JP5111010B2 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus Download PDFInfo
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- JP5111010B2 JP5111010B2 JP2007206364A JP2007206364A JP5111010B2 JP 5111010 B2 JP5111010 B2 JP 5111010B2 JP 2007206364 A JP2007206364 A JP 2007206364A JP 2007206364 A JP2007206364 A JP 2007206364A JP 5111010 B2 JP5111010 B2 JP 5111010B2
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Description
本発明は電子写真感光体、及びこれを用いたプロセスカートリッジならびにプリンタ、複写機、ファクシミリ、これらの複合機等の画像形成装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge using the same, and an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a complex machine of these.
電子写真技術は広く利用されており、ファクシミリやパーソナルコンピューターに接続するプリンタに利用されているが、近年では、デジタル記録技術がプリンタのみならず通常の複写機にも応用され、デジタル複写機の開発が進み、その需要は今後益々高まっていく傾向にある。 Electrophotographic technology is widely used and used in printers connected to facsimile machines and personal computers, but in recent years, digital recording technology has been applied not only to printers but also to ordinary copying machines, and development of digital copying machines. The demand has been on an increasing trend in the future.
このようなデジタル複写機では、オフィス環境の効率的な利用の観点から画像形成速度の向上、高画質化、小型化、さらに環境負荷低減の目的から装置の長寿命化が要求されている。 Such a digital copying machine is required to increase the life of the apparatus for the purpose of improving the image forming speed, improving the image quality, reducing the size, and reducing the environmental load from the viewpoint of efficient use of the office environment.
今日の電子写真装置では、市場からの要求に伴い、カラー複写機やカラープリンタの等々が多く市販され、カラー化が進んでいる。ところでカラー電子写真装置には、一つの感光体(像担持体)の周りに複数色の現像装置を備え、感光体上にカラー像を形成し、このトナー像を転写してカラー画像を形成する、いわゆるリボルバ型のものと、感光体に個別に現像装置を備え、単色の像を形成しこれらを並べて配置しそれぞれの単色の像を順次重ねて転写していき、カラー像を形成するいわゆるタンデム型のものがそれぞれ広く用いられている。 In today's electrophotographic apparatus, in accordance with demands from the market, many color copiers, color printers, and the like are on the market, and colorization is progressing. By the way, a color electrophotographic apparatus is provided with a developing device of a plurality of colors around one photoconductor (image carrier), forms a color image on the photoconductor, and forms a color image by transferring the toner image. The so-called tandem is a so-called tandem that has a so-called revolver type and a developing device for each photoconductor, forms monochromatic images, arranges them side by side, and sequentially transfers the monochromatic images. Each type is widely used.
リボルバ型のものは、感光体を一つしか使用しないため、装置の小型化が比較的有利であるが、複数回の画像形成を行わなければならないので、高速化には不利である。逆にタンデム型では装置が大型化するが、高速化には有利であるという特徴がある。近年、カラーの画像形成装置においてもモノクロ機並みのスピードが要求されることからタンデム型の画像形成装置が注目されるにいたっている。 Since the revolver type uses only one photoconductor, it is relatively advantageous to reduce the size of the apparatus, but it is disadvantageous to increase the speed because it requires image formation a plurality of times. On the other hand, the tandem type is large in size, but is advantageous for speeding up. In recent years, a color image forming apparatus is required to have a speed similar to that of a monochrome machine, and thus a tandem type image forming apparatus has been attracting attention.
タンデム型の画像形成装置の例を図1に示す。この装置では、図中01は回転自在に駆動可能な像担持体(感光体)であり、まず帯電装置02により像担持体01表面を一様に帯電させる。次いで、露光用光学系によりレーザビーム03を照射、像担持体01表面を露光して像担持体上に静電潜像を形成させた後、現像ユニット04内の現像剤05を像担持体01表面に移動させて、像担持体01上に可視画像を形成する。次に、中間転写装置06と像担持体01との当接部において、当接部の中間転写装置06内部に設けられた転写ロ−ラ07により、像担持体01表面の現像剤05を中間転写装置07表面に転写する。転写された現像剤は2次転写部08にて紙上に転写された後、定着装置09に供給され、紙上にトナー像が定着される。一方、像担持体01表面に残留した現像剤05は、次回の画像形成に備えクリーニング装置010内のクリーニングブレード011により清掃除去される。 An example of a tandem type image forming apparatus is shown in FIG. In this apparatus, reference numeral 01 in the drawing denotes an image carrier (photosensitive member) that can be driven to rotate. First, the surface of the image carrier 01 is uniformly charged by the charging device 02. Next, the laser beam 03 is irradiated by the exposure optical system, the surface of the image carrier 01 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the image carrier, and then the developer 05 in the developing unit 04 is applied to the image carrier 01. A visible image is formed on the image carrier 01 by moving to the surface. Next, at the contact portion between the intermediate transfer device 06 and the image carrier 01, the developer 05 on the surface of the image carrier 01 is intermediately transferred by a transfer roller 07 provided inside the intermediate transfer device 06 at the contact portion. Transfer to the surface of the transfer device 07. The transferred developer is transferred onto the paper at the secondary transfer unit 08 and then supplied to the fixing device 09 to fix the toner image on the paper. On the other hand, the developer 05 remaining on the surface of the image carrier 01 is removed by the cleaning blade 011 in the cleaning device 010 in preparation for the next image formation.
このクリーニング装置10としては、ファーブラシや磁気ブラシ等を使用するものや、クリーニングブレードを使用するものなどがあるが、構成が簡素で安価なことにより、クリーニングブレードで感光体の表面に付着した残留物を掻き落とすタイプのクリーニング装置が広範に使用されている。 The cleaning device 10 includes a device using a fur brush, a magnetic brush, or the like, and a device using a cleaning blade. However, the cleaning device 10 has a simple structure and is inexpensive, so that the residue adhered to the surface of the photosensitive member by the cleaning blade. Cleaning devices of the type that scrape off things are widely used.
このタイプのクリーニング装置10で良好な画像品質を得るためには、クリーニングブレード011により転写残トナーを像担持体01から良好に除去する必要がある。そこで、クリーニングブレード011のトナー阻止力を向上させるために、クリーニングブレード011を像担持体01にできるだけ高圧力で押し付け、像担持体01とクリーニングブレード011の密着性を高めるような構成をとることが多い。 In order to obtain good image quality with this type of cleaning device 10, it is necessary to remove the transfer residual toner from the image carrier 01 with a cleaning blade 011. Therefore, in order to improve the toner blocking force of the cleaning blade 011, the cleaning blade 011 may be pressed against the image carrier 01 with as high a pressure as possible to increase the adhesion between the image carrier 01 and the cleaning blade 011. Many.
