Preservative Solution with Crown Ether for Ink-jet Nozzle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face issues with nozzle clogging due to the precipitation of insoluble materials when a preservative solution comes into contact with rubber members in the ink passage, as additives from the rubber dissolve and precipitate out, leading to instability in ink ejection.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a crown ether into the preservative solution, which effectively traps dissolved components from the rubber members, preventing their precipitation and maintaining stability in the solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a preservative solution is filled into the ink passage to prevent bubble entrapment during shipping or long-term storage, then ink can be smoothly introduced into the ink-jet head, but additives from rubber members dissolve and precipitate out causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a coloring agent as an intermediary substance in the preservative solution. This coloring agent acts as a mediator that binds to dissolved additives from rubber members through chelation, preventing these additives from precipitating out. The coloring agent thus mediates between the preservative solution and the harmful dissolved materials, converting potentially harmful precipitates into stable complex compounds that remain in solution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the preservative solution by adding a coloring agent with specific chelating properties. This parameter change transforms the solution's ability to interact with dissolved additives - the coloring agent modifies the chemical environment to bind metal ions and other dissolved substances, thereby preventing precipitation while maintaining the preservative function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional maintenance solutions containing chelating agents are used, then some precipitation is prevented, but effective prevention of precipitation from rubber member contact is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances the chelating capability by specifically selecting and optimizing the coloring agent's chemical properties. The coloring agent is chosen to have strong chelating ability that effectively binds to the specific additives dissolved from rubber members. This parameter optimization of the chelating agent's concentration and chemical structure significantly improves the effectiveness of precipitation prevention compared to conventional solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite preservative solution system combining the base preservative solution with a specifically selected coloring agent. This composite formulation synergistically combines the preservative function with enhanced chelation capability, where the coloring agent reinforces the precipitation prevention ability of the base solution, achieving more effective protection against nozzle clogging.
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 addition of crown ether to the preservative solution stabilizes the dissolved state of additives, preventing nozzle clogging and improving ink ejection stability by maintaining the preservative solution's effectiveness in preventing precipitation.
Implementation Method 1
the dissolved materials can be stably maintained in their dissolved state
Data Source
AI summary
A preservative solution contains water, a water-soluble organic solvent and a crown ether. Even when the preservative solution is employed in the ink passage of an ink-jet recording apparatus and comes into contact with rubber members employed in the ink passage, the occurrence of precipitation is prevented.