Tubular Fuser Adhesion Layer for Electrostatic Offset Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrostatic offset in fuser devices of electrographic image forming apparatuses leads to uneven toner fixation, causing disturbances in image formation, despite existing measures to reduce this phenomenon.
Innovation Solution
A tubular fuser device with a metal substrate, a rubber layer, an adhesion layer comprising a fluororesin-based adhesive and a silicone rubber-based adhesive with an ionic conductor, and a surface layer made of resin, designed to reduce electrostatic offset by facilitating charge dissipation and improving dielectric relaxation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional fuser device structures are used, then manufacturing and operation are simpler, but electrostatic offset occurs causing image disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion layer is divided into two distinct layers: a first adhesion layer made of fluororesin-based adhesive and a second adhesion layer made of silicone rubber-based adhesive containing ionic conductor. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions - the fluororesin layer provides basic adhesion and the silicone rubber layer with ionic conductor dissipates static electricity, thereby reducing electrostatic offset without requiring complete redesign of the fuser structure
Solution Approach 2:
The ionic conductor in the second adhesion layer acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the dissipation of static electricity between the rubber layer and surface layer. This intermediary component enables charge transfer and reduces electrostatic accumulation, effectively mitigating electrostatic offset while maintaining the overall fuser device structure
2Reliability
If single-layer adhesion structure is used, then manufacturing is easier, but charge dissipation is insufficient leading to electrostatic offset
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesion function is segmented into two layers with different material compositions and functions. The first adhesion layer (fluororesin-based) provides primary adhesion, while the second adhesion layer (silicone rubber-based with ionic conductor) provides enhanced charge dissipation. This segmentation improves reliability of charge dissipation while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through sequential layer application
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesion layer uses composite material structure combining fluororesin-based adhesive and silicone rubber-based adhesive with ionic conductor. This composite approach leverages the complementary properties of different materials - fluororesin for adhesion and silicone rubber with ionic conductor for charge dissipation - achieving superior charge dissipation capability while using established manufacturing techniques for applying multiple adhesive layers
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
Effectively reduces electrostatic offset, ensuring consistent toner fixation and image quality by enhancing charge decay and dielectric properties, as demonstrated in samples with specific layer configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The second adhesion layer is made of a silicone rubber-based adhesive containing an ionic conductor
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular fuser device rotates and is in contact with a sheet on which a positively charged toner image is formed to fix the toner image to the sheet. The fuser device includes a tubular substrate made of a metal, a rubber layer covering the outer periphery of the substrate, an adhesion layer covering the outer periphery of the rubber layer, and a surface layer made of a resin covering the outer periphery of the adhesion layer. The adhesion layer has a first adhesion layer that is in contact with the rubber layer and a second adhesion layer interposed between the first adhesion layer and the surface layer. The first adhesion layer is made of a fluororesin-based adhesive, and the second adhesion layer is made of a silicone rubber-based adhesive containing an ionic conductor.