JP2001281888A - Apparatus for manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptors which is capable of removing surfaces to be removed of exact and stable dimensional accuracy in the process of removing unnecessary coating films at the bottom ends of photoreceptors deposited by a dip coating method and is capable of easily improving productivity. SOLUTION: This apparatus for manufacturing the electrophotographic photoreceptors includes a lifting mechanism which is fixed with the photoreceptor 8 and is capable of moving the same in a vertical direction, a solvent circulating circuit 1f which can supply a solvent 4 capable of dissolving the coating film and a rotatable mounting base 3 which is disposed with an outer peripheral contact body 5 and inside surface contact body 10 contactable with the surface to be removed of the outer periphery at the bottom end and inside surface of the photoreceptor 8. The mounting base 3 is provided with a solvent reservoir 3a capable of storing the solvent 4 having an overflow level 4a allowing the immersion of the surface to be removed of the outer periphery at the bottom end of the photoreceptor 8. The outer peripheral contact body 5 is composed of a blade-shaped blade type piece disposed in the solvent reservoir 3a in such a manner that its upper end is made flush with the overflow liquid level 4a. The material of the blade type piece is made of fluororubber.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus used in a process of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member. More specifically, the present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for removing an unnecessary coating film formed on a lower end portion of an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a photosensitive member used in an electrophotographic apparatus is manufactured by applying a photosensitive material to a surface of a conductive cylindrical substrate such as an aluminum tube to form a photosensitive layer. As a coating method, there are a spray method, a ring coating method, a dip coating method, and the like. Recently, a dip coating method which is excellent in mass productivity and can form a relatively uniform coating film has been widely adopted.

In the dip coating method, a cylindrical substrate whose upper end is hermetically sealed with a vertical cylindrical axis is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent with a conductive material and a binder resin. Usually, a coating film of a photosensitive layer is formed by sequentially repeating a series of film forming steps of immersing in a coating solution prepared by adding, then pulling up and drying the coating solution attached to the surface in the order of film formation. This is the method.

When forming a coating film by the dip coating method,
The coating liquid adheres to the outer peripheral edge of the lower end of the cylindrical base, and even when the upper end of the cylindrical base is sealed and immersed, the coating liquid is also applied to the inside of the lower end of the cylindrical base due to a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the hollow part. Since the photosensitive member has completed the process of forming the photosensitive layer, it is necessary to remove unnecessary coating films formed on the outer periphery and the inner surface of the lower end portion because the photosensitive member has completed the process of forming the photosensitive layer.

[0005] For this purpose, conventionally, a mounting table provided with an outer rubbing member and an inner rubbing member made of a brush, sponge, or tape-shaped nonwoven fabric impregnated with a solvent capable of dissolving a coating film is rotated. In many cases, a manufacturing apparatus capable of removing unnecessary coating films by causing the rubbing portions of both rubbing bodies to rub against the surface to be removed at the lower end of the photoreceptor has been widely used. Hereinafter, an outline of a conventional manufacturing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a typical conventional apparatus for manufacturing a photoconductor for electrophotography. In FIG. 3, a solvent 4 capable of dissolving a coating film by driving a pump 6a flows out of a storage tank 6 via a supply pipe 1d, and is supplied to a lower portion of a vertically fixed cylindrical solvent supply body 1. The support base 1 which flows in from the port 1b and flows out from the upper discharge port 1c to form a horizontal
The storage tank 6 is received by the collection container 2 disposed so as to surround the solvent supply body 1 on the storage tank 6 via the collection pipe 2a.
A solvent circulation circuit 1f that circulates back to is formed.

In the recovery container 2, a disk-shaped turntable 7 rotatable around the solvent supply body 1 by driving of an electric motor 7c and a mount 30 having a concave cross-section fixed to the upper surface thereof are provided. An inner surface rubbing member 10 such as a brush having a rubbing portion directed in the centrifugal direction is attached to an upper portion near the axis on the table 30, and a brush, a sponge or a tape-shaped nonwoven fabric having a rubbing portion directed in a centripetal direction is provided. Outer peripheral rubbing body 50
Is provided at an upper portion away from the axis, and the inner rubbing member 10 and the outer rubbing member 50 are moistened by the contact and penetration of the droplets of the solvent 4 flowing out from the discharge port 1 c of the solvent supply body 1.

The vertically rotatable rotatable screw rod 12a is rotated by the drive of an electric motor 12c, and the lifting arm 12b horizontally attached to the screw rod 12a is moved up and down (in the direction indicated by an arrow P or Q). The movable lifting mechanism 12 includes:
The photoconductor 8 is fixed via a holder 9 mounted on the upper end of the photoconductor 8 so that the cylindrical axis is vertical and coaxial with the solvent supply body 1.

When removing an unnecessary coating film formed on the lower end portion of the photoreceptor 8, a solvent circulation circuit 1f is formed by driving the pump 6a, and the solvent 4 is rubbed with the outer rubbing member 50 and the inner rubbing member. The photosensitive body 8 fixed to the elevating mechanism 12 is driven by driving the electric motor 7c to rotate the mounting base 30 around the solvent supply body 1 from above the solvent supply body 1. Lowering the outer rubbing body 50 and the inner rubbing body 10
The level of the raising / lowering arm 12b is moved up and down so that the contact portion of the photosensitive member 8 comes into contact with the outer periphery of the lower end of the photosensitive member 8 and the inner surface to be removed, and the contact is removed by rubbing or wiping.

[0010]

In a conventional manufacturing apparatus for removing an unnecessary coating film formed on the outer periphery of a lower end portion of a photoreceptor by a dip coating method, a peripheral rubbing member is made of a brush, a sponge or a tape. As a non-woven fabric, it is stable as a rubbing part, such as incomplete contact due to distortion or abrasion or deformation of the rubbing part, insufficient impregnation of solvent or eccentric contact due to eccentric rotation. Because of the difficulties in durability and durability, the removal dimensions at the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoreceptor may be inaccurate and the quality of the photoreceptor may be degraded. Since the residue is mixed into the solvent circulation circuit and circulates, there is a problem that the processing conditions in the process of removing the coating film of the photoreceptor may fluctuate due to, for example, adhering to the rubbing part, thereby reducing productivity. Was.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to remove unnecessary coating films formed on the outer periphery of the lower end of a photoreceptor by a dip coating method. An object of the present invention is to provide a manufacturing apparatus for an electrophotographic photoreceptor that can obtain a surface to be removed with accurate and stable dimensional accuracy and can easily improve productivity.

[0012]

According to the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide an unnecessary coating film formed on a lower end portion of a photoreceptor obtained by forming a photosensitive layer on the surface of a cylindrical substrate by a dip coating method. In order to remove the photoreceptor, a lifting mechanism that can fix the photoreceptor so that the cylindrical axis is vertical and move it up and down via a holder that can hold the upper end of the photoreceptor, and a solvent that can dissolve the coating film Circulating circuit including a solvent supply body capable of supplying the toner, an outer peripheral rubbing member and an inner rubbing member disposed on a rotatable mounting base so as to rub against a surface to be removed of an outer peripheral surface and an inner surface of a lower end portion of the photoreceptor. In the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, the mounting table is provided with a solvent reservoir capable of storing a solvent having an overflow surface level at which the surface to be removed at the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoreceptor can be immersed. it can.

The outer peripheral rubbing member has a solvent-resistant blade having a blade-like rubbing portion disposed in the solvent reservoir such that the upper end thereof is coincident with the overflow level of the solvent. It is preferable that the material of the blade mold piece is fluorine rubber. According to the above configuration, the overflow level of the solvent stored in the solvent reservoir of the mounting base can be constantly maintained at a constant level while the solvent circulation circuit is formed. When removing the unnecessary coating film by dissolving and rubbing by immersing the upper surface limit to the overflow level, it is possible to obtain the surface to be removed with accurate and stable dimensional accuracy, as well as the peeled coating and the worn coating Residues such as the rubbing parts can precipitate and remain in the solvent reservoir, so that the residue removal process during operation can be omitted.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An apparatus for manufacturing a photoreceptor for electrophotography according to the present invention is configured such that a photoreceptor is fixed so that a cylindrical axis is vertical via a holder capable of holding an upper end portion of the photoreceptor, and the photoreceptor is vertically moved. A solvent circulation circuit including a movable elevating mechanism, a solvent supply body capable of supplying a solvent capable of dissolving a coating film, and a solvent having an overflow surface level at which a surface to be removed at the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoconductor can be stored. A mounting table having a solvent reservoir and rotatable around the solvent supply body, and a rotation table mounted on the mounting table and rotatable around the solvent supply body, the upper surface of the mounting table having an inner surface at the lower end of the photoreceptor. An inner surface rubbing member that can be rubbed on the surface to be removed is disposed, and an outer peripheral rubbing member provided with a solvent-resistant blade mold piece having a blade-shaped rubbing portion has a solvent at the upper end in the solvent reservoir. Is arranged so that it can touch the surface to be removed around the lower end of the photoconductor in accordance with the overflow level of There.

