Inkjet Reactive Liquid Control for PVC Print Tone Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing on polyvinyl chloride sheets using pigment ink faces challenges with white turbidity and uneven image surfaces due to precipitation of reactive components, particularly in high print tone areas, which existing methods struggle to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing apparatus employs a dual-reactive liquid system with different compositions, adjusting application amounts based on ink density to control coagulation and prevent precipitation, using a determination unit to manage the ratios of reactive liquids for each partial area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the application amount of reactive liquid is increased in low print tone areas to improve coverage uniformity, then the bonding of color materials becomes uniform, but precipitation of reactive components occurs on the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reactive liquid application amounts based on the print tone of different areas. In low print tone areas where coverage uniformity is needed, the reactive liquid application amount is increased. In high print tone areas where precipitation is a concern, the application amount is controlled to prevent precipitation while maintaining image quality. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between achieving uniform coverage and preventing precipitation.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the application amount of reactive liquid is decreased in high print tone areas to suppress precipitation, then precipitation is reduced, but white turbidity becomes visually recognized in the image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality control by adjusting the reactive liquid application amount according to the print tone. In high print tone areas, the application amount is optimized to suppress precipitation while maintaining sufficient coverage to prevent white turbidity. This localized adjustment allows the system to achieve both precipitation suppression and acceptable image quality in different areas simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If a single composition of reactive liquid is used for all print areas, then the system is simple to operate, but either precipitation or white turbidity occurs depending on the print tone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic control strategy where the reactive liquid application amount is automatically adjusted based on the print tone of each area. The system dynamically selects appropriate application amounts for different regions (low print tone vs. high print tone areas), enabling it to adapt to varying printing conditions and maintain consistent image quality across different print tones without requiring manual intervention.
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 achieves high-quality image printing with reduced white turbidity and even surface gloss, ensuring consistent image quality across varying print tones.
Implementation Method 1
a reactive liquid that reacts with the resin particles and the color material in the ink to coagulate the resin particles and the color material or cause gelation
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing apparatus comprises: a printing unit configured to print an image on a print medium, the printing unit including a first discharge portion configured to apply ink, and a second discharge portion configured to apply a reactive liquid; and a determination unit configured to determine an application amount of the reactive liquid based on an application amount of the ink for each partial area of the print medium. The second discharge portion is configured to apply at least one of a first reactive liquid and a second reactive liquid. The determination unit determines an application amount of the first reactive liquid and an application amount of the second reactive liquid based on the application amount of the ink.