Inkjet Ink Set Solvent Ratio for Curling and Ejection Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet inks face challenges in producing high-quality images without issues like curling, ink penetration, and color bleeding, especially when used in high-speed recording, due to limitations in viscosity, water content, and surfactant composition, which affect image quality and printer efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of an inkjet ink set comprising black, cyan, and yellow inks with specific ratios of water-soluble solvents and water, along with the use of humectants and penetrants, to balance viscosity and surface tension, preventing curling and ink penetration while maintaining ejection stability and image clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-based ink is used for inkjet printing, then drying property and color reproducibility are improved, but curling occurs due to water penetration into cellulose fibers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink by introducing a specific water-soluble solvent with formula (1) where R is a linear alkyl group with 1-5 carbon atoms. This solvent has different hygroscopic properties compared to conventional water-based inks, allowing it to be absorbed by cellulose fibers without causing excessive swelling. The balance between water content and this specific solvent content is carefully controlled to prevent curling while maintaining good drying properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink composition uses a composite approach by combining water with a specific water-soluble solvent having formula (1). This composite liquid system leverages the beneficial properties of both components: water provides good color reproducibility and drying property, while the water-soluble solvent with linear alkyl group moderates the interaction with cellulose fibers to prevent curling.
2Manufacturing precision
If ink viscosity is increased to prevent color bleeding, then image boundaries become sharper, but nozzle ejection stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter by controlling the ratio of water to water-soluble solvent and adjusting the surfactant content. The specific water-soluble solvent with formula (1) contributes to achieving a viscosity range that prevents color bleeding while maintaining ejection stability. The balance between water content, solvent content, and surfactant concentration is carefully managed to achieve the desired viscosity characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using specific surfactants in controlled amounts to modify the surface properties of the ink locally at the nozzle interface and paper interface. This allows the ink to maintain appropriate viscosity for ejection stability while achieving sharp image boundaries through controlled permeability and reduced color bleeding.
3Productivity
If high-speed recording is performed, then productivity increases, but curling and jamming problems worsen due to rapid water penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters to reduce the ink's hygroscopicity by incorporating the water-soluble solvent with formula (1). This modification slows down the rate of water penetration into cellulose fibers during high-speed recording, thereby reducing curling and preventing jamming while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water-soluble solvent with formula (1) acts as an intermediary substance between water and cellulose fibers. It moderates the interaction by reducing the direct hygroscopic effect of water on cellulose, thereby preventing rapid swelling and curling even during high-speed recording operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If surfactant amount is increased to control permeability, then color bleeding is reduced, but nozzle clogging increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surfactant concentration parameter by combining it with a specific water-soluble solvent having formula (1). This combination allows for reduced surfactant content while maintaining effective permeability control and color bleeding prevention. The water-soluble solvent enhances the overall performance, enabling lower surfactant levels that reduce nozzle clogging risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink uses a composite approach by combining water, a specific water-soluble solvent with formula (1), and surfactant in optimized proportions. This composite system achieves effective permeability control and color bleeding prevention through the synergistic effect of all components, allowing for reduced surfactant content compared to conventional water-based inks, thereby minimizing nozzle clogging.
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 set effectively prevents curling, ink penetration, and color bleeding, enabling high-quality image production without compromising ejection stability or increasing energy consumption, thus enhancing printer productivity and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
water included in ink images formed on a paper sheet serving as a recording material penetrates into cellulose fibers in the paper sheet while cutting the hydrogen bonds between the cellulose fibers of the paper sheet, thereby swelling (i.e., extending) the surface of the paper sheet
Implementation Method 2
penetrates into cellulose fibers in the paper sheet while cutting the hydrogen bonds between the cellulose fibers of the paper sheet, thereby swelling (i.e., extending) the surface of the paper sheet
Implementation Method 3
The inkjet ink set includes at least a black ink, a cyan ink, a magenta ink and a yellow ink, wherein each of the inks includes at least a water-soluble dye, water and a water-soluble solvent having the following formula (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet ink set including at least a black ink, a cyan ink, a magenta ink, and a yellow ink. Each of the inks includes at least a water-soluble dye, water and a water-soluble solvent including a specific alkoxypropionamide compound. The cyan, magenta and yellow inks has a S/W ratio of not less than 1.5 and not greater than 3.5, wherein S represents the content of the water-soluble solvent in each ink, and W represents the content of water in each ink, and the black ink has a S/W ratio of not less than 1.0 and less than 1.5, wherein S represents the content of the water-soluble solvent in the black ink, and W represents the content of water in the black ink.