JP6541429B2 - Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus.

  Durability against external forces such as charging and cleaning is applied to the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, also simply described as an electrophotographic photosensitive member). Etc.) are required.

  In response to this demand, conventionally, improved techniques such as using a resin (such as a curable resin) having high abrasion resistance for the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member have been used.

  On the other hand, one of the main problems caused by enhancing the abrasion resistance of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is the influence on the cleaning performance performed by the cleaning blade. As a method for overcoming this problem, a method has been proposed in which the contact area between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is reduced by appropriately roughening the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to reduce the frictional force. .

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for controlling a minute shape on an electrophotographic photosensitive member surface with high accuracy. This method is excellent in terms of the variety of shapes to be transferred and the controllability.

Patent No. 4059518 gazette

  In order to maintain the cleaning performance for a long time, one of the important factors in the electrophotographic apparatus is the shape retention of the cleaning blade tip. As the cleaning blade brings its tip into contact with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to scrape unnecessary toner, the tip wears as the developing process is repeated. The wear is suppressed as the frictional force with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is lower. By using the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to form a minute shape on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with high accuracy, thereby reducing the frictional force generated between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade. can do.

  However, in order to further prolong the life of the electrophotographic apparatus, it is required to further reduce the amount of wear of the cleaning blade tip.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member capable of further reducing the frictional force between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade, thereby prolonging the life of the cleaning blade, the process cartridge and the electrophotographic apparatus. It is in. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The present invention is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on its surface,
The sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The average value d of the depths of all the concave portions satisfies the following (Expression 1),
0.6 ≦ d ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 1)
The sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having a depth da satisfying the following (Equation 2) occupies 95% or more of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions,
d−0.2 ≦ da ≦ d + 0.2 (μm) (Expression 2)
Here, the depth of the concave portion and the opening area of the concave portion are determined by the following procedures 1 to 5,
Procedure 1: Extract a cross-sectional profile of a curved surface corresponding to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and fit an arc to the obtained cross-sectional profile;
Step 2: The cross-sectional profile is corrected so that the curve of the circular arc becomes a straight line, and the obtained straight line is taken as a reference surface which is the surface extended in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Step 3: From the reference plane 0.2 μm toward the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a plane parallel to the reference plane is taken as a second reference plane;
Step 4: The distance from the second reference surface to the most distant point in the concave portion toward the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is taken as the depth of the concave portion;
Step 5: A portion surrounded by a line where the second reference surface and the concave portion intersect is an opening of the concave portion, and an area of the opening is an opening area of the concave portion;
Furthermore, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 1 is possessed.
<Condition 1>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the open areas of the concave portions having a depth db satisfying the following (Equation 3) in all five areas Occupies 14% or more of the total of the open areas of the concave portions.
db ≦ d−0.3 (μm) (Equation 3)

The present invention is also a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on its surface,
The sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The average value h of the heights of all the convex portions satisfies the following (Equation 6),
0.6 ≦ h ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 6)
The sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions having the height ha satisfying the following (Equation 7) occupies 95% or more of the total of the bottom areas of all the convex portions,
h−0.2 ≦ ha ≦ h + 0.2 (μm) (Equation 7)
Here, the height of the convex portion and the bottom area of the convex portion are determined by the following procedures 1 to 5,
Procedure 1: Extract a cross-sectional profile of a curved surface corresponding to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and fit an arc to the obtained cross-sectional profile;
Step 2: The cross-sectional profile is corrected so that the curve of the circular arc becomes a straight line, and the obtained straight line is taken as a reference surface which is the surface extended in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Procedure 3: 0.2 μm from the reference plane A surface located in a direction away from the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and parallel to the reference plane is a third reference plane;
Step 4: The distance from the third reference plane to the most distant point in the direction away from the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the convex portion is defined as the height of the convex portion;
Step 5: A portion surrounded by a line where the third reference surface intersects with the convex portion is a bottom of the convex portion, and an area of the bottom is a bottom area of the convex portion;
Furthermore, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is characterized in that at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 2 is possessed.
<Condition 2>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the following (Equation 8) in all five areas 14% or more of the sum total of the base areas of the convex-shaped portions.
hb ≦ h−0.3 (μm) (Equation 8)

  Further, the present invention integrally supports the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning unit having a cleaning blade disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the process is characterized by being detachable from the electrophotographic apparatus main body. It is a cartridge.

  In addition, the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned electrophotographic photosensitive member, charging unit, exposure unit, developing unit, transfer unit, and cleaning unit having a cleaning blade disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is an apparatus.

  By using the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, the frictional force between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is further reduced, the abrasion of the tip of the cleaning blade and the shape change due to it are suppressed, and the good cleaning state is made longer. Can be maintained. Therefore, by using the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention in a process cartridge or an electrophotographic apparatus, the life of the mounted cleaning blade can be maintained long.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of this invention. It is the figure which expanded a part of surface of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the fitting of the concave-shaped part of the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship of a reference plane, a flat part, a concave part, etc. FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship of a reference plane, a flat part, a convex-shaped part etc. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the method of forming a concave-shaped part or a convex-shaped part in the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows an example of the type | mold member for forming a concave-shaped part or convex-shaped part in the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows an example of a type | mold member. It is a figure which shows an example of a type | mold member. FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a state in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade are in contact with each other. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the worn state of the tip of the cleaning blade.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on the surface and a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on the surface.

In the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on the surface according to the present invention, the sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. is there. Moreover, the average value d of the depth of all the concave-shaped parts satisfy | fills the following (Formula 1).
0.6 ≦ d ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 1)
Furthermore, in the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on the surface according to the present invention, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having a depth da satisfying the following (Expression 2) is all the concave portions Occupies 95% or more of the total of the open areas of the
d−0.2 ≦ da ≦ d + 0.2 (μm) (Expression 2)
The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on the surface according to the present invention possesses at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 1.

<Condition 1>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the open areas of the concave portions having a depth db satisfying the following (Equation 3) in all five areas Occupies 14% or more of the total of the open areas of the concave portions.
db ≦ d−0.3 (μm) (Equation 3)

In the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on the surface according to the present invention, the sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions is 5 to 65% of the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is. In addition, the average value h of the heights of all the convex portions satisfies the following (Expression 6).
0.6 ≦ h ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 6)
Furthermore, in the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on the surface according to the present invention, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions having a height ha satisfying the following (Expression 7) is all the convex portions Occupying more than 95% of the total area of the base of the
h−0.2 ≦ ha ≦ h + 0.2 (μm) (Equation 7)
The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on the surface according to the present invention possesses at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 2.

<Condition 2>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the following (Equation 8) in all five areas 14% or more of the sum total of the base areas of the convex-shaped portions.
hb ≦ h−0.3 (μm) (Equation 8)

  Incidentally, the opening area of the concave portion means an electron within a region surrounded by a line in which a depressed portion is in contact with a flat portion around the concave portion when looking down from directly above the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The area on the surface of the photosensitive member is meant. Further, the bottom area of the convex portion means an electrophotographic image in a region surrounded by a line in which the raised portion is in contact with the flat portion around the convex portion when looking down from directly above the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The area on the photoreceptor surface is meant. The determination of the opening area of these concave portions and the bottom area of the convex portions will be described in detail later.

First, main differences between the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention and the electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex-concave portion on the conventionally known surface will be described.
A feature of the conventionally known surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the viewpoint of reducing the frictional force with the cleaning blade is that a more uniform shape is stably provided over the entire surface. A more uniform shape means that the depth is the same as that of the surrounding portion if it is a concave portion and if it is a convex portion. The term “stable” refers to a specific portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in which the depth or height of the concave or convex portion is insufficient compared to the surrounding area, particularly in the range of contact with the cleaning blade. Means that there is no.

  On the other hand, the main feature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is that a nonuniform portion is provided in a part of the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (second feature). The uneven portion means that, in an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave portion provided on the surface, the depth of the concave portion provided in a part of the area is equal to that of the concave portion provided in the surrounding area. It means that it is shallow compared to the depth. In the same manner, in the electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion provided on the surface, the height of the convex portion provided in a part of the area is the height of the convex portion provided in the area around it. It means that it is lower than it. In the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, the depth of the concave portion is smaller than that of the surrounding portion or the height of the convex portion is smaller in the area contacting the cleaning blade among the surfaces of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It has the feature that a specific part exists.

  In the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, the depth of the concave portion or the height of the convex portion is the portion where the concave portion or the convex portion is provided other than the uneven portion of the above-mentioned shape It also has a feature that it is uniform (first feature).

  Next, a cleaning blade of the electrophotographic photosensitive member provided with an uneven portion (that is, a portion having a shallow concave portion or a low convex portion with a shallow depth) in a part of the circumferential direction as described above is used. The function in terms of reducing friction will be described. With respect to the function of reducing the friction between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade, the electrophotographic photosensitive member having the concave portion formed on the surface and the electrophotographic photosensitive member having the convex portion formed on the surface It is essentially the same in the features of the invention. Therefore, in the following description, an electrophotographic photosensitive member basically having a concave portion formed on the surface is used, and the description on the electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion formed on the surface will be substituted.

  On the surface of a conventionally known electrophotographic photosensitive member having a concave shape, a concave portion having a uniform depth is provided stably over the entire surface. This concave portion can reduce the friction with the cleaning blade, but as the cleaning blade comes in contact and the cleaning frequency is increased with a constant frictional force, the stress due to the friction continues to be gradually accumulated in the cleaning blade. This stress is stably accumulated by the continuity of concave portions having a uniform depth. The stress buildup on the cleaning blade in this way causes the cleaning blade to be in the same state as temporarily losing its flexibility, thereby further increasing the frictional force generated between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member surface. Increase. Then, when the stress reaches a certain amount of accumulation, wear starts on the tip of the cleaning blade, and this wear changes the shape of the tip of the cleaning blade, thereby changing the cleaning state. Finally, as the wear and the change in the cleaning state progress, the cleaning blade reaches its end of life.