またクリーニング性の向上のためには、クリーニングブレード011と像担持体01の当接部付近に滞留した転写残トナーを掃き出すため、クリーニングブレード011と像担持体01の間の摩擦力により、クリーニングブレード011の圧縮復元運度(スティックスリップ)を活性化することが知られている。クリーニングブレード011を高圧力で像担持体01に押し付けることにより、スティックスリップは加速し、クリーニング性が向上する。また、クリーニングブレード011にはゴム材が用いられることが多いが、ブレードのゴム材料に高反発弾性のブレードを使用することでスティックスリップは加速し、クリーニング性が向上する。ところが、クリーニングブレード011と像担持体01の当接部における線圧を高くしすぎると、クリーニングブレード011の過剰な振動によるビビリ音が発生したり、クリーニングブレード011の当接点と像担持体01との共振による異音が発生したりしてしまうことがある。すなわち、クリーニング性を維持するため、ある程度のスティックスリップは必要であるが、大きくしすぎるとブレードが鳴いてしまうという相反する作用がある。 Further, in order to improve the cleaning performance, the transfer residual toner staying in the vicinity of the contact portion between the cleaning blade 011 and the image carrier 01 is swept away, and therefore the friction force between the cleaning blade 011 and the image carrier 01 is used to clean the cleaning blade. It is known to activate the compression recovery behavior (stick slip) of 011. By pressing the cleaning blade 011 against the image carrier 01 with a high pressure, the stick-slip is accelerated and the cleaning property is improved. Further, although a rubber material is often used for the cleaning blade 011, stick-slip is accelerated and a cleaning property is improved by using a blade having high resilience as the rubber material of the blade. However, if the linear pressure at the contact portion between the cleaning blade 011 and the image carrier 01 is excessively increased, chatter noise is generated due to excessive vibration of the cleaning blade 011, or the contact point between the cleaning blade 011 and the image carrier 01. Noise may occur due to resonance. That is, a certain amount of stick-slip is necessary to maintain the cleaning property, but there is a conflicting effect that the blade will sound if it is too large.
こうした、異音を低減するため従来から種々の方法が提案されてきた。特許文献1によると、感光ドラムに接触して感光ドラムを帯電するために振動電圧が印加される帯電部材と、感光ドラムをクリーニングするクリーニングブレードを備えるクリーニング装置とを備え、クリーニング装置は振動を吸収する振動吸収部を備え、帯電部材と感光ドラムとの間で発生する帯電音を低減することが提案されている。しかし、クリーニング装置の振動吸収部だけでは、ブレードホルダー自身の振動を抑制することができない。 Conventionally, various methods have been proposed to reduce such abnormal noise. According to Patent Document 1, a charging member to which an oscillating voltage is applied to charge the photosensitive drum in contact with the photosensitive drum and a cleaning device having a cleaning blade for cleaning the photosensitive drum are provided, and the cleaning device absorbs vibration. It has been proposed to reduce the charging noise generated between the charging member and the photosensitive drum. However, the vibration of the blade holder itself cannot be suppressed only by the vibration absorbing portion of the cleaning device.
特許文献2によると、材質の異なる複数のクリーニングブレードをクリーニング周辺の温度により使い分ける事を規定しているが、複数のブレードを使用することによるコストアップ、またブレードの切替機構、レイアウト等装置の大型化が避けられない。 According to Patent Document 2, it is stipulated that a plurality of cleaning blades of different materials are selectively used depending on the temperature around the cleaning. However, the use of a plurality of blades increases the cost, and the switching mechanism of the blade, the large size of the layout, etc. Inevitable.
特許文献3によると、クリーニングブレードの一面に板ばねの制振部材を設置し、鳴きを防止しているが、クリーニングブレードの支点がばね部材であるため像担持体回転時の振動を拾ってしまうため当接状態が安定せず、安定したクリーニング性を確保する事が困難である。 According to Patent Document 3, a vibration damping member for a leaf spring is provided on one surface of the cleaning blade to prevent noise. However, since the fulcrum of the cleaning blade is a spring member, vibrations when the image carrier rotates are picked up. Therefore, the contact state is not stable, and it is difficult to ensure a stable cleaning property.
このようにブレードに制振効果を付与し、ブレードの振動自体を抑制する試みがなされているが、どれも十分な効果があるとはいえない。そこで、振動を伝達し共振する像担持体に制振効果を付与する方法が提案されてきた。 In this way, attempts have been made to impart a vibration damping effect to the blade and suppress the vibration of the blade itself, but none of them has a sufficient effect. Therefore, a method for imparting a vibration damping effect to an image carrier that transmits vibration and resonates has been proposed.
例えば特許文献4によると、画像形成装置のプロセスカートリッジ内に内蔵される感光ドラムにおいて、金属製の円筒部材と、円筒部材の外面の少なくとも一部を包囲する弾性材と、円筒部材の外面に弾性材を密着させたコーティング層とを備える防振材をドラムシリンダ内に配置して、感光ドラムの振動を吸収し感光ドラムの回転時に発生する振動を確実に吸収すると共に、防振材と感光ドラムとの密着性を高めることが提案されている。しかし、円筒部材の外面に弾性材を密着させたコーティング層を備える防振材をドラムシリンダ内に圧入することによりドラムが部分的に変形し、あるいは膨らんでしまい、中間調画像等にムラ、直線曲がり等の不具合が発生してしまう。 For example, according to Patent Document 4, in a photosensitive drum built in a process cartridge of an image forming apparatus, a metal cylindrical member, an elastic material that surrounds at least a part of the outer surface of the cylindrical member, and an outer surface of the cylindrical member are elastic. An anti-vibration material having a coating layer in close contact with the material is disposed in the drum cylinder so as to absorb the vibration of the photosensitive drum and reliably absorb the vibration generated when the photosensitive drum rotates. It has been proposed to increase the adhesiveness. However, the drum is partially deformed or bulged by press-fitting a vibration-proof material having a coating layer in which an elastic material is adhered to the outer surface of the cylindrical member into the drum cylinder. Problems such as bending will occur.
特許文献5によると、外径50mm以下の導電性円筒状支持体上に感光層を有し、該円筒状支持体内部に振動抑制部材を具備した電子写真感光体において、該電子写真感光体の円筒度を0.03mm以下にし、接触帯電方式で発生する振動音やクリーニングブレードの振動音を低減し、画像ムラのない高画質な画像が得られることが提案されている。しかし、支持体内径より外径の大きい振動抑制部材を縮径して円筒状支持体に挿入後内壁に密着するようにしているため、支持体内径と振動抑制部材の外径差により円筒状支持体に密着しない部分が生じてしまう。また、支持体内径と振動抑制部材の外径バラツキにより振動音の抑制が不十分な場合がある。 According to Patent Document 5, in an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a conductive cylindrical support having an outer diameter of 50 mm or less and having a vibration suppressing member inside the cylindrical support, It has been proposed that the cylindricity should be 0.03 mm or less to reduce vibration noise generated by the contact charging method and vibration noise of the cleaning blade, and to obtain a high-quality image without image unevenness. However, since the vibration suppression member having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the support is reduced in diameter so as to be in close contact with the inner wall after being inserted into the cylindrical support, the cylindrical support is caused by the difference in the outer diameter between the support inner diameter and the vibration suppression member. The part which does not adhere to a body will arise. In addition, vibration noise may not be sufficiently suppressed due to variations in the inner diameter of the support and the outer diameter of the vibration suppressing member.
