JP2000132021A - Cleaning blade - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning blade dispensing with adhesive for fitting the blade member. SOLUTION: This cleaning blade composed of the blade member 2 mounted on the top end of one side part along the lengthwise direction of a plate like holder metal fitting 1, that adopts the constitution to effect a groove 3 is formed, on the blade member on a holder metal fitting 1, along the lengthwise direction. By this constitution, the need of sticking stage is eliminated, and the need of cleaning the adhesive stuck on a forming mold, therefore recycling of the holder metal fitting 1 is facilitated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleaning blade for removing toner remaining on an outer peripheral surface of a photosensitive drum of an electrophotographic copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, an electrophotographic copying machine such as a laser beam printer or a copying machine is provided with a photosensitive drum having a photoconductor surface layer, and the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum is uniformly charged. The electrostatic latent image is formed on the outer peripheral surface by exposing the outer peripheral surface through the image to be copied, and a toner image is formed by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image. Is copied by transferring the data to After the copying, the toner remains on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, so that it is necessary to remove the residual charged toner, and the removal is performed by a cleaning blade.

As shown in FIG. 7, this cleaning blade includes an L-shaped holder metal fitting 51 and a thick rectangular flat plate-shaped soft urethane resin blade member 52.
A blade member 52 is attached to the tip of one side of the L-shaped piece (horizontal piece in the drawing) of the holder fitting 51 along the longitudinal direction with an adhesive 53.

[0004] Such a cleaning blade is manufactured as follows. That is, first, as shown in FIG. 8, a mold 10 divided into an upper mold piece 11 and a lower mold piece 12 is prepared. A molding space 13 for forming a blade member is formed at the center between the two mold pieces 11 and 12, and a holding portion 14 for holding the holder fitting 51 is formed on both sides of the molding space 13. Next, two holder brackets 51 are prepared, and both holder brackets 51 are prepared.
Wash. Next, an adhesive 53 is applied to the tip of one piece of the holder metal fitting 51 to which the blade member 52 (see FIG. 7) is attached, and the adhesive 53 is dried by hot air and cooled. Next, both holder fittings 51 are connected to the above-mentioned molding die 1.
Set to 0. This set includes both holder fittings 51 such that the tips (parts to which the adhesive 53 is applied) of one piece of both holder fittings 51 project into the molding space 13.
Are arranged facing each other, and in this state, the center of one piece of both holder brackets 51 is clamped by the clamping portion 14 of the molding die 10. Next, the molding die 10 is clamped, and a urethane resin material is injected into the molding space 13.
Demold after curing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, a molded product in which both holder fittings 51 are integrated by the wide blade member 54 is obtained. Thereafter, the molded product is cooled to room temperature, and rubber burrs and the like generated at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the wide blade member 54 are cut and removed. Cut into two pieces. Thus, two cleaning blades are manufactured.

[0005]

However, when the adhesive 53 is used for attaching the blade member 52 in the production of the cleaning blade, the following three problems occur. That is, the first problem is that the holder fitting 5
Since the steps of coating the adhesive 53, drying and cooling the adhesive 53 with hot air and cooling are performed after washing 1 and setting it in the molding die 10, the number of steps is large and the manufacturing time is long. As a result, it takes time until the cleaning blade is completed, which hinders an increase in productivity.
Moreover, since many steps are required from cleaning the holder fitting 51 to setting it in the mold 10, the equipment area is increased and the equipment cost is increased. In addition, the material cost of the adhesive 53 is required, a large amount of energy is required for hot air drying and cooling of the adhesive 53, and the energy cost is also high. These hinder the manufacture of the cleaning blade at low cost.

A second problem is that, as shown in FIG. 10, the adhesive 53 adheres to or adheres to the vicinity of the boundary between the molding space 13 of the molding die 10 and the holding portion 14. If the cleaning blade is manufactured in a state in which the adhesive 53 is adhered or burned in this way, the dimensional accuracy of the cleaning blade of the product deteriorates, and therefore, it is necessary to periodically clean the mold 10.

A third problem is that it is difficult to recycle the holder 51 because the adhesive 53 cannot be easily removed from the holder 51.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a cleaning blade that does not use an adhesive for attaching a blade member.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cleaning blade having a blade member attached to one end of a plate-like holder along a longitudinal direction. A configuration is adopted in which a groove is formed in the blade member attachment portion of the holder fitting along the longitudinal direction.

