Printer Primer Control for Ink Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printing processes involving multiple types of ink, where first ink is precured and second ink is ejected on top, insufficient primer application can lead to inadequate adhesion properties for the second ink, resulting in deteriorated print quality.

Innovation Solution

A printer system that includes a controller to determine the optimal amount of primer based on the amounts of first and second ink, using predefined curves to ensure sufficient adhesion for the second ink even when ejected on precured first ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the primer amount is determined in proportion to the total amount of white ink and color ink, then the printing process can be simplified, but the adhesion properties of the second ink may be insufficient when the primer amount is not enough

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprimer amount determination methodVSAvoidadhesion properties of second ink

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The primer amount determination is segmented into two independent components: first primer amount based on white ink amount and second primer amount based on color ink amount. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, ensuring that the second ink receives sufficient adhesion support from the primer regardless of the white ink coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first ink (white ink) is precured in advance before the second ink (color ink) is applied. This preliminary curing creates a stable base layer that prevents the second ink from penetrating through to the substrate, while the primer applied beforehand ensures proper adhesion of this precured layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the first ink is precured in advance before ejecting the second ink, then the printing process efficiency is improved, but the adhesion properties of the second ink deteriorate if the primer amount is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process efficiencyVSAvoidadhesion properties of second ink

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first ink is precured in advance on the primer-coated substrate before the second ink is applied. This preliminary curing step allows for optimized drying time and creates a stable base layer, while the primer ensures that when the second ink is subsequently applied, it achieves sufficient adhesion properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The primer provides localized adhesion enhancement at the interface between the substrate and the first ink layer. By determining the primer amount based on both white and color ink amounts, the system ensures that the critical adhesion zone has sufficient primer coverage even when the first ink is precured in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If the color ink is ejected on the precured white ink, then the printing process can be optimized for speed, but the adhesion properties of the color ink may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidadhesion properties of color ink

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The white ink is precured in advance before the color ink is applied, which accelerates the overall printing process by eliminating the need to wait for white ink drying before color ink application. The primer applied beforehand ensures that the color ink achieves sufficient adhesion to the precured white ink layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The primer acts as an intermediary layer between the substrate and the precured white ink, providing a surface that ensures adequate adhesion properties for the subsequent color ink application. The primer amount is determined based on both white and color ink amounts to ensure sufficient adhesion support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system ensures sufficient adhesion properties of the second ink via the primer, thereby maintaining or improving print quality by adjusting the primer amount according to the ink quantities.

Implementation Method 1

irradiate the ink adhering to the base material with light so as to form a layer of the cured ink on the base material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS12240223B2Printer

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 SCREEN HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

The technique provided enables, when first ink is precured and second ink is ejected thereon, ensuring sufficient adhesion of the second ink via a primer. A printer includes a transport mechanism, a primer ejection head, a second light irradiator, a white-ink ejection head, a color-ink ejection head, and a controller. The controller controls the amount of primer ejected to a unit region of a continuous base material by the primer ejection head, the amount of white ink ejected thereto by the white-ink ejection head, and the amount of color ink ejected thereto by the color-ink ejection head. The controller determines a first primer amount based on the amount of white ink and determines a second primer amount based on the amount of color ink. The controller then determines an ultimate primer amount based on the sum of the first primer amount and the second primer amount.