Electrophotographic Photosensitive Member Undercoat Layer Ghost Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic photosensitive members suffer from positive ghost phenomena due to charge retention in the charge generating layer, leading to image defects and fluctuations in image quality over continuous output.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a compound represented by a specific formula or its polymer into the undercoat layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, which includes a long-chain group, to enhance electron transfer and reduce charge retention, thereby suppressing ghost occurrences and image defects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a charge generating material with higher sensitivity is used, then the sensitivity of the photosensitive member is improved, but charge is liable to remain in the charge generating layer causing ghost phenomena
Solution Approach 1:
An electron transporting layer is introduced as an intermediary between the charge generating layer and the support. This layer mediates the electron transfer process, facilitating smooth electron movement from the charge generating layer to the support, thereby preventing charge accumulation and ghost phenomena while preserving the high sensitivity characteristics of the charge generating material
Solution Approach 2:
The photosensitive member is segmented into distinct functional layers: a charge generating layer for generating charges, an electron transporting layer for facilitating electron transfer, and a support structure. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, with the electron transporting layer specifically addressing the charge accumulation problem without compromising the sensitivity of the charge generating layer
2Reliability
If electron transporting materials are incorporated into the undercoat layer, then charge transfer is improved, but image defects such as fogging may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The electron transporting functionality is localized to a specific electron transporting layer rather than being distributed throughout the entire undercoat region. This localized approach ensures efficient charge transfer occurs precisely where needed (at the interface between charge generating layer and support) while maintaining proper electrical potential gradients that prevent fogging and other image defects
3Reliability
If an undercoat layer is added to suppress charge injection from the support, then charging ability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The electron transporting layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it facilitates electron transfer from the charge generating layer to the support, maintains proper electrical potential gradients to prevent fogging, and works in conjunction with the undercoat layer to suppress unwanted charge injection from the support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate layers, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity
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
The solution effectively reduces charge retention and image defects, maintaining consistent image quality by improving electron transfer and film formation, resulting in a stable electrophotographic performance.
Implementation Method 1
a technology involving incorporating an electron transporting material into the undercoat layer to smoothen the transfer of an electron from a charge generating layer side to the support side
Implementation Method 2
an electrophotographic photosensitive member containing an organic photoconductive material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising: a support, an undercoat layer formed on the support, and a photosensitive layer formed on the undercoat layer, on which the undercoat layer contains one of a compound represented by the formula (1) and a polymer of a composition containing the compound represented by the formula (1).