JP2003098729A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents
Image forming apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- JP2003098729A JP2003098729A JP2001288379A JP2001288379A JP2003098729A JP 2003098729 A JP2003098729 A JP 2003098729A JP 2001288379 A JP2001288379 A JP 2001288379A JP 2001288379 A JP2001288379 A JP 2001288379A JP 2003098729 A JP2003098729 A JP 2003098729A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- toner
- adhesive force
- image forming
- transfer
- forming apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Landscapes
- Dry Development In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Color Electrophotography (AREA)
- Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【発明の属する技術分野】本発明は樹脂母粒子表面に外
添剤を被覆したトナーを用いたクリーナレスシステムの
画像形成装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cleanerless system image forming apparatus using a toner in which the surface of a resin mother particle is coated with an external additive.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】カラー電子写真においては、感光体の摩
耗を防止し、カラー像の重ね合わせを容易にするために
中間転写体が使用されている。また、２０μｍ以下、あ
るいは１０μｍ以下の小粒径トナーを用いて解像度を向
上させることが行われている。しかし、小粒径トナーは
大粒径トナーに比して転写性が悪く、転写性向上のため
に転写電界を強めると絶縁破壊が発生し、像欠陥が生じ
てしまうという問題がある。この転写性はトナーと感光
体、トナーと中間転写体との間の付着力（ファンデルワ
ース力、鏡像力）に大きく依存している。2. Description of the Related Art In color electrophotography, an intermediate transfer member is used to prevent abrasion of a photoconductor and facilitate superposition of color images. Further, resolution is improved by using a toner having a small particle diameter of 20 μm or less, or 10 μm or less. However, the toner having a small particle size has poor transferability as compared with the toner having a large particle size, and if the transfer electric field is strengthened to improve the transfer property, dielectric breakdown occurs and an image defect occurs. This transfer property largely depends on the adhesive force (van der Worth force, mirror image force) between the toner and the photoconductor and between the toner and the intermediate transfer body.
【０００３】そこで、転写性を向上させるために、感光
体とトナーの付着力よりも中間転写体とトナーの付着力
を大きくし、さらに中間転写体とトナーの付着力よりも
トナーと転写枚葉紙との付着力を大きくするものが提案
されている（特表平５ー５０３３７号公報）。Therefore, in order to improve transferability, the adhesive force between the intermediate transfer member and the toner is made larger than the adhesive force between the photosensitive member and the toner, and further, the toner and the transfer sheet are separated from each other than the adhesive force between the intermediate transfer member and the toner. It has been proposed to increase the adhesive force to paper (Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-50337).
【０００４】[0004]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところで、トナーには
帯電性を改善するために外添剤が被覆されているが、外
添剤の被覆が充分でない数％の遊離母粒子が存在する。
また、一成分現像方式において、使用耐久劣化によりト
ナー表面から外添剤が剥離したり、樹脂母粒子内に埋め
込まれて表面の外添剤の量が減少する。このような遊離
母粒子や耐久劣化したトナーでは帯電性が劣化して帯電
不良が生じ、電気力による感光体から中間転写体への転
写性が低下し、転写残りが発生してしまう。また、遊離
母粒子や耐久劣化したトナーでは母粒子の部材との付着
力が大きくなり、一度転写したトナーが再びニップ部に
入ったときに中間転写体から感光体へ移行する逆転写が
生じてしまう。従来の画像形成装置においては、転写残
りトナーはクリーナにより除去してしているが、クリー
ナレス画像形成装置においては、このような転写残りや
逆転写の発生は許されない。By the way, the toner is coated with an external additive in order to improve the charging property, but there are several% of free mother particles in which the coating of the external additive is not sufficient.
Further, in the one-component developing method, the external additive is peeled off from the toner surface due to deterioration in use durability, or embedded in the resin mother particles to reduce the amount of the external additive on the surface. In such free mother particles and the toner whose durability has deteriorated, the chargeability is deteriorated to cause charging failure, the transferability from the photoconductor to the intermediate transfer body due to an electric force is lowered, and a transfer residue occurs. Also, in the case of loose mother particles and toner with deteriorated durability, the adhesion of mother particles to the member becomes large, and when the toner once transferred enters the nip portion again, reverse transfer occurs in which transfer from the intermediate transfer body to the photoreceptor occurs. I will end up. In the conventional image forming apparatus, the transfer residual toner is removed by a cleaner, but in the cleanerless image forming apparatus, such transfer residual or reverse transfer is not allowed.
