Toner with Organic-Inorganic Composite Particles for High-Speed Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner formulations for high-speed printing systems face challenges in maintaining initial density and long-term stability, especially in high temperature/humidity environments, where external additives can lead to embedment and contamination, resulting in image defects such as streaks and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition incorporating organic-inorganic composite fine particles with exposed inorganic fine particles and iron oxide particles, where the coverage ratio of the organic-inorganic composite fine particles is between 20% and 70%, and the iron oxide content is between 0.1% and 5.0% by mass, enhances triboelectric charging and stability, preventing image defects and maintaining density across varying environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the amount of external additive is increased to improve developability, then the toner can easily fly and developability is improved, but the toner becomes vulnerable to external stress, embedment of external additive occurs, and durability is lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite external additive consisting of inorganic fine particles (silica, alumina, or titania with 5-50 nm primary particle diameter) combined with organic binder resin. This composite structure provides both the charge control functionality needed for developability and the mechanical strength to prevent embedment, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the amount of external additive is increased to improve developability, then the charge amount of toner increases with machine time in normal temperature and low-humidity environment, but density reduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the composite external additive: inorganic fine particles with primary particle diameter of 5-50 nm, coverage ratio of 5-50 m²/g, and content of 0.1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of binder resin. These controlled parameters ensure stable charge amount and prevent density reduction while maintaining developability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a low-resistant particle such as magnetic particle is added to suppress charge amount increase in normal temperature/low humidity environment, then charge amount increase is suppressed, but initial density is low in high temperature/humidity environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using inorganic fine particles with specific surface area and coverage ratio ranges (5-50 m²/g and 5-50 parts by mass per 100 parts binder resin respectively) to create optimal charge control characteristics that adapt to different environmental conditions, achieving both charge amount control and high initial density in high temperature/humidity environments.
4Reliability
If a spacer is added to suppress embedding of external additive, then long-term stability is improved, but it is difficult to satisfy initial density in high temperature/humidity environment and long-term stability in high-speed printing system at the same time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite external additive where inorganic fine particles (providing spacing and preventing embedment) are combined with organic binder resin (providing adhesion and charge control). This composite structure simultaneously achieves long-term stability by preventing embedment and high initial density in high temperature/humidity environments through optimized charge control.
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 achieves satisfactory initial density and long-term stability in high-speed printing systems, even in high temperature/humidity environments, while suppressing image defects due to contamination, ensuring consistent print quality and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The organic-inorganic composite fine particle has convexes derived from the inorganic fine particles
Implementation Method 2
a toner comprising a toner particle containing a binder resin and a colorant, an iron oxide particle and an organic-inorganic composite fine particle
Data Source
AI summary
The toner comprising a toner particle containing a binder resin and a colorant, an iron oxide particle and an organic-inorganic composite fine particle, wherein the organic-inorganic composite fine particle comprises a vinyl resin particle, and inorganic fine particles which are embedded in the vinyl resin particle, and at least a part of which is exposed at surface of the organic-inorganic composite fine particle; the organic-inorganic composite fine particle has convexes derived from the inorganic fine particles, and wherein: a coverage ratio of the surface of the organic-inorganic composite fine particle with the inorganic fine particle is 20-70%; and the content of the iron oxide particle present on a surface of the toner particle is 0.1-5.0 mass % based on the mass of the toner particle.