Image Bearing Member Surface Layer Abrasion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current organic image bearing members in photocopiers and laser printers face issues with abrasion, leading to deteriorated electric characteristics and image quality due to mechanical stress and poor compatibility of materials, which affects their durability and cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
An image bearing member is developed with a surface layer formed by optically curing a radical polymerizable compound with a charge transport structure and a monomer without a charge transport structure, using a triarylamine structure and specific functional groups, and employing a method that includes separating the light source room from the irradiation room to minimize thermal contamination and oxygen exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a low molecular weight charge transport material and inactive polymer are used to form a soft surface layer, then the image bearing member has good optical and electrical characteristics, but the surface layer easily abrades away due to mechanical burden from developing and cleaning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of a low molecular weight charge transport material (for electrical performance) combined with a polymer type charge transport material having a triarylamine structure (for mechanical strength). This composite approach allows the surface layer to simultaneously achieve good sensitivity, chargeability, and abrasion resistance by leveraging the complementary properties of different materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the charge transport material by using a polymer type charge transport material with triarylamine structure instead of conventional low molecular weight materials. This parameter change increases the mechanical strength and abrasion resistance while maintaining the necessary electrical characteristics through proper molecular design.
2Measurement precision
If toner particles are reduced in size to improve image quality, then the cleaning property requires improvement, which increases the hardness of the rubber for the cleaning blade and contact pressure, but this accelerates the abrasion of the image bearing member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface layer composition by incorporating a polymer type charge transport material with triarylamine structure, which increases the surface hardness and abrasion resistance. This parameter change in material composition allows the surface layer to withstand the increased contact pressure from harder cleaning blades without accelerating abrasion, thereby maintaining mechanical durability while supporting high image quality requirements.
3Strength
If inorganic filler is dispersed in the surface layer to improve anti-abrasion property, then mechanical durability improves, but trapped charge on the surface of inorganic filler causes remaining voltage to rise and image density to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using inorganic filler to using a polymer type charge transport material with triarylamine structure. This parameter change in material type eliminates the charge trapping problem associated with inorganic filler surfaces while maintaining improved abrasion resistance through the polymer's inherent mechanical strength and molecular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a homogeneous polymer type charge transport material throughout the surface layer, avoiding the heterogeneous mixture of inorganic filler particles. This homogeneity ensures uniform electrical properties and prevents localized charge trapping, maintaining good image density and low remaining voltage while providing consistent abrasion resistance.
4Strength
If a polyfunctional curing type acrylate monomer is used to improve anti-abrasion and anti-damage property, then the protective layer gains strength, but compatibility issues with charge transport material cause precipitation, white turbidity, and deteriorated mechanical strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from using acrylate monomers to using a polymer type charge transport material with triarylamine structure. This parameter change eliminates the compatibility and curing issues while maintaining anti-damage properties through the polymer's inherent structural strength and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains a homogeneous composition by using a polymer type charge transport material that is inherently compatible with the inactive polymer binder, avoiding the phase separation, precipitation, and white turbidity problems that occur with acrylate monomers. This homogeneous structure ensures both mechanical strength and compositional stability.
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
This approach results in an image bearing member with improved anti-abrasion properties and electrostatic characteristics, maintaining image quality and durability over an extended period by preventing side reactions and ensuring proper curing.
Implementation Method 1
a surface layer which is formed by optically curing at least a radical polymerizable compound with a charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable monomer without a charge transport structure
Data Source
AI summary
An image bearing member is provided, including a substrate and a surface layer formed by optically curing at least a radical polymerizable compound with a charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable monomer without a charge transport structure, wherein the transmission factor of the surface layer for light having a wavelength by 25 nm longer than an absorption end wavelength of photo-absorption spectrum of the surface layer prior to optical curing is not less than 65%.