Belt Cleaning Blade Hard Segment Domain Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing belt cleaning blades for image forming apparatuses face challenges in achieving both high abrasion resistance and chipping resistance, particularly when the proportion of hard segment domains in the contact part is outside the optimal range.
Innovation Solution
A belt cleaning blade with a contact part made of polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, where the proportion of hard segment domains (HX) is between 15.2% and 26.1%, and the proportion of domains with specific area ranges (HY) is between 38.9% and 60.8%, optimizing the domain distribution for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the proportion of hard segment domains in the contact part is increased to improve abrasion resistance, then chipping resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the proportion HX of hard segment domains (15.2% to 26.1%) and the proportion HY of domains with area 200 nm² to 1,000 nm² (38.9% to 60.8%). This optimization balances the competing requirements for abrasion resistance (requiring more hard segments) and chipping resistance (requiring moderate hard segment content with appropriate size distribution), resolving the technical contradiction through quantitative parameter control.
2Reliability
If the proportion of hard segment domains is decreased to improve chipping resistance, then abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by establishing specific parameter ranges: proportion HX of hard segment domains between 15.2% and 26.1%, and proportion HY of domains with area 200 nm² to 1,000 nm² between 38.9% and 60.8%. These parameter settings ensure sufficient hard segment content for abrasion resistance while maintaining domain size distribution that prevents excessive brittleness, thereby achieving both chipping and abrasion resistance simultaneously.
3Productivity
If the domain size of hard segment is increased to improve cleaning effectiveness, then the uniformity of contact part deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent controls the domain size distribution of hard segments by specifying that domains with area 200 nm² to 1,000 nm² should constitute proportion HY of 38.9% to 60.8% of total hard segment domains. This size range provides sufficient cleaning effectiveness while maintaining uniform distribution and preventing excessive aggregation, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning performance and compositional uniformity.
Data Source
AI summary
A belt cleaning blade has a contact part that is brought into contact with at least a surface of a belt which is a member to be cleaned, in which the contact part is configured of polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and in a surface of the contact part, a proportion HX occupied by domains of the hard segment is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and a proportion HY occupied by an area of the domains of the hard segment having an area of 200 nm2 or more and 1,000 nm2 or less to a total area of the domains of the hard segment in the surface is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.