JP2007065163A - Method for manufacturing electrophotographic photoreceptor drum unit, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photoreceptor drum unit which does not give rise to such a problem as to disengagement of an engagement member to make image formation impossible, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the method for manufacturing the electrophotographic photoreceptor drum unit produced by press fitting and coupling the engagement member to the inner side of the end of a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer, there are set A1<A2; 5×10-5(/°C)<A2; 125≥D2-D1≥30 μm; 175 μm≥D2(1+(t2-t1)A2)-D1(1+(t2-t1)A1) when the coefficient of linear expansion of the cylindrical member is defined as A1(/°C), the coefficient of linear expansion of the engagement member of the cylindrical member as A2(/°C), the inner diameter of the coupling part of the cylindrical member at tl(°C) in the temperature at the time of attaching the engagement member to the cylindrical member as D1, the external diameter of the coupling part of the engagement member as D2, and the maximum value of the service temperature of the drum unit within the main part machine of the electrophotographic apparatus as t2(°C). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for joining a cylindrical member and an engaging member, a method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic apparatus.

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

  In such an electrophotographic apparatus, as shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit 101 (hereinafter referred to as “electrophotographic photosensitive unit”) generally has a cylindrical member 102 (generally “electrophotographic photosensitive member”) having a photosensitive layer on the surface. A photosensitive drum 103 provided on a cylindrical support, and engaging members 104 and 105 provided at both ends or one end of the cylindrical member.

  The engaging member generally has a flange or a gear-like driving force receiving means, and is also called a gear. The engaging member is connected to a cylindrical member on the outer periphery of the engaging portion, and is connected to a shaft 106 or a bearing portion (hereinafter referred to as “shaft” and “bearing”). The electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is supported at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus via the shaft, and further receives a driving force from the driving means. It is responsible for rotating the drum around a predetermined axis 107 with high accuracy.

  When the cylindrical accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is not good, or when the shaft is eccentric (for example, the shaft center is 108), the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is incorporated into the image forming apparatus and rotated. The distance between the cylindrical member and the developing means 109 cannot be kept constant, for example, the outer periphery of the photosensitive unit is shaken during image formation, and image density unevenness occurs during development, and a good image cannot be obtained. Furthermore, unevenness occurs in the peripheral speed of the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, so that an image shift (particularly a phenomenon in which a transfer position shifts in a color image and a color blurs) occurs during transfer, and a good image is obtained. The problem of not happening.

  Therefore, in the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, in particular, the cylindrical swing accuracy (the difference between the coaxial outer cylindrical diameters of the maximum outer peripheral portion and the minimum outer peripheral portion when rotated with respect to the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, “JIS-B0021 18”. .16.1 Total runout tolerance ") should be reduced.

In general, as a method of connecting the cylindrical member and the end engaging member,
(1) A method of inserting and bonding the engaging member engaging portion inside the end portion of the cylindrical member (for example, see Patent Document 1),
(2) A method of inserting and fixing an engaging member on the inner side with the end of the cylindrical member heated and expanded (see, for example, Patent Document 2) (for example, see Patent Document 3)
(3) A method of machining a hole in a cylindrical member and fitting and coupling with a protrusion of an engaging member (see, for example, Patent Document 4)
(4) A method of connecting a cylindrical member and an engaging member by press-fitting a tap screw, a wedge member or the like to the connecting portion (for example, see Patent Document 5)
(5) Inserting an end engaging member inside the end of the cylindrical member to cause the end of the cylindrical member to be deformed and bite into the engaging member (for example, refer to Patent Document 6), providing a recess in the engaging member, What is joined by bending the end of the cylindrical member into the recess (for example, see Patent Document 7)
It has been known.

  The coupling method (1) will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this method, the cylindrical coupling portion 202 of the engaging member 104 is inserted into the end portion inner side 201 of the cylindrical member 102 and bonded. However, in general, the cylindrical member material is mostly conductive because it has sufficient conductivity as a support for an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a cylindrical member satisfying the required strength with high accuracy can be easily obtained, and it is resistant to corrosion. Is aluminum or an aluminum alloy of 3000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series or the like. In the current situation, materials other than aluminum are rarely used.

  On the other hand, the engagement member is generally provided with a function of receiving a driving force such as a gear and a function of a shaft for connection with the main body, so that the shape is often complicated, and is manufactured by molding in mass production. In most cases, therefore, materials that are suitable for molding, particularly resins, are selected as commonly used materials. In general, the linear expansion coefficient of resin is larger than that of aluminum. Therefore, whenever there is a temperature change, the joint between the cylindrical member and the engaging member is exposed to stress due to the difference in expansion coefficient.

  Further, the cylindrical member electrophotographic apparatus and the process cartridge may be placed in a cold environment while being transported from the production area to the area where they are used. An electrophotographic photosensitive member in which the engagement member is made of resin and the cylindrical member is made of aluminum is assembled so that no gap is generated between the cylindrical member and the end engagement member in a room temperature environment. When the unit is in a low temperature environment, the outer diameter shrinkage of the engaging member exceeds the inner diameter shrinkage of the joint portion of the cylindrical member, and a gap 203 is easily formed between the engaging member and the cylindrical member. Further, the adhesive becomes hard at low temperatures and cracks easily occur, and the coupling force between the cylindrical member and the end engaging member is reduced. Furthermore, in the case of a rapid temperature change, non-uniform shrinkage occurs and cracks are likely to occur in the adhesive layer.

