JP2006235108A - Honing processing method and apparatus, and electrophotographic photoreceptor, method for manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent deposition of an abrasive on the inner surface of a base body when applying honing processing to a base body or the like for an electrophotographic photoreceptor. <P>SOLUTION: The method of honing processing includes a roughening step of blowing an abrasive to a cylindrical base body to roughen the surface of the cylindrical base body and a cleaning step of cleaning the abrasive remaining on the surface of the cylindrical base body, wherein the abrasive is prevented from being deposited on the inner surface of the base body by spraying a fluid in the cylindrical base body at least either during or after the roughening step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a honing treatment method and a honing treatment apparatus for roughening the surface of a cylindrical substrate, an electrophotographic photosensitive member using the cylindrical substrate whose surface is roughened by the honing treatment method, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus using the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  An electrophotographic apparatus is used in fields such as a copying machine and a laser beam printer because it can obtain high printing quality at high speed. As an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “photosensitive member”) used in an electrophotographic apparatus, development of an organic electrophotographic photosensitive member (OPC) using an organic photoconductive material has been promoted and spread. Yes. In addition, the structure of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is a functional separation in which the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer are separated from the single-layer type electrophotographic photosensitive member in which the charge transfer complex structure and the charge generation material are dispersed in the binder resin. As a result, the function separation type electrophotographic photosensitive member has been further improved to improve its performance. In this function-separated type electrophotographic photosensitive member structure, at present, a structure in which an undercoat layer is formed on the surface of an aluminum substrate and then a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are mainly used.

  In general, when manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member substrate for a laser printer, after the raw tube is manufactured by hot extrusion, the deflection of the raw tube is suppressed by cold drawing to obtain the outer diameter accuracy. Alternatively, the raw pipe is cut with a diamond cutting tool by a lathe to suppress the fluctuation of the raw pipe and obtain the outer diameter accuracy.

  Further, any means for preventing interference fringes caused by reflection of the laser beam used for exposure for image formation on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the substrate on the cutting tube or the drawing tube cut in this way is used. It is necessary to roughen the surface. Although the roughness of the rough surface depends on the shape, the center line average roughness (Ra) needs to be about 0.05 μm or more. However, in the cutting process, since the cutting roughness is regular, even if the interference fringes disappear, a moire phenomenon occurs due to the interference between the cutting stripe and the laser beam.

  As another roughening method, there is a honing process, and a dry and wet (liquid) process method is shown (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 5).

  The wet honing treatment is a method of suspending a powdery abrasive (abrasive grain) in a liquid such as water and spraying it on the surface of the substrate at a high speed to roughen the surface. It can be controlled by the moving speed of the gun or substrate, the amount, type, shape, size, hardness, specific gravity, suspension temperature, etc. of the abrasive. Similarly, the dry honing process is a method in which an abrasive is sprayed onto the surface of a conductive substrate with air at a high speed to roughen the surface, and the surface roughness can be controlled in the same manner as the liquid honing process. Examples of the abrasive used in the wet or dry honing treatment include particles such as silicon carbide, alumina, zirconia, stainless steel, iron, glass beads, and plastic shots.

  In a wet honing process using dry blasting or amorphous alumina abrasive grains as an abrasive, the abrasive grains pierce the substrate surface, and when an electrophotographic photoreceptor is produced, the abrasive grains appear as white spots or black spots. In addition, in the wet honing process using glass beads, the glass beads are easily broken and pierced on the surface of the substrate, and it is difficult to control the surface roughness. Therefore, it is common to prepare an electrophotographic photoreceptor by forming a photosensitive layer after roughening the substrate by a wet honing method using spherical alumina abrasive grains or zirconia abrasive grains as an abrasive. is there.

JP-A-2-37358 JP-A-2-87154 JP-A-2-191963 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-64762 JP-A-5-216261

  However, when a cylindrical substrate, which is usually used as a substrate for a photoreceptor, is subjected to a wet honing process, it is polished inside the cylindrical substrate in a roughening process in which a polishing liquid containing an abrasive is sprayed onto the substrate (cylindrical substrate). The polishing liquid containing the agent was mixed, and the polishing liquid easily adhered to the inner surface of the substrate. When the polishing liquid adheres to the inner surface of the substrate, in the subsequent cleaning step, for example, when rocking cleaning is used in a dipping bath, the polishing agent attached to the inner surface is liquid even if the polishing agent attached to the outer surface is removed cleanly. After drifting inside, it often reattaches to the outer surface. In this way, when an undercoat layer or a charge generation layer is applied on the substrate with the abrasive remaining on the outer surface, point defects are formed. When an electrophotographic photosensitive member using such a substrate is used in an electrophotographic apparatus, there is a problem that image defects such as white spots, black spots, and density unevenness occur in the image. Although there is less possibility compared with the wet honing process, the abrasive may adhere to the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate in the dry honing process, and may reattach to the outer surface of the substrate in the cleaning process.

  In the honing process of a cylindrical substrate such as a conductive substrate for an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the present invention prevents the adhesion of an abrasive to the inner surface of the substrate and recoats the abrasive to the outer surface of the substrate in a cleaning process. When a honing method, a honing apparatus, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member using such a substrate as a conductive substrate can be used in an electrophotographic apparatus, white spots, black spots and An electrophotographic photosensitive member, an electrophotographic photosensitive member manufacturing method, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus with less occurrence of image defects such as density unevenness.

  The present invention is a honing treatment method for roughening a surface of a cylindrical substrate, the surface of the cylindrical substrate being roughened by spraying an abrasive on the cylindrical substrate, and the roughening treatment step. A cleaning step of cleaning the polishing agent remaining on the surface of the surface-treated cylindrical substrate, and at least one of the surface of the cylindrical substrate during the surface-roughening treatment step and after the surface-roughening treatment step. The fluid is jetted inside.

  Further, the present invention is a honing treatment apparatus for roughening the surface of the cylindrical substrate, the means for holding at least the upper end of the cylindrical substrate, the means for spraying an abrasive on the surface of the cylindrical substrate, Means for ejecting a fluid inside the cylindrical substrate.

  The present invention also provides an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a photosensitive layer, wherein the photosensitive layer is provided on a cylindrical substrate that has been roughened by the honing method.

  The present invention also relates to a method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a cylindrical substrate, wherein the surface of the cylindrical substrate is roughened by spraying an abrasive on the cylindrical substrate. A step of cleaning the abrasive remaining on the surface of the roughened cylindrical substrate, and a step of forming a photosensitive layer on the cleaned cylindrical substrate. The fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate at least one of during the roughening treatment step and after the roughening treatment step.

  The present invention also provides a process cartridge that integrally supports the electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, and is detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body. is there.

  Furthermore, the present invention provides the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit that charges the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an exposure unit that exposes the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging unit to form an electrostatic latent image. And a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image, and a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium.

