Undercoat Layer Electron Mobility for Photosensitive Member Potential Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrophotographic photosensitive members experience potential fluctuations during mass printing and high-speed printing, leading to reduced image quality due to insufficient electron conveying ability and charge retention in the photosensitive layer.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a polymer with a specific structural unit in the undercoat layer, represented by formula (1), which includes a perylene imide as an electron transporting substance, to improve electron mobility by reducing electron density and preventing molecular stacking, thereby stabilizing the potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional undercoat layer with electron transporting substance is used, then charge injection from support is suppressed, but potential fluctuation increases during mass printing and high-speed printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the electron transporting substance by introducing specific substituent groups (nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl) at defined positions on the perylene imide core. This structural modification alters the electron density distribution and HOMO/LUMO energy levels, enabling the material to maintain stable potential during high-speed printing while retaining charge injection suppression capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite undercoat layer by combining perylene imide electron transporting substances with specific resin materials (polyester, polyurethane, or acrylic resins). This composite structure synergistically combines the charge transport capability of perylene imide with the mechanical properties and charge injection suppression of the resin matrix, achieving both reliability and potential stability.
2Productivity
If electron transporting ability is increased to suppress potential fluctuation, then mass printing capability improves, but charge retention in photosensitive layer increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct functional zones within the photosensitive member structure. The undercoat layer is specifically engineered with high electron transporting ability to handle mass printing demands, while the photosensitive layer maintains appropriate charge retention properties through separate material selection, allowing each layer to optimize its local function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic balance in charge transport by using perylene imide derivatives with tunable electron mobility. The specific molecular structures allow the material to dynamically adjust electron transport rates based on printing conditions, providing sufficient electron conveyance during mass printing while preventing excessive charge retention that would lead to image defects.
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 potential fluctuations, maintaining image quality and durability during repeated use by enhancing electron mobility and uniform distribution of perylene imide molecules in the undercoat layer.
Implementation Method 1
the undercoat layer contains a polymer having a structural unit represented by formula (1)... X represents a structure represented by the following formula (2), (3), (4), or (5)... a perylene imide as an electron transporting substance
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including in this order: a support; an undercoat layer; and a photosensitive layer, wherein the undercoat layer contains a polymer having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1).