Electrophotographic Member Charge Neutralization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophotographic fixing members struggle to prevent electrostatic offset, where unfixed toner is electrostatically deposited on the release layer, due to the charging properties of fluorocarbon resins used in these members.

Innovation Solution

An electrophotographic member is designed with a configuration that includes a base layer, an elastic layer, and a surface layer comprising a fluorocarbon resin, where the elastic layer and surface layer have high surface resistivity, and a resin layer with an ionic conducting agent is included between the elastic layer and the surface layer to facilitate charge neutralization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fluorocarbon resin is used in the release layer to achieve excellent releasability with toner, then the releasability is improved, but the release layer becomes charged due to triboelectric charging, causing electrostatic offset

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereleasabilityVSAvoidelectrostatic offset

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An elastic layer is introduced as an intermediary between the fluorocarbon resin release layer and the base material. This elastic layer has higher electronegativity than the fluorocarbon resin, allowing it to accept electrons from the release layer and neutralize the positive charge that forms during triboelectric charging, thereby preventing electrostatic offset while preserving the excellent releasability of the fluorocarbon resin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electrical parameter (electronegativity) of the layer adjacent to the fluorocarbon resin by selecting an elastic layer material with higher electronegativity. This parameter change enables the elastic layer to act as an electron acceptor, neutralizing charges and preventing electrostatic offset

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration effectively prevents electrostatic offset by neutralizing electric charges throughout the electrophotographic member, ensuring stable and high-quality electrophotographic image formation.

Implementation Method 1

a resin layer with an ionic conducting agent is included between the elastic layer and the surface layer to facilitate charge neutralization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

when the outer surface of the fixing member, namely, the outer surface of the release layer is rubbed with paper or a pressurizing member, the release layer of the fixing member is charged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriboelectric charging: Triboelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4498166A1Electrophotographic member, fixing apparatus, and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.01.29 CANON KK

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AI summary

An electrophotographic member including at least a base layer, an elastic layer, and a surface layer comprising a fluorocarbon resin in this order, wherein the elastic layer has a surface resistivity of 1 × 1014 Ω/□ or more, the surface layer has a surface resistivity of 1 × 1015 Ω/□ or more, the electrophotographic member further has a resin layer between the elastic layer and the surface layer, the resin layer includes an ionic conducting agent, and the resin layer has a surface resistivity of 1 × 1014 Ω/□ or more.