Solvent Inkjet Printer Thermal Drying for Uniform Image Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image transfer methods using UV curable inks face challenges such as uneven curing, ink bleeding, and adhesion issues due to the need for precise UV irradiation control and specific spectral absorption properties, which can limit the use of inks and result in incomplete transfer or ink separation.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus and method utilizing a solvent-containing ink with a viscosity of 50 mPa·sec or more after solvent removal, achieved through heating, which allows for accurate inkjet ejection and transfer without bleeding, using a combination of inkjet heads, heating members, and image fixing units like UV irradiation or thermal drying to ensure proper image transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If UV curable ink is used with partial curing by UV irradiation, then image transfer is enabled, but uneven curing and ink bleeding occur due to surface overcuring and insufficient internal curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the curing mechanism from UV irradiation to thermal drying. By controlling temperature and time parameters of thermal treatment, the ink is dried uniformly without the surface-overcuring/internal-undercuring problem that occurs with UV irradiation. This allows consistent viscosity reduction and proper transfer across the entire ink layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the UV irradiation system (optical/chemical mechanism) with a thermal drying system (thermal mechanism). This substitution eliminates the spectral absorption issues and uneven curing problems associated with UV light penetration, providing more reliable and uniform ink processing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UV curable ink with specific spectral absorption properties is used, then partial curing can be achieved, but ink selection is limited and adhesion problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental mechanism from UV-curable chemistry to solvent evaporation physics. This allows use of conventional solvent-based inks with proven adhesion properties, eliminating the need for specially formulated UV inks with specific spectral absorption characteristics. The ink viscosity naturally decreases during solvent evaporation, enabling reliable transfer.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise UV irradiation control is implemented for partial curing, then image transfer becomes possible, but device complexity and control difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex UV irradiation control system (requiring precise intensity and duration control) with a simple thermal drying system. Temperature and time control for thermal processing is inherently more straightforward, eliminating the need for sophisticated UV dose control while achieving the same transfer objective through solvent removal and viscosity reduction.
4Productivity
If UV light intensity and duration are controlled for partial curing, then transfer can be achieved, but energy consumption and process time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes UV irradiation with thermal drying. Thermal energy is generally more efficient for this application because solvent evaporation is a well-understood physical process that can be rapidly achieved with controlled heating, reducing both energy consumption and processing time compared to achieving partial UV curing.
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 approach enables reliable and efficient image transfer printing by maintaining ink adhesion and preventing bleeding, allowing for high-quality image transfer onto various media without the limitations of UV curing issues, such as residual monomers or granular prints.
Implementation Method 1
a solvent that is removed by heating with the heating member
Implementation Method 2
an image fixing unit that fixes the image which is transferred to the medium with the transfer member to the medium
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides ways of appropriately performing image transfer printing. A printing apparatus for performing image transfer printing is provided that includes: a transfer belt provided as a transfer image forming member on which a transfer image is created; an inkjet head that creates the transfer image on the transfer belt; a counter heater provided as a heating member that heats the transfer belt; a transfer roller provided as a transfer member that transfers the transfer image to a medium; and a strong UV irradiator provided as an image fixing unit that fixes to the medium the image transferred to the medium. The inkjet head ejects ink droplets of an ink containing a solvent that is removed by heating with the counter heater. The ink has a viscosity of 50 mPa·sec or more after the solvent is removed by heating with the counter heater.