Liquid Developer Methyl-Rich Insulating Liquid Corona Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid developers with low-boiling point insulating liquids face issues of corona charger contamination leading to electric short-circuits and printing apparatus halts due to decomposition or oxidation of low-molecular weight components, which affects long-term operations and print quality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid developer with toner particles containing a polyester resin and pigment dispersed in an insulating liquid with a low boiling point and rich in methyl groups, which reacts with radicals to prevent decomposition and oxidation, ensuring stable operation and excellent low-temperature fusing ability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a low-boiling point insulating liquid is used in a liquid developer, then the viscosity is reduced and printing speed is improved, but corona charger contamination occurs leading to electric short-circuits and printing apparatus halts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the insulating liquid by incorporating compounds with specific functional groups (ether, ester, amide) that have lower molecular weights and higher volatility. This parameter change reduces viscosity for faster printing while the specific chemical structure controls decomposition to prevent corona charger contamination, resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite insulating liquids formed by combining multiple compounds with different functional groups (ether, ester, amide) in specific ratios. This composite approach allows optimization of both volatility (for speed) and chemical stability (for reliability), as the synergistic interaction between different compounds reduces viscosity while controlling decomposition behavior to prevent contamination
2Reliability
If an insulating liquid with low volatility is used to reduce steam generation, then reliability is improved, but printing speed decreases due to higher viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the insulating liquid by selecting compounds with specific boiling points and vapor pressures. By optimizing this parameter, the liquid maintains sufficient volatility to prevent corona charger contamination and ensure reliability, while the molecular structure and composition are adjusted to keep viscosity low enough for acceptable printing speed
3Speed
If low-molecular weight components are present in the insulating liquid, then viscosity is reduced for faster printing, but decomposition and oxidation occur leading to corona charger contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter by incorporating low-molecular weight compounds to reduce viscosity and improve printing speed. Simultaneously, the chemical structure is optimized by including specific functional groups (ether, ester, amide) that enhance chemical stability and resist decomposition under corona discharge conditions, thus preventing contamination while maintaining low viscosity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of low-molecular weight components (decomposition and oxidation leading to contamination) into a benefit by carefully selecting compounds whose low molecular weight reduces viscosity for speed, while their specific functional group structure prevents decomposition. The low molecular weight becomes beneficial for speed without triggering the harmful decomposition effect
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 solution effectively controls corona charger contamination and maintains printing apparatus functionality during long-term use while achieving excellent low-temperature fusing ability, ensuring high-quality prints.
Implementation Method 1
an insulating liquid with a low boiling point and rich in methyl groups, which reacts with radicals to prevent decomposition and oxidation
Implementation Method 2
a peak intensity ratio of a methyl group calculated by the formula (1): wherein A is a peak intensity ascribed to CH 3 stretching vibration when measured with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid developer containing toner particles containing a resin containing a polyester and a pigment, wherein the toner particles are dispersed in an insulating liquid in the presence of a dispersant, wherein the insulating liquid has a boiling point of 300°C or lower, and wherein the insulating liquid has a peak intensity ratio of a methyl group calculated by the formula (1): Peak Intensity Ratio % of Methyl Groups=AA+B×100 wherein A is a peak intensity ascribed to CH3 stretching vibration when measured with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, B is a total peak intensity ascribed to CH2 stretching vibration and CH stretching vibration, of 25% or more, or wherein the insulating liquid contains a polyisobutene.