Maintenance Liquid for Inkjet Nozzle Clogging Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face issues with ink adhesion and clogging due to increased viscosity and solidification of inks near nozzle tips, leading to printing disorders and nozzle clogging, especially during prolonged suspension periods.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance liquid containing water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and either water-soluble silicates or colloidal silica is used to wash and maintain the ink flow path, prevent corrosion, and disperse pigments effectively, thereby addressing nozzle clogging and ink adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ink is jetted from minute nozzle openings for high-density printing, then printing density and resolution are improved, but ink adhesion and clogging occur due to increased viscosity and solidification near nozzle tips
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a maintenance liquid containing water-soluble silicate or colloidal silica before clogging occurs. This maintenance liquid prevents ink solidification and corrosion in advance, thereby maintaining nozzle patency and preventing printing disorders without requiring post-clogging remediation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses water-soluble silicate or colloidal silica as an intermediary substance between the ink and the nozzle surface. This intermediary prevents direct harmful interaction between the ink and nozzle, reducing adhesion and corrosion while maintaining jetting performance through its protective and dispersing properties.
2Manufacturing precision
If various inks including high coloring inks are used for high-performance printing, then image quality is improved, but corrosion and degradation of ink flow path members occur
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble silicate or colloidal silica acts as a protective intermediary between the aggressive high-coloring inks and the metal components of the ink flow path. This intermediary layer prevents direct corrosive interaction while allowing the ink to maintain its high-performance coloring properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the maintenance liquid by incorporating water-soluble silicate or colloidal silica, which fundamentally alters the interaction between the ink and metal surfaces. This parameter change provides corrosion inhibition without compromising the coloring performance of the ink.
3Ease of operation
If water-soluble organic solvents are used to maintain ink flow, then ink流动性 is improved, but corrosion of metal members in the ink flow path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite maintenance liquid by combining water-soluble organic solvents with water-soluble silicate or colloidal silica. This composite formulation maintains the ink flow properties provided by the organic solvent while the silicate component counteracts the corrosive effects, achieving both fluidity and corrosion protection.
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 maintenance liquid effectively prevents corrosion, maintains ink flow path integrity, and ensures stable jetting performance by dispersing and removing solidified ink residues, thereby preventing printing disorders and nozzle clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a maintenance liquid containing a water-soluble organic solvent and at least one of a water-soluble silicate... or colloidal silica
Implementation Method 2
The maintenance liquid of the invention contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and at least one of a water-soluble silicate... The maintenance liquid... has excellent ink washability
Implementation Method 3
the approach from members, such as an improvement of the water repellency of the outer surface, has been examined and a maintenance liquid for suppressing degradation of members constituting the inkjet recording device and washing ink has also been examined
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a maintenance liquid, containing water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and at least one of a water-soluble silicate represented by Formula (1) or colloidal silica:xM2O.ySiO2, Formula (1)wherein, in Formula (1), M represents K or Na, x represents 1 or 2, and y represents an integer of 1 to 5.