JP2000267306A - Production of photoreceptor drum - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to remove a photosensitive agent from the end of a photoreceptor drum with good accuracy in a short treatment. SOLUTION: This process for production consists in holding one end of the photoreceptor drum 1 formed by applying the photosensitive agent to the surface of a tube stock to a perpendicular posture and pressing a rotating body 4 which is freely rotatable around a shaft 3 parallel with the axial center of the photoreceptor drum to the outside surface at the bottom end of the photoreceptor drum 1. The rotating body 4 is rotated in this state relatively with the photoreceptor drum 1 in its circumferential direction. As a result, the rotating body 4 pressed to the outside surface at the bottom end of the photoreceptor drum 1 rotates while revolving in the circumferential direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 and, therefore, the photosensitive agent may be removed by the rotating body 4 in the short treatment time with good accuracy from the outside surface at the bottom end of the photoreceptor drum 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a photosensitive drum for removing a photosensitive agent from one end of a photosensitive drum formed by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a base tube.

[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.
This immersion method is to apply a photosensitive agent to the surface of the tube by immersing the tube in a vertical position while holding one end with a jig, and then pulling it up at a constant speed. It is.

Incidentally, since both ends of the photosensitive drum are portions where various members are in sliding contact with each other in a state where the photosensitive drum is incorporated in an electrophotographic copying machine, it is preferable that both ends are portions where no photosensitive agent is applied. On the other hand, when the photosensitive drum is coated with the photosensitive agent by the immersion method, when the photosensitive drum is pulled up from the liquid tank for the photosensitive agent, the photosensitive agent is applied to the lower end portion.
Therefore, in the case of the photosensitive drum coated with the photosensitive agent by the immersion method, it is necessary to perform a process of removing the photosensitive agent from one end thereof.

In order to remove the photosensitive agent from one end of the photosensitive drum, various methods described below have conventionally been employed. (1) One end of the photosensitive drum is immersed in a bath of a processing solution comprising a solvent that dissolves the photosensitive agent, and the photosensitive agent is removed by natural dissolution. (2) A flexible plate is slid on the outer surface of one end of the photosensitive drum to remove the photosensitive agent (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S60-170858).
(3) The processing liquid is agitated while one end of the photosensitive drum is immersed in the processing liquid tank (for example, a vortex is generated in the processing liquid by a nozzle for ejecting the processing liquid).
As a result, the photosensitive agent is removed (see JP-A-63-6307).
No. 9).

[0005]

However, in the method (1) for removing the photosensitive agent by immersion, since the photosensitive agent is naturally dissolved from the raw tube and diffused and removed in the processing solution, it takes a long time to process. There is a problem that it takes. In the method (2) of removing the photosensitive agent in which the plate is brought into sliding contact with one end of the photosensitive drum, the photosensitive agent scraped from the photosensitive drum accumulates on the plate and the plate is worn, so that sufficient removal is required. There is a problem that the effect cannot be obtained. In the method of removing the photosensitive agent by stirring in (3), the processing liquid is positively caused to flow by the stirring, so that the processing time is shortened, but the level of the processing liquid is disturbed, and the accuracy of the processing width is reduced. And there is a problem that the quality is deteriorated due to the splash of the processing liquid.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention solves such a problem and provides a photosensitive agent from an end of a photosensitive drum.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum that can be accurately removed in a short processing time.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a photosensitive drum formed by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a base tube is held in a vertical position by holding one end of a photosensitive drum with a holder. ,
In a state where a rotating body rotatable around an axis parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum is pressed against the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum, the rotating body is moved relative to the photosensitive drum in the circumferential direction. It is characterized in that the photosensitive agent on the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum is removed by the rotating body by rotating the photosensitive drum. According to this configuration, the rotating body pressed against the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum rotates while revolving in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum, so that the rotating body shortens the photosensitive agent from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum. It can be removed accurately in processing time.

The second invention is characterized in that the rotation of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum is relatively performed by rotating the photosensitive drum around the axis of the photosensitive drum as a center of rotation. is there. According to this configuration, the configuration on the rotating body side can be simplified, and the rotating body can relatively revolve in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum.

