Gallium Oxide Protective Layer for Electrophotographic Photoreceptor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photoreceptors with inorganic protective layers face challenges in maintaining image quality due to variations in volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy between the inner and outer regions, leading to scratches and image deletion issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of a gallium oxide layer with specific volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy ranges in both the inner and outer regions, achieved through plasma chemical vapor deposition, ensures consistent performance and prevents scratches and image deletion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an inorganic protective layer is formed on the organic photosensitive layer, then the durability and protection of the photoreceptor are improved, but variations in volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy between inner and outer regions cause scratches and image deletion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer inorganic protective layer structure with different compositions and properties. The first inorganic protective layer has different volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy characteristics than the second inorganic protective layer, allowing each layer to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall image quality consistency across the photoreceptor surface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple inorganic protective layers with distinct material compositions. The first layer contains specific inorganic materials with particular volume resistivity ranges, while the second layer contains different inorganic materials with different optical absorption edge energies, creating a composite structure that resolves the contradiction between protection durability and image quality
2Manufacturing precision
If the volume resistivity of the inorganic protective layer is increased to prevent image deletion, then image quality is improved, but scratches may occur due to excessive resistivity in certain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different volume resistivity characteristics to different layers. The first inorganic protective layer has volume resistivity in a specific range to prevent image deletion, while the second layer has different volume resistivity properties that prevent scratch occurrence, allowing each region to optimize for its specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by controlling the volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy parameters within specific ranges for each layer. By adjusting these physical parameters differently in the first and second inorganic protective layers, the patent prevents both image deletion and scratches simultaneously
3Manufacturing precision
If the optical absorption edge energy is optimized to enhance sensitivity, then photoreceptor performance is improved, but variations between inner and outer regions can lead to image inconsistency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating layers with different optical absorption edge energy characteristics. The first inorganic protective layer has optical absorption edge energy optimized for one function, while the second layer has different optical absorption edge energy optimized for another function, allowing sensitivity enhancement while maintaining composition uniformity within each layer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining inorganic materials with different optical absorption edge energies in separate layers. This composite structure allows each layer to contribute its optimal optical properties, enhancing overall sensitivity while preventing composition variations from causing image inconsistency
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 gallium oxide layer maintains image quality by ensuring appropriate volume resistivity and optical absorption edge energy across the photoreceptor, preventing scratches and image deletion, and enhancing sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
achieved through plasma chemical vapor deposition
Data Source
AI summary
Electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive substrate, an organic photosensitive layer on an outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate, and an inorganic protective layer on an outer peripheral surface of the organic photosensitive layer, the inorganic protective layer containing gallium and oxygen. A volume resistivity of an inner region of the inorganic protective layer, the inner region extending 0.2 μm or about 0.2 μm from an inner peripheral surface of the inorganic protective layer in a thickness direction, and a volume resistivity of an outer region of the inorganic protective layer, the outer region extending 0.2 μm or about 0.2 μm from an outer peripheral surface of the inorganic protective layer in the thickness direction, are both 6.0×107 Ω·cm or more and 4.0×108 Ω·cm or less or about 6.0×107 Ω·cm or more and about 4.0×108 Ω·cm or less.