Liquid Dot Size Control via Ion-Induced Skin Layer Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in controlling the size of liquid dots on a medium, leading to unevenness due to dot contact, which existing techniques struggle to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with an ion supplying section that provides ions with a polarity opposite to the agglomerate components, forming a skin layer to prevent dot contact and unevenness, optionally combined with a pretreatment agent supplying section and a moving section to enhance control and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If recording speed is increased to improve productivity, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to poor control of liquid dot size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by supplying ions to the liquid before discharge, causing agglomerate components to aggregate in advance. This pre-aggregation ensures that even at high recording speeds, the liquid dots maintain desired size control because the agglomeration process has already been initiated by the ion supply, compensating for the reduced residence time at higher speeds.
2Productivity
If liquid dot size is not properly controlled, then productivity can be maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates causing unevenness due to dot contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ions as an intermediary substance that mediates between the liquid discharge system and the agglomerate components. The ions act as a bridging agent that promotes aggregation of color material components within the liquid dots, enabling precise size control without compromising productivity. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to maintain both high recording speed and uniform dot size.
3Manufacturing precision
If ion supply is added to control dot size, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by designing the ion supply section to serve multiple purposes: it controls liquid dot size, prevents dot contact, and maintains image quality. By integrating these functions into a single ion supply mechanism rather than requiring separate systems for each function, the patent improves manufacturing precision while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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 solution effectively suppresses unevenness by forming a skin layer on each liquid dot, preventing them from merging and maintaining desired size, thereby improving image quality and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one ion supplying section for supplying ions having a polarity opposite to that of the agglomerate components toward the liquid discharged onto the medium
Implementation Method 2
a skin layer can be formed by agglomerating agglomerate components with the ions on the surface of each dot of the liquid discharged on the medium
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge section for discharging a liquid containing agglomerate components having a polarity toward a medium and at least one ion supplying section for supplying ions having a polarity opposite to that of the agglomerate components to the liquid discharged on the medium. The liquid discharge apparatus of such a structure can suppress the unevenness caused by contact of dots of the liquid discharged on the medium. The liquid apparatus can prevent or reduce contact between dots of the liquid discharged on the medium.