JP2002301764A - Transfer/conveyance seamless belt and manufacturing method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer/conveyance seamless belt, for an imaging device, which is manufactured at a low cost and shows an extremely high dimensional precision as well as a manufacturing method for the seamless belt. SOLUTION: An operation to stretch the peripheral length of a thermoplastic endless film having a smaller inner peripheral length than the outer peripheral length of a cylindrical inner mold and fit the film to the outer peripheral face of the inner mold, is performed once or a plurality of times. Further, a cylindrical outer mold having a lower coefficient of linear expansion than that of the inner mold and a transfer face on the inner peripheral face, is arranged on the outside of the inner mold to which the film is fitted, and under the described state, the inner mold, the film and the outer mold are heated to soften the film and at the same time, the film is brought into contact under pressure with a gap between the outer peripheral face of the inner mold and the inner peripheral face of the outer mold by thermally expanding the inner mold. In addition, the inner peripheral face of the outer mold is thermally transferred under pressure to the outer peripheral face of the film. Next, the inner mold, the film and the outer mold are cooled in water and the outer mold is drawn out and further, the film is released from the inner mold. Finally this film is cut to a desired size to obtain the transfer/conveyance seamless belt.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer / conveyance seamless belt used in an image forming apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An endless transfer / transport belt is, for example,
It is used for an image forming apparatus such as a belt-shaped photoreceptor, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer belt, and a paper transport belt, which are parts of an electrophotographic apparatus.

[0003] As a method for producing a transfer / transport endless belt, the following three types can be roughly classified. (1) A method of joining end portions of a sheet-like film to form an endless belt (2) A method of obtaining a seamless belt by centrifugal molding (3) A method of obtaining a seamless belt by extrusion molding using an annular die Since the method (1) has a seam, the film thickness and resistance unevenness are apt to occur at the seam portion. There is a problem that it is easy to cut from Alternatively, a sequence that does not use a joint portion can be dealt with, but there is a problem such as a decrease in throughput.

[0004] On the other hand, the method (2) has no seams since it has no seams, but the fatal problem as in the method (1) is reduced, but there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the belt is high.

In the method (3), a seamless belt can be manufactured at a low cost. In particular, a seamless belt manufactured by an inflation molding method can reduce thickness unevenness, which is effective. This is one of the manufacturing methods. However, the seamless belt manufactured by extrusion molding has poor dimensional accuracy, and has a problem that when the belt is stretched and rotated on two or more rollers, distortion is easily generated, and the belt is easily damaged due to the distortion. In addition, streak-like extrusion unevenness is likely to occur in the extrusion direction, and when used as an intermediate transfer belt on which an image is directly formed on a belt, the image has the streak-like extrusion unevenness. May occur.

[0006] Regarding the above problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
In Japanese Patent No. 1818, an inner cylinder having a thermal expansion coefficient larger than that of the outer cylinder is disposed in an outer cylinder having an inner peripheral surface formed as a transfer surface. In the state where the thermoplastic resin sheet molded in the form of an endless belt is arranged, at least the inner cylindrical body and the thermoplastic sheet are softened and the inner cylindrical body is expanded, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical body is formed of the thermoplastic sheet. There has been proposed a method of manufacturing a seamless belt at low cost and with high dimensional accuracy by transferring the inner peripheral surface of an outer cylindrical body to the outer peripheral surface by heat and pressure. However, according to the method disclosed in JP-A-5-031818, the relationship between the outer diameter of the inner cylindrical body and the inner diameter of the thermoplastic resin sheet is (outer diameter of the inner cylindrical body) ≦ (inner diameter of the thermoplastic resin sheet). It is easy to wind air between the inner cylindrical body and the thermoplastic resin sheet, and it becomes a partially distorted belt, and when the belt is rotationally driven, it may be damaged starting from distortion like a belt produced by extrusion molding. There were many.

