Nucleated Crystalline Toner for Low-Temperature Fusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crystalline and semi-crystalline toners exhibit reduced performance in high humidity conditions, necessitating improved charge performance, heat cohesion, and resistivity across various environmental zones (A-zone and C-zone) for reliable image quality in printing.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition comprising nucleated crystalline resin and amorphous resin, where the crystalline resin is treated with a nucleating agent to enhance crystallization rate, combined with an amorphous resin, to form toner particles that demonstrate improved charging, heat cohesion, and resistivity in both A-zone and C-zone environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline or semi-crystalline polyester resins are used to achieve ultra-low melt fusing, then fusing temperature and power consumption are reduced, but charge performance deteriorates in high humidity conditions (A-zone)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the crystalline resin by incorporating sulfonic acid groups and controlling the melting point to be below 100°C, thereby changing the thermal and electrical parameters of the resin to achieve both low-temperature fusing and improved charge performance in high humidity conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite toner system combining crystalline polyester resin with specific functional groups (sulfonic acid), amorphous resin, and pigment particles, where the composite structure provides both low-temperature fusing capability and stable charge performance across different humidity zones
2Temperature
If crystalline or semi-crystalline polyester resins are used to achieve ultra-low melt fusing, then fusing temperature is reduced, but heat cohesion deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight and functional group composition of the crystalline polyester resin to achieve a balance between low melting point (for low-temperature fusing) and sufficient heat cohesion, by controlling the ratio of carboxylic acid monomers and the degree of crystallinity
3Temperature
If crystalline or semi-crystalline polyester resins are used to achieve ultra-low melt fusing, then fusing temperature is reduced, but resistivity deteriorates in high humidity conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sulfonic acid groups into the crystalline polyester resin structure, which modifies the electrical properties by improving resistivity in high humidity conditions while maintaining the low melting point characteristic for ultra-low melt fusing
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 particles exhibit enhanced charging performance, increased heat cohesion, and elevated resistivity, ensuring consistent image quality across different humidity and temperature conditions, thereby improving the functionality of toner developers in various environmental settings.
Implementation Method 1
a toner composition comprising a nucleated crystalline resin and an amorphous resin
Implementation Method 2
The toners disclosed herein demonstrate improved charging in the A-zone and C-zone
Data Source
AI summary
Toners made by the emulsion aggregation process comprising an amorphous resin and a nucleated crystalline resin. Such toners demonstrate improved charging performance in the A-zone and the C-zone, improved heat cohesion and improved resistivity.