JP2010189109A - Endless belt, belt support device and image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an endless belt for restraining the rupture of a belt body more than the case directly arranging a projecting member in the belt body. <P>SOLUTION: The endless belt 10 is constituted by including the belt body 12, a belt-like member 14 arranged in a belt shape in the peripheral direction of the belt body 12 at one side end in the axial direction (the width direction) of the belt body 12 and having a projection 15 projecting to the outside in the axial direction of the belt body 12, and a rib member 16 (a projecting member: a meandering preventive member) arranged along the belt peripheral direction on an outer peripheral surface of the projection 15 of the belt-like member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an endless belt, a belt support device, and an image forming apparatus.

  For example, endless belts such as a photoreceptor belt, an intermediate transfer belt, and a paper transport belt provided in the image forming apparatus may be provided with a flange on a drive roll or the like in order to prevent meandering (see, for example, Patent Document 1) A method of providing a meandering prevention member (convex member) on the inner surface side of both side edges of an endless belt has been proposed.

  As a method for adhering the meandering prevention member (convex member) to the belt, for example, a method of adhering the meandering prevention member to the endless belt using an acrylic resin adhesive or the like as an elastomeric member as a meandering prevention member (for example, Patent Documents) 2 and 3), the adhesive strength of the acrylic resin pressure-sensitive adhesive is improved and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer contains a specific acrylic copolymer and a crosslinking agent, so that the solvent insoluble matter is 8 mass% or more and 99 mass% or less. A method using a resin composition (for example, see Patent Document 4), and a method for adhering a meander-preventing member to a belt side edge using a one-component curable modified epoxy resin as an adhesive (for example, see Patent Document 5). A method of adhering a meandering prevention member to a belt side edge using a double-sided adhesive provided with a contact layer made of a pressure-sensitive acrylic resin on both sides as an adhesive is proposed (see Patent Document 6). There.

  Also, a method of rotating the meandering prevention member while pressing the jig against the pressing support while adhering the meander prevention member to a cylindrical jig or the like and covering the pressing support with the endless belt inserted inside the jig. (Refer to Patent Document 7), having holding means for sandwiching both ends of the endless belt by ring-shaped support members, and means for pressing while guiding a string-like meandering prevention member inside, the holding means or the pressing means A method of sticking the meandering prevention member to the inner periphery by rotating (see Patent Document 8), or winding the meandering prevention member around a roll having a spiral groove, and the meandering prevention member is placed at a specific position A method of sticking by rotating in synchronization with the feed of the endless belt while moving (see Patent Document 9) has also been proposed.

  In addition, a method for dispersing the force applied to the meandering prevention member during belt travel has been proposed (see Patent Document 10).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-1000014 JP-A-4-333457 JP-A-7-187435 JP 2001-206522 A JP 2000-122439 A JP 2004-53629 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 07-021645 JP 10-086232 A JP-A-9-150817 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-167021

  The subject of this invention is providing the endless belt which suppressed the fracture | rupture of the belt main body compared with the case where a convex-shaped member is directly arrange | positioned in the belt main body.

The above-mentioned subject is achieved by the following present invention.
The invention according to claim 1
A belt body;
A belt-like member that is disposed in a belt shape along the circumferential direction of the belt body at least at one end in the axial direction of the belt body, and has a protrusion that protrudes outward in the axial direction of the belt body;
A convex member disposed along the circumferential direction of the belt at the protruding portion of the belt-shaped member;
Endless belt with.

The invention according to claim 2
The endless belt according to claim 1, wherein a Young's modulus of the belt-like member is lower than a Young's modulus of the belt body.

The invention according to claim 3
The endless belt according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of support rolls for supporting the endless belt in a state where tension is applied from the inside;
A belt support device.

The invention according to claim 4
An image forming apparatus comprising the endless belt according to claim 1.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the belt main body is prevented from being broken as compared with the case where the convex member is disposed directly on the belt main body.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the fracture | rupture of a belt main body is suppressed compared with the case where the Young's modulus of a strip | belt-shaped member is higher than the Young's modulus of a belt main body.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 3, the fracture | rupture of a belt main body is suppressed compared with the case where a convex-shaped member is directly arrange | positioned in a belt main body.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the fracture | rupture of a belt main body is suppressed compared with the case where a convex-shaped member is directly arrange | positioned in a belt main body.

It is a perspective view which shows the endless belt which concerns on this embodiment. It is a partial sectional view showing an endless belt concerning this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the image forming apparatus which concerns on other this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is provided to the member which has the substantially same function and effect | action through all drawings, and the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Endless belt)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view (partially broken perspective view) showing an endless belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the endless belt according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endless belt 10 according to the present embodiment is arranged along the circumferential direction of the belt main body 12 at one end portion in the axial direction (width direction) of the belt main body 12 and the belt main body 12. And a belt-like member 14 having a protrusion 15 protruding outward in the axial direction of the belt body 12 and a rib provided on the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 15 of the belt-like member along the belt circumferential direction. And a member 16 (convex member: meandering prevention member).

  In the present embodiment, a mode in which the rib member 16 and the belt-like member 14 on which the rib member 16 is provided is disposed at one end of the belt main body 12 (one end in the belt axial direction) will be described. The form arrange | positioned at (the both ends of a belt axial direction) may be sufficient.

  In the endless belt 10 according to the present embodiment, the belt main body 12 is disposed in a belt-like shape along the circumferential direction of the belt main body 12 at one end portion in the axial direction (width direction) of the belt main body 12 and outward in the axial direction of the belt main body 12. A band-shaped member 14 having a protruding portion 15 that protrudes is provided, and a rib member 16 is provided on the protruding portion 15 of the band-shaped member 14. That is, the rib member 16 is disposed on the outer side in the belt axial direction with respect to one end of the belt main body 12 (one end where the belt-like member 14 is provided). Thereby, when the belt is running, the stress when a load is applied to the rib member 16 becomes difficult to concentrate on the belt body, and the stress is distributed to the belt-like member 14. For this reason, even if an excessive load is applied to the rib member 16, it is the band-shaped member 14 that is easily broken by the stress. In particular, when the Young's modulus of the belt-like member is lower than the Young's modulus of the belt body, the stress when the rib member 16 is loaded is likely to be applied to the belt-like member 14 (its protruding portion 15). The tendency for the band-like member 14 to be easily broken due to stress becomes stronger.

  Therefore, in the endless belt 10 according to the present embodiment, breakage of the belt body 12 is suppressed. And the belt main body 12 which escaped fracture | rupture is reused by replacing | exchanging the strip | belt-shaped member 14 and the rib member 16, and contributes to the cost reduction of an endless belt.

  Hereinafter, each member constituting the endless belt 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

-Belt body-
As a material of the belt body 12, a resin material having a Young's modulus of 2000 MPa or more is preferably exemplified. The material of the belt body 12 is preferably a thermosetting resin, and specific examples include polyimide resins, polyamideimide resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, and fluorine resins.

  Particularly preferable examples of the material of the belt body 12 include a polyimide resin and a polyamideimide resin.

In the present embodiment, the Young's modulus is a value obtained under the following conditions.
-Young's modulus measurement test piece: Sample with 10mm width and 100mm length extracted with Thomson type-Tensile tester: MODEL-1605llV (manufactured by Aiko Engineering)
・ Tension / compression load cell: MODEL-3050 (manufactured by Aiko Engineering)
-Distance between upper and lower clamps at start: 60 mm
・ Measurement range: 65 mm or more and 70 mm or less ・ Tensile speed: 10 mm / min

  The belt body 12 may or may not have a joint as long as it is annular. In general, the thickness of the belt body 12 is preferably about 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm, and more preferably about 0.06 mm to 0.1 mm. Further, the straightness of the belt axial direction end portion of the belt main body 12 is preferably 0.3 mm or less, and more preferably 0.1 mm or less.

As an example of the belt main body 12, in the case of an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer conveyance belt in an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, a half-structure including a polyimide resin containing a conductive filler (conductive agent) is used. A conductive belt or the like is preferably used. Here, “conductive” means that the volume resistivity is less than 10 ⁷ Ωcm. “Semiconductive” means that the volume resistivity is 10 ⁷ or more and 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less. The same applies hereinafter.

Here, for example, when the endless belt 10 is used as an intermediate transfer belt of an image forming apparatus, the surface resistivity is 1 × 10 ⁸ Ωcm or more in a range of 1 × 10 ⁹ Ω / □ or more and 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω / □ or less. In order to control the volume resistivity within a range of 1 × 10 ¹³ Ωcm or less, the belt body 12 may be blended with a conductive filler as necessary. Examples of the conductive filler include carbon black such as ketjen black and acetylene black, metals or alloys such as graphite, aluminum, nickel, and copper alloys, tin oxide, zinc oxide, potassium titanate, tin oxide-indium oxide, and tin oxide. -Suitable examples include metal oxides such as antimony oxide composite oxides, and conductive polymers such as polyaniline, polypyrrole, polysulfone, and polyacetylene. These conductive fillers are used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of low cost and easy resistance adjustment, it is preferable to use carbon black. Furthermore, a processing aid such as a dispersant or a lubricant may be added to the belt body 12 as necessary.

  Depending on the application of the endless belt 10, the belt main body 12 may have a single-layer configuration of the resin, or a functional layer may be provided on the outer peripheral surface, or may be provided with conductivity as described above. Good. Specifically, for example, when the endless belt 10 is applied as a photosensitive belt, a photosensitive layer is provided as a functional layer, and when it is applied as a fixing belt, a release layer (for example, a fluororesin layer) is provided as a functional layer.

-Strip member-
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the belt-like member 14 is continuous with the belt body 12 at one end of the belt body 12 over the entire circumference along the belt circumferential direction, and protrudes outward from the belt body 12 one end to the belt axial direction. It is arranged. This protruding portion is the protruding portion 15. The width (length in the belt axis direction) of the protrusion 15 may be, for example, a width obtained by adding 0 mm or more and 3 mm or less to the width of the rib member 16, and specifically, for example, 3 mm or more and 13 mm or less (desirably 3 mm or more 10 mm or less).

  The band-shaped member 14 includes, for example, a band-shaped member main body 14A and a band-shaped reinforcing member 14B. The belt-like member main body 14A has, for example, one end in the belt axial direction disposed on the inner peripheral surface of one end of the belt main body 12, and is linearly projected outward from the one end of the belt main body 12 in the belt axial direction. On the other hand, the belt-like reinforcing member 14B has, for example, one end portion in the belt axial direction disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the belt piece end portion, and is bonded to the belt-like member 14 protruding outward from the belt shaft 12 one end portion in the belt axial direction. A portion (a portion overlapping with one end portion of the belt main body 12) is curved and protruded. The belt-shaped member main body 14A and the belt-shaped reinforcing member 14B that protrude from the one end of the belt main body 12 and are bonded together constitute a protruding portion 15. The width (length in the belt axis direction) of the belt-shaped member main body 14A may be, for example, a width obtained by adding 0 mm or more and 3 mm or less to twice the width of the rib member 16, and specifically, for example, 6 mm or more and 23 mm or less (preferably 6 mm or more and 17 mm or less).

  Examples of the material of the band-shaped member main body 14A and the band-shaped reinforcing member 14B constituting the band-shaped member 14 include biaxially stretched polyester resin, fluororesin, polyimide resin, nylon resin, polypropylene resin, and polystyrene resin.

