Active Energy Ray Curable Ink Resolving Hardness Extensibility Trade-off

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional photopolymerizable inkjet inks face limitations in substrate compatibility, water resistance, and curing processes, with a trade-off between hardness and extensibility in cured materials, and require post-processing and use of mercury light or low-energy UV for curing.

Innovation Solution

An active energy ray curable composition combining a non-polymerizable resin and mono-functional monomers with specific glass transition temperature relationships, along with optional multi-functional monomers and oligomers, to achieve balanced hardness and extensibility in cured materials, using energy sources like UV-LED or UV-laser for curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a polymerizable multi-functional monomer is used to maintain hardness of a cured material, then hardness is improved, but extensibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehardnessVSAvoidextensibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the monomer by introducing a rigid cyclic structure (cycloaliphatic ring) into the monomer molecule. This structural modification allows the monomer to contribute to hardness through its rigid ring structure while the specific molecular configuration maintains extensibility, resolving the trade-off between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite monomer structure by combining a polymerizable unsaturated bond with a cycloaliphatic ring structure. This composite molecular structure integrates the hardening effect of the cyclic rigid structure with the polymerization capability of the unsaturated bond, achieving both hardness and extensibility in the cured material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If mono-functional monomers are added to secure extensibility, then extensibility is improved, but hardness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveextensibilityVSAvoidhardness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the structural parameters of the monomer by incorporating a cycloaliphatic ring, which provides rigidity and hardness. This structural change allows the monomer to maintain extensibility through its cyclic structure while contributing to hardness, reversing the conventional trade-off where extensibility enhancement sacrifices hardness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional photopolymerizable inkjet ink is used, then curing is achieved, but post-processing is required and mercury light or low energy ray irradiator must be used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring capabilityVSAvoidpost-processing requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the energy absorption parameters of the curable composition by incorporating compounds that absorb high-energy radiation. This modification enables the composition to be cured by high-energy ray irradiation without requiring post-processing steps, simplifying the overall curing process and eliminating the need for mercury-based systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition strikes a balance between high hardness and extensibility while maintaining bending properties, eliminating the need for post-processing and mercury-based curing, and is suitable for various applications including additive manufacturing.

Implementation Method 1

polymerizable compounds including a mono-functional monomer having a single polymerizable unsaturated ethylene double bond

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

using energy sources like UV-LED or UV-laser for curing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS10138387B2Active energy ray curable composition, active energy ray curable ink, composition stored container, two dimensional or three dimensional image forming apparatus, image forming method, cured material, and processed product

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An active energy ray image forming apparatus containing a head, a heating mechanism disposed inside the head, and a storing part configured to accommodate a non-polymerizable synthetic resin and a mono-functional monomer containing a single unsaturated ethylene double bond. An active energy ray image forming apparatus, containing a head, a heating mechanism disposed inside the head, and a storing part configured to accommodate a non-polymerizable synthetic resin and a mono-functional monomer containing a single unsaturated ethylene double bond, where the heating mechanism is heated to 60° C. when ink is discharged.