Electroconductive Roller with Net-like Fiber Layer for Humidity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic electroconductive rollers used in high temperature and high humidity environments experience reduced discharging ability over time, leading to image defects and instability in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic electroconductive member with a radiation degradable resin-based net-like structural body is used, which is formed on an electroconductive substrate through electrospinning, maintaining stable discharging performance by reducing discharge degradation under harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electroconductive roller is used in a high temperature and high humidity environment, then the initial discharging ability is sufficient, but the discharging ability gradually reduces over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of an electroconductive support layer and a net-like structural body made of fine non-electroconductive fibers. This composite structure provides both initial discharging ability and long-term stability under high temperature and high humidity conditions. The non-electroconductive fibers create a net-like structure that enhances surface charge up capability while maintaining structural integrity over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The net-like structural body is formed by disposing fine non-electroconductive fibers in a specific pattern on the electroconductive support layer. This creates local insulation regions that enhance surface charge up capability at specific locations, improving discharging ability stability without compromising the overall electroconductive properties of the roller.
2Productivity
If the electroconductive roller operates at high speed for a long time, then productivity is improved, but the discharging ability reduces due to thermal accumulation and environmental stress
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure of electroconductive support layer and net-like non-electroconductive fiber structure provides thermal management capabilities during high-speed operation. The net-like structure allows for heat dissipation while maintaining electrical insulation, preventing thermal accumulation that would otherwise degrade discharging ability during prolonged high-speed operation.
3Device complexity
If a conventional electroconductive layer is used, then the structure is simple, but abnormal discharge occurs and image defects are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The net-like structural body created by fine non-electroconductive fibers provides local insulation properties that prevent abnormal discharge. The distributed fiber network creates multiple localized charge up regions, eliminating concentration of electrical stress that would cause abnormal discharge and image defects.
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 electroconductive member effectively prevents discharge degradation, ensuring consistent discharging ability and reducing image defects even after prolonged use in high temperature and high humidity environments, thereby enhancing the quality and stability of electrophotographic images.
Implementation Method 1
enhances the discharging ability attributed to surface charge up caused by insulation and a large surface area
Implementation Method 2
the net-like structural body includes non-electroconductive fibers containing a radiation degradable resin
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic electroconductive member which keeps high discharge performance even in use under a high temperature and high humidity environment is provided. The electroconductive member includes an electroconductive substrate, and a surface layer including a net-like structural body disposed on the electroconductive substrate, wherein the net-like structural body includes non-electroconductive fibers containing a radiation degradable resin.