JP2000181101A - Production of photoreceptor drum and treating tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent formation of buildups of a photosensitizer coating film on the edge of a photoreceptor drum produced by applying a photosensitizer by immersion. SOLUTION: A raw tube held at one end and kept in a vertical position is immersed in a liquid tank of a photosensitizer and then pulled up to apply the photosensitizer on the surface of the tube of obtain a photoreceptor drum 1. The photoreceptor drum 1 thus coated with the photosensitizer as kept in the vertical position is left to stand in an atmosphere of vapor 9 of a solvent 2 which dissolves the photosensitizer. The concn. of the solvent vapor 9 is controlled to >=0.1%, and the drum is left to stand for >=5 sec. By this method, since the photosensitizer remaining on the lower end of the photoreceptor drum 1 is dissolved with the solvent vapor 9 after the drum is pulled up from the liquid tank of the photosensitizer, formation of buildups of the photosensitizer coating film on the edge of the finished photoreceptor drum can be avoided.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photosensitive drum for applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a tube by immersing a tube in a vertical position with one end thereof held in a liquid tank for the photosensitive agent and then lifting the tube. And a treatment tank used in the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photosensitive drum used in an electrophotographic copying machine is formed by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a base tube. There are various methods for applying a photosensitive agent to a base tube, and an immersion method that is advantageous in terms of productivity, cost, and the like is generally widely used.
In this immersion method, the raw tube in a vertical position with one end held by a holder is immersed in a liquid tank of a sensitizer dissolved in a solvent, and then pulled up at a constant speed to apply the sensitizer to the surface of the raw tube. It is to be applied.

[0003]

However, when a photosensitive agent is applied to the surface of the base tube by the immersion method, the solvent evaporates from the application surface of the base tube after the base tube is pulled up from the photosensitive agent liquid tank. Since the applied photosensitive agent moves to the lower end side of the raw tube by gravity before the coating of the photosensitive agent is solidified, the photosensitive drum ends at an end corresponding to the lower end side. A pool of the agent coating is formed. As a result, when incorporating this photosensitive drum into an electrophotographic copying machine, it is necessary to remove the reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film from the charging, developing and cleaning sections, and the photosensitive drum is made extra long accordingly. However, there is a problem that the size of the electrophotographic copying machine is increased.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and a method of manufacturing a photosensitive drum that does not cause a pool of a photosensitive agent coating at an end portion, and a process used in the manufacturing method. It is intended to provide a tank.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is to immerse a raw tube in a vertical position while holding one end thereof into a liquid tank of a photosensitive agent, and then pull up the tube.
After applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of the base tube to make a photosensitive drum,
It is characterized in that the photosensitive drum is left in the vertical posture for 5 seconds or more in a vapor atmosphere of a solvent that dissolves the photosensitive agent and has a vapor concentration of 0.1% or more. is there. According to this configuration, after the photosensitive agent is lifted from the liquid tank, the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photosensitive drum is
Since it is dissolved by being left in a solvent vapor atmosphere, it is possible to avoid formation of a reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the photosensitive drum.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a photosensitive tube is coated on the surface of a photosensitive drum by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of the tube by immersing the raw tube in a vertical posture while holding one end thereof in a liquid tank of the photosensitive agent and then pulling up the tube. After that, a solvent that dissolves the photosensitizer is stored at the bottom,
In the vapor atmosphere in the processing tank having a vapor atmosphere in which the vapor concentration of the solvent is 0.1 or more in the upper layer, the height portion from the lower end of the photosensitive drum to 80 mm above the lower end of the photosensitive drum, It is characterized in that it is left for more than 5 seconds in the vertical posture. According to this configuration, after the photosensitive agent is pulled out of the liquid tank, the height portion from the lower end of the photosensitive drum up to 80 mm above is left in the solvent vapor atmosphere in the upper layer in the processing tank, whereby the photosensitive drum is exposed. Only the photosensitizer accumulated at the lower end of the body drum is selectively dissolved,
It is possible to avoid formation of a reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the photosensitive drum without affecting other parts of the photosensitive drum.

The third invention is characterized in that, in the first invention or the second invention, a lower end of the photosensitive drum left in the steam atmosphere is held by a holder. According to this configuration, the photosensitive agent at the lower end of the photosensitive drum that dissolves in the atmosphere of the solvent vapor is separated from the photosensitive drum through the holder, so that the photosensitive agent is more reliably applied to the end of the photosensitive drum. The formation of a pool portion of the coating film can be avoided.

The fourth invention is characterized in that in the first invention or the second invention, the lower end of the photosensitive drum left in the vapor atmosphere is brought into contact with the solvent. According to this configuration, the photosensitive agent at the lower end of the photosensitive drum that is dissolved in the atmosphere of the solvent vapor flows into the solvent as it is and is separated from the photosensitive drum, so that the photosensitive agent is more reliably applied to the end of the photosensitive drum. It is possible to avoid the formation of a pool of the agent coating.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a processing tank for use in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein an upper portion is opened, and a solvent which dissolves the photosensitizer and has a vapor density heavier than air. It is housed at the bottom and has a feature that the vapor atmosphere of the solvent is provided in the upper layer. According to this configuration,
The process of dissolving the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photosensitive drum with the application of the photosensitive agent by the immersion method in a vapor atmosphere of a solvent can be effectively performed with a simple configuration.

