Polyether Ester Amide Outer Layer for Image Forming Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, it is challenging to suppress filming and control resistivity in semiconducting materials, particularly in thermoplastic resin extrusions, leading to deviations in resistance and abnormal images.
Innovation Solution
A member for an image forming apparatus is developed with an outer layer comprising polyether ester amide containing polyethylene glycol, which inhibits filming by controlling the amount of monomeric polyethylene glycol and polyether ester amide, combined with a thermoplastic resin and conductivity filler, to maintain consistent resistance and prevent abnormal images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If semiconducting resin composition is used in image forming apparatus, then abnormal images and filming are suppressed, but it is difficult to control resistivity in semiconducting range and deviation of resistance becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the resin by incorporating polyether ester amide with polyethylene glycol units and controlling monomeric polyethylene glycol content. This chemical parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of semiconducting properties and reduced resistivity deviation through molecular structure design rather than additive formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite resin system combining polyether ester amide with specific polyethylene glycol content and monomeric polyethylene glycol in controlled amounts. This composite approach leverages the synergistic effects of the polymer matrix and polyethylene glycol units to achieve both filming suppression and resistivity control that neither component could achieve alone.
2Ease of manufacture
If thermoplastic resin extrusion is used to mold the belt, then manufacturing is simplified, but deviation of resistance in circumferential direction becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the resin composition parameters to include polyether ester amide with polyethylene glycol units, which inherently provides more uniform electrical properties during extrusion. This material parameter change compensates for the non-uniformity that would otherwise result from the extrusion process, maintaining resistivity control while preserving manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures that the polyether ester amide and monomeric polyethylene glycol are uniformly distributed at the molecular level within the resin matrix. This local uniformity of composition ensures consistent resistivity properties throughout the circumferential direction of the extruded belt, even though the overall shape is formed through extrusion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polyethylene glycol content is increased to inhibit filming, then filming is suppressed, but resistance control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the polyethylene glycol content parameter within a specific range (1-25 μmol/g) and incorporates polyether ester amide containing polyethylene glycol structural units. This precise parameter control ensures sufficient filming inhibition while maintaining resistivity within the semiconducting range, resolving the trade-off between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses polyether ester amide that incorporates polyethylene glycol units homogeneously within its polymer chain structure. This homogeneous integration ensures uniform distribution of polyethylene glycol functionality throughout the material, providing consistent filming suppression and resistivity control without localized variations that would compromise performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Member for an image forming apparatus having an outer layer that includes polyethylene glycol and a polyether ester amide having therein a structural unit of polyethylene glycol.