Endless Belt Copolymerization for Electrophotographic Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing endless belts for electrophotographic apparatuses face issues with poor flexibility and durability due to their rigid molecular structure, leading to inferior performance in terms of elongation at break and durability.
Innovation Solution
The development of an endless belt with a base layer formed by copolymerizing an aromatic isocyanate compound, an aromatic polycarboxylic acid anhydride, and a polymer with carboxylic acids at both terminals, or incorporating a silicone polymer with a polydimethylsiloxane structure, or a fluorine-containing low-molecular weight organic chemical compound, which enhances flexibility and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluororesin belt is used, then electrical characteristics are improved, but elasticity modulus deteriorates and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of polyamide imide resin as the base polymer, carbon black as the conductive filler, and plasticizer as the softening agent. This composite structure allows the belt to achieve both electrical conductivity (from carbon black) and appropriate elasticity (from polyamide imide and plasticizer), resolving the contradiction between electrical characteristics and elasticity modulus.
2Reliability
If polyamide imide resin with rigid molecular structure is used, then electrical characteristics are improved, but flexibility deteriorates and durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters of the polyamide imide resin by introducing flexible chains and crosslinking structures. Specifically, it uses polyamide imide with flexible molecular chains and incorporates plasticizers to modify the glass transition temperature and chain mobility, thereby improving flexibility while maintaining electrical conductivity through carbon black networking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system where polyamide imide resin serves as the base polymer, carbon black provides electrical conductivity, and plasticizer enhances flexibility. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of electrical characteristics, flexibility, and durability by leveraging the complementary properties of each component.
3Reliability
If polyamide imide resin with rigid molecular structure is used, then electrical characteristics are improved, but elongation at break deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure parameters of polyamide imide by introducing flexible chains and crosslinking structures. It specifically uses polyamide imide with flexible molecular chains and controls the degree of crosslinking to achieve appropriate elongation at break while maintaining electrical conductivity through carbon black networking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material system where polyamide imide resin provides the base structure, carbon black ensures electrical conductivity, and plasticizer enhances flexibility and elongation. This composite structure enables simultaneous achievement of good electrical characteristics and elongation at break by balancing the properties of individual components.
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 modified polyamide imide resin-based endless belt exhibits improved elongation at break, durability, reduced friction coefficient, and resistance to wrinkling in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, while maintaining excellent electrical characteristics and curling properties.
Implementation Method 1
a modified polyamide imide resin formed by copolymerizing: (A) an aromatic isocyanate compound; (B) an aromatic polycarboxylic acid anhydride; and (C) a polymer having carboxylic acids at both terminals thereof
Implementation Method 2
a silicone polymer having a polydimethylsiloxane structure in its molecule and having a group reactive with an isocyanate group of the component (A) at a terminal or both terminals thereof
Implementation Method 3
a fluorine-containing low-molecular weight organic chemical compound
Data Source
AI summary
An endless belt for use as an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer-sheet transfer belt in an electrophotographic apparatus using electrophotographic technologies such as a full-color LBP (Laser Beam Printer) or a full-color PPC (Plane Paper Copier). At least a base layer of the belt comprises a modified polyamide imide resin formed by copolymerizing: (A) an aromatic isocyanate compound; (B) an aromatic polycarboxylic acid anhydride; and (C) a polymer having carboxylic acids at both terminals thereof.