Polyrotaxane Surface Layer for Electrophotographic Member Resistance Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic members experience variations in electric resistance when exposed to different environmental conditions, such as high-temperature, high-humidity environments, leading to instability in forming high-quality electrophotographic images.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic member with an electroconductive substrate and a surface layer containing bound polyrotaxane, where first and second polyrotaxane molecules are bound through cyclic molecules with specific linking groups, maintaining stable electric resistance across varying environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrophotographic members are used, then basic electrophotographic function is achieved, but electric resistance varies significantly in high-temperature, high-humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polyrotaxane molecules with specific cyclic compounds (having hydroxy groups) and crosslinking agents to create a surface layer with stable electric resistance. This composite structure maintains consistent electrical properties across varying temperature and humidity conditions, directly resolving the reliability issue in harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the electrophotographic member's surface layer by introducing bound polyrotaxane structures with specific molecular configurations. These parameter changes in molecular architecture and crosslinking density result in enhanced stability of electric resistance under environmental stress.
2Productivity
If printing speed is increased, then productivity is improved, but heat generation from friction increases causing temperature variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal parameters of the electrophotographic member through the bound polyrotaxane surface layer, which exhibits superior thermal stability. This structural modification allows the member to withstand higher temperatures generated during high-speed printing without compromising electrical performance.
3Strength
If surface layer is added to enhance durability, then strength is improved, but electric resistance stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite surface layer combining polyrotaxane molecules, cyclic compounds with hydroxy groups, and crosslinking agents. This composite structure simultaneously provides enhanced mechanical durability and stable electric resistance, resolving the contradiction between strength and electrical reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by designing a surface layer with specific molecular arrangements and crosslinking densities that optimize both mechanical properties and electrical stability. The bound polyrotaxane structure provides localized regions of enhanced durability while maintaining overall electric resistance consistency.
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 bound polyrotaxane structure ensures consistent electric resistance and reduced fluctuations, even after environmental cycles, enhancing the stability and quality of electrophotographic images produced.
Implementation Method 1
a bound polyrotaxane of which a first polyrotaxane and a second polyrotaxane are bound... Each of the first cyclic molecule and the second cyclic molecule has at least one hydroxy group... the oxygen atom derived from the hydroxy group of the first cyclic molecule is bound to the oxygen atom derived from the hydroxy group of the second cyclic molecule
Data Source
AI summary
The electrophotographic member includes an electroconductive substrate and an electroconductive surface layer. The surface layer contains an electroconductivity imparting agent and a polyrotaxane including a first and a second polyrotaxane molecule.The first polyrotaxane molecule includes a first cyclic molecule, and the second polyrotaxane molecule includes a second cyclic molecule. The cyclic molecules of the first and the second polyrotaxane molecules are bound in such a manner that the oxygen atom of a hydroxy group of the first cyclic molecule and the oxygen atom of a hydroxy group of the second cyclic molecule are bound with a structure represented by the following formula (1):*—R1—Z—R2—**In this formula, z represents a linking group, and “*” and “**” represent binding sites to be bound to either of the oxygen atoms derived from the hydroxy groups of the first and the second cyclic molecule. R1 and R2 each represent a specific structure.