Ink Additives for Dry Time and Printhead Dehydration Balance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed pagewidth printing requires inkjet inks that balance dry time on media and printhead dehydration performance, where quick dry times on media are needed but slow dry times in printheads to maintain nozzle functionality, and existing formulations often compromise one performance characteristic for another.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet ink formulation comprising diethylene glycol C3-8 alkyl ether, a first surfactant of formula (I), and a second surfactant, optimized to provide excellent dry times on glossy media and improved printhead dehydration performance, with a surface tension range of 27 to 31 mN/m and specific surfactant ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If ink formulation is optimized for quick dry time on media, then dry time performance is improved, but printhead dehydration performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific additives (diethylene glycol C3-8 alkyl ether and surfactants with defined HLB ranges) to change the evaporation characteristics and surface tension properties, enabling different drying behaviors on media versus in the printhead
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the ink vehicle and media surface, controlling wetting and drying rates. The surfactants with specific HLB values (3-12) act as intermediaries that facilitate rapid drying on hydrophobic glossy media while maintaining nozzle hydration
2Reliability
If ink formulation is optimized for slow dry time in printhead, then printhead dehydration performance is improved, but dry time on media deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts ink composition parameters including co-solvent ratios and surfactant concentrations to create a formulation that maintains different effective drying rates in different environments (printhead versus media surface)
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality differences in the ink's drying behavior by using surfactants that preferentially interact with the media surface, causing rapid drying at the ink-media interface while maintaining different properties within the printhead environment
3Ease of operation
If downstream rollers are placed close to print zone, then media control is improved, but track marks occur due to insufficient ink drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by formulating the ink with rapid-drying components that pre-emptively dry the ink before it reaches downstream rollers, preventing track marks while allowing close roller placement for media control
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 formulation achieves excellent dry times on glossy media and extended printhead dehydration performance, reducing the frequency of keep-wet spits and decap time, thereby optimizing print quality and printhead health.
Implementation Method 1
with a surface tension range of 27 to 31 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
a first surfactant of formula (I); and a second surfactant different than the first surfactant
Implementation Method 3
Dry time refers to the time taken for ink to dry after being printed
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet ink includes: an ink vehicle; a colorant; a diethylene glycol C3-8 alkyl ether; a first surfactant of formula (I); and a second surfactant different than the first surfactant, the first surfactant being present in a greater amount than the second surfactant.