JP2004301241A - Method for manufacturing rubber roller, and rubber roller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing a rubber roller in which a core metal and a rubber layer can be easily separated, and in which the core metal and the rubber layer are not deflected from each other in the subsequent stage of mannufacturing process and use as the product, and a rubber roller in the method. <P>SOLUTION: In this method for manufacturing a robber roller, an electroless nickel plating layer is formed on the surface of the core metal, inactive film by inactivation treatment is formed on it, and the rubber layer is formed on the surface of the core metal. Prior to formation of the rubber layer on the core metal, part of the inactive film on the surface of the core metal is eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rubber roller mainly used for an electrophotographic apparatus and the like, and a rubber roller.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an electrophotographic apparatus, a large number of rubber rollers, such as a developing roller and a charging roller, are used. This type of rubber roller generally includes a core metal functioning as a central axis, and a rubber layer formed on the outer peripheral surface of the core metal.
[0003]
A rubber roller of this type used in an electrophotographic apparatus is required to have a very high dimensional accuracy and an anti-rust effect for long-term use. Therefore, a method of forming an electroless nickel plating film by electroless plating has been known in view of the uniformity of the plating film and the low processing cost (Patent Document 1).
[0004]
In addition, a method is known in which the electroless nickel plating film having a high chemical activity is subjected to a deactivating treatment such as a chromic acid treatment or a heat treatment to prevent the core metal from sticking to the rubber layer. 2)
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-74057 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-74056
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when an electroless nickel plating film is formed on the surface of a core metal as described in Patent Document 1, the core metal coated with the electroless nickel film and the rubber layer are seized, and the latter stage of the rubber roller manufacturing process. There is a problem that it is difficult to cut off both ends of the rubber layer and to reuse the discarded rubber roller.
[0007]
Conversely, when the surface of the cored bar is deactivated as described in Patent Document 2, the cored bar and the rubber layer formed thereon are not adhered, and the rubber roller is manufactured. When grinding the rubber layer surface at a later stage of the process, there is a problem that the core metal and the rubber layer idle and the dimensional accuracy of the rubber roller deteriorates.
Further, as an example of application, when the rubber roller is used as a roller (hereinafter, also referred to as a driving roller) that is externally driven and has a surface that is rubbed or pressed by pressure, such as a developing roller or a toner supply roller. Similarly, there is a problem that the core metal and the rubber layer run idle, which adversely affects the performance of the electrophotographic apparatus.
Although it is possible to apply an adhesive to a required portion of the core metal, it is not a preferable method in view of complicating the manufacturing process and increasing the manufacturing cost.
[0008]
In view of the above problems of the prior art, the present invention facilitates separation of the core metal and the rubber layer, and furthermore, at the later stage of the manufacturing process or when used as a product, the core metal and the rubber layer are separated from each other. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a rubber roller that does not cause the deviation, and to provide such a rubber roller.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present inventors have conducted intensive studies in view of the above problems, and as a result, have found that if a part of the inactive film is removed, the core metal and the rubber layer can be appropriately bonded to each other. Was. Further, the present inventors have further studied the means for removing the inert film, and have found that a method using a physical means such as sliding on the core metal is suitable.
[0010]
That is, the present invention provides a rubber roller having a surface on which an electroless nickel plating layer is formed and then an inert film formed by an inactivation treatment, wherein a rubber layer is formed on the surface of the core metal. In the manufacturing method, before the rubber layer is formed on the core metal, a part of the inert film on the surface of the core metal is removed.
[0011]
According to such a method of manufacturing a rubber roller, a state in which the core metal and the rubber layer are well bonded in a part of the surface of the core metal from which the inert film has been removed, and in a state where the surface of the core metal and the rubber layer are not bonded in other parts. It becomes. As described above, by bonding the core metal and the rubber layer only to a part of the surface of the core metal, a rubber roller that can easily separate the core metal and the rubber layer while preventing the occurrence of a deviation between the core metal and the rubber layer. Can be manufactured.
