Composite External Additive for Toner Charge Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners using organosilicon fine particles as external additives face issues with charge stability in low-humidity environments, leading to increased electrostatic adhesion and reduced image density uniformity due to weak binding with low-resistance fine particles.
Innovation Solution
A composite external additive is developed, comprising organosilicon compound-containing fine particles with low-resistance fine particles partially embedded, with controlled diameter, volume resistivity, and embedding rate, to stabilize charge release and prevent detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If organosilicon fine particles are used as external additive, then durability is improved, but charge stability deteriorates in low-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining organosilicon fine particles with low-resistance fine particles to create a composite external additive. This composite structure allows the organosilicon component to provide durability while the low-resistance component ensures stable charge release in low-humidity environments, thus resolving the contradiction between durability and charge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a core-shell structure where organosilicon fine particles form the core providing durability, and low-resistance fine particles are embedded on the surface providing charge stability. This local differentiation of material properties allows each component to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.
2Reliability
If low-resistance fine particles are mixed with organosilicon fine particles, then charge release is improved, but binding strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by embedding low-resistance fine particles within or on the surface of organosilicon fine particles. This nested structure ensures strong binding between the two types of particles, preventing detachment during toner operation while maintaining the charge release properties of the low-resistance particles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite particle structure where organosilicon and low-resistance particles are chemically or physically bonded together. This composite approach ensures that the particles remain bound during toner operation while maintaining the beneficial charge release properties of the low-resistance component.
3Reliability
If fine particles B are embedded in fine particles A, then charge stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-synthesizing the organosilicon fine particles with embedded low-resistance fine particles in a controlled manufacturing process. By establishing the embedding structure during particle formation rather than attempting to create it later, the manufacturing complexity is reduced while maintaining charge stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the synthesis conditions (temperature, pH, concentration ratios) to achieve optimal embedding of low-resistance particles within organosilicon particles. By optimizing these parameters, the manufacturing process becomes more controllable and less complex while ensuring the desired charge stability performance.
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 composite additive effectively suppresses charge increase in low-humidity environments, maintaining stable electrostatic adhesion and image density, enhancing toner durability and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
fine particles B that have a volume resistivity of 1.0×10^5 Ω·cm or more and 1.0×10^13 Ω·cm or less
Implementation Method 2
fine particles A that contain an organosilicon compound with a siloxane bond as a binder component
Implementation Method 3
suppress the increase in electrostatic adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
An external additive includes fine particles A that contain an organosilicon compound with a siloxane bond as a binder component and have fine particles B. The fine particles B are present at the surface of the fine particles A in a state at least partially embedded in the surface of the fine particles A. The external additive has a number average diameter of primary particles of 0.03 μm or more and 0.30 μm or less. The ratio BD/AD of the number average diameter BD of primary particles of the fine particles B to the number average diameter AD of primary particles of the fine particles A is 0.05 or more and 0.70 or less. The fine particles B have a volume resistivity of 1.0×105 Ω·cm or more and 1.0×1013 Ω·cm or less and have an embedding rate of 30% or more and 90% or less.