JP2003140533A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately and simultaneously control the temperature and the humidity of the surface of an image carrier. SOLUTION: As for a cooling device 5, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1 is cooled from the inside of the photoreceptor drum 1 by a thermoelectric cooling element 53. Dry air is guided from a dryer through ducts 64 and 65 so as to dry the surface of the photoreceptor drum 1. The inside of the photoreceptor drum 1 is closed, then, the surface drying of the photoreceptor drum 1 cannot be affected by the dew condensation inside the photoreceptor drum.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 6-236132 discloses a technique of drying the periphery of a photoconductor with a hygroscopic substance in order to prevent a decrease in filming.

Further, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-234524, in a color image forming apparatus in which an exposure optical system is provided inside a photosensitive drum, an exposure optical system is provided in order to prevent fluctuation of image formation of the optical system. There is disclosed a technique for cooling the air conditioner with a heat pipe and a propeller fan.

[0004]

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a heat generating device such as a fixing device is provided, and the heat is transferred to a photoconductor which is an image bearing member, so that the photoconductor is exposed. Body temperature may rise excessively. Particularly, in an image forming apparatus having a function of forming an image on both sides of a sheet, after the image is formed on one side and exits the fixing device, the sheet is returned to the transfer position of the toner image again and the photoconductor Since a large amount of heat given to the paper from the fixing device is transferred to the photoconductor, the temperature of the photoconductor tends to rise. Further, even in the image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer member, since the toner image on the photosensitive member is transferred to the intermediate transfer member under pressure, the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member are sufficiently in contact with each other. , The photoconductor tends to be hot. The characteristics of the photoconductor generally change easily due to the influence of heat, and a phenomenon such as alteration of physical properties occurs. For example, in the case of a Se-based photoconductor, a phenomenon such as a permanent deterioration called crystallization due to a temperature rise or a decrease in attenuation characteristics due to a temperature rise, that is, a decrease in receptive potential occurs, and an image having a desired density cannot be obtained.

Further, in a charging device or the like for charging the surface of the photosensitive member, a discharge producing substance, for example, a gas such as ozone or nitrogen oxide is generated along with the discharge. When such a discharge-generating substance stays in the charging device or the like, the discharge in the charging device or the like becomes unstable, and uneven charging or uneven charge removal occurs, which deteriorates the image quality of the toner image formed on the surface of the photoconductor, and The accumulated discharge-generating substance may combine with water to adversely affect the surface of the photoconductor, image blur may occur, and the life of the photoconductor may be shortened. These phenomena are prominent when the humidity in the room where the image forming apparatus is installed is high. Further, the resistance value of the charging roller has a very large temperature dependency.

As described above, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is necessary to cool the photoconductor and dry the periphery of the photoconductor.

However, it is difficult to control temperature and humidity at the same time. That is, since the saturated water vapor pressure changes depending on the temperature of the air, the value of the relative humidity changes when the temperature changes, even if the amount of water contained in the air is the same. In addition, since the amount of water that can be dissolved in air in the form of water vapor decreases as the temperature decreases, dew condensation easily occurs at low temperatures.

On the other hand, in the technique disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-234524, since the inside of the photosensitive drum is open, cold air reaches the outside of the photosensitive drum. Therefore, even when trying to dry the periphery of the photoconductor drum, the cold air from the heat pipe and the propeller fan affects the temperature in the atmosphere around the photoconductor drum, and the ambient temperature of the photoconductor drum cannot be controlled to the desired humidity. There is a problem that dew condensation occurs on the surface of the photoconductor drum.

An object of the present invention is to enable appropriate control of the temperature and humidity of the surface of the image carrier at the same time.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible to sufficiently cool the surface of the image bearing member.

An object of the present invention is to improve the cooling efficiency of the cooling device.

An object of the present invention is to efficiently dry the surface of the image carrier.

An object of the present invention is to make it possible for a maker to reliably collect and recycle an image carrier such as a photoconductor and other image forming devices.

An object of the present invention is to make it easy for a maker to put an image carrier such as a photoconductor or other image forming apparatus in a recycling process.

[0015]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an electrostatic latent image is formed by exposing an image bearing member whose inside is hermetically sealed, and the electrostatic latent image is developed with toner. Forming an image by a printer engine, a cooling device that cools the surface of the image carrier from the inside, and a drying device that dries the surface of the image carrier from the outside of the image carrier. It is a device.

Therefore, the surface of the image bearing member is cooled from the sealed inside and dried separately from the outside of the image bearing member, so that cooling and drying of the surface of the image bearing member can be completely separated. .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the cooling device performs the cooling with a thermoelectric refrigeration element.

Therefore, the surface of the image carrier can be cooled from the inside of the image carrier by the thermoelectric refrigeration element.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the cooling device includes a pipe through which a refrigerant flows inside the image carrier, and the pipe is the thermoelectric refrigeration. Cool air emitted from the element is transmitted to the inside of the image carrier via the refrigerant.

Therefore, the cold air generated by the thermoelectric refrigeration element is transferred to the inside of the image carrier via the refrigerant.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the cooling device includes a fan that blows air into the image carrier, and the fan emits heat from the thermoelectric refrigeration element. Cool air is transmitted to the inside of the image bearing member by the blowing.

Therefore, the cool air generated by the thermoelectric refrigeration element is transferred to the inside of the image carrier by blowing air.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the printer engine includes a charging device for charging the image carrier, an exposure device for forming a latent image on the charged image carrier, and a latent image on the image carrier. A developing device for developing and forming a toner image on the carrier, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier onto a recording medium, and the image carrier after the transfer. A blocking device for blocking at least one of the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device, the transfer device, and the cleaning device, and the image carrier, which is provided with a cleaning device for removing the residual toner above. It has a member.

Therefore, it is possible to isolate the image forming apparatus covered with the blocking member such as the surface of the image carrier from the heat generating device such as the fixing device and the heat radiating portion of the cooling device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the drying device is connected to the blocking member, and the drying is performed by sending dry air into the blocking member. To do.

Therefore, air can be sent to the space closed by the blocking member.

The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the image forming apparatus according to the item (1), the blocking member is unitized with a device that is covered by the blocking member and blocks the outside to form a single unit, and the unit is fixed to the main body of the device. There is.

Therefore, it becomes difficult for the user himself to remove the image carrier such as the photoconductor or the like and other devices formed by the image forming device from the image forming apparatus main body.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the fixing is performed by a fastener which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus by a dedicated tool.

Therefore, with respect to a device such as an image carrier such as a photoconductor or the like, which is unitized with an image forming device, a maker who prepares a dedicated tool can easily remove it.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an image scanner 102 that reads an image of a document, a printer unit 103 that forms an image on a sheet based on the image data read by the image scanner 102, and an AD provided on the image scanner 102.
And an F (Automatic Document Feeder) 104.

A contact glass 105 on which an original to be read is placed is provided on the upper surface of the image scanner 102. Below the contact glass 105, a first carriage 108 equipped with an illumination lamp 106 and a mirror 107 and capable of traveling along the contact glass 105,
Contact glass 105 with mirrors 109 and 110
A second carriage 111 that can run along the path, an imaging lens 112, and a CCD (Charge Coupl) that is a photoelectric conversion element.
ed Device) 113 and a scanning optical system 114 are provided. First and second carriages 108, 111
Is driven by a carriage motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor to travel from the home position (right side) shown in FIG. 1 to the left side at a speed ratio of 2: 1.

In the printer unit 103, a printer engine 116 for forming an image on paper by an electrophotographic method from a paper feed tray 115 for stacking paper, and a fixing device 11.
A paper transport path 119 is formed to reach the paper discharge stacker unit 118 via 7 or the like. Printer engine 1169
Is a photosensitive drum 1, a charging device 2 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1, and the photosensitive drum 1 is exposed based on image data read by the image scanner 102 to form an electrostatic latent image. Exposure device 122, a developing unit 103 that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 with toner, and a toner image on the photoconductor drum 1 on the paper conveyed in the paper conveyance path 119. And a cleaning device 4 for cleaning the photosensitive drum 1 after the transfer.

The ADF 104 is provided with a document table 125 on which a document to be fed to the contact glass 105 by the ADF 104 is placed, and a paper discharge unit 126 for discharging the read document. Inside the ADF 104, a document transport path 1 that communicates from the document table 125 to the paper output unit 126.
27 is formed. In the document transport path 127, a transport mechanism 131 such as an endless belt 129 wound around a plurality of pairs of rollers 128 and a transport roller 130 is provided. The transport mechanism 131 is driven by an ADF motor (not shown) such as a stepping motor, and transports the documents placed on the document table 125 one by one toward the contact glass 105. A main body operation panel 132 including a keyboard and a display is provided on the upper surface of the ADF 104.

FIG. 2 is a rear view around the photosensitive drum 1 in the image forming apparatus 100 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the photosensitive drum 1, which is an image carrier, has a hollow structure and forms a space 12. The charging device 2 charges the photosensitive drum 1 with the charging roller 21. The developing unit 3 includes a stirring screw 32 for stirring the toner agent and a developing roller 31, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1 into a visible image with toner. Cleaning device 4
Is a cleaning blade 41 and a cleaning brush 4
2 and a waste toner conveying screw 43.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive drum 1 is supported by the face plate 6 and the side plate 8 via the ball bearing 63 (see FIG. 4). The face plate 6 has openings 61 and 62, and the side plate 8 has openings 81 and 82. A cooling device 5 for cooling the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 from the inside of the photosensitive drum 1 by a thermoelectric cooling element 53 such as a Peltier element is provided at one end of the photosensitive drum 1 in the longitudinal direction. The cooling device 5 includes a space 1 inside the photosensitive drum 1.
It is fixed to a cover 54 for sealing 2 (see FIG. 2), and this cover 54 is attached to the face plate 6. A heat radiating surface of the thermoelectric cooling element 53 is provided outside the cover 54, and heat is radiated by the heat radiating plate 52 and the fan motor 51.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the photosensitive drum 1 showing the inside of the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in FIG. 4, a flange 13 is fitted to an end portion of the photosensitive drum 1 in the longitudinal direction on the side opposite to the cooling device 5 side.
The opening is sealed. The flange 13 is supported by the side plate 8 via a ball bearing 83, and the joint 1
It is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown) via 4.

On the other hand, a flange 11 is fitted to the end of the photosensitive drum 1 on the cooling device 5 side in the longitudinal direction, and is supported by the face plate 6 via a ball bearing 63. The cover 54 is fixed to the face plate 6 by a set screw 57, but is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 via a seal member (not shown) and does not rotate itself. The thermoelectric cooling element 53 is an element in which one side is heated and the other side is cooled when an electric current is applied. Therefore, the heating side of the thermoelectric cooling element 53 is located toward the outside of the cover 54, and the inside of the photoconductor drum 1 is located. It is attached to the cover 54 so that the cooling side is located toward the. The heat-radiating plate 52 and the heat-dissipating fan motor 51 radiate heat from the heating side of the thermoelectric cooling element 53 to perform heat exchange.

On the other hand, a heat absorbing plate 55 and a heat absorbing fan 56 are provided inside the cover 54 (in the space 12). The heat absorbing plate 55 is cooled by the cooling side of the thermoelectric cooling element 53, and the cool air of the heat absorbing plate 55 is spread to the space 12 in the photosensitive drum 1 by the heat absorbing fan 56 to cool the air in the space 12.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the photosensitive drum 1 showing another example of the cooling device 5. The configuration of FIG. 5 differs from the configuration of FIG. 4 in that a cooling plate 94 is provided on the cooling side of the thermoelectric cooling element 53 toward the inside of the photoconductor drum 1. A cooling pipe 95 extends inside. The cooling pipe 95 is a device for cooling the air in the space 12 by circulating a cooling liquid through a pump (not shown) inside the cooling pipe 95. As a result, the cold air of the thermoelectric cooling element 53 passes through the cooling plate 94 and the cooling pipe 95, and passes through the photosensitive drum 1.
The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is transmitted to the inside of the photosensitive drum 1.
Is cooled from inside. That is, aluminum is used for the material tube of the photoconductor drum 1,
Cool air is transferred from the air in the space 12 to the surface of the photoconductor through the tube.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum 1. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an apparatus for circulating air in the printer engine 116. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, ducts 64 and 65 are attached to the openings 61 and 62. Then, the drying air from the ducts 64 and 65 is dried by the drying device 87 to the periphery 71, 71 of the photosensitive drum 1.
It is sent to 72 and the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is dried. The air used to dry the photoconductor drum 1 has an opening 8 in the side plate 8.
Exhausted from exhaust ports 85 and 86 provided at 1, 82,
A discharge product such as ozone and nitrogen oxides generated by the charging device 2 and dust emitted from the developing device 3 and the cleaning device 4 are removed by the filter 88 inside the duct 84. The removed air is sent to the drying device 87 again and returns to the printer engine 116. Such air circulation of the drying device 87 → the printer engine 116 → the filter 88 → the drying device 87 is performed by the blower 88.

As the drying device 87, one using a hygroscopic agent such as silica gel, zeolite, quick lime, one for dehumidifying by dew condensation by a refrigerant or a thermoelectric cooling element, or a solid polymer electrolyte membrane for decomposing water is used. Various means of causing drying can be used, such as those used.

A temperature sensor (not shown) is provided on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to control the surface temperature of the photosensitive drum 1. The cooling device 5 is controlled based on the temperature information from the temperature sensor to keep the surface temperature of the photosensitive drum 1 constant. Further, by controlling a drying device (not shown) based on this temperature information and adjusting the atmosphere around the photoconductor drum 1 to a humidity lower than the saturated water vapor amount, dew condensation on the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 is prevented.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the photosensitive drum 1, the charging device 2,
The image forming devices such as the developing device 3 and the cleaning device 4 are
Surrounded by the face plate 6, side plate 8, partition walls 90, 91 and top plate 92, the face plate 6, side plate 8, partition walls 90, 91 and top plate 92 are surrounded.
It is configured as a unit 93 arranged inside a housing which is a blocking member constituted by. The top plate 92 has a slit 92a for introducing writing light from the exposure device 122.
Are formed. In addition, an opening for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 onto a sheet is also present on the bottom surface of the housing.