[0007] Further, when an attempt is made to achieve a multi-layered belt by the above-mentioned methods (1) and (2), the method (1) causes a problem due to having a seam similarly to a single-layer belt, The method (2) has a problem that the manufacturing cost is very high. The extrusion method (3) is an effective means to obtain a single-layer thermoplastic endless film as described above. However, in the multilayer extrusion molding, the thickness unevenness of the entire belt can be reduced to some extent. But,
As shown in FIG. 1, there was a problem that the thickness unevenness of each layer was large.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 is a schematic diagram showing a belt having a two-layer structure produced by a two-layer extrusion molding method. In FIG. 1, 100 is a two-layer belt, 101 is a first layer, and 102 is a second layer. Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
In Japanese Patent No. 031818, there is no mention of a multilayer belt, but only a description of a single-layer belt.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present inventors have proposed a novel transfer / transport seamless belt different from the conventional one and a method for manufacturing the same, which has solved the above-mentioned problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer / conveyance seamless belt having extremely good dimensional accuracy and a method for manufacturing the same.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a transfer / conveyance seamless belt which is low in cost, has a small number of steps, and can be multilayered, and a method of manufacturing the same.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a transfer / conveyance seamless belt for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: The film is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner mold by extending the length, and the coefficient of linear expansion is smaller on the outer surface of the inner mold fitted with the film than the inner mold, and the transfer surface is formed on the inner peripheral surface. A cylindrical outer mold having the following structure is provided, and in this state, the inner mold, the film and the outer mold are heated, and the film is softened by this heating, and the inner mold is thermally expanded to thereby form the inner mold. A method of manufacturing a transfer / conveyance seamless belt in which the film is pressed between the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold is thermally and pressure-transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the film. And transfer-conveying seamless bell obtained by this manufacturing method It is.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a transfer / transfer seamless belt for an image forming apparatus, comprising: elongating a peripheral length of a single-layer thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than an outer peripheral length of a cylindrical inner die. Then, the film is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner mold, and this fitting operation is repeated at least once, and then the inner mold in which a plurality of layers of the film are fitted is placed outside the inner mold by the inner mold. Also has a small linear expansion coefficient, a cylindrical outer mold having a transfer surface on its inner peripheral surface is arranged, and in this state, the inner mold, the film of the plurality of layers and the outer mold are heated, and this heating causes While softening the film of multiple layers,
The film of the plurality of layers is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner die and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die by thermally expanding the inner die, and the outermost peripheral surface of the film of the plurality of layers is contacted. A method for producing a transfer-conveying seamless belt, in which the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold is thermally and pressure-transferred and the plurality of layers of the film are thermally welded,
And a transfer-conveying seamless belt obtained by this manufacturing method.

As described above, the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold is extended, and the thermoplastic endless film is fitted on the outer peripheral surface side of the cylindrical inner mold. By mixing, air entrainment between the cylindrical inner mold and the thermoplastic endless film is completely eliminated. Also, by extending the peripheral length of the single-layer thermoplastic endless film while fitting it to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold, by repeating the fitting operation at least once, or as necessary, a plurality of times. Thus, a transfer / transport seamless belt having no air entrainment between the layers can be obtained. Further, when fitting a plurality of layers, since a single-layer thermoplastic endless film manufactured in advance with a certain degree of film thickness accuracy is laminated, the film thickness unevenness of each layer can be reduced.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, a method of manufacturing a single-layer seamless belt will be described with reference to FIG. (I) The inner peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film 200 is extended and fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold 201. (Ii) to (iii) thermoplastic endless film 20 on the outer periphery
0 on the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold 201 fitted with the cylindrical outer mold 201.
2 is arranged. (Iv) Heating in the state of (iii) to expand the cylindrical inner mold 201, transfer the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film 200 to the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold 202 by heat and pressure, and transfer and transfer after cooling. Remove the seamless belt.

Here, the cylindrical inner mold 201 and the cylindrical outer mold 2
02 and the thermoplastic endless film 200 have the following relationship. (B) (Inner circumference of thermoplastic endless film 200) <
(The outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold 201) (b) (Thermal expansion coefficient of the cylindrical outer mold 202) <(Thermal expansion coefficient of the cylindrical inner mold 201) In FIG. Any method may be used as the method of fitting the inner peripheral length to the cylindrical inner mold while extending the inner peripheral length. However, if a member as shown in FIG. The endless thermoplastic film 200 can be fitted into the inner mold. In FIG. 3, a tapered member 204 is provided at one end of a cylindrical inner mold 203 having a fluid ejection hole 208,
A cover member 205 is also provided at the other end. Next, the cylindrical inner mold 203 and the tapered member 2 are inserted through the fluid injection hole 206.
A fluid (compressed air or the like) 207 is injected into the fluid 04, and the fluid is ejected from a fluid ejection hole 208. In this state, the thermoplastic endless film 200 is put on the outer periphery of the tapered member 204, and the thermoplastic endless film 200 is placed on the tapered member 20.
By moving the film in the direction of the arrow along 4, the film is fitted into the cylindrical inner mold 203 while elongating the inner circumferential length of the film.

The method for manufacturing a seamless belt having a multilayer structure is basically the same as the method for manufacturing a seamless belt having a single layer structure, and will be described with reference to FIG. (I) First, the first layer is fitted on the cylindrical inner mold 201, and then the second layer is fitted on the first layer in the same manner as the first layer. Thereafter, the same number of layers are fitted in the same manner. (Ii)-(iii) A cylindrical outer mold 20 is attached to the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold 201 in which a multilayer thermoplastic endless film is fitted on the outer periphery.
2 is arranged. (Iv) Heating in the state of (iii) to expand the cylindrical inner mold 201, and heat-pressure transfer the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical outer mold 202 to the outermost circumferential surface of the multilayer thermoplastic endless film. And the multilayer transfer / transport seamless belt is removed after cooling.

As the material of the cylindrical outer mold and the cylindrical inner mold of the present invention, any material may be used as long as it satisfies the above condition (b). It is preferable to use stainless steel for the outer mold and aluminum for the cylindrical inner mold. Here, the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold is in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film, that is, greatly affects the surface properties of the obtained seamless belt, so that the processing is performed according to the surface characteristics required for the seamless belt. (Mirror finish, plating finish, sand blast, coating, etc.). Similarly, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold closely adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film, that is, greatly affects the surface property of the obtained seamless belt back surface, and is processed according to the surface characteristics required for the seamless belt back surface. There is a need to.

In (iv) of FIG. 2, any method may be used as a heating method as long as at least the cylindrical inner mold and the thermoplastic endless film are heated.
It is preferable to use a heater using far-infrared rays because the heating time can be shortened.

Although any cooling method may be used, since the characteristics of the obtained seamless belt depend on the cooling conditions, cooling conditions suitable for each resin used for the seamless belt are required. However, in consideration of productivity, it is preferable to perform rapid cooling using a coolant such as water.

Further, any method may be used for removing the thermoplastic endless film from the cylindrical inner mold in FIG. 2 (iv), but a fluid ejection hole as shown in FIG. When using a cylindrical inner mold having 208,
A fluid (compressed air or the like) 207 is applied to the cylindrical inner mold 203 in the same manner as when the thermoplastic endless film is fitted to the cylindrical inner mold.
Is injected, and the fluid is ejected from the fluid ejection hole 208, thereby forming the thermoplastic seamless belt into the cylindrical inner mold 20.
3 can be easily removed from the mold, which is preferable.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the inner peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film before fitting into the cylindrical inner mold is 90% or more and less than 100% of the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold. If it is less than 90%, it will be difficult to fit into the cylindrical inner mold.

As the method for producing the cylindrical endless film of the present invention, it is preferable to use a film obtained by so-called extrusion molding using an annular die and an extruder from the viewpoint of cost, and particularly a thermoplastic endless film. It is preferable that the inner diameter of the film is 50% to 400% of the inner diameter of the annular die from the viewpoint of uniform electric resistance and uniform film thickness.

In the present invention, when a transfer / transfer seamless belt having a multilayer structure is manufactured, the main raw material of each layer is preferably the same thermoplastic resin in view of the adhesiveness of each layer. In the case of controlling the electric resistance of each layer, it is preferable to use the same kind of resistance control material for each layer.

The thermoplastic endless film used in the present invention has a tensile modulus of 300 MPa or more and less than 3,000 MPa and an elongation at break of 20 MPa.
% Is preferable. Tensile modulus is 300
If it is less than MPa, the obtained transfer / transport seamless belt is easily stretched, and if it is more than 3,000 MPa, it becomes difficult to fit it into a cylindrical inner mold. On the other hand, if the elongation at break is less than 20%, the thermoplastic endless film may break when it is fitted into a cylindrical inner mold, which is not preferable. In the present invention, the measurement of the tensile modulus of elasticity and the elongation at break of the film is performed according to JIS K
It was measured according to 7127.

The thermoplastic resin used for the thermoplastic endless film may be any resin that can be softened or melted by heating and can be molded. Examples of commonly known thermoplastic resins include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EV
OH), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, ABS resin, polyacetal, polycarbonate,
Polyester (polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc.), methacrylic resin, polyamide, modified polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyamideimide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyetheretherketone, aliphatic polyketone, poly Methylpentene, fluororesin (polyvinylidene fluoride, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether copolymer, fluoroethylene-propylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene, etc.), liquid crystal polymer And the like. Of course, a mixture of two or more of the above materials may be used, and the invention is not limited to the above materials such as other known thermoplastic resins (for example, polymer alloys).

