Silicone Rubber Fixing Member Cross-Linking Density Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electrophotographic fixing members experience a reduction in rubber elasticity due to aging, which is exacerbated by the use of addition curing type silicone rubber adhesives that increase the hardness of the silicone rubber layer, compromising the fixing member's performance in maintaining image quality and heat conductivity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating unsaturated aliphatic groups in the silicone rubber layer and using ultraviolet light irradiation to enhance cross-linking density on the surface, while maintaining low cross-linking density inside the layer, thereby preventing adhesive infiltration and maintaining elasticity, and laminating a fluorine resin layer with a specific micro hardness and thickness to ensure effective toner release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If addition curing type silicone rubber adhesive is used to adhere the fluorine resin layer, then good adhesion between layers is achieved, but the hardness of the cured silicone rubber layer increases and rubber elasticity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different cross-linking densities to different regions of the silicone rubber layer. The surface region has high cross-linking density to prevent adhesive infiltration and maintain low hardness, while the inner region has low cross-linking density to maintain rubber elasticity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adhesion strength and hardness increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary cross-linking of the silicone rubber layer before applying the adhesive. This preliminary action creates a stable base structure that prevents excessive hardness increase when the adhesive is subsequently applied and cured, thereby maintaining rubber elasticity while achieving good adhesion.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If unsaturated aliphatic groups are suppressed in the silicone rubber layer, then reaction with adhesive active hydrogen is reduced and hardness rise is suppressed, but rubber aging resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a spatial differentiation where the surface region has high cross-linking density (suppressing unsaturated group reaction with adhesive) while the inner region maintains low cross-linking density (preserving unsaturated groups for aging resistance). This local quality differentiation allows the material to simultaneously achieve low hardness rise and high aging resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a silane coupling agent as an intermediary substance that enhances the adhesion between the silicone rubber layer and fluorine resin layer without requiring excessive reaction between unsaturated groups and adhesive active hydrogen. This intermediary mechanism allows good adhesion while preserving rubber elasticity and aging resistance.
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 solution stabilizes the rubber elasticity of the fixing member, suppresses the rise in hardness, and ensures a high-grade electrophotographic image formation by maintaining the silicone rubber's elasticity and toner releasing properties over time.
Implementation Method 1
when a silane coupling agent is used as the adhesive, the electrophotographic fixing member can be obtained by irradiating ultraviolet rays on the surface of the silicone rubber layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic fixing member is provided, which is excellent in toner releasability and hard to change in rubber elasticity of a silicone rubber elastic layer. The fixing member is laminated with a substrate, a cured silicone rubber layer, a cured silicone rubber adhesive layer and a fluorine resin layer, wherein when infrared light absorption strength ratios (1020 cm−1/1260 cm−1) at 1020 cm−1 and 1260 cm−1 determined by sampling the portions of 5 μm and 20 μm from the outer surface of the cured silicone rubber layer are taken as α(5) and α(20), respectively, a relationship of α(5) and α(20) satisfies1.03≦α(5)/α(20)≦1.30and α(20) is 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less.