With the above structure, the cooling device 5
Since the space 12 inside the photoconductor drum 1 can be cooled in a completely closed state, the influence of the external temperature is small and the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 can be cooled efficiently. Further, since the space 12 inside the photosensitive drum 1 is sealed and shielded from the outside, even if dew condensation occurs inside the photosensitive drum 1, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is not affected. That is, the cooling device 5
The cooling from the inside of the photoconductor drum 1 by the above and the drying from the outside of the photoconductor drum 1 by the drying device 87 are hardly influenced by each other, and the surface of the photoconductor drum 1 can be cooled and dried as desired. it can.

Further, since the air is circulated in the closed space 73 surrounded by the face plate 6, the side plate 8, the partition walls 90, 91 and the top plate 92, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 can be efficiently dried. Further, since the partition walls 90 and 91 can isolate the photosensitive drum 1 from the device that generates a high temperature, such as the fixing device 117, and the heat radiation portion of the cooling device 5, the cooling efficiency is improved.

In this image forming apparatus 100, since the photosensitive drum 1 is cooled by the cooling device 5 and the periphery of the photosensitive drum 1 is dried by the drying device (not shown), the image forming apparatus 100 is longer than the conventional image forming apparatus. Since the life is expired, it is not necessary to periodically replace the photoconductor drum 1 and each of the above-mentioned image forming devices, and it is necessary to provide each image forming device to the user in the form of a process cartridge that can be easily replaced by the user. Disappear.

Therefore, the unit 93 is replaced by the image forming apparatus 10.
As a configuration to fix to the body of 0 using a specific tool,
Only a service person who owns such a tool can attach and detach the unit 93.

As a result, unlike the case where the conventional process cartridge is used, the unit 93 which is not used by the user is left to the user without entrusting the user with the work of discarding and recycling the parts of the printer engine 116.
It is possible to make sure that the maker can recover it manually.

As a result, it becomes possible for the manufacturer side to accurately perform the work for reusing the unit 93 as a used item or for sure putting it in the recycling process, thus reducing the load on the environment. Can be steadily promoted. In this way, it is desirable that the manufacturer can collect the units that are no longer used by the user.

Further, when the maker collects the unused units, the undesired user accidentally touches each image forming device such as the photoconductor drum 1 and the contamination of each image forming device or the user himself occurs. And damage can be prevented, quality assurance can be achieved, and the load on the user can be reduced.

Further, it is significant in terms of quality assurance that the above-mentioned unit can be attached and detached only by the manufacturer. In other words, in the form based on the mounting and removal by the user, there is a high possibility that a subtle mounting error will occur every time the unit is mounted, but if the mounting is carried out by a manufacturer expert, such an error can be reduced or eliminated. Is possible. Particularly, as the unit is more firmly fixed to the image forming apparatus 100, the mounting error can be reduced.

For example, the positioning accuracy between the optical system as the light source of the exposure device 122 and the photosensitive drum 1 is becoming more and more severe with the future higher resolution, and the mounting accuracy is sufficient for user maintenance. It is difficult to put out.

From this point of view, the unit 93 described above is used.
To unitize like, by the mechanism described later,
Image forming apparatus 10 so that user maintenance cannot be performed
It is fixed to the body of 0.

Further, the unit 93 can be easily handled when it is taken out from the image forming apparatus and sold as a second-hand item or put on a recycling process by being unitized.

The unit 93 is provided with a support member 6a on its housing, and the support member 6a has a screw hole 9a.
6 is provided. The screw 9 which is a fastener in the screw hole 96
7 is inserted and the screw 97 is attached to the image forming apparatus 10.
The supporting member 6a is fixed to the front surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100 by screwing into the screw hole on the front surface of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100.

The screw 97 used here is not a commonly used plus screw or minus screw, but its driver hole is formed in a special shape. That is, the screw 97 can be attached and detached only when using a driver, which is a special dedicated tool corresponding only to the screw 97, which is allowed to be possessed by only a service person on the manufacturer side, for example. It is formed so that it cannot be attached or removed with a normal screwdriver.

Therefore, the unit 93 cannot be easily removed by the user, but it can be easily removed by the service person who has received the trust of the manufacturer, so that each image forming apparatus in the unit 93 can be reliably collected by the manufacturer. To be able to
Further, it becomes easy for the manufacturer to put it in the recycling process.

Hereinafter, the photosensitive member of the photosensitive drum 1, the toner and the like suitable for use in the image forming apparatus 100 will be described in detail.

(Regarding Intermediate Transfer Body) In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the intermediate transfer belt is not used for mediating the toner image between the photosensitive drum 1 and the paper, but the intermediate transfer belt may be used. Good. In this case, the intermediate transfer belt can be composed of a belt material having a multi-layer structure including a surface layer, an intermediate layer and a base layer. At that time, the outer peripheral surface side, which is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, is the surface layer and the elastic layer.
The inner peripheral surface side is a base layer, which is a hard layer that does not expand or contract. Further, an adhesive layer for adhering both layers is interposed between the intermediate layer and the base layer.

