Electro-Conductive Member Structure for High-Speed Charge Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-speed electrophotographic processes, existing electrophotographic electro-conductive members face challenges in maintaining high image quality and durability due to insufficient charge supply to toner, leading to variations in charge amount and fogged images, as the conduction mechanisms through electron or ion conductive agents struggle to keep pace with process speeds.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic electro-conductive member with a support having an electro-conductive outer surface, an electro-conductive layer with a crosslinked matrix and dispersed domains containing electron conductive agents, and a surface layer with specific impedance characteristics, ensuring efficient charge transport and distribution across a wide frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electron conductive agents such as carbon black are dispersed in an electro-conductive layer to form conductivity paths, then the electro-conductive member can transport charge, but in high-speed processes the charge supply cannot follow the process speed, causing variation in charge amount and fogged images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the conduction mechanism parameter from electron conduction (carbon black) or ion conduction (quaternary ammonium salt) to surface conduction through a conductive polymer layer. This parameter change enables the material to respond faster to charge transport demands, allowing the electro-conductive member to keep pace with high-speed processes while maintaining uniform charge supply and preventing fogged images
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by forming a conductive polymer layer on the surface of the electro-conductive member. This composite material combines the bulk electro-conductive properties with surface-level charge transport capabilities, enabling both high-speed charge supply and maintained image quality through the unique surface conduction mechanism of the polymer layer
2Productivity
If ion conductive agents such as quaternary ammonium salt are used to express conductivity through ion migration, then the electro-conductive member can transport charge, but the migration speed of ions is slow and cannot follow high-speed process requirements, leading to insufficient charge supply and fogged images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the ion migration mechanism (which relies on slow ionic movement through the bulk material) with a surface conduction mechanism in a conductive polymer layer. This replacement eliminates the speed limitation of ion migration while maintaining the electro-conductive function, enabling the system to meet high-speed process requirements with consistent charge supply
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 proposed electro-conductive member effectively suppresses variation in charge supply to the toner, maintaining high image quality and durability even at high speeds by ensuring sufficient and consistent charge distribution, reducing the occurrence of fogging.
Implementation Method 1
an electro-conductive layer having a matrix containing a crosslinked product of a first rubber and a plurality of domains dispersed in the matrix, the domains each comprising a crosslinked product of a second rubber and an electron conductive agent
Implementation Method 2
the electrophotographic electro-conductive member is required to have various functions, such as the conveyance of toner to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the charging of the photosensitive member, and the impartment of charge to the toner
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrophotographic electro-conductive member including a support having an electro-conductive outer surface, and an electro-conductive layer. The electro-conductive layer has a matrix containing a crosslinked product of a first rubber and domains containing a crosslinked product of a second rubber and an electron conductive agent. When measuring an impedance by applying alternating voltage between the outer surface of the support and a platinum electrode on an outer surface of the electro-conductive layer while changing a frequency, a slope at specific frequencies is −0.8 to −0.3 in a double logarithmic plot, and an impedance at specific frequency range is 1.0×104Ω to 1.0×1011Ω. When measuring an impedance by applying alternating voltage between the outer surface of the support and a platinum electrode on an outer surface of the electrophotographic electro-conductive member while changing a frequency, an impedance at specific frequency range is 1.0×105Ω to 1.0×1011Ω.