【０００５】[0005]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は上記課題を解決
するためのもので、遊離母粒子や耐久劣化により外添剤
量が減少した劣化トナー等の付着力の増大、帯電不良に
起因した逆転写等による転写残りを防止し、画像形成装
置におけるクリーナレスを実現することを目的する。そ
のために請求項１の発明は、樹脂母粒子表面に外添剤を
被覆したトナーを用いたクリーナレスシステムの画像形
成装置において、樹脂母粒子と像担持体との付着力が、
樹脂母粒子間の付着力および樹脂母粒子と転写体との付
着力よりも小さいことを特徴とする。また、請求項２の
発明は、前記画像形成装置が、それぞれ像担持体を有す
る複数の画像形成ユニットを有するタンデム構成である
ことを特徴とする。また、請求項３の発明は、速度差を
設けて転写することにより像担持体と樹脂母粒子との付
着力を小さくすることを特徴とする。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above problems and is caused by an increase in the adhesive force of loose mother particles and deteriorated toner whose amount of external additive is decreased due to deterioration of durability, and poor charging. It is an object of the present invention to prevent transfer residue due to reverse transfer or the like and realize a cleaner-less image forming apparatus. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the cleanerless system using the toner in which the surface of the resin mother particle is coated with the external additive, the adhesive force between the resin mother particle and the image carrier is
It is characterized by being smaller than the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the transfer body. Further, the invention of claim 2 is characterized in that the image forming apparatus has a tandem structure having a plurality of image forming units each having an image carrier. Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the adhesive force between the image carrier and the resin mother particles is reduced by transferring with a speed difference.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明の実施の形態】以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面
を参照しつつ説明する。図１は本発明が適用されるモノ
クロ画像形成装置の構成例を説明する概略図である。感
光体（像担持体）１０の周囲には、帯電器１１、露光ユ
ニット１２、現像器１３、転写ローラ１８が配置され、
帯電器１１、露光ユニット１２により形成された感光体
１０上の静電潜像は現像器１３によりトナー現像され
る。現像器１３においては、樹脂母粒子表面に外添剤が
被覆された１０μｍ以下の小粒径トナー１５が攪拌機
（図示省略）で攪拌され、供給ローラ１４により現像ロ
ーラ１６表面上に供給されてその際ローラ間の摩擦によ
り帯電し、さらに規制ブレード１７で一定の層厚に規制
されてこの際にも摩擦帯電し、感光体１０とのニップ部
に搬送される。ニップ部において、帯電トナーは現像電
界により現像ローラから感光体に移行してトナー現像が
行われる。このとき、現像に供されるトナーは数％程度
で、残りのトナーは現像器１３内に回収され、再度供給
ローラ１４により現像ローラに供給されて現像に供され
る。感光体上のトナー像は転写ローラ１８による転写電
界により中間転写体１９に転写され、定着器２０により
定着される。BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a monochrome image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied. A charger 11, an exposure unit 12, a developing device 13, and a transfer roller 18 are arranged around the photoconductor (image carrier) 10.
The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor 10 by the charger 11 and the exposure unit 12 is developed with toner by the developer 13. In the developing device 13, a toner 15 having a particle diameter of 10 μm or less in which the surface of the resin mother particles is coated with an external additive is agitated by an agitator (not shown), and is supplied onto the surface of the developing roller 16 by the supply roller 14 and then the toner is supplied. At this time, the toner is charged by friction between the rollers, and further regulated to a constant layer thickness by the regulation blade 17, and at this time also frictionally charged and conveyed to the nip portion with the photoconductor 10. In the nip portion, the charged toner is transferred from the developing roller to the photoconductor by the developing electric field and toner development is performed. At this time, the toner to be used for development is about several percent, and the remaining toner is collected in the developing device 13 and again supplied to the developing roller by the supply roller 14 and used for development. The toner image on the photosensitive member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 19 by the transfer electric field from the transfer roller 18, and is fixed by the fixing device 20.
