Simulation Technology for Toner Image Formation in the Electrophotography Process

Abstract

The simulation methods to calculate a series of toner image formation processes in the electrophotographic system have been developed. These methods consist of a coupled calculation method for particle motion and electromagnetic fields that can accurately consider the electric forces acting on the toner, in addition to a large-area toner melting deformation calculation method. In the coupled calculation of particle motion and electromagnetic fields, the motion of the toner is computed by considering not only the Coulomb force acting on the toner charge but also the gradient force acting on the toner electric polarization. Additionally, in the toner melting deformation calculation, the three-dimensional toner image melting deformation within a large area is computed, considering the viscoelastic properties of the toner, various design factors of the fixing process, and the shape of the paper surface profile. This paper elaborates on these calculation methods and presents analysis examples of applying these methods.