Ink-jet head metal potential control for corrosion suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink-jet heads using metal members in contact with water-based ink face corrosion issues, and existing solutions require expensive additives or complex processes to enhance corrosion resistance, while also being costly and difficult to produce.

Innovation Solution

The use of two or more types of metal members with electrically connected portions, where the absolute difference in spontaneous potentials measured with a reference electrode in the water-based ink is not more than 60 mV, to suppress corrosion without the need for additives, allowing for cost-effective and easy production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If metal members are used in contact with water-based ink, then the ink-jet head can be produced at low cost with good processing performance, but the metal members are corroded by the water-based ink

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing performanceVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrochemical parameter (spontaneous potential) of the metal members by selecting specific metal combinations with potential differences within 60mV in water-based ink, thereby suppressing corrosion while maintaining processing performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite metal structures comprising multiple metal members (e.g., SUS304 and SUS430) with controlled electrochemical compatibility, combining the corrosion resistance of stainless steels while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high corrosion resistance metals are used for all portions, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the production cost becomes expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrosion resistanceVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different metal materials to different portions of the ink-jet head based on local corrosion risk and functional requirements, rather than using uniform high-cost corrosion-resistant metal throughout the entire structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the electrochemical parameters of metal selections to achieve adequate corrosion resistance at lower cost by controlling potential differences between adjacent metal members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple types of metal members are used, then processing performance is improved, but corrosion occurs due to electric charge movement between metals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing performanceVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent controls the electrochemical parameter (spontaneous potential) of metal members by selecting combinations with potential differences within 60mV in water-based ink, suppressing galvanic corrosion while maintaining processing performance benefits of multiple metals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of having multiple metal types (which could cause galvanic corrosion) into a benefit by carefully selecting metal combinations whose small potential differences actually suppress corrosion while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

This approach effectively reduces corrosion of metal members in ink-jet heads, ensuring stable ink discharge and extending the lifespan of the device by minimizing metal elution into the ink, thus preventing clogging and ensuring consistent performance.

Implementation Method 1

the two or more types of the electrically connected metal members have spontaneous potentials each of which is measured with a reference electrode Ag/AgCl in the water-based ink and which provide an absolute value of a maximum difference therebetween, the absolute value being not more than 60 mV

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGalvanic corrosion:

Data Source

PatentUS9440439B2Ink-jet head and ink-jet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2016.09.13 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

The inkjet head for discharging a water-based ink for inkjet recording is disclosed, the inkjet head including two or more types of metal members used at portions to be brought in contact with the water-based ink, wherein at least two of the two or more types of the metal members are electrically connected, and the two or more types of the electrically connected metal members have spontaneous potentials each of which is measured with a reference electrode Ag/AgCl in the water-based ink and which provide an absolute value of a maximum difference therebetween, the absolute value being not more than 60 mV. An ink jet head is provided, in which any corrosion of a metal member is suppressed.