Intermediate Transfer Member Carbon Black Dispersibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Intermediate transfer members in electrophotographic systems face challenges in maintaining stable electrical characteristics over long periods due to thermal deterioration and poor dispersibility of conductive fillers, leading to issues like void images and reversed toner charging, especially in low humidity environments.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer member with a base layer containing a thermoplastic resin and carbon black, where the carbon black has a structure volume of 50 to 250 and is dispersed with an L-function value of 150 nm or less, ensuring uniform dispersibility and maintaining electrical resistance within the desired range, thereby preventing thermal degradation and maintaining image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carbon black is used as electro-conductive filler in intermediate transfer belt, then electrical conductivity is improved, but electrical resistance decreases over time due to thermal deterioration and poor dispersibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of carbon black to 0.5-5 μm and controls structure volume to 50-250, which optimizes both conductivity and thermal stability. This parameter optimization prevents excessive heat generation during operation while maintaining electrical resistance within the required range (1×10^8 to 1×10^13 Ω·cm) throughout the service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system combining thermoplastic resin with specifically controlled carbon black particles. The composite structure ensures uniform dispersibility (L-function ≤ 150 nm) while providing both electrical conductivity and thermal stability, preventing the degradation that occurs with conventional carbon black compositions.
2Reliability
If electro-conductive filler is aggregated in intermediate transfer member, then electrical conductivity is improved, but discharge occurs between filler aggregate and transfer roller causing void images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures uniform distribution of carbon black particles throughout the intermediate transfer belt material, preventing local aggregation. The controlled particle size (0.5-5 μm) and structure volume (50-250) ensure that electrical conductivity is maintained through uniform dispersion rather than aggregation, eliminating the harmful discharge phenomenon that causes void images.
3Manufacturing precision
If molding temperature and kneading degree are increased to improve dispersibility of electro-conductive filler, then dispersibility is improved, but thermal deterioration of resin material proceeds causing poor mechanical and electrical characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of carbon black to 0.5-5 μm and structure volume to 50-250, which enables achieving excellent dispersibility (L-function ≤ 150 nm) without requiring excessive molding temperature or kneading degree. This parameter optimization prevents thermal deterioration of the resin material while maintaining both mechanical strength and electrical characteristics.
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 stabilizes electrical characteristics and prevents image defects like blank dots, ensuring high-quality electrophotographic images over extended use, even in low humidity conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a base layer containing a thermoplastic resin and carbon black dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, the carbon black having a structure volume of 50 or more and 250 or less
Implementation Method 2
an intermediate transfer system for primarily transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive member onto a belt-shaped intermediate transfer member and then secondarily transferring the toner image onto a transfer material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an intermediate transfer member containing a thermoplastic resin and carbon black. The carbon black has a structure volume of 50 or more and 250 or less, and a content of the carbon black is from 15.0 mass % to 30.0 mass % with respect to the intermediate transfer member. When a region ranging from an inner peripheral surface on a back side with respect to an outer peripheral surface on which a toner image is borne to 10 μm in a thickness direction is defined as an inner peripheral surface region, a value of an L-function indicating dispersibility of the carbon black with respect to the thermoplastic resin in the inner peripheral surface region is 150 nm or less.