  When the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is used in the electrophotographic apparatus in a state where the adhesive force between the cylindrical member and the end engaging member is lowered, the engaging member is detached from the cylindrical member, and a good image cannot be obtained. There is a risk that a trouble of not functioning as an image forming apparatus may occur. Therefore, the coupling stability of the end engaging member has been a problem.

  Furthermore, a method of bonding with an elastic adhesive (for example, see Patent Document 1) is also known, but it takes time until it hardens, so it has been necessary to secure a storage space, which has been a factor in increasing production costs.

  As a manufacturing method for solving the problem (1), for example, a method (2) in which an engagement member is inserted and bonded in a state where the end of the cylindrical member is heated and expanded is known. However, in the method (2), the deformation of the end due to heating is a problem.

  Further, in order to improve the coupling stability of the end engaging member of (1), mechanical couplings such as (3), (4) and (5) have been devised. For example, (3) is a method in which an end of a cylindrical member is drilled, and then an engaging member having a convex portion is inserted and fixed by a mechanical method (fitting). It is inevitable that deformation occurs at the end of the cylindrical member when the fitting portion is processed into the portion.

  In the method (4), if a tap screw or a wedge member is press-fitted into the coupling portion, the end of the cylindrical member may be deformed.

  In the method (5), the end of the cylindrical member is deformed by inserting the engaging member inside the end of the cylindrical member and then deforming and joining the end of the cylindrical member by a mechanical method. There is a risk that the deformation of the above will occur at the periphery and at the end of the cylindrical member.

  In (3), (4), and (5) mechanical coupling, the end portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is deformed, which may affect the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  Such deformation is monotone and low resolution in an electrophotographic apparatus, and the cylindrical swing accuracy is about 100 μm, and there is no problem. However, in recent years, the electrophotographic apparatus has been improved in resolution and full color. The unit is required to be highly accurate.

  Further, in a color electrophotographic apparatus, a plurality of electrophotographic photoreceptor units are arranged in parallel, and a tandem system using a separate electrophotographic photoreceptor unit for each of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners. An electrophotographic apparatus has been developed, and high accuracy is required for the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit. In an electrophotographic apparatus with high resolution and full color, high accuracy is required for the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit. In an electrophotographic apparatus with high resolution and full color, a particularly high accuracy is required for the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit.

  Furthermore, as a method for obtaining an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit in which the outer peripheral reference central axis of the support of the electrophotographic photosensitive member coincides with the central axis of the shaft portion, that is, the rotational accuracy is high, (A) high accuracy is obtained. A support and an end engaging member are manufactured, and the end engaging member is engaged with the end of the support by a more precise joining technique.

  Further, as another method for obtaining an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit or a developer carrier unit with high rotational accuracy, (B) an engaging member after engaging an end engaging member with the end of the support There is a method of centering by processing the shaft portion. The method (B) is a method capable of obtaining an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit having a high rotational accuracy even when the accuracy of the support and the engaging member is relatively lower than the method (A), and is advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost. .

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101 is supported by a plurality of support rollers 301a, 301b, 302a, 302b, 303a, and 303b arranged so as to avoid the image area. Next, by driving the support rollers 303 a and 303 b, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101 is rotated about the outer peripheral reference central axis 204 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 102. Next, the cutting member 304 is pressed against the shaft portion 106 of the engaging member 104 of the rotating electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101, so that the central portion concentric with the outer peripheral reference central axis 204 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 102 is the shaft portion 106. (Hereinafter, a series of processing is referred to as “centering processing”). Although FIG. 3 shows the processing of the “shaft”, the processing of the “bearing portion” can be performed in the same manner.

  In this method, the shaft portion can be centered without requiring an expensive process such as accuracy measurement with a simple apparatus, and adjustment during the centering is easy. However, since this method is a method in which a plurality of supporting rollers are brought into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 102 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101 is rotated, the centering process is performed. The outer peripheral roundness of the photographic photosensitive member 102 needs to be high. In the joining methods (3), (4), and (5), the end portion deformation is large, and after engaging the engaging member with the end portion of the support, the shaft portion of the engaging member is processed to perform centering. The current situation is that a satisfactory electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit has not been obtained even by the method used.

As described above, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit that satisfies all of the coupling stability of the end engaging member, the electrophotographic photosensitive member characteristics, and the accuracy has not been obtained.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-282204 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-152809 JP-A-10-288914 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-239628 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-140838 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-062877 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-339135

  The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the cylindrical member and the engaging member are kept in any environment until the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is used for image formation in the electrophotographic apparatus. A stable coupling state can be maintained, and there is no problem that the engagement member is detached and image formation cannot be performed, and the accuracy of the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit is not lowered by coupling the engagement member. An electrophotographic photosensitive member capable of producing a highly accurate electrophotographic photosensitive member unit at a low cost even in the process of centering the shaft or the bearing while rotating about the central axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is to provide a method of manufacturing a drum unit. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit.

