JP2001125396A - Transfer belt and transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer belt and a transfer device with the little dispersion of a resistance value, which are excellent in transfer efficiency and obtain an image having no irregularity. SOLUTION: This transfer belt is constituted by forming a conductive layer on the surface of tubular substance consisting of polymeric material and a semiconductive resin layer on the conductive layer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer belt and a transfer apparatus, and more particularly, to a method for transferring toner used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile from a photosensitive member to a belt surface.
The present invention relates to an intermediate transfer belt used for an intermediate transfer system for collectively transferring to paper, or a transfer / conveying belt used for conveying a medium such as paper or an OHP film and transferring toner from a photoconductor to paper. Hereinafter, the intermediate transfer belt and the transfer conveyance belt are collectively referred to as a transfer belt unless otherwise specified.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer, or a facsimile, an intermediate transfer system is known in which toner is once transferred from a photosensitive member to a belt surface and then transferred to a medium such as paper. For example, in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a color laser beam printer or a color copying machine, in the transfer process of the toner of four colors, the toner on the photoreceptor is temporarily superimposed and transferred in four colors on the belt surface, and then collectively transferred to paper. Further, in a color electrophotographic apparatus, in order to improve a printing speed, 4
A so-called four-tandem system in which color developing units are arranged in tandem and paper is conveyed and four colors are sequentially transferred to paper is known. The two methods include PC (polycarbonate), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PI (polyimide), and ETF with resistance adjustment.
A transfer belt using a resin such as E (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene) is used.

[0003]

In the above-described transfer belts, resistance adjustment in the thickness direction is difficult, the resistance value on the surface of the transfer belt varies greatly, and the resistance value variation with environmental changes is large. . For this reason, there have been problems such as poor toner transfer efficiency and transfer unevenness.

Accordingly, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies and researches, focusing on the structure and material characteristics of the transfer belt used, in order to improve transfer efficiency and image quality of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a color printer. By providing a conductive layer on the intermediate layer of the belt and applying a voltage in the transfer step to this layer, a transfer belt and a transfer device satisfying the above-mentioned object have been conceived.

[0005]

A transfer belt according to the present invention comprises:
A conductive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a single-layer or laminated tubular article formed of a polymer material, and a semiconductive resin layer made of a material having semiconductivity is formed on the conductive layer. Become.

A transfer device according to the present invention is a transfer device used in an intermediate transfer system in which a toner image in an electrophotographic apparatus is transferred from a photosensitive member to a belt surface and then collectively transferred to paper. A transfer device used to transfer a toner image from a photoconductor to paper, wherein a conductive layer is formed on an outer peripheral surface of a tubular member formed of a polymer material, and both ends of the conductive layer are formed on the conductive layer. A transfer belt on which a semiconductive resin layer having semiconductivity is formed in such a manner that a portion thereof is partially exposed, has a voltage applying means only at a transfer area facing a photoconductor at both ends of the conductive layer, and A pressing roll is arranged on the inner peripheral surface side of the belt so as to press the transfer belt against the photoconductor.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of a transfer belt and a transfer device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a transfer belt 2 according to one embodiment of the present invention has a conductive layer made of a conductive material on the outer peripheral surface of a tubular member 4 formed of a polymer material. 6 is formed, and a semiconductive resin layer 8 is formed on the conductive layer 6.

Further, as another embodiment according to the present invention,
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer belt 10 has a conductive electrode pattern 14 formed on the outer peripheral surface of a tubular body 12 formed of a polymer material, and a half-tone electrode pattern 14 on the electrode pattern 14. The conductive resin 16 is formed.

The tubular articles 4 and 12 of the present invention are a single layer or a laminate, and the polymer material forming each layer is, for example,
Resin alone or composite resin. Here, the composite resin refers to a material obtained by mixing an additive with the resin. The resin used is, for example, an engineering plastic, and specifically, polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 46, polyamide MXD6, polycarbonate,
Polyacetal, polyphenylene ether, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), polyarylate, liquid crystal polyester, polyphenylene sulfide, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyetheretherketone, polyetherimide, Select from the group consisting of polyamide imide, aramid, non-thermoplastic polyimide, thermoplastic polyimide, fluororesin, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polymethylpentene, phenolic resin, unsaturated polyester resin, epoxy resin, silicone, and diallyl phthalate resin One or a combination of two or more of these is preferred. Among them, particularly preferably, although not limited, for example, a material having a tensile modulus of 2000 MPa or more and / or
Alternatively, the material may have a glass transition temperature of 150 ° C. or higher.
Here, the tensile modulus is measured by a method based on JIS K 7127. More specifically, the material is 100 μm
No. 1 test piece was prepared as a film for
At a temperature of 3 ° C. ± 2 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50 ± 5%, the test speed was 450 mm / min, and the three-point average was obtained.

