CN102053548A

CN102053548A - Belt device and image forming apparatus incorporating same

Info

Publication number: CN102053548A
Application number: CN2010105170509A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杉浦健治; 成瀬修; 杉本奈绪美; 菊地尚志; 穗积功树
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-20
Publication date: 2011-05-11
Anticipated expiration: 2030-10-20
Also published as: CN102053548B; CN103995453A

Abstract

A belt device incorporatable in an image forming apparatus includes an endless belt, multiple belt tension rollers disposed in contact with an inner surface of the endless belt, a rotary cleaning member to contact a belt wound area of the endless belt facing an opposing roller to form a cleaning nip between the rotary cleaning member and the endless belt and rotate the rotary cleaning member in a direction opposite the belt moving direction within the cleaning nip, and a voltage applier. The cleaning nip is formed by offsetting a center of the cleaning nip upstream from a center of the belt wound area of the endless belt in the belt moving direction and by at least contacting the rotary cleaning member in a range from the belt wound area to a tensioned belt area located upstream from the belt wound area in the belt moving direction.

Description

Belting and image processing system

Technical field

The present invention relates to while make the ring-shaped tape member annular movement, pass through the belting of cleaning solid of revolution cleaning, and the image processing system that uses this belting attached to the toner on the surface of this tape member.

Background technology

Be used for the toner that image forms, follow high image qualityization in recent years, compare with the toner that comminuting method forms, the toner that polymerization forms becomes main flow.Compare with the toner that comminuting method forms by the toner particle that polymerization forms, subglobular, and be path, therefore, even can bring into play the repeatability that the point corresponding with high resolving power also can reproduce well.On the other hand, in scrape the scraper plate cleaning mode of getting by cleaning balde, easily cause the undesirable condition that cleaning is bad.Since subglobular and path, therefore, the little gap that pushes through cleaning balde and be cleaned and form between the body.

As the cleaning device that patent documentation 1 is put down in writing, if adopt the static cleaning mode, even the toner that polymerization forms also can clean well.Specifically, the cleaning device that patent documentation 1 is put down in writing is provided with on one side and drum type photoreceptor as the body that the is cleaned rotating cleaning brush roll on one side that joins, on one side the rotating recovery roller on one side that joins with it, and reclaim scraping that roller joins and get plate.And the cleaning brush roll has the revolving shaft parts that are supported with freely rotating, and by erecting the brush roll portion that many bristles being arranged on its side face constitute.This cleaning brush roll is applied cleaning voltage with the normal band electric polarity opposite polarity of toner.Again, roller applies and cleans the voltage identical polar and ratio cleans the big recovery voltage of voltage to reclaiming.Through remaining in the transfer printing remaining toner on the photosensitive surface behind the transfer printing process, by the brush roll portion of rotating cleaning brush roll scrape and get on one side, on one side because of the electric field between photoreceptor and the brush roll portion, electrostatic transfer is in brush roll portion.Then, from the brush roll portion further electrostatic transfer get plate and scrape by scraping after reclaim roller from reclaiming the roller surface.In this static cleaning mode, compare with the scraper plate cleaning mode, can remove the toner that forms by polymerization well.

But, in the static cleaning mode, when with tape members such as intermediate transfer belts as cleaning object occasion, and solid of revolution such as roller are compared as cleaning object occasion, have the problem that is difficult to obtain good spatter property.So, the inventor studies its reason, finds following result: promptly, and for being erected at a plurality of tape members that ring-type moves under the roller state that set up, must on one side make the cleaning brush roll join, the fluctuation fluctuating of following the swiping with roller to cause on one side as far as possible with more intense pressure.Therefore, general, about cleaning solid of revolution such as cleaning brush rolls, among the full field of the moving direction of tape member, with the zone of can not freely fluctuate be that the opposed roller wrapping range joins, clamping part is cleaned in formation.On the other hand, general in order to realize transfer printing and paper adsorbability etc. to a certain degree in image processing system, using electric property is that the material of middle resistance is as tape member.In order to clean this tape member well, from the cleaning brush roll by tape member to the path of setting up roller, need flow through the cleaning electric current of amount to a certain degree, this is that people are known.But, in the cleaning clamping part, if this cleaning electric current flow through superfluously with on toner around, then relatively electric charge injection with regular polarity opposite polarity takes place in toner, makes toner band antipolarity sometimes.When with tape member as cleaning object occasion, this toner band antipolarity electricity takes place, make spatter property worsen.

About above-mentioned toner band antipolarity electricity, describe in more detail.Fig. 1 is the amplification pie graph that the cleaning clamping part of expression original cleaning device constitutes an example on every side.In the figure, be erected at illustrated cleaning subtend roller 902 and do not having that ring-type moves under the state of illustrated a plurality of rollers as the intermediate transfer belt 901 of tape member.In the annular inboard of intermediate transfer belt 901, among its side face universe, cleaning subtend roller 902 is in diagram coiling width W ₁Scope is wound on intermediate transfer belt 901.On the other hand, in the annular outboard of intermediate transfer belt 901, cleaning brush roll 903 joins with belt surface, forms the cleaning clamping part.Cleaning brush roll 903 does not drive towards contrary direction revolution by there being illustrated driving means, at this, so-called contrary direction be meant make self surface in the cleaning clamping part towards moving with the contrary direction of band, make the brush that constitutes by many bristles of self and the surperficial swiping of intermediate transfer belt 901.The cleaning brush roll is applied cleaning bias voltage with the toner antipolarity, scraped attached to the transfer printing remaining toner on the surface of intermediate transfer belt 901 and get on the cleaning brush roll.Carry out the direction of belt travel length that this scrapes the cleaning clamping part of getting, i.e. the clamping part width W ₂Than above-mentioned coiling width W ₁Wide.And in the upstream-side-end and the end of downstream side of the cleaning clamping part of direction of belt travel, the band extension region that cleaning brush roll 903 is not wound on the roller are relatively joined.Below, among the cleaning clamping part, at the direction of belt travel upstream side, cleaning brush roll 903 is called " the upstream side band stretches clamping zone " with the zone that the band extension region is joined.Stretch in the clamping zone at this upstream side band, although cleaning brush roll 903 joins with belt surface, at the band back side, cleaning subtend roller 902 does not join, and how much does not clean electric current and flows through.In contrast, (use the coiling width W in the tape wrapping zone that cleaning subtend roller 902 contacts with intermediate transfer belt 901 ₁The zone of expression) in, the cleaning electric current flows through well.Especially, near the strongest tape wrapping zone central portion of nip pressure, compare with both ends, tape wrapping zone, the volume electric current flows through well.Therefore, if toner enters near the central portion of tape wrapping zone, toner band antipolarity takes place easily then.

Therefore, in order to obtain good spatter property, among the direction of belt travel of cleaning clamping part was region-wide, such below zone needed in advance nearly all transfer printing remaining toner to be transferred to the cleaning brush roll.That is, the cleaning magnitude of current is difficult to become superfluous upstream side band and stretches clamping zone and (use width M ₃The expression the zone) or the tape wrapping zone (use the coiling width W ₁The zone of expression) near the inlet.But, using width M ₃The upstream side band of expression stretches near the inlet of clamping zone, as shown in the figure, becomes feasible only its front end of the bristle that constitutes brush and band state of contact.The bristle of this state is difficult to make the transfer printing remaining toner to shift.Transfer printing remaining toner generation good transfer system bristle on one side produces big deflection, Yi Bian make when its side and band join state.Use width M ₃The upstream side band of expression stretches among the clamping zone, and bristle becomes the sort of state and is limited to from leaving distant very small region near entering the mouth.Use the coiling width W again, ₁Among the tape wrapping zone of expression, the zone that the toner band antipolarity electricity that causes because of the cleaning electric current does not take place so is limited near the very small region of inlet.From The above results as can be known, in cleaning device in the past, do not transferring under the cleaning brush roll state,, causing that cleaning is bad in any case also enter the transfer printing remaining toner of tape wrapping zone central portion.

To use the cleaning brush roller to describe as example as cleaning solid of revolution occasion, still, even use the occasion that does not possess the such brush of clearer, in the tape wrapping zone of cleaning clamping part, relatively the cleaning electric current of volume flows through.And in the cleaning clamping part, the toner that does not eliminate at upstream side band stretching, extension clamping zone enters the tape wrapping zone, can cause that probably cleaning is bad.

[patent documentation 1] TOHKEMY 2009-20249 communique

[patent documentation 2] TOHKEMY 2007-72411 communique

Summary of the invention

The present invention puts forward in order to solve above-mentioned problem, and its purpose is, provide than conventional art good can the cleaning band parts belting and image processing system.

To achieve these goals, the present invention proposes following technical scheme:

(1) a kind of belting comprises:

Ring-shaped tape member by being provided in inboard a plurality of the setting up under the roller erected state of ring, is made annular movement;

The cleaning solid of revolution, cleaning subtend roller is above-mentioned a plurality of one of roller that sets up, above-mentioned tape member should be reeled by cleaning subtend roller relatively, wrapping range joins from belt surface relatively, under the state that forms the cleaning clamping part that above-mentioned cleaning solid of revolution and belt surface join, revolution on one side makes self surface move towards the contrary direction of direction of belt travel in above-mentioned cleaning clamping part, make that attached to the toner of belt surface transfer to self clean on one side;

Voltage bringing device applies cleaning voltage with the normal band electric polarity antipolarity of toner to above-mentioned cleaning solid of revolution; It is characterized in that:

Make the center of above-mentioned cleaning clamping part of direction of belt travel, be positioned at the upstream side at the above-mentioned wrapping range center of direction of belt travel, and at least above-mentioned tape member from above-mentioned wrapping range to thus along the band extension region scope of direction of belt travel upstream side, make above-mentioned cleaning solid of revolution join, form above-mentioned cleaning clamping part.

(2) in the described belting of technique scheme (1), it is characterized in that:

Make the center of above-mentioned cleaning clamping part of direction of belt travel, be positioned at the above-mentioned band extension region of above-mentioned wrapping range upstream side.

(3) in the described belting of technique scheme (2), it is characterized in that:

Make and the end of downstream side of above-mentioned cleaning clamping part of direction of belt travel be positioned at above-mentioned wrapping range.

(4) in technique scheme (2) or (3) described belting, it is characterized in that:

Above-mentioned a plurality of setting up among the roller, the above-mentioned relatively cleaning subtend roller of roller system is set up in the cleaning upstream, be positioned at the roller that sets up of direction of belt travel upstream side and adjacency, set up roller by this cleaning upstream, the band extension region that this cleaning upstream is set up between roller and the above-mentioned cleaning subtend roller pushes towards above-mentioned cleaning solid of revolution.

(5) in the described belting of technique scheme (4), it is characterized in that:

Set up roller as above-mentioned cleaning upstream, the roller that uses roller portion surface at least to constitute by insulator.

(6) in the belting of technique scheme (1)-(3) any record, it is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned cleaning solid of revolution, use the cleaning brush roll, this cleaning brush roll has can rotating revolving shaft parts, and by erecting the brush portion that many bristles being arranged on its side face constitute.

(7) a kind of image processing system comprises:

Belting will be positioned in the toner picture on ring-shaped tape member surface, perhaps is positioned in the toner picture of the lip-deep recording-member that remains on above-mentioned tape member, follows the annular movement of above-mentioned tape member to transport;

The toner picture forms device, forms the toner picture on above-mentioned tape member surface or recording-member; It is characterized in that:

Use the belting of technique scheme (1)-(6) any record, as above-mentioned belting.

(8) in the described image processing system of technique scheme (7), it is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned toner, use the toner that meets the following conditions:

3 μ m≤volume average particle size≤6 μ m, and the ratio of volume average particle size Dv and number average particle diameter Dn is in following scope: 1.00≤Dv/Dn≤1.40.

(9) in technique scheme (7) or (8) described image processing system, it is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned toner, use the toner that meets the following conditions:

100≤shape coefficient SF-1≤180, and 100≤shape coefficient SF-2≤180.

(10) in technique scheme (7) or (8) described image processing system, it is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned tape member, using at least, base material is made of resilient material.

The following describes effect of the present invention.

In foregoing invention, in direction of belt travel, make the cleaning clamping part be centered close to upstream side for the tape wrapping regional center of cleaning subtend roller, and make the above-mentioned device in the past that is centered close to same position compare, increase the upstream side band and stretch clamping zone.For example, Fig. 2 represents to use cleaning brush roll 903 examples as the cleaning solid of revolution, as shown in the figure, and the Clamping Center line L of the center line of the direction of belt travel of feasible conduct cleaning clamping part ₁Be positioned at the coiling centre line L of conduct for the tape wrapping regional center line of clearer 902 ₂Upstream side.Thus, with Fig. 1 of expression conventional art example more as can be known, the feasible width W of using ₃The upstream side band of expression stretches clamping zone than increased in the past.So, easily cause the contrary charged of toner, at upstream side for the central portion in the tape wrapping zone of cleaning subtend roller, make with on the toner zone that can transfer to the cleaning brush roll well increase than conventional art, therefore, can be than good in the past cleaning band parts.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the amplification pie graph that the cleaning clamping part of expression original cleaning device constitutes an example on every side.

Fig. 2 is the amplification pie graph that the cleaning clamping part of the suitable cleaning device of the present invention of expression constitutes an example on every side.

Fig. 3 is the summary pie graph of the major part of the printer that relates to of expression example.

Fig. 4 amplifies the band cleaning device of this printer of expression and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.

Fig. 5 (a), (b), (c) be the carried charge of the transfer printing remaining toner of expression by remaining in photosensitive surface behind the primary transfer clamping part distribute and by and the contact position of Polarity Control plate after the carried charge of transfer printing remaining toner distribute between the 1st example of relation, the 2nd example, the figure line of the 3rd example.

Fig. 6 is expression No1, the figure line that concerns between the environment of the Polarity Control plate of No2 and the resistance.

Fig. 7 is expression No3, the figure line that concerns between the environment of the Polarity Control plate of No4 and the resistance.

Fig. 8 be expression by with the contact position of Polarity Control plate before and after the figure line that changes of the charge amount distribution of transfer printing remaining toner.

Fig. 9 is that expression resistance is 1 * 10 ⁵Ω cm, 1 * 10 ⁷Ω cm, 1 * 10 ⁹The figure line of the spatter property of the cleaning brush roll of Ω cm.

Figure 10 is the cleaning subtend roller of this printer of expression and the amplification pie graph of intermediate transfer belt.

Figure 11 is the cleaning subtend roller of this printer of expression, the amplification pie graph of intermediate transfer belt and cleaning brush roll.

Figure 12 is the intermediate transfer belt of this printer of expression and the amplification pie graph of cleaning brush roll.

Figure 13 is the figure line of toner spatter property difference of the intermediate transfer belt of the printer of representing that in the past example and example relate to.

Figure 14 is the figure line that concerns between the resistance of recovery roller of this printer of expression and the environment.

Figure 15 is the band cleaning device of the 1st variation of the printer that relates to of expression example and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.

Figure 16 is the band cleaning device of the 2nd variation of the printer that relates to of expression example and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.

Figure 17 is the summary pie graph of major part of the 3rd variation of the printer that relates to of expression example.

Figure 18 is the cleaning clamping part of the printer that relates to of expression embodiment and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.

Figure 19 is the maximum diameter MXLNG of projection image of explanation toner particle relative two dimensional surface and the mode chart of plane area A.

Figure 20 is the girth P of projection image of explanation toner particle relative two dimensional surface and the mode chart of plane area A.

Figure 21 (a), (b), (c) shape of difference pattern ground expression toner.

Embodiment

Below, the example that present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying, in following example, though to inscape, kind, combination, the position, shape, quantity, configuration waits and has done various qualifications relatively,, these only exemplify, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

As the example that is suitable for image processing system of the present invention, the printer (following brief note is " printer ") of so-called tandem type intermediate transfer mode is described.

The basic comprising of this printer is described earlier.Fig. 3 is the summary pie graph of the major part of the printer that relates to of expression example.This printer be provided be used for generating yellow, magenta, cyan, (following brief note respectively is Y to black, M, C, four processing unit 6Y of toner picture K), 6M, 6C, 6K.

Four processing unit

6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K are respectively equipped with

drum type photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, 1C,

1K.At photoreceptor

1Y, 1M is respectively equipped with charging device 2Y around the 1C, 1K, 2M, 2C, 2K, developing

apparatus

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K,

drum cleaning device

4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K, discharge system (not diagram) etc.

Processing unit

6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K use the Y of different color, M, C, the K toner constitutes identical in

addition.At processing unit

6Y, 6M, 6C, the 6K top, setting does not have illustrated smooth writing unit, be used for

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, 1C, the surface irradiation laser of 1K writes electrostatic latent image.

At

processing unit

6Y, 6M, 6C, the below of 6K sets the transfer printing unit 7 as belting, and it possesses the ring-type intermediate transfer belt 8 as tape member.Except that intermediate transfer belt 8, also be provided with and be provided in the inboard a plurality of rollers that set up of ring, be provided in the secondary transfer roller 15 in the ring outside, pushing roller 16, band cleaning device 100 etc.

In the ring inboard of intermediate transfer belt 8, set four

primary transfer roller

9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K, jockey pulley 10, roller 11 after the primary transfer, secondary transfer printing subtend roller 12, Polarity Control subtend roller 13, cleaning subtend roller 14.These rollers all play as the function of setting up roller,, carry out tape holder and establish around intermediate transfer belt 8 in the local volumes of above-mentioned roller side face.By there not being illustrated driving means to drive above-mentioned driven roller 12 by the revolution of diagram counterclockwise, by the revolution of this driven roller 12, intermediate transfer belt 8 is by diagram inverse clock gyratory directions annular movement.

Be provided in four primary transfer roller 9Y of band inboard, 9M, 9C, 9K and

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, 1C between the 1K, sandwiches intermediate transfer belt 8.Thus, form the surface and the photoreceptor 1Y of

intermediate transfer belt

8,1M, the Y that 1C, 1K join, M, the primary transfer clamping part that C, K use.To

primary transfer roller

9Y, 9M, 9C, 9K is not respectively by there being illustrated power supply to apply primary transfer bias voltage with the toner antipolarity.

Again, be provided in the secondary transfer printing subtend roller 12 of band inboard and be provided between the secondary transfer roller 15 in the band outside, sandwich intermediate transfer belt 8.Thus, form the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer printing clamping part that secondary transfer roller 15 is joined.To secondary transfer roller 15, do not apply secondary transfer printing bias voltage with the toner antipolarity by there being illustrated power supply.

Again, be provided in the cleaning subtend roller 14 of band inboard and be provided between the cleaning brush roll 102 of band cleaning device 100 in the band outside, sandwich intermediate transfer belt 8.Thus, form the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8 and the cleaning clamping part that cleaning brush roll 102 joins.But band cleaning device 100 and intermediate transfer belt 8 one are changed, still, when band cleaning device 100 and the different occasions of intermediate transfer belt 8 lifetime settings, also can be so that be with cleaning device 100 relative intermediate transfer belts 8 independently, printer body loading and unloading relatively.Cleaning brush roll 102 by apply the illustrated power supply that do not have of means as voltage, is applied the cleaning bias voltage with the toner antipolarity.

This printer is provided with does not have illustrated sheet feed section, and it comprises the paper feeding cassette of taking in recording chart P, and recording chart P is supplied to paper feed roller of paper supply passage etc. from paper feeding cassette.Again, registration roller is not accepted the recording chart sent here from sheet feed section to (have diagram), fix time it is sent towards the secondary transfer printing clamping part, with this registration roller to being provided in the diagram right side side of above-mentioned secondary transfer printing clamping part.Again, the recording chart P that fixing device (not having diagram) acceptance is sent from the secondary transfer printing clamping part, the photographic fixing that this recording chart P is imposed the toner picture is handled, and this fixing device is provided in the diagram left side side of above-mentioned secondary transfer printing clamping part.Again, also can set Y as required, M, the toner supply device that C, K use (not diagram), to developing

apparatus

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K supply Y, M, C, K toner.

In recent years, as recording chart, except widely used common paper in the past, appearance surfaces has concavo-convex special paper or flatiron and prints and wait the special recording chart that is used for hot transfer printing to use increase.If use this special paper, compare with common paper occasion in the past, on paper the time, it is bad that transfer printing easily takes place with the toner secondary transfer printing on the intermediate transfer belt 8 of superimposed color toner picture.So, in this printer, make intermediate transfer belt 8 have elasticity, improve contact with recording chart.

As intermediate transfer belt 8, can use sandwich construction.As base layer, can use in synthetic resin such as polyimide, polyimide-acid amides, polycarbonate, polyester, polypropylene or various rubber, contain the conductive agents such as carbon black of appropriate amount, its specific insulation is 10 ⁶～10 ¹⁴Ω cm.Again, be made as and make its rubber-like band occasion, can use silicone rubber, NBR, H-NBR, CR, EPDM, urethane rubber, as the main base material of this conductive elastic layer.Again; as long as can realize reducing frictional resistance; the stability of relative electrical specification environment; the purpose of the raising remaining toner clean-up performance that the reduction surfaceness causes; material to the electric conductivity protective seam is not particularly limited; can use fluororesin polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), tetrafluoroethene-perfluorinated alkoxy vinyl ether copolymer (PFA), PVDF, dissolution is at the emulsion of pure soluble nylon class, silicone resin class, silane coupling agent, urethane resin class or the coating of organic solvent.Can form above-mentioned protective seam by coating above-mentioned coating such as dip coating, spraying, electrostatic applications, roller coat.Have again, can improve release property by protective seam is carried out surface treatment or grinding, electric conductivity, abrasion performance, cleaning surfaces etc.Rubber-like intermediate transfer belt 8 and drum type photoreceptor 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K disposes with the contact area contact than broad, and by the pushing of intermediate transfer belt 8 elasticity, drum type photoreceptor 1Y, 1M, 1C, it not is so high that the surface of contact between 1K and the intermediate transfer belt 8 is pressed, and, carry out intermediate transfer belt 8 and wrap into the action of toner picture, photoreceptor 1Y, 1M, 1C, the toner on the 1K as primary transfer in intermediate transfer belt 8 sides.At this moment, do not press the image deflects of the grade that causes because of big surface of contact to the transferred image of intermediate transfer belt 8, with high transfer efficiency transfer printing, therefore, the color image quality on the recording materials (especially having concavo-convex special paper etc.) can keep very good.

If send image information here from personal computer etc., then above-mentioned driven roller 12 revolutions of this printer driver make intermediate transfer belt 8 annular movement.About the roller that sets up beyond the driven roller 12, along with being with driven revolution.Simultaneously, drive processing

unit

6Y, 6M, 6C, 6K revolution.Again, by charging

device

2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K make

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, and 1C, the 1K uniform surface is charged, by to the photoreceptor 1Y after the charging, 1M, 1C, the surface irradiation laser L of 1K forms electrostatic latent image.Then, by developing

apparatus

5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K be to being formed on

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, and 1C, the electrostatic latent image on 1K surface develops, at

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, 1C obtains Y on the 1K, M, C, K toner picture.Y, M, C, K toner picture be at above-mentioned Y, M, and C, K primary transfer clamping part, superimposed on intermediate transfer belt 8 surfaces, carry out primary transfer.Thus, form four looks superimposed toner picture on intermediate transfer belt 8 surfaces.

On the other hand, at sheet feed section, send recording chart P by paper feed roller 27 from more than of paper feeding cassettes, it is right to be transported to registration roller.Then, can make with intermediate transfer belt 8 on the four looks superimposed synchronous time of toner picture, it is right to drive registration roller, and recording chart P is sent into the secondary transfer printing clamping part, with the superimposed toner picture of four looks on the intermediate transfer belt 8 quickly secondary transfer printing on recording chart P.Thus, form coloured image on recording chart P surface.Recording chart P about behind the formation coloured image is transported to fixing device from the secondary transfer printing clamping part, imposes toner and handles as photographic fixing.

For with Y, M, C, K toner be as the photoreceptor 1Y of primary transfer after

intermediate transfer belt

8,1M, and 1C, 1K, by

drum cleaning device

4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K impose the cleaning of transfer printing remaining toner.After this, with there not being the illustrated electric light that disappears to disappear behind the electricity, at charging

device

2Y, 2M, 2C, 2K make its homogeneous charged, form image fully next time.

At this, the existing problem of scraper plate cleaning mode in the past is described.As mentioned above, in recent years, require high image qualityization very strong, have toner small particle diameter tendency.Again, according to reducing the toner manufacturing cost and improving the transferring rate requirement, crushed toner not adopts the tendency of spheroidization toner by polymerization etc.Follow the toner that uses small particle diameterization and spheroidization,, mainly use the scraper plate cleaning mode as removing the means that remain in the toner on the picture mounting body, in this scraper plate cleaning mode, if scraper plate and to connect airtight precision as the mounting surface low, then toner easily pushes through, and causes spatter property low.In order to prevent above-mentioned phenomenon, if, scraper plate then takes place curl, become and cause so-called striated or the banded bad reason of cleaning with the strong pressure pushing scraper plate that joins, be difficult to the clean-up performance that keeps stable.Even spherical toner if make line pressure extreme high (specifically, for example more than the line pressure 100gf/cm), though can clean, causes cleaning balde abrasion or band damage etc. thus, cause the life-span extremely short again.Usually line pressure 20gf/cm, the cleaning balde life-span, (because of the life-span of cleaning when bad takes place in abrasion) about 120K opened.During line pressure 100gf/cm, about the cleaning balde life-span, about 20K opened.Again, the relative good spherical toner of transfer printing, the scraper plate spatter property is poorer than the spatter property of relative crush type (abnormal shape) toner, and this is that people are known.

So, in this printer, adopt the band cleaning device 10 of the static cleaning mode of the energy cleaning spherical toner better than scraper plate cleaning mode.

Fig. 4 amplifies the band cleaning device 100 of this printer of expression and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.In the figure, band cleaning device 100 is provided with the cleaning brush roll 102 as cleaning member, is used for removing the transfer printing remaining toner from middle transfer belt 8.Again, also be provided with the toner that is used to reclaim attached to cleaning brush roll 102, as the recovery roller 103 of recovery part, and reclaim roller 103 and join to scraping from the roller surface and get toner, get scraping of parts and get plate 104 as scraping, toner transports spiral 105 etc.Toner transports spiral 105 and will scrape the toner of getting and transport towards device case one end from reclaiming roller 103 surfaces, is discharged to outside the device case.The toner of discharging drops to not having in the illustrated used toner jar that printer body is provided with.

Cleaning brush roll 102 has the metal revolving shaft parts that are supported with freely rotating, and by the brush roll portion that erects many bristles (conducting fibre) formation that is arranged on its side face.

Scrape and get plate 104 and have concurrently as scraping and get scraping of toner and get functions of components from reclaiming roller 103, and as the function that electric charge is invested the electric charge supply mean that reclaims roller 103 surfaces.Again, cleaning brush roll 102 has the metal revolving shaft parts that are supported with freely rotating, and by the brush roll portion that erects many bristles (conducting fibre) formation that is arranged on its side face.Apply cleaning bias voltage with the toner antipolarity by brush with power supply 110.Again, never illustrated recovery power supply applies with the toner antipolarity and than the big recovery bias voltage of cleaning bias voltage reclaiming roller 103.

Along direction of belt travel, the upstream side of the cleaning clamping part that joins at the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8 and cleaning brush roll 102 joins with belt surface as the Polarity Control plate 101 of control by the Polarity Control parts of the charged polarity of the transfer printing remaining toner behind the secondary transfer printing clamping part.This Polarity Control plate 101 is applied Polarity Control bias voltage with the normal band electric polarity identical polar of toner.

On the surface of intermediate transfer belt 8, in order to protect Polarity Control plate 101 belt surface of swiping often, also can application of lubricating.This occasion makes the solid shape lubricant such as stearic acid spelter and the brush roll portion of cleaning brush roll 102 join, and scrapes from solid shape lubricant by revolution and obtains lubricant powder, and this lubricant powder is coated on intermediate transfer belt 8 surfaces.Again, can be provided with homogeneous plate (not diagram), be used for the feasible lubricant powder homogeneous that is coated on intermediate transfer belt 8 surfaces.

In the band cleaning device 100 of this printer, remove toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 by following four operations.

1. the toner polarity on Polarity Control plate 101 makes intermediate transfer belt 8 is consistent is normal band electric polarity (in this example, being negative polarity).

2. cleaning brush roll 102 is applied cleaning bias voltage with toner antipolarity (in this example, being positive polarity), make that the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred on the cleaning brush roll 102 statically.

3. apply and clean bias voltage identical polar and the big recovery bias voltage of absolute value to reclaiming roller 103, make that the toner on the cleaning brush roll 102 is transferred on the recovery roller 103.

4. get plate 104 and scrape the toner that reclaims on the roller 103 with scraping.

Below, describe above-mentioned operation in detail.

At first, the carried charge attached to the transfer printing remaining toner by the intermediate transfer belt 8 behind the secondary transfer printing clamping part is described, and by with the contact position of Polarity Control plate 101 after the carried charge of toner of (following brief note be " behind the Polarity Control plate).On photosensitive surface, nearly all toner particle is all with the negative polarity as regular polarity.In contrast, in being attached to intermediate transfer belt 8 lip-deep transfer printing remaining toners, band exists with the contrary charged toner particle volume of regular polarity antipolarity.This is because in primary transfer clamping part and secondary transfer printing clamping part, relative transfer printing remaining toner particle injection antipolarity electric charge etc. causes.

For the ease of understanding, (4C 4K) is example for the 4Y of Fig. 1,4M, replaces band cleaning device 100, describes to rouse cleaning device.Fig. 5 (a), (b), (c) be the carried charge of the transfer printing remaining toner of expression by remaining in photosensitive surface behind the primary transfer clamping part distribute and by and the contact position of Polarity Control plate after the carried charge of transfer printing remaining toner distribute between the 1st example of relation, the 2nd example, the figure line of the 3rd example.Different at this said Polarity Control plate with the Polarity Control plate 101 of band control device 100 shown in Figure 4.Be provided in bulging cleaning device 4Y of all kinds respectively, 4M, 4C, in the 4K (with reference to Fig. 1), with join by the photosensitive surface behind the primary transfer clamping part, identical with the Polarity Control plate 101 of Fig. 4, it is applied Polarity Control bias voltage with the normal band electric polarity identical polar of toner.Again, distribution is measured with the following method about the toner carried charge.Promptly, by thin river precision (Hosokawa Micron) corporate system particle carried charge measure of spread device E-SPART ANALYZER (EST-3) (trade name) toner is measured its quantity of electric charge Q and toner particle diameter d one by one, according to the data of being measured, when transfer printing remaining toner hundreds of was sampled on the photoreceptor 1 during to the imaging of this printer, Q/d (unit is fc/ μ m) distributed to be made as carried charge and to distribute.

The 1st example shown in Fig. 5 (a) ties up under each half state of positive polarity toner and negative polarity toner, the distribution of the broadness that mixes (below be called " transfer printing remaining toner A ").The 2nd example shown in Fig. 5 (b) ties up under the state that the positive polarity toner Duos than the negative polarity toner, the distribution of the broadness that mixes (below be called " transfer printing remaining toner B ").Not transfer printing toner when the 3rd example is processing controls shown in Fig. 5 (c) etc. nearly all is the negative polarity toner, becomes precipitous shape and distributes.

If by the transfer printing remaining toner A that remains in photosensitive surface behind the primary transfer clamping part, transfer printing remaining toner B follows the photoreceptor revolution to arrive the Polarity Control Board position, and then nearly all transfer printing remaining toner is all scraped by Polarity Control plate machinery.But, because of taking place, what is called creeps, and a part of transfer printing remaining toner pushes through the Polarity Control plate.At this moment, the regular charged polarity (negative polarity) of transfer printing remaining toner band.As Fig. 5 (a), (b) shown in, because of the toner carried charge before the connecting position by the Polarity Control plate distribute different, by after carried charge distribute also differently, still, behind plate, no matter which kind of situation, nearly all toner particle all is with negative polarity.Transfer printing toner not shown in Fig. 5 (c) does not almost change, perhaps slightly partially by negative polarity.

The Polarity Control plate that is provided in processing unit of all kinds is formed by the elastic body that for example polyurethane etc. constitutes, and sneaks into carbon black or ionic species conductive agent in starting material, performance electric conductivity.Its resistance preferred 2 * 10 ⁶Ω cm～5 * 10 ⁷Ω cm.Again, thickness can be made as in 1～3mm scope.If thickness is thin excessively, then be difficult to guarantee pushing amount to photoreceptor because of the fluctuation of photosensitive surface and Polarity Control plate itself etc.Hardness is measured with the JIS-A sclerometer, as long as in 40～85 scopes.For the Polarity Control plate, do not require that the transfer printing remaining toner is whole on the removing photoreceptor, it is also no problem what allow toner to push through.

Each condition of Polarity Control plate (processing unit in) that the inventor tests use is as follows:

Resistance: 1 * 10 ⁶Ω cm or 1 * 10 ⁸Ω cm

Thickness: 2.4mm or 2.8mm

Drift: 7mm or 9mm

Hardness: JIS-A hardness 60～80

Plate recovers elasticity coefficient: 45%

The resistance that possesses the Polarity Control plate of above-mentioned each condition changes because of environment.As a reference, for four kinds of Polarity Control plates of No1～No4, the condition example will be set be illustrated in the following table 1.The environment of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 display plate and the relation of resistance.

Table 1

Plate No.	1	2	3	4
					Resistance	About 10 ⁸	About 10 ⁸	About 10 ⁶	About 10 ⁶
Thickness of slab [mm]	2.8	2.4	2.8	2.4
					The amount of nipping [mm]	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Plate drift [mm]	9	7	7	9
					Plate recovers elasticity coefficient	45	45	45	45

When sandwiching toner between such Polarity Control plate and the photoreceptor, because of being applied to the Polarity Control bias voltage of Polarity Control plate, electric current flows into toner.And, the toner band with apply the electricity of voltage identical polar, by with the connecting position of Polarity Control plate.Again, even discharge takes place the minim gap between the photoreceptor～plate of the inlet of the linking part that photoreceptor and Polarity Control plate form and outlet or electric charge injects, the toner band with apply the voltage identical polar.Its result makes toner become as Fig. 5 (a), and the carried charge of the negative polarity of such " behind plate " distributes shown in (b).Fig. 8 be expression by with the connecting position of Polarity Control plate before and after the figure line that changes of the charge amount distribution of transfer printing remaining toner.

At

drum cleaning device

4Y, 4M, 4C, among the 4K, by the toner behind the plate by limit and photoreceptor mutually the rotating cleaning brush roll of edge fit remove from bulging surface.

