Ink-jet Printer Ink Viscosity Control for Print Head Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink-jet printer overprint inks require high temperatures to prevent viscosity agglomeration, leading to rapid deterioration of expensive print heads.
Innovation Solution
Development of an ink composition with a hardenable oligomer and monomer mixture that maintains viscosity between 15 and 22 mPa·s at room temperature and 5 to 2 mPa·s at 60°C, using photoinitiators and additives to reduce radical inhibition and ensure adhesion, while being suitable for ink-jet nozzle passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the oligomer to monomer weight ratio is increased to reduce viscosity and prevent agglomeration, then the ink can be deposited without significant heating, but the print heads deteriorate more rapidly due to required high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using a specific oligomer to monomer weight ratio between 1/6 and 1/25, and controlling the viscosity of the ink component mixture to be between 15 and 22 mPa·s at room temperature. This allows the ink to be deposited at lower temperatures (between 20°C and 60°C) without significant heating, thereby preventing print head deterioration while avoiding varnish agglomeration.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the viscosity of the overprint ink is reduced to prevent agglomeration during deposition, then the ink can be deposited at lower temperatures, but the print heads deteriorate rapidly due to the high temperatures required in conventional formulations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the viscosity parameter of the overprint ink to be between 15 and 22 mPa·s at room temperature through careful selection of oligomer and monomer components and their ratios. This viscosity range prevents varnish agglomeration during deposition while allowing the ink to be applied at lower temperatures (20°C to 60°C), eliminating the need for high-temperature operation that would otherwise be required to maintain stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high temperatures are used to maintain ink viscosity and prevent agglomeration, then the ink remains stable during deposition, but the expensive print heads deteriorate more rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ink formulation parameters by using a specific combination of hardenable oligomer and hardenable monomer with controlled ratios (oligomer to monomer weight ratio between 1/6 and 1/25). This formulation achieves ink stability and prevents agglomeration at lower temperatures (20°C to 60°C), thereby extending print head service life by avoiding the high temperatures that cause rapid deterioration.
4Strength
If the oligomer viscosity is increased to improve protective layer properties, then the protective layer provides better protection, but the ink viscosity increases requiring higher deposition temperatures that damage print heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the oligomer component while controlling the overall ink viscosity through the oligomer to monomer weight ratio (between 1/6 and 1/25). The monomer component acts as a viscosity modifier, allowing the use of higher viscosity oligomers that provide better protective layer strength, while the overall ink viscosity remains between 15 and 22 mPa·s at room temperature, enabling low-temperature deposition that protects print heads.
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 ink composition reduces the rate of deterioration of ink-jet print heads and allows for protective layer deposition without significant heating, maintaining performance and extending print head lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
at least one photoinitiator to initiate polymerization and thus the rigidification of the deposited overprint layer
Data Source
AI summary
Ink deposited on a substrate by an ink-jet arrangement to form a protective layer includes hardenable oligomer, hardenable monomer selected from a group including alkoxylated and/or poly-alkoxylated acrylic monomers comprising one or more di- or tri-acrylates, and a photoinitiator. The oligomer has a room temperature viscosity greater than 1 Pa·s. The oligomer to monomer weight ratio is between 1/6 and 1/25. The ink has a room temperature viscosity between 15 and 22 mPa·s and between 5 and 2 mPa·s at 60° C., and a room temperature surface tension between 15 and 28 mN/m. The photoinitiator is activated by a UV source having an appropriate wavelength and intensity.