  The thickness of the belt-shaped member main body 14A constituting the belt-shaped member 14 is desirably, for example, 10 μm or more and 200 μm or less, and more desirably 20 μm or more and 130 μm or less. On the other hand, the thickness of the belt-like reinforcing member 14B is desirably 20 μm or more and 100 μm or less, for example. Further, the straightness of the end surface in the belt axial direction of the belt-like member 14 is also desirably 0.3 mm or less, and more desirably 0.1 mm or less.

The Young's modulus of the belt-like member 14 is desirably 1000 MPa or more. If the Young's modulus of the belt-like member is too low, the belt-like member is likely to be deformed when a load is applied to the rib member 16, and apparently the endless belt is likely to meander.
In particular, the Young's modulus of the belt-like member is desirably lower than the Young's modulus of the belt body 12. Specifically, the Young's modulus difference between the belt main body 12 and the belt-like member 14 is preferably, for example, 0 MPa or more and 2000 MPa or less, and more preferably 0 MPa or more and 500 MPa or less. The Young's modulus of the band-shaped member 14 indicates the value of the band-shaped member main body 14A.

  As an example of the band-shaped member 14, the band-shaped member main body 14A and the band-shaped reinforcing member 14B have been described. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which bonded together the one end part of 14 A of strip | belt-shaped member main bodies to the belt main body 12 one end part outer peripheral surface.

-Rib member-
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rib member 16 is continuous in a belt shape over the entire circumference along the belt circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the protrusion 15 of the belt member 14, and the belt member 14 (belt body 12). Is arranged so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the belt toward the center axis of the belt. That is, the rib member 16 is disposed on the outer side in the belt axial direction with respect to one end of the belt main body 12 (one end where the belt-like member 14 is provided).

  For example, the end surface of the rib member 16 is disposed with a specific gap from one end surface (one end surface on the outer side in the belt axis direction) of the protruding portion 15 of the belt-shaped member 14. The arrangement position of the rib member 16 (adhesion position, that is, the distance from the side edge of the protruding portion 15 of the belt-like member 14) is set according to the use and function of the endless belt, the device using the endless belt, and the like. Note that the rib member 16 may have an end surface that is flush with an end surface in the belt width direction of the protruding portion 15 of the belt-like member 14.

  The rib member 16 is preferably a member having a type A durometer hardness of A60 or more and A90 or less, and particularly preferably in a range of A60 or more and A80 or less. Here, the durometer hardness is a rubber hardness defined in JIS K6253 (1997).

  Examples of the material of the elastic member include materials having appropriate hardness such as polyurethane resin, neoprene rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, polyester elastomer, chloroprene rubber, and nitrile rubber. Among these, polyurethane rubber and silicone rubber are preferable.

  For example, the rib member 16 preferably has a rectangular cross section, and preferably has a width of 3 mm to 10 mm (particularly 3 mm to 7 mm) and a thickness of 1 mm to 5 mm. The straightness of the rib member 16 (the end surface in the belt axial direction) is also desirably 0.3 mm or less, and more desirably 0.1 mm or less.

  In the present embodiment, the rib member 16 is disposed over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the protruding portion 15 of the belt-like member 14. As described above, it is desirable to dispose the rib member 16 over the entire circumference in the circumferential direction of the protruding portion 15 of the belt-like member 14, but the rib member 16 is discontinuously disposed so as to have a gap of, for example, about 1 mm to 10 mm. May be.

  Here, the belt-like member 14 is attached to the belt main body 12 via an adhesive portion. Similarly, the rib member 16 is also attached to the projecting portion 15 of the belt-like member 14 via an adhesive portion. In addition, also when the strip | belt-shaped member 14 is comprised by a multilayer, each layer is attached via an adhesion part. As the adhesive constituting the adhesive part, those shown below are preferably used.

(1) Adhesive As the adhesive, an acrylic adhesive, a natural rubber adhesive, a synthetic rubber adhesive, a silicone adhesive, and other thermosetting adhesives are preferably exemplified. As the adhesive, an acrylic adhesive is suitable. Moreover, as an adhesive agent, it is preferable that the durometer hardness of the adhesive agent after hardening has the elasticity in the range of A30 or more and A50 or less.

