Intermediate Transfer Member Surface Layer Bleeding Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increased secondary transfer voltage in electrophotographic printing systems causes discharge degradation of silicone compounds on intermediate transfer members, leading to reduced toner releasability and bleeding, which affects the long-term performance and quality of electrophotographic images.

Innovation Solution

An electrophotographic member with a surface layer comprising a binder resin having an acrylic skeleton and a modified silicone compound with a polyether group and a hydroxyl group, which improves compatibility and retention within the surface layer, suppressing bleeding and maintaining toner releasability through hydrogen bonding and self-repair mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the secondary transfer voltage is increased to speed up the electrophotographic printing rate and improve transfer efficiency, then the transfer efficiency of toner is improved, but discharge degradation occurs between the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer roller, causing decomposition of silicone compounds and reduction in toner releasability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrophotographic printing rateVSAvoidtoner releasability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the surface layer by incorporating a silane-modified polymer with specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that can react with silicone compounds. This chemical modification allows the surface layer to maintain toner releasability even under high secondary transfer voltage conditions that cause discharge degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between printing speed and toner releasability stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If silicone compounds are added to the surface layer to improve toner releasability, then the toner releasability is improved, but the silicone compounds bleed to the surface over time, reducing their effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner releasabilityVSAvoidsurface layer composition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a silane-modified polymer as an intermediary substance in the surface layer. This polymer contains reactive functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that act as mediators to chemically bond with silicone compounds, preventing them from bleeding to the surface. The silane-modified polymer serves as a stabilizing agent that maintains silicone compound effectiveness while preserving toner releasability over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If reactive silicone compounds are used to fix the releasable component to the coating, then the toner releasability is improved, but the compounds are decomposed by discharge degradation, reducing the releasability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoner releasabilityVSAvoidservice life of intermediate transfer member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite surface layer material combining a silane-modified polymer with silicone compounds. The silane-modified polymer provides structural stability and resistance to discharge degradation, while the silicone compounds provide toner releasability. This composite structure allows the surface layer to maintain its functional properties throughout the extended service life of the intermediate transfer member, preventing the decomposition issues that would occur with silicone compounds alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 maintains high-quality electrophotographic image formation over a long period by preventing bleeding and recovering toner releasability, even under discharge conditions, ensuring stable and efficient transfer processes.

Implementation Method 1

a modified silicone compound having a polyether group and a hydroxyl group in a molecule

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrogen bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the surface layer has a surface having a n-hexadecane contact angle of 30° or more

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface energy: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS9606478B2Electrophotographic member, intermediate transfer member and electrophotographic image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.03.28 CANON KK

AI summary

An electrophotographic member which has resistance to discharge degradation and can maintain the toner releasability for a long period is provided. The electrophotographic member includes a substrate and a surface layer. The surface layer includes a binder resin having an acrylic skeleton and a modified silicone compound having a polyether group and a hydroxyl group in a molecule, the surface layer having a surface having a n-hexadecane contact angle of 30° or more.