Ink Composition Silicate Curling Suppression

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet recording systems face issues with curling and image deformation on plain paper, poor storage stability, and inadequate light resistance due to the interaction between ink and materials like glass or silicon in the printer components, leading to decreased image quality and design accuracy.

Innovation Solution

An ink composition comprising water, a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent with a solubility parameter of 27.5 or less, and a water-soluble silicate, along with a surfactant and resin particles, which helps in suppressing curling and improving discharge reliability, and includes a water-soluble alkali metal silicate or ammonium silicate to maintain inkjet head liquid repellency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a water-based ink containing a solvent having low polarity is used to suppress curling, then curling is suppressed, but storage stability of ink deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecurling suppressionVSAvoidstorage stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying a solubility parameter of 27.5 or less and incorporating water-soluble silicate, which modifies the ink's interaction with recording media to suppress curling while maintaining storage stability through controlled composition parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If glass or silicon members are used in ink jet printers for ease of microfabrication, then manufacturing ease is improved, but elution occurs leading to design accuracy degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of microfabricationVSAvoiddesign accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The water-soluble silicate acts as an intermediary substance that forms a protective interface between the ink and glass/silicon members, preventing direct interaction and elution while allowing the printer components to maintain their manufacturing advantages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ink composition includes water-soluble silicate that can be easily replaced or replenished, providing a cost-effective solution to prevent elution damage to expensive glass/silicon components without requiring changes to the printer structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If conventional ink compositions are used to achieve good fixability, then image deficiency is reduced, but curling after recording occurs due to moisture evaporation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefixabilityVSAvoidcurling after recording

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the ink composition parameters by incorporating water-soluble silicate and controlling solubility parameter to achieve a balance between fixability and moisture retention, reducing curling after recording while maintaining image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 composition effectively suppresses curling and image deformation on plain paper, enhances storage stability, and improves light resistance, ensuring reliable ink discharge and image quality even on non-specialized recording media.

Implementation Method 1

suppressing curling and image deformation on plain paper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCurling suppression:

Implementation Method 2

a surfactant and resin particles, which helps in suppressing curling and improving discharge reliability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

a water-soluble organic solvent with a solubility parameter of 27.5 or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant and a water-soluble silicate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 5

the glass or silicon contacting the ink may be eluted. As a result, the design accuracy of the ink jet printer may be lowered

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElution prevention:

Data Source

PatentUS8740369B2Ink composition, ink set, and image forming method

Publication Date: 2014.06.03 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

The invention provides an ink composition including water, a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant and a water-soluble silicate, the water-soluble silicate being comprised in an amount of from 0.0001% by mass to 0.5% by mass with respect to a total mass of the ink composition, and the water-soluble organic solvent including a water-soluble organic solvent having a value of solubility parameter (SP) of 27.5 or less in an amount of 40% by mass or more with respect to a total mass of the water-soluble organic solvent; an ink composition including a water-soluble alkali metal silicate and a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin, the water-insoluble resin including a structural unit having an acidic group; and an ink composition including a water-soluble alkali metal silicate, self-dispersing polymer particles, and a pigment.