Fixing Member Surface Layer Porous Structure Toner Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixing members in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining both toner releasing properties and scratch resistance over a long period, particularly with thin paper, where the surface layer's viscosity decrease leads to scratches due to paper edge contact.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member with a surface layer containing tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer and perfluoropolyether in pores, where the loss elastic modulus ratio E″(1)/E″(2) is between 0.60 and 1.00, ensuring excellent toner releasing properties and improved scratch resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the surface layer contains fluororesin and fluorine oil to impart toner releasing properties, then toner releasing properties are improved, but scratch resistance deteriorates due to viscosity decrease and paper edge contact
Solution Approach 1:
The surface layer is designed with a porous structure where fluorine oil is contained within the pores. This porous structure allows the fluorine oil to be released gradually for toner releasing properties while the porous matrix provides structural support to prevent scratches from paper edges, thus resolving the contradiction between toner releasing properties and scratch resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer is constructed as a composite material combining fluororesin and fluorine oil in specific proportions (fluorine oil content: 1-50 mass%). This composite structure leverages the low surface energy of fluorine oil for toner releasing properties while the fluororesin matrix provides mechanical strength and scratch resistance, preventing the deterioration caused by pure fluorine oil formulations
2Reliability
If the surface layer viscosity is decreased to improve toner releasing properties, then toner releasing properties are improved, but scratch resistance worsens due to paper edge contact
Solution Approach 1:
The viscosity of the surface layer is optimized by controlling the fluorine oil content within 1-50 mass% and adjusting the molecular weight and structure of the fluororesin. This parameter optimization ensures the surface layer has sufficient fluidity for toner releasing properties while maintaining adequate viscosity to resist scratches from paper edges, thus resolving the contradiction between toner releasing properties and scratch 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 effectively maintains high-level toner releasing properties and scratch resistance over an extended period, preventing paper edge scratches and ensuring stable image formation on thin papers.
Implementation Method 1
When an average value of loss elastic moduli E'' of the surface layer in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing member measured at a frequency of 10 Hz at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C. is defined as E''(1), and an average value of loss elastic moduli E'' of the surface layer in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing member measured at a frequency of 10 Hz at a temperature of 100° C. to 150° C. after removal of the perfluoropolyether contained in the pores is defined as E''(2), E''(1)/E''(2) is 0.60 or larger and smaller than 1.00
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing member having an endless belt shape or a roller shape includes a base layer and a surface layer. The surface layer contains a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, and has a pore communicating with an opening of an outer surface thereof. Perfluoropolyether is contained in at least a part of the pores. A ratio (E″(1)/E″(2)) is 0.60 to 1.00, where E″(1) is an average value of loss elastic moduli E″ of the surface layer in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the fixing member measured at a frequency of 10 Hz at 100 to 150° C., and E″(2) is an average value of loss elastic moduli E″ of the surface layer in a direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction of the fixing member measured at a frequency of 10 Hz at 100 to 150° C. after removal of the perfluoropolyether contained in the pore.