EP3827313B1 - Lame de nettoyage, cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'image - Google Patents

Lame de nettoyage, cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'image Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3827313B1
EP3827313B1 EP19744879.8A EP19744879A EP3827313B1 EP 3827313 B1 EP3827313 B1 EP 3827313B1 EP 19744879 A EP19744879 A EP 19744879A EP 3827313 B1 EP3827313 B1 EP 3827313B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cleaning
surface layer
base material
cleaning blade
image
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP19744879.8A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP3827313A1 (fr
Inventor
Keiichiro Juri
Yuka Aoyama
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Ricoh Co Ltd
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Priority claimed from JP2019087641A external-priority patent/JP2020024375A/ja
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Publication of EP3827313A1 publication Critical patent/EP3827313A1/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/0005—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium
    • G03G21/0011—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium using a blade; Details of cleaning blades, e.g. blade shape, layer forming
    • G03G21/0017—Details relating to the internal structure or chemical composition of the blades
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
    • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
    • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
    • G03G21/0005—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium
    • G03G21/0011—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge for removing solid developer or debris from the electrographic recording medium using a blade; Details of cleaning blades, e.g. blade shape, layer forming
    • G03G21/0029—Details relating to the blade support

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a cleaning blade, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.
  • cleaning members for the cleaning means cleaning members that use a strip-shaped cleaning blade are well known, because the configurations of the members can be generally simplified, also with excellent cleaning performance.
  • the contact part tip ridge
  • the contact part is pressed against the peripheral surface of the image bearer, and the toner remaining on the image bearer is blocked and scraped off for removal.
  • image forming apparatuses which use a toner small in particle size and close to a spherical shape formed by a polymerization method or the like (hereinafter, referred to as a "polymerization toner").
  • the polymerization toner is characterized in that the transfer efficiency is higher as compared with the transfer efficiency of a conventional ground toner and the like, and capable of meeting the demand. Even if, however, an attempt is made to remove the polymerization toner from the surface of the image bearer with the use of the cleaning blade, it is difficult to remove the polymerization toner sufficiently, and there is a disadvantage that defective cleaning is caused. This is because the polymerization toner small in particle diameter and excellent in circularity slips through a slight gap formed between the cleaning blade and the image bearer.
  • PTL 1 proposes that a contact part of an elastic member made of a polyurethane elastomer is provided with a surface layer made of a resin that has a film hardness of pencil hardness B to 6H.
  • PTL 2 proposes a cleaning blade obtained by impregnating an elastic member made of a rubber with an ultraviolet curable composition containing a silicone to swell the elastic member, and then applying an ultraviolet irradiation treatment to the ultraviolet curable composition to cure the ultraviolet curable composition.
  • PTL 3 proposes a cleaning blade that has a part including a contact part of an elastic member, impregnated with at least one selected from an isocyanate compound, a fluorine compound, and a silicone compound, and has a harder surface layer than the elastic member, provided on the surface of the elastic member including the contact part.
  • Patent Document 4 proposes a cleaning blade including a surface layer containing lubricating particles and a binder resin.
  • the conventional cleaning blade provided with the surface layer and cleaning blade provided with the impregnated part may, however, cause defective cleaning under such severe conditions for cleaning in the formation of continuous solid images or the like with very large amounts of powder formed on the image bearer.
  • the edge accuracy of the contact part is degraded by the presence of the lubricating particles on the surface, and it is difficult to maintain the cleaning performance with recent higher-speed image forming apparatuses or spherical toners.
  • the present invention has been achieved in view of the foregoing background, and an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning blade capable of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise due to turn-up of a tip ridge, abnormal wear, or the like, maintaining favorable cleaning ability over a long period of time, and preventing color shifts in a tandem system.
  • a cleaning blade includes an elastic member to contact a surface of a cleaning target member and remove an adhering substance adhering to the surface of the cleaning target member.
  • the elastic member includes a base material and a surface layer including a cured product of a curable composition.
  • the surface layer is disposed on at least a part of a lower surface of the base material including a contact part to contact the cleaning target member.
  • the lower surface of the base material is a surface of the base material facing a downstream side in a travelling direction of the cleaning target member with respect to the contact part.
  • the surface layer contains a siloxane-based compound.
  • Martens hardness of the surface layer measured with a nano indenter has a hardness gradient of decrease from a surface of the surface layer toward the lower surface of the base material in a film thickness direction of the surface layer.
  • the Martens hardness is 2.5 to 32.5 N/mm 2 in a range from a vicinity of the surface (with a load of 1 ⁇ N) to a deepest part in the film thickness direction (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N).
  • An average film thickness of the surface layer is 10 ⁇ m or more to 500 ⁇ m or less.
  • a content of the siloxane-based compound in the surface layer is 4 to 15% by mass.
  • the present invention can provide a cleaning blade capable of suppressing the generation of abnormal noise due to turn-up of a tip ridge, abnormal wear, or the like, maintaining favorable cleaning ability over a long period of time, and preventing color shifts in a tandem system.
  • the cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an elastic member that comes into contact with a surface of a cleaning target member and removes an adhering substance adhering to the surface of the cleaning target member
  • the elastic member includes a base material and a surface layer including a cured product of a curable composition
  • the surface layer is formed on at least a part of a lower surface of the base material including a contact part, when the surface of the base material facing the downstream side in the travelling direction of the cleaning target member with respect to the contact part in contact with the cleaning target member is regarded as the lower surface of the base material
  • the surface layer contains a siloxane-based compound
  • the surface layer has a hardness gradient of decrease from the surface toward the lower surface of the base material in the film thickness direction.
  • the hardness gradient can be obtained by measuring the Martens hardness HM in the vicinity of the surface of the surface layer (with a load of 1 ⁇ N), the deepest part of the layer in the film thickness direction (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N), and a middle site (with a load of 50 ⁇ N) of the layer according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a cleaning blade 62 in contact with the surface of a photoconductor 3
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the cleaning blade 62.
  • a supporting member 621 an elastic member 624, a base material 622, and a surface layer 623 are illustrated, and the base material 622 according to the present embodiment has a strip shape.
  • the blade tip surface 62a, the blade lower surface 62b, and the tip ridge 62c are illustrated.
  • the longitudinal surface of the base material including the elastic member, facing the downstream side in the traveling direction (the rotating direction in this embodiment) of a cleaning target member is referred to as the lower surface of the base material, and the surface at the tip facing the upstream side in the rotating direction of the cleaning target member, including the tip ridge of the base material, is referred to as the tip surface of the base material.
  • the longitudinal surface of the elastic member, facing the downstream side in the rotating direction of the cleaning target member is referred to as the blade lower surface
  • the surface at the tip facing the upstream side in the rotating direction of the cleaning target member, including the tip ridge of the elastic member material is referred to as the blade tip surface.
  • the surface 62b facing the downstream side B in the traveling direction of a cleaning target member serves as the blade lower surface
  • the surface 62a at the tip facing the upstream side A in the traveling direction of the cleaning target member serves as the blade tip surface
  • the contact part of the elastic member in contact with the surface of the to-be cleaned-member includes the tip ridge of the elastic member.
  • a part of the blade tip surface may also serve as a contact part.
  • the surface layer of the contact part of the cleaning blade is preferably 10 ⁇ m to 500 ⁇ m in an average film thickness, and the surface layer which has hardness gradient and contains a siloxane-based compound can prevent the tip ridge from being turned up, and suppress excessive stick-slip. Furthermore, even if the cleaning blade is worn by long-term use, the thick surface layer can prevent the base material of the elastic member from being exposed and suppress a torque increase and a squeal, and makes it possible to maintain these functions. Thus, a balance can be achieved between turn-up reduction and the blade wear resistance, and favorable cleaning performance can be maintained over a long period of time.
  • the base of the elastic member can be prevented from coming into contact with the image bearer, and the torque and the load on the rotation of the image bearer can be thus kept from being increased.
  • a color shift in a tandem system can be prevented.
  • the cleaning blade according to the present invention is not to be considered limited to the tandem system.
  • the surface layer of the contact part is 500 ⁇ m or less in an average film thickness
  • the flexibility of the elastic member of the base material is maintained to improve the followability to the vibration due to the axial deviation of the image bearer and the micro waviness of the image bearer surface, and thus cleaning failures is prevented.