In the method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit in which an engaging member is press-fitted into an inner end of a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer, the linear expansion coefficient of the cylindrical member is A1 (/ ° C.), and the line of the engaging member engaging portion The expansion coefficient is A2 (/ ° C.), the temperature when the engagement member is assembled to the cylindrical member is D1, the inner diameter of the cylindrical member coupling portion at the time t1 (° C.), the outer diameter of the coupling member coupling portion is D2, and the electrophotographic apparatus main body When the maximum drum unit operating temperature in the machine is t2 (° C),
A1 <A2 and 5 × 10 −5 (/ ° C.) <A2
And 125 ≧ D2-D1 ≧ 30 μm
And 175 μm ≧ D2 (1+ (t2−t1) A2) −D1 (1+ (t2−t1) A1)
A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit, wherein:

  Further, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit, wherein D2 (1 + (− 20−t1) A2) −D1 (1 + (− 20−t1) A1) ≧ −160 μm.

  A method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit having a part engaging member having a shaft or bearing portion engaged with an end of a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is manufactured by the method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit. A step of joining the engaging member to the end of the support of the body, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member engaged with the engaging member by the engaging step, with the center axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the center The method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising a step of centering the shaft or the bearing portion while rotating the shaft.

  A process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit manufactured by the method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body. .

  An electrophotographic apparatus comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1.

  The effect of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and the cylindrical member and the engaging member are kept in any environment until the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is used for image formation in the electrophotographic apparatus. A stable combined state can be maintained. Thus, there is no problem that the engaging member is detached and image formation cannot be performed. In addition, the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit due to the coupling of the engaging member does not occur, and the shaft or the bearing portion is centered while rotating around the center axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit manufacturing method capable of producing a highly accurate electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit at low cost also in the process was obtained. In addition, according to the present invention, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit can be provided.

  The present invention will be described in more detail.

  As a method of coupling the cylindrical member and the engaging member in the method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, as described with reference to FIG. In the present invention, a high quality is achieved by setting the difference between the inner diameter of the end of the cylindrical member and the outer diameter of the cylindrical coupling portion of the engaging member (hereinafter referred to as press-fitting allowance) to an appropriate value. Thus, it is possible to obtain a high-precision electrophotographic photosensitive member unit necessary for obtaining a color image.

  First, the press-fitting allowance (D2-D1) of the engagement member coupling at the time of assembly is set to 125 μm ≧ D2-D1 ≧ 30 μm.

  When the press-fitting allowance is larger than 125 μm, the accuracy of the end portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit decreases, and the shaft or the bearing portion is centered while being rotated around the central axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. In this case, a highly accurate electrophotographic photosensitive member unit cannot be obtained. When the press-fitting allowance is smaller than 30 μm, a problem is likely to occur in the adhesive layer between the cylindrical member and the engaging member in a low-temperature environment, and there is a possibility that the engaging member is detached and image formation cannot be performed. I found out.

  When the cylindrical member and the engaging member are bonded, the bonding strength decreases if the bonding surface shifts during curing, but when the press-fitting allowance is less than 30 μm, the cylindrical member and the engaging member are fixed so that they do not shift when bonding. This causes a problem that productivity is reduced.

  Secondly, it has been found that the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit during image formation can be prevented by setting the press-fitting allowance for engaging member coupling at a temperature actually used in the electrophotographic apparatus to 175 μm or less.

  When it is larger than 175 μm, the end of the cylindrical member is deformed due to expansion of the engagement member coupling, and the accuracy is lowered, so that a good image cannot be obtained. The press-fitting allowance for engaging member coupling at the actual use temperature is D1 for the inner diameter of the cylindrical member coupling portion at the temperature t1 (° C.) when assembling the engaging member to the cylindrical member, D2 for the outer diameter of the coupling member coupling portion, and electrophotography. When the use temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit in the apparatus main body is t2 (° C.), it can be obtained by the following equation.

      175 μm ≧ D2 (1+ (t2−t1) A2) −D1 (1+ (t2−t1) A1)

  Generally, there are heat sources such as fixing means in the electrophotographic apparatus, and the temperature inside the electrophotographic apparatus is higher than room temperature. Further, depending on the electrophotographic apparatus, a heater may be incorporated in the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit to keep the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit at a high temperature in order to prevent the occurrence of image flow under high humidity. Therefore, generally, the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit operating temperature is usually higher than room temperature. As for the temperature when assembling the engaging member on the cylindrical member, t1 (° C.) is generally preferably in the range of 25 (° C.) over 20 (° C.). At lower and higher temperatures, the operator cannot work comfortably. Efficiency drops.

  Thirdly, it has been found that when the press-fitting allowance for engaging member coupling at −20 ° C. is −160 μm or more, the problem that the engaging member is detached and image formation cannot be performed does not occur.

