Protecting Agent Device for Image Bearing Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recent advancements in image forming technologies, particularly in copiers and printers, face challenges in maintaining the longevity and performance of image bearing members due to increased electrical and physical stresses, especially with the use of smaller and more spherical toner particles, which are difficult to clean and can lead to abrasion and staining of components.
Innovation Solution
A protecting agent-supplying device that applies a specific amount of a fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride to the image bearing member, within the range of 0.4-2.5 atomic % zinc and 0.2-30.2 atomic % boron, to form a protective layer that reduces abrasion and prevents filming, thereby extending the service life of the image bearing member and other components while ensuring stable image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If smaller and more spherical toner particles are used to improve image quality, then image quality is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases and abrasion resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A protecting agent layer is introduced as an intermediary between the toner particles and the image bearing member surface. This layer mediates the interaction by providing a protective barrier that reduces direct contact and friction, thereby preventing abrasion and staining while allowing the smaller spherical toner particles to maintain their image quality benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the protecting agent by specifying precise ratios of fatty acid zinc salt (0.4-2.5 atomic % Zn) and boron nitride (0.2-30.2 atomic % B). These parameter changes optimize the protecting agent's properties to provide effective abrasion resistance and cleaning facilitation while maintaining compatibility with the image bearing member
2Productivity
If cleaning pressure is increased to remove toner particles, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but abrasion of the image bearing member increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protecting agent layer serves as a mediator between the cleaning process and the image bearing member. It allows cleaning operations to be performed more effectively by reducing the adhesion of toner particles to the image bearing member surface, while simultaneously protecting the surface from abrasion during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 2:
The protecting agent layer is applied in advance before the cleaning process occurs. This pre-applied layer cushions the image bearing member surface against the mechanical stresses of cleaning, preventing direct contact between cleaning elements and the image bearing member surface
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protecting agent is applied to reduce friction, then abrasion resistance is improved, but filming on the surface may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention precisely controls the composition parameters of the protecting agent, specifying that it contains fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride within specific atomic percentage ranges (0.4-2.5 atomic % Zn, 0.2-30.2 atomic % B). These parameter changes optimize the protecting agent to provide adequate lubrication and abrasion resistance while preventing excessive material transfer that would cause filming
Solution Approach 2:
The protecting agent is formulated as a composite material combining fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride in specific ratios. This composite composition synergistically provides both lubrication properties for abrasion resistance and controlled material transfer characteristics that prevent filming on the image bearing member surface
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 protective layer effectively prevents abrasion and staining, extends the service life of image bearing members and charging components, and maintains image quality by controlling the amount of boron and zinc on the surface, ensuring consistent performance over time.
Implementation Method 1
A protecting agent-supplying device that applies a specific amount of a fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride to the image bearing member, within the range of 0.4-2.5 atomic % zinc and 0.2-30.2 atomic % boron, to form a protective layer
Implementation Method 2
The protective layer effectively prevents abrasion and staining, extends the service life of image bearing members and charging components
Data Source
AI summary
A protecting agent-supplying device which supplies, to an image bearing member, an image bearing member-protecting agent for protecting the image bearing member, wherein the image bearing member-protecting agent contains at least a fatty acid zinc salt and boron nitride, and wherein the protecting agent-supplying device supplies the image bearing member-protecting agent to the image bearing member so that the amount of zinc (Zn) present on a surface of the image bearing member satisfies the relation 0.4≦Zn≦2.5 (Atomic %) and the amount of boron (B) present on the surface of the image bearing member satisfies the relation 0.2≦B≦30.2 (Atomic %).