Nozzle Plate Liquid Repellent Layer Alkali Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet heads face issues with ink droplet ejection due to surface characteristics, leading to problems like clogging, reduced image quality, and poor alkali resistance of liquid repellent layers, which are not adequately addressed by existing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A nozzle plate configuration with a base layer containing a silane coupling agent, an intermediate layer of inorganic oxide, and a liquid repellent layer with a fluorine-containing coupling agent, providing enhanced alkali resistance and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a silane coupling agent is used to form a liquid repellent layer, then liquid repellency is improved, but alkali resistance deteriorates due to destruction of hydroxy groups by alkaline ink components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple silane coupling agents with different functional groups (hydroxy groups for adhesion, alkyl chains for repellency, fluorine groups for enhanced alkali resistance) to form a multi-functional liquid repellent layer that simultaneously achieves liquid repellency and alkali resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a liquid repellent layer with spatially distributed functional groups: hydroxy groups near the substrate for adhesion, alkyl chains in the intermediate region for liquid repellency, and fluorine-containing groups at the surface for enhanced alkali resistance and liquid repellency
2Ease of operation
If a liquid repellent layer is formed to prevent ink adhesion, then ejection performance is improved, but abrasion resistance deteriorates due to wear from wiping materials during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by formulating the liquid repellent layer with a composite structure containing silane coupling agents with alkyl chains and fluorine-containing groups, creating a durable surface that maintains both liquid repellency and high abrasion resistance against wiping materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the liquid repellent layer, specifically incorporating fluorine-containing silane coupling agents with specific molecular structures that provide both low surface energy for liquid repellency and high mechanical strength for abrasion resistance
3Stability of the object's composition
If the density of hydroxy groups in the substrate is low, then substrate stability is improved, but liquid repellent layer adhesion deteriorates and alkali resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating hydroxy groups at the substrate interface region of the liquid repellent layer to ensure strong adhesion, while maintaining low overall hydroxy group density in the substrate and bulk of the coating to preserve substrate stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies intermediary by using silane coupling agents as mediator molecules that contain both hydroxy groups for substrate bonding and alkyl/fluorine chains for liquid repellency, bridging the substrate and the liquid repellent function while maintaining substrate stability
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 configuration improves adhesion, alkali durability, and liquid repellency, ensuring stable ink droplet ejection and maintaining performance during long-term use with pigment inks.
Implementation Method 1
the base layer contains a silane coupling agent A having reactive functional groups at both terminals and including a hydrocarbon chain and a benzene ring at an intermediate part
Implementation Method 2
the liquid repellent layer contains a fluorine (F)-containing coupling agent B
Implementation Method 3
the intermediate layer contains an inorganic oxide
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle plate includes, on a substrate: at least a base layer; an intermediate layer; and a liquid repellent layer. The base layer contains a silane coupling agent A having reactive functional groups at both terminals and including a hydrocarbon chain and a benzene ring at an intermediate part. The intermediate layer contains an inorganic oxide. The liquid repellent layer contains a fluorine (F)-containing coupling agent B.