Undercoat Layer Electron Transport Material Suppresses Ghosting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members experience positive ghosting due to charge retention in the photosensitive layer, which affects image quality, and existing solutions like undercoat layers with electron transport materials do not adequately suppress this issue, especially with increased sensitivity and usage.
Innovation Solution
An electrophotographic photosensitive member is designed with an undercoat layer containing a polymer produced by polymerizing a composition including a crosslinking agent and an electron transport material expressed by a specific general formula, which reduces defects and electron traps, thereby suppressing positive ghosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the sensitivity of the charge generating material is increased, then the image quality is improved, but positive ghosting occurs due to charge retention in the photosensitive layer
Solution Approach 1:
An undercoat layer containing a specific electron transport material (formula 1) is introduced as an intermediary between the support member and the photosensitive layer. This undercoat layer acts as a mediator to facilitate charge extraction from the photosensitive layer, thereby suppressing positive ghosting while allowing the use of high-sensitivity charge generating materials for improved image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the electron transport material by specifying formula (1) with particular R1-R11 groups. This structural modification optimizes the electron transport properties and charge extraction efficiency, enabling effective ghost suppression without compromising image quality from high-sensitivity materials.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an undercoat layer containing electron transport material is formed, then positive ghosting is suppressed, but the structure becomes unevenly distributed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical structure parameters of the electron transport material (formula 1) with specific R1-R11 groups to improve solubility and processing characteristics. This enables more uniform distribution and stable composition of the undercoat layer while maintaining effective charge extraction for ghost suppression.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the thickness of the undercoat layer is increased, then charge extraction is improved and positive ghosting is suppressed, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters of the electron transport material (formula 1) to optimize its physical properties including solubility and viscosity. These parameter changes enable better control during the coating process, allowing for more precise thickness control of the undercoat layer while maintaining effective charge extraction functionality.
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 effectively reduces positive ghosting by minimizing defects in the undercoat layer, maintaining image quality even with increased sensitivity and extended usage, and is particularly effective for thicker undercoat layers.
Implementation Method 1
an undercoat layer containing a polymer produced by polymerizing a composition containing a crosslinking agent and a compound expressed by the following general formula (1)... effectively reduces positive ghosting
Implementation Method 2
a polymer produced by polymerizing a composition containing a crosslinking agent and a compound expressed by the following general formula (1)... which reduces defects and electron traps
Data Source
AI summary
An electrophotographic photosensitive member includes, in the following order, a support member, an undercoat layer adjacent to the support member, and a photosensitive layer adjacent to the undercoat layer. The undercoat layer contains a polymer produced by polymerizing a composition containing a crosslinking agent and a compound expressed by general formula (1):wherein R1 to R11 are defined in the specification.