【０００７】図２は本発明において使用されるトナーを
模式的に示した図である。トナー４０は高解像度用の１
０μｍ以下の小粒径トナーであり、樹脂母粒子４０ａの
表面に帯電性を向上させると共に、付着力を弱めるため
の外添剤４０ｂが被覆されている。FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the toner used in the present invention. Toner 40 is 1 for high resolution
The toner is a small particle diameter of 0 μm or less, and the surface of the resin mother particle 40a is coated with an external additive 40b for improving the charging property and weakening the adhesive force.
【０００８】図３は一成分非磁性現像方式の現像器の例
を説明する図である。図２に示したトナー４０は、攪拌
棒４１で攪拌されると共に、供給ローラ４２により現像
ローラ４４に供給されてその表面に擦り付けられて摩擦
帯電され、さらに規制ブレード４３で一定の厚みに規制
されて摩擦帯電されて感光体とのニップ部に搬送され
る。現像に供されなかったトナーは現像器内に戻り、再
度、攪拌と供給ローラ、規制ブレードによる摩擦帯電が
くり返される。現像においては帯電性能が良好で帯電分
布の揃った新しいトナーが優先的に消費される選択現像
が行われている。そして現像器寿命までのトナー消費量
と印字枚数を比較すると、各現像において９５％程度は
消費されずに現像器内に戻される状態が繰り返されてい
る。このような使用耐久の結果、トナー表面外添剤は母
粒子内に埋め込まれたり、剥離し、トナー表面の外添剤
量は減少する。また、新しいトナーにおいても外添剤の
被覆が充分でない遊離母粒子が数％は存在する。外添剤
が充分に被覆されているトナーにおいては、帯電性能が
よく付着力が弱いため転写効率が良いが、使用耐久につ
れて表面の外添剤量が減ったトナー、遊離母粒子では付
着力が増大し、帯電性能も低下する。FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a one-component non-magnetic developing type developing device. The toner 40 shown in FIG. 2 is agitated by an agitating rod 41, supplied to a developing roller 44 by a supply roller 42, rubbed against the surface thereof and frictionally charged, and further regulated to a certain thickness by a regulation blade 43. And is triboelectrically charged and conveyed to the nip portion with the photoconductor. The toner that has not been used for the development returns to the inside of the developing device, and the stirring and the triboelectric charging by the supply roller and the regulating blade are repeated again. In the development, selective development is performed in which new toner having good charging performance and uniform charge distribution is preferentially consumed. Comparing the amount of toner consumed up to the life of the developing device and the number of printed sheets, about 95% of each development is repeatedly consumed and returned to the inside of the developing device. As a result of such usage durability, the external additive on the toner surface is embedded or peeled in the mother particles, and the amount of the external additive on the toner surface is reduced. In addition, even in a new toner, there is a few percent of free mother particles which are not sufficiently covered with the external additive. In a toner that is sufficiently covered with an external additive, the transfer efficiency is good because the charging performance is good and the adhesive force is weak, but the toner whose amount of the external additive on the surface decreases with the endurance of use and the adhesive force of the free mother particles have a low adhesive force. And the charging performance also decreases.
【０００９】このように帯電性が劣化したトナーが現像
されると、帯電電荷量が少ないため、転写ローラ１８に
より転写電界が加えられたとき転写性が充分でなく、転
写残りが発生し、また、母粒子の付着力が増大すると、
一度転写したトナーが再びニップ部に入ったときに逆転
写が生じてしまう。従来においては、転写残りトナーは
クリーナにより除去していたが、本発明においては、ク
リーナレスシステムを採用しているため、ほぼ１００％
の転写効率を達成するようにする。この点について図４
〜図６により説明する。When the toner whose chargeability is deteriorated in this way is developed, the amount of charge is small, so when the transfer electric field is applied by the transfer roller 18, the transferability is not sufficient, and a transfer residue occurs, and , If the adhesion of the mother particles increases,
When the toner once transferred enters the nip again, reverse transfer occurs. In the past, the residual toner after transfer was removed by a cleaner, but in the present invention, since a cleanerless system is adopted, it is almost 100%.
To achieve the transfer efficiency of. Figure 4
~ It demonstrates by FIG.