[0012]
Further, the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention is characterized in that the inert film is removed by a sliding member that slides on a part of the surface of the cored bar. The sliding member refers to a member that moves relatively to the surface of the core metal in a state of being in contact with a part of the surface of the core metal, and according to such a method of manufacturing a rubber roller, is rubbed by the sliding member. Part of the inert coating on the surface of the cored bar is effectively removed.
[0013]
In the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention, the sliding member is a transport roller that transports the core in the axial direction of the core. If the sliding member is a transport roller that transports the metal core in the axial direction, the core metal and the transport roller are microscopically moved so as to rub against each other while transporting the metal core. Thus, the inert coating can be removed substantially parallel to the axis of the core metal, that is, along the longitudinal direction of the core metal, and the core metal and the rubber layer can be uniformly bonded in the axial direction.
[0014]
Further, the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention, wherein the transport roller includes a first transport roller that determines a transport speed of the metal core, and a second transport roller that has a different transport speed from the first transport roller. The second conveying roller is forcibly slid on the cored bar. By providing a second transport roller having a different transport speed and forcibly sliding the second transport roller against the cored bar, the removal of the inert film becomes more reliable.
[0015]
In the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention, the transport roller has a V-shaped groove for guiding the cored bar. If a transport roller having a V-shaped groove for guiding the core is used, the core and the transport roller are always in contact at two points, and the removal of the inert film is more efficient. Become.
[0016]
Further, in the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention, a sliding surface of the sliding member with the core metal has higher hardness than the core metal. By sliding with a sliding member having a sliding surface having a hardness higher than that of the core metal, the removal of the inert film becomes more effective, and the adhesive strength between the core metal and the rubber layer can be increased. Moreover, since the bonding area between the core metal and the rubber layer is reduced, the rubber layer can be easily removed.
[0017]
Further, the present invention provides a metal core having an electroless nickel plating layer formed on its surface, an inert film formed by an inactivation treatment, and a part of the inert film removed, and And a rubber layer formed on the surface of the rubber roller.
[0018]
The rubber roller having such a configuration is one in which the core metal and the rubber layer are satisfactorily bonded to each other on a part of the surface of the core metal from which the inert film has been removed, and in a state where the core metal surface and the rubber layer are not bonded to each other. Become. Therefore, according to the rubber roller, there is an effect that the core metal and the rubber layer are well bonded at the time of use, and the core metal and the rubber layer are easily separated.
[0019]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a rubber roller and a rubber roller according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present embodiment includes an inert film removing step 20 for removing an inert film of the core metal 1 and forming a rubber layer 2 on the core metal from which the inert film has been removed. And a rubber layer forming step 30 for forming the rubber roller 3.
[0021]
As the core metal 1 supplied to the inert film removing step 20, for example, an electroless nickel plating layer of 3 to 5 μm is formed on the surface of a column made of iron or steel by a known method. An example in which an oxide film is formed on a nickel plating layer by a passivation treatment is given.
[0022]
As the inactivation treatment, according to a known method, for example, chromic acid treatment performed by immersing in a chromic acid solution having a concentration of 0.5 to 10 g / liter for about 30 to 60 seconds, or heating at 100 to 300 ° C. Heat treatment or a treatment performed by performing both of these treatments may be used.
[0023]
The inactive film removing step 20 is a step of removing a part of the inactive film formed on the core metal, and the method is particularly limited as long as the inactive film can be partially removed. is not. However, from the viewpoint of simple processing and high reliability, a physical method using a sliding member as described below is preferable.
[0024]
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the inert film removing means used in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the inert film removing means includes a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 21 vertically opposed to each other with a gap for allowing the metal core 1 to pass therethrough. , 21 is conveyed in the longitudinal direction of the core 1 by the rotation of the conveying roller 21.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a groove 22 a having a V-shaped cross section is formed on the conveyance surface 22 of each conveyance roller 21 so as to guide the cored bar 1 in the longitudinal direction. The groove 22 is configured so that the core bar 1 can be transported in the longitudinal direction while being sandwiched between two points 1a and 1a (a total of four points) from above and below.
