JP2009227934A - Resin composition, resin molded product and production method thereof, belt stretching device, process cartridge and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a resin composition giving molded products suppressed in molding defects, to provide resin molded products suppressed in molding defects and a production method thereof, and to provide belt stretching devices, process cartridges and image forming devices, using the resin composition. <P>SOLUTION: The resin composition comprises a thermoplastic resin or monomers forming the thermoplastic resin, polyaniline, a photoacid generator and a solvent. A rubber material or monomers forming the rubber material can be applied in stead of the thermoplastic resin or the monomers forming the thermoplastic resin. The resin molded products formed of the resin composition, and the belt stretching devices 25, the process cartridges and the image forming devices, using the resin composition, are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a resin composition, a resin molded product, a manufacturing method thereof, a belt stretching device, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

In order to use a conductive composition used for an electrophotographic apparatus member such as a transfer belt suitably, it is essential to control electric resistance.
Conventionally, resistance has been controlled by adding a conductive agent such as an ionic conductive agent or carbon black to the conductive composition.

On the other hand, for example, a method of applying “conductive polymer having a surfactant structure” to a conductive composition as a conductive agent has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
“Polyaniline that develops conductivity by acid” is a conductive polymer and a stable substance. Therefore, when polyaniline is used as a conductive material, resistance variation when the voltage is changed is reduced, which is suitable as a conductive composition.
Furthermore, in order to improve the handleability of polyaniline, a copolymer having a segment (A) containing a group reactive to polyaniline and a segment (B) having a specific structure such as polyalkylene glycol in the molecule A method of dispersing and mixing the coales with polyaniline is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-184512 A JP 2002-265781 A

  The subject of this invention is providing the resin composition which suppresses the shaping | molding defect of the resin molding obtained as compared with the case where resin and rubber material react with an acid before shaping | molding.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
A resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin or a monomer for forming the thermoplastic resin, polyaniline, a photoacid generator, and a solvent.

The invention according to claim 2
The photoacid generator is at least one compound selected from a diphenyliodonium salt type compound and a triphenylsulfonium salt type compound, and the counter anion of the compound is CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ or PF ₆ ⁻ . ,
The resin composition according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 3
A resin composition comprising a rubber material or a monomer for forming the rubber material, polyaniline, a photoacid generator, a photoacid generator, and a solvent.

The invention according to claim 4
The photoacid generator is at least one compound selected from a diphenyliodonium salt type compound and a triphenylsulfonium salt type compound, and the counter anion of the compound is CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ or PF ₆ ⁻ . ,
The resin composition according to claim 3.

The invention according to claim 5
The resin molded product formed from the resin composition of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4.

The invention according to claim 6
The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the shape is a roll.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the shape is a belt shape.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
6. The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the resin molded product is used for a charging roll, an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium conveyance belt, a fixing belt, or a transfer roll.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
A belt-shaped resin molded product according to claim 7,
A plurality of stretching members that rotatably stretch the belt-shaped resin molded product from the inner surface side;
A belt stretching apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 10 is:
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier, developing means for developing the latent image as a toner image, and transferring the toner image to a recording medium At least one selected from the transfer means,
With
At least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the transfer unit includes the resin molded product according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
A process cartridge which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body.

The invention according to claim 11 is:
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image as a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image to the recording medium;
With
An image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit includes the resin molded product according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

The invention according to claim 12
The transfer means, an intermediate transfer body, a primary transfer means for transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer body, a secondary transfer means for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the intermediate transfer member, the primary transfer unit, and the secondary transfer unit includes the resin molded product.

The invention according to claim 13 is:
Applying the resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to a mold;
Heating the resin composition applied to the mold to form a resin molded product;
After the step of applying the resin composition to the mold, the step of irradiating the resin composition or the resin molded product,
The manufacturing method of the resin molding characterized by having.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, defective molding of the resulting resin molded product is suppressed as compared with the case where the resin or rubber material reacts with an acid before molding.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, compared with the case where this invention is not employ | adopted, the shaping | molding defect of the obtained resin molding is suppressed more effectively.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, compared with the case where resin and rubber material react with an acid before shaping | molding, the shaping | molding defect of the obtained resin molding is suppressed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, compared with the case where this invention is not employ | adopted, the shaping | molding defect of the obtained resin molding is suppressed more effectively.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, compared with the case where resin and rubber material shape | mold the resin composition which reacts with an acid before shaping | molding, the resin molding which suppressed the molding defect is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 6, compared with the case where resin and rubber material shape | mold the resin composition which reacts with an acid before shaping | molding, the roll-shaped resin molded product which suppressed the shaping | molding defect is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 7, compared with the case where resin and a rubber material shape | mold the resin composition which reacts with an acid before shaping | molding, the belt-shaped resin molding which suppressed the shaping | molding defect is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 8, compared with the case where resin and rubber material shape | mold the resin composition which reacts with an acid before shaping | molding, the resin molding as a member for image forming apparatuses which suppressed the shaping | molding defect is obtained. Provided.

According to the invention according to claim 9, compared to the case of using a belt-shaped resin molded product obtained by molding a resin composition in which a resin or rubber material reacts with an acid before molding, the resin composition is caused by molding defects. Image defects are suppressed.
According to the invention of claim 10, image defects caused by molding defects of the resin composition compared to the case of using a resin molding obtained by molding a resin composition in which a resin or rubber material reacts with an acid before molding. Is suppressed.
According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, image defects caused by molding defects of the resin molded product compared to the case where a resin molded product obtained by molding a resin composition in which a resin or rubber material reacts with an acid before molding is used. Is suppressed.
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, image defects due to poor molding of the resin composition are suppressed as compared with the case where the present invention is not adopted.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 13, it can manufacture efficiently compared with the case where this invention is not employ | adopted.

Hereinafter, a resin composition, a resin molded product, a process cartridge, a belt stretching device, and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.
<Resin composition>
The resin composition according to the present embodiment is a resin composition containing polyaniline, a photoacid generator, and a solvent, and includes a thermoplastic resin or a monomer for forming the thermoplastic resin, and a rubber material. Or it is a resin composition which contains either the monomer for forming the said rubber material as a main component. The resin composition which concerns on this embodiment suppresses the shaping | molding defect of the resin molding obtained by containing a photo-acid generator with polyaniline.

  Here, when a conductive agent such as polyaniline that exhibits conductivity by an acid is used, the molecular weight of the resin or rubber material decreases due to the addition of an acid to make it conductive. As a result, for example, protrusions are formed on the surface. , Molding defects occur.

  Therefore, in the resin composition according to the present embodiment, by adding a photoacid generator that generates an acid by light, the molding failure is compared with the case where the resin or rubber material reacts with the acid before molding. Is suppressed. In addition, electrical conductivity to the polyaniline is imparted well, electrical characteristics (for example, variation in resistance distribution) are also favorable, and electrical characteristics of a resin molded product molded from the resin composition are also favorable. Become. In particular, when the resin molding is applied to a member of an image forming apparatus (for example, charging means (charging roll), transfer means (intermediate transfer body, transfer roll)), image quality defects (images may be blank or scaled). ) And a decrease in concentration after use over time is suppressed.

  Hereinafter, each component will be described.

[Polyaniline]
Polyaniline is an aniline that develops conductivity by an acid, and is an aniline that is in a state where electrons in the molecule can move and a state of conductivity can be developed by adding a substance having a function of receiving electrons.
Note that “conductive” means that the volume resistivity is in the range of 10 ^{9 to} Ω · cm 10 ^{14 to} Ω · cm.

(1) Polyaniline Polyaniline is used as a conductive material because it exhibits conductivity by an acid.
Polyaniline has a structure in which the main chain skeleton is bonded at the p-position. The polyaniline used in the present invention desirably has a quinonediimine structural unit and / or a phenylenediamine structural unit as a main repeating unit.

It is known that polyaniline significantly changes its electrochemical activity depending on an acid-doped state and an undoped state.
In the present embodiment, polyaniline in a conductive state is referred to as “doped polyaniline” or “doped polyaniline” because it is doped with an acid. Further, polyaniline in a non-conductive state will be described as “undoped polyaniline” because it is not doped with acid.

  As shown below, the structural unit in the main chain of polyaniline is supposed to take four structures of A: leuco emeraldine, B: emeraldine, C: pernigraniline, D: emeraldine salt by oxidation and reduction.

Among them, the polyaniline having the emeraldine structure of B is protonated, that is, by making it into a conductive state (doping), it becomes a polyaniline in a conductive state (dope state) having the highest electrical conductivity. Most useful because it is stable.
That is, the “non-conductive state”, that is, “undoped polyaniline” corresponds to a state of “B: emeraldine”. The “doped polyaniline” corresponds to the “D emeraldine salt” state. In this D state, it has high electrical conductivity.
Since polyaniline is usually easily oxidized, it is desirable that the pernigraniline structure is less for the purpose of improving and stabilizing the conductivity, and it is desirable to perform doping treatment from a reduced state.

The synthesis and structure of polyaniline are described in detail in JP-A-3-28229. The polyaniline in the present invention is easily produced from aniline or an aniline derivative by an oxidation polymerization method.
Specifically, the aniline is maintained in the solvent in the presence of a protonic acid at a temperature of 5 ° C. or lower, preferably 0 ° C. or lower, and an oxidant is applied to perform oxidative polymerization. Is used to produce an oxidized polymer of doped aniline (hereinafter referred to as doped polyaniline). This doped polyaniline is then obtained by undoping with a basic material.
Moreover, as a commercial item, "Panipol PA" by Panipol is mentioned.

Since polyaniline is usually easily oxidized as described above, it is desirable that the pernigraniline structure is less for improving and stabilizing the conductivity, and more efficient doping is performed by doping from a reduced state.
In the present invention, reduction is performed using a reducing agent such as phenylhydrazine, hydrazine, hydrazine hydrate, hydrazine compounds such as hydrazine sulfate and hydrazine hydrochloride, and reducible metal hydride compounds such as lithium aluminum hydride and lithium borohydride. By treating, dissolving in a solvent, and performing a doping treatment, polyaniline in a dedope state is obtained.

  Preferred examples of the reducing agent include hydrazine compounds such as hydrazine hydrazine, hydrazine, hydrazine hydrate, hydrazine sulfate and hydrazine hydrochloride, and reducing metal hydrides such as lithium aluminum hydride and lithium borohydride. .

  The number average molecular weight of the undoped polyaniline is preferably 4000 or more and 400,000 or less from the viewpoint of securing mechanical strength and imparting conductivity.

The addition amount (use amount) of polyaniline is adjusted by the conductivity to be expressed. Generally, the added polyaniline is desirably 5 parts by mass or more and 40 parts by mass or less, and more desirably 10 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the resin (or rubber material) content in the resin composition according to the present embodiment. Part to 30 parts by weight.
When the amount of polyaniline added is within the above range, it is preferable from the viewpoints of electrical conductivity and flexibility of the obtained molded product. For example, when an endless belt is molded from the resin composition according to this embodiment, the function is suitably exhibited as a belt.

[Photoacid generator]
The photoacid generator refers to a compound that generates an acid when irradiated with light having a wavelength of 300 nm or less. Specifically, a diphenyliodonium salt type compound and a triphenylsulfonium salt type compound are preferably exemplified. The counter anions of the onium salt type compounds include CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ , PF ₆ ⁻ , CF ₃ CF ₂ CF ₂ CF ₂ SO ₃ ⁻ , CH ₃ (C ₆ H ₄ ) SO ₃ ⁻ , (CH ₃ O ) ₂ (C ₁₄ H ₇ ) SO ₃ ⁻ , NO ₃ ^{— and the} like can be mentioned, and CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ and PF ₆ ⁻ are particularly preferable. The photoacid generator is not limited to these salt-type compounds, and diphenylsulfonium salt-type compounds (the counter anions are the same as those described above), hydroxynaphthalimide sulfonate compounds, and norbornene dicarboximide sulfonates.

  Specific examples of suitable photoacid generators (diphenyliodonium salt type compounds and triphenylsulfonium salt type compounds) are shown below, but the present invention is not limited to these compounds. The photo acid generator exemplified below is labeled as “photo acid generator (number)” according to the assigned number.

  Specific examples of other photoacid generators are shown below, but are not limited thereto.

  The use ratio of the photoacid generator is related to the use conductive region of the resin composition, but is preferably an equimolar amount with respect to the polyaniline addition amount.

[Thermoplastic resin or monomer for forming the thermoplastic resin]
The thermoplastic resin is not particularly limited, and polyimide, polyetherimide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or polyfluoroethylene -Resin materials such as ethylene copolymer (ETFE).

  On the other hand, the monomer for forming the said thermoplastic resin may contain in the resin composition.

  The thermoplastic resin (monomer for forming it) is desirably contained in the resin composition in an amount of 15% by mass to 30% by mass.

[Rubber material or monomer for forming rubber material]
The kind of rubber material is not particularly limited, and an arbitrary elastomer is used. Specific examples include chlorinated polyisoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, norbornene rubber, fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, acrylic rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM), styrene. Examples thereof include butadiene copolymer rubber (SBR), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer rubber.
Examples of the thermoplastic elastomer include styrene elastomer such as styrene-butadiene block copolymer, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, urethane elastomer, olefin elastomer, fluorine elastomer, or vinyl chloride. An elastomer is mentioned.

  On the other hand, the monomer for forming the said rubber material may contain in the resin composition.

  Of the rubber material, polyurethane will be described. When the rubber material is polyurethane, at least (1) a monomer as a polyol component and (2) a monomer as an isocyanate component are necessary as monomers for forming the rubber material.

Examples of the polyether polyol monomer of the polyurethane polyol component include polyoxyalkylene glycols such as polyoxypropylene glycol, polyoxyethylene glycol, polyoxybutylene glycol, and polyoxytetramethylene glycol, polyoxypropylene triol, and polyoxypropylene. Polyoxyalkylene triols such as polyoxyethylene triol and polyoxybrylene triol, polyoxypropylene polyols such as ethylenediamine, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, sucrose, starch, etc., or polyoxypropylene polyoxyethylene polyols And poly (oxyalkylene) polyol.
Moreover, as a polyester polyol compound monomer of a polyol component, one kind of glycols such as a polycarbonate carbonate polyol, a polycaprolactone ester polyol, or ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,3-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, etc. Examples of the polyol component include, but are not limited to, polyester polyols obtained by reacting a mixture of two or more kinds with a dicarboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carbon atoms such as adipic acid.

