JP2006267807A - Endless belt with meandering prevention guide - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endless belt which is driven at high level of accuracy and has prolonged life by preventing a meandering prevention guide member from being peeled from the endless belt. <P>SOLUTION: The endless belt with the meandering prevention guide has a meandering prevention guide member 22 stuck to a resin endless belt 21 through a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 and primer layers 24 on both surfaces of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23. In this belt, it is preferable that the peeling/adhesion strength between the endless belt 21 and the meandering prevention guide member 22 is 4 to 100 N/10 mm. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endless belt with a meandering prevention guide, and is useful for an electrophotographic recording apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, and a video printer.

  Conventionally, endless belts are used in intermediate transfer devices such as electrophotographic recording devices, transfer devices, and transport devices. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the endless belt is used as an intermediate transfer belt 6 of an intermediate transfer device of a copying machine, and intermediate transfer is performed in the following process. That is, the photosensitive drum 1 is charged by the charger 3 and exposed by the exposure device 2, and the toner image is formed by the developing device 5. The toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 6 by the electrostatic transfer machine 10, and the transferred toner image is transferred again to the recording paper 11 by a pair of pressing rollers 9 and 12. The intermediate transfer belt 6 is supported by rollers 7, 8, and 9 that are in contact with the inner surface thereof.

  In such an intermediate transfer belt, the endless belt is likely to meander unless driven with high precision, and if it is meandering, the exposure position and the transfer position are shifted during transfer, causing image unevenness and image misalignment, There was a problem of breaking due to meandering.

In order to prevent such meandering of the belt, a technique of installing a meandering prevention guide member on the endless belt is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Since it is difficult to attach the meandering prevention guide member to the endless belt in a seamless manner, the meandering prevention guide member having a length corresponding to the inner peripheral length of the belt is attached via an adhesive layer. (For example, see Patent Document 3).
JP 2000-310291 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-87568 JP 2004-53629 A

  However, the meandering prevention guide member attached so far through the adhesive layer has a correlation with the adhesive force of the endless belt, and the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer alone is insufficient to prevent the meandering, and the guide member may be peeled off. The belt sometimes cracked. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an endless belt having a long durability life that prevents the meandering prevention guide member from peeling off from the endless belt and is driven with high accuracy.

  The inventors of the present invention have intensively studied to achieve the above object, and as a result, have found that an endless belt having characteristics satisfying the following conditions is obtained, and have completed the present invention.

  That is, the endless belt with a meandering prevention guide according to the present invention is an endless belt with a meandering prevention guide in which a meandering prevention guide member is affixed to a resin endless belt via an adhesive layer, on both sides of the adhesive layer. It has a primer layer.

  In the belt of the present invention, by providing primer layers on both sides of the adhesive layer, the adhesive force between the endless belt and the meandering prevention guide member is greatly improved, the peeling of the meandering prevention guide member from the endless belt and the endless belt body Destruction can be prevented.

  In the endless belt with a meandering prevention guide, the peel adhesion strength between the endless belt and the meandering prevention guide member is preferably 4 to 100 N / 10 mm. The peel adhesion strength is a value measured according to JIS K 6854-1 (90 ° peel test), and the measurement method is described in the examples. According to such a belt, peeling of the meander prevention guide member from the belt main body and destruction of the belt can be prevented more reliably.

  According to the endless belt of the present invention, since the adhesive force between the endless belt and the meandering prevention guide member can be improved, it is possible to prevent peeling from the end of the meandering prevention guide and the belt breakage, thereby having a long durability life. You can get an endless belt.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the endless belt of the present invention is such that a meandering prevention guide member 22 is stuck to a resin endless belt 21 via an adhesive layer 23 and a primer layer 24.

  The material, shape, size, function, etc. of the portion excluding the primer layer, that is, the resin endless belt, the meandering prevention guide member, and the adhesive layer are not particularly limited, and any conventionally known one can be used. For example, as an endless belt made of resin, an endless belt used for a photosensitive device in an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser printer, an intermediate transfer device, a transfer separation device, a transport device, a charging device, a developing device, etc. The material, shape, size, etc. are appropriately set according to these uses and functions. For example, in the case of an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer conveyance belt in an electrophotographic recording apparatus or the like, a semiconductive belt made of a polyimide resin containing a conductive filler is used.

