Inkjet Cleaning Liquid Composition for Nozzle Clog Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning liquids for inkjet recording apparatuses struggle to effectively remove dried ink from the nozzle orifices and proximate areas of the recording head, leading to nozzle clogging and decreased ink placement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning liquid comprising water, a specific organic solvent such as polyhydric alcohol or polyalkylene glycol, and an acetylene surfactant, with the specific organic solvent making up between 1% to 18% and the acetylene surfactant between 0.3% to 1.0% by mass, which readily wets the nozzle surfaces and enters gaps between the ink and the nozzle surfaces for efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cleaning liquids (glycerin and water) are used, then the cleaning liquid can be prepared simply, but it cannot effectively remove dried ink from nozzle orifices
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning liquid uses a composite composition of water, specific organic solvent (polyhydric alcohol or polyalkylene glycol at 1-18% by mass), and acetylene surfactant (0.3-1.0% by mass). This composite formulation combines the solvating power of organic solvents with the surface-active properties of acetylene surfactants to effectively remove dried ink while maintaining formulation stability and compatibility with inkjet recording heads.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific parameter ranges: organic solvent content at 1-18% by mass and acetylene surfactant at 0.3-1.0% by mass. These parameter adjustments balance cleaning effectiveness with prevention of excessive foaming and ensure compatibility with the inkjet system, resolving the contradiction between simple preparation and effective dried ink removal.
2Reliability
If more organic solvent is added to dissolve dried ink, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but foaming increases and may damage the recording head
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the organic solvent content at 1-18% by mass and acetylene surfactant at 0.3-1.0% by mass. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient solvating power for dried ink removal while limiting excessive foaming that could damage the recording head, effectively balancing cleaning effectiveness with system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The acetylene surfactant acts as an intermediary that enhances the cleaning action of the organic solvent while controlling foam formation. The surfactant reduces surface tension to improve wetting and penetration into nozzle orifices, simultaneously moderating the foaming tendency of the organic solvent to prevent recording head damage.
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 cleaning liquid effectively swells and dissolves a portion of the dried ink, allowing for its easy removal from the nozzle surfaces, thereby preventing nozzle clogging and maintaining ink placement accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
The acetylene surfactant has a percentage content of at least 0.3% by mass and no greater than 1.0% by mass to the mass of the cleaning liquid
Implementation Method 2
readily wets the nozzle surfaces and enters gaps between the ink and the nozzle surfaces
Implementation Method 3
The specific organic solvent has a percentage content of at least 1% by mass and no greater than 18% by mass to mass of the cleaning liquid
Implementation Method 4
effectively swells and dissolves a portion of the dried ink
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning liquid contains water, a specific organic solvent, and an acetylene surfactant. The specific organic solvent is at least one selected from the group consisting of polyhydric alcohol and polyalkylene glycol. The specific organic solvent has a percentage content of at least 1% by mass and no greater than 18% by mas to the mass of the cleaning liquid. The acetylene surfactant has a percentage content of at least 0.3% by mass and no greater than 1.0% by mass to the mass of the cleaning liquid.