Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member Surface Layer Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members with surface layers containing silicone oil or resins with siloxane structures suffer from reduced image density due to whitening and increased variation in light area potential during repeated use, and existing solutions with polycarbonate or polyester resins having siloxane structures at the end lead to higher frictional forces.
Innovation Solution
A surface layer comprising a combination of polycarbonate and polyester resins without siloxane structures at the end, along with specific compounds like methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, and diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether, which reduces initial friction and stabilizes light area potential over repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If silicone oil is added to the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, then lubricating properties are improved, but the surface layer is whitened causing reduction in sensitivity and lower image density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes silicone oil from the surface layer composition entirely, replacing it with a siloxane-modified polyester resin that provides lubricating properties without causing whitening. This extraction of the harmful component (silicone oil) while retaining the useful function (lubrication) resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by using a siloxane-modified polyester resin instead of pure polyester or silicone oil. This parameter change maintains lubricating properties while eliminating the whitening effect, thus resolving the contradiction between lubricating properties and image density.
2Ease of operation
If polycarbonate resin or polyester resin having siloxane structure at the end is used for the surface layer, then lubricating properties are improved, but variation in light area potential due to repeating use is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite resin system combining siloxane-modified polyester resin with specific compounds (methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, or diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether). This composite material approach provides both lubricating properties and stable light area potential, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and compositional stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific compounds (methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, or diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether) as intermediary substances that mediate between the siloxane-modified polyester resin and the operational requirements. These intermediaries stabilize the light area potential while the siloxane structure provides lubrication, resolving the contradiction.
3Force
If resin with siloxane structure is used for the surface layer, then frictional force is reduced, but initial friction coefficient is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates compounds with low surface energy (methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, or diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether) into the surface layer formulation before use. These compounds perform preliminary surface modification that reduces the initial friction coefficient, while the siloxane-modified polyester resin maintains low frictional force during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The electrophotographic photosensitive member includes a surface layer containing (a) a polycarbonate or polyester resin not having a siloxane structure at the end, (ß) a polycarbonate or polyester or acrylic resin having a siloxane structure at the end, and (?) a methyl benzoate, an ethyl benzoate, a benzyl acetate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate or a diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether.