Cleaning Blade Edge Composite Structure for Chipping Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cleaning blades for electrophotographic apparatuses face challenges in enhancing chipping resistance due to sliding contact with mating members, as simply forming an impregnated layer on the edge is not sufficient to meet the increased durability demands.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning blade with a polyurethane edge featuring a combination of an impregnated layer containing polyurethane and an acrylic cured product, and a particle layer with specific particle diameter and thickness ranges, along with a controlled area ratio, is developed to enhance chipping resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If an impregnated layer is formed on the edge of the cleaning blade, then friction is reduced, but chipping resistance is insufficient for modern durability demands
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning blade edge is constructed as a composite structure with three distinct layers: a base material layer, an impregnated layer containing polyurethane and acrylic cured product, and a particle layer with specific particles on the surface. This composite structure combines the low friction properties of the impregnated layer with the chipping resistance provided by the particle layer, resolving the contradiction between reducing friction and enhancing chipping resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the cleaning blade edge are given different properties: the base material provides structural support, the impregnated layer provides low friction through its specific composition and thickness (30-1000 nm), and the particle layer provides enhanced chipping resistance. This local differentiation of properties allows each layer to optimize its function while working together to solve the overall contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the impregnated layer thickness is increased to improve friction reduction, then low friction effect is enhanced, but particle layer stability and chipping resistance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges to optimize the balance between friction reduction and particle layer stability: impregnated layer thickness of 30-1000 nm, particle diameter of 3-100 nm, and area ratio of particle layer to impregnated layer of 5-30%. These parameter optimizations ensure that the impregnated layer is thick enough to provide low friction but not so thick as to compromise the stability and adhesion of the particle layer, thereby resolving the contradiction.
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 described configuration significantly improves chipping resistance by reducing friction and preventing particle detachment during sliding contact, extending the low friction effect and enhancing durability compared to blades with only an impregnated layer.
Implementation Method 1
forming an impregnated layer containing an acrylic cured product formed by curing the acrylic curable material and the polyurethane of the base material by causing the acrylic curable material to be impregnated from a surface of the base material into an inside of the base material
Implementation Method 2
curing the acrylic curable material to form an acrylic cured product
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a cleaning blade capable of improving chipping resistance. A cleaning blade includes a blade part made of polyurethane and having an edge that comes in slidable contact with a mating part. The edge includes: a base material containing polyurethane; an impregnated layer containing polyurethane in the base material and a cured acrylic product and present from the surface through to the inside of the base material; and a particle layer containing particles supported by the surface of the base material. The average particle diameter of the particles is between 3 nm and 100 nm, inclusive. The thickness of the impregnated layer is 30 nm or greater and less than 1000 nm. The edge has an area ratio of the particle layer to the impregnated layer that is between 5% and 30%, inclusive in a cross section perpendicular to the surface of the base material.