  In the present invention, in a honing process of a cylindrical substrate such as a conductive substrate for an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate at least either during the surface roughening process or after the surface roughening process. Thus, a honing treatment method, a honing treatment apparatus, and a honing treatment apparatus capable of preventing the adhesion of the abrasive to the inner surface of the substrate and suppressing the occurrence of coating film defects due to the reattachment of the abrasive to the outer surface of the substrate in the cleaning process When an electrophotographic photoreceptor using such a substrate as a conductive substrate is used in an electrophotographic apparatus, the image is free from image defects such as white spots, black spots and density unevenness, and the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Manufacturing method, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus can be provided.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

<Honing process>
The roughening process in this embodiment is performed by a wet honing process or a dry honing process. In the wet honing treatment, a polishing liquid in which a powdery abrasive is uniformly dispersed in a liquid such as water (honing treatment liquid) is sprayed from a nozzle with compressed air or the like, and collides with the substrate surface at a high speed. This is a treatment method for roughening the surface of a substrate. The dry honing treatment is a treatment method in which the surface of the substrate is roughened by spraying an abrasive from a nozzle with air or the like and colliding with the surface of the substrate at a high speed. Hereinafter, the wet honing process will be described as an example.

  The honing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes means for holding at least the upper end of the cylindrical base, means for spraying an abrasive on the surface of the cylindrical base, and means for ejecting a fluid inside the cylindrical base.

  An outline of an example of the honing apparatus according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 and the configuration thereof will be described. The honing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a pump 10, a honing treatment gun 12, a nozzle 14, a compressed air introduction pipe 16, a polishing liquid introduction pipe 18, etc., which are means for spraying an abrasive on the surface of a cylindrical substrate. A base holding device 22, a base holding device 22 having means for holding at least the upper end of the cylindrical base, and means for injecting fluid inside the cylindrical base, a processing vessel 24, a polishing bath 34, and the like Have

  In the honing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a substrate mounting table 20 is provided below the processing container 24, and a substrate gripping device 22 is provided above the substrate mounting table 20. A honing treatment gun 12 having a nozzle 14 is provided on the right side of the substrate mounting table 20 and the substrate gripping device 22 in the processing container 24, and a compressed air introduction pipe 16 and a polishing liquid introduction pipe 18 are provided in the honing treatment gun 12. It is connected. The polishing liquid introduction pipe 18 is connected to a polishing liquid tank 34 below the processing container 24, and the pump 10 is installed in the middle of the polishing liquid introduction pipe 18.

  The roughening process in the honing method according to the present embodiment and the operation of the honing apparatus will be described. A polishing agent is dispersed in a liquid such as water at a predetermined concentration in advance, and the obtained polishing liquid 26 is put into a polishing liquid tank 34. On the other hand, the cylindrical substrate 30 is placed on the substrate mounting table 20, and the upper end of the cylindrical substrate 30 is gripped by the substrate gripping device 22. By raising the substrate gripping device 22, the cylindrical substrate 30 is raised and disposed at a predetermined position in the processing container 24. By the substrate gripping device 22 connected to a rotating device (not shown) such as a motor, the gripped cylindrical substrate 30 is rotated around its axis (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 (or in the reverse direction)). The pump 10 is driven to feed the polishing liquid 26 through the polishing liquid introduction pipe 18 to the honing treatment gun 12 at a predetermined flow rate, and the supplied polishing liquid 26 is compressed air introduction pipe from the direction of arrow C in FIG. The surface of the cylindrical base body 30 is blown from the nozzle 14 by the compressed air 28 having a predetermined pressure introduced through the surface 16, thereby roughening the surface.

  In the honing method according to the present embodiment, fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate 30 during at least one of the roughening process and after the roughening process. Thereby, it can prevent that an abrasive | polishing agent mixes in the cavity of the cylindrical base | substrate 30, and adheres to an inner surface during a roughening process process or after a roughening process process. When the polishing agent adheres to the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 30, in the subsequent cleaning process, for example, when rocking cleaning in a dipping bath is used, even if the polishing agent attached to the outer surface is removed, it adheres to the inner surface. After the abrasive has drifted in the liquid, it often reattached to the outer surface, but this can be prevented by the honing apparatus and the processing method according to the present embodiment. The ejection of the fluid inside the cylindrical base body 30 will be described later.

  After completion of the roughening process described above, the substrate gripping device 22 is lowered, the cylindrical substrate 30 is unchucked, and the cylindrical substrate 30 is placed on the substrate mounting table 20. The cylindrical substrate 30 on the substrate mounting table 20 is replaced with another cylindrical substrate 30, and the same process is performed by repeating the above steps.

  In order to make the liquid droplets of the polishing liquid 26 collide with the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 without waste in the roughening process, the nozzle is made to collide the abrasive vertically with the cylindrical substrate 30 having a curvature to the maximum extent. Processing is performed so that the shortest axis connecting the tip of 14 and the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 and the cylindrical central axis of the cylindrical substrate 30 to be processed are included in the injection region that forms the maximum divergence angle from the tip of the nozzle 14. It is preferable. The honing treatment gun 12 moves at a constant speed along the central axis of the cylindrical substrate 30 (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) so that the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 is uniformly roughened. . The honing treatment gun 12 may be fixed, and the cylindrical base body 30 may be moved at a constant speed in the central axis direction (direction of arrow D) of the cylindrical base body 30.

  The nozzle 14 is supplied with a polishing liquid 26 from a polishing liquid injection nozzle disposed around the compressed air injection nozzle, air supplied from the compressed air injection nozzle through the compressed air introduction pipe 16, and a compressed air injection nozzle around the air. The polishing liquid 26 supplied from the nozzles merges, and the polishing liquid 26 is jetted from the tip of the nozzle 14.

  The cylindrical substrate 30 to be roughened by the honing method according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited, but copper, aluminum, nickel, and the like used for the conductive substrate of the electrophotographic photoreceptor described later can be used. A metal base material such as iron is preferably mentioned, and aluminum is particularly preferable among them. Even if the surface of the substrate remains as a raw tube, it may be processed in advance such as mirror cutting, etching, anodizing, rough cutting, or centerless grinding. Moreover, the degreasing process may be performed before the roughening process.

  In the honing treatment method according to the present embodiment, when the cylindrical substrate 30 after the roughening treatment is used as, for example, a conductive substrate of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, from the viewpoint of an interference suppression effect and prevention of image quality defects. The surface roughness is preferably treated so that the center line average roughness Ra is in the range of 0.05 μm to 0.5 μm.

  The roughness of the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 by the honing treatment is determined by the spraying pressure and spraying speed of the polishing liquid 26; the rotational speed of the cylindrical substrate 30; the moving speed of the honing treatment gun 12 or the cylindrical substrate 30; It can be controlled by appropriately selecting various conditions such as type, shape, size, hardness, specific gravity, particle size distribution and suspension temperature.

  The spraying pressure of the polishing liquid 26 is appropriately adjusted so as to achieve the target center line average roughness Ra.