Fig. 9 is that expression resistance is 1 * 10 ⁵Ω cm, 1 * 10 ⁷Ω cm, 1 * 10 ⁹The figure line of the bulging spatter property of the cleaning brush roll of Ω cm.Resistance is 1 * 10 ⁵During Ω cm, it is big to apply voltage, and the power supply cost rises.On the other hand, resistance is 1 * 10 ⁵During Ω cm, electric current easily flows to photoreceptor 1, with than 1 * 10 ⁷Low voltage during Ω cm, toner band positive polarity electricity is attached on the photoreceptor 1 again.Therefore, the surplus of spatter property is little.Therefore, 1 * 10 ⁷The condition of Ω cm is optimum.But brush resistance is calculated by the following method: make the nip SUS roller 1mm of diameter 10mm of cleaning brush roll join, make both sides turn round with 200mm/sec, the brush core is applied voltage, measure electric current and calculate and get.Fiber generally can use insulating material such as nylon, polyester, propylene, no matter what material result is identical.Again, the representational fiber of core retainer plate structure is disclosed in Japanese kokai publication hei 10-310974 communique, Japanese kokai publication hei 10-131035 communique, Japanese kokai publication hei 01-292116 communique, the special fair 07-033637 communique of Japan, the special fair 07-033606 communique of Japan, the special fair 03-064604 communique of Japan.

To rouse

cleaning device

4Y, 4M, 4C, 4K are that example describes, and still, even in band cleaning device 100 shown in Figure 2, also produce and drum

cleaning device

4Y, 4M, 4C, the phenomenon that 4K is identical.That is, in band cleaning device 100, Polarity Control plate 101 can be scraped from belt surface and get the transfer printing remaining toner, the feasible consistent normal band electric polarity that becomes of polarity by the transfer printing remaining toner behind the plate.Also can make that the polarity of transfer printing remaining toner is consistent and become regular polarity by corona charging device.This occasion can be supplied with the electric current about-800 μ A to corona charging device.

Below, illustrate that this printer characteristic constitutes.

Figure 10 is the cleaning subtend roller 14 of this printer of expression and the amplification pie graph of intermediate transfer belt 8.In the figure, cleaning subtend roller 14 is made of the aluminum roller of diameter 22mm, follows the annular movement of intermediate transfer belt 8, by the driven clockwise revolution of diagram.This cleaning subtend roller is among 14 full weeks, and from illustrating some B to the arcuation zone of putting C, intermediate transfer belt 8 is reeled relatively.The length along direction of belt travel in this tape wrapping zone, the width of promptly reeling is used symbol W in the drawings ₁Expression.In the figure, use symbol L ₂The dot-and-dash line of indication is represented the coiling center line along direction of belt travel length in tape wrapping zone (arc BC).Use symbol L ₃The extended line with the prolongation of the direction of belt travel before the inlet point B is represented in the double dot dash line of indication.

Figure 11 is the cleaning subtend roller 14 of this printer of expression, the amplification pie graph of intermediate transfer belt 8 and cleaning brush roll 102.In the figure, the clamping width W (is used in the zone from clamping entrance F to clamping exit point G in cleaning brush roll 102 relative intermediate transfer belts 8 surfaces ₂The zone of expression) joins, form the cleaning clamping part.And, in the cleaning clamping part,, make self surface towards moving with intermediate transfer belt 8 contrary directions towards contrary direction (diagram is clockwise) revolution.

In the figure, use symbol L ₁What the dot-and-dash line of indication represented to clean clamping part is positioned at the clamping part center line at center along direction of belt travel.In this printer, as shown in the figure,, make the clamping part centre line L along direction of belt travel ₁Be positioned at the coiling centre line L ₂Upstream side, and the end along the direction of belt travel upstream side of cleaning clamping part that will be from clamping entrance F to clamping exit point G is made as the upstream side band extension region that brush and band extension region are joined.In the above-described configuration, with make the clamping part centre line L ₁With the coiling centre line L ₂Be positioned at the device in the past that exists together mutually and compare, make and use symbol W ₃The upstream side band of expression stretches clamping zone (zone from clamping entrance F to coiling entrance B) and increases.Thus, easily cause the contrary charged of toner, at the upstream side of the central portion in tape wrapping zone, make can be well with on toner transfer to cleaning brush roll 102 the zone than increase in the past, can be than cleaned intermediate transfer belt 8 well in the past.

Figure 12 is the intermediate transfer belt 8 of this printer of expression and the amplification pie graph of cleaning brush roll 102.In the figure, the revolving shaft parts 102 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 immediate positions of cleaning brush roll 102 are the clamping part centre line L ₁The position.Therefore, in this clamping part centre line L ₁Clamp pressure is the highest, and it is also the strongest to scrape the power of getting toner from band, on reason, with on the easiest the transferring to of toner brush.In this printer, make and above-mentionedly say the easiest clamping part centre line L that brushes of transferring to of toner from reason ₁, as shown in figure 11, be positioned at tape wrapping zone (arc BC) along the direction of belt travel upstream side.That is, make the clamping part centre line L ₁Be positioned at and do not clean the upstream side band stretching, extension clamping location that subtend roller 14 is reeled relatively.Stretch in the clamping zone at the upstream side band, the cleaning magnitude of current reduces significantly than wrapping range.Stretch the clamping location at this upstream side band, be located at the physically the easiest clamping part centre line L that makes toner transfer to brush ₁, can make with on nearly all transfer printing remaining toner transferring in the brush of cleaning brush roll 102 before charged contrary because of the cleaning electric current.

As shown in figure 11, in the direction of belt travel downstream of cleaning clamping part, make clamping exit point G be positioned at the upstream side of the exit point C in tape wrapping zone (arc BC) from clamping entrance F to clamping exit point G.Its reason is described as follows.That is, as this printer, making cleaning brush roll 102 relative intermediate transfer belts 8 in the contrary rotating formation of direction, cleaning brush roll 102 follows revolution to make the brush front end begin to contact the position of intermediate transfer belt 8, becomes clamping exit point G.At this clamping exit point G,, be with relatively and invest big stress when many bristles that constitute brush and band bump when connecing.At such clamping exit point G, if intermediate transfer belt 8 is not wound on cleaning subtend roller 14, the band extension region that can freely fluctuate is positioned at herein, and then because of above-mentioned big stress, big fluctuation takes place band.So, in this printer, make clamping exit point G be positioned at the tape wrapping zone of the upstream side of tape wrapping regional export point C.Can not freely fluctuate in the tape wrapping zone, can avoid causing the band fluctuation because of making brush and band extension region bump at clamping exit point G and connecing.

Figure 13 represents to make the clamping part centre line L ₁With the coiling centre line L ₂Be positioned at the figure line of toner spatter property difference of the intermediate transfer belt 8 of the example in the past that exists together mutually and the printer that relates to of example.More in the past example and this printer as can be known, in this printer (example), the cleaning bias voltage can be brought into play the desired value scope of good spatter property, compares with example in the past, broadens significantly.

Concrete structure condition one example of the band cleaning device 100 of this printer is as follows down at common environment (beyond the hot and humid environment):

[cleaning brush roll 102 conditions]

Brush material: electric conductivity polyester (wrap in fibrous inside in the conductive carbon, fiber surface is a polyester, so-called core retainer plate structure)

Brush resistance: 1 * 10 ⁵Ω (apply under the condition of voltage 1000V, the axis direction universe is measured)

The brush axle applies voltage (cleaning bias voltage) :+800V

Brush is planted gross density: 100,000/(inch) ², about 25～35 μ m of fibre diameter, the brush front end is carried out hair and is handled.

Brush diameter: 16mm

Brush is to the amount of nipping of intermediate transfer belt 8: 1mm

Gyratory directions: band is against direction relatively

Brush fiber has electric conductivity as fabric integer, and fiber surface covers with insulation course.Fiber surface has insulation course, and electric current was difficult to flow through when cleaning brush roll 102 contacted with intermediate transfer belt 8, and over proof electric current was difficult to flow through when brush fiber attracted toner from static electrification.Therefore, can not give the electric charge of toner antipolarity, reduce the toner that temporarily is in the brush and be attached to again on the intermediate transfer belt 8.But even use this brush, the voltage that flows through as if the electric current that will destroy the fiber surface insulation is applied on the revolving shaft, the result, and toner is got back on the intermediate transfer belt 8, should be noted that the setting of magnitude of voltage.

After cleaning brush roll 102 formed the brush roll shapes, if impose to fall the oblique hair of hair towards a direction and handle, then the conductive agent that exposes of fibre section was difficult to contact intermediate transfer belt 8.Thus, reduce electric charge injection, improve the surplus of spatter property to toner.Fiber generally can use insulating material such as nylon, polyester, propylene, no matter what material result is identical.Again, the representational fiber of core retainer plate structure is disclosed in Japanese kokai publication hei 10-310974 communique, Japanese kokai publication hei 10-131035 communique, Japanese kokai publication hei 01-292116 communique, the special fair 07-033637 communique of Japan, the special fair 07-033606 communique of Japan, the special fair 03-064604 communique of Japan.

[reclaiming the condition of roller 103]

Reclaim the metal-cored material of roller: SUS (stainless steel)

Reclaim the roller Facing material: form propylene class UV hard resin-layer (thickness 3-5 μ m) on the top layer of PVDF (thickness 100 μ m)

Roller diameter: 14mm

Brush fiber is to the amount of nipping that reclaims roller: 1.5mm

Reclaim metal-cored voltage (the recovery bias voltage) :+1400V that applies of roller

Gyratory directions: clean brush roll 102 contrary directions relatively

Reclaim roller 103 and tie up on the metal-cored surface that constitutes by stainless steel, form PVDF, form propylene class UV hard resin-layer (high impedance roller) on its surface again with 100 μ m thickness.Reclaim the resistance (LL) under the low temperature and low humidity environment of roller 103, under the wet environment (MM), (HH) difference as shown in figure 14 under the hot and humid environment in the middle temperature.The recovery roller 103 that not only uses in this example coats high impedance elastic tube about a few μ m-100 μ m at the conductive metal core, or forms insulating coating again and also can obtain identical performance.As reclaiming roller 103 surfacings, can enumerate for example PVDF pipe, PFA pipe, PI pipe, acrylic coating, silicon coating (PC (polycarbonate) coating that for example contains the silicon particle), pottery, fluorine coating etc.

[scraping the condition of getting plate 104]

Material: SUS

Thickness: 100 μ m

The plate angle of joining: 20 °

Plate is to the amount of nipping that reclaims roller 103: 0.6mm

To scrape get plate apply voltage (scrape and get bias voltage) :+2000V

Reclaiming roller 103, to the metal-cored recovery bias voltage that applies, if measure its surface potential, with the roughly the same current potential of recovery bias voltage, still, in the cleaning action, if input volume toner then along with the toner input, reclaims the surface potential reduction of roller 103.So the potential difference (PD) that reclaims roller 103 and cleaning brush roll 102 (reclaims potential difference (PD) and can not guarantee essential value, reclaim the ability drop of toner from cleaning brush roll 102.For this reason, for example, if print one of A4 size, the recovery potential difference (PD) of necessary size can be guaranteed, still, prints action continuously, and to the many occasions of brush input toning dosage, causes sometimes and reclaim the state of affairs that potential difference (PD) can not be guaranteed.So, become toner and be trapped in the state that cleans in the brush roll 102, exist from the problem of brush to band discharge toner.Therefore, electric conductivity scraped get plate 104 and apply and scrape power taking and press, electric charge is reclaimed roller 103 surfaces, increase and reclaim potential difference (PD), improve recyclability.

When what deterioration that do not have of Polarity Control plate 101, when toner not taking place so push through, get plate 104 and apply that to scrape the necessity that power taking presses little to scraping with Polarity Control plate 101 connecting position places.But, because of deteriorations take place in Polarity Control plate 101, with the many occasions of the Polarity Control plate 101 connecting position place toner amounts of pushing through, manying occasion than the amount of pushing through under the hot and humid environment under the low temperature and low humidity environment, apply and scrape that to get bias voltage effective especially.

