JP2005186253A - Cutting method for peripheral surface of cylindrical member, manufacturing method for electrophotographic photoreceptor, manufacturing method for electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, manufacturing method for developer carrier, manufacturing method for developer carrier unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cutting method for a peripheral surface of a cylindrical member for inexpensively obtaining the cylindrical member having high accurate outer peripheral circularity. <P>SOLUTION: The cutting method for the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is characterized in that it has a tapered surface forming process forming two tapered surfaces 6031, 6032 having a common central axis o1 and different angles inside the end part of the cylindrical member 601, a holding process holding the cylindrical member by abutting and pressing the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 to a circular edge line part 6033 formed by an intersection line of the two tapered surfaces, and a process cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member held by the holding process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for cutting a peripheral surface of a cylindrical member, a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, a method for producing a developer carrier, a method for producing a developer carrier unit, and a process cartridge. And an electrophotographic apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus employing an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer, so-called electrophotographic apparatus, includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a charged electron An exposure means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photographic photosensitive member and an electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member are developed with a developer carried on the developer carrying member. Generally, a developing unit for forming a developed image and a transfer unit for transferring the developed image formed on the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a transfer material (paper or the like) are generally used.

  In such an electrophotographic apparatus, in order to obtain a high-quality image, it is a necessary condition that the distance between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member (such as a developing roller and a developing sleeve) is kept constant. One. In order to keep the distance between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member constant, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member must have high accuracy.

  In particular, in an electrophotographic apparatus that outputs a color image, so-called color electrophotographic apparatus, it is necessary to superimpose images of each color in order to output a color image, and in order to prevent color misregistration, color unevenness, and moire, The photoconductor and developer carrier are required to have higher accuracy than ever before.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member generally have a cylindrical member as a support. In order for the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the developer carrying member to be highly accurate, the accuracy of the cylindrical member, particularly the roundness of the outer periphery, must be high.

  As one method for increasing the roundness of the outer periphery of a cylindrical member, a method of cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member (the outer peripheral surface, hereinafter the same) is known.

As a method of cutting the circumferential surface of a cylindrical member,
(1) End processing surfaces that are substantially perpendicular to the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member are formed at both ends of the cylindrical member obtained by cutting to a predetermined length after extrusion or drawing (end surface processing).
(2) With the cylindrical member holding member holding the cylindrical member at both ends, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is finished to a predetermined accuracy and surface roughness (peripheral surface processing).
The method is known.

  As a method of peripheral surface processing, while rotating the cylindrical member held by the cylindrical member holding member, a cutting member such as a cutting tool is brought into contact with the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and the cutting member is made cylindrical. A method of turning the circumferential surface of a cylindrical member while turning it at a constant speed parallel to the axis of the member (lathe processing) is known.

  The following methods are known as a method for holding the cylindrical member during lathe processing.

  That is, with reference to FIG. 1, first, end machining surfaces 102 substantially perpendicular to the circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 101 are formed at both ends of the cylindrical member 101, and then the cylindrical member is held. The cylindrical jig 1041 included in the member 104 is pushed into the inside of both end portions of the cylindrical member 101, and then the clamp surface 105 of the cylindrical member holding member 104 is moved against the end machining surface 102 of the cylindrical member 101. In this method, the cylindrical member 101 is held by pressing in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 101 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-169421: Patent Document 1).

  However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-169421, the roundness of the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 101 must be high, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 101 and the cylindrical jig 1041 The outer diameter needs to be substantially the same. If the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 101 is too large with respect to the outer diameter of the cylindrical jig 103, rattling occurs while the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 101 is being cut. On the other hand, if the inner diameter of the cylindrical member 101 is too small with respect to the outer diameter of the cylindrical jig 103, the cylindrical member 101 is deformed by pushing the cylindrical jig 103 inside the cylindrical member 101. Therefore, after cutting, it is difficult to obtain a cylindrical member having a high degree of outer periphery roundness.

  Further, if only a cylindrical member having a desired inner circumference roundness and inner diameter is selected and used, the cost of the cylindrical member increases.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when a cylindrical jig 1041 having a circular outer periphery is inserted inside a cylindrical member 101 having a low inner peripheral roundness (elliptical in FIG. 2), the cylindrical member 101 is inserted. As the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 101 is deformed, the shape of the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 101 is circular, similar to the shape of the outer periphery of the cylindrical jig 1041.

  When the cylindrical member 101 with its inner periphery being pushed is rotated and the peripheral surface is cut with the cutting member 201, the cylindrical member 101 is in a state where the cylindrical jig 1041 is still inserted inside. The shape of the outer periphery of the cylindrical member is circular. However, when the cylindrical jig 1041 is removed, the deformation of the cylindrical member 101 is relaxed to return to the original shape. Becomes a shape reflecting the shape of the inner periphery (ellipse) of the cylindrical member 101.

  This phenomenon is called a springback phenomenon. If a cylindrical member having a high outer peripheral roundness is obtained by cutting, a cylindrical member having a high inner peripheral roundness is required.

  However, since there is a variation in the inner circumference roundness of the cylindrical member obtained by extrusion or drawing, when trying to select and use only the cylindrical member having the desired inner circumference roundness The cost of the cylindrical member will increase.

  The following method is known as another method for holding the cylindrical member when turning.

  That is, when performing end face processing on a cylindrical member obtained by cutting to a predetermined length after extrusion or drawing, the inner peripheral surface adjacent to the end face of the cylindrical member is subjected to predetermined width cutting (inlay processing), This is a method of holding a cylindrical member by inserting a cylindrical member holding member such as a collet method and then expanding the outer periphery of the cylindrical holding member (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160901: Patent Document 1). 2).

  However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160901, although a cylindrical member having a relatively high outer peripheral roundness can be obtained, the cost of inlay processing is high, and a cylindrical member such as a collet method is held. Since the structure of the member is complicated and the cost of maintenance is high, the cost of the cylindrical member increases.