  On the other hand, on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, as described above, the uneven portion in the circumferential direction is partially formed, ie, the concave portion shallower than the peripheral concave portion. There is a part provided. Further, in portions other than the nonuniform portion of this shape, a concave portion having a uniform depth which is deeper than the concave portion of the portion provided with the shallow concave portion is provided. When cleaning is carried out by bringing a cleaning blade into contact with the surface of such an electrophotographic photosensitive member, at first, on the surface where concave portions having a uniform depth are continuous, conventionally known electrophotographic photosensitive members In the same way, stress due to friction accumulates. However, when the cleaning blade comes in contact with an uneven portion provided in a part of the circumferential direction which is intermittently visited by the rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a continuous concave portion with a sufficient depth which has been in contact It produces more than a certain amount of strong friction compared to when it was in contact with This change in friction can relieve some of the stress accumulated on the cleaning blade and relieve stress buildup. As a result, deformation due to abrasion of the cleaning blade tip is suppressed, and the cleaning blade can be maintained in a good state longer than conventional electrophotographic photosensitive members.

  At the same time, the distance that the cleaning blade receives a change in frictional force from the uneven part of this shape must be less than a certain distance. If this distance is too long, the amount of the cleaning blade subjected to the change in the frictional force becomes excessive, and the unnecessary toner on the electrophotographic photosensitive member originally required can not be sufficiently scraped off. Further, since the distance not more than the predetermined value is the distance on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with which the cleaning blade abuts, it should not change due to the size of the outer diameter of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  Furthermore, it is important that the timing at which the cleaning blade receives a change in frictional force from the uneven portion of this shape is the same in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade (in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (the generatrix direction)). Since the timing of receiving the change in the friction force is approximately aligned in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade, the stress can be released more effectively.

  Accordingly, the main features of the electrophotographic photosensitive member provided by the present invention are the following two. The first feature is that a concave portion having a uniform depth or a convex portion having a uniform height is provided on most of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The second feature is that a part of the surface in the circumferential direction is provided with a concave part which is shallower than the peripheral concave part or a convex part whose height is lower than the peripheral convex part. It is what is provided together.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a part of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 has a cylindrical substrate 2 and a surface layer 3 provided on the surface thereof. And many concave-shaped parts are provided in the surface of the surface layer 3. In FIG. 2, the concave portion 10 is provided with a large number of concave portions. The concave portion 10 may be provided in the same range as the surface layer 3 in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 or the length with which the cleaning blade contacts even if it is shorter than the range of the surface layer 3 It should just be provided in the range equivalent to.

  Further, in the present invention, the sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions on the surface (outer peripheral surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is the total surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 (the entire outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1). 5 to 65% with respect to the area), and 5 to 60% is particularly preferable. Thus, the area ratio of the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (the sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member / the entire surface (%) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member) is 5% or more By doing this, the friction reduction effect between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is further enhanced. On the other hand, by setting the area ratio of the concave portion to 65% or less, the flat portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is sufficiently maintained, and toner slippage during cleaning can be effectively suppressed. It becomes. Further, by setting the content to 60% or less, it is possible to maintain the flat portion more sufficiently, and it is possible to more effectively suppress the toner slipping through at the time of cleaning.

  Note that this point also refers to an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion on the surface. In the electrophotographic photosensitive member having convex portions on the surface, the sum of the bottom areas of all the convex shaped portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 10 to 65% is particularly preferable. Thus, the area ratio of the convex portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (the sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member / the entire surface (%) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member) is 5% or more By doing this, the effect of reducing the friction between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 can be obtained high. Further, by setting the content to 10% or more, the friction reduction effect between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 can be further enhanced. On the other hand, by setting the area ratio of the convex portion to 65% or less, the flat portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 can be sufficiently maintained, and toner leakage during cleaning can be effectively suppressed. Become.

  Next, the depth of the concave portion will be described. As described above, the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention is characterized in that the concave portion having a uniform depth is provided on most of the surface (a portion other than the “strip-like portion” described later in detail). Have the following characteristics: And it has the 2nd feature that the part (band-like part) in which the concave shape part whose depth is shallower than the peripheral concave part is provided in part in the circumferential direction of the surface is also provided.

  First, the first feature, that is, the concave portion having a uniform depth is provided in most of the surface will be described. It is important that the concave portion provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 satisfy the following two requirements.

The first requirement is that the average value d μm of the depths of all the concave portions satisfy the above (Equation 1), ie, in the range of 0.6 μm to 3.0 μm, and the average value d Preferably satisfies the following (formula 4). When the average value d μm is 0.6 μm or more, the friction reduction effect between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is obtained high, and when the average value d μm is 0.8 μm or more, the friction reduction effect between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is particularly high. can get. Further, by being within 3.0 μm, it is possible to more effectively suppress the generation of toner slip-through at the time of cleaning.
0.8 ≦ d ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 4)

  The second requirement is that a concave portion having a uniform depth occupies 95% or more of all concave portions provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Specifically, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having a uniform depth is 95% of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It is to occupy. The concave portion having a uniform depth is a depth that satisfies the range of 0.2 μm deeper and 0.2 μm shallower than the average value d μm of the depths of all the concave portions, that is, (Expression 2) It is a concave portion having da. When the variation in the depth of the concave portion is within this range, the friction between the cleaning blade and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is stabilized, and the stress newly added to and accumulated in the cleaning blade can be suppressed low. As described above, when the concave portion having a uniform depth occupies 95% or more, the frictional force in cleaning between the basic cleaning blade and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 can be kept low.

In the case of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion on the surface, the first requirement is that the average value h μm of the heights of all the convex portions satisfies the above (Expression 6), that is, 0.6 μm The average value h preferably satisfies the following (Expression 9): When the average value h μm is 0.6 μm or more, the friction reducing effect between the cleaning blade and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 can be obtained high. Further, by being within 3.0 μm, the occurrence of toner slip-through during cleaning can be effectively suppressed, and by being 2.8 μm or less, the occurrence of toner slip-through during cleaning can be more effectively suppressed be able to.
0.6 ≦ h ≦ 2.8 (μm) (Equation 9)

  In the case of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion on the surface, the second requirement is that all the convex portions provided with a convex portion having a uniform height on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 It means that it occupies 95% or more to department. Specifically, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions having a uniform height is 95% of the total of the bottom areas of all the convex portions provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It is to occupy. The convex-shaped portion having a uniform height is a range that is 0.2 μm higher and 0.2 μm lower than the average value h μm of the depths of all the convex-shaped portions, that is, a depth ha satisfying (Expression 7) It is a convex-shaped part which it has.

  Furthermore, the function of the first feature is to keep the basic frictional force low and prevent the toner from slipping through, as well as the difference in the friction state with the uneven concave portion to be described later. It also means making it manifest.

  Next, a second feature is that a portion provided with a concave portion shallower than the peripheral concave portion is also provided in a part of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the circumferential direction. Will be explained. In addition to the first feature, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 provided by the present invention needs to be provided with one or more band-like portions satisfying the above-mentioned condition 1 as a second feature.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the belt-like portion is a belt-like portion (strip-like portion 11) parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, and the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of the belt-like portion 11 Is 2 mm, and is in the range from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to the other end. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, in ten areas (i) to (x) obtained by dividing the strip portion 11 into ten in the generatrix direction, five or more areas as described below exist. The area is a concave portion which is obviously shallow relative to the concave portion having a uniform depth as described for the first feature of the invention with respect to a plurality of concave portions provided in one area. Is an area that exists with a necessary and sufficient area ratio. Here, the apparently shallow concave portion means a concave portion having a depth db (μm) satisfying Expression 3, that is, a depth shallow by 0.3 μm or more with respect to the average value d μm of the depth. db preferably satisfies the following (Formula 5). Also, with the necessary and sufficient area ratio, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions with a apparently shallow depth in the same area is 14% of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions in the same area It means to occupy the above.
db ≦ d−0.5 (μm) (Equation 5)

In the electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion on the surface, the above-mentioned five or more existing areas in the band-shaped portion are the first features with respect to a plurality of convex portions provided in one area. In contrast to the convexly shaped portion having a uniform height as described above, the convexly shaped portion which is clearly lower is an area where a necessary and sufficient area ratio is present. The apparently low convex portion means a convex portion having a height hb (μm) satisfying (Expression 8), that is, a height that is 0.3 μm or more lower than the average value h μm of the height. dh preferably satisfies the following (formula 10). Also, with the necessary and sufficient area ratio, in the same area, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped parts with a clearly lower height is 14% of the sum of the bottom areas of all the convex shaped parts in the same area It means to occupy the above.
hb ≦ d−0.5 (μm) (Equation 10)

  Thus, when the cleaning blade passes through the apparently shallow concave shape, the frictional force is significantly increased compared to when passing through the circumferential shape of d μm. As described above, when the apparently shallow concave portion occupies an area ratio of a predetermined value or more, that is, 14% or more, an increase in the frictional force occurs when the cleaning blade passes through the area.

The condition 1 is preferably any one of the following conditions 1A to 1C.
<Condition 1A>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (formula 3) corresponds to all the concave portions. It occupies 14% or more of the total of the opening area.
<Condition 1B>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of at least five of the areas obtained by equally dividing the belt-like portion in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the open areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (Equation 3) is all Occupying 49% or more of the total of the open areas of the concave portions.
<Condition 1C>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (formula 3) corresponds to all the concave portions. It occupies 49% or more of the total of the opening area.

In the electrophotographic photosensitive member having a convex portion on the surface, the condition 2 is preferably any one of the following conditions 2A to 2C.
<Condition 2A>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (equation 8) corresponds to all of the convex shaped portions. It occupies 14% or more of the total of the bottom areas.
<Condition 2B>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (Expression 8) in at least five areas Occupying 49% or more of the total of the base areas of the convex portions of
<Condition 2C>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all areas obtained by equally dividing the strip portion into 10 in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (equation 8) is It occupies 49% or more of the total of the floor area.

