JP2002236378A - Manufacturing device and method for manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To uniformly and efficiently apply a coating liquid on the outer surface of a cylindrical body to be coated when an electrophotographic photoreceptor is manufactured by applying the coating liquid on the outer surface of the cylindrical objective body and to stably manufacture an electrophotographic photoreceptor having excellent characteristics without eluting the layers previously formed on the outer surface of the body when the coating liquid is applied. SOLUTION: In the manufacturing device of an electrophotographic photoreceptor by applying a coating liquid 2 on the outer surface of a cylindrical objective body 10, the coating part 21 to apply the coating liquid on the outer surface of the objective body is provided with a guide 22 which allows the objective body to pass while touching the body. The coating part is separated at the position where the objective body passes through the guide.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor to which a toner is applied.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an electrophotographic photoreceptor has been used in an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine and a printer. Various coating liquids such as a coating liquid for a photosensitive layer are applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated.

Here, in applying various coating liquids such as a coating liquid for a photosensitive layer to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated,
Conventionally, various methods have been used.
A dip coating apparatus as shown in (A) and (B) was used.

Here, in the dip coating apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a coating liquid 2 contained in a tank 1 is guided to a filter 5 by a pump 3 through a supply pipe 4.
After removing foreign matter in the coating liquid 2 by this filter 5,
The coating liquid 2 was supplied into the immersion tank 6 through the supply pipe 4.

[0005] The coated object 10 having a cylindrical shape is immersed in the coating liquid 2 thus supplied into the immersion tank 6 to a predetermined depth, and the coating liquid 2 overflowing from the immersion tank 6 is coated with the coating liquid. The coating liquid 2 collected in the collecting section 7 is returned to the tank 1 through the return pipe 8 through the return pipe 8, and the coated object 1 dipped in the coating liquid 2 as described above.
0 was pulled up at a predetermined speed, and the coating liquid 2 was applied to the outer peripheral surface of the coated object 10 so as to have a predetermined thickness.

Here, when the object to be coated 10 is dipped in the coating liquid 2 in the dipping tank 6 to apply the coating liquid 2 to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10, In order to prevent the coating liquid 2 from adhering to the peripheral surface,
It is necessary to immerse the object to be coated 10 in the coating liquid 2 in a state where the upper end of the object 0 is sealed, and the operation is troublesome.

When the speed at which the object 10 is immersed in the coating liquid 2 is increased, air enters the coating liquid 2 to form air bubbles, which adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the object 10 and cause uneven coating. Therefore, the speed at which the object 10 is immersed in the coating liquid 2 cannot be increased, and there is a problem that productivity is poor.

In recent years, in order to improve various performances of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport layer to which various additives are added are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the coated body 10. Forming is being done.

Here, in forming the first charge transport layer and the second charge transport layer on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 as described above, the first charge transport layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 as described above. After forming the transport layer, the object to be coated 10 on which the first charge transport layer is formed is immersed in the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer as described above, and is lifted up. When the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transporting layer is applied on the layer, a part of the first charge transporting layer formed earlier is partially removed during the dipping and lifting. There is a problem that an electrophotographic photosensitive member having stable characteristics cannot be obtained by being dissolved by the coating liquid 2 for use and flowing out.

In recent years, in applying the coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, a spray coating method in which the coating liquid is sprayed onto the outer peripheral surface of the object to be applied, or a guide for passing the object through the object to be coated. A ring coating method has been proposed in which a coating liquid is supplied to an object to be coated from the periphery of a portion, and the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated.

However, when the coating liquid is sprayed onto the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated as in the above-mentioned spray coating method, the loss of the coating liquid increases, and the coating liquid applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object is applied. There are problems that bubbles easily enter the liquid and that it becomes difficult to uniformly apply the coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated.

In the conventional ring coating method, the diameter of a guide portion through which an object to be coated passes is generally made slightly larger than the diameter of the object to be coated, so that a gap is provided between the guide portion and the object to be coated. The coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated in the gap.

However, when a gap is formed between the guide portion and the object to be coated, when a low-viscosity coating liquid is applied, the coating liquid flows through the gap and uneven coating due to dripping occurs. There was a problem that occurred.