[0026]
On the other hand, the rubber layer forming step 30 is to form the rubber layer 2 having a predetermined thickness on the surface of the cored bar 1 using a known rubber layer forming means. As the rubber layer forming means, for example, a crosshead type in which unvulcanized rubber is fed by an extruder or the like from a direction substantially perpendicular to the supplied metal core 1 to form a rubber layer 2 on the metal core surface is used. Can be mentioned.
[0027]
The rubber layer 2 formed in the rubber layer forming step 30 is not particularly limited as long as it can adhere to the electroless nickel plating film. Examples of the rubber layer 2 include a sulfur-based crosslinking agent and a sulfur donor. Those containing a compound can be mentioned.
[0028]
The unvulcanized rubber layer 2 is cured by vulcanization in a subsequent heating step (not shown).
[0029]
According to the rubber roller manufacturing method of this embodiment, the metal core 1 having the inert film is conveyed while being pinched at four points by the V-shaped groove 22 of the conveyance roller 21, and the surface of the metal core is naturally conveyed by the conveyance roller. Will be rubbed. Therefore, the inactive film on the surface of the cored bar is removed in the form of four streaks along the axis of the cored bar 1, and the electroless nickel plated film appears. Thereafter, the rubber layer 2 is formed on the surface of the core metal 1 in the rubber layer forming step 30, so that the core metal 1 and the rubber layer 2 are interposed through the electroless nickel plating film that appears as four streaks. It is possible to obtain the rubber roller 3 which is adhered and is not adhered at other portions.
[0030]
FIG. 5 is a perspective view when the rubber layer 2 of the manufactured rubber roller 3 is partially cut away. As shown in FIG. 5, the surface of the cored bar 1 is in a state where a part 5 of the cut rubber layer 2 is stuck and adhered.
[0031]
As described above, the rubber roller manufactured by the rubber roller manufacturing method can prevent the core metal 1 and the rubber layer 2 from spinning at the time of finishing the surface of the rubber layer or the like in the subsequent grinding step, so that the processing accuracy is improved. There is no risk of adversely affecting In addition, when the rubber roller is used as a driving roller in an electrophotographic apparatus as an application of the rubber roller, idling between the cored bar 1 and the rubber layer 2 is prevented, so that there is no possibility of adversely affecting an image.
[0032]
Furthermore, since the rubber roller manufactured by the rubber roller manufacturing method has the core metal 1 and the rubber layer 2 partially adhered to each other, it is necessary to cut both ends of the rubber layer 2 later in the manufacturing process. Also, the separation of the core metal 1 and the rubber layer 2 becomes relatively easy. Further, even after the use of the rubber roller, the cored bar 1 and the rubber layer 2 can be relatively easily separated, and the cored bar and the rubber layer can be easily recycled as materials, and the rubber layer can be easily recycled as energy.
[0033]
Further, according to the method of manufacturing a rubber roller of the present invention, a step of applying an adhesive, a step of removing baked rubber, and the like are not required, and the manufacturing process of the rubber roller does not become complicated.
[0034]
Further, in the rubber roller manufacturing method of the present embodiment, more preferably, at least one of the transport rollers disposed above the cored bar 1 among the transport rollers 21 constituting the inert film removing means 20, And / or the transport speed (the product of the number of rotations and the circumference) of at least one of the transport rollers 21 arranged below the cored bar 1 is different from other transporting rollers that determine the transport speed of the cored bar. May be rotated.
[0035]
If at least one transport speed of the upper and / or lower transport rollers is rotated at a different transport speed than the other transport rollers, the transport rollers having different transport speeds are forcibly slid on the core metal ( That is, the relative movement speed is increased), and the inactive film can be more reliably removed.
[0036]
Further, in the rubber roller manufacturing method of the present embodiment, more preferably, the core metal 1 is continuously supplied to the inert film removing step 20, and the transport rollers 21, 21. Even if the transport roller 21 on the upstream side (rear side in the transport direction of the core metal) is rotated so as to have a faster transport speed than the transport roller 21 on the downstream side (front side in the transport direction of the core metal). Good.
