Intermediate Transfer Belt Surface Layer Friction Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing intermediate transfer belts with ultraviolet curable resin surface layers experience high friction with cleaning blades, leading to blade deformation and wear, resulting in cleaning failures and poor image quality in image forming apparatuses.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate transfer belt with a surface layer formed from a radical polymerizable composition comprising a radical polymerizable monomer, an oxime ester-based photopolymerization initiator with a carbazole structure, and a metal oxide particle subjected to surface treatment, which reduces frictional force and enhances wear resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an ultraviolet curable resin (acrylic resin) is used for the surface layer of the intermediate transfer belt, then the intermediate transfer belt achieves good durability and high image quality, but the frictional force between the surface layer and cleaning blade becomes large, causing cleaning blade deformation and wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability and image qualityVSAvoidfrictional force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by using a specific radical polymerizable composition with particular monomers (containing fluorine or silicon atoms) and photopolymerization initiators. This compositional parameter change reduces the frictional force between the surface layer and cleaning blade while maintaining durability and image quality through controlled polymerization properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface layer by combining radical polymerizable monomers with specific functional groups (fluorine or silicon-containing groups) and photopolymerization initiators. This composite material structure achieves low frictional force through the unique properties of the composite, while maintaining the durability and image quality required for intermediate transfer belts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the frictional force between the surface layer and cleaning blade is large, then the cleaning blade tip deforms and the blade is remarkably worn, but this leads to cleaning failures and poor image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidfrictional force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the surface layer composition parameters by incorporating radical polymerizable monomers with fluorine or silicon atoms, which inherently possess low friction characteristics. This parameter change directly reduces the frictional force between the surface layer and cleaning blade, preventing blade deformation and wear, thereby ensuring reliable cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Force

If a radical polymerizable composition is used for the surface layer, then the frictional force against cleaning blades is reduced, but the surface layer must be formed through polymerization requiring specific initiators and conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrictional forceVSAvoidsurface layer formation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent selects photopolymerization initiators with appropriate activation energies and absorption characteristics that enable efficient polymerization under standard UV irradiation conditions. This parameter optimization allows the radical polymerizable composition to be processed easily through conventional UV curing, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving low frictional force through the resulting polymer structure.

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 solution provides an intermediate transfer belt with reduced friction against cleaning blades, preventing deformation and wear, thus preventing cleaning failures and ensuring stable high-quality image formation over a long period.

Implementation Method 1

the surface layer is configured by a polymerized cured product of a radical polymerizable composition comprising a radical polymerizable monomer having a radical polymerizable functional group, an oxime ester-based photopolymerization initiator having a carbazole structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

irradiating the coating film with actinic radiation to polymerize the radical polymerizable monomer, thereby forming the surface layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhoto polymerization: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3306411B1Intermediate transfer belt, image forming apparatus, and method for producing intermediate transfer belt

Publication Date: 2019.05.15 KONICA MINOLTA INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2

AI summary

An endless intermediate transfer belt includes a substrate layer, and a surface layer to be disposed on the substrate layer. The surface layer is configured by a polymerized cured product of a radical polymerizable composition including a radical polymerizable monomer having a radical polymerizable functional group, an oxime ester-based photopolymerization initiator having a carbazole structure, and a metal oxide particle subjected to surface treatment. The radical polymerizable functional group corresponds to one or both of an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group. The metal oxide particle subjected to surface treatment includes a metal oxide particle, and a substance for support, to be supported on a surface of the metal oxide particle.