Inkjet Ink Sustained Decap Performance Polyurethane Binder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Black and cyan inks in KCMY ink systems exhibit reduced ink stability and pen life due to unsatisfactory sustained decap performance, which affects the reliability and quality of inkjet printing.
Innovation Solution
The development of inkjet ink compositions that include a polyurethane-based binder dispersion with specific components such as polyisocyanate, polyols, carboxylic acid functional groups, and sulfonate or sulfonic acid functional groups, along with glycerol as a solvent, which improves the ink's ability to remain uncapped and functional over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional KCMY ink formulations are used, then printing cost is reduced, but ink stability and pen life deteriorate due to unsatisfactory sustained decap performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific polyurethane-based binder dispersions with defined molecular weights and functional groups, along with controlled amounts of glycerol (1-20 wt%), to achieve improved sustained decap performance while maintaining cost-effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite ink formulation by combining polyurethane-based binder dispersion, glycerol, water, and colorants, where the polyurethane component with specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, sulfonate, or sulfonic acid) works synergistically with glycerol to enhance ink stability and decap performance
2Duration of action of moving object
If ink formulations are modified to improve sustained decap performance, then pen life is improved, but ink composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends pen life by optimizing specific parameters of the polyurethane binder dispersion (molecular weight 10,000-100,000 g/mol, functional group content) and glycerol concentration (1-20 wt%), achieving sustained decap performance without requiring complex multi-component systems
Solution Approach 2:
The polyurethane-based binder dispersion acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the colorants and the aqueous-glycerol solvent system, providing sustained decap performance through its amphiphilic structure and functional groups while maintaining formulation simplicity
3Reliability
If glycerol amount is increased to improve ink stability, then sustained decap performance is enhanced, but ink viscosity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes glycerol concentration within the specific range of 1-20 wt% to achieve improved sustained decap performance while controlling viscosity increases, and compensates by selecting polyurethane binder dispersions with appropriate molecular weights and functional group content
Data Source
AI summary
Inkjet inks are described herein. In an example, an inkjet ink can comprise: at least one colorant; at least one solvent comprising glycerol in an amount of from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % based on the total weight of the inkjet ink; water; and at least one binder, wherein the binder comprises a polyurethane-based binder dispersion.