The sixth invention is characterized in that, in the fifth invention, an opening for adjusting the concentration of the vapor is provided on a side surface or a bottom surface of the processing tank. According to this configuration, the solvent vapor concentration in the processing tank can be adjusted to a suitable value by appropriately discharging the solvent vapor from the openings provided on the side and bottom surfaces of the processing tank. The process of dissolving the photosensitive agent that accumulates at the lower end of the photosensitive drum with the application of the agent in the vapor atmosphere of the solvent can be performed more efficiently.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum of this embodiment. The apparatus used in this manufacturing method is for treating the lower end of a photosensitive drum 1 obtained by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a base tube by an immersion method. The processing tank 4 accommodated in the solvent container 3, the solvent storage tank 5, the solvent supply path 6 for supplying the solvent 2 from the solvent storage tank 5 to the solvent container 3 and the pump 7, and the solvent container 3 overflows. And a solvent recovery path 8 for recovering the solvent 2 flowing out to the bottom of the processing tank 4 from the processing tank 4 to the solvent storage tank 5.

The solvent container 3 provided at the bottom of the processing tank 4 is open at the top, and the processing tank 4 is also open at the top and the bottom is airtight. As the solvent 2 contained in the solvent container 3, an organic hydrocarbon solvent such as THF (tetrahydrofuran) whose vapor density is heavier than air is used. 9 are full.

An opening 10 for adjusting the concentration of the solvent vapor 9 in the tank is provided on a side surface of the processing tank 4.
A control valve 12 such as an electromagnetic valve that adjusts the opening in response to the output of a concentration sensor (not shown) that monitors the vapor concentration in the tank is provided in the exhaust pipe 11 connected to the exhaust pipe 11. Here, such a vapor concentration adjusting mechanism is provided, but it may be omitted and the side surface of the processing tank 4 may be completely airtight.

The processing of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 is performed by the apparatus having the above-described configuration as described later. The dip coating process prior to the processing is performed by a conventionally known method. That is,
After immersing the tube in a vertical position with one end held by the holder 13 in a liquid tank of the photosensitive agent, the photosensitive tube is pulled up from the liquid tank at a constant speed so that the surface of the tube is coated with the photosensitive agent and the photosensitive member is exposed. Drum 1 is assumed.

After the dip coating, the upper end of the holder 13
As shown in FIG. 1, the photoreceptor drum 1 held in the vertical position and held in a vertical position is moved from the lower end thereof to a height h of 80 mm upward in the atmosphere of the solvent vapor 8 in the processing tank 4. Leave in the exposed state for a certain period of time. At this time,
It is preferable that the concentration of the solvent vapor 8 in the treatment tank 4 be 0.1% or more, and the standing time be 5 seconds or more.

By performing the above-described processing, the photosensitive agent collected from the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 after being pulled out of the photosensitive agent liquid tank and having been subjected to the dip coating treatment is dissolved by the solvent vapor 8. It is possible to avoid the formation of the reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the completed photosensitive drum 1. In addition, the upper part 8 from the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1
Only the height h up to 0 mm is selectively dissolved by the solvent vapor 8, so that the other parts of the photosensitive drum are not affected.

Further, since such processing is performed in the processing tank 4 having the above-described configuration, the predetermined space can be efficiently filled with the solvent vapor 9 and the photosensitive agent dissolving processing by the solvent vapor 9 can be efficiently performed. Can be. Moreover, since the concentration of the solvent vapor 9 can be adjusted by providing the vapor concentration adjusting opening 10 in the processing tank 4, the dissolving process can be performed more efficiently with an appropriate vapor concentration.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the apparatus used in this manufacturing method, an opening 10 for adjusting the concentration of the solvent vapor 9 in the tank is provided on the bottom surface of the processing tank 4. The fact that the exhaust pipe 11 connected to the opening 10 is provided with a control valve 12 such as a solenoid valve that adjusts the opening in response to the output of a concentration sensor (not shown) that monitors the vapor concentration in the tank, This is the same as in the previous embodiment. Here, the partition wall 14 surrounding the solvent container 3 is provided so that the solvent 2 overflowing from the solvent container 3 at the bottom of the processing tank 4 and flowing out to the bottom does not flow out of the tank from the exhaust pipe 11. The opening 10 is provided on the bottom surface and on the bottom surface outside the partition wall 14. The solvent recovery passage 8 is opened at the bottom surface inside the partition wall 4. Other configurations are the same as in the previous embodiment,
The same applies to the end processing of the photosensitive drum 1 using this apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing the structure of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the apparatus used in this manufacturing method, the photosensitive drum 1
Is provided. Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 after the dip coating is held by the holder 14 in the processing tank 4 so as to have a height of 80 mm above the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1. The portion h is exposed to the atmosphere of the solvent vapor 9 in the processing tank 4. Also in this case, the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 is dissolved by the solvent vapor 9, but the dissolved photosensitive agent flows down the holder 14 and is separated from the photosensitive drum 1. It is possible to more reliably prevent the formation of the pool of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the completed photosensitive drum 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus used in this manufacturing method is almost the same as that in the embodiment of FIG. 1, but is set so that the height from the upper end of the solvent container 3 to the upper end of the processing tank 4 is about 80 mm.

