Printed Material Fine Irregular Layer Spherical Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printed materials using pigment ink often suffer from reduced visibility due to light reflection and are prone to degradation from external forces, as existing moth-eye structures with long, thin convex portions are susceptible to collapse and uneven gloss patterns.
Innovation Solution
A printed material with a fine irregular layer containing spherical particles of 110-400 nm diameter, forming convex portions of 0.04-0.15 μm height, which suppresses light reflection and maintains image clarity even under external forces, achieved through specific image recording methods and apparatus configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a moth-eye structure with long and thin convex portions is used to suppress light reflection, then visibility is improved, but the structure is liable to collapse by external force such as abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the long and thin convex portions with spherical particles having a specific size range (110-400 nm). These spherical particles form a fine irregular layer on the printed material surface that suppresses light reflection while being more resistant to collapse from external forces like abrasion. The spherical shape provides better mechanical strength compared to thin convex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the surface structure by controlling the particle size of spherical particles to be within 110-400 nm and forming convex portions with an average height of 0.04 to 0.15 μm. This parameter optimization allows the structure to maintain both optical performance (visibility) and mechanical durability (resistance to external force).
2Illumination intensity
If convex portions are formed to suppress light reflection, then visibility is improved, but the convex portion shape may be lost due to abrasion, creating scratches and uneven spots that degrade image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The use of spherical particles ensures that even when some particles are removed by abrasion, the remaining spherical particles maintain uniform shape and size. This prevents the formation of scratches and uneven spots that would occur with non-spherical convex structures, thereby preserving image quality uniformity while maintaining visibility enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where spherical particles are embedded in the printed material layer. This composite approach provides both the optical benefit of light reflection suppression and the mechanical benefit of abrasion resistance, preventing degradation of image quality while maintaining enhanced visibility.
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 enhances visibility and durability of printed materials by reducing light reflection and maintaining image quality against abrasion, while avoiding the limitations of traditional moth-eye structures.
Implementation Method 1
a fine irregular layer functioning as an outermost layer... the surface of the fine irregular layer has convex portions... which suppresses light reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A printed material of the present invention is a printed material including a recording medium, a color material layer, and a fine irregular layer functioning as an outermost layer in this order; the color material layer contains a pigment; the fine irregular layer contains spherical particles having a specific average particle diameter; the spherical particles are present in a thickness direction of the fine irregular layer; and the surface of the fine irregular layer has convex portions having an average height of 0.04 to 0.15 μm and an image definition C(2) is 50% or more.