Nanosized Cellulosic Particle Fuser Topcoats

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuser members in electrophotographic imaging processes suffer from mechanical robustness issues, leading to paper-edge wear and scratch damage, limiting their operating lifetime, and existing solutions with fillers like carbon black and carbon nanotubes do not adequately enhance wear resistance and toughness.

Innovation Solution

A fuser member with an outermost layer comprising nanosized cellulosic particles, such as microfibrillated cellulose and nanocrystalline cellulose, dispersed in a fluoropolymer matrix, providing improved tensile strength and surface roughness for enhanced mechanical robustness and image gloss control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional fillers (carbon black, metal oxides, CNTs) are added to fuser topcoat materials, then wear resistance is improved, but mechanical robustness and toughness are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidmechanical robustness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system consisting of fluoropolymer matrix combined with nanosized cellulosic particles (microfibrillated cellulose and/or nanocrystalline cellulose). This composite structure provides both wear resistance from the fluoropolymer and mechanical robustness from the cellulosic reinforcement, resolving the contradiction between wear resistance and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the size parameter of filler particles to nanoscale (specifically cellulosic particles with controlled dimensions), which fundamentally alters the mechanical properties of the composite. The nanosized cellulosic particles provide superior reinforcement compared to conventional microscale fillers, simultaneously improving both wear resistance and toughness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If fuser members operate for extended periods, then productivity is improved, but paper-edge wear and scratch damage increase due to limited operating lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating lifetimeVSAvoidpaper-edge wear and scratch damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fluoropolymer matrix with nanosized cellulosic particles is designed beforehand to provide cushioning and protection against mechanical stresses during the fusing process. This pre-engineered composite structure prevents paper-edge wear and scratch damage before they occur, enabling extended operational lifetime without compromising print quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional fuser topcoat materials are used, then manufacturing is simple, but mechanical robustness is insufficient leading to short operating lifetime

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoperating lifetime

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the particle size parameter of the filler material to nanoscale and changes the material composition to cellulosic particles, which can be processed using conventional coating techniques. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving operating lifetime through enhanced mechanical properties at the nanoscale.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8731452B2Bionanocomposite fuser topcoats comprising nanosized cellulosic particles

Publication Date: 2014.05.20 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments provide materials and methods for a fuser member used in electrophotographic devices, wherein the fuser member can include an outermost layer containing a plurality of nanosized cellulosic particles dispersed in and/or bonded to a fluoropolymer matrix.