Water-Based Ink Formulation for Low-Temperature Coated-Paper Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based inks for ink-jet recording require high temperature and long drying times to fix to coated paper, and there is a need for improved image quality and maintainability.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink formulation containing acrylic-based resin particles with a specific glass transition temperature, surfactant, and trimethylglycine, which adjusts the static surface tension, allowing fixation to coated paper at low temperature and short drying time while maintaining image quality and ink-jet head integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-based ink containing vinyl chloride-acrylic-based copolymer is used to achieve excellent fixing property to coated paper, then the fixing property is improved, but high temperature and long drying time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the glass transition temperature parameter of the acrylic-based resin particles to a specific range (0°C to 50°C), which fundamentally alters the drying behavior of the ink. This parameter change enables the ink to achieve proper fixing at lower temperatures and shorter times while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite ink formulation combining acrylic-based resin particles with specific Tg, surfactant, and trimethylglycine. This composite approach creates synergistic effects that improve both fixing property and drying characteristics simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between reliability and time
2Reliability
If high temperature and long drying time are used to fix the ink, then the fixing property is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the glass transition temperature of the resin particles to a lower range (0°C to 50°C), the patent reduces the energy barrier for drying. This allows the fixing process to occur at lower temperatures, directly reducing energy consumption while maintaining fixing property
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the local properties of the ink formulation by carefully selecting resin particles with specific Tg values suited for the application. This localized optimization of material properties enables energy-efficient drying without sacrificing fixing quality
3Productivity
If the ink is dried at low temperature and short time, then productivity is improved, but fixing property and image quality may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the glass transition temperature parameter of the resin to enable rapid drying at low temperatures. This parameter change breaks the conventional trade-off, allowing high productivity to be achieved without compromising fixing property
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactant and trimethylglycine as intermediary substances that facilitate rapid drying while preserving fixing property. These intermediaries mediate between the conflicting requirements of fast drying and good fixing, enabling both productivity and reliability to be maintained
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional ink formulation is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but image quality and maintainability require further improvement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the glass transition temperature parameter of the resin particles to a specific range, which simultaneously improves image quality and maintainability. This single parameter change delivers multiple performance improvements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
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 ink achieves excellent fixing properties, image quality, and maintainability by drying at lower temperatures and shorter times, ensuring effective adhesion to coated paper without nozzle clogging.
Implementation Method 1
acrylic-based resin particles of which glass transition temperature is within the predetermined range
Implementation Method 2
the surfactant and the trimethylglycine, in addition to the acrylic-based resin particles... the static surface tension is made to be within the predetermined range
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording includes: a pigment, acrylic-based resin particles, a surfactant, trimethylglycine, and water; wherein a glass transition temperature of the acrylic-based resin particles is not less than 25°C and is less than 50°C; and a static surface tension of the water-based ink for ink-jet recording is not more than 27 mN/m. The water-based ink for ink-jet recording is excellent in the fixing property, image quality and maintainability, and is fixable to coated paper by a drying at a low temperature and for a short period of time.