Toner Washing Aid Agent Swells Particle Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional washing processes for toner particles in electrophotographic apparatuses are inefficient, requiring large amounts of water and multiple steps, and fail to remove surfactants and ions beneath the surface, affecting triboelectric charge stability and humidity sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A washing aid agent with hydroxyl groups is used to swell the toner particle surface, allowing for the effective removal of surfactants and ions from the surface and beneath, improving charging characteristics and humidity sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional water washing process is used to remove surfactants and ions from toner particle surface, then some surface contaminants are removed, but the process requires large amounts of water, multiple washing steps, and long cycle time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameter of the washing system by introducing a washing aid agent with specific hydroxyl group content (1-4 hydroxyl groups per molecule). This chemical modification enables the washing process to achieve effective contaminant removal in a single step, dramatically reducing washing cycle time while maintaining or improving triboelectric charge stability compared to conventional water washing
Solution Approach 2:
The washing aid agent acts as an intermediary substance between water and the toner particle surface. It mediates the washing process by facilitating penetration into the particle structure and enhancing surfactant/ion removal efficiency, thereby achieving thorough cleaning with reduced water usage and shorter processing time
2Reliability
If conventional water washing process is used, then washing can be performed, but surfactants and ions beneath the outer particle surface cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the washing system by incorporating washing aid agents with specific molecular characteristics (1-4 hydroxyl groups). These parameter changes enable the washing solution to penetrate deeper into the toner particle structure, effectively removing surfactants and ions from regions just beneath the outer surface that conventional water washing cannot reach
Solution Approach 2:
The washing aid agent serves as a mediator that facilitates deep penetration into the toner particle matrix. It acts as a bridge between the washing process and the embedded contaminants, enabling effective removal of surfactants and ions from subsurface regions while maintaining particle integrity
3Manufacturing precision
If large amounts of water and multiple washing steps are used, then more contaminants can be removed, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameter of the washing system by adding washing aid agents with specific hydroxyl group content. This single parameter change transforms the washing process from a multi-step complex procedure into a simple one-step process that achieves equal or superior contaminant removal effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential washing function from a complex multi-step process and concentrates it into a single step using a washing aid agent. This extraction eliminates unnecessary process complexity while maintaining high contaminant removal effectiveness, achieving simplicity without sacrificing performance
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 process enhances triboelectric charge stability, reduces sensitivity to environmental changes, and maintains fusing performance without degrading toner properties.
Implementation Method 1
A washing aid agent with hydroxyl groups is used to swell the toner particle surface
Implementation Method 2
washing the toner particles
Data Source
AI summary
A process for making toner particles is provided. In embodiments, a suitable process includes adding a washing aid agent to toner particles at the time of washing the toner particles prior to their drying and recover. The washing aid agent assist in the removal of ionic species, including surfactants and ions that are part of the emulsion aggregation process, from the resulting toner particles. Utilization of the washing aid agent produces toner particles having improved charging characteristics.