Ink Set Viscosity Control and Cleaning for Inkjet Heads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in forming images with desired image density due to ink viscosity issues and difficulty in removing ink from the recording head ejection surface, as the ink quickly dries and adheres, making it hard to clean effectively.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising an inkjet ink with a hydrophobic solvent and water, which increases in viscosity after drying, combined with a cleaning liquid containing poly(meth)acrylic acid, a surfactant, and an aqueous medium, allowing for effective image formation and ink removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If inkjet ink is designed to quickly dry and increase viscosity after landing on recording medium to form images with desired image density, then image density is improved, but ink ejection stability deteriorates due to excessively high viscosity during drying
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the viscosity of the inkjet ink within a specific range (120-3800 mPa·S after drying treatment) and adjusting the composition of the aqueous medium containing hydrophobic solvent and water. This optimization allows the ink to achieve desired image density while maintaining adequate ejection stability throughout the drying process.
2Manufacturing precision
If inkjet ink quickly dries on the ejection surface of recording head, then image density is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases as pigment adheres strongly to the ejection surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cleaning liquid as an intermediary substance containing poly(meth)acrylic acid (0.15-10.50% by mass), surfactant, and aqueous medium. This cleaning liquid acts as a mediator that can effectively remove dried ink and pigment from the ejection surface without requiring excessive mechanical force or causing damage to the recording head.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration of poly(meth)acrylic acid within a specific range (0.15-10.50% by mass) in the cleaning liquid. This controlled parameter adjustment enables effective ink removal while maintaining the integrity of the recording head components.
3Manufacturing precision
If inkjet ink viscosity increases significantly after drying, then image quality is improved, but ink removal by typical cleaning liquid becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating the cleaning liquid as a combination of poly(meth)acrylic acid, surfactant, and aqueous medium. This composite cleaning solution works synergistically to effectively remove high-viscosity dried ink and adhered pigment from the ejection surface, overcoming the limitations of typical single-component cleaning liquids.
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 achieves desired image density and facilitates thorough ink removal from the recording head, enhancing ink ejection stability and cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The drying treatment is a treatment to heat the inkjet ink at 40° C. until a mass of the inkjet ink is reduced by 30.00% by mass
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning liquid contains poly(meth)acrylic acid, a surfactant, and a second aqueous medium
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set includes an inkjet ink and a cleaning liquid. The inkjet ink contains a pigment and a first aqueous medium. The first aqueous medium contains a hydrophobic solvent and water. The inkjet ink has a viscosity at 25° C. of at least 120 mPa·S and no greater than 3800 mPa·S after a drying treatment. The drying treatment is a treatment to heat the inkjet ink at 40° C. until the mass of the inkjet ink is reduced by 30.00% by mass. The cleaning liquid contains poly(meth)acrylic acid, a surfactant, and a second aqueous medium. The poly(meth)acrylic acid has a percentage content of at least 0.15% by mass and no greater than 10.50% by mass in the cleaning liquid.