Figure 15 is the band cleaning device 100 of the 1st variation of the printer that relates to of expression example and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.In the 1st variation, band cleaning device 100 has the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 of cleaning intermediate transfer belt 8 in the direction of belt travel downstream of cleaning brush roll 102, and this point is different with above-mentioned example.Intermediate transfer belt 8 is wound on the 2nd cleaning subtend roller 17 with its ring inboard, the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 set for and above-mentioned the 2nd cleaning subtend roller 17 between sandwich intermediate transfer belt 8.In more detail, identical with cleaning brush roll 102, the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 joins with intermediate transfer belt 8, along direction of belt travel, makes the center line of direction of belt travel of cleaning clamping part be positioned at the upstream side along the center line of direction of belt travel in the tape wrapping zone relative with the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106.Thus, even the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 also can clean the transfer printing remaining toner well than install in the past.

Polarity Control plate 101, cleaning brush roll 102 reclaims roller 103, and it is identical with example to scrape the condition separately of getting plate 104.

Even the printer of example, can not make does not have toner fully by the belt surface behind the cleaning brush roll 102 yet.In any case, all can residual few toner.This toner almost all is the contrary charged toner of band and regular polarity antipolarity.Should produce reason frenulum cleaning device 100 by contrary charged toner, not equal to be toner particle itself mostly.Toner particle itself is undesired, becomes easy band antipolarity electrical property.

In the 1st variation, be purpose to clean this contrary charged toner, the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 is set.Be applied to the 2nd cleaning bias voltage system of the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 and the normal band electric polarity identical polar (being negative polarity in this example) of toner.

Transfer to the contrary charged toner of the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 from middle transfer belt 8, transfer on one side and the join surface of rotating on one side the 2nd recovery roller 107 of the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106.Reclaim roller to the 2nd and apply normal band electric polarity identical polar and the absolute value 2nd recovery bias voltage bigger with toner than the 2nd cleaning bias voltage.

Being recovered to the 2nd reclaims roller 107 lip-deep contrary charged toners and the 2nd is scraped and get plate 108 and scrape from the roller surface by what reclaim with the 2nd that roller 107 joins.Scrape to the 2nd that to get that plate 108 applies with the normal band electric polarity identical polar of toner and absolute value be the 2nd to reclaim the 2nd more than the bias voltage and scrape and get bias voltage.

The 2nd cleans brush roll 106 actual conditionses such as grade one for example down:

[the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 conditions]

Brush resistance: 1 * 10 ⁷Ω (apply under the condition of voltage 1000V, the axis direction universe is measured)

The brush axle applies voltage (the 2nd cleaning bias voltage) :-800V

Brush diameter: 16mm

Brush is to the amount of nipping of intermediate transfer belt 8: 1mm

Gyratory directions: band is against direction relatively

[the 2nd reclaims the condition of roller 107]

Reclaim the metal-cored material of roller: SUS (stainless steel)

Roller diameter: 14mm

Brush fiber is to the amount of nipping of the 2nd recovery roller: 1.5mm

Reclaim metal-cored voltage (the 2nd the reclaims bias voltage) :-1200V that applies of roller

Gyratory directions: relative the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 contrary directions

[the 2nd scrapes the condition of getting plate 108]

Material: SUS

Thickness: 100 μ m

The plate angle of joining: 20 °

Plate is to the amount of nipping of the 2nd recovery roller 107: 0.6mm

To the 2nd scrape get plate apply voltage (the 2nd scrape get bias voltage) :-1200V

Figure 16 is the band cleaning device 100 of the 2nd variation of the printer that relates to of expression example and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.In the 2nd variation, band cleaning device 100 has the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 and does not have a Polarity Control plate different with above-mentioned example.

Because not being arranged so that consistent by the polarity that cleans the preceding transfer printing remaining toner of brush roll 102 cleanings is the electropolar Polarity Control plate of normal band, therefore, by the belt surface behind the cleaning clamping part of cleaning brush roll 102, residual volume toner.Above-mentioned remaining toner almost all is contrary charged toner particle.This remaining toner is removed from middle transfer belt 8 surfaces by the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106.The 2nd cleaning bias voltage that is applied to the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 for the bias voltage of the normal band electric polarity identical polar of toner.

The various component condition of the 2nd variation are as follows:

[cleaning brush roll 102 conditions]

The brush axle applies voltage (cleaning bias voltage) :+1000V

Brush diameter: 16mm

Brush is to the amount of nipping of intermediate transfer belt 8: 1mm

Gyratory directions: band is against direction relatively

[reclaiming the condition of roller 103]

Reclaim the metal-cored material of roller: SUS (stainless steel)

Roller diameter: 14mm

Brush fiber is to the amount of nipping that reclaims roller: 1.5mm

Reclaim metal-cored voltage (the recovery bias voltage) :+1600V that applies of roller

Gyratory directions: clean brush roll 102 contrary directions relatively

[scraping the condition of getting plate 104]

Material: SUS

Thickness: 100 μ m

The plate angle of joining: 20 °

Plate is to the amount of nipping of the 2nd recovery roller 107: 0.6mm

To the 2nd scrape get plate apply voltage (the 2nd scrape get bias voltage) :+1600V

[the 2nd cleaning brush roll 106 conditions]

The brush axle applies voltage (the 2nd cleaning bias voltage) :-800V

Brush diameter: 16mm

Brush is to the amount of nipping of intermediate transfer belt 8: 1mm

Gyratory directions: band is against direction relatively

[the 2nd reclaims the condition of roller 107]

Reclaim the metal-cored material of roller: SUS (stainless steel)

Roller diameter: 14mm

Brush fiber is to the amount of nipping of the 2nd recovery roller: 1.5mm

[the 2nd scrapes the condition of getting plate 108]

Material: SUS

Thickness: 100 μ m

The plate angle of joining: 20 °

Plate is to the amount of nipping of the 2nd recovery roller 107: 0.6mm

Figure 17 is the probability pie graph of major part of the 3rd variation of the printer that relates to of expression example.In the 3rd variation, the formation of transfer printing unit 50 is different with example.Specifically, not intermediate transfer belt as the transfer printing unit 50 of belting, but make transfer printing moving belt 51 ring-types move.Ring inboard at this transfer printing moving belt 51 sets Y, M, and the transfer roll 59Y that C, K use, 59M, 59C, 59K, itself and the photoreceptor 1Y that encircles the outside, 1M, 1C between the 1K, sandwiches transfer printing moving belt 51, forms Y, M, C, K transfer nip.

The registration roller that is provided in the diagram left side side of transfer printing unit 50 is sent fix time recording chart P being set up face towards the top of transfer printing moving belt 51.The recording chart P that sends is adsorbed on belt surface on one side, Yi Bian follow moving of band, order is by above-mentioned Y, M, the transfer nip that C, K use.At this moment,

photoreceptor

1Y, 1M, 1C, the Y on the 1K, M, C, the superimposed transfer printing of K toner picture order is on recording chart P surface.

The recording chart P of K by downstream after with the primary transfer clamping part, from transfer printing moving belt 51 surface isolation, being sent to does not have illustrated fixing device.Toner attached to the belt surface behind the separation recording chart P is removed by band cleaning device 100.These band cleaning device 100 unclean intermediate transfer belts, and cleaning transfer printing moving belt 51, other constitute identical with the band cleaning device of example.

The following describes the embodiment that supplementary features constitute in the printer that example relates to.Unless otherwise specified, the printer that relates to of embodiment constitutes identical with example.

Figure 18 is the cleaning clamping part of the printer that relates to of expression embodiment and amplification pie graph on every side thereof.In the transfer printing unit of the printer that embodiment relates to,,, be provided with the cleaning upstream that coiling intermediate transfer belt 8 sets up and set up roller 19 in the relative upstream side adjacent position of cleaning subtend roller 14 along direction of belt travel.This cleaning upstream is set up roller 19 and is made of the Aluminum Hollow roller of diameter 14mm, with the band extension region between self and the cleaning subtend roller 14 towards 102 pushings of cleaning brush roll.By this pushing, prevent to clean the clamping part inner region and with W ₃The zone of expression is that the fluctuation of upstream side band stretching, extension clamping zone (zone from clamping entrance F to coiling entrance B) causes towards the contact of cleaning subtend roller 14.Thus, can avoid taking place because of above-mentioned contact be that cause, volume electric current flow through the upstream side band to stretch the cleaning that clamping zone causes bad.

Set up roller 19 as the cleaning upstream, use at least to constitute roller portion surface with insulator.The insulativity superficial layer of insulativity nylon tube (resistance=1E14 Ω cm) formation of thickness 100 μ m specifically, is set in this roller portion.As the roller matrix that exists under the insulativity superficial layer of roller portion, use by ABS, PP, materials such as POM constitute.Like this, the insulativity superficial layer is set, can avoids leaking by the electric current that band sets up roller 19 to the cleaning upstream from cleaning brush roll 102 by the roller portion that sets up roller 19 in the cleaning upstream.

The roller portion that roller 19 is set up in the cleaning upstream is among full week, for the wrapping range of diagram from coiling starting point I to coiling end point J, coiling intermediate transfer belt 8.In order to prevent that more reliably the upstream side band from stretching the fluctuation of clamping zone (zone from clamping entrance F to coiling entrance B), also can so that should coiling end point J be positioned at cleaning clamping part entrance F along the direction of belt travel downstream.Do not leak from the electric current that the cleaning clamping part sets up roller 19 to the cleaning upstream even so can not take place yet.

Below, illustrate to be used for each variation respectively suitably, the toner of the printer that embodiment relates to.In above-mentioned printer, in order to reproduce the tiny dots more than the 600dpi, the preferred 3-6 μ of the volume average particle size of toner m.In addition, the preferred 1.00-1.40 scope of the ratio (Dv/Dn) of volume average particle size Dv and number average particle diameter Dn.(Dv/Dn) more near 1.00, the expression size distribution is narrow.In the narrow toner of this small particle diameter, size distribution, toner carried charge distribution homogeneous can obtain blurred background high quality graphic seldom, in the static printing mode, can improve transferring rate.

The shape coefficient SF-1 of toner preferably is in the 100-180 scope, and shape coefficient SF-2 preferably is in the 100-180 scope.Figure 19 is the maximum diameter MXLNG of projection image of explanation toner particle relative two dimensional surface and the mode chart of plane area A.Shape coefficient SF-1 represents the ratio of the circularity of toner shape, represents with following formula:

SF-1＝{(MXLNG) ²/A}×(100π/4)

In the formula, " MXLNG " represents toner particle is projected in the maximum diameter of gained projection image on the two dimensional surface, and " A " represents above-mentioned projection gained shape area of graph.When " SF-1 " value is 100 occasions, the toner shape becomes proper sphere shape, and " SF-1 " value is big more, and is far away more from sphere.

Figure 20 is the girth P of projection image of explanation toner particle relative two dimensional surface and the mode chart of plane area A.Shape coefficient SF-2 represents the concavo-convex ratio of toner particle shape, represents with following formula:

SF-2＝{P ²/A}×100/(4π)

In the formula, " P " represents toner particle is projected in the peripheral length of gained figure on the two dimensional surface, and " A " represents above-mentioned projection gained shape area of graph.When " SF-2 " value is 100 occasions, toner surface does not exist concavo-convex, and " SF-1 " value is big more, and toner surface is concavo-convex remarkable more.

The mensuration of shape coefficient specifically is to extract 100 toner particles from toner at random out, with scanning electron microscope (S-800, Hitachi's system) takes its photo, its photogra is imported image analysis apparatus (LUSEX3, the Nireco corporate system) resolve the shape coefficient of each toner particle after, with above-mentioned mean value as the net shape coefficient.If toner shape subglobular, toner and toner, or toner and the contact condition of photoreceptor become and contact, and the absorption affinity between the toner dies down, and is therefore mobile high, and owing to absorption affinity between toner and the photoreceptor also dies down, transferring rate uprises.If certain surpasses 180 among shape coefficient SF-1 and the SF-2, because of transferring rate low, improper.

