Ink Set Deliquescent Agents Prevent Inkjet Port Blockage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording technologies face issues with ink discharge failure due to the water-based ink adhering to the discharge surface, leading to blockage of discharge ports and undesired discharge directions, which existing methods fail to effectively prevent.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising a water-based ink and a water-based cleaning liquid, both containing deliquescent agents and a nonionic surfactant with a specific HLB value, is used. The ink set includes sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, or 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin as deliquescent agents and triethylene glycol or 1,3-propanediol, with the nonionic surfactant having an HLB value of 14 to 16, ensuring appropriate affinity and absorption to prevent ink adhesion and facilitate easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water-based ink is used for inkjet recording, then the ink can be easily supplied and discharged, but the ink adheres to the discharge surface causing blockage and discharge failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the water-based ink by adding deliquescent agents (sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, or 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin) at specific concentrations (0.01-10% by mass) and nonionic surfactants with HLB values of 14-16. These parameter changes reduce surface tension and prevent adhesion to the discharge surface, resolving the contradiction between ease of discharge and discharge reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces deliquescent agents and nonionic surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the water-based ink and the discharge surface. These intermediaries prevent direct adhesion between the ink and discharge surface through steric hindrance and reduced surface tension, allowing smooth ink discharge while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of repair
If water-based cleaning liquid is supplied to remove adhering ink, then the discharge surface can be cleaned, but the cleaning process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a water-based cleaning liquid that performs multiple functions simultaneously: it removes adhering ink, prevents new adhesion, and maintains discharge surface wetness. By combining deliquescent agents, nonionic surfactants, and diols in one solution, the cleaning process becomes simpler and more efficient, reducing both time and procedural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning liquid contains deliquescent agents and surfactants that enable it to automatically prevent ink adhesion while cleaning, without requiring additional treatment steps. The cleaning liquid serves itself by incorporating preventive anti-adhesion components, simplifying the overall cleaning process.
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 effectively prevents ink discharge failure by ensuring the water-based ink is easily removable from the discharge surface, maintaining image quality and preventing blockages, thus ensuring consistent and reliable inkjet recording.
Implementation Method 1
The water-based ink and the water-based cleaning liquid each contain at least 1.0% by mass and no greater than 4.0% by mass of a deliquescent agent
Implementation Method 2
The water-based cleaning liquid further contains a nonionic surfactant and a diol. The nonionic surfactant has an HLB value determined by Griffin method of at least 14 and no greater than 16
Implementation Method 3
The diol includes at least one of triethylene glycol and 1,3-propanediol
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set includes a water-based ink and a water-based cleaning liquid. The water-based ink and the water-based cleaning liquid each contain at least 1.0% by mass and no greater than 4.0% by mass of a deliquescent agent. The water-based cleaning liquid further contains a nonionic surfactant and a diol. The deliquescent agent that the water-based ink contains and the deliquescent agent that the water-based cleaning liquid contains each include at least one of sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-5,5-dimethylhydantoin. The nonionic surfactant has an HLB value determined by Griffin method of at least 14 and no greater than 16. The diol includes at least one of triethylene glycol and 1,3-propanediol.