  The rotational speed of the cylindrical substrate 30 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 (or in the reverse direction) is preferably in the range of 50 rpm to 5000 rpm. The moving speed of the honing treatment gun 12 in FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow B is preferably in the range of 100 mm / min to 10000 mm / min per gun, and the cylinder in FIG. The moving speed of the substrate 30 in the direction of arrow D is preferably in the range of 100 mm / min to 10000 mm / min. In order to improve productivity, a plurality of honing treatment guns 12 may be used for one cylindrical substrate 30.

  As the abrasive in the roughening treatment, fine powder having a particle size in the range of 10 μm to 100 μm is used, and the shape is not particularly limited, but a spherical one is preferably used. The abrasive material is iron, glass, alumina, ferrite, zirconia, chromium oxide, silicon carbide, boron carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride and other inorganic fine powders; epoxy resin, polymethacrylate resin, polyfluoride And organic fine powders such as vinylidene, polyurethane resin, and melamine resin. Among these abrasives, alumina or the like is preferably used from the viewpoints of cost and production stability.

  As the polishing liquid 26, it is possible to use a suspension obtained by dispersing the polishing agent in a liquid such as water. The content of the abrasive in the polishing liquid 26 is preferably in the range of 5 to 50% by mass. Further, an antifoaming agent such as fatty acid ester or alcohol can be added to the polishing liquid 26 as necessary.

  The structure of the substrate gripping device 22 is not particularly limited as long as it is a structure that can grip the substrate, but air is injected into an elastic body such as a balloon-like rubber to press and spread the elastic body. Thus, a method of chucking on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 is preferable because of its high reliability. Examples of the chucking method other than the chuck using air include other known chucking methods such as a method of fixing the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 by a holding means such as a claw. 2 to 6 show examples of the substrate gripping device 22 in the honing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  In the chucking of the cylindrical substrate 30, the substrate gripping device 22 is lowered while the chuck 32 is contracted, and the chuck 32 is inserted from above the cylindrical substrate 30. Air is introduced into the chuck 32 and expanded to fix the cylindrical substrate 30 to the substrate gripping device 22.

  Next, the ejection of fluid during at least one of the roughening treatment step and after the roughening treatment step will be described in detail. The fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical base body 30, but it is preferable to eject the fluid from a nozzle or the like provided in the base body gripping device 22 that grips the inner surface of the cylindrical base body 30. Further, it is preferable that the fluid is ejected toward the open end side in the longitudinal direction of the base body inside the cylindrical base body 30. At this time, fluid may be ejected inside the cylindrical base body 30 toward the open end side in the longitudinal direction of the base body along the central axis of the cylindrical base body 30, or the cylindrical base body 30 inside the cylindrical base body 30. The fluid may be ejected from the central axis toward the inner surface toward the open end side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate. Furthermore, it is preferable that the fluid is ejected toward the open end side in the longitudinal direction of the base body inside the cylindrical base body 30 through a plurality of holes or a plurality of nozzles. The fluid sprayed onto the inner surface of the substrate may be a liquid such as water, but a gas such as air (air) or nitrogen gas is preferred because the control and mechanism are simple.

  2-6 is an example of the base | substrate holding | grip apparatus 22, and is the schematic of the part which injects a fluid. A fluid ejecting nozzle 36 constituting a means for ejecting fluid is provided as a part of the substrate gripping device 22. The fluid ejection nozzle 36 may be provided separately from the base body gripping device 22.

  FIG. 2 shows an example in which the fluid ejection nozzles 36 are provided on the upper seat 40 and the lower seat 42 of the base body gripping device 22. Fluid supplied through a tube or the like from a fluid supply source (not shown) such as a compressed air supply source is ejected from a fluid ejection nozzle 36 inside the cylindrical substrate 30, and the upper open end side in the longitudinal direction of the substrate and Head toward the lower open end. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A ′ in FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper open end of the cylindrical base 30 may be sealed with the chuck 32, and the fluid ejection nozzle 36 may be provided on the lower seat 42. In this case, the fluid is ejected from the fluid ejection nozzle 36 inside the cylindrical base body 30, and travels from one end of the cylindrical base body 30 toward the lower open other end side in the longitudinal direction of the base body. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a fluid ejection nozzle 36 is provided on a shaft 38 that supports the substrate gripping device 22. In this case, the fluid is ejected from the fluid ejection nozzle 36 inside the cylindrical base body 30 and travels toward the upper open end side and the lower open end side in the longitudinal direction of the base body. In FIG. 4, the fluid ejection nozzle 36 may be provided only on the shaft 38 below the chuck 32 without being provided on the shaft 38 above the chuck 32.

  The shape of the portion for ejecting the fluid may be a simple through-hole instead of a nozzle. It is preferable that one or more, preferably two or more fluid ejection nozzles 36 are provided in the substrate gripping device 22. As the number of the fluid ejection nozzles 36 increases, the uniformity of the ejected fluid increases, and the effect of preventing the polishing liquid from entering, the effect of preventing the adhesion of the abrasive, and the cleaning effect are enhanced. When two or more fluid ejecting nozzles 36 are provided, the fluid ejecting nozzles 36 are equiangularly concentric with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the cylindrical substrate 30 in order to increase the uniformity of the ejected fluid. Is preferably arranged. Further, when the fluid is ejected from the upper surface of the upper seat 40 and the lower surface of the lower seat 42 with a large number of nozzles or a large number of through holes 44 as shown in FIG. Since an abrasive | polishing agent cannot penetrate | invade easily, it is preferable. In this case, in order to increase the uniformity of the ejected fluid, the nozzles or the through holes 44 are preferably arranged at equiangular angles on a plurality of concentric circles around the central axis in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical substrate 30. In FIG. 5, a large number of nozzles or a large number of through holes 44 may not be provided on the upper surface of the upper seat 40 but may be provided only on the lower surface of the lower seat 42. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ in FIG.

  The fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical base body 30 at least one of during the roughening treatment step and after the roughening treatment step, but during the roughening treatment step, that is, during the spraying of the polishing liquid 26. It is preferable to be performed because it is possible to prevent the polishing liquid 26 from entering the inside of the cylindrical substrate 30 and attaching the abrasive to the inner surface. If the fluid is not ejected during the surface roughening process, the fluid is ejected after the surface roughening process, that is, after the spraying of the polishing liquid 26 is completed, and the abrasive adhered to the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 is removed. May be. In addition, since the fluid is ejected both during and after the roughening treatment step, it is possible to more reliably prevent the abrasive from remaining on the inner surface of the cylindrical substrate 30. ,preferable. Further, a gas such as air is ejected as a fluid during the surface roughening process to prevent the polishing liquid 26 from entering the inside of the cylindrical substrate 30, and a liquid such as water is supplied after the surface roughening process. You may remove the abrasive | polishing agent which sprayed as a fluid and adhered to the inside of the cylindrical base | substrate 30. FIG. In addition, after the roughening treatment step, not only the inside of the cylindrical base body 30 but also the fluid adhered to the inside of the cylindrical base body 30 by ejecting the fluid from the outside of the cylindrical base body 30 may be removed. Good.