【００１０】図４は感光体から中間転写体への転写を模
式的に示す図である。通常、トナー現像は現像ローラの
周面速度を感光体の周面速度より大きくして現像を行っ
ている。そのため、感光体表面上のトナーは１層以上で
現像されることになる。例えば、トナーが２層で現像さ
れたと仮定すると、図４に示すように、樹脂母粒子３０
と感光体１０との間の付着力（ファンデルワース力、鏡
像力）をＦ１、樹脂母粒子同士の付着力をＦ２、樹脂母
粒子と中間転写体との間の付着力をＦ３としたとき、
Ｆ１＜Ｆ２ ……（１）
Ｆ１＜Ｆ３ ……（２）
が成立するようにする。（１）式が成立していると、例
えば、樹脂母粒子が帯電不良で感光体側に引きつけられ
るような力が作用しても、トナーの層間分離を生ずるこ
とはない。さらに（２）式が成立するような付着力が転
写電界により樹脂母粒子と中間転写体との間に加えられ
ると、中間転写体に移行し、理論的には感光体の転写残
りは生じない。FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the transfer from the photosensitive member to the intermediate transfer member. Normally, in toner development, the peripheral surface speed of the developing roller is set to be higher than the peripheral surface speed of the photosensitive member. Therefore, the toner on the surface of the photoconductor is developed in one or more layers. For example, assuming that the toner is developed in two layers, as shown in FIG.
When the adhesive force (van der Waals force, image force) between the toner and the photoconductor 10 is F1, the adhesive force between the resin mother particles is F2, and the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the intermediate transfer member is F3. , F1 <F2 (1) F1 <F3 (2) When the expression (1) is satisfied, the interlayer separation of the toner does not occur even if, for example, a force that attracts the resin mother particles toward the photoconductor due to poor charging is applied. Furthermore, when an adhesive force that satisfies the formula (2) is applied between the resin mother particles and the intermediate transfer member by the transfer electric field, the transfer proceeds to the intermediate transfer member and theoretically no transfer residue of the photosensitive member occurs. .
【００１１】なお、上記では感光体と中間転写体との間
での付着力の関係を説明したが、中間転写体を介さずに
直接感光体から記録紙に転写する場合にも、本発明は適
用可能であり、その場合には、上記のＦ３は樹脂母粒子
と記録紙との間の付着力を意味する。Although the relationship between the adhesive force between the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member has been described above, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the photosensitive member is directly transferred to the recording paper without the intermediate transfer member. It is applicable, and in that case, F3 means the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the recording paper.
【００１２】図５は帯電が十分でないトナーと正常に帯
電したトナーとが相互の付着力により層間分離せずに転
写する様子を模式的に示した図である。トナー３１が耐
久劣化により、或いは遊離母粒子で外添剤が少なく、帯
電性が劣化していて充分な帯電が行われていないトナー
であり、トナー３２が正常に帯電しているトナーとする
と、樹脂母粒子と中間転写体との間の付着力Ｆ３によ
り、トナーが中間転写体に引き付けられたとき、樹脂母
粒子相互の付着力Ｆ２が樹脂母粒子と感光体との付着力
Ｆ１よりも大きく、かつ付着力Ｆ３がＦ１よりも大きい
ため、トナー３１、３２が層間分離を起こさずにともに
転写される。FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a toner that is not sufficiently charged and a toner that is normally charged are transferred without mutual separation due to the mutual adhesive force. If the toner 31 is a toner that is not sufficiently charged due to deterioration of durability, or free base particles and a small amount of an external additive, and the charging property is deteriorated, and the toner 32 is a normally charged toner, Due to the adhesive force F3 between the resin mother particles and the intermediate transfer body, when the toner is attracted to the intermediate transfer medium, the mutual adhesive force F2 between the resin mother particles is larger than the adhesive force F1 between the resin mother particles and the photoconductor. Since the adhesive force F3 is larger than F1, the toners 31 and 32 are transferred together without causing interlayer separation.
