JP2000267396A - Production of member for image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of coating layers of electrophotographic members by providing respective members for electrostatic charge, photoreceptors, trans fer, etc., with at least the coating layers formed by coating and using a coating material atomizing device by ultrasonic vibration in coating of these coating layers. SOLUTION: In the production of the members for an image forming device including the electrostatic charging members, photoreceptor members, transfer members, developing members and cleaning members used in the image forming device, the coating layers are formed on these members by coating using the coating material atomizing device. The coating material atomizing device to be used is generally imperfect in atomization of a high-viscosity coating material in some cases. Then, the adequate coating material viscosity is preferably <=200 mpa.s, further preferably <=100 pa.s. Fillers may be compounded with the coating material to be used in order to impart a toner release property and adequate electrical characteristics thereto. In such a case, the compounding ratio of the filler for obtaining the good atomization state is preferably <=30 wt.% and is further preferably <=20 wt.%.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing various members used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus to which an electrophotographic method is applied is capable of sequentially transferring a plurality of component color images of color image information and multicolor image information by stacking and transferring the resulting color image or multicolor image. The present invention is effective as a color image forming apparatus or a multicolor image forming apparatus for outputting, or an image forming apparatus having a color image forming function or a multicolor image forming function.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 1 shows a color image forming apparatus (copier or laser beam printer) using an electrophotographic process.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) which is repeatedly used as a first image carrier, and rotates at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow. Driven.

The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in a primary charging device 2 during the rotation process.
Is charged uniformly to a predetermined polarity and potential, and then image exposure means 3 (not shown) (modulation in accordance with a color original image separation / imaging exposure optical system, a time-series electric digital pixel signal of image information) (E.g., a scanning exposure system using a laser scanner that outputs a converted laser beam) to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a first color component image (for example, a yellow color component image) of a target color image. You.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a first developing unit (yellow developing unit 41) with yellow toner Y as a first color. At this time, the developing units of the second to fourth developing units (magenta developing unit 42, cyan developing unit 43, black developing unit 44) are turned on and off and do not act on the photosensitive drum 1, The first color yellow toner image is not affected by the second to fourth developing units.

The intermediate transfer belt 20 is driven to rotate clockwise at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive drum 1.

[0008] The first type formed and supported on the photosensitive drum 1
In the process where the yellow toner image of the color passes through the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 20, the electric field generated by the primary transfer bias applied from the primary transfer roller 62 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 causes Transfer belt 2
0 is sequentially transferred to the outer peripheral surface (primary transfer).

After the transfer of the first color yellow toner image corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is cleaned by the cleaning device 13.

Hereinafter, similarly, the second color magenta toner image, the third color cyan toner image, and the fourth color black toner image are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 20 and transferred to correspond to the target color image. Thus, a combined color toner image is formed.

Reference numeral 63 denotes a secondary transfer roller, which is provided in parallel with the secondary transfer opposing roller 64 so as to bear in parallel with the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 so as to be separated therefrom.

A primary transfer bias for sequentially superimposing transfer of the first to fourth color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is applied from a bias power supply 29 with a polarity (+) opposite to that of the toner. You. The applied voltage is, for example, +100
V to +2 kV. In the primary transfer process of the first to third color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the secondary transfer roller 63 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 8 can be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 20. .

The transfer of the composite color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 onto a transfer material P, which is a second image carrier, is performed while the secondary transfer roller 63 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20. The transfer material P is fed from the paper feed roller 11 to a contact nip between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 63 at a predetermined timing, and a secondary transfer bias is applied from the bias power supply 28 to the secondary transfer roller 63. You. With this secondary transfer bias, the composite color toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) from the intermediate transfer belt 20 to the transfer material P as the second image carrier. The transfer material P to which the toner image has been transferred is introduced into the fixing device 15 and is fixed by heating.

After the image transfer to the transfer material P is completed, the cleaning member 8 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20 and a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied.
The toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 20 without being transferred to the transfer material P is given a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1.

