Electrostatic Toner with Ester Compound for Low-Temperature Fixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic image developing toners face challenges in maintaining adhesion to transfer materials at low fixing temperatures and suffer from charge degradation during high-volume printing, leading to peeling and offset issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electrostatic image developing toner containing a specific ester compound with a structure that enhances adhesion and charge stability, achieved through the use of a binder resin and colorant, where the ester compound is formed by reacting polycarboxylic acid with long-chain aliphatic alcohols, providing improved fixing properties and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the fixing temperature is lowered to reduce energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the adhesion of toner image to transfer material deteriorates causing peeling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the toner by incorporating specific ester compounds (with 1-10 carbon atoms in the hydrocarbon chain) and controlling the binder resin composition (polyester with specific glass transition temperature and carboxyl value). This chemical parameter modification enables the toner to maintain strong adhesion at lowered fixing temperatures without requiring temperature reduction for energy saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite toner system combining binder resin (polyester with specific properties), colorant, and ester compound release agents. This composite material structure allows the toner to simultaneously achieve low-temperature fixability, strong adhesion, and effective releasing properties, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and image adhesion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a releasing property is added to the toner to prevent offset, then offset problem is improved, but the toner charge rising capability degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the ester compound (carbon chain length of 1-10 atoms, specific molecular structure) and controls the binder resin properties (glass transition temperature 40-80°C, carboxyl value 10-50 mg KOH/g). These parameter optimizations ensure the release agent provides effective offset prevention while maintaining charge rising capability stability over extended printing periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the releasing property locally through the ester compound that is distributed within the toner particles, while the binder resin matrix maintains the overall charge stability. This localized approach allows the release function to be provided without compromising the overall charge rising capability durability.
3Productivity
If contact fixing method is used to fix toner image, then fixing efficiency is improved, but offset problem occurs where melted toner adheres to heat member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the toner particles themselves to provide the releasing property through the incorporated ester compound, eliminating the need for external release agents on the heat member. This self-service approach allows contact fixing to proceed efficiently without causing offset, as the toner's own composition prevents adhesion to the heat member.
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 exhibits strong adhesion to transfer materials at low fixing temperatures (100°C) and maintains stable charge rising capacity even after printing several hundred-thousand sheets, preventing peeling and offset, while ensuring high-density image quality without fogging.
Implementation Method 1
a method to add a releasing property to the heat member by coating silicon oil on a surface of the heat member of a fixing device
Implementation Method 2
the formed toner image was found to have a tendency to easily peel from the transfer material
Implementation Method 3
the charge rising capability of the toner showed a tendency to degrade
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic image developing toner comprising a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the toner comprises a compound represented by the following Formula (1):wherein, R1, R2, R3 and R4 each independently represent an alkyl group having 10 to 30 carbon atoms and the alkyl group may have a substituent.