Inkjet Maintenance Liquid Ether Solvents Peroxide Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maintenance liquids for inkjet printers, particularly those using UV curable inks, face issues with nozzle failure due to peroxide accumulation, which can lead to undesired polymerization and gas bubble formation, making them unsuitable for long-term use in inkjet print heads and circuits.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance liquid comprising at least 50 wt% of ether solvents with controlled peroxide content (0.1-25 ppm) and high boiling points (>160°C) to prevent evaporation and polymerization, along with low viscosity and minimal polymerizable compounds, is developed to ensure effective cleaning and stability during printer standstill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ether solvents are used in maintenance liquid, then cleaning properties are improved, but peroxide accumulation occurs leading to nozzle failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful peroxidation reaction into a beneficial cleaning mechanism by controlling peroxide formation to dissolve cured ink residues while preventing uncontrolled polymerization that causes nozzle failure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by adding polymerization inhibitors and controlling ether solvent types to manage peroxide formation rates, transforming the maintenance liquid from harmful to beneficial
2Loss of energy
If low boiling point solvents are used, then evaporation is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite maintenance liquid system combining multiple ether solvents with different boiling points, polymerization inhibitors, and additives to achieve both low evaporation and high cleaning effectiveness through synergistic interactions
3Duration of action of stationary object
If maintenance liquid is used for long standstill, then printer availability is improved, but gas bubble formation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces degassing agents and polymerization inhibitors as intermediary substances that prevent gas bubble formation and control peroxide decomposition, enabling long-term maintenance liquid storage without harmful side effects
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 prevents nozzle failure by minimizing peroxide-induced polymerization and evaporation, maintaining the inkjet printer's efficiency and reliability during extended standstill periods, while also reducing the risk of gas bubbles and polymerization issues.
Implementation Method 1
Due to their fast evaporation, such washing liquids are not really suitable as a maintenance liquid
Implementation Method 2
problems of failing nozzles in an inkjet print head after cleaning an inkjet printer and refilling it with UV curable inkjet ink were caused by peroxides present in the maintenance liquid used for cleaning the printer
Implementation Method 3
Peroxides (R-O-O-R) are chemical substances that contain a reactive peroxo unit. Even under normal storage conditions, peroxides can be formed and accumulated by the reaction of a peroxidizable compound with free radicals and molecular oxygen through a process called auto-oxidation or peroxidation
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance liquid for inkjet printers including at least 50 wt% of at least one ether solvent according to Formula (I) or (II) with the wt% based on the total weight of the maintenance liquid: Ri(CO)x(OR2)yOR3 Formula (I) and R4CO(OR5)zOCOR6 Formula (II) ,wherein, R1, R4 and R6 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R2 rand R5 independently represent an ethylene group or a propylene group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x represents an integer of 0 or 1; y and z independently represent an integer of 1 to 4; and wherein the maintenance liquid contains no more than 25 ppm of peroxide expressed as hydrogen peroxide.