Gradient Density Solid Lubricant for Image Bearing Member Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining the durability and quality of image bearing members due to abrasion, filming, smearing, and toner passing through blades, leading to reduced image quality and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A protective layer forming device using a solid image-bearing member protecting agent composed of zinc stearate and boron nitride, applied via a supply member to form a uniform layer on the image bearing member, which decreases in density from the front to the rear surface, preventing abrasion and smearing while maintaining lubricity over time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a solid lubricant is pressed against a brush roller to supply lubricant to the image bearing member, then the lubricant supply amount increases, but the pressing force decreases as the solid lubricant is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelubricant supply amountVSAvoidpressing force

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical parameter of density within the solid lubricant block, creating a gradient where density decreases from the front surface toward the rear surface. This parameter change ensures that as the block is consumed, the pressing force is compensated by the density distribution, maintaining consistent lubricant supply throughout the block's usage life

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The solid lubricant block is constructed as a composite material containing both a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant. This composite structure provides both the necessary lubricating properties and the mechanical strength to maintain pressing force against the brush roller throughout consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the image bearing member is subjected to mechanical and electrical stress during image formation, then image formation capability is maintained, but the image bearing member deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage formation capabilityVSAvoidimage bearing member lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies lubricant to the image bearing member surface before it undergoes mechanical and electrical stress during image formation. This preliminary lubrication creates a protective layer that prevents deterioration from abrasion and electrical stress, extending the member's operational life while maintaining image formation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lubricant acts as an intermediary substance between the image bearing member and the sources of mechanical and electrical stress. It forms a protective barrier that mediates the interaction, reducing direct stress on the image bearing member surface while allowing image formation to proceed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If toner particles are made smaller and rounder to improve image quality, then image quality improves, but the image bearing member surface is more easily damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidimage bearing member surface durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies lubricant to the image bearing member surface before toner particles contact it during the developing process. This beforehand cushioning creates a protective layer that absorbs the mechanical impact of smaller, rounder toner particles, preventing surface damage while allowing the use of high-quality toner particles for improved image quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 prevents abrasion and smearing, extends the lifespan of image bearing members, reduces maintenance costs, and ensures stable image quality by forming a protective layer that withstands mechanical and electrical stress, allowing for continuous use without replacement.

Implementation Method 1

a protective layer forming device using a solid image-bearing member protecting agent composed of zinc stearate and boron nitride, applied via a supply member to form a uniform layer on the image bearing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS8452222B2Image-bearing member protecting agent, protective layer forming device, image forming method, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge

Publication Date: 2013.05.28 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An image-bearing member protecting agent including a fatty acid metal salt, and an inorganic lubricant, wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent is a solid formed by compression molding a particulate or granulated raw material containing the fatty acid metal salt and the inorganic lubricant, and applied or adhered to a surface of an image bearing member, and wherein the image-bearing member protecting agent has a front surface which is a side of the image-bearing member protecting agent to be used at the beginning, and a rear surface which is a side thereof to be left when most of the image-bearing member protecting agent is used up, and the image-bearing member protecting agent has a density decreasing from the front surface toward the rear surface.