Further, in order to adjust the electric resistance of the thermoplastic endless film, carbon black, graphite, carbon fiber, metal powder, conductive metal oxide, organometallic compound, organometallic salt, Polymers, resistance control materials such as antistatic polymers may be added and used.However, since there is little change in electric resistance value due to extension of the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film, ionic conductivity is reduced. Is preferable, and it is particularly preferable to use a composition having an ether group as the resistance control material from the viewpoint of stable resistance controllability. When a so-called conductive filler such as carbon black is used as the resistance control material, the resistance value of the film partially increases when the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film is extended, and as a transfer and transport seamless belt When used, an image defect due to resistance unevenness may occur.

Further, in the present invention, additives such as an antioxidant may be added as required.

[0029]

The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following examples. Parts in the examples are parts by mass.

(Example 1) Polyvinylidene fluoride (PV
DF) 18 parts by mass of polyetheresteramide were melt-kneaded with 100 parts by mass of a resin by a twin-screw extruder to obtain a thermoplastic resin composition. The thermoplastic resin composition obtained by an extruder having an annular die having a diameter of 100 mm was blown-molded to obtain a thermoplastic endless film having an inner diameter of 138 mm, a thickness of 110 µm, a tensile modulus of 800 MPa, and an elongation at break of 400%. The obtained thermoplastic endless film has an outer diameter of 1
FIG. 3 shows a cylindrical inner mold made of aluminum (linear expansion coefficient: 2.36 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) having a length of 42.40 mm and a length of 300 mm.
On the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold using a member as shown in
The thermoplastic endless film was fitted while extending the perimeter. Thereafter, a stainless steel having an inner diameter of 142.72 mm and a length of 300 mm (linear expansion coefficient of 1.73) was provided on the outside of the cylindrical inner mold having a thermoplastic endless film fitted on the outer periphery.
× 10 ^-5 / ° C) With the cylindrical outer mold placed, heat the cylindrical inner mold, thermoplastic endless film and cylindrical outer mold to 170 ° C with a far-infrared heater, and heat the cylindrical inner mold. The outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film was pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold by thermally expanding the mold. Thereafter, the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film and the cylindrical outer mold were cooled by applying water to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold, and the thermoplastic endless film was fitted to the outer periphery from the cylindrical outer mold. The cylindrical inner mold is removed, and the thermoplastic endless film is removed from the cylindrical inner mold using the members as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends of the film are adjusted so that the longitudinal length of the film becomes 250 mm. Is cut, and a 5-mm-wide, 3-mm-high urethane rubber meandering preventing member is adhered to the entire periphery of one end of the belt with a double-sided tape of an acrylic adhesive material at a position 5 mm from the belt longitudinal end. Was obtained.

FIG. 4 shows the transfer / transfer seamless belt obtained.
As a result, a full-color image was output. As a result, a uniform image could be obtained.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter, referred to as a photosensitive drum) repeatedly used as a first image carrier, and a predetermined counterclockwise direction as indicated by an arrow. It is driven to rotate at a peripheral speed (process speed).

The photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by a primary charger 2 in the course of rotation, and then is subjected to image exposure means 3 (not shown) for color separation / imaging exposure of a color original image. A first color component of a target color image by receiving image exposure by an optical system, a scanning exposure system by a laser scanner that outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with a time-series electric digital pixel signal of image information, etc. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image (for example, a yellow component image) is formed.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by a first developing device (yellow developing device 4Y) with yellow toner Y as a first color. At this time, the developing units of the second to fourth developing units (magenta developing unit 4M, cyan developing unit 4C, black developing unit 4K) are turned off and do not act on the photosensitive drum 1, The first color yellow toner image is not affected by the second to fourth developing units.

The intermediate transfer belt 6 is rotated clockwise at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive drum 1.

The above-mentioned first carrier formed and carried on the photosensitive drum 1
In the process in which the yellow toner image of the color passes through the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 6, the electric field generated by the primary transfer bias applied from the primary transfer roller 8 to the intermediate transfer belt 6 causes Intermediate transfer (primary transfer) is sequentially performed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6.

After the transfer of the first color yellow toner image corresponding to the intermediate transfer belt 6, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is
The cleaning is performed by the cleaning device 5.

Hereinafter, similarly, the magenta toner image of the second color, the cyan toner image of the third color, and the black toner image of the fourth color are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 6 and transferred to correspond to the target color image. Thus, a combined color toner image is formed.

Numeral 9 denotes a secondary transfer roller, which is arranged in a state in which it can be separated from the lower surface of the intermediate transfer belt 6 by bearing in parallel with and facing the secondary transfer opposing roller 16.

The primary transfer bias for the sequential superposition transfer of the toner images of the first to fourth colors from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 6 has a polarity (+) opposite to that of the toner and has a primary transfer bias power supply 12. Is applied. The applied voltage is, for example, +
The range is from 100 V to 2 kV.

In the primary transfer step of the first to third color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 6, the secondary transfer roller 9 can be separated from the intermediate transfer belt 6.

The transfer of the composite color toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 to a transfer material P as a second image carrier is performed while the secondary transfer roller 9 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6 and The transfer material is fed at a predetermined timing from the paper feed roller to the contact nip between the intermediate transfer belt 6 and the secondary transfer roller 9 through the transfer material guide, and the secondary transfer bias is supplied from the secondary transfer bias power supply 17. The voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 9. Due to this secondary transfer bias, the intermediate transfer belt 6
, The composite color toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) to the transfer material P as the second image carrier. The transfer material P to which the toner image has been transferred is introduced into the fixing device 13 and is fixed by heating.

After the image transfer to the transfer material P is completed, the cleaning charging member 7 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 6, and a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied.
A charge having a polarity opposite to that of the photosensitive drum 1 is applied to toner (transfer residual toner) remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 6 without being transferred to the transfer material P.

The transfer residual toner is electrostatically transferred to the photosensitive drum 1 in a nip portion with the photosensitive drum 1 and in the vicinity thereof, whereby the intermediate transfer belt is cleaned.

When a durability test was performed on the belt at 40,000 rotations using a rotation durability tester as shown in FIG. 5, no problems such as breakage and meandering of the belt occurred and good results were obtained. . Here, the diameter of the drive roller 501 and the tension roller 502 in FIG. 5 is 20 mm, and the belt is 100 mm / sec. The drive roller 501 is rotationally driven so as to move at a speed of. The belt is stretched by a tension roller 502 with a total pressure of 50N.

(Example 2) A thermoplastic resin composition was prepared with the same composition as in Example 1, and was manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1 to have a diameter of 138 mm, a thickness of 90 μm, a tensile modulus of 800 MPa,
An endless thermoplastic endless film having an elongation at break of 400% was obtained. In addition, the PVDF resin used alone for the inner layer is 100 mm in diameter.
Inflation molding with an extruder having an annular die having a diameter of 138 mm, an inner diameter of 138 mm, a thickness of 20 μm, and a tensile modulus
A thermoplastic endless film for an outer layer having a pressure of 00 MPa and an elongation at break of 150% was obtained.

First, the obtained thermoplastic endless thermoplastic film for the inner layer was formed into a cylindrical inner mold made of aluminum (linear expansion coefficient: 2.36 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) having an outer diameter of 142.40 mm and a length of 300 mm as shown in FIG. The film was fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold while extending the peripheral length of the film using the members as shown. Thereafter, the thermoplastic endless film for the outer layer was fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold in which the thermoplastic endless film for the inner layer was fitted on the outer periphery in the same manner as the endless film for the inner layer. In this state, an inner diameter of 142.72 mm, further outside the cylindrical inner mold in which two layers of thermoplastic endless film were fitted on the outer periphery,
300 mm long stainless steel (linear expansion coefficient 1.
73 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.). afterwards,
A cylindrical inner mold, a thermoplastic endless film and a cylindrical outer mold are heated to 170 ° C. by a far-infrared heater, and the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film is cylindrically expanded by thermally expanding the cylindrical inner mold. Was pressed into contact with the inner peripheral surface. Then, by applying water to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold, the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film and the cylindrical outer mold were cooled, and the thermoplastic endless film was fitted to the outer periphery from the cylindrical outer mold. The cylindrical inner mold is removed, and the thermoplastic endless film is removed from the cylindrical inner mold using the members as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends of the film are adjusted so that the longitudinal length of the film becomes 250 mm. Is cut, and a meandering preventing member made of urethane rubber having a width of 5 mm and a height of 3 mm is adhered to the entire circumference of one end of the belt with a double-sided tape of an acrylic adhesive material at a position 5 mm from the longitudinal end of the belt. Was obtained in two layers.

The obtained transfer / transport seamless belt was incorporated as the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in Example 1, and a full-color image was output. Was completed. In addition, when a rotation endurance test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1, good results were obtained without occurrence of problems such as breakage and meandering of the belt.

