Graphite-Exposed Sliding Layer for Wear and Electrostatic Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliding members in image fixing devices face challenges with abrasion resistance and electrostatic offset, particularly due to the ecological and human toxicity concerns associated with fluororesin use, necessitating a replacement material.
Innovation Solution
A sliding member with a sliding layer containing a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin and exposed graphite particles, where the graphite particles have specific diameter, area proportion, and surface roughness parameters to enhance abrasion resistance and reduce electrostatic offset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fluororesin is used in the sliding member, then the sliding surface has good lubricity and low friction, but it causes ecological and human toxicity concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameters by replacing fluororesin with heat-resistant thermoplastic resin combined with specific graphite particle sizes (0.1-15 μm) to achieve comparable lubricity without the toxic effects of fluororesin
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining heat-resistant thermoplastic resin with graphite particles of controlled size distribution to achieve the desired sliding surface properties while eliminating the harmful fluororesin component
2Shape
If graphite particles with small diameter are used, then the sliding surface has good smoothness, but the abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the graphite particle diameter parameter to a specific range (0.1-15 μm) that balances surface smoothness for low friction with sufficient particle size to provide abrasion resistance through particle interlocking and load-bearing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates local quality variations in the sliding surface by having graphite particles exposed at the surface, where smaller particles provide smoothness in contact areas while the overall particle distribution maintains abrasion resistance
3Strength
If graphite particles with large diameter are used, then the sliding surface has good abrasion resistance, but the electrostatic offset increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention constrains the graphite particle diameter to a maximum of 15 μm to prevent excessive electrostatic charge accumulation while maintaining sufficient particle size for abrasion resistance, finding the optimal balance point in the 0.1-15 μm range
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 sliding member achieves improved abrasion resistance and effectively suppresses electrostatic offset, offering a sustainable alternative to fluororesin-based solutions.
Implementation Method 1
the sliding member has a resin layer obtained by blending a heat-resistant resin and an interlayer peeling resistance filler on a sliding surface side in contact with the belt member
Implementation Method 2
a low friction member that is formed of at least a lubricating material and a polyimide resin, has a surface roughness Rsk of 0.500 or more, and has a surface exposure rate of the lubricating material of 15.0% or more
Implementation Method 3
a sliding member including a sliding layer that contains a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin other than a fluororesin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A sliding member includes a sliding layer that contains a heat-resistant thermoplastic resin other than a fluororesin and graphite particles, in which the graphite particles are exposed on a sliding surface, and an average diameter of exposed portions of the graphite particles is 0.1 µm or more and 15 µm or less.