Anisotropic Intermediate Transfer Members for Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermediate transfer members in printing systems face issues with insufficient printing performance due to substantial stretching, especially when long and operated at high temperatures, leading to inadequate lateral elasticity and premature replacement.
Innovation Solution
Development of intermediate transfer members with anisotropic stretching properties, featuring a release layer made from fast-curing curable polymer compositions and elastomers that provide superior abrasion resistance and reduced contamination, attached to a body with layers such as conformational, compressible, and reinforcement layers for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If intermediate transfer members are made long to cover large printing areas, then printing coverage is improved, but lateral elasticity deteriorates due to substantial stretching
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate transfer member uses a composite structure combining an elastomer base layer with a reinforcement layer containing embedded fibers. This composite design provides the necessary lateral elasticity and dimensional stability for large-area printing while preventing excessive stretching during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement layer is strategically designed with fibers oriented in specific directions to provide localized elastic support where needed. The fiber orientation and distribution are optimized to maintain lateral elasticity across different regions of the large-area transfer member.
2Productivity
If intermediate transfer members are operated at high temperatures to improve ink drying, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but material durability deteriorates leading to premature replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects elastomer materials with specific thermal properties that maintain their mechanical integrity and elastic characteristics at high operating temperatures. The reinforcement layer materials are also chosen to withstand thermal exposure without degrading, ensuring durability during high-temperature evaporation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of heat-resistant elastomer base material and thermally stable reinforcement fibers creates a composite structure that can sustain high-temperature operation. This composite design allows efficient ink evaporation while preventing material degradation and extending service life.
3Manufacturing precision
If release layer is made highly adhesive to ensure ink attachment, then ink transfer quality is improved, but release layer life deteriorates due to increased abrasion
Solution Approach 1:
The release layer is designed with differentiated properties: the surface layer provides high adhesion for ink attachment, while the underlying structure and reinforcement provide abrasion resistance. This layered quality distribution allows the release layer to maintain ink transfer quality without sacrificing durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The release layer is constructed as a composite with adhesive polymers providing ink attachment and reinforcement fibers or wear-resistant materials providing structural integrity and abrasion resistance. This composite structure enables both high ink transfer quality and extended release layer life.
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 solution results in improved printing performance by maintaining the flatness and smoothness of the image transfer surface, reducing the need for frequent replacements, and ensuring consistent ink transfer quality even under high temperatures and tensions.
Implementation Method 1
release layer made from fast-curing curable polymer compositions
Implementation Method 2
compressible, and reinforcement layers for enhanced performance
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~6
Figure 7~9
AI summary
Disclosed are curable polymer compositions, elastomers thereof and release layers useful in the art of printing made of the disclosed elastomers. Disclosed are also intermediate transfer members having a release layer useful in the art of printing. Disclosed are anisotropic intermediate transfer members. Disclosed are curable adhesive compositions, that in some embodiments are useful in preparing intermediate transfer members useful in printing.