(Example 3) Polycarbonate resin 100
15 parts by mass of conductive carbon black was melt-kneaded by a twin-screw extruder in parts by mass to obtain a thermoplastic resin composition for an inner layer.
The obtained thermoplastic resin composition for the inner layer was coated with a 200 mm diameter.
Extrusion molding using an extruder having an annular die having an inner diameter of 138 mm, a thickness of 100 μm, and a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2800 MP
a, An endless thermoplastic endless film having an elongation at break of 80% was obtained. In addition, 10 parts by mass of conductive carbon black was melt-kneaded with 100 parts by mass of a polycarbonate resin using a twin-screw extruder to obtain a thermoplastic resin composition for an outer layer. The obtained thermoplastic resin composition for an outer layer is extruded using an extruder having a circular die having a diameter of 200 mm, and has an inner diameter of 138 mm, a thickness of 10 μm, a tensile modulus of elasticity of 2,600 Pa, and an elongation at break of 100.
% Of a thermoplastic endless film for an outer layer.

First, an outer diameter of 142.36 mm and a length of 300
mm of aluminum (linear expansion coefficient 2.36 × 10 ^-5 /
3) As a cylindrical inner mold, a member as shown in FIG. 3 was fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold while extending the perimeter of the obtained endless thermoplastic endless film. .
Thereafter, the thermoplastic endless film for the outer layer was fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold in which the thermoplastic endless film for the inner layer was fitted on the outer periphery in the same manner as the endless film for the inner layer.
In that state, a stainless steel having an inner diameter of 142.72 mm and a length of 300 mm (linear expansion coefficient: 1.73 × 10 ⁻⁵ /
° C) The cylindrical outer mold was disposed further outside the cylindrical inner mold in which two layers of thermoplastic endless film were fitted on the outer periphery. Then, the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film and the cylindrical outer mold are heated to 200 ° C. by a far infrared heater, and the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film is formed into a cylindrical shape by thermally expanding the cylindrical inner mold. It was pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold.
Then, by applying water to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold, the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film and the cylindrical outer mold were cooled, and the thermoplastic endless film was fitted to the outer periphery from the cylindrical outer mold. The cylindrical inner mold is removed, and the thermoplastic endless film is removed from the cylindrical inner mold using the members as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends of the film are adjusted so that the longitudinal length of the film becomes 250 mm. Is cut, and a 5-mm-wide, 3-mm-high urethane rubber meandering preventing member is adhered to the entire periphery of one end of the belt with a double-sided tape of an acrylic adhesive material at a position 5 mm from the belt longitudinal end. Was obtained in two layers.

The obtained transfer-conveying seamless belt was incorporated as an intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in Example 1, and a full-color image was output. Although uneven density was observed, it was within an acceptable range. Also,
A running durability test at 40,000 rotations was performed in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, good results were obtained without any problems such as breakage of the belt and meandering.

Comparative Example 1 A thermoplastic resin composition having the same composition as in Example 1 was obtained by a T-die method to obtain a sheet having a thickness of 100 μm. The obtained sheet is 250 mm in width and 448 in length.
mm, and the both ends of the sheet are welded using an ultrasonic welding machine to have an inner diameter of 142.3 mm. A meandering preventing member made of urethane rubber having a width of 5 mm and a height of 3 mm is provided at a position 5 mm from the longitudinal end of the belt. With double-sided tape of acrylic adhesive,
A transfer conveyance belt having a seam having a meandering preventing member by adhering to the entire periphery of one end of the belt was obtained.

The transfer transfer belt having the obtained seam was assembled as the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in Example 1, and a full-color image was output. Since a remarkable transfer failure was caused, a rotation durability test was not performed.

Comparative Example 2 Polycarbonate Resin 100
15 parts by mass of conductive carbon black was melt-kneaded by a twin-screw extruder in parts by mass to obtain a thermoplastic resin composition. The obtained thermoplastic resin composition was extruded with an extruder having an annular die having a diameter of 150 mm to obtain a thermoplastic endless film having an inner diameter of 142.3 mm and a thickness of 110 µm. The obtained film was cut so that the length in the longitudinal direction became 250 mm, and the width of 5 m was obtained at a position 5 mm from the end in the belt longitudinal direction.
A transfer prevention seamless belt having a meandering prevention member was obtained by adhering a meandering prevention member made of urethane rubber having a height of 3 mm and a double-sided tape of an acrylic adhesive to the entire periphery of one end of the belt.