  The features relating to the depth of the concave portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention described above will be further described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the concave portion 10 is provided with a plurality of concave portions. And average value d (micrometer) of the depth of all the concave-shaped parts of the concave-shaped part 10 exists in the range of 0.6 micrometer-3.0 micrometers. In addition, a shallow concave portion 12 is also provided in the concave portion 10 of FIG. The shallow concave portion 12 is provided with a concave portion 0.3 μm or more shallower than the average value d (μm).

  The depth of all or most of the concave portions of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 excluding the shallow concave portions 12 is in the range of −0.2 μm to +0.2 μm with respect to the average value (d μm) is there. Then, on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions satisfying the above (formula 2) occupies 95% or more of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions.

  Further, in FIG. 2, as an example, a belt-like portion 11 having a width of 2 mm in the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is depicted. The strip portion 11 is disposed at a position approximately overlapping the shallow concave portion 12, and the shallow concave portion 12 is divided into seven equal areas of the strip portion 11 in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It has been arranged again. Further, of the seven areas, in five areas, the sum of the open areas of the shallow concave portions forming the shallow concave portion 12 is 14% of the total of the open areas of all the concave portions in the same area. It occupies the above. In the example of FIG. 2, five areas (ii) to (vi) correspond to this.

  The concave portions provided in the shallow concave portions 12 do not have to be all 0.3 μm or more shallower than the average value d (μm). What is important is that the concave portion occupying 14% or more of the total of the open areas of all the concave portions in the same area is a concave portion which is 0.3 μm or more shallower than the d (μm).

  Here, the second feature and its function will be further described. What is important is that when cleaning is performed by contacting the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 rotating in an axial direction with the cleaning blade, the depth is clearly within a certain range in the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 The point is that the areas containing the shallow recesses contact approximately simultaneously. First, when the belt-like portion 11 is parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the five areas mentioned above contact the cleaning blade approximately simultaneously. In addition, since the width of contact of the five areas with the cleaning blade is within 2 mm, the change of the frictional force as described above is sufficiently concentrated. As a result, a strong frictional force of a certain level or more is generated as compared with the case of being in contact with a uniformly continuous concave portion with a sufficient depth which has been in contact so far. On the other hand, in the cleaning blade described above, the state in which the stress due to the frictional force is accumulated continues mainly because the behavior of the cleaning blade is kept relatively stable. Therefore, this concentrated constant change in friction force releases part of the stress accumulated in the cleaning blade. If the width of the belt-like portion 11 in the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 exceeds 2 mm, the change in the frictional force of the cleaning blade continues too long, which lowers the original cleaning function and causes toner slippage. Sometimes.

  Also, in the area where the apparently shallow concave portion exists with a necessary and sufficient area ratio, the larger the amount of the band-like portion 11 is, the stronger the stress which is applied to the cleaning blade can be released. Further, it is preferable that any area of the strip portion 11 is an area where a clearly shallow concave portion exists with a necessary and sufficient area ratio, particularly in order to release a stress newly added to and accumulated in the cleaning blade.

  Furthermore, the frictional force when the cleaning blade passes is further increased by providing the db (μm) shallower by 0.5 μm or more with respect to the depth d μm for the area in the belt-like portion 11. This causes the change in the frictional force of the cleaning blade to be stronger, and is more preferable in releasing the stress buildup. In addition, for the area in the strip portion 11, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having the depth db (μm) is 49% or more of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions in the same area The occupation further increases the friction force when the cleaning blade passes. This causes the change in the frictional force of the cleaning blade to be stronger, and is more preferable in releasing the stress buildup.

  Here, determination (definition) of the concave portion, the convex portion, the flat portion, and the like on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention will be described.

  First, the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is magnified and observed with a microscope. Since the surface (peripheral surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a curved surface curved in the circumferential direction, the cross-sectional profile of the curved surface is extracted, and the obtained arc is fitted. FIG. 3 shows an example of fitting. In FIG. 3, a solid line 501 is a cross-sectional profile of the surface (curved surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a broken line 502 is a curve fitted to the cross-sectional profile 501. The cross-sectional profile 501 is corrected so that the curve 502 becomes a straight line, and the obtained straight line is expanded in the longitudinal direction (direction orthogonal to the circumferential direction) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a reference surface.

  A plane parallel to the reference plane, which is located in the center direction (below the reference plane) of the 0.2 μm electrophotographic photoreceptor cross section from the obtained reference plane, is taken as a second reference plane, and 0.2 μm electrophotographic photoreceptor cross section from the reference plane The third reference plane is a plane parallel to the reference plane, which is located in a direction (above the reference plane) away from the central direction of the. A portion sandwiched by the second reference surface and the third reference surface is a flat portion. A portion located in a direction away from the center direction of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member than the third reference surface is a convex portion. A portion closer to the cylinder center direction of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member than the second reference surface is a concave portion. The distance from the second reference surface to the point furthest in the central direction of the cross section of the concave portion as the electrophotographic photosensitive member is taken as the depth of the concave portion. The line at which the second reference surface and the concave portion intersect is the line where the recessed portion is in contact with the flat portion around the concave portion when looking down from directly above the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and this line Let the above-mentioned part be an opening of a concave part, and let the area of the opening be the opening area of a concave. The distance from the third reference surface to the point farthest away from the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the convex portion is the height of the convex portion. The line where the third reference surface and the convex shape part meet is the line where the raised part is in contact with the flat part around it when the convex shape part is viewed from directly above the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and is surrounded by this line The bottom portion of the projection is the bottom of the projection, and the area of the bottom is the bottom of the projection.

  As a determination example of the concave portion in FIG. 4, the reference surface 601, the flat portion (portion sandwiched between the second reference surface 602 and the third reference surface 603), the cross-sectional profile 604 after correction, the concave portion 606, etc. The relationship is shown schematically. In addition, as a determination example of the convex shaped portion in FIG. 5, the reference surface 601, the flat portion (portion sandwiched between the second reference surface 602 and the third reference surface 603), the cross-sectional profile 605 after the correction, the convex shaped portion 607, The relationship between them is schematically shown.

  When the opening area of the concave portion and the bottom area of the convex portion are obtained in the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the concave portion completely included in each area or Only the convex portion is considered, and the concave portion and the convex portion which are partially included in each area are not considered.

  In the electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, either the concave portion or the convex portion satisfies the above requirements even if the concave portion and the convex portion are provided on the surface of the same electrophotographic photosensitive member. Can effectively release the stress buildup of the cleaning blade. This is because the configuration by the concave portion and the configuration by the convex portion both contribute to the reduction of the friction with the cleaning blade, and no adverse effect is caused by the coexistence. For example, with regard to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member on which both the concave portion and the convex portion coexist, the electrophotographic photosensitive member satisfying the configuration of the present invention when focusing only on the concave portion has the convex portion partially. Even if it exists, the effect of the present invention can be obtained.

  The shape of the concave portion and the convex portion provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention is not particularly limited. Examples of the shape of the opening of the concave portion and the bottom of the convex portion include a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangle, a triangle, a pentagon, and a hexagon. In addition, as the cross-sectional shape of the concave portion or the convex portion, a shape including a curve such as a substantially semi-circular shape, a waveform including a continuous curve, or an edge having a triangle, a square, or a polygon, or a triangle , Quadrilaterals, and some or all of the edges of polygons are transformed into curves.

  In the belt-like portion, the plurality of concave portions and convex portions provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member may all have the same shape, opening area or bottom area, depth or height. Different shapes, open areas or base areas, or depths or heights may be mixed. Further, the plurality of concave portions and convex portions provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member all have the same shape, opening area or bottom area, depth or height except in the band-like portion. It is also possible that different shapes, opening areas or base areas, depths or heights may be mixed.

  As a method for forming a concave portion or a convex portion on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a mold member (mold) having a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion to be formed or a concave corresponding to the convex portion to be formed There is a method of pressing the mold member having the shape portion against the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to transfer the shape.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a pressure contact shape transfer processing apparatus for forming a concave portion and a convex portion on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. FIG. 6 (a) is a side view showing an outline of a pressure contact shape transfer processing apparatus, and FIG. 6 (b) is a top view showing an outline of the pressure contact shape transfer processing apparatus. Further, FIG. 7 shows an example of a mold member for forming a concave portion or a convex portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 7 (a) and 7 (b) are top views schematically showing a mold member for forming a concave portion, and FIGS. 7 (c) and 7 (d) are for forming a convex portion It is a top view which shows the outline of the type | mold member.

  The pressure transfer type transfer processing apparatus shown in FIG. 6 has the mold member 5, the metal layer 6, the elastic layer 7, and the positioning member 8 in this order on the support member 9 from the side closer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 which is a transfer target. Each member is arranged. The insertion member 4 is inserted into the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 by using such a pressure contact shape transfer processing apparatus, and a load is applied to the insertion member 4 and a Y direction shown in FIG. Move to In this way, the concave portion or convex shape is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 by pressing the mold member 5 continuously into pressure contact with the surface (the outer peripheral surface) while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. The part can be formed. From the viewpoint of efficiently performing shape transfer, it is preferable to heat the mold member 5 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show a mold member 5 in which a convex portion for forming a concave portion on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided on a flat plate. The mold member 5 of FIG. 7A has a first convex portion 51 in which a plurality of convex portions are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface. The mold member 5 of FIG. 7 (b) has a first convex portion 51 in which a plurality of convex portions are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface. Further, the mold member 5 of FIG. 7B is a convex shape portion whose height is lower than that of the convex shape portion provided in the first convex shape portion 51, and a concave shape whose depth satisfying the above-mentioned predetermined condition is shallow There is also a second convex portion 52 in which a plurality of convex portions for forming a portion are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface. Further, FIGS. 7C and 7D show the mold member 5 in which a concave portion for forming a convex portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided on a flat plate. The mold member 5 of FIG. 7 (c) has a first concave portion 53 in which a plurality of concave portions are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface. The mold member 5 of FIG. 7 (d) has a first concave portion 53 in which a plurality of concave portions are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface. Further, the mold member 5 of FIG. 7D is a concave shape portion having a depth shallower than the concave shape portion provided in the first concave shape portion 53, and a convex shape having a low height satisfying the above-mentioned predetermined condition There is also a second concave portion 54 in which a plurality of concave portions for forming a portion are provided at a constant pitch over the entire surface.