  • the average film thickness is 10 ⁇ m or more, abnormal noise due to abnormal wear and the like is prevented.
  • the surface layer of the contact part of the cleaning blade is more preferably 50 ⁇ m or more and 200 ⁇ m or less in an average film thickness.
  • the thickness of 50 ⁇ m or more and 200 ⁇ m or less makes the contact part less likely to be initially turned up, and can keep wear in the surface layer even if the wear progresses to suppress the exposure of the base material of the elastic member. Thus, even in long-term use, the turn-up, squeal, and defective cleaning are less likely to be caused.
  • the average film thickness of the surface layer of the contact part can be determined by the arithmetic average value obtained by measuring 10 random points of the surface layer in the contact part.
  • the method for measuring the thickness includes a method of measuring a cut surface including the surface layer of the contact part with the use of a microscope.
  • the thickness of the surface layer is measured at a position of 50 ⁇ m to 200 ⁇ m from the tip (contact side) of the contact part.
  • the thickness is measured at a position excluding both ends of 2 cm in the longitudinal direction (the direction of the contact side).
  • JP-5515865-B discloses a method for producing a cleaning blade, which includes the steps of impregnating a sheet material made of a long polyurethane rubber with an impregnating agent, and then cutting the material, and further applying and curing a coating agent containing a resin to form a coat film.
  • a coating agent containing a resin to form a coat film.
  • Patent Literature 4 describes a cleaning blade including a film layer containing lubricating particles, with edges cut after the formation of the film layer.
  • the lubricating particles are dispersed, the surface roughness of the film layer is increased, and even if the edges are cut after the formation of the film layer, there is a possibility of reducing the edge accuracy and degrading the cleaning performance.
  • a curable composition for forming the surface layer 623 is applied to the base material 622 made of, for example, a urethane rubber, and then, the resin is cured by thermal curing. Thereafter, the contact part is cut to be processed into a blade shape.
  • the surface layer 623 contains a siloxane-based compound, and has a hardness gradient of decrease from the surface toward the lower surface of the base material in the film thickness direction.
  • the surface layer 623 is formed by coating at least the tip ridge 62c of the cleaning blade 62 by spray coating, dip coating, die coating, or the like with the use of the curable composition.
  • the surface layer on the lower surface of the base material can be formed by bar coating, spray coating, dip coating, brush coating, screen printing, or the like. It is possible to control the film thickness of the surface layer by appropriately changing the conditions such as the solid content concentration of the coating liquid, the coating conditions (bar coating: gap, spray coating: discharge amount, distance, moving speed, dip coating: pulling speed, etc.), and the frequency of coating.
  • Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate a part of a method for producing the cleaning blade according to the present embodiment.
  • Figs. 3A and 3B are views of the elastic member of the cleaning blade as viewed from the side surface.
  • the view on the left side of Fig. 3A illustrates the curable composition applied and cured on the base material 622.
  • the tip surface of the base material 622 is cut as illustrated by the dashed line to prepare the elastic member 624 illustrated on the right side of Fig. 3A .
  • the site to be cut can be changed appropriately, for example, the site of 1 mm from the tip is cut.
  • Fig. 3B illustrates another example.
  • the view on the left side of Fig. 3B illustrates, as in Fig. 3A , the curable composition applied and cured on the base material 622.
  • the tip surface of the base material 622 is not cut as in Fig. 3A , but is cut near the center of the base material 622. In this case, it is also possible to prepare two cleaning blades simultaneously.
  • a method may be used in which a curable composition is cured with the use of a mold to form a right-angle contact part.
  • the cutting direction can be changed appropriately, it is suitable to carry out cutting from the surface layer 623 toward the base material 622. In this case, the edge accuracy can be improved.
  • the thick film of the surface layer 623 on the lower surface of the base material and then cutting the edge, thereby making it possible to achieve a balance between the thick film of the contact part and the edge accuracy.
  • the material, shape, structure, size, and the like of the cleaning target member which can be selected appropriately for any purpose.
  • Examples of the shape of the cleaning target member include shapes such as a drum, a belt, a plate, and a sheet.
  • the material of the cleaning target member which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the material include metals, plastics, and ceramics.
  • the cleaning target member which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the member include an image bearer, in a case where the cleaning blade is applied to an image forming apparatus.
  • the adhering substance is not limited to any particular substance as long as the substance adheres to the surface of the cleaning target member as a target of removal by the cleaning blade, and the substance can be selected appropriately for any purpose.
  • the adhering substance include toners, lubricants, inorganic microparticles, organic microparticles, waste, dust, or a mixture thereof. Above all, toners are suitable, and a low-temperature fixing toner that has a glass transition temperature of 50°C or lower is particularly suitable.
  • the cleaning blade according to the present embodiment preferably includes a supporting member and a plate-shaped elastic member that has one end coupled to the supporting member and a free end with a predetermined length at the other end.
  • the cleaning blade is disposed such that the contact part including the tip ridge, which is one end of the elastic member on the free end side, comes into contact with the surface of the cleaning target member in the longitudinal direction.
  • the shape, size, material, and the like of the supporting member which can be selected appropriately for any purpose.
  • the shape of the supporting member include shapes such as a plate, a strip, and a sheet.
  • the size of the supporting member which can be selected appropriately depending on the size of the cleaning target member.
  • Examples of the material of the supporting member include metals, plastics, and ceramics. Among these materials, metal plates are suitable in terms of strength, and steel plates such as stainless steel, aluminum plates, and phosphor bronze plates are particularly suitable.
  • Examples of the shape include shapes such as a plate, a strip, and a sheet.
  • polyurethane rubbers a polyurethane elastomers, and the like are suitable from the viewpoint of easily obtaining high elasticity.
  • the base material is produced by, for example, preparing a polyurethane prepolymer with the use of a polyol compound and a polyisocyanate compound, adding a curing agent and, if necessary, a curing catalyst to the polyurethane prepolymer for cross-linking in a predetermined mold, molding a product obtained by post-crosslinking in a furnace, into a sheet by centrifugal molding, and then cutting the sheet left to stand at room temperature and aged, into a plate with a predetermined size.
  • polyol compound which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the compound include high-molecular-weight polyols and low-molecular-weight polyols.
  • polyester polyols which are condensation products of alkylene glycols and aliphatic dibasic acids
  • polyester-based polyols such as polyester polyols of alkylene glycols and adipic acids, such as ethylene adipate ester polyols, butylene adipate ester polyols, hexylene adipate ester polyols, ethylene propylene adipate ester polyols, ethylene butylene adipate ester polyols, and ethylene neopentylene adipate ester polyols; polycaprolactone-based polyols such as polycaprolactone ester polyols obtained by ring-opening polymerization of caprolactone; and polyether-based polyols such as poly(oxytetramethylene) glycols and poly(oxypropylene) glycols.
  • polyester-based polyols such as polyester polyols of alkylene glycols and a
  • low-molecular-weight polyols examples include dihydric alcohols such as 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, hydroquinone-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, and 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane; and trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohols such as 1,1,1-trimethylolpropane, glycerin, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 1,2,4-butanetriol, trimethylolethane, 1,1,1-tris(hydroxyethoxymethyl) propane, diglycerin, and pentaerythritol. These examples may be used alone, or two or more example may be used in combination.
  • dihydric alcohols such as 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, neopentyl glycol, hydroquinone-bis
  • polyisocyanate compound which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the polyisocyanate compound include methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (H6XDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), dimer acid diisocyanate (DDI), norbornene diisocyanate (NBDI), and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI).
  • MDI methylene diphenyl diisocyanate
  • TDI tolylene diisocyanate
  • XDI x
  • the curing catalyst includes amine-based compounds such as tertiary amines and organometallic compounds such as organic tin compounds.
  • tertiary amines include trialkylamines such as triethylamine, tetraalkyl-diamines such as N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine, amino alcohols such as dimethylethanolamine, ester amines such as ethoxylated amines, ethoxylated diamines, and bis(diethylethanolamine) adipate, cyclohexylamine derivatives such as triethylenediamine (TEDA), N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, morpholine derivatives such as N-methylmorpholine, N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylmorpholine; and piperazine derivatives such as N,N'-diethyl-2
  • organic tin compounds include dialkyltin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate and dibutyltin di(2-ethylhexanoate), tin(II) 2-ethylcaproate, and tin(II) oleate. These examples may be used alone, or two or more of the example may be used in combination.