  The following methods are known as still another method for holding the cylindrical member when turning.

  That is, referring to FIG. 3, first, when processing the end surface of the cylindrical member 301, a tapered surface 303 is provided in a portion adjacent to the end surface of the cylindrical member 301, and then a tapered clamp surface 305 is provided. The cylindrical member holding member 304 is brought into contact with the ridge line formed by the intersection of the tapered surface 303 of the cylindrical member 301 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member, and then the clamping surface of the cylindrical member holding member 304 This is a method of holding the cylindrical member 301 by pressing 305 against the cylindrical member 301 in the axial direction of the cylindrical member 301 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-066401).

  In the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-066401, only the tapered surface 303 needs to be formed with high accuracy. Therefore, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-169421 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-066401 are disclosed. Compared to the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-066401, the cost of end face processing is reduced and the structure of the cylindrical member holding member 304 is simple. Is also reduced.

  However, in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-066401, the portion where the clamp surface 305 of the cylindrical member holding member 304 is in contact with the cylindrical member 301 as shown in FIG. It is a ridge line part formed by the intersection line of the taper surface 303 of 301 and the internal peripheral surface of a cylindrical member. In principle, the ridge line portion does not become a perfect circle when the inner periphery of the cylindrical member 301 is not a perfect circle.

  Therefore, even in the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-066401, the roundness of the outer circumference of the cylindrical member after cutting cannot be influenced by the roundness of the inner circumference of the cylindrical member. Therefore, if only a cylindrical member having a desired inner circumference roundness is selected and used, the cost of the cylindrical member increases.

  Now, an end engaging member (gear, flange, etc.) having a shaft or a bearing portion is attached to the end of the support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member or developer carrying member, so that the electrophotographic photosensitive unit, developer Used as a carrier unit.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, an end engaging member 402 is attached to the end of the support 401 ″ of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrying member) 401 ′, and the end engaging It is supported by the electrophotographic apparatus via a shaft portion 403 (also referred to as a shaft portion including a bearing portion) of the member 402.

  At this time, if the outer peripheral reference central axis 4011 of the support 401 ″ of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrying member) 401 ′ does not coincide with the central axis 4031 of the shaft portion 403, the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or development) is performed. The agent carrying member 401 ′ rotates eccentrically (rotational accuracy decreases), and a high-quality image cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, in order to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit and a developer carrier unit in which the outer peripheral reference central axis of the support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member or developer carrier coincides with the central axis of the shaft portion, that is, the rotational accuracy is high. In general, a support or an end engaging member with high accuracy is manufactured, and the end engaging member is engaged with the end of the support using a more precise joining technique.

  Further, as another method for obtaining an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit or a developer carrier unit with high rotational accuracy, after engaging the end engaging member with the end of the support, There is a method of centering by processing the shaft portion. This method is a method capable of obtaining an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit and a developer carrier unit having high rotational accuracy even when the accuracy of the support and the end engaging member is relatively low.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit (or a developer carrier unit) is provided by a plurality of support rollers 502 a, 502 b, 503 a, 503 b, 504 a, and 504 b arranged so as to avoid an image area. ) 401 is supported. Next, by driving the support rollers 504a and 504b, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit (or developer carrier unit) 401 is moved to the outer peripheral reference central axis 4011 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrier) 401 ′. Rotate as center. Next, the cutting member 501 is pressed against the shaft portion 403 of the end engaging member 402 of the rotating electrophotographic photosensitive member unit (or developer carrier unit) 401 to thereby form the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrier). ) A central axis that is concentric with the outer peripheral reference central axis 4011 of 401 ′ can be given to the shaft portion 403 (centering processing). 5 shows the processing of the “shaft”, but the processing of the “bearing portion” can be performed in the same manner.

  In this method, the shaft portion can be centered without requiring an expensive process such as accuracy measurement with a simple apparatus, and adjustment during the centering is easy.

However, in this method, a plurality of support rollers are brought into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrier) 401 ′, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit (or developer carrier unit) 401 is rotated while being centered. Since this is a method of processing, it is necessary that the outer peripheral roundness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrying member) 401 ′ with which a plurality of support rollers abut is high. Further, the roundness of the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrier) 401 ′ is substantially the same as the roundness of the outer periphery of the support 401 ″ of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (or developer carrier) 401 ′. For this reason, it is necessary that the outer periphery roundness of the support body 401 ″, which is a cylindrical member, be high.
JP 2002-169421 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-160901 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-066401

  The objective of this invention is providing the cutting method of the surrounding surface of a cylindrical member for solving the said subject and obtaining the cylindrical member with high outer periphery roundness at low cost.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developer carrier using a cylindrical member having a peripheral surface cut by the above-described cutting method as a support.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit having the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a developer carrier unit having the developer carrier.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photoreceptor, the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, the developer carrier, or the developer carrier unit.

The present invention is a taper surface forming step of forming two tapered surfaces sharing the central axis and having different angles inside the end of the cylindrical member,
A holding step of holding the cylindrical member by abutting and pressing the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member against a circular ridge formed by the intersection of the two tapered surfaces formed by the tapered surface forming step; ,
And a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member held by the holding step.

Further, the present invention provides a curved surface forming step for forming a curved surface that shares a central axis with the cylindrical member and contacts the clamping surface of the cylindrical member holding member with a single line inside the end portion of the cylindrical member,
A holding step of holding the cylindrical member by abutting and pressing the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member against the curved surface formed by the curved surface forming step;
And a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member held by the holding step.

The present invention also relates to a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a support, a cutting step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support, and a support having a peripheral surface cut by the cutting step In the method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer forming step of forming a photosensitive layer thereon,
The electrophotographic photosensitive member manufacturing method is characterized in that the support is a cylindrical member, and the cutting step is a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support by the cutting method.