  The outline of the convex-shaped part provided in the 1st convex-shaped part 51 of FIG. 7 (a) and FIG.7 (b) and the 2nd convex-shaped part 52 is shown in FIG. 8 (a) is a top view, and FIG. 8 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of FIG. 8 (a). As shown in FIG. 8, the convex shaped portions provided in the first convex shaped portion 51 and the second convex shaped portion 52 are convex hemispherical shapes, X indicates a pitch, and Y indicates a hemispherical diameter. Z indicates the height of a hemispherical shape. Moreover, the outline of the concave-shaped part provided in the 1st concave-shaped part 53 and the 2nd concave-shaped part 54 of FIG.7 (c) and FIG.7 (d) is shown in FIG. 9 (a) is a top view, and FIG. 9 (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A 'of FIG. 9 (a). As shown in FIG. 9, the concave portions provided in the first concave portion 53 and the second concave portion 54 are concave hemispherical shapes, X indicates a pitch, and Y indicates a hemispherical diameter. , Z indicate the depth of the hemispherical shape.

  By continuously pressing the mold member 5 of FIG. 7B or 7D to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 with a uniform pressure, the specific concave portion or the specific convex portion is formed. The formed electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of the present invention can be manufactured. When the mold member of FIG. 7B is used, a band-like portion is formed by the second convex shape portion 52, and when the mold member of FIG. 7D is used, the second concave shape portion 54 is used. A band is formed. Further, a mold member having only the first convex shaped portion 51 provided with the convex shaped portion having the same height shown in FIG. 7A, and a concave shaped portion having the same depth shown in FIG. The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention can also be manufactured using a mold member having only the first concave portion 53 provided. Specifically, the load and moving speed at the time of bringing the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the mold member 5 into pressure contact with each other are adjusted (for example, the load and moving speed are changed during the pressure contact operation). The electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention in which the above-mentioned specific concave portion and convex portion are formed can be manufactured.

  As the mold member 5, a metal or resin film processed with a fine surface, a resist patterned on the surface of a silicon wafer with a resist, a resin film in which fine particles are dispersed, or a resin film having a fine surface shape is metallized Are listed.

<Configuration of Electrophotographic Photoreceptor>
The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention has a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support.

  The photosensitive layer is a laminate type in which a charge transport substance and a charge generation substance are contained in the same layer, a single layer type photosensitive layer, a charge generation layer containing the charge generation substance, and a charge transport layer containing the charge transport substance. (Functional separation type) photosensitive layer can be mentioned. From the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics, a laminated photosensitive layer is preferred. In addition, the charge generation layer may have a stacked structure, or the charge transport layer may have a stacked structure.

  The support is preferably one exhibiting conductivity (conductive support). Examples of the material of the support include metals (alloys) such as iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, zinc, titanium, lead, nickel, tin, antimony, indium, chromium, aluminum alloy, stainless steel and the like. In addition, a metal support or a plastic support having a film formed by vacuum deposition using aluminum, an aluminum alloy, an indium oxide-tin oxide alloy or the like can also be used. Further, it is also possible to use a support formed by impregnating plastic or paper with conductive particles such as carbon black, tin oxide particles, titanium oxide particles and silver particles, or a support made of a conductive binder resin.

  The surface of the support may be subjected to cutting treatment, roughening treatment, alumite treatment, or the like for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes due to laser light scattering.

  Between the support and the undercoat layer or photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer) described later, for the purpose of suppression of interference fringes due to scattering of laser light, coating of scratches on the support, etc. A layer may be provided.

  The conductive layer is formed by applying a coating liquid for a conductive layer obtained by dispersing conductive particles with a binder resin and a solvent to form a coating, and drying and / or curing the obtained coating. can do.

  Examples of conductive particles used for the conductive layer include particles of metal such as carbon black, acetylene black, aluminum, nickel, iron, nichrome, copper, zinc, silver, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide And particles of metal oxides such as indium oxide, bismuth oxide, and ITO. Alternatively, indium oxide doped with tin, or tin oxide doped with antimony or tantalum may be used.

  Examples of the solvent for the conductive layer coating liquid include ether solvents, alcohol solvents, ketone solvents, aromatic hydrocarbon solvents and the like. The film thickness of the conductive layer is preferably 0.1 μm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.5 μm to 40 μm, and still more preferably 1 μm to 30 μm.

  Examples of the binder resin used in the conductive layer include polymers and copolymers of vinyl compounds such as styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, vinylidene fluoride and trifluoroethylene, polyvinyl alcohol Resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polyurethane resin, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicon resin, epoxy resin, isocyanate resin can be mentioned.

  An undercoat layer (intermediate layer) may be provided between the support or the conductive layer and the photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer).

  The undercoat layer can be formed by applying a coating solution for undercoat layer obtained by dissolving a binder resin in a solvent to form a coating, and drying the obtained coating.

  Examples of the binder resin used for the undercoat layer include polyvinyl alcohol resin, poly-N-vinylimidazole, polyethylene oxide resin, ethyl cellulose, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, casein, polyamide resin, N-methoxymethylated 6 A nylon resin, copolymer nylon resin, a phenol resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, an acrylic resin, a melamine resin, and a polyester resin are mentioned.

  The undercoat layer may further contain metal oxide particles. For example, particles containing titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide can be mentioned. The metal oxide particles may be metal oxide particles in which the surface of the metal oxide particles is treated with a surface treatment agent such as a silane coupling agent.

  As the solvent used for the coating liquid for the undercoat layer, organic solvents such as alcohol solvents, sulfoxide solvents, ketone solvents, ether solvents, ester solvents, aliphatic halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, aromatic compounds and the like can be used. It can be mentioned. The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably 0.05 μm or more and 30 μm or less, and more preferably 1 μm or more and 25 μm or less. The undercoat layer may further contain organic resin fine particles and a leveling agent.

  Examples of the charge generating material used in the photosensitive layer include pyrilium, thiapyrilium dyes, phthalocyanine pigments, anthanthrone pigments, dibenzpyrene quinone pigments, pyranthrone pigments, azo pigments, indigo pigments, quinacridone faces, asymmetric quinocyanine pigments, quinocyanines Pigment etc. are mentioned. These charge generation substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Examples of the charge transport material used in the photosensitive layer include hydrazone compounds, N, N-dialkylaniline compounds, diphenylamine compounds, triphenylamine compounds, triphenylmethane compounds, pyrazoline compounds, styryl compounds, stilbene compounds and the like.

When the photosensitive layer is a laminated type photosensitive layer, the charge generation layer is formed by applying a coating liquid for charge generation layer obtained by dispersing the charge generation substance with a binder resin and a solvent, It can form by drying the obtained coating film.
The mass ratio of the charge generating material to the binder resin is preferably in the range of 1: 0.3 to 1: 4.

  Examples of the dispersion treatment method include methods using a homogenizer, ultrasonic dispersion, a ball mill, a vibration ball mill, a sand mill, an attritor, a roll mill and the like.

  The charge transport layer can be formed by applying a charge transport layer coating solution obtained by dissolving a charge transport substance and a binder resin in a solvent to form a coating and drying the coating. .

  Examples of the binder resin used in the charge generation layer and charge transport layer include polymers of vinyl compounds, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, A silicone resin, an epoxy resin, etc. are mentioned.

  The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 5 μm or less, more preferably 0.1 to 2 μm.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 50 μm, and more preferably 10 to 35 μm.

  In addition, on the photosensitive layer (in the case of the laminated photosensitive layer, the charge transport layer), a protective layer containing conductive particles or charge transport substances and a binding resin may be provided. The protective layer may further contain an additive such as a lubricant. In addition, the resin (binder resin) of the protective layer may have conductivity and charge transportability, and in that case, the protective layer does not contain conductive particles and charge transport substances other than the resin. It is also good. The binder resin for the protective layer may be a thermoplastic resin or a curable resin obtained by curing with heat, light, radiation (electron beam or the like) or the like.

  The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.1 to 30 μm, and more preferably 1 to 10 μm.

  Additives can be added to each layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Examples of the additive include antioxidants, anti-deterioration agents such as ultraviolet light absorbers, organic resin particles such as fluorine atom-containing resin particles and acrylic resin particles, and inorganic particles such as silica, titanium oxide and alumina. Be

<Configuration of Process Cartridge and Electrophotographic Device>
FIG. 10 shows an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention.
In FIG. 10, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 of the present invention is rotationally driven around the shaft 202 in the direction of the arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by a charging unit 203 (a primary charging unit, for example, a charging roller) in the rotation process. Next, the uniformly charged surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 receives exposure light (image exposure light) 204 emitted from an exposure unit (image exposure unit) (not shown). Thus, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the target image information is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201.

  The present invention is particularly effective when using a charging unit utilizing discharge.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 is then developed (normal development or reversal development) with the toner in the developing means 205 to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 is transferred onto the transfer material P by a transfer bias from a transfer unit (for example, a transfer roller or the like). At this time, the transfer material P is fed out from the transfer material supply means (not shown) between the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 and the transfer means 206 (contact part) in synchronization with the rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 and supplied. Will be sent. Further, to the transfer means, a bias voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner charge is applied from a bias power supply (not shown).

