Sulfur-Containing Toner Additive Particles for Flowability Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Toner flowability retention is inadequate during continuous image output in high-speed printing, as external additive particles detach from the toner due to insufficient adhesion force, leading to decreased flowability over time.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer with a vinyl polymer moiety and a siloxane moiety in external additive particles, containing sulfur atoms on their surface, which enhances adhesion and mechanical strength, thereby maintaining superior flowability retention through controlled electrostatic interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional external additive particles are used to improve toner flowability, then flowability is enhanced, but adhesion force is insufficient causing particle detachment during continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner flowabilityVSAvoidadhesion force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The external additive particle uses a composite structure combining a siloxane skeleton with a vinyl polymer skeleton. The siloxane backbone provides mechanical strength and thermal stability, while the vinyl polymer segments (containing carboxyl groups) provide adhesion to the toner surface. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both flowability enhancement and strong adhesion in a single particle system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a surface-modified structure where the vinyl polymer segments with carboxyl groups are positioned at the particle surface to interact with the toner, while the siloxane backbone remains in the interior providing structural support. This spatial differentiation of functions allows the surface to provide adhesion while the core provides mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If external additive particles are added to improve flowability, then flowability is enhanced, but particles detach over time during continuous image output

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflowabilityVSAvoidflowability retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of siloxane and vinyl polymer creates a particle that maintains its integrity during continuous operation. The siloxane backbone provides resistance to mechanical stress and thermal degradation, preventing particle breakdown and detachment over time, while the vinyl polymer ensures continuous adhesion to the toner surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates sulfur atoms in the vinyl polymer chain before the particle is subjected to operational stress. This pre-formed chemical structure acts as a cushion against detachment forces that will occur during continuous image output, allowing the particle to withstand rubbing and mechanical stress without losing adhesion or breaking down.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If high-speed printing is implemented to increase productivity, then output speed is improved, but toner flowability deteriorates due to particle detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidtoner flowability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-forming the composite particle structure with both siloxane and vinyl polymer components before the toner is used in high-speed printing. This pre-configured structure ensures that the particle has both the adhesion strength and mechanical durability needed to maintain flowability under the high-stress conditions of rapid printing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 use of sulfur-containing polymers with vinyl and siloxane moieties in external additive particles ensures sustained toner flowability and mechanical strength, preventing detachment and maintaining high flowability even under continuous image output conditions.

Implementation Method 1

containing sulfur atoms on their surface, which enhances adhesion and mechanical strength, thereby maintaining superior flowability retention through controlled electrostatic interactions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic interactions: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

sulfur atoms are contained in the surface of the external additive particle as detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3989003A1External additive particle and toner

Publication Date: 2022.04.27 CANON KK

AI summary

An external additive particle includes a sulfur-containing polymer. The polymer includes a vinyl polymer moiety and a siloxane moiety. The proportion of the number of silicon atoms to the sum of the number of carbon atoms, the number of oxygen atoms, and the number of silicon atoms in the external additive particle is 4.0% or more and 25.0% or less, and sulfur atoms are contained in the surface of the external additive particle as detected by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.