Electrostatic Toner Blue Color Outdoor Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrophotographic toners fail to produce blue color images with sufficient outdoor visibility, as they do not meet the required L*, a*, and b* values for optimal visibility in outdoor conditions.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation containing a binder resin and a coloring agent, specifically optimized with cyan and magenta pigments, is developed to achieve L* values between 37 and 50, a* values between -12 and 8, and b* values between -49 and -40, enhancing outdoor visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional electrophotographic toners are used, then the toner can be easily manufactured with standard formulations, but the outdoor visibility of the resulting blue color images is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the L*, a*, and b* color values within specific ranges (L*: 37-50, a*: -12 to 8, b*: -49 to -40) to optimize outdoor visibility. This involves adjusting pigment ratios and binder resin properties to achieve the target color parameters that ensure sufficient contrast and visibility in outdoor lighting conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining cyan and magenta pigments in specific proportions within the toner formulation. This composite approach creates a blue color that achieves the required outdoor visibility while maintaining manufacturability through standardized production processes.
2Illumination intensity
If the L*, a*, and b* values are adjusted to improve outdoor visibility, then the image clarity in bright conditions improves, but the toner formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages formulation complexity by defining specific parameter ranges for L* (37-50), a* (-12 to 8), and b* (-49 to -40) rather than requiring precise fixed values. This approach allows for manufacturing tolerance while ensuring outdoor visibility, balancing performance requirements with formulation simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner for electrostatic image development includes: a binder resin; and a coloring agent. When an image with a toner mass per unit area of 4.0 g/m2 is formed using the toner, the image has a color that satisfies the following conditions (A), (B), and (C):(A) L* is from 37 to 50 inclusive;(B) is from −12 to 8 inclusive; and(C) b* is from −49 to −40 inclusive.