  As a low-temperature environment in which the electrophotographic unit and the electrophotographic apparatus are transported, -20 ° C is generally assumed. When the press-fitting allowance for engagement member coupling at −20 ° C. is smaller than −160 μm, a problem is likely to occur in the adhesive layer between the cylindrical member and the engagement member in a low temperature environment, and the engagement member is detached and image formation cannot be performed. I found out that it could cause problems. The press-fitting allowance for engaging member coupling in a -20 ° C environment can be obtained by the following equation.

      D2 (1 + (− 20−t1) A2) −D1 (1 + (− 20−t1) A1) ≧ −160 μm

As an example of a material often used in the present invention, as described in the background art, aluminum or an aluminum alloy is often selected for the cylindrical member, and resin is often selected for the material of the one end engaging member. The linear expansion coefficient A1 (/ ° C.) of the cylindrical member is pure aluminum or 3000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series, etc. in a temperature range (range of −20 ° C. to 60 ° C.) in which an ordinary electrophotographic photosensitive member is stored or used. Also in the aluminum alloy, it is 2.0 to 2.4 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.

The linear expansion coefficient A2 (/ ° C.) of the engaging member is 5 × in the temperature range (region of −20 ° C. to 60 ° C.) in which a normal electrophotographic photosensitive member is stored or used. 10 ⁻⁵ to 15 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C. Examples of materials often used as the engagement member include, for example, a general polycarbonate resin (linear expansion coefficient 6.5 × 10 ^{−5 to} 7.5 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.), polyacetal resin (linear expansion coefficient 10 × 10). ^{−5 to} 12 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) and ABS resin (linear expansion coefficient 9.5 × 10 ^{−5 to} 11 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.). A general resin engagement member has a larger linear expansion coefficient than an aluminum cylindrical member. Special resins having a linear expansion coefficient A2 of the engaging member engaging portion of 5 × 10 ⁻⁵ (/ ° C.) or less are also known, but there is a practical problem that the use of the special resin increases the manufacturing cost. The expansion coefficient is preferably larger than 5 × 10 ⁻⁵ (/ ° C.).

  The shape of the engaging member in the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  The engaging member 401 has a shaft portion 106, and has a cylindrical coupling portion 202 through which the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is supported at a predetermined position in the image forming apparatus. And the engaging member is fixed. The cylindrical coupling portion needs to have a sufficient roundness at the outer peripheral portion so as not to deform the cylindrical member when inserted inside the cylindrical member. Furthermore, it consists of a disk-shaped connecting portion 402 that connects the shaft portion and the cylindrical connecting portion. The disk-shaped connecting portion needs to have sufficient strength to rotate the electrophotographic photosensitive drum around the predetermined axis 107 with high accuracy. In order to perform centering of the shaft or the bearing while rotating around the center axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, sufficient strength is required so that vibration does not occur in the shaft during processing. . Therefore, an example in which reinforcing beams (ribs) 403 and 404 are provided in the disk-like connecting portion and the shaft portion in order to increase the strength can be given.

  The cylindrical member used in the present invention is preferably made of aluminum or a 3000 series, 5000 series, 6000 series aluminum alloy or the like.

  The cylindrical member used in the present invention can be obtained, for example, by cutting a tube material obtained by the following method into a predetermined length.

  As a method of obtaining the pipe material, for example, a cup shape is processed by deep drawing, and then the wall of the cup is stretched by ironing to produce a bottomed cylindrical pipe material (DI method), or a cup by impact extrusion. After processing into a shape, the wall of the cup is stretched by ironing to produce a cylindrical tube with a bottom (Method II), or the cylinder obtained by extrusion is stretched by ironing to produce a thin cylindrical tube Examples thereof include a method (EI method) and a method (ED method) of producing a thin cylindrical tube material by drawing after extrusion.

  There is also a method of manufacturing a pipe material with high accuracy by drawing a hollow pipe extruded by the porthole method by one or more stages. Further, the outer diameter accuracy may be increased by cutting.

  An example of a cylindrical member holding method when cutting is described with reference to FIG.

  A cylindrical member 501 manufactured by the above-described means is prepared, and the end portion 502 is processed and adjusted to a predetermined length and parallelism. Further, it is preferable to form a tapered surface 503 on the inner side of the cylindrical member and hold it from both sides by tapered holding means 504a and 504b. When forming the tapered surface on the inner side of the cylindrical member, examples of the method of holding the raw tube include a method of holding the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member and a method of holding the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical member. However, in order to obtain a highly accurate tapered surface, it is important to select a method with small deformation of the cylindrical member. If the deformation of the cylindrical member is too large, when the cylindrical member holding member is removed after the taper surface processing, the deformation may be relaxed and the accuracy of the tapered surface may be reduced.

  As the accuracy of the cylindrical member, both the outer diameter and inner diameter roundness are preferably 30 μm or less (definition of accuracy measurement tolerance according to JIS-B0021 and JIS-B0621). In the cutting process, if the values of the outer diameter and inner diameter roundness before cutting are taken over by the outer diameter and inner diameter roundness after cutting as it is and are larger than 30 μm, the roundness of the end of the cylindrical member after cutting is larger. A large and highly accurate cylinder cannot be obtained.

