Poly(amic acid amideimide) Intermediate Transfer Member for Xerography

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intermediate transfer members in xerographic systems face issues such as degradation, high cost, low modulus and break strength, poor release characteristics, brittleness, and high material costs, leading to incomplete toner transfer and image quality issues, especially in high-end machines.

Innovation Solution

A seamless intermediate transfer member comprising a mixture of poly(amic acid amideimide), a tertiary amine, a phosphate ester, a polysiloxane or fluoro polymer, and a conductive filler, which provides improved mechanical strength, release characteristics, and cost-effectiveness by using poly(amic acid-co-amideimide) copolymers and conductive components like carbon black.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polyphenylsulfones are used in intermediate transfer members, then the members can be manufactured, but they degrade after about 20-30 kiloprints

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymers with specific ratios of amideimide and carboxylic acid groups, along with adding tertiary amines and phosphate esters, to achieve both durability and extended service life beyond 30 kiloprints

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer, tertiary amine, phosphate ester, and conductive filler to achieve superior reliability and service life compared to single-material solutions like polyphenylsulfones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If thermosetting polyimides are used in intermediate transfer members, then acceptable modulus is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases due to extended curing time

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemodulusVSAvoidcuring time

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the curing parameters by using a catalyst system (tertiary amine) that enables poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymers to achieve acceptable modulus with reduced curing time compared to conventional thermosetting polyimides

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer formulation that reduces both material cost and processing time, providing an economical alternative to expensive thermosetting polyimides while maintaining acceptable performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If thermoplastic materials like polycarbonates and polyesters are used in intermediate transfer members, then low cost is achieved, but modulus values are low at 1,000-2,000 MPa

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmodulus

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent develops a composite material system where poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer combines the low cost advantage of thermoplastics with enhanced mechanical properties, achieving modulus exceeding 2,000 MPa through copolymer composition and additive systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameters by synthesizing copolymers with specific amideimide and carboxylic acid group ratios, and incorporating tertiary amines and phosphate esters, to achieve high modulus while maintaining cost-effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If an intermediate release layer is deposited on metal substrate, then components can be separated by peeling, but preparation cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverelease capabilityVSAvoidpreparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the release layer from the multi-layer structure, creating a single-layer intermediate transfer member where the poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer itself provides both structural function and release capability, eliminating the separate release layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer layer multi-functional, serving simultaneously as the structural intermediate transfer member and as the release layer, thereby reducing preparation steps and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

5Manufacturing precision

If multiple developed toner transfer operations are performed in color systems, then complete color image transfer is achieved, but charge exchange between toner particles and transfer member occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage registrationVSAvoidtoner transfer completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface electrical parameters by incorporating conductive fillers and using poly(amic acid amideimide) copolymer with specific compositional ratios, achieving low surface resistivity that prevents charge exchange during multiple toner transfer operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8545989B2Poly(amic acid amideimide) tertiary amine intermediate transfer members

Publication Date: 2013.10.01 XEROX CORP

AI summary

An intermediate transfer member that includes a mixture of a poly(amic acid amideimide), a tertiary amine, an optional phosphate ester, an optional polysiloxane or an optional fluoro polymer, and an optional conductive filler component.