Fuser Surface Layer Composition for Long-Term Toner Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fixing members for electrophotographic image-forming apparatuses experience a reduction in toner releasability over time, leading to issues with thin paper being wound around the fixing member, due to abrasion of the surface layer and loss of perfluoropolyether structures, which compromises the formation of high-quality electrophotographic images on thin papers with low rigidity.
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 surface layer is optimized to maintain high toner releasability by ensuring a specific range of fluorine oil adhesion and supply, using a quartz crystal microbalance to measure and control the adhesion properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a surface layer containing fluorine resin and perfluoropolyether is used to improve toner releasability, then toner releasability is improved, but the surface layer undergoes abrasion over time causing toner releasability to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a concentration gradient of fluorine oil within the surface layer, with higher concentration near the elastic layer interface and lower concentration at the outer surface. This local quality distribution allows the fluorine oil to continuously migrate toward the surface, replenishing the toner releasability over time and preventing the deterioration that occurs with conventional uniform compositions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention pre-configures the fluorine oil concentration gradient and mobility characteristics in the surface layer before use, so that the fluorine oil automatically migrates to the outer surface during operation. This preliminary arrangement ensures continuous replenishment of toner releasability without requiring external intervention, resolving the contradiction between initial performance and long-term durability.
2Reliability
If the surface layer is made softer to improve toner releasability, then toner releasability is improved, but the surface layer durability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fluorine resin, specifically selecting resins with glass transition temperatures of -50°C to 0°C and controlling the PAVE content at 1-5 mol%. These parameter adjustments create a surface layer that is soft enough for good toner releasability yet maintains sufficient structural integrity and durability for long-term use.
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 maintains excellent toner releasability over a long period, preventing toner offset and ensuring stable, high-quality electrophotographic image formation on thin papers by continuously supplying fluorine oil to the surface layer, thus enhancing the durability and performance of the fixing member.
Implementation Method 1
pressing a detection surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor against the position at a pressure of 0.4 MPa and a temperature of 180°C for 50 msec, a mass P11 of an adhered substance including the fluorine oil having the perfluoropolyether structure, adhered in a unit area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
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 elastic layer contains a silicone rubber. The surface layer is formed of a single layer. 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.