The present invention also provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member having an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a support, and an end engaging member having a shaft or a bearing portion engaged with an end of the support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In the method for manufacturing a photoconductor unit, wherein the support is a cylindrical member,
An electrophotographic photoreceptor production process for producing the electrophotographic photoreceptor by the above production method;
An engaging step of engaging the end engaging member with an end of a support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured by the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufacturing step;
Centering of the shaft or the bearing portion is performed while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member, to which the end engaging member is engaged in the engaging step, around the central axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a centering process to be performed.

  The present invention also provides a process cartridge having at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member or an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method and detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body.

  The present invention also provides an electrophotographic apparatus having at least an electrophotographic photoreceptor or an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit produced by the above production method.

Further, the present invention is a method for producing a developer carrier having a support, the developer carrier having a cutting step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support,
The method of manufacturing a developer carrying member, wherein the support is a cylindrical member, and the cutting step is a step of cutting a peripheral surface of the support by the cutting method.

The present invention also relates to a developer carrier unit having a developer carrier having a support and an end engaging member having a shaft or a bearing engaged with an end of the support of the developer carrier. A method for producing a developer carrier unit in which the support is a cylindrical member.
A developer carrier production process for producing the developer carrier by the above production method;
An engaging step of engaging the end engaging member with the end of the support of the developer carrying member produced by the developer carrying member producing step;
Centering of the shaft or the bearing portion is performed while rotating the developer carrying body, to which the end engaging member is engaged in the engaging step, around the central axis of the outer circumference reference of the developer carrying body. And a centering step for performing a developer carrier unit.

  The present invention also provides a process cartridge having at least a developer carrier or a developer carrier unit manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method and being detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body.

  The present invention also provides an electrophotographic apparatus having at least a developer carrier or a developer carrier unit produced by the above production method.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the cutting method of the surrounding surface of the cylindrical member for obtaining the cylindrical member with a high outer periphery roundness at low cost can be provided.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a developer carrier using a cylindrical member whose peripheral surface is cut by the above-described cutting method as a support.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit having the electrophotographic photoreceptor and a developer carrier unit having the developer carrier.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, the developer carrier, or the developer carrier unit.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail.

  First, the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic views (front sectional view) showing how the cylindrical member is held by the cylindrical member holding member, and FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing how the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member is cut. Side view).

The present invention includes a tapered surface forming step of forming two tapered surfaces 6031 and 6032 having a common angle with the central axis o1 inside the end of the cylindrical member 601;
The cylindrical member 601 is pressed by abutting and pressing the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 against the circular ridge line portion 6033 formed by the intersection of the two tapered surfaces 6031 and 6032 formed by the tapered surface forming step. Holding process to hold;
And a step of cutting the circumferential surface of the cylindrical member 601 held by the holding step.

  When assuming a cone formed by extending the tapered surface 6031 to the back side of the cylindrical member and a cone formed by extending the tapered surface 6032 to the back side of the cylindrical member, the central axes of the two cones (in the rotating body) If the rotation axis of a certain cone: the central axis o1) coincides, the intersection line (circular ridge line portion) 6033 of the two cones becomes a perfect circle. If the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 is brought into contact with the intersecting line (circular ridge portion) 6033, the cylindrical member 601 can be held without being deformed.

  When the peripheral surface is cut while rotating the cylindrical member 601 held without being deformed in this way, the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 601 after cutting becomes a perfect circle. Even if the cylindrical member holding member 604 is removed from the cylindrical member 601 after cutting, the roundness of the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 601 after cutting does not change.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a cylindrical member having a high outer peripheral roundness can be obtained as long as the tapered surface 6031 and the tapered surface 6032 are formed with high accuracy. That is, according to the present invention, the cylindrical member is not affected by the roundness of the inner circumference of the cylindrical member, and it is not necessary to select and use only the cylindrical member having the desired inner circumference roundness. An increase in the cost of the member can be suppressed.

  Since the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 and the intersection line (circular ridge line portion) 6033 are in contact with each other with a line, the cylindrical member holding member 604 is easily inserted and the inner periphery of the cylindrical member As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is preferable that the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 is also a tapered surface from the viewpoint that rattling does not occur even when the roundness and the inner diameter vary.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the tapered surface 6031 of the cylindrical member 601 to the back of the cylindrical member is a °, and the tapered surface 6032 of the cylindrical member 601 is the back of the cylindrical member. The angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending to the side is b °, and the angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the clamp surface 605 of the cylindrical member holding member 604 that is a tapered surface to the back side of the cylindrical member. When c ° (a, b and c are all positive numbers and b <c <a), a is preferably less than 180, more preferably 160 or less. Further, a, b, and c preferably satisfy the relationship b + 2 ≦ c <a−2, and more preferably satisfy the relationship b + 10 ≦ c <a−10. Further, c is preferably 4 or more and 160 or less, and more preferably 20 or more and 120 or less.

  Instead of forming two tapered surfaces (tapered surfaces 6031 and 6032) inside the end of the cylindrical member 601 and obtaining a circular ridgeline portion 6033 as in the above-described form, as shown in FIG. The curved surface 9031 may be formed on the inner side of the end portion of the cylindrical member by sharing the central axis o1 with the cylindrical member 601 and contacting the clamp surface 604 of the cylindrical member holding member 605 with a single line 9033. The same effect as that of the embodiment can be obtained.

  Examples of the material of the cylindrical member used in the present invention include metals such as aluminum, copper, iron, nickel, and titanium, alloys thereof, and plastics, ceramics, and glass that have been subjected to conductive treatment. . Among these, JIS3000 (Al-Mn), JIS5000 (Al-Mg), and JIS6000 (Al-Mg-Si) based aluminum or aluminum alloys are preferable.

