Ink Set Stabilization for Nozzle Clogging in Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink aggregation issues in nozzle and wiping members of inkjet recording apparatuses, particularly with carbon black and resin-based inks, lead to nozzle clogging and reduced long-term stability during high-speed recording and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising black ink with carbon black having a carboxyl group on its surface, resin particles with carboxyl groups, betaine, alkali ions (with potassium ions being the most prevalent), and organic alkali compounds, which helps prevent aggregation by stabilizing surface ionic properties and dispersing components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-speed recording and cleaning operations are performed, then productivity is improved, but ink aggregation occurs in nozzles and on wiping members causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the wiping member with a specific ink composition containing carbon black, resin particles, and betaine before the actual wiping operation. This preliminary coating creates a controlled environment that prevents aggregation during high-speed recording and cleaning cycles, thereby maintaining nozzle functionality while enabling high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses betaine as an intermediary substance that mediates between the ink components and the wiping member surface. The betaine prevents aggregation of carbon black and resin particles during contact with the wiping member, allowing high-speed operations without clogging while maintaining reliable nozzle performance
2Manufacturing precision
If carbon black and resin-based ink is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but aggregation occurs during wiping causing nozzle omission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining carbon black, resin particles, and betaine in a specific formulation. This composite ink composition maintains the high image quality provided by carbon black and resin while the betaine component prevents aggregation during wiping operations, thereby ensuring nozzle stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentrations of carbon black, resin particles, and betaine in the ink composition. By optimizing these parameters, the ink maintains manufacturing precision for high-quality images while preventing aggregation-induced nozzle omission during wiping
3Ease of operation
If color-mixed ink is used during wiping, then ease of operation is improved, but long-term stability is deteriorated due to aggregation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses betaine as an intermediary that stabilizes the ink composition during color-mixed wiping operations. The betaine prevents aggregation even when multiple ink colors are mixed during the wiping process, thereby maintaining long-term ink stability while preserving wiping efficiency
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 set effectively reduces ink aggregation during wiping and cleaning, maintaining nozzle functionality and long-term stability, even with high-speed operations and large nozzle counts.
Implementation Method 1
carbon black having a carboxyl group on a surface thereof, a resin particle having a carboxyl group on a surface thereof, betaine, an alkali ion
Implementation Method 2
betaine, an alkali ion, and water
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ink set including black ink and color ink, in which the black ink contains carbon black having a carboxyl group on a surface thereof, a resin particle having a carboxyl group on a surface thereof, betaine, an alkali ion, and water, the alkali ion contains a potassium ion, a sodium ion, and an organic alkali compound, and a content of the potassium ion is the largest among the alkali ions.