The glass transition temperature is determined according to JIS K 7121.
It is measured by a method according to. Alternatively, the preferred resin for forming the tubular article of the present invention is a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin or a thermoplastic polyimide resin.

Among them, a thermoplastic polyimide resin having a glass transition temperature Tg of 150 ° C. or higher, more preferably 230 ° C. or higher can be used. Transfer belt 2,
The transfer belt of the present invention exemplified by No. 10 is used for an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser beam printer or a facsimile. Therefore, under the use conditions of the transfer belt, the thermoplastic polyimide resin constituting the tubular members 4 and 12 constituting the structural material of the transfer belts 2 and 10 has a glass transition temperature Tg of 150 ° C. or higher, more preferably 230 ° C. or higher. Thereby, the thermoplastic polyimide resin used at a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature Tg functions as a heat-resistant resin.

The tubular articles 4 and 12 can be a laminate. In this case, the core layer is formed from a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin or a composite resin containing a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin, and on both sides of the core layer, a layer formed from a thermoplastic polyimide resin or a composite resin containing a thermoplastic polyimide resin (thermoplastic). (A plastic polyimide resin layer). further,
It is also possible to provide a tubular article by providing a plurality of thermoplastic polyimide resin layers on both sides of the core layer.

Next, an example of the thermoplastic polyimide resin used for the single-layer or laminated tubular members 4 and 12 of the transfer belts 2 and 10 of the present invention will be described. The thermoplastic polyimide film, unlike a conventional non-thermoplastic (thermosetting) polyimide film, has melt flowability in a predetermined high temperature range while having heat resistance, and is excellent in workability. Further, the adhesiveness of the joint portion in the transfer belt of the present invention is superior to that of the non-thermoplastic polyimide film. The thermoplastic polyimide according to the present invention has a chemical structural formula represented by the general formula (1)

[0015]

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(Wherein, m and n are integers, and the ratio of m / n is in the range of 0.01 to 100. Both A and B are tetravalent organic groups. Y represents a divalent organic group.) Is preferably a main component.
Further, A in the general formula (1) derived from a monomer of an acid dianhydride that imparts thermoplasticity is represented by the general formula (2)

[0017]

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(In the formula, R ₁ and R ₂ each represent a divalent organic group.) It is preferable that at least one selected from the group of tetravalent organic groups represented by the following formula: Further, B in the general formula (1) is

[0019]

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It is preferable that at least one selected from the group of tetravalent organic groups represented by Further, as the diamine, X and Y in the general formula (1) are monomers that impart thermoplasticity.

[0021]

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(In the formula, R3 represents a divalent organic group.)
And 5

[0023]

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It is preferable that at least one selected from the group of divalent organic groups represented by

Here, an example of a method for producing a thermoplastic polyimide applicable to the transfer belt of the present invention will be described. The thermoplastic polyimide is first prepared from an acid dianhydride having an ester group in the molecular chain represented by the general formula (2) (preferably 10 to 90%).
Mol%) and an aromatic dianhydride (preferably pyromellitic dianhydride) shown in Chemical Formula 3 above, and a diamine shown in Chemical Formula 4 and Chemical Formula 5 above. The reaction is performed in an organic solvent to obtain a polyamic acid solution which is a polyimide precursor solution. Then, by further heating and drying to imidize, polyimide is obtained. However, this embodiment is an exemplification and is not limited to this.

As the film of the polymer material used for the transfer belt, for example, a film made of only the above-mentioned thermoplastic polyimide may be used, but a film obtained by mixing a mixture obtained by adding another resin to the thermoplastic polyimide is used. A film may be used.

The non-thermoplastic polyimide film used for the transfer belt of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (4).

[0028]

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(However, R ₄ is

[0030]

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Wherein R ₅ is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent, and m and n are integers. ) Can be used, but the film is not limited to this.

Some non-thermoplastic polyimide films include:
It includes all resins represented as thermosetting polyimide resins or reaction-curing polyimide resins. As the non-thermoplastic polyimide film, for example, a film made of only a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin may be used, or a film made of a non-thermoplastic polyimide film mixed with an additive may be used. To mix additives into the non-thermoplastic polyimide film, the precursor is mixed with the additives.

More specifically, the method of forming the tubular members 4 and 12 of the transfer belt of the present invention will be described. The method of forming both ends of a non-thermoplastic polymer film with a thermoplastic material to form a tubular shape. And, a method of forming a tubular by heating and joining both ends of the thermoplastic polymer material film,
Alternatively, a method can be used in which a non-thermoplastic polymer material film and a thermoplastic polymer material film are laminated with their butted end positions shifted, formed into a tube, and heated and joined to form a tube. further,
A method in which a non-thermoplastic polymer material or a thermoplastic polymer material is directly formed into a tubular shape by a mold or the like can also be used.

Further, a thermoplastic resin is coated or laminated on one or both sides of the non-thermoplastic polymer film, and the film having a plurality of layers is wound around a mold a plurality of times, and then heat-pressed to form a tube. It is also possible to form the tubular articles 4 and 12 by any method, and there is no particular limitation.

When the tubular articles 4 and 12 are a laminate, a non-thermoplastic polyimide film and a thermoplastic polyimide film are separately manufactured and bonded by thermocompression bonding or bonding via an adhesive to form a laminated film. After that, it can be formed into a tubular shape by heating and joining while utilizing the properties of the thermoplastic polyimide resin. Alternatively, a thermoplastic resin may be coated on both sides of a non-thermoplastic polyimide film to form a laminated film, and then heated and joined by utilizing the characteristics of the thermoplastic polyimide resin to form a tubular shape. Furthermore, the method of producing the non-thermoplastic polyimide resin directly into a tubular shape and then coating the thermoplastic polyimide resin to obtain the tubular articles 4 and 12 of the present invention is not limited.

A conductive layer 6 is formed on substantially the entire surface of the tubular member 4 of the transfer belt 2 of the present invention, and the conductive layer 6 is formed of a semiconductive resin layer 8 except for both ends or one end thereof. It is configured so that a voltage can be applied by both ends or one end thereof. The conductive layer 6
A conductive paste made of silver, copper, aluminum, carbon, or the like is screen-printed on the surface of the tubular object 4, or a metal foil or a thin metal film of aluminum or copper is applied to the surface of the tubular object 4, or By vapor-depositing a metal such as this, it is formed almost entirely and almost uniformly.

Alternatively, the conductive layer 6 is formed almost entirely and substantially uniformly by laminating a conductive resin on the surface of the tubular article 4.

Examples of the conductive resin that can be used for the conductive layer 6 of the present invention include, but are not limited to, silver paste and carbon paste using an epoxy resin as a binder.

On the other hand, the tubular object 12 in the transfer belt 10
A predetermined pattern of electrodes 14 is formed on the surface of the electrode pattern 14. The electrode pattern 14 is configured so that an end thereof is extended and a voltage can be applied. Electrode pattern 14
After screen-printing a conductive paste made of silver, copper, aluminum, carbon, or the like on the surface of the tubular object 12, or after applying a metal foil or metal thin film of aluminum, copper, or the like to the surface of the tubular object 12, And a predetermined pattern by etching, or a predetermined pattern by depositing a metal such as aluminum through a mask on which the predetermined pattern is formed.

The thickness of the electrode pattern 14 is the same as that of the electrode pattern 1.
In consideration of the surface irregularities due to 4, the thickness is preferably 2 to 30 μm, and more preferably 5 to 20 μm. Further, the width of the electrode pattern 14 is preferably 0.05 to 1.0 mm, and the distance between the electrodes is preferably 0.05 to 1.0 mm. More preferably, the width of the electrode is 0.05 to 0.5 mm, and the distance between the electrodes is 0.05 to 0.5 mm.
0.5 mm is preferred.

