Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member Intermediate Layer Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

The incorporation of electron transporting materials in electrophotographic photosensitive members can lead to reduced adhesiveness at the interface between the intermediate and charge generating layers, resulting in ghost phenomena due to charge retention issues, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a polymer compound with specific polymerizable functional groups in the intermediate layer, combined with a phthalocyanine pigment and resin in the charge generating layer, to enhance adhesiveness and reduce ghost phenomena by optimizing the surface profile of the intermediate layer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electron transporting material is incorporated into the intermediate layer to suppress charge remaining, then charge transfer is smoothed, but adhesiveness at the interface between intermediate layer and charge generating layer is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecharge transfer efficiencyVSAvoidadhesiveness at interface

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the electron transporting material by introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amino, or thiol groups) directly into the molecular structure. This structural modification enables the material to maintain both its electron transporting function and its adhesiveness to the charge generating layer, resolving the contradiction between charge transfer efficiency and interface bonding strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite electron transporting material that combines the electron transporting moiety with functional groups capable of forming strong bonds with the charge generating layer. This composite structure integrates multiple functions (charge transport and adhesion) into a single material system, eliminating the need to choose between conflicting performance characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If cured product of electron transporting material is incorporated into the intermediate layer, then material stability is improved, but adhesiveness at interface is reduced causing ghost phenomenon

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial stabilityVSAvoidghost phenomenon

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates the functional groups into the electron transporting material structure before the curing process. This preliminary structural design ensures that the material maintains bonding capability with the charge generating layer even after curing, preventing the ghost phenomenon while preserving material stability. The functional groups are pre-positioned to form bonds before the curing-induced adhesion loss occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9864285B2Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 CANON KK

AI summary

Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising a support, an intermediate layer formed on the support, a charge generating layer formed directly on the intermediate layer, and a charge transporting layer formed on the charge generating layer, in which the intermediate layer contains a compound represented by the formula (1).