  The cylindrical member before taper surface processing and cutting (hereinafter, also referred to as a raw tube) is obtained, for example, by cutting a tube material obtained by the following method into a predetermined length. As a method of obtaining the pipe material, for example, a cup shape is processed by deep drawing, and then the wall of the cup is stretched by ironing to produce a bottomed cylindrical pipe material (DI method), or a cup by impact extrusion. After processing into a shape, the wall of the cup is stretched by ironing to produce a cylindrical tube with a bottom (Method II), or the cylinder obtained by extrusion is stretched by ironing to produce a thin cylindrical tube Examples thereof include a method (EI method) and a method (ED method) of producing a thin cylindrical tube material by drawing after extrusion. There is also a method of manufacturing a pipe material with high accuracy by drawing a hollow pipe extruded by the porthole method by one or more stages.

  When forming the two tapered surfaces inside the end portion of the raw tube thus obtained, as a method of holding the raw tube, a method of holding the outer peripheral surface of the raw tube and an inner peripheral surface of the raw tube In any case, in order to obtain two tapered surfaces with high accuracy, it is important to select a method with small deformation of the raw tube. If the deformation of the tube is too large, when the holding member of the tube is removed after the taper surface processing, the deformation may be relaxed and the accuracy of the taper surface may be reduced.

  Next, the structure of the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention will be described.

  As described above, the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention is an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a support, and the support has a cylindrical shape whose peripheral surface is cut by the cutting method. It is a member.

  The photosensitive layer is separated into a charge generating layer containing a charge generating material and a charge transporting layer containing a charge transporting material even if it is a single layer type photosensitive layer containing the charge transporting material and the charge generating material in the same layer. A laminated type (functional separation type) photosensitive layer may be used, but a laminated type photosensitive layer is preferred from the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics. The laminated photosensitive layer has a normal layer type photosensitive layer laminated in the order of the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer from the support side, and a reverse layer type photosensitive layer laminated in the order of the charge transport layer and the charge generation layer from the support side. However, a normal photosensitive layer is preferred from the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics.

  The support only needs to have conductivity (conductive support), and the material is as described above.

  On the support, a conductive layer may be provided for the purpose of preventing interference fringes due to scattering of laser light or the like, or for covering scratches on the support. The conductive layer can be formed by dispersing conductive particles such as carbon black and metal particles in a binder resin. The thickness of the conductive layer is preferably 1 to 40 μm, and more preferably 2 to 20 μm.

  Further, an intermediate layer having a barrier function or an adhesive function may be provided between the support or the conductive layer and the photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer). The intermediate layer is formed for the purpose of improving the adhesion of the photosensitive layer, improving the coating property, improving the charge injection property from the support, and protecting the photosensitive layer from electrical breakdown. The intermediate layer can be formed using materials such as casein, polyvinyl alcohol, ethyl cellulose, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, polyamide, modified polyamide, polyurethane, gelatin, and aluminum oxide. The thickness of the intermediate layer is preferably 0.05 to 5 μm, and more preferably 0.3 to 1 μm.

  Examples of the charge generating material used in the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention include azo pigments such as monoazo, disazo, and trisazo, phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and nonmetal phthalocyanine, indigo pigments such as indigo and thioindigo, Perylene pigments such as perylene acid anhydride and perylene imide, polycyclic quinone pigments such as anthraquinone and pyrenequinone, squarylium dyes, pyrylium salts and thiapyrylium salts, triphenylmethane dyes, selenium, selenium-tellurium, amorphous Examples thereof include inorganic substances such as silicon, quinacridone pigments, azulenium salt pigments, cyanine dyes, xanthene dyes, quinoneimine dyes, styryl dyes, cadmium sulfide, and zinc oxide. These charge generation materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  When the photosensitive layer is a laminated photosensitive layer, examples of the binder resin used for the charge generation layer include polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyarylate resin, butyral resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, diallyl phthalate resin, and acrylic resin. Methacrylic resin, vinyl acetate resin, phenol resin, silicone resin, polysulfone resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer resin, alkyd resin, epoxy resin, urea resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and the like. These can be used singly or in combination of two or more as a mixture or copolymer.

  The solvent used in the coating solution for the charge generation layer is selected from the solubility and dispersion stability of the binder resin and charge generation material used, and the organic solvents include alcohols, sulfoxides, ketones, ethers, esters, aliphatic halogens. Hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds.

  The charge generation layer can be formed by applying and drying a charge generation layer coating solution obtained by dispersing a charge generation material together with a binder resin and a solvent. Examples of the dispersion method include a method using a homogenizer, an ultrasonic wave, a ball mill, a sand mill, an attritor, a roll mill and the like. The ratio between the charge generating material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 1: 0.5 to 1: 4 (mass ratio).

  When applying the coating solution for the charge generation layer, for example, a coating method such as a dip coating method (a dip coating method), a spray coating method, a spinner coating method, a roller coating method, a Meyer bar coating method, a blade coating method, or the like is used. be able to.

  The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 5 μm or less, and more preferably 0.01 to 1 μm.

  In addition, various sensitizers, antioxidants, ultraviolet absorbers, plasticizers, and the like can be added to the charge generation layer as necessary.

  Examples of the charge transport material used in the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention include triarylamine compounds, hydrazone compounds, styryl compounds, stilbene compounds, pyrazoline compounds, oxazole compounds, thiazole compounds, and triarylmethane compounds. These charge transport materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  When the photosensitive layer is a laminated photosensitive layer, examples of the binder resin used for the charge transport layer include acrylic resin, styrene resin, polyester resin, polycarbonate resin, polyarylate resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, epoxy resin, Examples include polyurethane resins, alkyd resins, and unsaturated resins. In particular, polymethyl methacrylate resin, polystyrene resin, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer resin, polycarbonate resin, polyarylate resin, diallyl phthalate resin and the like are preferable. These can be used singly or in combination of two or more as a mixture or copolymer.

  The charge transport layer can be formed by applying and drying a charge transport layer coating solution obtained by dissolving a charge transport material and a binder resin in a solvent. The ratio between the charge transport material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 2: 1 to 1: 2 (mass ratio).

  Solvents used in the charge transport layer coating solution include ketones such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene, ethers such as 1,4-dioxane and tetrahydrofuran, and chlorobenzene. , Hydrocarbons substituted with halogen atoms such as chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are used.

  When applying the coating solution for the charge transport layer, for example, a coating method such as a dip coating method, a spray coating method, a spinner coating method, a roller coating method, a Meyer bar coating method, a blade coating method or the like can be used.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 40 μm, and more preferably 10 to 25 μm.

  In addition, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet absorber, a plasticizer, and the like can be added to the charge transport layer as necessary.

  When the photosensitive layer is a single-layer type photosensitive layer, the single-layer type photosensitive layer is a coating for a single-layer type photosensitive layer obtained by dispersing the charge generation material and the charge transport material together with the binder resin and the solvent. It can be formed by applying a liquid and drying.

  Further, a protective layer may be provided on the photosensitive layer for the purpose of protecting the photosensitive layer. The protective layer can be formed by applying and drying a protective layer coating solution obtained by dissolving the various binder resins described above in a solvent.

  The thickness of the protective layer is preferably 0.5 to 10 μm, and particularly preferably 1 to 5 μm.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with the process cartridge of the present invention.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 1 denotes a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed in the direction of the arrow about the shaft 2. An end engaging member (gear, flange, etc.) having a shaft or a bearing portion is engaged with the end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 (not shown), and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the end engaging member. Constitutes an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 that is rotationally driven is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by a charging unit (primary charging unit: charging roller or the like) 3, and then subjected to slit exposure, laser beam scanning exposure, or the like. Exposure light (image exposure light) 4 output from exposure means (not shown) is received. In this way, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the target image are sequentially formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is developed with toner contained in the developer carried on the developer carrying member of the developing means 5 to become a toner image. Next, the toner image formed and supported on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 is transferred from a transfer material supply means (not shown) to the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 and the transfer means by a transfer bias from a transfer means (transfer roller or the like) 6. 6 (contact portion) is sequentially transferred onto a transfer material (paper or the like) P taken out and fed in synchronization with the rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.

  The transfer material P that has received the transfer of the toner image is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and introduced into the fixing means 8 to receive the image fixing, and is printed out as an image formed product (print, copy). Is done.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the transfer of the toner image is cleaned by a cleaning means (cleaning blade or the like) 7 to remove the developer (toner) remaining after transfer, and further from a pre-exposure means (not shown). After being subjected to charge removal processing by pre-exposure light (not shown), it is repeatedly used for image formation. As shown in FIG. 10, when the charging unit 3 is a contact charging unit using a charging roller or the like, pre-exposure is not necessarily required.

  Among the above-described electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, charging unit 3, developing unit 5, transfer unit 6 and cleaning unit 7, a plurality of components are housed in a container and integrally combined as a process cartridge. The process cartridge may be configured to be detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. In FIG. 10, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, the charging unit 3, the developing unit 5 and the cleaning unit 7 are integrally supported to form a cartridge, and the electrophotographic apparatus is used by using a guide unit 10 such as a rail of the electrophotographic apparatus main body. The process cartridge 9 is detachable from the main body.

  The cylindrical member whose peripheral surface has been cut by the cutting method of the present invention is not only a support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member, but also a charging roller, a developer carrier (developing roller, developing sleeve), a transfer roller, a fixing roller, It can be used as a support for various cylindrical electrophotographic members such as a feed roller.

  Further, since the circularity of the cylindrical member whose peripheral surface has been cut by the cutting method of the present invention is high, the present invention can be applied to the end engaging member after the end engaging member is engaged with the end. The present invention is particularly preferably applied to an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit and a developer carrier unit obtained by centering a shaft and a bearing portion.

  Since the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit and the developer carrier unit manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention have high shake accuracy, the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit and the developer carrier unit rotate without shaking when mounted on the electrophotographic apparatus. Therefore, a good output image can be obtained without image unevenness and image displacement.

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor (electrophotographic photoreceptor unit) and developer carrier (developer carrier unit) produced by the production method of the present invention are also suitably used for color electrophotographic apparatuses that require particularly high accuracy. It is done.

  There are various types of color electrophotographic apparatuses. For example, exposure and development are performed one color at a time on one electrophotographic photosensitive member, and each color toner image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer drum, intermediate transfer belt, etc.). After the primary transfer, the intermediate transfer method that forms a color image by batch transfer onto the transfer material, and the image forming unit for each color (electrophotographic photoreceptor / exposure) arranged in series Each color toner image is formed on a transfer material that is sequentially conveyed to each image forming unit by a transfer material conveying member (transfer material conveying belt, etc.). Inline method for forming a color image, and a transfer material in which each color toner image is carried on a transfer material carrying member (such as a transfer drum) by performing exposure and development sequentially one color at a time with one electrophotographic photosensitive member. Such as multiple transfer method which forms a color image by sequentially transferred onto paper, etc.).

  Hereinafter, as an example of a color electrophotographic apparatus, an in-line type color electrophotographic apparatus will be described. In the following description, examples of four colors (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) are given. However, the “color” in the present invention is not limited to four colors (so-called full color), and is multicolor. That is, two or more colors.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an inline type color electrophotographic apparatus. In the case of the inline method, the transfer means is mainly composed of a transfer material conveying member and a transfer member.

  In FIG. 11, reference numerals 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K denote cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members (first to fourth color electrophotographic photosensitive members), and the directions of the arrows are about axes 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively. Are rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed. The end portions of the electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are respectively engaged with end engaging members (gears, flanges, etc.) having shafts or bearing portions (not shown). The first color electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is constituted by the body 1Y and the end engaging member, and the second color electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is constituted by the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1M and the end engaging member. The electrophotographic photoreceptor unit 1C and the end engaging member constitute a third color electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, and the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1K and the end engaging member constitute the fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptor unit. It is composed.

