Ink Composition with Surfactant for Nozzle Cleaning and Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing faces challenges in achieving high-quality image reproduction with issues such as non-uniform coloring, abrasion resistance, and image defects due to ink droplet coverage and drying properties, which are exacerbated by the trade-off between increasing ink droplets and maintaining image quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid composition comprising a coloring material, an organic solvent, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1, a resin, and water, with a contact angle of 60 degrees or less, is used, along with a liquid discharging device that includes a nozzle, a liquid container, and a wiping member impregnated with a hydrocarbon-based surfactant for improved coverage and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the amount of ink droplets is increased to improve coverage and color reproducibility, then color reproducibility is improved, but drying property deteriorates leading to image defects such as blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating a specific compound (Formula 1) with controlled hydrophobicity and surface tension properties. This allows the ink to achieve both good coverage and rapid drying by modifying how the liquid interacts with the recording medium at the molecular level, resolving the contradiction between coverage amount and drying speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite liquid composition combining multiple components: coloring material, organic solvent, compound of Formula 1, resin, and water. This composite formulation synergistically balances coverage properties (from the coloring material and solvent) with drying properties (from the compound of Formula 1 and resin), allowing both contradictory requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Strength
If post-processing fluid is applied to enhance abrasion resistance, then abrasion resistance is improved, but dot height increases degrading glossiness and image density
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates abrasion-resistant resin components directly into the ink formulation before printing. This preliminary inclusion of protective elements eliminates the need for separate post-processing fluid application, as the ink itself provides both image formation and abrasion resistance without increasing dot height or degrading glossiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of image formation and abrasion protection into a single integrated liquid composition. The resin component serves dual purposes: forming the image structure and providing abrasion resistance, thereby eliminating the trade-off between applying protective fluids and maintaining image quality.
3Reliability
If cleaning liquid is used to remove discharged ink on nozzle surface, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but image quality may be affected by improper fluid selection
Solution Approach 1:
The compound of Formula 1 acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates easy removal of discharged ink from nozzle surfaces. Its specific molecular structure enables it to serve as both part of the ink composition and as a cleaning agent, allowing effective nozzle maintenance without requiring separate cleaning fluids that might compromise image quality.
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 solution enhances color reproducibility, reduces dot height, and maintains glossy images while improving cleaning power and image density, addressing the trade-offs in inkjet printing by optimizing ink coverage and drying properties.
Implementation Method 1
the contact angle of water against a liquid composition film formed by attaching the liquid composition to a non-permeable printing medium is 60 degrees or less
Implementation Method 2
a wiping member for wiping the surface of the nozzle, the wiping member impregnated with a cleaning liquid containing a hydrocarbon-based surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid composition contains a coloring material, an organic solvent, a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 below, a resin, and water, wherein the contact angle of water against a liquid composition film formed by attaching the liquid composition to a non-permeable printing medium is 60 degrees or less,where n represents an integer of from 4 to 10.