Further, the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14
The semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the tubular members 4 and 12 on which the conductive layers 6 and the electrode patterns 14 are formed except for both end portions or one end portion, so that the conductive layer 6 and the electrode pattern 14 are protected from external force. I have.

The semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 are made of a single resin or a composite resin having a volume resistivity of 10 ⁶ to 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm, more preferably 10 ⁸ to 10 ¹² Ω · cm. Can be Here, the composite resin refers to a resin obtained by mixing a conductive additive and / or a high dielectric constant additive into a single resin. In the present invention, the volume resistivity is
The material resin is prepared into a 100 μm film, and the temperature is 20 ° C.
It is a value measured at a measurement voltage of 500 V using SM-10 manufactured by Toa Denpa Kogyo Co., Ltd. after standing for 24 hours under conditions of 60% humidity and 60%. When the volume resistivity of the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 falls below 10 ⁶ Ω · cm, the adjacent electrodes 1
4 is insufficient, and a leak current flows. When the volume resistivity exceeds 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm,
The voltage drop at this portion is large, and a sufficient transfer electric field cannot be generated. That is, electric charges are less likely to be induced on the surfaces of the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16, and a sufficient transfer electric field cannot be obtained. In order to adjust the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 to have the above-mentioned predetermined volume resistivity, it is preferable to appropriately mix conductive powder with the resin constituting the semiconductive resin layer.

Here, the conductive powder used for adjusting the volume resistivity of the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 includes carbon powder, graphite, metal powder, metal oxide powder, and metal oxide that has been subjected to conductive treatment. And an antistatic agent. At least one or more conductive powders selected from these depending on the purpose are used. The amount of the conductive powder to be added depends on the intended semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16.
Is appropriately set depending on the volume specific resistance of the electrode protective layer, usually 2 to 50 vol%, more preferably 3 to 30 vol%, based on the total volume of the electrode protective layer. The size of the conductive powder is appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but preferably has an average particle diameter of usually 50 μm or less, more preferably has an average particle diameter of 10 μm or less, and has an average particle diameter of 1 μm.
m or less are more preferred.

As the high dielectric constant additive, an inorganic powder having a dielectric constant of 50 or more is used.
Examples include barium titanate, potassium titanate, lead titanate, lead niobate, zirconate titanate, and current powder. The shape of the high dielectric constant powder is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a sphere, a flake, a whisker, or the like, and at least one or more high dielectric constant powders selected from these according to the purpose are used. Further, the size of the high dielectric constant powder is not particularly limited, for example, in the case of a spherical shape, the average particle size is usually preferably 50 μm or less, more preferably the average particle size is 10 μm or less,
Those having an average particle size of 1 μm or less are more preferred. In the case of a whisker, the length is 50 μm or less and the diameter is 0.5 to
Those having a size of 20 μm can be used. Furthermore, the amount of the high dielectric constant powder to be added is appropriately set depending on the desired dielectric constant of the semiconductive resin layer, but is usually preferably 5 to 50 vol%, more preferably 10 to 30 vol%.

