Silicone-Graft Urethane Surface for Electrophotographic Toner Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrophotographic image forming apparatuses face issues with high frictional force, low toner releasability, and impaired density uniformity due to the use of urethane resins with high flexibility, leading to poor medium followability and toner separation from contact members.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic member with a surface layer comprising a silicone graft urethane resin, having an elastic deformation power of 30 to 90% and Martens hardness of 12 to 200 N/mm², which reduces friction and improves toner releasability while maintaining medium followability and density uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an urethane resin with high flexibility is used as the surface layer, then the medium followability is improved, but the frictional force increases and abrasion resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the hardness of the urethane resin surface layer within 10 to 50 Shore A. This specific hardness range optimizes the balance between flexibility (for medium followability) and friction reduction (for abrasion resistance). The elastic deformation power is also controlled within 30 to 90%, which further refines the mechanical properties to achieve both good followability and low friction simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining urethane resin with specific fillers and additives to create a surface layer that integrates both flexibility and low friction characteristics. The composite structure allows the material to maintain high flexibility for medium followability while incorporating low-friction components to reduce abrasion and frictional force during operation.
2Ease of operation
If an urethane resin with high flexibility is used as the surface layer, then the medium followability is improved, but the toner releasability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction through parameter changes by setting the hardness within 10 to 50 Shore A and elastic deformation power within 30 to 90%. These specific parameter ranges ensure the surface layer is flexible enough to follow the medium profile while maintaining appropriate surface energy characteristics for toner releasability. The controlled elastic deformation prevents excessive adhesion strength that would hinder toner separation.
3Strength
If a material with too high hardness is used, then the abrasion resistance is improved, but the medium followability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by establishing an optimal hardness range of 10 to 50 Shore A, which is significantly lower than conventional rigid materials but sufficient to provide abrasion resistance. This moderate hardness range allows the surface layer to deform elastically to follow the medium profile while maintaining enough structural integrity to resist wear and abrasion during the transfer process.
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 silicone graft urethane resin enhances toner releasability, reduces frictional force, and ensures better density uniformity by optimizing the elastic deformation power and Martens hardness, thereby improving the performance of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
in order to improve the toner releasability, the reduction of the surface free energy has been similarly also demanded
Implementation Method 2
The elastic intermediate transfer belt has a flexible elastic layer. For this reason, the pressure to act on the toner at the transfer part can be reduced
Implementation Method 3
an elastic deformation power ηIT calculated from a load displacement curve, obtained with a nanoindentation test according to ISO 14577 by bringing a Vickers indenter into contact with an outer surface of the surface layer
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic member comprising: a base layer; an elastic layer on the base layer; and a surface layer on the elastic layer, wherein the surface layer comprises a silicone graft urethane resin, an elastic deformation power ηIT calculated from a load displacement curve, obtained with a nanoindentation test according to ISO 14577 by bringing a Vickers indenter into contact with an outer surface of the surface layer and setting a test load at 260 μN, is 30 to 90%, and a Martens hardness determined by the nanoindentation test at the outer surface of the surface layer is 12 to 200 N/mm2.