Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Surface Roughness and Reflectivity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophotographic photoreceptors face challenges in achieving optimal surface roughness and reflectivity conditions, leading to issues with image quality, ghost images, and interference, which affect the longevity and performance of the photoreceptor.

Innovation Solution

The electrophotographic photoreceptor is designed with a specific configuration that includes a conductive support, a photosensitive layer, and a surface protective layer, where the surface roughness and reflectivity are controlled to satisfy the conditions 3.6≦(A+B)/C×100≦6 and B≦0.3, with A representing the ten-point-averaged surface roughness of the conductive support, B representing the surface roughness of the surface protective layer, and C representing the reflectivity of the surface protective layer against the conductive support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the surface roughness of the photoreceptor is reduced to improve image quality, then image quality deteriorates due to ghost images and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface roughnessVSAvoidimage quality stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the surface roughness parameters (Rz values of 3.6-6.0 μm for the conductive support and 0.1-0.3 μm for the surface protective layer) and reflectivity (5-15%) to achieve optimal balance between image quality and ghost image prevention. This quantitative parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the specific range that prevents both excessive roughness defects and insufficient smoothness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material structure combining a conductive support with a surface protective layer having specific optical and mechanical properties. The composite structure allows independent optimization of each layer's properties - the conductive support provides electrical functionality while the surface protective layer provides controlled surface roughness and reflectivity, achieving both image quality and ghost image prevention simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the reflectivity of the surface protective layer is increased to prevent ghost images, then interference and image quality deterioration occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveghost image preventionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction through precise parameter control by limiting the reflectivity of the surface protective layer to a specific range of 5-15%. This quantitative constraint prevents excessive reflectivity that would cause interference and image quality deterioration, while maintaining sufficient reflectivity to prevent ghost images. The optimized parameter range simultaneously satisfies both requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the surface roughness is optimized to extend photoreceptor life, then manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotoreceptor lifeVSAvoidsurface roughness control

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses this contradiction by establishing specific Rz value ranges (3.6-6.0 μm for conductive support, 0.1-0.3 μm for surface protective layer) that balance manufacturability with extended service life. These parameter specifications provide clear manufacturing guidelines that achieve the desired surface quality without requiring excessively tight tolerances, thus extending photoreceptor life while maintaining reasonable manufacturing precision requirements.

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 results in an electrophotographic photoreceptor with improved potential characteristics, extended life, and reduced deterioration in image quality, effectively preventing ghost images and interference, thereby enhancing the photoreceptor's performance and longevity.

Implementation Method 1

C (%) represents a reflectivity of the surface protective layer against the conductive support

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS8142969B2Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.03.27 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive support; a photosensitive layer; and a surface protective layer as an outermost layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor satisfies following formulas (a) and (b):3.6≦(A+B)/C×100≦6 (a)B≦0.3 (b)wherein A (μm) represents a ten-point-averaged surface roughness RZJIS94 of the conductive support, B (μm) represents a ten-point-averaged surface roughness RZJIS94 of the surface protective layer, and C (%) represents a reflectivity of the surface protective layer against the conductive support.