Toner Particle Core-Shell Diameter Ratio for Image Concealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image formation, existing methods face challenges in achieving high concealing properties for white images and high color development for colored images on various recording media, due to variations in surface roughness and coloration, leading to fluctuations in image quality.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrostatic charge image developing toner set comprising white toner particles with a core containing a binder resin and white coloring agent, and a coating layer without coloring agents, and colored toner particles with a core containing a binder resin and colored coloring agents, where the difference in average equivalent circle diameters between the core and coating layer satisfies a specific relationship, ensuring both high concealing properties and color development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a white toner is used to form a base image on recording media with variations in surface roughness and coloration, then the concealing properties of the white image are improved, but the color development of subsequent colored images becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating toner particles with non-uniform structure - a core region containing coloring agent for color development and a shell region without coloring agent for light reflection. This spatial differentiation allows different regions of the same particle to serve different functions: the core provides color while the shell enhances whiteness and concealing properties, resolving the contradiction between concealing properties and color development stability
2Ease of manufacture
If the core and coating layer have similar sizes, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the concealing properties and color development are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a particular size ratio parameter between core and coating layer (0.3 ≤ (Rout - Rin)/(Rout + Rin) ≤ 0.7). This quantitative parameter control optimizes the balance between manufacturing feasibility and image quality, ensuring the shell is thick enough to provide light reflection for concealing properties while maintaining a manageable size relationship for practical manufacturing
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
This configuration enhances the concealing properties of white images by reducing light penetration and improves color development in colored images by increasing light reflection, resulting in improved image quality with high concealing properties and color recognition.
Implementation Method 1
improves color development in colored images by increasing light reflection
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic charge image developing toner set includes a white toner that includes white toner particles containing a core and a coating layer which does not contain a coloring agent and a colored toner that includes colored toner particles containing a core and a coating layer which does not contain a coloring agent, wherein with respect to a difference between an average equivalent circle diameter [Rw1] of the cores (Win) in the white toner particles and an average equivalent circle diameter [Rw2] of the white toner particles [Rw2−Rw1], and a difference between the average equivalent circle diameter [Rc1] of the cores (Cin) in the colored toner particles and the average equivalent circle diameter [Rc2] of the colored toner particles [Rc2−Rc1], a relationship of the following Expression (1) is satisfied:[Rw2−Rw1]<[Rc2−Rc1] (1).