Electrophotographic Conductive Member with Domain-Based Charge Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive members used in electrophotographic image forming processes face challenges in maintaining high-quality image formation over extended periods and longer service life, particularly due to the generation of ghost and white spot images caused by contaminating substances like toner and external additives.
Innovation Solution
The conductive member features a matrix with a volume resistivity of 1.00×10^12 Ω·cm or less, containing domains with a core-shell structure, where the domain A has a second rubber and an electronic conductive agent, and specific impedance characteristics to facilitate charge movement, preventing abnormal discharges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional conductive member is used to increase image forming speed, then productivity is improved, but ghost images are generated due to potential unevenness on the charged member surface
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is designed with non-uniform electronic conductive agent distribution, creating regions of different conductivity. The outer peripheral region has lower conductivity (higher volume resistivity) than the centroid region, allowing local charge accumulation control to eliminate potential unevenness that causes ghost images while maintaining overall charging performance for high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific parameter ranges for volume resistivity (1.00×10^12 to 1.00×10^14 Ω·cm) and impedance characteristics (slope of -0.80 to -0.30 in the specified frequency range) to optimize the balance between charging speed and image quality, preventing ghost images while maintaining productivity
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a conventional conductive member is used to extend service life, then duration of action is improved, but white spot images are generated due to adhering substances like toner
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of adhering substances (toner) into a beneficial charging mechanism. By designing the conductive layer with specific impedance characteristics and volume resistivity, the outer peripheral region's higher resistance prevents charge accumulation at contaminant locations, allowing the member to maintain stable charging performance over extended service life without generating white spot images
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive layer is designed as a replaceable component with optimized properties that can be easily replaced if degraded. The specific material composition and structure allow for cost-effective replacement rather than repair, ensuring continuous operation with minimal interruption during extended service life
3Reliability
If the volume resistivity of the conductive layer is reduced to improve charge movement, then electrical conductivity is improved, but abnormal discharges occur at locations with adhering substances
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive layer is designed with non-uniform electronic conductive agent distribution, creating regions of different conductivity. The outer peripheral region has lower conductivity (higher volume resistivity) than the centroid region, allowing local charge accumulation control to eliminate potential unevenness that causes ghost images while maintaining overall charging performance for high-speed operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific parameter ranges for volume resistivity (1.00×10^12 to 1.00×10^14 Ω·cm) and impedance characteristics (slope of -0.80 to -0.30 in the specified frequency range) to optimize the balance between charging speed and image quality, preventing ghost images while maintaining productivity
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 design effectively suppresses the generation of ghost and white spot images, ensuring high-quality image formation over extended periods and longer service life by facilitating charge movement away from the contaminating substances.
Implementation Method 1
the conductive layer comprises a matrix comprising a first rubber, and a plurality of domains dispersed in the matrix, volume resistivity of the matrix is 1.00×10^12 Ω·cm or less
Implementation Method 2
on a cross-section of the domain A passing through the centroid of volume, volume resistivity of an outer peripheral region, which is a region of a 100 nm distance from an outer edge of the domain A toward the centroid of volume, is more than 1.00×10^12 Ω·cm
Implementation Method 3
provides charges to a contacted object by discharging or triboelectric charging
Implementation Method 4
provides charges to a contacted object by discharging or triboelectric charging
Implementation Method 5
The charging member is a member that generates discharge together with an electrophotographic photosensitive member, so as to charge the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic member, comprising: a support member having a conductive outer surface; and a conductive layer disposed on an outer surface of the support member, wherein the conductive layer comprises a matrix comprising a first rubber, and a plurality of domains dispersed in the matrix, volume resistivity of the matrix is 1.00×1012 Ω·cm or less, the plurality of domains comprise at least one domain A, and the domain A satisfies specific conditions, in a case where impedance of the electrophotographic member is measured by applying specific AC voltage while changing frequency in a range of 1.0×10−2 to 1.0×107 Hz and the specific plotting is done, a slope at a specific frequency is −0.80 to −0.30, and the impedance in a specific frequency is 1.00×103 to 1.00×107Ω.