Delivery Member with Dual Surface Sections for Photoreceptor Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic printing, organic photoreceptors experience rapid wear due to microcorona damage and high torque issues with low wear overcoats, leading to reduced service life and image quality defects, especially in humid environments.
Innovation Solution
A delivery member with a cylindrical support and an outer layer having two surface sections: one with an elastomeric matrix for delivering a functional material and another for cleaning, which intermittently contacts the bias charge roller (BCR) to reduce torque and contamination, and the photoreceptor surface to enhance wear resistance and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a low wear overcoat is applied to protect the photoreceptor, then wear resistance is improved, but torque increases causing motor failure and blade damage
Solution Approach 1:
The photoreceptor structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a support layer, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and an optional overcoat layer. This segmentation allows the wear-resistant overcoat to be separated from the charging system components, reducing direct contact and torque while maintaining wear protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The overcoat layer is applied selectively only to specific regions of the photoreceptor where wear resistance is most needed, rather than covering the entire surface. This localized application reduces the overall contact area with the bias charge roller, thereby reducing torque while still providing wear protection in high-wear zones.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If a low wear overcoat is applied to extend photoreceptor life, then service life is improved, but contamination on the charging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful contamination generation is extracted and isolated to specific high-wear regions where the overcoat is applied. By concentrating the overcoat in localized areas rather than covering the entire photoreceptor surface, the source of contamination is minimized and contained to specific zones, reducing overall contamination of the charging system.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the photoreceptor are treated differently: high-wear areas receive the wear-resistant overcoat while other areas remain contamination-free. This local differentiation allows the photoreceptor to achieve extended service life in critical regions without generating excessive contamination across the entire surface.
3Strength
If the photoreceptor surface is made more wear-resistant, then wear rate decreases, but image quality deteriorates due to A-zone deletion
Solution Approach 1:
The photoreceptor surface functionality is segmented into distinct layers: the charge generation layer and charge transport layer work together to maintain image quality, while the optional overcoat layer provides wear resistance. This layered segmentation allows wear protection to be added without compromising the electrostatic imaging properties of the underlying functional layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The overcoat layer is applied locally to regions experiencing mechanical wear while leaving the imaging surface properties intact. This localized approach ensures that wear resistance is enhanced without affecting the charge generation and transport mechanisms critical for image quality, thereby preventing A-zone deletion.
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 extends the life of the photoreceptor while maintaining image quality by reducing wear rate and suppressing A-zone deletion and contamination, resulting in improved xerographic performance and reduced streaking.
Implementation Method 1
The delivery member intermittently contacts the bias charge roller (BCR) to reduce torque and contamination
Implementation Method 2
The second surface section comprises a cleaning material
Implementation Method 3
enhance wear resistance
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a delivery member for use in an image forming apparatus. The delivery member includes a cylindrical support member and an outer layer. The outer layer comprises an outer surface. The outer surface comprises a first surface section and a second surface section. The first surface section comprises an elastomeric matrix having a functional material dispersed therein and the second surface section comprises a cleaning material.