Edible Inkjet Waveform Control for High-Alcohol Tablet Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet inks with high alcohol solvent content for improved drying properties suffer from deteriorated initial ejection performance and intermittent resumability, particularly when used on low-drying surfaces like film-coated or sugar-coated tablets.
Innovation Solution
An edible inkjet ink printing method using a drive waveform that decreases from a reference potential V0 to a lower potential V2 and then increases to a higher potential V3, returning to V0, to eject ink with 30-60% alcohol content, enhancing drying properties while maintaining ejection stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the amount of alcohol solvent is increased to improve drying properties, then drying properties are improved, but initial ejection performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the drive waveform parameters (voltage levels and time sequence) to accommodate high alcohol content ink while maintaining ejection performance. Specifically, it applies a multi-stage drive waveform with potentials V0, V1, V2, and V3 at different time points to optimize the ejection process for fast-drying ink formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the drive waveform characteristics based on the ink composition. By using a time-varying multi-level voltage waveform rather than a simple single-pulse waveform, the system adapts to the specific drying characteristics of high alcohol content ink to maintain reliable ejection.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the amount of alcohol solvent is increased to improve drying properties, then drying properties are improved, but intermittent resumability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies drive waveform parameters including voltage levels (V0, V1, V2, V3) and timing sequence to ensure consistent ejection performance during intermittent printing operations with high alcohol content ink, preventing nozzle clogging and maintaining resumability.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage drive waveform creates periodic pressure variations that help maintain ink flow consistency during intermittent operation, preventing the nozzle from drying out completely between printing cycles while still achieving fast drying on the substrate.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the amount of alcohol solvent is increased to improve drying properties, then drying properties are improved, but ink transfer to machine parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing the drive waveform parameters (voltage levels and timing), the patent achieves complete ink ejection from the nozzle, preventing ink from lingering and transferring to machine parts. The multi-stage waveform ensures thorough ink removal while maintaining fast drying characteristics.
4Duration of action of stationary object
If the alcohol solvent content is set to 30 mass % or more, then drying properties are improved, but initial ejection performance and intermittent resumability are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifically designs a drive waveform with four distinct voltage levels (V0, V1, V2, V3) applied in sequence to the piezoelectric element, optimizing the pressure profile to accommodate high alcohol content ink (30-60 mass %) while maintaining stable ejection performance and preventing the reliability issues that would normally occur at these alcohol concentrations.
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 method suppresses deterioration in initial ejection performance and intermittent resumability, ensuring effective printing on low-drying surfaces without transferring ink to machine parts or other tablets.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure-generating element and a drive waveform generator configured to generate a drive waveform to be applied to the pressure-generating element
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet ink printing method including printing a print image with inkjet ink by using a device configured to eject the inkjet ink, the inkjet ink containing alcohol within a range of 30% or more and 60% or less, wherein the device configured to eject the inkjet ink includes an ink ejection head configured to eject the inkjet ink and a drive waveform generator configured to generate a drive waveform to be applied to a pressure-generating element of the ink ejection head, and the drive waveform is a waveform that decreases from a reference potential V0 to a potential V2 and then increases to a potential V3 higher than the reference potential V0, and returns to the reference potential V0 again during ejection of the inkjet ink.