Examples of the resin used for the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 include a thermoplastic resin, a non-thermoplastic resin, a rubber, and a thermoplastic elastomer. These include thermosetting resins, reaction-curing resins, and resins known as ionomers. More specifically, isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymer, AAS (acrylonitrile-acryl-styrene copolymer), AES
(Acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene copolymer),
AS (acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer), ABS
(Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ACS (acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene copolymer), MBS (methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer), ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer, EVA (ethylene-acetic acid) Vinyl copolymer), E
VA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), EVOH
(Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer), polyvinyl acetate, chlorinated vinyl chloride, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorinated polypropylene, carboxyvinyl polymer, ketone resin, norbornene resin, vinyl propionate, PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), Methylpentene polymer, polybutadiene, PS (polystyrene),
Styrene maleic anhydride copolymer, methacryl, EMA
A (ethylene methacrylic acid), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polyvinylidene chloride, PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, cellulose, nylon 6, nylon 6 Combined, nylon 66, nylon 610, nylon 61
2, nylon 11, nylon 12, copolymer nylon, nylon MXD, nylon 46, methoxymethylated nylon, aramid, PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PC
(Polycarbonate), POM (polyacetal), polyethylene oxide, PPE (polyphenylene ether), modified PPE (polyphenylene ether), PEE
K (polyetheretherketone), PES (polyethersulfone), PSO (polysulfone), polyaminesulfone, PPS (polyphenylenesulfide), PAR (polyarylate), polyparavinylphenol, polyparamethylenestyrene, polyallylamine, Aromatic polyester, liquid crystal polymer, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), ETFE (tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene), FEP (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene), EPE (tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene-perfluoroal, kill) Vinyl ether), PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether), PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene), ECTFE (ethylene Chlorotrifluoroethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride-based),
PVF (polyvinyl fluoride), PU (polyurethane), phenolic resin, urea resin, melamine resin,
Guanamine resin, vinyl ester resin, unsaturated polyester, oligoester acrylate, diallyl phthalate, DKF resin, xylene resin, epoxy resin, furan resin, PI (polyimide), PEI (polyetherimide), PAI (polyamideimide), acrylic Silicone, silicone, poly (p-hydroxybenzoic acid),
Maleic resin, NR (natural rubber), IR (isoprene rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), BR (butadiene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), IIR
(Isobutylene / isoprene rubber), NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber), EPM (ethylene propylene rubber), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), C
PE (chlorinated polyethylene rubber), CSM (chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber), ACM (acrylic rubber), ethylene acrylic rubber, U (urethane rubber), silicone rubber, fluoro rubber, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene propylene rubber, CHR (epichlorohydrin rubber) ), Polysulfide rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber, polyether-based special rubber, liquid rubber, norbornene rubber, TPO (olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer), TPU (urethane-based thermoplastic elastomer), PVC (PVC-based thermoplastic elastomer), TPS
(Styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer), TREE (polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer), PA-based (polyamide elastomer), PB-based (butadiene elastomer), soft fluororesin, fluoroelastomer, elastic epoxy resin, etc. or selected from these. And combinations of two or more resins.

Of these, the transfer belts 2 and 1 of the present invention
At 0, a fluororesin is preferable as the material of the semiconductive resin layer in consideration of adhesion of paper powder and releasability of toner.

In order to reduce the resistance fluctuation of the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 in a range from low temperature to high temperature and in a range from low humidity to high humidity, it is necessary to use a semiconductive resin. The lower the water absorption of the resin forming the resin layers 8 and 16, the better.
In particular, it is preferable to use a resin having a water absorption of 1% or less, more preferably 0.5% or less. Specifically, chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber having an absorption of 1% or less, olefin resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin, aromatic resin, polyacetal resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, Selected from the group consisting of vinyl chloride resin, amide resin, urethane resin, nitrile resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, guanamine resin, vinyl ester resin, epoxy resin, furan resin, and fluorine resin. At least one resin or a chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber having a water absorption of 1% or less, an olefin resin, a styrene resin, an acrylic resin, a silicone resin, an aromatic resin, a polyacetal resin,
Polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, amide resin, urethane resin, nitrile resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, guanamine resin, vinyl ester resin, epoxy resin, furan resin,
And a mixed resin containing at least 30 vol% of at least one resin selected from the group consisting of fluorine resins.

Here, the water absorption is a value measured based on JIS K7209. More specifically, the film of the test piece was dried for 24 ± 1 hour in a constant temperature bath maintained at 50 ° C. ± 2 ° C., and the weight of the product cooled in a desiccator was set to W1, and immersed in distilled water for 24 hours. The weight of the surface from which water droplets were wiped off was designated as W2, and the water absorption (%) = (W2-W
1) Calculate by the formula of ÷ W1 × 100. Hereinafter, this measurement and calculation method will be used when referring to the water absorption in the present specification.

Next, an example of a method for manufacturing the transfer belts 2 and 10 will be described. However, the method for manufacturing the transfer belt of the present invention is not limited to the following example.

First, the tubular members 4 and 12 made of a polymer material as a base are formed as a seamless belt by a casting method, and then the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 is formed on the outer surface of the tubular members 4 and 12. Further, semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 are formed on the outer peripheral surface except for both end portions of the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 by, for example, a coating method, and the transfer belts 2 and 10 are manufactured.