  Polyurethane isocyanate components include tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), metaxylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), polymethylene polyphenyl diisocyanate and other aromatic isocyanates, hexamethylene diisocyanate and other aliphatic isocyanates, and prepolymers. Modified isocyanates and blocked isocyanates in which these isocyanate compounds are blocked with phenol, aromatic secondary amines, tertiary alcohols, amides, lactams, heterocyclic compounds, sulfites, etc. are adjusted to an index of 0.80 or more and 1.20 or less. Desirably, it is adjusted to 0.98 or more and 1.09 or less. (Index = active hydrogen group / isocyanate group (NCO group))

As the matrix (rubber material) of the foam layer, it is particularly desirable to use a urethane foam. By using the urethane foam, a stable foamed state can be maintained, and as a result, image uniformity can be obtained. By using a foaming method using water or a mechanical foaming method by mixing nitrogen, air, etc. as the foaming agent, heat generation is suppressed, foaming and foaming are reduced, distortion is small, and hardness is further reduced.
The foaming hardness (Asker C hardness) is desirably 3 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and more desirably 5 degrees or more and 20 degrees or less. In addition, urethane has little permanent distortion, less dents, distortions, deformations, and the like due to repeated use, and dimensional accuracy is stable. Therefore, the frequency of replacement of the intermediate transfer member is reduced.

  When combining polyaniline and a photoacid generator, particularly suitable rubber materials are polyurethane, chlorinated polyisoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, or NBR. These rubber materials have a high affinity with a conductive agent and are dispersed. From the viewpoint of sex.

  The rubber material (monomer for forming it) is desirably contained in the resin composition in an amount of 15% by mass to 30% by mass.

[solvent]
The solvent is not particularly limited as long as it dissolves a thermoplastic resin or rubber material (including these monomers). Specifically, for example, sulfoxide solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide, N, N- Formamide solvents such as dimethylformamide and N, N-diethylformamide, acetamide solvents such as N, N-dimethylacetamide and N, N-diethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and the like Pyrrolidone solvents, phenol solvents such as phenol, o-, m-, or p-cresol, xylenol, halogenated phenol and catechol, ether solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and dioxolane, alcohols such as methanol, ethanol and butanol System dissolution , Cellosolve such as butyl cellosolve, hexamethylphosphoramide, γ-butyrolactone, etc., may be used alone or as a mixture, but aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene and toluene are also used. Is possible.

  These solvents are preferably contained in the resin composition in an amount of 40% by mass to 60% by mass.

<Resin molding>
The resin molded product according to the present embodiment is a resin molded product formed from the resin composition according to the above-described embodiment.
The resin molded product according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a step of applying the resin composition according to the above embodiment to a mold, and a step of heating the resin composition applied to the mold to form a resin molded product. And after the step of applying the resin composition to the mold, the resin composition or the resin molded product is subjected to light irradiation. By performing this light irradiation treatment, an acid is generated from the photoacid generator contained in the resin composition or resin molded product, and the conductivity of polyaniline is expressed by the acid.

  Application of the resin composition to the mold is performed by a known application method such as a centrifugal application method or a dip coating method. In addition, as for the mold, the shape of the resin molded product is selected according to the application. Specifically, when producing a roll-shaped resin molded product, the resin composition is applied onto the surface of a cylindrical support (which may have a lower layer on the surface) as a mold. . Moreover, when producing a belt-shaped resin molded product, the resin composition is applied to the surface or inner surface of a cylindrical mold (may have a lower layer or an upper layer on the front or back surface) as a mold. To do.

  Next, the heating at the time of forming the resin molded product is carried out for drying and monomer polymerization, baking and curing depending on the resin species or the rubber material species. Here, for example, when obtaining a belt-shaped resin molded product, after drying, it is removed from the cylindrical mold, fitted into another cylindrical mold, and separately heated for monomer polymerization, baking and curing. Also good.

  Next, the light irradiation may be performed at any time as long as it is after the step of applying the resin composition to the mold. For example, after application of the resin composition, after drying of the resin composition, resin molding It is carried out after forming the object. Although the resin composition before coating, that is, the coating solution may be irradiated with light, the coating solution composition may change and the coating property may be reduced. Therefore, as described above, the resin composition is applied to the mold. It is good to carry out after the process to do.

  The light irradiation is not particularly limited as long as it is carried out so that acid is generated from the photoacid generator in the entire resin composition or resin molded product, and the entire surface of the resin composition or resin molded product may be irradiated with light. Further, light irradiation may be performed on one surface of the resin composition or the resin molded product.

  Although light irradiation depends on the type of photoacid generator, ultraviolet irradiation is good. For example, at a wavelength of 400 nm or less (preferably 300 nm or less), 1 minute to 30 minutes (preferably 5 minutes to 15 minutes). It is good to carry out. For light irradiation, for example, a metal halide lamp, a high-pressure mercury lamp, an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp, a deep ultraviolet lamp, a lamp that uses a microwave to excite a mercury lamp from the outside without electrode, an ultraviolet laser, a xenon lamp, a UV-LED, etc. are applied.

(Use)
The resin composition according to the present embodiment is molded and used in various shapes, rolls, and belts shown below.
The roll-shaped resin molded product is applied to a charging roll, an intermediate transfer roll, a transfer roll, a fixing roll, or the like for an image forming apparatus.
The belt-shaped resin molded product is applied to a charging belt, an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium conveyance belt, a fixing belt, or the like for an image forming apparatus. A plurality of resin molded products are stretched around a rotatable stretching member to constitute a belt stretching device.
Among these, the resin molded product according to the present embodiment is preferably applied to a charging roll, an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium conveyance belt, a fixing belt, or a transfer roll.

(Constitution)
In addition to the layer molded by the resin composition according to the above embodiment, other resin layers (for example, a polyimide layer) may be provided in the resin molded product according to the present embodiment. In addition, the layer formed by the resin composition may be a single layer, or a plurality of layers may be laminated by changing the type or blending ratio of the resin in the resin composition. In the case of a laminated body, the order of the lamination is not particularly limited.

-Rolled resin molding-
The roll-shaped resin molded product preferably has a structure including a support, an elastic layer, and, if necessary, a surface layer. It is desirable that at least one of the elastic layer and the surface layer is molded with the resin composition according to the above-described embodiment, that is, formed with the resin molded product according to the present embodiment.

-Belt-shaped resin molding-
The belt-shaped resin molded product preferably has a structure having a base material layer and, if necessary, a surface layer. Then, it is desirable that at least one of the base material layer and the surface layer is molded with the resin composition according to the above-described embodiment, that is, configured with the resin molding according to the present embodiment.

<Process cartridge, image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may have any configuration as long as it includes the resin molded product. For example, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an image carrier, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image carrier, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the image carrier, and a latent image. Examples include an image forming apparatus that includes a developing unit that develops a toner image, a transfer unit that transfers the toner image to a recording medium, and a fixing unit that fixes the toner image to the recording medium. At least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit may include the resin molded product according to the above embodiment. That is, for example, it is provided as a charging roll, a charging belt, a developing roll, a transfer roll, a fixing belt, or a fixing roll using the resin molded product according to the embodiment.

  In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, the transfer unit includes an intermediate transfer member, a primary transfer unit that transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer member, and the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member on the recording medium. And a secondary transfer means for transferring. At least one of the intermediate transfer member, the primary transfer unit, and the secondary transfer unit may include the resin molded product according to the above embodiment. That is, for example, it is provided as an intermediate transfer roll, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary transfer roll, or a secondary transfer roll used in the resin molded product according to the embodiment.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may include a process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus body. Examples of the process cartridge include an image holding member, a charging unit that charges the surface of the image holding member, a latent image forming unit that forms a latent image on the surface of the image holding member, and a developing unit that develops the latent image as a toner image. , And at least one selected from transfer means for transferring a toner image to a recording medium. At least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the transfer unit includes the resin molded product according to the embodiment.

  Note that the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes, for example, a monocolor electrophotographic apparatus that forms a single color (usually black) image in the apparatus, or a toner image held on a photoconductor as an image holding member. Either a color electrophotographic apparatus that sequentially repeats primary transfer onto a transfer belt, or a tandem color electrophotographic apparatus in which a plurality of photoconductors each having a developing device for each color are arranged in series on an intermediate transfer belt. .

  Since the process cartridge and the image forming apparatus including the resin molded product according to the present embodiment include the above-described member in which molding defects are suppressed, excellent image performance is exhibited.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment is an output device that includes the intermediate transfer belt according to the embodiment and includes four photosensitive drums for each color.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment includes image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K.

  The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K have photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K as image carriers (Y is for yellow, M is for magenta, C is for cyan, and K is for black). And charging devices 14Y, 14M, 14C, and 14K for charging the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, respectively, around the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. Exposure devices 16Y, 16M, 16C, and 16K that form electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K, and static images formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K. Developing devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K that convert the electrostatic latent image into a toner image using toner contained in the developer, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 24 Primary transfer devices 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K (for example, transfer rolls) for copying, and photosensitive drum cleaner for removing residual toner adhering to the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K after transfer 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K.

  Further, an intermediate transfer belt 24 as an intermediate transfer member is disposed facing the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K. The intermediate transfer belt 24 is disposed between the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K and primary transfer devices (for example, primary transfer rolls) 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

  The intermediate transfer belt 24 is driven from the inner peripheral surface side by a backup roll 28 together with a drive roll 26a, a tension / steering roll 26c that prevents the intermediate transfer belt 24 from being distorted or meandering, and support rolls 26b, 26d, and 26e. The belt stretching device 25 is configured to be rotatably supported while applying tension.

  A secondary transfer device 30 (for example, a secondary transfer roll) is disposed around the intermediate transfer belt 24 so as to face the backup roll 28 with the intermediate transfer belt 24 interposed therebetween. A belt cleaner 32 is disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 24.

  A transport device 34 for transporting the recording paper P (recording medium) after the transfer by the secondary transfer device 30 is disposed, and a fixing device 36 is disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport device 34. Yes.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, first, in the image forming unit 10Y, the photosensitive drum 12Y rotates clockwise in the figure, and the surface thereof is charged by the charging device 14Y. An electrostatic latent image of the first color (Y) is formed on the charged photosensitive drum 12Y by an exposure device 16Y such as a laser writing device.

  The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner (toner containing toner) supplied by the developing device 18Y to form a visualized toner image. The toner image reaches the primary transfer portion by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 12Y. By applying an electric field having a reverse polarity to the toner image from the primary transfer device 20Y, the toner image is applied to the intermediate transfer belt 24 that rotates counterclockwise. Primary transcription.

  Similarly, the second color toner image (M), the third color toner image (C), and the fourth color toner image (K) are sequentially formed by the image forming units 10M, 10C, and 10K, and the intermediate transfer belt. At 24, a superposed toner image is formed.

  Next, the multiple toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 24 reaches the secondary transfer portion where the secondary transfer device 30 is installed by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 24.

  In the secondary transfer unit, a bias (transfer voltage) having the same polarity as the polarity of the toner image is applied between the secondary transfer device 30 and the backup roll 28 disposed so as to face the intermediate transfer belt 24. The toner image is transferred to the recording paper P by electrostatic repulsion.

  The recording paper P is taken out one by one from a recording paper bundle accommodated in a recording paper container (not shown) by a pickup roller (not shown), and the intermediate transfer of the secondary transfer unit by a feed roll (not shown). The sheet is fed at a predetermined timing between the belt 24 and the secondary transfer device 30.

  A toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 24 is applied to the fed recording paper P by the action of the pressure contact and transfer voltage conveyance by the secondary transfer device 30 and the backup roll 28 and the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 24. Transcribed.

  The recording paper P to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 36 by the conveying device 34, and the toner image is fixed by pressurization / heating processing to be a permanent image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 24 having completed the transfer of the multiple toner image onto the recording paper P is subjected to removal of residual toner by a belt cleaner 32 provided downstream of the secondary transfer portion, and is prepared for the next transfer. Further, the secondary transfer device 30 removes foreign matters such as toner particles and paper dust adhered by transfer by brush cleaning (not shown).

  In the case of transfer of a single color image, the primary transferred toner image is secondarily transferred in a single color and conveyed to the fixing device. In the case of transfer of a multicolor image by superimposing a plurality of colors, the toner image of each color is transferred. The rotations of the intermediate transfer belt 24 and the photosensitive drums 12Y, 12M, 12C, and 12K are synchronized so as to coincide with each other at the primary transfer portion so that the toner images of the respective colors do not shift.

  Thus, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, an image is formed on the recording paper P (recording medium).

  Hereinafter, image forming apparatuses according to other embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment includes a process cartridge 50 including an electrophotographic photosensitive member 52 in an image forming apparatus main body (not shown), and an exposure device (latent image forming unit) 56. And a transfer device 60 and a recording medium conveyance belt 64. In the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment, the exposure device 56 is disposed at a position where the electrophotographic photosensitive member 52 is exposed from the opening of the process cartridge 50, and the transfer device 60 is interposed via the recording medium conveyance belt 64. The recording medium conveyance belt 64 is disposed in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 52 in a state where it abuts against the electrophotographic photosensitive member 52.

  The process cartridge 50 is a case in which a charging device 54, a developing device 58, and a cleaning device 62 are combined and integrated together with an electrophotographic photosensitive member 52 in a case, and are attached to a main body of the image forming apparatus by mounting rails. The cleaning device 62 includes a fibrous member (roll shape) 62a and a cleaning blade (blade member) 62b. The case is provided with an opening for exposure.

  The process cartridge 20 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body, and constitutes the image forming apparatus together with the image forming apparatus main body.

  A plurality of examples corresponding to the present invention and comparative examples for these examples will be described below. These examples are all illustrative and the scope of the present invention is not limited by this description. In the examples, “parts” means parts by mass.

[Example 1]
A liquid and B liquid shown below are stirred and mixed at room temperature (25 ° C.), and then 15 parts of polyaniline (trade name: Panipol EB, manufactured by Panipol), 17 parts of photoacid generator (1), and tetrabutylammonium 0.03 part of perchloric acid was added and further stirred and mixed.

-Liquid A-
-Polytetramethylene glycol (average molecular weight: 3000, manufactured by Sanyo Chemical Industries, PTMG 3000): 100 parts

-Liquid B-
Diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI): 23.8 parts (1.03 with respect to polyol OH value)
・ Triethylenediamine: 0.05 parts

This mixture is applied to the inner surface of an aluminum cylindrical drum mold having an inner diameter of 110 mm, a length of 500 mm, and a thickness of 5 mm, centrifuged at 3000 rpm, heated and cured at 180 ° C. for 30 minutes, and a film having urethane elastomer as a matrix A urethane endless belt having a thickness of 300 μm was obtained. The entire urethane endless belt obtained was irradiated with ultraviolet light having an irradiation wavelength of 300 nm for 15 minutes with an irradiation energy (100 W / m ² ) by an ultraviolet irradiation device (UM1036-B (manufactured by Ushio Electric)).
The surface resistivity of the outer surface of the obtained urethane endless belt was 10 ¹¹ log · ohm.

[Evaluation]
<Coating performance>
The obtained urethane endless belt was visually observed to evaluate the coating performance. The evaluation criteria are as follows.
-Evaluation criteria for coating performance-
A: Presence of protruding surface defects is not confirmed at all.
B: Slightly observed protrusion-like surface defects, but no practical problem.
C: Protruding surface defects exist and have practical problems.

  In addition to the coating performance of the obtained urethane endless belt, the electrical characteristics (volume resistivity, electric field dependence), and the quality of the transferred image when mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus as an intermediate transfer belt (small white dots ( MWS (micro white spot)), blur (blur) at the edge of the image, and image quality defect (holo character) in which the image is missing were evaluated as follows.

<Evaluation of electrical characteristics>
(Measurement of volume resistivity)
For measuring the volume resistivity of an endless urethane belt, an R8340A digital ultra-high resistance / microammeter (manufactured by Advantest Co., Ltd.), a UR probe MCP-HTP12 with a double ring electrode structure whose connection is modified for R8340A, and Resist UFL MCP-ST03 (both manufactured by Dia Instruments Co., Ltd.) was used.
In addition, the belt piece manufactured by the Example and the comparative example was used for the test piece in the case of a measurement.

  A test piece was placed on the register UFL MCP-ST03 (the metal surface was used as the lower electrode), and the double electrode part of the UR probe MCP-HTP12 was applied as the upper electrode. A 19.6N ± 1N weight was attached to the upper part of the UR probe MCP-HTP12 so that a uniform load was applied to the test piece.

The measurement conditions of the R8340A digital ultrahigh resistance / microammeter were a charge time of 30 seconds, a discharge time of 1 second, and an applied voltage of 100V.
At this time, the volume resistivity of the test piece is ρv, the thickness t (μm) of the intermediate transfer member, the R8340A digital ultrahigh resistance / microammeter reading is R, the volume resistivity correction coefficient of the UR probe MCP-HTP12 is Assuming RCF (V), according to the Mitsubishi Chemical “Resistivity Meter Series” catalog, RCF (V) = 2.010.

By substituting these values into the following equation, the volume resistivity can be obtained.
Formula: ρv [Ω · cm] = R × RCF (V) × (10000 / t) = R × 2.011 × (10000 / t)

<Electric field dependence>
The electric field dependence was evaluated by the difference between the volume resistivity when the applied voltage was 100V and the volume resistivity when the applied voltage was 10V.

<Evaluation of transferred image quality>
The obtained urethane endless belt was incorporated into an electrophotographic apparatus (DocuCenterColor400CP) manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. as an intermediate transfer belt, and the image quality of the initial (fifth sheet) transferred image was evaluated.
As evaluation items for the image quality of the transferred image, presence / absence of MWS (micro white spot), presence / absence of blur, and presence / absence of holo-character were visually confirmed. The evaluation criteria are as follows.

-Evaluation standard of MWS (micro white spot)-
A: The presence of MWS is not confirmed at all.
B: Although the presence of MWS was confirmed, there was no practical problem.
C: There are many MWS, and there is a problem in practical use.
The micro white spot refers to white spots of several tens to 100 μm level in the halftone patch image.

-Presence or absence of blur-
A: The presence of blur is not confirmed at all.
B: Although the presence of blur was confirmed, there was no practical problem.
C: There are many blurs and there are practical problems.
Note that blur refers to toner scattering at the edge of an image.

-Holo character presence-
A: The presence of a holo character is not confirmed at all.
B: Although the presence of the holo character was confirmed, there was no practical problem.
C: There are many holo-characters and there are practical problems.
A holo character refers to an image quality defect in which a line image is missing.

Further, it was confirmed whether or not there was a decrease in density after passing 50,000 sheets.
○: Level equivalent to the initial concentration △: Level that is lower than the initial concentration but no problem in practical use ×: Level that is drastically lower than the initial concentration

[Example 2]
In Example 1, a urethane elastomer was used as the rubber material. In Example 2, an olefin-based elastomer (trade name: Miralastomer 5030N, manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.) was used. A specific manufacturing method is as follows.
15 parts of Panipol EB and 15 parts of the photoacid generator (2) were added to 100 parts of Miralastomer, and a kneaded extruded master batch was obtained at 160 ° C. The obtained resin was kneaded and extruded again at 200 ° C. and extruded with a tubular die having a diameter of 110 mm (die temperature 210 ° C.) to obtain an endless belt.
The obtained endless belt was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1.

[Examples 3 to 6, Comparative Examples 1 and 2]
Examples 3, 4, 6 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were the same as Example 1 except that the types of the conductive agent (polyaniline), the rubber material / thermoplastic resin, and the photoacid generator were changed according to Table 1. In Example 5, an endless belt was produced in the same manner as in Example 2.

  From the above results, it can be seen that the present example has better coating performance than the comparative example, and the molding failure is suppressed and an endless belt is obtained. In addition, it can be seen that when the obtained blank belt is applied as an intermediate transfer belt, a better transfer image can be obtained in this embodiment than in the comparative example.

  In addition, although an endless belt was produced in this example, even when the formation shape was a roll, the same result, that is, a roll that was coated while suppressing defects and formed defects was obtained, It can also be seen that when this is applied to an image forming apparatus, a good image can be obtained. Further, even when the endless belt is used for other uses of the image forming apparatus, similarly, since molding defects are suppressed, it is also understood that image defects due to this are suppressed and a good image can be obtained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10Y, 10M, 10C, 10K Image forming units 12Y, 12M, 12C, 12K Photosensitive drums 14Y, 14M, 14C, 14K Charging devices 16Y, 16M, 16C, 16K Exposure devices 18Y, 18M, 18C, 18K Developing devices 20Y, 20M , 20C, 20K Primary transfer devices 22Y, 22M, 22C, 22K Photosensitive drum cleaner 24 Intermediate transfer belt 25 Belt stretching device 26c Tension steering roll 26a Drive rolls 26b, 26d, 26e Support roll 28 Backup roll 30 Secondary transfer device 32 Belt cleaner 34 Conveying device 36 Fixing device

Claims (13)

  A resin composition comprising a thermoplastic resin or a monomer for forming the thermoplastic resin, polyaniline, a photoacid generator, and a solvent. The photoacid generator is at least one compound selected from a diphenyliodonium salt type compound and a triphenylsulfonium salt type compound, and the counter anion of the compound is CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ or PF ₆ ⁻ . ,
The resin composition according to claim 1.   A resin composition comprising a rubber material or a monomer for forming the rubber material, polyaniline, a photoacid generator, a photoacid generator, and a solvent. The photoacid generator is at least one compound selected from a diphenyliodonium salt type compound and a triphenylsulfonium salt type compound, and the counter anion of the compound is CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ or PF ₆ ⁻ . ,
The resin composition according to claim 3.   The resin molded product formed from the resin composition of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4.   The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the shape is a roll.   The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the shape is a belt shape.   6. The resin molded product according to claim 5, wherein the resin molded product is used for a charging roll, an intermediate transfer belt, a recording medium conveyance belt, a fixing belt, or a transfer roll. A belt-shaped resin molded product according to claim 7,
A plurality of stretching members that rotatably stretch the belt-shaped resin molded product from the inner surface side;
A belt stretching apparatus comprising: An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier, developing means for developing the latent image as a toner image, and transferring the toner image to a recording medium At least one selected from the transfer means,
With
At least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, and the transfer unit includes the resin molded product according to any one of claims 5 to 8,
A process cartridge which is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus main body. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image as a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a recording medium;
Fixing means for fixing the toner image to the recording medium;
With
An image forming apparatus, wherein at least one of the charging unit, the developing unit, the transfer unit, and the fixing unit includes the resin molded product according to any one of claims 5 to 8.   The transfer means, an intermediate transfer body, a primary transfer means for transferring the toner image to the intermediate transfer body, a secondary transfer means for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer body to a recording medium, and The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the intermediate transfer member, the primary transfer unit, and the secondary transfer unit includes the resin molded product. Applying the resin composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to a mold;
Heating the resin composition applied to the mold to form a resin molded product;
After the step of applying the resin composition to the mold, the step of irradiating the resin composition or the resin molded product,
The manufacturing method of the resin molding characterized by having.