Pressure Roller Adhesive Layer Electrostatic Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing devices in electrophotographic printers and copiers face issues with electrostatic offset and toner stain due to the high electrical insulation properties of fluorine resin releasing layers, leading to continuous image defects and toner accumulation on the pressure roller.
Innovation Solution
A pressure roller configuration with a core metal, elastic layer, adhesive layer containing monomer electrolyte, and a releasing layer formed from fluorine resin, which includes conductive members like carbon black or ion conductive substances to improve electrostatic charge management and reduce toner adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fluorine resin releasing layer is used on the pressure roller to prevent toner adhesion, then the releasing property is improved, but the electrostatic offset occurs due to high electrical insulation and charge accumulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining fluorine resin with conductive materials (carbon black, metal particles, or ion-conductive substances) to create a releasing layer that simultaneously provides both releasing properties and electrostatic charge dissipation. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating two opposing requirements into a single functional layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameter of the releasing layer by incorporating conductive materials that modify its electrical resistance. The conductive material content is controlled to achieve optimal balance: enough to dissipate electrostatic charge but not so much as to compromise the releasing property. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between insulation and conductivity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conductive materials are added to the fluorine resin releasing layer to reduce electrostatic charge, then the electrostatic offset is suppressed, but toner stain occurs due to reduced releasing property
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the concentration and distribution of conductive materials within the fluorine resin matrix to optimize the balance between electrostatic charge dissipation and toner releasing. By adjusting the amount and type of conductive additive, the patent achieves a parameter range where both electrostatic offset suppression and releasing property are maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality variations by distributing conductive materials non-uniformly within the releasing layer or using different conductive materials with varying properties. This allows different regions or aspects of the releasing layer to fulfill different functions: some areas provide releasing property while others provide electrostatic dissipation, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the electrical resistance of the pressure roller surface is decreased to prevent charge accumulation, then electrostatic offset is reduced, but toner adheres more strongly causing image defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining fluorine resin base material with controlled amounts of conductive additives. This composite structure provides a balanced electrical resistance that prevents charge accumulation while maintaining sufficient releasing property to prevent excessive toner adhesion, resolving the contradiction between these two harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the electrical resistance parameter of the pressure roller surface by controlling the type, amount, and distribution of conductive materials in the composite releasing layer. This parameter optimization achieves a sweet spot where electrical resistance is low enough to prevent charge accumulation but high enough to maintain releasing property, resolving the contradiction.
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 effectively suppresses electrostatic offset and toner stain on the pressure roller, ensuring stable image formation without significant defects, by balancing electrostatic conductivity and releasing properties.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive layer contains monomer electrolyte... which includes conductive members like carbon black or ion conductive substances to improve electrostatic charge management
Implementation Method 2
the fluorine resin has properties in which it is easily electrically charged and static electricity is hardly escaped therefrom... to prevent the fluorine resin of the releasing layer from being electrically charged
Implementation Method 3
a pressure roller brought into contact with the fixing roller to form a nip portion... while the recording material is pinched and transported at the nip portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A pressure roller for use in a fixing device includes a core metal, an elastic layer, a releasing layer, and an adhesive layer configured to cause the elastic layer and the releasing layer to adhere to each other, wherein the adhesive layer contains monomer electrolyte.