The transfer residual toner is electrostatically transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 in a nip portion with the photosensitive drum 1 and in the vicinity thereof, thereby cleaning the intermediate transfer member. Note that, at the same time as the primary transfer of the toner from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 20, the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 20 generated in the previous image step may be returned to the photosensitive drum 1. (Hereinafter referred to as a primary transfer simultaneous cleaning method.) The primary transfer simultaneous cleaning method has an advantage that the cleaning step is not particularly required, so that the throughput is not reduced.

The charging member, photosensitive member, transfer member, developing member, and cleaning member used in such an image forming apparatus generally have a single layer,
Or it is in the form of a roll or a belt having a multilayer coating layer.

The structure of an intermediate transfer member will be described below as an example of a transfer member.

The intermediate transfer member has, for example, a belt shape made of rubber / elastomer / resin, or a roller shape having an elastic layer made of rubber / elastomer / resin on a conductive support. The elastic layer should have at least one coating layer to provide toner releasability, appropriate electric resistance, withstand voltage, electric capacity, charge retention ability, etc., which are essential functions of the intermediate transfer member. There are many. Rubber used as the elastic layer, as an elastomer, for example, natural rubber, isoprene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, high styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer, nitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, Silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, nitrile rubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber and norbornene rubber, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, syndiotactic 1.2 polybutadiene, polysulfide rubber, hydrogenated From the group consisting of nitrile rubber and thermoplastic elastomers (eg, polystyrene, polyolefin, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyamide, polyester, and fluororesin) It is possible to use one kind or two kinds or more barrel.

Examples of highly lubricating powders contained in the coating layer for imparting toner releasability include ethylene tetrafluoride resin, ethylene trifluoride chloride resin, ethylene tetrafluoride hexafluoropropylene resin, and vinyl fluoride. Resin, vinylidene fluoride resin, ethylene dichloride ethylene chloride resin and their copolymers, fluorocarbons, silicone compounds such as silicone resin, silicone rubber, silicone elastomer, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylic resin, nylon One or more of resins, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, and their compounds, mixtures, and inorganic substances such as silica and alumina are appropriately selected. Particularly, ethylene tetrafluoride resin and ethylene tetrafluoride hexafluoride are used. Preferred is a propylene chloride resin. Also, the shape and particle size of those additives are not particularly limited,
Any shape can be used, and the particle size is not limited. However, considering the dispersibility and surface properties, 0.02 μm to 50 μm
The range of m is desirable. If necessary, the surface treatment may be performed within a range that does not impair lubricity, and a dispersant may be used within a range that does not cause a problem in processing characteristics.

In order to adjust the resistance value of the intermediate transfer member,
A conductive material may be added to the elastic layer or the coating layer. Examples of the conductive agent include carbon, conductive titanium oxide, aluminum, and nickel. Examples of the additive include a surfactant and a perchlorate.

Examples of the resin used for the coating layer include polyurethane resin, polystyrene, chloropolystyrene, poly-α-methylstyrene, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, Styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-acrylate copolymer (styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-
Octyl acrylate copolymer and styrene-phenyl acrylate copolymer), styrene-methacrylate copolymer (styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer,
Styrene-based resins (styrene or styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-phenyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.), styrene-α-methyl methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate copolymer, etc. A homopolymer or copolymer containing a styrene substituent), a vinyl chloride resin, a styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a rosin-modified maleic resin, a phenol resin,
Epoxy resin, polyester resin, low molecular weight polyethylene, low molecular weight polypropylene, ionomer resin, silicone resin, ketone resin, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin, fluororesin, polycarbonate, polyamide resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, and copolymers thereof Resins such as coalescing and mixtures are exemplified. Also, urethane rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, high styrene rubber, butadiene rubber, isoprene rubber, ethylene-propylene copolymer, nitrile butadiene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, nitrile rubber, acrylic rubber, epichloro rubber Rubbers such as hydrin rubber and norbornene rubber can also be mentioned.