本発明は、このような従来の問題点を踏まえてなしたもので、上記従来のクリーニングブレードおよびこれを用いる画像形成装置における問題に鑑み、振動による鳴きやビビリと感光体の共振音の発生を防止しつつ、画像ムラ、クリーニング不良の発生のない、安定で良好な画像品質を有する電子写真感光体、プロセスカートリッジ、画像形成装置を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems. In view of the problems in the conventional cleaning blade and the image forming apparatus using the conventional cleaning blade, generation of squeal due to vibration and chatter and resonance sound of the photosensitive member are generated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus which have a stable and good image quality while preventing image unevenness and poor cleaning.
本発明の請求項1に係る電子写真感光体は、
中空円筒状の感光体の内側に、該感光体の軸線に垂直な断面がC型形状を有し、該制振部材のC型形状部分の端部それぞれには該断面のC型形状の中心方向に向かって突出する凸部を有する制振部材を挿入し、かつ該制振部材の内側には、前記二つの凸部を保持する凹部を備えた円筒型の保持部材を有してなる電子写真感光体であって、
前記制振部材は、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入していない状態では該感光体の内径よりも大きな外径を有し、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入する状態では前記二つの凸部を前記保持部材の凹部に保持して前記感光体の内径よりも小さな外径に前記制振部材の外径の広がりを安定させ、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入する状態では該制振部材を前記感光体の内壁に接触させて該感光体の外径の変動を抑制する
ことを特徴とする。
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 of the present invention is
On the inner side of the hollow cylindrical photosensitive member, a cross-section perpendicular to the axial line of the photosensitive body has a C-type shape, C-shape channel the cross section in the respective ends of the C-shaped portion of the該制vibration member the damping member to have a protrusion protruding I center direction suited to insertion, and the inner side of the該制vibration member is cylindrical holding member having a recess for holding the two protrusions an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising have a,
The damping member is
In a state where it is not inserted inside the photoconductor, it has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the photoconductor,
In the state of being inserted inside the photoconductor, the two convex portions are held in the concave portions of the holding member to stabilize the expansion of the outer diameter of the damping member to an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the photoconductor,
In the state of being inserted inside the photoconductor, the vibration damping member is brought into contact with the inner wall of the photoconductor to suppress fluctuations in the outer diameter of the photoconductor .
請求項2に係るものは、前記制振部材表面が弾性樹脂層であることを特徴とする。 According to a second aspect of the present invention, the surface of the damping member is an elastic resin layer.
請求項3に係るものは、前記制振部材が制振鋼板からなることを特徴とする。 According to a third aspect of the present invention, the damping member is made of a damping steel plate.
請求項4に係るものは、前記制振部材が制振樹脂からなることを特徴とする。 According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the damping member is made of a damping resin.
請求項5に係るものは、前記制振部材表面がゴム状材料からなることを特徴とする。 According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the surface of the damping member is made of a rubber-like material.
請求項6に係るものは、前記制振部材の前記感光体の軸線に沿う方向での少なくとも一端が先細のテーパー形状を有することを特徴とする。 According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at least one end of the vibration damping member in a direction along the axis of the photosensitive member has a tapered shape.
請求項7に係るものは、前記保持部材が金属材料からなることを特徴とする。 According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the holding member is made of a metal material.
請求項8に係るものは、前記保持部材が樹脂材料からなることを特徴とする。 According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the holding member is made of a resin material.
請求項9に係るものは、前記保持部材の前記感光体の軸線に沿う方向での少なくとも一端が先細のテーパー形状を有することを特徴とする。 According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, at least one end of the holding member in a direction along the axis of the photosensitive member has a tapered shape.
請求項10に係るものは、前記制振部材の開口部の円周方向で反対側の位置にくびれた溝部を有することを特徴とする。 According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a groove portion constricted at a position on the opposite side in the circumferential direction of the opening portion of the vibration damping member.
請求項11に係るものは、前記溝部を複数有することを特徴とする。 According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the groove portions are provided.
請求項12に係るものは、前記制振部材及び前記保持部材を長手方向に2個以上有することを特徴とする。 According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the damping member and the holding member have two or more in the longitudinal direction.
請求項13に係る電子写真用プロセスカートリッジは、請求項1から12のいずれかに記載の電子写真感光体を有することを特徴とする。 An electrophotographic process cartridge according to a thirteenth aspect includes the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects.
請求項14に係る画像形成装置は、少なくとも帯電手段、レーザー露光手段、現像手段、転写手段、クリーニング手段を有する画像形成装置であって、請求項12に記載のプロセスカートリッジを装置本体に着脱自在に有することを特徴とする。 The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 is an image forming apparatus having at least a charging unit, a laser exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit, wherein the process cartridge according to claim 12 is detachable from the apparatus main body. It is characterized by having.
本発明により、弾性体ブレードと感光体表面のスティックスリップを加速した場合でも、その副作用として発生する弾性体ブレードと感光体表面の摩擦振動を感光体で振動減衰させ、感光体との共振音の発生を防止することができ得るようになるだけでなく、制振材の直径精度が向上して感光体外径の変動による回転フレが防止され、感光体の回転フレによる画像濃度ムラ、クリーニング不良の発生を防止することが可能になり、そのため、ユーザーに不快な音を発生することなく、長期にわたり高品質な画像を提供することができるようになる。 According to the present invention, even when the stick-slip between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor is accelerated, the frictional vibration between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor generated as a side effect is attenuated by the photoconductor, and the resonance sound of the photoconductor is In addition to being able to prevent the occurrence of occurrence, the diameter accuracy of the damping material is improved, and rotation flutter due to fluctuations in the outer diameter of the photoconductor is prevented. Occurrence can be prevented, so that high-quality images can be provided over a long period of time without generating unpleasant sound to the user.
以下本発明を実施するための最良の形態を、図に示す実施例を参照して説明する。 The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.