That is, in the cleaning blade of the present invention, since the groove is formed along the longitudinal direction at the blade member attaching portion of the holder metal, the holder metal and the blade member are separated from each other by the blade of the holder metal. The groove formed in the member attachment portion and the (projecting) portion of the blade member corresponding to the groove engage with each other. With this engagement, the holder fitting and the blade can be used without using an adhesive. A large attachment force can be obtained between members. Therefore, the cleaning blade of the present invention can be manufactured without using an adhesive. Accordingly, in manufacturing the cleaning blade of the present invention, it is not necessary to go through the steps of applying the adhesive, drying and cooling the hot air with the adhesive before cleaning the holder and setting it in the mold. The number is reduced and the manufacturing time is reduced. Further, since these steps can be omitted, the equipment area can be reduced, and the adhesive and much energy required for hot-air drying and cooling of the adhesive can be eliminated. For this reason, the equipment cost, the material cost of the adhesive, and the energy cost are reduced, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the cleaning blade can be reduced. Further, in the production of the cleaning blade of the present invention, the adhesive does not adhere to the molding die, so that the dimensional accuracy of the cleaning blade of the product is improved, and periodic cleaning of the molding die is not required. Further, since no adhesive is attached to the holder, the holder can be easily recycled.

Further, in the present invention, the depth of the groove is 0.
When it is 4 mm or more, and the thickness of the metal part corresponding to the groove is 0.6 mm or more even in the thinnest part, the attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade can be sufficiently satisfied as a product. Things.

In the present invention, the width of the groove is 0.5
mm or more and a width that fits within the blade member attachment portion, it is possible to sufficiently satisfy the attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade as a product.

In the present invention, the angle between the side wall surface on the tip end side of the holder fitting and the groove forming surface of the blade member attachment portion in the side wall surface of the groove is 110 degrees or less. The attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade can be sufficiently satisfied as a product.

In the present invention, when the grooves are formed so as to face the front and back surfaces of the blade member mounting portion of the holder, the sum of the depths of the opposing grooves is “the length of the grooves”. Deep. " When a plurality of grooves are formed on the front surface or the back surface of the blade member attaching portion of the holder, the total width of the grooves is the “width of the groove”. In the case where one or a plurality of grooves are formed on the front and back surfaces of the blade member attaching portion of the holder, the width of each groove (when there is one groove) or The sum of the widths of the grooves (when there are a plurality of grooves) is obtained, and the larger of the values obtained for each surface is the "width of the grooves". In the case where a plurality of grooves are formed in the blade member attachment portion of the holder, at least one of the grooves is a side wall surface on the tip end side of the holder among the side walls of the grooves. The angle between the blade and the groove forming surface of the blade member attachment portion may be 110 degrees or less.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the cleaning blade of the present invention. In this embodiment, the cleaning blade is an L-shaped plate-like holder 1.
And a blade member 2 made of soft urethane resin in the form of a rectangular flat plate having a large thickness, and a tip of one side portion of the L-shaped piece (horizontal piece in the drawing) of the holder 1 along the longitudinal direction. The blade member 2 is attached to the portion.
And, as shown in FIG.
On the front surface and the back surface of the blade member attachment portion, a groove 3 having a concave cross section extending linearly over the entire length thereof is formed one by one along the longitudinal direction. These two grooves 3 have the same shape.

The above-described cleaning blade can be manufactured as follows. That is, first, two holder fittings 1 (see FIG. 2) and a molding die 10 of the related art are used.
(See FIG. 8). Then, after cleaning both holders 1, they are set in the mold 10 in the same manner as in the prior art. Subsequent steps are the same as in the prior art. The cleaning blade thus obtained is
Since the urethane resin material constituting the blade member 2 is filled in the two grooves 3 formed in the blade member attachment portion of the holder member 1 and is solidified in a convex shape, the attachment force of the blade member 2 to the holder member 1 is increased. Is getting bigger.

As described above, in the above embodiment, no adhesive is used in manufacturing the cleaning blade. For this reason, in the manufacture of the cleaning blade, it is not necessary to go through the steps of applying the adhesive, drying the adhesive with hot air, and cooling, which were necessary in the related art.
The number of steps is reduced, and the manufacturing time is reduced. Further, since these steps can be omitted, the equipment area can be reduced, and the adhesive and much energy required for hot-air drying and cooling of the adhesive can be eliminated. For this reason, the equipment cost, the material cost of the adhesive, and the energy cost are reduced, and as a result, the manufacturing cost of the cleaning blade can be reduced. In addition, since the adhesive does not adhere to the molding die 10 during the manufacture of the cleaning blade, the dimensional accuracy of the cleaning blade of the product is improved, and the cleaning of the molding die 10 which is necessary in the prior art is performed regularly. Becomes unnecessary. Further, since no adhesive is attached to the holder 1, the holder 1 can be easily recycled.

In the above embodiment, by providing the groove 3 with an appropriate size and shape, it is possible to exhibit sufficiently satisfactory performance as a product.
For example, when the thickness T ₀ of the blade member attachment portion of the holder fitting 1 is set to 1.6 mm and the attachment width W ₀ of the blade member attachment portion is set to 2 mm, the cleaning blade is sufficiently used as a product. In order to achieve satisfactory performance, the depth of the groove 3 (the sum of the depths of both groove 3) D
Is 0.4 mm or more and 1 mm (thickness T between both groove grooves 3 is 0.1 mm).
It is preferable that the depth D is 6 mm or less. The width W of each groove 3 is 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm.
It is preferable that it is less than (the mounting width W ₀ of the blade member mounting portion). Further, an angle formed between a side wall surface 3a on the tip end side of one piece of the holder fitting 1 and a groove forming surface 1a of the holder fitting 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as "angle of the groove side wall"). ) Is preferably 110 degrees or less.

If the depth D of the groove 3 is less than 0.4 mm, the mounting force is not sufficiently satisfactory as a product, and the thickness T between the two grooves 3 becomes less than 0.6 mm. If the depth D is 3, the strength of the holder 1 is reduced, and the holder 1 is deformed during use of the cleaning blade, thereby deteriorating the image. In addition, the width W of each groove 3 is 0.
Less than 5 mm and the angle α of each groove side wall is 11
If it exceeds 0 degrees, the attachment force is not sufficiently satisfactory as a product.

Next, examples will be described together with comparative examples, comparative examples and conventional examples.

[0022]

Examples 1 and 2, Comparative Examples 1 and 2, Comparative Example 1 and Conventional Example 1 In Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the width W of the groove 3 was 1 mm. , Mounting width W
₀ is 2 mm, the angle α of the groove side wall is 90 degrees, and the cleaning blade is manufactured by changing the depth D of the groove 3.
Comparative Example 1 is a cleaning blade manufactured as in the above embodiment without forming the groove 3. Conventional example 1
This is a cleaning blade manufactured using an adhesive as in the related art.

Each of these cleaning blades was measured for its attachment force and evaluated for its attachment and durability. The results are shown in Table 1 below.
Are also shown.

[Attachability and Attaching Force] Total length L is 10 mm
Of the cleaning blade, and the blade member 2
Was pulled in the width direction of the blade member 2 at a speed of 20 mm / min so as to be pulled out from the holder fitting 1. The tensile force at the time when the blade member 2 came off was expressed as the adhesion force. Furthermore, those having an attachment force of 5 kgf / cm (necessary attachment force) or more were indicated by ○, and those having an attachment force of less than 5 kgf / cm were indicated by x.

[Durability] The cleaning blade was actually mounted on an electrophotographic copying machine, and 6,000 images were printed. As a result, x indicates that the holder fitting 1 was deformed in the middle of the 6000 image output, Δ indicates that the blade member 2 was peeled off, and を indicates that the image after the 6000 image output was good.
Notation as

[Judgment] The attachment or durability was not
Are better than those in which no is formed (except for Conventional Example 1), and those in which a product which can exhibit satisfactory performance are indicated as ◎.

[0027]

[Table 1]

[0028]

Examples 3 to 5, Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 In Examples 3 to 5 and Comparative Example 3, the depth D of the groove 3 was 0.6 mm and the mounting width W _{0 in the} above embodiment. 2m
m, a cleaning blade manufactured by setting the angle α of the groove side wall to 90 degrees and changing the width W of the groove 3. Comparative Example 2
Is a cleaning blade manufactured as in the above embodiment without forming the groove 3.

Then, similarly for these cleaning blades, the attachment force was measured, and the attachment property and durability were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0030]

[Table 2]

[0031]

Examples 6 to 9 and Comparative Example 4 In Examples 6 to 9 and Comparative Example 4, in the above embodiment, the depth D of the groove 3 was 0.6 mm, the width W of the groove 3 was 1 mm, and Mounting width W
_This cleaning blade was manufactured by changing ₀ to 2 mm and changing the angle α of the groove side wall.

