Toner Molecular Weight Control for Grindability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing toner has high molecular weight distribution, leading to poor grindability and production efficiency, and is difficult to grind due to a low proportion of tetrahydrofuran-insoluble gel components.
Innovation Solution
A toner with a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 95,263, including a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble gel component at less than 5% and components with molecular weights of 500 to 1500, which occupy 4% to 10% of the molecular weight distribution, providing a new grinding start point for improved grindability and productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the toner has high molecular weight distribution, then the toner provides good elasticity and releasability, but the toner is poor in grindability and production efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the weight average molecular weight (Mw) within the range of 30,000 to 95,263 and regulating the molecular weight distribution so that components with molecular weight 500-1,500 occupy 4-10% of the total distribution. This optimized parameter range creates an balance between elasticity/releasability and grindability, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Ease of manufacture
If the toner includes tetrahydrofuran-insoluble gel component, then the toner may serve as a grinding start point, but the toner is difficult to grind due to low proportion of gel components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing the proportion of tetrahydrofuran-insoluble gel component to be less than 5% while maintaining Mw between 30,000 and 95,263. This parameter optimization ensures that enough gel components are present to serve as grinding start points, while preventing excessive gel content that would hinder overall grindability and production efficiency.
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 exhibits improved grindability and a stable gloss value, enhancing production efficiency and image quality when used in a belt-type fixing device.
Implementation Method 1
the toner including components each having a molecular weight of 500 to 1500 which components have an area occupancy of 4% to 10% on a chart of the molecular weight distribution based on GPC... providing a new grinding start point for improved grindability and productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Toner of one aspect of the present invention has a weight average molecular weight Mw of 30,000≦Mw≦95,263 as determined from a molecular weight distribution based on GPC, includes a THF-insoluble gel component at a weight proportion of less than 5%, and includes components each having a molecular weight of 500 to 1500 which components have an area occupancy of 4% to 10% on a chart of the molecular weight distribution based on GPC.