Toner with Gradient Crystalline Polyester for Fixability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toners face challenges in achieving both low-temperature and high-temperature fixability while maintaining high developability, as the presence of crystalline polyester can lead to a trade-off between fixability and durability, and existing techniques do not adequately address the need for improved toner properties beyond fixability.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition with a specific distribution of crystalline polyester resin, where the number-average diameter of major axis lengths is controlled in the surface and interior layers to optimize fixability and developability, using a combination of crystalline and amorphous polyester resins with distinct molecular weights and structures to enhance thermal and mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If crystalline polyester is added to improve low-temperature fixability, then fixability is improved, but durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface layer with amorphous polyester resin that has different properties from the interior. The surface layer specifically controls crystalline polyester exposure to balance fixability and durability, while the interior maintains the crystalline polyester structure for overall toner performance. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between fixability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polyester resin with amorphous polyester resin in a specific configuration. The amorphous polyester surface layer composite structure allows the toner to exhibit both low-temperature fixability (from crystalline polyester) and improved durability (from amorphous polyester surface layer), resolving the trade-off between these two properties.
2Temperature
If crystalline polyester is exposed on the surface layer to improve fixability, then fixability is improved, but hot offset resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface layer with amorphous polyester resin that has different properties from the interior. The surface layer specifically controls crystalline polyester exposure to balance fixability and durability, while the interior maintains the crystalline polyester structure for overall toner performance. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between fixability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polyester resin with amorphous polyester resin in a specific configuration. The amorphous polyester surface layer composite structure allows the toner to exhibit both low-temperature fixability (from crystalline polyester) and improved durability, resolving the trade-off between these two properties.
3Ease of operation
If the crystalline polyester is finely dispersed to improve transferability, then transferability is improved, but developability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface layer with amorphous polyester resin that has different properties from the interior. The surface layer specifically controls crystalline polyester exposure to balance fixability and durability, while the interior maintains the crystalline polyester structure for overall toner performance. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between fixability and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining crystalline polyester resin with amorphous polyester resin in a specific configuration. The amorphous polyester surface layer composite structure allows the toner to exhibit both low-temperature fixability (from crystalline polyester) and improved durability, resolving the trade-off between these two 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 toner achieves both low-temperature and high-temperature fixability with improved developability, reducing static adhesion and hot offset issues, while maintaining charge uniformity and thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
it is possible to improve storage stability and durability because the toner melts rapidly at the fixation temperature
Implementation Method 2
maintains its hardness up to the fixation temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle containing a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous polyester resin, wherein, in a cross-sectional observation of the toner by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the number-average diameter (D1) of major axis lengths of the crystalline polyester resin dispersed up to a depth of 0.30 μm from a toner surface is 40 nm to 110 nm, and the number-average diameter (D1) of major axis lengths of the crystalline polyester resin dispersed deeper than 0.30 μm from the toner surface is 1.25 to 4.00 times the number-average diameter (D1) of the major axis lengths of the crystalline polyester resin dispersed up to a depth of 0.30 μm from the toner surface.