まず、本発明の実施対象とする画像形成装置の概略構造について説明する。図2において、像担持体である感光体ドラム021の周囲には、感光体ドラム021の表面を帯電するための帯電装置022、一様帯電処理面に潜像を形成するためのレーザー光線でなる露光023、感光体ドラム021表面の潜像に帯電トナーを付着することでトナー像を形成する現像装置024、形成された感光体ドラム021上のトナー像を被転写体へ転写するための転写装置025、感光体ドラム021上の残留トナーを除去するためのクリーニング装置026、感光体ドラム021上の残留電位を除去するための除電装置027が順に配置されている。タンデム型の電子写真では、主にブラック、マゼンタ、シアン、イエローといった単色の画像を感光体ドラム021表面に形成する。このような構成において、画像形成がネガポジ方式(露光部電位を低くしトナーを付着させる)で行われる場合、帯電装置022の帯電ローラ022’によって表面を一様に負に帯電された感光体ドラム021は、露光023によって感光体表面に静電潜像を形成され、現像装置024によってトナーを感光体ドラム021表面に付着させ、像を可視化する。トナー像は、転写ベルトなどでなる転写装置025によって、感光体ドラム021表面から転写され、感光体ドラム021から転写ベルトに転写されなかった残トナー成分はクリーニング装置026により感光体ドラム021の表面から除去される。転写ベルト表面に転写されたトナー像は、図示しない2次転写部にて2次転写ローラにバイアスが印加され、給紙トレイから搬送された記録紙へ転写される。転写後の残留トナー成分あるいは、外添材成分はクリーニング部材026によって除去される。そして、未定着の記録紙上のトナー像は定着器によって記録紙に定着される。残留トナーを除去された感光体ドラム021は除電ランプ027で残留電位をキャンセルされ、次回の画像形成プロセスに供される。 First, the schematic structure of an image forming apparatus that is an object of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 2, a charging device 022 for charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 around the photosensitive drum 021 as an image carrier, and exposure with a laser beam for forming a latent image on a uniformly charged surface. 023, a developing device 024 for forming a toner image by attaching charged toner to the latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 021, and a transfer device 025 for transferring the formed toner image on the photosensitive drum 021 to the transfer target. A cleaning device 026 for removing the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 021 and a neutralizing device 027 for removing the residual potential on the photosensitive drum 021 are sequentially arranged. In tandem electrophotography, monochromatic images such as black, magenta, cyan, and yellow are mainly formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 021. In such a configuration, when image formation is performed by a negative positive method (lowering the exposure portion potential and attaching toner), the photosensitive drum whose surface is uniformly negatively charged by the charging roller 022 ′ of the charging device 022 In 021, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor by exposure 023, and toner is attached to the surface of the photoreceptor drum 021 by the developing device 024 to visualize the image. The toner image is transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 by the transfer device 025 formed of a transfer belt or the like, and residual toner components that have not been transferred from the photosensitive drum 021 to the transfer belt are transferred from the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 by the cleaning device 026. Removed. The toner image transferred to the surface of the transfer belt is transferred to a recording sheet conveyed from a paper feed tray by applying a bias to a secondary transfer roller at a secondary transfer unit (not shown). The residual toner component or the external additive component after the transfer is removed by the cleaning member 026. Then, the toner image on the unfixed recording paper is fixed on the recording paper by the fixing device. The photosensitive drum 021 from which the residual toner has been removed has its residual potential canceled by the charge eliminating lamp 027 and is used for the next image forming process.
感光体ドラム021には、有機感光体が使用されるが、この他にセレンテルル感光体、セレン感光体、CdS感光体やアモルファスシリコン感光体などの無機感光体も使用できる。またドラム形状ではなく、ベルト形状のものも使用できる。ただし、公害問題や製造コストが高いなど不具合が多く、省エネルギー、省資源、製造容易性、高感度設計が可能、低コスト、無公害などメリットの大きい有機感光体が望ましい。 An organic photoreceptor is used for the photoreceptor drum 021. In addition, an inorganic photoreceptor such as a selenium tellurium photoreceptor, a selenium photoreceptor, a CdS photoreceptor, and an amorphous silicon photoreceptor can be used. Also, a belt shape can be used instead of a drum shape. However, it is desirable to use an organic photoreceptor that has many problems such as pollution problems and high manufacturing costs, energy saving, resource saving, ease of manufacture, high sensitivity design, low cost, and no pollution.
帯電装置022には、感光体ドラム021に接触配置した帯電ロールの芯金に高電圧を引加し、感光体ドラム021の表面を一様に帯電する接触ロール帯電方式を使用しているが、チャージワイヤーに高電圧を印加することにより放電するコロトロン、スコロトロン方式、この他に帯電ブラシ、帯電シート、針電極などを使用することができる。これらは、感光体に対して非接触で感光体表面を帯電できるため、クリーニング性の影響を受けにくいというメリットはあるが、放電に伴って生成されるオゾンやNOx等の放電生成物の発生量が帯電ロール方式に比較し格段に大きいため、感光体の耐久性の面で課題がある。 The charging device 022 uses a contact roll charging method in which a high voltage is applied to the core of a charging roll placed in contact with the photosensitive drum 021 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 021. A corotron that discharges by applying a high voltage to the charge wire, a scorotron system, a charging brush, a charging sheet, a needle electrode, or the like can also be used. These have the advantage of being less susceptible to cleaning because they can charge the surface of the photoconductor without contact with the photoconductor, but the amount of discharge products such as ozone and NOx that are generated with the discharge. However, there is a problem in terms of durability of the photosensitive member because it is much larger than the charging roll method.
転写装置025としては、中間転写ベルト方式を用いているが、この他にチャージワイヤー、転写ローラ、針電極、転写ドラムなどを使用することができる。 As the transfer device 025, an intermediate transfer belt system is used, but other than this, a charge wire, a transfer roller, a needle electrode, a transfer drum, and the like can be used.
クリーニング装置026としては、ネオプレンゴム、クロロプレンゴム、シリコンゴム、アクリルゴムなどの弾性部材を使用することが可能であるが、感光体に化学的なダメージを与えず、耐久性、耐オゾン性、耐油性等優れた特性を有するポリウレタンゴムでできたクリーニングブレードが一般的に使用されている。 As the cleaning device 026, it is possible to use an elastic member such as neoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, silicon rubber, acrylic rubber, etc., but it does not cause chemical damage to the photoreceptor, and is durable, ozone resistant, and oil resistant. A cleaning blade made of polyurethane rubber having excellent properties such as properties is generally used.
クリーニングブレード029は、図3に示すようにクレーニングブレードを支持する支持部材040と板状の弾性体ブレード039によって構成され、弾性体ブレード039の自由端側先端部(以下、単にエッジと言う)039cが、矢印方向に回転する像担持体021表面に所定の接触角で圧接、使用される。弾性体ブレード039により掻き落とされた転写残トナーは、その下部に設置した搬送スクリュー038等の搬送手段により図示しない廃トナー回収容器に搬送される。 As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning blade 029 is composed of a support member 040 that supports the craning blade and a plate-like elastic blade 039, and a free end tip (hereinafter simply referred to as an edge) of the elastic blade 039. 039c is pressed and used at a predetermined contact angle on the surface of the image carrier 021 rotating in the direction of the arrow. The untransferred toner scraped off by the elastic blade 039 is transported to a waste toner collection container (not shown) by transport means such as a transport screw 038 installed below the elastic blade 039.
耐久時、弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039c近傍には弾性体ブレード039により堰き止められたトナーが除々に累積していく。これらのトナーの溜まりにより、弾性体ブレード−39には押す力が作用し、ついには弾性体ブレード039を押し上げ、トナーが弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039cをすり抜け、クリーニング不良を引き起こしてしまうことがある。したがってクリーニング性を向上させるためには、このトナー溜まりを効率的に除去する必要がある。そのため、弾性体ブレード039の反発弾性の高い材料を選択し、弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039c部分が摩擦力により感光体ドラム021の回転方向に歪んだ時の、弾性復元力を増大し、トナー溜まりを解除する振動、いわゆるスティックスリップ運動を加速する構成になっていることが好ましい。 During the endurance, the toner blocked by the elastic blade 039 gradually accumulates in the vicinity of the edge 039c of the elastic blade 039. Due to the accumulation of the toner, a pressing force is applied to the elastic blade-39, and finally the elastic blade 039 is pushed up, so that the toner may slip through the edge 039c of the elastic blade 039 and cause a cleaning failure. . Therefore, in order to improve the cleaning property, it is necessary to efficiently remove the toner pool. Therefore, a material having high rebound resilience of the elastic blade 039 is selected, and the elastic restoring force is increased when the edge 039c portion of the elastic blade 039 is distorted in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 021 by the frictional force, so that the toner pool is increased. It is preferable that the vibration for releasing the rotation, that is, the so-called stick-slip motion is accelerated.
