UV-Curable Ink Formulation for High-Definition Printing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultraviolet ray curable ink-jet systems face challenges in forming high-definition images on various recording media due to variations in dot diameter and environmental oxygen inhibiting polymerization, leading to reduced image quality and issues like wrinkling and curling of the recording medium.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate with a specific partial structure in the ink, combined with bifunctional and monofunctional acrylates, along with tertiary amine compounds and photopolymerizable monomers, to enhance curability and stability, along with precise ink ejection and curing methods, such as irradiation within 0.001-1.0 seconds after deposition, to achieve a consistent high-definition image on non-absorbable recording media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ultraviolet ray curable ink is used for ink-jet printing, then quick drying and ability to print on non-absorbable media are achieved, but dot diameter varies markedly and image definition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink by incorporating specific photopolymerizable monomers with controlled functional groups and molecular weights, adjusting the ink formulation to achieve both rapid curing and consistent dot diameter across different recording media
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite ink formulations combining multiple photopolymerizable monomers (acrylates, methacrylates, vinyl ethers, vinyl esters) with complementary properties to achieve balanced performance in both drying speed and image definition
2Strength
If radically polymerizable ultraviolet ray curable ink containing acrylic composition is used, then cross-linking curing is achieved, but oxygen inhibiting action reduces curability and causes wrinkling or curling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful oxygen inhibiting action into a beneficial effect by incorporating oxygen-scavenging photopolymerizable monomers that preferentially react with oxygen, preventing surface inhibition while maintaining bulk curability and avoiding wrinkling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the molecular weight and functional group composition of photopolymerizable monomers to control polymerization shrinkage parameters, reducing the magnitude of shrinkage that causes wrinkling and curling while maintaining adequate cross-linking density
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ink-jet systems are used to print on various recording media, then adaptability is improved, but dot diameter varies and high-definition image formation becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal ink formulation containing multiple types of photopolymerizable monomers that can adapt to different recording media surfaces while maintaining consistent dot diameter and image quality across all media types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the specific parameter of photopolymerizable monomer reactivity and viscosity to ensure consistent ejection and dot formation characteristics across different media, while the rapid photopolymerization locks in the dot geometry before media interaction can cause variation
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 allows for the reproducible formation of high-definition images without damaging the texture of printed matter, overcoming issues of wrinkling and curling, and improving ink ejection stability, even on diverse recording media.
Implementation Method 1
an active ray curable ink-jet ink which comprises a photopolymerizable monomer having a specific partial structure
Implementation Method 2
subjected to the oxygen inhibiting action in the environment the presence of oxygen, resulting in problems of deterioration of image quality due to reduced curability
Data Source
AI summary
A active ray curable ink-jet ink includes a multifunctional acrylate or methacrylate of at least three functional groups, and the acrylate or the methacrylate has a partial structure of the following Formula (1) in an amount of 5-40 weight % based on the total weight of the active ray curable ink-jet ink: Formula (1) —(R—O—)n—, wherein R is an alkylene group, and n is an integer of at least three.