Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member Surface Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling the surface profile of electrophotographic photosensitive members are inefficient, leading to suboptimal cleaning performance and productivity, as they lack precise control over temperature and pressure, resulting in surface profile irregularities and reduced quality stability.
Innovation Solution
A process involving precise temperature control of the mold and support during surface processing, where the mold with a fine unevenness profile is brought into pressure contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, maintaining specific temperature relationships to achieve a controlled and reproducible surface profile transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the photosensitive member surface is roughened by controlling drying conditions, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the process complexity increases due to multiple control factors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state parameter of the charge transport layer by controlling temperature relative to its glass transition temperature (Tg). By heating the photosensitive member to a temperature above Tg during the surface roughening step, the layer becomes more pliable and can be effectively roughened by the cleaning blade, improving cleaning performance while simplifying the control process to primarily temperature management.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary heating to the photosensitive member before the cleaning operation to raise the temperature of the charge transport layer above its glass transition temperature. This preliminary thermal action prepares the material in a more compliant state, enabling effective surface roughening during the subsequent cleaning step without requiring complex multi-parameter control.
2Reliability
If a rubbery cleaning blade is used for cleaning, then the cleaning function is achieved, but the frictional force increases causing drive torque increase and blade turnover
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the charge transport layer by heating it above the glass transition temperature during cleaning. This parameter change modifies the material properties of the layer, making it softer and more compliant, which reduces the frictional force between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive member surface, thereby reducing drive torque and preventing blade turnover.
3Manufacturing precision
If powder particles are added to the surface layer to create roughness, then surface profile control is achieved, but the material selection and dispersibility constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the need for powder particles as a surface roughening agent. Instead of adding external materials, the invention uses the charge transport layer itself and modifies its temperature-dependent physical properties to achieve surface roughening through thermal softening and mechanical action during cleaning, thereby removing material selection and dispersibility constraints.
4Reliability
If the charge transport layer temperature is raised above glass transition temperature during cleaning, then the cleaning performance is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary heating to raise the charge transport layer temperature above its glass transition temperature before and during the cleaning operation. This preliminary thermal action prepares the material in a more compliant state, enabling effective surface roughening and reduced friction during cleaning, with the energy investment justified by the significant improvement in cleaning performance and reduction in blade-related problems.
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 process enables the formation of electrophotographic photosensitive members with improved cleaning performance and productivity by ensuring precise control over surface profiles, enhancing the reproducibility and stability of the surface processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
bringing i) the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising at least a cylindrical support and a charge transport layer provided thereon and ii) a mold having a fine unevenness surface profile, into pressure contact with each other to transfer the fine unevenness surface profile to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member
Implementation Method 2
the mold and the cylindrical support are so temperature-controlled as to be T312 where the glass transition temperature of the charge transport layer is represented by T1 (° C.), the temperature of the mold by T2 (° C.), and the temperature of the cylindrical support by T3 (° C.)
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, which has the step of bringing i) the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having at least a charge transport layer on a cylindrical support and ii) a mold having a fine unevenness surface profile into pressure contact with each other to transfer the fine unevenness surface profile to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The mold and the support are so temperature-controlled as to be T3<T1<T2 where the glass transition temperature of the charge transport layer is represented by T1 (°C.), the temperature of the mold by T2 (°C.), and the temperature of the support by T3 (°C.).