Water-Based Ink Set Solvent SP Control for Inkjet Cleanability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water-based ink and maintenance fluid combinations for inkjet recording devices do not effectively address the issues of cleanability and compatibility, as the specific compositions of these fluids are not optimized for efficient cleaning and wiping.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink and maintenance fluid combination is designed with solvents having specific SP values, where the ink contains solvents with an SP value of 27.5 (MPa)^(1/2) or higher at 30% by mass or more, and the maintenance fluid contains solvents with an SP value of 25.0 (MPa)^(1/2) or higher at 70% by mass or more, ensuring a mass-weighted average difference of 1 or higher, enhancing mixability, wipeability, and cleanability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water-based maintenance fluids are used for cleaning inkjet discharge nozzles and ink channels, then basic cleaning function is provided, but cleanability and compatibility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the SP values of solvents in both the water-based ink and maintenance fluid, and by controlling their mass ratios. This quantitative adjustment of chemical parameters enables the maintenance fluid to effectively dissolve and remove water-based ink while maintaining system compatibility, thereby resolving the contradiction between cleanability and compatibility.
2Productivity
If solvents with high SP values are used in water-based ink to improve cleanability, then wiping efficiency is enhanced, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the formulation complexity by establishing clear parameter ranges for SP values (27.5-40.0 for ink solvents, 25.0-35.0 for maintenance fluid solvents) and their mass ratios. This standardized parameter control enables high wiping efficiency while maintaining formulation simplicity and ease of implementation.
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 optimized solvent combinations improve the cleaning efficiency of inkjet devices by ensuring effective wiping and removal of adhered ink, resulting in favorable overall evaluation results.
Implementation Method 1
The water-based maintenance fluid includes at least one solvent whose SP value is 25.0 (MPa)^(1/2) or higher in an amount of 70% by mass or more relative to a total mass of the solvents included in the water-based maintenance fluid
Data Source
AI summary
An ink set includes a water-based ink and a water-based maintenance fluid. The water-based ink includes a colorant and at least one solvent whose SP value is 27.5 (MPa)(1/2) or higher in an amount of 30% by mass or more relative to a total mass of the solvents included in the water-based ink. The water-based maintenance fluid includes at least one solvent whose SP value is 25.0 (MPa)(1/2) or higher in an amount of 70% by mass or more relative to a total mass of the solvents included in the water-based maintenance fluid. A numerical value calculated by formula (1) is 1 or higher: a−b (1). a is a mass-weighted average of SP values (MPa)(1/2) of solvents included in the water-based ink, and b is a mass-weighted average of SP values (MPa)(1/2) of solvents included in the water-based maintenance fluid.