step of heating the recording medium to which the treatment liquid and the aqueous ink composition are adhered to a first surface temperature by a first heating mechanism; a second heating step of heating the recording medium after the first heating step to a second surface temperature which is higher than the first surface temperature by a second heating mechanism provided at downstream than the first heating mechanism in a recording medium transport direction; and a cooling step of, after the first heating step and before the second heating step, cooling the recording medium by a cooling mechanism, and by the cooling step, a surface temperature of the recording medium is decreased to a temperature lower than the first surface temperature.