Crystalline Resin Toner Composition for Fixability Without Print Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners for developing electrostatic charge images suffer from print blocking, where images stick to each other or to recording media when stacked, leading to image nonuniformity and omission, and lack excellent fixability.
Innovation Solution
A toner comprising toner particles with a binder resin containing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin, where the crystalline resin has an endothermic peak temperature between 60°C and 75°C, a specific heat absorption ratio (Q1/Q2) of 0.15 or more, a maximum loss coefficient tan δ of less than 1.2, and crosslinked resin particles, which enhance elasticity and rapid solidification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a toner uses a binder resin with high elasticity and slow solidification, then fixability is improved, but print blocking occurs and images stick together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the binder resin by incorporating a specific crystalline resin with melting point 60-75°C and controlling its crystallinity. This modifies the solidification behavior to achieve rapid solidification after fixing, preventing print blocking while maintaining fixability through the controlled phase transition parameters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of the crystalline resin during the fixing process. The crystalline resin melts at 60-75°C during fixing to provide elasticity and adhesion, then rapidly solidifies upon cooling to prevent image sticking, effectively managing the transition between liquid and solid phases to resolve the contradiction
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a toner solidifies rapidly to prevent print blocking, then print blocking is reduced, but fixability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of the crystalline resin to achieve both rapid solidification and good fixability. During fixing, the crystalline resin melts providing elasticity for good fixation; after fixing, rapid cooling causes quick solidification preventing print blocking. The phase transition timing and temperature control resolves the contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the melting point of the crystalline resin within 60-75°C and adjusts crystallinity to optimize the balance between fixability and solidification speed. By precisely controlling these parameters, the toner achieves rapid solidification without compromising fixation quality
3Manufacturing precision
If a toner has high elasticity to prevent image deformation, then image quality is improved, but release from fixing roll becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses phase transition of the crystalline resin to manage elasticity dynamically. During fixing, the melted crystalline resin provides high elasticity to prevent image deformation; after fixing, rapid solidification reduces elasticity enabling easy release from the fixing roll. The phase transition resolves the contradiction between maintaining image quality and facilitating release
4Use of energy by stationary object
If a toner maintains low-temperature fixability, then energy consumption is reduced, but solidification speed decreases causing print blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the crystalline resin with melting point 60-75°C to achieve low-temperature fixing. The phase transition provides a sharp solidification point that enables rapid solidification even at lower temperatures, preventing print blocking while maintaining energy efficiency through reduced fixing temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the solidification characteristics by incorporating crystalline resin with specific melting point and crystallinity control. This modifies the temperature-solidification rate relationship to achieve rapid solidification at low temperatures, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and solidification speed
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 toner reduces print blocking and exhibits excellent fixability by maintaining low-temperature adhesion while rapidly solidifying, minimizing image deformation and omission.
Implementation Method 1
the crystalline resin has an endothermic peak temperature between 60°C and 75°C
Implementation Method 2
the crystalline resin has an endothermic peak temperature between 60°C and 75°C
Implementation Method 3
ensuring high elasticity and easy release from the fixing roll
Data Source
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AI summary
A toner for developing an electrostatic charge image contains toner particles containing: a binder resin containing an amorphous resin and a crystalline resin; and resin particles. In differential scanning calorimetry, an endothermic peak temperature Tc of the crystalline resin is 60°C or higher and 75°C or lower, a ratio (Q1/Q2) of a heat absorption Q1 of the crystalline resin calculated by performing differential scanning calorimetry on the toner that has been melted at 150°C, then cooled to a temperature 10°C lower than the endothermic peak temperature Tc, and then retained thereat for 1 minute, to a heat absorption Q2 of the crystalline resin calculated by performing differential scanning calorimetry on the toner that has been melted at 150°C, then cooled to a temperature 10°C lower than the endothermic peak temperature Tc, and then retained thereat for 30 minutes is 0.15 or more. A maximum value of a loss coefficient tan δ at 50°C or higher and 70°C or lower is less than 1.2. An amount of the crystalline resin contained relative to a total amount of the amorphous resin and the crystalline resin is 15 mass% or more and 25 mass% or less. The resin particles are crosslinked resin particles.