Silicone Polyurethane Coating for Ink Repellency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electrostatic printing processes, ink often accumulates on or in printer components, leading to inefficiencies and potential ink leakage, as existing coatings do not effectively prevent ink from adhering to these surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A two-component coating system comprising a base component with hydroxyl terminated polyester, polyether, or polysiloxane dissolved in solvents like aromatic hydrocarbons and a hardener component with polyisocyanate, applied to printer components to form a silicone polyurethane polymer coating, which reduces ink accumulation by promoting ink repellency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional coatings are applied to printer components, then the components are protected from wear and damage, but ink accumulates on the coated surfaces leading to inefficiencies and potential ink leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidink accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the coating by incorporating specific polymers (polyurethane, polyester, acrylic) and surfactants that change the wettability characteristics. This parameter change causes the coating surface to be less wettable by ink, preventing ink accumulation while maintaining component protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The coating is formulated as a composite material system combining multiple polymer types (polyurethane, polyester, acrylic), surfactants, and optional particles. This composite structure provides both protective properties and ink-repellent characteristics that neither single material could achieve alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If ink is applied during electrostatic printing, then the printing process functions properly, but ink contacts and accumulates on various printer components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process functionalityVSAvoidink accumulation on components

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The coating acts as an intermediary layer between the ink and the printer component surfaces. This intermediary coating allows the printing process to function normally while preventing ink from adhering to the underlying component, thus eliminating ink accumulation without affecting printing productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If existing coatings are used on printer components, then the components maintain their structural integrity, but the coatings do not effectively prevent ink from adhering to surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoating adhesionVSAvoidink adhesion to components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The coating formulation uses specific polymer compositions and surfactants to change the surface energy parameters, creating a dual-function coating that maintains strong adhesion to the substrate while presenting an ink-repellent surface. The balanced composition ensures both structural attachment and ink prevention

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

The silicone polyurethane polymer coating significantly reduces ink accumulation on printer components, preventing ink leakage and enhancing the operational efficiency of electrostatic printing processes.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS10294363B2Coating system

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 HP INDIGO BV

AI summary

Described herein is a two-component coating system. The two-component coating system may include a base component and a hardener component. The base component may include: up to 55 wt. % hydroxyl terminated polyester and/or hydroxyl terminated polyether; up to 3 wt. % hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane; and a solvent selected from aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters and combinations thereof, wherein the hydroxyl terminated polyester and/or hydroxyl terminated polyether and the hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane are dissolved in the solvent. The hardener component may include: up to 80 wt. % polyisocyanate; and a solvent selected from aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, esters and combinations thereof, wherein the polyisocyanate is dissolved in the solvent.