In addition, toner system will comprise at least that polyester prepolyer, vibrin, colorant and release agent are dispersed in the organic solvent, preparation toner materials liquid, above-mentioned polyester prepolyer comprises the functional group of containing nitrogen-atoms, in water-medium, make above-mentioned toner materials liquid that crosslinked and/or lengthening reaction takes place, make toner.

Below, toner composition material and manufacture method are described.

(vibrin)

Vibrin can obtain by the polycondensation reaction of polyol compound and polybasic carboxylic acid compound.

As polyol compound (PO), can enumerate the above polyvalent alcohol (TO) of dibasic alcohol (DIO) and trivalent.Be preferably, dibasic alcohol (DIO) separately or the potpourri of itself and a spot of (TO).As dibasic alcohol (DIO), can enumerate as aklylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1, ammediol, 1,4-butylene glycol, 1,6-hexanediol etc.); Inferior hydrocarbyl ether glycol (diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyglycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol etc.); Alicyclic ring class glycol (1,4 cyclohexane dimethanol, hydrogenation bisphenol-A etc.); Bisphenols (bisphenol-A, Bisphenol F, bisphenol S etc.); The epoxide of described alicyclic ring class glycol (oxirane, epoxypropane, epoxy butane etc.) addition polymer; The epoxide of above-mentioned bisphenols (oxirane, epoxypropane, epoxy butane etc.) addition polymer etc.Wherein, be preferably the aklylene glycol of carbon number 2-12 and the epoxide addition polymer of bisphenols.Good especially is the epoxide addition polymer of bisphenols, and and the aklylene glycol of carbon number 2-12 and use.The above polyvalent alcohol (TO) of trivalent can be enumerated 3-8 valency or its above multivalence aliphatic alcohol (and triol, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythrite, D-sorbite etc.); The phenol (triphenol PA, linear phenol-aldehyde resin etc.) that trivalent is above; The olefin epoxide addition polymer of the Polyphenols that above-mentioned trivalent is above etc.

As polybasic carboxylic acid (PC), can enumerate the above polybasic carboxylic acid (TC) of dicarboxylic acid (DIC) and trivalent, be preferably, (DIC) independent, and (DIC) and the potpourri of a spot of (TC).As dicarboxylic acid (DIC), can enumerate alkene dicarboxylic acid (succinic acid, hexane diacid, decanedioic acid etc.); Chain docosene dicarboxylic acid (maleic acid, good fortune horse acid etc.); Aromatic dicarboxylic acid (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid (TPA), naphthalene dicarboxylic acids etc.).Wherein, being preferably chain docosene dicarboxylic acid and the carbon number that carbon number is 4-20 is the aromatic dicarboxylic acid of 8-20.As the polybasic carboxylic acid more than the trivalent (TC), can enumerate the aromatic series polybasic carboxylic acid (trimellitic acid, Pyromellitic Acid etc.) of carbon number 9-20.As polybasic carboxylic acid (PC), also can use acid anhydrides or the lower alkyl esters (methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl esters etc.) and polyvalent alcohol (PO) reaction of carboxylic acid again.

The ratio of polyvalent alcohol (PO) and polybasic carboxylic acid (PC), the equivalent proportion (OH)/(COOH) as hydroxyl (OH) and carboxyl (COOH) is generally 2/1～1/1, is preferably, 1.5/1～1/1, be more preferably 1.3/1～1.02/1.

The polycondensation reaction of polyvalent alcohol (PO) and polybasic carboxylic acid (PC) is in the presence of known esterification catalysts such as four titanium butoxide acid esters, dibutyl tin oxide, be heated to 150～280 ℃, decompression on one side as required, on one side the water that generates of elimination, obtain having the polyester of hydroxyl.The hydroxyl value of polyester is preferably more than 5, the acid number of polyester common 1～30, preferred 5～20.By making it have acid number, easily become negative charging, when the recording chart photographic fixing, the compatibility of recording chart and toner is good, improves low-temperature fixing.But,,,, have the tendency of deterioration especially to environmental change to charged stability if acid number surpasses 30.

Again, weight-average molecular weight 10,000～400,000, preferred 20,000～200,000.Weight-average molecular weight less than 10,000, heat-resisting adhesiveness worsens, and is improper.Again, if surpass 400,000, the low-temperature fixing deterioration is improper.

In polyester, the unmodified polyester except above-mentioned polycondensation reaction obtains preferably contains the urea modified poly ester.The urea modified poly ester makes the carboxyl of the polyester end that above-mentioned polycondensation reaction obtains and hydroxyl etc. react with polyisocyanate compounds (PIC), (PIC) reacts to obtain having isocyanate compound, obtain having the polyester prepolyer (A) of isocyanate group, by making the reaction of itself and amine, the crosslinked and/or elongation of strand.

As polyisocyanate (PIC), can enumerate aliphatic polymeric isocyanate (two isocyanic acid tetramethylene esters, two isocyanic acid hexa-methylene esters, 2,6-diisocyanate, methylhexanoic acid ester etc.); Alicyclic polymeric isocyanate (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexyl methyl diisocyanate etc.); Aromatic diisocyanate (toluene diisocyanate, methyl diphenylene diisocyanate etc.); Aromatic-aliphatic diisocyanate (α, α, α ', α '-tetramethylxylene diisocyanate etc.); The isocyanuric acid ester class; The block polyisocyanate that above-mentioned polyisocyanate forms with phenol derivatives, oxime, caprolactam block etc.These compounds can use separately, also can more than two kinds and use.

The ratio of polyisocyanate (PIC) as isocyanate group (NCO) with have the equivalent proportion (NCO)/(OH) of hydroxyl (OH) of the polyester of hydroxyl (OH), is generally 5/1～1/1, is preferably, and 4/1～1.2/1, be more preferably 2.5/1～1.5/1.Surpass 5 as (NCO)/(OH), then low-temperature fixing deterioration.Less than 1, use urea modified poly ester occasion as the mol ratio of (NCO), the urea content in this polyester is lower, and heat-resisting adhesion property worsens.

Content with polyisocyanate (PIC) constituent in the polyester prepolyer (A) of isocyanate group is preferably usually at 0.5-40 weight %, and 1-30 weight % is more preferably 2-20 weight %.Less than 0.5 weight %, then heat-resisting adhesion property worsens as its content, and simultaneously, heat-resisting keeping quality and low-temperature fixing are difficult to two and stand.When its content surpasses 40 weight %, then low-temperature fixing deterioration.

Have each molecule contained in the polyester prepolyer (A) of isocyanate group isocyanate group usually more than 1, be preferably, 1.5～3 of average out to are more preferably, 1.8～2.5 of average out to.As have each molecule contained in the prepolymer (A) of isocyanate group isocyanate group less than 1, and then the molecular weight of urea modified poly ester is lower, and heat-resisting adhesion property worsens.

As with the amine (B) of polyester prepolyer (A) reaction, can enumerate diamines (B1), the polyamine (B2) that trivalent is above, amino alcohol (B3), amineothiot (B4), amino acid (B5), and the block amine (B6) of the amino block (block) of B1～B5 formation etc.

As diamines (B1), can enumerate aromatic diamine (phenylenediamine, diethyl toluene diamine, 4,4 '-diaminodiphenylmethane etc.); Alicyclic diamine (4,4 '-diamido-3,3 '-dimethyl dihexyl methane etc., diamines basic ring hexane, isophorone diamine etc.); And aliphatic diamine (ethylenediamine, tetra-methylenedimine, ring methylene diamine etc.).As the polyamine more than the trivalent (B2), can enumerate Diethylenetriamine, triethyl tetramine etc.As amino alcohol (B3), can enumerate monoethanolamine, ethoxylaniline etc.As amino methanol (B4), can enumerate aminoothyl mercaptan, amino propanethiol etc.As amino acid (B5), can enumerate amino alanine, amino n-caproic acid etc.As block amine (B6), can enumerate ketoamine compound, oxazoline (oxazolidine) compound that amine and ketone (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methylisobutylketone) by above-mentioned B1-B5 obtain etc.In these amines (B), be preferably the potpourri that diamines (B1) and diamines (B1) and a small amount of polyamine (B2) mix.

The ratio of amine (B), as equivalent proportion (NCO)/(NHx) ratio of isocyanate group (NCO) in the polyester prepolyer with isocyanate group (A) and the amino (NHx) in the amine (B) usually 1/2～2/1; Be preferably 1.5/1～1/1.5, be more preferably, 1.2/1～1/1.2.Surpass 2 as (NCO)/(NHx) ratio, or less than 1/2, then the molecular weight of urea modified poly ester is low, heat-resisting adhesion property worsens.

In the urea modified poly ester, also can contain urethane bond with the urea key.The mol ratio of urea linkage content and urethane bond content is usually 100/0～10/90; Be preferably 80/20～20/80; Be more preferably 60/40～30/70.Less than 10%, then heat-resisting adhesion property worsens as the mol ratio of urea key.

The urea modified poly ester is by preparations such as single-step processs.Make polyvalent alcohol (PO) and polybasic carboxylic acid (PC) in the presence of known esterification catalysts such as four titanium butoxide acid esters, dibutyl tin oxide, be heated to 150～280 ℃, decompression on one side as required, on one side the water that generates of elimination, obtain having the polyester of hydroxyl.Then, under 40～140 ℃, make polyisocyanate (PIC) and its reaction, the polyester prepolyer (A) that obtains having isocyanate group.Make amine (B) and this polyester prepolyer (A) react down again, obtain the urea modified poly ester at 40～140 ℃.

When making (PIC) reaction, and make and (A) and (B) when reacting as required, also can use solvent.As spendable solvent, can enumerate aromatic solvent (toluene, dimethylbenzene etc.), ketone (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone etc.), ester class (ethyl acetate etc.), amide-type (dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide etc.), and ethers (tetrahydrofuran etc.) etc. is to the nonactive person of polyisocyanate (PIC).

Again, in the cross-linking reaction and/or lengthening reaction of polyester prepolyer (A) and amine (B), can use reaction to stop agent as required, be used to adjust the molecular weight of gained urea modified poly ester.Stop agent as reaction, can enumerate monoamine (diethylamide, dibutylamine, butylamine, lauryl amine etc.), and the block amine (ketimine compound) that above-mentioned monoamine block is prepared etc.

The weight-average molecular weight of urea modified poly ester is preferably 20,000～1,000 ten thousand usually more than 10,000, is more preferably 30,000～1,000,000.If be discontented with 10,000, heat-resisting adhesion property worsens.The number-average molecular weight of urea modified poly ester etc. is used above-mentioned unmodified polyester occasion, and there is no particular restriction, is advisable with the number-average molecular weight that obtains above-mentioned weight-average molecular weight easily.Using urea modified poly ester occasion separately, its number-average molecular weight is preferably 2000～10000 usually 2000～15000, is more preferably 2000～8000.If surpass 20000, then low-temperature fixing and the glossiness when being used for colour apparatus worsen.

By and with unmodified polyester and urea modified poly ester, improve low-temperature fixing and be used for coloured image the glossiness when forming device 100, therefore, good than independent use urea modified poly ester.In addition, unmodified polyester also can comprise by the chemical bond beyond the urea key and carries out modified resins.

At least a portion mixes in unmodified polyester and the urea modified poly ester, helps low-temperature fixing and heat-resisting adhesiveness.Therefore, be preferably, the composition of unmodified polyester and urea modified poly ester is similar.

Again, the weight ratio of unmodified polyester and urea modified poly ester is preferably 70/30～95/5 usually 20/80～95/5, is more preferably 75/25～95/5, and good especially is 80/20～93/7.If the weight ratio of urea modified poly ester is less than 5%, then heat-resisting adhesion property worsens, and unfavorable to obtaining heat-resisting keeping quality and low-temperature fixing simultaneously.

