Electrostatic Charge Developer Toner Resin Fixing Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the fixing temperature of toner in image forming processes to lower energy consumption and enhance processing speed and productivity, while maintaining effective adhesion and charging properties.
Innovation Solution
An electrostatic charge developer is designed with a carrier having a resin coating layer containing a copolymer with nitrogen-containing acrylic esters and alicyclic acrylic esters, and a toner with a binder resin comprising non-crystalline and crystalline polyester resins, specifically using alkyl succinic acid or its anhydride, to achieve optimal glass transition temperatures and adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the glass transition temperature of toner resin is lowered to reduce fixing temperature, then energy consumption is reduced, but adhesion properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining non-crystalline polyester resin (providing low glass transition temperature for low fixing temperature) with crystalline polyester resin (providing adhesion and mechanical strength). This composite approach allows the toner to achieve both low fixing temperature and good adhesion properties simultaneously, resolving the technical contradiction between these two parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the glass transition temperature of the non-crystalline polyester resin within a specific range (−50°C to 0°C) and the melting point of the crystalline polyester resin within a specific range (80°C to 120°C). By optimizing these parameters, the toner achieves both low fixing temperature and sufficient adhesion, resolving the contradiction between these opposing requirements.
2Productivity
If the glass transition temperature of toner resin is lowered to enhance processing speed, then productivity is improved, but charging properties may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining non-crystalline polyester resin (enhancing processing speed through low glass transition temperature) with crystalline polyester resin (maintaining charging properties through controlled melting point). This composite structure enables high productivity while preserving reliable charging properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the glass transition temperature of the non-crystalline polyester resin (−50°C to 0°C) and the melting point of the crystalline polyester resin (80°C to 120°C). These parameter optimizations enable fast processing speed while maintaining stable charging properties, resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional polyester resins are used in toner, then manufacturing is simplified, but fixing temperature remains high increasing energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting non-crystalline polyester resin with glass transition temperature in the range of −50°C to 0°C and crystalline polyester resin with melting point in the range of 80°C to 120°C. These parameter specifications enable low fixing temperature (reducing energy consumption) while maintaining ease of manufacture through the use of conventional polyester resin types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining non-crystalline polyester resin (providing low glass transition temperature for energy-efficient fixing) with crystalline polyester resin (maintaining adhesion and charging properties). This composite approach achieves low energy consumption while keeping manufacturing processes simple and conventional.
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 solution effectively lowers the fixing temperature, improves adhesion, and maintains charging properties, ensuring high productivity and energy efficiency in image forming processes.
Implementation Method 1
a carrier having a core material and a resin coating layer covering a surface of the core material, the resin coating layer containing a copolymer that contains (i) a nitrogen-containing acrylic ester or a nitrogen-containing methacrylic ester
Implementation Method 2
the resin coating layer containing a copolymer that contains (i) a nitrogen-containing acrylic ester or a nitrogen-containing methacrylic ester and (ii) an alicyclic acrylic ester or alicyclic methacrylic ester
Implementation Method 3
a toner containing a binder resin that contains a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin, the non-crystalline polyester resin containing at least (i) an alkyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof or (ii) an alkenyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof
Implementation Method 4
the crystalline polyester resin being an aliphatic polyester resin
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge developer includes a carrier having a core material and a resin coating layer covering the surface of the core material, and a toner having a binder resin that contains a non-crystalline polyester resin and a crystalline polyester resin. The resin coating layer contains a copolymer that contains a nitrogen-containing acrylic ester or nitrogen-containing methacrylic ester and an alicyclic acrylic ester or alicyclic methacrylic ester. The non-crystalline polyester resin contains at least an alkyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof, or an alkenyl succinic acid or an anhydride or lower alkyl ester thereof. The crystalline polyester resin is an aliphatic polyester resin.