  The surface of the rotationally driven first color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1Y is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by a first color charging means (first color primary charging means: charging roller or the like) 3Y. Next, exposure light (image exposure light) 4Y output from exposure means (not shown) such as slit exposure or laser beam scanning exposure is received. The exposure light 4Y is exposure light corresponding to a first color component image (for example, a yellow component image) of a target color image. Thus, a first color component electrostatic latent image (yellow component electrostatic latent image) corresponding to the first color component image of the target color image is sequentially formed on the surface of the first color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1Y.

  The transfer material conveyance member (transfer material conveyance belt) 14 stretched by the tension roller 12 has substantially the same peripheral speed as the first to fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K in the direction of the arrow ( For example, it is rotationally driven at 97 to 103% of the peripheral speeds of the first to fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. Further, the transfer material (paper or the like) P fed from the transfer material supply means (not shown) is electrostatically carried (adsorbed) on the transfer material conveying member 14 and is electrophotographic for the first to fourth colors. The photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are sequentially transported between the transfer material transport members (contact portions).

  The first color component electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the first color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1Y is a first color toner contained in the developer carried on the developer carrying member of the first color developing means 5Y. Is developed into a first color toner image (yellow toner image). Next, the first color toner image formed and supported on the surface of the first color electrophotographic photosensitive member 1Y is transferred to the first color by the transfer bias from the first color transfer member (first color transfer roller) 6Y. The image is sequentially transferred to the transfer material P carried on the transfer material transport member 14 that passes between the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1Y and the first color transfer member 6Y.

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1Y for the first color after the transfer of the first color toner image is cleaned by receiving the developer (toner) remaining after the transfer by the first color cleaning means (cleaning blade or the like) 7Y. After that, the first color toner image is repeatedly used.

  The first color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1Y, the first color charging means 3Y, the first color exposure means, the first color developing means 5Y, and the first color transfer member 6Y are grouped together to form a first color image forming section. Called.

  A second color image forming unit having a second color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1M, a second color charging unit 3M, a second color exposure unit, a second color developing unit 5M, and a second color transfer member 6M; A third color image forming unit having a third color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1C, a third color charging unit 3C, a third color exposure unit, a third color developing unit 5C, and a third color transfer member 6C; The fourth color image forming section having the fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptor 1K, the fourth color charging means 3K, the fourth color exposure means, the fourth color developing means 5K, and the fourth color transfer member 6K. The operation is the same as the operation of the first color image forming section, and the second color toner image (magenta toner image) is carried on the transfer material P which is carried on the transfer material conveying member 14 and to which the first color toner image is transferred. The third color toner image (cyan toner image) and the fourth color toner image (black toner image) are sequentially transferred. In this way, a composite toner image corresponding to the target color image is formed on the transfer material P carried on the transfer material conveying member 14.

  The transfer material P on which the synthetic toner image is formed is separated from the surface of the transfer material conveying member 14, introduced into the fixing means 8, and subjected to image fixing to be printed out of the apparatus as a color image formed product (print, copy). Be out.

  Also, the first to fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K after removal of the developer (toner) remaining after the transfer by the first to fourth color cleaning means 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. As shown in FIG. 11, the first to fourth color charging units 3Y, 3M, 3C, and 3K are provided with a charging roller or the like. In the case of the contact charging means used, pre-exposure is not always necessary.

  In FIG. 11, 15 is an adsorption roller for adsorbing the transfer material to the transfer material conveyance member, and 16 is a separation charger for separating the transfer material from the transfer material conveyance member.

  Further, in the color electrophotographic apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 11, as in the electrophotographic apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 10, the constituent elements such as the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, charging means, developing means, transfer means, and cleaning means are provided. Among them, a plurality of them may be housed in a container and integrally combined as a process cartridge, and the process cartridge may be configured to be detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these. In the examples, “part” means “part by mass”. The definition of the accuracy measurement tolerance in the examples is based on JIS-B0021 and JIS-B0621.

(Example 1)
A hollow pipe (aluminum alloy JIS-A3003) manufactured by extrusion drawing was cut to obtain 1000 cylindrical members (element tubes) having an outer diameter of 60.4 mm, an inner diameter of 58.6 mm, and a length of 364 mm. The inner member roundness and the outer periphery roundness of the cylindrical member (element tube) both had a normal distribution with an average of 15 μm and a maximum of 30 μm.

  Next, the inner periphery of the cylindrical member (element tube) was held and both ends were cut by cutting to finish the entire length to 360 mm, the end face perpendicularity to 50 μm or less, and the end face parallelism to 10 μm or less. Further, a tapered surface on the cylindrical member end side where the angle a ° in FIG. 7 becomes 90 ° is formed, and then the tapered surface on the non-cylindrical member end side where the angle b ° in FIG. 7 becomes 20 °. Formed. This series of end processing was continuously performed while holding the cylindrical member (element tube).

  Next, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member (element tube) was cut using a lathe processing device (trade name: RL-700, manufactured by Egro Co., Ltd.). As a processing condition, the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member is tapered, and the angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the clamp surface (taper surface) to the inner side of the cylindrical member, that is, the angle in FIG. c ° is 30 °, the rotation speed of the cylindrical member (element tube) is 3000 rpm, and the feed pitch per one rotation of the cylinder member (element tube) is 0.08 mm / rev.

  First, rough cutting was performed with a cutting depth of 0.2 mm using an R0.2 sintered diamond cutting tool. Next, finishing was performed with an R4 sintered diamond cutting tool with a cut amount of 0.03 mm.

  The cylindrical member thus obtained was used as a support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The obtained cylindrical member had an outer diameter of 59.94 mm and a length of 360.0 mm. The surface roughness Rz was 0.54 μm. The surface roughness Rz was measured using a surface roughness meter Surfcoder SE3500 manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory Ltd. with a cut-off of 0.8 mm and a measurement length of 8 mm.

  Also, using a roundness meter RA-662 manufactured by Mitutoyo Co., Ltd., the roundness of the upper and lower 7 mm portions from the end of the outer peripheral surface of the obtained cylindrical member, and the roundness of 180 mm (= center) from the upper end The cylindricity from 10 mm to 350 mm from the end was measured, and the value of the sample having the largest measured value among the 1000 cylindrical members obtained is shown in Table 1.

  Further, the yield when a sample having a roundness of 15 μm or less and a cylindricity of 20 μm or less at a portion 7 mm above and below the outer peripheral surface end portion was determined as a non-defective product was shown in Table 1.

Next, 10 parts of SnO ₂ -coated barium sulfate, 4 parts of titanium oxide, 6 parts of phenol resin, 4 parts of methanol, and 22 parts of methoxypropanol were dispersed for 2 hours in a sand mill using a glass beam having a diameter of 1 mm to conduct electricity. A layer coating solution was prepared.

  This conductive layer coating solution was dip-coated on a support and heat-cured at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a conductive layer having a thickness of 13 μm.

  Next, 10 parts of polyamide resin (trade name: Amilan CM8000, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) and 10 parts of methoxymethylated 6 nylon resin (trade name: Toresin EF-30T, manufactured by Teikoku Chemical Co., Ltd.) are mixed with methanol. An intermediate layer coating solution was prepared by dissolving in a mixed solvent of 300 parts / 250 parts of n-butanol.

  This intermediate layer coating solution was dip coated on the conductive layer and dried with hot air at 100 ° C. for 10 minutes to form an intermediate layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm.

  Next, 10 parts of an azo pigment (charge generation material) having a structure represented by the following formula:

5 parts of polyvinyl butyral (trade name: ESREC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 70 parts of cyclohexanone were dispersed in a sand mill apparatus using glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm for 8 hours, and then ethyl acetate. A coating solution for charge generation layer was prepared by adding 100 parts.

  This charge generation layer coating solution was dip-coated on the intermediate layer and dried at 90 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.25 μm.

  Next, 8 parts of an amine compound (charge transport material) having a structure represented by the following formula:

4 parts of an amine compound (charge transport material) having a structure represented by the following formula:

Further, 10 parts of bisphenol Z type polycarbonate resin (trade name: Iupilon Z-200, manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.) is dissolved in a mixed solvent of 80 parts of monochlorobenzene / 20 parts of dimethoxymethane, and applied for a charge transport layer. A liquid was prepared.

  This charge transport layer coating solution was dip coated on the charge generation layer and dried at 130 ° C. for 1 hour to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 17 μm.

  In this way, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge transport layer as a surface layer was produced.

  Next, a support (cylindrical member) of an electrophotographic photosensitive member produced as described above from an end engaging member (having a bearing portion) made of polycarbonate (manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.) produced by molding. And fixed with a cyanoacrylate adhesive (trade name: Aron Alpha, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) to obtain an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit.

  Next, using the processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 5, unnecessary portions (shaded portions in FIG. 12) of the bearing portion of the end engaging member are removed by cutting, and the inner diameter of the bearing portion is 17.0 mm (tolerance). : −0 / + 30 μm or less), and the length of the bearing portion protruding from the flange portion was 33 mm (tolerance: within −0 / + 0.1 m) (see FIG. 12). Each support roller was in contact with a position 7 mm from the end of the support (cylindrical member).

  As a result of measuring the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit processed in this way with a roundness meter, the inner diameter of the bearing portion was 17.008 mm and the length of the bearing portion protruding from the flange portion was 33.05 mm. It was.

  A penetrating shaft made to fit the inner diameters of the two bearings in total on both ends is made, penetrated through the processed electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, this electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is fixed, and the laser vibration The accuracy was measured using a measuring machine. The laser shake measuring machine used is a laser length measuring machine (manufactured by Shinko Co., Ltd.) that measures the distance between a reference gauge with a straightness of 3 μm or less and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member with a resolution of 1 μm. The surface displacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is measured at 10 points in the bus line direction and 10 points in the circumferential direction, and the deflection accuracy is calculated by data processing.

  A total of 1000 electrophotographic photosensitive member units were measured, and the outer peripheral surface deflection cylindrical runout accuracy of the 340 mm portion excluding the 10 mm portion from both ends of the cylindrical member was measured. Of the 1000 electrophotographic photosensitive member units, Table 1 shows the values of the samples having the largest measured values. Table 1 shows the yield when the measured value is 40 μm or less.

  In addition, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit thus produced is mounted on an inline type color copying machine (trade name: Color Laser Copier 5000, manufactured by Canon Inc.) to output an image, and color misregistration and halftone. Image unevenness was evaluated. The halftone image is one in which one effective line and two white lines are alternately continued, and one scanned in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction was used.

  When the output image was evaluated, no color misregistration or halftone image unevenness occurred.

(Examples 2-9)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 1 were changed with respect to the tapered surface. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no color misregistration or halftone image unevenness occurred.

(Example 10)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit were prepared and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the tapered surface was changed to the curved surface shown in FIG. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no color misregistration or halftone image unevenness occurred.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an electronic device are obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-169421 (Patent Document 1) is used as a method of holding the cylindrical member. A photographic photoreceptor unit was prepared and evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When an output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, image unevenness occurred in 20% of the electrophotographic photoreceptor units.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member and an electronic device were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in JP-A-11-160901 (Patent Document 2) described above was adopted as a method of holding the cylindrical member. A photographic photoreceptor unit was prepared and evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, image unevenness occurred in the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit of 10/5.

(Comparative Example 3)
In Example 1, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the electronic device were the same as Example 1 except that the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-066401 (Patent Document 3) was adopted as a method of holding the cylindrical member. A photographic photoreceptor unit was prepared and evaluated. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, image unevenness occurred in the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit of 10%.

