Toner Release Agent Carbon Chain Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toners face challenges in achieving low temperature fixing ability and reducing exhaust filter clogging, while maintaining charging stability, especially under high temperature and high humidity conditions, due to the volatility of release agents.
Innovation Solution
A toner formulation with a binder resin, a release agent, and a colorant, where the total amount of hydrocarbon compounds with 33 to 35 carbon atoms, as measured by ion attachment mass spectrometry, is between 40% to 70%, optimizing the release agent's melting point and volatility to enhance low temperature fixing and reduce carrier spent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a release agent is used to improve low temperature fixing ability, then the toner can soften at lower temperature, but the release agent volatilizes during image output and attaches to the exhaust filter, degrading exhausting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the release agent by specifying that hydrocarbon compounds with 33-35 carbon atoms must constitute 40-70% of the total release agent content. This parameter optimization ensures the release agent has appropriate melting point for low-temperature fixing while maintaining sufficient thermal stability to prevent excessive volatilization and exhaust filter clogging during image output.
2Temperature
If a release agent melting at low temperature is used to improve low temperature fixing ability, then the toner softens at lower temperature, but under high temperature and high humidity environment the release agent is spent on the carrier, lowering charging stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight distribution of the release agent by specifying the carbon atom count range (33-35) and its proportion (40-70%). This parameter control creates a release agent that melts at low temperature for effective fixing while having sufficient thermal stability to resist decomposition and carrier spent under high temperature and high humidity conditions, thereby maintaining charging stability.
3Temperature
If the release agent content is increased to improve low temperature fixing ability, then the toner softens more effectively at lower temperature, but the volatility increases causing more exhaust filter clogging and carrier spent
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than simply increasing total release agent content, the patent changes the compositional parameters by specifying that hydrocarbon compounds with 33-35 carbon atoms should constitute 40-70% of the release agent. This compositional optimization allows effective low-temperature fixing while the specific carbon range provides appropriate volatility control, reducing both exhaust filter clogging and carrier spent.
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 ultimate low temperature fixing ability, reduces exhaust filter clogging, and maintains high charging stability, ensuring high-quality image formation even under challenging environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
it is necessary for the release agent in the toner to melt at low temperature
Implementation Method 2
the release agent melting at low temperature volatilizes during output of images
Implementation Method 3
the transferred image is fixed by application of heat and pressure
Data Source
AI summary
A toner, including a binder resin, a release agent, and a colorant, wherein a total amount of hydrocarbon compounds having 33 to 35 carbon atoms in the toner measured by ion attachment mass spectrometry (IAMS) is 40% to 70% in terms of a signal intensity ratio.