Conductive Member with Modified Epichlorohydrin Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive members in electrophotographic apparatuses experience changes in electrical resistance over long-term use due to uneven distribution of ionic conductive agents, leading to increased electrical resistance and contamination of photosensitive members.
Innovation Solution
A conductive member with a modified epichlorohydrin rubber containing a quaternary ammonium ion chemically bonded to the epichlorohydrin rubber, which suppresses the movement of anions and reduces the variation in electrical resistance, preventing bleeding and maintaining conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an ionic conductive agent is added to a polar polymer to adjust electrical resistance, then the electrical resistance value can be controlled, but the ionic conductive agent becomes unevenly distributed over time leading to increased electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of polyetherimide polymer matrix combined with specific ionic conductive agents (quaternary ammonium salts or sulfonium salts). This composite structure allows the polymer to provide mechanical strength and dimensional stability while the ionic conductive agents provide conductivity, with the specific combination preventing phase separation and maintaining uniform distribution over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration range of ionic conductive agents (0.1-10 wt%) and controls the glass transition temperature of the polymer matrix to maintain appropriate viscosity. These parameter changes ensure the ionic conductive agents remain uniformly distributed while achieving the desired electrical resistance values, preventing both aggregation and migration over time.
2Duration of action of moving object
If DC voltage is applied to the conductive member for long periods, then the conductive member performs its charging function, but the ionic conductive agent undergoes ionic dissociation causing uneven distribution and increased electrical resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different functional zones within the conductive layer by selecting specific ionic conductive agents with appropriate mobility characteristics. The quaternary ammonium salts or sulfonium salts are positioned and distributed to provide stable conductivity in regions subjected to prolonged DC voltage, while the polymer matrix structure prevents excessive ion migration in high-stress areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs ionic conductive agents (quaternary ammonium salts or sulfonium salts) that are consumed or degraded over time during operation. By selecting agents with appropriate stability characteristics and replenishment mechanisms, the system maintains reliable electrical resistance even as individual ionic species are gradually consumed during prolonged DC voltage application.
3Ease of operation
If low-molecular weight components bleed out toward the surface, then the conductive layer maintains flexibility, but the surface of the photosensitive member becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a barrier layer or coating on the surface of the conductive member that acts as an intermediary between the conductive layer and the photosensitive member. This intermediate layer prevents the migration of low-molecular weight components to the surface while maintaining electrical conductivity and flexibility, thus eliminating contamination without sacrificing the beneficial properties of the conductive layer.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the electrical resistance of the conductive member, reducing changes over time and preventing contamination, thus enhancing the durability and performance of electrophotographic apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive layer, in which the conductive layer contains a modified epichlorohydrin rubber having a unit represented by the following formula (1) and an anion
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is such a conductive member that a change in its electrical resistance value caused by its long-term use is reduced to the extent possible. The conductive member has a conductive support and a conductive layer, the conductive layer contains a rubber composition formed of a modified epichlorohydrin rubber, and the modified epichlorohydrin rubber has a unit represented by the following formula (1). In the formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent hydrogen or a saturated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms.