Electrophotographic Photoconductor Crack Resistance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic photoconductors face issues with contamination resistance, exposure memory, and image quality due to residual electric charges and surface cracks, which hinder consistent image characteristics and device miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a hole-transfer agent with specific solubility in triglyceride oleate and a compound represented by general formula (1) as an additive in the photosensitive layer, along with a conductive substrate and binder resin, to prevent exposure memory and surface cracks, enhancing contamination resistance and wear resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional organic photoconductor is used with charge-generating agent and charge-transfer agent, then image formation can be achieved, but exposure memory and transfer memory are generated after repetitive use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the photoconductor by introducing a hole-transfer agent with specific solubility characteristics (5-35% in triglyceride oleate) and specific additive compounds (formula 1) to modify the charge transfer mechanism, thereby preventing exposure memory while maintaining reliable image formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite photoconductor system combining charge-generating agent, charge-transfer agent, hole-transfer agent with specific solubility, and additive compounds in a binder resin matrix, where the synergistic interaction of these components prevents both exposure memory and transfer memory
2Reliability
If means for neutralization of electricity is added to erase residual charges, then transfer memory is prevented, but device complexity increases and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The photoconductor material itself performs the function of preventing transfer memory through its inherent hole-transfer and additive mechanisms, eliminating the need for external neutralization devices and enabling system miniaturization
3Productivity
If the photoconductor is repeatedly used, then productivity increases, but space charges accumulate causing image characteristics to deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the charge transport parameters by selecting hole-transfer agents with specific solubility ranges (5-35% in triglyceride oleate) and adding compounds of formula (1) to control space charge accumulation, enabling consistent image characteristics over extended repetitive use
4Ease of operation
If contaminant components attach on the photoconductor surface, then ease of operation is maintained, but cracks occur causing image characteristics to lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface chemical parameters by incorporating additives of formula (1) that interact with contaminant components, preventing crack formation at contaminant-attached portions while maintaining ease of handling
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 prevents exposure memory and surface cracks, maintaining good image characteristics for a long period and enabling miniaturization of image-forming apparatuses without the need for electricity neutralization units.
Implementation Method 1
a hole-transfer agent having a solubility of 5 to 35% by weight with respect to triglyceride oleate
Implementation Method 2
a charge-generating agent for generating electric charges by light exposure
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic photoconductor having an excellent crack resistance and wear resistance as well as excellent sensitivity characteristics, while keeping good image characteristics of the photoconductor is provided. In addition, an image-forming apparatus equipped with such an electrophotographic photoconductor is also provided. The electrophotographic photoconductor includes a photosensitive layer containing at least a charge-generating agent, a hole-transfer agent, and a binder resin on a conductive substrate. The hole-transfer agent has a solubility of 5 to 35% by weight with respect to triglyceride oleate and the photosensitive layer contains a compound represented by the following general formula (1) as an additive: