Ink Set Viscosity Control for Ink-Jet Recording
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printers face challenges in achieving consistent viscosity across different inks at various shearing speeds, leading to issues like satellite droplets, ink mists, and image blurring due to varying permeation speeds through recording media.
Innovation Solution
An ink set comprising multiple inks with a viscosity difference of 2.0 mPa·s or less at 230 1/s and 0.5 mPa·s or less at 100,000 1/s, incorporating a fluorine-based surfactant, water-soluble organic solvent, and resin emulsions to ensure stable discharge and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If viscosity difference among multiple inks is made small at low shearing speeds, then image blurring is prevented, but viscosity difference at high shearing speeds may become large causing satellite droplets and ink mists
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully adjusting the pigment concentration and composition of each ink to achieve a viscosity difference of 0.5 mPa·s or less at high shearing speeds (100,000 1/s) while maintaining appropriate viscosity at low shearing speeds. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction by ensuring both image quality and discharge stability across the entire shearing speed range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by formulating inks with thixotropic properties where viscosity dynamically adapts to shearing speed. The inks exhibit higher viscosity at low shearing speeds to prevent blurring and lower viscosity at high shearing speeds to prevent satellite droplets and ink mists, allowing the viscosity to automatically adjust based on operational conditions.
2Reliability
If viscosity difference among multiple inks is made small at high shearing speeds, then satellite droplets and ink mists are reduced, but viscosity difference at low shearing speeds may become large causing image blurring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully adjusting the pigment concentration and composition of each ink to achieve a viscosity difference of 0.5 mPa·s or less at high shearing speeds (100,000 1/s) while maintaining appropriate viscosity at low shearing speeds. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction by ensuring both image quality and discharge stability across the entire shearing speed range.
3Manufacturing precision
If different colorants are used in different amounts for different colored inks, then color quality is improved, but viscosity difference among inks increases causing discharge instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully adjusting the pigment concentration and composition of each ink to achieve a viscosity difference of 0.5 mPa·s or less at high shearing speeds (100,000 1/s) while maintaining appropriate viscosity at low shearing speeds. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction by ensuring both image quality and discharge stability across the entire shearing speed range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by formulating each colored ink with specific combinations of colorants, water-soluble organic solvents, and surfactants. This composite formulation approach allows optimization of both color properties and viscosity characteristics, resolving the contradiction between color quality and discharge stability.
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 provides high discharge stability and image quality by reducing ink mists and blurring, while maintaining ink fluidity and preventing nozzle clogging, even at high shearing speeds.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the multiple inks includes a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a fluorine-based surfactant, and water
Implementation Method 2
a viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 2.0 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 230 1/s, and a viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 0.5 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 100,000 1/s
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set for ink-jet recording which includes multiple inks having different colors. Each of the multiple inks includes a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a fluorine-based surfactant, and water. The viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 2.0 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 230 1/s, and the viscosity difference among the multiple inks is 0.5 mPa·s or less at a temperature of 25° C. and a shearing speed of 100,000 1/s.