Intermediate Transfer Member Siloxane Surface Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate transfer members for transfer-type image recording face challenges in maintaining hydrophilicity and image formability during repeated use, leading to reduced image quality and increased costs due to the consumption of materials in the curable solution layer and repeated formation and release processes.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer member with a surface layer comprising an organic siloxane compound having a siloxane bond and a polyalkylene oxide unit, which provides stability and flexibility, preventing changes in hydrophilicity and ensuring consistent image formability and transferability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a curable solution layer is formed on the intermediate transfer member to achieve holding properties and transferability, then image holding and transfer capability is improved, but the surface layer components transfer or bleed during repeated use, causing image quality deterioration and increased material consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by incorporating specific polymers (polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylic) with controlled molecular weights and compositions. This modifies the surface properties to achieve optimal balance between image holding capability and prevention of material transfer/bleeding during repeated use
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer is constructed as a composite material system combining multiple polymer types (polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylic) with specific ratios. This composite structure provides both the adhesion needed for image holding and the stability required to prevent material bleeding during transfer operations
2Productivity
If the intermediate transfer member is used for repeated image recording, then productivity is improved, but the hydrophilicity and image formability deteriorate due to surface layer component transfer and bleeding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameters and compositional ratios of the polymer components in the surface layer. These parameter changes ensure the surface maintains stable hydrophilicity and image formability characteristics even after repeated transfer cycles, preventing deterioration of recording quality
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer composition is designed to maintain continuous stability in its functional properties (hydrophilicity and image formability) throughout repeated use. The composite polymer structure ensures consistent performance without significant degradation over time, enabling sustained productivity
3Reliability
If a highly water-repellent material is used for the intermediate transfer member surface to reduce surface free energy, then transferability of intermediate image is improved, but image formability and hydrophilicity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates local quality differentiation within the surface layer by using a composite structure where different polymer components provide different functional properties. The surface exhibits locally optimized properties that balance both image transferability and formability requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The surface layer uses a composite material system where polyester, polyurethane, and polyacrylic components work synergistically. This composite structure achieves a balanced surface free energy that provides both good image transferability and maintained hydrophilicity for proper ink reception
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 proposed solution maintains hydrophilicity and image formability even after repeated use, preventing surface layer components from transferring or bleeding, thus ensuring consistent image quality and reducing material consumption and costs.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate transfer member having good image formability obtained by using an ink and an aggregation liquid used as needed and having an image forming surface of which the hydrophilicity is unlikely to be changed even by repeated transfer
Implementation Method 2
preventing surface layer components from transferring or bleeding, thus ensuring consistent image quality
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
An intermediate transfer member for use in a transfer-type image recording method including the steps of applying an ink to an intermediate transfer member to form an intermediate image and transferring the intermediate image to a recording medium. The intermediate transfer member includes a surface layer part onto which an ink is applied, the surface layer part containing an organic siloxane compound having a siloxane bond and a polyalkylene oxide unit.