  • the content of the curing catalyst is not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but is preferably 0.01% by mass or more and 0.5% by mass or less, more preferably 0.05% by mass or more and 0.3% by mass or less.
  • the JIS-A hardness of the base material is not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but is preferably 60 degrees or more, and more preferably 65 degrees or more 80 degrees or less.
  • the JIS-A hardness is 60 degrees or more, the blade linear pressure is easily obtained, and the area of the contact part with the image bearer is less likely to be expanded, and defective cleaning is thus less likely to be caused.
  • the JIS-A hardness of the base material can be measured with the use of, for example, a micro rubber hardness meter MD-1 manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.
  • the impact resilience modulus of the base material in conformity with JIS K6255 standards, which can be selected appropriately for any purpose.
  • the impact resilience modulus of the base material can be measured, for example, at 23°C with the use of a No. 221 resilience tester manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd. in conformity with JIS K6255 standards.
  • the average thickness of the base material is not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but is preferably 1.0 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.
  • Martens hardness of the base material there is no particular limit on the Martens hardness of the base material, which can be selected appropriately for any purpose.
  • a more suitable range of the Martens hardness of the base material is 0.8 N/mm 2 or more and 3.0 N/mm 2 or less.
  • Martens hardness of the base material is within the range of 0.8 N/mm 2 or more and 3.0 N/mm 2 or less, it is possible to reduce cracking on the surface layer of 10 ⁇ m or more, and thus make defective cleaning unlikely to be caused even in long-term use.
  • the Martens hardness of the base material is 0.8 N/mm 2 or more
  • the base material is not excessively soft, and deformation by the vibration or the like due to the axial deviation of the cleaning target member (for example, an image bearer) is suppressed to make it easy for the surface layer to follow the deformation of the base material.
  • the cleaning target member for example, an image bearer
  • the method for measuring the Martens hardness (HM) of the base material is as follows.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) was measured by pushing a Berkovich indenter with a load of 1000 ⁇ N for 10 seconds, holding the indenter for 5 seconds, and pulling the indenter for 10 seconds at the same load rate, with the use of a nano indenter ENT-3100 manufactured by ELIONIX INC., based on ISO 14577.
  • the measurement site was set at 100 ⁇ m from the tip ridge of the tip surface of the blade.
  • the base material 622 is cut out in a rectangle of 2 mm in the depth direction of the base material 622 from the blade tip surface 62a of the base material 622 (the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the base material 622) and of 10 mm in the longitudinal direction.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) can be measured with the cut base material secured on a glass slide with an adhesive or double-sided tape so as to make the blade tip surface 62a facing upward, and with a position of 100 ⁇ m from the tip ridge 62c in the depth direction as a measurement location.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) can be measured similarly.
  • the surface layer can be also cut with a razor or the like to expose the tip surface of the base material, and then measure the Martens hardness (HM).
  • the Martens hardness (HM) of the surface layer 623 described below is measured by the above-mentioned method, in a state where the base material is cut out with the surface layer formed on the lower surface of the base material as illustrated in Fig. 11C , and the cut base material is secured on a glass slide with an adhesive or double-sided tape so as to make the surface layer 623 facing upward.
  • the tip ridge 62c in contact with the image bearer is formed by the surface layer 623, and this surface layer 623 is formed from the curable composition described below (not a mixed layer with the elastic member).
  • the surface layer 623 may be formed on the contact part and the lower surface of the base material, and the surface layer may be also formed on the blade tip surface 62a.
  • the curable composition may be contained in the elastic member.
  • the surface layer 623 may cover the entire surface of the base material, but is preferably formed in a region of at least 1 mm or more, preferably 1 mm or more and 7 mm or less in the planar direction of the lower surface of the base material from the contact part.
  • the region of 7 mm or less improves, without impairing the flexibility of the elastic member, the followability to the photoconductor and the cleaning performance.
  • the surface layer 623 is not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but the cured product is preferably higher in Martens hardness than the base material.
  • the surface layer 623 adapted to serve as a member that is higher in hardness than the base material of the elastic member 622, is rigid, and thus unlikely to be deformed, and capable of preventing turn-up of the tip ridge 62c of the cleaning blade 62.
  • the elastic work rate of the cleaning blade is preferably 60% or more to 90% or less.
  • the elastic work rate refers to a characteristic value obtained in the following way from integral stress in the measurement of the Martens hardness.
  • the Martens hardness is measured with the use of a microhardness tester while performing the operation of pushing a Berkovich indenter with a constant force, for example, for 30 seconds, holding the indenter for 5 seconds, and pulling the indenter with a constant force for 30 seconds.
  • the elastic work rate refers to the characteristic value defined by the formula of Welast/Wplast ⁇ 100 [%] (See Fig. 4 ).
  • the elastic work rate is increased, the plastic deformation is reduced, that is, the rubber performance is increased.
  • the elastic work rate of 60% or more improves the wear resistance, without reducing the movement of the contact part.
  • the curable composition refers to a material that is polymerized and cured to form a cured product (solid polymer) when monomers and oligomers receive energy such as light and heat.
  • the energy source differs depending on the type of an initiator or a stimulus (electron beam) that generates active species (radicals, ions, acids, bases, etc.) that initiate the polymerization, and examples of the source include ultraviolet curable compositions, thermosetting compositions, and electron beam curable compositions.
  • the ultraviolet curable compositions and the electron beam curable compositions with the use of a photopolymerization initiator, irradiating the compositions with ultraviolet rays or electron beams develops a curing reaction classified into any of radical polymerization, cationic polymerization, and anionic polymerization to produce a cured product through a polymerization reaction such as vinyl polymerization, vinyl copolymerization, ring-opening polymerization, or addition polymerization.
  • a photopolymerization initiator irradiating the compositions with ultraviolet rays or electron beams develops a curing reaction classified into any of radical polymerization, cationic polymerization, and anionic polymerization to produce a cured product through a polymerization reaction such as vinyl polymerization, vinyl copolymerization, ring-opening polymerization, or addition polymerization.
  • thermosetting compositions with the use of a thermal polymerization initiator, a curing reaction is initiated by heating to produce a cured product through a polymerization reaction such as isocyanate, radical polymerization, epoxy ring-opening polymerization, or melamine condensation.
  • a polymerization reaction such as isocyanate, radical polymerization, epoxy ring-opening polymerization, or melamine condensation.
  • the cured product produced through such a reaction which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the produce include acrylic resins, phenol resins, urethane resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, amino resins, or resin compositions having a polyethylene framework.
  • polyurethane-based compounds such as urethane resins are suitable from the viewpoints of: excellent wear resistance; excellent conformity and adhesion of the base material to the urethane rubber; and furthermore, ease of adjusting physical properties such as hardness and elastic work rate by control of NCO groups and OH groups.
  • the urethane resins are not particularly limited, and can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but is preferably a combination of a prepolymer with NCO groups at both terminals with a curing agent (a compound including an NH 2 group or an OH group).
  • the prepolymer with NCO groups at both terminals is, more preferably, a prepolymer with a polyfunctional isocyanate bonded to both terminals of a PTMG (polytetramethylene ether glycol).
  • polyfunctional isocyanate of the prepolymer there is no particular limit on the polyfunctional isocyanate of the prepolymer, which can be selected appropriately for any purpose, and examples of the polyfunctional isocyanate of the prepolymer include methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), naphthalene 1,5-diisocyanate (NDI), tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (TMXDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), hydrogenated xylylene diisocyanate (H6XDI), dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H12MDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), dimer acid diisocyanate (DDI), norbornene diisocyanate (NBDI), and trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI).
  • MDI
  • the curing agent is a compound capable of reacting with the prepolymer, such as a diol, a triol, a diamine, or a triamine.
  • examples of the curing agent include trimethylolpropane (TMP) and diaminodiphenylmethane (DDM). These examples may be used alone, or two or more of the example may be used in combination.
  • the surface layer according to the present embodiment has a hardness gradient of decrease from the surface toward the lower surface of the base material in the film thickness direction.
