Intermediary Transfer Belt Bleeding Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing intermediary transfer belts using silicone rubber elastic layers in image forming apparatuses suffer from bleeding issues due to low-molecular weight components migrating to the surface, which affects image quality, especially when used with uneven recording materials like embossed paper.
Innovation Solution
An intermediary transfer belt is designed with a specific layered structure comprising a base layer, an elastic layer made of silicone rubber with controlled JIS-A and JIS-E hardness, an intermediary layer with controlled water vapor permeability, and a surface layer to prevent the migration of low-molecular weight components, thereby suppressing bleeding and improving image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicone rubber is used as the elastic member in the elastic layer, then the compression set is reduced and durability is improved, but low-molecular weight components migrate to the surface causing bleed phenomenon that deteriorates image quality
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the elastic layer and the surface layer. This barrier layer specifically blocks the migration of low-molecular weight components from the silicone rubber elastic layer to the surface, preventing bleed phenomenon while preserving the durability benefits of silicone rubber
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary transfer belt employs a composite multi-layer structure combining different materials with specific functions: silicone rubber elastic layer for durability, barrier layer for migration prevention, and surface layer for toner transfer. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by assigning different materials to different functional requirements
2Productivity
If the silicone rubber is softened to improve transfer property onto uneven recording material, then the transfer efficiency is improved, but the bleed phenomenon becomes more liable to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer acts as a mediator that allows the elastic layer to be softened for improved transfer efficiency onto uneven surfaces while preventing the softened state from causing increased bleed. The barrier layer decouples the relationship between softness and bleed tendency
3Productivity
If a surface layer with low tackiness is provided to reduce high tackiness of the elastic member surface, then the adhesive property to recording material is improved, but low-molecular weight components can still migrate to the surface layer causing bleed
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier layer is positioned between the elastic layer and surface layer to specifically address the bleed problem. It allows the surface layer to maintain low tackiness for good transfer efficiency while the barrier layer prevents low-molecular weight components from reaching the surface layer
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 suppresses bleeding, leading to improved image quality and transfer efficiency on various paper types, including embossed paper, by preventing the migration of low-molecular weight components to the surface of the intermediary transfer belt.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediary layer provided on or above the elastic layer... is 0.1 g/m2·24 g or more and 600 g/m2·24 h or less in water vapor permeability coefficient
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediary transfer belt includes a base layer; an elastic layer laminated on or above the base layer and formed with a silicone rubber as an elastic member; an intermediary layer laminated on or above the elastic layer; and a surface layer laminated on or above the intermediary layer. The elastic layer is 60 degrees or less in JIS-A hardness and is 5 degrees or more in JIS-E hardness. The intermediary layer is 0.1 g/m2·24 h or more and 600 g/m2·24 h or less in water vapor permeability coefficient and is 1 μm or more and 15 μm or less in average thickness.