As the cylindrical conductive support, a metal or alloy such as aluminum, iron, copper, and stainless steel, a conductive resin in which carbon, metal particles, and the like are dispersed, and the like are used. And those in which a shaft passes through the center of the cylinder, and those in which the inside of the cylinder is reinforced.

Next, the structure of the photosensitive drum will be described as an example of the photosensitive member. The photosensitive drum has, for example, an organic photosensitive layer provided on a conductive support. If necessary, an undercoat layer having a barrier function and an adhesive function is provided between the two. As the conductive support, for example, those shown below can be used.

(1) Aluminum, aluminum alloy,
Metals such as stainless steel and copper.

(2) By depositing or laminating a metal such as aluminum, palladium, rhodium, gold or platinum on the surface of a non-conductive support such as glass, resin or paper or the conductive support of the above (1). What formed a thin film.

(3) A layer of a conductive compound such as a conductive polymer, tin oxide or indium oxide is deposited on the surface of a non-conductive support such as glass, resin, paper or the like or the conductive support of the above (1). Or those formed by coating.

As a material for forming the undercoat layer, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, casein, polyamide, glue, gelatin and the like are usually used. The organic photosensitive layer includes a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. For example, a protective layer may be provided on the photosensitive layer for controlling charge injection. The charge generation layer can be formed by dispersing a charge generation substance in a suitable binder and applying the dispersion to a conductive support. Examples of the charge generating substance include the following substances. These charge generating substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

(1) Azo pigments such as monoazo, bisazo and trisazo (2) Indigo pigments such as indigo and thioindigo (3) Phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and nonmetal phthalocyanine (4) Perylene anhydride and perylene Perylene pigments such as acid imides (5) Polycyclic quinone pigments such as anthraquinone and hydroquinone (6) Squarylium pigments (7) Pyrylium salts and thiopyrylium salts (8) Triphenylmethane pigments Can be selected from binder resins, for example, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyacrylate resin, butyral resin, polystyrene resin,
Polyvinyl acetal resin, diallyl phthalate resin,
Acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, phenol resin, silicone resin, polysulfone resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and the like, It is not limited to these. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more as a copolymer. Further, the thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 5 μm or less, particularly preferably 0.01 μm to 2 μm. Various sensitizers may be further added to the charge generation layer. The charge generation layer is mainly coated with a paint in which a charge transport material and a binder resin are dissolved in a solvent.
Dry and mold. As the charge transport material, various triarylamine compounds, hydrazone compounds, stilbene compounds, pyrazoline compounds, oxazole compounds,
Thiazole compounds, triarylmethane compounds and the like can be mentioned. Further, as the binder resin, those described above can be used.

As described above, each of the members used in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, that is, the charging member, the photosensitive member, the transfer member, the developing member, the cleaning member, and the like, satisfy their functions according to the intended use. In many cases, a single material configuration is not sufficient, and in that case, a coating with a single layer or multiple layers of different materials is required. As the form of the coating material, there is little material limitation, because it is easy to obtain a relatively smooth and uniform coating film,
It is common to take the form of a liquid paint. Coating methods can be broadly classified into dipping methods and paint spraying methods.

[0030]

In the case of the dipping method, since the work is directly immersed in the paint, there is a possibility that the previously applied coating film is eluted in the later applied coating material. When the base of the member is rubber, resin, elastomer, or the like,
Substrate components can elute into the paint. Therefore, both the solvent used for the paint and the material of the base are limited. Further, since the inside of the immersion tank must be always filled with the paint during the coating, the paint must be kept in excess.

On the other hand, the paint spraying method includes a method of atomizing by air, a method of mechanically atomizing by rotating a disk or the like at high speed, and a method of atomizing by applying pressure to the paint itself and colliding with the outside air. There are three main methods. A phenomenon common to all of these methods is that the atomized paint has a strong momentum. Therefore, the splash of the paint from the object to be coated increases. If the distance between the paint atomizing device and the object to be coated is increased in order to prevent splashing, the pattern area of the atomization is increased, and the paint is scattered to areas other than the object to be coated. In any case, it causes a decrease in coating efficiency,
In many cases, stains in the coating booth due to the scattered paint are re-adhered to the coating film and cause coating defects. In order to prevent booth contamination, it is necessary to frequently perform maintenance such as cleaning or to provide a masking machine in the apparatus. The object to be coated is resin,
In the case of an elastic body such as rubber, the shape of the portion of the object to which the coating is sprayed is momentarily distorted by the force of the coating, and as a result, uniformity of the coating cannot be obtained. Furthermore, in the case of multi-layer coating, if the previously applied coating film is not sufficiently dried and formed into a film, the film is roughened by the pressure of spraying the paint from above, so it is necessary to sufficiently dry each coating of each layer. , Which increased costs.

In addition, fluctuations in viscosity and solid content due to differences in lots of paint, etc., have a great effect on the degree of scattering and splashing of paint, so that the coating efficiency fluctuates each time, and the stability of film thickness in continuous production. Is inhibited.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for coating an electrophotographic member which has solved the above-mentioned problems. That is, the coating layer of the electrophotographic member can be formed at low cost,
An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing method capable of maintaining a uniform film thickness without generating a coating defect.

[0034]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a charging member, a photosensitive member, a transfer member, a developing member, and a cleaning member used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the member is formed at least by coating. And a coating atomizer using ultrasonic vibration for coating the coating layer.

[0035]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An ultrasonic vibration atomizing apparatus applied to the present invention refers to a spray of paint generated when the amplitude energy of the ultrasonic vibration applied to the paint is larger than the surface tension energy of the paint. This is an atomization device that uses the atomization phenomenon. Unlike conventional air spray and airless atomization, this method is capable of atomizing paint without using pressure. An example of the device is shown in FIG. The amplitude energy of the ultrasonic vibration generated in the oscillator 1 is given to the paint in the nozzle 2 and the paint is atomized at the nozzle outlet. The material of the nozzle is preferably one having durability and corrosion resistance, for example, titanium or the like.

In the present invention, as compared with the conventional paint atomizing method, the paint does not have a strong force in the traveling direction, and the paint splashes from the object to be applied and the paint scatters around the object to be applied. Less is. This phenomenon improves the coating efficiency, so that the cost can be reduced by saving the paint,
A favorable effect on the environment due to the reduction in the amount of solvent used can also be expected.
Further, the improvement of the coating efficiency contributes to shortening the time required for coating, and a reduction in processing cost due to an increase in production efficiency can be expected.

In addition, the paint splashing and scattering are reduced, so that the coating booth can be prevented from being stained, the coating defects such as the sealing of the stain on the coated surface can be reduced, and the product yield can be improved. Becomes possible. Elimination of contamination of the coating booth eliminates the need for maintenance such as cleaning, or reduces the load on the apparatus such as masking machine work for booth contamination, thereby contributing to cost reduction.

Further, since there is no splash of the paint from the object to be coated, the distance between the gun and the object to be coated can be reduced. Therefore, the coating space at the manufacturing site can be saved, the size of the apparatus can be reduced, and the degree of freedom in designing the manufacturing line increases. In addition, even if the viscosity of the paint varies due to the lot or the like, the use of the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention does not affect the coating efficiency due to little splashing and scattering, and maintains a uniform film thickness. Is possible.

On the other hand, since the pressing force from the coating material to the object to be coated is reduced, instantaneous deformation does not occur in the portion where the object to be coated is applied, and the uniform deformation is achieved over the entire area of the object to be coated. A coating is obtained. In addition, when performing multi-layer coating, even if drying and film formation of the previously applied coating film are incomplete, the pressure of the paint to be sprayed and applied later is low, so the previously applied coating surface must be There is no vandalism. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to shortening of each layer drying step.

