JP2002214991A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device having the large degree of freedom in terms of the installation position of a cleaning means, capable of completely preventing the damage and the reverse rotation of the blade of the cleaning means in the midst of actuation and stably yielding an image having excellent quality over a long term. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with an electrophotographic photoreceptor, an electrifying means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means and a cleaning means. The cleaning means is provided with an elastic blade for scraping toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor, and a toner recovery member arranged to be opposed to the surface of the photoreceptor through the elastic blade and recovering the toner scraped by the elastic blade. The toner recovery member is extended along the elastic blade and its edge nearer to the photoreceptor projects more than the edge of the elastic blade and is bent toward the surface of the photoreceptor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus used in an electrophotographic process including steps such as charging, image input, development, transfer, and cleaning.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and printers used in electrophotographic processes including steps of charging, image input, development, transfer, cleaning, etc., productivity and ease of material design are high. From the viewpoint of safety and the like, electrophotographic photosensitive members using organic materials have been put into practical use. From the viewpoint of obtaining good image quality, ozone and NOx generated during the charging process are applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Stability, as well as physical stress such as thermal degradation and mechanical destruction due to friction, etc., which occur in processes such as toner development, transfer to paper, and cleaning after the charging process. Has been requested.

[0003] To meet the above demand, various studies have been made to improve the durability of the photoreceptor. For example, "Proceedings of IS &T's
Eleventh International C
on on Advances in No
n-Impact Printing Technology
ogies, pages 57 to 59 ", discloses a photoreceptor in which a silicon-containing thin film obtained by a sol-gel method is used as a protective layer on the outermost surface.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H11-139,086 discloses that a material capable of forming an inorganic vitreous network having a responsive subunit is used for a photoreceptor. Further, JP-A-9-190004 discloses that a thin film using an organosilicon-modified hole-transporting compound in which silicon having a hydrolyzable group is directly introduced into a charge-transporting material as a coating agent is used as the outermost protective layer. A photoreceptor is disclosed. Each of the protective layers of the respective photosensitive members has a strong three-dimensional network of siloxane bonds formed therein, and the mechanical strength is greatly improved by so-called organic-inorganic hybridization.

However, when the photoreceptor having the above-mentioned protective layer is mounted on an image forming apparatus in which steps such as charging, image input, development, transfer and cleaning are continuously repeated, and used in a normal xerographic process, When the residual toner on the photoreceptor surface is scraped off by a blade in the cleaning process, the mechanical strength of the photoreceptor against the blade is sufficient, but the frictional force between the surface of the photoreceptor and the blade increases. There was a problem that would. When the frictional force between the surface of the photoreceptor and the blade increases, the blade is caught by the photoreceptor and turned (turned over), or the tip of the blade is damaged and chipped, so that the surface of the photoreceptor is damaged. Problems such as damage may occur.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-16046, on the opposite side of the surface of the elastic blade for removing toner, which comes into contact with the photosensitive member, the tip protrudes forward from the elastic blade for removing toner, and the photosensitive member is removed from the photosensitive member. 2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed an image forming apparatus including a cleaning device provided with a film-shaped toner collecting member for collecting scraped toner.

[0006]

However, the inventor of the present invention has found that even in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-16046, the tip of the toner collecting member provided in the cleaning device is not limited. It has an open structure, and can project toner forward from the elastic blade for removing toner and can collect toner scraped off from the photoreceptor, but the collected toner can freely exit the collection member. As a result, it is difficult to constantly hold a predetermined amount of toner, and there is a problem that the frictional force between the blade and the photoconductor fluctuates due to a change in the amount of toner held. However, it has been found that there is a case where problems such as reversal of the blade and damage to the blade occur, which are not yet sufficient.

Further, in the case of the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-16046, there is a problem that the frictional force between the blade and the photosensitive member varies depending on the amount of toner remaining on the photosensitive member. Was. Furthermore, in the case of this apparatus, when the blade is attached to the photoconductor, the toner held by the blade may fall down due to the effect of gravity depending on the installation position, so the installation position with respect to the photoconductor is extremely limited. This may be an obstacle to downsizing the device.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has a large degree of freedom in the installation position of the cleaning means, and can sufficiently prevent damage and reversal of the blade of the cleaning means during operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus capable of stably obtaining an image having excellent image quality over a long period of time.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have made intensive studies in view of the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, have found that a toner holding device capable of constantly holding a predetermined amount of toner near a blade in contact with a photosensitive member. The present inventors have found that the provision of the toner collecting member for forming the region can sufficiently prevent damage and reversal of the blade, and arrived at the present invention.

That is, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: an electrophotographic photoreceptor; a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor; an exposing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photoreceptor to light; An image forming apparatus comprising: developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer-receiving body; and cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor The cleaning unit includes an elastic blade that scrapes off toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor, a toner collection member that is disposed to face the photoreceptor surface via the elastic blade, and collects toner that is scraped off by the elastic blade. The toner recovery member extends along the elastic blade, and its edge near the photoconductor protrudes from the edge of the elastic blade and contacts the surface of the photoconductor. And characterized in that it selfish bent.

By providing the toner collecting member having the above-described shape, a toner holding area capable of constantly holding a predetermined amount of toner near the elastic blade is formed by the toner collecting member, the elastic blade, and the photosensitive member surface. Will be formed. Then, the toner held in the toner holding area during operation of the apparatus is supplied between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor as a lubricant by adsorbing on the surface of the photoconductor that slides. At this time, since a predetermined amount of toner is steadily held in the toner holding area, the amount of toner supplied between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor can be made substantially constant during operation. Therefore, the frictional force between the elastic blade and the photoreceptor fluctuates during operation of the apparatus, and it is possible to reliably prevent problems such as damage to the elastic blade and reversal of the elastic blade.

Further, since the toner collecting member of the present invention has the above-mentioned shape, it can surely hold the held toner without falling down due to the influence of gravity. Therefore, the elastic blade can be installed without any particular limitation as long as it is between the arrangement position of the transfer unit and the arrangement position of the charging unit. Therefore, by providing the toner collecting member in the present invention, the degree of freedom of the apparatus configuration is improved, and the apparatus can be easily made compact.

Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises: an electrophotographic photoreceptor; a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor; an exposing unit for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photoreceptor to light; An image forming apparatus comprising: developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer-receiving body; and cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor Wherein the cleaning means has an elastic blade for scraping off toner remaining on the surface of the photoreceptor, and a toner collecting means for collecting toner scraped off by the elastic blade, and the toner collecting means includes an elastic blade and A predetermined distance is provided between a fixed portion between the transfer means and a surface extending from the fixed portion and releasably abutting on the elastic blade or a surface of the elastic blade which is in contact with the photoconductor and on the opposite side. And a second film-like member extending from the fixed portion and peelably abutting on the surface of the photoconductor between the elastic blade and the transfer means. It is characterized by.

As described above, by providing the toner collecting means having the above-described configuration, the toner holding area capable of constantly holding a predetermined amount of toner near the elastic blade has the first film-like member and the first film-like member. It is formed by the two film-like members, the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor. Then, the toner held in the toner holding area during operation of the apparatus is supplied between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor as a lubricant by adsorbing on the surface of the photoconductor that slides. At this time, since the predetermined amount of toner is steadily held in the toner holding area as described above, the amount of toner supplied between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor is kept substantially constant during operation. can do. For this reason, the frictional force between the elastic blade and the photosensitive member fluctuates, and it is possible to reliably prevent the problems such as damage to the elastic blade and reversal of the elastic blade.

Further, since the toner collecting means of the present invention has the above-described structure, the held toner can be surely held without being dropped downward by the influence of gravity. Therefore, the elastic blade can be installed without any particular limitation as long as it is between the arrangement position of the transfer unit and the arrangement position of the charging unit. Therefore, by providing the toner collecting means in the present invention, the degree of freedom of the apparatus configuration is improved, and the apparatus can be easily made compact.

Further, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention,
The electrophotographic photoreceptor has a conductive support layer and a photosensitive layer disposed on the support, and is represented by the following formula (1) near the surface of the photosensitive layer that contacts the elastic blade. It is preferable to contain a crosslinked product having a siloxane bond obtained by hydrolyzing the photofunctional organosilicon compound. W [-D-SiR _3-a Q _a ] _b (1) Here, in the formula (1), W represents a photofunctional organic group, D represents a divalent group having flexibility, R represents any one selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; Q represents a hydrolyzable group;
Represents an integer of 1 to 3, and b represents an integer of 1 to 4.

As described above, a siloxane bond (O-O) obtained by hydrolyzing the above-mentioned photofunctional organosilicon compound is added to the layer disposed on the outermost surface of the layers constituting the photosensitive layer.
An electrophotographic photoreceptor having a structure containing a crosslinked product having a (Si—O bond) has improved stability against heat, electricity, chemical substances, and the like, as well as improved mechanical strength, as well as water, discharge products, and toner. Since the effect of preventing adhesion to contaminants such as the like tends to be further improved, by providing the electrophotographic photosensitive member having such a configuration, problems such as damage to the elastic blade and reversal of the elastic blade during operation of the apparatus can be prevented. An image forming apparatus capable of obtaining an image having better image quality for a long period of time while reliably preventing the image formation can be configured.

The photosensitive layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in the image forming apparatus of the present invention may be a so-called single-layer type photosensitive layer, or a so-called laminated type having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer. It may be a photosensitive layer. Further, in both cases of the single-layer type photosensitive layer and the laminated type photosensitive layer, a surface protective layer may be further provided. In this case, the crosslinked product may be contained at least in the surface protective layer located on the outermost surface of the photoconductor. In the case of a photoreceptor having a laminated photosensitive layer, the order of lamination of the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer laminated on the conductive support layer is not particularly limited, but the entire structure is made of aluminum or the like. It is preferable that the undercoat layer, the charge generation layer, the charge transport layer, and the surface protective layer are sequentially laminated on the surface of the conductive support layer, and the crosslinked product is contained in the charge transport layer and the surface protective layer. Alternatively, if it is contained only in the surface protective layer, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having excellent durability can be produced.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference characters.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a basic configuration of a first embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, a conductive member 2 serving as a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, and a power supply 3 connected to the conductive member 2.
An image input device 4 as exposure means for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 charged by the conductive member 2, a developing device 5 as development means for developing a portion exposed by the image input device 4, A transfer member 7 and a primary transfer member 10 serving as transfer means for transferring an image developed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 to the image output medium 9 by the device 5, and a cleaning device 6
And the fixing device 8. The image forming apparatus 100 can continuously and repeatedly perform a series of image forming cycles from charging to transfer.

The cleaning device 6 provided in the image forming apparatus 100 is a device for removing residual toner P, dust and the like adhering to the photoreceptor 1. As described above, the cleaning device 6 includes the elastic blade 62 that scrapes off the toner P remaining on the surface of the photoconductor 1 and the elastic blade 62 that faces the surface of the photoconductor 1 via the elastic blade 62. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a toner collecting member 63 that collects the toner P scraped off by the blade 62 and a cover 64 that covers the elastic blade 62 and the toner collecting member 63 connected to a toner bottle (not shown). In such a case, the frictional force between the elastic blade 62 and the photosensitive member fluctuates, and it is intended to reliably prevent the problems such as damage and inversion of the elastic blade 62.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the toner collecting member 63 extends along the elastic blade 62, and the edge of the toner collecting member 63 closer to the photoreceptor 1 projects from the edge of the elastic blade 62, and Since it is bent toward the surface of the body 1, the toner holding region R in which a predetermined amount of toner can be constantly held near the elastic blade 62 is formed by the toner collecting member 63, the elastic blade 62, and the photosensitive member 1. Formed by the surface. During the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, the toner P held in the toner holding region R is
Is supplied as a lubricant between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor 1 by being adsorbed on the surface of the photoconductor 1 that slides. At this time, since a predetermined amount of toner P is steadily held in the toner holding region R, the elastic blade 6
The amount of the toner P supplied between the photoconductor 2 and the surface of the photoconductor 1 can be made substantially constant during operation. Therefore, during the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, the frictional force between the elastic blade 62 and the photoconductor 1 fluctuates, and it is possible to reliably prevent the problems such as damage and reversal of the elastic blade 62. The toner P excessively accumulated in the toner holding region R falls into the cover 64 from the bent edge of the toner collecting member 63 as shown in FIG.
The toner P that has fallen into the cover 64 is conveyed out of the cover 64 by the rotating auger (spiral member) 61 and is collected in a toner bottle (not shown) connected to the cover 64.

Further, since the toner collecting member 63 has a bent edge, the toner collecting member 63 has a structure capable of reliably securing the toner holding region R. Therefore, the predetermined amount of toner P can always be reliably held in the toner holding region R without dropping all of the toner P downward under the influence of gravity. Therefore, the elastic blade 62 can be installed without any particular limitation as long as it is between the arrangement position of the transfer member 7 and the primary transfer member 10 and the arrangement position of the conductive member 2. The constituent material of the toner collecting member 63 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene terephthalate. The constituent material of the elastic blade 62 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyurethane, polyester, and silicone rubber.

Hereinafter, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as
An example in which the above-described laminated type configuration is adopted as “photoconductor 1” will be described.

The constituent material of the conductive support layer is not particularly limited, and known materials can be used. For example, both opaque and transparent conductive supports can be used. Specifically, for example, 1) a metal plate, a metal drum, a metal belt using a metal such as aluminum, copper, zinc, stainless steel, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, indium, gold, platinum, or an alloy thereof; A) Paper, plastic, glass, or the like on which a conductive compound (for example, a conductive polymer, indium oxide, or the like), a metal such as aluminum, palladium, or gold, or an alloy thereof is applied, deposited, or laminated. Also,
The shape of the conductive support is also not particularly limited, and may be an appropriate shape such as a drum shape, a sheet shape, a plate shape, and an endless belt shape. In addition, the conductive support can be subjected to a surface treatment as necessary within a range that does not affect the image quality. Examples of the surface treatment include anodic oxide coating treatment, thermal hydroxylation treatment, chemical treatment, coloring treatment, and irregular reflection treatment (for example, graining). Also,
A layer for preventing irregular reflection and controlling charge injection may be provided.

The charge generation material contained in the charge generation layer is not particularly limited as long as it has charge generation ability, and known materials can be used. Specifically, for example,
i) condensed aromatic pigments, azo pigments, quinone pigments, perylene pigments, indigo pigments, thioindigo pigments,
Bisbenzimidazole pigments, phthalocyanine pigments, quinacridone pigments, quinoline pigments, lake pigments, azo lake pigments, anthraquinone pigments, oxazine pigments, dioxazine pigments, triphenylmethane pigments, azurenium dyes, squarium Various organic pigments and dyes such as dyes, pyrylium dyes, triallylmethane dyes, xanthene dyes, thiazine dyes, cyanine dyes, etc., ii) amorphous silicon,
Examples include inorganic materials such as amorphous selenium, tellurium, selenium-tellurium alloy, cadmium sulfide, antimony sulfide, zinc oxide, and zinc sulfide. Among these, from the viewpoints of sensitivity, electrical stability, and photochemical stability to irradiation light, fused-ring aromatic pigments, perylene pigments, azo pigments,
It is preferable to use a phthalocyanine pigment. The above-described charge generation materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The charge generation layer may be formed by directly depositing a charge generation material on a conductive substrate by a vacuum deposition method or the like, or by coating or dissolving or dispersing the charge generation material and a binder resin in an organic solvent. Is applied to a conductive substrate to form a film.

Examples of the binder resin to be added to the coating solution for forming the charge generation layer include polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, and polyvinyl acetal resin (for example, a part of butyral is formal or acetoacetal, etc.). Partially acetalized polyvinyl acetal resin, etc.), polyamide resin, polyester resin, modified ether type polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, chloride Vinyl-vinyl acetate copolymer, silicone resin, phenol resin, phenoxy resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, urea resin,
Examples thereof include a polyurethane resin, a poly-N-vinylcarbazole resin, a polyvinylanthracene resin, and polyvinylpyrene. Among these, polyvinyl acetal-based resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-based copolymer, phenoxy resin, and modified ether-type polyester resin, when using a pigment as a charge generating material, disperse the pigment well, the pigment does not aggregate It is preferable because the coating solution can be stabilized over a long period of time, and the use of the coating solution can form a uniform film, improve electrical characteristics and reduce image quality defects. These binder resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the organic solvent to be added to the coating solution for forming the charge generation layer, it is preferable to select and use an optimum one as appropriate depending on the type of the charge generation material to be used. For example, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, chlorobenzene, methyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform, etc. Is mentioned. These organic solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Further, the compounding ratio of the charge generation material to the binder resin in the coating solution for forming the charge generation layer is 10: 1 to 1: 3 by volume ratio (charge generation material: binder resin). Is preferably 8: 1 to 1: 2, more preferably 5: 1 to 1: 1. In addition, as a method of applying a coating solution for forming the charge generation layer on the conductive support layer, there are a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method. And a normal coating method such as a curtain coating method. Further, the thickness of the charge generation layer is generally preferably 0.01 to 5 μm,
More preferably, it is 2.0 μm. 0.0 thickness
When the thickness is less than 1 μm, it is difficult to form a uniform charge generation layer, and when the thickness exceeds 5 μm, the electrophotographic properties tend to be significantly reduced.

Here, between the conductive support and the charge generating layer, leakage of electric charge from the conductive support to the charge generating layer is prevented, and the charge generating layer is integrated with the conductive support. An undercoating layer may be provided so as to be adhesively held.

Such an undercoat layer is made of a polyamide resin,
Vinyl chloride resin, vinyl acetate resin, phenol resin, polyurethane resin, melamine resin, benzoguanamine resin, polyimide resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, vinylidene chloride resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, vinyl chloride-acetic acid Vinyl copolymer, polyvinyl alcohol resin, water-soluble polyester resin, nitrocellulose, casein, gelatin, polyglutamic acid, starch,
Forming using a known binder resin such as starch acetoacetate, amino starch, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, zirconium chelate compound, titanyl chelate compound, titanyl alkoxide compound, organic titanyl compound, alkoxysilane compound, silane coupling agent, etc. Can be. Also, in these binder resins, titanium oxide,
Fine particles such as aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, zirconium oxide, barium titanate, and silicone resin may be dispersed. These binder resins and fine particles may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The undercoat layer can be formed by applying a coating solution obtained by dissolving or dispersing the above constituent materials in a suitable solvent. Examples of the coating method include ordinary coating methods such as a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, and a curtain coating method. Furthermore,
The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably from 0.01 to 10 μm, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 μm.

The charge-transporting material contained in the charge-transporting layer is not particularly limited, and any known materials can be used. From the viewpoint of the charge-transporting property that determines the response time of potential decay during exposure, It is preferably formed using at least one compound having a reelamine structure (such as a triphenylamine structure and a benzidine structure). As the compound having a triarylamine structure, a polymer compound containing a triarylamine structure as a repeating unit is preferable in terms of charge transportability and mechanical strength.

Examples of the other charge transporting materials having a compound having a triarylamine structure include: a) pyrene-based, carbazole-based, hydrazone-based, oxazole-based,
Oxadiazole, pyrazoline, arylamine, arylmethane, benzidine, thiazole,
Stilbene-based, butadiene-based and other charge-transporting low-molecular compounds, b) poly-N-vinylcarbazole, halogenated poly-N-vinylcarbazole, polyvinylpyrene, polyvinylanthracene, polyvinylacridine, pyrene-
Examples include charge-transporting polymer compounds such as formaldehyde resin, ethylcarbazole-formaldehyde resin, triphenylmethane polymer, charge-transporting polycarbonate, charge-transporting polyester, and charge-transporting polysilane. Among these, from the viewpoint of having high charge mobility, low molecular weight compounds having a triarylamine structure (for example, arylamine-based charge transporting low molecular weight compounds, etc.), and polycarbonate obtained by polymerizing them , Polyester or polysilane is preferably used. These charge transporting materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The charge transport layer can be formed by applying a coating solution in which a charge transport material is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent to form a film. Note that a binder resin may be further added to this coating liquid as needed. As the organic solvent used in the coating liquid, it is preferable to select and use an optimum one according to the type of the charge transporting material used. Specifically, for example, methanol, ethanol, n
-Propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone,
Examples include methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, chlorobenzene, methyl acetate, n-butyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform and the like. These organic solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the binder resin added to the coating solution for forming the charge transport layer include polycarbonate, polyester, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyvinyl acetate, and styrene. -Butadiene copolymer,
Vinylidene chloride-acrylonitrile polymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, styrene-alkyd resin, poly-N -Vinyl carbazole,
Polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polysulfone, casein, gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, ethyl cellulose, phenolic resin, polyamide,
Carboxy-methylcellulose, vinylidene chloride-based polymer latex, polyurethane and the like can be mentioned. Among them, from the viewpoint of having a high charge mobility, polycarbonate, polyester, polystyrene,
It is preferable to use polyphenylene oxide, a polyphenylene vinylene derivative, a charge transporting polycarbonate, a charge transporting polyester, or the like. These binder resins are
They may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of a method for applying a coating solution for forming the charge transport layer include a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, a curtain coating method and the like. Is a common application method. In addition, as the thickness of the charge transport layer,
It is preferably from 2 to 40 μm, more preferably from 4 to 30 μm. Further, from the viewpoint of shortening the response time of potential decay during exposure, the thickness of the charge transport layer is more preferably 4 to 20 μm, and more preferably 4 to 19 μm.
Most preferably, it is μm. In addition, the charge transport layer may include a phenol compound, a sulfur compound,
Additives such as antioxidants such as phosphorus compounds and amine compounds, and photodegradation inhibitors such as benzotriazole compounds, benzophenone compounds and hindered amine compounds may be contained.

The surface protective layer as the outermost surface layer may contain a crosslinked product having a siloxane bond obtained by hydrolyzing a photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the following formula (1). preferable. W [-D-SiR _3-a Q _a ] _b (1) In the formula (1), W represents a photofunctional organic group, D represents a divalent group having flexibility, and R Represents any one selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group and a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, Q represents a hydrolyzable group, a represents an integer of 1 to 3, and b represents 1 to 4 Indicates an integer.

Here, in the present invention, the “crosslinked product” refers to a plurality of molecules having the same or different molecular structures of the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1), , Reacts with water to hydrolyze, and then siloxane bond (O-Si) formed by adjacent molecules being dehydrated and condensed utilizing the hydrolyzable group Q after the hydrolysis. -O bond), and has a structure in which two or more silicon atoms are bonded to an organic group having a carbon atom and a fluorine atom, and further an oxygen atom is bonded to those silicon atoms (hereinafter, referred to as "
"Photo-functional organic silicate skeleton").

The water for causing a hydrolysis reaction with the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1) is, for example,
It may be contained in advance in the coating solution for forming the outermost surface layer of the photosensitive layer, but may not be contained when hydrolysis proceeds sufficiently using moisture in the air. Further, an organosilicon compound having a hydrolyzable group having a molecular structure different from that of the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1) may be further added.

By including such a crosslinked product having a photofunctional organic silicate skeleton in a photosensitive film, water,
The ability to prevent adhesion of contaminants such as discharge products and toner is sufficiently enhanced, and even if contaminants adhere, they can be removed without damaging the surface. It is possible to obtain excellent image quality.

Further, in the present invention, the term "photofunctional organic group" means photoisomerization (structural change), photochromism, photoionization, light emission (color change), nonlinear optical effect, photoelectrochemical Effect, refractive index change,
Refers to an organic group that exhibits a physical change or a physicochemical change.

[0044] (1) where, as a divalent group having flexibility represented by D is _{preferably, -C n H 2n -, -} C n
_{H 2n-2 -, - C} n H 2n-4 - (n is an integer from 1 to 15, preferably 2 to 10 integer), - CH ₂ -C ₆
A divalent hydrocarbon group represented by H ₄ — or —C ₆ H ₄ —C ₆ H ₄ —, an oxycarbonyl group (—COO—), a thio group (—
S-), oxy group (-O-), isocyano group (-N = C
H-), or a divalent group obtained by combining two or more of these. In addition, these divalent groups may have a substituent such as an alkyl group, a phenyl group, an alkoxy group, or an amino group on a side chain. When D is the above-mentioned preferred divalent group, appropriate flexibility is imparted to the photofunctional organic silicate skeleton, and the strength of the layer tends to be improved. Further, b is more preferably an integer of 2 to 4. When b is an integer of 2 to 4, the photofunctional organic silicon compound represented by the general formula (1) contains two or more Si atoms, and a photofunctional organic silicate skeleton is easily formed, The mechanical strength can be further improved.

In the formula (1), the photofunctional organic group represented by W is not particularly limited as long as it exhibits photofunctionality, but is preferably a group having an aromatic ring, and has a phthalocyanine structure. , Porphyrin structure, azobenzene structure, stilbene structure, tris (bipyridyl) -rhodium structure, azulene structure, polyene structure, nitroaniline structure, triarylamine structure, benzidine structure,
More preferably, it is a group having one kind selected from the group consisting of an arylalkane structure, an aryl-substituted ethylene structure, an anthracene structure, a hydrazone structure, a quinone structure and a fluorenone structure, and is a group represented by the following formula (2). Is more preferred.

[0046]

Embedded image Here, in the formula (2), Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ^4
May be the same or different, each represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, Ar ⁵ represents a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group, k represents 0 or 1, Ar ¹ , 1 to ^{2 of} Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵
Four have a bond bonded to the group represented by -D-SiR _3-a Q _a in the formula (1).

In the above formula (2), Ar ¹ , Ar ² , A
As the substituted or unsubstituted aryl group represented by r ³ and Ar ⁴ , those having any of the structures represented by the following formulas (3) to (9) are preferable.

[0048]

Embedded image

[0049]

Embedded image

[0050]

Embedded image

[0051]

Embedded image

[0052]

Embedded image

[0053]

Embedded image

[0054]

Embedded imageWhere R¹Is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms
Group, phenyl group, alkylphenyl having 7 to 10 carbon atoms
Group, an alkoxyphenyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms or carbon
Represents an aralkyl group of the number 7 to 10,^TwoAnd R^ThreeIs it
A hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
4, an alkoxy group, a phenyl group, an alkyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms
Coxyphenyl group, aralkyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms or
Represents a halogen group; Ar⁶Is substituted or unsubstituted divalent
Represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group, Z represents a divalent functional group,
s represents an integer of 1 to 3, and represents -D-Si in the formula (1).
R _3-aQ_aIndicates the bonding position when the group represented by
You.

Further, the substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic hydrocarbon group represented by Ar ⁶ in the formula (9) has a structure represented by the following formula (10) or (11). Is preferred.

[0056]

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[0057]

Embedded image Here, in the formulas (10) and (11), R ⁴ and R ⁵ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, and a 7 to 10 carbon atoms. Represents an aralkyl group or a halogen group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms, and t represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Further, as the divalent group represented by Z in the formula (9), those having any one of the structures represented by the following formulas (12) to (19) are preferable.

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[0066]

Embedded image Here, in the formula, R ⁶ and R ⁷ are each a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
A phenyl group, an alkoxyphenyl group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms,
Represents an aralkyl group or a halogen group having 7 to 10 carbon atoms, Z ′ represents a divalent group, and q and r each represent 1 to
Represents an integer of 10, and t represents an integer of 1 to 3.

Further, the divalent group represented by Z ′ in the formulas (18) and (19) includes the following formulas (20) to (28)
Those having any one of the structures represented by Here, in the formulas (20) to (28), p represents an integer of 0 to 3.

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[0075]

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[0076]

Embedded image Further, in the formula (1), R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms) or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group (preferably a substituted or unsubstituted 6 to 15 carbon atoms). Aryl group).

In the present invention, in the formula (1), the “hydrolyzable group” represented by Q refers to a hydrolytic group in the curing reaction of the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1). And then form a siloxane bond (O-Si-O) by being dehydrated and condensed. Preferred examples of the hydrolyzable group according to the present invention include, specifically, a hydroxyl group, an alkoxy group, a methylethylketoxime group, a diethylamino group, an acetoxy group, a propenoxy group, and a chloro group.
A group represented by R "(R" is an alkyl group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms or a trimethylsilyl group) is more preferable.

Of the photofunctional organosilicon compounds having such a structure, Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ , Ar ⁵ , D- in compounds where W is a group represented by the formula (2)
Preferred combinations of the group represented by SiR _3-a Q _a and the integer k are shown in Tables 1 to 8 below. In Table 1 to 8, X represents a _{D-SiR 3-a} Q a bound to Ar ^5, Me represents a methyl group, Et represents an ethyl group, Pr (i) represents a propyl group.

[0079]

[Table 1]

[0080]

[Table 2]

[0081]

[Table 3]

[0082]

[Table 4]

[0083]

[Table 5]

[0084]

[Table 6]

[0085]

[Table 7]

[0086]

[Table 8] In the present invention, the crosslinked product contained in the protective layer of the photoreceptor 1 can be obtained by hydrolyzing the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1). It can also be formed by adding a compound having a hydrolyzable group capable of binding to the hydrolyzable group Q therein to the photofunctional organosilicon compound. The crosslinked product formed from the photofunctional organosilicon compound and the compound having a hydrolyzable group has electrical and mechanical properties depending on the composition ratio of the two compared to the crosslinked product formed only from the photofunctional organosilicon compound. The strength can be adjusted, which is preferable.

The compound having a hydrolyzable group which can be added in addition to the photofunctional organosilicon compound is not particularly limited as long as it can bind to the hydrolyzable group Q in the formula (1) as described above. Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, organosilicon compounds represented by structural formulas (III-1) to (III-16) shown in Table 9 below, silane coupling agents, and commercially available silicon-based hard coat agents.

[0088]

[Table 9] Specific examples of the silane coupling agent include tetrafunctional alkoxysilanes such as tetramethoxysilane and tetraethoxysilane; methyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, ethyltrimethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxyethoxysilane, and vinyltrimethoxysilane. Methoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β (aminoethyl) γ-aminopropyl Trifunctional alkoxysilanes such as triethoxysilane; bifunctional alkoxysilanes such as γ-glycidoxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane and diphenyldimethoxysilane Kokishishiran; or the like can be used.

Examples of commercially available hard coat agents include KP-85, X-40-9740, and X-40.
-2239 (all manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd.) and AY42
-440, AY42-441, AY49-208 (all manufactured by Dow Corning Toray) can be used. In order to impart water repellency and the like, (tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyl) triethoxysilane, (3,3,3-trifluoropropyl) trimethoxysilane, 3- (hepta Fluoroisopropoxy) propyltriethoxysilane, 1H, 1H, 2H,
2H-perfluoroalkyltriethoxysilane, 1
A fluorine-containing compound such as H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane, 1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane may be added.

The silane coupling agent can be used in any amount, but when the above-mentioned fluorine-containing compound is used, its content is 0.1 to the total mass of the fluorine-free compound.
It is desirable that the content be 5% by mass or less. Beyond this,
In some cases, it may be difficult to sufficiently form a crosslinked body.

Further, as another preferred example of the compound having a hydrolyzable group capable of bonding to the hydrolyzable group Q in the formula (1), a fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the following formula (29) is given. No. W ′ [— SiR ′ _{3-a ′} Q ′ _{a ′} ] _{b ′} (29) In the formula (29), W ′ represents an organic group containing a carbon atom and a fluorine atom. Further, R ′ is R in the formula (1)
Represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group exemplified in the description of the above. Further, Q ′ represents a hydrolyzable group having the same meaning as the hydrolyzable group Q exemplified in the description of the formula (1), a ′ represents an integer of 1 to 3,
b ′ represents an integer of 2 or more.

In the above formula (29), the organic group containing a carbon atom and a fluorine atom represented by W ′ is preferably a divalent or trivalent fluorinated hydrocarbon group. The term “fluorinated hydrocarbon group” used herein includes an aliphatic fluorinated hydrocarbon group such as an alkylene fluorinated group and an aromatic fluorinated hydrocarbon group such as a fluorinated arylene group. In the case of an aliphatic fluorinated hydrocarbon group, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 2 to 20, and in the case of an aromatic fluorinated hydrocarbon group, the number of carbon atoms is preferably 6 to 20. Among such fluorinated hydrocarbon groups, the following formulas (30) to (4)
Particularly preferred is any of the groups shown in 6). _{- (CF 2) 2 - (} 30) - (CF 2) 4 - (31) - (CF 2) 8 - (32) - (CH 2) 2 - (CF 2) 2 - (CH 2) 2 - ( _{33) - (CH 2) 2} - (CF 2) 4 - (CH 2) 2 - (34) - (CH 2) 2 - (CF 2) 6 - (CH 2) 2 - (35) - (CH 2 _{) 2 - (CF 2) 8} - (CH 2) 2 - (36)

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[0102]

Embedded image Specific examples of preferred combinations of W ′ and —SiR ′ _{3-a ′} Q ′ _{a ′} of the fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the formula (29) include those shown in Table 10 below. However, the present invention is not limited to these. In addition,
In Table 1, in the column of W ', W' is represented by the above formulas (30) to (4).
6).

[0103]

[Table 10] When the fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the formula (29) and the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1) are used as the material of the crosslinked product according to the present invention, the compounding ratio of both is 9: 1-1: 9, preferably 8: 2-
The ratio is more preferably 2: 8.

The crosslinked product according to the present invention comprises a fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the formula (29), and a photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1) which is optionally blended. Can be obtained by hydrolyzing a raw material compound such as an organosilicon compound, a silane coupling agent, a hard coat agent, and a fluorine-containing compound represented by the formula (29). )), And the ratio of the total amount of the photofunctional organosilicon compound to the amount of the other raw material compounds is 1: 0.1 to
The ratio is preferably 1: 2, more preferably 1: 0.2 to 1: 1. When the content of the fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the formula (29) in the raw material compound is out of the above range, the photosensitive characteristics and mechanical strength of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor tend to be insufficient. .

The amount of water to be added when hydrolyzing the above-mentioned raw material compound is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.3 to 0.3 of the theoretical amount necessary for hydrolyzing all hydrolyzable groups of the raw material compound. Preferably, the amount is 5 times, 0.5 to 3 times.
More preferably, it is twice as much. When the added amount of water is less than 0.3 times the theoretical amount, the amount of the unreacted compound increases, and a film is formed using a coating solution containing a crosslinked body in the process of manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor described below. In this case, phase separation tends to occur or the strength of the obtained film tends to be insufficient. On the other hand, when the added amount of water exceeds 5 times the theoretical amount, the raw material compound tends to precipitate or the storage stability of the reaction product (crosslinked product) tends to be reduced.

Further, the hydrolysis of the above-mentioned starting compound is
The reaction may be performed without using a solvent, or may be performed using a predetermined solvent (preferably, a solvent having a boiling point of 100 ° C. or lower). In the present invention, examples of the solvent preferably used in the hydrolysis include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol; ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone; ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, diethyl ether and dioxane. Can be The amount of these solvents used is preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight of the fluorine-containing organosilicon compound (29).
It is preferably from 5 to 30 parts by weight, more preferably from 1 to 20 parts by weight. If the amount of the solvent used is less than the lower limit, the fluorine-containing organosilicon compound (29) tends to precipitate, while if it exceeds the upper limit, only a thin film can be obtained.

Further, in the above-mentioned hydrolysis,
Insoluble in compounds, reaction products, solvents and water
It is preferable to use a solid catalyst. Such a solid catalyst
Are Amberlite 15E and Amberlite 20
0C, Amber List 15 (Rome and Ha
Dowex MWC-1-H, Dowec
88, Dowex HCR-W2 (Dow Chem
Calva); Levatit SPC-108, Levatit S
PC-118 (all manufactured by Bayer AG); Diaion R
CP-150H (Mitsubishi Kasei); Sumikaion KC-
470, Duolight C26-C, Duolight C-4
33, Duolite-464 (Sumitomo Chemical Industries, Ltd.)
Cations such as Nafion-H (Dupont)
Exchange resin: Amberlite IRA-400, Amberla
Site IRA-45 (Rome and Haas Company)
Anion exchange resin such as Zr (O_ThreePCH_TwoCH
_TwoSO _ThreeH)_Two, Th (O_ThreePCH_TwoCH_TwoCOOH)
_TwoGroups containing protonic acid groups such as
Inorganic solids; polyorganoshiro with sulfonic acid groups
Polyorganoshiro containing protonic acid groups such as xane
Xanth; cobalt tungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid
Which heteropoly acids; niobate, tantalate, molybdenum
Isopoly acids such as acids; silica gel, alumina, and chrome
(A) Oxidation of unitary metals such as zirconia, CaO, and MgO
Product: silica-alumina, silica-magnesia, silica-
Complex metal oxides such as zirconia and zeolites; acids
Clay, activated clay, montmorillonite, kaolinite
Which clay mineral; LiSO_Four, MgSO _FourSuch as metal sulfuric acid
Salts; metallic phosphorus such as zirconia phosphate and lanthanum phosphate
Acid salt; LiNO_Three, Mn (NO_Three)_TwoSuch as metal nitric acid
Salt; aminopropyltriethoxysilane on silica gel
Groups containing amino groups such as solids obtained by reacting
Solids with amino bonded to the surface; amino-modified silicone
Polyorganosiloxane containing amino groups such as epoxy resin
And the like. The amount of these solid catalysts used is
Based on 100 parts by weight of the starting compound having a hydrolyzable group
It is preferably 0.1 to 20 parts by weight. Also this
Reaction temperature when performing hydrolysis using these solid catalysts and
The reaction time is appropriately selected depending on the type of the starting compound and the solid catalyst.
The reaction temperature is preferably 0 to 100 ° C., more preferably
Preferably it is 10-70 degreeC, More preferably, it is 15-50.
° C, and the reaction time is preferably 10 minutes to 100 hours.
is there. If the reaction time exceeds 100 hours,
The thing tends to gel easily.

In addition to the above solid catalysts, protonic acids such as hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid; bases such as ammonia and triethylamine; organic acids such as dibutyltin diacetate, dibutyltin dioctoate, and stannous octoate; Tin compounds; organic titanium compounds such as tetra-n-butyl titanate and tetraisopropyl titanate; organic aluminum compounds such as aluminum tributoxide and aluminum triacetylacetonate; iron salts, manganese salts, cobalt salts, and zinc salts of organic carboxylic acids; The hydrolysis can be performed using a curing catalyst such as an organic carboxylate such as a zirconium salt. Among these curing catalysts, metal compounds are preferable in terms of storage stability of reaction products, and metal acetylacetonate or acetylacetate is preferable. The amount of these curing catalysts used is preferably 0.1 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the raw material compound having a hydrolyzable group from the viewpoint of storage stability and strength of the reaction product. It is preferably from 3 to 10 parts by weight. Further, the reaction temperature and the reaction time when performing hydrolysis using the above curing catalyst are appropriately selected depending on the type of the raw material compound and the curing catalyst used, but the reaction temperature is preferably 60 ° C. or higher, more preferably 80-170 ° C.,
The reaction time is preferably from 10 minutes to 5 hours. When the reaction temperature is lower than the lower limit, the mechanical strength of the obtained crosslinked product tends to be insufficient.

Further, if necessary, the obtained reaction product may be subjected to a hydrophobic treatment using hexamethyldisilazane, trimethylchlorosilane or the like.

Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 according to the present invention
When forming a photosensitive film containing a crosslinked body according to the present invention in the production process, a photosensitive film may be formed using a coating solution obtained by adding a crosslinked body synthesized in advance to a predetermined solvent, Further, a coating solution obtained by adding a raw material compound such as a fluorine-containing organosilicon compound represented by the above formula (1) to a predetermined solvent is subjected to the above-mentioned hydrolysis, and then directly used for forming a photosensitive film. May be used. As a method of applying the coating liquid, a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method,
Bead coating method, air knife coating method,
An ordinary method such as a curtain coating method can be adopted, and the film thickness can be arbitrarily set. After being applied to the surface, by heating under the conditions described above, the hydrolysis and dehydration condensation reactions proceed to form a crosslinked body, and the applied film is cured to form a cured film.

Since the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 described above has a high mechanical strength, it exhibits particularly excellent durability even when contact charging that causes a large stress on the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 is used. .

The charging method of the charging means is not particularly limited, and any of a known non-contact charging method using a corotron and a scorotron, and a contact charging method may be used, but a contact charging method which generates a small amount of ozone is preferable. The contact charging method is a method in which a voltage is applied to the conductive member 2 that has been brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor 1 to charge the surface. The shape of the conductive member 2 may be any of a brush shape, a blade shape, a pin electrode shape, a roller shape and the like, but it is particularly preferable to use a roller-shaped member from the viewpoint of charging uniformity.

As a method of charging the photoreceptor 1 using the conductive member 2, a method of applying a voltage to the conductive member 2 as a DC voltage, or a method of superimposing an AC voltage on the DC voltage is used. It is preferable to use any one of the methods. When a DC voltage is applied, the magnitude of the applied voltage is positive or negative 50 to 2000 V depending on the required photoconductor charging potential.
Is preferable, and 100 to 1500 V is more preferable. When the AC voltage is superimposed, the peak-to-peak voltage is 4
It is preferable that it is 00-1800V, and 800-16
00V, more preferably from 1200 to 1600
V is more preferred. Further, the frequency of the AC voltage is preferably 50 to 20,000 Hz,
More preferably, it is 5000 Hz.

The case where a roller-shaped member is used as the conductive member 2 will be described below. Usually, the roller-shaped member is composed of a resistance layer that comes into contact with the photoreceptor 1, an elastic layer therein, and a core material. Further, if necessary, a protective layer can be provided outside the resistance layer. The roller-shaped member rotates at the same peripheral speed as the photoconductor without having any driving means by bringing it into contact with the photoconductor, and functions as a charging means. However, some kind of driving means may be attached to the roller member, and the roller member may be rotated at a peripheral speed different from that of the photoconductor to be charged.

The constituent material of the core material is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, but iron, copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel and the like are generally used. In addition, a resin molded product in which conductive particles and the like are dispersed can be used.

The constituent material of the elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity or semi-conductivity. Generally, a material in which conductive particles or semi-conductive particles are dispersed in a rubber material is used. EPDM,
Polybutadiene, natural rubber, polyisobutylene, SB
R, CR, NBR, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, SBS, thermoplastic elastomer,
Norbornene rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, ethylene oxide rubber and the like are used. The conductive particles or semiconductive particles dispersed in the rubber material include carbon black, zinc, aluminum, copper, iron, nickel, chromium,
Metals such as _{titanium, ZnO-Al 2 O 3,} SnO 2 -S
_{b 2 O 3, In 2 O} 3 -SnO 2, ZnO-TiO 2, MgO
—Al ₂ O ₃ , FeO—TiO ₂ , TiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , S
Metal oxides such as b ₂ O ₃ , In ₂ O ₃ , ZnO, and MgO can be used. The above materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

The low efficiency of the resistance layer and the protective layer can be controlled by dispersing conductive particles or semiconductive particles in the binder resin. The low efficiency of the resistive layer and the protective layer may be generally in the range of 10 ³ to 10 ¹⁴ Ωcm, preferably 10 ⁵ to 10 ¹² Ωcm, and preferably 10 ⁷ to 10 ¹² Ωcm.
More preferably, it is 10 to ¹² Ωcm. The thickness of the resistance layer and the protective layer is generally 0.01 to 1
000 μm, preferably 0.1 to 500 μm, and more preferably 0.5 to 100 μm.

As the above binder resin, acrylic resin,
Cellulose resin, polyamide resin, methoxymethylated nylon, ethoxymethylated nylon, polyurethane resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl resin, polyarylate resin, polythiophene resin, polyolefin resin such as PFA, FEP, PET, styrene butadiene Resin or the like is used.

Further, as the conductive particles or semiconductive particles, the same carbon black, metal and metal oxide as used in the elastic layer are used. If necessary, an antioxidant such as hindered phenol and hindered amine, a filler such as clay and kaolin, and a lubricant such as silicone oil can be added.

As means for forming these layers, a blade coating method, a wire bar coating method, a spray coating method, a dip coating method, a bead coating method, an air knife coating method, a curtain coating method and the like can be used.

The image input device 4 is a device that functions as an exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photosensitive member 1 to light. The light source is not particularly limited. For example, a known light source such as an LED light and a liquid crystal shutter light can be used in addition to the semiconductor laser light. As the image input device 4 serving as an exposure unit, for example,
It is possible to use an optical device capable of exposing a desired image with light from a light source such as the semiconductor laser light, the LED light, and the liquid crystal shutter light.

The developing device 5 is a device which functions as a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image. In particular, the exposure means is semiconductor laser light, LED
In the case of a system for exposing an image portion using a known light source such as light or liquid crystal shutter light, it is preferable to use a reversal development system for developing the exposed portion as the system of the developing device 5. As such a developing device 5, for example, one having a function of attaching a magnetic or non-magnetic one-component developer or a two-component developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 by using a brush, a roller, or the like is used. can do.

The transfer member 7 and the primary transfer member 10 are members that function as transfer means for transferring a toner image to a transfer target such as paper. As the transfer member 7, for example, a known transfer charger such as a contact-type charger using a roller, a scorotron transfer charger using corona discharge, or a corotron transfer charger can be used. In FIG. 1,
Although an example in which the primary transfer member 10 is used in addition to the transfer member 7 has been described, the primary transfer member 10 is not always necessary, and the transfer unit is not provided with the primary transfer member 10.
Of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 using the transfer member 7.
May be directly transferred to the image input medium 9.

The fixing device 8 is a device for fixing a toner image on a transfer medium such as paper. In the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described components, between the cleaning device 6 and the conductive member 2, an electrostatic latent image remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is removed. A static eliminator (not shown) may be further arranged.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing a basic configuration of a second embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 is the same as the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 except that the image forming apparatus 200 includes a cleaning device 6a having a configuration different from that of the cleaning device 6 of the image forming apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. It has a configuration of

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning device 6a
As a toner collecting means for collecting the toner P scraped off by the elastic blade 62, a fixing portion 67 between the setting position of the elastic blade 62 and the setting positions of the transfer member 7 and the primary transfer member 10; A first film-like member 65 that extends and abuts on the elastic blade in a releasable manner;
A second film-like member 66 extending from the fixing portion 67 and releasably contacting the surface of the photoconductor 1 between the installation position of the elastic blade 62 and the installation positions of the transfer member 7 and the primary transfer member 10. Thus, the frictional force between the elastic blade 62 and the photosensitive member fluctuates during the operation of the image forming apparatus 200, and the problem of damage and reversal of the elastic blade 62 is reliably prevented.

That is, as shown in FIG.
From the first film-like member 65 and the second film-like member 66 extending from the elastic blade 62 and the photoconductor surface,
In the vicinity of the elastic blade 62, a toner holding region R capable of constantly holding a predetermined amount of toner is formed. Then, the toner P held in the toner holding area during the operation of the image forming apparatus 200 is supplied as a lubricant between the elastic blade and the surface of the photoconductor 1 by adsorbing on the surface of the photoconductor that slides. Will be. At this time, since a predetermined amount of toner is steadily held in the toner holding region R, the amount of toner supplied between the elastic blade 62 and the surface of the photoconductor 1 should be substantially constant during operation. Can be. Therefore, the frictional force between the elastic blade and the photoreceptor fluctuates, and it is possible to reliably prevent a problem such as damage and reversal of the elastic blade 62. In the cleaning device 6a, the toner P
Is excessively accumulated in the toner holding region R, the pressure of the toner P in the toner holding region R causes the portion of the first film-like member 65 that is in contact with the elastic blade 62 to be separated, and the excess toner P Is dropped into the cover 64. Then, the toner P dropped into the cover 64
Is transferred from the cover 64 to the outside by the rotating auger 61, and is collected in a toner bottle (not shown) connected to the cover 64.

Further, as described above, the toner collecting means of the present invention has a structure capable of reliably securing the toner holding region R, and thus the held toner P is dropped downward under the influence of gravity. It can be securely held without getting in the way. Therefore, the elastic blade 62 moves the conductive member 2 from the position where the transfer member 7 and the primary transfer member 10 are disposed.
It can be installed without any particular restrictions as long as it is between the arrangement positions. Therefore, by providing the toner collecting means in the present invention, the degree of freedom of the apparatus configuration is improved, and the apparatus can be easily made compact.

Further, the constituent material of the first film-like member 65 is not particularly limited, but for example, polyethylene terephthalate is used. Further, the second film-like member 6
The constituent material of No. 6 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a thermoplastic polyurethane film. Here, the fixing part 6
7 fixes the edge of the first film-shaped member 65 on the side opposite to the elastic blade 65 side and the edge of the second film-shaped member 66 on the side opposite to the photoconductor 1 side together It is. For example, the fixing portion 67 is a rod-shaped member integrally formed so as to extend from one side of the opposing inner surface of the cover 64 to the other side or a rod-shaped member formed detachably, The entire overlapping portion of the edge of the first film-like member 65 and the edge of the second film-like member 66 may be fixed so as not to be peeled off.
In addition, for example, the fixing portion 67 is provided with the first film-shaped member 6.
A part of the overlapping portion between the edge of the fifth and the edge of the second film-shaped member 66 may be fixed.

Further, the first film-shaped member 65 shown in FIG. 2 is arranged so that one edge thereof is in contact with the elastic blade 62.
The edge of the blade 5 and the elastic blade 62 may not be in contact with each other and may be arranged at a predetermined interval in advance. With this configuration, when the toner P is excessively accumulated in the toner holding region R, excess toner is removed from the toner holding region R to the cover 64.
You will be able to spill more smoothly into the inside.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the case where the crosslinked body is contained in the surface protective layer of the photoreceptor has been described, but as described above, the crosslinked body contained in the photoreceptor in the present invention is contained. The layer to be formed is not particularly limited as long as it is a layer formed on the outermost surface farthest from the conductive support layer of the photoreceptor.

[0133]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples and comparative examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. First, an electrophotographic photoreceptor shown below was manufactured, and then an image forming apparatus having the configuration shown in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 including the same was manufactured.

(Synthesis Example) Preparation of Electrophotographic Photoreceptor First, an ED tube aluminum base having an outer diameter of 30 mmφ was prepared, and this surface was polished with an abrasive (trade name, manufactured by Showa Titanium Co., Ltd .; alumina beads CB-A30S, average particle size). Diameter D50 =
(30 μm) to form a conductive support layer having a surface with a center line average roughness Ra of 0.18 μm.

Next, 20 parts by weight of a zirconium compound (manufactured by Matsumoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., trade name: Organotics ZC540) and a silane compound (manufactured by Nippon Unicar Co., Ltd., trade name: A11)
00) 2.5 parts by weight of a polyvinyl butyral resin (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd., trade name: Eslec BM-S) 4 parts by weight, and butanol 45 parts by weight, a coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer was prepared. The coating liquid for forming the undercoat layer is coated on the conductive support layer by a dip coating method using a dip coating device, and heated and dried for 10 minutes under a temperature condition of 150 ° C. An undercoat layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm was formed on the porous support layer.

Next, as a result of characterization by X-ray diffraction spectrum using CuKα ray,
(2θ ± 0.2 °) is 7.4 °, 16.6 °, 25.5
Chlorogallium phthalocyanine having a diffraction peak at the positions of ° and 28.3 °; 1 part by weight of a polyvinyl butyral resin (trade name: Eslec BM-, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
S): A mixture consisting of 1 part by weight, n-butyl acetate; 100 parts by weight was mixed with glass beads in a paint shaker to give 1 part by weight.
By treating for a time, chlorogallium phthalocyanine as a pigment was sufficiently dispersed in the above mixture to prepare a coating solution for forming a charge generation layer. This solution was applied onto the undercoat layer by dip coating and dried to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of about 0.15 μm.

Next, the following formula (47) is used as the charge transport material.
2 parts by weight of a polymer compound represented by the following formula, a polymer compound having a viscosity average molecular weight of 39,000 (polycarbonate resin) represented by the following formula (48): 3 parts by weight, and chlorobenzene;
It was dissolved in parts by weight to prepare a coating solution for forming a charge transport layer. This liquid was applied on the charge generation layer, and dried at a drying temperature of 110 ° C. for 40 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 20 μm. Thus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having three layers (hereinafter, referred to as a base photosensitive member) was produced.

[0138]

Embedded image

[0139]

Embedded image Next, 2 parts by weight of a compound represented by the following formula (49):
2 parts by weight of a compound represented by the following formula (50): isopropyl alcohol; 5 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran;
3 parts by weight, distilled water; dissolved in 0.3 parts by weight, ion-exchange resin (manufactured by Rohm and Haas Co., trade name: Amberlyst 15E); 0.05 parts by weight, and stirred at room temperature. A compound represented by the formula (49) and a compound represented by the formula (5)
The compound represented by the formula (0) was hydrolyzed for 24 hours. Next, a liquid obtained by filtering and separating an ion-exchange resin from a compound obtained by hydrolyzing the compound represented by the formula (49) and the compound represented by the formula (50); aluminum trisacetylacetonate was added to 0 parts by weight of 2 parts by weight. 0.04 parts by weight was added to prepare a coating solution for forming a surface protective layer. This coating solution is applied on the base photoreceptor by a ring-type dip coating method, air-dried at room temperature for 30 minutes, and then cured by heating at 120 ° C. for 1 hour to form a surface protective layer having a thickness of about 3 μm. did.

[0140]

Embedded image

[0141]

Embedded image Example 1 A contact charging type printer having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was manufactured, and the above-described electrophotographic photosensitive member was mounted thereon. At this time, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) powder was sufficiently sprinkled on the surface of the mounted photoconductor as a lubricant. The contact charging type printer is a printer manufactured by Fuji Xerox (trade name:
The cleaning blade of Docu Color 1250) was modified to have the same configuration as the cleaning device 6 shown in FIG.
This is a modification in which a roller-shaped conductive member 2 of the contact charging type is used and a voltage in which an alternating current is superimposed on a direct current is supplied thereto.

(Example 2) A printer (trade name: Docu Color 1250) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. was modified and provided with a cleaning blade unit having the same configuration as the cleaning device 6a shown in FIG. An image forming apparatus having the same configuration as in Example 1 was manufactured.

Comparative Example 1 A printer (trade name: Docu Color 1250) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. was modified to produce an image forming apparatus having the same configuration as in Example 1 except that the toner collecting member 63 was not provided. did.

(Comparative Example 2) A printer (manufactured by Docu Color 1250) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. was modified and provided with a cleaning device 6b having the configuration shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 300 was manufactured. The cleaning device 6b and the toner collecting member 68 provided therein are provided with a toner collecting member 68.
JP-A 9-1 except that the position of
It has the same configuration as the cleaning device and the toner collecting member mounted on the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 6046.

[Print Test] In the image forming apparatuses of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the respective image forming apparatuses were operated in an operating environment of 22 ° C. and 55% RH, and 10,000. A print test was performed. In addition, PPC paper (V602) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. was used as the paper on which an image was formed.

As a result, in the image forming apparatuses of the first and second embodiments, no troubles such as damage or reversal (turning) of the elastic blade 62 occurred. Example 1
Image quality obtained by the image forming apparatus of
No image defects such as streak-like unevenness due to poor cleaning were observed for all of the 0 used papers, and images having good image quality could be obtained.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus of Comparative Example 1, the elastic blade 62 was turned (turned) in the third printing, and the subsequent print test could not be continued. Also, in the image forming apparatus of Comparative Example 2, the elastic blade 62 was turned (turned) in the fifteenth print, and the subsequent print test could not be continued.

[0148]

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the degree of freedom of the installation position of the cleaning means is large, and the blade of the cleaning means can be sufficiently prevented from being damaged or inverted during operation. Thus, it is possible to stably obtain an image having excellent image quality.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a basic configuration of a preferred embodiment (first embodiment) of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a basic configuration of another embodiment (second embodiment) of the image forming apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus of Comparative Example 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electrophotographic photoreceptor, 2 ... Conductive member, 3 ... Power supply, 4 ...
Image input device, 5: developing device, 6, 6a, 6b: cleaning device, 7: transfer member, 8: fixing device, 9: image output medium, 10: primary transfer member, 62: elastic blade, 6
3 toner collecting member, 64 cover, 65 first film member, 66 second film member, 67 fixing portion, 100, 200, 300 image forming apparatus, P toner, R toner Retention area.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenji Yao 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. ) Inventor Takahiro Suzuki 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Koseki 1600 Takematsu, Minamiashigara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. FC15

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor, an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photoreceptor, and a toner An image forming apparatus comprising: developing means for developing a toner image by developing the toner image; transferring means for transferring the toner image to a transfer-receiving body; and cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor. The cleaning unit includes an elastic blade that scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor, and a cleaning device that collects the toner that is disposed to face the surface of the photoconductor via the elastic blade and is scraped off by the elastic blade. A toner collection member extending along the elastic blade, and an edge of the toner collection member closer to the photoconductor is an edge of the elastic blade. An image forming apparatus characterized by being bent toward the surface of the photosensitive member with also projects from. 2. An electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit for charging the photoreceptor, an exposure unit for forming an electrostatic latent image by exposing the charged photoreceptor, and a toner An image forming apparatus comprising: developing means for developing a toner image by developing the toner image; transferring means for transferring the toner image to a transfer-receiving body; and cleaning means for removing the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor. The cleaning unit has an elastic blade that scrapes off the toner remaining on the surface of the photoconductor, and a toner collection unit that collects the toner that is scraped off by the elastic blade. A fixing portion between the elastic blade and the transfer means, extending from the fixing portion and abutting on the elastic blade so as to be peelable or contacting the photosensitive member of the elastic blade; A first film-shaped member provided so as to be spaced apart from the surface on the opposite side by a predetermined distance, and the photosensitive member extending from the fixing portion and between the elastic blade and the transfer means. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a second film-shaped member that comes into contact with the surface in a releasable manner. 3. The electrophotographic photoreceptor has a conductive support layer and a photosensitive layer disposed on the support, and in the vicinity of the surface of the photosensitive layer in contact with the elastic blade, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a crosslinked product having a siloxane bond obtained by hydrolyzing the photofunctional organosilicon compound represented by the formula (1). 4. W [-D-SiR _3-a Q _a ] _b ... (1) [In the formula (1), W represents a photofunctional organic group, D represents a divalent group having flexibility, and R represents A hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and Q represents a hydrolyzable group;
3 represents an integer, and b represents an integer of 1 to 4. ]