  Specific examples of the adhesive include Super-X No 8008 mainly composed of an acrylic-modified silicone polymer manufactured by Cemedine Co., Ltd. and Cyflex 100 mainly composed of a specially modified silicon polymer manufactured by Konishi Co., Ltd. It is done. Super-X No 8008 mainly composed of an acrylic-modified silicone polymer manufactured by Cemedine Co., Ltd. is more preferably used because of its adhesive strength with the belt body.

(2) Adhesive sheet A heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is preferably used as the adhesive sheet. The heat-sensitive adhesive sheet is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include resin-based materials such as acrylic-based, silicon-based, natural or synthetic rubber-based, urethane-based, synthetic resin-based materials such as vinyl chloride / vinyl acetate copolymer. An adhesive sheet as a main material can be mentioned.

  Specific examples of the adhesive sheet include polyester-based adhesive sheets GM-913 and GM-920 manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd., polyester-based adhesive sheet D3600 manufactured by Sony Chemical Co., Ltd., and polyester-based products manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation. Adhesive sheet No. 5000NS is mentioned.

  The thickness of the bonded portion using the adhesive or the adhesive sheet is desirably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and more desirably 10 μm or more and 50 μm or less.

  The endless belt 10 according to this embodiment is suitably used for a photoreceptor belt, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer belt, a conveyance belt, a charging belt, a fixing belt, and the like in an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser printer, and the like. In addition, the material, shape, size, and the like of the endless belt 10 are set according to its use, function, and the like.

(Image forming device)
FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is an image forming apparatus including the endless belt according to the present embodiment as an intermediate transfer belt.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment includes a developing device 105 using BK (black) toner, a developing device 106 using Y (yellow) toner, and a developing device 106 on the surface of a photosensitive drum 101 serving as an image carrier. A developing device 107 using (magenta) toner and a developing device 108 using C (cyan) toner are provided. Further, on the downstream side of the developing device 108 using C (cyan) toner in the rotation direction (arrow F direction) of the photosensitive drum 101, A first transfer region in contact with the strong conductive roller 125 is formed via an intermediate transfer belt 102 as an intermediate transfer member (here, “strong conductivity” means a volume resistivity of 10 ⁷ Ω · cm. Means less).

  The intermediate transfer belt 102 is supported by belt support rollers 121, 123, and 124 and a backup roller 122 in a state where tension is applied from the inner surface side to the inner side to constitute a belt support device 120 for an image forming apparatus.

  A bias roller 103 as a transfer electrode is provided at a position facing the backup roller 122 with the intermediate transfer belt 102 interposed therebetween, and forms a second transfer region. A cleaning blade 131 is disposed in contact with the bias roller 103, and an electrode roller 126 is disposed in contact with the backup roller 122. A sheet bundle 141 as a recording medium is accommodated in the sheet supply unit 104, a feed roller 142 that conveys the sheet from the sheet bundle 141, and a sheet feed that supplies the sheet to the second transfer region at a specific timing. A roller 143 is provided. Further, on the downstream side of the second transfer area of the intermediate transfer belt 102 in the rotation direction (in the direction of arrow G), a peeling claw 113 for peeling the paper on which the image has been transferred in the second transfer area is provided. Further, a belt cleaning member 109 for cleaning the transfer residual toner and the like is disposed on the downstream side thereof.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 101 rotates in the direction of arrow F, and the surface thereof is charged by a charging device (not shown). An electrostatic latent image of the first color (for example, black (BK)) is formed on the charged photosensitive drum 101 by image writing means such as a laser writing device. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing device 105 to form a visualized toner image T. The toner image T reaches the primary transfer portion where the strong conductive roller 125 is arranged by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 101, and an electric field having a reverse polarity is applied to the toner image T from the strong conductive roller 125, whereby the toner image T Is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 102 while being electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 102 by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 102 in the arrow G direction. The strong conductive roller 125 may be disposed immediately below the photosensitive drum 101 or may be disposed at a position shifted from directly below the photosensitive drum 101.

