Inkjet Ink Co-Solvent System for High Resolution Nozzle Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional inkjet inks face challenges with high resolution nozzle plate materials, including sag, bulging, clogging, and flooding under small nozzle diameters, while also being more viscous and costly.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet ink composition comprising one or more colorants, three co-solvents (18-24% by weight), a penetrant, a wetting agent, and water, along with optional biocide, polymeric dispersant, and buffers, which improves compatibility and jetting performance through high resolution nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional pigment based inks are used, then colorant loading is improved, but viscosity increases making jetting more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using dye-based colorants instead of pigment-based colorants, and by formulating a specific co-solvent system (glycol, alcohol, and ketone in controlled ratios). This parameter change reduces viscosity while maintaining adequate colorant loading, enabling successful jetting through high-resolution nozzles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining three types of co-solvents (glycol, alcohol, ketone) in specific proportions. This composite material approach allows the ink to achieve optimal balance between viscosity reduction, colorant solubility, and jetting performance that cannot be achieved with single solvents or traditional pigment formulations.
2Ease of operation
If ink viscosity is reduced for easier jetting, then jetting performance is improved, but ink may flood under small nozzle diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls multiple composition parameters including co-solvent ratios (glycol 20-40%, alcohol 30-50%, ketone 10-30%), dye concentration (3-6%), and additive amounts. This multi-parameter optimization achieves the narrow window of viscosity and surface tension values that prevent flooding while enabling smooth jetting through 15 micrometer or smaller nozzles.
3Reliability
If ink is formulated for high resolution nozzles, then compatibility with high resolution nozzle plate materials is improved, but ink cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cost-effective dye-based colorants instead of expensive pigment formulations, and optimizes co-solvent ratios to achieve the minimum effective concentrations for nozzle compatibility. By carefully balancing performance requirements against material costs, the formulation achieves high-resolution nozzle compatibility while controlling per-page printing costs.
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 inkjet ink demonstrates improved jetting and compatibility with high resolution nozzles, preventing clogging and flooding, while maintaining economic benefits by reducing viscosity and ensuring stable ink flow.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining economic benefits by having a lower cost per page... maintaining economic benefits by reducing viscosity
Implementation Method 2
at least one wetting agent... improved jetting and compatibility with high resolution nozzles, preventing clogging and flooding
Implementation Method 3
the inks should not flood under small nozzle diameters, those of about 15 um or less
Implementation Method 4
the inks should not dry prior to jetting, therein clogging the one or more nozzles
Implementation Method 5
The colorant may be a soluble dye or insoluble pigment... one or more colorants, at least three co-solvents comprising about 18% to about 24% of the composition of the ink by weight
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to inkjet inks having improved compatibility with high resolution nozzle plate materials such that the inkjet inks resist clogging nozzles and flooding upon jetting. The inkjet ink includes one or more colorants, at least three co-solvents comprising about 18% to about 24% of the composition of the ink by weight, a penetrant, at least one wetting agent, and water.