Water-Based Ink Solidification via Solvent Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-speed inkjet printers consume excessive energy and resources trying to quickly solidify water-based inks, as the time to form a durable ink film on the substrate is hindered by the slow absorption of nonvolatile solvents, which are trapped due to their high viscosity and interaction with colorants, rather than the rate of water removal.
Innovation Solution
Optimizing the absorption of nonvolatile solvents into the substrate by maintaining the substrate wetness until a threshold absorption level is reached, using the water as a carrier to facilitate solvent absorption, and then actively removing water to form a durable ink film, with substrate heating accelerating this process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water-based ink with nonvolatile solvent is used to prevent nozzle clogging and reduce VOC emissions, then ink stability and environmental performance are improved, but the time to form a durable ink film increases due to slow solvent absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solidifier composition containing a coalescing agent as an intermediary substance. This coalescing agent acts as a mediator that accelerates the absorption of nonvolatile solvents into the substrate by modifying the ink film properties, thereby reducing solidification time without compromising ink stability or increasing VOC emissions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink system by adding a solidifier composition with specific coalescing agents. This modifies the physical and chemical properties of the ink film, enhancing solvent absorption kinetics and accelerating the formation of a durable ink film while maintaining the benefits of water-based formulations
2Productivity
If high-speed printing is implemented, then productivity increases, but energy consumption increases due to expensive dryers required to quickly solidify ink
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the ink system to self-accelerate its solidification process through the inclusion of a solidifier composition. The coalescing agent in the solidifier composition allows the ink to rapidly absorb solvent and form a durable film through its own chemical properties rather than relying on external high-energy drying systems, thereby reducing dryer energy consumption while maintaining high printing speeds
Solution Approach 2:
By modifying the chemical composition of the ink with a solidifier containing coalescing agents, the patent changes the solidification kinetics parameters. This allows rapid ink film formation at high printing speeds without requiring the high energy input previously needed from expensive dryers
3Speed
If water is quickly removed from the printed substrate, then drying speed increases, but nonvolatile solvent absorption is inhibited, delaying solid film formation
Solution Approach 1:
The solidifier composition acts as an intermediary that decouples water removal from solvent absorption processes. The coalescing agent facilitates solvent absorption independently of water evaporation rate, allowing water to be quickly removed while simultaneously maintaining conditions favorable for rapid solvent uptake and solid film formation
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 reduces energy consumption and accelerates the formation of a durable ink film, allowing for efficient high-speed printing and post-processing, even when the substrate remains wet, by ensuring at least 80% solvent absorption before water removal, significantly reducing the time to achieve a solid film.
Implementation Method 1
the time to solidify an ink film on the substrate may not depend on the speed at which water is removed, but rather on how fast the nonvolatile solvent in the ink is absorbed into the substrate
Implementation Method 2
water is removed quickly from the printed substrate
Implementation Method 3
substrate heating accelerating this process
Data Source
AI summary
In one example, a process to solidify a water-based printing fluid printed on a substrate includes flushing nonvolatile solvent in the printing fluid into the substrate with the water in the printing fluid.