(Amorphous Silicone Photoreceptor) As a photoreceptor used for the photoreceptor drum 1, a conductive support is heated to 50 ° C. to 400 ° C., and a vacuum deposition method, a sputtering method, an ion plating method is applied on the support. Ting method,
It is possible to use an amorphous silicone photoconductor (hereinafter referred to as “a-Si photoconductor”) on which a photoconductive layer made of a-Si is formed by a film forming method such as a thermal CVD method, a photo CVD method, or a plasma CVD method. it can. Above all, plasma CVD
Method, that is, the source gas is decomposed by direct current or high frequency or microwave glow discharge, and aS is deposited on the support.
A method of forming an i-deposited film is suitable.

(Regarding Layer Structure of Amorphous Silicone Photosensitive Member) The layer structure of the amorphous silicone photosensitive member is as follows.
For example: FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view for explaining this layer structure. The electrophotographic photoconductor 150 shown in FIG. 9A has a-
Photoconductive layer 152 made of Si: H, X and having photoconductivity
Is formed and formed.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor 150 shown in FIG. 9B.
Is formed by laminating a photoconductive layer 152 made of a-Si: H, X and having photoconductivity and an amorphous silicone-based surface layer 153 on a support 151.

The electrophotographic photoconductor 150 shown in FIG. 9C.
Is formed by laminating a photoconductive layer 152 made of a-Si: H, X and having photoconductivity, an amorphous silicone-based surface layer 153, and an amorphous silicone-based charge injection blocking layer 154 on a support 151. Composed.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor 150 shown in FIG. 9D.
The photoconductive layer 152 is provided on the support 151. The photoconductive layer 152 includes a charge generation layer 155 made of a-Si: H, X and a charge transport layer 156, and an amorphous silicone-based surface layer 153 is formed thereon.

(Regarding Support of Photoreceptor) The support of the photoreceptor may be conductive or electrically insulating. As the conductive support, Al, Cr, Mo, Au, In, Nb,
Metals such as Te, V, Ti, Pt, Pd, and Fe, and alloys thereof, such as stainless steel, can be used. Also,
Polyester, polyethylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride,
It is also possible to use a support in which a surface of at least the photosensitive layer forming side of an electrically insulating support such as a film or sheet of synthetic resin such as polystyrene or polyamide, glass, or ceramic is subjected to a conductive treatment.

The shape of the support may be a cylindrical surface having a smooth surface or an uneven surface, a plate shape, or an endless belt shape.
The thickness is appropriately determined, but when flexibility as a photoconductor for an image forming apparatus is required, it can be made as thin as possible within a range in which the function as a support can be sufficiently exhibited. However, the support is usually 10 μm or more in view of manufacturing and handling, mechanical strength and the like.

(Regarding Injection Prevention Layer of Photoreceptor) The amorphous silicone photoreceptor of 1 of the photoreceptor drum may have a charge from the side of the electroconductive support between the electroconductive support and the photoconductive layer, if necessary. It is even more effective to provide a charge injection blocking layer that has a function of blocking injection (FIG. 9C).
That is, the charge injection blocking layer has a function of blocking the injection of charges from the support side to the photoconductive layer side when the photosensitive layer receives a charging treatment of a constant polarity on its free surface, and has a reverse polarity. It has a so-called polarity dependence, which does not exhibit such a function when subjected to a charging treatment. In order to impart such a function, the charge injection blocking layer contains a relatively large number of atoms for controlling conductivity as compared with the photoconductive layer.

The thickness of the charge injection blocking layer is preferably 0.1 to 5 μm, more preferably 0.3 to 4 μm from the viewpoint of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economical effects.
m, optimally 0.5 to 3 μm.

(Regarding Photoconductive Layer of Photoreceptor) The photoconductive layer is formed on the undercoat layer as necessary, and the layer thickness of the photoconductive layer 152 is such that desired electrophotographic characteristics can be obtained and economical effect can be obtained. From the above point, it is appropriately determined as desired, and it is preferably 1 to 100 μm, more preferably 20 to 50 μm, and most preferably 23 to 45 μm.

(Regarding Charge Transport Layer of Photoreceptor) The charge transport layer is a layer mainly having a function of transporting charges when the photoconductive layer is functionally separated. This charge transport layer is composed of a-SiC (H, F, O) containing at least silicone atoms, carbon atoms and fluorine atoms as its constituents and, if necessary, hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms. It has photoconductive properties, especially charge retention properties, charge generation properties, and charge transport properties. It is particularly desirable to contain an oxygen atom.

The layer thickness of the charge transport layer is appropriately determined in accordance with the requirements in view of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects, and the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 50 μm, more preferably 10 μm. ˜40 μm, optimally 20 to 30 μm.

(Regarding Charge Generation Layer of Photoreceptor) The charge generation layer is a layer mainly having a function of generating charges when the photoconductive layer is functionally separated. This charge generation layer contains at least a silicone atom as a constituent, substantially no carbon atom, and optionally a hydrogen atom containing a hydrogen atom.
i: H, and has desired photoconductive properties, particularly charge generation properties and charge transport properties.

The layer thickness of the charge generation layer is appropriately determined in accordance with the desired electrophotographic characteristics and economical effects, and is preferably 0.5 to 15 μm, more preferably 1 to 10 μm. The optimum value is 1 to 5 μm.

(Regarding Surface Layer of Photoreceptor) The amorphous silicone photoconductor that can be used for the photoconductor drum 1 may, if necessary, have a photoconductive layer formed on the support as described above. Further, a surface layer can be provided, and it is desirable to form an amorphous silicone-based surface layer. This surface layer has a free surface and is provided mainly for exhibiting moisture resistance, continuous repeated use characteristics, electrical pressure resistance, use environment characteristics, and durability.

The layer thickness of the surface layer is usually 0.01 to 3
μm, preferably 0.05 to 2 μm, optimally 0.1 to 1
It is desirable to be set to μm. If the layer thickness is less than 0.01 μm, the surface layer is lost due to abrasion or the like during use of the photoconductor, and if it exceeds 3 μm, deterioration of electrophotographic characteristics such as increase in residual potential is observed.

(Regarding the Developer) When the weight average diameter of the developer is 4 to 15 μm, the resolution of the obtained image is improved.

The weight average diameter is measured by the following procedure.

First, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant (desirably an alkylbenzene sulfonate) is added as a dispersant to 100 to 150 ml of an electrolytic aqueous solution. Here, the electrolytic solution is about 1% NaCl using primary sodium chloride.
An aqueous solution prepared, for example, ISOTON-II
(Manufactured by Coulter) can be used.

Then, 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample is further added. The electrolytic solution in which the sample is suspended is about 1 to 3 with an ultrasonic disperser.
Dispersion processing is performed for a minute, and the volume and number of toner particles or toner are measured by the measuring device using a 100 μm aperture as an aperture to calculate a volume distribution and a number distribution. From the obtained distribution, the weight average particle diameter (D4) and the number average particle diameter of the toner can be obtained.

The channels are 2.00 to 2.52.
Less than μm; 2.52 to less than 3.17 μm; 3.17 to
4. 4.0 μm or less; 4.00 to 5.04 μm or less;
04 to less than 6.35 μm; 6.35 to less than 8.00 μm; 8.00 to less than 10.08 μm; 10.08 to 1
Less than 2.70 μm; 12.70 to less than 16.00 μm;
16.00 to less than 20.20 μm; 20.20 to 25.
Less than 40 μm; 25.40 to less than 32.00 μm; 3
13 channels of 2.00 to less than 40.30 μm are used, and particles having a particle size of 2.00 μm or more and less than 40.30 μm are targeted.

As a material constituting the developer, the proportion of the whole toner is 75% to 93% of a binder resin, 3% to 10% of a colorant, 3% to 8% of a release agent, and other components. The component is 1% to 7%.

As the binder resin to be used, for example, polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, homopolymers of styrene such as polyvinyltoluene and substitution products thereof; styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene. Copolymer, styrene-vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene-acrylic ester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid ester copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene -Vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone and the like.

As the colorant, well-known inorganic or organic dyes / pigments can be used, and examples thereof include carbon black, aniline black, acetylene black, naphthol yellow, Hansa yellow, Rhodamun lake, alizarin lake, red iron oxide, phthalocyanine. Blue and Induslen blue are examples. It is also possible to use a magnetic material as a coloring agent if necessary.

Magnetic materials include iron oxides such as magnetite, γ-iron oxide, ferritic iron, and excess ferrite.
Magnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel; complex metal oxide alloys or mixtures of iron oxide or magnetic metals and metals such as cobalt, tin, titanium, copper, lead, zinc, magnesium, manganese, aluminum and silicon. Can be mentioned.

These magnetic particles have an average particle size of 0.05 to
It is preferably within a range of 1.0 μm, more preferably within a range of 0.1 to 0.6 μm, and further preferably,
It is within the range of 0.1 to 0.4 μm.

These magnetic particles are B-based by the nitrogen adsorption method.
ET specific surface area, preferably 1~20m the range of ² / g, especially 2.5~12m ² / g may be in the range of, suitably a further range of Mohs hardness 5-7 Is.

The shape of the magnetic particles may be octahedron, hexahedron, sphere, needle or scale, but the octahedron, hexahedron or sphere having less anisotropy is preferable.

When used as a magnetic toner, the magnetic toner particles containing the magnetic material preferably contain 10 to 150 parts by mass, preferably 20 to 120 parts by mass of the magnetic material per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

The toner may contain a small amount of additives within a range that does not have a substantial adverse effect. Examples of the additive include lubricant powders such as Teflon (registered trademark) powder, zinc stearate powder, polyvinylidene fluoride powder; abrasives such as cerium oxide powder, silicon carbide powder and strontium titanate powder; titanium oxide powder, for example. Flowability-imparting agents or anti-caking agents such as aluminum oxide powders; eg carbon black powders, zinc oxide powders,
Examples thereof include a conductivity-imparting agent such as tin oxide powder; and organic fine particles or inorganic fine particles having opposite polarities.

