Toner Particle Circularity Control for Image Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toner technologies suffer from image quality deterioration due to irregular-shape toner particles with low circularity, leading to background smear and adherence issues with the regulating blade, which affects cleaning properties and fixing ability.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation with a specific distribution of particle circularity, including a binder resin, release agent, and charge-controlling agent, where toner particles with diameters of 3 micrometers or smaller have a proportion of average circularity between 0.70 and 0.85, and less than 20% by number, and less than 10% with circularity less than 0.70, to inhibit adherence and enhance image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If toner particles are pulverized to reduce particle size to improve image quality, then particle diameter is reduced, but irregular-shape toner particles with low circularity are generated causing background smear and adherence to regulating blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the pulverization process by controlling temperature (50-150°C), humidity (10-50%), and adding surface-treated materials to modify particle morphology during pulverization, achieving both fine particle size and improved circularity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces intermediary substances (surface-treated materials, binders, or dispersants) during pulverization to mediate the interaction between particles, preventing excessive fragmentation and maintaining particle circularity while achieving fine particle size
2Stability of the object's composition
If proportion of irregular-shape toner particles is increased to improve dispersion, then homogeneity is improved, but adherence to regulating blade and background smear occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface properties of toner particles by controlling circularity parameters (average circularity 0.82-0.95, standard deviation 0.015-0.035), which modifies adhesion characteristics and prevents regulating blade adherence while maintaining dispersion homogeneity
3Stability of the object's composition
If toner particles with low circularity are used to improve raw material dispersion, then material distribution is improved, but cleaning properties deteriorate due to adherence issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes particle circularity parameters (average circularity 0.82-0.95) to achieve a balance where raw materials are sufficiently dispersed during manufacturing, but the resulting particle morphology maintains good cleaning properties by reducing adherence to regulating blade
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 prevents toner adherence to the regulating blade, ensures excellent image quality with reduced background smear, and maintains excellent fixing ability by controlling the circularity distribution of toner particles.
Implementation Method 1
making the toner to be electrostatically held on the developing roller
Implementation Method 2
friction-charging the toner
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a toner including a binder resin, a release agent, and a charge-controlling agent, wherein the toner includes toner particles having particle diameters of 3 micrometers or smaller, among the toner particles having particle diameters of 3 micrometers or smaller, a proportion of the toner particles having an average circularity of 0.70 or greater but 0.85 or less in all of the toner particles is 10% by number or greater but less than 20% by number and a proportion of the toner particles having an average circularity of less than 0.70 in all of the toner particles is 10% by number or less.