# US 9,753,384 B2 · Photoconductor, electrophotographic method, electrophotographic apparatus, and electrophotographic process cartridge

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- Number: US 9,753,384 B2
- Document ID: US9753384B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/133,915
- Filed: 2016-04-20
- Published: 2016-11-10
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2015-05-08
- Assignees: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
- Applicants: Eiji Kurimoto; Tetsuro Suzuki; Tomoharu Asano; Daisuke Nii; Toshihiro Ishida
- Inventors: Eiji Kurimoto; Tetsuro Suzuki; Tomoharu Asano; Daisuke Nii; Toshihiro Ishida
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9753384B2

## CPC

- G03G 5/0517: {comprising one or more cyclic groups consisting of carbon-atoms only}
- G03G 5/0507: {Inorganic compounds}
- G03G 5/144: {comprising inorganic material}
- G03G 15/75: {Details relating to xerographic drum, band or plate, e.g. replacing, testing (electrographic recording members per se G03G5/00)}
- G03G 21/18: using a processing cartridge {, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

Provided is a photoconductor including a conductive support, an intermediate layer containing metal oxide particles, and a photoconductive layer. The intermediate layer and the photoconductive layer are provided over the conductive support in the order of reciting. An elastic power (We/Wt value) of the intermediate layer is greater than or equal to 20.0% but less than 35.0%. A Martens hardness (HM) of the intermediate layer is greater than or equal to 350 [N/mm2] but less than 450 [N/mm2].

## Claims

### Claim 1

A photoconductor comprising;
a conductive support;
an intermediate layer that comprises metal oxide particles; and
a photoconductive layer,
the intermediate layer and the photoconductive layer being provided over the conductive support in an order of reciting,
wherein an elastic power (We/Wt value) of the intermediate layer is greater than or equal to 20.0% but less than 35.0%, and
wherein a Martens hardness (HM) of the intermediate layer is greater than or equal to 350 [N/mm2] but less than 450 [N/mm2].

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The photoconductor according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer comprises:
zinc oxide particles coated with a salicylic acid derivative; and
a thermosetting resin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The photoconductor according to claim 2,
wherein an average particle diameter of the zinc oxide particles is greater than or equal to 50 nm but less than or equal to 200 nm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The photoconductor according to claim 1,
wherein a film thickness of the intermediate layer is greater than or equal to 10 μm but less than 50 μm.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

An electrophotographic method comprising
subjecting the photoconductor according to claim 1 to charging, image exposing, developing, and transferring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:
a charging unit;
an image exposing unit;
a developing unit;
a transfer unit; and
the photoconductor according to claim 1.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

An electrophotographic process cartridge comprising
the photoconductor according to claim 1.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The photoconductor according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide particles comprise zinc oxide particles coated with a salicylic acid.