Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member and Toner for Humid Pattern Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic apparatuses experience image density unevenness (pattern memory) under high-temperature and high-humidity environments when using a butadiene-based compound and polyester resin toner in combination, leading to sensitivity differences and density variations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compound with a butadiene trimer structure and silicone resin particles into the electrophotographic photosensitive member's surface layer, along with a toner containing a polyester resin with a polyethylene terephthalate segment, to mitigate moisture influence and sensitivity changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a butadiene-based compound is used in the electrophotographic photosensitive member to increase sensitivity, then sensitivity is improved, but image density unevenness (pattern memory) occurs under high-temperature and high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
Silicone resin particles are introduced as an intermediary substance in the surface layer of the photosensitive member. These particles act as a barrier that reduces moisture penetration to the butadiene-based compound, thereby preventing moisture-induced sensitivity changes and image density unevenness while maintaining high sensitivity performance
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer is designed as a composite material system combining the butadiene-based compound (for high sensitivity), silicone resin particles (for moisture resistance), and binder resin (for structural integrity). This composite structure allows the system to simultaneously achieve high sensitivity and stability under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions
2Use of energy by stationary object
If polyester resin toner is used to achieve low-temperature fixing, then energy consumption is reduced, but light potential difference occurs between repeated printing portions and other portions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the chemical structure of the polyester resin by incorporating a polyethylene terephthalate segment, which changes the resin's interaction characteristics with the butadiene-based compound. This structural parameter change prevents light potential difference formation during repeated printing while maintaining low-temperature fixing capability
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
Suppresses image density unevenness by reducing moisture impact on the butadiene-based compound, maintaining consistent sensitivity and preventing pattern memory under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a butadiene-based compound having a butadiene trimer structure in a molecule thereof as a charge transporting substance
Implementation Method 2
the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a compound represented by the following formula (1), a binder resin, and silicone resin particles
Implementation Method 3
an image exposing unit configured to irradiate the charged surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with image exposure light to form an electrostatic latent image
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrophotographic apparatus in which the occurrence of image density unevenness (pattern memory) at the time of repeated use under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment is suppressed. The electrophotographic apparatus is an electrophotographic apparatus including: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and a developing unit, which includes a toner, and which is configured to develop an electrostatic latent image with the toner to form a toner image on a surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing a compound represented by the formula (1), a binder resin, and silicone resin particles, and wherein the toner includes toner particles each containing a polyester resin having a polyethylene terephthalate segment.