【００１３】図６は帯電が十分でないトナーと正常に帯
電したトナーとが相互の付着力により塊として転写する
様子を模式的に示した図である。帯電性の悪いトナー３
１と正常に帯電をしたトナー３２とが塊となっていると
き、樹脂母粒子と中間転写体との間の付着力Ｆ３によ
り、トナーが中間転写体に引き付けられたとき、樹脂母
粒子と感光体との付着力Ｆ１よりも樹脂母粒子相互の付
着力Ｆ２が大きく、かつ付着力Ｆ３がＦ１よりも大きい
ため、トナー３１、３２ともに塊として転写される。FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a toner that is not sufficiently charged and a toner that is normally charged are transferred as a lump by mutual adhesion. Toner with poor chargeability 3
1 and the normally charged toner 32 are agglomerated, when the toner is attracted to the intermediate transfer member by the adhesive force F3 between the resin mother particle and the intermediate transfer member, Since the adhesive force F2 between the resin mother particles is larger than the adhesive force F1 with the body and the adhesive force F3 is larger than F1, both the toners 31 and 32 are transferred as a lump.
【００１４】このように、樹脂母粒子と感光体との付着
力を、樹脂母粒子間の付着力および樹脂母粒子と中間転
写体との付着力よりも小さくすることにより、帯電不良
のトナー、付着力の増大したトナーが原因となる逆転写
を防止することができる。もちろん、外添剤が充分に被
覆され、充分な帯電が行われたトナーについては、転写
電界により転写されるため逆転写を生ずることはない。As described above, by making the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the photosensitive member smaller than the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the intermediate transfer member, the toner which is poorly charged, It is possible to prevent reverse transfer caused by the toner having an increased adhesive force. As a matter of course, a toner that is sufficiently covered with the external additive and that is sufficiently charged is not transferred due to the transfer electric field, so that reverse transfer does not occur.
【００１５】このように樹脂母粒子と感光体との付着力
が、樹脂母粒子間の付着力および樹脂母粒子と中間転写
体との付着力よりも小さくなるような感光体の構成例に
ついて説明する。上記条件を成立させるための感光体と
して、以下のような例が挙げられる。
感光体の最表層樹脂自体に表面エネルギーの小さい物
を選ぶ。
感光体の最表層に撥水、親油性を付与するような界面
活性剤を加える。
感光体の最表層に高い離型性を有する材料を分散させ
る。An example of the structure of the photoconductor in which the adhesion between the resin base particles and the photoconductor is smaller than the adhesion between the resin base particles and the adhesion between the resin base particles and the intermediate transfer member will be described. To do. Examples of the photoconductor for satisfying the above conditions include the following. Select a resin with low surface energy for the outermost resin of the photoconductor itself. A surfactant that imparts water repellency and lipophilicity is added to the outermost layer of the photoreceptor. A material having high releasability is dispersed in the outermost surface layer of the photoreceptor.
【００１６】上記の例としては、樹脂の構造中にフッ
素含有基、シリコン含有基を導入する。As an example of the above, a fluorine-containing group and a silicon-containing group are introduced into the structure of the resin.
【００１７】上記の例としては、ｅｘポリオキシアル
ケンアルキルエーテル、ポリオキシアルケンアルキルフ
ェニルエーテル、ポリオキシアルケンソルビタン脂肪酸
エステル、脂肪酸モノグリセライドポリエチレングリコ
ール脂肪酸エステル等を添加する。ステアリン酸カルシ
ウム、ステアリン酸カリウム、ステアリン酸亜鉛、ステ
アリン酸鉄、ステアリン酸バリウム、ステアリン酸ニッ
ケル、ステアリン酸コバルト、ステアリン酸銅、ステア
リン酸ストロンチウム、ステアリン酸カドニウム、ステ
アリン酸マグネシウム、オレイン酸コバルト、オレイン
酸亜鉛、オレイン酸マンガン、オレイン酸鉄、パルチミ
ン酸亜鉛、パルチミン酸コバルト、パルチミン酸銅、パ
ルチミン酸マグネシウム、パルチミン酸アルミニウム、
パルチミン酸カルシウム、カプリル酸鉛、カプリル酸
銅、リノレン酸亜鉛、リノレン酸コバルト、リノレン酸
カルシウム等を塗る（特開２０００−２６７３０３、特
開平６−３３２３２４）。As examples of the above, ex polyoxyalkene alkyl ether, polyoxyalkene alkylphenyl ether, polyoxyalkene sorbitan fatty acid ester, fatty acid monoglyceride polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, etc. are added. Calcium stearate, potassium stearate, zinc stearate, iron stearate, barium stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, cadmium stearate, magnesium stearate, cobalt oleate, zinc oleate. , Manganese oleate, iron oleate, zinc palmitate, cobalt palmitate, copper palmitate, magnesium palmitate, aluminum palmitate,
Calcium palmitate, lead caprylate, copper caprylate, zinc linolenate, cobalt linolenate, calcium linolenate, etc. are applied (JP 2000-267303 A, JP 6-332324 A).
