UV-Curable Ink Jetting for Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink jet recording methods using energy ray-curable inks face issues with curability and discharge stability due to increased internal temperature of the recording apparatus, leading to unstable image quality and viscosity changes during continuous printing.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method involving the use of ultraviolet ray-curable ink with a viscosity of 25 mPa·s or less at 20° C. and an average equivalent of polymerizable unsaturated double bonds between 100 to 150, discharged at a temperature of 30° C. to 40° C., and cured with ultraviolet rays to maintain stable internal temperatures and improve curability and discharge stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the acrylic equivalent of the polymerizable compound is specified to obtain low viscosity, then discharge stability is improved, but reaction heat increases and internal temperature rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies the acrylic equivalent of the entire ink composition (not just the polymerizable compound) to be 200 or less, while controlling the ratio of monofunctional to polyfunctional monomers. This parameter optimization allows the ink to maintain low viscosity for stable discharge while limiting the total amount of polymerizable groups, thereby controlling reaction heat generation during curing.
2Reliability
If the amount of polymerizable compound is increased to improve curability, then curability is improved, but reaction heat increases and image quality stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the acrylic equivalent of the ink composition to 200 or less and controls the monomer ratio (monofunctional/polyfunctional between 3:7 and 7:3). This balanced parameter setting ensures sufficient curability through adequate polymerizable content while limiting excessive reaction heat that would cause temperature rise and image quality deterioration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite monomer system combining monofunctional and polyfunctional monomers in specific ratios. This composite approach allows the ink to achieve both good curability (through polyfunctional monomers providing crosslinking) and controlled reaction heat (through monofunctional monomers providing lower polymerization heat), resolving the contradiction between curability and image quality stability.
3Productivity
If continuous printing is performed with high reaction heat ink, then productivity is improved, but internal temperature increases and discharge stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the acrylic equivalent of the ink composition to 200 or less and maintains specific monomer ratios, which limits the total reaction heat generated during curing. This allows continuous printing operations to proceed without excessive temperature accumulation, maintaining discharge stability and enabling sustained high productivity.
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 ensures superior curability and discharge stability, suppresses the increase in internal temperature, and effectively prevents curing wrinkles, maintaining image quality and reducing temperature-related issues in the recording apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the ultraviolet ray-curable ink, attached onto the recording medium, with ultraviolet rays emitted from a light source to cure the ultraviolet ray-curable ink
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink jet recording method including: discharging an ultraviolet ray-curable ink, which has a viscosity at 20° C. of 25 mPa·s or less and an average equivalent of polymerizable unsaturated double bond of 100 to 150, from a head onto a recording medium at a discharge temperature of 30° C. to 40° C.; and irradiating the ultraviolet ray-curable ink, attached onto the recording medium, with ultraviolet rays emitted from a light source to cure the ultraviolet ray-curable ink.