Tunable Scorotron for Depositing Uniform Charge Potential

ADJUSTABLE SCOROTRON FOR ATTACHING UNIFORM CHARGE POTENTIAL

PURPOSE: To provide a scorotron, capable of adjusting the uniformity of charge on a charge holding surface. CONSTITUTION: In the scorotron electrifying device, charge potential is adjusted or changed by restricting influence in the case a scorotron grid 102 is adjacent to a charge-receiving surface. This device is provided with a corona-generating means 104 discharging a corona ion, in response to the high voltage potential impressed on the upper part of the charge-holding surface in a state where it is separated from the upper part thereof, and the flexible grid 102. The grid 102 is hung in a non-flattening way between the generating means 104 and the charge-holding surface, so that a gap between the grid 102 and the charge- holding surface may be varied, at least along one area of the grid 102. COPYRIGHT: (C)1994,JPO ...

TUNABLE SCOROTRON FOR DEPOSITING UNIFORM CHARGE POTENTIAL

The present invention is an apparatus for tuning or altering the charge potential limiting effect that a scorotron grid has upon an adjacent charge receiving surface. The scorotron charging apparatus utilizes corona producing means, spaced above the charge retentive surface, for emitting corona ions in response to a high voltage potential applied thereto, and a flexible grid, suspended between said corona producing means and the charge retentive surface in a nonplanar fashion, such that the spacing between said grid and the charge retentive surface is variable along at least one region of said grid.

Seam stress release and protrusion elimination process

A process for providing an improved imaging member belt having a welded seam which exhibits greater resistance to dynamic fatigue induced seam cracking and delamination. An apparatus for achieving stress relaxation and eliminating protrusions in the seam region is also disclosed.

Continuous flexible belt loading device

A belt loading apparatus has been provided for loading a flimsy continuous belt onto a belt support and drive assembly including a vertical front end having a first shape and without damage to the belt. The belt loading apparatus includes a wall member defining a sleeve including an outer surface having a total outer surface area, a first edge and a second and opposite edge. The second edge has a vertical profile having a second shape such that the second shape of the second edge is a mirror image of the first shape of the belt support and drive assembly. The belt loading apparatus then includes friction reducing members formed on the outer surface of the sleeve for temporarily supporting and spacing a flimsy continuous belt to be loaded onto the belt support and drive assembly. The friction reducing members each have a belt contact area such that a sum total of belt contact areas of all the friction reducing members is significantly less than the total outer surface area of the sleeve.

SEAMLESS INTERMEDIATE TRANSFER MEMBER PROCESS

Described herein is a method of forming a seamless transfer member suitable for use with an image forming system. The method includes spray coating a UV curable polymer and conductive particles onto an inner surface of a rotating cylindrical mandrel. The UV curable polymer is cured with ultra violet energy. The cured UV polymer is removed from the cylindrical rotatable mandrel.

Uniform charge device with reduced edge effects

By varying corona producing element height/projection, a more uniform charge potential is achieved. Elements, such as pins or teeth, are shorter at the edges of an element array and grow longer as one moves toward the center of the array. Such variation in height/projection overcomes shielding from adjacent teeth, as well as other effects, to yield the more uniform charging potential.

METHOD FOR EVALUATING PHOTORECEPTOR

PURPOSE: To estimate a cycle life of a new member by repeatedly subjecting an image formation member of a known life to charging and photodischarging, measuring the amount of dark attenuation of a photoconductive layer to a maximum value, repeating the same cycle as above to the new member and comparing data of both members. CONSTITUTION: A transparent vacuum vapor deposition electrode 16 is carried on an upper surface of a photoreceptor 10. A computer 25a shuts a relay 24 via an FET 25b every predetermined time interval, and impresses voltage pulses. A dark decay of the photoreceptor 10 is measured by a probe 26 and a potentiometer 28 and a measured value is recorded to a chart recorder 30. An exposure light is projected downward to the photoreceptor 10 through the electrode 16. Thereafter, the photoreceptor 10 is exposed by the light from an extinction light source through a transparent supporting member 12. This evaluation test is carried out to a tolerable photoreceptor of a long life ...