【００１８】上記の例としては、フッ素微粒子を分散
させる。ポリカーポネート樹脂にホール搬送性トリフェ
ノルアミン化合物を１０：８の重量比で溶解したものに
ポリ四フッ化エチレン粉体（粒径０．１〜０．３μｍ）
を総固形分に対して５〜５０重量部分散させる。ｅｘ四
フッ化エチレン樹脂、三フッ化塩化エチレン樹脂、六フ
ッ化エチレンプロピレン樹脂、フッ化ビニル樹脂、フッ
化ビニリデン樹脂、二フッ化二塩化エチレン樹脂、及び
これらの共重合体の中から１種或いは２種以上を適宜選
定する。In the above example, fine particles of fluorine are dispersed. Polytetrafluoroethylene powder (particle size: 0.1 to 0.3 μm) obtained by dissolving a hole-transporting triphenoramine compound in a polycarbonate resin in a weight ratio of 10: 8.
Is dispersed in an amount of 5 to 50 parts by weight based on the total solid content. ex tetrafluoroethylene resin, trifluoroethylene chloride resin, hexafluoroethylene propylene resin, vinyl fluoride resin, vinylidene fluoride resin, ethylene difluoride dichloride resin, and one of these copolymers Alternatively, two or more kinds are appropriately selected.
【００１９】感光体として上記、、のいずれかの
ものを用い、中間転写体のベルト材料としてウレタン、
ポリエステル、ポリカーボネート、ＰＥＴなど（ＰＥＴ
にフッ素、シリコン含有基を含むものも可）を用い、新
しいトナー、使用耐久後のトナーそれぞれについて、ト
ナーの付着力をトナーを圧縮してタブレット化し、これ
を感光体またはこれと同じ材質のシートに押圧し、また
タブレット同士を押圧し、またタブレットと中間転写体
を押圧して滑らせたときの摩擦係数を測定した実施例を
説明する。Any one of the above is used as the photoconductor, and urethane is used as the belt material of the intermediate transfer member.
Polyester, polycarbonate, PET, etc. (PET
Fluorine and silicon-containing groups may be used), and the adhesive force of the toner is compressed into a tablet by compressing the toner for each of new toner and toner after end-of-life use. An example will be described in which the friction coefficient was measured when the tablets were pressed against each other, the tablets were pressed against each other, and the tablets and the intermediate transfer member were pressed and slid.
【００２０】〔実施例〕トナーＸを１０００〜５０００
ｋｇｆ／ｃｍ2 で圧縮（トナーを高圧で圧縮することに
より付着力に関して母粒子の影響が支配的になる）し、
タブレット化したものを２０ｇｆ／ｃｍ2 〜４００ｇｆ
／ｃｍ2 で像担持体と表面材質が同じシートに押圧し、
シート（固定）上でトナータブレットを滑らせた時の摩
擦係数が、トナータブレット同士の一方を固定し、同様
に滑らせたときの摩擦係数、中間転写体とトナータブレ
ットを２０ｇｆ／ｃｍ2 〜４００ｇｆ／ｃｍ2 で押圧
し、滑らせたときの摩擦係数のどちらと比較しても小さ
くなるトナーを用い、転写効率を測定したところ、初期
で９９．６〜１００％、耐久後でも９９．３〜９９．７
％を確保できた。[Example] Toner X was 1000 to 5000
compressed with kgf / cm 2 (compressing the toner at high pressure makes the influence of the mother particles on the adhesive force dominant),
20 gf / cm 2 to 400 gf tableted
/ Cm 2 Press the sheet with the same surface material as the image carrier,
The friction coefficient when the toner tablets are slid on the sheet (fixed) is the friction coefficient when one of the toner tablets is slid and similarly slid, and the intermediate transfer member and the toner tablet are 20 gf / cm 2 to 400 gf. pressed with / cm 2, using the toner becomes smaller as compared with either of the coefficient of friction when sliding was measured transfer efficiency, from 99.6 to 100% initial, the 99.3～ even after durability 99.7
I was able to secure the percentage.
【００２１】なお、上記の例においては、モノクロの画
像形成装置を例にとって説明したが、感光体をそれぞれ
有する複数の画像形成ユニットを有するタンデム構成の
画像形成装置をモノカラーとして使用する場合にも本発
明は適用可能である。In the above example, a monochrome image forming apparatus has been described as an example. However, when a tandem image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming units each having a photoconductor is used as a mono color image. The present invention is applicable.
【００２２】また、感光体とトナー母粒子との付着力を
小さくするために、速度差を設けた転写を行い、トナー
に剪断力を作用させて感光体からトナーが剥がれ易くす
ることが好ましい。Further, in order to reduce the adhesive force between the photoconductor and the toner mother particles, it is preferable to perform transfer with a speed difference and apply a shearing force to the toner so that the toner is easily peeled off from the photoconductor.
【００２３】[0023]
【発明の効果】一般にトナーはポリエステル、スチレ
ン、アクリル等の樹脂を主成分とする母粒子とその表面
を被覆する外添剤で構成され、外添剤はトナーと接触す
る部材との付着力を小さくする働きやトナーを帯電させ
る働きもある。そして、転写効率を１００％に近づけ、
クリーナ機構を除いた構成の画像形成装置を達成するた
めには、接触する部材との付着力が大きく、かつ帯電能
力の少ない（帯電量がほぼ０）母粒子が表面に露出した
遊離母粒子や耐久劣化したトナーの転写効率も考慮しな
ければならない。The toner is generally composed of mother particles containing a resin such as polyester, styrene or acrylic as a main component and an external additive for coating the surface of the mother particle. The external additive has an adhesive force to a member that comes into contact with the toner. It also has the function of making it smaller and the function of charging the toner. And the transfer efficiency approaches 100%,
In order to achieve an image forming apparatus having a configuration excluding a cleaner mechanism, free mother particles having large adhesion to a contacting member and low chargeability (charge amount of almost 0) are exposed on the surface of free mother particles or It is also necessary to consider the transfer efficiency of the toner whose durability has deteriorated.
【００２４】そこで、本発明においては、樹脂母粒子と
像担持体との付着力を、樹脂母粒子間の付着力および樹
脂母粒子と中間転写体との付着力よりも小さくすること
によって、電気的な力で転写させる力が小さく（トナー
の帯電量不足による）、かつ母粒子露出による感光体と
の付着力増加が起こっても、感光体との付着力より、母
粒子同士、転写材との付着力の方が大きいので付着力に
よってトナーは感光体から転写材に移り易くなる。Therefore, in the present invention, by making the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the image bearing member smaller than the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the adhesive force between the resin mother particles and the intermediate transfer member, the electrical conductivity is reduced. Even if the transfer force is small (due to insufficient toner charge) and the adhesive force with the photoconductor increases due to the exposure of the mother particles, the adhesive force with the photoconductor causes the transfer of the mother particles to each other and the transfer material. Since the adhesive force of the toner is larger, the toner easily transfers from the photoconductor to the transfer material due to the adhesive force.
【図１】 本発明が適用されるモノクロ画像形成装置の
構成例を示す概略図である。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a monochrome image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
【図２】 本発明において使用されるトナーを模式的に
示した図である。FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a toner used in the present invention.
【図３】 一成分非磁性現像方式の現像器の例を説明す
る図である。FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a one-component non-magnetic developing type developing device.
【図４】 感光体から中間転写体への転写を模式的に示
す図である。FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing transfer from a photoconductor to an intermediate transfer body.
【図５】 帯電が十分でないトナーと正常に帯電したト
ナーとが相互の付着力により層間分離せずに転写する様
子を模式的に示した図である。FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a toner that is not sufficiently charged and a toner that is normally charged are transferred without mutual separation due to mutual adhesion.
