Inkjet Printing Solvent Penetration via Pre-heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing and liquid toner processes face challenges with solvents remaining on recording media due to high boiling points, which hinder film formation and require longer printing processes, increased device size, and higher costs, and modifying media to enhance absorbency is economically and ecologically unfavorable.
Innovation Solution
Pre-treating the printed recording medium with heat to reduce the viscosity of the ink or toner's liquid component, allowing solvents to penetrate more easily into the medium, thereby minimizing solvent residue and optimizing film formation and abrasion resistance without needing specially treated media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the temperature at fixing is set as high as possible for as long as possible to vaporize liquid or allow liquid to penetrate into the recording medium, then solvent penetration is improved, but the recording medium may be damaged and it is disadvantageous from economic and ecological standpoints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the recording medium to 40-80°C before the fixing process. This preliminary heating reduces the viscosity of the solvent, enabling it to penetrate the recording medium more easily at lower temperatures. The solvent penetration is thus achieved in advance of the high-temperature fixing step, avoiding the need for prolonged high-temperature exposure that would damage the recording medium.
2Manufacturing precision
If a longer path for the recording medium is inserted between the print groups and the fixing station to enable solvent penetration, then solvent penetration is improved, but the printing process is extended and larger printing devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the recording medium from ambient temperature to 40-80°C before fixing. This parameter change reduces solvent viscosity and increases penetration rate, allowing sufficient solvent penetration to occur within a short time frame and compact device structure. The modified temperature parameter eliminates the need for extended recording medium paths while maintaining effective solvent penetration.
3Manufacturing precision
If recording media are modified and made more absorbent to liquids to improve solvent penetration, then solvent penetration is improved, but the recording media are more expensive and require more complicated manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces heat as an intermediary substance that mediates between the solvent and the recording medium. By heating the recording medium to 40-80°C, the solvent's viscosity is reduced, enabling it to penetrate standard recording media without requiring modifications to the media itself. This intermediary approach achieves effective solvent penetration while maintaining simple and economical recording medium manufacturing.
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 method ensures complete solvent penetration and removal, reduces printing time and device size, and enhances the abrasion resistance and fixing effect of the printed product, making the process more economical and environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
Pre-treating the printed recording medium with heat to reduce the viscosity of the ink or toner's liquid component
Implementation Method 2
allowing solvents to penetrate more easily into the medium, thereby minimizing solvent residue
Data Source
AI summary
A method for printing to a recording medium having at least one ink or at least one liquid toner whose liquid component includes a plurality of fluids, wherein after the printing, the method includes heat treating the recording medium in a range from 40 to 80° C.; and fixing the recording medium at a temperature of at least 90° C.