Fluorine Gradient Epoxy Resin for Inkjet Nozzles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printer nozzle surfaces interact with ink, leading to issues like clogging and puddling, and existing low surface energy coatings are vulnerable to processing techniques such as plasma ashing, which can degrade their performance.

Innovation Solution

A fluid ejector device with a fluorine gradient epoxy resin layer having a lower surface energy than the nozzle layer, which is robust and resistant to deleterious processes, reducing ink accumulation and facilitating ink ejection and servicing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a low surface energy coating is applied to the nozzle surface to reduce ink-nozzle interaction, then nozzle clogging and ink puddling are reduced, but the coating becomes vulnerable to degradation from processing techniques such as plasma ashing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle performanceVSAvoidcoating integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The coating is designed with a fluorine gradient, creating different compositions at different locations within the coating thickness. The surface region contains high fluorine content for low surface energy and ink repellency, while the base region has lower fluorine content for stability and resistance to processing degradation. This spatial variation in composition allows the coating to simultaneously achieve low surface energy performance and processing robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is formulated as a composite epoxy resin system incorporating fluorinated species, combining the adhesive properties and mechanical strength of epoxy with the low surface energy characteristics of fluorinated compounds. This composite structure provides both the desired ink ejection performance and resistance to degradation from processing techniques like plasma ashing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of repair

If a thin layer of low surface energy coating is used to make servicing and wiping easier, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the coating may not provide sufficient protection against processing techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservicing and wipingVSAvoidcoating protection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorine gradient creates a thin, low-surface-energy surface layer for easy servicing and wiping, while the thicker base layer with lower fluorine content provides robust protection against processing techniques. This spatial differentiation allows the coating to simultaneously achieve ease of maintenance and processing protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If additional processing steps are added to create a robust low surface energy coating, then coating stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating robustnessVSAvoidprocessing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fluorine gradient is incorporated into the coating formulation itself, allowing the gradient structure to be established during the coating application and curing process rather than requiring separate post-processing steps. This preliminary incorporation of the gradient structure simplifies manufacturing while achieving the desired coating stability and performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 fluorine gradient epoxy resin layer effectively maintains low surface energy and high contact angle, reducing nozzle clogging and ink puddling, and withstands subsequent processing techniques, ensuring reliable inkjet performance.

Implementation Method 1

The coating layer disclosed herein has a fluorine gradient which is believed to effectively contribute to the ability to re-establish the low surface energy and high contact angle of the coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface energy reduction: Surface Tension