  Examples of the material of the resin endless belt including other uses include polyimide resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins, and fluorine resins. The resin endless belt may or may not have a joint. Further, the thickness of the belt body is not particularly limited, but usually about 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm is preferable.

  As the meandering prevention guide member, an elastic body having an appropriate hardness can be used, and specific examples include polyurethane, neoprene rubber, urethane rubber, polyester elastomer, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber and the like. it can. Among these, urethane rubber, chloroprene rubber, and silicone rubber are preferable in consideration of adhesion to the adhesive layer, electrical insulation, moisture resistance, solvent resistance, ozone resistance, wear resistance, etc., and urethane rubber is particularly preferable. . Further, the hardness of the meandering prevention guide member is preferably in the range of JIS hardness 30 ° to 95 °, more preferably 50 ° to 80 °.

  The thickness of the meandering prevention guide member is preferably about 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm, more preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm, from the viewpoint of the meandering prevention effect and durability. The width and length of the meandering prevention guide member are appropriately set according to the shape and size of the endless belt, and are not particularly limited.

  Examples of the pressure-sensitive adhesive used in the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer include acrylic, silicone-based, natural rubber-based, synthetic rubber-based, and urethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives. Desired by applying only pressure at room temperature. A pressure-sensitive acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferred in terms of obtaining adhesive strength. Moreover, you may add the 1 type (s) or 2 or more types of additive to the said adhesive as needed.

  The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer may be formed by directly applying the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the primer layer, but from the viewpoint of ease of handling, it is preferable to use a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is previously applied to the separator, A double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape having an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive is more preferable. As the double-sided adhesive tape, the adhesive can be used without using a core substrate such as a double-sided adhesive tape or nonwoven fabric in which the adhesive is applied or impregnated on both sides of a core substrate such as a nonwoven fabric, cloth, plastic film, foam or the like. For example, double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “baseless double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape”) composed of a single agent can be used. It is preferable.

  Moreover, the thickness of the adhesion layer is 5-500 micrometers normally, Preferably it is 20-200 micrometers. That is, when the thickness of the adhesive layer is less than 5 μm, the adhesive strength between the guide and the belt is insufficient. On the other hand, if it exceeds 500 μm, the meandering prevention guide is displaced from the adhesive layer due to the shearing force caused by meandering of the guide, making it difficult to control the belt with high accuracy. The width and length of the adhesive layer are appropriately set according to the shape and size of the meandering prevention guide member, and are not particularly limited.

The endless belt with a meandering prevention guide of the present invention has primer layers on both sides of the adhesive layer. That is, the meandering prevention guide member and the endless belt are respectively bonded to the adhesive layer through the primer layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the meandering prevention guide member 22 is bonded to the adhesive layer 23 via the primer layer 24, and the endless belt 21 is bonded to the adhesive layer 23 via the primer layer 24.
The primer used in the primer layer is not particularly limited as long as the adhesive force between the endless belt or the meandering prevention guide member and the adhesive layer can be sufficiently exerted, but a polyisocyanate primer or a polyurethane primer Is preferable, and a polyurethane-based primer is more preferable. The endless belt of the present invention is provided with a primer layer on the endless belt side and the meandering prevention guide member side, so that the meandering prevention guide member affixed via the adhesive layer against the deformation at the roller portion or the like Due to the adhesive effect with the meandering prevention guide member, peeling of the meandering prevention guide member from the belt body and destruction of the belt body can be prevented.

  The thickness of the primer layer is usually 0.01 to 10 μm, preferably 0.1 to 1 μm. That is, when the thickness of the primer layer is less than 0.01 μm, the effect of the primer is lost. On the other hand, if it exceeds 10 μm, it becomes difficult to handle in work. The width and length of the primer layer are appropriately set according to the shape and size of the meandering prevention guide member and the adhesive layer, and are not particularly limited.

  In the belt of the present invention, it can be said that the peel adhesion strength between the endless belt and the meandering prevention guide member is preferably as large as possible, but is practically preferably 4 to 100 N / 10 mm, and more preferably 6 to 50 N / 10 mm. .

  The attachment position of the meandering prevention guide is not particularly limited, but it is usually provided at both ends of the endless belt from the viewpoint of the meandering prevention effect, durability, and reinforcement effect. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, meandering prevention guide members 22 are stuck through the primer layer 24 and the adhesive layer 23 over the entire circumference of both ends of the inner peripheral surface of the endless belt 21. The primer layer 24 and the adhesive layer 23 may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the endless belt 21 and the meandering prevention guide member 22 may be attached.