CONTINUOUS FLEXIBLE BELT MOUNTING APPARATUS

【課題】感光ベルトを、ベルト支持駆動モジュール上に搭載する際に、摩擦や静電気によるベルトの損傷を防止する。 【解決手段】ベルト搭載装置３００は、外側表面総面積を有する外側表面３３０、第一の縁部３３４、及びこれと反対側の第二の縁部３３６、を含むスリーブ３２０を規定する壁部材３１０を備える。第二の縁部３３６の垂直方向の輪郭である第二の形状は、ベルト支持駆動アセンブリと左右逆の形状である。スリーブ３２０の外側表面３３０上に形成された、ベルト支持駆動アセンブリ上に搭載される予定の薄膜状の連続ベルトを一時的に支持し、これを外側表面３３０から離すための摩擦軽減部材３５０を備える。摩擦軽減部材３５０はそれぞれ、摩擦軽減部材３５０すべてのベルト接触面積の総計が、スリーブ３２０の外側表面総面積より著しく小さくなるようなベルト接触面を有する。 【選択図】図４

DEVICE FOR UNIFORM LIGHT INTENSITY GENERATION

Described herein is a device that generates a beam of light with uniform intensity. The device includes an array of light sources. The light generated passes through a beam splitter. One beam is used for feedback to maintain uniform intensity. The other beam passes through a barrel which is used to mold the beam with uniform intensity into the desired shape and to reduce divergence. The device can be used as part of a quality control system for testing a photoreceptor drum. 1. A testing system , comprising: a housing;', 'a beam splitter located within the housing;', 'a two-dimensional array of light sources on a wall of the housing, the array being oriented towards the beam splitter such that light is split into a first beam and a second beam;', 'a detector port located to intercept the first beam for providing feedback; and', 'an exit aperture on a front wall of the housing, through which the second beam exits the housing as a column of light having uniform intensity;, 'at least one device for generating a column of light having uniform intensity, the device comprisingthe at least one device being oriented with the exit aperture pointing towards an open central axis.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the array of light sources is directly opposite the exit aperture.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the front wall of the housing includes an inner aperture located between the beam splitter and the exit aperture.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the inner aperture and the exit aperture are separated by a barrel that includes an interior barrel surface and has an aperture separation length claim 3 , and wherein a form and size of the exit aperture claim 3 , a form and size of the inner aperture claim 3 , and the aperture separation length are independently adjustable.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein a light channel extends from the beam splitter through the exit aperture.6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a mirror opposite the array of light sources ...

Uniform charge device with reduced edge effects

By varying corona producing element height/projection, a more uniform charge potential is achieved. Elements, such as pins or teeth, are shorter at the edges of an element array and grow longer as one moves toward the center of the array. Such variation in height/projection overcomes shielding from adjacent teeth, as well as other effects, to yield the more uniform charging potential.

Flexible imaging member belt seam smoothing method

Apparatus comprising a support member having a flat surface adapted to receive and support a seam region of a flexible belt comprising thermoplastic polymer material having a predetermined glass transition temperature, a heatable member having a smooth heatable flat surface for compressing at least a portion of the seam region of a flexible belt placed on the smooth flat surface of the support member to heat the portion to at least the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic polymer material, the smooth surface of the heatable member having a profile which is parallel to the smooth flat surface of the support member, and wherein the heatable flat surface comprises a low surface energy or abhesive material.

Seamless intermediate transfer member process

Described herein is a method of forming a seamless transfer member suitable for use with an image forming system. The method includes spray coating a UV curable polymer and conductive particles onto an inner surface of a rotating cylindrical mandrel. The UV curable polymer is cured with ultra violet energy. The cured UV polymer is removed from the cylindrical rotatable mandrel.

IMAGING MEMBER

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging member having few charge-deficient spots (CDS) and good electrical properties. SOLUTION: The imaging member includes a charge generating layer 18 and a charge transport layer 20 including a first surface in contact with the charge generating layer 18 and a second surface. The charge transport layer 20 includes a film forming polymer binder and a charge transport component dispersed therein. The concentration of the charge transport component in the charge transport layer is at a peak in a region of the charge transport intermediate between the first and second surfaces of the charge transport layer 20. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT ...

STATIONARY SCANNER

PURPOSE: To monitor the potential on a member continuously by bringing the surface of an electrophotographic image forming member including a conductive layer and a photoconductive layer into contact with a transparent electrode and forming an electric field in the photoconductive layer by applying a poten tial or a voltage. CONSTITUTION: The conductive surface of a basic material layer 14 in a photoreceptor 10 is grounded electrically through a conductive supporting member 12 and a thin transparent metal electrode 16 is vacuum deposited on the upper surface of the photoreceptor 10. An electric connector 18 is connected with or disconnected from a high voltage power supply 20 through a relay 24 switching at a predetermined time interval. During test of the photoreceptor 10, a probe 26 senses an electric field generated across a photoconductive active layer 29 through the connector 18. Subsequently, an exposing light is flushed from an on/off source for a predetermined time and passed periodically ...

