Toner with Organic-Inorganic Composite Additive for Low-Temp Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving high development performance, low-temperature fixation, and storage stability, particularly in high-speed electrophotographic image formation processes, with previous solutions either lacking in low-temperature fixation or compromising development performance and storage stability.
Innovation Solution
A toner with an organic-inorganic composite fine particle external additive, where the resin fine particle has a melting point between 60° C. and 150° C., allowing for improved low-temperature fixation and development performance while maintaining storage stability by preventing adhesion to developer bearing members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If resin fine particles with low melting point are used to improve low-temperature fixation, then low-temperature fixation is improved, but development performance and storage stability deteriorate due to adhesion to developer bearing members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the melting point of the resin fine particles to be within 60°C to 150°C. This specific parameter range allows the resin to melt at low temperatures for effective fixation while preventing premature adhesion to developer bearing members, thus resolving the contradiction between low-temperature fixation and development performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining resin fine particles with specific inorganic particles (silica, alumina, titania, zinc oxide, strontium titanate, cerium oxide, or calcium carbonate) to form external additives. This composite structure provides both the low-temperature fixation capability from the resin and the development performance maintenance from the inorganic component, while preventing adhesion issues
2Reliability
If inorganic particles are added to maintain development performance, then development performance is improved, but low-temperature fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by creating external additives that combine resin fine particles with inorganic particles. The resin component provides low-temperature fixation capability while the inorganic particles maintain development performance, achieving both requirements simultaneously rather than sacrificing one for the other
3Reliability
If cross-linking resin is used in external additive to improve storage stability, then storage stability is improved, but low-temperature fixation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a melting point range of 60°C to 150°C for the resin fine particles. This parameter control ensures that the resin melts at appropriate low temperatures for fixation while maintaining sufficient storage stability, overcoming the limitation of cross-linking resins that prioritize stability over fixation performance
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 organic-inorganic composite fine particle additive enhances low-temperature fixation, development performance, and storage stability by melting quickly to bind toner and paper together and reducing contamination of developer bearing members, thereby improving overall toner performance.
Implementation Method 1
The resin fine particle is made from a resin having a melting point of 60° C. or more and 150° C. or less
Data Source
AI summary
A toner having excellent development performance, low-temperature fixation, and high-temperature storage stability is provided. An external additive contained in this toner is an organic-inorganic composite fine particle containing an inorganic fine particle embedded in a resin fine particle. The resin fine particle is made from a resin having a melting point of 60° C. or more and 150° C. or less.