Intermediate Transfer Member Inorganic Layer Hollow Character Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing image forming methods using intermediate transfer members often suffer from transfer defects leading to hollow characters and degraded image quality due to toner aggregation and poor cleaning performance, especially after repeated printing.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer member with a specific inorganic layer having a contact angle of 30 to 60° against methylene iodide, hardness of 3-10 GPa, and surface roughness of 30-300 nm, formed by atmospheric pressure plasma CVD, which enhances secondary transfer performance and cleaning efficiency while preventing hollow characters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the surface energy of the intermediate transfer member is reduced to improve secondary transfer performance, then transfer efficiency is improved, but toner particles aggregate and hollow characters are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the surface energy parameter of the intermediate transfer member to a specific range (30-60° contact angle with methylene iodide) to simultaneously achieve good secondary transfer performance and prevent toner aggregation. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance point rather than simply reducing surface energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure consisting of a resin substrate and an inorganic layer. The inorganic layer (silicon oxide or metal oxide) provides specific surface energy characteristics that balance transfer performance and prevent toner aggregation, while the resin substrate provides mechanical support. This composite approach allows independent optimization of different functional requirements.
2Productivity
If the surface energy of the intermediate transfer member is reduced to improve secondary transfer performance, then transfer efficiency is improved, but cleaning performance deteriorates and the surface becomes stained
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the surface energy parameter to a specific range (30-60° contact angle) that simultaneously enables good secondary transfer performance and maintains cleaning performance. This precise parameter control prevents the surface from being too low in energy, which would cause toner filming and cleaning difficulties.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure of resin substrate and inorganic layer allows the inorganic layer to provide appropriate surface energy for transfer while the overall structure maintains cleaning capability. The inorganic layer's specific properties enable balanced performance in both transfer and cleaning operations.
3Manufacturing precision
If silica particles are added to toner surfaces to improve transfer performance, then transfer defect is reduced, but particles are released or embedded due to stress from toner stirrer or regulation blade
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an inorganic layer on the intermediate transfer member surface as an intermediary that facilitates toner transfer without requiring additives in the toner particles themselves. This mediator approach avoids the problem of silica particles being released or embedded while still achieving good transfer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical approach of adding physical particles (silica) to toner surfaces with a surface energy-based approach using an inorganic coating on the transfer member. This substitution eliminates the mechanical stress issues that cause particle release and embedding.
4Manufacturing precision
If an elastic layer is introduced in the intermediate member to prevent hollow characters, then toner aggregation is suppressed, but the surface energy is reduced causing toner filming and degraded cleaning performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite structure where the inorganic layer provides the necessary surface energy characteristics to prevent hollow characters and toner aggregation, while the resin substrate maintains mechanical properties for cleaning. This composite approach achieves hollow character prevention without the cleaning performance degradation caused by elastic layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the surface energy parameter of the inorganic layer to a specific range (30-60° contact angle) that prevents toner aggregation and hollow characters while maintaining sufficient cleaning performance. This parameter optimization avoids the excessive surface energy reduction that would cause toner filming.
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 ensures continuous high-quality toner images without hollow characters and maintains excellent secondary transfer and cleaning performance, even after a large number of prints, by optimizing the surface energy and hardness of the intermediate transfer member.
Implementation Method 1
contact angle of the inorganic layer against methylene iodide is 30 to 60°
Implementation Method 2
the inorganic layer is formed by atmospheric pressure plasma CVD
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming apparatus may include an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an intermediate transfer member. An image may be formed by primary transferring a toner image held on a surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor to an intermediate transfer member, and secondary transferring the toner image from the intermediate transfer member to a transferee material. A dispersive component of surface energy of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a dispersive component of surface energy of the intermediate transfer member may satisfy a relationship of (the dispersive component of surface energy of the electrophotographic photoreceptor)≦(the dispersive component of surface energy of the intermediate transfer member).