【図６】 帯電が十分でないトナーと正常に帯電したト
ナーとが相互の付着力により塊として転写する様子を模
式的に示した図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which a toner that is not sufficiently charged and a toner that is normally charged are transferred as a lump by mutual adhesion.
１０…感光体、１１…帯電器、１２…露光ユニット、１
３…現像器１、１４…供給ローラ、１５…トナー、１６
…現像ローラ、１７…規制ブレード、１８…転写ロー
ラ、１９…中間転写体または用紙、２０…定着器。10 ... Photoreceptor, 11 ... Charger, 12 ... Exposure unit, 1
3 ... Developing device 1, 14 ... Supply roller, 15 ... Toner, 16
... developing roller, 17 ... regulating blade, 18 ... transfer roller, 19 ... intermediate transfer member or paper, 20 ... fixing device.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き Ｆターム(参考） 2H005 AA08 CA11 2H030 AA07 AB02 AD01 BB02 BB21 BB42 BB71 2H077 AA37 AC04 AC16 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD31 AE03 AE04 2H134 GA01 GB02 HF13 JA11 KG03 2H200 FA05 GA16 GA23 GA33 GA44 GA47 GB14 HA02 HA12 HB03 HB12 HB22 JA02 JA29 JC03 JC15 MA03 MA04 MA20 PA11 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page F-term (reference) 2H005 AA08 CA11 2H030 AA07 AB02 AD01 BB02 BB21 BB42 BB71 2H077 AA37 AC04 AC16 AD02 AD06 AD13 AD31 AE03 AE04 2H134 GA01 GB02 HF13 JA11 KG03 2H200 FA05 GA16 GA23 GA33 GA44 GA47 GB14 HA02 HA12 HB03 HB12 HB22 JA02 JA29 JC03 JC15 MA03 MA04 MA20 PA11
Claims (3)
ーを用いたクリーナレスシステムの画像形成装置におい
て、樹脂母粒子と像担持体との付着力が、樹脂母粒子間
の付着力および樹脂母粒子と転写体との付着力よりも小
さいことを特徴とする画像形成装置。1. In an image forming apparatus of a cleanerless system using a toner in which the surface of a resin mother particle is coated with an external additive, the adhesive force between the resin mother particle and the image carrier is An image forming apparatus characterized by being smaller than the adhesive force between resin mother particles and a transfer body.
を有する複数の画像形成ユニットを有するタンデム構成
であることを特徴とする請求項１記載の画像形成装置。2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus has a tandem structure having a plurality of image forming units each having an image carrier.
持体と樹脂母粒子との付着力を小さくすることを特徴と
する請求項１又は２記載の画像形成装置。3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transfer force is provided with a difference in speed to reduce the adhesive force between the image carrier and the resin mother particles.
Priority Applications (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001288379A JP2003098729A (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2001-09-21 | Image forming apparatus |
| CN02142969A CN1405642A (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-09-13 | Image-forming apparatus |
| EP02020526A EP1306731A3 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-09-16 | Cleanerless image forming apparatus and toner particles coated with external additives |
| US10/244,135 US6813458B2 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2002-09-16 | Image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001288379A JP2003098729A (en) | 2001-09-21 | 2001-09-21 | Image forming apparatus |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JP2003098729A true JP2003098729A (en) | 2003-04-04 |
Family
ID=19111039
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001288379A Withdrawn JP2003098729A (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2001-09-21 | Image forming apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2003098729A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7209684B2 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2007-04-24 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Image forming apparatus and method for forming image with developing agent having adhesive strength |
| US11846899B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2023-12-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
| JP7504695B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2024-06-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming device |
-
2001
- 2001-09-21 JP JP2001288379A patent/JP2003098729A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7209684B2 (en) | 2005-06-27 | 2007-04-24 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Image forming apparatus and method for forming image with developing agent having adhesive strength |
| CN100462857C (en) * | 2005-06-27 | 2009-02-18 | 株式会社东芝 | Image forming apparatus and method for forming image |
| US11846899B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2023-12-19 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
| JP7504695B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2024-06-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming device |
| JP7504696B2 (en) | 2020-07-28 | 2024-06-24 | キヤノン株式会社 | Image forming device |
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