Toner Aggregation via Controlled Stirring Power and Viscosity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing electrostatic charge image developing toner often result in the mixing of coarse toner particles, leading to dot-shaped color unevenness in images due to inadequate stirring power and viscosity conditions during the aggregating step.
Innovation Solution
A preparing method for electrostatic charge image developing toner that involves aggregating binder resin particles in a dispersion and coalescing the aggregated particles by heating, with specific stirring power and viscosity requirements to minimize coarse toner mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If stirring power is increased to improve aggregation uniformity, then manufacturing precision improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the viscosity of the dispersion within the range of 5-50 Pa·s and controlling the stirring power within 1.0-6.0 kW/m³. These specific parameter ranges enable effective aggregation while preventing excessive energy consumption, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and energy usage.
2Productivity
If stirring power is decreased to reduce energy consumption, then productivity improves, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing optimal parameter ranges: viscosity of 5-50 Pa·s and stirring power of 1.0-6.0 kW/m³. Within these ranges, the system achieves both high productivity and high manufacturing precision, eliminating the need to trade one for the other.
3Manufacturing precision
If viscosity is increased to improve aggregation control, then manufacturing precision improves, but stirring efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes viscosity to within the range of 5-50 Pa·s, which provides sufficient aggregation control while maintaining adequate stirring efficiency. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity.
4Productivity
If viscosity is decreased to improve stirring efficiency, then productivity improves, but aggregation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes the viscosity range of 5-50 Pa·s as the optimal balance point. Within this range, the dispersion maintains both sufficient stirring efficiency and adequate aggregation control, resolving the contradiction between productivity and manufacturing precision.
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 method effectively reduces the mixing of coarse toner particles, thereby preventing dot-shaped color unevenness in images, by maintaining optimal stirring power and viscosity conditions during the aggregating process.
Implementation Method 1
coalescing the aggregated particles by heating a dispersion containing the aggregated particles to form toner particles
Data Source
AI summary
A preparing method of an electrostatic charge image developing toner includes: aggregating binder resin particles in a dispersion containing the binder resin particles to form aggregated particles; and coalescing the aggregated particles by heating a dispersion containing the aggregated particles to form toner particles. The aggregating includes stirring the dispersion in the aggregating at a required stirring power of 1.0 kW/m3 or more and 6.0 kW/m3 or less per unit volume, and the preparing method satisfies the following Requirement (1), in whichRequirement (1): a viscosity of the dispersion during the stirring is 5 Pa·s or more and 50 Pa·s or less at a shear rate of 1/s,where the viscosity of the dispersion is measured at a sample temperature of 25° C. using a part of the dispersion as a sample.