  In order to prevent belt breakage due to tearing of the belt body, an adhesive tape-like belt-like member (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “reinforcing tape”) is provided on the inner peripheral surface or outer peripheral surface of the endless belt for the purpose of improving the strength. May be. The primer layer may be formed on the strip member.

  The method for sticking the meandering prevention guide member to the endless belt is not particularly limited, but examples of suitable methods include the following methods.

  First, a primer layer 24 is formed on the meandering prevention guide member 22 by applying a primer to the meandering prevention guide member 22 and drying the primer. Next, an adhesive layer 23 is formed on the primer layer 24. Examples of the method for forming the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 23 include a method in which a pressure-sensitive adhesive is directly applied to the primer layer 24 or a method in which the pressure-sensitive adhesive is adhered using a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. A method using a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape is preferable from the viewpoint of ease of handling. . Next, a primer layer 24 is formed by applying a primer or the like to the endless belt 21, and the adhesive layer 23 formed on the meandering prevention guide member 22 and the primer layer 24 formed on the endless belt 21 are bonded. Thus, the endless belt with meandering prevention guide of the present invention can be obtained.

  In addition, it is important that the bonding is performed without bubbles, and a method such as bonding with a hand roller, a rubber roller, or a press, or bonding under reduced pressure or pressure can be used.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be further described with reference to specific examples. In addition, the material used in an Example and a comparative example is as follows.
1. Meandering prevention guide member
(1) Urethane rubber (Tigers polymer type wrench TR100-50)
2. Endless belt
(1) Polyimide endless belt Reinforcing tape
(1) Polyester adhesive tape (Nitto Denko NO.31B tape)
4). Adhesive
(1) Acrylic adhesive (Nitto Denko LA-150 double-sided tape (baseless double-sided adhesive tape))
(2) Acrylic adhesive (Nitto Denko No. 500 double-sided tape (non-woven fabric base double-sided adhesive tape))
5. Primer
(1) Polyurethane-based primer (Konishi Seiruf Primer # 7)
(2) Isocyanate primer (3M N-200)
(3) Isocyanate primer (Bayer's Death Module RE)
The evaluation method of an Example and a comparative example is as follows.
1. Durability test An endless belt with a 300 mm width and an outer diameter of 300 mm with a meandering prevention guide member attached to both ends is continuously driven for 100 hours under the conditions of a roll diameter of 30 mm, a roll speed of 100 mm / min, and a belt tension of 5 kg / 300 mm. The prevention guide member was peeled off and the belt was evaluated for breakage. The case where there was no change was rated as ◯, and the case where the meandering prevention guide member was peeled off and the belt was broken was rated as x.
2. Peel Adhesion Strength Test An endless belt base material cut to a width of 10 mm is bonded to urethane rubber serving as a meandering prevention guide member through an adhesive layer or an adhesive layer and a primer layer under the conditions of a rubber roller with a load of 2 kg, and JIS K 6854 -1 (90 ° peel test), the adhesion strength was measured by a 90 ° peel measurement at a peeling speed of 300 mm / min with a tensile measuring machine. As a tensile measuring machine, an autograph AG500E manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation was used.

<Example 1>
A seal primer # 7 manufactured by Konishi Co., Ltd. is applied as a rubber primer to urethane rubber (Tigers polymer type lenth TR100-50) having a thickness of 1.0 mm, which serves as a meandering prevention guide member. After drying, double-sided tape LA-150 is applied. Bonding and cutting to a width of 5 mm and a length of 942 mm using a slitter gave a meandering prevention guide member having a primer layer and an adhesive layer. Next, a polyester tape having a width of 10 mm is applied as a reinforcing tape to the inner surface of a polyimide belt having a thickness of 80 μm, an outer diameter of 300 mm, and a width of 300 mm. Further, Konishi seal primer # 7 is applied on the polyester tape, and both ends of the belt The meandering prevention guide members were bonded to each other. As a result of evaluating in the durability test using the obtained belt, neither peeling of the guide member nor destruction of the belt occurred. At this time, the peel adhesion strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member was 10.5 N / 10 mm.

<Example 2>
A belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a 3M N-200 primer was applied on a polyester tape affixed to the inner surface of the polyimide belt as a reinforcing tape. As a result of evaluation in the durability test using the obtained belt, neither the meander-preventing guide member was peeled nor the belt was broken. The peel adhesion strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member at this time was 9.1 N / 10 mm.