Further, a releasing agent may be added to improve the fixing property. Examples of the release agent include paraffin wax and its derivatives, microcrystalline wax and its derivatives, Fischer-Tropsch wax and its derivatives, polyolefin wax and its derivatives, carnauba wax and its derivatives. The derivatives include oxides, block copolymers with vinyl monomers, and graft modified products of vinyl monomers. In addition, alcohols, fatty acids, acid amides, esters, ketones, hydrogenated castor oil and its derivatives, plant waxes, animal waxes, mineral waxes and petrolactam can also be used.

As the charge control agent for controlling the toner to be negatively charged, for example, organic metal complexes and chelate compounds are effective, and monoazo metal complexes, acetylacetone metal complexes,
Examples thereof include aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid-based metal complexes and aromatic dicarboxylic acid-based metal complexes. Others include aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acids, aromatic mono- and polycarboxylic acids and their metal salts, their anhydrides, their esters, and phenol derivatives such as bisphenol.

As the charge control agent for controlling the toner to be positively charged, a modified product of nigrosine and a fatty acid metal salt; tributylbenzylammonium-1-hydroxy-4-
Naphtosulfonates, quaternary ammonium salts such as tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate, and onium salts such as phosphonium salts which are analogs thereof and lake pigments thereof, triphenylmethane dyes and lake pigments thereof (lake forming agent). As, phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, phosphotungsten molybdic acid,
Tannic acid, lauric acid, gallic acid, ferricyanide, ferrocyanide).

The number average particle diameter of the fine particle charge control agent is preferably 4 μm or less, more preferably 3 μm or less.

When these charge control agents are internally added to the toner particles, the toner particles are preferably 0.1 to 20 parts by mass, more preferably 0.1 to 20 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. It is preferable to contain 2 to 10 parts by mass.

If necessary, the toner may be a widely used additive for toner, for example, a fluidizing agent such as colloidal silica, a metal oxide such as titanium oxide or aluminum oxide, or a polishing agent such as silicon carbide. Agents, lubricants such as fatty acid metal salts and the like may be contained.

The inorganic fine powder is preferably used in an amount of 0.1 to 2% by weight based on the toner. Below 0.1% by weight,
This is because the effect of improving toner aggregation is poor, and when it exceeds 2% by weight, problems such as toner scattering between fine lines, contamination inside the machine, scratches and abrasion of the photoconductor tend to occur.

As a method of mixing the additive with the toner,
Well-known means may be used, and mixing can be performed by a device such as a Henschel mixer or a speed kneader.

As a method for producing toner powder after kneading and cooling the toner, a known method may be used. For example, after kneading and cooling, this is pulverized by a jet mill and classified.

The electrostatic image developing toner produced as described above can be used as a dry one-component developing agent and a dry two-component developing agent.

When used as a two-component developer, the mixing ratio of the toner and the carrier is generally about 0.5 to 6.0 parts by weight for 100 parts by weight of the carrier.

When used as a dry two-component developer, the amount of carrier and toner to be used is such that the toner particles adhere to the carrier surface of the carrier particles and have a surface area of 3
It is desirable to mix both particles to the extent that they occupy 0 to 90%.

Well-known core particles of the carrier constituting the developer may be used, and examples thereof include ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel; alloys and compounds such as magnetite, hematite and ferrite; Examples thereof include a composite of magnetic fine particles and a resin.

The carrier is for the purpose of increasing durability.
It is desirable to coat the surface with resin.

Examples of the resin forming the coating layer include polyolefin resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene and chlorosulfonated polyethylene; polystyrene, acrylic (eg polymethylmethacrylate), polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, Polyvinyl butyral,
Polyvinyl and polyvinylidene resins such as polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl ether, and polybiliketone; vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers; silicone resins composed of organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof (for example, alkyd resins, polyester resins,
Modified products of epoxy resin, polyurethane, etc.); Fluorine resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene; polyamide; polyester; polyurethane; polycarbonate; amino such as urea-formaldehyde resin Resin: Epoxy resin etc. are mentioned.

Above all, what is desirable from the viewpoint of preventing toner spent is a silicone resin or a modified product thereof, a fluorine resin,
In particular, it is a silicone resin or a modified product thereof.

As for the method of forming the coating layer, the coating liquid for forming the coating layer may be applied to the surface of the carrier core particles by a method such as a spraying method or a dipping method as in the prior art. The thickness of the coating layer is 0.1-2
0 μm is desirable.

[0109]

EXAMPLES Examples of the above toner will be described. These examples are production examples as a two-component developer.