In general, when the paint is water-based or when a high-boiling solvent is used, the paint is sagged at the time of coating, or water droplets are condensed on the coated surface due to latent heat of evaporation during drying.
Alternatively, a phenomenon may occur in which air between the particles of the adhered coating surface escapes to the surface of the coating film when flowing, and foaming marks are formed on the coating film. The atomization by the ultrasonic atomizing coating apparatus according to the present invention can solve the above-mentioned problem because the paint is heated by ultrasonic vibration. That is, the evaporation speed of the paint is increased by heating the paint, and sagging is suppressed. In addition, when evaporating, the latent heat taken from the surroundings is reduced, thereby preventing moisture from dew condensation. Further, by heating, the solvent at the time of adhering to the object to be coated is evaporated to the utmost, and the surface of the coating film is made to have fluidity, whereby the trace of foaming can be eliminated.

The ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention may be provided with an electrostatic coating device. In this case, the coating efficiency of the paint is further improved, which is preferable.

As means for causing the paint atomized by the ultrasonic atomizer to reach the workpiece, a method of utilizing the gravity of the paint and dropping the atomized paint from the object to be coated is usually used. Alternatively, a weak air pressure atomizer may be used as another means. Alternatively, an airless atomizer may be used in combination. That is, it is possible to attach an air atomizer or an airless atomizer using a weak pressure that does not cause splashing or scattering from the object to be applied to the ultrasonic atomizer. With this combination, it becomes possible to apply the atomized paint from the horizontal direction of the object without relying on the gravity of the paint. Further, the synergistic action of the plurality of atomization methods promotes atomization of atomized particles.

In the ultrasonic atomizer used in the present invention, in general, atomization of a high-viscosity paint may be incomplete. The appropriate coating viscosity is preferably 200 mPa · s or less, more preferably 100 mPa · s or less.

The paint used in the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention may contain a filler in order to impart toner releasability and appropriate electric characteristics. In order to obtain a good atomization state, the amount of the filler in the paint is preferably 30% by weight or less, more preferably 20% by weight or less. The average particle size of the filler is preferably 20 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm or less. In addition, this average particle diameter is based on a centrifugal sedimentation method.

In the present invention, the form of the member for the image processing apparatus, which is the object to be coated, may be an elastic belt made of resin, rubber, or the like, and may be made of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, copper, or a conductive resin. The shape may be a rigid cylinder.

In the present invention, the distance at the time of coating from the atomizing device to the object to be coated is preferably 200 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or less, in order to achieve a high coating efficiency of the paint and a uniform surface of the coated surface. Is preferred.

[0047]

Embodiments will be described below.

[Example 1] (Preparation of elastic belt for intermediate transfer member) EPDM 100 parts by weight, zinc oxide 5 parts by weight, higher fatty acid 1 part by weight, conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight, paraffin oil
10 minutes by weight, sulfur 2 parts by weight, vulcanization accelerator MBT 1 part by weight, vulcanization accelerator TMTD 1.5 parts by weight, vulcanization accelerator ZnMDC 1.5 parts by weight while cooling with two rolls for 20 minutes Mix to make compound.

The compound was uniformly wound around the surface of the aluminum cylindrical roller, and then vulcanized at 155 ° C. to obtain a rubber belt.

The inner diameter of the rubber belt was 182.5 mm, the length was 250 mm, and the thickness was 1.0 mm.

(Preparation of coating for coating layer) 100 parts by weight of polyurethane elastomer, 40 parts by weight of conductive titanium oxide, 12 parts by weight of dispersing aid, 400 parts by weight of ethylene tetrafluoride resin powder (particle size: 0.3 μm), DMF 1200
Parts by weight were mixed to prepare a coating material for a coating layer.

(Preparation and evaluation of intermediate transfer member) Outer diameter 180 m
m was covered with the elastic belt, and the coating for the coating layer was applied to the belt surface using the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention while rotating the cylinder at a constant speed. Distance from the tip of the atomizing device to the object to be coated 45 mm, rotation speed of the object to be coated 100 rpm, moving speed of the coating device on the object to be coated 600 mm / min, inner diameter of the nozzle of the atomizing device 1.02 mm, frequency 60 kHz, paint discharge amount Coating was performed under the condition of 20 ml / min. The coating environment is
24 ° C.-50% RH. After the coating, the coating was heated at 130 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain an intermediate transfer belt including an elastic layer and a coating layer. When the film thickness of the coating layer was measured by microscopic observation of the cross section of the intermediate transfer belt, the film thickness was stable at 20.0 ± 1 μm over the entire area of the coating layer, and a uniform and smooth coating was applied. I understood that. The coating efficiency with respect to the solid content of the paint was 65%, and the paint loss was small. In addition, the main coating efficiency is a value calculated from the weight. This intermediate transfer belt was mounted on the full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a full-color image was printed on 80 g / m ² paper. As a result, a good image was obtained, and the transfer efficiency from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt (1) Next transfer efficiency) was a good value of 98%.

Example 2 (Preparation of Coating for Photosensitive Drum Sublayer) 150 parts by weight of fine powder of titanium oxide having an antimony-containing tin oxide coating layer, 70 parts by weight of a resol type phenol resin, 1 part by weight A solution consisting of 100 parts by weight of -methoxy-2-propanol was dispersed in a ball mill for about 20 hours to obtain a paint for an undercoat layer.

(Preparation of paint for photoconductor drum charge generation layer)
A solution comprising 4 parts by weight of an oxytitanium phthalocyanine pigment, 2 parts by weight of a polyvinyl butyral resin, and 34 parts by weight of cyclohexanone was dispersed in a sand mill for 8 hours, and 60 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran was added to prepare a dispersion for a charge generation layer.

(Preparation of Paint for Photoconductor Drum Charge Transport Layer)
50 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin was dissolved in 400 parts by weight of monochlorobenzene to obtain a paint for a charge transport layer.

(Production and evaluation of photosensitive drum) Outer diameter 30 m
A coating for an undercoat layer was applied on an aluminum cylinder having a length of 360 mm and a length of 360 mm by a dipping method, and was cured by heating at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a 17 μm-thick undercoat layer. Further, a charge generation layer coating material was applied onto the undercoat layer by dip coating, and dried by heating at 80 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer. The thickness of the charge generation layer was 0.2 μm. Next, a paint for a charge transport layer was applied on the charge generation layer using the ultrasonic atomizer according to the present invention. The distance from the tip of the atomizer to the object to be coated is 25 mm, the rotation speed of the object to be coated is 100 rpm, and the moving speed of the coating device on the object to be coated is 500 m.
The coating was performed under the following conditions: m / min, the inner diameter of the nozzle of the atomization device was 1.02 mm, the frequency was 60 kHz, and the amount of paint discharged was 10 ml / min. The coating environment was 24 ° C.-50% RH. After coating, the coating was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain a photosensitive drum comprising an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer.

The film thickness was measured by microscopic observation of the cross section of the charge transport layer of the photosensitive drum. The film thickness was stable at 25.0 ± 1 μm over the entire coating layer, and was uniform and smooth. It turned out that the work was done. The coating efficiency with respect to the solid content of the paint was 75%, and the paint loss was small. In addition, the main coating efficiency is a value calculated from the weight. The photoreceptor drum was mounted on a forward-developing electrophotographic copying machine and printed on 80 g / m ² paper, and a good image was obtained.

Comparative Example 1 (Preparation of Elastic Belt for Intermediate Transfer Member) Same as in Example 1. (Adjustment of coating for coating layer) Same as in Example 1.

(Preparation and evaluation of intermediate transfer member) Outer diameter 180 m
The above-mentioned elastic belt was put on an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of m, and the coating material for the coating layer was applied to the belt surface using an airless atomizer while rotating the cylinder at a constant speed. The distance from the tip of the atomizer to the object to be coated is 45 mm,
The rotation speed of the object to be coated is 100 rpm, the moving speed of the coating apparatus on the object to be coated is 600 mm / min, and the paint discharge amount is 20 ml / m
The coating was performed under the conditions of “in”. Coating environment is 24 ℃ -50
% RH. After the coating, the coating was heated at 130 ° C. for 1 hour to obtain an intermediate transfer belt including an elastic layer and a coating layer.