  The transfer material P to which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, conveyed to the fixing means 208, and subjected to the fixing process of the toner image, thereby forming an electrophotographic apparatus as an image formation (print, copy) Printed out.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 after the toner image transfer is cleaned by the cleaning unit 207 having a cleaning blade by removing the extraneous matter such as transfer residual toner. The cleaning blade is disposed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 in contact (contact) with almost the entire area of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 in the generatrix direction. Further, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 which has been cleaned is subjected to charge removal processing by pre-exposure light (not shown) from a pre-exposure means (not shown), and then repeatedly used for image formation. When the charging unit 203 is a contact charging unit using a charging roller or the like as shown in FIG. 10, the pre-exposure unit is not necessarily required. In the present invention, since the specific electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 described above is used, the frictional force between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is reduced, and the wear of the tip of the cleaning blade is suppressed. Cleaning characteristics can be maintained.

  In the present invention, among the components selected from the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201, the charging unit 203, the developing unit 205, the transfer unit 206, the cleaning unit 207, etc., a plurality of components are housed in a container and integrated as a process cartridge. To support. Then, the process cartridge can be detachably configured to an electrophotographic apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. In FIG. 10, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201, the charging unit 203, the developing unit 205, and the cleaning unit 207 are integrally supported and formed into a cartridge, and are attached to and detached from the electrophotographic apparatus main body by using guide means 210 such as a rail A flexible process cartridge 209 is used.

  When the electrophotographic apparatus is a copying machine or a printer, the exposure light 204 is reflected light or transmitted light from a document. Alternatively, it is light irradiated by scanning a laser beam, driving an LED array, a liquid crystal shutter array, or the like performed according to this signal by reading an original by a sensor and converting it into a signal.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of specific examples. In the examples, "parts" means "parts by mass". The electrophotographic photosensitive member is also referred to simply as "photosensitive member" hereinafter.

(Production example of photoreceptor)
An aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 29.92 mm and a length of 357.5 mm was used as a cylindrical substrate 2 (cylindrical support).

Next, 100 parts of zinc oxide particles (specific surface area: 19 m ² / g, powder resistance: 4.7 × 10 ⁶ Ω · cm) as metal oxides are stirred and mixed with 500 parts of toluene, to which a silane coupling agent is added. (Compound name: N-2- (aminoethyl) -3- aminopropyl methyl dimethoxysilane, trade name: KBM602, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. product) 0.8 part was added, and it stirred for 6 hours. Thereafter, toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the residue was heated and dried at 130 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain surface-treated zinc oxide particles.

Next, 15 parts of butyral resin (trade name: BM-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 15 parts of blocked isocyanate (trade name: Sumidure 3175, manufactured by Sumitomo Bavaria Urethane Co., Ltd.) as a polyol resin were used as methyl ethyl ketone 73. It was dissolved in a mixed solution of 5 parts and 73.5 parts of 1-butanol. 80.8 parts of the surface-treated zinc oxide particles and 0.8 parts of 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) were added to this solution, and this was added to a glass having a diameter of 0.8 mm. Dispersion was carried out for 3 hours in a 23 ± 3 ° C. atmosphere with a sand mill using beads. After dispersion, 0.01 part of silicone oil (trade name: SH28PA, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.), crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles (trade name: TECHPOLYMER SSX-102, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) Then, 5.6 parts of an average primary particle diameter of 2.5 μm) was added and stirred to prepare a coating solution for undercoat layer.
The undercoat layer coating solution was dip-coated on the cylindrical substrate 2 and the obtained coated film was dried at 160 ° C. for 40 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 18 μm.

Next, 20 parts of hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal (charge generating material) having a strong peak at Bragg angles 2θ ± 0.2 °, 7.4 ° and 28.2 ° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, the following structural formula 0.2 parts of calixarene compound shown in (A), 10 parts of polyvinyl butyral (trade name: S-Lec BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), and 600 parts of cyclohexanone were used with 1 mm diameter glass beads After placed in a sand mill and dispersed for 4 hours, 700 parts of ethyl acetate was added to prepare a coating solution for charge generation layer. The coating solution for charge generation layer was dip-coated on the undercoat layer, and the obtained coating film was dried at 80 ° C. for 15 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a film thickness of 0.17 μm.

  Next, 30 parts of a compound represented by the following structural formula (B) (charge transporting substance), 60 parts of a compound represented by the following structural formula (C) (charge transporting substance), a compound 10 represented by the following structural formula (D) Part, polycarbonate resin (trade name: Iupilon Z400, manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., bisphenol Z type polycarbonate) 100 parts, polycarbonate represented by the following structural formula (E) (viscosity average molecular weight Mv: 20000) 0.02 Parts were dissolved in a mixed solvent of 600 parts of mixed xylene and 200 parts of dimethoxymethane to prepare a charge transport layer coating liquid. The coating solution for charge transport layer was dip-coated on the charge generation layer to form a coating film, and the obtained coating film was dried at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a film thickness of 18 μm. .

(In the formula (E), 0.95 and 0.05 are the molar ratio (copolymerization ratio) of the two structural units.)

Next, a mixed solvent of 20 parts of 1,1,2,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane (trade name: Zeoror H, manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.) / 20 parts of 1-propanol is It filtered by the filter (brand name: PF-040, Advantec Toyo Co., Ltd. product made). Thereafter, 90 parts of a hole transporting compound (charge transporting material) represented by the following structural formula (F), 70 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane, and 1-propanol 70 parts were added to the above mixed solvent. The coating solution for the second charge transport layer (protective layer) was prepared by filtering this with a polyfluorocarbon filter (trade name: PF-020, manufactured by Advantec Toyo Kaisha, Ltd.). The coating solution for the second charge transport layer was dip-coated on the charge transport layer, and the obtained coated film was dried at 50 ° C. for 6 minutes in the air. Thereafter, while rotating the support (irradiated body) at 200 rpm in nitrogen, the coating film was irradiated with an electron beam under the conditions of an acceleration voltage of 70 kV and an absorbed dose of 8000 Gy for 1.6 seconds. Subsequently, the coating was heated by raising the temperature from 25 ° C. to 125 ° C. in 30 seconds in nitrogen. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere at the time of electron beam irradiation and subsequent heating was 15 ppm. Next, heat treatment was performed at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes in the atmosphere to form a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a film thickness of 5 μm cured by an electron beam.

  In addition, the coating film of all the layers apply | coated in preparation of a present Example carried out the peeling process of the lower end part of the coating pulling-up direction using the solvent in the last of each application | coating process. The application region of all the layers was 1 mm from the upper end of the cylindrical substrate 2 in the application and pulling direction and 1 mm from the lower end.

  Thus, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced.

Example 1
(Surface processing)
The insertion member 4 as shown in FIG. 6A was inserted into the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 obtained in this manner in a state of being heated to 55 ° C. in advance. At the time of the insertion, the insertion was performed so that the axial center position of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the axial center position coincide with each other. As a material of the insertion member, a cemented carbide based on tungsten carbide having a longitudinal elastic modulus of 540 × 10 ³ N / mm ² was used.

  The respective members were disposed in order of the mold member 5, the metal layer 6, the elastic layer 7 and the positioning member 8 on the support member 9 in order from the side closer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 which is a transfer target. The material of the supporting member 9 was made of SUS430, and a heater for heating was installed inside. Further, the support member 9 is provided with a slide mechanism that moves in the Y direction of FIG. The positioning member 8 was used by electroless nickel plating on the surface of a SS400 plate having a thickness of 6 mm. The elastic layer 7 was made of silicone rubber having a thickness of 8 mm. The metal layer 6 was a flat plate made of SUS301CSP-3 / 4H having a thickness of 2 mm.

  Here, the mold member 5 used in all the embodiments will be described. The mold member 5 used was a flat mold made of a nickel material having a thickness of 300 μm as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d). In the surface of the mold member 5 shown in FIG. 7 in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the first convex portion 51 and the second convex portion 52, the first concave portion 53, and the second concave described later will be described. Shaped portions 54 were provided at the positions shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (d), respectively. All mold members 5 are used with the longitudinal direction shown in the figure being oriented in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the longitudinal length of the first convex shaped portion 51 and the second convex shaped portion 52 is 355 mm. And Similarly, the lengths of the first concave portion 53 and the second concave portion 54 in the longitudinal direction in the drawing are both set to 355 mm. The width of the second convex portion 52 and the second concave portion 54 in the lateral direction of the drawing is 2 mm. The lateral length of the first convex portion 51 in FIG. 7A and the lateral length of the first concave portion 53 in FIG. 7C are 100 mm. In addition, the illustrated lateral length of the first convex portion 51 including the second convex portion 52 in FIG. 7B and the first concave portion including the second concave portion 54 in FIG. 7D. The length of 53 in the lateral direction is also 100 mm.

  In the first embodiment, the mold member 5 shown in FIG. 7 (b) is used, and a convex hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. 8 (a) is continuously provided on the entire surface. The first convex shaped portion 51 and the second convex shaped portion 52 are disposed in combination. The pitch X1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first convex portion 51 was 196 μm. The diameter Y1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first convex portion 51 was 50 μm, and the height Z1 was 6 μm.

  The pitch X2 of all the hemispherical shapes in the area of the second convex portion 52 is 196 μm. The diameter Y2 of all the hemispherical shapes of the second convex portion 52 is 50 μm. The hemispherical shape of the second convex portion 52 is provided in two types, and the height Z21 is 5.0 μm, and the height Z22 is the same as the hemispherical height Z1 of the first convex portion 51. It is hemispherical shape which is. And it arrange | positions at random so that ratio Z21R which the number of the hemispherical shapes of height Z21 accounts to the number of all the hemispherical shapes of the 2nd convex-shaped part 52 will be 50%.

  These were fixed in the positional relationship shown in FIG. The mold member 5 was fixed in the direction in which the left side of FIG. 7 (b) is the left side of FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). Further, in the mold member 5, both surfaces of the first convex portion 51 and the second convex portion 52 are formed on the surface layer 3 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of FIG. It was positioned so as to be on the center side of each 0.25 mm electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Then, the heater of the support member 9 was heated in a state where the upper surface was placed substantially horizontal, so that the surface of the mold member 5 became 150 ° C.