  • a hardness gradient can be formed, for example, in the following way.
  • the equivalent ratio of the curable composition (the equivalent of NCO groups in the prepolymer/the equivalent of NH 2 groups and OH groups in the curing agent) is designed to be higher than 1, and the isocyanurate bonds in the curable composition is increased with the use of the excess NCO groups to increase the crosslink density. Accordingly, the hardness of the surface layer according to the present embodiment can be increased. If the isocyanurate bond is uniformly increased throughout the curable composition, there is a possibility that the entire composition may be excessively hardened, and then brittle.
  • the amount of the isocyanurate bond of the curable composition in the surface layer on the side closer to the surface is preferably larger than the amount of the isocyanurate bond on the side closer to the lower surface of the base material.
  • the curable composition may be applied to the base material, and then left to stand for several days under a high-temperature and high-humidity environment such as 45°C/90% RH to complete the reaction of the excess NCO group, thereby causing the cyanurization on the side closer to the surface of the surface layer to proceed greatly than on the side closer to the lower surface of the base material.
  • a high-temperature and high-humidity environment such as 45°C/90% RH
  • the siloxane-based compound in the surface layer can be selected appropriately for any purpose, but is preferably a modified silicone oil.
  • a modified silicone oil reduces the friction coefficient of the blade, and reduces the frictional force in sliding to suppress wear of the blade, and further achieve the effect of stabilizing the behavior of the blade tip in sliding.
  • the use of a modified silicone oil can promote the stabilization of the behavior of the blade tip, because the polyurethane-based compound is typically hard.
  • the polyurethane-based compound and the modified silicone oil preferably form a sea-island structure including a sea of the polyurethane-based compound and an island of the modified silicone oil.
  • the surface layer preferably has a sea-island structure including a sea part containing the polyurethane-type compound, and an island part containing the modified silicone oil. Having the sea-island structure makes it possible to the features of both components of the sea part and the island part, and makes it possible to further stabilize the behavior of the tip ridge of the cleaning blade, as compared with case of not having the sea-island structure.
  • modified silicone oil examples include polyether-modified silicone oils and alkyl-modified silicone oils, and commercially available modified silicone oils can be used, which include SH8400 (polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), FZ-2110 (polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), SF8416 (alkyl-modified silicone oil Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), SH3773M (polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.), and X-22-4272 (polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone).
  • SH8400 polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
  • FZ-2110 polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
  • SF8416 alkyl-modified silicone oil Dow Corning Toray Co., Ltd.
  • SH3773M polyether-modified silicone oil manufactured by Dow Corning
  • the content of the siloxane-based compound in the surface layer is, for example, 4 to 15% by mass, preferably 8 to 15% by mass, and more preferably 8 to 10% by mass.
  • the sample obtained by cutting out the blade tip
  • the sample is immersed in cyclohexane, stirred, and left to stand.
  • the solid content after removal of the supernatant liquid by centrifugation is newly added with cyclohexane, stirred, and left to stand. This operation is repeated to completely remove the modified silicone oil in the sample.
  • the quantity of the modified silicone oil in the surface layer is determined from the weight change of the sample.
  • the surface layer according to the present embodiment preferably has a hardness gradient where the Martens hardness HM measured with the use of a nano indenter decreases from the surface toward the lower surface of the base material in the film thickness direction, from the viewpoint of improving the advantageous effect of the present embodiment.
  • the measurement points for the Martens hardness HM are at least two points of the vicinity of the surface of the surface layer and the deepest part in the film thickness direction of the surface layer, and it is suitable to measure the Martens hardness HM also at a middle point between these measurement points.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) of the surface layer can be measured by the same method as the method for measuring Martens hardness (HM) of the base material.
  • the "Martens hardness HM in the vicinity of the surface of the surface layer” is measured by pushing a Berkovich indenter with a load of 1 ⁇ N for 10 seconds, holding the indenter for 5 seconds, and pulling the indenter for 10 seconds with the same load.
  • the "Martens hardness HM at the deepest part in the film thickness direction of the surface layer” is measured by pushing a Berkovich indenter with a load of 1000 ⁇ N for 10 seconds, holding the indenter for 5 seconds, and pulling the indenter for 10 seconds with the same load.
  • the "Martens hardness HM at the middle point" is measured by pushing a Berkovich indenter with a load of 50 ⁇ N for 10 seconds, holding the indenter for 5 seconds, and pulling the indenter for 10 seconds with the same load.
  • the Martens hardness HM of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 2.5 to 32.5 N/mm 2 , more preferably 4.0 to 21.0 N/mm 2 , in the range from the vicinity of the surface (with a load of 1 ⁇ N) to the deepest part in the film thickness direction (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N).
  • the Martens hardness HM in the vicinity of the surface (with a load of 1 ⁇ N) of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 7.5 to 32.5 N/mm 2 , more preferably 17.0 to 21.0 N/ mm 2 .
  • the Martens hardness HM at the deepest part (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N) in the film thickness direction of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 2.5 to 9.5 N/mm 2 , more preferably 3.5 to 5.0 N/mm 2 .
  • the Martens hardness HM at the middle point (with a load of 50 ⁇ N) of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 4.0 to 18.0 N/mm 2 , more preferably 7.0 to 12.0 N/ mm 2 .
  • the creep CIT of the surface layer according to the present embodiment has a gradient of decrease from the surface toward the lower surface of the base material in the film thickness direction, from the viewpoint of improving the advantageous effect of the present embodiment.
  • the creep CIT is preferably 3.0 to 13.5%, more preferably 5.0 to 12.0%, in the range from the vicinity of the surface (with a load of 1 ⁇ N) to the deepest part (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N) in the film thickness direction.
  • the creep CIT in the vicinity of the surface (with a load of 1 ⁇ N) of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 9.5 to 13.5%, more preferably 9.5 to 12.0%.
  • the creep CIT at the deepest part (with a load of 1000 ⁇ N) in the film thickness direction of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 3.0 to 7.5%, more preferably 3.0 to 6.5%.
  • the creep CIT at the middle point (with a load of 50 ⁇ N) of the surface layer according to the present embodiment is preferably 6.0 to 11.0%, more preferably 6.0 to 9.5%.
  • the cleaning blade 62 can prevent the tip ridge 62c in contact with the surface of the cleaning target member of the elastic member from being turned up, to make the tip ridge 62c of the elastic member less likely to be worn in use. Thus, favorable cleaning performance can be maintained over a long period of time. Accordingly, although the cleaning blade 62 can be widely used in various fields, the cleaning blade 62 is particularly suitably used for the process cartridge and image forming apparatus described below.
  • the process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least an image bearer and a cleaning means for removing a toner remaining on the image bearer, and the cleaning means includes the cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a mechanism for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image bearer may be provided as a cleaning assistant means.
  • the image forming apparatus includes an image bearer, a charging means for charging the surface of the image bearer, an exposure means for exposing the charged image bearer to form an electrostatic latent image, a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with a toner to form a visible image, a transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, a fixing means for fixing the transfer image transferred to the recording medium, and a cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the image bearer, and the cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as the cleaning means.
  • the image bearer may be provided, as a cleaning assistant means, with a mechanism for applying a lubricant to the image bearer.
  • an embodiment hereinafter, referred to as the embodiment
  • an electrophotographic printer hereinafter, simply referred to as a printer 500
  • the printer 500 will be described as an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
  • the basic configuration of the printer 500 according to the present embodiment will be described.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the printer 500.
  • the printer 500 includes four image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, C, M, and K). These units use Y, C, M, and K toners that differ in color from each other as image forming substances for forming an image, but have the same configuration except the difference.
  • a transfer unit 60 including an intermediate transfer belt 14 is disposed as an intermediate transfer body.
  • the toner images of the respective colors, formed on the surfaces of photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K provided in the respective image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K described later in detail are transferred to be superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • an optical writing unit 40 is disposed below the four image formation units 1.
  • the optical writing unit 40 to serve as a latent image forming unit irradiates the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K of the respective image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K with laser light L emitted based on image information.
  • electrostatic latent images for Y, C, M, and K are formed on the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K, respectively.
  • the optical writing unit 40 deflects the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K with the laser light L emitted from a light source via a plurality of optical lenses and mirrors, while deflecting the laser light L by a polygon mirror 41 rotationally driven by a motor.
  • a configuration can be also employed which performs light scanning with a light-emitting diode (LED) array.
  • LED light-emitting diode
  • a first sheet feeding cassette 151 and a second sheet feeding cassette 152 are disposed to overlap in the vertical direction.
  • a plurality of transfer sheets P which is recording media, is housed in the form of a bundle of stacked sheets, with the topmost transfer sheets P in contact with a first sheet feeding roller 151a and a second sheet feeding roller 152a.
  • the first sheet feeding roller 151a is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawing by a driving means
  • the topmost transfer sheet P in the first sheet feeding cassette 151 is discharged toward a sheet feeding path 153 disposed to extend in the vertical direction on the right side of the cassette in the drawing.
  • the second sheet feeding roller 152a is rotationally driven counterclockwise in Fig. 5 by a driving means, the topmost transfer sheet P in the second sheet feeding cassette 152 is discharged toward the sheet feeding path 153.
  • a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 154 is disposed in the sheet feeding path 153.
  • the transfer sheet P fed into the sheet feeding path 153 is conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in Fig. 5 in the sheet feeding path 153 while being sandwiched between the rollers of the conveyance roller pairs 154.
  • a registration roller pair 55 is disposed at the downstream end of the sheet feeding path 153 in the conveyance direction.
  • the registration roller pair 55 temporarily stops the rotation of the both rollers, as soon as the registration roller pair 55 sandwiches, between the rollers, the transfer sheet P fed from the conveyance roller pair 154. Then, the registration roller pair 55 feeds the transfer sheet P to a secondary transfer nip described later at an appropriate timing.
  • Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of one of the four image formation units 1.
  • the image formation unit 1 includes the drum-shaped photoconductor 3 as an image bearer.
  • the photoconductor 3 has a drum shape, but may have a sheet shape or an endless belt type.
  • a charging roller 4, a developing device 5, a primary transfer roller 7, a cleaning device 6, a lubricant applying device 10, a neutralization lamp, and the like are disposed.
  • the charging roller 4 is a charging member provided in a charging device as a charging means
  • the developing device 5 is a developing means for making a latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 3 into a toner image.
  • the primary transfer roller 7 is a primary transfer member provided in a primary transfer device as a primary transfer means for transferring the toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 3 to the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the cleaning device 6 is a cleaning means for cleaning the toner remaining on the photoconductor 3 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the lubricant applying device 10 is a lubricant application means for applying a lubricant onto the surface of the photoconductor 3 subjected to cleaning by the cleaning device 6.
  • the neutralization lamp is a neutralizing means for removing the surface potential of the cleaned photoconductor 3.
  • the charging roller 4 is disposed in a non-contact manner with the photoconductor 3 at a predetermined distance, and charges the photoconductor 3 to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential.
  • the surface of the photoconductor 3 uniformly charged by the charging roller 4 is irradiated with the laser light L based on image information from the optical writing unit 40 which is a latent image forming unit, to form an electrostatic latent image.
  • the developing device 5 has a developing roller 51 as a developer bearer.
  • a developing bias is applied to the developing roller 51 from a power source.
  • a supply screw 52 and a stirring screw 53 are provided for stirring the developer contained in the casing while conveying the developer in opposite directions.
  • a doctor 54 is also provided for regulating the developer borne on the developing roller 51.
  • the toner in the developer stirred and conveyed by the two screws of the supply screw 52 and the stirring screw 53 is charged to a predetermined polarity. Then, the developer is pumped up onto the surface of the developing roller 51, and the pumped developer is regulated by the doctor 54, and the toner adheres to the latent image on the photoconductor 3 in the developing region facing the photoconductor 3.
  • the cleaning device 6 has a fur brush 101, the cleaning blade 62, and the like.
  • the cleaning blade 62 makes in contact with the photoconductor 3 in the counter direction with respect to the surface movement direction of the photoconductor 3. It is to be noted that the cleaning blade 62 serves as a cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the lubricant applying device 10 includes a solid lubricant 103, a lubricant pressing spring 103a, and the like, and uses the fur brush 101 as an application brush for applying the solid lubricant 103 onto the photoconductor 3.
  • the solid lubricant 103 is held by a bracket 103b and pressed against the fur brush 101 by the lubricant pressing spring 103a.
  • the solid lubricant 103 is scraped off by the fur brush 101 rotating in the rotational direction in accordance with the rotational direction of the photoconductor 3 to apply the lubricant onto the photoconductor 3.
  • the friction coefficient of the surface of the photoconductor 3 is preferably maintained at 0.2 or less in the non-image formation by the lubricant application to the photoconductor.
  • the charging device employs a non-contact close arrangement method in which the charging roller 4 is brought close to the photoconductor 3, but as the charging device, known configurations can be used, including corotron, scorotron, and solid chargers (solid state chargers).
  • a contact charging method or a non-contact close arrangement method is more desirable, which has advantages such as the increased charging efficiency and the reduced ozone generation, and enabling reduction in the size of the device.
  • the light source for the laser light L in the optical writing unit 40 and the light source such as the neutralization lamp general luminescent substances can be used, such as fluorescent lamps, tungsten lamps, halogen lamps, mercury lamps, sodium lamps, light-emitting diodes (LED), semiconductor lasers (LD), and electroluminescence (EL).
  • various filters can be also used, such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near-infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter.
  • the light-emitting diodes and the semiconductor lasers are used favorably, because the diodes and lasers have high irradiation energy and have light with a long wavelength of 600 to 800 nm.
  • the transfer unit 60 to serve as a transfer means includes a belt cleaning unit 162, a first bracket 63, a second bracket 64, and the like, in addition to the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the transfer unit 60 also includes four primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K, a secondary transfer backup roller 66, a drive roller 67, an auxiliary roller 68, a tension roller 69, and the like.
  • the intermediate transfer belt 14 is endlessly moved counterclockwise in the drawing by the rotary drive of the drive roller 67 while being stretched around these eight roller members.
  • the four primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7C, 7M, and 7K sandwich the endlessly moved intermediate transfer belt 14 between the rollers and the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K to form primary transfer nips. Then, a transfer bias that has a reverse polarity (for example, plus) with respect to the toner is applied to the back surface (the inner peripheral surface of the loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • a transfer bias that has a reverse polarity (for example, plus) with respect to the toner is applied to the back surface (the inner peripheral surface of the loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the Y, C, M, and K toner images on photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K are superimposed and then primarily transferred onto the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • a four-color superimposed toner image (hereinafter, referred to as a four-color toner image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the secondary transfer backup roller 66 sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 14 between the roller 66 and a secondary transfer roller 70 disposed outside the loop of the intermediate transfer belt 14 to form a secondary transfer nip.
  • the four-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is collectively secondarily transferred to the transfer sheet P in the secondary transfer nip, under the influence of the secondary transfer electric field formed between the secondary transfer roller 70 to which a secondary transfer bias is applied and the secondary transfer backup roller 66, and the nip pressure. Then, the four-color toner image is combined with the white color of the transfer sheet P to provide a full-color toner image.
  • This toner is cleaned by the belt cleaning unit 162.
  • the belt cleaning unit 162 has a belt cleaning blade 162a in contact with the front surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. Thus, the belt cleaning unit 162 scrapes off and then remove the residual transfer toner on the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the first bracket 63 of the transfer unit 60 is adapted to swing at a predetermined rotation angle around the rotation axis line of the auxiliary roller 68 as solenoid driving is turned on and off.
  • the printer 500 just slightly rotates the first bracket 63 counterclockwise in the drawing by the previously described solenoid driving. This rotation causes the primary transfer rollers 7Y, 7C, and 7M for Y, C, and M to revolve around the rotation axis line of the auxiliary roller 68 counterclockwise in the drawing to separate the intermediate transfer belt 14 from the photoconductors 3Y, 3C, and 3M for Y, C, and M.
  • the image formation unit 1K for K is singly driven to form a monochrome image.
  • the image formation unit 1K for K is singly driven to form a monochrome image.
  • the fixing unit 80 includes a pressurizing heating roller 81 including a heat generation source such as a halogen lamp, and a fixing belt unit 82.