When the thickness of the coating layer was measured by microscopic observation of the cross section of the intermediate transfer belt, the thickness of the coating layer was partially thick and thin, and was slightly unstable at 20.0 ± 2 μm. . Further, the coating efficiency with respect to the solid content of the paint was 45%, and the paint loss was higher than that in Example 1. In addition, the main coating efficiency is a value calculated from the weight. This intermediate transfer belt was mounted on the full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and a full-color image was printed on 80 g / m ² paper. A good image was obtained, but the transfer efficiency from the photosensitive drum to the intermediate transfer belt was improved. (Primary transfer efficiency) is 9
5%, which is lower than that of Example 1.

[Comparative Example 2] (Preparation of paint for undercoat layer of photosensitive drum) Same as in Example 2.

(Preparation of paint for photoreceptor drum charge generation layer)
Same as Example 2.

(Preparation of Paint for Photoconductor Drum Charge Transport Layer)
Same as Example 2.

(Preparation and Evaluation of Photosensitive Drum) In the same manner as in Example 2, an undercoat layer and a charge generation layer were formed on an aluminum cylinder having an outer diameter of 30 mm and a length of 360 mm by an immersion method. Next, a paint for the charge transport layer was applied on the charge generation layer using an air atomizer. Distance from the tip of the atomizer to the object to be coated 25mm, rotation speed of the object to be coated 100r
pm, moving speed of the coating device on the object to be coated 500 mm / mi
n, and coating was performed under the conditions of a paint discharge rate of 10 ml / min. The coating environment was 24 ° C.-50% RH. After coating, the coating was heated at 120 ° C. for 1 hour in the same manner as in Example 2 to obtain a photosensitive drum comprising an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer.

When the film thickness was measured by observing the cross section of the charge transport layer of the photosensitive drum with a microscope, the film thickness was stable at 25.0 ± 1 μm over the entire coating layer, and a uniform coating was obtained. It was found that air bubbles were partially formed on the surface of the coating film. The coating efficiency with respect to the solid content of the paint was 52%, and the paint loss was larger than that in Example 2. This photosensitive drum was mounted on a forward-developing electrophotographic copying machine and printed on 80 g / m ² paper, and unnecessary black spots were observed.

[0066]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the production of a member for an electrophotographic apparatus, when a coating layer is applied to the member, a paint atomizer using ultrasonic vibration is used to reduce the cost. And a uniform and smooth film thickness can be maintained without generating coating defects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of an image forming apparatus to which a belt-shaped intermediate transfer member manufactured by a manufacturing method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an example of an atomizing device using ultrasonic vibration applied to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photosensitive drum 2 primary charger 3 image exposure 10 guide 11 paper feed roller 13 cleaning device 15 fixing device 20 intermediate transfer belt 28, 29 bias power supply 41-44 developing device 62 primary transfer roller 63 secondary transfer roller P transfer material

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 21/00 350 G03G 21/00 312 4D075 (72) Inventor Atsushi Tanaka 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 2 Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Tsunetori Ashbe 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Takashi Kusaba 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akihiko Nakazawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term within Canon Inc. (reference) 2H003 CC05 2H032 AA15 BA09 2H034 AA06 2H035 CA07 CB02 2H077 AC04 AD06 4D075 AA02 AA04 AA09 DC27 EC13 EC53

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a member for an image forming apparatus, including a charging member, a photoreceptor member, a transfer member, a developing member, and a cleaning member, which is used in the image forming apparatus. A method for manufacturing a member for an image forming apparatus, wherein a coating layer is formed by coating using a paint atomizer. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said paint atomizing device is provided with an electrostatic coating device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said paint atomizer is provided with an air atomizer. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein an airless atomizer is provided to the paint atomizer. 5. The coating material for the coating layer is 200 mP.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is not more than a · s. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the paint contains 30% by weight or less of a filler. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the average particle size of the filler is 20 μm or less. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the member is in the form of an elastic belt. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said member is in the form of a rigid cylinder. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a distance from a tip of the paint atomizing apparatus to an object to be coated during coating is 200 mm or less.