Semi-conductive Silicone Roller Tribo-charge Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-conductive silicone polymer rollers used in office machines tend to accumulate tribo-charge, leading to paper jams due to their slippery surfaces and high volume resistivity, which is not effectively addressed by existing technologies.

Innovation Solution

The development of semi-conductive silicone compositions by combining a silicone precursor with an alkali metal salt and polymerizing in its presence to form a semi-conductive silicone composition with a volume resistivity of E8 to E12 ohm-cm, reducing tribo-charge accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If non-conductive silicone polymers are used, then electrical insulation is improved, but tribo-charge accumulation increases leading to paper jams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidtribo-charge accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the electrical conductivity parameter of silicone polymers by incorporating alkali metal salts, transforming them from non-conductive (E13-E15 ohm-cm) to semi-conductive (E8-E11 ohm-cm). This parameter modification allows the material to dissipate tribo-charge while maintaining adequate electrical insulation for printer applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite material system by combining silicone polymer with alkali metal salt additives. This composite approach integrates the insulating properties of silicone with the charge-dissipating characteristics of alkali metal salts, achieving a balance between electrical insulation and tribo-charge management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If conductive additives such as metal powders or carbon black are added, then conductivity is improved, but the amount of additive required is very high (up to 800% by weight)

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveconductivityVSAvoidadditive amount

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameter by using alkali metal salts instead of traditional conductive additives like metal powders or carbon black. This substitution achieves the desired semi-conductive properties (E8-E11 ohm-cm) with much lower additive concentrations, eliminating the need for excessive additive amounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive or quantity-intensive conductive additives with alkali metal salts that are more efficient at lower concentrations. This substitution reduces the quantity of substance required while achieving the same functional outcome of charge dissipation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If silicone polymer surface is made non-conductive, then electrical insulation is improved, but surface tackiness decreases making it slippery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidsurface tackiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the electrical conductivity parameter to a semi-conductive state (E8-E11 ohm-cm) rather than fully non-conductive, which maintains adequate surface tackiness for paper handling while providing sufficient charge dissipation capability. This intermediate parameter state resolves the contradiction between insulation and tackiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 semi-conductive silicone compositions effectively reduce tribo-charge buildup, preventing paper jams and enabling efficient charge dissipation, thus improving the performance of roller devices in office machines.

Implementation Method 1

The polymerized silicone composition can contain a polymer including silicon atoms chemically bound to electron-donating atoms, such as oxygen, forming a chemical coordination complex with an ionic portion of the alkali metal salt

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical coordination complex formation: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The semi-conductive silicone compositions effectively reduce tribo-charge buildup, preventing paper jams and enabling efficient charge dissipation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8222341B2Semi-conductive silicone polymers

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 MEARTHANE PRODS CORP

AI summary

Semi-conductive silicone compositions and articles of manufacture containing these compositions are formed by combining a silicone precursor composition with an alkali metal salt and polymerizing the silicone precursor composition in the presence of the alkali metal salt to form a polymerized semi-conductive silicone composition. The polymerized silicone composition can be formed into a solid or foam article of manufacture having a volume resistivity of E8 to E12 ohm-cm, such as a roller or an anti-static belt.