Electrophotographic Roller Anchor Design for Torque Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrophotographic rollers with cylindrical bases experience separation of the conductive elastic layer from the base due to torque during rotation, leading to resistance unevenness and image density issues.

Innovation Solution

An electrophotographic roller design with a cylindrical base featuring a joint that has a gap penetrating its thickness direction, where the elastic layer material enters and forms an anchor portion on the inner peripheral surface, preventing separation and ensuring a stable bond between the base and the elastic layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a cylindrical base is used instead of a solid base, then weight and cost are reduced, but separation between the base and conductive elastic layer occurs due to torque during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of electrophotographic rollerVSAvoidbond stability between base and elastic layer

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The joint of the cylindrical base is divided into multiple segments with gaps between them, allowing the elastic layer material to penetrate and form anchor portions that prevent separation while maintaining the lightweight cylindrical structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic layer material penetrates into the gaps of the joint structure and forms anchor portions nested within the joint, creating a interlocking configuration that prevents separation under torque

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the joint has a gap penetrating the thickness direction, then the elastic layer material can enter to form an anchor portion, but the joint structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebond stability between base and elastic layerVSAvoidjoint structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The joint is segmented into multiple parts with gaps between them, which allows the elastic layer to form anchor portions while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process through plate bending and joining

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design effectively prevents misalignment between the base and the elastic layer, reducing image density unevenness and ensuring high-quality electrophotographic images by maintaining a consistent bond even under high torque conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a part of a material for the elastic layer enters the gap and covers a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the base near the gap to form an anchor portion of the elastic layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10295917B2Electrophotographic roller, production method therefor, and electrophotographic apparatus

Publication Date: 2019.05.21 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is an electrophotographic roller including a cylindrical base and an elastic layer on an outer peripheral surface of the base, the base having a joint extending from one end to the other end in a longitudinal direction thereof, at least a part of the joint has a gap penetrating the joint in a thickness direction of the base, and a part of a material for the elastic layer entering the gap and covering a portion of an inner peripheral surface of the base near the gap to form an anchor portion of the elastic layer.