Neutral-pH Inkjet Head Cleaning Composition for Solidified Ink

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink solidification on inkjet head nozzles causes ejection abnormalities due to the use of inks with improved wettability, leading to misdirection and non-ejection, and existing cleaning methods are inadequate for neutral pH conditions.

Innovation Solution

A cleaning solution comprising a silicone surfactant and a polycarboxylic acid polymer salt with a pH of 7 or more and 8 or less, which enhances cleaning performance by inhibiting surfactant hydrolysis and improving wettability, allowing effective removal of solidified ink with a blade wipe method.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a basic compound cleaning solution is used to remove solidified ink, then cleaning performance is improved, but surfactant hydrolysis accelerates and solution stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidsolution stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pH parameter from basic (conventional) to neutral (pH 6.5-7.5), which fundamentally alters the chemical environment to prevent surfactant hydrolysis while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the synergistic combination of neutral surfactant and polycarboxylic acid polymer salt

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite cleaning system by combining a neutral surfactant with a polycarboxylic acid polymer salt, where the polymer salt provides cleaning power typically associated with basic compounds without causing surfactant hydrolysis, achieving both stability and cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If the cleaning solution pH is maintained neutral, then surfactant hydrolysis is inhibited and solution stability is improved, but cleaning performance may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolution stabilityVSAvoidcleaning performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of a neutral surfactant (which provides stability at neutral pH) with a polycarboxylic acid polymer salt (which provides cleaning power), creating a synergistic combination where the polymer salt compensates for the reduced cleaning activity of neutral surfactants while the neutral pH protects the surfactant from hydrolysis

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 maintains high cleaning performance for over one year, ensuring stable ink ejection by uniformly spreading and penetrating the nozzle surface, reducing hydrolysis, and extending the lifetime of the inkjet head.

Implementation Method 1

a silicone surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 2

improving wettability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Implementation Method 3

the solidified ink is chemically removed with a cleaning solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical dissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 4

inhibiting surfactant hydrolysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis inhibition: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20260022308A1Inkjet head cleaning solution

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

An inkjet head cleaning solution that is used for cleaning an inkjet head with a blade. The inkjet head cleaning solution includes a silicone surfactant and a polycarboxylic acid polymer salt. In addition, the inkjet head cleaning solution has a pH value of 7 or more and 8 or less.