Inkjet Processing Fluid for Plain Paper Image Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet recording methods face issues with ink blurring (feathering) and color bleeding due to ink penetration, leading to image quality deterioration, and high power consumption and unsatisfactory curling correction in inkjet devices, particularly when printing on plain paper without a coated layer.

Innovation Solution

Applying a processing fluid comprising water and a hydrosoluble organic solvent to both sides of the recording medium before inkjet printing, which helps in reducing ink penetration and curling, thereby improving image quality and reducing power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If ink penetration is minimized to reduce feathering, then image quality improves, but drying property deteriorates causing smudging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoiddrying property

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A processing fluid acts as an intermediary substance applied to the recording medium before inkjet printing. This processing fluid modifies the surface properties of the recording medium to control ink penetration, allowing the ink to remain on the surface for better drying while preventing excessive penetration that causes feathering. The processing fluid mediates between the ink and the recording medium surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The processing fluid is applied to the recording medium in advance before the inkjet printing process. This preliminary action prepares the recording medium surface to receive the ink, creating optimal conditions for ink deposition that prevent both excessive penetration (feathering) and ensure proper drying by controlling the surface energy and porosity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If ink penetration is improved to solve color bleeding, then color border clarity improves, but image density decreases and reverse side penetration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor border clarityVSAvoidimage density

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The processing fluid creates local quality differences on the recording medium surface, with different regions having different ink reception properties. This allows precise control of ink penetration in color border areas to prevent color bleeding, while maintaining sufficient ink retention in other areas to ensure image density and prevent reverse side penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If printing speed is increased, then productivity improves, but drying property deteriorates and curling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoiddrying property

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The processing fluid is applied in advance to prepare the recording medium for rapid printing. This preliminary treatment creates a surface that facilitates quick ink drying even at high printing speeds, allowing the system to maintain high productivity without sacrificing drying quality or causing curling from excessive ink retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Manufacturing precision

If heat or pressure is applied to correct warping, then curling correction improves, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurling correctionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the thermal and mechanical correction systems (heating elements and pressure mechanisms) with a chemical approach using processing fluid. The processing fluid modifies the recording medium properties to prevent curling through chemical interaction rather than mechanical heating or pressing, thereby eliminating the need for high power consumption while achieving curling correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 minimizes ink blurring and color bleeding, enhances image density, and reduces curling and power consumption, resulting in improved image quality and reduced jamming in duplex printing.

Implementation Method 1

applying a processing fluid for inkjet recording to both sides of a recording medium... effectively minimizes ink blurring and color bleeding

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the processing fluid for inkjet recording comprises water and a hydrosoluble organic solvent... enhances image density, and reduces curling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS8820875B2Image forming method and inkjet recording device using the same

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image forming method including applying a processing fluid for inkjet recording to both sides of a recording medium and, after applying the processing fluid, discharging ink onto at least one side of the recording medium to form an image thereon. The processing fluid for inkjet recording comprises water and a hydrosoluble organic solvent.