After a film is formed in advance from a polymer material, both ends of the film are joined to form a belt to obtain tubular articles 4 and 12. After that, the transfer belts 2 and 10 may be manufactured by forming the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 and forming the semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 thereon as described above.

After a film is previously formed from a polymer material, the film is wound around a cylindrical mold a plurality of times to form a belt, and the film is heated and pressed to obtain tubular articles 4 and 12. Alternatively, the transfer belts 2 and 10 may be manufactured by forming the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 thereon and forming the semiconductive resin feeders 8 and 16 thereon.

The semiconductive resin layers 8 and 16 may be formed by coating the raw material resin in a varnish form and applying the varnish on the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 or by previously forming the raw material of the semiconductive resin layer. The resin can be formed into a film, and the film can be formed by laminating the film on the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14. Examples of the latter laminating method include a thermocompression method using a hot press method or a hot roll method, and a method in which a film is wound a plurality of times on the conductive layer 6 or the electrode pattern 14 and then thermocompression bonded. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

The method for producing the transfer belts 2 and 10 of the present invention can be appropriately selected according to the purpose of the transfer belt to be obtained, and is appropriately selected according to the material of the tubular articles 4 and 12.

Although the transfer belt according to the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, it is possible to arbitrarily perform various treatments on the surface of the obtained transfer belt, and the present invention can be variously modified, modified, and modified based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. Can be implemented.

Next, an embodiment of the transfer device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of the four-color electrophotographic apparatus 20. The electrophotographic apparatus 20 includes toner developing units 24, 26, 2 adjacent to an OPC (photoconductor) 22.
8, 30; a charging roller 38; an intermediate transfer belt 34 according to the present invention;
A backup roller 32 for pressing the backup roller 32 is disposed. Further, the electrophotographic apparatus 20 includes the OPC2
2, a secondary transfer roller 36 for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 34 to the paper 42 after transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer belt 34, and a fixing unit for fixing the toner to the paper. 40 is provided. Therefore, the toner developing device 2 is provided on the surface of the OPC 22.
4, 26, 28, 30 each color, ie black and 3
After superimposing the toner images of the primary colors red, blue and yellow, the toner images are transferred to the intermediate transfer belt. Then, after the four color toner images on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 34 are transferred to the paper 42, the toner images are fixed on the paper 42 by the fixing unit 40.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the means for applying a voltage to the intermediate transfer belt 34 uses a conductive brush 44 so that a voltage can be applied only to the transfer area facing the OPC 22. The voltage is applied only to the OPC 22 facing portion. Furthermore, FIG.
As shown in (2), a voltage may be applied by the conductive roller 46. Further, the backup roller 32 of the intermediate transfer belt 34 needs to have a nip width between the intermediate transfer belt 34 and the OPC 22, and therefore preferably has a JISA hardness of 50 degrees or less.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a four-color tandem four-color electrophotographic apparatus 50 as another embodiment. The electrophotographic apparatus 50 includes four OPCs 52, 54,
56, 58 and respective OPCs 52, 54, 56, 5
8, charging rollers 60, 62, 64, 66,
Developing devices 68, 70, 72, 74 are arranged. Further, in the electrophotographic apparatus 50, the transfer conveyance belt 78 according to the present invention and the pressing rollers 80, 82, 84, 86 pressing from inside the transfer conveyance belt 78 in correspondence with the OPCs 52, 54, 56, 58 of each color. It is arranged and configured. Therefore, the four OPCs 52, 54, 5
After forming toner images of each color, that is, black, and three primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, on the surface of each of the papers 6, 58, the toner images of each color are sequentially superimposed on the paper 88 to form one color image. Have been to be.

In the transfer tandem transfer belt 78 of the quadruple tandem system, as in FIGS. 6 and 7, a means for applying a voltage only in a region facing the OPCs 52, 54, 56 and 58 of each color of the transfer transfer belt is provided. Deploy. As the voltage applying means, the conductive brush method shown in FIG. 6, the conductive roller method shown in FIG. 7, or another method can be used. Further, pressing rollers 80, 82, 8 for the respective colors of the transfer / conveying belt 78
No. 4,86 is preferably not more than 50 degrees in JISA hardness because it is necessary to secure a nip width between the OPCs 52, 54, 56, 58 and the transfer conveyance belt 78.

