Photoreceptor Circulating Agent Applicator for Surface Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses using organic photoreceptors face challenges in maintaining the longevity of photoreceptors due to surface property changes, leading to abnormal images and frequent replacements, which results in high energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Innovation Solution
The image forming apparatus incorporates a circulating agent applicator that applies a circulating agent to the photoreceptor's base outermost layer, maintaining a balanced mass thickness and defect area to form a stable circulating outermost layer, preventing contamination and extending the photoreceptor's life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a crosslinked resin layer or sol-gel hardened layer is formed as the outermost layer of the photoreceptor, then mechanical strength and photosensitivity are improved, but the outermost layer becomes abradable after repeated use, leading to surface property changes and frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameter of the outermost layer from conventional crosslinked or sol-gel structures to a polyurethane structure with specific functional groups (isocyanate groups). This parameter change enables the layer to maintain mechanical strength while preventing abrasion and surface property changes during repeated use, resolving the contradiction between strength and surface stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure where a polyurethane outermost layer containing isocyanate groups is combined with the photoreceptor's charge transport material. This composite material approach allows the outermost layer to provide both mechanical protection and chemical stability, preventing the abrasion problems of conventional single-material structures.
2Productivity
If the photoreceptor is used repeatedly, then productivity is improved, but surface properties change causing abnormal images and deteriorated cleaning property, requiring frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary protective action by forming a polyurethane outermost layer with isocyanate groups before the photoreceptor enters service. This pre-formed protective layer prevents surface property changes during repeated use, ensuring image quality remains stable throughout the photoreceptor's operational life and eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
3Loss of energy
If the photoreceptor life is extended, then energy consumption and carbon emissions are reduced, but conventional outermost layer structures become abradable and unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the outermost layer to a polyurethane structure with isocyanate groups, which fundamentally alters the layer's properties. This parameter change enables the layer to resist abrasion and maintain surface stability over extended periods, allowing the photoreceptor to be used repeatedly without frequent replacements, thereby reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Data Source
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AI summary
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a photoreceptor (11); a charger (12) to charge a surface of the photoreceptor; a circulating agent applicator (3) to apply a circulating agent to the surface of the photoreceptor while contacting the surface of the photoreceptor to form a film of the circulating agent on the surface of the photoreceptor; and a contact member (3C; 17) contacted with the surface of the photoreceptor. The acting force, which is generated by contact of the contact member with the photoreceptor and includes a tangential force Ft, which is a force in a tangential direction at a contact portion of the contact member with the surface of the photoreceptor, and a normal force Fn, which is a force in a normal direction at the contact portion, satisfies the following relationships, 0.90 ≤ Ft/Fn ≤ 0.96, and 1.15kgf ≤ Ft ≤ 1.35kgf.