Toner Metal Compound Encapsulation for Charge Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleanerless systems in printers face issues with image defects due to foreign matter like talc and deformed toner, leading to inadequate charging performance and increased image defects such as fogging, ghosting, and white streaks, as existing methods with exposed metal compounds result in charge leakage and insufficient charging.
Innovation Solution
A toner composition with a toner base particle and an organosilicon polymer composite containing a condensation product of an organosilicon compound and a metal compound, where the metal compound is encapsulated to control the ratio of metal atoms and domain diameter, enhancing the relative dielectric constant for improved charging performance and preventing charge leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal compound is exposed and present in the shell part of toner to improve charging performance, then triboelectric charging performance is improved, but charge leakage occurs and charging becomes insufficient in stricter charge control environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing the metal compound inside the organosilicon polymer composite shell rather than exposing it on the surface. The metal compound is nested within the shell structure, allowing it to contribute to charging performance while preventing direct contact with the external environment that would cause charge leakage. This internal placement resolves the contradiction between needing metal compound for charging and avoiding charge leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The organosilicon polymer composite acts as an intermediary between the metal compound and the external environment. It allows the metal compound to function internally for charging while the polymer shell mediates by preventing direct exposure and charge leakage to the outside. This intermediary structure enables the benefits of the metal compound without its harmful effects.
2Device complexity
If cleanerless systems are used to reduce cartridge size, then device complexity is reduced, but foreign matter like talc accumulates in the developing apparatus causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of foreign matter accumulation into a beneficial charging mechanism. The toner composition with organosilicon polymer composite and metal compound enhances triboelectric charging performance, allowing the system to effectively charge toner even when foreign matter is present. This transforms the problematic accumulation of foreign matter in cleanerless systems into a manageable condition through improved charging characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the toner by incorporating the metal compound and organosilicon polymer composite. This modifies the charge quantity distribution and charging performance parameters, enabling stable charging even in the presence of foreign matter. The parameter changes allow the system to maintain image quality despite the simplified cleanerless structure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If transfer residual toner is collected and developed again in cleanerless systems, then service life is extended, but toner deformation from repeated rubbing reduces charging performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the toner particles with organosilicon polymer composite and metal compound before use. This preliminary surface treatment ensures that even deformed toner particles from repeated recycling maintain adequate charging performance. The pre-applied coating compensates for the degradation that occurs during repeated rubbing, extending service life while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials consisting of the toner base particle combined with organosilicon polymer composite and metal compound. This composite structure provides both the functional properties of the original toner and enhanced charging characteristics from the metal compound, allowing deformed toner from recycling to maintain adequate performance throughout extended service life.
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 stable and accurate charging performance even with foreign matter present, reducing image defects like fogging, ghosting, and white streaks by effectively controlling charge distribution and preventing charge leakage.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the relative dielectric constant for improved charging performance and preventing charge leakage
Implementation Method 2
effectively controlling charge distribution and preventing charge leakage
Data Source
AI summary
A toner comprising a toner particle, wherein the toner particle comprises a toner base particle comprising a binder resin, and an organosilicon polymer composite present at a surface of the toner base particle, the organosilicon polymer composite comprises (i) a condensation product of an organosilicon compound, and (ii) a metal compound comprising at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of aluminum, zirconium and titanium, and the toner satisfies a specific relational equation for the domains of the constituent elements and metal compounds when the toner is analyzed.