  In order to press the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 5, load mechanisms (not shown) are provided at both end portions of the insertion member 4. Each load mechanism is provided with a guide rail and a ball screw in the vertical direction, and further provided with a connection support member that is connected to the ball screw and the guide rail and moves up and down. The servomotor was connected to the lower side of the ball screw and rotated, and the connection support member was moved up and down along the guide rail. The connection support member and the end of the insertion member 4 were connected by a spherical joint. The spherical joint and the connection support member are connected via a load cell so that the amount of load applied to both ends of the insertion member 4 can be monitored.

  As processing to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is pressed against the mold member 5 using the loading mechanism, and the mold member 5 is moved in the Y direction shown in FIG. Thus, the shape of the mold member 5 was transferred to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 while rolling it.

  At the time of the processing, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 51 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 would be directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism was rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5 at a speed of 20 mm / sec (Vz1). Thereafter, when the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 was in contact with the mold member 5 and it was further detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was stopped. Next, the support member 9 was started to move at a speed of 10 mm / sec in the Y direction of FIG. 6A, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 was driven to rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. Thus, the convex portion on the surface of the mold member 5 was transferred onto the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Then, the slide mechanism is stopped at a point of 95 mm while maintaining the state, and then the load member moves the insertion member 4 at a speed of 20 mm / sec in a direction away from the mold member 5 to move the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 The mold member 5 was separated. In this manner, the convex portion on the surface of the mold member 5 is transferred to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 while rolling the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, whereby the convex portion on the surface of the mold member 5 on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 The corresponding concave portion was formed. By the above method, a total of two cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members having concave portions formed on their surfaces were produced.

(Measurement of processing result)
Subsequently, the depth and area ratio of the concave portion formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 by processing in this manner were measured. The measurement method will be described. In addition, since the two electrophotographic photosensitive members manufactured in Example 1 were processed with the same processing content, it was judged that their surface states were completely equivalent, and the measurement of the surface as a processing result was performed for one. .
The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member is magnified by a 50 × lens with a laser microscope (trade name: VK-9500, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION), and provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as described above. The determination of the concave portion and the flat portion was performed. At the time of observation, adjustments were made so that there was no inclination in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and that the apex of the arc of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was in focus in the circumferential direction. And the image which performed expansion observation was connected by the image connection application, and the information of the whole surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was obtained. Moreover, about the obtained result, image processing height data were selected with attached image-analysis software, and the filter processing (below 0.2 micrometer) was performed by filter type median.

  By the above observation, the depth and the opening area of each concave portion formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member were determined. The results are shown in Table 1.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was observed by the same method as described above using another laser microscope (trade name: X-200, manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). The same result as the case where Keyence make, brand name: VK-9500) was used was obtained. In the following example, a laser microscope (trade name: VK-9500, manufactured by Keyence Corporation) and a 50-fold lens were used to observe the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

As a result of measuring the depth and the opening area of such a concave portion, the sum A of the opening areas of all the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface is processed in Example 1 is 1,650 mm ² Met. Therefore, the total sum A (denoted as "A%" in the table) of the opening area of all the concave portions with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was 5%. Further, the average value B of the depths of all the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was calculated, and it was 3.0 μm. Then, for all the concave portions, the sum C of the opening areas of the concave portions with a depth in the range of +0.2 μm to −0.2 μm with respect to the above-mentioned B, ie, the depth in Example 1 Concave portions with a depth of 3.2 μm to 2.8 μm were extracted. It was 1,581 mm < ² > when total C of the opening area was computed. Therefore, the sum C of the open areas occupied 96% of the sum of the open areas of all the concave portions (described as "C%" in the table).

Next, in the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a portion having a width of 2 mm which is in contact with the second convex shaped portion 52 of the mold member 5 during processing, ie, a belt-like portion, in the direction parallel to the generatrix of the electrophotographic photosensitive member The depth of the concave portion was examined for all the divided areas. As a result, for all the areas, the minimum value D1 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions was 3.4 mm ² , and the maximum value D2 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions was 3.5 mm ² . Then, the range of the total sum of the opening areas of concave portions 0.5 μm or more shallower than B in this embodiment, that is, the minimum total sum of the opening areas of concave portions with a depth of 2.5 μm or less in Example 1 The value E1 was 1.7 mm ² . Likewise, the maximum value E2 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions 0.5 μm or more shallower than B in this embodiment was 1.7 mm ² . Here, the ratio of E1 to D2 is 48.6%. From this, in any area obtained by equally dividing the portion of 2 mm in width into 10, the sum of the opening areas of concave portions 0.5 μm or more shallower than B is all the concave portions in the same area. It is found that it occupies 48.6% or more of the total of the opening area of

  As mentioned above, it shows in Table 1 about the structure of the type | mold member used, and the measurement result of a process result.

(Evaluation)
The first electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface was processed in Example 1 as described above was mounted on an electrophotographic copying machine iR-ADV C5255 modified machine manufactured by Canon Inc. and evaluated. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is a drum cartridge for the electrophotographic copying machine iR-ADV C5255 (with the charging roller cleaning brush removed for evaluation of toner slippage) and the electrophotographic photosensitive member application upper end side is the electrophotographic copying machine iR-ADV C5255 It was mounted so that it was on the back side of the modified machine.
As shown in FIG. 11, the cleaning blade 13 used the one mounted on the drum cartridge for the electrophotographic copying machine iR-ADV C 5255 (hardness: 80 JISA °, resilience at 25 ° C .: 35%) as it is, The contact angle (narrow angle) of the photosensitive member 1 with the lower surface 132 of the cleaning blade 13 was set to 25 °, and the contact pressure to the electrophotographic photosensitive member was set to 35 N / m.
The toner for evaluation was black and had a weight average particle diameter of 5.0 μm.
The evaluation was performed in a 30 ° C./80% RH environment, and 100,000 sheets of continuous image formation with an image ratio of 1% were performed.

  After that, the cleaning blade 13 is removed, and cut into 10 equal parts in the longitudinal direction, and then the central longitudinal part of each blade is cut and all cut surfaces are observed with a microscope. The amount of wear on the corners was measured. At the time of measurement of the amount of wear, as shown in FIG. 12, it was decided to measure the abraded distance component on the surface of the lower surface 132 of the blade. Specifically, the distance parallel to the blade lower surface 132 to the blade front surface 131 from the end on the blade front surface 131 side of the blade lower surface 132 not worn was measured as the wear distance 133. As a result, with respect to the wear distance 133 of the cleaning blade in the evaluation of Example 1, the average value F1 in 10 cross sections was 15.1 μm. The above is shown in Table 1.

  Further, the toner remaining on the charging roller was taped on a white sheet, and the difference in density from the white sheet was measured using a densitometer (trade name: 504 spectrophotometer; manufactured by X-Rite Co., Ltd.). As a result, no noticeable toner slippage was observed. In the evaluation of Example 1, the difference between the density of the toner remaining on the charging roller and the density of the white paper was 0.02. When the difference between the density of the toner remaining on the charging roller and the density of the white paper was 0.05 or less, it was judged that no noticeable slipping of the toner occurred, and there was no problem in practical use.

  Furthermore, for the second electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface was processed in Example 1, all evaluations similar to those of the first electrophotographic photosensitive member were performed except that the contact pressure to the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the cleaning blade was set to 25 N / m. went. As a result, with respect to the wear distance of the cleaning blade similar to that of one surface in the evaluation of the second electrophotographic photosensitive member, the average value F2 was 13.1 μm. The above is shown in Table 1. The same evaluation of toner slip-through as that for the first electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed on the second electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the difference between the density of the toner remaining on the charging roller and the density of the white paper was 0.02.

(Examples 2-4, 17-20)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced, and the surface was processed, measured, and evaluated. The configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

(Examples 5-8, 21-24)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, the following mold members were used.
In the mold member shown in FIG. 7B, two types of hemispherical heights of the second convex shaped portion 52 are provided, and ten pieces as shown in FIG. 2 are obtained by equally dividing the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member into ten. Of the areas, a hemispherical shape is provided by dividing the area into an odd number area and an even number area from the upper side in the figure. First, only the hemispherical shape having the same height Z1 as the hemispherical shape of the first convex portion 51 is provided in the area of the odd number. Then, in the even numbered area, two types of hemispherical heights are provided, and the height Z21 is 5.0 μm, and the height Z22 is the same height as the hemispherical height Z1 of the first convex shaped portion 51. Hemispheric shape. Then, the number of hemispherical shapes with a height of Z21 is randomly arranged so that the ratio Z21R to the number in each area of this even number is 50%.
Except for this point, the process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 and evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 1.
Further, when measuring the surface of the processed electrophotographic photosensitive member, the portion in contact with the second convex portion 52 of the mold member 5, that is, the band portion at the time of processing, contacts the first convex portion 51 for the odd numbered area. It was judged that it was the same as the above-mentioned part, and the calculation of the sum of the opening area of the concave part was omitted. Therefore, in Table 1, D1, D2 and E1 and E2 are omitted, and the measurement results are shown in the columns of D1e and D2e and E1e and E2e for the even numbered areas.

(Examples 9 to 12 and 25 to 28)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface is prepared, and processing, measurement, and evaluation of the surface are performed in the same manner as Example 1. Did. The configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
In addition, the measurement of E1 and E2 was performed as a range of the sum total of the opening area of a concave-shaped part shallower than 0.3 micrometer or more with respect to said B of a present Example.

(Examples 13-16, 29-38)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface is prepared, and processing, measurement, and evaluation of the surface are performed in the same manner as Example 5. Did. The configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.
In addition, the measurement of E1e and E2e was performed as the range of the sum total of the opening area of a concave-shaped part shallower 0.3 micrometer or more with respect to said B of a present Example.