In the above arrangement, the mount is rotated around the solvent supply so that the solvent in the solvent reservoir can maintain a predetermined overflow surface level by driving the solvent circulation circuit, and the photosensitive member fixed to the lifting mechanism Is lowered from above the solvent supply body, and immersed in the solvent reservoir to a position where the upper limit of the surface to be removed on the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoconductor coincides with the overflow surface level. By removing the unnecessary coating film formed on the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoreceptor by rubbing the removal surface, it is possible to obtain the removal surface with accurate and stable dimensional accuracy, and the residue during operation. Can be omitted.

Hereinafter, a specific embodiment of the manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. (Example) Outer diameter 30 mm, inner diameter 28.5 mm, length 26
A photosensitive layer having a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of a 0 mm aluminum cylindrical substrate by a dip coating method has a width of 8
An apparatus for manufacturing a photoconductor for electrophotography shown in FIG.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a main part of an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a solvent 4 capable of dissolving a coating film is stored in a storage tank 6, and a cylindrical solvent supply body having a tubular flow hole 1a having a supply port 1b at a lower end and a discharge port 1c at an upper end in the center. 1
Is vertically fixed to a horizontal support base 11, the storage tank 6 and the supply port 1b are connected by a supply pipe 1d via a pump 6a, and the recovery container 2 capable of receiving the solvent 4 flowing out from the discharge port 1c is a solvent. The collection container 2 and the storage tank 6 are arranged on a support base 11 so as to surround the supply body 1, and are connected by a collection pipe 2a.

The solvent 4 flowing out of the storage tank 6 by driving the pump 6a flows into the supply port 1b of the solvent supply body 1 through the supply pipe 1d, flows out of the discharge port 1c through the flow hole 1a, and is collected. 2, a solvent circulation circuit 1 f is formed which circulates so as to be received by and returned to the storage tank 6. Collection container 2
Includes a disk-shaped turntable 7 externally provided with a rotational force transmitter 7b capable of transmitting a rotational force by driving of an electric motor 7c, an inner leg stand 3c close to the shaft center, and an outer leg stand 3d remote from the shaft center. Is mounted so as to be rotatable around the solvent supply body 1. In this embodiment, the projection 7a of the rotary table 7 is fitted into the fixing hole 3b of the mounting table 3 so that the mounting table 3 can be rotated. 3 is fixed to the upper surface of the turntable 7.

The mounting base 3 is provided with a solvent reservoir 3a capable of storing a solvent 4 in which the surface to be removed at the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoreceptor can be immersed, surrounded by an inner leg 3c and an outer leg 3d. The constant overflow level 4a is maintained by the overflow of the solvent 4 from the edge of 3d. An inner surface rubbing member 10 made of a brush having a rubbing portion directed in a centrifugal direction for rubbing the surface to be removed of the inner surface of the lower end portion of the photoreceptor is disposed above the inner leg base 3c of the mounting table 3. As shown in the partial cross-sectional perspective view of FIG. 2 when the outer circumferential rubbing member is attached, a blade-like rubbing portion 5c directed in the centripetal direction is provided on the upper side of the outer leg pedestal 3d of the solvent reservoir 3a provided on the pedestal 3. Blade 5 made of fluorine rubber
In this embodiment, a is distributed to three places around the wall surface of the outer leg base 3d and pressed against the press formed portion 3f so that the upper end of the blade mold piece 5a coincides with the overflow surface level 4a of the solvent reservoir 3a. An outer peripheral rubbing member 5 fixed via a support 5b is provided.