  Thereafter, a second color toner image, a third color toner image, and a fourth color toner image are sequentially formed by the above-described method and are superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 102 to form a multiple toner image. The toner at this time may be either a one-component toner or a two-component toner.

  The multiple toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 102 reaches the secondary transfer portion where the bias roller 103 is installed by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 102. The secondary transfer unit includes a bias roller 103 installed on the front surface side where the toner image of the intermediate transfer belt 102 is held, a backup roller 122 arranged so as to face the bias roller 103 from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 102, and this The electrode roller 126 is configured to rotate while being pressed against the backup roller 122.

  Sheets are taken out one by one from the sheet bundle 141 accommodated in the sheet supply unit 104 by the feeding roller 142, and contact formed by the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the bias roller 103 of the secondary transfer unit by the sheet feeding roller 143. It is fed to the area at a specific timing. The toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 102 is transferred to the fed paper by the pressure conveyance by the bias roller 103 and the backup roller 122 and the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 102.

  The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is peeled from the intermediate transfer belt 102 by operating the peeling claw 113 in the retracted position until the primary transfer of the final toner image is completed, conveyed to a fixing device (not shown), and subjected to pressure / heating processing. The toner image is fixed to make a permanent image. The intermediate transfer belt 102 after the transfer of the multiple toner image to the paper is removed for residual toner by a belt cleaning member 109 provided downstream of the secondary transfer portion, and is prepared for the next transfer. Further, the bias roller 103 is attached so that the cleaning blade 131 made of polyurethane or the like comes into contact with it, and foreign matters such as toner particles and paper dust adhering to the transfer are removed.

In the case of transfer of a single color image, the toner image T that has been primarily transferred is subjected to secondary transfer as it is, and the paper is conveyed to the fixing device. However, in the case of transfer of a multicolor image by superimposing a plurality of colors, the toner image of each color is primary. The rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 102 and the photosensitive drum 101 is synchronized so that the toner images of the respective colors do not shift so as to be accurately overlapped at the transfer portion. In the secondary transfer section, an output pressure (transfer voltage) having the same polarity as the polarity of the toner image is applied to the electrode roller 126 that is in pressure contact with the backup roller 122 disposed opposite to the bias roller 103 via the intermediate transfer belt 102. The toner image is transferred to a sheet by electrostatic repulsion.
As described above, an image can be formed.

Next, an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment. An image forming apparatus according to another embodiment is an image forming apparatus provided with the endless belt according to the present embodiment as a sheet conveying belt.

  In an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the units Y, M, C, and BK can be rotated at a specific peripheral speed (process speed) in the clockwise direction indicated by an arrow. 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK are provided. Around the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, there are charging rollers 202Y, 202M, 202C, and 202BK, exposure units 203Y, 203M, 203C, and 203BK, and color developing devices (yellow developing device 204Y and magenta developing device 204M). , Cyan developing device 204C, black developing device 204BK) and photosensitive drum cleaning members 205Y, 205M, 205C, and 205BK, respectively.

  The four units Y, M, C, and BK are arranged in the order of the units BK, C, M, and Y in parallel with the paper transport belt 206, but the order of the units BK, Y, C, and M, etc. An appropriate order can be set according to the image forming method.

  The paper transport belt 206 is supported in a state in which tension is applied from the inner surface side by belt support rolls 210, 211, 212, and 213, thereby forming a belt support device 220. The paper transport belt 206 is rotatable in the counterclockwise direction indicated by an arrow at the same peripheral speed as the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, and a part of the paper transport belt 206 that is positioned between the belt support rolls 212 and 213 is provided. The photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK are disposed so as to be in contact with each other. The sheet conveying belt 206 is provided with a belt cleaning member 214.

  The transfer rolls 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207BK are disposed inside the paper transport belt 206 and at positions facing the portions where the paper transport belt 206 is in contact with the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, respectively. The transfer areas for transferring the toner image onto the sheet (transfer body) 216 via the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK and the sheet conveying belt 206 are formed. The transfer rolls 207Y, 207M, 207C, and 207BK may be disposed directly under the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK, or may be disposed at positions shifted from directly below.

  The fixing device 209 is arranged so that it can be transported after passing through the transfer areas of the paper transport belt 206 and the photosensitive drums 201Y, 201M, 201C, and 201BK.

  The paper 216 is transported to the paper transport belt 206 by the paper transport roll 208.

  In the image forming apparatus according to another embodiment, the photosensitive drum 201BK is rotationally driven in the unit BK. In conjunction with this, the charging roll 202BK is driven to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 201BK to a specific polarity / potential. Next, the photosensitive drum 201BK whose surface is charged is exposed imagewise by the exposure device 203BK, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface.

  Subsequently, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the black developing device 204BK. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201BK. The developer at this time may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer.

  This toner image passes through the transfer region between the photosensitive drum 201BK and the paper transport belt 206, and the paper 216 is electrostatically attracted to the paper transport belt 206 and transported to the transfer region, and is applied from the transfer roll 207BK. The image is sequentially transferred onto the surface of the paper 216 by an electric field formed by the transfer bias.

  Thereafter, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201BK is cleaned and removed by the photosensitive drum cleaning member 205BK. The photosensitive drum 201BK is used for the next image transfer.

  The above image transfer is performed by the above-described method also in the units C, M, and Y.

The paper 216 onto which the toner image is transferred by the transfer rolls 207BK, 207C, 207M, and 207Y is further conveyed to the fixing device 209 and fixed.
Thus, a desired image is formed on the paper.

  The form of the image forming apparatus according to the above embodiment is not limited to the above form, and a known image forming apparatus may be employed.

  Here, although it demonstrates still in detail using an Example, this invention is not limited by the following Example.

[Example 1]
Ten endless belts (see FIGS. 1 and 2) according to the present embodiment were produced as follows.

−Preparation of belt body−
N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) solution of polyamic acid composed of 3,3 ′, 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether (DDE) (manufactured by Ube Industries) In U-varnish S (solid content: 18% by mass), a dry oxidized carbon black (SPECIAL BLACK4 (manufactured by Degussa, pH 3. 0, volatiles: 14.0%) was added 23 parts by weight, using a collision-type dispersing machine (Shinasu manufactured GeanusPY), a pressure 200 MPa, the minimum area collide after two split 1.4 mm ^2, again 2 A path to be divided was passed 5 times and mixed to obtain a polyamic acid solution (A) containing carbon black.

A carbon black-containing polyamic acid solution (A) is applied to the inner surface of the cylindrical mold through a dispenser so that the thickness of the coating film becomes 0.5 mm, and the mold is rotated at 1500 rpm for 15 minutes to form a coating film. Then, while rotating the mold at 250 rpm, hot air of 60 ° C. was applied from the outside of the mold for 30 minutes, heated at 150 ° C. for 60 minutes, and cooled to room temperature (25 ° C.) to form a film. .
Thereafter, the film formed on the inner surface of the mold is peeled off, and this film is coated so as to cover the outer periphery of the metal core, and the temperature is increased to 400 ° C. at a rate of 2 ° C./min. For 30 minutes to remove the solvent and dehydrated ring-closing water remaining in the film and complete the imide conversion reaction. Thereafter, the metal core was cooled to room temperature (25 ° C.) and then peeled off from the surface of the metal core to obtain an endless belt (belt body) having a peripheral length of 593 mm and a thickness of 80 μm. The endless belt had a surface resistivity of 1 × 10 ¹² Ω / □, a volume resistivity of 3.2 × 10 ⁹ Ωcm, and a Young's modulus of 3400 MPa.