(Comparative Examples 1 to 4)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. At the time of processing the surface, the mold member shown in FIG. 7 (a) was used. On this surface, a first convex portion 51 in which convex hemispherical shapes are continuously provided is disposed, and the configuration thereof is shown in Table 1. The processing, measurement, and evaluation of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member were performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. The configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 1.

(Example 39)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, the following mold members were used.
The mold member is a mold member shown in FIG. 7 (d), and on this surface, a concave hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. 8 (b) is continuously provided over the entire surface, a first concave shape The portion 53 and the second concave portion 54 are disposed together. The pitch X1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first concave portion 53 was 140 μm. The diameter Y1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first concave portion 53 is 50 μm, and the depth Z1 is 6.5 μm.
Further, the pitch X2 of all the hemispherical shapes in the area of the second concave portion 54 was 140 μm. The diameter Y2 of all the hemispherical shapes of the second concave portion 54 is 50 μm. Further, the hemispherical shape of the second concave portion 54 is provided in two types, and the hemispherical shape with a depth Z21 of 5.5 μm and the same depth Z1 of the hemispherical shape of the first concave portion 53 with a depth Z22 It was hemispherical in depth. And it arranges at random so that the ratio Z21R which the number of the hemispherical shapes of depth Z21 accounts to the number of all the hemispherical shapes of the 2nd concave shape part 54 will be 50%.

  At the time of processing, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first concave portion 53 of the mold member 5 shown in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism was rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5 at a speed of 20 mm / sec (Vz1). Thereafter, when the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 was in contact with the mold member 5 and it was further detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 8000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was stopped. Next, the support member 9 was started to move at a speed of 10 mm / sec in the Y direction of FIG. 6A, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 was driven to rotate clockwise as shown in FIG. Thus, the concave portion on the surface of the mold member 5 was transferred to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Then, the slide mechanism is stopped at a point of 95 mm while maintaining the state, and then the load member moves the insertion member 4 at a speed of 20 mm / sec in a direction away from the mold member 5 to move the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 The mold member 5 was separated. Thus, the concave portion on the surface of the mold member 5 is transferred onto the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 while rolling the concave portion on the surface of the mold member 5 on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 A convex portion corresponding to By the above method, a total of two cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members having convex portions formed on their surfaces were produced.

  The measurement (to 0.2 μm above filtering) and the evaluation were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. Table 2 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results. The sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions is A, the total of the bottom areas of all the convex portions with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is A%, and the average height of all convex portions of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member The value is B, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions at a height in the range of +0.2 μm to -0.2 μm with respect to B is C, and the sum C to the sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions is C And%. In addition, with respect to a portion having a width of 2 mm in contact with the second concave portion 54 of the mold member 5 at the time of processing, that is, a strip portion, convex portions for all areas divided equally in 10 in the direction parallel to the generatrix of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Of all the areas of the bottom of the convex portion is D1, the maximum of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex is D2 and the convex is 0.5 μm or more lower than B. The minimum value of the sum of the bottom areas of the shape parts is E1, and the maximum value of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shape parts lower than B by 0.5 μm or more is E2.

(Examples 40 to 42, 55 to 58)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface is prepared, and the surface is processed, measured, and evaluated in the same manner as Example 39. Did. Table 2 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.

(Examples 43 to 46, 59 to 62)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, the following mold members were used.
In the mold member shown in FIG. 7D, there are provided two types of hemispherical depths of the second concave portion 54, and ten pieces obtained by equally dividing the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by ten as shown in FIG. Of the areas, hemispherical shapes are provided by dividing into odd numbered areas and even numbered areas. First, only the hemispherical shape having the same depth Z1 as the hemispherical shape of the first concave portion 53 is provided in the area of the odd number. In the even numbered area, two types of hemispheric depths are provided, and the depth Z21 is 5.5 μm, and the depth Z22 is the same depth as the hemispheric depth Z1 of the first concave portion 53. Hemispheric shape. Then, the number of hemispherical shapes with depth Z21 is randomly arranged so that the ratio Z21R in the number in each area of this even number is 50%.
Processing, measurement, and evaluation were performed in the same manner as in Example 39 except for that. The results are shown in Table 2.

  Further, when measuring the surface of the processed electrophotographic photosensitive member, the portion in contact with the second concave portion 54 of the mold member 5, that is, the belt portion at the time of processing contacts the first concave portion 53 for the odd numbered area. It was judged that it was the same as the above-mentioned part, and the calculation of the total sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions was omitted. Accordingly, in Table 2, D1, D2 and E1 and E2 are omitted, and the measurement results are shown in the columns of D1e and D2e and E1e and E2e for the even numbered areas.

(Examples 47 to 50, 63 to 66)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface is prepared, and the surface is processed, measured, and evaluated in the same manner as Example 39. Did. Table 2 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.
In addition, the measurement of E1 and E2 was performed as a range of the sum total of the base area of the convex-shaped part lower 0.3 micrometer or more with respect to said B of a present Example.

(Examples 51 to 54, 67 to 76)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface is prepared, and the processing, measurement, and evaluation of the surface are performed in the same manner as Example 43. Did. Table 2 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.
In addition, the measurement of E1e and E2e was performed as a range of the sum total of the base area of the convex shape which is 0.3 micrometer or more lower than said B of a present Example.

(Comparative Examples 5 to 8)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. At the time of processing the surface, the mold member shown in FIG. 7 (c) was used. On this surface, a first concave portion 53 in which concave hemispherical shapes are continuously provided is disposed, and the configuration is shown in Table 2. Except for that, the processing, the measurement and the evaluation of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member were performed in the same manner as in Example 39. Table 2 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.

(Example 77)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, the same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except for the working conditions of the used mold member and each member.

The mold member shown in FIG. 7A was used as the mold member. On this surface, a first convex portion 51 in which convex hemispherical shapes are continuously provided over the entire surface is disposed, and the pitch X1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first convex portions 51 is 196 μm. The diameter Y1 of all the hemispherical shapes of the first convex portion 51 was 50 μm, and the height Z1 was 6 μm.
During the processing operation, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 51 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.

When the support member 9 moves 95 mm from the time when the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the mold member 5 first contact while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to insert the insertion member 4 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. Is moved away from the mold member 5, and at the same time, the speed at which the support member 9 moves in the Y direction of FIG. 6A is changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 4000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. Thereafter, when the support member 9 moves 0.9 mm further from the time when the load cell detects 4000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was processed in the same manner as in Example 1 except for the above. Then, the surface was measured using the same method as in Example 1.

As a result, the total sum A of the opening areas of all the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface was processed in this example was 1,651 mm ² . Therefore, the sum A of the opening areas of all the concave portions with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was 5%. Further, the average value B of the depths of all the concave portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was calculated, and it was 3.0 μm. Then, for all the concave portions, the sum C of the opening areas of the concave portions with a depth in the range of +0.2 μm to −0.2 μm with respect to the above-mentioned B, ie, deep in Example 77 Concave portions with a depth of 3.2 μm to 2.8 μm were extracted. It was 1,583 mm < ² > when total C of the opening area was calculated. Therefore, the sum C of the opening areas occupies 96% of the sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions. Next, on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the generatrix of the electrophotographic photosensitive member at the portion where the mold member 5 abuts by 2 mm from the position where the support member 9 moved 95 mm from the position at the time of processing to the processing downstream side. The depth of the concave portion was examined for all areas divided into 10 in the direction parallel to. As a result, for all the areas, the minimum value D1 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions was 3.4 mm ² , and the maximum value D2 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions was 3.5 mm ² . The range of the sum of the opening areas of concave portions 0.5 μm or more shallower than B, that is, the minimum value E1 of the sum of the opening areas of concave portions having a depth of 2.5 μm or less in this embodiment is 1 .7mm ^2, also the maximum value E2 of the sum of the opening areas of the concave portion was 1.7 mm ^2. Further, the same measurement and evaluation as in Example 1 were performed. Table 3 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.

(Examples 78 to 80)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, as the mold member, the mold member shown in FIG. 7A shown in Table 3 is used, and the processing operation, measurement and evaluation of the surface are performed in the same manner as in Example 77. The

(Examples 81 to 84)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, as the mold member, the mold member shown in FIG. 7A having the configuration described in Table 3 was used.
During the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 51 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.

When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 5000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. Thereafter, when the support member 9 moves 0.9 mm further from the time when the load cell detects 5000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 77 except for the point. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.
In addition, the measurement of E1 and E2 was performed as a range of the sum total of the opening area of a concave-shaped part shallower than 0.3 micrometer or more with respect to said B of a present Example.

(Examples 85 to 88)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, as the mold member, the mold member shown in FIG. 7A having the configuration described in Table 3 was used.

  During the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 51 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.

When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 4000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. After that, when the support member 9 moves 0.25 mm further from the time when the load cell detects 4000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 77 except for the point. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

(Examples 89 to 93)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, as the mold member, the mold member shown in FIG. 7A having the configuration described in Table 3 was used.

  During the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 51 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.

When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 5000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. After that, when the support member 9 moves 0.25 mm further from when the load cell detects 5000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 81 except for the point. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

(Examples 94 to 97)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. When processing the surface, as the mold member, the mold member shown in FIG. 7 (c) having the configuration described in Table 3 was used.
Regarding the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 53 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 8000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.
When the support member 9 moves 95 mm from the time when the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the mold member 5 first contact while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to insert the insertion member 4 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. Is moved away from the mold member 5, and at the same time, the speed at which the support member 9 moves in the Y direction of FIG. 6A is changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was once stopped. After that, when the support member 9 moves 0.9 mm further from the time when this load cell detects 6000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5. The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except the above.

