Electrophotographic Fixing Rotating Member with Resin-Anchored Silver Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fixing members in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face durability issues due to delamination between layers, particularly between the substrate and electro-conductive layer made of silver, which is prone to oxidation and stress, leading to conductivity loss.
Innovation Solution
A fixing rotating member with an electro-conductive layer containing silver and through-holes in the thickness direction, where a resinous layer penetrates into these holes, enhancing adhesion and integration with the substrate, thereby improving durability and preventing delamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If an electro-conductive layer containing silver is used for electromagnetic induction heating, then warm-up time is reduced, but the electro-conductive layer is prone to oxidation and delamination from the substrate
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-conductive layer is designed with a porous structure containing through-holes that extend from the outer surface to the inner surface. This porous structure allows the resin substrate to penetrate and bond with the electro-conductive layer, significantly improving adhesion and preventing delamination while maintaining electromagnetic induction heating efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite structure where the electro-conductive layer (containing silver particles in a resin matrix) is integrated with the resin substrate through the porous structure. This composite design combines the electromagnetic induction properties of silver with the mechanical strength and adhesion of the resin, preventing oxidation and delamination
2Loss of time
If the electro-conductive layer is made thin to reduce warm-up time, then heating efficiency improves, but adhesion to the substrate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure with through-holes provides increased surface area and mechanical interlocking points, allowing thin electro-conductive layers to achieve strong adhesion to the substrate. The resin penetrates through the pores, creating anchor points that strengthen the bond without requiring increased layer thickness
3Reliability
If a metal protective layer is added to prevent oxidation, then durability improves, but the structure becomes more complex and adhesion issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The electro-conductive layer itself is designed as a composite material containing silver particles dispersed in a resin matrix. This composite structure provides oxidation resistance inherent to the material composition without requiring additional protective metal layers, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining durability
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 fixing rotating member with enhanced durability and stability, ensuring consistent high-quality image formation by preventing delamination and maintaining conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
a fixing apparatus relying on electromagnetic-induction heat generation schemes and having an electro-conductive layer on a fixing rotating member, such that the electro-conductive layer can be directly caused to generate heat
Implementation Method 2
an induction heating device causing the fixing rotating member to generate heat by induction heating
Data Source
AI summary
A fixing rotating member comprising: a substrate comprising a resin; an electro-conductive layer on the substrate; and a resinous layer on a surface of the electro-conductive layer, the surface being opposed to a side of the electro-conductive layer facing the substrate, the electro-conductive layer extending in a circumferential direction of an outer peripheral surface of the substrate, the electro-conductive layer comprising silver, the electro-conductive layer having, in a thickness direction thereof, a through-hole, wherein at least a part of the through-hole is penetrated by a resin that constitutes at least a part of the resinous layer.