  • the fixing belt unit 82 has a fixing belt 84 to serve as a fixing member, a heating roller 83 including a heat generation source such as a halogen lamp, a tension roller 85, a drive roller 86, a temperature sensor, and the like. While stretching the endless fixing belt 84 by the heating roller 83, the tension roller 85, and the drive roller 86, the endless fixing belt 84 is endlessly moved in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing.
  • the fixing belt 84 is heated from the back side by the heating roller 83.
  • the pressurizing heating roller 81 which is driven to rotate clockwise in the drawing, makes, from the front side, contact with the fixing belt 84 heated as described above around the heating roller 83.
  • a fixing nip is formed where the pressurizing heating roller 81 comes into contact with the fixing belt 84.
  • a temperature sensor is disposed so as to face the front surface of the fixing belt 84 with a predetermined gap interposed between the temperature sensor and the front surface, and the temperature sensor detects the surface temperature of the fixing belt 84 just before entering the fixing nip.
  • the detection result is sent to a fixing power circuit.
  • the fixing power circuit performs, based on the result of the detection by the temperature sensor, on/off control of the supply of power for the heat generation source included in the heating roller 83 and the heat generation source included in the pressurizing heating roller 81.
  • the transfer sheet P which has passed through the secondary transfer nip described above, is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, and then fed into the fixing unit 80. Then, in the process of being conveyed from the lower side to the upper side in the drawing while being sandwiched by the fixing nip in the fixing unit 80, the full-color toner image is heated and pressed by the fixing belt 84 to be fixed on the transfer sheet P.
  • the transfer sheet P thus subjected to the fixing treatment is passed between the rollers of a sheet ejection roller pair 87, and then discharged to the outside of the machine.
  • a stack part 88 is formed, and the transfer sheet P discharged to the outside of the machine by the sheet ejection roller pair 87 is sequentially stacked on the stack part 88.
  • toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K which respectively contain Y, C, M, and K toners.
  • the Y, C, M, and K toners in the toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are supplied appropriately to the developing devices 5Y, 5C, 5M, and 5K of the image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K, respectively.
  • the toner cartridges 100Y, 100C, 100M, and 100K are removable from the printer main body independently of the image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K.
  • predetermined voltages or currents are sequentially applied at predetermined timings to the charging roller 4 and the developing roller 51.
  • predetermined voltages or currents are also sequentially applied at predetermined timings to the optical writing unit 40 and light sources such as the neutralization lamp.
  • the photoconductor 3 is rotationally driven in the direction of an arrow in the drawing by a photoconductor driving motor as a driving means.
  • the photoconductor 3 When the photoconductor 3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in the drawing, first, the surface of the photoconductor 3 is uniformly charged by the charging roller 4 to a predetermined potential. Then, the photoconductor 3 is irradiated with the laser light L corresponding to image information from the optical writing unit 40 to neutralize the part irradiated with the laser light L on the surface of the photoconductor 3, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.
  • the surface of the photoconductor 3 with the electrostatic latent image formed is rubbed by a magnetic brush of a developer formed on the developing roller 51 in a section facing the developing device 5.
  • the negatively charged toner on the developing roller 51 is moved to the electrostatic latent image side by a predetermined developing bias applied to the developing roller 51, to form (develop) a toner image.
  • Similar image formation processes are performed in the respective image formation units 1 to form toner images of the respective colors on the surfaces of the respective photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K of the respective image formation units 1Y, 1C, 1M, and 1K.
  • the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 3 is reversely developed with the negatively charged toner by the developing device 5.
  • N/P negative-positive: toners adhering to sites lower in potential
  • the toner images of the respective colors, formed on the surfaces of the respective photoconductors 3Y, 3C, 3M, and 3K are sequentially primarily transferred so as to overlap on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 14. Thus, a four-color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 14.
  • the four-color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 14 is transferred onto the transfer sheet P fed from the first sheet feeding cassette 151 or the second sheet feeding cassette 152, passed between the rollers of the registration roller pair 55, and fed to the secondary transfer nip.
  • the transfer sheet P sandwiched by the registration roller pair 55 is temporarily stopped, and in synchronization with the leading end of the image on the intermediate transfer belt 14, the transfer sheet P is supplied to the secondary transfer nip.
  • the transfer sheet P with the toner image transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer belt 14, and conveyed to the fixing unit 80.
  • the transfer sheet P with the toner image transferred passes through the fixing unit 80, the toner image is fixed on the transfer sheet P by the action of heat and pressure, and the transfer sheet P with the toner image fixed is discharged to the outside of the apparatus of the printer 500, and stacked on the stack part 88.
  • the residual transfer toner on the surface is removed by the belt cleaning unit 162. Further, from the surface of the photoconductor 3 which has transferred the toner images of the respective colors to the intermediate transfer belt 14 at the primary transfer nip, the residual toner after the transfer is removed by the cleaning device 6, the lubricant is applied to intermediate transfer belt 14 by the lubricant applying device 10, and the intermediate transfer belt 14 is neutralized by the neutralization lamp.
  • the image formation unit 1 of the printer 500 has the photoconductor 3, and as a process means, the charging roller 4, the developing device 5, the cleaning device 6, the lubricant applying device 10, etc., housed in a frame 2.
  • the image formation unit 1 is, as a process cartridge, integrally removable from the main body of the printer 500.
  • the image formation unit 1 is adapted to integrally replace the photoconductor 3 as a process cartridge and the process means, but may be adapted to be replaced with new photoconductor and a process means in a unit such as the photoconductor 3, the charging roller 4, the developing device 5, the cleaning device 6, or lubricant applying device 10.
  • the toner for use in the printer 500 in order to improve the image quality, it is suitable to use a polymerization toner produced by a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, or a dispersion polymerization method, which easily increases the circularity and reduces the particle size.
  • it is suitable to use a polymerization toner of 0.97 or more in circularity and of 5.5 ⁇ m or less in volume average particle size.
  • the use of the toner of 0.97 or more in average circularity and of 5.5 ⁇ m in volume average particle diameter can form higher-resolution images.
  • circularity herein refers to the average circularity measured by a flow-type particle image analyzer FPIA-2000 (manufactured by Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.). Specifically, to 100 to 150 ml of water with impure solid substances removed in advance in a container, 0.1 to 0.5 ml of a surfactant, preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate, is added as a dispersant, and approximately 0.1 to 0.5 g of a measurement sample (toner) is further added.
  • a surfactant preferably an alkylbenzene sulfonate
  • the suspension with the toner dispersed is subjected to a dispersion treatment for about 1 to 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser, such that the dispersion liquid concentration reaches 3000 to 10000 [/ ⁇ l], and set in the analyzer described above to measure the shape and distribution of the toner.
  • the ratio of C2/C1 was obtained where C1 represents the outer peripheral length of an actual toner projected shape illustrated in Fig. 7A , S represents the projected area of the toner, and C2 represents the outer peripheral length of a perfect circle illustrated in Fig. 7B , which has the same projected area S, and the average value was regarded as the circularity.
  • the toner as a test sample is added to the solution, and the solution with the toner added is subjected to a dispersion treatment for about 1 to 3 minutes with an ultrasonic disperser. Then, 100 to 200 ml of the electrolytic aqueous solution is put in another beaker, and the solution subjected to the dispersion treatment is added to the solution so as to reach a predetermined concentration, and then subjected to the measurement by the Coulter Multisizer 2e. With the use of an aperture of 100 ⁇ m, the particle sizes of 50,000 toner particles are measured.
  • volume average particle size ⁇ XfV / ⁇ fV.
  • X represents a representative diameter in each channel
  • V represents an equivalent volume with the representative diameter for each channel
  • f represents the number of particles in each channel.
  • the tip ridge of the cleaning blade 62 in contact with the photoconductor 3 is pulled in the moving direction of the photoconductor 3, and the tip ridge is turned up.
  • various disadvantages occur such as abnormal noise, vibration, and tip ridge missing.
  • the cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention causes no defective cleaning, even in the case of the polymerization toner as described above, and no abnormal noise, vibration, tip ridge missing, or the like is caused.