The third invention is characterized in that the rotation of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum revolves around the axis of the photosensitive drum as the center of rotation. According to this configuration, the configuration on the photosensitive drum side can be simplified, and the rotating body can revolve in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a blade for scraping a photosensitive agent from the peripheral surface of the rotating body is brought into sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating body as the rotating body rotates. According to this configuration,
The photosensitive agent scraped from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum and adhered to the peripheral surface of the rotating body is further removed from the peripheral surface of the rotating body by the blade, so that the photosensitive agent accumulates on the peripheral surface of the rotating body. Therefore, a sufficient photosensitive agent removing effect by the rotating body can be obtained.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the lower end of the photosensitive drum and the rotating body are immersed in a bath of a processing solution comprising a solvent that dissolves a photosensitive agent. According to this configuration, since the photosensitive agent on the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum is dissolved by the processing liquid and then removed by the rotating body, the effect of removing the photosensitive agent by the rotating body is further improved.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the rotating body is rotatably provided in the processing liquid tank, and the processing liquid tank is rotated about the axis of the photosensitive drum as a center of rotation, whereby the rotating body is rotated by the photosensitive body. It is characterized in that it revolves in the circumferential direction of the drum. According to this configuration, the rotating body can be revolved in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum by rotating the processing liquid tank, so that a rotating mechanism for revolving the rotating body can be easily configured. In addition, by the rotation of the processing liquid tank, a flow of the processing liquid around the lower end of the photosensitive drum immersed in the processing liquid is formed.
The photosensitive agent dissolved from the photosensitive drum is effectively dispersed in the radial direction of the photosensitive drum, so that the photosensitive agent can be accurately removed from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum in a shorter processing time.

The seventh invention is characterized in that the rotating body revolves in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum independently of the processing liquid tank. According to this configuration, only the rotating body revolves in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum without rotating the processing liquid tank, so that the driving energy required for rotating the rotating body can be reduced.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a method for manufacturing the photosensitive drum of this embodiment. In FIG. 1, the photosensitive drum 1 is obtained by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a raw tube by an immersion method, and it has not been so long after the application, and the photosensitive agent coating film has not been solidified. It is assumed that A predetermined width portion from one end of the photosensitive drum 1 is
The non-coating portion is not coated with the photosensitive agent during the immersion process, but the other end is coated with the photosensitive agent.

The photosensitive drum 1 is suspended in a vertical position by a holder 2 with its non-coated portion facing upward.
Below the photosensitive drum 1, a columnar rotating body 4 rotatable about a shaft 3 parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 is arranged in a state of being pressed against the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1. Is done. The rotating body 4 is made of, for example, a cured resin such as a polyethylene resin or other rigid members.

The holder 2 is rotatably supported via a bearing 7 on, for example, an elevator 6 driven up and down by a cylinder 5. The cylinder 5 is suspended from a support arm 8, and the support arm 8 is provided so as to project laterally from a movable table 10 that moves along a rail 9. The holder 2 is rotationally driven by a rotation driving device 11 provided on the lift 6. The rotation driving device 11 includes an input gear 13 provided on a shaft 12 of the holder 2 that penetrates the lifting table 6 and protrudes upward, a motor 14 as a driving source, and a rotation output of the motor 14 to the input. And an output gear 15 for transmitting to the gear 13.

The rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 about the axis of rotation of the photoreceptor drum 1 by the operation of the rotary drive device 11 causes the revolving member 4 to revolve relatively in the circumferential direction of the photoreceptor drum 1 and the shaft to rotate. Rotate around 3 As a result, the photosensitive material is scraped off from the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 by the rotating body 4. A blade 16 made of a flexible member is slid on the peripheral surface of the rotating body 4, and the photosensitive agent adhered to the peripheral surface of the rotating body 4 is scraped off by the blade 16.

The photosensitive drum 1 suspended in a vertical position
1A, a cylindrical support member 17 is inserted into the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 so as to prevent the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 from swinging. It may be.

