Hydantoin Co-Solvent Ink for Cost-Effective Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal inkjet printing technologies rely on 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin as a co-solvent, which is difficult and expensive to produce, limiting the cost-effectiveness and availability of high-quality inkjet inks for commercial and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ink formulation incorporating a hydantoin with general formulas I and II, along with a nitrogen-containing solvent, binder, surfactant, and additives, excluding saccharides, to enhance image quality, durability, jettability, and stability, while being easier and less expensive to produce than traditional co-solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin is used as a co-solvent, then image quality and jettability performance are improved, but production cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of the hydantoin co-solvent by changing parameters such as the hydroxyalkyl groups (using hydroxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, or hydroxypropyl groups instead of only 2-hydroxyethyl), which alters the molecular properties to achieve comparable or superior performance while reducing production cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive and difficult-to-produce 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin with cheaper alternative hydantoin derivatives that can be more easily manufactured, effectively substituting a costly material with a more economical one while maintaining functional performance
2Reliability
If 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin is used as a co-solvent, then printhead jettability and reliability are improved, but production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the co-solvent by using different hydroxyalkyl substitutions (1, 2, or 3 carbon chains) and varying the alkyl groups on the hydantoin ring, which simplifies the production process while maintaining or improving jettability and reliability performance
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional co-solvents are used, then ink stability is achieved, but production cost and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the co-solvent structure by changing the hydroxyalkyl group parameters (chain length and position) to achieve ink stability comparable to traditional co-solvents while significantly reducing production cost and manufacturing complexity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An example of a liquid ink includes a colorant, a co-solvent, and a balance of water. The co-solvent includes a hydantoin having a eneral formula (I) or a general formula (II) wherein n is an integer greater than 2 and m is an integer equal to or greater than 2.