Shaped charge generation layer for a photoconductive drum
AssigneeLexmark International, Inc.
InventorsMatthew David Heid, Laura Lee Kierstein, Weimei Luo, Prasanna Shrestha
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A photoconductive drum includes an elongated support element with a shaped charge generation layer. The layer extends from the support element at various thicknesses along a length thereof. Thicker charge generation portions provides denser optical densities compared to thinner portions allowing tailoring the photoconductive drum to compensate for imperfect optical scanning systems. A charge transport layer overcoats the charge generation layer. Optionally, an oxidation layer underlies the charge generation layer as does a protective overcoat overlying the charge transport layer. Various thicknesses and shapes of the charge generation layer are also disclosed.
Claims16
A photoconductive drum, comprising:
- an elongated support element having a surface;
- an oxidation layer on the surface;
- a charge generation layer disposed over the oxidation layer, the charge generation layer having a uniform first thickness along about two-thirds of a length of the elongated support element ranging from about 0.2 to about 0.5 μm and, along about one-third of a remainder of the length of a distal or proximate end of the elongated support element, the charge generation layer having a uniform second thickness greater than the first thickness and being distinct from the first thickness by a transition in thickness from a middle one-third of the length of the elongated support element;
- and
- a charge transport layer disposed over the charge generation layer.
A photoconductive drum, comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical elongated support element having a length and being an aluminum alloy;
- a charge generation layer disposed over the elongated support element, the charge generation layer having a uniform first thickness along about two-thirds of the length of the elongated support element ranging from about 0.2 to about 0.5 μm and, along about one-third of a remainder of said length of the elongated support element, the charge generation layer having a uniform second thickness greater than the first thickness by about 0.1 μm and being distinct from the first thickness by a transition in thickness from a middle one-third of the length of the elongated support element;
- and
- a charge transport layer disposed over the charge generation layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.