JP2001051524A - Intermediate transfer body and transfer member, manufacture of them, and image forming device using either of them - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an intermediate transfer body and a transfer member having improved durability, capable of attaining an image of uniform and homogeneous quality, free from the occurrence of defective transfer on the minute part of an image, that is, free from the central blanking of an image. SOLUTION: The intermediate transfer body is used for the image forming device for transferring an image formed on a 1st image carrier onto the intermediate transfer body, thereafter, transferring the image onto a 2nd image carrier, and the transfer member is used for the image forming device for electrostatically transferring the toner image formed on the 1st image carrier onto the 2nd image carrier. In this case, the intermediate transfer body and the transfer material are obtained by cylindrically melt-extruding molding material by an extruder and molding the material to a desirable shape, and the intermediate transfer body/transfer material is formed of at least thermoplastic polyimide resin. The manufacturing method is for manufacturing the above intermediate transfer body and transfer material, the image forming device utilizes the above intermediate transfer body or transfer material.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transferring a toner image formed on a first image bearing member to an intermediate transfer member, and then transferring the transferred image to a second image bearing member. Intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus
The present invention relates to a transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for electrostatically transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a second image carrier, further comprising an intermediate transfer body having improved transfer efficiency, The present invention relates to a transfer member, a method for manufacturing the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member, and an image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer body or the transfer member. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and an image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer body or the transfer member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member sequentially stacks and transfers a plurality of component color images of color image information and multicolor image information, and synthesizes and reproduces a color image and a multicolor image. The present invention is effective as a color image forming apparatus or a multicolor image forming apparatus that outputs a formed product, or an image forming apparatus having a color image forming function or a multicolor image forming function.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt as an intermediate transfer member.

FIG. 1 shows a color image forming apparatus (copier or laser beam printer) using an electrophotographic process. The intermediate transfer belt 20 uses a medium-resistance elastic body.

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) clockwise as indicated by an arrow. Driven.

[0006] The photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the primary charging device 2 during the rotation process.
, And is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential. Then, an image exposure means 3 (not shown) corresponding to a color separation / imaging exposure optical system of a color original image or a time-series electric digital pixel signal of image information. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to a first color component image (for example, a yellow color component image) of a target color image is formed by receiving image exposure by a scanning exposure system using a laser scanner that outputs a modulated laser beam. Is done.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a first developing device (yellow developing device 41) with yellow toner Y as a first color. At this time, the developing units of the second to fourth developing units (the magenta developing unit 42, the cyan developing unit 43, and the black developing unit 44) are turned 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.

[0009] The first type formed and supported on the photosensitive drum 1
In the process in which the yellow toner image of the color passes through the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 20, an electric field formed by the primary transfer bias applied from the primary transfer roller 62 to the intermediate transfer belt 20 causes Intermediate transfer belt 2
0 is sequentially transferred to the outer peripheral surface (primary transfer).

The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 on which the transfer of the first color yellow toner image corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 20 has been completed 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.

Numeral 63 designates a secondary transfer roller which corresponds to the secondary transfer opposing roller 64 and is supported in parallel with the intermediate transfer belt 20.
Are disposed on the lower surface of the device so as to be separated therefrom.

A primary transfer bias for sequentially superimposing transfer of toner images of the first to fourth colors 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, +10
The range is from 0 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 next transfer roller 63 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. From the paper feed roller 11 to the transfer material guide 10
The transfer material P is fed to the contact nip between the intermediate transfer belt 20 and the secondary transfer roller 63 at a predetermined timing, and the secondary transfer bias is supplied from the power supply 28 to the secondary transfer roller 6.
3 is applied. 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 charging member 7 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 20, and the image is transferred to the transfer material P by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1. Instead, a charge having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to the toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 20. 26 is a bias power supply.

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 belt.

In a color electrophotographic apparatus having an image forming apparatus using the above-mentioned intermediate transfer belt, a second image carrier is attached or adsorbed on a transfer drum, which is a conventional technique, and the first image carrier is Compared with a color electrophotographic apparatus having an image forming apparatus for transferring an image from the body, for example, a transfer apparatus as described in JP-A-63-301960, a transfer material as a second image carrier The image can be transferred from the intermediate transfer belt without requiring any processing or control (for example, gripping, adsorbing, giving a curvature, etc. to the gripper), so that thin paper such as envelopes, postcards and label paper ( A wide variety of second image carriers can be selected regardless of the width, the length, or the thickness of the second image carrier, from 40 g / m ² paper to thick paper (200 g / m ² paper). It has the advantage of being able to cut.

Due to such advantages, a color copying machine, a color printer, and the like using an intermediate transfer member have already started operating in the market.

Next, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an image forming apparatus using a transfer belt as a transfer member.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 is one type of a color image forming apparatus of a color separation image superimposing transfer system, in which toner images of different colors are formed on a plurality of photosensitive members, respectively. The toner image on each photoconductor is transferred by aligning the position with one transfer material conveyed in contact with the body sequentially,
This is to obtain a full-color image.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 has four image forming sections I, II, III and IV as electrophotographic process means arranged in an upper part in the apparatus main body 320. To IV are photosensitive drums 301Y, 3Y as image carriers.
01M, 301C, 301BK, 1 as primary charger
Next charging roller 302Y, 302M, 302C, 302B
K, exposure units 303Y, 303M, 303C, 303B
K, developing units 304Y, 304M, 304C, 304BK
And cleaners 305Y, 305M, 305C, 305B
K. The developing units 304Y, 3Y
04M, 304C, and 304BK have yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (B
K) is stored.

A transfer device 310 is provided below the image forming units I to IV.
Endless transfer belt 314 stretched between drive roller 311 and driven roller 312 and tension roller 313
And the photosensitive drums 301Y and 301 of the image forming units I to IV.
M, 301C, and 301BK are each configured to include a transfer charger 315 that is disposed to face each other.

On the other hand, at the bottom of the apparatus main body 320, a cassette 306 having a plurality of recording papers P stacked therein as a recording medium is installed, and the recording papers P in the cassette 306 are fed by paper feed rollers 307. Is sent out one by one,
The sheet is conveyed to the registration roller 309 via the conveyance guide 308.

Then, the recording paper P in the apparatus main body 320 is
The separation charging device 316 and the fixing device 31
7, and a paper discharge tray 318 is attached outside the apparatus main body 320.

In each of the image forming units I to IV,
Photosensitive drums 301Y, 301M, 301C, 301BK
Are rotated at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure, and these are driven by primary charging rollers 302Y, 302M, 302C, and 302.
Each of them is uniformly charged by BK. Each photosensitive drum 301Y, 301M, 3
When the exposure units 303Y, 303M, 303C, and 303BK perform exposure corresponding to image information on 01C and 301BK, each of the photosensitive drums 301Y, 301M, and 30K.
An electrostatic latent image is formed on each of the developing devices 304Y, 304M, 304C, and 304BK.
And visualized as a yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image.

On the other hand, the recording paper P conveyed from the cassette 306 to the registration roller 309 via the conveyance guide 308 as described above is sent out to the transfer device 310 at a proper timing by the registration roller 309, and is transferred to the transfer device 310. The toner is attracted to the belt 314 and moves with the belt 314 to pass through each of the image forming sections I to IV. In the process, the yellow toner image, the magenta toner image, the cyan toner image, and the The black toner image is transferred in an overlapping manner.

The recording paper P, to which the respective color toner images have been transferred as described above, is discharged by the separation charger 316 and separated from the transfer belt 314.
The sheet is conveyed to the printer 17 and is heated and fixed by the color toner image. Finally, the sheet is discharged from the apparatus main body 320 and stacked on the sheet discharge tray 318.

In the color image forming apparatus using the transfer belt, each color image is superimposed and transferred while sequentially transferring the transfer paper to each recording device, so that a color image is formed in one process, so that the image output time is short. There is.

Due to such advantages, color copying machines, color printers and the like using transfer members have already begun to operate in the market.

[0031]

Various methods for producing a belt and a tube used for an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member have already been known. For example, JP-A-3-89357 and JP-A-5-345368 disclose methods of manufacturing a semiconductive belt by extrusion. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-269849 discloses a method of obtaining a belt by joining sheets into a cylindrical shape. Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-269674 discloses a method for obtaining a belt by forming a multilayer coating film on a cylindrical substrate and finally removing the substrate. Meanwhile,
JP-A-5-77252 discloses a seamless belt formed by a centrifugal molding method. Each of the above-mentioned methods has advantages and disadvantages, and is not a method that the present inventors have truly sought. For example, in extrusion molding, simply setting the die gap of the extrusion die to the same size as the desired belt thickness and molding it has a considerable difficulty in producing a thin layer belt of 100 μm or less, and even if it is possible, Unevenness and unevenness of the electrical resistance affected by the unevenness are likely to occur, which impairs the performance and quality stability of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member. When sheets are joined together, there is a problem of a step at the joint and a decrease in tensile strength. In addition, methods using a solvent such as cast molding, coating and centrifugal molding increase the number of steps and cost, such as production of a coating solution, coating and removal of the solvent. In addition, there are matters that affect the environment, such as solvent recovery.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications Nos. Hei 5-31116 and Hei 7-24912 disclose olefin-based films. Olefin-based films and belts have resin properties of elongation at break of 400% or more. In most cases, if these belts are driven for a long period of time, they will gradually relax, causing the belt tension to loosen,
It appears as troubles such as belt slippage, meandering, running up, and uneven peripheral speed.

Further, JP-A-3-89375, JP-A-4-313775, and JP-A-6-149081
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-163,019 discloses a belt and a tube of polycarbonate and alkylene terephthalate. Polycarbonate has excellent impact resistance, but is difficult to be used for a long time, such as being easily hydrolyzed by slight heating in the presence of water. There is. On the other hand, when the alkylene terephthalate is formed into a thin-film belt shape like an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer belt, the alkylene terephthalate lacks flexibility to easily follow deformation, and is liable to crack or chip.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method having extremely high transfer efficiency
An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member which are low in cost, have a small number of steps, and are excellent in versatility, a method of manufacturing them, and an image forming apparatus using them.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a second image carrier, such as paper or an OHP sheet, which has a uniform and homogeneous image quality without transfer failure of a minute portion of an image, that is, without a so-called hollow image. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member which can be achieved without depending on the kind, a method for manufacturing the same, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member or a transfer member which has the same characteristics as the initial one even when subjected to severe durability by repeated use of the intermediate transfer member or the transfer member. An object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member that can be maintained, a method of manufacturing the same, and an image forming apparatus using the same.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member which are free from delamination during use even when a multi-layered belt is formed, a method for producing the same, and an image forming apparatus using the same. To provide.

[0038]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, and further transferring the image on a second image carrier. A molding material is extruded from a transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for electrostatically transferring a toner image formed on an intermediate transfer member or a first image carrier onto a second image carrier. An intermediate transfer body and a transfer member, wherein the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member, which are melt-extruded into a cylindrical shape by a machine and formed into a desired shape, are made of at least a thermoplastic polyimide resin.

The present invention also provides an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer member, and further transferring the image on a second image carrier. Alternatively, in a method of manufacturing a transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for electrostatically transferring a toner image formed on a first image carrier onto a second image carrier, a molding material is cylindrically extruded by an extruder. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member are extruded into a shape and then molded into a desired shape while blowing gas.
A method for producing an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member, comprising at least a thermoplastic polyimide resin and an extrusion molding ratio of 0.5 to 4.0.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus using the above-mentioned intermediate transfer member or transfer member.

Further, the present invention is an image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer member or the transfer member manufactured by the above method.

[0042]

3 and 4 show a molding apparatus according to the present invention. The device basically consists of an extruder, an extrusion die and, if necessary, an air blowing device.

FIG. 3 shows an extruder 1 for forming a two-layer belt.
Although two groups of 00 and 110 are provided, at least one or more groups may be provided in the present invention. Next, a method for manufacturing a single-layer intermediate transfer body and a transfer member will be described. First, after preliminarily mixing a molding resin, a conductive agent, an additive, and the like based on a desired formulation, a kneading-dispersed molding material is charged into a hopper 120 provided in the extruder 100. In the extruder 100, the set temperature and the screw configuration of the extruder are selected so that the raw material for molding has a melt viscosity that allows the belt to be formed in a subsequent step, and the raw materials are uniformly dispersed. The raw materials for molding are melt-kneaded in the extruder 100 to form a molten material and enter the extrusion die 140.
The extrusion die 140 is provided with a gas introduction path 150. When air is blown into the extrusion die 140 from the gas introduction path 150, the melt that has passed through the die 140 expands and expands in the radial direction.

The gas blown at this time can be selected from nitrogen, carbon dioxide, argon and the like, in addition to air. The expanded molded body is pulled up while being cooled by the cooling ring 160. At this time, by passing between the dimension stability guides 170, the final shape dimension 180
Is determined. Further, by cutting this into a desired width, the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer belt of the present invention can be obtained. The extrusion molding ratio in the present invention indicates the ratio of the diameter of the extrusion die 140 to the diameter when the molded shape 180 having a diameter after expansion through the extrusion die and having an expanded diameter is obtained.

That is, extrusion molding ratio = diameter after molding / diameter of extrusion die.

Although the above description has been made with reference to a single-layer belt, in the case of a two-layer belt, an extruder 110 is further arranged as shown in FIG. The kneaded melt of the extruder 110 is fed to the extrusion die 140, and two layers are simultaneously expanded and expanded to obtain a two-layer belt. 130 is a hopper.

Of course, in the case of three or more layers, an extruder may be prepared according to the number of layers. 5, 6, and 7
2 illustrates an intermediate transfer belt having two layers and three layers. As described above, according to the present invention, not only a single layer but also an intermediate transfer belt or a transfer belt having a multilayer structure can be formed in a single-step process and with high dimensional accuracy in a short time. The fact that short-time molding is possible fully suggests that mass production and low-cost production are possible.

FIG. 4 shows another method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member according to the present invention.

The raw material for molding put into the hopper 120 becomes a uniformly dispersed melt in the course of passing through the extruder 100 and is extruded from the extrusion die 141.
The belt inner surface extruded to the internal cooling mandrel 165 is cooled while being in contact with the inner cooling mandrel 165, and is adjusted to a desired size 180 to obtain the intermediate transfer belt or the transfer belt of the present invention. The extrusion molding ratio at this time can be determined as follows.

Extrusion molding ratio = Belt diameter 180 after molding
/ Extrusion die diameter 141

The thermoplastic polyimide resin used in the present invention has better mechanical strength, flame retardancy and electrical insulation than the materials described in the prior art, and the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member of the present invention. When used in an emergency, it has safety against fire in an emergency, and exhibits high durability and preferable electric resistance controllability. As the electrophotographic characteristics, that is, high transfer efficiency, image uniformity, and image sharpness can be obtained.

The thermoplastic polyimide resin of the present invention is a high molecular compound having an imide group in the molecular chain, and refers to a polyimide resin having no crosslinkable functional group in the molecule. It is generally represented by the following structural formula.

[0053]

Embedded image (In the formula, Ar and Ar ′ each represent an arenetriyl group, Ar ″ and Ar ′ ″ each represent an arylene group or an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents a positive integer.)

The thermoplastic polyimide resin of the present invention includes those having an amide group in addition to the imide group in the molecular chain. It is generally represented by the following structural formula.

[0055]

Embedded image (Wherein, R represents an arylene group or an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Ar ″ ″ represents an arenetriyl group,
n ′ represents a positive integer. )

For example, one having the following structure can be mentioned.

[0057]

Embedded image

[0058]

Embedded image (In the formula, n ″ and n ′ ″ each represent a positive integer.)

Some inventions of films and belts using a polyamide resin or a polyimide resin have already been disclosed. For example, there are JP-A-62-293270, JP-A-63-31263, JP-A-5-31781, and JP-A-7-268209.

These include those referring to polyamide fibers and thermosetting polyimides whose production method differs from that of the present invention, and these have different purposes from the present invention.

In particular, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-31781 discloses a thermoplastic polyimide resin. However, the present invention merely relates to the productivity which is a disadvantage of the conventional thermosetting or non-thermoplastic polyimide. In order to solve these problems with respect to badness, environmental pollution by a solvent, and high cost, a thermoplastic polyimide is used as a means for solving these problems. Its applications are wide-ranging, such as printed circuit boards, seat belts and trays, and although the applications require completely different characteristics and functions, the effects of each application are not clear in the publication. . As described above, the conventional invention does not consider, as the present invention, transfer efficiency and image quality improvement as an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member, and further, durability as an object and an effect of the invention.

Since the thermoplastic polyimide resin of the present invention is more excellent in dispersibility and moldability than the materials used for the conventional intermediate transfer member and transfer member, the intermediate transfer belt is produced by the method shown in FIGS. Alternatively, when manufacturing a transfer belt, it is possible to easily control the electric resistance uniformly.
However, in order to function as the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member of the present invention even when such an excellent resin is used, the volume resistance and / or surface resistance of each part of the belt must be set so that the maximum value is within 100 times the minimum value. It is preferable to fit. If it exceeds this, unevenness of the electric resistance in the belt adversely affects the transferability, and a partial transfer failure of a solid portion and a hollow portion of a character portion easily occur. In particular, in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the deterioration may be significant.

In the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 3, since the belt expands and expands rapidly in the circumferential direction, the maximum value of the volume resistance and / or the surface resistance in the circumferential direction of the belt should be set within 100 times the minimum value. Is preferred. In order to achieve these, the compatibility between the resin of the present invention and the resistance control agent, the amount of the resistance control agent, and the process conditions at the time of dispersion processing, and further, each of By studying the process conditions in detail, it is possible to fall within the above range.

In the present invention, the volume resistance and the surface resistance are not merely differences in measurement conditions but show completely individual electric characteristics. That is, when the voltage / current applied to the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is applied in the thickness direction, the movement of the charge of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member mainly depends on the structure and physical properties inside the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member. In other words, it is determined by the layer configuration of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member, and the type and dispersion state of the additive and the resistance control agent. As a result, the surface potential and the charge removal speed of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member are determined. On the other hand, when a voltage / current is applied so that charges are transferred only on the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member, the voltage and current are hardly dependent on the internal structure and layer configuration of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member. Charging and static elimination are determined only by the proportions of additives and resistance control agents.

In the present invention, however, it is important that the two resistivities together fall within the preferred ranges because of the maintenance of transfer efficiency, the uniform transferability of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member, the dropout, filming, and the like. This is preferable for obtaining good image quality over the entire image without defects.

In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the uniformity of the electric resistance value in the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is significantly affected by the magnitude of the extrusion molding ratio. In the manufacturing method of FIG.
When the extrusion molding ratio exceeds 4.0, in the step of expanding and expanding after passing through the extrusion die, unevenness of electric resistance occurs in the pulling direction (axial direction) and the circumferential direction because the expansion ratio is too large. In particular, the electric resistance unevenness increases in the circumferential direction because it is instantaneously greatly expanded. Therefore, good results can be obtained by setting the extrusion molding ratio more preferably to 2.8 or less.

If the extrusion molding ratio is less than 1.05, it is delicately difficult to balance the extrusion molding speed with the gas blowing amount and speed, and the instability of the shape and dimensions of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member and the intermediate transfer Unevenness is likely to occur in the thickness direction of the body and the transfer member. The thickness of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is also a factor that affects the electric resistance value, and the uneven thickness causes a problem in uniformity in the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member. When the extrusion molding ratio is desired to be less than 1.05, it is impossible with the manufacturing method as shown in FIG. 3, and it is necessary to use a different forming and manufacturing method as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the amount of the resistance control agent prescribed for the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is inseparable from the production method of the present invention. Even if the amount of the resistance control agent exceeds 30% by weight and the prescribed resin is a flexible resin that can be stretched and expanded, it becomes a plastic melt after passing through the extruder,
The desired expansion cannot be performed. Further, even if molding can be performed, since the amount is large, bumps, fish eyes and perforations caused by the resistance control agent particles frequently occur. In the present invention, the electric resistance required for the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is in the range of 1 × 10 ⁰ to 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω.

If the amount of the resistance control agent is 0%, the above-mentioned problem does not occur at the time of molding, but in this case, even if the resistance control agent is not contained, the resistance values of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member are reduced. It is necessary to use a molding raw material having a density of 1 × 10 ⁰ to 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω. For this purpose, a resin which expresses 1 × 10 ⁰ to 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω by itself is used as the molding raw material. In other words, a medium resistance resin must be used.
However, in the production method of the present invention, the amount of the resistance controlling agent is preferably at most 30% by weight, more preferably at most 25% by weight, particularly preferably at most 21% by weight. In particular, when either the ionic conductivity or the electron conductivity is used alone or when both are used, the ionic conductivity control agent is excellent in dispersibility, but is used in a large amount because of its large humidity dependency. I can't. Further, as described above, the electron conductive resistance control agent significantly affects the uniformity of the electric resistance in the method for producing the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member of the present invention. Therefore, in the present invention, 0.05 to 10% by weight of the ion-conductive resistance control agent, 3 to 30% by weight of the electron-conductive resistance control agent,
Or it is preferable to use them in combination.

The thickness range of the formed intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is preferably 45 to 300 μm, more preferably 50 to 270 μm, and particularly preferably 55 to 270 μm.
60 μm. In the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 3, since the kneaded melt extruded from the extrusion die expands and expands rapidly, the thickness of the molded body is limited to some extent in combination with the controllability of electric resistance. If the thickness exceeds 300 μm, uniform expansion and expansion cannot be obtained, and uniformity of electric resistance tends to be difficult. At the same time, since the thickness is large, uniformity of thickness tends to be difficult to obtain.
Further, when a belt having such a large thickness is used as an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member, the belt has considerable rigidity and poor flexibility, so that smooth running performance is hindered, and deflection and deviation are likely to occur during belt running. A thickness of less than 45 μm has practical problems, such as a decrease in tensile strength as an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member, and relaxation during continual rotation of the belt while stretching, causing gradual elongation.

According to the production method of the present invention, since the production of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member having a size of less than 45 μm is thin, the stability of electric resistance can be expected, and it is possible to cope with it. Absent.

In the present invention, the thickness of the final intermediate transfer member and the final transfer member is preferably smaller than the thickness of the die gap of the extrusion die shown in FIGS. This is to obtain the smoothness of the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member at the time of extrusion, and to make the thickness uniform, which is a factor that affects the electrical characteristics of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member as described above, It is preferable to secure these. The range is 99/100 to 1/20 with respect to the die gap of the die. 1
If it is less than / 20, the extrusion pressure will be high, and smooth extrusion may be difficult.

The resin other than the main resin used for the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member of the present invention includes, for example, 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-methacrylic ester copolymer, (styrene-
Methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-phenyl methacrylate copolymer, etc.), styrene-α-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-acrylate copolymer, etc. Styrene-based resin (a homopolymer or copolymer containing styrene or a substituted styrene), methyl methacrylate resin, butyl methacrylate resin, ethyl acrylate resin, butyl acrylate resin, modified acrylic resin (silicone-modified acrylic resin, Vinyl chloride resin-modified acrylic resin, acrylic / urethane resin, etc.), vinyl chloride resin, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, rosin-modified maleic resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, Polyester polyurethane Fat, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, polyvinylidene chloride, ionomer resin, polyurethane resin, silicone resin, fluororesin, ketone resin, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, xylene resin and polyvinyl butyral resin, polyamide resin and modified polyphenylene oxide resin, etc. One or two or more selected from the group consisting of However, it can be used only in a range that does not hinder the properties of the main resin.

Next, among the resistance control agents for adjusting the electric resistance value of the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member of the present invention, examples of the electron conductive resistance control agent include carbon black,
Examples include graphite, aluminum-doped zinc oxide, tin oxide-coated titanium oxide, tin oxide, tin oxide-coated barium sulfate, potassium titanate, aluminum metal powder, and nickel metal powder. Further, as the ion conductive resistance controlling agent, tetraalkylammonium salt, trialkylbenzyl, ammonium salt, alkyl sulfonate, alkylbenzene sulfonate, alkyl sulfate, glycerin fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid ester,
Polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ester, alkyl betaine, lithium perchlorate and the like can be mentioned.

The method for measuring the resistance values of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is as follows. (1) The intermediate transfer belt or the transfer belt is stretched as shown in FIG.
A DC power supply, a resistor having an appropriate resistance value, and a potentiometer are connected between the metal rollers 202 and 203. (2) The intermediate transfer belt or the transfer belt is driven by a driving roll such that the moving speed of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt or the transfer belt becomes 100 to 300 mm / sec. (3) A voltage is applied to the circuit within the range of 100 V to 1 kV from the DC power supply, and the potential difference Vr across the resistor is read by a potentiometer. The atmosphere at the time of measurement was air temperature, 23 ± 5 ° C,
Humidity 50 ± 10% RH. (4) From the obtained potential difference Vr, the current value I flowing through the circuit
Ask for. (5) Resistance value of intermediate transfer belt or transfer belt = applied voltage / current value I.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 200 denotes a drive roller, 201 denotes a metal roller, 204 denotes a DC power supply, 205 denotes a resistor, and 206 denotes a potentiometer.

Next, a method for measuring surface resistance and volume resistance according to the present invention will be described.

<Measuring machine> Resistance meter; Ultrahigh resistance meter R8340A (manufactured by Advantest) Sample box; Sample box TR42 for ultrahigh resistance measurement (manufactured by Advantest) However, the main electrode is 25 mm in diameter, and the guard ring electrode is the inner diameter. 41 mm and an outer diameter of 49 mm.

<Sample> The belt is cut into a circle having a diameter of 56 mm. After cutting, one surface is provided with electrodes on the entire surface by a Pt-Pd vapor deposition film, and the other surface is a Pt-Pd vapor deposition film on a main electrode having a diameter of 25 mm, an inner diameter of 38 mm, and an outer diameter of 50 mm.
mm guard electrode is provided. The Pt-Pd vapor-deposited film can be obtained by performing a vapor-deposition operation with mild sputter E1030 (manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.) for 2 minutes. The sample after the vapor deposition operation is used as a measurement sample.

<Measurement Conditions> Measurement atmosphere: 23 ° C./55%. The measurement sample is left in an atmosphere of 23 ° C./55% for 12 hours or more.

Measurement mode: Program mode 5 (discharge 10 seconds, charge and measure 30 seconds) Applied voltage: 1 to 1000 (V) The applied voltage is the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Can be arbitrarily selected from 1 to 1000 V, which is a part of the range of the voltage applied to. In addition, the applied voltage used can be changed as appropriate within the range of the applied voltage according to the resistance value, thickness, dielectric breakdown strength, and the like of the sample. Further, if the volume resistance and the surface resistance at a plurality of locations measured at any one of the applied voltages are included in the resistance range of the present invention, it is determined that the resistance range is the object of the present invention. .

[0082]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. “Parts” in the examples are parts by weight.

(Example 1) 100 parts of the above-described thermoplastic polyimide resin 100 parts 18 parts of conductive carbon black 0.5 part of antioxidant

The above mixture was kneaded with a twin-screw extruder and kneader, and additives such as carbon were sufficiently and uniformly dispersed in a binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance.
I got Further, this was made into a kneaded product having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm.

Next, the single-screw extruder 100 shown in FIG.
The kneaded material is put into the hopper 120 of
The mixture was extruded while being adjusted to a temperature in the range of 40 to 400 ° C. to obtain a melt. The melt was subsequently guided to a cylindrical single layer extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 150 mm and a die gap width of 1000 μm. Further, there, air is blown from the gas introduction path 150 to expand and expand, and the final shape and dimensions 18
It was 160 mm in diameter and 150 μm in thickness as 0. Further, the intermediate transfer belt 20 is cut at a belt width of 230 mm.
I got This is referred to as an intermediate transfer belt (1).

The electric resistance value of the intermediate transfer belt (1) is
It was 1.8 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω. Further, a voltage of 200 V was applied using the electric resistance measuring device (manufactured by Advantest Corporation), and the belt (1) was moved at four locations in the circumferential direction as shown in FIG. 2 places, 8 places in total,
The volume resistance and the surface resistance were measured, and the variation in the electric resistance in the belt was measured. The measured values at eight locations were within one digit. Table 1 shows the results. The variation in the thickness measurement at the same position was in the range of 150 μm ± 10 μm. Visual observation of the intermediate transfer belt (1) revealed no foreign matters such as bumps and fish eyes and molding defects on the surface.

The intermediate transfer belt (1) was mounted on the full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a full-color image was printed on 80 g / m ² paper, and the transfer efficiency was defined as follows. A measurement was made.

Primary transfer efficiency (transfer efficiency from photosensitive drum to intermediate transfer belt) = image density on intermediate transfer belt /
(Transfer residual image density on photosensitive drum + image density on intermediate transfer belt).

Secondary transfer efficiency (transfer efficiency from intermediate transfer belt to paper) = image density on paper / (image density on paper + transfer residual image density on intermediate transfer belt).

The primary transfer efficiency and the secondary transfer efficiency of the intermediate transfer belt (1) were 95% and 91%, respectively.

The cleaning method of the intermediate transfer belt is a primary transfer simultaneous cleaning method using an elastic roller having a resistance of 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω for the cleaning charging member 7, and is capable of continuously printing 50,000 full-color images. went.

From the beginning, there was no image density unevenness due to uneven resistance of the belt, and a good image free from color shift and defective cleaning due to permanent elongation of the belt was obtained even after 50,000 sheets of durability. In addition, there is no toner filming on the surface, no cracks, shavings and abrasion,
The surface properties remained the same as at the beginning.

(Example 2) 95 parts of the above-mentioned thermoplastic polyimide resin 95 parts Nylon resin 5 parts Conductive tin oxide 21 parts Lithium perchlorate 0.8 part Antioxidant 0.5 part

The above mixture was kneaded and dispersed by a twin-screw extruder to obtain a uniform kneaded product, which was used as a forming raw material (2). Then, similarly to Example 1, it was molded using an extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 115 mm and a die gap width of 1000 μm.
An intermediate transfer belt (2) having a diameter of 142 mm and a thickness of 125 μm was obtained.

The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (2) was 2.2 × 10 ¹¹ Ω.

Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment,
A voltage of 0 V is applied to measure the belt (2) at four locations in the circumferential direction and two locations in the axial direction at each location, for a total of eight locations, to determine variations in the volume resistance and surface resistance in the belt. The measurement was performed, and the measured values at eight places were within one digit.
Table 1 shows the results. The variation in the thickness measurement at the same position was in the range of 125 μm ± 10 μm. Visual observation of the intermediate transfer belt (2) revealed no foreign matters such as bumps and fish eyes and poor molding on the surface.

Next, a copy test was repeatedly performed on 40,000 full-color images in the same manner as in Example 1. No color misregistration due to belt elongation was observed, and a high image density obtained from good transfer efficiency was obtained. Was maintained, and no hollow image occurred. At this time, the primary transfer efficiency and the secondary transfer efficiency were 94% and 90%, respectively. After 40,000 sheets, no toner filming was observed on the belt surface, and no cracks, bending, or scratches occurred.

(Embodiment 3) The diameter 180 shown in FIG.
extruder 100 equipped with an extrusion die 141 consisting of a spiral die having a die gap of 1200 μm and a die gap of 1200 mm.
The molding raw material (1) of Example 1 was supplied from a hopper 120 and extruded into a cylindrical shape. The extruded belt contacts the inner surface of the cooling mandrel and is stretched while being cooled.
The intermediate transfer belt 20 having a desired size and thickness is obtained. At this time, the size 180 and the wall thickness are 165 mm in diameter,
The thickness is 135 μm, which is referred to as an intermediate transfer belt (3).

The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (3) was 1.4 × 10 ¹¹ Ω.

Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment,
A voltage of 0 V is applied to measure the belt (3) at four locations in the circumferential direction and two locations in the axial direction at each location, for a total of eight locations, to determine variations in volume resistance and surface resistance within the belt. The measurement was performed, and the measured values at eight places were within one digit.

The variation in the thickness measurement at the same position is 13
The range was 5 μm ± 10 μm. Visual observation of the intermediate transfer belt (3) revealed no foreign matters such as bumps and fish eyes and defective molding on the surface.

Next, in the same manner as in Example 1, 50,000 full-color images were repeatedly subjected to a copy test, but no color shift due to belt elongation was observed, and both transfer efficiency and image quality were the same as those at the initial stage. Met. Also, no filming, scratches or cracks occurred on the belt itself.

(Example 4) 100 parts of the thermoplastic polyimide resin exemplified above 14 parts of conductive carbon black

The above mixture was kneaded with a twin-screw extruder and kneader, and carbon was sufficiently and uniformly dispersed in a binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance to obtain a molding raw material (3). Further, this was made into a kneaded product having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm.

Next, the single-screw extruder 100 shown in FIG.
The kneaded material is put into the hopper 120 of
The mixture was extruded while being adjusted to a temperature in the range of 40 to 400 ° C. to obtain a melt. The melt was subsequently guided to a cylindrical single layer extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 400 mm and a die gap width of 1200 μm. Further, there, air is blown from the gas introduction path 150 to expand and expand, and the final shape and dimensions 18
As 0, the diameter was 350 mm and the wall thickness was 150 μm. Further, the sheet was cut at a belt width of 310 mm to obtain a transfer belt.
This is referred to as a transfer belt (1).

The electric resistance value of the transfer belt (1) is
It was 1.8 × 10 ¹¹ Ω.

Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, 20
A voltage of 0 V is applied to measure the transfer belt (1) at four locations in the circumferential direction, two locations in the axial direction at each location, eight locations in total, and variations in volume resistance and surface resistance in the belt. Was measured, but the measured values at eight locations were within one digit. Variation in wall thickness measurement at the same position is 150μm ±
It was in the range of 10 μm. According to the visual observation of the transfer belt (1), no foreign matters such as bumps and fish eyes and defective molding were found on the surface.

The transfer belt (1) was mounted on a full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and 50,000 full-color images were continuously printed on 80 g / m ² paper. From the beginning, there was no image density unevenness caused by uneven resistance of the belt, and a good image free from color shift and defective cleaning caused by permanent elongation of the belt was obtained even after 50,000 sheets of durability. Further, although the toner was partially adhered to the surface, the toner did not film, and no cracks, abrasion, and abrasion occurred, and the surface properties were the same as those at the initial stage.

(Comparative Example 1) Polycarbonate resin 100 parts Conductive carbon black 16.5 parts

The above mixture was kneaded by a twin-screw extruder and kneader, and carbon was sufficiently and uniformly dispersed in a binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance to obtain a forming raw material (4). Further, this was made into a kneaded product having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm.

Next, the single screw extruder 100 shown in FIG.
The kneaded material is put into the hopper 120 of
The mixture was extruded at a temperature in the range of 50 to 280 ° C to obtain a melt. The melt was subsequently guided to a cylindrical single layer extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 160 mm and a die gap width of 145 μm. Thus, the final shape and dimensions 180 were 160 mm in diameter and 145 μm in thickness.
Further, the sheet was cut at a belt width of 230 mm to obtain an intermediate transfer belt. This is referred to as an intermediate transfer belt (4).

Although the electrical resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (4) was temporarily 7.0 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω, the resistance did not converge during the resistance measurement, and the measurement was unstable. Further, a voltage of 200 V was applied in the same manner as in Example 1,
The belt (4) was measured at four locations in the circumferential direction and two locations in the axial direction at each location, for a total of eight locations, and the variations in volume resistance and surface resistance in the belt were measured. Was over three digits, and a low resistance part and a high resistance part were partially present. Table 1 shows the results. The variation in the thickness measurement at the same position was aimed at 145 μm, but the minimum value was 8
The variation was as large as 7 μm and the maximum value was 179 μm.

Next, a copy test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. However, partial transfer failure, image density low (particularly remarkable when two colors were superimposed), minute transfer omission of the image, etc. occurred from the beginning. Although 50,000 sheets were durable, the image quality gradually deteriorated from the initial level. However, due to durability, cracks,
No scratches or the like occurred.

(Comparative Example 2) Polyethylene resin 35 parts Vinyl chloride resin 65 parts Conductive carbon black 8 parts Antioxidant 0.5 part

The above mixture was kneaded with a twin-screw extruder and kneader, and additives such as carbon were sufficiently and uniformly dispersed in a binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance.
I got Further, this was made into a kneaded product having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm.

Next, in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, the diameter 160
mm, using a cylindrical single-layer extrusion die 140 having a die gap width of 150 μm.
It was 160 mm in diameter and 150 μm in thickness as 0. Further, the sheet was cut at a belt width of 230 mm to obtain an intermediate transfer belt. This is referred to as an intermediate transfer belt (5).

The electric resistance of the intermediate transfer belt (5) is
It was 7.5 × 10 ¹² Ω.

Further, in the same manner as in the first embodiment,
A voltage of 0 V is applied to measure the belt (5) at four locations in the circumferential direction and two locations in the axial direction at each location, for a total of eight locations, to determine variations in volume resistance and surface resistance within the belt. As a result of the measurement, the measured values at eight points were in the range of 1000 times. Variation in wall thickness measurement at the same position is 150μm ±
It was in the range of 50 μm.

Next, in the same manner as in Example 1, a durability test was performed on 50,000 sheets. Initially, there was no problem with color misregistration and image quality, but a small amount of contraction / extension was gradually observed in the belt drive before and after the end of 30,000 sheets. When two colors were superimposed, color misregistration occurred on the order of 300 μm in maximum width. . At this time, the primary transfer efficiency and the secondary transfer efficiency were 89% and 84%, respectively.

After 50,000 sheets, a decrease in the belt tension, which was considered to be caused by the relaxation of the belt, was observed. For this reason, irregular color shifts of up to 300 μm frequently occurred after 50,000 sheets.

(Comparative Example 3) 100 parts of polycarbonate resin 13 parts of conductive carbon black

The above mixture was kneaded with a twin-screw extruder and kneader, and carbon was sufficiently and uniformly dispersed in a binder so as to obtain a desired electric resistance to obtain a forming raw material (6). Further, this was made into a kneaded product having a particle size of 1 to 2 mm.

Next, a single screw extruder 100 shown in FIG.
The kneaded material is put into the hopper 120 of
The mixture was extruded at a temperature in the range of 50 to 280 ° C to obtain a melt. The melt was subsequently guided to a cylindrical single layer extrusion die 140 having a diameter of 350 mm and a die gap width of 150 μm. Thus, the final shape and dimensions 180 were 350 mm in diameter and 150 μm in wall thickness.
Further, the sheet was cut at a belt width of 310 mm to obtain a transfer belt. This is referred to as a transfer belt (2).

The electric resistance of the transfer belt (2) is temporarily
It was 7.5 × 10 ¹² Ω. In the same manner as in Example 1, a voltage of 200 V was applied, and the transfer belt (2) was measured at four locations in the circumferential direction, two locations in the axial direction at each location, and a total of eight locations. The dispersion of the volume resistance and the surface resistance in the belt was measured, and the uniformity exceeded three digits, and a low resistance part and a high resistance part were partially present. The variation in thickness measurement at the same position is 150 μm
The variation was as large as ± 60 μm. According to visual observation of the transfer belt (2), no foreign matters such as bumps and fish eyes and defective molding were found on the surface.

The transfer belt (2) was mounted on a full-color electrophotographic apparatus shown in FIG. 2, and a full-color image was printed on 80 g / m ² paper. Since the resistance of the belt had a large variation, the image had uneven transfer. Next, continuous printing of 50,000 full-color images was performed in the same manner as in Example 4. At the beginning, there was no problem with color misregistration, but a slight contraction / elongation was gradually observed in the belt drive before and after the end of 30,000 sheets, and color misregistration occurred on the order of 150 μm when two colors were overlapped. After 50,000 sheets, a decrease in belt tension, which was considered to be caused by the relaxation of the belt, was observed. For this reason, irregular color shift of up to 300 μm frequently occurs irregularly, and the belt has no durability.