  The injection of the fluid performed during the roughening treatment step is performed simultaneously with the start of spraying of the polishing liquid 26 or immediately before the start of spraying of the polishing liquid 26 (specifically, 10 seconds before the start of spraying, preferably 3 seconds before the start of spraying). Preferably from 5 seconds before the start of spraying until the end of spraying of the polishing liquid 26, preferably immediately after the end of spraying of the polishing liquid 26 (specifically, up to 10 seconds after the end of spraying, preferably up to 3 seconds after the end of spraying, more preferably Until 5 seconds after spraying is completed. By spraying the fluid immediately after the completion of the spraying of the polishing liquid 26, the polishing liquid floating in the processing container 24 enters the inside of the cylindrical substrate 30 for a while immediately after the completion of the spraying of the polishing liquid 26 and enters the inner surface. Can be prevented from adhering to. In the present specification, the period from immediately before the start of spraying of the polishing liquid 26 to immediately after the end of spraying of the polishing liquid 26 is referred to as a roughening treatment step.

  The injection pressure in the fluid injection nozzle 36 is, for example, in the range of 0.01 MPa to 0.7 MPa when a gas such as air is used as the fluid, when expressed by a pressure of a pipe portion having an inner diameter of 4 mm and about 1 m from the fluid injection nozzle. Preferably, the pressure is more preferably 0.2 MPa to 0.7 MPa in order to increase the uniformity of the fluid flow and more reliably prevent the polishing liquid 26 from entering the inside of the cylindrical substrate 30. . If the spray pressure is less than 0.01 MPa, it may not be possible to sufficiently prevent the polishing liquid 26 from entering the inside of the cylindrical substrate 30. Moreover, although the injection pressure may be higher than 0.7 MPa, it is not necessary to make it higher than necessary.

  As the fluid ejection nozzle 36 or the through hole 44, those having an inner diameter of about 0.3 mm to 10 mm are usually used.

  The length of the fluid ejecting nozzle 36 is the distance from the tip of each fluid ejecting nozzle 36 to the respective open end of the cylindrical substrate 30 if the tip of the fluid ejecting nozzle 36 is in the cavity of the cylindrical substrate 30. There is no particular limitation as long as L1 (upper end side) and L2 (lower end side) (see FIGS. 2 to 6) are smaller than the length of the cylindrical substrate 30 in the longitudinal direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tip of the fluid ejection nozzle 36 may be close to the lower open end in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical substrate 30.

  The direction of the fluid ejection nozzle 36 may be parallel to the ejection direction of the fluid ejection nozzle 36 and the central axis of the cylindrical base body 30 (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 3). And the central axis of the shaft 38 may be larger than 0 degrees (for example, 45 degrees) so that the fluid is directed toward the inner surface of the cylindrical base body 30 (for example, see FIG. 4).

  Next, a cleaning process performed after the roughening process will be described. In the cleaning step, the abrasive remaining on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 is cleaned using a cleaning liquid such as water. At this time, before the cleaning step, the surface of the photoreceptor substrate 30 is cleaned by spraying a cleaning liquid containing a polishing agent having a lower concentration (preferably 0.1 to 1.0 mass%) than the polishing liquid 26 from the nozzle 14. It is preferable to do so because the accuracy and efficiency of cleaning tend to be improved in the cleaning step described later.

  The cleaning step in the present embodiment is a step of removing the abrasive remaining on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 by cleaning with the polishing liquid 26 sprayed in the roughening treatment step. In the main cleaning process, the draining process is performed after removing the abrasive or cutting powder adhering to the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 by a normal water cleaning process.

  The water washing treatment uses a method in which ion-exchanged water or the like is simply sprayed onto the cylindrical substrate 30 and a method in which the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 is rubbed (scrub treatment) with a rubbing member such as a brush or a sponge simultaneously with the spraying of water. Also good. By performing the scrubbing treatment, the abrasive can be reliably removed even when it is firmly attached to the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30. Further, it is preferable to perform a substrate swinging process (immersion process) in an immersion tank as a finish. In the immersion treatment, ultrasonic treatment may be appropriately performed as necessary. In addition, as a solvent used in the washing | cleaning process to be used, in addition to water (city water, well water, ion-exchange water, pure water), a surfactant or an alkaline electrolyte may be used.

  The draining process is for removing the water used in the washing process from the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30. For example, when the cylindrical substrate 30 is used as a substrate of an electrophotographic photosensitive member as will be described later. It is preferable that no traces remain on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 after drying in the draining process. For this reason, it is preferable to dry after the draining process in this embodiment finally pulls up slowly from a washing bath, or drains with an air blow. Examples of the drying method include reduced-pressure drying, blow drying, hot air drying, natural drying, and the like, and hot air drying using a hot air dryer is preferable. Residual water droplets may cause spots on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 30 and cause image quality defects. The dried cylindrical substrate 30 is cooled by cooling or the like and transferred to a coating process for a photosensitive layer or the like.

  Here, the wet honing method has been described as an example of the honing treatment method. However, in the dry honing method as well, the cylindrical substrate is used in at least one of the roughening treatment step and the roughening treatment step as in the present embodiment. It is possible to suppress the adhesion of the abrasive to the inner surface of the cylindrical base body 30 by ejecting the fluid inside.

<Electrophotographic photoreceptor>
Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of the photoreceptor using the cylindrical substrate 30 roughened by the honing method according to the present embodiment as a conductive substrate will be described. First, an undercoat layer is formed as necessary on the surface of the conductive substrate roughened and cleaned by the honing treatment method of the present embodiment, and a charge generation layer forming coating solution is applied on the undercoat layer. Drying, thereby obtaining a charge generation layer. Thereafter, a charge transport layer forming coating solution is applied onto the charge generation layer and dried, whereby a charge transport layer is obtained. A protective layer may be provided on the charge transport layer as the outermost layer in order to increase the life of the photoreceptor.

  Hereinafter, a method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present embodiment will be described mainly with reference to the configuration of the laminated type photosensitive member having the charge transport layer as a surface layer. As described above, a metal substrate such as copper, aluminum, nickel, or iron is effective as the conductive substrate. Even if the surface of the conductive substrate remains as a raw tube, it may be subjected in advance to a process such as mirror cutting, etching, anodizing, rough cutting, or centerless grinding.

  The conductive substrate is roughened by the honing method according to this embodiment. Moreover, a conductive layer can be formed on the surface of the conductive substrate as necessary. This conductive layer is obtained by forming a film in which a conductive material such as a metal oxide such as tin oxide, antimony oxide or titanium oxide, or a metal fine powder such as gold, iron, aluminum or copper is dispersed in a resin. It is done.

  Examples of the compound used in the undercoat layer include acetal resins such as polyvinyl butyral, polyamide resins such as polyvinyl alcohol resin, casein, and nylon resin, cellulose resins, gelatin, polyurethane resins, polyester resins, methacrylic resins, acrylic resins, polychlorinated resins. In addition to polymer resins such as vinyl resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride resin, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, zirconium, titanium, aluminum, manganese And organometallic compounds containing silicon atoms.

  These compounds can be used alone, as a mixture of a plurality of compounds, or as a polycondensate. Among these compounds, when an organometallic compound containing zirconium or titanium or a silane compound is contained, the residual potential is low, the potential change due to the environment is small, and the potential change due to repeated use is excellent. Therefore, it is preferable.

  Examples of the silane compound include, for example, vinyltrimethoxysilane, γ-methacryloxypropyl-tris (β-methoxyethoxy) silane, β- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, and γ-glycidoxy. Propyltrimethoxysilane, vinyltriacetoxysilane, γ-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) -γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-β- (aminoethyl) ) -Γ-aminopropylmethylmethoxysilane, N, N-bis (β-hydroxyethyl) -γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, γ-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane, and the like. Among these, silane compounds particularly preferably used are vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltris (2-methoxyethoxysilane), 3-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, 2- (3, 4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane, N-2- (aminoethyl) 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, N-2- (aminoethyl) 3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, Examples include silane coupling agents such as N-phenyl-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, and 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane.

  Examples of organic zirconium compounds include zirconium butoxide, zirconium zirconium acetoacetate, zirconium triethanolamine, acetylacetonate zirconium butoxide, ethyl acetoacetate butoxide, zirconium acetate, zirconium oxalate, zirconium lactate, zirconium phosphonate, zirconium octoate, Zirconium naphthenate, zirconium laurate, zirconium stearate, zirconium isostearate, methacrylate zirconium butoxide, stearate zirconium butoxide, isostearate zirconium butoxide and the like.

  Examples of organic titanium compounds include tetraisopropyl titanate, tetranormal butyl titanate, butyl titanate dimer, tetra (2-ethylhexyl) titanate, titanium acetylacetonate, polytitanium acetylacetonate, titanium octylene glycolate, titanium lactate ammonium salt , Titanium lactate, titanium lactate ethyl ester, titanium triethanolamate, polyhydroxy titanium stearate and the like.

  Examples of the organoaluminum compound include aluminum isopropylate, monobutoxyaluminum diisopropylate, aluminum butyrate, diethyl acetoacetate aluminum diisopropylate, aluminum tris (ethyl acetoacetate) and the like.

  Various organic or inorganic fine powders can be mixed in the undercoat layer for the purpose of improving electrical characteristics and light scattering. In particular, white pigments such as titanium oxide, zinc oxide, zinc white, zinc sulfide, lead white and lithopone, inorganic pigments as extender pigments such as alumina, calcium carbonate and barium sulfate, Teflon (registered trademark) resin particles, benzoguanamine resin Particles, styrene resin particles and the like are effective. The particle size of the fine powder to be added is in the range of 0.01 μm to 2 μm. The fine powder is added as necessary. When added, the fine powder is added in the range of 10 to 80% by mass, more preferably in the range of 30 to 70% by mass, based on the solid content of the undercoat layer. . The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 40 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.1 μm to 30 μm.

  In the preparation of the undercoat layer coating solution, when the fine powder is mixed, the fine powder is added to the solution in which the resin component is dissolved, and the dispersion treatment is performed. As a method for dispersing the fine powder in the resin, methods such as a roll mill, a ball mill, a vibration ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, a colloid mill, and a paint shaker can be used.

  The photoreceptor layer may have a single layer structure or a laminated structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are functionally separated. In the case of a stacked structure, any of the stacking order of the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be the upper layer. In addition, a surface protective layer can be formed on the surface of the photoreceptor layer as necessary.

  The charge generation layer may be formed by any method, but the charge generation layer in the organic photoreceptor is formed by dispersing and applying a charge generation material together with an organic solvent and a binder resin. As the charge generation material, various phthalocyanine pigments such as metal-free phthalocyanine, titanyl phthalocyanine, copper phthalocyanine, tin phthalocyanine, gallium phthalocyanine, hydroxygallium phthalocyanine, indium chloride phthalocyanine; Various organic pigments and dyes such as azo, anthraquinone, pyrene, bisbenzimidazole, azurenium, pyrylium, and thiapyrylium salts are used. In addition, these organic pigments generally have several crystal types. In particular, phthalocyanine pigments are known in various crystal types including α type and β type. Any of these crystal forms can be used as long as the pigment is obtained.

  Examples of the binder resin in the charge generation layer include polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyarylate resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polystyrene resin, polyvinyl acetal resin, styrene-butadiene copolymer resin, and vinylidene chloride. Acrylic nitrile copolymer resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride resin, silicone resin, silicone-alkyd resin, phenol-formaldehyde resin, styrene-alkyd resin, poly-N-vinylcarbazole, etc., or copolymers thereof Can be used. These binder resins can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  The charge generation layer is formed by dispersing and mixing these charge generation materials, a binder resin, and the like in an appropriate solvent, and applying the obtained coating solution. Disperse ordinary organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, benzyl alcohol, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, cyclohexanone, methyl acetate, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, methylene chloride, chloroform, etc. Can be used.

  The blending ratio (mass ratio) of the charge generating substance and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 10: 1 to 1:10. The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 5 μm, more preferably in the range of 0.05 μm to 2.0 μm. As a method for dispersing the charge generating material in the binder resin, methods such as a roll mill, a ball mill, a vibrating ball mill, an attritor, a dyno mill, a sand mill, and a colloid mill can be used.

  The charge transport layer is composed of a charge transport material and a binder resin. Examples of the charge transport material include oxadiazole derivatives such as 2,5-bis (p-diethylaminophenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole; 1,3,5-triphenyl-pyrazoline, 1- [pyridyl -(2)]-3- (p-diethylaminostyryl) -5- (p-diethylaminostyryl) pyrazoline and other pyrazoline derivatives; triphenylamine, tri (p-methyl) phenylamine, N, N-bis (3 Aromatic tertiary amino compounds such as 4-dimethylphenyl) biphenyl-4-amine and dibenzylaniline; N, N′-diphenyl-N, N′-bis (3-methylphenyl)-[1,1-biphenyl ] Aromatic tertiary diamino compounds such as -4,4'-diamine; 3- (4'-dimethylaminophenyl) -5,6-di- (4'-methoxy) 1) 1,2,4-triazine derivatives such as 1,2,4-triazine; hydrazone derivatives such as 4-diethylaminobenzaldehyde-1,1-diphenylhydrazone; quinazoline derivatives such as 2-phenyl-4-styryl-quinazoline A benzofuran derivative such as 6-hydroxy-2,3-di (p-methoxyphenyl) -benzofuran; an α-stilbene derivative such as p- (2,2-diphenylvinyl) -N, N-diphenylaniline; an enamine derivative; Carbazole derivatives such as N-ethylcarbazole; hole transport materials such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole and derivatives thereof; quinone compounds such as chloranil, bromoanil and anthraquinone; tetracyanoquinodimethane compounds; 2,4,7- Trinitrofluorenone, 2, 4, 5, Fluorenone compounds such as 7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone; xanthone compounds; thiophene compounds; electron transport materials such as diphenoquinone compounds; or polymers having a group consisting of the above compounds in the main chain or side chain. . These charge transport materials can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  Binder resins used in the charge transport layer include acrylic resins, polyarylate, polyester resins, bisphenol A type, bisphenol Z type, bisphenol C type, bisphenol AP type and other polycarbonate resins, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile. -Insulating resins such as butadiene copolymer, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polysulfone, polyacrylamide, polyamide, chlorinated rubber, or organic photoconductive polymers such as polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl anthracene, polyvinyl pyrene, or copolymers thereof. Can be mentioned.