<Example 3>
Nitto Denko NO. A belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the adhesive was changed to 500 double-sided tape. As a result of evaluation in the durability test using the obtained belt, neither the meander-preventing guide member was peeled nor the belt was broken. At this time, the peel adhesive strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member was 4.9 N / 10 mm.

<Comparative Example 1>
Without applying a primer to 1.0 mm thick urethane rubber (Tycagarth polymer type lentr TR100-50) that serves as a meandering prevention guide member, a substrateless double-sided tape LA-150 is directly bonded, and a slitter is used to provide a width of 5 mm. A length of 942 mm was cut to obtain a meandering prevention guide member. Next, a polyester tape with a width of 10 mm is applied as a reinforcing tape to the inner surface of a polyimide belt having a thickness of 80 μm, an outer diameter of φ300 mm, and a width of 300 mm. The meandering prevention guide obtained in this way was adhered. As a result of evaluation in the durability test using the obtained belt, peeling of the meandering prevention guide member occurred after 12 hours. At this time, the peel adhesion strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member was 2.5 N / 10 mm.

<Comparative example 2>
The belt is manufactured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that a 1.0 mm thick urethane rubber (Tipres TR100-50 made by Tigers polymer) serving as a meandering prevention guide member is subjected to a 3M N-200 primer as a rubber primer. Was made. As a result of evaluation in the durability test using the obtained belt, peeling of the meandering prevention guide member occurred after 35 hours. The peel adhesive strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member at this time was 3.8 N / 10 mm.

<Comparative Example 3>
A belt was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that a Bayer Desmodule RE primer was applied on a polyester tape affixed to the inner surface of the polyimide belt as a reinforcing tape. As a result of evaluation in the durability test using the obtained belt, peeling of the meandering prevention guide member occurred after 20 hours. The peel adhesion strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member at this time was 3.5 N / 10 mm.

<Comparative example 4>
A belt in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 except that 1.0 mm thick urethane rubber (Tipres TR100-50 made by Tigers Polymer) serving as a meandering prevention guide member was subjected to a Bayer Death Module RE primer as a rubber primer. Was made. As a result of evaluation in a durability test using the obtained belt, peeling of the meandering prevention guide member occurred after 26 hours. The peel adhesion strength between the endless belt base material and the meandering prevention guide member at this time was 3.7 N / 10 mm.

表１の結果が示すように、エンドレスベルト側および蛇行防止ガイド側の両方（粘着層の両面）にプライマー層を有する実施例１〜３のベルトでは、１００時間の連続耐久試験によっても蛇行防止ガイド部材の剥がれ、ベルトの破壊を生じなかった。一方、エンドレスベルト側および蛇行防止ガイド側の両方または一方にプライマー層を設けていない比較例１〜４のベルトでは、それぞれ、１２時間後、３５時間後、２０時間後、２６時間後に蛇行防止ガイド部材の剥がれを生じた。

As shown in the results of Table 1, in the belts of Examples 1 to 3 having primer layers on both the endless belt side and the meandering prevention guide side (both sides of the adhesive layer), the meandering prevention guide was also obtained by a 100-hour continuous durability test. The member was not peeled off and the belt was not broken. On the other hand, in the belts of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 in which the primer layer is not provided on both or one of the endless belt side and the meander prevention guide side, the meander prevention guide is 12 hours, 35 hours, 20 hours, and 26 hours later, respectively. The member peeled off.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a use state of an endless belt in an intermediate transfer device of an electrophotographic copying machine. It is the perspective view which showed the partial cross section which illustrates the endless belt with a meander prevention guide of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the adhesion part of a meander prevention guide and an endless belt.

Explanation of symbols

1 Photosensitive drum 6 Intermediate transfer belt (endless belt)
7, 8, 9 Roller 11 Recording paper 21 Endless belt 22 Meander prevention guide (member)
23 Adhesive layer 24 Primer layer

Claims (2)

  An endless belt with a meandering prevention guide in which a meandering prevention guide member is attached to an endless belt made of resin via an adhesive layer, and has a primer layer on both sides of the adhesive layer. Endless belt. The endless belt with a meandering prevention guide according to claim 1, wherein a peel adhesion strength between the endless belt and the meandering prevention guide member is 4 to 100 N / 10 mm.

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