Polyether Rubber Conductive Member for Stable Electrical Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conductive members in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining low electrical resistance and stability over time, with conventional methods failing to consistently achieve the required low resistance values and stability without adding conductivity imparting materials, and suffering from contamination and image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

A polyether rubber composition containing a specific proportion of an onium ion unit, which is cross-linked using a cross-linking agent, resulting in a conductive member with low and stable electrical resistance values without the need for additional conductivity materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the unit amount of ethylene oxide monomer is increased to lower electrical resistance, then conductivity is improved, but the rubber becomes water soluble and difficult to produce, and causes contamination of photoconductor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidwater solubility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of polyether rubber by incorporating specific amounts of onium salt-containing compounds (0.1-30 mol%) and controlling the ratio of ethylene oxide units to other units. This allows achieving low electrical resistance without excessive ethylene oxide content that would cause water solubility. The cross-linking degree is also adjusted to balance conductivity and processability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system by combining polyether rubber with onium salts (such as quaternary ammonium salts) and cross-linking agents. This composite approach allows the rubber to achieve low electrical resistance through the ionic conductivity of onium salts while maintaining water insolubility and controllable processability through the rubber matrix and cross-linking structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conventional conductivity imparting materials are added to rubber, then conductivity is improved, but dispersity control is difficult and electrical resistance value varies during molding and cross-linking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoiddispersity control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs polyether rubber with inherent semi-conductivity properties, eliminating the need for external conductivity imparting materials. The rubber itself provides stable electrical resistance through its molecular structure and ionic groups, achieving self-service conductivity without requiring precise dispersion control of additives during molding and cross-linking processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If conductivity imparting materials are added to achieve low electrical resistance, then conductivity is improved, but the conductive member deteriorates under continuous voltage application and electrical resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical resistanceVSAvoidcontinuous use stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a stable composite material system where polyether rubber is combined with onium salts and cross-linked to form a durable conductive member. The cross-linking structure provides long-term stability under voltage application, preventing deterioration and maintaining consistent electrical resistance over extended periods of continuous use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the cross-linking degree and onium salt content to achieve a balance between conductivity and long-term stability. By controlling these parameters, the conductive member maintains low electrical resistance while resisting deterioration under continuous voltage application, ensuring stable performance over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides a conductive member with consistently low electrical resistance and minimal variation, even under continuous use, while preventing contamination and maintaining image quality, by utilizing a polyether rubber with an onium ion unit in a specific proportion and cross-linking process.

Implementation Method 1

polyether rubber or the like having semi-conductivity by itself without being added with a conductivity imparting material has been used as a conductive member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

a cross-linked rubber for constituting part of the conductive member, and a rubber composition containing polyether rubber for constituting the cross-linked rubber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-linking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9236159B2Polyether rubber, rubber composition, cross-linked rubber, and conductive member

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 ZEON CORP

AI summary

Provided is a polyether rubber that contains a specific proportion of a specific unit containing an onium ion. According to the present invention, a conductive member and a cross-linked rubber that constitutes part of the conductive member can be provided, in which the conductive member has low electrical resistance value and little variation in electrical resistance, and suppressed increases in the electrical resistance value even if used continuously.