Toner Particle Depth Profiles for Aggregation and Additive Transfer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Toner particles with small sizes aggregate easily, leading to reduced transfer efficiency and image quality deterioration due to increased adhesive force and external additive transfer to carriers or drums, especially in long-term use.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition with a specific depth profile of carbon and inorganic element distribution, using silica and strontium titanate fine particles, distributed to provide toughness against external forces, maintaining high transfer efficiency and preventing additive transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If toner particles are made small to improve image quality, then micro-image quality is improved, but toner particles aggregate easily leading to reduced transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform distribution of inorganic fine particles within the toner particle structure. The depth profile analysis shows that inorganic particles are concentrated at specific depth positions corresponding to carbon concentration minimum points, rather than being uniformly distributed. This localized concentration provides aggregation suppression at critical interfaces while maintaining small particle size for high image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-forming toner particles with a specific internal structure containing inorganic fine particles distributed according to the defined depth profile before the toner is used in the imaging process. This pre-structured configuration ensures aggregation resistance is built-in from the start, preventing transfer efficiency degradation throughout the carrier's service life.
2Productivity
If external additive is added to suppress toner aggregation, then transfer efficiency is improved, but external additive transfers to carrier or drum in long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by embedding inorganic fine particles within the toner particle matrix. The inorganic particles are nested inside the toner particle structure, with their positions controlled by the depth profile characteristics. This nesting prevents the inorganic particles from being easily transferred to the carrier or drum, as they are contained within the toner particle rather than being on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining organic toner components with inorganic fine particles to create a multi-phase structure. The composite toner particle contains both carbon-based materials and inorganic particles distributed according to the specific depth profile, creating a material that exhibits both good transfer efficiency and resistance to additive transfer in long-term use.
3Productivity
If larger amount of external additive is added to enhance transferability, then transfer efficiency is improved, but adhesion of external additive decreases and transfer to carrier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the depth position distribution of inorganic fine particles within the toner particle. Instead of varying the amount of inorganic additive, the invention changes the spatial distribution parameter (depth profile) to achieve optimal performance. The inorganic particles are positioned at specific depth positions where they provide maximum aggregation suppression while maintaining strong adhesion and preventing transfer to the carrier.
Data Source
AI summary
A toner includes toner particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and inorganic fine particles, in which in a depth profile of an element distribution in a depth region from the outermost surface of a particle to a depth of 500 nm the depth profile being obtained by an element analysis performed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy using the toner as a sample, two or more minimum points of a concentration of a carbon element in the depth region exist, a concentration of an inorganic element becomes a maximum value at a depth position corresponding to each of the minimum points, and the inorganic element is an element derived from the inorganic fine particle.