With the above configuration, the rotation driving device 11 is operated to set the photosensitive drum 1 before the coating of the photosensitive agent is solidified.
Is rotated, the rotating body 4 relatively revolves in the circumferential direction, and also rotates about the shaft 3. As a result, the photosensitive agent on the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 is scraped to the peripheral surface of the rotating body 4. The photosensitive agent scraped from the photosensitive drum 1 and adhered to the peripheral surface of the rotating body 4 is constantly scraped by the blade 16 as the rotating body 4 rotates.
As a result, the photosensitive agent can be accurately removed from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 in a short processing time.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a method of manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower end of the photoconductor drum 1 held vertically by holding one end by the holder 2 is treated with a processing liquid made of an organic hydrocarbon solvent (eg, tetrahydrofuran (THF)) that dissolves the photosensitizer. 1
8 is immersed in a processing liquid tank 19 containing the photosensitive drum 1 and pressed against the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1.
Is disposed in the processing liquid tank 19, and the processing liquid tank 19 is rotated about the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 as a rotation center. It is rotationally driven by the driving device 20.

The rotation driving device 20 is provided with the processing liquid tank 1.
9, an input gear 21 vertically provided at a position corresponding to the photosensitive drum shaft center, a motor 22 as a drive source, and an output gear 23 for transmitting the rotation output of the motor 22 to the input gear 21. Become. The rotator 4 is made of a cured resin such as a polyethylene resin or another rigid member, as in the case of the previous embodiment.

In this embodiment, when the processing liquid tank 19 is rotated about the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 by the operation of the rotation driving device 20, the rotating body 4 is integrated with the processing liquid tank The rotating body 4 revolves around the shaft 3 along with the orbit in the circumferential direction of the drum 1. As a result, the rotating body 4 scrapes the photosensitive agent from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1. At this time, since the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 is immersed in the processing liquid 18 composed of a solvent, the photosensitive agent at the lower end of the photosensitive drum is dissolved in the processing liquid 18,
The scraping of the photosensitive agent by the rotating body 4 can be performed in a shorter time.

The rotation of the processing solution tank 19 causes a flow of the processing solution 18 around the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1, and the eluted photosensitizer dissolved by the processing solution 18 Due to the centrifugal force caused by the flow 18, the photosensitive drum 1 is effectively separated in the radial direction. Furthermore, since the rotating body 4 is also immersed in the processing liquid 19, the photosensitive agent that has been scraped off and adhered to the peripheral surface of the rotating body 4 is effectively removed from the peripheral surface by the rotation of the rotating body 4. You. Thereby, the removal of the photosensitive agent from the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 by the rotating body 4 is more effectively performed.

In this case, since the photosensitive drum 1 is not rotated, there is no need to arrange a complicated rotating mechanism on the side of the holder 2 for holding the photosensitive drum 1. Also in this case, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a cylindrical support member 17 is inserted into the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 suspended in a vertical posture, and the photosensitive drum 1 is The lower end of 1 may be prevented from swinging.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1 may be rotated as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 without rotating the processing liquid tank 19. Also in this case, the rotating body 4 is rotated in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 1 while the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 is immersed in the processing solution 18 of the solvent.
Can be relatively revolved.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a method of manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to the third embodiment. In this embodiment, the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 in a vertical position with one end held by the holder 2 is immersed in a processing liquid tank 19 containing a processing liquid 18 made of a solvent that dissolves a photosensitive agent. A cylindrical rotating body 4 pressed against the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 and rotatable about an axis 3 parallel to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1
Is disposed in the processing liquid tank 19, and the rotating body 4 is revolved in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 1 by the rotation driving device 24 about the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 as a center of rotation.

The rotation drive unit 24 is disposed in the processing liquid tank 19 and supports a shaft 3 of the rotating body 4. The rotation drive unit 24 is provided vertically at a position corresponding to the axis of the photosensitive drum 1 on the support plate 25. Input gear 26 and motor 27 as a driving source
And an output gear 28 for transmitting the rotation output of the motor 27 to the input gear 26. The shaft 29 of the input gear 26 penetrates the bottom surface of the processing liquid tank 19, and a seal member 30 is inserted in the shaft penetrating portion. Thus, the shaft through portion is sealed, and the shaft 29 can be rotated with respect to the processing liquid tank 19.

