White Inkjet Ink Viscosity Control via Temperature Gradient
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing faces challenges with sedimentation of white pigments in inkjet inks, leading to clogging of printheads and poor storage stability due to differences in specific gravity between pigment particles and the liquid medium, which affects the quality of printed white layers.
Innovation Solution
Increasing the concentration of TiO2 in the white inkjet ink to higher viscosity levels, allowing for jettable ink by adjusting the jetting temperature, and using a temperature control system to manage the viscosity and prevent sedimentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the concentration of TiO2 is increased to improve opacity, then the viscosity of the ink increases, but this leads to sedimentation and clogging of printhead nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the jetting temperature to control ink viscosity dynamically. The temperature is increased during jetting to reduce viscosity and enable proper flow, then reduced during storage to increase viscosity and prevent sedimentation. This temporal parameter change resolves the contradiction between needing low viscosity for jetting and high viscosity for storage stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the ink viscosity variable through temperature control rather than fixed. The viscosity adapts to different operational states: higher during storage to prevent pigment settlement, and lower during jetting to ensure proper flow through nozzles. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between storage stability and jetting performance.
2Reliability
If the viscosity is increased to prevent sedimentation, then the ink stability improves, but the ink becomes difficult to jet through printhead nozzles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling temperature to adjust viscosity dynamically. During storage, lower temperature maintains higher viscosity for stability. During jetting, higher temperature reduces viscosity for ease of flow through nozzles. This temporal parameter modification resolves the contradiction between storage stability and jetability.
3Illumination intensity
If the concentration of white pigment is increased to improve opacity, then the quality of printed white layers improves, but the sedimentation and aggregation of pigment particles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using temperature control to manage pigment dispersion stability. At storage temperatures, higher viscosity prevents pigment aggregation and sedimentation. At jetting temperatures, reduced viscosity allows proper flow while the heated state maintains pigment suspension. This resolves the contradiction between opacity and dispersion stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making pigment dispersion stability variable through temperature. The system transitions from a stable, high-viscosity state during storage to a流动, low-viscosity state during jetting. This dynamic behavior allows high pigment concentration for opacity while preventing sedimentation through temperature-dependent viscosity control.
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 significantly reduces sedimentation issues, ensuring consistent quality of printed white layers without the need for complex printer adaptations, maintaining ink stability and preventing clogging.
Implementation Method 1
Increasing the concentration of TiO2 in the white inkjet ink to higher viscosity levels, allowing for jettable ink by adjusting the jetting temperature, and using a temperature control system to manage the viscosity and prevent sedimentation
Implementation Method 2
Sedimentation of these dense particles in a low viscosity fluid, such as an inkjet ink, is a real challenge for ink formulators. Problems of clogging of inkjet printhead nozzles and poor storage stability of the ink are direct consequences of sedimentation and aggregation of white pigments
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing method includes the steps of a) providing a white inkjet ink and at least one color inkjet ink to an inkjet printer; and b) jetting the white inkjet ink at a higher temperature than the color inkjet ink onto an ink-receiver. The difference in jetting temperature between the white inkjet ink and the color inkjet ink is at least 5° C. Inkjet ink sets and inkjet printers are also disclosed.