Inkjet Recording Apparatus Neutralizing Solution Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in achieving high-quality images and increased recording speed while minimizing the 'yellowing phenomenon' caused by organic acids in pretreatment solutions, which can lead to image quality reduction due to excessive acid residue on the recording sheet.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an ink applying unit, a treatment-solution applying unit, and a neutralizing unit, where the treatment solution contains an acid for agglomerating ink components, and a neutralizing solution is applied in specific regions to neutralize the acid, determined by image data and pretreatment solution application data, to prevent yellowing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pretreatment solution containing organic acid is discharged in a wide area to ensure ink droplet agglomeration, then ink blurring is suppressed and image quality is improved, but the organic acid remains on the recording sheet causing a yellowing phenomenon that reduces image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the recording sheet into multiple regions based on image data: a first region where both pretreatment solution and ink are discharged, a second region where only pretreatment solution is discharged, and a third region where only ink is discharged. This segmentation allows selective application of neutralizing solution to the second region, addressing the yellowing problem locally without affecting other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different treatments to different regions of the recording sheet. Specifically, the neutralizing solution is applied only to the second region (where pretreatment solution is discharged but ink is not), while the first and third regions receive different treatments. This local quality approach ensures that the yellowing phenomenon is suppressed precisely where needed without unnecessary treatment elsewhere.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent introduces a neutralizing solution as an intermediary substance that reacts with the organic acid in the pretreatment solution. This neutralizing solution acts as a mediator to eliminate the harmful yellowing effect while preserving the beneficial agglomeration effect of the pretreatment solution on ink droplets.
2Reliability
If the pretreatment solution is discharged in advance in a wide area to account for discharge misalignment error, then reliable ink agglomeration is achieved, but the amount of organic acid remaining on the recording sheet increases causing conspicuous yellowing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the neutralizing solution in advance to the second region (where pretreatment solution is discharged but ink is not) before ink discharge. This preliminary action ensures that any organic acid remaining on the recording sheet after pretreatment solution application is neutralized, preventing the yellowing phenomenon while maintaining reliable ink agglomeration in the first region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image data to determine the precise locations of the first, second, and third regions, creating a feedback mechanism that adjusts the discharge patterns of both pretreatment solution and neutralizing solution. This feedback-based approach ensures that the neutralizing solution is applied exactly where needed to counteract the yellowing effect while maintaining reliable ink agglomeration.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a neutralizing solution is applied to the entire recording sheet to completely neutralize organic acid, then the yellowing phenomenon is completely prevented, but the complexity of the recording process increases and recording speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the neutralizing solution only to the second region (where pretreatment solution is discharged but ink is not), rather than the entire recording sheet. This local quality approach suppresses the yellowing phenomenon precisely where organic acid residue occurs without unnecessary treatment elsewhere, thereby maintaining high recording speed while effectively preventing yellowing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the neutralizing solution partially, only to the extent necessary to address the yellowing problem in the second region, rather than applying it excessively across the entire recording sheet. This partial action approach maintains recording speed while achieving sufficient yellowing 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
This solution maintains high image quality and increases recording speed by precisely applying a neutralizing solution to areas where the pretreatment solution is not needed, reducing acid residue and preventing the yellowing phenomenon.
Implementation Method 1
The treatment solution contains an acid for agglomerating components contained in the ink
Implementation Method 2
a neutralizing solution is applied in specific regions to neutralize the acid
Data Source
AI summary
A recording apparatus includes an ink applying unit which applies, based on image data, ink containing coloring material, on a recording medium to record an image for the image data; a treatment-solution applying unit which applies treatment solution containing acid for agglomerating components in the ink, at and around an ink application position on the recording medium; a neutralizing unit which applies neutralizing solution for neutralizing the acid, on the recording medium on which the treatment solution and the ink have been applied; and a determining unit which, based on the image data and position data for application of the treatment solution, determines a neutralizing-solution application region so that only at least a part of a region in which only the treatment solution is applied on the recording medium is set as the neutralizing-solution application region. The neutralizing unit applies the neutralizing solution in the determined neutralizing-solution application region.