Intermediate Transfer Belt Ghost Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses using electrophotographic methods, the rigid and highly conductive metal primary transfer roll causes charge conduction along the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt, leading to the 'ghost phenomenon' where toner images are scattered and appear in unintended regions due to an oblique electric field.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with an intermediate transfer member featuring a layer containing a resin and conductive carbon particles, where the outermost layer includes silicone oil, specifically dimethylpolysiloxane or organic group-substituted dimethylpolysiloxane, to control the spatial distribution of conductive carbon particles and reduce charge conduction, thereby suppressing the ghost phenomenon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal primary transfer roll is used, then high conductivity and rigidity are achieved, but charge conduction along the endless belt surface occurs causing ghost phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The endless belt is designed with a surface layer having different properties from the base material. The surface layer contains conductive carbon particles dispersed in a resin matrix, creating a non-uniform conductivity distribution that prevents charge conduction along the belt surface while maintaining overall electrical functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The endless belt employs a composite structure combining a resin base material with dispersed conductive carbon particles. This composite material provides controlled electrical conductivity through the resin matrix while the carbon particles create a spatial distribution pattern that interrupts charge conduction paths along the belt surface.
2Reliability
If conductive carbon particles are added to the endless belt, then charge conduction is controlled, but particle distribution uniformity becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies precise parameters for the conductive carbon particles including particle size (0.01-10 μm), concentration (1-50 parts by mass per 100 parts resin), and spatial distribution characteristics (integral value of statistical quantity L(r) ≤ 0.1). Controlling these parameters ensures both charge conduction control and distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of relying on mechanical mixing methods to achieve uniform particle distribution, the patent uses statistical quantity analysis (L(r) function) to objectively evaluate and control the spatial distribution of carbon particles, replacing subjective mechanical assessment with quantitative statistical measurement.
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 described configuration effectively inhibits charge conduction along the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt, reducing toner scattering and suppressing the ghost phenomenon by ensuring the toner image is transferred accurately without appearing in unintended regions.
Implementation Method 1
the charge is likely to be conducted along the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt in the axial direction of the primary transfer roll
Implementation Method 2
a primary transfer roll made of a metal that applies an electric field to the intermediate transfer member
Data Source
AI summary
A transfer device includes an intermediate transfer member consisting of an endless belt which consists of a layer containing a resin including at least one resin selected from the group consisting of a polyimide resin, a polyamide-imide resin, an aromatic polyether ether ketone resin, a polyphenylene sulfide resin, and a polyetherimide resin, conductive carbon particles, a silicone oil containing at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of dimethylpolysiloxane and organic group-substituted dimethylpolysiloxane or has the layer as an outermost layer, and in which an integral value of a statistical quantity L(r) represented by the following Equation (1) is 0 or more and 0.1 or less at an interparticle distance r of 0.05 μm or more and 0.30 μm or less in a spatial distribution of the conductive carbon particles existing in a 6.3 μm×4.2 μm evaluation region within an outer peripheral surface of the endless belt, a primary transfer device having a primary transfer roll made of a metal that applies an electric field to the intermediate transfer member by coming into contact with an inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and performing primary transfer of a toner image formed on a surface of an image holder to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member, and a secondary transfer device performing secondary transfer of the toner image transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer member to a surface of a recording medium.L(r):=K(r)/π-r(1)[In Equation (1), r represents the interparticle distance, and K(r) represents the Ripley's K function K(r) represented by the following Equation (2).]K(r):=∑i≠jN1(<semantics definitionURL="">❘<annotation encoding="Mathematica">"\[LeftBracketingBar]"</annotation></semantics>Xi-Xj<semantics definitionURL="">❘<annotation encoding="Mathematica">"\[RightBracketingBar]"</annotation></semantics>≤r)/s(<semantics definitionURL="">❘<annotation encoding="Mathematica">"\[LeftBracketingBar]"</annotation></semantics>Xi-Xj<semantics definitionURL="">❘<annotation encoding="Mathematica">"\[RightBracketingBar]"</annotation></semantics>)λ2(2)[In Equation (2), 1(|Xi−Xj|≤r) represents an indicator function, Xi and Xj represent coordinates of points i and j respectively, |Xi−Xj| represents a Euclidean distance between the coordinates Xi and Xj, r represents the interparticle distance, s(|Xi−Xj|) represents an edge correction factor s(x) of an evaluation region represented by the following Equation (3), x equals |Xi−Xj|, N represents the total number of particles in the evaluation region, and λ represents a number density of particles in the evaluation region.]s(x):=LxLy-xπ(2Lx+2Ly-x)(3)[In Equation (3), Lx and Ly represent lengths (μm) of the sides of the evaluation region in an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction respectively, x equals |Xi−Xj|, Xi and Xj represent coordinates of points i and j respectively, and |Xi−Xj| represents a Euclidean distance between the coordinates Xi and Xj.]