Ink Formulation with Polyhydroxy Compounds for Nozzle Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inks for inkjet recording face challenges with nozzle clogging and dispersion instability due to high concentrations of non-self-dispersible pigments and compounds with multiple hydroxyl groups, which affect image density and medium curling.
Innovation Solution
The ink formulation includes a pigment, a dispersant, a penetrating agent, water, a compound with two hydroxyl groups, a compound with three hydroxyl groups, and a compound with four or more hydroxyl groups, optimized in specific weight percentages to maintain image density while preventing nozzle clogging and medium curling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the concentration of non-self-dispersible pigment is increased to improve image density, then image density is improved, but nozzle clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
A compound having four or more hydroxyl groups (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose, sorbitol, xylitol, erythritol, or their derivatives) is introduced as an intermediary substance to mediate between the pigment particles and the ink solvent. This compound prevents pigment aggregation and nozzle clogging while maintaining high pigment concentration (7-20% by weight) for achieving high image density, resolving the contradiction between image quality and system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the ink formulation by incorporating specific compounds with four or more hydroxyl groups in controlled amounts (25-50% by weight). This parameter change modifies the ink's interaction with pigment particles, enabling stable dispersion of high concentrations of non-self-dispersible pigment without causing nozzle clogging, thus simultaneously achieving high image density and reliable operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the concentration of compound with four or more hydroxyl groups is increased to prevent medium curling, then medium curling is reduced, but ink formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of compounds with four or more hydroxyl groups to be within 25-50% by weight of the total ink. This parameter optimization effectively prevents medium curling while maintaining formulation simplicity and cost-effectiveness, avoiding excessive complexity in the ink formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation that combines non-self-dispersible pigment, dispersant, penetrating agent, water, and compounds with two, three, and four or more hydroxyl groups in specific proportions. This composite approach achieves multiple functions (high image density, nozzle clogging prevention, medium curling control) through a coordinated system rather than complex individual components.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pigment concentration is increased to improve image density, then image density is improved, but dispersion stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The compound with four or more hydroxyl groups acts as a mediator that enhances pigment dispersion stability even at high concentrations (7-20% by weight). This intermediary substance prevents pigment aggregation and maintains uniform distribution throughout the ink, enabling both high image density and stable dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite ink system combining multiple components (pigment, dispersant, penetrating agent, water, and compounds with 2, 3, and 4+ hydroxyl groups) in optimized ratios. This composite formulation achieves synergistic effects where the combination of components provides superior dispersion stability at high pigment concentrations compared to individual substances alone.
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
This formulation allows for higher image density with reduced nozzle clogging and medium curling, ensuring stable ink dispersion and improved printing performance even after long-term suspension of the ink ejecting apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
the ink contains a compound having four or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule... curling of a recording medium due to evaporation of moisture after image formation can be prevented
Implementation Method 2
combined with a dispersant to disperse the pigment in an ink... difficult to maintain a dispersed state thereof by themselves
Data Source
AI summary
An ink comprising a pigment, a dispersant, a penetrating agent, water, a compound having two hydroxyl groups in the molecule, a compound having three hydroxyl groups in the molecule, and a compound having four or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule,the content of the pigment being in the range of from about 7% by weight to about 20% by weight;the content of the compound having two hydroxyl groups in the molecule being in the range of from about 1% by weight to about 10% by weight;the content of the compound having three hydroxyl groups in the molecule being in the range of from about 2% by weight to about 20% by weight; andthe content of the compound having four or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule being in the range of from about 25% by weight to about 50% by weight.