Non-aqueous Ink-set Viscosity Control for Stable High-Speed Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet printing systems face challenges with high-speed printing stability, particularly when using a combination of high and low color density inks, which can lead to instability in ejection and image formation on poly(vinyl alcohol) recording media.
Innovation Solution
A non-aqueous ink-set comprising mixed solvents, pigments, and resins, where the viscosity ratio and pigment concentration of light and dark colored inks are carefully controlled to ensure stable ejection and improved anti-abrasion, glossiness, and drying capabilities, using solvents like sulfolane and ketone series solvents, and resins such as vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high color density ink and low color density ink are used in combination for printing, then image quality and granularity are improved, but ejection stability deteriorates at high printing speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the viscosity ratio between light and dark colored inks. Specifically, the viscosity of the light colored ink is set to be 0.9 to 1.1 times that of the dark colored ink, which optimizes the ejection stability at high printing speeds while maintaining image quality. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the right balance point where both image quality and ejection stability can coexist.
2Strength
If non-aqueous ink containing cyclohexanone is used for recording on polyvinyl chloride medium, then anti-abrasion capability is improved, but odor and working environment suitability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple solvents with different properties. Instead of using only cyclohexanone which provides strong anti-abrasion capability but has poor odor characteristics, the patent combines cyclohexanone with other solvents to create a mixed solvent system that maintains the necessary anti-abrasion performance while improving odor suitability for working environments.
3Strength
If resin is added to non-aqueous ink to improve anti-abrasion capability, then image strength is improved, but ejection stability at high speeds worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the resin content and molecular weight in the ink formulation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the ink achieves sufficient anti-abrasion capability through resin contribution while maintaining ejection stability at high printing speeds. The specific parameter optimization ensures that the resin does not excessively increase viscosity or interfere with the ejection process.
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 provides stable ejection and enhanced printing performance at high speeds, with improved anti-abrasion, glossiness, and drying capabilities on poly(vinyl alcohol) media, reducing granularity and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
Each ink comprises a mixed solvent, a pigment and a resin
Implementation Method 2
a ratio (V1/V2) of viscosity (V1) of the mixed solvent contained in the light colored ink to viscosity (V2) of the mixed solvent contained in the dark colored ink satisfies the following Expression (1)
Implementation Method 3
a pigment and a resin... different from each other in a pigment concentration
Implementation Method 4
improved anti-abrasion, glossiness, and drying capabilities on poly(vinyl alcohol) media
Implementation Method 5
drying capabilities on poly(vinyl alcohol) media
Data Source
AI summary
A non-aqueous ink-set for ink-jet recording comprising one or more inks each comprising a mixed solvent, a pigment and a resin and at least one of colors is constituted by a light colored ink and a dark colored ink different from each other in a pigment concentration, wherein a ratio (V1/V2) of viscosity (V1) of the mixed solvent contained in the light colored ink to viscosity (V2) of the mixed solvent contained in the dark colored ink satisfies Expression (1):1.1<V1/V2<2.5 Expression (1).