Inkjet Recording Method with Temperature Differential and Surfactant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording methods face challenges in achieving high image gloss and fixability while minimizing bad ejection, particularly due to issues with ink formulation and substrate temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
The method involves ejecting ink with a temperature range of 28° C. to 40° C. and attaching it to a non-porous substrate 5° C. to 20° C. higher, using an ink composition containing a colorant, resin particles, water, a hydrosoluble organic solvent, and a silicone-based surfactant, where the surfactant accounts for 1% to 3% by weight, to enhance ink stability and alignment at the interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ink temperature is increased to improve ejection stability, then bad ejection is reduced, but image gloss and fixability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ink temperature parameter to a specific range (20°C to 30°C) rather than using high temperatures, and combines it with a substrate temperature that is 10°C to 30°C higher than the ink temperature. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by achieving both ejection stability and image quality without requiring extreme temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite ink formulation containing resin particles (10-50 μm), a specific surfactant (0.01-1 wt%), and controlled water content (70-90 wt%). This composite material approach allows the ink to maintain stability during ejection while forming high-gloss images on the heated substrate, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the substrate temperature is increased to improve fixability, then image fixability is enhanced, but bad ejection occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes an optimized temperature relationship where the substrate temperature is 10°C to 30°C higher than the ink temperature (with ink at 20°C to 30°C). This controlled temperature differential allows the substrate to provide sufficient heat for fixability while the ink remains at a temperature that prevents bad ejection, resolving the contradiction between fixability and ejection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a surfactant (0.01-1 wt%) to the ink formulation before ejection, which preliminarily prepares the ink for stable ejection and proper interaction with the heated substrate. This preliminary chemical preparation ensures that even with temperature differences, the ink ejects reliably while still achieving good fixability on the substrate.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ink formulations are used to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but image gloss and ejection reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters in the ink formulation: resin particle size (10-50 μm), surfactant concentration (0.01-1 wt%), and water content (70-90 wt%). These parameter optimizations maintain relatively simple manufacturing processes while dramatically improving image gloss and ejection reliability compared to conventional formulations, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a relatively small but critical amount of surfactant (0.01-1 wt%) in the ink formulation. This partial addition of surfactant provides sufficient improvement in ejection reliability and image gloss without requiring complex formulation changes or excessive manufacturing steps, thus maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving high manufacturing precision.
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 results in improved image gloss and fixability with reduced bad ejection, as the silicone-based surfactant prevents agglomeration and ensures smooth film formation on the substrate, maintaining high ejection reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the ink contains a colorant, resin particles, water, a hydrosoluble organic solvent, and a silicone-based surfactant, wherein the silicone-based surfactant accounts for 1% by weight to 3% by weight in the ink
Implementation Method 2
attaching the ink to a non-porous substrate having a temperature 5° C. to 20° C. higher than that of the ink
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet recording method includes ejecting an ink having a temperature from 28° C. to 40° C. and attaching the ink to a non-porous substrate having a temperature 5° C. to 20° C. higher than that of the ink, wherein the ink contains a colorant, resin particles, water, a hydrosoluble organic solvent, and a silicone-based surfactant, wherein the silicone-based surfactant accounts for 1% by weight to 3% by weight in the ink.