  A lathe for cutting is preferably driven on both axes in order to increase accuracy. With a double-axis drive lathe, the force applied to the cylindrical member when holding the cylindrical member can be reduced, and a highly accurate cylindrical member after cutting can be obtained with little deformation of the raw tube during holding.

  In the case of cutting, there is an example in which a material that absorbs vibration is inserted into the raw tube (hereinafter, a material inserted into the raw tube to absorb vibration is called a core). The shape of the core is preferably a cylindrical shape that can be inserted inside the cylindrical member and does not interfere with the holding device. The material is preferably rubber, resin, metal or a composite material thereof.

  Further, the inner diameter of the end of the cylindrical member is important in order to press-fit the engaging member inside the end of the cylindrical member.

  The inner diameter tolerance is preferably h8 or less in accordance with JIS standards. In the drawing tube manufacturing technology, if it is attempted to make the tolerance smaller than h8, the selection must be made strict, resulting in a decrease in yield and an increase in cost.

  When drying is performed at a high temperature after application, annealing treatment may be performed to prevent a decrease in accuracy due to temperature.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with the process cartridge of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, which is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed in the direction of the arrow about the shaft 2. An end engaging member (gear, flange, etc.) having a shaft or a bearing portion is engaged with the end of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 (not shown), and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the end engaging member. Constitutes an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit.

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

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

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

  The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 after the transfer of the toner image is cleaned by a cleaning means (cleaning blade or the like) 7 to remove the developer (toner) remaining after transfer, and further from a pre-exposure means (not shown). After being subjected to charge removal processing by pre-exposure light (not shown), it is repeatedly used for image formation. As shown in FIG. 6, when the charging unit 3 is a contact charging unit using a charging roller or the like, pre-exposure is not necessarily required.

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

  The coupling method of the present invention is not only used as an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, but also for various cylindrical electrophotographic members such as a charging roller, a developer carrier (developing roller, developing sleeve), a transfer roller, a fixing roller, and a feeding roller. It can be used as a support.

  In addition, since the cylindrical member joined by the joining method of the present invention has a high roundness of the outer periphery, the present invention can be applied to the shaft or bearing portion of the end engaging member after the end engaging member is engaged with the end. It is particularly preferably applied to an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit obtained by performing the centering process.

  Since the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention has high shake accuracy, the outer periphery of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is rotated without being shaken when mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus. A good output image can be obtained without deviation.

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor (electrophotographic photoreceptor unit) produced by the production method of the present invention is also suitably used for a color electrophotographic apparatus that requires particularly high accuracy.

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

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

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a schematic configuration of an inline type color electrophotographic apparatus. In the case of the in-line method, the transfer means is mainly composed of a transfer material conveying member and a transfer member.

  In FIG. 7, reference numerals 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K denote cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members (first to fourth color electrophotographic photosensitive members), and the directions of the arrows are about axes 2Y, 2M, 2C, and 2K, respectively. Are rotated at a predetermined peripheral speed. The end portions of the electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are respectively engaged with end engaging members (gears, flanges, etc.) having shafts or bearing portions (not shown). The first color electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is constituted by the body 1Y and the end engaging member, and the second color electrophotographic photosensitive member unit is constituted by the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1M and the end engaging member. The electrophotographic photoreceptor unit 1C and the end engaging member constitute a third color electrophotographic photoreceptor unit, and the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1K and the end engaging member constitute the fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptor unit. It is composed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Also, the first to fourth color electrophotographic photoreceptors 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K after removal of the developer (toner) remaining after the transfer by the first to fourth color cleaning means 7Y, 7M, 7C, and 7K. The surface of the surface may be neutralized by the pre-exposure light from the pre-exposure means. However, as shown in FIG. 7, the first to fourth color charging means 3Y, 3M, 3C, 3K In the case of the contact charging means used, pre-exposure is not always necessary.

  In FIG. 7, 15 is an adsorption roller for adsorbing the transfer material to the transfer material conveyance member, and 16 is a separation charger for separating the transfer material from the transfer material conveyance member.

  Further, in the color electrophotographic apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, as in the electrophotographic apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 6, components such as an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit, a charging unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning unit. Among them, a plurality of them may be housed in a container and integrally combined as a process cartridge, and the process cartridge may be configured to be detachable from a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer.

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

Example 1
Cutting hollow pipes (aluminum alloy JIS-A5805: linear expansion coefficient 2.4 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) manufactured with higher accuracy by further drawing the extruded tube made by the porthole method. As a result, 1000 cylindrical members having an outer diameter of 84.3 mm, an inner diameter of 79.0 mm, and a length of 364 mm were obtained. Both the inner and outer circularities of the cylindrical member had a normal distribution with an average of 10 μm and a maximum of 30 μm. Uneven wall thickness is 15 μm at maximum and 40 μm or less on the outer periphery, and the outer peripheral scratch is 50 μm or less at maximum depth. Rolling out is supported by a high-precision bearing at a position 5 mm from both ends of the raw tube. (Measured by the touch width when a dial gauge is applied to the center of the tube) The average is 20 μm and the maximum is 60 μm or less. The inner diameter was 80.000 mm.

  Next, both ends of the cylindrical member were held by cutting while holding the inner periphery of the cylindrical member, and finished to a total length of 360 mm, an end face perpendicularity of 100 μm or less, and an end face parallelism of 20 μm or less. Further, the tapered surface was formed on the end side of the cylindrical member so that the angle at which the extension of the tapered surface in FIG. This series of end processing was continuously performed while maintaining the cylindrical member inner diameter. The concentricity between the tapered surface and the inner end of the cylindrical member was 30 μm or less, and the roundness of the tapered surface was 30 μm or less.

  Next, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member was cut using a lathe processing device (trade name: RL-700, manufactured by Egro Co., Ltd.). As the processing conditions, the clamp surface of the cylindrical member holding member was tapered, and the angle of the apex of the cone formed by extending the clamp surface (tapered surface) to the inner side of the cylindrical member was 30 °. The pressure of the holding means for holding the cylindrical member was 5 kg. The rotational speed of the cylindrical member during cutting is 4000 rpm, and the feed pitch per rotation of the cylindrical member is 0.12 mm / rev. Insert a cylinder made of urethane rubber with a hardness of 95 degrees (JIS hardness), outer diameter 78.9 mm, length 310 mm and urethane rubber to prevent vibration. As rough cutting. Next, finishing was performed with a miracle bite (manufactured by Tokyo Diamond Tool Mfg. Co., Ltd.) with a cutting depth of 0.03 mm.

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

  The obtained cylindrical member had an outer diameter of φ84.94 mm and a length of 360.0 mm. The surface roughness was measured using a surface roughness meter Surfcoder SE3500 (manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.) with a cut-off of 0.8 mm and a measurement length of 8 mm. The 10-point average surface roughness Rzjis was 0.15 μm on average and 0.2 at maximum. The maximum surface height Ry was 0.2 μm on average and 0.3 at maximum. The average wavelength length Sm was 0.12 mm on average.

  Further, the roundness of the upper and lower 7 mm portions measured from the end of the outer peripheral surface of the obtained cylindrical member using Mitutoyo Co., Ltd. roundness meter RA-662, the average value was 7 μm and the maximum value was 11 μm. It was. As a result of measuring the thickness deviation of the upper and lower portions of 7 mm from the end of the outer peripheral surface, the average value was 8 μm and the maximum value was 16 μm. As a result of measuring the roundness of 180 mm (= center part) from the upper end, the average value was 2 μm and the maximum value was 5 μm. As a result of measuring the outer circumferences of 10 mm, 95 mm, 180 mm, 275 mm, and 350 mm from the end and obtaining the cylindricity, the average value was 7 μm, and the maximum value was 15 μm.

Next, 10 parts of SnO ₂ coated barium sulfate, 5 parts of titanium oxide, 6 parts of phenol resin, 4 parts of methanol, and 22 parts of methoxypropanol were dispersed for 2 hours with a three-time viewing device using a glass bead with a diameter of 1 mm. Thus, a conductive layer coating solution was prepared.

  This conductive layer coating solution was dip-coated on a support and heat-cured at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a conductive layer having a thickness of 10 μm.

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

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

  Next, chlorogallium phthalocyanine having strong peaks at 7.4 °, 16.6 °, 25.5 ° and 28.2 ° of the Bragg angles (2θ ± 0.2 °) in the characteristic X-ray diffraction of CuKα. 5 parts, a solution comprising 3 parts of polyvinyl butyral resin (trade name: BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 50 parts of cyclohexanone is dispersed for 8 hours in a sand mill using glass beads having a diameter of 1 mm, and then Then, 100 parts of ethyl acetate was added to prepare a coating solution for charge generation layer.

  This charge generation layer coating solution was dip coated on the intermediate layer and dried at 90 ° C. for 10 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.15 μm.

下記式で示される構造を有するアミン化合物（電荷輸送物質）５部、

および、ビスフェノールＺ型ポリカーボネート樹脂（商品名：ユーピロンＺ−２００、三菱ガス化学（株）製）１０部を、モノクロロベンゼン８０部／ジメトキシメタン２０部の混合溶媒で溶解して、電荷輸送層用塗布液を調製した。 Next, 8 parts of an amine compound (charge transport material) having a structure represented by the following formula:

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

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

  This charge transport layer coating solution was dip coated on the charge generation layer and dried at 130 ° C. for 1 hour to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 15 μm.

In this way, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having a charge transport layer as a surface layer was produced. Next, an engagement member (having a shaft portion) produced by molding a polycarbonate (Iupilon, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Ltd.) linear expansion coefficient 7.0 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C. was produced. The shape is the shape shown in FIG. 4, and the cylindrical connecting portion 402 was cut so that the outer peripheral portion had a roundness of 10 μm or less so as not to deform the cylindrical member when inserted inside the cylindrical member. The outer diameter of the cylindrical coupling portion 402 is 80.050 mm, and the disk-shaped coupling portion 402 has a reinforcing beam (rib) so that it has sufficient strength to rotate the electrophotographic photosensitive drum around the predetermined axis 107 with high accuracy. ) 403 is provided. Reinforcing beams (ribs) 404 were provided on the shaft portion to increase the strength.

  It is attached to both ends of the support (cylindrical member) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member produced as described above, and fixed by using a cyanoacrylate adhesive (trade name: Aron Alpha, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.). A photographic photoreceptor unit was obtained. This process was performed in an environment of 20 ° C.

  Next, centering was performed using a processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101 is supported by a plurality of support rollers 301a, 301b, 302a, 302b, 303a, and 303b arranged so as to abut at a position 15 mm from 10 from the end of the cylindrical member so as to avoid an image area. Next, by driving the support rollers 303 a and 303 b, the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101 is rotated about the outer peripheral reference central axis 204 of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 102. Next, the cutting member 304 is pressed against the shaft portion 106 of the engaging member 104 of the rotating electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 101, thereby removing the unnecessary portion 801 of the bearing portion of the engaging member as shown in FIG. It could be applied to the shaft portion 106 having a central axis concentric with the outer peripheral reference central axis 204 of the photoreceptor 102.

  Processing was performed so that the outer diameter of the shaft portion was 21.0 mm (tolerance: within −0 / + 30 μm) and the length of the shaft portion protruding from the flange portion was 33 mm (tolerance: within −0 / + 0.1 m) ( (See FIG. 8).

  As a result of measuring the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit processed in this way with a height gauge (manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation), the outer diameter of the bearing portion is 21.008 mm, and the length of the bearing portion protruding from the flange portion It was 33.05 mm.

  The electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was fixed to a bearing that fits the processed electrophotographic photoreceptor unit into the outer diameter of both end shafts without gaps, and the accuracy was measured using a laser shake measuring machine. The laser run-out measuring machine used is a laser length measuring machine (manufactured by Shinko Co., Ltd.) that measures the distance between a reference gauge with a straightness of 3 μm or less and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member with a resolution of 1 μm. The surface displacement of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit at 10 points in the direction and 100 points in the circumferential direction is measured, and the shake accuracy is calculated by data processing.

  A total of 1000 electrophotographic photosensitive member units were measured, and the outer peripheral surface deflection cylindrical runout accuracy of the 340 mm portion excluding the 10 mm portion from both ends of the cylindrical member was measured. Of the 1000 electrophotographic photosensitive member units, Table 1 shows the values of the samples having the largest measured values. Table 1 shows the yield when the measured value is 30 μm or less.

  Further, a total of 1000 electrophotographic photoreceptor units prepared as a heat shock test were allowed to stand in a -20 ° C environment for 24 hours, then left at 50 ° C for 24 hours, again left at -20 ° C for 24 hours, and then left in a 50 ° C environment for 24 hours. As a result of leaving it to stand in a 20 ° C. environment for 24 hours and applying 5.0 N · m of torque to the shaft portion to confirm the disengagement of the engaging members, all 1000 pieces were good. Table 1 shows the yields of the non-defective samples.

  The electrophotographic photosensitive member unit thus produced was mounted on an inline type color copying machine (trade name: Color Laser Copier 5000 remodeled machine, manufactured by Canon Inc.). The temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit in the electrophotographic apparatus was kept at 35 ° C. Images were output and color shift and halftone image unevenness were evaluated. The halftone image is one in which one effective line and two white lines are alternately continued, and one scanned in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction was used.

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

(Examples 2 to 4)
An electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 1 were changed in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no color misregistration or halftone image unevenness occurred.

(Examples 5-6)
In Example 1, the cylindrical member material is aluminum alloy JIS-A3003: linear expansion coefficient 2.3 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C., and the engaging member is polyacetal resin (Duracon M90S: manufactured by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.) linear expansion. An electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the other conditions were changed to the conditions shown in Table 1 at a coefficient of 10 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, no color misregistration or halftone image unevenness occurred.

(Comparative Example 1)
An electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 1 were changed in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. The accuracy of the electrophotographic unit after the centering process was reduced, and the yield decreased. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, density unevenness occurred.

(Comparative Example 2)
An electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 1 were changed in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, density unevenness occurred. In the electrophotographic unit having an image defect, the engaging member was detached.

(Comparative Example 3)
An electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 1 were changed in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 1. When the output image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, density unevenness occurred. The end of the cylindrical member was deformed by expansion of the engagement member coupling, and a good image was not obtained.

(Comparative Example 4)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 1 was used as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. As a result of performing the same heat shock test as in Example 1 on a total of 1000 electrophotographic photoreceptor units that were produced, 25 of the 1000 had disengaged engaging members. When the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit in which the separation occurred was examined, a crack occurred in the adhesive layer.

(Comparative Example 5)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor and an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit were produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 2 described above was adopted as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. And evaluated. When an image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, a good image was not obtained. Deformation due to heating occurred at both ends, and after engaging the engaging member with the end of the support, the shaft portion of the engaging member was processed and centered, but sufficient accuracy was not obtained.

(Comparative Example 6)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 3 was used as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. When an image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, a good image was not obtained. The deformation due to heating occurred at both ends, and the accuracy of the electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was lowered.

(Comparative Example 7)
In Example 1, an image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 4 was adopted as a method for joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. A good image could not be obtained with the unit. Deformation has occurred at the end of the support, and after engaging the engagement member with the end of the support, the shaft of the engagement member was processed and centered, but sufficient accuracy was not obtained. It was.

(Comparative Example 8)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 5 was used as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. When an image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, a good image could not be obtained with 13% of the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit. Deformation has occurred at the end of the support, and after engaging the engagement member with the end of the support, the shaft of the engagement member was processed and centered, but sufficient accuracy was not obtained. It was.

(Comparative Example 9)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 6 was adopted as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. When the image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, a good image could not be obtained with 12% of the electrophotographic photosensitive unit. Deformation has occurred at the end of the support, and after engaging the engagement member with the end of the support, the shaft of the engagement member was processed and centered, but sufficient accuracy was not obtained. It was.

(Comparative Example 10)
In Example 1, an electrophotographic photosensitive member unit was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the method described in Patent Document 7 was used as a method of joining the cylindrical member and the engaging member. When an image was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1, a good image could not be obtained with 15% of the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit. Deformation has occurred at the end of the support, and after engaging the engagement member with the end of the support, the shaft of the engagement member was processed and centered, but sufficient accuracy was not obtained. It was.

It is a figure explaining the structure of an electrophotographic photoreceptor unit. It is a figure explaining a deformation | transformation using sectional drawing by the temperature change of a cylindrical member and an engaging member coupling | bond part (state at the time of an assembly). It is a figure explaining deformation | transformation by sectional drawing using the temperature change of a cylindrical member and an engagement member coupling | bond part (state at the time of deformation | transformation cooling). It is a figure explaining the method of processing the axial part of an edge part engagement member, and performing centering. It is a figure explaining the engagement member shape of this invention. It is a figure explaining the method of cutting a cylindrical member. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an electrophotographic apparatus including a process cartridge. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an inline type color electrophotographic apparatus. FIG. It is the figure which removed the unnecessary part by cutting about the bearing part of the edge part engagement member.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Electrophotographic photoreceptor 1Y Electrophotographic photoreceptor 1M Electrophotographic photoreceptor 1C Electrophotographic photoreceptor 1K Electrophotographic photoreceptor 2 Axis 2Y Axis 2M Axis 2C Axis 2K Axis 3 Charging means 3Y Charging means 3M Charging means 3C Charging means 3K Charging means 4 exposure light 4Y exposure light 4M exposure light 4C exposure light 4K exposure light 5 developing means 5Y developing means 5M developing means 5C developing means 5K developing means 6 transfer means 6Y transfer member 6M transfer member 6C transfer member 6K transfer member 7 cleaning means 7Y cleaning Means 7M Cleaning means 7C Cleaning means 7K Cleaning means 8 Fixing means 9 Process cartridge 10 Guide means 12 Stretching roller 14 Transfer material conveying member 15 Adsorption roller 16 Separation charger 101 Electrophotographic photosensitive member unit 102 Cylindrical member 103 Photosensitive layer 104 Engagement Member 1
105 engaging member 2
106 Shaft 107 Electrophotographic Photoreceptor Unit Rotating Shaft 108 Decentered Engagement Member Shaft Center 109 Developing Means 201 Cylindrical Member End Inside 202 Engagement Member Coupling Portion 301a Support Roller 301b Support Roller 302a Support Roller 302b Support Roller 303a Support Roller 303b Support roller 304 Cutting member 401 Engaging member 402 Disc-shaped connecting portion 403 Rib 404 Rib 501 Cylindrical member (element tube)
502 Cylindrical member end portion 503 Cylindrical member end tapered surface 504a Cylindrical member holding means 504b Cylindrical member holding means 801 Cutting removal portion of bearing portion

Claims (5)

In a method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit in which an engaging member is press-fitted into an inner end of a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer, the linear expansion coefficient of the cylindrical member is A1 / ° C., and the linear expansion coefficient of the engaging member engaging portion A2 / ° C., the temperature when the engaging member is assembled to the cylindrical member is D1 at the cylindrical member coupling portion inner diameter at D1 and the outer diameter at the coupling member coupling portion D2 at t1 ° C., and the drum unit operating temperature in the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. When the maximum value is t2 ° C,
A1 <A2,
And 5 × 10 ⁻⁵ (/ ° C.) <A2
And 125 ≧ D2-D1 ≧ 30 μm
And 175 μm ≧ D2 (1+ (t2−t1) A2) −D1 (1+ (t2−t1) A1)
A method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit, wherein: D2 (1 + (− 20−t1) A2) −D1 (1 + (− 20−t1) A1) ≧ −160 μm
The method for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1, wherein:   A method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit having a part engaging member having a shaft or a bearing portion engaged with an end of a cylindrical member having a photosensitive layer, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is manufactured by the method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit. A step of joining the engaging member to the end of the support of the body, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member engaged with the engaging member by the engaging step, with the center axis of the outer peripheral reference of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as the center The method of manufacturing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a step of centering the shaft or the bearing portion while rotating the shaft.   4. A process cartridge comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit manufactured by the method of manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1, wherein the process cartridge is detachable from an electrophotographic apparatus main body.   An electrophotographic apparatus comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit manufactured by the method for manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit according to claim 1.

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