At the upper end of the photoreceptor 8 having the photosensitive layer 8b formed on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 8a by dip coating, a disc-shaped outer surface provided with an annular packing 9b that is in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 8a. The holding body 9 is fitted with a vent hole 9a at the center of the holding body 9 for releasing the gas sealed in the hollow portion of the cylindrical base 8a to the atmosphere. Holder 9
Is fixed to a lifting mechanism (not shown) via a holder 9 so that the cylindrical axis is vertical and coaxial with the solvent supply body 1 and can move in the vertical direction indicated by an arrow P or Q.

When removing an unnecessary coating film formed on the lower end portion of the photosensitive member 8, first, a solvent circulation circuit 1f is formed by driving a pump 6a, and the solvent 4 flowing out of the discharge port 1c is removed.
Is impregnated in the inner surface rubbing body 10 and stored in the solvent reservoir 3a to form a certain overflow surface level 4a at the edge of the mounting base 3. Next, the electric motor 7c is driven to rotate the mounting table 3 fixed to the rotary table 7 around the solvent supply unit 1, and the elevating mechanism is driven to lower the photosensitive member 8 from above the solvent supply unit 1. When the upper surface of the lower surface of the photosensitive member 8 is immersed in the solvent reservoir 3a for a predetermined time until the upper limit of the surface to be removed coincides with the overflow surface 4a, the outer surface rubbing member 5 and the inner surface rubbing member 10 are immersed.
Can remove the coating film by rubbing the outer and inner surfaces to be removed. At this time, the residue such as the peeled coating film and the worn contact portion settles and remains on the bottom in the solvent reservoir 3a, so that it is possible to avoid mixing and flowing into the solvent circulation circuit 1f.

In the above embodiment, the mounting table has a depth of 32 m.
m solvent reservoir, and blade length of 24 m on the blade mold piece of the outer rubbing body
m was selected (a product name: SIFEL3500 / 3700, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). The material properties of the fluororubber are as follows: a hardness of 48 to 68 (J
IS-A), tensile strength 72-75 (kgf / cm ² ),
The elongation was 150 to 300%.

[0023]

According to the present invention, as described above, according to the present invention, when the unnecessary coating film formed on the outer periphery of the lower end of the photosensitive member is removed, the surface to be removed is removed. The hardness of the blades of the outer peripheral rubbing body that touches the surface is appropriate, and the upper surface of the surface to be removed is immersed in the solvent reservoir to a position where the upper limit matches the overflow surface level. The surface to be removed can be obtained, the quality of the photoreceptor can be improved, and the residue such as the peeled coating film and the abraded contact portion can be precipitated and left in the solvent reservoir. It is possible to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus that can omit residue processing and can easily improve productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing an embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view when an outer circumferential friction body is attached.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a conventional representative electrophotographic photoconductor manufacturing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Solvent supply unit 1f ... Solvent circulation circuit 3 ... Mounting base 3a ... Solvent reservoir 4 ... Solvent 4a ... Overflow surface level 5: outer peripheral rubbing member 5a: blade-shaped piece 5c: rubbing portion 8: photoconductor 8a: cylindrical substrate 8b: photosensitive Layer 9: Holder 10: Inner surface rubbing body

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An upper end portion of a photoreceptor can be held in order to remove an unnecessary coating film formed on a lower end portion of a photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer formed on a surface of a cylindrical substrate by a dip coating method. A lifting / lowering mechanism that can move the photoreceptor up and down while fixing the photoreceptor so that the cylindrical axis is vertical via a holder, a solvent circulation circuit including a solvent supply that can supply a solvent capable of dissolving the coating film, An electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus comprising: an outer peripheral rubbing member and an inner rubbing member disposed on a rotatable mounting table so as to rub against an outer peripheral surface and an inner surface to be removed of a body. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mounting table is provided with a solvent reservoir capable of storing the solvent having an overflow surface level at which the surface to be removed at the outer periphery of the lower end of the photoconductor can be immersed. 2. An outer peripheral rubbing member includes a solvent-resistant blade having a blade-like rubbing portion disposed in a solvent reservoir such that an upper end thereof is coincident with an overflow level of a solvent. 2. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the material of the blade mold piece is a fluororubber.