Seamless Belt Composition Preventing Image Voids
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing compositions for seamless belts used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with image voids and defective cleaning, particularly in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, due to the bleeding of low-molecular-weight components from thermoplastic resins when conductive agents are dispersed, leading to poor cleaning performance.
Innovation Solution
A composition for seamless belts comprising a thermoplastic resin and a conductive agent, where the liquid extracted with methanol has an intensity not greater than 7×10^8 in a total ion chromatogram, using specific thermoplastic resins like polyvinylidene fluoride and conductive agents like carbon black, and optionally including antistats to control surface resistivity, is developed to prevent image voids and improve cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conductive agent is dispersed in a thermoplastic resin by melting and kneading, then the seamless belt achieves conductivity, but low-molecular-weight components bleed from the belt in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, causing image voids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular weight parameter of the thermoplastic resin by selecting resins with specific molecular weight ranges (number average molecular weight: 10,000-100,000, weight average molecular weight: 50,000-500,000) and using specific resin types (polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, or their copolymers) to prevent bleeding of low-molecular-weight components while maintaining conductivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system combining specific thermoplastic resins (polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, or their copolymers) with conductive agents (carbon black, metal oxides, or metal powders) in controlled ratios to achieve both conductivity and resistance to component bleeding in high-temperature and high-humidity environments
2Reliability
If a semi-conductive endless belt is formed using fluorine-based resin with specific properties, then the belt achieves desired electrical properties, but cleaning performance becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the surface energy and friction parameters by selecting specific resin types (polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, or their copolymers) and controlling the conductive agent content (0.1-10 parts by weight per 100 parts resin) to achieve both proper electrical properties and improved cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by controlling the distribution and concentration of conductive agents within the resin matrix, ensuring that the belt surface has appropriate electrical properties while maintaining cleanability through optimized material composition and surface characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A composition for seamless belt includes a thermoplastic resin; and a conductive agent. A liquid extracted from the composition with methanol has an intensity not greater than 7×108 in a total ion chromatogram.