Inkjet Recording Method with Ventilation and Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recording methods using a simultaneous ejection technique fail to achieve excellent image quality due to dew condensation on the ink jet head and bleeding unevenness on low-absorbing or non-absorbing recording media.
Innovation Solution
A recording method utilizing a water-based ink composition and a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent, where the ink composition and treatment liquid are ejected from an ink jet head during main scanning and transported in a sub-scanning direction, with a ventilation step to promote drying, and the surface temperature of the recording medium is maintained at 33° C. or less.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the recording medium is heated to promote drying of the ink, then the fluidity of the ink is decreased and image quality is improved, but volatile components evaporate and dew condensation is generated on the ink jet head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing the ventilation step immediately after ink ejection while the ink is still wet and before significant drying occurs. This timing allows volatile components to be removed from the recording medium surface before they can evaporate and condense on the ink jet head, preventing dew condensation while still achieving good image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements skipping by rapidly transporting the recording medium through the ventilation zone in the sub-scanning direction, moving the wet ink quickly through the harmful evaporation phase. This rapid transit reduces the time window for volatile component evaporation and subsequent condensation on the ink jet head
2Manufacturing precision
If a treatment liquid is used to decrease ink fluidity on low-absorbing or non-absorbing recording media, then bleeding unevenness is reduced, but the complexity of the recording system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the treatment liquid application with the main scanning process by ejecting both ink and treatment liquid from the same ink jet head during the same scanning pass. This integration eliminates the need for separate treatment liquid application equipment, reducing system complexity while achieving uniform bleeding control on low-absorbing or non-absorbing recording media
Solution Approach 2:
The ink jet head is designed with multi-functionality to eject both ink and treatment liquid through the same nozzle system. This universal approach allows a single device to perform multiple functions (ink deposition and treatment liquid application), simplifying the overall recording system architecture while maintaining precise control over ink behavior
3Productivity
If simultaneous ejection of treatment liquid and ink is performed, then recording speed is maintained, but image quality is insufficient due to bleeding unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a two-stage ejection strategy where the ejection timing and positioning are dynamically adjusted based on the recording medium type. For low-absorbing or non-absorbing media, the treatment liquid is ejected to specific regions where it will effectively control ink bleeding, while maintaining the simultaneous ejection format to preserve recording speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying the treatment liquid selectively to specific regions of the recording medium rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The treatment liquid is ejected from specific nozzle positions to target areas where bleeding control is most needed, optimizing image quality while maintaining high recording speed through selective rather than comprehensive treatment
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 achieves excellent image quality with reduced bleeding unevenness and dew condensation on the ink jet head, while maintaining a high recording rate.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation step of sending a wind to the recording medium in the main scanning
Implementation Method 2
a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent
Data Source
AI summary
A recording method which uses a water-based ink composition and a treatment liquid containing an aggregating agent, includes: a main scanning to eject the ink composition and the treatment liquid from an ink jet head so as to be adhered to a recording medium while the ink jet head is transferred with respect to the recording medium; a sub-scanning to transport the recording medium in a sub-scanning direction which intersects a direction of the main scanning; and a ventilation step of sending a wind to the recording medium in the main scanning. In the main scanning, by a portion of the ink jet ink head to eject the ink composition and the treatment liquid located upstream in the sub-scanning direction, the ink composition and the treatment liquid are overlapped and adhered to the same main scanning region of the recording medium by the same main scanning, and by a portion of the ink jet ink head to eject the ink composition and the treatment liquid located downstream in the sub-scanning direction, the ink composition is adhered to the recording medium, and when the ink composition is adhered thereto, the treatment liquid is not overlapped and adhered to the same main scanning region of the recording medium by the same main scanning. In addition, when the main scanning is performed, the recording medium to which the ink composition and the treatment liquid are adhered has a surface temperature of 33° C. or less.