Charging Member Elastic Layer with Syndiotactic Polybutadiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) as a charging member in electrophotographic apparatuses leads to toner or external additive adhesion and compression set issues, affecting charging performance and image quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating butadiene rubber (BR) with 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene into the elastic layer, which is irradiated with electron rays to create a crosslinked structure with higher surface hardness and reduced polarity, minimizing adhesion and compression set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) is used as the only rubber component in the elastic layer, then the charging member can be formed with good processability, but toner or external additive adheres to the surface of the elastic layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber material consisting of NBR and BR in a mass ratio of 95:5 to 50:50. This composite material combines the processability benefits of NBR with the low surface energy and anti-adhesion properties of BR, effectively preventing toner adhesion while maintaining manufacturing ease.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If butadiene rubber (BR) is added to the rubber compound including NBR, then toner adhesion is suppressed, but compression set occurs more easily after electron ray irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the mass ratio of NBR to BR within the range of 95:5 to 50:50, and controls the electron ray irradiation dose and acceleration voltage parameters. By adjusting these parameters, the patent achieves a balance between suppressing toner adhesion and minimizing compression set, as the optimal composition and irradiation conditions enhance crosslinking while maintaining structural integrity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the elastic layer is irradiated with electron rays to reduce polarity and suppress adhesion, then toner adhesion is reduced, but compression set is more easily caused when BR is present
Solution Approach 1:
The composite rubber material of NBR and BR in specific ratios provides a balanced response to electron ray irradiation. The NBR component contributes to stable crosslinking structure formation that resists compression set, while the BR component provides low surface energy for adhesion suppression, achieving both goals simultaneously through proper material composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the electron ray irradiation parameters (acceleration voltage and irradiation dose) to optimize the crosslinking process. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the patent achieves sufficient crosslinking to prevent compression set while maintaining the low polarity surface needed for adhesion suppression.
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
This approach effectively suppresses toner adhesion and compression set, ensuring stable and high-quality electrophotographic image formation by maintaining consistent charging performance.
Implementation Method 1
the surface of a rubber layer which is a crosslinked product of a rubber mixture... irradiating, with electron rays, a surface of the rubber layer
Implementation Method 2
a crosslinked structure with higher surface hardness and reduced polarity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a charging member having an elastic layer on a surface thereof in which occurrence of compression set is reduced. The charging member includes an electro-conductive support and an elastic layer provided on the support as a surface layer, wherein the elastic layer is a rubber layer made of a crosslinked product of a rubber mixture including acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and polybutadiene, the polybutadiene includes 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene, and the elastic layer is formed by irradiating a surface of the rubber layer with electron rays.