Water-Based Clear Ink Gloss Control via Substrate Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing technologies using UV clear ink face challenges with strong odors, limited environmental suitability due to air exhaust requirements, and increased device size and cost, while also failing to effectively control gloss differences between matte and gloss printing.
Innovation Solution
A printing device and method utilizing a clear ink containing water and a resin, where the temperature control of the substrate and heating device differentiate between low gloss and high gloss printing modes, with Tlow > Thigh and HTlow > HThigh, to manage the gloss levels by influencing dot spreading and coalescence, thereby achieving distinct gloss finishes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV clear ink is used for printing, then printing durability and light resistance are improved, but strong odors and environmental concerns arise due to organic solvent evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using a water-based clear ink containing specific resin components instead of traditional UV clear ink with organic solvents. This parameter change maintains the protective and durable properties of the clear ink while eliminating the harmful organic solvent evaporation and associated odors, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a water-based clear ink system that can be easily applied and dried without requiring complex UV curing equipment. This approach uses simpler, more environmentally friendly materials that are less hazardous and easier to dispose of, reducing the environmental impact while maintaining effective printing durability
2Reliability
If UV clear ink is used for printing, then printing durability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to air exhaust requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex UV curing system with a simpler water-based ink system that dries naturally. This eliminates the need for UV lamps, air exhaust systems, and associated safety equipment, significantly reducing device complexity and operational costs while maintaining printing durability through the water-based resin formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the UV curing mechanism and organic solvent components from the printing system. By taking out these complex and hazardous elements, the system becomes simpler and more environmentally friendly, yet still achieves durable printing results through the water-based clear ink formulation
3Manufacturing precision
If heating temperature is increased to control gloss, then low gloss effect is achieved, but high gloss control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic heating control system that can adjust heating temperatures across different zones and time periods. By making the heating system dynamic and adaptable, it can switch between low gloss mode (higher temperature) and high gloss mode (lower or no heating), enabling versatile gloss control for different printing requirements without compromising manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the heating system by varying temperature, heating duration, and heating intensity to achieve different gloss effects. This parameter-based control allows the system to adapt between low gloss and high gloss modes while maintaining precise control over the final printing appearance
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single clear ink system is used, then environmental suitability is improved, but gloss differentiation between matte and gloss becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves gloss differentiation using a single water-based clear ink by changing the heating parameters applied after ink application. By varying temperature, time, and heating intensity, the system can produce both matte and gloss finishes from the same environmentally friendly ink formulation, thus maintaining environmental suitability while achieving precise gloss differentiation
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 solution allows for effective control of both low gloss and high gloss printing modes using a single ink system, reducing odor issues and environmental concerns, while providing clear distinguishability between matte and glossy surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device configured to heat the substrate
Implementation Method 2
manage the gloss levels by influencing dot spreading and coalescence
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device includes an ink container accommodating a liquid containing a clear ink containing water and a resin, a discharging head to discharge the clear ink directly or indirectly onto a substrate to form a printing layer, and a heating device to heat the substrate, wherein the following relationship is satisfied: Tlow (degrees C.)>Thigh (degrees C.), where Tlow (degrees C.) represents the temperature of the substrate that the heating device is heating during printing in a low gloss printing mode and Thigh (degrees C.) represents the temperature of the substrate that the heating device is heating during printing in a high gloss printing mode, wherein the following relationships are satisfied: in the high gloss printing mode, Gp≥Gm and, in the low gloss printing mode, Gm≥Gp, where Gm represents the gloss level of the substrate and Gp represents the gloss level of the printing layer.