Silicone Rubber Belt Elastic Modulus for Uneven Paper Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face challenges in forming high-quality images on recording media with uneven surfaces, such as thick paper and embossed paper with surface unevenness exceeding 100 μm, due to insufficient toner transfer efficiency, and existing solutions compromise on flexibility and flame retardance.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic belt with a flexible elastic layer made of cured silicone rubber, having an elastic modulus of 1.00 MPa or less and a burning time of 30 seconds or less in a burn test, is developed, which maintains high flame retardance and improved transfer efficiency by adjusting the molar ratio of Si—H groups to unsaturated aliphatic groups in the liquid silicone rubber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electrophotographic image is formed on the surface of a recording medium that is not smooth, then the transfer of the toner image to the recesses on the surface of the recording medium may be insufficient, but using an intermediate transfer belt with an elastic layer including rubber such as silicone rubber improves followability to the surface shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the silicone rubber by controlling the molar ratio of Si-H groups to unsaturated aliphatic groups (0.8:1.2 to 1.2:0.8), adjusting crosslinking density to achieve an elastic modulus of 0.5-2.0 MPa. This parameter optimization enables the elastic layer to simultaneously conform to uneven surfaces and maintain sufficient toner transfer capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite elastic layer combining cured silicone rubber with specific crosslinking structures. The composite material integrates flexibility from the silicone rubber base with controlled crosslinking density, achieving both surface followability and adequate toner transfer to recesses on uneven recording media.
2Ease of operation
If the elastic layer is made more flexible to improve followability, then the flame retardance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molar ratio of Si-H groups to unsaturated aliphatic groups within the range of 0.8:1.2 to 1.2:0.8, which controls the crosslinking density and achieves an elastic modulus of 0.5-2.0 MPa. This parameter control enables the elastic layer to be sufficiently flexible (elastic modulus ≤2.0 MPa) while maintaining flame retardance of 30 seconds or less in UL94 VTM burn tests.
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 enables efficient transfer of toner images onto uneven surfaces while maintaining high flame retardance, ensuring high-quality image formation on thick or embossed papers with surface unevenness exceeding 100 μm.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic layer on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate. The elastic layer comprises a cured rubber product including a cured silicone rubber product
Implementation Method 2
adjusting the molar ratio of Si—H groups to unsaturated aliphatic groups in the liquid silicone rubber
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic belt comprising: a substrate and an elastic layer on an outer peripheral surface of the substrate, the elastic layer comprising a cured rubber product including a cured silicone rubber product, an elastic modulus of the elastic layer at a temperature of 23° C. being 1.00 MPa or less, wherein when 1 g sample collected from the elastic layer is immersed in 50 ml of toluene at a temperature of 23° C. for 24 hours in accordance with Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) K6258:2016, an extract of 3% by mass to 20% by mass with respect to the sample is extracted, and a burning time of the elastic layer in a burn test in accordance with UL94 VTM standard is 30 seconds or less.