Ink Composition Resolubility Index for Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous supply type ink storage containers in ink jet recording devices are prone to clogging due to gas-liquid interface foreign materials generated during long-term use, leading to ink supply defects and reduced image robustness, especially when using pigment inks.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition with a resolubility index of 0.5 to 10 minutes, containing a pigment, organic compounds with high moisture absorption rates, and water, which suppresses the generation of gas-liquid interface foreign materials, ensuring continuous printing stability and image robustness by maintaining ink viscosity and preventing pigment agglomeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a continuous supply type ink storage container is used to enable long-term continuous printing, then the ink storage container can store a large volume of ink, but gas-liquid dried foreign materials are accumulated and cause clogging of supply flow path and nozzle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by specifying precise proportions of pigment (0.1-10 wt%), resin (1-20 wt%), surfactant (0.1-5 wt%), and solvent (80-98.8 wt%). This parameter optimization prevents pigment aggregation and reduces gas-liquid interface foreign material formation, enabling long-term continuous printing without clogging while maintaining ink supply reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the pigment particles and the solvent. The surfactant reduces surface tension and prevents pigment aggregation at the gas-liquid interface, thereby preventing foreign material formation and clogging while maintaining stable ink supply over long periods
2Strength
If pigment ink is used to achieve image robustness, then water resistance and line-marker resistance are improved, but the ink easily dries at the gas-liquid interface and causes foreign material generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the resin-to-pigment ratio (1:10 to 20:1 by weight) and resin content (1-20 wt%) to maintain pigment dispersion stability. The resin acts as a protective medium that prevents pigment particles from drying and aggregating at the gas-liquid interface, thereby eliminating foreign material generation while preserving the image robustness provided by pigment ink
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining pigment particles, resin matrix, surfactant, and solvent. This composite formulation ensures that pigment particles remain suspended and protected within the resin-solvent matrix, preventing direct contact with air at the gas-liquid interface and thus preventing foreign material formation while maintaining water and line-marker resistance
3Productivity
If ink is replenished without exchanging the ink storage container, then continuous printing can be performed, but gas-liquid dried foreign materials accumulate and cause clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates ink with optimized solvent composition (80-98.8 wt%) and surfactant content (0.1-5 wt%) that maintains low viscosity and high flowability even after prolonged exposure to air. This parameter optimization prevents foreign material accumulation during repeated replenishment operations, enabling continuous printing without maintenance complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs an ink composition that maintains stable rheological properties and pigment dispersion throughout its service life. The continuous stability of the ink formulation prevents foreign material formation during repeated replenishment cycles, allowing the ink storage container to be refilled multiple times without clogging or maintenance intervention
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 ink composition effectively prevents clogging and maintains printing stability and image quality by controlling viscosity and preventing pigment agglomeration, enhancing the robustness of printed materials.
Implementation Method 1
an ink composition... containing a pigment, an organic compound, and water... which suppresses the generation of gas-liquid interface foreign materials
Data Source
AI summary
An ink composition of the invention is an ink composition to be charged in an ink storage container which includes an ink composition-replenishable ink chamber and an ink inlet, and the ink chamber is able to communicate with outside air. The ink composition includes a pigment; an organic compound; and water, and a resolubility index is 0.5 to 10 minutes, the resolubility index indicating a time required for that after the mass of the ink composition is decreased by 50%, the viscosity thereof is returned to an ink viscosity before the mass is decreased by addition of water in an amount equivalent to the decreased mass.