Water-Based Ink Composition Preventing Nozzle Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inks for ink-jet recording fail to simultaneously achieve good ejection stability, printing quality, light resistance, ozone resistance, and prevention of compound elution from the ink-jet recording apparatus materials into the ink, leading to potential nozzle clogging.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink composition comprising a dye represented by a specific general formula, dipropylene glycol propyl ether as a water-soluble organic solvent, and an acetylene glycol surfactant, blended within specific concentration ranges to ensure optimal performance and prevent compound elution from the recording apparatus materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional ink composition is used, then printing quality may be achieved, but compound from rubber member is eluted into the ink causing nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specific surfactant composition as an intermediary substance between the ink and rubber member materials. This surfactant acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact and elution of harmful compounds from rubber components (wipers, caps) into the ink, while still allowing proper ink ejection and printing quality to be maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the ink composition by specifying precise concentration ranges for the surfactant (0.01-5 wt%), dye (0.1-1.0 wt%), and organic solvent (0.5-3 wt%). These parameter adjustments create a chemical environment that resists compound elution while maintaining ejection stability and printing quality.
2Manufacturing precision
If dye concentration is increased to improve printing quality, then printing quality improves, but ejection stability deteriorates due to compound deposition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes optimal parameter ranges that balance printing quality and ejection stability. Specifically, it defines dye concentration at 0.1-1.0 wt%, organic solvent at 0.5-3 wt%, and surfactant at 0.01-5 wt%. These coordinated parameter adjustments ensure sufficient printing quality while preventing compound deposition that would compromise ejection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant serves as a protective intermediary that allows higher dye concentrations to be used for improved printing quality without causing compound elution from rubber components. The surfactant forms a protective interface that prevents harmful interactions while maintaining the benefits of higher dye loading.
3Reliability
If organic solvent amount is increased to improve ejection stability, then ejection stability improves, but compound elution from rubber member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactant as a protective intermediary layer between the organic solvent and rubber member materials. This surfactant barrier prevents direct interaction between the organic solvent and rubber compounds, thereby reducing elution of harmful substances into the ink while still maintaining adequate ejection stability through the organic solvent component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining multiple components (dye, organic solvent, surfactant, and other additives) in specific proportions. This composite formulation synergistically combines the ejection-stabilizing effect of the organic solvent with the protective barrier function of the surfactant, achieving both goals simultaneously without compromise.
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 composition maintains excellent ejection stability, printing quality, light resistance, and ozone resistance while preventing compound deposition, thus avoiding nozzle clogging and ensuring consistent inkjet performance.
Implementation Method 1
an acetylene glycol surfactant, the acetylene glycol surfactant comprises a surfactant represented by general formula (2)
Implementation Method 2
a water-soluble organic solvent, the water-soluble organic solvent comprises dipropylene glycol propyl ether
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink includes a dye represented by the general formula (1), water, DPP, and a surfactant represented by the general formula (2). The dye, DPP, and the surfactant are blended so as to satisfy the conditions (A) to (C).(A) an amount of the dye relative to a total amount of the ink (x) is about 0.1 wt % to 1.0 wt %(B) an amount of DPP relative to a total amount of the ink (y) is about 0.5 wt % to 3 wt %(C) in y≧25x/9+2/9−175x+18y+225z−104≦0 and−100x+18y+225z−66.5≧0in y≦25x/9+2/9−275x+54y+225z−112≦0 and−200x+54y+225z−74.5≧0z: an amount of the surfactant relative to a total amount of the ink (wt %)