Electrostatic Toner Shell Layer Segmentation for Temperature Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic latent image developing toners face challenges in achieving both high-temperature preservability and low-temperature fixability, with conventional resin films either compromising on temperature stability or fixability due to variations in thickness and agglomeration.
Innovation Solution
The toner particles are designed with a shell layer comprising a non-crosslinked resin film and crosslinked resin particles, where the non-crosslinked resin film covers a significant portion of the toner core, and crosslinked resin particles fill gaps, maintaining a balanced thickness to ensure both high-temperature preservability and low-temperature fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resin film is used to cover the toner core, then high-temperature preservability is improved, but low-temperature fixability deteriorates due to film thickness variations and agglomeration
Solution Approach 1:
The shell layer is segmented into two distinct components: a non-crosslinked resin film base layer and crosslinked resin particles dispersed on top. This segmentation allows the film layer to provide high-temperature stability while the particle layer maintains low-temperature fixability, resolving the contradiction between these two opposing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the shell layer have different properties: the non-crosslinked resin film provides a uniform base layer for high-temperature stability, while the crosslinked resin particles provide localized adhesion points for low-temperature fixability. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between preservability and fixability.
2Reliability
If the resin film thickness is increased to improve stability, then high-temperature preservability is improved, but fixability deteriorates due to excessive thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the structural parameters of the shell layer from a single uniform film to a composite structure with a thin film base (0.01-0.1 μm) and particle overlay. This parameter optimization maintains sufficient high-temperature stability while ensuring the layer remains thin enough for good low-temperature fixability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional resin films are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but agglomeration occurs leading to poor image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The shell layer uses a composite material system combining non-crosslinked resin film and crosslinked resin particles. This composite structure prevents agglomeration by distributing particles on the film surface rather than relying on a single homogeneous resin, thereby improving image quality while remaining manufacturable through conventional coating processes.
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
This configuration effectively prevents agglomeration and ensures the toner particles maintain stability across a wide temperature range without compromising fixability, reducing carrier contamination and enhancing charge retention properties.
Implementation Method 1
The shell layer includes at least one first domain (12a) having a film shape and substantially formed from a non-crosslinked resin
Implementation Method 2
The second domains (12b) are substantially formed from a crosslinked resin... a proportion of second domains adhering to a surface of the at least one first domain
Implementation Method 3
This configuration effectively prevents agglomeration and ensures the toner particles maintain stability across a wide temperature range
Implementation Method 4
The crosslinked resin has a higher glass transition point than the non-crosslinked resin... maintain stability across a wide temperature range
Data Source
AI summary
An electrostatic latent image developing toner includes a plurality of toner particles each including a core and a shell layer. The shell layer includes a first domain that is a non-crosslinked resin film and second domains that are crosslinked resin particles. The crosslinked resin has a higher glass transition point than the non-crosslinked resin. In a cross-sectional image of a toner particle, a proportion of a total length of a surface region of the core covered by the first domain is at least 45% and no greater than 80% relative to a circumferential length of the core. In a cross-sectional image of a toner particle, a proportion of second domains adhering to a surface of the first domain is at least 30% by number and no greater than 70% by number relative to all the second domains included in the toner particle.