  The charge transport layer can be formed by applying and drying a solution prepared by dissolving the charge transport material and the binder resin in an appropriate solvent. Examples of the solvent used for forming the charge transport layer include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and chlorobenzene; ketones such as acetone and 2-butanone; halogenation such as methylene chloride, chloroform and ethylene chloride. Aliphatic hydrocarbons; Cyclic or linear ethers such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethylene glycol and diethyl ether; or a mixed solvent thereof can be used. The blending ratio (mass ratio) of the charge transport material and the binder resin is preferably in the range of 10: 1 to 1: 5. The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably in the range of 5 μm to 50 μm, and more preferably in the range of 10 μm to 40 μm.

  Additives such as antioxidants, light stabilizers, and heat stabilizers are added to the photoreceptor layer in order to prevent deterioration of the photoreceptor due to ozone, oxidizing gas, or light / heat generated in the electrophotographic apparatus. can do. Examples of the antioxidant include hindered phenol, hindered amine, paraphenylenediamine, arylalkane, hydroquinone, spirochroman, spiroidanone and their derivatives, organic sulfur compounds, and organic phosphorus compounds. Examples of light stabilizers include derivatives such as benzophenone, benzotriazole, dithiocarbamate, and tetramethylpiperidine.

Furthermore, at least one kind of electron-accepting substance can be included for the purpose of improving sensitivity, reducing residual potential, and reducing fatigue during repeated use. Examples of the electron-accepting substance that can be used for the photoreceptor in the present invention include succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, dibromomaleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, tetrabromophthalic anhydride, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, o -Dinitrobenzene, m-dinitrobenzene, chloranil, dinitroanthraquinone, trinitrofluorenone, picric acid, o-nitrobenzoic acid, p-nitrobenzoic acid, phthalic acid and the like can be mentioned. Among these, benzene derivatives having electron-withdrawing substituents such as fluorenone-based, quinone-based, Cl, CN, NO ₂ are particularly preferably used.

  The charge generation layer, the charge transport layer, and the like can be applied by a coating method such as a dip coating method, a spray coating method, a bead coating method, a blade coating method, or a roller coating method. Then, it is preferable to heat-dry after finger touch drying at room temperature. The heat drying is preferably performed in the range of 30 ° C. to 200 ° C. for 5 minutes to 2 hours.

If necessary, a surface protective layer can be formed on the surface of the photosensitive layer layer. Examples of the surface protective layer include an insulating resin protective layer or a low resistance protective layer obtained by adding a resistance adjusting agent to an insulating resin. In the case of the low resistance protective layer, for example, a layer in which conductive fine particles are dispersed in an insulating resin is used. As the conductive fine particles, fine particles having an electric resistance of 10 ⁹ Ω · cm or less and a white, gray, or blue-white average particle diameter of 0.3 μm or less, preferably 0.1 μm or less are suitable. Molybdenum, tungsten oxide, antimony oxide, tin oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, solid solution carrier of tin oxide and antimony or antimony oxide or a mixture thereof, or a mixture of these metal oxides in a single particle Or coated ones. Among them, a solid solution of tin oxide, tin oxide and antimony oxide or antimony oxide is preferably used because it can appropriately adjust the electric resistance and can make the surface protective layer substantially transparent. .

  Examples of the insulating resin include condensation resins such as polyamide, polyurethane, polyester, epoxy resin, polyketone, and polycarbonate, and vinyl polymers such as polyvinyl ketone, polystyrene, and polyacrylamide.

  In the case of a single-layer structure electrophotographic photosensitive member, the same charge generating substance, charge transporting material and binder resin as those described in the case of the multilayer structure electrophotographic photosensitive member can be used. The method for forming the photosensitive layer is the same. In the case of a single layer structure electrophotographic photoreceptor, the film thickness of the photosensitive layer is preferably in the range of about 10 μm to 30 μm.

  An electrophotographic photosensitive member having a conductive substrate roughened by a honing method according to the present embodiment includes a laser beam printer, a digital copying machine, an LED printer, and a laser facsimile whose exposure source is near infrared light or visible light. It can be used for an electrophotographic apparatus such as. The photoreceptor can be used in combination with a one-component or two-component regular developer or reversal developer. Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member can exhibit good characteristics with little occurrence of current leakage because there is no defect such as abrasive on the surface of the substrate even in the contact charging method using a charging roll or a charging brush.

<Process cartridge>
The process cartridge according to the present embodiment forms a toner image by developing the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member with toner. At least one of the process means provided around the electrophotographic photosensitive member such as a developing means, a cleaning means for removing toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a unit integrally supported by a housing, It is detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus.

  Examples of the charging means include, but are not limited to, a contact charging system using a charging roll and a non-contact corona charging system using a corotron.

  Examples of the developing means include, but are not limited to, a one-component developing method using no carrier and a two-component developing method using a carrier and toner.

  Examples of the cleaning means include a doctor blade method, a wiper blade method, and a brush method, but are not limited thereto.

  Specifically, the process cartridge configuration includes, for example, a photosensitive member storage container in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are integrated, and a developer storage container in which a toner storage unit, a developing roll, and the like are integrated. Development process including a process cartridge in which toner is integrated, a photosensitive member storage container in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, a cleaning unit, and the like are integrated, a toner storage case (toner bottle) including a toner storage unit, and a developing roll. For example, a process cartridge integrated with an agent storage container may be used.

  The toner accommodated in the process cartridge includes a binder resin, a colorant, a release agent, an external additive, and the like. Examples of the binder resin include thermoplastic resins such as a polyester resin, a polystyrene resin, a styrene butadiene copolymer, and a copolymer of a styrene monomer and an acrylic ester or a methacrylic ester.

<Electrophotographic device>
The electrophotographic apparatus according to this embodiment is an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, and includes, for example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, an LED printer, a laser beam printer, etc.), an electrophotographic facsimile apparatus, and a composite thereof. Machine.

  Specifically, the configuration of the electrophotographic apparatus includes a charging unit for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposure unit for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging unit to form an electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image. Developing means for developing with toner to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium, fixing means for fixing the image transferred to the recording medium, and the like.

  First, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member by a charging unit and an exposure unit, the electrostatic latent image is developed by using a developer containing toner by a developing unit, and a recording medium such as paper is recorded by a transfer unit. After the toner is transferred onto the medium, it is fixed and visualized by a fixing means. The toner image may be transferred onto the recording medium by a method in which the toner image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member is directly transferred to the recording medium, or may be transferred to the recording medium via an intermediate transfer body. A transfer method may be used.

