Ozone-Resistant Transfer Roller Composite for Laser Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transfer rollers for laser printers in developing countries require a cost-effective, simple structure with improved ozone resistance to maintain functionality over time, as existing solutions with conductive fillers or ion-conductive polymers face challenges in stability and manufacturing complexity, and SBR-based rollers suffer from rapid ozone degradation.
Innovation Solution
A transfer member made from a rubber composition containing styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), and epichlorohydrin rubber, with a foaming structure to reduce weight and enhance ozone resistance, and a minimized compounding ratio of EPDM to maintain sufficient ozone resistance and semiconductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If SBR is used as the rubber component for transfer rollers, then cost is reduced and universality is improved, but ozone resistance deteriorates rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite rubber composition containing SBR (30-90 parts), EPDM (10-70 parts), and optionally NBR (10-40 parts), along with conductive fillers and crosslinking agents. This composite structure combines the cost advantages of SBR with the ozone resistance of EPDM, creating a material that balances both requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise compositional parameters and ratios of rubber components, conductive fillers, and crosslinking agents to optimize both cost and ozone resistance. By controlling the proportions of each component within specific ranges, the patent achieves the desired balance between affordability and durability.
2Reliability
If conductive fillers are used to provide semiconductivity, then electrical conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent distributes conductive fillers (carbon black, metal powder, or conductive polymers) locally within the rubber composition at specific concentrations (1-50 parts per 100 parts rubber). This localized incorporation of conductive agents provides necessary semiconductivity without requiring complex multilayer structures or additional processing steps.
3Reliability
If a multilayer structure is adopted, then ozone resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a multilayer structure, the patent achieves ozone resistance through a composite rubber composition incorporating EPDM (10-70 parts) alongside SBR. This single-layer composite approach provides the necessary ozone resistance while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of multilayer construction.
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 provides a cost-effective, ozone-resistant transfer roller with improved flexibility and transfer efficiency, reducing the need for frequent replacements and maintaining performance over a longer period while simplifying the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer member made of a rubber composition containing styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) and epichlorohydrin rubber
Implementation Method 2
When the transfer member is brought into a foaming structure, the quantity of the rubber composition necessary for forming the transfer member having the same volume can be reduced, whereby the transfer member can be reduced in weight
Implementation Method 3
a prescribed transfer voltage is applied therebetween. Thus, the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body is transferred to the surface of the paper
Implementation Method 4
the paper is passed through the space between the photosensitive body and the transfer roller brought into pressure contact with each other with prescribed force
Data Source
AI summary
The transfer member according to the present invention is a transfer member employed for transferring toner in an image forming apparatus utilizing electrophotography, made of a rubber composition at least containing styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and epichlorohydrin rubber as rubber components.