Toner Particle Cyclic Polyolefin Shell for Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner particles containing crystalline polyester exhibit unsatisfactory durability and low-temperature fixability due to migration to the surface under high-temperature, high-humidity environments and mechanical stress, leading to reduced service life and image defects.
Innovation Solution
A toner particle with a coat layer containing cyclic polyolefin resin is developed, which suppresses the migration of crystalline polyester to the surface, maintaining its interior presence and enhancing durability and low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline polyester is used as binder resin, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but durability deteriorates due to surface migration under high-temperature high-humidity environments and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The toner particle is divided into two distinct regions: a core containing crystalline polyester for low-temperature fixability, and a shell layer made of cyclic polyolefin resin that prevents surface migration. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between low-temperature fixability and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The shell layer acts as an intermediary barrier between the crystalline polyester core and the external environment (high-temperature high-humidity conditions and mechanical stress). This intermediary layer prevents direct interaction between the crystalline polyester and harmful external factors, thereby maintaining durability while preserving the low-temperature fixability of the core
2Temperature
If crystalline polyester migrates to surface, then low-temperature fixability is improved, but image quality deteriorates due to filming and charge quantity fluctuation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful migration tendency of crystalline polyester is extracted and contained within the core region, while the shell layer is designed to actively prevent this migration. By separating the functional benefit (low-temperature fixability) from the harmful effect (surface migration causing image defects), the invention resolves this contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The shell layer serves as a protective intermediary that blocks the migration path of crystalline polyester to the surface. This intermediary layer prevents direct contact between the migrating polyester and the surface, thereby eliminating image defects while maintaining the low-temperature fixability provided by the core
3Reliability
If cyclic polyolefin resin is used as binder resin, then charging performance is improved, but fixing strength deteriorates due to poor adhesiveness to paper
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the toner particle are assigned different material properties: the core uses crystalline polyester optimized for low-temperature fixability and adhesion, while the shell uses cyclic polyolefin resin optimized for charging performance. This local differentiation allows each material to excel at its specific function without compromising the other
Solution Approach 2:
The toner particle is constructed as a composite structure combining crystalline polyester and cyclic polyolefin resin in specific layers. This composite structure integrates the advantages of both materials: the crystalline polyester provides low-temperature fixability and adhesion, while the cyclic polyolefin resin provides excellent charging performance, thereby resolving the contradiction between these properties
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 effectively inhibits crystalline polyester migration, improving toner durability, charge stability, and low-temperature fixability while preventing image defects and service life reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a toner particle which comprises: a coat layer containing a cyclic polyolefin resin at a surface of the toner particle
Data Source
AI summary
By controlling the migration to the toner particle surface of the crystalline polyester present in the toner particle, a toner is provided that exhibits an excellent durability in long-term use, a stable charging performance after holding in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment, and an excellent low-temperature fixability, in which the toner having a toner particle that contains an amorphous resin, a crystalline polyester, and a wax, wherein the toner particle includes, at the surface thereof, a coat layer containing a cyclic polyolefin resin.