Ink Jet Ink Surface Tension Control for Nozzle Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in achieving high image quality and improved recording speed on plain paper while maintaining nozzle durability, as the high-density nozzle arrangement leads to positional deviations of ink droplets and satellite droplets, affecting image quality and durability.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet ink with an aqueous medium containing a surfactant and alkanediol, having a surface tension between 40 mN/m and 60 mN/m, is used in a recording head with alternating nozzles of different lengths, reducing positional deviations and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-density nozzle arrangement is used to improve recording speed and image quality, then productivity and image quality are improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to positional deviations of ink droplets and satellite droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the ink by controlling the surface tension of the aqueous medium to be 40-60 mN/m and using specific alkanediols to reduce satellite droplet formation and improve droplet placement accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between high-speed recording and positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses alternating nozzles with different channel lengths (short and long nozzles) to create local variations in ink ejection characteristics. This local differentiation allows some nozzles to compensate for satellite droplet effects, improving overall positional accuracy while maintaining high recording speed
2Manufacturing precision
If high-density nozzle arrangement is used to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to reduced nozzle durability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific alkanediols and controlling surface tension, which reduces clogging and improves nozzle durability in high-density arrangements, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving high 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 ink jet ink achieves superior image quality, reduced positional deviations, and improved durability of the recording head by controlling surface tension and using alkanediol, allowing for stable and high-speed inkjet recording.
Implementation Method 1
the aqueous medium having a surface tension of from 40 mN/m or more to less than 60 mN/m
Implementation Method 2
the ink containing at least an aqueous medium, a surfactant and a coloring material
Implementation Method 3
first nozzles and second nozzles both having ink channels different in length from each other are arranged in a staggered manner so as to achieve both good refill performance
Data Source
AI summary
An ink to be applied to a recording head having a common liquid chamber, pressure chambers developing pressure applied to the liquid, individual channels through which the liquid is introduced into the pressure chambers from the common liquid chamber, and a group of nozzles which communicate with the pressure chambers and eject the liquid, where first nozzles having short individual channels and second nozzles having long ones are alternately arranged at arrangement intervals of less than 30 μm along one side or sides of the common liquid chamber, contains an aqueous medium, a surfactant and a coloring material. The aqueous medium consists of water and a water-soluble organic compound containing at least one alkanediol and has a surface tension of from 40 mN/m or more to less than 60 mN/m in an environment of temperature 25° C. and humidity 50%.