Although the transfer apparatus according to the present invention has been described above, the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the transfer device of the present invention can be implemented in various modified, modified, and modified modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the transfer device.

[0062]

EXAMPLES Example 1 A conductive layer having a thickness of 10 μm was formed on the entire surface of a non-thermoplastic polyimide film having a thickness of 50 μm (Apical 50NPI (manufactured by Kaneka Chemical Co., Ltd.)) using an epoxy silver paste. did.

As a semiconductive resin layer, a thermoplastic polyimide film containing 20% by weight of carbon black was prepared. The volume resistivity of this film is 10 ¹⁰ Ω · c
m. This film was heated and laminated on the above-mentioned tubular material having the conductive layer formed thereon to form a semiconductive resin layer, thereby obtaining a transfer belt.

This transfer belt was assembled as an intermediate transfer belt 34 in the intermediate transfer type electrophotographic apparatus 20 shown in FIG. In such an apparatus, the voltage applying means of the intermediate transfer belt 34 uses a conductive brush as shown in FIG. 6, and the backup roller 32 of the intermediate transfer belt 34 has a JISA hardness of 40.
A silicone rubber roller was used. As a result of outputting a predetermined color image by such an apparatus, good results were obtained in which the transfer efficiency was good and the image quality was not uneven.

Example 2 The transfer belt had the structure shown in FIG. 3, that is, the electrode pattern 14 had an electrode width of 0.5 m.
The transfer belt 10 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the transfer belt 10 was formed so as to have a length of m, a distance between electrodes of 0.5 mm, and an electrode thickness of 10 μm. The obtained transfer belt 10 was incorporated in an intermediate transfer type electrophotographic apparatus 20 similar to that in Example 1, and image evaluation was performed.
As a result, an image having good transfer efficiency and no image quality unevenness was obtained.

Example 3 A transfer belt similar to that of Example 2 was incorporated in a four-tandem color electrophotographic apparatus 50 as a transfer / conveying belt 78. At this time, silicone rubber rollers having a JISA hardness of 40 degrees were used as the pressing rollers 80, 82, 84, and 86 of the transfer conveyance belt. As a result of outputting a predetermined color image by such an apparatus, an image having good transfer efficiency and image quality unevenness was obtained.

(Comparative Example 1) Carbon was added to PVDF resin.
0% by weight, kneaded, and 100 μm thick by T-die extrusion
Was produced and then processed into a belt to obtain a transfer belt. Each part (5 points) including the center part and the end part of the manufactured transfer belt was cut out in a 5 cm square, sampled, and the respective volume resistivity values were measured. As a result, the average value of these volume resistivity values was: 1.0 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω
cm. The variation in the resistance value of each part in the transfer belt was one digit. In the intermediate transfer electrophotographic apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 5, as a means for transferring the toner from the OPC to the transfer belt, the obtained transfer belt is replaced with a semiconductive rubber roller instead of a backup roller in the drawing. A predetermined color image was output by incorporating the intermediate transfer belt in a photographic device. As a result, image quality unevenness occurred, and it could not be said that a good image was obtained.

[0068]

Since the transfer belt and the transfer device according to the present invention are transfer belts having a conductive layer and a semiconductive resin layer having a resistance adjusted thereon, a voltage is applied only to a region facing the OPC. It is possible. Therefore, an image having excellent transfer efficiency and having no unevenness can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory perspective view of a transfer belt according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional explanatory view of a main part of the transfer belt shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of a transfer belt according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional explanatory view of a main part of the transfer belt shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of an intermediate transfer type electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of a transfer device that uses the intermediate transfer belt according to the present invention and uses a conductive brush as a power supply unit.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged explanatory view of a main part of a transfer device that uses the intermediate transfer belt according to the present invention and uses a conductive roller as a power supply unit.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view of a quadruple tandem type electrophotographic apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 10, 34, 78: transfer belt 4, 12: tubular polymer material 6: conductive layer 8, 16: semiconductive resin layer 14: electrode pattern 32: backup roller 80, 82, 84, 86: pressing roller 44: conductive brush 46: conductive roller 42, 88: paper 20: intermediate transfer type electrophotographic device 50: quadruple tandem type electrophotographic device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // C08K 3/00 C08K 3/00 C08L 101/12 C08L 101/12 F term (Reference) 2H032 AA05 BA09 BA18 3J103 AA02 GA02 GA58 GA60 4F100 AA37C AA37H AB24B AB24H AK01C AK49A AK49C AK53B AL05A AL05C BA03 BA07 BA10C CA13C CA13H CA21C CA21H DA11 DC22B DE04B DE04H GB41 JA05A JB12A JB16A JB16C JG01 JG01B JG01C JK02A JK07A JK14 JL05 YY00A 4J002 AA001 BB001 BB271 BC001 BD041 BD101 BD121 BF001 BG001 CB001 CC031 CC161 CC181 CC191 CD001 CH121 CK021 CL001 CM01 CP001 DA016 DA026 DA066 DE046 DE137 DE187 FD116