If the upstream transport roller 21 is rotated at a transport speed higher than that of the downstream transport roller 21 while continuously supplying the metal core, the transport roller 21 and the core are rotated at least on either the downstream side or the upstream side. Gold 1 can be forcibly brought into sliding contact, and the inert film can be more reliably removed.
[0037]
In the rubber roller manufacturing method of the present embodiment, the material of the transport roller 21 is not particularly limited. For example, one or a combination of two or more rubber, plastic, or metal transport rollers may be used. can do.
[0038]
In particular, when the transport roller and the core metal are forcibly brought into sliding contact with each other as described above, the transport roller that determines the transport speed of the core metal is made of rubber having a high friction coefficient, and is rotated at a different transport speed so as to make sliding contact. It is preferable that the transport roller to be formed is made of metal having a higher hardness than the core metal. By sliding a metal transport roller having a higher hardness than the core metal on the core metal, the range of removal of the inert film can be limited to a narrower range, and the inert film can be more reliably removed. .
[0039]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, by forming a V-shaped cross section on the transport surface of the transport roller disposed to face up and down, the inert coating of the cored bar is peeled into four stripes parallel to the axis. However, the design can be changed as appropriate as long as the effects of the present invention are achieved. Therefore, when the adhesive force between the core metal and the rubber layer may be weak, use a transport roller that supports the core metal at three or two points as a whole, and use three or two stripes parallel to the axis. The inert coating may be peeled off so that Conversely, if it is desirable that the adhesive strength between the core metal and the rubber layer is strong, use a transport roller that supports the core metal at five or more points as a whole and deactivate it into five streaks parallel to the axis. The coating may be peeled off. Further, by performing knurling on the surface of the transport roller, it is also possible to remove the inert film in a broken line or in a dotted shape.
[0040]
Further, by adjusting the force for pinching the core metal by the transport rollers arranged vertically, the depth and area of the inert film to be removed can be changed. It is also possible to adjust the adhesive force between the rubber layer and the core metal.
[0041]
In the above embodiment, the case where the transport roller is used as the sliding member has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the use of the transport roller.
For example, it is also possible to use a brush, a plate member, a needle, or the like provided so as to move relative to the core metal as another sliding contact member.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention, when the end is cut off or reused, the core metal and the rubber layer can be easily separated from each other. When used as a rubber roller, it is possible to manufacture a rubber roller in which the displacement between the core metal and the rubber layer hardly occurs.
[0043]
In addition, the rubber roller according to the present invention has a core metal and a rubber layer that are well adhered to each other without displacement during grinding and use. In the case of recycling, the core metal and the rubber layer can be easily separated.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a method for manufacturing a rubber roller according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of a step of removing an inert film when a transport roller is used as a sliding member.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the rubber layer 2 is cut off in the rubber roller manufactured by the rubber roller manufacturing method according to one embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Core metal 2 Rubber layer 3 Rubber roller 21 Transport roller

Claims (7)

After the electroless nickel plating layer is formed on the surface, using a metal core having an inert film formed by an inactivation treatment, a method of manufacturing a rubber roller that forms a rubber layer on the surface of the metal core,
A method of manufacturing a rubber roller, comprising removing a part of an inert film on a surface of a core metal before forming a rubber layer on the core metal. The method according to claim 1, wherein the inert film is removed by a sliding member that slides on a part of the surface of the cored bar. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the sliding member is a transport roller for transporting the metal core in the axial direction of the metal core. The transport roller includes a first transport roller that determines a transport speed of the core metal, and a second transport roller that has a different transport speed from the first transport roller. 4. The method for manufacturing a rubber roller according to claim 3, wherein the rubber roller is forcibly slid. The method of manufacturing a rubber roller according to claim 3, wherein the transport roller has a groove having a V-shaped cross section for guiding the metal core. The method for manufacturing a rubber roller according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a sliding surface of the sliding member with the core metal has higher hardness than the core metal. After the electroless nickel plating layer was formed on the surface, an inactive film was formed by an inactivation treatment, and a part of the inactive film was further removed, and the core was formed on the surface of the core. A rubber roller comprising a rubber layer.

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