[0126]

[Table 1]

[0127]

As described above, the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member made of the thermoplastic polyimide resin of the present invention have extremely high transfer efficiency, low cost, small number of steps, excellent versatility, and excellent image transfer. It is possible to provide a durable intermediate transfer body and a transfer member, a method of manufacturing the intermediate transfer body and a transfer member, and an image forming apparatus which are free from omission and cause no image density unevenness.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt) of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a color image forming apparatus using the transfer member (transfer belt) of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an apparatus for forming an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer belt according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of another apparatus for forming an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer belt of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of an intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt) or a transfer member (transfer belt) having a two-layer structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view of an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt) or a transfer member (transfer belt) having a three-layer structure according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an overall schematic diagram of an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt) or a transfer member (transfer belt) having a three-layer configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for measuring the resistance of an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt) and a transfer member (transfer belt) of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating measurement positions of volume resistivity and surface resistivity of an intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer belt) and a transfer member (transfer belt) of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 photosensitive drum 2 primary charger 3 image exposure means 7 cleaning charging member 10 transfer material guide 11 paper feed roller 13 photosensitive drum cleaning device 15 fixing device 20 intermediate transfer belt 26, 28, 29 bias power supply 41 yellow developing device 42 magenta color developing device 43 cyan color developing device 44 black color developing device 62 primary transfer roller 63 secondary transfer roller 64 secondary transfer opposed roller 100, 110 uniaxial extruder 120, 130 hopper 140, 141 extrusion die 150 gas introduction path 160 Cooling ring 165 Internal cooling mandrel 170 Dimensional stability guide 180 Molded diameter 200 Drive roller 201, 202, 203 Metal roller 204 Power supply 205 Resistor 206 Potentiometer 301Y, 301M, 301C, 301BK Photosensitive drum 302Y, 302M, 302C, 302BK Primary charging roller 303Y, 303M, 303C, 303BK Exposure unit 304Y, 304M, 304C, 304BK Developing unit 305Y, 305M, 305C, 305BK Cleaner 306 Feeding cassette 307 Feeding roller 308 Transport guide 309 Resist Roller 310 Transfer device 311 Drive roller 312 Follower roller 313 Tension roller 314 Transfer belt 315 Transfer charger 316 Separator charger 317 Fixing device 318 Output tray 320 Image forming apparatus main body P Transfer material

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Kusaba 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akihiko Nakazawa 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inside the Company (72) Inventor Tsunetori Ashina 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akira Shimada 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Atsushi Tanaka 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Kobayashi 3-30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ota-ku, Tokyo F-term ( Reference) 2H032 AA05 AA15 BA09 BA18 4F207 AA29 AA40 AB07 AB18 AG01 AG08 AH33 AH53 KA01 KA17 KA19 KK13 KL62 KL76

Claims (17)

[Claims] An intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer member and further transferring the image on a second image carrier, In a transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for electrostatically transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier on the second image carrier, a molding material is melt-extruded into a cylindrical shape by an extruder. An intermediate transfer member and a transfer member, wherein the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member formed into a desired shape are made of at least a thermoplastic polyimide resin. 2. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic polyimide resin is one or both of resins represented by the following general formulas (1) and (2). Embedded image (In the formula, Ar and Ar ′ each represent an arenetriyl group, Ar ″ and Ar ′ ″ each represent an arylene group or an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n represents a positive integer.) Embedded image (Wherein, R represents an arylene group or an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, Ar ″ ″ represents an arenetriyl group,
n ′ represents a positive integer. ) 3. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the extrusion molding ratio of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is 0.5 to 4.0. 4. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member are seamless intermediate transfer belts. 5. The intermediate transfer body and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the amount of the resistance control agent contained in the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member is 0 to 30% by weight. 6. The intermediate transfer body and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the formed intermediate transfer body and the transfer member is 45 to 300 μm. 7. The resistance of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is 1 ×
10 ⁰ to 1 × 10 an intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1 which is ¹⁴ Omega. 8. The resistance control agent contained in the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is contained in one or both of 0.05 to 10% by weight of an ion conductive resistance control agent and 3 to 30% by weight of an electron conductive resistance control agent. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 5. 9. The maximum value of the volume resistance of each part of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is within 100 times the minimum value.
The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to any one of the above. 10. The intermediate transfer body and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the volume resistance in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member is within 100 times the minimum value. 11. The maximum value of the surface resistance of each part of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is within 100 times the minimum value.
11. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to any one of 10. 12. The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the maximum value of the surface resistance in the circumferential direction of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer member is within 100 times the minimum value. 13. The thickness of the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member after molding is 99/100 to 1/100 of the die gap of the extrusion die.
The intermediate transfer member and the transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the ratio is in the range of / 20. 14. An intermediate transfer member for use in an image forming apparatus for transferring an image formed on a first image carrier to an intermediate transfer member and further transferring the image on a second image carrier, or the first transfer member. In a method for manufacturing a transfer member used in an image forming apparatus for electrostatically transferring a toner image formed on an image carrier onto a second image carrier, a molding material is melt-extruded into a cylindrical shape by an extruder. Then, the intermediate transfer body and the transfer member formed into a desired shape while blowing gas are made of at least a thermoplastic polyimide resin, and have an extrusion molding ratio of 0.5.
To 4.0, a method for producing an intermediate transfer member and a transfer member. 15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the extrusion molding ratio is 1.05 to 2.80. 16. An image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer body or the transfer member according to claim 1. 17. An image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member or a transfer member manufactured by the method according to claim 14. Description: