JP2009053400A - Image forming apparatus, image forming method and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus and method suppressing image degradation due to density lowering and image blurring in the vicinity of a charging means at high humidity, having high durability and stably forming a high-quality image even after long-term repeated use, and also to provide a process cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes: the charging means to charge an electrophotographic photoreceptor surface by a noncontact corona discharge method; and a lubricant imparting means 43 to impart a lubricant to the electrophotographic photoreceptor surface. The internal relative humidity of the image forming apparatus is sensed with a humidity sensing means, and when the internal relative humidity of the image forming apparatus is ≥60% after image formation, and the next image forming operation is not started until five hours or more elapses, before starting the next image forming operation, the electrophotographic photoreceptor is rotated 60 times or more without forming an image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge that have high durability and can realize high image quality.

  In recent years, there has been a remarkable development in information processing system machines based on electrophotography. In particular, laser printers and digital copying machines that record information by converting light into digital signals are significantly improved in print quality and reliability. These have been applied to laser printers or digital copying machines capable of full-color printing by fusing with high-speed technology. From such a background, it is particularly important to achieve both high image quality and high durability as a required function of an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter also referred to as “photosensitive member”). Yes.

  As a photoreceptor used in such an electrophotographic laser printer or digital copying machine, an organic photosensitive material is generally widely used for reasons such as cost, productivity, and pollution-free property. ing. As this organic photoconductor (OPC), for example, (1) a photoconductive resin represented by polyvinylcarbazole (PVK), (2) PVK-TNF (2,4,7-tri-). A charge transfer complex type represented by (nitrofluorenone), (3) a pigment dispersion type represented by phthalocyanine-binder, and (4) a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material. Combined function separation type, etc.

  However, organic photoconductors (OPCs) are prone to scraping of the photosensitive layer due to repeated use. When the photosensitive layer is scraped in this way, the charged potential of the photoconductor and the photosensitivity are degraded. There is a strong tendency to promote background contamination due to scratches, image density reduction or image quality degradation, and the abrasion resistance of photoconductors has been a major issue. Further, in recent years, with the increase in the speed of the image forming apparatus and the reduction in the diameter of the photosensitive body accompanying the downsizing of the apparatus, it has become an even more important issue to improve the durability of the photosensitive body.

As a method for realizing such high durability of the photoreceptor, there is a wide range of methods including providing a protective layer on the outermost surface of the photoreceptor and imparting lubricity to the protective layer, curing it, or containing a filler. Are known. In particular, the method of containing a filler in the protective layer is one of the effective methods for enhancing the durability of the photoreceptor (for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5). And Patent Document 6).
However, when a protective layer on the outermost surface of the photoreceptor contains a filler for high durability, an increase in the residual potential and image blur due to an oxidizing gas tend to appear, and there remains a problem for improving the image quality.

  In recent years, color image forming apparatuses using roller charging method charging means that can save energy, generate less ozone, and become more compact have become mainstream. For this reason, the conventional non-contact roller discharge type charging means has been reviewed. However, in the corona discharge charging means, the amount of discharge products (ozone, NOx, etc.) generated by the discharge is larger than that in the roller charging method, and a photosensitive member containing a filler on the outermost layer is used for higher durability. Image blurring is more likely to occur.

  Also, in order to improve the image quality, a lubricant is applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member for the purpose of improving the transfer rate, reducing the character dropout and solid transfer unevenness, and further improving the cleaning property by the cleaning blade. An image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means for reducing the friction coefficient of the electrophotographic photosensitive member has been proposed (see Patent Document 7). In the image forming apparatus provided with such a lubricant applying means, as another advantage, the wear amount of the photoconductor and the photoconductor filming are reduced, and the life of the photoconductor can be extended. In addition, when combined with a photoreceptor containing a filler on the outermost layer for high durability, resistance to photoreceptor wear and scratches on the photoreceptor surface due to variations in the amount of lubricant applied by the lubricant applying means is improved. Therefore, it is possible to further increase the durability as compared with a photoreceptor that does not contain a filler in the outermost layer.

  However, when the lubricant is applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance generated from the charging means and the transfer means are adsorbed by the lubricant, and in addition, in the case of high humidity, the photosensitive member is affected by the influence of moisture. In many cases, the surface has a low resistance and image blur is likely to occur. Further, when the charging means is a corona discharge system, the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance are attached or accumulated inside the corona charging means, and the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance are applied to the photosensitive member while the photosensitive member is stopped. It has been found that the surface of the photosensitive member poured down and coated with a lubricant is extremely lowered in resistance, and the image is completely lost and cannot be reproduced. Combining the means for applying the lubricant to the photoconductor and the non-contact charging means (corona discharge method), even when a photoconductor without a protective layer containing filler is used, the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance lubricant Image blur may occur due to a decrease in surface resistance due to adsorption.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus including the corona discharge charging unit and the lubricant applying unit, there are still problems regarding high speed, high durability, and high image quality. .

JP-A-53-133444 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-157748 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 57-30846 JP-A-2-4275 JP-A-4-281461 JP 2000-66434 A JP 2002-244485 A

  This invention is made | formed in view of this present condition, and makes it a subject to solve the said various problems in the past and to achieve the following objectives. In other words, the present invention can suppress a decrease in density in the vicinity of the charging means at high humidity and image deterioration due to image blur, and further has high durability, and a high-quality image is stable even when used repeatedly for a long time. An object is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge that can be formed.

  As a result of extensive studies by the present inventors in order to resolve image density reduction and image blurring in the vicinity of the charging means at high humidity, these image defects are applied to the photoreceptor and the lubricant absorbs and deteriorates the oxidizing substance. Therefore, it is not sufficient to improve the resistance of the photoreceptor to the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance, and an image forming operation is performed for 5 hours or more at a relative humidity of 60% or more. If not, the inventors found that image defects can be suppressed by rotating the photosensitive member 60 times or more and replacing the deteriorated lubricant with a new one, and the configuration of the present invention has been achieved.

About the said structure, it is based on the following knowledge 1-3 obtained by examination of this invention.
1. If the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is less than 60%, the decrease in resistance of the lubricant that has deteriorated due to the adsorption of the oxidizing substance is very small. Therefore, as in the present invention, the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance of the photoconductor If the resistance to the image is sufficient, image defects such as image blur and density reduction do not occur. If the relative humidity is 60% or more, particularly 70% or more, the resistance of the lubricant that has deteriorated on the surface of the photoreceptor due to the influence of moisture decreases, and image defects are likely to occur.
2. If it is less than 5 hours after the end of the image forming operation, the influence of the oxidizing gas and the substance adsorbed and accumulated near the charging unit on the lubricant on the surface of the photosensitive member is slight, so that image defects are unlikely to occur. However, if it is 5 hours or more, the adsorption and accumulation to the lubricant proceeds, the deterioration of the lubricant proceeds, and the surface resistance decreases. In particular, when it is 8 hours or longer, the adsorption and accumulation on the lubricant is abruptly progressed, the deterioration of the lubricant is remarkably progressed, and the surface resistance is greatly reduced.
3. Further, the lubricant supplying means supplies the lubricant onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the lubricant supplied downstream of the cleaning means in the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the lubricant supplying means is electrophotographic photosensitive. Since it is possible to reduce the amount of applied lubricant and increase the replacement efficiency of the lubricant by comprising the means for applying the lubricant on the body, the lubrication that has deteriorated due to adsorption of oxidizing gas and substances. The number of rotations of the photosensitive member necessary for replacing the agent can be reduced to 60 rotations (rotation operation time can be shortened). Moreover, in order to ensure reliable substitution, it is preferable to set it to 90 rotations or more. It was confirmed that moisture, oxidizing gas, and oxidizing substance were not sufficiently volatilized and removed by a slight temperature increase in the apparatus (energization of the fixing device).

In order to achieve high durability of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, it is effective to provide a protective layer containing a filler as the outermost layer on a conventional photoreceptor. However, as described above, there is a problem that image quality deterioration such as an increase in residual potential and occurrence of image blur is caused.
An electrophotographic photosensitive member containing a filler on the outermost layer for such a long life, a corona discharge type charging means for discharging in a non-contact manner, and a lubricant application for applying a lubricant on the electrophotographic photosensitive member Even in the case of an image forming apparatus in which the means are combined, the general formulas (1) and (2) as disclosed in JP-A-2004-233955 and JP-A-2004-264788 are provided on the outermost surface layer of the photoreceptor. When at least one of the above diamine compounds is included to provide resistance to oxidizing gas and substance, and when the image forming operation is not performed for 5 hours or more at a relative humidity of 60% or more, the photoreceptor is rotated 60 times or more. By rotating and replacing the lubricant that has deteriorated due to the oxidizing substance with a new one, it is possible to prevent a decrease in density near the charging means in high humidity and image deterioration due to image blurring. That.
The reason why the resistance to the oxidizing gas and the substance can be improved by including at least one diamine compound of the general formulas (1) and (2) in the surface layer is not clear at present, but is included in the structure. It is presumed that the substituted amino group suppresses the generation of radical substances effective against the oxidizing gas. In addition, since the diamine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) and (2) also have a charge transporting ability, they themselves do not act as traps for charge bile bodies, and electrical potentials such as an increase in residual potential accompanying the addition. The characteristic deterioration is hardly observed.

  By adopting the configuration as described above, it has high durability and can suppress deterioration in density in the vicinity of the charging means at high humidity and image deterioration due to image blurring. The present inventors have found that can be stably formed.

  This invention is based on the said knowledge, and the said subject is solved by the invention described in the following (1)-(20). Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described.

(1) “An electrophotographic photosensitive member, exposure means for exposing the charged surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image. In an image forming apparatus having at least developing means for forming, transfer means for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and cleaning means for removing residual toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The image forming apparatus has a non-contact corona discharge charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. When the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is detected and the image formation is completed, the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is 60% or more stored in advance in the apparatus, and the image forming operation is stored in the apparatus for 5 hours or more. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member that does not perform image formation is performed for 60 rotations or more before entering the next image formation operation when not in the state of entering "
(2) The above-mentioned (1 The image forming apparatus according to item);

［前記一般式（１）中、Ｒ^１及びＲ^２は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、置換基を有していてもよいアルキル基、及び置換基を有していてもよいアリール基のいずれかを表わし、該Ｒ^１及びＲ^２の少なくとも１つは置換基を有していてもよいアリール基である。なお、Ｒ^１とＲ^２とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒは、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。］

[In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² may be the same as or different from each other, and may have an alkyl group which may have a substituent, and a substituent. Any one of the aryl groups which may be present, and at least one of R ¹ and R ^{2 is} an aryl group which may have a substituent. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar represents an aryl group which may have a substituent. ]

［前記一般式（２）中、Ｒ^３及びＲ^４は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、芳香族炭化水素基置換又は無置換のアルキル基を表わし、該Ｒ^３とＲ^４とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒ^１及びＡｒ^２は、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。ｌ及びｍは、それぞれ０〜３の整数を表わし、ｌとｍが同時に０となることはない。ｎは１又は２の整数を表わす。］」、
（３）「前記画像形成装置に予め記憶された相対湿度が６５％以上であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項又は第（２）項に記載の画像形成装置」、
（４）「前記画像形成装置に予め記憶された画像形成動作が入らない時間が６時間以上であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（３）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（５）「前記画像形成を行なわない電子写真感光体の回転動作の回転数が９０回転以上であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（４）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（６）「前記潤滑剤付与手段が、電子写真感光体の回転方向におけるクリーニング手段の下流に設けられていることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（５）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（７）「潤滑剤塗布手段が、塗布ブレードであることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（６）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（８）「前記潤滑剤が金属石鹸であり、該金属石鹸が、ステアリン酸亜鉛、ステアリン酸アルミニウム、及びステアリン酸カルシウムから選択される少なくとも１種であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（７）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（９）「潤滑剤供給手段が電子写真感光体に接触して回転するブラシ状ローラであり、該ブラシ状ローラが潤滑剤を摺擦し掻き取って該電子写真感光体上に供給する前記第（１）項乃至第（８）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１０）「前記電子写真感光体の最表層に含有されるフィラーが、金属酸化物から選択される少なくとも１種を含むことを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（９）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１１）「前記電子写真感光体の最表層に含有されるフィラーの平均一次粒径が、０．０１〜１．０μｍであることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１０）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１２）「前記電子写真感光体の最表層におけるフィラーの含有量が、５〜５０質量％であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１１）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１３）「前記電子写真感光体の最表層が、酸価が１０〜７００ｍｇＫＯＨ／ｇの有機化合物を含有することを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１２）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１４）「前記電子写真感光体が、支持体と該支持体上に感光層と保護層とをこの順に有してなり、前記保護層が、最表層であることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１３）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１５）「前記露光手段が、半導体レーザ（ＬＤ）及び発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）のいずれかであり、該露光手段によりデジタル方式で電子写真感光体上に静電潜像の書き込みを行なうようにしたことを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１４）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１６）「前記電子写真感光体上に複数色の可視像を順次重ね合わせてカラー画像を形成する構成としたことを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１５）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１７）「前記電子写真感光体を複数有し、それぞれの電子写真感光体に現像された単色の可視像を順次重ね合わせてカラー画像を形成するものであることを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１６）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１８）「前記電子写真感光体上に現像された可視像を中間転写体上に一次転写した後、該中間転写体上の可視像を記録媒体上に二次転写する中間転写手段を備え、複数色の可視像を中間転写体上に順次重ね合わせてカラー画像を形成し、該カラー画像を記録媒体上に一括で二次転写する構成としたことを特徴とする前記第（１）項乃至第（１７）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置」、
（１９）「電子写真感光体と、帯電された電子写真感光体表面を露光して静電潜像を形成する露光工程と、前記静電潜像をトナーを用いて現像して可視像を形成する現像工程と、前記可視像を記録媒体に転写する転写工程と、前記電子写真感光体表面の残存トナーを除去するクリーニング工程と、を少なくとも有する画像形成方法において、
該画像形成方法が該電子写真感光体表面を帯電する非接触のコロナ放電方式の帯電工程と前記電子写真感光体表面に潤滑剤を付与する潤滑剤付与工程とを有し、前記電子写真感光体の最表層が、少なくともフィラーと、下記一般式（１）及び（２）で表わされるジアミン化合物のうち少なくともいずれかとを含有し、湿度検知工程によって、画像形成装置内の相対湿度を検知し、画像形成終了後、画像形成装置内の相対湿度が少なくとも６０％以上で少なくとも５時間以上画像形成動作が入らない場合、画像形成を行なわない電子写真感光体の回転動作が少なくとも６０回転分以上行なわれることを特徴とする画像形成方法；

[In the general formula (2), R ³ and R ⁴ may be identical or different, or different, represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, with the R ³ R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an aryl group which may have a substituent. l and m each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and l and m are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. ] ",
(3) “The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the relative humidity stored in the image forming apparatus in advance is 65% or more”,
(4) The image according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a time during which an image forming operation stored in advance in the image forming apparatus does not enter is 6 hours or more Forming device ",
(5) The image according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the number of rotations of the electrophotographic photoreceptor not performing image formation is 90 or more. Forming device ",
(6) “The lubricant applying unit is provided downstream of the cleaning unit in the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,” according to any one of the above items (1) to (5). Image forming apparatus ",
(7) “The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the lubricant applying unit is an applying blade”;
(8) The items (1) to (1), wherein the lubricant is a metal soap, and the metal soap is at least one selected from zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, and calcium stearate. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items (7),
(9) “The lubricant supply means is a brush-like roller that rotates in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the brush-like roller rubs and scrapes the lubricant to be supplied onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8) ",
(10) Any of the items (1) to (9), wherein the filler contained in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains at least one selected from metal oxides The image forming apparatus according to the above ",
(11) The items (1) to (10), wherein the average primary particle size of the filler contained in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 0.01 to 1.0 μm. The image forming apparatus according to any one of "
(12) The image according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the content of the filler in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 5 to 50% by mass. Forming device ",
(13) “The outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mg KOH / g,” according to any one of the above items (1) to (12). Image forming apparatus ",
(14) “The electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a support, a photosensitive layer and a protective layer on the support in this order, and the protective layer is an outermost layer ( The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1) to 13),
(15) “The exposure means is either a semiconductor laser (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED), and the exposure means writes an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member in a digital manner. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items (1) to (14),
(16) Any one of the above items (1) to (15), wherein a color image is formed by sequentially superimposing a plurality of colors of visible images on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus described in "
(17) The above-described (1), wherein a plurality of the electrophotographic photosensitive members are provided, and a single color visible image developed on each of the electrophotographic photosensitive members is sequentially superimposed to form a color image. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1) to (16) ",
(18) “Intermediate transfer means for performing a primary transfer of a visible image developed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto an intermediate transfer member and then a secondary transfer of the visible image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium. A plurality of visible images of a plurality of colors are sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer member to form a color image, and the color image is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium at a time (1) ) To (17) image forming apparatus ”,
(19) “An electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposure step of exposing the surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image. In an image forming method comprising at least a developing step for forming, a transferring step for transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a cleaning step for removing residual toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The image forming method includes a non-contact corona discharge charging step for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant applying step for applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The outermost layer contains at least a filler and at least one of the diamine compounds represented by the following general formulas (1) and (2), detects the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus by a humidity detection step, and After the completion of formation, if the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is at least 60% and the image forming operation is not performed for at least 5 hours, the electrophotographic photosensitive member that does not perform image formation is rotated at least 60 times or more. An image forming method characterized by:

［前記一般式（１）中、Ｒ^１及びＲ^２は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、置換基を有していてもよいアルキル基、及び置換基を有していてもよいアリール基のいずれかを表わし、該Ｒ^１及びＲ^２の少なくとも１つは置換基を有していてもよいアリール基である。なお、Ｒ^１とＲ^２とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒは、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。］

[In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² may be the same as or different from each other, and may have an alkyl group which may have a substituent, and a substituent. Any one of the aryl groups which may be present, and at least one of R ¹ and R ^{2 is} an aryl group which may have a substituent. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar represents an aryl group which may have a substituent. ]

［前記一般式（２）中、Ｒ^３及びＲ^４は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、芳香族炭化水素基置換又は無置換のアルキル基を表わし、該Ｒ^３とＲ^４とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒ^１及びＡｒ^２は、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。ｌ及びｍは、それぞれ０〜３の整数を表わし、ｌとｍが同時に０となることはない。ｎは１又は２の整数を表わす。］」、
（２０）「電子写真感光体と、帯電手段、露光手段、現像手段、転写手段、クリーニング手段及び除電手段から選択される少なくとも１つの手段を備え、前記第（１）項乃至第（１８）項のいずれかに記載の画像形成装置に用いられることを特徴とするプロセスカートリッジ」。

[In the general formula (2), R ³ and R ⁴ may be identical or different, or different, represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, with the R ³ R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an aryl group which may have a substituent. l and m each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and l and m are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. ] ",
(20) “Equipped with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one means selected from a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, a cleaning means, and a static elimination means, and the items (1) to (18). Or a process cartridge used in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

  According to the present invention, various problems in the prior art can be solved, the durability is high, and the decrease in density in the vicinity of the charging means when the photoconductor is in high humidity and the image deterioration due to image blur can be suppressed. In contrast, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge that can stably form a high-quality image.

(Image forming apparatus and image forming method)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a lubricant applying unit, and if necessary. And other means suitably selected, for example, fixing means, static elimination means, recycling means, control means, and the like.
The image forming method of the present invention includes at least a charging step, an exposure step, a development step, a transfer step, a cleaning step, and a lubricant application step, and further other steps appropriately selected as necessary, for example, It includes a fixing process, a charge eliminating process, a recycling process, a control process, and the like.

  The image forming method according to the present invention can be preferably carried out by the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the charging step can be performed by the charging unit, the exposure step can be performed by the exposing unit, The developing step can be performed by the developing unit, the transferring step can be performed by the transferring unit, the cleaning step can be performed by the cleaning unit, and the lubricant applying step can be performed by the lubricant applying unit. The other steps can be performed by the other means.

[Electrophotographic photoreceptor]
The electrophotographic photoreceptor is not particularly limited with respect to the layer structure, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. In the first embodiment, a photosensitive layer having a single layer structure on the support (hereinafter, (It may also be referred to as a “single-layer type photosensitive layer”) and, if necessary, further layers such as a protective layer and an undercoat layer. In the second embodiment, there is provided a support, and a photosensitive layer having a structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are stacked on the support (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “laminated photosensitive layer”). Furthermore, it has other layers, such as a protective layer and an undercoat layer, if necessary. In the second embodiment, the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be laminated in reverse.

Here, the electrophotographic photosensitive member will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 5 are schematic sectional views showing an example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a photosensitive layer (202) containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material on a support (201), a filler and a diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2). Is contained in the photosensitive layer (202).
FIG. 2 shows that a charge generation layer (203) containing a charge generation material on a support (201) and a diamine compound represented by any of (2) and (2) are contained in a charge transport layer (204). The
FIG. 3 has a photosensitive layer (202) containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material on a support (201), and further has a protective layer (210) on the surface of the photosensitive layer. The filler and the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) are contained in the protective layer (210).
In FIG. 4, a charge generation layer (203) containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer (204) containing a charge transport material are laminated on a support (201), and a protective layer is further formed on the surface of the charge transport layer. (210). The filler and the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) are contained in the protective layer (210).
In FIG. 5, a charge transport layer (204) containing a charge transport material and a charge generation layer (203) containing a charge generation material are laminated on a support (201), and a protective layer is further formed on the surface of the charge generation layer. (210). The filler and the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) are contained in the protective layer (210).

Examples of the outermost layer include a charge transport layer or a protective layer in the multilayer photoreceptor. In the single layer type photoreceptor, a photosensitive layer, a protective layer, or the like is preferably used. Among these, the electrophotographic photosensitive member has a support, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, and a protective layer in this order on the support, and the protective layer is an outermost layer. Is particularly preferred.
The outermost layer in the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains at least a filler and a diamine compound represented by any one of the following general formulas (1) and (2), and further contains other components as necessary. Become.

[Filler]
As the filler, either an organic filler or an inorganic filler is used. Examples of the organic filler include fluorine resin powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene; silicon resin powder, a-carbon powder, and the like. Examples of the inorganic filler include metal powders such as copper, tin, aluminum, and indium; doped with silica, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, alumina, zirconium oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, bismuth oxide, calcium oxide, and antimony. Metal oxides such as tin oxide and tin-doped indium oxide; metal fluorides such as tin fluoride, calcium fluoride and aluminum fluoride; potassium titanate and boron nitride. Among these, from the viewpoint of the hardness of the filler, the use of an inorganic filler is advantageous for improving the wear resistance.

  Further, as the filler that hardly causes image blur, a filler having high electrical insulation is preferable. As such a filler, a filler having a pH of 5 or more or a filler having a dielectric constant of 5 or more is particularly effective, and examples thereof include titanium oxide, alumina, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. In addition, a filler having a pH of 5 or more or a filler having a dielectric constant of 5 or more can be used alone. Two or more fillers having a pH of 5 or less and a filler having a pH of 5 or more can be mixed, or the dielectric constant can be used. It is also possible to use a mixture of two or more fillers having a dielectric constant of 5 or less and fillers having a dielectric constant of 5 or more. Among these fillers, α-type alumina, which has high insulation properties, high thermal stability, and high wear resistance, is a hexagonal close-packed structure that suppresses image blurring and improves wear resistance. Is particularly useful from

When the dispersibility of the filler is lowered, not only the residual potential is increased, but also the transparency of the outermost layer is decreased, the occurrence of coating film defects, and further the wear resistance is decreased. Therefore, the filler is at least one surface treatment. It is preferable that it is surface-treated with an agent.
The surface treatment agent is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected from conventionally used surface treatment agents according to the purpose, but a surface treatment agent capable of maintaining the insulating properties of the filler is preferable. Titanate coupling agent, aluminum coupling agent, zircoaluminate coupling agent, higher fatty acid, or mixed treatment with these and silane coupling agent; Al ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , silicon, stearic acid Aluminum or a mixed treatment thereof is more preferable from the viewpoints of filler dispersibility and prevention of image blurring. Although the influence of image blur is increased by the surface treatment with the silane coupling agent, the influence may be suppressed by performing a mixing treatment of the surface treatment agent and the silane coupling agent. The amount of the surface treatment agent varies depending on the average primary particle size of the filler used, but is preferably 3 to 30% by mass, more preferably 5 to 20% by mass. When the surface treatment amount is less than this, the filler dispersion effect cannot be obtained, and when the surface treatment amount is too much, the residual potential may be significantly increased.

The average primary particle size of the filler is preferably 0.01 to 1.0 μm, and more preferably 0.05 to 0.8 μm. If the average primary particle size is less than 0.01 μm, wear resistance and dispersibility may be lowered. If the average primary particle size is more than 1.0 μm, the settling of the filler is promoted or the toner film is filled. May occur.
The average primary particle size of the filler can be directly measured, for example, by observation with an electron microscope.

  5-50 mass% is preferable and, as for content in the said outermost layer of the said filler, 10-40 mass% is more preferable. If the content is less than 5% by mass, the wear resistance is not sufficient, but if it exceeds 50% by mass, the transparency of the outermost layer may be impaired. In this case, when a filler is contained on the surface of the photosensitive layer, the filler can be contained in the entire photosensitive layer, but the filler concentration is such that the outermost surface side of the charge transport layer has the highest filler concentration and the support side becomes lower. It is preferable to provide a structure in which a slope is provided, or a plurality of charge transport layers are provided to increase the filler concentration sequentially from the support side to the surface side.

[Organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g]
When the outermost layer in the photosensitive member contains a filler, high durability can be realized and so-called image blur can be avoided, but the influence of a rise in residual potential is increased. In order to suppress this increase in residual potential, it is preferable to add an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g.
Here, the acid value is defined as the number of milligrams of potassium hydroxide required to neutralize free fatty acid contained in 1 g, and can be measured by a method defined in JIS K2501 or the like.
The organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include organic fatty acids and resins having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g. However, very low molecular weight maleic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid and other organic acids, acceptors, etc. may significantly reduce the dispersibility of the filler, so the residual potential is sufficiently reduced. It may not be demonstrated. Therefore, in order to reduce the residual potential of the photoreceptor and to increase the dispersibility of the filler, it is preferable to use a low molecular weight polymer, resin, copolymer, etc., and further mixed them. Moreover, as a structure of the said organic compound, it is more preferable to have a linear structure with few steric hindrances. In order to improve the dispersibility, it is necessary to give affinity to both the filler and the binder resin, and the material having a large steric hindrance decreases the dispersibility due to a decrease in their affinity. This leads to many problems as described above.
In this respect, the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is preferably a polycarboxylic acid. The polycarboxylic acid is a compound having a structure containing a carboxylic acid in a polymer or copolymer, such as a polyester resin, an acrylic resin, a copolymer using acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, a styrene acrylic copolymer, or the like. Any organic compound containing acid or its derivative can be used. These can be used in combination of two or more. In some cases, mixing these materials and organic fatty acids may increase the dispersibility of the filler or the effect of reducing the residual potential associated therewith.

  The acid value of the organic compound is preferably 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, more preferably 30 to 400 mgKOH / g. If the acid value is too high, the resistance decreases too much and the influence of image blur increases, and if the acid value is too low, it is necessary to increase the amount of addition and the effect of reducing the residual potential becomes insufficient. The acid value of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g needs to be determined by a balance with the amount added. Even with the same addition amount, if the acid value is high, the residual potential reduction effect is not high, and the effect is greatly related to the adsorptivity of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g to the filler.

The content of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is determined by the acid value and the filler content. That is, when the content of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is A, the acid value of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is B, and the content of the filler is C, It is preferable to satisfy the following relational expression 1 between A, B and C.
<Relational expression 1>
0.2 ≦ acid value equivalent (A × B / C) ≦ 20
If the content of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is too large, it may cause a poor dispersion or a strong influence of image blur. On the other hand, if the content is too small, dispersion may occur. Defects and residual potential reduction effects may be insufficient.

  The filler can be dispersed using at least an organic solvent, an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, and the like using a ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, an ultrasonic wave, or the like. Among these, the contact efficiency between the filler and the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g can be increased, and dispersion by a ball mill with less impurities from the outside is more preferable from the viewpoint of dispersibility. As for the material of the media used, all media such as zirconia, alumina, and agate conventionally used can be used, but alumina is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of filler dispersibility and residual potential reduction effect. Zirconia has a large amount of media wear during dispersion, and the residual potential increases remarkably due to the mixing of these media. Furthermore, the dispersibility is greatly lowered by the mixing of the wear powder, and the sedimentation property of the filler is promoted. On the other hand, when alumina is used as the medium, the medium is worn during dispersion, but the amount of wear is kept low and the influence of the mixed wear powder on the residual potential is very small. Further, even if wear powder is mixed, there is little adverse effect on dispersibility. Therefore, it is particularly preferable to use alumina as a medium used for dispersion.

  The organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is added together with the filler and the organic solvent from before dispersion to suppress the aggregation of the filler in the coating liquid and further the sedimentation property of the filler, and the dispersibility of the filler. Is remarkably improved, it is preferably added before dispersion. On the other hand, the binder resin and the charge transport material can be added before the dispersion, but in this case, the dispersibility is slightly lowered. Therefore, the binder resin and the charge transport material are preferably added after being dispersed in a state dissolved in an organic solvent.

[Diamine compound]
The organic compound is easily adsorbed by an oxidizing gas such as ozone and NOx generated by the corona discharge charging means due to its chemical structure, and in some cases, the resistance of the outermost surface is reduced, and image flow or the like May cause problems.
In the present invention, in order to solve this problem, the outermost layer contains at least one of diamine compounds represented by the following general formulas (1) and (2).

［前記一般式（１）中、Ｒ^１及びＲ^２は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、置換基を有していてもよいアルキル基、及び置換基を有していてもよいアリール基のいずれかを表わし、該Ｒ^１及びＲ^２の少なくとも１つは置換基を有していてもよいアリール基である。なお、Ｒ^１とＲ^２とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒは、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。］

[In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² may be the same as or different from each other, and may have an alkyl group which may have a substituent, and a substituent. Any one of the aryl groups which may be present, and at least one of R ¹ and R ^{2 is} an aryl group which may have a substituent. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar represents an aryl group which may have a substituent. ]

［前記一般式（２）中、Ｒ^３及びＲ^４は、互いに同一であってもよいし、異なっていてもよく、芳香族炭化水素基置換又は無置換のアルキル基を表わし、該Ｒ^３とＲ^４とが互いに結合して、窒素原子を含む複素環を形成してもよく、該複素環は更に置換基により置換されていてもよい。Ａｒ^１及びＡｒ^２は、置換基を有していてもよいアリール基を表わす。ｌ及びｍは、それぞれ０〜３の整数を表わし、ｌとｍが同時に０となることはない。ｎは１又は２の整数を表わす。］

[In the general formula (2), R ³ and R ⁴ may be identical or different, or different, represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, with the R ³ R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an aryl group which may have a substituent. l and m each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and l and m are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. ]

Examples of the alkyl group in the general formula (1) or (2) include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, an isopropyl group, a butyl group, an isobutyl group, a sec-butyl group, a tert-butyl group, a pentyl group, and an isopentyl group. Group, neopentyl group, hexyl group, heptyl group, octyl group, nonyl group, decyl group, undecyl group, undecanyl group, dodecyl group, vinyl group, benzyl group, phenethyl group, styryl group, cyclopentyl group, cyclohexyl group, cycloheptyl group And cyclohexenyl group.
Examples of the aryl group in the general formula (1) or (2) include a phenyl group, a tolyl group, a xylyl group, a styryl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, and a biphenyl group.
Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon group in the general formula (2) include aromatic ring groups such as benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, fluorene, and pyrene; pyridine, quinoline, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxadiazole, carbazole, and the like. And aromatic heterocyclic groups.
When R ¹ and R ² , or R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic group includes an aromatic carbon group such as a pyrrolidino group, a piperidino group, or a piperazino group. A condensed heterocyclic group in which a hydrogen group is condensed can be exemplified.
Examples of these substituents include those mentioned in the specific examples of the alkyl group, alkoxy groups such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group and butoxy group; halogens such as fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom and iodine atom. Atoms: the aromatic hydrocarbon groups; heterocyclic groups such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine and the like.

  The diamine compound represented by either of the general formulas (1) and (2) can be easily prepared by the method described in the literature (E. Elce and ASHay, Polymer, Vol. 37 No. 9, 1745 (1996)). Can be manufactured. Specifically, the dihalide represented by the following general formula (a) and the secondary amine compound represented by the following general formula (b) are reacted at a temperature of room temperature to 100 ° C. in the presence of a basic compound. Can be obtained.

_{XH 2 C-Ar-CH 2} X ··· formula (a)
In the general formula (a), Ar represents the same meaning as in the general formula (1), and X represents a halogen atom.

ただし、前記一般式（ｂ）中、Ｒ^１及びＲ^２は、上記一般式（１）と同じ意味を表わす。

However, in said general formula (b), R < ¹ > and R < ² > represent the same meaning as the said general formula (1).

  The basic compound is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, sodium methylate, potassium-t- Examples include butoxide. The reaction solvent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, dimethyl sulfoxide, N, N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, 1,3- Examples thereof include dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone and acetonitrile.

  Hereinafter, specific examples of the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) will be given. However, it is not limited to these compounds.

  1-60 mass% is preferable and, as for content in the said outermost layer of the diamine compound represented by either the said General formula (1) and (2), 2-50 mass% is more preferable.

  In the case where at least one of the diamine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) and (2) is used in combination with an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, when storage of the coating liquid is required In order to suppress the formation of salt due to interaction, it is preferable to contain a specific antioxidant. The formation of this salt not only causes discoloration of the coating solution, but may cause problems such as an increase in residual potential in the produced electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  As the antioxidant that can be used in the present invention, general antioxidants described later can be used, and among these, hydroquinone-based and hindered amine-based compounds are particularly preferable. However, the antioxidant used here is added for the purpose of protecting the compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) in the coating solution, unlike the purpose of addition described later. For this reason, it is preferable to make the said antioxidant contain in the coating liquid in the process before containing the compound represented by either of the said General formula (1) and (2). The addition amount of the antioxidant is preferably 0.1 to 200 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g in order to achieve sufficient storage stability of the coating solution over time. .

  The coating method of the coating liquid obtained as described above is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, dip coating, spray coating, beat coating, nozzle coating, spinner coating, A conventional coating method such as a ring coat can be used.

[Support]
The support is not particularly limited as long as it has a volume resistance of 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm or less, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, aluminum, nickel, chromium, nichrome, copper Metals such as gold, silver and platinum; metal oxides such as tin oxide and indium oxide deposited or sputtered on a film or cylindrical plastic, paper, or aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, stainless steel, etc. Or a tube subjected to surface treatment such as cutting, super-finishing, polishing, or the like after being formed into a raw pipe by a method such as extruding and drawing them. Further, an endless nickel belt and an endless stainless steel belt disclosed in JP-A-52-36016 can also be used as a support. Further, it may be a nickel foil having a thickness of 50 to 150 μm, or a surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 50 to 150 μm subjected to conductive processing such as aluminum vapor deposition.

In addition, those obtained by dispersing and coating conductive powder in an appropriate binder resin on the support can also be used as the support of the present invention.
Examples of the conductive powder include carbon black, acetylene black, metal powder such as aluminum, nickel, iron, nichrome, copper, zinc and silver, or metal oxide powder such as conductive tin oxide and ITO. Etc. The binder resin used at the same time includes polystyrene resin, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polyester resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate. Copolymer, polyvinyl acetate resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, polyarylate resin, phenoxy resin, polycarbonate resin, cellulose acetate resin, ethyl cellulose resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, polyvinyl toluene resin, poly-N-vinyl carbazole, An acrylic resin, a silicone resin, an epoxy resin, a melamine resin, a urethane resin, a phenol resin, an alkyd resin, etc. are mentioned.
The conductive layer can be provided by dispersing and applying these conductive powder and binder resin in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, methyl ethyl ketone, toluene and the like.

  Furthermore, it is electrically conductive by a heat shrinkable tube in which the conductive powder is contained in a material such as polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene, chlorinated rubber, Teflon (registered trademark) on a suitable cylindrical substrate. Those provided with a conductive layer can also be used favorably as a conductive support.

[Laminated photosensitive layer]
The laminated photosensitive layer has at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer in this order, and further includes a protective layer, an intermediate layer, and other layers as necessary.

(Charge generation layer)
The charge generation layer includes at least a charge generation material, and includes a binder resin and, if necessary, other components.

The charge generating substance is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Any of inorganic materials and organic materials can be used.
The inorganic material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include crystalline selenium, amorphous-selenium, selenium-tellurium, selenium-tellurium-halogen, and selenium-arsenic compounds. It is done.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said organic type material, According to the objective, it can select suitably according to the objective, For example, C eye pigment blue 25 (color index CI21180), C eye pigment red 41 ( CI 21200), CI Acid Red 52 (CI 45100), CI Basic Red 3 (CI 45210), azo pigments having a carbazole skeleton, azo pigments having a distyrylbenzene skeleton, triphenylamine Azo pigments having a skeleton, azo pigments having a dibenzothiophene skeleton, azo pigments having an oxadiazole skeleton, azo pigments having a fluorenone skeleton, azo pigments having a bis-stilbene skeleton, azo pigments having a distyryl oxadiazole skeleton, di Has a styrylcarbazole skeleton Azo pigments such as zone pigments; CI Pigment Blue 16 (C.I.74100) phthalocyanine pigments such as; CI bat Brown (C.I.7
3410), Indigo pigments such as C-Ivat dye (C.I. 730.50); Perylene pigments such as Argol Scarlet 5 (manufactured by Bayer), Induslens Scarlet R (manufactured by Bayer); Is mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said binder resin, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a polyamide resin, a polyurethane resin, an epoxy resin, a polyketone resin, a polycarbonate resin, a silicone resin, an acrylic resin, a polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl Formal resin, polyvinyl ketone resin, polystyrene resin, poly-N-vinyl carbazole resin, polyacrylamide resin, polyester resin, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, polyphenylene oxide, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, Cellulosic resins and the like can be mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The addition amount of the binder resin is preferably 0 to 500 parts by mass, and more preferably 10 to 300 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the charge generation material. The binder resin may be added before or after dispersion.

As a method for forming the charge generation layer, a vacuum thin film preparation method and a casting method from a solution dispersion system can be mentioned.
Examples of the former method include a glow discharge polymerization method, a vacuum deposition method, a CVD method, a sputtering method, a reactive sputtering method, an ion plating method, and an accelerated ion injection method. This vacuum thin film manufacturing method can satisfactorily form the inorganic material or organic material described above.
In order to provide the charge generation layer by the latter casting method, it is possible to use a charge generation layer coating solution and a conventional method such as a dip coating method, a spray coating method, or a bead coating method. .

The organic solvent used in the charge generation layer coating solution is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform , Dichloromethane, dichloroethane, dichloropropane, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, dioxane, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, propyl cellosolve, etc. Can be mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Among these, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, dichloromethane, methanol, and ethanol having a boiling point of 40 to 80 ° C. are particularly preferable because they can be easily dried after coating.

The charge generation layer coating solution is produced by dispersing and dissolving the charge generation material and a binder resin in the organic solvent. Examples of the method for dispersing the organic pigment in the organic solvent include a dispersion method using a dispersion medium such as a ball mill, a bead mill, a sand mill, and a vibration mill, and a high-speed liquid collision dispersion method.
The thickness of the charge generation layer is usually preferably from 0.01 to 5 μm, more preferably from 0.05 to 2 μm.

(Charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer is a layer intended to hold a charged charge and to couple the charge generated and separated in the charge generation layer by exposure to the charged charge held by movement. In order to achieve the purpose of holding the charged charge, it is required that the electric resistance is high. Further, in order to achieve the purpose of obtaining a high surface potential with the charged charge that has been held, it is required that the dielectric constant is small and the charge mobility is good.

The charge transport layer contains at least a charge transport material, and when the charge transport layer is the outermost layer, the charge transport layer contains a compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) and a filler, It contains an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, a binder resin, and other components as required.
As at least one of the diamine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) and (2), the filler, and the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, all the compounds described in the outermost layer should be used. Can do.

As the charge transport material, a low molecular charge transport material such as a hole transport material or an electron transport material is used, and a polymer charge transport material can be added as necessary.
Examples of the electron transporting material (electron-accepting material) include chloranil, bromoanil, tetracyanoethylene, tetracyanoquinodimethane, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro. -9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitroxanthone, 2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone, 2,6,8-trinitro-4H-indeno [1,2-b] thiophene-4-one, 1,3,7-trinitrodibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Examples of the hole transport material (electron donating material) include oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, triphenylamine derivatives, 9- (p-diethylaminostyrylanthracene), 1,1-bis- (4 -Dibenzylaminophenyl) propane, styrylanthracene, styrylpyrazoline, phenylhydrazones, α-phenylstilbene derivatives, thiazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, phenazine derivatives, acridine derivatives, benzofuran derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives, thiophene derivatives, etc. It is done. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the polymer charge transport material include those having the following structure.
Examples of (a) a polymer having a carbazole ring include, for example, poly-N-vinylcarbazole, JP-A-50-82056, JP-A-54-9632, JP-A-54-11737, JP-A-5-11737. Examples thereof include compounds described in JP-A-4-175337, JP-A-4-183719, and JP-A-6-234841.
Examples of the polymer (b) having a hydrazone structure include, for example, JP-A-57-78402, JP-A-61-20953, JP-A-61-296358, JP-A-1-134456, Compounds described in Kaihei 1-179164, JP-A-3-180851, JP-A-3-180852, JP-A-3-50555, JP-A-5-310904, and JP-A-6-234840 Etc. are exemplified.
(C) Examples of the polysilylene polymer include, for example, JP-A-63-285552, JP-A-1-88461, JP-A-4-264130, JP-A-4-264131, and JP-A-4-264132. Examples thereof include compounds described in JP-A-4-264133 and JP-A-4-289867.
(D) As a polymer having a triarylamine structure, for example, N, N-bis (4-methylphenyl) -4-aminopolystyrene, JP-A-1-134457, JP-A-2-282264, Examples thereof include compounds described in Kaihei 2-304456, JP-A-4-133605, JP-A-4-133066, JP-A-5-40350, and JP-A-5-202135.
(E) As other polymers, for example, a formaldehyde condensation polymer of nitropyrene, JP-A-51-73888, JP-A-56-15049, JP-A-6-234363, JP-A-6-234837 And the compounds described in Japanese Patent Publication No.

  In addition to the above, the polymer charge transporting material includes, for example, a polycarbonate resin having a triarylamine structure, a polyurethane resin having a triarylamine structure, a polyester resin having a triarylamine structure, and a triarylamine structure. And a polyether resin. Examples of the polymer charge transporting material include JP-A 64-1728, JP-A 64-13061, JP-A 64-19049, JP-A-4-11627, JP-A 4-116627. JP 2225014, JP 4-230767, JP 4-320420, JP 5-232727, JP 7-56374, JP 9-127713, JP 9-222740. And compounds described in JP-A-9-265197, JP-A-9-211877, JP-A-9-30495, and the like.

  Examples of the polymer having an electron donating group include not only the above-mentioned polymer but also a copolymer with a known monomer, a block polymer, a graft polymer, a star polymer, It is also possible to use a crosslinked polymer having an electron donating group as disclosed in JP-A-109406.

Examples of the binder resin include polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polychlorinated resin. Vinyl resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, alkyd resin, silicone resin, polyvinyl carbazole resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, polyacrylate resin, polyacrylamide resin , Phenoxy resin, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The charge transport layer may also contain a copolymer of a crosslinkable binder resin and a crosslinkable charge transport material.
The content of the charge transport material is preferably 20 to 300 parts by mass and more preferably 40 to 150 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin.

The charge transport layer can be formed by dissolving or dispersing these charge transport materials and a binder resin in a suitable solvent, and applying and drying them. In addition to the charge transport material and the binder resin, an appropriate amount of additives such as a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and a leveling agent may be added to the charge transport layer as necessary.
The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 25 μm or less from the viewpoint of resolution and responsiveness, and the lower limit is preferably 5 μm or more, although it varies depending on the system used (particularly the charging potential).

[Single layer type photosensitive layer]
The single-layer type photosensitive layer includes a charge generation material, a charge transport material, a binder resin, and other components as necessary.
The above-described materials can be used as the charge generation material, the charge transport material, and the binder resin. As said other component, a plasticizer, microparticles | fine-particles, various additives, etc. are mentioned, for example. The amount of the charge generating material added is preferably 5 to 40 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. Moreover, 0-190 mass parts is preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said binder resins, and, as for the addition amount of the said charge transport material, 50-150 mass parts is more preferable.

When the single-layer type photosensitive layer is the outermost layer, it contains the diamine compound represented by any one of the above general formulas (1) and (2) and a filler, and an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g. It contains.
As the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2), the filler, and the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, all the compounds described in the outermost layer may be used. it can.
In this case, the entire photosensitive layer may contain a filler. However, since it is effective from the viewpoint of improving the wear resistance to contain a filler on the surface, a plurality of filler concentration gradients or filler concentrations may be changed. The photosensitive layer may be inclined.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the thickness of the said single layer type photosensitive layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, 5-25 micrometers is preferable.

[Protective layer]
In the electrophotographic photoreceptor, a protective layer containing a filler can be formed on the photosensitive layer as the outermost layer for the purpose of protecting the photosensitive layer and improving durability. In the case of having the protective layer, it contains a diamine compound and a filler represented by any one of the above general formulas (1) and (2), a binder resin, and an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g. It becomes.
As the diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2), the filler, and the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, all the compounds described in the outermost layer may be used. it can.

Examples of the binder resin include AS resin, ABS resin, ACS resin, olefin-vinyl monomer copolymer, chlorinated polyether resin, allyl resin, phenol resin, polyacetal resin, polyamide resin, polyamideimide resin, and polyacrylate resin. , Polyallylsulfone resin, polybutylene resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polycarbonate resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyether resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polyimide resin, acrylic resin, polymethylpentene resin, polypropylene resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polysulfone resin, Examples thereof include polyurethane resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, and epoxy resin.
Note that the addition of the low molecular charge transport material or the polymer charge transport material mentioned in the charge transport layer to the protective layer is effective and useful for reducing the residual potential and improving the image quality.

  The filler can be dispersed using at least an organic solvent, an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, and the like using a conventional method such as a ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, or an ultrasonic wave. Among these, the contact efficiency between the filler and the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g can be increased, and dispersion by a ball mill with less impurities from the outside is more preferable from the viewpoint of dispersibility.

  The organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g is added together with the filler and the organic solvent from before dispersion to suppress the aggregation of the filler in the coating liquid and further the sedimentation property of the filler, and the dispersibility of the filler. Is remarkably improved, it is more preferable to add it before dispersion. On the other hand, the binder resin and the charge transport material can be added before the dispersion, but in that case, the dispersibility is slightly lowered. Therefore, the binder resin and the charge transport material are preferably added after being dispersed in a state dissolved in an organic solvent.

  The method for forming the protective layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include dip coating, spray coating, beat coating, nozzle coating, spinner coating, ring coating, and the like. Is mentioned. Among these, the spray coating method is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of the uniformity of the coating film. In addition, it is possible to apply the required thickness of the protective layer at a time to form a protective layer, but it is more preferable that the protective layer is applied more than once and the protective layer is formed into a multilayer so that the filler is more uniform in the layer. It is more preferable from the viewpoint of sex. As a result, a further effect can be obtained with respect to reduction of residual potential, improvement of resolution, and improvement of wear resistance.

  The thickness of the protective layer is usually preferably 0.1 to 10 μm. By adding the organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g, the residual potential can be greatly reduced, and thereby the thickness of the protective layer can be freely set. However, since the image quality tends to be slightly deteriorated when the protective layer thickness is remarkably increased, it is preferable to set the thickness to the minimum necessary level.

[Underlayer]
An undercoat layer may be provided between the support and the photosensitive layer as necessary. The undercoat layer is provided for the purpose of improving adhesiveness, preventing moire, improving the coatability of the upper layer, and reducing residual potential.

The undercoat layer contains at least a resin and fine powder, and further contains other components as necessary.
Examples of the resin include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol resin, casein, and sodium polyacrylate; alcohol-soluble resins such as copolymer nylon and methoxymethylated nylon; polyurethane resins, melamine resins, alkyd-melamine resins, and epoxy resins. And a curable resin that forms a three-dimensional network structure.
Examples of the fine powder include metal oxides such as titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, and indium oxide, metal sulfides, and metal nitrides.
Moreover, what contains a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent, a chromium coupling agent etc. as an undercoat layer can also be used. Further, as an undercoat layer, an anodized layer of Al ₂ O ₃ , an organic material such as polyparaxylylene (parylene), or an inorganic material such as SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ITO, or CeO ₂ is vacuum thin film. Those provided by the manufacturing method can also be used.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular about the thickness of the said undercoat layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, 0.1-10 micrometers is preferable and 1-5 micrometers is more preferable.

  In the photoreceptor, an intermediate layer may be provided on the substrate as necessary in order to improve adhesion and charge blocking properties. The intermediate layer contains a resin as a main component, and these resins are preferably resins having a high solvent resistance with respect to an organic solvent in consideration of applying a photosensitive layer thereon with a solvent. As the resin, the same resin as the above undercoat layer can be appropriately selected and used.

  In addition, in the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention, in order to improve environmental resistance, in particular, for the purpose of preventing a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential, a charge generation layer, a charge transport layer, an undercoat layer, a protective layer, Antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants, ultraviolet absorbers, low molecular charge transport materials, leveling agents, and the like can be added to each layer such as a single-layer photosensitive layer.

Examples of the antioxidant include phenolic compounds, paraphenylenediamines, organic sulfur compounds, and organic phosphorus compounds.
Examples of the phenol compound include 2,6-di-t-butyl-p-cresol, butylated hydroxyanisole, 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-ethylphenol, stearyl-β- (3, 5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, 2,2'-methylene-bis- (4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2,2'-methylene-bis- (4-ethyl- 6-t-butylphenol), 4,4′-thiobis- (3
-Methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 4,4'-butylidenebis- (3-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 1,1,3-tris- (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t- Butylphenyl) butane, 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl) benzene, tetrakis- [methylene-3- (3 ′, 5 '-Di-t-butyl-4'-hydroxyphenyl) propionate] methane, bis [3,3'-bis (4'-hydroxy-3'-t-butylphenyl) butyric acid] cricol ester, tocopherol And the like.

  Examples of the paraphenylenediamines include N-phenyl-N′-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N′-di-sec-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-N-sec-butyl- Examples include p-phenylenediamine, N, N′-di-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine, N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-di-t-butyl-p-phenylenediamine, and the like.

  Examples of the hydroquinones include 2,5-di-t-octyl hydroquinone, 2,6-didodecyl hydroquinone, 2-dodecyl hydroquinone, 2-dodecyl-5-chlorohydroquinone, 2-t-octyl-5-methyl. Examples include hydroquinone and 2- (2-octadecenyl) -5-methylhydroquinone.

