Semiconductive Roller Chlorine Ion Extraction for Resistance Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semiconductive rollers used in electrophotographic image forming apparatuses experience a decrease in electrical resistance when transferred to high temperature and humidity environments due to the deliquescence of compounds like ZnCl2, leading to ion concentration increases and resistance degradation.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductive roller with a conductive support and a semiconductive elastic layer containing epichlorohydrin rubber and a conducting agent, featuring a foam structure, is immersed in water to reduce chlorine ion content to less than 0.06 μmol/cm², preventing the formation of ZnCl2 and subsequent resistance decreases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a semiconductive roller containing epichlorohydrin rubber and conducting agent is used, then electrical conductivity is achieved, but chlorine ion content increases leading to resistance degradation in high temperature and humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes chlorine ions from the semiconductive elastic layer through water immersion treatment. This extraction process eliminates the harmful chlorine ions that would otherwise combine with zinc oxide to form ZnCl2, thereby preventing resistance degradation in high temperature and humidity environments while maintaining the electrical conductivity provided by the conducting agent.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary water immersion treatment to the semiconductive roller before use. This preliminary action removes chlorine ions in advance, preventing the formation of ZnCl2 and subsequent resistance degradation when the roller is exposed to high temperature and humidity conditions during actual operation.
2Productivity
If the semiconductive roller operates in high temperature and humidity environments, then image forming capability is maintained, but ion concentration increases causing resistance decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water immersion into a beneficial process. By deliberately immersing the semiconductive roller in water, the chlorine ions are extracted and removed, transforming what could be a detrimental exposure to moisture into a beneficial purification process that enhances reliability in high temperature and humidity environments.
3Ease of manufacture
If ZnCl2 forms on the roller surface, then chlorine ions combine with zinc oxide, but electrical resistance decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by removing chlorine ions through water immersion before they can combine with zinc oxide to form ZnCl2. This preventive measure stops the harmful chemical reaction before it occurs, maintaining electrical resistance stability even when the roller is used in high temperature and humidity environments where such reactions would otherwise be promoted.
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 the increase in ion concentration and resistance decrease, even in high temperature and humidity environments, maintaining stable electrical properties and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductive elastic layer containing at least an epichlorohydrin rubber and a conducting agent and having a foam structure
Implementation Method 2
having a foam structure
Implementation Method 3
when the semiconductive roller is left to stand in water for 30 minutes, the chlorine ion content derived from the semiconductive elastic layer per unit area of the semiconductive elastic layer is approximately not more than 0.06 μmol/cm2
Implementation Method 4
containing at least an epichlorohydrin rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductive roller and a method of making the same, wherein the roller includes a conductive support and a semiconductive elastic layer disposed on a circumferential surface of the conductive support, the semiconductive elastic layer containing at least an epichlorohydrin rubber, an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber and a conducting agent and having a foam structure, wherein, when the semiconductive roller is left to stand in pure water for 30 minutes, the chlorine ion content derived from the semiconductive elastic layer per unit area of the semiconductive elastic layer is approximately not more than 0.06 0.06 μmol/cm2, wherein a mixing ratio of the epichlorohydrin rubber to the acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber ranges from 80/20 to 20/80 by mass and wherein no electricity has been run through the semiconductive roller prior to being immersed in the pure water.