Polyimide Endless Belt for Image-Forming Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Endless belts used in image-forming apparatuses are prone to breakage due to mechanical and thermal stresses, particularly when meandering under tension, leading to reduced durability and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A polyimide resin layer is developed containing two or more components derived from tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and/or diamine compounds, combined with solvents from a solvent group A (urea-based, alkoxy-group-containing amide-based, and ester-group-containing solvents) in specific concentrations, which enhances the molecular stacking and interaction, improving the belt's stability and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polyimide resin is used for endless belts to achieve high mechanical strength and heat resistance, then the belt's durability is improved, but the belt becomes prone to breakage when meandering under tension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polyimide resin by incorporating specific components derived from tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and diamine compounds in controlled ratios. This compositional parameter change modifies the molecular structure to reduce brittleness while maintaining strength, preventing breakage during meandering under tension

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polyimide resin system by combining multiple components from tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and diamine compounds. This composite approach integrates different molecular characteristics to achieve both high mechanical strength and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between strength and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Temperature

If polyimide resin is used to achieve heat resistance, then the belt can withstand thermal stress, but the belt loses flexibility and becomes prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters of the polyimide resin by controlling the types and ratios of tetracarboxylic dianhydride and diamine compound components. This parameter optimization maintains heat resistance while introducing molecular structures that preserve flexibility at elevated temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces local structural variations in the polyimide resin by selecting specific components with different molecular characteristics. Certain components provide heat resistance while others maintain flexibility, creating local quality differences that collectively resolve the contradiction between heat resistance and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11273628B2Endless belt, image-forming apparatus, endless belt unit, and polyimide resin molded product

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An endless belt includes a polyimide resin layer containing a polyimide resin containing two or more components derived from tetracarboxylic dianhydrides and/or two or more components derived from diamine compounds; and at least one solvent selected from a solvent group A consisting of urea-based solvents, alkoxy-group-containing amide-based solvents, and ester-group-containing amide-based solvents in an amount of from about 50 ppm to about 2,000 ppm.