Intermediate Transfer Member Hard Carbon Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image forming apparatuses with intermediate transfer members face challenges in achieving 100% toner image transfer efficiency, require complex equipment for material deposition, and have issues with durability and cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer member with a hard carbon-containing layer, specifically amorphous or metal-containing amorphous carbon films, is used, deposited via plasma discharge at atmospheric or near-atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for large equipment like vacuum units and enhancing transferability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silicon oxide or aluminum oxide is coated on the intermediate transfer member surface by vacuum evaporation or sputtering, then the peelability of toner image is improved, but large equipment such as vacuum units is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the deposition environment from vacuum to atmospheric pressure, eliminating the need for vacuum equipment while maintaining the ability to form protective oxide films on the intermediate transfer member surface
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex vacuum-based physical vapor deposition systems with a simpler atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition system, substituting mechanical vacuum equipment with chemical reaction-based film formation
2Productivity
If conventional coating materials are used on the intermediate transfer member, then the toner image transfer rate is improved, but the durability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite oxide films containing multiple metal oxides (such as SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2) to achieve both high toner image transfer rate and improved durability through the synergistic effects of different oxide materials
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates oxide films with specific local compositions and structures on the intermediate transfer member surface, optimizing the material properties in different regions to simultaneously achieve high transferability and durability
3Productivity
If the intermediate transfer member is designed for high transferability, then the toner image transfer efficiency is improved, but the cleaning performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the surface energy and chemical composition parameters of the intermediate transfer member by forming oxide films, which creates a surface that facilitates both toner image transfer and subsequent cleaning operations
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 achieves high transferability, cleaning performance, and durability for the intermediate transfer member, allowing for efficient toner image transfer without the need for complex equipment, thereby improving overall image forming apparatus performance.
Implementation Method 1
exciting at least a raw material gas for forming the hard carbon-containing layer between a pair of electrodes by a plasma discharge generated in a vicinity of the surface of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An intermediate transfer member which holds a toner image transferred from a first toner image carrier and secondarily transfers the toner image to a surface of an image forming material, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises a substrate having thereon at least a hard carbon-containing layer.