Semisolid Aggregation Treatment Layer for Inkjet Image Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording systems face issues with landing interference and image quality due to ink droplet merging on recording media, leading to distorted images and poor transferability, especially when using two-liquid aggregation systems and intermediate transfer methods.
Innovation Solution
A semisolid aggregation treatment layer with a moisture content ratio not exceeding 56% is formed on the image formation body, allowing ink droplets to aggregate and adhere properly, preventing movement and distortion, and a solvent removal step is implemented to enhance adhesion and transfer quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ink droplets are continuously deposited onto the recording medium to form high-density dots, then image resolution and quality are improved, but landing interference occurs causing ink droplets to merge and desired dot shapes cannot be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a treatment liquid as an intermediary substance between the ink droplets and the recording medium. This treatment liquid modifies the surface properties of the recording medium to prevent surface tension effects that cause ink droplet merging, thereby enabling precise dot formation even at high densities without landing interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the recording medium surface by applying a treatment liquid with specific chemical composition. This modification alters the surface energy and wettability characteristics, preventing the surface tension-driven merging of adjacent ink droplets and maintaining desired dot shapes
2Manufacturing precision
If an intermediate transfer body with impermeable medium is used to improve transferability, then image transfer quality is improved, but bleeding occurs when ink droplets are continuously deposited causing adjacent droplets to merge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a treatment liquid to the impermeable intermediate transfer body to create a modified surface that prevents ink droplet merging. This treatment layer acts as a mediator that maintains the impermeable nature of the substrate while eliminating surface tension effects that cause bleeding during continuous ink deposition
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment liquid is applied to the intermediate transfer body in advance before ink deposition. This preliminary action prepares the surface to prevent bleeding and landing interference during subsequent high-speed continuous ink droplet deposition, enabling reliable dot formation on impermeable surfaces
3Manufacturing precision
If a two-liquid aggregation system is used to prevent landing interference, then dot shape stability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to movement of coloring material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical parameters of the treatment liquid to achieve controlled aggregation of coloring material. By carefully adjusting the composition and concentration of the treatment liquid, the system achieves sufficient aggregation to prevent landing interference while avoiding excessive aggregation that would cause coloring material movement and image quality deterioration
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 method enables high-quality image recording by preventing ink droplet merging and ensuring stable adhesion, improving image fidelity and transferability in both direct and intermediate transfer systems.
Implementation Method 1
an aggregation treatment agent including a component that causes the coloring material to aggregate
Implementation Method 2
the adjacent dots overlap by using ink droplets that are continuously deposited onto the recording medium, the so-called landing interference (bleeding) occurs, namely, the ink droplets forming the adjacent dots merge under the effect of surface tension on the recording medium
Implementation Method 3
a solvent removal step is implemented to enhance adhesion and transfer quality
Data Source
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AI summary
The image forming method is for forming an image on an image formation body (22, 202, 412) by using an ink liquid including a coloring material and an aggregation treatment agent including a component that causes the coloring material to aggregate. The image forming method includes: an aggregation treatment layer formation step of forming, on the image formation body (22, 202, 412), a semisolid aggregation treatment layer (306) that includes the aggregation treatment agent (302) and has a moisture content ratio equal to or less than 56%; an ink droplet deposition step of ejecting droplets (310) of the ink liquid and depositing the droplets (310) of the ink liquid onto the image formation body (22, 202, 412) where the aggregation treatment layer (306) has been formed; and a solvent removal step of removing a liquid solvent present on the image formation body (22, 202, 412) after the ink droplet deposition step.