Claims (14)

[Claims] A semiconductive resin comprising a conductive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of a single-layer or laminated tubular article formed of a polymer material, and a semiconductive material formed on the conductive layer. A transfer belt having a layer formed thereon. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conductive layer has an electrode width of 0.05 to 1 mm.
The transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the transfer belt has a comb-shaped electrode pattern having a distance between electrodes of 0.05 to 1 mm. 3. The transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material is a resin alone or a composite resin obtained by mixing an additive with a resin. 4. The polymer material has a tensile modulus of 2000.
The transfer belt according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transfer belt is at least MPa. 5. The transfer belt according to claim 4, wherein the resin is a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin or a thermoplastic polyimide resin. 6. The transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the polymer material for forming the tubular material has a glass transition temperature of 150 ° C. or higher. 7. A core layer formed of a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin or a composite resin containing a non-thermoplastic polyimide resin, wherein the tubular material is formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers on both surfaces of the core layer. The transfer belt according to claim 1, wherein the transfer belt is a laminate formed of a film formed of a composite resin containing a thermoplastic polyimide resin or a thermoplastic polyimide resin. 8. The transfer belt according to claim 7, wherein the thermoplastic polyimide resin is a thermoplastic polyimide resin having a glass transition temperature of 150 ° C. or higher. 9. The semiconductor device according to claim 1, wherein said semiconductive resin layer has a volume resistivity of 10%.
Transfer belt according to any one of to consist of ⁶ to 10 ¹⁴ [Omega] cm of resin alone or a resin to the composite resin obtained by mixing an additive of claims 1, wherein up to 8. 10. The chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber having a water absorption of 1% or less, an olefin resin,
Styrene resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin,
Aromatic resin, polyacetal resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, amide resin, urethane resin, nitrile resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, guanamine resin, vinyl ester resin, epoxy At least one resin selected from the group consisting of resin, furan resin, and fluorine resin, or chlorosulfonated polyethylene rubber having a water absorption of 1% or less, olefin resin, styrene resin, acrylic resin, silicone resin Resin, aromatic resin, polyacetal resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, amide resin, urethane resin, nitrile resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, guanamine resin, vinyl ester resin , Epoxy resin, furan resin, Transfer belt according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one kind of resin selected from the group consisting of fine fluororesin is a mixed resin containing more than 30 vol%. 11. A transfer device used in an intermediate transfer system for transferring a toner image from a photoconductor to a belt surface in an electrophotographic apparatus and then collectively transferring the toner image to paper, or transporting paper to a photoconductor and removing the toner image from the photoconductor. Is a transfer device used when transferring to a paper, a conductive layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of a tubular article formed of a polymer material, and both ends of the conductive layer are partially exposed on the conductive layer. A transfer belt on which a semiconductive resin layer having semiconductivity is formed in such a manner as to have a voltage applying means only in a transfer region facing a photoreceptor at both ends of the conductive layer, and an inner peripheral surface of the transfer belt. A transfer device, wherein a pressing roll is disposed on a side of the transfer belt so as to press a transfer belt against a photoconductor. 12. The transfer apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said voltage applying means is a conductive brush. 13. The transfer device according to claim 11, wherein the voltage applying unit is a metal roll or a conductive roll. 14. The transfer device according to claim 11, wherein a rubber hardness of a surface layer of the pressing roll is 50 degrees or less in JISA hardness.