The vitrification point (Tg) of adhesive resin that comprises unmodified polyester and urea modified poly ester is preferably 45～60 ℃ usually at 45～65 ℃.As less than 45 ℃, then the thermotolerance of toner worsens, and as surpassing 65 ℃, then low-temperature fixing is not enough.

Again, the urea modified poly ester easily is present in gained toner parent look grain surface, with known polyester be toner relatively, even vitrification point is low, also shown good heat-resisting conservatory tendency.

(colorant)

As colorant, can use all dye well pigment.For example, can use carbon black, the nigrosine based dye, iron black, Naphthol Yellow S, hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, loess, yellow plumbous, titan yellow, poly-azophosphine, oil yellow, hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), paint yellow L, biphenyl ammonia Huang (G, GR), permanent yellow (NCG), Wu Erkang fast yellow (5G, R), the Ta Telajin yellow lake, quinoline yellow lake, the yellow BGL of anthrene, isoindoline-1-ketone Huang, iron oxide red, the red lead, plumbous Zhu, cadmium red, cadmium mercury is red, crimson antimony, permanent red 4R, para is red, red as fire (fire red), p-chloro-o-nitroaniline red, lithol that fast scarlet G, gorgeous fast scarlet, gorgeous carmine BS, permanent red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), fast scarlet VD, the strong rubine of Wu Erkang, gorgeous scarlet G, lithol that rubine GX, permanent red F5R, gorgeous carmine 6B, pigment scarlet 3B, thioindigo red B, thioindigo is brown red, oil red, quinoline a word used for translation ketone is red, pyrazolone red, azophloxine, chromium cinnabar, the connection aniline orange, Pa Linuo (perynone) orange, the oil orange, cobalt blue, it is blue, alkali blue lake, peacock blue lake, the Victoria blue color lake, metal-free phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine blue, fast sky blue indigo plant, indigo, ultramarine, dark purple, anthraquinone blue, Fast violet B, the methyl violet color lake, cobalt violet, manganese violet diox purple, the anthraquinone purple, chrome green, emerald, pigment green B, the green B of Naphthol, proof gold, titanium dioxide, zinc white, lithopone and composition thereof.The usually relative toner of the amount of colorant is 1～15 weight %, is preferably 3～10 weight %.

Colorant of the present invention also can be used as the parent look grain with resin compoundedization.As the manufacturing of described parent look grain and can enumerate as polystyrene with the adhesive resin that described parent look grain mixes simultaneously, poly-to chlorostyrene, the styrene of polyvinyl toluene etc. and the polymkeric substance of replacement thereof; Styrene based copolymer; As polymethylmethacrylate, poly-n-butyl methacrylate, Polyvinylchloride, polyvinyl acetate, tygon, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylate, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, aliphatics or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic series through-stone oleoresin, chlorinated paraffin, paraffin wax etc., above-mentioned resin both may be used alone, can also be used in combination.

(charge control agent)

Toner of the present invention can contain charge control agent as required.Can use known controlling agent as charge control agent, for example, can use Ni Geruoxin based dye, triphenylmethane based dye, the metal complex dyes that contains chromium, molybdic acid chelating dyes, rhodamine based dye, alcoxyl base system amine, quaternary amine (comprising fluorine modification quaternary amine), the monomer of the monomer of alkylamide, phosphorus and compound, tungsten and compound, fluorine are activating agent, salicylic acid metal salt, and the slaine of salicyclic acid derivatives.Tool ground is said, can enumerate: as BONTRON 03, the BONTRON P-51 of quaternary amine, the BONTRON S-34 of containing metal azo dyes, E-82, the E-84 that salicylic acid is metallized dye, the E-89 (above is Orient Chemical Ind's system) of phenol condensation product that the hydroxyl naphthoic acid is metallized dye of Ni Geruoxin based dye; TP-302, TP-415 (above is hodogaya chemical industrial group system) as quaternary amine molybdenum complexing dye; COPY CHARGE PSY V P-2038, the blue PR of COPY of triphenylmethane derivative, COPY CHARGE NEG V P-2036, the COPY CHARGE NX V P434 of quaternary amine, (above is the Hoechst corporate system) as quaternary amine; The LR-147 of LRA-901, boron coordination thing (Japanese Carlit corporate system); Copper phthalocyanine, perylene, 2,3-quinoline a word used for translation ketone, azo pigment, and other contain the macromolecular compound of functional groups such as sulfonic group, carboxyl, quaternary amine.Wherein, to have a material of negative polarity especially suitable for the control toner.

The use amount of charge control agent can be depending on the kind of adhesive resin, optionally has or not and use adjuvant, whether comprise process for dispersing and decide, and can not decide without exception.But be preferably, the use amount of above-mentioned charge control agent is for the adhesive resin of 100 weight portions, and the scope at 0.1～10 weight portion is more preferably, in the scope of 0.2～5 weight portion.Surpass 10 weight portions as its use amount, then the charging property of toner is excessive, and the effect of charge control agent reduces, and the electrostatic attraction of developer roll is increased, and the flowability of developer reduces, and causes image concentration low.

(release agent)

In the present invention, fusing point low-melting wax of 50～120 ℃ with the dispersion of adhesive resin in can be used as release agent, between fixing roller and toner surface, effectively play a role, thus, needn't on fixing roller, be coated with, show effect for high temperature resistant adhesion as the wet goods release materials.As spendable wax among the present invention, for example, can enumerate following material: can enumerate vegetable wax as Brazil wax, cotton wax, haze tallow, Rice's wax etc. as the wax class; Animal as beeswax, wool grease etc. is a wax; Mineral as ceresine, cerosin etc. are wax; Reach the pertroleum wax of alkene wax, microcrystalline wax, paraffin wax etc. etc.Except that these natural waxs, also can enumerate the synthetic alkene wax of f-t synthetic wax, Tissuemat E etc. again; The synthetic wax of ester, ketone, ether etc. etc.Have again, also can use 1, the fatty acid amide of 2-hydroxyl stearmide, acid phthalic anhydride acid amides, chlorinated hydrocabon etc., the homopolymer of the polymethacrylate of positive stearate such as the polymethylacrylic acid of low-molecular-weight crystalline polymer resin etc., the positive Lauryl Ester of polymethylacrylic acid etc. or multipolymer are (for example, the multipolymers of the positive stearate-Jia Jibingxisuanyizhi of methacrylic acid etc.) etc., its side chain has the crystalline polymer of long alkyl etc.

Above-mentioned charge control agent, release agent also can and parent look grain, adhesive resin together fusion mix, certainly also can be, add when being dispersed in the organic solvent in dissolving.

(external additive)

For improving flowability, development, the charging property of toner particle of the present invention, can use external additive.Described external additive is preferably, and can use inorganic particle.The primary particle size of described inorganic particle is preferably 5 * 10 ^-3～2 μ m, good especially is 5 * 10 ^-3～0.5 μ m.Again, the specific surface area that records according to the BET method is preferably at 20～500m ²/ g.The usage ratio of this inorganic particle is preferably 0.01～5 weight % into toner, and that good especially is 0.01～2.0 weight %. that accounts for toner

As inorganic particle concrete example of the present invention, can enumerate silicon dioxide for example, aluminium oxide, titanium dioxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanates, iron oxide, cupric oxide, zinc paste, tin oxide, silica sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, zeyssatite, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, iron oxide red, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconia, barium sulphate, barium carbonate, titanium lime carbonate, silit, silicon nitride etc.Wherein, give agent, be preferably and use hydrophobic silica particulate and hydrophobicity titanium dioxide fine particles as flowability.Particularly, use the mean grain size of two particulates 5 * 10 ^-2When the following particulate of μ m mixes, owing to especially improve with electrostatic force, the Van der Waals for of toner, when reaching the mixing of developer inside that desirable level carries out, flowability gives agent and also can not deviate from from toner, the preferable image image quality of firefly sample can be obtained can not taking place, also the transfer printing residual toner can be reduced.

Titanium dioxide fine particles has excellent environmental stability, image color stability, and still, there is the deterioration tendency in its charged starting characteristic.Thus, greater than the hydrophobic silica particulate, then side effects increases as the addition of titanium dioxide fine particles.

Yet the addition of hydrophobic silica particulate and hydrophobicity titanium dioxide fine particles is when 0.3～1.5 weight %, and its charged climb performance is not subjected to very macrolesion, can obtain required charged rising, that is, carry out repeatedly, also can obtain stable image quality even duplicate.

Below, method for preparing toner is described, at this, represent a preferable manufacture method, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(method for preparing toner)

1) with colorant, unmodified polyester resin contains the polyester prepolyer and the release agent dissolving of isocyanate group or is dispersed in the organic solvent preparation toner materials liquid.

Be preferably, the organic solvent boiling point is lower than 100 ℃, has volatility, and like this, toner parent look particle shape is easy to remove after becoming.Specifically, can enumerate for example toluene, dimethylbenzene, benzene, phenixin, methylene chloride, 1,2-ethylene dichloride, 1,1,2-trichloroethanes, chloroform, monochloro benzene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone etc.These solvents can be used singly or in combination.Wherein, especially suitable is toluene, aromatic series series solvents such as dimethylbenzene, and methylene chloride, 1,2-ethylene dichloride, chloroform, halogenated hydrocarbons such as phenixin.About the use amount of organic solvent, employed relatively polyester prepolyer 100 weight portions, usually, the organic solvent use amount is 0～300 weight portion, is preferably 0～100 weight portion, is more preferably the scope of 25～70 weight portions.

2) exist under surfactant and the granular resin, in aqueous medium, making the emulsification of above-mentioned toner materials liquid.

As aqueous medium, can be independent water, also can be water and alcohol (methyl alcohol for example, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol etc.), dimethyl formamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolve (for example methyl cellosolve), the potpourri of organic solvent such as rudimentary ketone (for example acetone, methyl ethyl ketone).

About the use amount of aqueous medium, relative toner materials liquid 100 weight portions, usually, the use amount of aqueous medium is 50～2000 weight portions, is preferably 100～1000 weight portions.If discontented 50 weight portions, the disperse state of toner materials liquid is poor, can not obtain decide the toner particle of particle diameter; But it is, then uneconomical if surpass 2000 weight portions.

In order to be dispersed in well in the aqueous medium, can suitably add spreading agents such as surfactant, resin particle.As surfactant, can enumerate anionic surfactant, for example alkyl benzene sulfonate, alpha-alkene sulfonate, phosphate etc.; Cationic surfactant, ammonium salt type (alkylammonium salt for example for example, amino alcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine derivative of fatty acid, imidazoline etc.), and quaternary (for example alkyl trimethyl ammonium salt, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salt, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium salt, pyridiniujm, alkyl isoquinolinium salt, benzethonium chloride etc.); Non-ionics, for example fatty acid amide derivant, multivalence 01 derivatives etc.; Amphoteric surfactant, for example alanine, 12 (amino-ethyl) glycocoll, two (octyl group amino-ethyl) glycocoll, N-alkyl-N, N dimethyl betaine ammonium etc.

Have the surfactant of fluorinated alkyl by use, even it is use low quantity of surfactant, also very effective.The surfactant with fluorinated alkyl that can preferably use can be enumerated: fluorinated alkyl carboxylic acid and the slaine thereof of carbon number 2-10, perfluoro capryl sulphonyl disodium glutamate, 3-[ω-fluorinated alkyl (C6-C11) oxygen]-1-alkyl (C3-C4) sodium sulfonate, 3-[ω-alkyl fluoride alcohol radical (C6-C8)-N-ethylamino]-1-propane sulfonic acid sodium, fluorinated alkyl (C11-C20) carboxylic acid and slaine, the carboxylic acid and the slaine of perfluoro carboxylic acid (C7-C13), the perfluorooctane alkyl sulfonic acid diglycollic amide, N-propyl group-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) PFO base sulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamide propyl group front three amine salt, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10)-N-ethyl sulfonyl glycine salt, single perfluoroalkyl (C6-C16)-N-ethyl phosphonic acid ester etc.

