UV-Curable Ink Viscosity Control for Stable Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing ink jet recording methods using ultraviolet-ray curable ink face challenges with viscosity fluctuations due to temperature changes, leading to instability in ejection and image quality, and the heating of the ink results in head deterioration.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet recording method where the ultraviolet-ray curable ink is heated to maintain a viscosity of 8 mPa·s or more at 28° C. to 40° C., with a corresponding viscosity of 15 mPa·s or less, to stabilize ejection and prevent head deterioration, using a line type ink jet recording apparatus with an ink circulation path and a degassing mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultraviolet-ray curable ink is heated to reduce viscosity for stable ejection, then ejection stability is improved, but head deterioration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the viscosity parameter of the ultraviolet-ray curable ink by formulating it with specific monomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters) to achieve a viscosity of 500 Pa·s or less at 25°C. This parameter change allows the ink to be ejected stably without requiring high-temperature heating, thereby preventing head deterioration while maintaining ejection stability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the ultraviolet-ray curable ink has high viscosity for proper formulation, then ink composition stability is improved, but ejection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the viscosity parameter of the ink to 500 Pa·s or less at 25°C through careful selection and combination of monomers. This optimized viscosity parameter achieves a balance where the ink maintains compositional stability while enabling stable ejection without excessive heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite formulation combining multiple monomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and their esters) to create an ink with optimized rheological properties. This composite approach allows the ink to maintain stability while achieving the desired low viscosity for stable ejection.
3Reliability
If the ultraviolet-ray curable ink has very low viscosity for easy ejection, then ejection stability is improved, but head deterioration accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter to a specific range (500 Pa·s or less but not excessively low) through monomer selection. This optimized parameter allows stable ejection while avoiding the head deterioration associated with very low viscosity formulations that require aggressive heating.
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 enhances ejection stability and durability of the head, reduces viscosity fluctuations, and prevents curing wrinkles, resulting in improved image quality and long-term ejection stability.
Implementation Method 1
the ink is heated so as to reduce a viscosity and is then ejected
Implementation Method 2
an ultraviolet-ray curable ink in which monomers are photopolym erized (cured) by irradiating the monomers with ultraviolet rays
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet recording method includes ejecting an ultraviolet-ray curable ink of which a viscosity at 28° C. is 8 mPa·s or more from a head to a recording medium, and curing the ultraviolet-ray curable ink attached to the recording medium, wherein, in the ejecting of the ultraviolet-ray curable ink, the ultraviolet-ray curable ink is heated such that a temperature of the ejected ultraviolet-ray curable ink becomes 28° C. to 40° C., and a viscosity of the ultraviolet-ray curable ink at the temperature is 15 mPa·s or less.