しかし、このように弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039cの振動を大きくしていくと、その分エッジ039cが感光体ドラム021の表面にこすりつけられる力、そしてこすりつけられる距離(感光体ドラム021の周方向での距離)も大きくなるため、これが振動音を発生させ、ユーザーに不快な異音として認識されてしまう。弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039cと感光体ドラム021表面の摩擦振動が、感光体ドラム021と共振してしまうと、さらに高周波の異音が発生し、ますます不快な音を発してしまう。この振動音を低減するため、感光体ドラム021の内面に制振部材を挿入し、加震源となる弾性体ブレード039のエッジ039cと感光体ドラム021表面の摩擦振動を減衰させることで異音に対して効果的である。 However, when the vibration of the edge 039c of the elastic body blade 039 is increased in this way, the force by which the edge 039c is rubbed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 and the rubbed distance (in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 021). ) Also increases, and this generates vibration noise that is recognized as an unpleasant noise by the user. If the frictional vibration between the edge 039c of the elastic blade 039 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 resonates with the photosensitive drum 021, further high-frequency noise is generated and an unpleasant sound is emitted. In order to reduce this vibration noise, a vibration damping member is inserted into the inner surface of the photosensitive drum 021 to attenuate the frictional vibration between the edge 039c of the elastic blade 039 serving as a vibration source and the surface of the photosensitive drum 021. It is effective against this.
本実施例においては、感光体ドラム021の内部に挿入するC型断面(感光体ドラム021の軸方向に対して垂直な面でC形状をなす)を有する制振材062を用いるとともに、その内部にはC型形状の端部に位置する制振材062の凸部062cを保持する保持部材063を有することを特徴とする。そして、C型の制振材062が感光体ドラム021の内部中心から外側方向に反発する力を利用して感光体ドラム021の内壁により密着し、防振、制振効果を高めるとともに、その内部に設置した凹部063cを有する保持部材063にて制振部材062のC型形状の開き具合を制御し、制振部材062が感光体ドラム021の内壁を押しすぎて、感光体ドラム021の外径の不均一化を防止する構造になっている。 In this embodiment, a vibration damping material 062 having a C-shaped cross section (C-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 021) to be inserted into the photosensitive drum 021 is used. Has a holding member 063 for holding the convex portion 062c of the vibration damping material 062 located at the end of the C-shape. Then, the C-type damping material 062 is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021 using a force repelling outward from the inner center of the photosensitive drum 021 to enhance the vibration proofing and damping effect, A holding member 063 having a recess 063c installed on the surface controls the C-shaped opening of the damping member 062, and the damping member 062 pushes the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021 too much, so that the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 021 is increased. The structure prevents the non-uniformity.
すなわち制振材062のみでは、感光体ドラム021の内部にC型形状でかつ弾性変形することを利用して挿入することもあり、断面の真円度を保持しにくく、径のばらつきが大きくなってしまい、感光体ドラム021の内壁を押す力が分散してしまう。その結果、感光体ドラム021の外径変動が大きくなり、濃度ムラ等の原因になる。制振材062のC型の端部に凸部063cを入れて形状を保持する保持部材063を追加することで、制振材062の外径を安定させ、感光体ドラム021の外径の変動を抑制しているのである。 In other words, the damping material 062 alone may be inserted into the photosensitive drum 021 by utilizing the C-shaped and elastic deformation, so that it is difficult to maintain the roundness of the cross section and the variation in diameter becomes large. As a result, the force pushing the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021 is dispersed. As a result, the outer diameter fluctuation of the photosensitive drum 021 becomes large, which causes density unevenness and the like. By adding a holding member 063 that holds the shape by inserting a convex portion 063c at the C-shaped end of the damping material 062, the outer diameter of the damping material 062 is stabilized, and the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum 021 varies. Is suppressed.
制振部材と保持部材有無による感光体外径の分布を図4に示す。また使用した制振材062の一例の断面図、未挿入時の制振材の図を図5、図6に示す。また制振材と保持部材を組み合わせた状態の断面図の一例を図7に示す。 FIG. 4 shows the distribution of the outer diameter of the photoreceptor depending on the presence / absence of the damping member and the holding member. Further, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a cross-sectional view of an example of the damping material 062 used, and diagrams of the damping material when not inserted. FIG. 7 shows an example of a cross-sectional view of the state in which the damping material and the holding member are combined.
本実施例で用いた制振材062には、感光体ドラム021の軸方向に伸びるスリット060を有する構造で、感光体ドラム021に非挿入時にはスリット060は開いた状態で、制振材062の断面に仮想的に真円を当てはめると制振材062の外周は仮想の真円の外側に位置するようになっている(図5参照)。 The damping material 062 used in this embodiment has a structure having a slit 060 extending in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 021, and when not inserted into the photosensitive drum 021, the slit 060 is open, and the damping material 062 When a perfect circle is virtually applied to the cross section, the outer periphery of the damping material 062 is positioned outside the virtual perfect circle (see FIG. 5).
感光体ドラム021へは、スリット060の幅を縮める方向につぶし、上述した仮想の真円よりも径を小さくした状態で保持部材063を挿入し、制振材062と保持部材063を組み合わせた状態で再びスリット幅を縮める方向に潰した状態で感光体021の内側に挿入する。感光体ドラム021の軸方向の所定の位置にてつぶす力を解除すると、制振材062自身の復元力にて感光体ドラム021の内壁に密着固定される。感光体ドラム021は、回転駆動する位置での振動もあるため、制振材062の挿入位置は画像形成装置本体等の使用する機器の装置本体からの駆動伝達をうける位置に寄せて挿入することが好ましい。 A state in which the holding member 063 is inserted into the photosensitive drum 021 in a state in which the width of the slit 060 is reduced and the diameter is made smaller than the virtual perfect circle described above, and the vibration damping material 062 and the holding member 063 are combined. Then, it is inserted inside the photoconductor 021 in a state where it is crushed again in the direction of reducing the slit width. When the crushing force is released at a predetermined position in the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 021, the damping force of the damping material 062 itself is tightly fixed to the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021. Since the photosensitive drum 021 also vibrates at the rotationally driven position, the insertion position of the damping material 062 is inserted close to the position where the drive transmission from the apparatus main body of the apparatus used such as the image forming apparatus main body is received. Is preferred.
さらに制振材062のスリット060を形成する先端は制振材062の中心方向に凸状に加工を施し、図7に示すとおり、凸部062cの位置を規制する凹部063cを有する保持部材063によりスリット060の開口幅を規制している。スリット060の開口幅は、感光体ドラム021の内径の0.5%〜3%程度にすることが好ましい。この範囲を超えてしまうと感光体ドラム021の内壁との密着性が悪化し、制振部材062を保持できない場合があることに加え、感光体ドラム021の内壁に何も接触していない領域が増えるため、弾性体ブレード039と感光体ドラム021表面の摩擦振動を減衰する効果が低減してしまう。一方、この範囲より小さい場合は、感光体ドラム021に挿入する場合、弾性変形幅が小さくなってしまうので、作業性の面で課題が発生してしまう。 Further, the tip of the vibration damping material 062 forming the slit 060 is processed into a convex shape in the center direction of the vibration damping material 062, and as shown in FIG. 7, the holding member 063 has a concave portion 063c that regulates the position of the convex portion 062c. The opening width of the slit 060 is regulated. The opening width of the slit 060 is preferably about 0.5% to 3% of the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum 021. If this range is exceeded, the adhesion to the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021 deteriorates, and the vibration damping member 062 may not be held. In addition, there is a region where nothing is in contact with the inner wall of the photosensitive drum 021. Therefore, the effect of attenuating the frictional vibration between the elastic blade 039 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 021 is reduced. On the other hand, if it is smaller than this range, the elastic deformation width becomes small when inserted into the photosensitive drum 021, which causes a problem in terms of workability.
さらに感光体ドラム021の内部への挿入の簡便化を図るため、制振材062あるいは保持部材063の端部は挿入方向に対して制振部材062や保持部材063の半径が次第に小さくなっていく、すなわち感光体ドラム021の軸線方向に沿って挿入方向先端側が先細となるテーパー形状をなす構造としておくことが好ましい。これにより挿入作業の容易性が向上するだけでなく、感光体ドラム021の端部へ制振部材062や保持部材063をぶつけることによる打痕キズの発生等を防止できる。テーパー形状は片方の端部のみでも構わないが、両方をテーパー構造にして制振材062等を左右対称形にすると、感光体ドラム021への挿入方向が規制されず、さらに作業性が簡便化するので好ましい。 Further, in order to simplify the insertion into the inside of the photosensitive drum 021, the radius of the damping member 062 or the holding member 063 is gradually reduced in the end portion of the damping material 062 or the holding member 063 in the insertion direction. In other words, it is preferable to have a structure in which the tip end side in the insertion direction is tapered along the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 021. This not only improves the ease of insertion work but also prevents the occurrence of scratches caused by hitting the damping member 062 and the holding member 063 against the end of the photosensitive drum 021. The tapered shape may be only one end, but if both are tapered and the damping material 062 is symmetrical, the insertion direction into the photosensitive drum 021 is not restricted, and the workability is further simplified. This is preferable.
感光体ドラム021内部に収納する制振材062及び保持部材063は1個に限らず2個以上であっても構わない。制振材062の個数を増やした方が、感光体ドラム021の内面を抑える面積が大きくなるため、振動減衰効果が顕著である。 The number of the damping material 062 and the holding member 063 accommodated in the photosensitive drum 021 is not limited to one and may be two or more. When the number of the damping materials 062 is increased, the area for suppressing the inner surface of the photosensitive drum 021 is increased, so that the vibration damping effect is remarkable.
クリーニングブレード029の振動は、感光体ドラム021の潰れ方向の振動として伝達され、感光体ドラム021の固有振動数と共振したときに発生しているため、感光体ドラム021内壁に密着する面積が大きいほど、感光体ドラム021の潰れ方向の振動減衰効果は高まる。そのため、異音を抑制するためには内面に密着する面積と振動伝達を抑制する制振部材を選択することが必要である。 The vibration of the cleaning blade 029 is transmitted as vibration in the crushing direction of the photoconductive drum 021 and is generated when resonating with the natural frequency of the photoconductive drum 021. Therefore, the area closely contacting the inner wall of the photoconductive drum 021 is large. As a result, the vibration damping effect in the crushing direction of the photosensitive drum 021 is enhanced. Therefore, in order to suppress abnormal noise, it is necessary to select an area closely contacting the inner surface and a damping member that suppresses vibration transmission.
すなわち、制振部材062には、弾性材料、例えば合成樹脂または合成ゴム材料からなるものが好ましい。振動低減効果を維持するためには制振部材062の厚さは0.5mm以上必要であり、挿入の簡便化から1mm以上5mm以下であることが好ましい。 That is, the damping member 062 is preferably made of an elastic material such as a synthetic resin or a synthetic rubber material. In order to maintain the vibration reducing effect, the thickness of the vibration damping member 062 is required to be 0.5 mm or more, and is preferably 1 mm or more and 5 mm or less in order to simplify the insertion.
また制振部材062のスリット060の回転方向の180°位置に軸方向に凹形状にくびれた溝部064を設ける(図7参照)と、挿入時に制振材062をつぶす力が小さくて済むため、より簡便に挿入することが可能となる。なお前記溝部を複数個設けて挿入をより容易にしても構わないが、感光体ドラム021内径の75%以上は制振部材062が接していなければ、振動減衰効果が低減し異音を発生させてしまう点に留意する必要がある。 Further, if a groove portion 064 that is constricted in a concave shape in the axial direction is provided at a position 180 ° in the rotational direction of the slit 060 of the vibration damping member 062 (see FIG. 7), the force for crushing the vibration damping material 062 during insertion may be small. It becomes possible to insert more easily. It should be noted that a plurality of the groove portions may be provided to facilitate insertion, but if the damping member 062 is not in contact with 75% or more of the inner diameter of the photosensitive drum 021, the vibration damping effect is reduced and abnormal noise is generated. It is necessary to keep in mind that this will occur.
なお制振材062に使用する材料は、上述の他、制振樹脂、制振鋼板、ゴム材料などが好ましい。制振樹脂、ゴム材料は主にベース樹脂、活性成分、無機充填材から構成される。ベース樹脂として、例えばポリ塩化ビニル、ポリエチレン、塩素化ポリエチレン、ポリプロピレン、エチレン−酢ビ共重合体、ポリメタクリル酸メチル、ポリフッ化ビニリデン、ポリイソプレン、ポリスチレン、スチレン−ブタジエン−アクリロニトリル共重合体(ABS樹脂)、スチレン−アクリロニトリル共重合体(AS樹脂)、ポリカーボネート、アクリロニトリル−ブタジエンゴム(NBR)、スチレン−ブタジエンゴム(SBR)、ブタジエンゴム(BR)、天然ゴム(NR)、イソプレンゴム(IR)の中から選ばれた1種若しくはそれらの混合物を用いることができる。 In addition to the above, the material used for the damping material 062 is preferably a damping resin, a damping steel plate, a rubber material, or the like. The damping resin and rubber material are mainly composed of a base resin, an active ingredient, and an inorganic filler. Examples of the base resin include polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyisoprene, polystyrene, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (ABS resin). ), Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (AS resin), polycarbonate, acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR) One kind selected from the above or a mixture thereof can be used.
活性成分としては、例えばN,N−ジシクロヘキシルベンゾチアジル−2−スルフェンアミド(DCHBSA)、2−メルカプトベンゾチアゾール(MBT)、ジベンゾチアジルスルフィド(MBTS)、N−シクロヘキシルベンゾチアジル−2−スルフェンアミド(CBS)、N−tert−ブチルベンゾチアジル−2−スルフェンアミド(BBS)、N−オキシジエチレンベンゾチアジル−2−スルフェンアミド(OBS)、N,N−ジイソプロピルベンゾチアジル−2−スルフェンアミド(DPBS)などのベンゾチアジル基を含む化硫促進剤の中から選ばれた1種若しくは2種以上を挙げることができる。 Examples of the active ingredient include N, N-dicyclohexylbenzothiazyl-2-sulfenamide (DCHBSA), 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), dibenzothiazyl sulfide (MBTS), N-cyclohexylbenzothiazyl-2- Sulfenamide (CBS), N-tert-butylbenzothiazyl-2-sulfenamide (BBS), N-oxydiethylenebenzothiazyl-2-sulfenamide (OBS), N, N-diisopropylbenzothiazyl One or two or more kinds of sulfur accelerators containing a benzothiazyl group such as 2-sulfenamide (DPBS) can be used.
無機充填材としては、マイカ鱗片、ガラス片、グラスファイバー、カーボンファイバー、炭酸カルシウム、バライト、沈降硫酸バリウムなどを挙げることができる。これら無機充填材は、制振性能をさらに向上させる目的で充填されるものである。当該無機充填材の充填量としては、ベース樹脂100重量部に対し10〜100重量部の割合で含まれているのが好ましい。 Examples of the inorganic filler include mica scale pieces, glass pieces, glass fibers, carbon fibers, calcium carbonate, barite, and precipitated barium sulfate. These inorganic fillers are filled for the purpose of further improving the vibration damping performance. The filling amount of the inorganic filler is preferably 10 to 100 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the base resin.
また制振鋼板としては、厚さ0.02〜1mmの鋼板やステンレス箔、アルミニウム板の間に粘弾性を有する樹脂中間層を挟み込んだ複層構造の複合型制振材料等を挙げることができる。 Examples of the damping steel plate include a composite damping material having a multilayer structure in which a resin intermediate layer having viscoelasticity is sandwiched between a steel plate having a thickness of 0.02 to 1 mm, a stainless foil, and an aluminum plate.
粘弾性樹脂中間層としては、厚さ10〜100μmのポリエステル、ポリアミド、エチレン−酢酸ビニル共重合体、ポリビニルブチラール等のガラス転移点が−60〜50℃、分子量5000〜50000の樹脂が用いられる。これら粘弾性樹脂は単独、又は2種以上の混合系を適宜組合せて、希望する樹脂の凝集力、接着性、粘着性さらには制振性能等により選定して使用される。 As the viscoelastic resin intermediate layer, a resin having a glass transition point of −60 to 50 ° C. and a molecular weight of 5000 to 50000 such as polyester, polyamide, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and polyvinyl butyral having a thickness of 10 to 100 μm is used. These viscoelastic resins are used singly or in combination of two or more kinds as appropriate, and are selected and used according to the desired resin cohesive strength, adhesiveness, tackiness and vibration damping performance.
なお制振材の表面に設ける弾性樹脂層は厚さ10〜100μmが好ましい。弾性樹脂層の材質としてはゴム弾性を有するエラストマー、例えばエポフレンド(ダイセル製)等の硬さ30〜90(JISA)が好ましい。
弾性樹脂層は有機溶媒に溶解した樹脂液をスプレー、浸漬塗布等の方法で制振材の表面に設けることができる。保持部材については上記と同様の樹脂材料でも構わないが、ステンレス、アルミニウム、ニッケル、リン青銅などの金属製であっても構わない。
The elastic resin layer provided on the surface of the vibration damping material preferably has a thickness of 10 to 100 μm. The material of the elastic resin layer is preferably an elastomer having rubber elasticity, for example, hardness 30 to 90 (JISA) such as Epofriend (manufactured by Daicel).
The elastic resin layer can be provided on the surface of the vibration damping material by spraying, dipping or the like a resin solution dissolved in an organic solvent. The holding member may be the same resin material as described above, but may be made of a metal such as stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, phosphor bronze.
<実験例1>
本発明の実験例として以下のものを製作した。ABS樹脂(商品名:GA−704、スミカA&L社製)75部、マイカ(商品名:60C、クラレ製)20部、および活性成分としてN−tert−ブチル−2−ベンゾチアゾリルスルフェンアミド5部からなる樹脂組成物を用いて、スリット幅1.7mm、最大外径22.6mm、厚さ4mm、長さ90mm、かつ片端部がテーパー状(テーパー長さ8mm)である上述した形状の制振部材を成形した。この制振部材表面に厚さ20μmの熱可塑性エラストマー(商品名:エポフレンド、ダイセル製)性弾性層を設けた。さらに上記形状に加工した厚さ1.5mmSUS製の保持部材を前記制振材に挿入した後、この制振部材及び保持部材1組を上記感光体ドラム内に挿入し、弾性的に支持させた後、感光体ドラムに両端に樹脂製フランジを取り付けた。このように製造した制振材及び保持部材を挿入した感光体ドラムを株式会社リコー製Cx3000に組み付け32℃、54%環境下で印字面積率0.5%、1枚間欠モードにて5000枚の耐久試験を行った1000枚ごとに線速120mm/sec、60mm/secで異音の発生有無、ハーフトーン画像にて濃度ムラを確認した。また帯電ロールの汚染状態からクリーニング性について確認を行った。異音に関しては未発生を○、発生したものを×、濃度ムラに関しては目視上認識できないレベル○、目視上明らかであれば×、クリーニング性については、帯電ロールが汚染されていない○、汚染はあるが画像上に現れない△、汚染され画像上のスジもある×で判断を行った。
<実験例2>
厚さ0.1mmのステンレス箔の間に、厚さ40μmのポリエステル樹脂(ガラス転移点:10℃)中間層を有する制振鋼板を加工し制振部材を作製した以外は実施例1と同様の実験を行った。
<実験例3>
感光体ドラム内に挿入する制振部材及び保持部材を2個とした以外は実施例1と同様の実験を行った。
<比較例1>
制振材及び保持部材を未挿入にした以外は実施例1と同様の実験を行った。
<比較例2>
保持部材を未挿入にした以外は実験例1と同様の実験を行った。
<Experimental example 1>
The following was manufactured as an experimental example of the present invention. 75 parts of ABS resin (trade name: GA-704, manufactured by Sumika A & L), 20 parts of mica (trade name: 60C, manufactured by Kuraray), and N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazolylsulfenamide 5 as an active ingredient Using a resin composition consisting of parts, the slit width is 1.7 mm, the maximum outer diameter is 22.6 mm, the thickness is 4 mm, the length is 90 mm, and one end is tapered (taper length 8 mm). A vibration member was formed. A thermoplastic elastomer (trade name: Epofriend, manufactured by Daicel) elastic layer having a thickness of 20 μm was provided on the surface of the damping member. Further, after inserting a holding member made of SUS with a thickness of 1.5 mm processed into the above shape into the vibration damping material, the vibration damping member and one holding member pair were inserted into the photosensitive drum and elastically supported. Thereafter, resin flanges were attached to both ends of the photosensitive drum. The photosensitive drum having the vibration damping material and the holding member inserted in this way is assembled into a Cx3000 manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd., and the printing area ratio is 0.5% in a 32 ° C. and 54% environment, and 5000 sheets are printed in a single sheet intermittent mode. For every 1000 sheets subjected to the durability test, the occurrence of abnormal noise was confirmed at a linear speed of 120 mm / sec and 60 mm / sec, and density unevenness was confirmed by a halftone image. Further, the cleaning property was confirmed from the contamination state of the charging roll. Occurrence of unacceptable noise ○, occurrence of ×, density unevenness level visually unrecognizable ○, apparently visible ×, cleaning property is not contaminated charging roll ○, contamination is Judgment was made by Δ, which does not appear on the image, and x which is contaminated and has streaks on the image.
<Experimental example 2>
The same as in Example 1 except that a damping member was produced by processing a damping steel plate having a polyester resin (glass transition point: 10 ° C.) intermediate layer having a thickness of 40 μm between stainless steel foils having a thickness of 0.1 mm. The experiment was conducted.
<Experimental example 3>
An experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed, except that two damping members and two holding members were inserted into the photosensitive drum.
<Comparative Example 1>
An experiment similar to that of Example 1 was performed except that the damping material and the holding member were not inserted.
<Comparative example 2>
An experiment similar to Experimental Example 1 was performed except that the holding member was not inserted.
以上の実験例、比較例についての5000枚耐刷試験後の確認結果の一覧を図8に示す。すべての点において本発明のもののほうが優れていることが分かる。 FIG. 8 shows a list of confirmation results after the 5000 sheet printing test for the above experimental examples and comparative examples. It can be seen that the present invention is superior in all respects.
すなわち、本発明により、クリーニング性を向上させるため弾性体ブレードと感光体ドラム表面のスティックスリップを加速した場合においても、その副作用として発生する弾性体ブレードと感光体ドラム表面の摩擦振動を感光体ドラムで振動減衰し、感光体ドラムとの共振音の発生を防止するだけでなく、制振材の感光体ドラムを押す力を規制する保持部材を設置することで制振材の直径精度が向上すため感光体ドラム外径の変動による回転フレを防止し、感光体ドラムの回転フレによる画像濃度ムラ、クリーニング不良の発生を防止する事が可能になるため、ユーザーに不快な音を発生することなく長期にわたり高品質な画像を提供することができる。 That is, according to the present invention, even when the stick-slip between the elastic blade and the photosensitive drum surface is accelerated in order to improve the cleaning property, the frictional vibration between the elastic blade and the photosensitive drum surface that occurs as a side effect is accelerated. In addition to preventing the resonance of the photosensitive drum from being generated, the diameter accuracy of the damping material is improved by installing a holding member that regulates the force of the damping material that pushes the photosensitive drum. Therefore, it is possible to prevent rotational flutter due to fluctuations in the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum, and to prevent occurrence of uneven image density and poor cleaning due to rotational fluff of the photosensitive drum, so that no unpleasant sound is generated to the user. A high-quality image can be provided over a long period of time.
また、制振部材を感光体ドラムに簡易的に挿入することが可能になり、挿入時の感光体ドラムへのダメージを軽減でき、生産効率が向上し、保持部材の加工精度が向上するため制振材の直径の変動が小さくなり、したがって感光体ドラム外径の変動は小さくなるので、前記変動がいっそう小さくなる。また、保持部材にも制振効果があるために、振動減衰性が向上する。 In addition, the vibration damping member can be easily inserted into the photosensitive drum, damage to the photosensitive drum during insertion can be reduced, production efficiency is improved, and processing accuracy of the holding member is improved. The fluctuation of the diameter of the vibration material is reduced, and hence the fluctuation of the outer diameter of the photosensitive drum is reduced, so that the fluctuation is further reduced. In addition, since the holding member also has a vibration damping effect, vibration damping is improved.
さらに、制振材の潰れ方向に対して必要な力を軽減できるために、感光体ドラム内部への挿入を簡便に行うことが可能となる。また、制振材の変形をさらに容易に行うことが可能になることや、感光体ドラム内面に密着する制振部材の面積率が向上するため、振動を減衰する効果が向上する。 Further, since the necessary force with respect to the direction in which the damping material is crushed can be reduced, the insertion into the photosensitive drum can be easily performed. Further, the vibration damping material can be more easily deformed, and the area ratio of the vibration damping member that is in close contact with the inner surface of the photosensitive drum is improved, so that the effect of damping vibration is improved.
021:感光体ドラム
022:帯電装置
022’:帯電ローラ
023:露光
024:現像装置
025:転写装置
026:クリーニング装置
027:除電装置
029:クリーニングブレード
038:搬送スクリュー
039:弾性体ブレード
039c:弾性体ブレードの自由端側先端部(エッジ)
040:支持部材
060:制振材のスリット
062:制振材
062c:制振材の凸部
063:保持部材
063c:保持部材の凹部
021: Photosensitive drum 022: Charging device 022 ': Charging roller 023: Exposure 024: Development device 025: Transfer device 026: Cleaning device 027: Static elimination device 029: Cleaning blade 038: Conveying screw 039: Elastic blade 039c: Elastic body Blade free edge tip (edge)
040: Support member 060: Slit of damping material 062: Damping material 062c: Convex part of damping material 063: Holding member 063c: Concave part of holding member
Claims (14)
前記制振部材は、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入していない状態では該感光体の内径よりも大きな外径を有し、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入する状態では前記二つの凸部を前記保持部材の凹部に保持して前記感光体の内径よりも小さな外径に前記制振部材の外径の広がりを安定させ、
前記感光体の内側へ挿入する状態では該制振部材を前記感光体の内壁に接触させて該感光体の外径の変動を抑制する
ことを特徴とする電子写真感光体。
On the inner side of the hollow cylindrical photosensitive member, a cross-section perpendicular to the axial line of the photosensitive body has a C-type shape, C-shape channel the cross section in the respective ends of the C-shaped portion of the該制vibration member the damping member to have a protrusion protruding I center direction suited to insertion, and the inner side of the該制vibration member is cylindrical holding member having a recess for holding the two protrusions an electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising have a,
The damping member is
In a state where it is not inserted inside the photoconductor, it has an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the photoconductor,
In the state of being inserted inside the photoconductor, the two convex portions are held in the concave portions of the holding member to stabilize the expansion of the outer diameter of the damping member to an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the photoconductor,
An electrophotographic photosensitive member characterized by suppressing fluctuations in the outer diameter of the photosensitive member by bringing the damping member into contact with the inner wall of the photosensitive member in a state of being inserted inside the photosensitive member.
An image forming apparatus comprising at least a charging unit, a laser exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit, wherein the process cartridge according to claim 12 is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.
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JPH05341699A (en) * | 1992-06-09 | 1993-12-24 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Cleaning device for image forming device |
JPH0619377A (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1994-01-28 | Canon Inc | Electrophotographic sensitive drum, and process cartridge for electrophotography and electrophotographic device using the same |
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