Inkjet Discharge Head Circulation for Metal Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inkjet recording technologies face issues with abnormal discharge and misfiring due to the lack of ink circulation near the nozzle, leading to adhesion of ink on the nozzle plate and poor adhesiveness of polyvinyl chloride resins to metals, which results in environmental pollution and skin sensitization concerns.

Innovation Solution

An inkjet recording apparatus with a discharge head that circulates curable ink having a polyester structural unit, which includes a mechanism for micro drive operations and a photo-curing device to form and cure an ink film, using a polymerizable composition with monomers like t-butyl methacrylate and glycerol dimethacrylate to ensure strong adhesiveness to metals and minimize skin sensitization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyvinyl chloride resin is used as coating material, then retort resistance and content resistance are improved, but skin sensitization and environmental pollution worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretort resistanceVSAvoidskin sensitization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material from polyvinyl chloride resin to a polymer containing polyester structural units. This parameter change maintains the desired performance (retort resistance, adhesion) while eliminating the harmful properties (skin sensitization, toxic gas generation during incineration).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If polyvinyl chloride resin is used as coating material, then content resistance is improved, but environmental pollution worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent resistanceVSAvoidenvironmental pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material from polyvinyl chloride resin to a polymer containing polyester structural units. This parameter change maintains the desired performance (content resistance) while eliminating the harmful properties (toxic gas generation during incineration, environmental pollution).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If polyvinyl chloride resin is used as coating material, then processability is improved, but adhesiveness to metals worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprocessabilityVSAvoidadhesiveness to metals
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the coating material from polyvinyl chloride resin to a polymer containing polyester structural units. This parameter change improves adhesiveness to metals while maintaining good processability, eliminating the need for complex epoxy resin pretreatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If ink circulation mechanism is added to prevent nozzle clogging, then reliability of ink discharge is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of ink dischargeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the ink circulation function with the existing inkjet discharge system by utilizing the same liquid chamber and nozzle structure. The circulation is achieved through strategic nozzle positioning and timing, eliminating the need for separate circulation pumps or channels, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution prevents nozzle clogging, ensures reliable ink discharge, and achieves high adhesiveness to metals without deteriorating under external light exposure, while being non-sensitizing and environmentally friendly.

Implementation Method 1

a photo-curing device configured to cure the ink film with light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3330329B1Inkjet recording apparatus, printer, and method for manufacturing cured product
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3330329B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3330329B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D
  • EP3330329B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An inkjet recording apparatus (29; 39) is provided. The inkjet recording apparatus (29; 39) includes a curable ink and a discharge head (300). The curable ink comprises a polymer having a polyester structural unit. The discharge head (300) includes an individual liquid chamber (306) including a circulation channel (352) in which the curable ink is circulatable, and a nozzle (304) from which the curable ink is dischargeable.