Silicon Compound Toner Additive with Convex Particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner additives face challenges in maintaining adhesive force and durability when exposed to frequent contact with carriers, leading to embedding or separation issues, which affect print quality and longevity.
Innovation Solution
An external additive for toner comprising silicon compound particles with a base particle and convex forming particles, where a chemical bond is formed between them, optimizing particle size and Young's modulus to enhance adhesion and prevent embedding or separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If spherical silica is used as external additive, then the toner can be used for long period, but silica is embedded into the surface of the toner to deteriorate the adhesive force under frequent contact with carrier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite external additive structure consisting of a base particle and convex forming particles. The base particle provides durability for long-term use, while the convex forming particles create protruding portions that prevent embedding into the toner surface. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between maintaining toner life and preserving adhesive force under frequent carrier contact.
2Strength
If silicone is used as external additive to suppress embedding, then contact area between external additive and toner base decreases, but this causes separation from toner base
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating convex portions only on the surface of the external additive particles, while the base particle maintains its original composition and bonding properties. The convex forming particles are distributed on the surface to prevent embedding, while the base particle ensures stable adhesion to the toner, thus resolving the contradiction between preventing embedding and maintaining stability.
3Strength
If protruding portion is low to prevent rolling, then external additive comes close to concave portion, but this deteriorates adhesive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the parameter of convex portion height by controlling the ratio H/DA (average height of convex portions to number-average particle diameter) to be 0.05 to 0.30. This parameter optimization ensures that the convex portions are high enough to prevent rolling and maintain separation resistance, but not so high as to excessively reduce contact area and adhesive force, thus resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
4Reliability
If protruding portion is high to prevent separation, then contact area with toner base decreases, but this worsens adhesive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the convex portion height parameter (H/DA ratio of 0.05 to 0.30) to achieve the right balance. The convex portions are sufficiently high to prevent rolling and maintain separation resistance, but the height is controlled to maintain adequate contact area with the toner base for sufficient adhesive force, thus resolving the contradiction between separation resistance and adhesive force.
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 provides improved durability and charge stability, ensuring high-quality image output over a long period by maintaining adhesive force and preventing embedding or separation of the additive.
Implementation Method 1
a chemical bond is formed between the base particle A and each of the plurality of convex forming particles B
Implementation Method 2
particles each containing a silicon compound having a siloxane bond
Data Source
AI summary
The external additive for toner includes an external additive particle containing: a base particle A; and a plurality of convex forming particles B each configured to form a convex portion on a surface of the base particle A. The base particle A and the convex forming particles B are particles each containing a silicon compound having a siloxane bond, and a chemical bond is formed between the base particle A and each of the convex forming particles B. The base particle A and the convex forming particles B each have a total content of the following unit (a), unit (b), and unit (c) of 80 mass % or more and 100 mass % or less:where R1 and R2 each represent an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.