It is a figure explaining the method of hold | maintaining the conventional cylindrical member. It is a figure explaining a springback phenomenon. It is a figure explaining the method of hold | maintaining the conventional cylindrical member. It is a figure which shows an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an edge part engaging member. It is a figure explaining the method of processing the axial part of an edge part engagement member, and performing centering. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a cylindrical member is hold | maintained by a cylindrical member holding member. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a cylindrical member is hold | maintained by a cylindrical member holding member. It is a schematic diagram (side view) which shows a mode that the surrounding surface of a cylindrical member is cut. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a cylindrical member is hold | maintained by a cylindrical member holding member. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus including a process cartridge. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an inline type color electrophotographic apparatus. FIG. It is the figure which removed the unnecessary part by cutting about the bearing part of the edge part engagement member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Cylindrical member 102 End processing surface 103 Cylindrical jig 104 Cylindrical member holding member 1041 Cylindrical jig 105 Clamp surface 201 Cutting member 301 Cylindrical member 303 Tapered surface 304 Cylindrical member holding member 305 Clamp surface 401 Electrophotography Photosensitive unit 401 'Electrophotographic photosensitive member 401 "Support 4011 Outer peripheral reference central shaft 402 End engaging member 403 Shaft 4031 Central shaft 501 Cutting member 502a Support roller 502b Support roller 503a Support roller 503b Support roller 504a Support roller 504b Support Roller 601 Cylindrical member o1 Central axis 6031 Tapered surface 6032 Tapered surface 6033 Circular ridge line portion 604 Cylindrical member holding member 605 Clamp surface 9033 Line 9031 Curved surface 1 Electrophotographic photosensitive member 2 Axis 3 Electrical means 4 Exposure light 5 Developing means 6 Transfer means 7 Cleaning means 8 Fixing means 9 Process cartridge 10 Guide means 1Y Electrophotographic photosensitive member 1M Electrophotographic photosensitive member 1C Electrophotographic photosensitive member 1K Electrophotographic photosensitive member 2Y axis 2M axis 2C axis 2K Shaft 3Y charging means 3M charging means 3C charging means 3K charging means 4Y exposure light 4M exposure light 4C exposure light 4K exposure light 5Y developing means 5M developing means 5C developing means 5K developing means 6Y transfer member 6M transfer member 6Y transfer member 6K transfer member 6Y Cleaning means 7M Cleaning means 7C Cleaning means 7K Cleaning means 12 Stretching roller 14 Transfer material conveying member 15 Adsorption roller 16 Separation charger

Claims (12)

A tapered surface forming step for forming two tapered surfaces sharing the central axis and having different angles inside the end of the cylindrical member;
A holding step of holding the cylindrical member by abutting and pressing the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member against a circular ridge formed by the intersection of the two tapered surfaces formed by the tapered surface forming step; ,
And a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member held by the holding step.   The angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the tapered surface on the cylindrical member end side of the two tapered surfaces to the inner side of the cylindrical member is a °, and the cylindrical member end of the two tapered surfaces is The angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the tapered surface on the non-part side to the back of the cylindrical member is b °, and the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member is formed to extend to the back of the cylindrical member 2. The method for cutting a circumferential surface of a cylindrical member according to claim 1, wherein a <180 and b + 2 ≦ c <a−2 when the angle of the apex of the cone is c °.   3. The cylindrical shape according to claim 1, wherein an angle of a vertex of a cone formed by extending a clamping surface of the cylindrical member holding member toward the inner side of the cylindrical member is c °, and 14 ≦ c ≦ 120. A method for cutting the peripheral surface of a member. A curved surface forming step for forming a curved surface that shares a central axis with the cylindrical member and contacts the clamping surface of the cylindrical member holding member with a single line inside the end of the cylindrical member;
A holding step of holding the cylindrical member by abutting and pressing the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member against the curved surface formed by the curved surface forming step;
And a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the cylindrical member held by the holding step. A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a support, the cutting step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support, and forming the photosensitive layer on the support whose peripheral surface has been cut by the cutting step In the method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a photosensitive layer forming step,
An electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the support is a cylindrical member, and the cutting step is a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support by the cutting method according to claim 1. Production method. Electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a support and method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit having an end engaging member having a shaft or a bearing engaged with an end of the support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member In the method for producing an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit in which the support is a cylindrical member,
An electrophotographic photoreceptor production process for producing the electrophotographic photoreceptor by the production method according to claim 5;
An engaging step of engaging the end engaging member with an end of a support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured by the electrophotographic photosensitive member manufacturing step;
Centering of the shaft or the bearing portion is performed while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member, to which the end engaging member is engaged in the engaging step, around the central axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a centering step for performing an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit manufacturing method.   It has at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 5 or an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit manufactured by the manufacturing method according to claim 6, and is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. Feature process cartridge.   An electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least an electrophotographic photoreceptor produced by the production method according to claim 5 or an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit produced by the production method according to claim 6. In a method for producing a developer carrier having a support, the developer carrier having a cutting step of cutting a peripheral surface of the support,
The support is a cylindrical member, and the cutting step is a step of cutting the peripheral surface of the support by the cutting method according to claim 1. Production method. A method of manufacturing a developer carrier unit having a developer carrier having a support and an end engaging member having a shaft or a bearing portion engaged with an end of the support of the developer carrier, In the method for producing a developer carrier unit in which the support is a cylindrical member,
A developer carrier production process for producing the developer carrier by the production method according to claim 9;
An engaging step of engaging the end engaging member with the end of the support of the developer carrying member produced by the developer carrying member producing step;
Centering of the shaft or the bearing portion is performed while rotating the developer carrying body, to which the end engaging member is engaged in the engaging step, around the central axis of the outer circumference reference of the developer carrying body. And a centering step for performing a developer carrier unit manufacturing method.   It has at least a developer carrier produced by the production method according to claim 9 or a developer carrier unit produced by the production method according to claim 10, and is detachable from the electrophotographic apparatus main body. Feature process cartridge.   An electrophotographic apparatus comprising at least a developer carrier produced by the production method according to claim 9 or a developer carrier unit produced by the production method according to claim 10.

Images