Toner Wet-Type External Addition Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toner production methods face challenges in maintaining transferability and preventing fogging and streaks in high-temperature, high-humidity environments, due to issues with the fixation and dispersion of external additives, leading to decreased image quality and device longevity.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the dispersion of toner particles and an inorganic dispersant in an aqueous medium, followed by the addition and firm fixation of external additives, using a wet-type external addition process to ensure uniform and stable attachment, thereby enhancing transferability and reducing the occurrence of fogging and streaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If large-size inorganic fine particles are used as external additives, then the particles are less prone to become buried in the toner particle surface, but the particles are insufficiently fixed to the toner particle and may detach during continued stirring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the particle size distribution of inorganic fine particles within a specific range (0.1-10 μm average diameter) and adjusting the external additive content (1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of toner). These parameter optimizations ensure particles remain sufficiently fixed without excessive burial, resolving the contradiction between surface stability and fixation strength.
2Stability of the object's composition
If inorganic fine particles detach from the toner particle surface, then the spacer function is lost and attachment forces increase, but transferability drops over long-term use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes particle size parameters (0.1-10 μm diameter range) and external additive content (1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts toner) to maintain stable particle attachment. This prevents detachment during stirring and long-term use, preserving both surface uniformity and transferability without compromising either property.
3Reliability
If large-size inorganic fine particles are strongly fixed through burying into the toner particle, then fixation strength increases, but the flowability of the toner drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the particle size distribution (0.1-10 μm average diameter) and external additive content (1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts toner). This creates an optimal balance where particles are sufficiently fixed without excessive burial, maintaining both fixation strength and toner flowability for uniform rubbing during operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If dry-type external addition is used, then the method is widely used and simple, but local rises in temperature occur causing non-uniform external addition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wet-type external addition using an aqueous slurry medium instead of dry mixing. This hydraulic approach prevents local temperature rises from friction and impact, ensuring uniform external additive distribution on toner particle surfaces while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through a straightforward slurry coating process.
5Temperature
If wet-type external addition is used, then the toner particle is less susceptible to heat impact, but uniform external addition requires separate re-slurrying step
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external addition process with the toner particle formation process by performing wet-type external addition during the initial slurry preparation stage. This integration eliminates the need for separate re-slurrying steps, reducing process complexity while maintaining the heat-avoidance benefits of wet processing and ensuring uniform external additive distribution.
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 method effectively maintains transferability and reduces the likelihood of fogging and streaks over long-term use in harsh environments, ensuring consistent image quality and extended device life.
Implementation Method 1
dispersing the toner particle and an inorganic dispersant in an aqueous medium to obtain an aqueous dispersion of the toner particle
Implementation Method 2
adding the external additive to the aqueous dispersion and fixing the external additive to the toner particle in the aqueous dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
A production method of a toner having a toner particle that contains a binder resin and an external additive that is externally added to the toner particle, wherein the production method has a toner particle dispersion step of obtaining a toner particle dispersion by dispersing the toner particle and an inorganic dispersant in an aqueous medium; and an external addition step of externally adding the external additive to the toner particle through addition of the external additive to the toner particle dispersion.