As trade name, can enumerate SURFLON S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd's system), FRORARD FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129 (Sumitomo 3M corporate system), UNIDYNE DS-101, DS-102 (Daikin Industries corporate system), MEGAFACE F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F-833 (big Japanese ink corporate system), ECTOP EF-102,103,104,105,112,123A, 123B, 306A, 501,201,204 (Tohchem Products Co., Ltd systems), FUTARGENT F-100, F105 (Noes corporate system) etc.

As cationic surfactant, can enumerate fatty acid primary with fluoroalkyl, the second month in a season or tertiary amine acid, the fatty acid quaternary amine of perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamide propyl group front three amine salt etc., zephiran salt, benzethonium chloride, pyridiniujm, imidazoline salt, trade name has SURFLON S-121 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd's system), FRORARD FC-135 (Sumitomo 3M corporate system), UNIDYNE DS-202 (Daikin Industries corporate system), MEGAFACE F-150, F-824 (big Japanese ink corporate system), ECTOPEF-132 (Tohchem Products Co., Ltd system), FUTARGENT F-300 (Noes corporate system) etc.

In order to make the toner parent look grain stabilization that in aqueous medium, forms, can add resin particle., be preferably for this reason, make that being present in the lip-deep clad ratio of toner parent look grain is in 10～90% scope.For example, polymethylmethacrylate particulate 1 μ m and 3 μ m, ps particle 0.5 μ m and 2 μ m, polystyrene vinyl cyanide particulate 1 μ m, trade name has PB-200H (KAO. Corp. SA's system), SGP (always grinding corporate system), TECHNO polymkeric substance SB (ponding changes into product industrial group system), SGP-3G (always grinding corporate system), MICROPEARL (ponding fine chemistry corporate system) etc.

As the mineral compound spreading agent, can use for example tricalcium phosphate, lime carbonate, titania, silica gel, hydroxyapatite etc. again.

As can with the spreading agent of above-mentioned mineral compound spreading agent, resin particle and usefulness, also can make the dispersant liquid drop stabilization by the macromolecular protecting colloid.For example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, alpha-cyanoacrylate, the alpha-cyano methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, or the acids of maleic anhydride etc., or contain (methyl) acrylic monomer by hydroxyl, for example, senecioate-hydroxy methacrylate, metering system-beta-hydroxy ethyl ester, senecioate-hydroxy propyl ester, methacrylic acid-beta-hydroxy propyl ester, acrylic acid-γ-hydroxy methacrylate, methacrylic acid-γ-hydroxy propyl ester,-beta-hydroxy ethyl ester, acrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxy propyl ester, methacrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxy propyl ester, diethylene glycol one acrylate, diethylene glycol monomethyl acrylate, glycerine one ethyl acrylate, glycerine monomethyl ethyl acrylate, N-methylol-acrylic acid amides, N-methylol-methacrylic acid acid amides etc.; Vinyl alcohol or with the ethers of vinyl alcohol, for example, vinyl acetate, propionate, vinyl butyrate etc.; Acrylamide, Methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide or its methylol compound, the sour chloride-based of chloracrylic acid, chloromethyl propylene acid etc.; Vinylpyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, second are embraced the homopolymer with nitrogen-atoms or its heterocycle or the multipolymer of imines etc.; The polyethylene oxide system of polyethylene oxide, polypropyleneoxide, polyethylene oxide alkyl amine, polypropyleneoxide alkyl amine, polyethylene oxide alkylamide, polypropyleneoxide alkylamide, polyethylene oxide nonylplenyl ether, polyethylene oxide lauryl phenyl ether, polyethylene oxide stearic acid phenylester, polyethylene oxide nonyl phenylester etc.; Cellulose family as methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose etc.

The method of disperseing is also without particular limitation, can use the known dispersing apparatus of low velocity shear formula, high speed shear formula, friction-type, high-pressure injection formula, ultrasound wave etc.For the particle diameter with dispersion makes 2-20 μ m, be preferably and use high speed shear formula dispersion machine.When using high speed shear formula dispersion machine, rotating speed is also without particular limitation, but usually at 1000-30000rpm, is preferably at 5000-20000rpm.Jitter time also has no particular limits, and is generally 0.1-5 minute in the occasion of batch type.Temperature during dispersion is generally 0-150 ℃ (add and depress), is preferably 40-98 ℃.

3) when the preparation emulsion, simultaneously amine (B) is added in the aqueous medium, make itself and polyester prepolyer (A) reaction that contains isocyanate group.What be accompanied by this reaction is the crosslinked of polyester prepolyer (A) strand and or lengthening reaction.Though can determine the reaction time according to the amine (B) and the reactivity of employed polyester prepolyer, the reaction time is preferably from 2 hours to 24 hours usually from 10 minutes to 40 hours.Temperature of reaction is 0～150 ℃, is preferably 40～98 ℃.If desired, can use known catalyzer in the reaction, dibutyl tin laurate for example, dioctyltin laurate.

4) after reaction finishes, from emulsification dispersion (reaction product), remove organic solvent, flushing then, drying makes toner parent look grain.In order to remove organic solvent, can under the laminar flow stirring, total system slowly be heated up, after the uniform temperature district carried out the brute force stirring, desolventizing made spindle toner parent look grain.Again, use occasion synthos etc., that be dissolvable in water acid, alkali, by the acid of hydrochloric acid etc., after the dissolving phosphoric acid calcium salt, by methods such as washings, from toner parent look grain removal synthos as dispersion stabilizer.Also can remove by other decomposition methods that ferments.

5) make charge control agent adhere on the above-mentioned gained toner parent look grain, then, with external additive silica microparticle for example, inorganic particles such as oxidation phthalein particulate add, and obtain toner of the present invention.Above-mentioned adding charge control agent and inorganic particles can use known methods such as stirrer.By using above-mentioned manufacture method, the toner of generation has relatively little particle diameter and steep particle diameter distribution.By vigorous stirring in removing dissolving agent process, may command toner shape forms the various needed shape from rugby shape to proper sphere shape.Also may command toner surface situation forms the various needed surface from smooth surface to the dried plum shape.

Toner shape shape roughly spherical in shape can be by the expression of following shape regulation.That is, as Figure 21 (a), (b), (c) shown in, use major axis r1, minor axis r2, thickness r3 (wherein, being made as the relation of r1 〉=r2 〉=r3) regulation is the toner of shape spherical in shape roughly.And, as Figure 21 (b), (c) shown in, be preferably, the ratio (r2/r1) of minor axis and major axis is 0.5～1, thickness is 0.7～1.0 scope with the ratio (r3/r2) of minor axis.When ratio (r2/r1) less than 0.5 of minor axis and major axis, far away from proper sphere shape, some repeatability and transfer efficiency are poor, can not obtain high-quality image quality.When ratio (r3/r2) less than 0.7 of thickness and minor axis,, can not obtain the high transferring rate as spherical toner near flat pattern.Especially, when the ratio (r3/r2) of thickness and minor axis was 1.0, becoming with the major axis was the solid of revolution of revolving shaft, can improve the flowability of toner.R1, r2, r3 changes field-of-view angle and takes a picture with scanning electron microscope (SEM), measures while observe.

Toner Q/M (quantity of electric charge of the per unit weight of toner), toner carried charge Determination of distribution method is as follows.The Polarity Control rate defines hereinafter.

[toner Q/M]

On photoreceptor, form the little figure of toner, develop, transfer printing, wait each processing to finish after the Polarity Control after, force to disconnect the main switch of copying machine body, at imaging Halfway Stopping machinery.Use the attraction instrument to attract to be formed on toner picture on photoreceptor or the transfer belt on one side with air pump, measure the coulomb amount of this toner on one side by voltameter (KEITHLEY corporate system electrometer 617), according to the weight and coulomb amount of the toner that attracts by the attraction instrument, calculate the toner charge amount (μ C/g) of per unit weight

[distribution of toner carried charge]

Measure with the thin river granulation subband electric weight measure of spread device E-SPART ANALYZER of Micronics Inc. (trade name).Blow away attached to the toner on the photoreceptor with gas, make it drop to determination part, toner is measured its particle diameter and the quantity of electric charge one by one, X-axis is made as " quantity of electric charge/toner particle diameter ", Y-axis is made as " frequency (%) ", quantity (the individual)/all quantity of sample (individual) * 100 of the scope of the histogrammic band that calculating is in predefined " quantity of electric charge/toner particle diameter " makes its figure linearize.

[Polarity Control rate]

Calculate with following formula according to above-mentioned carried charge measure of spread data:

Polarity Control rate (%)=want is controlled quantity (the individual)/all quantity of sample (individual) * 100 of the toner of polarity

What is called is wanted to control polarity and is meant the photosensitive surface current potential relative polarity of the voltage that is applied to the Polarity Control parts during object as a comparison.For example, the photosensitive surface current potential is-100V that the voltage that is applied to the Polarity Control parts is-the 700V occasion to be made as " wanting toner is controlled to be negative polarity ".In such the passing through in the static cleaning mode that toner Polarity Control+single polarity applies brush of the manner, the polarity unanimity of the toner of input cleaning brush roll is very important.In other words, Polarity Control rate height is very important.

As mentioned above, in the printer that example relates to, the clamping part centre line L ₁The center along direction of belt travel of expression cleaning clamping part along direction of belt travel, makes this clamping part centre line L ₁Be positioned at the upstream side to the wrapping range (arc BC) of cleaning subtend roller 14 of intermediate transfer belt 8.In this formation, as mentioned above, with on nearly all transfer printing remaining toner can both transfer in the brush of cleaning brush roll 102 before charged contrary by the cleaning electric current.

In the printer that example relates to,, make cleaning brush roll 102 join with wrapping range (arc BC) in the end of downstream side of the direction of belt travel that cleans clamping part.In this formation, as mentioned above, make cleaning brush roll 102 bump with the band extension region and connect at clamping exit point G, can avoid taking place the band fluctuation.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, set up roller 19 by the cleaning upstream, the band extension region that the cleaning upstream is set up between roller 19 and the cleaning subtend roller 14 pushes towards cleaning brush roll 102.In this formation, as mentioned above, can prevent because of fluctuation that the upstream side band stretches clamping zone (zone from clamping entrance F to coiling entrance B) causes contact to cleaning subtend roller 14 increase of stretching the cleaning electric current of clamping zone at the upstream side band of avoiding so causing.

In the printer that embodiment relates to, set up roller 19 as the cleaning upstream, the roller that uses roller portion surface at least to constitute with insulator as mentioned above, can be avoided leaking by the electric current that band sets up roller 19 to the cleaning upstream from cleaning brush roll 102.

Above with reference to description of drawings example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to above-mentioned example.Can do all changes in the technology of the present invention thought range, they all belong to protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. belting comprises:

2. belting according to claim 1 is characterized in that:

3. belting according to claim 2 is characterized in that:

4. according to claim 2 or 3 described beltings, it is characterized in that:

5. belting according to claim 4 is characterized in that:

6. according to any described belting of claim 1-3, it is characterized in that:

7. image processing system comprises:

Use the belting of any record among the aforesaid right requirement 1-6, as above-mentioned belting.

8. image processing system according to claim 7 is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned toner, use the toner that meets the following conditions:

9. according to claim 7 or 8 described image processing systems, it is characterized in that:

As above-mentioned toner, use the toner that meets the following conditions:

100≤shape coefficient SF-1≤180, and 100≤shape coefficient SF-2≤180.

10. according to claim 7 or 8 described image processing systems, it is characterized in that: