Water-Based Ink Solvent Vapor Pressure Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water-based inks for ink-jet recording often fail to effectively suppress nozzle clogging and achieve satisfactory drying on recording media due to inappropriate selection of liquid and solid components and their ratios.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition comprising a liquid component with a first water-soluble organic solvent (propylene glycol) and a second water-soluble organic solvent (tripropylene glycol) along with water, and a solid component including specific resins, where the ratio of these components is optimized to prevent nozzle clogging and enhance drying performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water-based ink is used for ink-jet recording, then drying property on recording medium is improved, but nozzle clogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying precise vapor pressure ranges for organic solvents (first solvent: 7-100 Pa, second solvent: 0.1-1 Pa at 20°C) and content ratios ((A+B+C)/D = 2-6, (B+C)/D = 0.2-1.0) to simultaneously achieve rapid drying and prevent nozzle clogging. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between drying performance and nozzle reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite liquid component system combining water with multiple organic solvents having different vapor pressure characteristics. The first water-soluble organic solvent (higher vapor pressure) provides rapid evaporation for quick drying, while the second water-soluble organic solvent (lower vapor pressure) prevents excessive evaporation that causes nozzle clogging. This composite approach balances drying speed and nozzle reliability.
2Reliability
If liquid component ratio is increased to prevent nozzle clogging, then drying property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the balance between liquid and solid components by controlling the ratio (A+B+C)/D within 2-6 and (B+C)/D within 0.2-1.0, where A, B, and C represent different liquid components and D represents solid component. This precise parameter control ensures sufficient liquid content for nozzle flowability while maintaining adequate solid content for proper drying, resolving the trade-off between preventing clogging and achieving satisfactory drying.
3Temperature
If solid component ratio is increased to improve drying property, then nozzle clogging worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the solid component content (D) relative to liquid components through optimized ratios, ensuring (A+B+C)/D falls within 2-6. This prevents excessive solid content that would cause nozzle clogging while maintaining sufficient solid content for proper drying and film formation, thus resolving the contradiction between drying performance and nozzle reliability.
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 optimized composition effectively suppresses nozzle clogging and achieves a satisfactory drying state on the recording medium, while also improving the flexibility and anti-scratching properties of the printed material.
Implementation Method 1
a first water-soluble organic solvent of which vapor pressure at 20°C is not less than 7 Pa; a second water-soluble organic solvent of which vapor pressure at 20°C is not more than 1 Pa
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes: a liquid component which is liquid at 20℃; and a solid component which is solid at 20℃. The liquid component includes: a first water-soluble organic solvent of which vapor pressure at 20℃ is not less than 7 Pa; a second water-soluble organic solvent of which vapor pressure at 20℃ is not more than 1 Pa; and water. The solid component includes at least one resin selected from the group consisting of: acrylic acid-based resin, maleate ester-based resin, vinyl acetate-based resin, carbonate-based resin, styrene-based resin, ethylene-based resin, propylene-based resin, urethane-based resin, vinyl chloride-based resin and copolymer resin thereof.