  Examples of the organic sulfur compounds include dilauryl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, distearyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, ditetradecyl-3,3′-thiodipropionate, and the like. .

  Examples of the organic phosphorus compounds include triphenylphosphine, tri (nonylphenyl) phosphine, tri (dinonylphenyl) phosphine, tricresylphosphine, tri (2,4-dibutylphenoxy) phosphine, and the like.

These compounds are known as antioxidants such as rubbers, plastics and fats and oils, and commercially available products can be easily obtained.
The addition amount of the antioxidant is preferably 0.01 to 10% by mass with respect to the total mass of the layer to be added.

  Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular as a plasticizer which can be added to each layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a phosphate ester plasticizer, a phthalate ester plasticizer, an aromatic carboxylate ester plasticizer, Aliphatic dibasic acid ester plasticizer, fatty acid ester derivative, oxyester plasticizer, epoxy plasticizer, dihydric alcohol ester plasticizer, chlorine-containing plasticizer, polyester plasticizer, sulfonic acid derivative, citric acid derivative And other plasticizers.

  Examples of the phosphate ester plasticizer include triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, trioctyl phosphate, octyl diphenyl phosphate, trichloroethyl phosphate, cresyl diphenyl phosphate, tributyl phosphate, and tri-2-phosphate. Examples include ethylhexyl and triphenyl phosphate.

  Examples of the phthalate ester plasticizer include dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, diheptyl phthalate, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, diisooctyl phthalate, and di-n-octyl phthalate. , Dinonyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, diundecyl phthalate, ditridecyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, butyl lauryl phthalate, methyl oleyl phthalate, octyl decyl phthalate, dibutyl fumarate, fumarate Examples include acid dioctyl.

  Examples of the aromatic carboxylic acid ester plasticizer include trioctyl trimellitic acid, tri-n-octyl trimellitic acid, octyl oxybenzoate, and the like.

  Examples of the aliphatic dibasic acid ester plasticizer include dibutyl adipate, di-n-hexyl adipate, di-2-ethylhexyl adipate, di-n-octyl adipate, and adipic acid n-octyl-n. -Decyl, diisodecyl adipate, dicapryl adipate, di-2-ethylhexyl azelate, dimethyl sebacate, diethyl sebacate, dibutyl sebacate, di-n-octyl sebacate, di-2-ethylhexyl sebacate, dibasic sebacate Examples include 2-ethoxyethyl, dioctyl succinate, diisodecyl succinate, dioctyl tetrahydrophthalate, and di-n-octyl tetrahydrophthalate.

  Examples of the fatty acid ester derivatives include butyl oleate, glycerin monooleate, methyl acetylricinoleate, pentaerythritol ester, dipentaerythritol hexaester, triacetin, and tributyrin.

  Examples of the oxyester plasticizer include methyl acetyl ricinoleate, butyl acetyl ricinoleate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate, and tributyl acetyl citrate.

  Examples of the epoxy plasticizer include epoxidized soybean oil, epoxidized linseed oil, epoxy butyl stearate, decyl epoxy stearate, octyl epoxy stearate, benzyl epoxy stearate, dioctyl epoxy hexahydrophthalate, epoxy hexahydrophthalic acid Examples include didecyl.

  Examples of the dihydric alcohol ester plasticizer include diethylene glycol dibenzoate and triethylene glycol di-2-ethylbutyrate.

  Examples of the chlorine-containing plasticizer include chlorinated paraffin, chlorinated diphenyl, chlorinated fatty acid methyl, and methoxychlorinated fatty acid methyl.

  Examples of the polyester plasticizer include polypropylene adipate, polypropylene sebacate, polyester, and acetylated polyester.

  Examples of the sulfonic acid derivative include p-toluenesulfonamide, o-toluenesulfonamide, p-toluenesulfoneethylamide, o-toluenesulfoneethylamide, toluenesulfone-N-ethylamide, p-toluenesulfone-N-cyclohexylamide. Etc.

  Examples of the citric acid derivative include triethyl citrate, triethyl acetyl citrate, tributyl citrate, tributyl acetyl citrate, tri-2-ethylhexyl acetyl citrate, and acetyl citrate-n-octyldecyl.

  Examples of the other plasticizers include terphenyl, partially hydrogenated terphenyl, camphor, 2-nitrodiphenyl, dinonylnaphthalene, and methyl abietic acid.

  The lubricant that can be added to each layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, hydrocarbon compounds, fatty acid compounds, fatty acid amide compounds, ester compounds, alcohol compounds, metal soaps, Natural wax, other lubricants and the like can be mentioned.

  Examples of the hydrocarbon compound include liquid paraffin, paraffin wax, microwax, and low-polymerized polyethylene.

  Examples of the fatty acid compounds include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, and behenic acid.

  Examples of the fatty acid amide compounds include stearylamide, palmitylamide, oleinamide, methylene bisstearamide, ethylene bisstearamide, and the like.

  Examples of the ester compounds include lower alcohol esters of fatty acids, polyhydric alcohol esters of fatty acids, and fatty acid polyglycol esters.

  Examples of the alcohol compound include cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, and polyglycerol.

  Examples of the metal soap include lead stearate, cadmium stearate, barium stearate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate and the like.

  Examples of the natural wax include carnauba wax, candelilla wax, beeswax, whale wax, ibota wax, and montan wax.

  Examples of the other lubricants include silicone compounds and fluorine compounds.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as an ultraviolet absorber which can be added to each layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a benzophenone type ultraviolet absorber, a salicylate type ultraviolet absorber, a benzotriazole type ultraviolet absorber, a cyanoacrylate type ultraviolet ray Absorbers, quencher (metal complex salt) ultraviolet absorbers, HALS (hindered amines) and the like can be mentioned.

  Examples of the benzophenone-based ultraviolet absorber include 2-hydroxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2 ′, 4-trihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2 ′, 4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone, 2,2 Examples include '-dihydroxy 4-methoxybenzophenone.

  Examples of the salicylate ultraviolet absorber include phenyl salicylate and 2,4-di-t-butylphenyl-3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate.

  Examples of the benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorber include (2′-hydroxyphenyl) benzotriazole, (2′-hydroxy5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, (2′-hydroxy5′-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, ( 2′-hydroxy 3′-tertiarybutyl 5′-methylphenyl) 5-chlorobenzotriazole and the like.

  Examples of the cyanoacrylate ultraviolet absorber include ethyl-2-cyano-3,3-diphenyl acrylate and methyl 2-carbomethoxy 3 (paramethoxy) acrylate.

  Examples of the quencher (metal complex salt) ultraviolet absorber include nickel (2,2′thiobis (4-t-octyl) phenolate) normal butylamine, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, nickel dibutyldithiocarbamate, cobalt dicyclohexyldithiophosphate, and the like. Is mentioned.

  Examples of the HALS (hindered amine) include bis (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, bis (1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidyl) sebacate, 1- [2- [3- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionyloxy] ethyl] -4- [3- (3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl) propionyl Oxy] -2,2,6,6-tetramethylpyridine, 8-benzyl-7,7,9,9-tetramethyl-3-octyl-1,3,8-triazaspiro [4,5] undecane-2, Examples include 4-dione and 4-benzoyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine.

<Charging step and charging means>
The charging step is a step of charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and is performed by the charging unit.
The charging means is not particularly limited as long as it can uniformly apply a voltage to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. A non-contact charging means for charging the photoconductor in a non-contact manner is used.
As the non-contact charging means, for example, a non-contact charger using a corona discharge, a needle electrode device, a solid discharge element; conductive or semiconductive disposed with a minute gap with respect to the electrophotographic photosensitive member And a charging roller. Among these, corona discharge is particularly preferable.

The corona discharge is a non-contact charging method that gives positive or negative ions generated by corona discharge in the air to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and has a characteristic of giving a certain amount of charge to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There are a charger and a scorotron charger having a characteristic of giving a constant potential.
The coroton charger is composed of a casing electrode that occupies a half space around the discharge wire, and a discharge wire placed almost at the center thereof.
The scorotron charger is obtained by adding a grid electrode to the corotron charger, and the grid electrode is provided at a position 1.0 to 2.0 mm away from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

[Exposure process and exposure means]
The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member imagewise using the exposure means.
The optical system in the exposure is roughly classified into an analog optical system and a digital optical system. The analog optical system is an optical system that projects an original directly onto an electrophotographic photosensitive member by an optical system, and the digital optical system receives image information as an electrical signal and converts it into an optical signal to convert it into an electrophotographic image. It is an optical system that exposes a photoreceptor to form an image.
The exposure means is not particularly limited as long as the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging means can be exposed like an image to be formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, a liquid crystal shutter optical system, and an LED optical system can be used.
In the present invention, an optical back side system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the electrophotographic photosensitive member may be employed.

[Development process and development means]
The developing step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image using a toner or a developer to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer, and can be performed by the developing unit.
The developing unit is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using, for example, the toner or the developer, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner or developer is accommodated. Preferred examples include those having at least a developing unit capable of bringing the toner or developer into contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image.

  The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multi-color developing unit. For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.

  In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. . Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is caused by an electric attractive force. It moves to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing the toner, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer.

[Transfer process and transfer means]
The transfer step is a step of transferring the visible image onto a recording medium. After the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member, the visible image is transferred onto the recording medium. A primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer body using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner, and a composite transfer image; A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the transfer image onto the recording medium is more preferable.

The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a transfer charger with the visible image, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Embodiments are preferred.
The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.

The transfer means (the primary transfer means and the secondary transfer means) includes at least a transfer unit that peels and charges the visible image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member toward the recording medium. preferable. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer an unfixed image after development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. PET for OHP A base or the like can also be used.

[Fixing process and fixing means]
The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing device, and may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or for the toner of each color. You may perform this simultaneously in the state which laminated | stacked this.

The fixing unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. A fixing unit and a heat source for heating the fixing member are used.
Examples of the fixing member include a combination of an endless belt and a roller, a combination of a roller and a roller, and the like. A combination of an endless belt and a roller having a small heat capacity is preferable in terms of expansion of the fixable width.

[Static elimination process and static elimination means]
The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralization means is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known neutralizers as long as it can apply a neutralization bias to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. For example, a neutralization lamp is preferably used. Can be mentioned.

[Cleaning process and cleaning means]
The cleaning step is a step of removing the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit. In addition, it is also possible to employ a method in which the charge of the residual toner is made uniform by the rubbing member and collected by the developing roller without using the cleaning means.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the electrophotographic toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner Suitable examples include electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

[Lubricant application process and lubricant application means]
The lubricant applying step is a step of applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and is performed by a lubricant applying unit. The lubricant applying means is preferably provided downstream of the cleaning means in the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant applying means includes a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a lubricant application means for applying the supplied lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

As the lubricant application means, an application blade is preferable.
The material for the coating blade is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known materials for cleaning blades according to the purpose. Examples thereof include urethane rubber, hydrin rubber, silicone rubber, and fluororubber. . These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. In these blades, the contact portion with the electrophotographic photosensitive member may be coated or impregnated with a low friction coefficient material. Moreover, in order to adjust the hardness of an elastic body, you may disperse fillers, such as an organic filler and an inorganic filler.

The coating blade is fixed to the blade support by any method such as adhesion or fusion so that the tip can be pressed against the surface of the photoreceptor. The thickness of the blade is not uniquely defined in consideration of the force applied by pressing, but is preferably 0.5 to 5 mm, and more preferably 1 to 3 mm.
In addition, the length of the blade that can protrude from the support and bend, that is, the so-called free length (the length from the root of the blade support to the blade surface as the free end) is also applied by pressing in the same manner. However, 1-15 mm is preferable and 2-10 mm is more preferable.

  Other configurations of the blade include a method of coating, dipping, etc. a coating layer of resin, rubber, elastomer, etc. on the surface of an elastic metal blade such as a spring plate, if necessary, via a coupling agent, a primer component, etc. It may be formed by heat curing or the like if necessary, and surface polishing or the like may be applied if necessary.

The coating layer contains at least a binder resin and a filler, and further contains other components as necessary.
The binder resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include fluorine resins such as PFA, PTFE, FEP, and PVdF; silicone elastomers such as fluorine rubber and methylphenyl silicone elastomer; Is mentioned.

  The thickness of the elastic metal blade is preferably 0.05 to 3 mm, more preferably 0.1 to 1 mm. In the elastic metal blade, in order to suppress twisting of the blade, a process such as bending may be performed in a direction substantially parallel to the support shaft after the attachment.

  The force for pressing the photoreceptor with the coating blade is sufficient as the lubricant extends to form a layer, and the spring pressure is preferably 1.0 to 10 N, more preferably 2.0 to 8.0 N.