  In this embodiment, in a honing process for a cylindrical substrate such as a conductive substrate for an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate at least either during the surface roughening process or after the surface roughening process. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the abrasive from entering the cylindrical substrate and adhere to the inner surface of the substrate, and to suppress the occurrence of coating film defects due to the reattachment of the abrasive to the outer surface of the substrate in the cleaning process. In addition, when an electrophotographic photosensitive member using such a cylindrical substrate as a conductive substrate is used in an electrophotographic apparatus, the occurrence of image defects such as white spots, black spots, and density unevenness in the formed image is suppressed. And an extremely high quality image can be formed. Further, in the production of an electrophotographic photoreceptor, the incidence of coating defects can be lowered, and productivity can be improved.

  Hereinafter, although an example and a comparative example are given and the present invention is explained more concretely in detail, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. A method for wet honing the electrophotographic photoreceptor substrate will be specifically described. In the following description, “part” means “part by mass” unless otherwise specified.

Example 1
<Mirror cutting of substrate and degreasing cleaning>
A cylindrical base (longitudinal length 350 mm, inner diameter 58.5 mm) (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an aluminum tube) made of aluminum as a main component is mirror-cut to φ60 mm using a diamond tool, and then the surface roughness Ra Was finished to have a smooth surface of 0.03 μm to 0.06 μm. In addition, the measurement of the said surface roughness was performed using the surface roughness measuring machine Surfcom (made by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.). After completion of the mirror cutting, the surface of the cylindrical substrate was degreased and washed. Degreasing was performed by sequentially immersing the cylindrical substrate in two cleaning tanks. A cleaning solution in which a surfactant was dissolved in ion exchange water was supplied to each cleaning tank from the bottom, and overflowed from the top of the cleaning tank. As the surfactant, a nonionic surfactant (manufactured by Lion Corporation: LH-600F) is used, and the concentration of the surfactant in the cleaning liquid is in the range of 10 to 20% by mass in the first cleaning tank. In the second washing tank, the range was 1 to 2% by mass. In addition, as the ion exchange water for the cleaning liquid, one having an electric conductivity of 0.1 μS / cm or less was used. Further, ultrasonic waves were applied to the cylindrical substrate during cleaning via a cleaning liquid by an ultrasonic oscillator. After the cylindrical substrate was degreased and washed, the cylindrical substrate was rinsed and washed. Rinse washing was performed in the same manner as the degreasing washing except that only ion-exchanged water was used as the washing liquid. After rinsing and washing, the cylindrical substrate was immersed in warm pure water maintained at 35 ° C. for 50 seconds and then pulled up at a speed of 300 mm / min. Also at this time, ultrasonic waves were applied to the cylindrical substrate via a cleaning solution by an ultrasonic oscillator.

<Roughening treatment>
The aluminum tube surface was roughened by the wet honing apparatus shown in FIG. The substrate gripping device 22 for the cylindrical substrate 30 is the same as that shown in FIG. As the chuck 32, a type in which rubber is inflated with air pressure between an upper seat 40 and a lower seat 42 connected to a shaft 38 to fix the cylindrical substrate 30 is used. Two fluid ejection nozzles 36 are disposed on the upper seat 40 and two on the lower seat 42, respectively, are arranged concentrically around the axis at an interval of 180 degrees, and the inner diameter of the nozzle is 3 mm and the nozzle length is 5 mm. Air supplied to the fluid jet nozzle 36 can be supplied through the shaft 38, the supply pressure is made constant by a regulator, and the supply and stop of air can be controlled by an electromagnetic valve (not shown).

  First, the cylindrical substrate 30 was supported by the chuck 32 of the substrate gripping device 22. The distances L1 and L2 (see FIG. 2) from the tip of the fluid ejection nozzle 36 to the open end of the cylindrical substrate 30 were each 50 mm. The rotational speed of the cylindrical substrate 30 during honing was 100 rpm, and roughening was started from the upper end of the cylindrical substrate 30. In the surface roughening treatment, a polishing agent mainly composed of aluminum oxide is suspended in ion exchange water at 10% by mass, and this is sent to the nozzle 14 at a flow rate of 10 kg / min to move the honing treatment gun 12. The speed was set to 500 mm / min and sprayed onto the cylindrical substrate 30 (aluminum tube) at a compressed air pressure of 0.1 MPa to 0.2 MPa so that the surface roughness Ra was 0.15 μm to 0.25 μm. As an abrasive, aluminum oxide (Arnabeads (CB-A35S), average particle diameter of 35 μm) manufactured by Showa Denko Co., Ltd. was used. Air was discharged from the fluid jet nozzle 36 installed in the substrate gripping device 22 from the start of spraying of the polishing liquid to 5 seconds after the end of spraying. The air pressure was 0.2 MPa.

  In addition, about the other cylindrical base | substrate which performed the said roughening process process similarly, when the following washing | cleaning process was not performed, the base | substrate inner surface was washed away with water, and abrasive | polishing agent was collect | recovered and dried, and it measured. 1 g.

<Cleaning process>
The cylindrical substrate thus roughened was subsequently subjected to the following cleaning treatment. First, well water was sprayed for 60 seconds at a flow rate of 25 L / min on the roughened cylindrical substrate, and then scrubbing was performed with a brush while ion-exchanged water was sprayed at 2 L / min. As the brush, a brush composed of a rod-shaped shaft member and a large number of nylon fibers attached radially to the shaft member was used. The rod-shaped shaft member has an outer diameter of 95 mm and a length of 560 mm. The nylon fiber has a wire diameter of 65 μm and a length of 30 mm. The shaft member is parallel to the rotation axis of the cylindrical substrate, and a brush ( The tip of the fiber) was placed in contact with the surface of the cylindrical substrate. The scrub treatment was performed for 60 seconds with the rotation direction of the cylindrical substrate and the scrub brush being the same direction and a rotation speed of 100 rpm.
Thereafter, immersion cleaning was performed by sequentially immersing the cylindrical substrate in four cleaning tanks equipped with an ultrasonic device. Ion exchange water was supplied from the bottom to each washing tank and overflowed from the top of the washing tank. In the final cleaning tank, the cylindrical substrate 30 was immersed in the cleaning solution for 20 seconds, and then slowly pulled up and cleaned at a speed of 300 mm / min. Subsequently, 135 degreeC hot-air drying was performed for 1.5 minutes in the drying chamber. Then, the cylindrical base | substrate 30 was conveyed to the conditioning room, and the air cooling was performed for 300 second at 23 degreeC (cleaning process).

<Manufacture of electrophotographic photoreceptor>
Next, 100 parts of an organozirconium compound (trade name: ORGATICS ZC540, manufactured by Matsumoto Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), 10 parts of a silane coupling agent (trade name: A1100, manufactured by Nihon Unicar Co., Ltd.), polyvinyl butyral resin (trade name) : BM-S, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 10 parts, and 130 parts of n-butyl alcohol were mixed by dip coating on the honing-treated cylindrical substrate surface. An undercoat layer having a thickness of 1.0 μm was formed by heating for a minute.