And the surface was measured using the method similar to Example 39. As a result, the total sum A of the bottom areas of the convex portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member whose surface was processed in this example was 3,327 mm ² . Further, the average value B of the heights of all the convex portions on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was calculated and found to be 2.8 μm. The sum C of the bottom areas of the convex-shaped portions having a height in the range of +0.2 μm to −0.2 μm with respect to the above-mentioned B with respect to all the convex-shaped portions, that is, high in this embodiment The convex part with a height of 3.0 μm to 2.6 μm was extracted. The sum total C of the bottom areas was calculated to be 3.282 mm ² . Next, on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the portion of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in which the mold member 5 abuts by 2 mm from the position where the support member 9 moved 95 mm from the position at the time of processing is parallel to the generatrix of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The height of the convex portion was examined for all the areas divided into ten in the direction. As a result, the minimum value D1 of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions was 3.4 mm ² and the maximum value D2 of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions was 3.5 mm ² for all the areas. And, the range of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped parts lower than B by 0.5 μm or more, that is, the minimum value E1 of the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped parts having a height of 2.3 μm or less in this embodiment .7mm ^2, also the maximum value E2 of the sum of the bottom area of the convex portion was 1.7 mm ^2. Further, the same evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. Table 3 shows the configuration of the mold member at that time, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results.

(Examples 98 to 101)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. In the case of processing of the surface, a mold member used Drawing 7 (c) which is composition of being stated in Table 3.
Regarding the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 53 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 8000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.
When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 7000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. Thereafter, when the support member 9 moves 0.9 mm further from the time when the load cell detects 7000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 94 except for the above. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.
In addition, the measurement of E1 and E2 was performed as a range of the sum total of the base area of the convex-shaped part lower 0.3 micrometer or more with respect to said B of a present Example.

(Examples 102 to 105)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. In the case of processing of the surface, a mold member used Drawing 7 (c) which is composition of being stated in Table 3.
During the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 53 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 8000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.
When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 reached 6000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was once stopped. After that, when the support member 9 moves 0.25 mm further from the time when this load cell detects 6000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 94 except for the above. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

(Examples 106 to 110)
Similar to Example 1, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming a shape) before forming a shape on the surface was produced. In the case of processing of the surface, a mold member used Drawing 7 (c) which is composition of being stated in Table 3.
Regarding the processing operation of the surface, the position of the support member 9 was first adjusted so that the left end portion of the first convex shaped portion 53 of the mold member 5 in FIG. 7 is directly below the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Next, the servomotor of the load mechanism is rotated to move the insertion member 4 in the direction of the mold member 5, and the distance between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 facing the mold member 5 and the surface of the mold member 5 is 2 mm. I got close to it. Subsequently, the support member 9 starts moving at a speed of 3 mm / sec in the Y direction (the left direction in FIG. 6A) of FIG. 6A, and at the same time the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 toward the mold member 5 by 10 mm. It moved at the speed of / sec. Thereafter, when it is detected by the load cell that the load amount applied to the insertion member 4 has reached 8000 N, the movement of the load mechanism is stopped, and the moving speed of the support member 9 in the Y direction of FIG. Changed to sec.
When the support member 9 is moved 95 mm while maintaining the state, the load mechanism is operated to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 at a speed of 10 mm / sec. The moving speed in the Y direction of a) was changed to 3 mm / sec. Thereafter, when it was detected by the load cell that the load applied to the insertion member 4 reached 7000 N, the movement of the load mechanism was temporarily stopped. After that, when the support member 9 moves 0.25 mm further from the time when the load cell detects 7000 N, the load mechanism is moved at a speed of 50 mm / sec to move the insertion member 4 away from the mold member 5 to perform electrophotography. The surface of the photosensitive member 1 was separated from the mold member 5.
The surface processing of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the measurement and evaluation of processing results were performed in the same manner as in Example 98 except for the point. The configuration of the mold member, the measurement results of the surface thereof, and the evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

  As shown in Tables 1 to 3, in Examples 1 to 110, the amount of wear of the cleaning blade was significantly smaller than that of the comparative example. In the evaluation of all electrophotographic photosensitive members surface-processed in the present example and the comparative example, the maximum value of the difference between the density of the toner remaining on the charging roller and the density of the white paper was 0.05. Therefore, it was judged that the remarkable penetration of the toner did not occur.

1,201 Electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 Cylindrical base 3 Surface layer 4 Insertion member 5 Mold member 6 Metal layer 7 Elastic layer 8 Positioning member 9 Support member 10 Concave portion 11 Belt portion 12 Shallow concave portion 13 Cleaning blade 51 First Convex part 52 Second convex part 53 First concave part 54 Second concave part 131 Blade front surface 132 Blade lower surface 133 Wear distance 202 Axis 203 Charging means 204 Exposure light 205 Developing means 206 Transfer means 207 Cleaning means 208 Fixing means 209 process cartridge 210 guiding means 501 cross-sectional profile 502 fitted curve 601 reference surface 602 second reference surface 603 third reference surface

Claims (14)

A cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of concave portions on its surface,
The sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The average value d of the depths of all the concave portions satisfies the following (Expression 1),
0.6 ≦ d ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 1)
The sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having a depth da satisfying the following (Equation 2) occupies 95% or more of the total of the opening areas of all the concave portions,
d−0.2 ≦ da ≦ d + 0.2 (μm) (Expression 2)
Here, the depth of the concave portion and the opening area of the concave portion are determined by the following procedures 1 to 5,
Procedure 1: Extract a cross-sectional profile of a curved surface corresponding to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and fit an arc to the obtained cross-sectional profile;
Step 2: The cross-sectional profile is corrected so that the curve of the circular arc becomes a straight line, and the obtained straight line is taken as a reference surface which is the surface extended in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Step 3: From the reference plane 0.2 μm toward the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a plane parallel to the reference plane is taken as a second reference plane;
Step 4: The distance from the second reference surface to the most distant point in the concave portion toward the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is taken as the depth of the concave portion;
Step 5: A portion surrounded by a line where the second reference surface and the concave portion intersect is an opening of the concave portion, and an area of the opening is an opening area of the concave portion;
Furthermore, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 1 is provided.
<Condition 1>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the open areas of the concave portions having a depth db satisfying the following (Equation 3) in all five areas Occupies 14% or more of the total of the open areas of the concave portions.
db ≦ d−0.3 (μm) (Equation 3) The sum of the opening areas of all the concave portions is 5 to 60% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein an average value d of the depths of all the concave portions satisfies the following (Expression 4).
0.8 ≦ d ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 4) The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition 1 is the following condition 1A.
<Condition 1A>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (formula 3) corresponds to all the concave portions. It occupies 14% or more of the total of the opening area. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the condition 1 is the following condition 1B.
<Condition 1B>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of at least five of the areas obtained by equally dividing the belt-like portion in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the open areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (Equation 3) is all Occupying 49% or more of the total of the open areas of the concave portions. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the condition 1 is the following condition 1C.
<Condition 1C>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the opening areas of the concave portions having the depth db satisfying the above (formula 3) corresponds to all the concave portions. It occupies 49% or more of the total of the opening area. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the (formula 3) is the following (formula 5).
db ≦ d−0.5 (μm) (Equation 5) A cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a plurality of convex portions on its surface,
The sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions is 5 to 65% with respect to the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The average value h of the heights of all the convex portions satisfies the following (Equation 6),
0.6 ≦ h ≦ 3.0 (μm) (Equation 6)
The sum of the bottom areas of the convex portions having the height ha satisfying the following (Equation 7) occupies 95% or more of the total of the bottom areas of all the convex portions,
h−0.2 ≦ ha ≦ h + 0.2 (μm) (Equation 7)
Here, the height of the convex portion and the bottom area of the convex portion are determined by the following procedures 1 to 5,
Procedure 1: Extract a cross-sectional profile of a curved surface corresponding to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and fit an arc to the obtained cross-sectional profile;
Step 2: The cross-sectional profile is corrected so that the curve of the circular arc becomes a straight line, and the obtained straight line is taken as a reference surface which is the surface extended in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member;
Procedure 3: 0.2 μm from the reference plane A surface located in a direction away from the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and parallel to the reference plane is a third reference plane;
Step 4: The distance from the third reference plane to the most distant point in the direction away from the center of the cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the convex portion is defined as the height of the convex portion;
Step 5: A portion surrounded by a line where the third reference surface intersects with the convex portion is a bottom of the convex portion, and an area of the bottom is a bottom area of the convex portion;
Furthermore, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having at least one band-shaped portion satisfying the following condition 2 is provided.
<Condition 2>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the following (Equation 8) in all five areas 14% or more of the sum total of the base areas of the convex-shaped portions.
hb ≦ h−0.3 (μm) (Equation 8) The sum of the bottom areas of all the convex portions is 10 to 65% of the entire surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
8. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 7, wherein the average value h of the heights of all the convex portions satisfies the following (Expression 9).
0.6 ≦ h ≦ 2.8 (μm) (Equation 9) 9. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 7, wherein the condition 2 is the following condition 2A.
<Condition 2A>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (equation 8) corresponds to all of the convex shaped portions. It occupies 14% or more of the total of the bottom areas. 9. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 7, wherein the condition 2 is the following condition 2B.
<Condition 2B>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
Of the area obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equally in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum total of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (Expression 8) in at least five areas Occupying 49% or more of the total of the base areas of the convex portions of 9. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 7, wherein the condition 2 is the following condition 2C.
<Condition 2C>
A belt-shaped portion parallel to the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and having a width of 2 mm from one end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the other end,
In all the areas obtained by dividing the strip portion into ten equal parts in the generatrix direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the sum of the bottom areas of the convex shaped portions having the height hb satisfying the above (equation 8) corresponds to all of the convex shaped portions. It occupies 49% or more of the total of the floor area. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the expression (8) is the following expression (10).
hb ≦ d−0.5 (μm) (Equation 10)   An electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 12 and a cleaning unit having a cleaning blade disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally supported, and are removable from the electrophotographic apparatus main body. Process cartridge characterized in that.   An electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 12, a charging unit, an exposing unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit having a cleaning blade disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. An electrophotographic apparatus characterized by