[Lubricant supply means]
The lubricant supply means is a brush-like roller that rotates in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the brush-like roller scrapes and scrapes the lubricant to supply the lubricant onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is preferable.
In this case, the brush fiber is preferably flexible in order to suppress mechanical stress on the surface of the photoreceptor. The material of the flexible brush fiber is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a polyolefin resin (for example, polyethylene or polypropylene); a polyvinyl resin or a polyvinylidene resin (for example, Polystyrene, acrylic resin, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl ether, polyvinyl ketone); vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer; styrene-acrylic acid copolymer; styrene- Butadiene resin; fluororesin (eg, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polychlorotrifluoroethylene); polyester; nylon; acrylic; rayon; ; Polycarbonate; phenolic resins; amino resins (e.g. urea - formaldehyde resins, melamine resins, benzoguanamine resins, urea resins, polyamide resins).
In order to adjust the degree of bending, for example, diene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), ethylene propylene rubber, isoprene rubber, nitrile rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, hydrin rubber, norbornene rubber, etc. may be combined. .

  The support for the lubricant supply means includes a fixed mold and a rotatable roll. Examples of the roll-shaped supply member include a roll brush obtained by winding a tape having brush fibers piled around a metal core bar in a spiral shape. The brush fiber has a fiber diameter of about 10 to 500 μm, the length of the brush fiber is 1 to 15 mm, and the brush density is 10,000 to 300,000 per square inch (1.5 × 107 to 4.5 × per square meter). 108).

  The lubricant supply means preferably uses a high brush density in terms of supply uniformity and supply stability, and a single fiber is produced from several to hundreds of fine fibers. It is preferable. For example, bundling 50 fine fibers of 6.7 decitex (6 denier), such as 333 decitex = 6.7 decitex × 50 filament (300 denier = 6 denier × 50 filament), and implanting as one fiber Is preferred.

  Moreover, you may provide a coating layer in the brush surface for the purpose of stabilizing the surface shape, environmental stability, etc. of a brush as needed. As a component constituting the coating layer, it is preferable to use a coating layer component that can be deformed according to the bending of the brush fiber. The coating layer component is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can maintain flexibility, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, polyethylene, polypropylene, chlorinated polyethylene, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, etc. Polyolefin-based resins; polystyrene, acrylic (for example, polymethyl methacrylate), polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl carbazole, polyvinyl ether, polybiliketones, and other polyvinyl or polyvinylidene-based resins; vinyl chloride-acetic acid Vinyl copolymer; silicone resin composed of organosiloxane bonds or modified products thereof (modified products such as alkyd resin, polyester resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, etc.); Fluororesins such as oloalkyl ether, polyfluorovinyl, polyfluorovinylidene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene; polyamides; polyesters; polyurethanes; polycarbonates; amino resins such as urea-formaldehyde resins; epoxy resins or composite resins thereof It is done.

[lubricant]
A metal soap is suitable as the lubricant. Examples of the metal soap include zinc stearate, barium stearate, lead stearate, iron stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, calcium stearate, cadmium stearate, magnesium stearate, Zinc oleate, manganese oleate, iron oleate, cobalt oleate, lead oleate, magnesium oleate, copper oleate, palmitic acid, zinc cobalt palmitate, copper palmitate, magnesium palmitate, aluminum palmitate, palmitate Calcium, lead caprylate, lead caproate, zinc linolenate, cobalt linolenate, calcium linolenate, cadmium ricolinolenate, candelilla wax, carnauba wax Rice wax, Japan wax, jojoba oil, beeswax, lanolin and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, and calcium stearate are particularly preferable.

  As a method for molding the lubricant into a fixed shape, for example, a prismatic shape or a cylindrical shape, a known method can be used as a solid material molding method. For example, a melt molding method, a powder molding method, a hot press method can be used. Examples thereof include a molding method, a cold isostatic pressing method (CIP), and a hot isostatic pressing method (HIP).

  The recycling step is a step of recycling the toner removed by the cleaning step to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

The control step is a step of controlling each of the steps, and can be suitably performed by a control unit.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the electrophotographic photoreceptor (1) is provided with at least a photosensitive layer, and the outermost layer contains a compound represented by any one of the above general formulas (1) and (2) and a filler. In FIG. 6, the photosensitive member (1) has a drum shape, but may have a sheet shape or an endless belt shape.
The charging charger (3), pre-transfer charger (7), transfer charger (10), separation charger (11), and pre-cleaning charger (13) include corotron, scorotron, solid state charger (solid state charger), etc. Non-contact corona discharge type charging means is used.

As the transfer means, the above charger can be generally used. However, a combination of the transfer charger (10) and the separation charger (11) as shown in FIG. 6 is effective.
Further, as a light source such as the exposure unit (5) and the charge removal lamp (2), a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser (LD), an electroluminescence (EL) ) And other luminescent materials can be used. Various types of filters such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter can be used to irradiate only light in a desired wavelength range.
In addition to the steps shown in FIG. 6, the light source and the like are provided with a transfer step, a static elimination step, a cleaning step, a pre-exposure step, and the like using light irradiation, so that the photosensitive member is irradiated with light.

  Next, the toner image developed on the photoconductor (1) by the developing means (6) is transferred to the recording medium (9), but not all is transferred, but on the photoconductor (1). Residual toner is also generated. Such residual toner is removed from the photoreceptor by a cleaning means (16) comprising a fur brush (14) and a blade (15). Cleaning may be performed only with a cleaning brush, and a known brush such as a fur brush or a mag fur brush is used as the cleaning brush.

  When a positive (negative) charge is applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member and image exposure is performed, a positive (negative) electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive member. When this is developed with negative (positive) polarity toner (electrodetection fine particles), a positive image can be obtained, and when developed with positive (negative) polarity toner, a negative image can be obtained. As the developing means, known means are used.

  The wavelength of the static elimination lamp (2) as the static elimination means may be in the wavelength region where the photoconductor has photosensitivity, and is preferably on the long wavelength side in the practical photosensitivity wavelength region of the photoconductor.

Various conditions of the cleaning blade include a blade contact angle of 10 to 30 degrees, a contact pressure of 0.3 to 4 g / mm, rubber hardness 60 to 70 degrees of the rubber used as the blade, rebound resilience, 30 to 70%, Young's modulus A range of 30 to 60 kgf / cm ² , a thickness of 1.5 to 3.0 mm, a free length of 7 to 12 mm, and a blade edge biting amount of 0.2 to 2 mm is preferable, and urethane is a material that satisfies such physical properties. A rubber blade is particularly suitable.

  Next, conventional lubricant applying means will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, a lubricant for applying a lubricant to the photoreceptor (1) in the toner cleaning means (16) of FIG. 6 in order to improve the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance of the remaining untransferred toner. An application device (30) is provided. In this lubricant applying device (30), a solid lubricant (33) is disposed near the photoreceptor (1), and the brush is in contact with both the photoreceptor (1) and the solid lubricant (33). A roller (34) is disposed. When supplying the lubricant, the brush roller (34) is rotated to scrape the solid lubricant (33) with the brush roller (34), and the solid lubricant (33) attached to the brush roller (34) is removed. It is configured to be applied to the surface of the photoreceptor (1).

In the lubricant applying device (30) shown in FIG. 7, the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoconductor in which the toner remains without being removed. Here, the portion corresponding to the character portion of the image originally carried on the surface of the photosensitive member has a large amount of residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive member even after transfer to the recording medium, and the portion other than the character portion is substantially There is no residual toner. Since a large amount of residual toner adheres to the toner, a large amount of lubricant is scraped off by the brush roller and a cleaning blade at the cleaning position, so that the lubricant is applied on the surface of the photoconductor after passing through the cleaning position. The amount tends to be biased. In particular, when the same image is output continuously, such a bias may become prominent because the portion of the photoconductor surface where the residual toner is large is always the same. Further, since residual toner adheres to an application member such as a brush roller, the brush roller becomes dirty, and it is difficult to keep applying the lubricant uniformly over a long period of time. If a uniform lubricant layer cannot be formed on the surface of the photoreceptor, the surface static friction coefficient (μ) may be biased or may not be low enough to transfer toner, resulting in uneven transfer. Abnormal images such as missing characters, bug eaters, blurred images, and blurring occur. For this reason, it is necessary to press the solid lubricant strongly against the brush roller to increase the amount of lubricant supplied to the photoreceptor. Further, as a result of the study by the present inventors, when the lubricant is excessively supplied, when the corona discharge method charging means is used in combination, the oxidizing gas is adsorbed and taken in by the lubricant adhering to the surface of the photoreceptor, It became clear that the lubricant was not easily replaced with a new lubricant, and therefore, the attached lubricant was low in resistance and easily caused image blur.
Therefore, in the case where the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is left at 60% or more and left for 5 hours or more as in the present invention, in order to replace the deteriorated lubricant with a new one, the application of the lubricant shown in FIG. It is necessary to rotate the photoconductor more than the means, and the rotation speed of the photoconductor is preferably 100 times or more.

  If the cleaning blade (15) shown in FIG. 7 is provided upstream of the brush roller (34) in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member, and the lubricant is applied after cleaning, the applied lubricant is the brush roller and the cleaning blade. Since it is not scraped off, it is possible to prevent problems in the configuration of cleaning after application. However, when the surface of the photoreceptor to which the lubricant is applied enters the transfer position as it is and transfer is performed, an abnormal image is generated even though the static friction coefficient (μ) of the surface is within an appropriate range. This is because the lubricant particles are not fine enough to form a uniform layer just by being applied, and therefore the layer thickness is uneven on the surface of the photoreceptor, which affects the transferability of the toner. If a uniform lubricant layer cannot be formed on the surface of the photoconductor, the static friction coefficient (μ) on the surface will be non-uniform, or it will not be low enough to transfer toner, resulting in transfer unevenness and character Abnormal images such as voids, bug eaters, blurred images, and blurring occur.

Next, the configuration of the cleaning device (48) of the present invention shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The cleaning device (48) includes a cleaning blade (48a) and a support member (48c). The cleaning blade (48a) is formed of rubber such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber in the form of a plate, and is provided so that the edge thereof is in contact with the surface of the photoconductor (1). ) Remove the toner above.
The cleaning blade (48a) is attached to and supported by a support member (48c) made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or the like, and is installed at an angle shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the surface of the photoreceptor (1).

The lubricant applying device (43) is disposed outside the downstream side of the cleaning device (48), and a cleaning blade (48a) is provided upstream in the moving direction of the photosensitive member (1), and a lubricant applying blade (43e) is provided on the downstream side. Each is arranged. The residual toner is removed by the cleaning blade (48a) and the lubricant applied by the lubricant applying device (43) is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor (1) in a clean state. Thereafter, the lubricant applying blade (43e) is provided. The surface of the photoconductor (1) can be rubbed and stretched to form a thin layer of lubricant on the surface of the photoconductor (1).
The lubricant application blade (43e) is attached to and supported by a support member (43c) made of metal, plastic, ceramic or the like, and is installed at an angle shown in FIG. 8 with respect to the surface of the photoreceptor (1).
In FIG. 8, the lubricant application blade (43e) is in contact with the photoconductor by the trail, but the application blade may be in contact in the counter direction.

  The lubricant applying device (43) in FIG. 8 will be described in more detail. The lubricant applying device (43) is provided outside the downstream of the photoconductor cleaning device (48), and applies the solid lubricant (43b) and the solid lubricant (43b) to the photoconductor (1). And a brush roller (43a) as a brush member. The solid lubricant (43b) is obtained by dissolving a lubricant additive mainly composed of zinc stearate and then cooling and solidifying the lubricant, and is formed into a bar shape. The solid lubricant (43b) is held by the lubricant holding member (43d), and the solid lubricant (43b) is passed through the lubricant holding member (43d) by a pressure spring attached to the housing (43f) of the coating apparatus. It is pressed against the brush-like roller (43a) side. The brush-like roller (43a) is provided in contact with the photoreceptor (1), and the brush-like roller (43a) is rotated to scrape the solid lubricant (43b) toward the brush-like roller (43a). The lubricant adhering to the roller (43a) adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor (1) from the contact portion with the photoreceptor (1). Thereafter, the lubricant is made uniform by the application blade (43e). Further, the supply amount of the lubricant to the photoconductor can be controlled by the pressing force of the pressure spring that presses the solid lubricant against the brush roller.

The lubricant application device as shown in FIG. 8 makes it possible to apply the lubricant uniformly in a thin layer with a small amount of supplied lubricant. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to improve the replacement efficiency of the lubricant adhering to the photoreceptor. Lubricant that takes in oxidizing gas and lowers the photoreceptor surface resistance can be effectively replaced with new lubricant, which not only prevents image blur of the photoreceptor containing the filler on the outermost layer, Even if the oxidizing gas and substances accumulated in the corona charger at high humidity are poured onto the photoconductor when the photoconductor is stopped, the lubricant is easily replaced, so the image density near the corona charger is reduced. Can be prevented. The number of rotations of the photoconductor for replacing the deteriorated lubricant when left in high humidity with a new one is 60 times or more, and the required number of rotations of the photoconductor than the conventional lubricant application means shown in FIG. Can be reduced.
As the solid lubricant (43b), a dry solid hydrophobic lubricant can be used, and as the solid hydrophobic lubricant, zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, calcium stearate and the like are suitable.

Next, FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an example of an electrophotographic process according to the present invention. The photoreceptor (21) has at least a photosensitive layer, and contains the compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) and a filler. The photoconductor (21) is driven by driving rollers (22a) and (22b), and is charged by a charger (23), image exposure by a light source (24), development (not shown), transfer using a transfer charger (25), Cleaning by the cleaning unit (27) and static elimination by the light source (28) are repeatedly performed, and the lubricant applying means (30) (with cleaning) shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is used downstream of the cleaning unit (27). The
In the electrophotographic process shown in FIG. 9, the light irradiation process includes image exposure, pre-cleaning exposure, and static elimination exposure. In addition, pre-transfer exposure, image exposure pre-exposure, and other known light irradiation processes are performed. It is also possible to irradiate the photoconductor with light.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the photosensitive drum (56) is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charging charger (53) using a corotron, a scorotron, etc. An electrostatic latent image is carried by scanning with a laser beam L emitted from a laser optical device.

  Since this scanning is performed based on single color image information obtained by separating a full color image into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color information, yellow, magenta, cyan, or black are used on the photosensitive drum (56). Electrostatic latent image is formed. A revolver developing unit (50) is disposed on the left side of the photosensitive drum (56) in the drawing. This has a yellow developing unit, a magenta developing unit, a cyan developing unit, and a black developing unit in a rotating drum-shaped casing, and each developing unit is developed to face the photosensitive drum (56) by rotation. Move sequentially to position. The yellow developing unit, magenta developing unit, cyan developing unit, and black developing unit develop the electrostatic latent image by attaching yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively.

  On the photosensitive drum (56), electrostatic latent images for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed. These are sequentially developed by the developing units of the revolver developing unit (50) to become a yellow toner image, a magenta toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image.

  An intermediate transfer unit is disposed on the downstream side of the photosensitive drum (56) from the development position. This includes an intermediate transfer belt (58) stretched by a stretch roller (59a), an intermediate transfer bias roller (57) as a transfer means, a secondary transfer backup roller (59b), and a belt drive roller (59c). The belt drive roller (59c) is driven to rotate endlessly in the clockwise direction in the drawing. The yellow toner image, magenta toner image, cyan toner image, and black toner image developed on the photosensitive drum (56) are transferred to the intermediate transfer nip where the photosensitive drum (56) and the intermediate transfer belt (58) are in contact with each other. enter in. Then, while being influenced by the bias from the intermediate transfer bias roller (57), the toner image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt (58) and intermediately transferred to form a four-color superimposed toner image.

  The surface of the photosensitive drum (56) that has passed through the intermediate transfer nip with the rotation is cleaned of the transfer residual toner by the drum cleaning unit (55). The cleaning unit (55) is for cleaning the transfer residual toner by a cleaning roller to which a cleaning bias is applied. However, a cleaning brush made of a fur brush, a mag fur brush, a cleaning blade, or the like may be used. . A lubricant applying means (30) (with cleaning) shown in FIG. 7 or 8 is provided downstream of the cleaning unit (55).

  The surface of the photosensitive drum (56) from which the transfer residual toner has been cleaned is discharged by a discharging lamp (54). As the charge removal lamp (54), a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser (LD), an electroluminescence (EL), or the like is used. A semiconductor laser is used as the light source of the laser optical device. About these emitted lights, you may make it use only a desired wavelength range by various filters, such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near-infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter.

  On the other hand, the registration roller pair (61) that sandwiches the recording medium (60) sent from a paper feeding cassette (not shown) between the two rollers has four colors on the intermediate transfer belt (58). The toner is fed toward the secondary transfer nip at a timing at which it can be superimposed on the superimposed toner image. The four-color superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt (58) are collectively applied onto the recording medium (60) under the influence of the secondary transfer bias from the paper transfer bias roller (63) in the secondary transfer nip. Secondary transferred. By this secondary transfer, a full-color image is formed on the recording medium (60).

  The recording medium (60) on which the full-color image is formed is sent to the paper conveying belt (64) by the transfer belt (62). The conveying belt (64) feeds the recording medium (60) received from the transfer unit into the fixing device (65). The fixing device (65) conveys the fed recording medium (60) while being sandwiched between fixing nips formed by the contact between the heating roller and the backup roller. The full-color image on the recording medium (60) is fixed on the transfer paper (60) under the influence of heating from the heating roller and pressure applied in the fixing nip.

  Although not shown, a bias for adsorbing the recording medium (60) is applied to the transfer belt (62) and the conveyance belt (64). In addition, a paper neutralization charger that neutralizes the recording medium (60) and three belt neutralization chargers that neutralize each belt (intermediate transfer belt (58), transfer belt (62), and conveyance belt (64)) are provided. Yes. The intermediate transfer unit also includes a belt cleaning unit having the same configuration as that of the drum cleaning unit (55), thereby cleaning the transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt (58).

Next, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a so-called tandem printer, and does not share the photosensitive drum (80) for each color as shown in FIG. 10, but cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and Photoreceptor drums (80Y, 80M, 80C, 80Bk) for four colors of black (K) are provided. The drum cleaning unit (85), the charge removal lamp (83), and the charging charger (84) are also cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). I have. A lubricant applying means (30) shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 8 is provided downstream of each drum cleaning unit (85).
In the tandem type, electrostatic latent images of each color can be formed and developed in parallel, so that the image forming speed can be much higher than that in the revolver type.

  The image forming means in the image forming apparatus described above may be fixedly incorporated in the copying apparatus, facsimile, or printer, but may be incorporated in the image forming apparatus in the form of a process cartridge described below. .

[Process cartridge]
The process cartridge of the present invention has at least one means selected from a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, a cleaning means and a charge eliminating means, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Used for.

Here, FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus provided with the process cartridge of the present invention. The photoreceptor (101) has at least a photosensitive layer on a support, and the outermost layer contains a diamine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) and (2) and a filler. Become. (103) is a charging means, (106) is a developing means, (107) is a transferring means, (105) is a cleaning means, and (30) is a lubricant applying means.
In the present invention, at least the photosensitive member (101), the charging unit (103), the developing unit (106), and the cleaning unit (105) with the lubricant applying unit (30) are included. 101) and the developing means (106) are integrally coupled as a process cartridge, and the process cartridge can be configured to be detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus that rotates the photosensitive member without performing image formation when left at a relative humidity of 60% or more for 5 hours or more will be described.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention has humidity detecting means in the apparatus, constantly monitors the relative humidity, and counts the time in the stopped state every time the image forming operation is completed. When the relative humidity is, for example, 60% or more and the time in the stopped state elapses, for example, for 5 hours or more, an image is not formed on the photoreceptor and a sequence for rotating the photoreceptor for 60 times or more is performed. At this time, the cleaning unit and the lubricant application unit are also operated simultaneously to replace the lubricant on the photoconductor. FIG. 13 shows a schematic flowchart of this operation.

  If the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is less than 60%, the decrease in resistance of the lubricant that has deteriorated due to the adsorption of the oxidizing substance is very small. Therefore, as in the present invention, the oxidizing gas and the oxidizing substance of the photoconductor If the resistance to the image is sufficient, image defects such as image blur and density reduction do not occur. If the relative humidity is 60% or more, particularly 70% or more, the resistance of the lubricant that has deteriorated on the surface of the photoreceptor due to the influence of moisture decreases, and image defects are likely to occur.

  If it is less than 5 hours after the end of the image forming operation, the influence of the oxidizing gas and the substance adsorbed and accumulated near the charging unit on the lubricant on the surface of the photosensitive member is slight, so that image defects are unlikely to occur. However, if it is 5 hours or longer, the adsorption and accumulation to the lubricant proceeds, the deterioration of the lubricant proceeds, and the surface resistance decreases.

  Further, the lubricant supplying means supplies the lubricant onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the lubricant supplied downstream of the cleaning means in the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the lubricant supplying means is electrophotographic photosensitive. It is possible to reduce the amount of applied lubricant and increase the replacement efficiency of the lubricant by comprising the lubricant applying means that is applied onto the body. It is possible to reduce the number of rotations of the photosensitive member necessary for replacing the agent (to shorten the rotation operation time).

  By adopting the configuration of the present invention as described above, it has high durability and can suppress a decrease in density in the vicinity of the charging means at high humidity of the photoreceptor and image deterioration due to image blur, and can be used repeatedly for a long period of time. In contrast, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a process cartridge that can stably form a high-quality image.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Production Example 1]
(Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 1)
An undercoat layer coating solution, a charge generation layer coating solution, and a charge transport layer coating solution having the following composition are sequentially applied onto an aluminum cylinder by dip coating, and dried to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 3.5 μm. A charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm and a charge transport layer having a thickness of 22 μm were formed.

(Composition of undercoat layer coating solution)
Titanium dioxide powder: 400 parts by mass Melamine resin: 65 parts by mass Alkyd resin: 120 parts by mass 2-butanone: 400 parts by mass

(Composition of charge generation layer coating solution)
-Bisazo pigment represented by the following structural formula: 12 parts by mass

・ポリビニルブチラール・・・５質量部
・２−ブタノン・・・２００質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・４００質量部

Polyvinyl butyral: 5 parts by mass 2-butanone: 200 parts by mass Cyclohexanone: 400 parts by mass

(Composition of charge transport layer coating solution)
・ Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.): 10 parts by mass ・ Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 10 parts by mass

・テトラヒドロフラン・・・１００質量部

・ Tetrahydrofuran ... 100 parts by mass

Next, a protective layer having a thickness of 5.0 μm was formed on the charge transport layer by spray coating a protective layer coating solution having the following composition. Thus, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1 was produced.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.3 μm, Sumiko Random AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50% by mass, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie Co., Ltd.) ... 0.02 parts by mass -Exemplary compound 9 represented by the following structural formula 9 ... 0.6 parts by mass

・下記構造式で表わされる電荷輸送物質・・・３質量部

-Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 3 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・５質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

・ Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited): 5 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran: 250 parts by mass Cyclohexanone: 70 parts by mass

[Production Example 2]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 2]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor 2 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the protective layer coating solution in Production Example 1 was changed to a protective layer coating solution having the following composition.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.3 μm, Sumiko Random AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50 mass%, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie) 0.02 parts by mass

・下記構造式で表わされる電荷輸送物質・・・１．８質量部

・ Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 1.8 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・５質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

・ Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited): 5 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran: 250 parts by mass Cyclohexanone: 70 parts by mass

[Production Example 3]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 3]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor 3 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the protective layer coating solution in Production Example 1 was changed to a protective layer coating solution having the following composition.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.3 μm, Sumicorundum AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) ... 1 part by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50% by mass, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie) ... 0.01 parts by mass

・下記構造式で表わされる電荷輸送物質・・・３質量部

-Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 3 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・５質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

・ Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited): 5 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran: 250 parts by mass Cyclohexanone: 70 parts by mass

[Production Example 4]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 4]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor 4 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the protective layer coating solution in Production Example 1 was changed to a protective layer coating solution having the following composition.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.3 μm, Sumiko Random AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50% by mass, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie Co., Ltd.) ... 0.03 parts by mass Charge transport material of exemplary compound 9 represented by the following structural formula: 0.9 parts by mass

・下記構造式で表わされる電荷輸送物質・・・４質量部

-Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 4 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・３質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) 3 parts by weight Tetrahydrofuran 250 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 70 parts by weight

[Production Example 5]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 5]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor 5 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the protective layer coating solution in Production Example 1 was changed to a protective layer coating solution having the following composition.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.5 μm, Sumicorundum AA-05, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50% by mass, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie Co., Ltd.) ... 0.02 parts by mass Charge transport material of exemplary compound 9 represented by the following structural formula: 0.9 parts by mass

・下記構造式で表わされる電荷輸送物質・・・４質量部

-Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 4 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・３質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) 3 parts by weight Tetrahydrofuran 250 parts by weight Cyclohexanone 70 parts by weight

[Production Example 6]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 6]
In Production Example 1, an electrophotographic photoreceptor 6 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the thickness of the charge transport layer was 27 μm and no protective layer was provided.

[Production Example 7]
[Preparation of electrophotographic photoreceptor 7]
An electrophotographic photoreceptor 7 was produced in the same manner as in Production Example 1 except that the protective layer coating solution in Production Example 1 was changed to a protective layer coating solution having the following composition.
(Composition of protective layer coating solution)
Alumina filler (average primary particle size = 0.3 μm, Sumiko Random AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 2 parts by mass Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer solution (acid value = 180 mgKOH / g, solid content) 50% by mass, BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie Co., Ltd.) ... 0.02 parts by mass Charge transport material represented by the following structural formula: 3 parts by mass

・ポリカーボネート（Ｚポリカ、帝人化成株式会社製）・・・５質量部
・テトラヒドロフラン・・・２５０質量部
・シクロヘキサノン・・・７０質量部

・ Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited): 5 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran: 250 parts by mass Cyclohexanone: 70 parts by mass

Lubricant applying means 1 and 2 shown below were prepared.
[Lubricant applying means 1]
Using the lubricant application device (30) shown in FIG. 7, the lubricant was applied to the photoreceptor (1) using the solid lubricant (33) as zinc stearate. At that time, the solid lubricant (33) was pressed against the brush roller (34) using a spring having a spring pressure of 5N.
[Lubricant applying means 2]
Using the lubricant application device (43) shown in FIG. 8, the lubricant was applied to the photoreceptor (1) using the solid lubricant (43b) as zinc stearate. At that time, the solid lubricant (43b) was pressed against the brush roller (43a) using a spring having a spring pressure of 3N.

The following sequence for controlling the image forming apparatus in the lubricant replacement operations 1 to 6 was prepared.
[Lubricant replacement operation 1]
No lubricant replacement operation as shown in FIG.
[Lubricant replacement operation 2]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant replacement operation is performed by setting the predetermined relative humidity A previously stored in the image forming apparatus to 60%, the predetermined stop time B to 12 hours, and the predetermined photoconductor rotation frequency C to 60 times.
[Lubricant replacement operation 3]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant replacement operation is performed by setting the predetermined relative humidity A stored in advance in the image forming apparatus to 80%, the predetermined stop time B to 5 hours, and the predetermined photoreceptor rotation frequency C to 80 times.
[Lubricant replacement operation 4]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant replacement operation is performed by setting the predetermined relative humidity A stored in advance in the image forming apparatus to 60%, the predetermined stop time B to 12 hours, and the predetermined photoreceptor rotation frequency C to 40 times.
[Lubricant replacement operation 5]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant replacement operation is performed by setting the predetermined relative humidity A previously stored in the image forming apparatus to 65%, the predetermined stop time B to 6 hours, and the predetermined photoreceptor rotation frequency C to 60 times.
[Lubricant replacement operation 6]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 13, the lubricant replacement operation is performed by setting the predetermined relative humidity A previously stored in the image forming apparatus to 65%, the predetermined stop time B to 6 hours, and the predetermined photoreceptor rotation frequency C to 90 times.

[Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 11]
(Image formation)
Next, charging was performed by a corona charging method (scorotron type), and a digital image forming apparatus (imagino MF2200 remodeling machine, manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) using a 655 nm semiconductor laser (LD) as an image exposure light source, Table 1 As shown in Fig. 4, after combining the photosensitive member, the lubricant applying means, and the lubricant replacement operation and setting the dark part potential to 800 (-V), printing is performed on a total A4 size horizontal 100,000 sheets, initial and 100,000 sheets. The amount of photoconductor abrasion during printing and the image quality (image blurring and other abnormal images) of the image being printed were evaluated. This evaluation was performed in an environment of 23 ° C. and 50%. There was no problem in image quality during printing in Examples 1 to 10 and Comparative Examples 1 to 8. The results for the amount of wear of the photoreceptor are shown in Table 1.

  Next, after printing 100,000 sheets, printing 1,000 sheets in the same manner at an environment of 27 ° C. and 80% RH, and then leaving the image forming apparatus stopped for 24 hours. Three images were output, and the amount of density reduction near the scorotron charger was measured with an image densitometer. Furthermore, after continuously printing 1,000 sheets in an environment of a temperature of 32 ° C. and a humidity of 65% RH, the image forming apparatus is left to stand for 24 hours, and three halftone gray images on the next day. And the amount of density decrease near the scorotron charger was measured with an image densitometer. These results are shown in Table 1.

[Abrasion amount of photoconductor]
The abrasion amount of the photoconductor was obtained by subtracting the thickness of the photoconductor after the 100,000-sheet repeated test from the initial photoconductor thickness. The thickness of the photoreceptor was measured using an eddy current film thickness meter.

潤滑剤置換動作１；潤滑剤置換動作なし。
潤滑剤置換動作２；湿度Ａ＝６０％ＲＨ、停止時間Ｂ＝１２時間、感光体回転回数Ｃ＝６０回。
潤滑剤置換動作３；湿度Ａ＝８０％ＲＨ、停止時間Ｂ＝５時間、感光体回転回数Ｃ＝８０回。
潤滑剤置換動作４；湿度Ａ＝６０％ＲＨ、停止時間Ｂ＝１２時間、感光体回転回数Ｃ＝４０回。
潤滑剤置換動作５；湿度Ａ＝６５％ＲＨ、停止時間Ｂ＝６時間、感光体回転回数Ｃ＝６０回。
潤滑剤置換動作６；湿度Ａ＝６５％ＲＨ、停止時間Ｂ＝６時間、感光体回転回数Ｃ＝９０回。
表１の結果から、電子写真感光体表面を帯電する非接触のコロナ放電方式の帯電手段と前記電子写真感光体表面に潤滑剤を付与する潤滑剤付与手段とを有し、湿度検知手段によって、画像形成装置内の相対湿度を検知し、画像形成装置の停止時間が所定時間以上であり、画像形成装置内の相対湿度が所定値以上である場合、画像形成を行なわない電子写真感光体の回転動作が所定回転分以上行なわれる実施例１〜１５の画像形成装置では、異常画像の発生が抑制されており、高画質画像が安定に得られることが確認された。

Lubricant replacement operation 1; no lubricant replacement operation.
Lubricant replacement operation 2; humidity A = 60% RH, stop time B = 12 hours, photoconductor rotation frequency C = 60 times.
Lubricant replacement operation 3; humidity A = 80% RH, stop time B = 5 hours, photoconductor rotation frequency C = 80 times.
Lubricant replacement operation 4; humidity A = 60% RH, stop time B = 12 hours, photoconductor rotation frequency C = 40 times.
Lubricant replacement operation 5: humidity A = 65% RH, stop time B = 6 hours, photoconductor rotation frequency C = 60 times.
Lubricant replacement operation 6; humidity A = 65% RH, stop time B = 6 hours, photoconductor rotation frequency C = 90 times.
From the results of Table 1, it has a non-contact corona discharge charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. When the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is detected and the stop time of the image forming apparatus is equal to or longer than a predetermined time and the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the electrophotographic photosensitive member that does not perform image formation is rotated. In the image forming apparatuses of Examples 1 to 15 in which the operation is performed for a predetermined number of rotations or more, the occurrence of abnormal images is suppressed, and it has been confirmed that high-quality images can be obtained stably.

  The image forming apparatus, the image forming method, and the process cartridge according to the present invention have high durability, can suppress a decrease in density near the charging unit in high humidity, and image deterioration due to image blur, and can be used repeatedly for a long period of time. On the other hand, since high-quality images can be stably formed, it is suitable for electrophotographic laser printers, digital copying machines, full-color copying machines, full-color laser printers, and the like.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a single layer type electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the single layer type electrophotographic photosensitive member of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member of this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows another example of the laminated type electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the conventional lubricant provision apparatus. It is the schematic which shows an example of the lubricant provision apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows another example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is the schematic which shows another example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a tandem type image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is the schematic which shows an example of the process cartridge of this invention. 3 is a schematic flowchart of an image forming operation of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electrophotographic photoreceptor (photoreceptor)
2 Charge removing lamp 3 Charger charger 5 Exposure unit 6 Developing unit 7 Pre-transfer charger 8 Registration roller 9 Recording medium 10 Transfer charger 11 Separating charger 12 Separating claw 13 Pre-cleaning charger 14 Fur brush 15 Blade 16 Cleaning unit 21 Photoconductors 22a and 22b Drive Roller 23 Charger 24 Light source 25 Transfer charger 27 Cleaning unit 28 Light source 30 Lubricant applying device 33 Solid lubricant 34 Brush roller 43 Lubricant applying device 43a Brush roller 43b Solid lubricant 43c Support member 43d Lubricant holding member 43e Lubrication Agent coating blade 43f Coating device housing 48 Cleaning device 48a Cleaning blade 48c Support member 50 Revolver development unit 53 Charger charger 54 Static elimination lamp 55 Drum cleaning Knit 56 Photoconductor drum 57 Intermediate transfer bias roller 58 Intermediate transfer belt 59a Stretch roller 59b Secondary transfer roller 59c Belt drive roller 60 Recording medium 61 Registration roller pair 62 Transfer belt 63 Paper transfer bias roller 64 Conveying belt 65 Fixing device 80 Photosensitive Body drum 81 exposure 82 developing device 83 discharge lamp 84 charging charger 85 cleaning unit 86 primary transfer bias roller 87 intermediate transfer belt 88 registration roller pair 89 recording medium 90 paper transfer bias roller 91 transfer belt 92 transport belt 93 fixing device 94 transfer belt Cleaning brush 101 Photoconductor 102 Exposure means 103 Charging means 105 Cleaning means 106 Developing means 107 Transfer means 201 Support body 202 Photosensitive layer 203 Charge generation layer 204 Charge transport layer 210 Protection

Claims (20)

An electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposure unit that exposes the surface of the charged electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image An image forming apparatus having at least a transfer unit that transfers the visible image to a recording medium, and a cleaning unit that removes residual toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The image forming apparatus has a non-contact corona discharge charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. When the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is detected and the image formation is completed, the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is 60% or more stored in advance in the apparatus, and the image forming operation is stored in the apparatus for 5 hours or more. An image forming apparatus characterized in that, when the image forming apparatus is not in the state, the rotation operation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member without image formation is performed for 60 rotations or more before entering the next image forming operation. 2. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor contains at least a filler and at least one of diamine compounds represented by the following general formulas (1) and (2). apparatus.

[In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² may be the same as or different from each other, and may have an alkyl group which may have a substituent, and a substituent. Any one of the aryl groups which may be present, and at least one of R ¹ and R ^{2 is} an aryl group which may have a substituent. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar represents an aryl group which may have a substituent. ]

[In the general formula (2), R ³ and R ⁴ may be identical or different, or different, represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, with the R ³ R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an aryl group which may have a substituent. l and m each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and l and m are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. ] The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a relative humidity stored in advance in the image forming apparatus is 65% or more. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a time during which an image forming operation stored in advance in the image forming apparatus does not enter is 6 hours or more. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation speed of the electrophotographic photosensitive member not performing image formation is 90 or more. 6. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant applying unit is provided downstream of the cleaning unit in the rotation direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant applying unit is a coating blade. 8. The lubricant according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant is a metal soap, and the metal soap is at least one selected from zinc stearate, aluminum stearate, and calcium stearate. Image forming apparatus. The lubricant supply means is a brush-like roller that rotates in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the brush-like roller scrapes and scrapes the lubricant and supplies the lubricant onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filler contained in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains at least one selected from metal oxides. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an average primary particle size of the filler contained in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 0.01 to 1.0 μm. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the content of the filler in the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 5 to 50 mass%. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outermost layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member contains an organic compound having an acid value of 10 to 700 mgKOH / g. The electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises a support, a photosensitive layer and a protective layer on the support in this order, and the protective layer is an outermost layer. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The exposure means is either a semiconductor laser (LD) or a light emitting diode (LED), and the exposure means writes an electrostatic latent image on the electrophotographic photosensitive member in a digital manner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color image is formed by sequentially superimposing a plurality of colors of visible images on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 17. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the electrophotographic photosensitive members are provided, and a single color visible image developed on each of the electrophotographic photosensitive members is sequentially superimposed to form a color image. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus includes an intermediate transfer unit that primarily transfers a visible image developed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto an intermediate transfer member and then secondary-transfers the visible image on the intermediate transfer member onto a recording medium. The visible image is sequentially superposed on the intermediate transfer member to form a color image, and the color image is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium at a time. The image forming apparatus described in 1. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposure step of exposing the charged surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and a developing step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a visible image And an image forming method comprising at least a transfer step of transferring the visible image to a recording medium, and a cleaning step of removing residual toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The image forming method includes a non-contact corona discharge charging method for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant applying step for applying a lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The outermost layer contains at least a filler and at least one of the diamine compounds represented by the following general formulas (1) and (2), detects the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus by a humidity detection step, and After the completion of the formation, if the relative humidity in the image forming apparatus is at least 60% and the image forming operation is not performed for at least 5 hours, the rotating operation of the electrophotographic photoreceptor without image formation is performed for at least 60 rotations. An image forming method.

[In the general formula (1), R ¹ and R ² may be the same as or different from each other, and may have an alkyl group which may have a substituent, and a substituent. Any one of the aryl groups which may be present, and at least one of R ¹ and R ^{2 is} an aryl group which may have a substituent. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar represents an aryl group which may have a substituent. ]

[In the general formula (2), R ³ and R ⁴ may be identical or different, or different, represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, with the R ³ R ⁴ may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom, and the heterocyclic ring may be further substituted with a substituent. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an aryl group which may have a substituent. l and m each represent an integer of 0 to 3, and l and m are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. ] The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; and at least one unit selected from a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, and a discharging unit. A process cartridge.

Images