Polyester resin (weight average particle size 300 μm, softening temperature 80.2 ° C.) 100 parts by weight carbon black 10 parts by weight polypropylene (weight average particle size 180 μm) 5 parts by weight quaternary ammonium salt 2 parts by weight First step: the above composition Melt-kneading the mixture of
Crush and classify.

Second step: Further, 0.3 part by weight of hydrophobic silica is mixed with 100 parts by weight of the base colored particles to obtain a toner having an average particle size of 9.0 μm.

Third step: Further, 2 parts by weight of polyvinyl alcohol and 60 parts by weight of water are put into a ball mill and mixed for 12 hours with respect to 100 parts by weight of magnetite prepared by a wet method to prepare a magnetite slurry.

Fourth step: This slurry is spray-granulated with a spray dryer to give spherical particles.

Fifth step: The particles were treated in a nitrogen atmosphere for 10
After being calcined at a temperature of 00 ° C. for 3 hours and cooled, core particles 1 are obtained.

Silicone resin solution 100 parts by weight Toluene 100 parts by weight γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane 15 parts by weight Carbon black 20 parts by weight Sixth step: Disperse the above mixture with a homomixer for 20 minutes to prepare a coating layer forming liquid. .

Seventh step: The surface of 1000 parts by weight of the core particles 1 is coated with this coating layer forming liquid using a fluidized bed type coating device to obtain a silicone resin coated carrier.

Eighth step: The above magnetic carrier is mixed with 97.5 parts by weight of toner at 2.5 parts by weight to obtain a two-component developer.

[0118]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the temperature and humidity of the surface of the image bearing member can be appropriately adjusted at the same time, and the surface of the image bearing member can be formed even if dew condensation occurs inside the image bearing member. It is possible to eliminate the influence on the drying of.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, it is possible to appropriately perform the temperature and humidity of the surface of the image carrier at the same time by using the heat transfer refrigeration element. Become.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the surface of the image carrier can be sufficiently cooled.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 2, the surface of the image carrier can be sufficiently cooled.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the cooling efficiency of the cooling device can be improved.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the surface of the image carrier can be efficiently dried.

The invention described in claim 7 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the image forming apparatus described in (1), the maker can surely collect the image bearing member such as the photoconductor and other image forming devices as compared with the conventional process cartridge.

The invention described in claim 8 is the invention according to claim 5 or 6.
In the image forming apparatus described in (1), it becomes easy for a maker to put an image carrier such as a photoconductor or other image forming apparatus in a recycling process.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view around a photosensitive drum in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of another example of the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a drying device in the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view around the photosensitive drum.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a layer structure of an amorphous silicone photoconductor applied to the photoconductor drum.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Image carrier 2 Charging device 3 developing device 4 Transfer device 5 Cooling device 6 Blocking member 53 Thermoelectric cooling element 56 fans 87 Dryer 90 Blocking member 91 Blocking member 92 Blocking member 95 pipes 97 Fastener 116 Printer Engine 124 Transfer device

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2H027 JA03 JA11 JA12 JA16 JB01                       JB13 JB15 JB16 JB20 JC01                       JC02 JC03 JC04 JC06 JC07                       JC15 ZA07                 2H035 CA07 CB03 CB04 CD14 CZ03                 2H071 BA04 BA27 BA32 DA02 DA06                       DA08 DA09 DA15

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A printer engine, which exposes an image bearing member, the interior of which is hermetically sealed, to form an electrostatic latent image, and develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form an image; and the image bearing member. An image forming apparatus comprising: a cooling device that cools the surface of the image carrier from the inside; and a drying device that dries the surface of the image carrier from the outside of the image carrier. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device performs the cooling with a thermoelectric refrigeration element. 3. The cooling device is provided with a pipe through which a refrigerant flows inside the image carrier, and the pipe conveys cool air generated by the thermoelectric refrigeration element to the inside of the image carrier through the refrigerant. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. 4. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the cooling device includes a fan for blowing air into the image carrier, and the fan conveys cool air generated by the thermoelectric refrigeration element to the inside of the image carrier. Image forming device. 5. The printer engine comprises a charging device for charging an image carrier, an exposure device for forming a latent image on the charged image carrier, and a latent image on the image carrier for development. A developing device for forming a toner image on the carrier, a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the image carrier onto a recording medium, and a residue on the image carrier after the transfer. A cleaning device for removing the toner is provided, and at least one of the charging device, the exposure device, the developing device, the transfer device, and the cleaning device, and a blocking member for blocking the image carrier from the outside are provided. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the drying device is connected to the blocking member, and performs the drying by sending dry air into the blocking member. 7. The blocking member is unitized with a device which is covered by the blocking member and blocks the outside to form a single unit, and the unit is fixed to the main body of the device. The image forming apparatus according to 5 or 6. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fixing is performed by a fastener that can be attached to and detached from the main body of the apparatus with a dedicated tool.