Endless Belt Composition for Low Air Bubbles and Peeling Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing endless belts in image forming apparatuses suffer from air bubbles and high peeling forces, which affect the transfer of toner images and the cleaning properties of the surface.

Innovation Solution

The endless belt is composed of a binder resin, a modified silicone oil with a benzene ring or polyether-modified silicone oil, and an epoxide derivative, with specific content ratios to minimize air bubbles and reduce peeling force.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional silicone oils are used in the endless belt, then the belt has good flexibility and durability, but air bubbles form on the surface and peeling force increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidair bubbles
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the silicone oil by introducing epoxide groups through reaction with epoxy compounds. This modifies the molecular structure and surface properties of the silicone oil, enabling it to reduce surface tension more effectively and prevent air bubble formation while maintaining the flexibility and durability provided by the silicone oil base structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite silicone oil system by combining conventional silicone oil with epoxide-derived compounds. This composite material integrates the beneficial properties of both components: the flexibility and durability from the silicone oil and the air bubble suppression capability from the epoxide groups, resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful surface effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If conventional silicone oils are used in the endless belt, then the belt maintains structural integrity, but peeling force on the surface is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidpeeling force
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the silicone oil by introducing epoxide groups, which change the chemical composition and surface properties. This reduces the peeling force between the belt surface and transferred materials while the bulk structural integrity is maintained through the stable silicone oil backbone structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality modification by introducing epoxide groups that specifically affect the surface properties of the silicone oil without altering the bulk structural characteristics. The surface layer gains reduced peeling force properties while the internal structure maintains its strength and integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4664204A1Endless belt, intermediate transfer belt, transfer device, and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • EP4664204A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4664204A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4664204A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An endless belt includes a binder resin, at least one modified silicone oil of a modified silicone oil having a benzene ring or a polyether-modified silicone oil, and an epoxide derivative.