The obtained transfer / conveyance seamless belt was incorporated as the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in Example 1, and a full-color image was output. Was completed.

When the obtained belt was stretched on a rotation endurance tester in the same manner as in Example 1, partial slack of the belt due to belt distortion was confirmed, and a rotation endurance test was performed. At the time of endurance of about 15,000 rotations, the belt was broken starting from the slack portion of the belt.

(Comparative Example 3) A thermoplastic resin composition having the same composition as in Example 1 was charged into an inner layer extruder as a thermoplastic resin composition for an inner layer, and the PVDF resin alone was used as an outer layer resin as an outer layer extruder. And two layers are simultaneously extruded from an annular die having a diameter of 100 mm so that the film thickness ratio of the inner layer and the outer layer is 8: 2.
Was obtained. The obtained film is cut so that the length in the longitudinal direction becomes 250 mm, and a width of 5 mm and a height of 3 m are placed at a position 5 mm from the end in the belt longitudinal direction.
The two-layer transfer / conveyance seamless belt having the meandering prevention member was obtained by adhering the urethane rubber meandering prevention member to the entire periphery of one end of the belt with an acrylic adhesive double-sided tape.

The obtained transfer / transport seamless belt was incorporated as the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 4 in the same manner as in Example 1, and a full-color image was output. A rotation durability test was not performed because a transfer failure considered to be caused by the uniformity occurred.

Comparative Example 4 A thermoplastic resin composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and a thermoplastic endless film having a diameter of 142.5 mm and a thickness of 110 μm was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1. . The obtained thermoplastic endless film has an outer diameter of 1
It is disposed on the outer surface of a cylindrical inner mold made of aluminum (coefficient of linear expansion: 2.36 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) having a length of 42.40 mm and a length of 300 mm.
mm stainless steel (linear expansion coefficient: 1.73 × 10
^-5 / ° C) With the cylindrical outer mold placed, heat the cylindrical inner die, thermoplastic endless film and cylindrical outer die to 170 ° C with a far-infrared heater, and remove the cylindrical inner die. The thermoplastic endless film was pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold by thermal expansion. Thereafter, the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film and the cylindrical outer mold were cooled by applying water to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold, and the thermoplastic endless film was fitted to the outer periphery from the cylindrical outer mold. Pull out the cylindrical inner mold, further remove the thermoplastic endless film from the cylindrical inner mold, cut both ends of the film so that the longitudinal length of the obtained film is 250 mm, and belt longitudinal direction A transfer / conveyance seamless belt having a meandering preventing member by sticking a urethane rubber meandering preventing member having a width of 5 mm and a height of 3 mm at a position 5 mm from the end with a double-sided tape of an acrylic adhesive material around one end of the belt. I got

FIG. 4 shows the obtained transfer / conveyance seamless belt.
Was mounted as the intermediate transfer belt 6 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and a full-color image was output. As a result, it was confirmed that a transfer failure was partially caused by distortion considered to be caused by air entrainment. .

[0061]

According to the present invention as described above,
Extending the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner die, fitting the film to the outer peripheral surface of the inner die, and fitting the film to the inner die Outside, the linear expansion coefficient is smaller than the inner mold, a cylindrical outer mold having a transfer surface on its inner peripheral surface is disposed, and in this state, the inner mold, the film and the outer mold are heated, The film is softened by this heating, and the film is pressed between the outer peripheral surface of the inner die and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die by thermally expanding the inner die. A transfer / transfer seamless belt manufacturing method for transferring the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold by heat and pressure is realized, and the transfer / transfer seamless belt manufactured by this manufacturing method provides low cost and extremely excellent dimensional accuracy. The effect that a seamless belt can be obtained Obtained.

Further, the peripheral length of a single-layer thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner die is extended, and the film is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner die. This fitting operation is repeated at least once, and then a cylinder having a smaller linear expansion coefficient than the inner mold and having a transfer surface on its inner peripheral surface is provided outside the inner mold in which a plurality of layers of the film are fitted. An outer mold is provided, and in this state, the inner mold, the film of the plurality of layers and the outer mold are heated, and the heating softens the films of the plurality of layers and thermally expands the inner mold. Thereby pressing the plurality of layers of the film between the outer peripheral surface of the inner die and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die, and contacting the inner peripheral surface of the outer die with the outermost peripheral surface of the plurality of layers of the film. A transfer and transfer seamless belt that heat-presses the surface and simultaneously heat-welds the films of the plurality of layers. And the transfer / transport seamless belt produced by this production method can provide a transfer / transport seamless belt having a multi-layer configuration with a small number of steps, low cost, and extremely good dimensional accuracy. There is an effect that can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a belt obtained by two-layer simultaneous extrusion.

