Non-aqueous Ink Dissolved Oxygen Control for Jet Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ink jet recording methods require a lengthy degassing step for non-aqueous ink due to its high saturated dissolved oxygen concentration, which increases the cost and time required for degassing.

Innovation Solution

A non-aqueous ink composition with a dissolved oxygen concentration between 30% to 80% of the saturated concentration at room temperature is used, allowing for reduced degassing time while maintaining ejection stability by leveraging the organic solvent's higher oxygen solubility and temperature-dependent properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a lengthy degassing step is performed to sufficiently decrease dissolved oxygen concentration in non-aqueous ink, then ejection stability is improved, but processing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveejection stabilityVSAvoiddegassing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of dissolved oxygen concentration from the conventional requirement of sufficiently low levels to a specific range of 30-80% of saturated concentration. This parameter change allows the ink to maintain ejection stability while requiring significantly less degassing time, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If dissolved oxygen concentration is sufficiently decreased in non-aqueous ink, then bubble generation is prevented, but degassing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebubble generationVSAvoiddegassing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a specific dissolved oxygen concentration range (30-80% of saturated concentration) that prevents bubble generation during ejection while avoiding the excessive degassing treatment required by conventional methods. This optimized parameter range reduces degassing cost while maintaining protection against harmful bubble formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach reduces the degassing time and cost by allowing higher dissolved oxygen levels in the non-aqueous ink, enhancing ejection stability and efficiency compared to aqueous ink, especially at higher temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

since the solvent ink has high saturated dissolved oxygen concentration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxygen solubility: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

ejecting ink only to a required image portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInk jet ejection:

Data Source

PatentEP2924084B1Non-aqueous ink jet ink composition, ink storage body, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording device

Publication Date: 2019.10.30 SEIKO EPSON CORP

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AI summary

A non-aqueous ink jet ink composition according to an embodiment is stored in an ink storage body, in which a solvent contained in an ink composition is configured with an organic solvent, and a dissolved oxygen concentration in the ink composition is in a range of 30% to 80% of a saturated dissolved oxygen concentration in room temperature.