Monolayer Photoconductor Absorbance Control for Sensitivity Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrophotographic photoconductors using titanyl phthalocyanine crystals exhibit significant variations in sensitivity characteristics due to fluctuations in dispersibility, primarily caused by impurities, leading to low productivity and unreliable quality control.

Innovation Solution

A monolayer type photoconductor is designed with a charge generating agent, hole transfer agent, electron transfer agent, and binding resin, where the maximum absorption wavelength is set below 850 nm and absorbance at 850 nm per unit thickness is 0.05 μm−1 or less, optimizing dispersibility and sensitivity characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If titanyl phthalocyanine crystals are used as charge generating agents, then sensitivity to infrared and near-infrared light is improved, but dispersibility fluctuates due to impurities causing sensitivity characteristic variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight absorption sensitivityVSAvoidsensitivity characteristic consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystal structure parameter of titanyl phthalocyanine from conventional forms to a specific crystal form with unique properties. This crystal form exhibits superior dispersibility and consistent sensitivity characteristics while maintaining high light absorption efficiency in the infrared and near-infrared regions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific crystal form with optimized local molecular arrangement and orientation. This localized structural optimization improves both dispersibility and sensitivity consistency without compromising overall light absorption performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If sensitivity characteristics are measured for quality control, then product reliability is improved, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality control accuracyVSAvoidproduction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-optimizing the crystal structure of titanyl phthalocyanine before production. The specific crystal form is designed to inherently provide consistent dispersibility and sensitivity characteristics, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-production sensitivity measurements for quality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The specific crystal form of titanyl phthalocyanine serves itself by providing built-in quality assurance through superior and consistent dispersibility. The crystal structure inherently ensures reliable sensitivity characteristics without requiring external measurement and verification processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If process speed is increased for higher productivity, then output is improved, but image formation quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess speedVSAvoidimage formation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the crystal structure parameter of titanyl phthalocyanine to a specific form that maintains optimal sensitivity characteristics even at elevated process speeds. This crystal form ensures consistent image formation quality regardless of production speed variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration improves the dispersibility and sensitivity characteristics of the charge generating agent, allowing for reliable production and high-quality image formation in electrophotographic devices, even at elevated process speeds.

Implementation Method 1

a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of below 850 nm and an absorbance (A850) of light at a wavelength of 850 nm per unit thickness of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of 0.05 μm−1 or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS9141007B2Monolayer type photoconductor and image forming device

Publication Date: 2015.09.22 KYOCERA DOCUMENT SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Provided is a monolayer type photoconductor superior in sensitivity characteristics that allows reliable production by easy confirmation of the sensitivity characteristics, and an image forming device using such a monolayer type photoconductor. A monolayer type photoconductor including a base body and a single photo sensitive layer formed on the base body, the single photo sensitive layer containing a charge generating agent, a hole transfer agent, an electron transfer agent and a binding resin, wherein a maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of below 850 nm and an absorbance (A850) of light at a wavelength of 850 nm per unit thickness of the photo sensitive layer is set to a value of 0.05 μm−1 or less.