In the same manner, for each of these cleaning blades, the attachment force was measured, and the attachment and durability were evaluated. The results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0033]

[Table 3]

According to Tables 1 and 2, all of the products of the examples have a larger attachment force of the blade member 2 than the products of the comparative examples. This indicates that the groove 3 of the example product increases the attachment force of the blade member 2.

From Table 1 above, the depth D of the groove 3 is:
0.4 mm or more and 1 mm (thickness T between both groove grooves 3 is 0.6 m
It is understood that the depth is preferably not more than the depth D) of the groove 3 which is m.

From Table 2 above, the width W of each groove 3 is:
It is understood that the thickness is preferably 0.5 mm or more and less than 2 mm (the mounting width W ₀ of the blade member mounting portion).

From Table 3 above, it is found that the angle α of the groove side wall is
Is preferably equal to or less than 110 degrees.

The form of the groove 3 is not limited to the above-described embodiment and examples, but may be a form as shown in FIGS. That is, the cross-sectional shape of the groove 3 may be a U-shape as shown in FIG. 3 or a V-shape as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 3 may be different. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the groove 3 may be formed so as to be asymmetrical on the front and back of the holder 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of holder metal members 1 may be formed on each of the front and back surfaces. Although not shown, it may be formed on either the front surface or the back surface of the holder 1.

[0039]

As described above, in the cleaning blade of the present invention, since the groove is formed along the longitudinal direction at the blade member attaching portion of the holder member, the holder member and the blade member are not separated from each other. The groove formed in the blade member attachment portion of the holder fitting is engaged with the (projecting) portion of the blade member corresponding to the groove, and this engagement allows the use of an adhesive without using an adhesive. Thus, a large attachment force can be obtained between the holder fitting and the blade member. Therefore, the cleaning blade of the present invention can be manufactured without using an adhesive. Accordingly, in manufacturing the cleaning blade of the present invention, it is not necessary to go through the steps of applying the adhesive, drying and cooling the hot air with the adhesive before cleaning the holder and setting it in the mold. The number is reduced and the manufacturing time is reduced. Further, since these steps can be omitted, the equipment area can be reduced, and the adhesive and much energy required for hot-air drying and cooling of the adhesive can be eliminated. For this reason, equipment cost, material cost of adhesive, and energy cost are reduced,
As a result, the manufacturing cost of the cleaning blade can be reduced. Further, in the production of the cleaning blade of the present invention, the adhesive does not adhere to the molding die, so that the dimensional accuracy of the cleaning blade of the product is improved, and periodic cleaning of the molding die is not required. Further, since no adhesive is attached to the holder, the holder can be easily recycled.

In the present invention, the depth of the groove is not more than 0.
When it is 4 mm or more, and the thickness of the metal part corresponding to the groove is 0.6 mm or more even in the thinnest part, the attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade can be sufficiently satisfied as a product. Things.

In the present invention, the width of the groove is 0.5
mm or more and a width that fits within the blade member attachment portion, it is possible to sufficiently satisfy the attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade as a product.

In the present invention, when the angle formed by the side wall surface of the holder at the tip end side of the side wall surface of the groove and the groove forming surface of the blade member attachment portion is 110 degrees or less, The attachment force of the blade member and the durability of the cleaning blade can be sufficiently satisfied as a product.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning blade according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a holder for the cleaning blade.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the groove of the cleaning blade.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the groove.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the groove.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the groove.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a conventional cleaning blade.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned conventional cleaning blade.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing the above manufacturing method.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of adhesion of an adhesive that adheres to a molding die in the above-mentioned manufacturing method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 holder bracket 2 blade member 3 groove

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cleaning blade having a blade member attached to a tip end of one side of a plate-like holder along a longitudinal direction, wherein the blade is attached to a blade member attachment portion of the holder along the longitudinal direction. A cleaning blade, wherein a groove is formed. 2. The cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the groove is 0.4 mm or more, and the thickness of the metal part corresponding to the groove is 0.6 mm or more even in the thinnest part. 3. The width of the groove is 0.5 mm or more, and is a width that fits within the blade member attachment portion.
Or the cleaning blade according to 2. 4. An angle between a side wall surface on the tip end side of the holder fitting and a side groove forming surface of a blade member attaching portion of the side wall surface of the groove is 110 degrees or less. The cleaning blade according to claim 1.