  • a urethane rubber with the following JIS-A hardness, 23°C impact resilience modulus, and Martens hardness (HM) was prepared by centrifugal molding. JIS-A hardness: 75°; 23°C impact resilience modulus: 45%; Martens hardness (HM): 0.9 N/mm 2
  • the JIS-A hardness of the lower surface of the base material of the elastic member was measured in conformity with JIS K6253 with the use of a micro rubber hardness meter MD-1 manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd. (23°C).
  • the impact resilience modulus of the base material of the elastic member was measured in accordance with JIS K6255 at 23°C with the use of a No. 221 resilience tester manufactured by Toyo Seiki Seisaku-sho, Ltd. As a sample, stacked sheets each with a thickness of 2 mm were used so as to reach a thickness of 4 mm or more.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) of the base material was measured in accordance with the method described above.
  • Dioctyltin dilaurate "NEOSTANN U-810" manufactured by Nitto Kasei Co., Ltd.
  • Example 9 the prepolymer and the siloxane-based compound were stirred at 600 rpm for 1 minute for both rotation and revolution with the use of a planetary stirrer. Thereafter, under a vacuum atmosphere, the curing agent and the catalyst were mixed at room temperature for 3 minutes at 100 rpm with the use of a stirring blade, for sufficient degassing. Curable compositions were thus prepared.
  • the obtained [crystalline polyester resin A'-1] was transferred into a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction pipe, and with the addition of 350 parts by mass of ethyl acetate and 30 parts by mass (0.12 mol) of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) to the [crystalline polyester resin A'-1], reacted at 80°C for 5 hours in a nitrogen stream. Subsequently, the ethyl acetate was distilled off under reduced pressure to obtain a [urethane-modified crystalline polyester resin A-1].
  • the obtained [urethane-modified crystalline polyester resin A-1] had a Mw of 22,000 and a melting point of 62°C.
  • the reaction was developed under a reduced pressure of 5 to 20 mmHg, cooled to 180°C when the acid value reached 2, and with the addition of 35 parts by mass of a trimellitic anhydride, reacted for 3 hours at normal pressure to obtain a [non-crystalline resin C-1].
  • the obtained [non-crystalline resin C-1] had a Mw of 8,000 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 62°C.
  • the obtained [crystalline resin] was transferred into a reaction vessel equipped with a cooling pipe, a stirrer, and a nitrogen introduction pipe, and with the addition of 300 parts by mass of ethyl acetate and 27 parts by mass (0.16 mol) of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) to the [crystalline resin], reacted at 80°C for 5 hours under a nitrogen stream to obtain a 50% by mass ethyl acetate solution of a [crystalline resin precursor B'-1] including an isocyanate group at the terminal.
  • HDI hexamethylene diisocyanate
  • This solution was, with the addition of 100 parts by mass of a 50% by mass ethyl acetate solution of the [non-crystalline resin C-1], 60 parts by mass of the [release agent dispersion liquid (1)], and 12 parts by mass of the [masterbatch (1)] to the solution, stirred at a rotation number of 5,000 rpm with a TK-type homomixer (manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation) at 50°C, and uniformly dissolved and dispersed to obtain an [oil phase (1')]. It is to be noted that the temperature of the [oil phase (1')] was kept at 50°C in the container, and used within 5 hours from the preparation so as to avoid crystallization.
  • a reaction container set with a stirring rod and a thermometer 600 parts by mass of water, 120 parts by mass of styrene, 100 parts by mass of a methacrylic acid, 45 parts by mass of a butyl acrylate, 10 parts by mass of sodium alkyl allyl sulfosuccinate (ELEMINOL JS-2 manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 1 part by mass of an ammonium persulfate were put, and stirred at 400 rpm for 20 minutes to obtain a white emulsion. The emulsion was heated to a system temperature of 75°C, and reacted for 6 hours.
  • ELEMINOL JS-2 sodium alkyl allyl sulfosuccinate
  • the obtained filter cake (1) was dried at 45°C for 48 hours in a circulating drier. Thereafter, the dried filter cake (1) was sieved through a 75 ⁇ m mesh to prepare a toner base (1).
  • the obtained toner base (1) had an average circularity of 0.98 and a volume average particle size of 4.9 ⁇ m.
  • the entire lower surface of the base material was overcoated by spray coating from the end surface of the base material at a spray gun moving speed of 6 mm/s. Thereafter, the masking was removed, and the base material was heated in a thermostat bath at 90°C for 1 hour, and then left in a thermostat bath at 45°C/90% RH for 48 hours to complete the reaction. Thereafter, the base material was cut at a site of 1 mm from the end surface to form a contact part.
  • each elastic member with the surface layer formed on the contact part was secured to a sheet-metal holder (supporting member) with an adhesive so as to be mounted on a color multifunction peripheral (imagio MPC 4500, manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd.).
  • a color multifunction peripheral imagio MPC 4500, manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd.
  • cleaning blades according to the examples and comparative examples were prepared in which the surface layer was formed on the contact part.
  • the cleaning blade according to Example 9 had a sea-island structure including a sea part containing the polyurethane-type compound, and an island part containing the modified silicone oil.
  • Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the point for measuring the thicknesses of the contact parts of the cleaning blades according to the examples and the comparative examples.
  • the elastic member was cut into a round slice in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and with the cross section facing upward, observed with a digital microscope VHX-2000 (manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION). The measurement point is located at the blade contact part (tip ridge) of the cross section.
  • the elastic member was cut perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the elastic member with the use of a razor, such that the thickness was 3 mm in the longitudinal direction of the elastic member.
  • the use of a vertical slicer makes it possible to cut the cross section more cleanly.
  • the position in the longitudinal direction where the elastic member was cut into the round slice was located at the position excluding the parts of 2 cm at both ends.
  • the Martens hardness (HM) of the surface layer according to each of the examples and comparative examples was measured in the way described above.
  • the measurement position was located at a position of 20 ⁇ m in the depth direction from the tip ridge. It is to be noted that the measurement point was set to the position excluding the parts of 2 cm at both ends.
  • the cleaning blade was pressed against a metallic plate member with a 150 ⁇ m-thick PET sheet disposed on the surface of the member (cleaning angle: 79°, linear pressure: 20g/cm), and the cleaning blade was moved at a speed of 20 mm/s to measure the dynamic friction coefficient ⁇ k.
  • the prepared cleaning blade according to each of the examples and comparative examples was attached to a process cartridge of a color multifunction peripheral (imagio MPC 4500, manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd.) (the printer unit has similar configuration as the image forming apparatus 500 illustrated in Fig. 5 ) to assemble image forming apparatuses according to the examples and the comparative examples.
  • a color multifunction peripheral imagio MPC 4500, manufactured by Ricoh Company, Ltd.
  • the cleaning blade was attached to the image forming apparatus so as to provide the linear pressure: 20 g/cm and the cleaning angle: 79°.
  • the above-mentioned apparatus includes a lubricant applying device for the surfaces of photoconductors, and the lubricant application maintains the static friction coefficient of the photoconductor surface at 0.2 or less during non-image formation. It is to be noted that as for a method for measuring the static friction coefficient of the photoconductor surface, the static friction coefficient is measured by the method of Euler belt as follows.
  • the belt-type measuring member obtained by cutting a medium-thick high-quality paper sheet into a width of 20 mm such that the paper pressing direction was regarded as the longitudinal direction was brought into contact with the outer peripheral part 1/4 of the cylindrical photoconductor, and a load (100 g) was applied to one end (lower end) of the measuring member, whereas a force gauge was coupled to the other end. Thereafter, the force gauge was moved at a constant speed (100 ⁇ 20 mm), the value of the force gauge was read when the belt started moving, and the static friction coefficient was calculated from the following formula (1).
  • ⁇ s 2 / ⁇ ⁇ ln F/W
  • ⁇ s represents a static friction coefficient
  • F represents a force gauge reading (g)
  • W represents a load (100 g).
  • the image forming apparatus was used to output 50,000 sheets (horizontal A4 size) under laboratory environment: 65% RH at 21°C, sheet passing condition: 3 prints/job at an image area ratio 5% chart. After passing the 50,000 sheets, various characteristics were evaluated. The results are illustrated in Tables 4 and 5.
  • POOR The toner slipping due to defective cleaning can be visually confirmed on either the printed paper or the photoconductor.
  • the presence or absence of any abnormal noise was confirmed by the human ear at the time of the image output for the evaluation of the cleaning performance, to make the following determination.
  • the presence or absence of the sound as an abnormal noise was evaluated without distinction as long as the sound came from the blade.
  • the cleaning blades according to the examples and comparative examples were attached to the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus (linear pressure: 40 g/ cm, cleaning angle: 75°), and left to stand in a thermostat bath at 45°C/95% RH for 10 days. Thereafter, five sheets of halftone images were continuously printed with the image forming apparatus under a laboratory environment: 21°C/65% RH, and the image quality was checked.
  • the cleaning blades according to the examples and comparative examples were attached to the process cartridge of the image forming apparatus (linear pressure: 40 g/ cm, cleaning angle: 75°), and left to stand in a thermostat bath at 10°C/15% RH for 10 days. Thereafter, a sheet of a halftone image was printed with the image forming apparatus under a laboratory environment: 21°C/65% RH, and the photoconductor was then visually observed.
  • the photoconductor has clear streaks in the printing direction, and the image also has streaks at a level that has a problem with quality. It is to be noted that in a case where the blade tip is deformed, the ability to follow the movement of the photoconductor was lost, which causes defective cleaning. As a result, streaks occur.
  • Comparative Example 1 refers to the base material itself used for the examples.
  • the cleaning blades according to Examples 1 to 9 are capable suppressing the movement of the contact part of the elastic member, and because the base rubber is not exposed even the blade is worn, obtaining favorable cleaning performance and suppressing the generation of abnormal noise even in long-term use. In addition, no color shift has been caused in the image forming apparatus in the tandem system.
  • Comparative Example 1 without any surface layer formed on the contact part, thus failed to suppress the movement of the contact part of the elastic member, and caused scooped wear, and thus generated defective cleaning and abnormal noise.
  • Comparative Example 2 was, without any modified silicone oil contained, thus decreased in slidability, and was more likely to be worn, with defective cleaning and abnormal noise.
  • Comparative Example 3 was, because of excessively high hardness in spite of high slidability, made brittle, and chipped or cracked, and as a result, defective cleaning was caused. Further, a high abnormal noise sounds like a squeak was generated because of the excessively high hardness.
  • Comparative Example 4 because of the excessively large film thickness of the surface layer, lost the ability to follow the photoconductor, and caused defective cleaning, and also caused defective cleaning due to a large deformation. Comparative Example 5 generated bleed in the contamination test, because of the excessive amount of the modified silicone oil. Comparative Example 6 failed to exhibit slidability, and caused defective cleaning, because of the small amount of the modified silicone oil.

Claims (8)

  1. Lame de nettoyage comprenant un élément élastique (624) pour entrer en contact avec une surface d'un élément cible de nettoyage et enlever une substance adhésive adhérant à la surface de l'élément cible de nettoyage,
    dans laquelle l'élément élastique (624) inclut un matériau de base (622) et une couche de surface (623) incluant un produit durci d'une composition durcissable,
    dans laquelle la couche de surface (623) est disposée sur au moins une partie d'une surface inférieure (62b) du matériau de base (622) incluant une partie de contact (62c) pour entrer en contact avec l'élément cible de nettoyage, la surface inférieure (62b) du matériau de base (622) étant une surface du matériau de base (622) faisant face à un côté en aval dans un sens de déplacement de l'élément cible de nettoyage par rapport à la partie de contact (62c), caractérisée en ce que
    la couche de surface (623) contient un composé à base de siloxane,
    dans laquelle une dureté de Martens de la couche de surface (623) mesurée avec un nano-indenteur a un gradient de dureté de diminution depuis une surface de la couche de surface (623) vers la surface inférieure (62b) du matériau de base (622) dans un sens de l'épaisseur de film de la couche de surface (623), et la dureté de Martens est de 2,5 à 32,5 N/mm2 dans une plage depuis un voisinage de la surface avec une charge de 1 µN vers une partie la plus profonde dans le sens de l'épaisseur de film avec une charge de 1 000 µN,
    dans laquelle une épaisseur de film moyenne de la couche de surface (623) est de 10 µm ou plus à 500 µm ou moins, et
    dans laquelle une teneur du composé à base de siloxane dans la couche de surface (623) est de 4 à 15 % par masse.
  2. Lame de nettoyage selon la revendication 1,
    dans laquelle la couche de surface (623) inclut un composé à base de polyuréthane et un composé à base de siloxane.
  3. Lame de nettoyage selon la revendication 1 ou 2,
    dans laquelle le composé à base de siloxane inclut une huile de silicone modifiée.
  4. Lame de nettoyage selon la revendication 3,
    dans laquelle la couche de surface (623) a une structure mer-île incluant: une partie mer incluant un composé à base de polyuréthane; et une partie île incluant l'huile de silicone modifiée.
  5. Lame de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4,
    dans laquelle un fluage de la couche de surface (623) mesuré avec un nano-indenteur a un gradient de diminution depuis la surface de la couche de surface (623) vers la surface inférieure (62b) du matériau de base (622) dans le sens de l'épaisseur de film, et le fluage est de 3,0 à 13,5 % dans la plage depuis le voisinage de la surface avec une charge de 1 µN vers la partie la plus profonde dans le sens de l'épaisseur de film avec une charge de 1 000 µN.
  6. Lame de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5,
    dans laquelle la couche de surface (623) est disposée dans une région d'au moins 1 mm ou plus dans un sens planaire de la surface inférieure (62b) du matériau de base (622) depuis la partie de contact (62c).
  7. Cartouche de traitement comprenant:
    un support d'image (3, 123); et
    un moyen de nettoyage (6) pour enlever un toner restant sur le support d'image (3, 123),
    dans laquelle le moyen de nettoyage (6) inclut la lame de nettoyage (62) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.
  8. Appareil de formation d'image comprenant:
    un support d'image (3, 123);
    un moyen de charge(4) pour charger une surface du support d'image (3, 123);
    un moyen d'exposition (40) pour exposer le support d'image (3, 123) chargé pour former une image latente électrostatique;
    un moyen de développement (5) pour développer l'image latente électrostatique avec un toner pour former une image visible;
    un moyen de transfert (60) pour transférer l'image visible vers un support d'enregistrement (P);
    un moyen de fixation (80) pour fixer l'image de transfert transférée au support d'enregistrement (P); et
    un moyen de nettoyage (6) pour enlever le toner restant sur le support d'image (3, 123),
    dans lequel le moyen de nettoyage (6) inclut la lame de nettoyage (62) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6.
EP19744879.8A 2018-07-26 2019-07-03 Lame de nettoyage, cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'image Active EP3827313B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2018140509 2018-07-26
JP2019087641A JP2020024375A (ja) 2018-07-26 2019-05-07 クリーニングブレード、プロセスカートリッジおよび画像形成装置
PCT/JP2019/026413 WO2020022005A1 (fr) 2018-07-26 2019-07-03 Lame de nettoyage, cartouche de traitement et appareil de formation d'image

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EP3827313A1 EP3827313A1 (fr) 2021-06-02
EP3827313B1 true EP3827313B1 (fr) 2022-05-04

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Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3753634A (en) 1970-10-09 1973-08-21 T Bliven Molding means for strip frame semiconductive device
JPS5532378B2 (fr) 1971-10-11 1980-08-25
US4328175A (en) 1979-10-02 1982-05-04 Union Carbide Corporation Apparatus for contacting a liquid with a gas
JP2962843B2 (ja) 1990-06-07 1999-10-12 キヤノン株式会社 クリーニングブレード及びこれを用いた装置
JP2004233818A (ja) 2003-01-31 2004-08-19 Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd 電子写真機用ブレードおよびその製法
JP6292472B2 (ja) * 2014-03-07 2018-03-14 株式会社リコー 画像形成装置およびプロセスカートリッジ
JP2016017987A (ja) * 2014-07-04 2016-02-01 株式会社リコー クリーニングブレード、画像形成装置、及びプロセスカートリッジ
JP6182285B1 (ja) 2017-02-27 2017-08-16 福岡ネット工業株式会社 コアドリル装置及びコアドリル装置における位置決め機具
JP6986418B2 (ja) 2017-11-07 2021-12-22 株式会社カネカ 積層型光電変換装置および積層型光電変換装置モジュールの製造方法

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EP3827313A1 (fr) 2021-06-02

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