Transfer Device Conductive Belt Domain Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, the use of a conductive endless belt with a conductive layer containing ionically conductive organic polymer material and electronically conductive conductivity-imparting agents leads to increased resistance due to high voltage application, resulting in discharge marks on the recording medium, especially when handling thick cardboard sheets.
Innovation Solution
A transfer device with an intermediate transfer body having conductive carbon particles and a second endless belt with a conductive layer containing ionically conductive organic polymer material and electronically conductive conductivity-imparting agents, where the spatial distribution of conductive carbon particles and the number of domains are optimized to suppress resistance increase and discharge marks, using specific statistical measures and resistivity ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second endless belt includes a conductive layer with ionically conductive organic polymer material and electronically conductive conductivity-imparting agent, then the resistance increase is suppressed, but discharge marks are generated on the surface when handling thick cardboard sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating domains with different conductive properties within the conductive layer. Specifically, it forms regions with higher electronic conductivity (domains with aggregates of conductivity-imparting agent) dispersed in a matrix with ionic conductivity, allowing different areas to serve different functions: suppressing resistance increase while preventing discharge marks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining ionically conductive organic polymer material with electronically conductive conductivity-imparting agents in the conductive layer. This composite structure allows the material to exhibit both ionic conductivity (for suppressing resistance increase) and electronic conductivity (for preventing discharge marks), resolving the contradiction between the two harmful effects.
2Reliability
If the number of domains is adjusted to 20-50 per 10 μm×10 μm square and volume resistivity is controlled to 10.0-12.5 Log Ω·cm, then resistance increase is suppressed, but discharge marks occur on thick cardboard sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the number of domains (20-50 per 10 μm×10 μm square) and volume resistivity (10.0-12.5 Log Ω·cm) to suppress resistance increase. However, this creates a new contradiction where discharge marks appear, indicating that additional parameter adjustments are needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces local quality variations by creating domains with specific particle sizes (100 nm to 3 μm) and controlling their spatial distribution. This local structuring allows different regions to have optimized properties for both resistance stability and discharge prevention.
3Device complexity
If conductive carbon particles are aggregated in the first endless belt, then the belt structure is simplified, but discharge marks are generated due to abnormal discharge at sheet edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by controlling the spatial distribution of conductive carbon particles in the first endless belt. Instead of uniform aggregation, it creates specific distribution patterns that prevent abnormal discharge at sheet edges while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the intermediate transfer body as a mediator between the image carrier and the second endless belt. The conductive carbon particles in the intermediate transfer body are controlled to have specific spatial distribution, acting as an intermediary that prevents abnormal discharge while transferring the image.
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 generation of discharge marks on the second endless belt, maintaining image quality and reducing print defects, even with thick cardboard sheets, by finely dispersing conductive carbon particles and controlling domain distribution.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate transfer body which is a first endless belt including a resin and conductive carbon particles
Implementation Method 2
a second endless belt... in which the second endless belt includes a conductive layer that has a matrix containing an ionically conductive organic polymer material
Implementation Method 3
domains formed by aggregates of an electronically conductive conductivity-imparting agent and having particle sizes of 100 nm or more and 3 μm or less
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a transfer device that includes an intermediate transfer body which is a first endless belt including a resin and conductive carbon particles and in which in a spatial distribution of the conductive carbon particles that are present in an evaluation region of 6.3 μm×4.2 μm on an outer peripheral surface; a first transfer component that first-transfers a toner image formed on a surface of an image carrier to a surface of the intermediate transfer body; and a second transfer component which has a second endless belt disposed so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer body, which second-transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to a surface of a recording medium on the second endless belt.