Electrostatic Toner Set with NH4+ Control for Color Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic charge image developing technologies experience color unevenness in secondary color images due to variations in fluorescence intensity caused by the mixing of fluorescent and non-fluorescent toners, particularly when the fluorescent toner has a high brightness.
Innovation Solution
The electrostatic charge image developing toner set comprises fluorescent and non-fluorescent toners with controlled ammonium ion (NH4+) surface concentrations and hydrophilicity differences, ensuring uniform mixing and reducing color unevenness by adjusting NH4+ levels on the toner surfaces through methods like ultrasonic dispersion and ion chromatography.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the fluorescent toner has high brightness (75 or more), then the image brightness is improved, but color unevenness occurs in secondary color images due to variations in fluorescence intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the ammonium ion concentration on the toner surface within a specific range (0.05-0.30 mg/L for fluorescent toner) and adjusting the difference in ammonium ion concentration between fluorescent and non-fluorescent toners (0.12 mg/L or more). This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by maintaining consistent fluorescence intensity while achieving high brightness, thereby eliminating color unevenness in secondary color images.
2Ease of manufacture
If the amount of NH4+ on the surface of fluorescent toner is outside the range of 0.05-0.30 mg/L, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but color unevenness suppression property deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a specific parameter range for ammonium ion concentration (0.05-0.30 mg/L) that optimizes both manufacturing feasibility and image quality. By defining this precise range and the required difference (0.12 mg/L or more) between fluorescent and non-fluorescent toners, the patent enables manufacturers to achieve color uniformity while maintaining practical production processes.
3Device complexity
If the difference in NH4+ amount between fluorescent and non-fluorescent toner is less than 0.12 mg/L, then the toner formulation is simplified, but color unevenness in secondary color images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a minimum difference of 0.12 mg/L in ammonium ion concentration between fluorescent and non-fluorescent toners. This parameter constraint ensures that the fluorescence intensity remains consistent across different toner types, preventing color unevenness in secondary color images while providing clear formulation guidelines for manufacturers.
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 controlled NH4+ levels enhance the suppression of color unevenness in images by maintaining consistent fluorescence intensity across toner arrangements, resulting in improved image quality.
Implementation Method 1
the mixture is dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 minutes
Implementation Method 2
the filtrate is analyzed by an ion chromatography method
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge image developing toner set contains a fluorescent toner that contains a fluorescent colorant and has a brightness of 75 or more and a non-fluorescent toner that contains no fluorescent colorant, in which an amount of NH4+ on a surface of the fluorescent toner, that is measured by an ion chromatography method, is 0.05 mg/L or more and 0.30 mg/L or less, and a difference between the amount of NH4+ on the surface of the fluorescent toner and an amount of NH4+ on a surface of the non-fluorescent toner, that are measured by an ion chromatography method, is 0.12 mg/L or more, where, the amount of NH4+ is an amount of NH4+ detected by a method in which 0.5 g of the fluorescent toner or the non-fluorescent toner is weighed, and then added to 100 g of deionized water at 30° C.±1° C., the mixture is dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 minutes, and then filtered through a filter, and the filtrate is analyzed by an ion chromatography method.