  Next, in a 2% by mass cyclohexanone solution of polyvinyl butyral resin (trade name: BM-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), a hydroxygallium phthalocyanine pigment and a pigment / resin ratio (mass ratio) of 2: 1 Then, the mixture was dispersed by a sand mill for 3 hours. The obtained dispersion was further diluted with n-butyl acetate and dip-coated on the surface of the undercoat layer to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm.

  Subsequently, a solution prepared by dissolving 4 parts of N, N′-diphenyl-N, N′-bis (m-tolyl) benzidine and 6 parts of bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate resin in 36 parts of monochlorobenzene was applied to the surface of the charge generation layer. It was applied by dip coating and dried at 115 ° C. for 40 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 24 μm.

  As described above, 1000 electrophotographic photoreceptors were prepared in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and a charge transport layer were sequentially laminated on the surface of a conductive substrate. A surface defect evaluation apparatus comprising a CCD camera and a microscope was produced from the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor, and the number of defects on the surface of the photoreceptor was measured using this surface defect evaluation apparatus to calculate the defect occurrence rate. As a result, the number of photoconductors in which defects of a level causing an image problem (10 μm or more at a magnification of 500 times) were generated was 20 in 1000, and the defect occurrence rate was 2.0%.

(Example 2)
A honing process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the substrate gripping device 22 shown in FIG. 4 was used to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member. Two fluid ejection nozzles 36 are arranged at the tip of the shaft 38 below the chuck 32, two on the shaft 38 above the chuck 32, and concentrically around the central axis of the shaft 38 at intervals of 180 degrees. The nozzle length was 3 mm and the nozzle length was 5 mm. The angle θ formed by the fluid ejection nozzle 36 and the central axis of the shaft 38 was 45 °. Incidentally, another cylindrical substrate subjected to the same roughening treatment step was measured by washing the inner surface of the substrate with water, collecting the abrasive with a filter paper, and drying it without performing the washing treatment. Met. The number of defects on the surface of the photoreceptor was measured for the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor using a surface defect evaluation apparatus comprising a CCD camera and a microscope, and the defect occurrence rate was calculated. As a result, the number of photoconductors in which defects causing image problems occurred was 25 out of 1,000, and the defect occurrence rate was 2.5%.

Example 3
A honing process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the substrate gripping device 22 shown in FIG. 5 was used to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member. A plurality of holes each having a diameter of 1 mm were provided in the upper seat 40 and the lower seat 42. The holes were arranged at intervals of 30 ° on two rows of concentric circles at intervals of 3 mm (the number of holes was 24). The air pressure was 0.4 MPa. In addition, about another cylindrical base | substrate which performed the roughening process process similarly, when a cleaning process is not performed but the base | substrate inner surface is washed away with water, and abrasive | polishing agent is collect | recovered and dried with a filter paper, it is 0.03g. there were. The number of defects on the surface of the photoreceptor was measured for the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor using a surface defect evaluation apparatus comprising a CCD camera and a microscope, and the defect occurrence rate was calculated. As a result, the number of photoconductors in which defects of a level causing an image problem occurred was 8 out of 1000, and the defect occurrence rate was 0.8%.

(Comparative Example 1)
A honing process was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the substrate holding device 22 of the type shown in FIG. 7 was used to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The base body gripping device 22 shown in FIG. 7 was not provided with a fluid jet nozzle 36 or a hole capable of supplying air, and air was not jetted inside the base body. For another cylindrical substrate subjected to the same roughening treatment step, the surface of the substrate was washed with water without being washed, and the abrasive was collected and dried with filter paper. there were. The number of defects on the surface of the photoreceptor was measured for the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor using a surface defect evaluation apparatus comprising a CCD camera and a microscope, and the defect occurrence rate was calculated. As a result, the number of photoconductors on which defects causing image problems occurred was 52 out of 1,000, and the defect occurrence rate was 5.2%.

  Based on the above results, the amount of the remaining abrasive that was recovered by washing and drying the inner surface of the substrate with water without performing the cleaning treatment was measured using the substrate gripping device 22 shown in FIGS. Compared to the cases of Examples 1 to 3, there were more cases of Comparative Example 1 using the one shown in FIG. In addition, the defect occurrence rate, which is a problem on the image, was clearly higher in Comparative Example 1 than in Examples 1-3. Further, compared to Examples 1 and 2 using the substrate gripping device 22 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, Example 3 using the one shown in FIG. It was. Thus, in the honing process of the cylindrical substrate, the amount of residual abrasive (before the cleaning process) and the defect occurrence rate are sufficiently reduced by injecting the fluid inside the substrate during or immediately after the roughening process. I found out.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the honing processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) It is the schematic which shows the example of the base | substrate holding | grip apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (B) It is sectional drawing along line A-A 'in Fig.2 (a). It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a substrate grasping device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a substrate grasping device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. (A) It is the schematic which shows the example of the base | substrate holding | grip apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B ′ in FIG. It is a schematic diagram showing an example of a substrate grasping device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows the base | substrate holding | grip apparatus used in the comparative example 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Honing apparatus, 10 pump, 12 Honing process gun, 14 Nozzle, 16 Compressed air introduction pipe, 18 Polishing liquid introduction pipe, 20 Substrate installation stand, 22 Substrate gripping device, 24 Processing container, 26 Polishing liquid, 28 Compressed air, 30 cylindrical substrate, 32 chuck, 34 polishing liquid tank, 36 fluid ejection nozzle, 38 shaft, 40 upper seat, 42 lower seat, 44 through hole.

Claims (6)

A honing method for roughening the surface of a cylindrical substrate,
A roughening treatment step of roughening the cylindrical substrate surface by spraying an abrasive on the cylindrical substrate;
A cleaning step of cleaning the abrasive remaining on the surface of the roughened cylindrical substrate;
Including
A honing method, wherein a fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate at least one of during the roughening treatment step and after the roughening treatment step. A honing apparatus for roughening the surface of a cylindrical substrate,
Means for holding at least the upper end of the cylindrical substrate;
Means for spraying an abrasive on the surface of the cylindrical substrate;
Means for injecting fluid inside the cylindrical substrate;
The honing processing apparatus characterized by having. An electrophotographic photoreceptor including a photosensitive layer,
An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising the photosensitive layer on a cylindrical substrate which has been subjected to a surface roughening treatment by the honing method according to claim 1. A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on a cylindrical substrate,
A roughening treatment step of roughening the cylindrical substrate surface by spraying an abrasive on the cylindrical substrate;
A cleaning step of cleaning the abrasive remaining on the surface of the roughened cylindrical substrate;
Forming a photosensitive layer on the washed cylindrical substrate;
Including
A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein a fluid is ejected inside the cylindrical substrate at least one of during the roughening treatment step and after the roughening treatment step. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 3,
At least one means selected from the group consisting of charging means, developing means and cleaning means;
A process cartridge characterized by being integrally supported and detachable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 3,
Charging means for charging the electrophotographic photoreceptor;
Exposure means for exposing the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging means to form an electrostatic latent image; and
Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising:

Images