Intermediate Transfer Member Surface Layer Friction Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional intermediate transfer members experience an increase in dynamic friction force over time due to bleed-out of low molecular weight components, which is exacerbated in high humidity/high temperature environments, leading to reduced durability and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

An intermediate transfer member with a surface layer composed of a cured product containing polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, a photopolymerization initiator, and a tertiary amine compound with a melting point of 30°C or more, where at least one hydrogen atom is bonded to one carbon atom out of three carbon atoms bonded to a nitrogen atom, is used to suppress the increase in dynamic friction force. This combination enhances the polymerization reaction rate and prevents the bleed-out of residual monomers and oligomers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a surface layer is formed from an acrylic resin by using a photopolymerization initiator, then durability is improved, but low molecular weight components bleed out over time increasing dynamic friction force

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoiddynamic friction force increase

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the resin composition by introducing a tertiary amine compound with specific structural features (at least one hydrogen atom bonded to a carbon atom attached to the nitrogen atom). This parameter change accelerates the polymerization reaction rate, leading to more complete polymerization and reduced residual low molecular weight components, thereby preventing dynamic friction force increase while maintaining durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite resin composition by combining acrylic resin, photopolymerization initiator, and a specifically structured tertiary amine compound. This composite material system works synergistically to achieve both high durability through complete polymerization and prevention of low molecular weight component bleed-out

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If the reaction rate of the acrylic resin is low, then polymerization is easier to control, but unreacted residual monomer bleeds out increasing dynamic friction force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization controlVSAvoidresidual monomer bleed-out

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the reaction kinetics parameters by adding a tertiary amine compound that acts as a catalyst or promoter. This increases the polymerization reaction rate while maintaining controllability, ensuring complete conversion of monomers to polymers and eliminating residual monomer that would otherwise bleed out and increase dynamic friction force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If a low molecular weight component bleeds out, then the surface layer becomes softer, but dynamic friction force increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface layer softnessVSAvoiddynamic friction force

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent takes preliminary action by preventing the bleed-out of low molecular weight components through complete polymerization enabled by the tertiary amine compound. By ensuring thorough polymerization before the transfer member is put into service, the patent prevents the softening effect and associated increase in dynamic friction force that would occur if monomers bleed out later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 reduces the dynamic friction force over time, improving the durability and reliability of the intermediate transfer member, even in high humidity/high temperature conditions, by preventing the bleed-out of low molecular weight components and maintaining a stable surface layer.

Implementation Method 1

a surface layer disposed on the substrate layer, the surface layer containing a cured product of a resin composition containing a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, a photopolymerization initiator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

a tertiary amine compound having a melting point of 30°C or more, and at least one hydrogen atom is bonded to one carbon atom out of three carbon atoms bonded to a nitrogen atom in the tertiary amine compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentEP3324242B1Intermediate transfer member, method for producing intermediate transfer member, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.06.17 KONICA MINOLTA INC

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2

AI summary

An intermediate transfer member includes a resin substrate layer and a surface layer disposed on the substrate layer. The surface layer is a cured product of a resin composition containing a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, a photopolymerization initiator, and a tertiary amine compound having a melting point of 30°C or more. In the tertiary amine compound, at least one hydrogen atom is bonded to one carbon atom out of three carbon atoms bonded to a nitrogen atom.