Carrier Dynamic Current Control for White Toner Image Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming methods using color and white toners on recording media suffer from image unevenness due to differences in transfer efficiency between color and white toners, primarily because the carriers used for both toners have similar dynamic current values, leading to inconsistent charging and fixation.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using an image forming apparatus with developing machines that form color toner images using a color developer with a specific carrier and white toner images using a white developer containing titanium oxide, where the dynamic current value of the white carrier is intentionally made lower than that of the color carrier to match their charged amounts and transfer efficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same carrier is used for both color and white toners, then the device complexity is reduced, but image unevenness occurs due to different transfer efficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier system into two distinct types: a first carrier for color toner and a second carrier for white toner. This segmentation allows each carrier to be optimized for its specific toner type, with the second carrier having a smaller average particle diameter and lower dynamic current value to match the transfer characteristics of white toner, thereby eliminating image unevenness while maintaining manageable device complexity through systematic differentiation.
2Productivity
If the carrier particle diameter is reduced to improve white toner transfer efficiency, then the transfer efficiency improves, but the charging characteristics change and require precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the average particle diameter of the second carrier to be smaller than that of the first carrier, and by controlling the dynamic current value to be lower. These parameter modifications optimize the charging characteristics and transfer efficiency for white toner specifically, ensuring that the reduced particle diameter translates to improved transfer efficiency while maintaining precise charged amount control through the defined parameter relationships.
3Productivity
If different carriers are used for color and white toners, then transfer efficiency is optimized, but the device complexity and carrier management difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning specific properties to each carrier type according to its function: the first carrier is optimized for color toner with larger particle diameter and higher dynamic current value, while the second carrier is optimized for white toner with smaller particle diameter and lower dynamic current value. This localized optimization of carrier properties for specific applications achieves improved transfer efficiency while keeping carrier management systematic and controllable through clear differentiation criteria.
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 effectively suppresses image unevenness by ensuring equal transfer efficiency of both toner types onto the recording medium, resulting in high-quality images even on special media like transparent films and colored papers.
Implementation Method 1
a color toner image and a white toner image are formed using an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing machines
Implementation Method 2
image exposure is performed to form an electrostatic charge image
Implementation Method 3
A latent image portion is developed by a succeeding developing means to form a toner image
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method forms a color toner image and a white toner image using an image forming apparatus having a plurality of developing machines. The color toner image is formed using a color developer containing a first carrier and at least one color toner selected from a yellow toner, a magenta toner, and a cyan toner. The white toner image is formed using a white developer containing a second carrier and a white toner containing at least titanium oxide as a pigment. Formula (1):Iw<Ic (1)is satisfied. Ic (μA) is a dynamic current value of the first carrier at 100 V and Iw (μA) is a dynamic current value of the second carrier at 100 V.