Further, in order to suppress such uneven coating due to dripping of the liquid, the gap between the guide portion and the object to be coated can be made very small, or the object to be coated can be brought into contact with the periphery of the guide portion. In such a case, it is necessary to accurately position the object to be coated and to guide the object into the guide portion, thereby lowering productivity and requiring a device or the like for positioning, resulting in a high cost. was there.

Further, in the case of the above-mentioned spray coating method or ring coating method, the coating liquid is applied to the entire outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, and a photosensitive layer or the like is formed on the entire outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. Become.

However, when the roller is brought into contact with both ends of the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured as described above to adjust the distance between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing roller, both ends of the electrophotographic photosensitive member are adjusted. In order to prevent the layer formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developing roller from gradually changing due to the wear of the layer formed on the portion, the layers at both ends of the electrophotographic photosensitive member must be peeled off. .

[0017]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned various problems in producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor by applying a coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated. That is the task.

That is, according to the present invention, the coating liquid can be uniformly and efficiently applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical object to be coated, and the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated is first applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object during application of the coating liquid. The formed layer does not elute,
It is an object of the present invention to stably produce an electrophotographic photosensitive member having excellent characteristics.

[0019]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus for applying a coating liquid to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. A coating portion for applying the coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the coated object is provided with a guide portion for allowing the coated object to pass while making contact with the coated object, and the coating portion can be separated at a position passing through the guide portion. It is.

When the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated by using such an electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus, the above-mentioned coated portion is separated at a position passing through the guide portion, and the coated portion is separated. The guide part for passing the application object is enlarged, and in this state, the object is guided into the guide part and set at a predetermined position. Thereafter, the coated portions separated as described above are combined, the coated object is held in contact with the periphery of the guide portion, and the coating liquid is supplied to the coated portion and the coated object is guided. The coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated by moving the guide while contacting the periphery of the part and passing the guide part.

Here, the coating section is separated at the position passing through the guide section as described above, and the guide section for passing the object to be coated is enlarged. After setting at the position, align the separated application section,
When the object to be coated is held in contact with the periphery of the guide portion, the position of the object to be coated can be easily adjusted, and the object to be coated is brought into contact with the periphery of the guide portion in the guide portion. Accurate setting can be easily performed, and uniform application of the coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the object can be easily performed.

Further, as described above, when the object to be coated is moved while being in contact with the periphery of the guide portion and passed through the guide portion, and the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, the coating material having a low viscosity can be obtained. Even in the case of applying a liquid, this coating liquid does not flow through the gap between the guide portion and the object to be coated,
The occurrence of uneven coating due to dripping is also suppressed.

Further, in the present invention, when the object to be coated, which has been formed into a cylindrical shape as described above, is moved while being in contact with the periphery of the guide portion, and passes through the guide portion, the coating material around the guide portion is formed. Since the coating liquid supplied to the part is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, the coating liquid does not adhere to the inner peripheral surface of the object to be coated. Unlike the case where the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the application body, it is not necessary to keep the upper end of the application body closed.

Further, in the present invention, when the speed of immersing the object to be coated in the coating liquid is increased as in the prior art,
As in the case where the coating liquid is sprayed on the outer peripheral surface of the coating target, the coating liquid passing through the guide portion does not cause air to enter the coating liquid applied to the coating target to cause unevenness in coating, and the like. By properly adjusting the speed of the coating and the viscosity of the coating liquid,
The coating liquid is uniformly applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, so that an electrophotographic photosensitive member having stable characteristics can be easily manufactured.

Further, in the present invention, the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated when the object is passed through the guide portion. The speed can be increased, the contact time with the coating liquid can be shortened, the productivity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be improved, and the charge generation layer and the first charge transport layer can be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. Is formed, the coating liquid for the second charge transport layer is also applied on the first charge transport layer.
Dissolution of the charge transport layer by the coating solution for the second charge transport layer is suppressed, and the first charge transport layer and the second charge transport layer are formed well on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. A photoreceptor can be easily manufactured.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an apparatus and a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to this embodiment, FIGS.
As shown in (A) and (B), the coating object 1 having a cylindrical shape
A guide 22 for passing the object to be coated 10 is provided at the center of a coating section 21 for coating the coating liquid 2 on the outer peripheral surface of the outer circumference 0, and the coating section 21 is separated into two at a position passing through the guide section 22. I can do it.

Then, the object to be coated 10 is moved to the guide portion 22.
2 (B) and 3 (B), when the application section 21 separated as described above is joined in a state where the
As shown in FIG.
Are brought into contact with each other.

Further, an appropriate coating liquid 2 to be applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 is supplied into the coating section 21 from a coating liquid supply device (not shown) through a supply pipe 23.

Further, a cleaning liquid supply device (not shown) for supplying a cleaning liquid for cleaning the inside of the coating section 21 into the coating section 21 or an air for drying the inside of the coating section 21 after the cleaning is applied. When an air supply device (not shown) for supplying into the section 21 is provided,
After applying the coating liquid 2 to the outer peripheral surface of the
1 can be easily washed and dried.

Next, a case where the coating liquid 2 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical object 10 using the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to this embodiment will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, a holding member 11 is inserted into the inner peripheral side of a cylindrical object to be coated 10, and the object to be coated 10 is held by the holding member 11.
As shown in FIGS. 2 (A) and 3 (A), the application section 21 is separated into two parts, and the guide section 22 is enlarged. In this state, the guide section 22 is held by the holding member 11 as described above. The coated object 10 is guided into the guide portion 22 and set at a predetermined position.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, the application section 21 separated as described above is joined so that the object 10 is brought into contact with the periphery of the guide section 22. The position of the object to be coated 10 is accurately adjusted by being held, and in this state, one application liquid 2 applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 is supplied to the application unit 21 through the supply pipe 23. I do.

Next, in a state where the object 10 is in contact with the periphery of the guide portion 22 of the object 10 as described above, as shown in FIG. To apply the coating liquid 2 supplied to the coating unit 21 to the outer peripheral surface of the coated object 10.

After the coating liquid 2 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the single coated object 10 as described above, the cleaning liquid supply device (not shown) is used to supply the coating liquid 21 into the coating section 21 as necessary. A cleaning liquid is supplied to wash the inside of the coating unit 21, and further, air is blown into the coating unit 21 from an air supply device (not shown) to dry the inside of the coating unit 21.

Here, the coating liquid 2 is applied to the coating unit 21 as described above.
When the coating portion 21 is swollen by a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or toluene used for the coating liquid 2, the size or the like of the guide portion 22 changes, so that the material of the coating portion 21 is tetrahydrofuran or toluene. It is necessary to use a material that does not swell with a solvent such as the above, and a material having a weight increase rate of 30% or less, more preferably 10% or less when immersed in the above-mentioned solvent at room temperature for 48 hours. To

Examples of the material used for the coating section 21 include polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, and tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. It is preferable to use a fluororesin such as a polymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride and polyvinyl fluoride.

Here, in the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the above-described embodiment, the type of the coating liquid 2 applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 may be the coating liquid used for manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is not particularly limited, and a coating liquid for a photosensitive layer used for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a single-layer type photosensitive layer, a laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are laminated. Coating solution for a charge generation layer and a coating solution for a charge transport layer used for manufacturing a body, and a coating solution for a first charge transport layer when a first charge transport layer and a second charge transport layer are provided. Coating liquid for the second charge transport layer, and various coating liquids used for forming an undercoat layer, an intermediate layer, and a surface layer provided on the electrophotographic photoreceptor in addition to these layers. it can.

The viscosity of the coating liquid 2 applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object 10 is not particularly limited. However, if the viscosity of the coating liquid 2 becomes too high, the coating liquid applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object 10 Since it becomes difficult to appropriately control the thickness of the liquid 2, the coating liquid 2 having a viscosity of 0.1 cp to 500 cp is usually used, and a coating liquid having a low viscosity of preferably 100 cp or less, more preferably 50 cp or less. 2 is used.

In the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor as described above, in particular, a conventional method of dipping the object to be coated 10 in the coating liquid 2 and applying the coating liquid 2 to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10. As compared with the case, the speed at which the coating liquid 2 is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the coating object 10 can be increased, so that the productivity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is improved and the coating object 10 comes into contact with the coating liquid. In order to shorten the time and improve the characteristics of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a first charge transport layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10, and then a second charge transport layer is formed on the first charge transport layer. Even when the coating liquid 2 for the transport layer is applied to form the second charge transport layer, dissolution of the first charge transport layer by the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer is suppressed. .

Here, in order to improve the characteristics of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as described above, when forming the second charge transport layer on the first charge transport layer, the coating for the second charge transport layer is performed. For example, an organic filler, an inorganic filler, a leveling agent, a plasticizer, an antioxidant, an electron-accepting substance, an ultraviolet absorber, a dye, and the like are added to the liquid 2.

As the organic filler, for example, a fluororesin powder, a silicone resin powder or the like is used.

As the above-mentioned inorganic filler, for example, metal powder, metal oxide powder and the like are used.

As the above-mentioned leveling agent, for example, a silicone oil, a fluorine-based surfactant or the like is used.

As the above-mentioned plasticizer, for example, dibasic acid esters, fatty acid esters, phosphoric acid esters, phthalic acid esters and the like are used.

As the antioxidant, for example, hindered phenol compounds, hindered amine compounds, paraphenylenediamines, hydroquinones, organic sulfur compounds, organic phosphorus compounds and the like are used.

As the electron accepting substance, for example, acid anhydrides, cyano compounds, nitro compounds, aldehydes, anthraquinones and the like are used.

As the above-mentioned ultraviolet absorber, for example, benzoic acid, stilbene compounds, triazole compounds, imidazole compounds, triazine compounds, oxathiazole compounds, thiazole compounds, coumarin compounds and the like are used.

As the above-mentioned dyes, for example, xanthene dyes, thiazine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes and the like are used.

[0050]

EXAMPLE Next, when the coating liquid for the second charge transport layer is applied to an object on which the charge generation layer and the first charge transport layer are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate, the above embodiment is applied. Examples 1 and 2 in which a coating solution for a second charge transport layer was applied using an electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus as shown in FIG. Then, a comparison was made with those of Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in which the coating liquid for the second charge transport layer was applied, and the coating liquid for the second charge transport layer was applied as shown in this example. Clarify what is excellent.

In forming the charge generation layer and the first charge transport layer on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate as described above, the conductive substrate has an outer diameter of 30 mm and a length of 350 mm.
mm cylindrical aluminum tube was used.

When forming a charge generation layer on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate, tetrahydrofuran 10
To 0 parts by weight, 1 part by weight of butyral resin (Eslek BX-1 manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 1 part by weight of m-type titanyl phthalocyanine (am-TiOPc manufactured by Toyo Ink Manufacturing Co., Ltd.) were added. The mixture was dispersed with a sand mill for 5 hours to prepare a coating liquid for a charge generation layer.

Then, the above-mentioned conductive substrate is immersed in the coating solution for the charge generation layer prepared as described above and pulled up.
A coating liquid for a charge generation layer was applied to the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm.

Next, when forming the first charge transport layer on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive substrate on which such a charge generation layer is formed, 100 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran is coated with a polycarbonate resin (Panlite TS manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.). -20
50), 10 parts by weight of the charge transport material shown in Chemical Formula 1 below, and a leveling agent (KF5 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.).
0) was dissolved in a proportion of 0.005 parts by weight to prepare a coating solution for the first charge transport layer.

[0055]

Embedded image

Then, the conductive substrate on which the charge generation layer is formed as described above is immersed in the coating solution for the first charge transport layer and pulled up, and the outer periphery of the conductive substrate on which the charge generation layer is formed is formed. The coating liquid for the first charge transport layer was applied to the surface and dried to form a first charge transport layer having a thickness of 20 μm on the charge generation layer.
A charge transport layer was formed.

In forming the second charge transporting layer on the first charge transporting layer, a coating liquid for the second charge transporting layer was prepared by adding 200 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran to a polycarbonate resin (Teijin Chemical Co., Ltd.). Made: Panlite TS-
2050), 10 parts by weight of the charge transporting material shown in Chemical formula 1, and a leveling agent (K: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd .: K
F50) in a solution of 0.005 parts by weight and 100 parts by weight of tetrahydrofuran were added with 10 parts by weight of fine fluorine particles (Lubron L-2, manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), and the mixture was dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 minutes. The dispersion liquid of the fine fluorine particles was added to the above solution using the dispersion liquid of the fine fluorine particles, and the dispersion liquid was dispersed by ultrasonic waves for 30 minutes to obtain a coating for the second charge transport layer having a viscosity of 9.5 cp. A liquid was used.

(Example 1) In Example 1, the coating section 21 was made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

Then, in a state where the coating portion 21 is separated into two parts and the guide portion 22 is enlarged as described above, the object 10 is guided into the guide portion 22 and set at a predetermined position. The separated coating portion 21 is joined to bring the outer peripheral surface of the coated object 10 into contact with the periphery of the guide portion 22, and the coating portion 21 is coated with the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer.
Is supplied, the object 10 is pulled up at a predetermined speed, and the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer is applied on the first charge transport layer provided on the object 10, This is 100
After drying at 40 ° C. for 40 minutes, a second charge transport layer having a thickness of 5 μm was formed on the first charge transport layer.

In this way, the second charge transport layer
When the charge transport layer was formed, coating unevenness did not occur due to dripping during coating, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor having good characteristics was obtained.

Further, in the first embodiment, even when a large number of coatings are performed, the size of the guide portion 22 does not change due to the swelling of the coating portion 21, and the second charge transport layer does not change. Coating liquid 2 was stably applied on the first charge transport layer in a constant state.

(Example 2) In Example 2, the coating portion 21 was made of a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer, and the other conditions were the same as those in Example 1 described above. Thus, a second charge transport layer having a thickness of 5 μm was formed on the first charge transport layer.

In this manner, the second charge transport layer
Also in the case where the charge transport layer is formed, similarly to the case of the above-mentioned Example 1, coating unevenness does not occur due to dripping at the time of coating, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member having good characteristics can be obtained. Even when the coating was performed, the coating portion 21 did not swell and the size of the guide portion 22 did not change, and the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer was kept constant on the first charge transport layer. It could be applied stably in the state.

(Comparative Example 1) In Comparative Example 1, as shown in FIG. 5, an integral type application portion 31 which cannot be separated into two is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the center of the application portion 31 is formed. A guide portion 32 having a diameter larger than that of the object to be coated 10 was provided in the portion, and a member having a gap d between the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 and the guide portion 32 of 0.5 mm was used.

Then, the object to be coated 10 is moved to the guide portion 32.
After setting it in a predetermined position by guiding it into the
1 is supplied with the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer, the object 10 to be coated is pulled up at a predetermined speed, and the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer is provided on the object 10. The first charge-transporting layer was coated and dried at 100 ° C. for 40 minutes to form a second layer having a thickness of 5 μm on the first charge-transporting layer.
A charge transport layer was formed.

Here, when the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer is applied on the first charge transport layer as described above,
The coating liquid 2 for the charge transport layer flowed through the gap d between the outer peripheral surface of the coated object 10 and the guide portion 32, causing coating unevenness due to dripping, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member having good characteristics could not be obtained.

(Comparative Example 2) In Comparative Example 2, as shown in FIG. 6, an integral type application portion 41 which cannot be separated into two is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, and the center of the application portion 41 is formed. The guide portion 42 having a size such that the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 comes into contact with the portion to be coated was used.

In the comparative example 2, when the object 10 is guided into the guide portion 42, the object 1
0 was hooked, and it was difficult to insert it into the guide portion 42 successfully.

(Comparative Example 3) In Comparative Example 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the coating portion 51 which can pass through the guide portion 52 and can be separated into two is made of polytetrafluoroethylene. A guide portion 52 having a diameter larger than that of the object to be coated 10 is provided at the center of the coating portion 51, and a gap d between the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 and the guide portion 52 is 0.5 mm.
Was used.

Then, the object to be coated 10 is guided to the guide section 52.
After setting it in a predetermined position by guiding it into the
1 is supplied with the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer, the object 10 to be coated is pulled up at a predetermined speed, and the coating liquid 2 for the second charge transport layer is provided on the object 10. The first charge-transporting layer was coated and dried at 100 ° C. for 40 minutes to form a second layer having a thickness of 5 μm on the first charge-transporting layer.
A charge transport layer was formed.

Here, when the coating solution 2 for the second charge transport layer was applied on the first charge transport layer as described above, the second charge transport layer was coated in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 described above. Coating liquid 2
Flowed through the gap d between the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated 10 and the guide portion 32, causing uneven coating due to dripping, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member having good characteristics could not be obtained.

[0072]

As described in detail above, in the apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention, when the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical object to be coated, the above-described object is applied. The coating section that supplies the coating liquid to the outer peripheral surface of the coating body is separated at a position that passes through the guide section that allows the coating body to pass through, and the guide section that allows the coating body to pass through is enlarged,
After the object to be coated is guided into the guide portion and set in a predetermined position, the coated portion separated as described above is joined, and the coated object is held in contact with the periphery of the guide portion. It has become possible to easily perform accurate positioning by inserting the body into the guide portion.

In the present invention, after the application portions are joined as described above to hold the object to be applied in contact with the periphery of the guide portion, the application liquid is supplied to the application portions, and Since the object to be coated is moved while being in contact with the periphery of the guide portion, and passed through the guide portion, and the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated, the coating liquid is uniformly applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. The electrophotographic photosensitive member having stable characteristics can be easily manufactured.

In the present invention, after the object to be coated is immersed in the coating liquid in the dipping tank, the object to be coated is pulled up from the coating liquid and the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. In order to prevent the coating liquid from adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the object to be coated as in the conventional case, it is not necessary to keep the upper end of the object to be sealed, The time required to apply the coating solution to the outer peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was also shortened, and the productivity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was improved.

In particular, when a charge generation layer and a first charge transport layer are formed on the outer peripheral surface of an object to be coated, and then a coating solution for a second charge transport layer is applied on the first charge transport layer. Is
The first charge transport layer is prevented from being dissolved by the coating solution for the second charge transport layer, and the first charge transport layer and the second charge transport layer are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. Electrophotographic photoreceptors can be easily manufactured.

When the coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated as described above, air does not enter the coating liquid to be applied to the object to be applied, and uneven coating does not occur.
By appropriately adjusting the speed of the object to be passed through the guide portion, the coating liquid is uniformly applied to the outer peripheral surface of the object to be manufactured, so that an electrophotographic photosensitive member having stable characteristics can be easily manufactured. became.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a conventional apparatus and method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor in which an object to be coated is immersed in a coating liquid supplied to an immersion tank, and the coating liquid is applied to an outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a step of applying a coating liquid to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated using the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the application unit is separated and the object to be coated is guided into the guide unit, and the application unit is joined to the object to be coated around the guide unit in the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the outer peripheral surfaces are in contact with each other.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cylindrical object to be coated is held by a holding member in the apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated in Comparative Example 1.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated in Comparative Example 2.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a coating liquid is applied to the outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated in Comparative Example 3.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Coating liquid 10 Coating body 21 Coating part 22 Guide part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H068 AA37 AA39 EA16 4D075 AB14 AB33 AB34 AB36 AB38 AE03 CA22 CA48 DA15 DA20 DB07 DC19 DC21 DC24 EA07 EA45 EB19 EB35 4F040 AA07 AB06 AC01 BA35 BA49 CC02 CC16 CC18

Claims (5)

[Claims] In an electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus for applying a coating liquid to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be coated, a coating section for applying the coating liquid to an outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated is provided with a coating member. A guide portion is provided for passing the coated body while contacting the coated body,
An apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the coating section is formed so as to be separable at a position passing through the guide section. 2. The apparatus for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein said coating portion is formed of a fluororesin. 3. An electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a coating liquid is applied to an outer peripheral surface of a cylindrical object to be applied to manufacture an electrophotographic photoreceptor. A method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, wherein a coating liquid is applied to an outer peripheral surface of an object to be coated. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a second charge transport layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of an object on which a charge generation layer and a first charge transport layer are formed is provided.
Or using the electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus described in 2,
A method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor, comprising applying a coating liquid for a second charge transport layer on a first charge transport layer formed on an outer peripheral surface of an object to be coated. 5. An electrophotographic photoreceptor manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a charge generation layer and a first charge transport layer are formed on an outer peripheral surface of an object to be coated by a dip coating method. And applying a coating liquid for a second charge transport layer on the first charge transport layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the object to be coated.