In the case of this embodiment, the rotation of the rotating body 4 is independent of the processing liquid tank 19 in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and the rotating body 4
Rotates, so that the photosensitive material can be scraped from the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 by the rotating body 4 in substantially the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG.

In this embodiment, since only the rotating body 4 revolves, it is possible to reduce the energy consumption due to the driving of the rotary driving device 24. Also in this case, as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a cylindrical support member 17 is inserted into the lower end of the photosensitive drum 1 suspended in a vertical posture, and the photosensitive drum 1 is The lower end of 1 may be prevented from swinging.

[0030]

The present invention is configured as described above.
The following effects are obtained. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the rotating body pressed against the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum rotates while revolving in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum, so that the rotating body rotates the photosensitive material from the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum. Can be accurately removed in a short processing time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the structure of the rotating body can be simplified, and the rotating body can relatively revolve in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the structure on the photosensitive drum side can be simplified, and the rotating body can revolve in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the photosensitive agent scraped from the outer surface of the lower end portion of the photosensitive drum and adhered to the peripheral surface of the rotating body is further removed from the peripheral surface of the rotating body by the blade. The agent does not accumulate on the peripheral surface of the rotating body, and a sufficient photosensitive agent removing effect by the rotating body can be obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the removal of the photosensitive agent by scratching the rotating body, the removal of the photosensitive agent by spontaneous dissolution of a processing solution comprising a solvent is performed, so that the photosensitive agent can be removed more effectively.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the rotating body can be revolved in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum by rotating the processing liquid tank, the rotating mechanism can be simply constructed. Also, since the processing liquid flows around the lower end of the photosensitive drum immersed in the processing liquid,
Due to the centrifugal force of the flow, the photosensitive agent dissolved from the photosensitive drum is effectively dispersed in the radial direction from the photosensitive drum, and the photosensitive agent can be accurately separated from the end of the photosensitive drum in a shorter processing time. Can be removed well.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since only the rotating member is revolved in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum without rotating the processing liquid tank, the driving energy required for rotating the rotating member can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
3 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a method of manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is CC sectional view taken on the line CC of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoreceptor drum, 2 ... Holder, 3 ... Shaft, 4 ... Rotating body,
11: rotation drive device, 16: blade, 18: treatment liquid,
19: treatment liquid tank, 20: rotary drive, 24: rotary drive

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A photosensitive drum formed by applying a photosensitive agent to the surface of a base tube is held in a vertical position by holding one end of the photosensitive drum with a holder. By rotating the rotating body relative to the photosensitive drum in the circumferential direction while pressing a rotating body rotatable about a parallel axis as a center, the photosensitive material on the outer surface of the lower end of the photosensitive drum is A photoreceptor drum, wherein the photoreceptor is removed by a rotating body. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum is relatively performed by rotating the photosensitive drum around the axis of the photosensitive drum as a center of rotation. 2. The method for manufacturing a photosensitive drum according to item 1. 3. The photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the rotating body in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum revolves the rotating body about the axis of the photosensitive drum as a center of rotation. Manufacturing method. 4. The photosensitive drum according to claim 1, wherein a blade that scrapes a photosensitive agent from the peripheral surface of the rotating body as the rotating body rotates in sliding contact with the peripheral surface of the rotating body. Manufacturing method. 5. The photoconductor drum according to claim 1, wherein the lower end of the photoconductor drum and the rotating body are immersed in a bath of a processing liquid including a solvent that dissolves a photosensitizer. Of manufacturing a photosensitive drum. 6. The rotating body is provided on the processing liquid tank so as to be rotatable, and the processing liquid tank is rotated around the axis of the photosensitive drum as a rotation center, thereby rotating the rotating body around the photosensitive drum. The method according to claim 5, wherein the photosensitive drum is revolved in a direction. 7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the rotating body revolves in the circumferential direction of the photosensitive drum independently of the processing liquid tank.