In the case of this embodiment, the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 after the dip coating is brought into contact with the liquid surface of the solvent 2 overflowing in the solvent container 3 in the processing tank 4, whereby the photosensitive drum 1 Is exposed to the atmosphere of the solvent vapor 9 in the processing tank 4. Also in this case, the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 is dissolved by the solvent vapor 9, but the dissolved photosensitive agent dissolves in the solvent 2 and is separated from the photosensitive drum 1, so that the completed photosensitive member It is possible to more reliably avoid the formation of the reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the drum 1.

In each of the above embodiments, the opening of the opening 10 provided on the side surface or the bottom surface of the processing tank 4 is adjusted by the control valve 12, but the opening 10 may be simply provided.
Also in this case, the concentration of the solvent vapor 9 in the processing tank 4 can be adjusted to a desired value to some extent by selecting the installation position and the opening degree of the opening 10.

[0024]

The present invention is configured as described above.
The following effects are obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the photosensitive agent collected at the lower end of the photosensitive drum after the dip coating pulled up from the liquid tank of the photosensitive agent is dissolved by being left in a solvent vapor atmosphere, It is possible to avoid the formation of a reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the drum.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the height from the lower end of the photosensitive drum up to 80 mm from the lower end of the photosensitive drum after the dip coating is lifted out of the liquid tank of the photosensitive agent, and the upper part of the processing tank is filled with a solvent vapor atmosphere. By leaving it inside, only the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photoconductor drum is selectively dissolved, so that it does not affect other portions of the photoconductor drum,
It is possible to avoid the formation of a reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the photosensitive drum.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive agent at the lower end of the photosensitive drum, which dissolves in the atmosphere of the solvent vapor, is separated from the photosensitive drum through the holder, so that the photosensitive drum can be more reliably formed. It is possible to avoid the formation of the pool of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive agent at the lower end of the photosensitive drum which is dissolved in the atmosphere of the solvent vapor flows into the solvent as it is and is separated from the photosensitive drum. The formation of a reservoir of the photosensitive agent coating film at the end of the substrate can be avoided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the process of dissolving the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end of the photosensitive drum in the vapor atmosphere of the solvent with the application of the photosensitive agent by the immersion method can be effectively performed by a simple processing tank. Can be done.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the solvent vapor concentration in the processing tank can be adjusted to a suitable value by appropriately discharging the solvent vapor out of the tank through openings provided on the side and bottom surfaces of the processing tank. In addition, the process of dissolving the photosensitive agent accumulated at the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum with the application of the photosensitive agent by the immersion method in a vapor atmosphere of a solvent can be performed more efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoreceptor drum, 2 ... Solvent, 4 ... Processing tank, 9 ... Solvent vapor, 10 ... Opening, 13 ... Holder, 15 ... Holder

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A tube in which a vertical position is held while holding one end thereof is immersed in a liquid tank of a photosensitive agent and then lifted up to apply a photosensitive agent to the surface of the tube to form a photosensitive drum. It is a vapor of a solvent that dissolves the photosensitive agent and has a vapor concentration of 0.1.
A method of manufacturing a photoconductor drum, wherein the photoconductor drum is left in the vertical posture for 5 seconds or more in a steam atmosphere of 1% or more. 2. A photoconductor drum is formed by applying a photosensitizer to the surface of the raw tube by dipping the raw tube in a vertical posture holding one end into a liquid tank of the photosensitizer and then pulling up the same. A solvent for dissolving the photosensitive agent is stored at the bottom, and the lower end of the photosensitive drum is placed in the vapor atmosphere in a processing tank having a vapor atmosphere in which the vapor concentration of the solvent is 0.1 or more in the upper layer. A height portion from 80 mm to an upper part of the photosensitive drum is left for 5 seconds or more in the vertical posture. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the photosensitive drum left in the steam atmosphere is held by a holder. 4. The method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the photosensitive drum left in the steam atmosphere is brought into contact with the solvent. 5. A processing tank used in the method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein an upper part is opened to dissolve the photosensitive agent and have a vapor density heavier than air. A processing tank, wherein a solvent is accommodated in a bottom portion and a vapor atmosphere of the solvent is provided in an upper layer. 6. The processing tank according to claim 5, wherein an opening for adjusting the concentration of the vapor is provided on a side surface or a bottom surface.