Fluorine-Free Vinyl Resin Surface Layer for Photosensitive Drum

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrophotographic photosensitive members that are free of fluorine atoms face challenges in maintaining both high abrasion resistance and effective cleaning properties while also suppressing residual potential.

Innovation Solution

The electrophotographic photosensitive member incorporates a surface layer containing vinyl resin particles that are surface-treated with specific compounds, such as those represented by formulas (A) and (B), to enhance abrasion resistance, cleaning properties, and reduce residual potential.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fluorine atom-containing resin particles are used in the surface layer, then cleaning property is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning propertyVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using vinyl resin particles (free of fluorine atoms) instead of fluorine atom-containing resin particles, while adjusting the surface treatment with specific silane compounds to achieve the desired cleaning property without environmental harm

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive and environmentally problematic fluorine-containing materials with more environmentally friendly vinyl resin particles, accepting that the vinyl resin may have different performance characteristics that need to be compensated through surface treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If vinyl resin particles are used instead of fluorine atom-containing resin particles, then environmental friendliness is improved, but cleaning property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcleaning property
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces silane compounds (represented by formulas (A) and (B)) as intermediary surface treatments on the vinyl resin particles to enhance their cleaning property, acting as a mediator between the environmentally friendly vinyl resin and the required cleaning performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure by combining vinyl resin particles with silane compound surface treatments, achieving a material that possesses both environmental friendliness and improved cleaning property through the synergistic effect of the core-shell structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If organic resin particles containing styrene structure are incorporated into the surface layer, then cleaning property and abrasion resistance are improved, but residual potential deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning property and abrasion resistanceVSAvoidresidual potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters by using vinyl resin particles with specific silane surface treatments instead of styrene-containing resin particles, adjusting the surface chemistry to reduce residual potential while maintaining cleaning and abrasion resistance properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration results in an electrophotographic photosensitive member that maintains excellent abrasion resistance and cleaning properties while effectively suppressing residual potential, even in the absence of fluorine atoms.

Implementation Method 1

a surface layer, by using a dispersion liquid of the fluorine atom-containing resin particle such as a polytetrafluoroethylene resin particle, as a coating liquid for the surface layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction through surface treatment: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

the surface layer contains a vinyl resin particle and a charge transport substance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCharge transport: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4557007A1Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.05.21 CANON KK
  • EP4557007A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4557007A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4557007A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrophotographic photosensitive member that is excellent in the cleaning property and the durability and has a reduced residual potential. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a surface layer, wherein the surface layer contains a vinyl resin particle, and the vinyl resin particle is surface-treated with a specific compound.