Electrophotographic Fixing Member With PFPE Gradient for Toner Release
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing members for electrophotographic image-forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high toner releasability over a long time period, especially when used with thin paper, due to the abrasion of the surface layer and loss of perfluoropolyether compounds, leading to toner adhesion and paper winding issues.
Innovation Solution
A fixing member is designed with a base layer, an elastic layer containing silicone rubber, and a surface layer comprising a fluorine resin and perfluoropolyether structure, where the fluorine oil is strategically distributed to maintain high toner releasability by ensuring an appropriate mass transfer and concentration gradient within the surface layer, preventing toner adhesion and ensuring continuous supply during heat fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surface layer containing fluorine resin is used to suppress toner adhesion, then toner releasability is improved, but the surface layer undergoes abrasion during long-term use, causing toner releasability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a surface layer with non-uniform fluorine oil distribution, specifically having a higher concentration of fluorine oil near the surface compared to the bulk. This localized concentration ensures that the toner releasability is maintained at the critical surface region where toner contact occurs, while the rest of the layer provides structural support and reservoir function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-distributing fluorine oil within the surface layer during manufacturing, creating a concentration gradient with higher fluorine oil content near the surface. This preliminary distribution ensures that toner releasability is immediately effective and sustained during long-term use, as the fluorine oil is already positioned where it is most needed before the fixing member begins operation.
2Reliability
If a surface layer with high fluorine oil content is used to prevent toner adhesion, then toner releasability is improved, but the complexity of controlling fluorine oil distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the concentration of fluorine oil as a key parameter within the surface layer. Specifically, the fluorine oil concentration is designed to decrease from the surface toward the bulk of the surface layer, creating a concentration gradient. This parameter control achieves optimal toner releasability while managing manufacturing complexity through defined concentration ranges.
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 proposed fixing member maintains excellent toner releasability over a long period, preventing toner offset and ensuring stable high-quality electrophotographic image formation, even after prolonged use, by effectively managing the distribution and concentration of fluorine oil within the surface layer.
Implementation Method 1
the fluorine oil is strategically distributed to maintain high toner releasability by ensuring an appropriate mass transfer and concentration gradient within the surface layer
Implementation Method 2
the unfixed toner is heated and melted to fix the image to the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a fixing member for electrophotography having excellent toner releasability even when used for a long time period. The fixing member includes a base layer, an elastic layer, and a surface layer in the stated order. The surface layer contains a fluorine resin and a fluorine oil having a perfluoropolyether structure. The mass P11 of an adhered substance including the fluorine oil, adhered in the unit area of the detection surface of a QCM sensor when a measurement sample collected from the surface layer is subjected to a predetermined treatment (i), is 1.0×102 ng or more and 1.0×104 ng or less, and the mass P12 of an adhered substance including the fluorine oil, adhered in the unit area of the detection surface of the QCM sensor when the sample is subjected to a predetermined treatment (ii), is 0.5×P11 or more and 1.2×P11 or less.