FIG. 2 is a process schematic diagram showing a manufacturing method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an example of a step of fitting the thermoplastic endless film of the present invention into a cylindrical inner mold.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a color image output apparatus using an intermediate transfer belt.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a rotation durability tester.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophotographic photoreceptor 2 Primary charging device 3 Image exposure means 4Y Yellow developing device 4M Magenta developing device 4C Cyan developing device 4K Black developing device 5 Cleaning device 6 Intermediate transfer belt 7 Cleaning charging member 8 Primary transfer Roller 9 Secondary transfer roller 10 Transfer material 11 Transfer material cassette 12 Primary transfer bias power supply 13 Fixer 17 Secondary transfer bias power supply 100 Transfer transport belt 101 Inner layer 102 Outer layer 200 Thermoplastic endless film 201, 203 Cylindrical inner mold 202 Cylindrical outer mold 204 Tapered member 205 Lid member 206 Fluid injection hole 207 Fluid 208 Fluid ejection hole 500 Transfer / transport belt 501 Drive roller 502 Tension roller 503 Meandering prevention member

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) // B29L 29:00 B29L 29:00 (72) Inventor Tsunetori Ashibe 3-30 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 2 F-term in Canon Inc. (reference) 2H033 BA12 2H200 GA23 GA24 GA47 GB50 JB07 JB43 JB45 JB47 JC04 JC13 JC15 JC17 LC03 MA04 MA11 MA20 MB01 MC03 3F049 AA10 BA13 LA02 LB03 4F209 AG05 AG16 PA02 PB05 AD05 PC05 AD05 AG03 AG16 AH33 WA12 WA15 WB01 WC02 WK01 WK03

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A method of manufacturing a transfer / conveyance seamless belt for an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of: elongating the peripheral length of a thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of a cylindrical inner die; A cylindrical outer die having a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than the inner die and having a transfer surface on the inner peripheral surface is provided outside the inner die fitted with the film and fitted with the film. In this state, the inner mold, the film and the outer mold are heated, and the heating softens the film,
The film is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner die and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die by thermally expanding the inner die, and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the film. A method for producing a transfer-conveying seamless belt, which is characterized by performing hot-pressure transfer. 2. A method for manufacturing a transfer / transfer seamless belt for an image forming apparatus, comprising: elongating the peripheral length of a single-layer thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of a cylindrical inner die. Is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the inner mold, and this fitting operation is repeated at least once. Then, the coefficient of linear expansion is larger than that of the inner mold outside the inner mold in which a plurality of layers of the film are fitted. A cylindrical outer die having a transfer surface on its inner peripheral surface is arranged, and in this state, the inner die, the film of the plurality of layers and the outer die are heated, While softening the film, the plurality of layers of the film are pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the inner die and the inner peripheral surface of the outer die by thermally expanding the inner die. Simultaneously transferring the inner peripheral surface of the outer mold to the outermost peripheral surface of the film by heat and pressure; Wherein said films are heat-sealed, respectively. 3. The transfer conveyance according to claim 1, wherein the inner peripheral length of the film before being fitted to the inner mold is 90% or more and less than 100% of the outer peripheral length of the inner mold. Manufacturing method of seamless belt. 4. The film is formed by melt extruding into a cylindrical shape using an extruder and an annular die.
Or the method for producing a transfer / conveyance seamless belt according to item 2. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the inner diameter of the film is 50% to 400% of the inner diameter of the annular die. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the film contains a resistance control material. 7. The method according to claim 2, wherein a main material of the plurality of layers of the film is the same thermoplastic resin. 8. The method for producing a transfer / transport seamless belt according to claim 2, wherein the resistance control materials of the plurality of layers of the film are of the same kind, and the added amounts thereof are different. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the resistance control material is a resistance control material having ionic conductivity. 10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the resistance controlling material is a compound having an ether group. 11. The film has a tensile modulus of 300 M.
The method for producing a transfer / transport seamless belt according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongation at break is at least Pa and less than 3,000 MPa, and the breaking elongation is at least 20%. 12. A transfer / transport seamless belt used in an image forming apparatus, wherein the transfer / transport seamless belt is manufactured by the method according to claim 1. Description: