Ink Formulation with Specific Solvent Boiling Points

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pigment inks for inkjet printers face issues with nozzle clogging due to increased viscosity, poor maintainability, and degraded drying performance on coated paper, which affects stability and image quality.

Innovation Solution

An ink formulation containing specific water-soluble organic solvents with boiling points ranging from 180°C to 300°C, optimized in mass percentage ratios to balance viscosity, stability, and drying performance, including a combination of water-soluble organic solvents (X), (Y), and (G), along with optional surfactants and penetrating agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pigment ink is used to improve weather resistance, then color fastness is improved, but viscosity increases causing nozzle clogging and poor maintainability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather resistanceVSAvoidnozzle clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by introducing a specific water-soluble organic solvent with boiling point 180-190°C and controlling its mass percentage within 20-40%. This parameter adjustment reduces ink viscosity while maintaining pigment suspension, preventing nozzle clogging while preserving weather resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water, pigment, and a specific water-soluble organic solvent (boiling point 180-190°C) in optimized ratios. This composite material achieves both high weather resistance from the pigment and low viscosity for nozzle compatibility through the synergistic interaction of components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If pigment ink is used to improve weather resistance, then color fastness is improved, but drying performance on coated paper deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather resistanceVSAvoiddrying performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the boiling point parameter of the organic solvent to 180-190°C and controls its mass percentage at 20-40%, creating optimal evaporation characteristics. This enables faster drying on coated paper while maintaining the weather resistance provided by the pigment particles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional organic solvents are used to reduce viscosity, then maintainability is improved, but stability over time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemaintainabilityVSAvoidstability over time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects an organic solvent with a specific boiling point range (180-190°C) and controls its concentration (20-40% by mass). This parameter optimization achieves low viscosity for good maintainability while the water-soluble nature and controlled concentration prevent excessive evaporation, ensuring long-term stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional requirements to different aspects of the ink: the organic solvent provides low viscosity and water solubility for maintainability, while its controlled concentration and boiling point ensure stability. The pigment provides weather resistance, and each component's properties are optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves improved stability over time, maintainability, and enhanced drying performance on coated paper, preventing nozzle clogging and ensuring high-quality image formation.

Implementation Method 1

an ink, which contains: water; a pigment; and a first water-soluble organic solvent, wherein the first water-soluble organic solvent contains a water-soluble organic solvent (G) having a boiling point of 280°C to 300°C, a water-soluble organic solvent (X) having a boiling point of 180°C to 190°C, and a water-soluble organic solvent (Y) having a boiling point of 190°C to 200°C

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3191556B1Ink, ink set, and inkjet recording device
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3191556B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3191556B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3191556B1 patent drawing

AI summary

To provide an ink, which contains: water; a pigment; and a first water-soluble organic solvent, wherein the first water-soluble organic solvent contains a water-soluble organic solvent (G) having a boiling point of 280℃ to 300℃, a water-soluble organic solvent (X) having a boiling point of 180℃ to 190℃, and a water-soluble organic solvent (Y) having a boiling point of 190℃ to 200℃, wherein the first water-soluble organic solvent contains a water-soluble organic solvent (G) having a boiling point of 280℃ to 300℃, a water-soluble organic solvent (X) having a boiling point of 180℃ to 190℃, and a water-soluble organic solvent (Y) having a boiling point of 190℃ to 200℃, wherein the ink satisfies the following formulae: 24 ≦ X ≦ 40 2 ≦ X/Y ≦ 20 where X [% by mass] is an amount of the water-soluble organic solvent (X), and Y [% by mass] is an amount of the water-soluble organic solvent (Y).