Continuous flexible belt loading device

Device for uniform light intensity generation

Described herein is a device that generates a beam of light with uniform intensity. The device includes an array of light sources. The light generated passes through a beam splitter. One beam is used for feedback to maintain uniform intensity. The other beam passes through a barrel which is used to mold the beam with uniform intensity into the desired shape and to reduce divergence. The device can be used as part of a quality control system for testing a photoreceptor drum.

Continuous flexible belt loading device

A belt loading apparatus has been provided for loading a flimsy continuous belt onto a belt support and drive assembly including a vertical front end having a first shape and without damage to the belt. The belt loading apparatus includes a wall member defining a sleeve including an outer surface having a total outer surface area, a first edge and a second and opposite edge. The second edge has a vertical profile having a second shape such that the second shape of the second edge is a mirror image of the first shape of the belt support and drive assembly. The belt loading apparatus then includes friction reducing members formed on the outer surface of the sleeve for temporarily supporting and spacing a flimsy continuous belt to be loaded onto the belt support and drive assembly. The friction reducing members each have a belt contact area such that a sum total of belt contact areas of all the friction reducing members is significantly less than the total outer surface area of the sleeve.

Process for post treatment of a flexible imaging member belt

A process for post treatment of an imaging member belt includingproviding a support member having a smooth flat surface,providing a flexible belt having a welded seam,supporting the inner surface of the seam on the smooth flat surface,contacting the seam with a heated surface,heating the seam region with the heated surface to raise the temperature in the seam region to a temperature of from about 2° C. to 20° C. above the Tg of the thermoplastic polymer material, andcompressing the seam with the heated surface with sufficient compression pressure to smooth out the seam.

Imaging member

An imaging member includes a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer. The charge transport layer includes a first surface in contact with the charge generating layer and a second surface. The charge transport layer includes a film forming polymer binder and a charge transport component dispersed therein. The concentration of the charge transport component in the charge transport layer is at a peak in a region of the charge transport intermediate the first and second surfaces of the charge transport layer.

Ascertaining imaging cycle life of a photoreceptor

A process for ascertaining the projected imaging cycle life of an electrophotographic imaging member including the steps of (a) providing at least one electrophotographic imaging member having a cycling life of a known number of imaging cycles, the imaging member comprising an electrically conductive layer and at least one photoconductive layer, (b) repeatedly subjecting the electrophotographic imaging member to cycles comprising electrostatic charging and light discharging steps, (c) measuring dark decay of the photoconductive layer during cycling until the amount of dark decay reaches a crest value, (d) establishing with the crest value a reference datum for dark decay crest value versus imaging cycles, (e) repeatedly subjecting a virgin electrophotographic imaging member to aforesaid cycles comprising electrostatic charging and light discharging steps until the amount of dark decay reaches a crest value which remains substantially constant during further cycling, and (f) comparing the dark decay crest value of the virgin electrophotographic imaging member with the reference datum to ascertain the projected cycling life of the virgin electrophotographic imaging member.

Motionless scanner

A process is disclosed for ascertaining electrical discharge properties of an electrophotographic imaging member including the steps of (a) providing at least one electrophotographic imaging member comprising an electrically conductive layer and at least one photoconductive layer, (b) contacting the surface of the electrophotographic imaging member with a substantially transparent electrode and applying an electric potential or an electric current to form an electric field across the photoconductive layer, (c) terminating the applying of the electric potential or the electric current, (d) exposing the photoconductive layer to activating radiation to discharge the electrophotographic imaging member, (e) repeating steps (b), (c) and (d), and (f) measuring the potential across the photoconductive layer during steps (b), (c) and (d) as a function of time by means of an electrostatic meter coupled to the electrode. Also, disclosed is apparatus for ascertaining electrical discharge properties of an electrophotographic imaging member including (a) means to support an electrophotographic imaging member comprising an electrically conductive layer and at least one photoconductive layer, (b) means for applying an electric potential or electric current to a substantially transparent electrode on the electrophotographic imaging member to form an electric field across the photoconductive layer, (c) means for terminating the applying of the electric potential or the electric current, (d) an electrostatic voltmeter probe coupled to the means for applying an electric current to the electrode, (e) means for exposing the photoconductive layer through the substantially transparent electrode to activating radiation to discharge the electrophotographic imaging member to a predetermined level, and (f) means for exposing the photoconductive layer to activating radiation to fully discharge the electrophotographic imaging member.

Imaging member

An imaging member includes a charge generating layer and a charge transport layer. The charge transport layer includes a first surface in contact with the charge generating layer and a second surface. The charge transport layer includes a film forming polymer binder and a charge transport component dispersed therein. The concentration of the charge transport component in the charge transport layer is at a peak in a region of the charge transport intermediate the first and second surfaces of the charge transport layer.

Belt loading device for use in a xerographic machine