-Preparation of strip member (band member body)-
As a band-shaped member (band-shaped member main body), a polypropylene sheet “Novatech PP (FY6C): manufactured by Nippon Polypro Co., Ltd.” having a thickness of 80 μm, a width of 12 mm, and a length of 593 mm was prepared. The Young's modulus of this polypropylene sheet was 2100 MPa.

−Preparation of band-shaped member (band-shaped reinforcing member) −
A polyester pressure-sensitive adhesive tape “No. 31: manufactured by Nitto Denko) was prepared as a band-shaped member (band-shaped reinforcing member). This polyester pressure-sensitive adhesive tape had a resin tape portion (corresponding to a band-shaped reinforcing member) with a thickness of 50 μm, and an adhesive portion. Is an acrylic adhesive and has a thickness of 30 μm.

-Preparation of rib members-
JIS hardness 70 degrees (type A durometer hardness A70), 1mm thick thermoset urethane rubber sheet "Type Lane TR100: manufactured by Tigers Polymer Co., Ltd." A rib member made of thermosetting urethane rubber having a thickness of 1 mm, a width of 5 mm, and a length of 593 mm was prepared.

-Production of endless belt-
Adhering one end of the belt-like member body to the inner peripheral surface of one end of the belt body with the double-sided adhesive sheet “No.5000NS: Nitto Denko, acrylic adhesive” so as to protrude outward in the belt axial direction of the belt body Combined.
Next, the belt-shaped reinforcing member was bonded to the protruding belt-shaped member main body outer peripheral surface together with the one end portion outer peripheral surface of the belt main body.
Next, a rib member was bonded and pasted to the inner peripheral surface of the protruding portion of the belt-shaped member composed of the belt-shaped member main body and the belt-shaped reinforcing member by “Super X No. 8008” (Cemedine Co., Ltd.).
In this way, an endless belt was obtained. In addition, the straightness of the rib member of the obtained endless belt was 0.5 mm or less.

-Evaluation-
The produced endless belt was used as an intermediate transfer belt and mounted on an actual machine (WorkCenter C7132 manufactured by Xerox Co., Ltd.) to perform image formation (one image formation condition: same color image output test). As a result, ten of the produced endless belts exceeded 480,000 times without causing belt breakage, and no image defects occurred.
Further, image formation was performed, and when the number of times exceeded 500,000, one of 10 produced endless belts was broken. When the broken endless belt was observed, only the belt-like member was broken and the belt body was not broken.

  When the belt-like member was peeled from the broken belt main body together with the rib member, an endless belt was produced using the belt main body in the same manner as described above, and the evaluation was performed.

[Example 2]
A biaxially stretched polystyrene sheet “Sant Clear: Mitsubishi Chemical, Young's modulus 2700 MPa” having a thickness of 130 μm, a width of 12 mm, and a length of 593 mm was prepared as a band-shaped member (band-shaped member main body). Ten endless belts were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this belt-shaped member (band-shaped member main body) was used.

As a result, 9 out of 10 produced endless belts were not broken, exceeding 480,000 times, and no image defects were generated. When the broken endless belt was observed, only the belt-like member was broken, and the belt body was not broken.
Further, image formation was performed, and when the number of times exceeded 500,000, one of nine produced endless belts was broken. When the broken endless belt was observed, only the belt-like member was broken and the belt body was not broken.
In addition, the belt-like member was peeled off from the belt main body where only the belt-like member was broken, and the endless belt was produced using the belt main body in the same manner as described above. Exceeded.

[Example 3]
As a band member (band member main body), a polyethylene film “Cans film: Mitsubishi Chemical, Young's modulus 1200 MPa” having a thickness of 80 μm, a width of 12 mm, and a length of 593 mm was prepared. Ten endless belts were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this belt-shaped member (band-shaped member main body) was used.

As a result, ten of the produced endless belts exceeded 480,000 times without causing belt breakage, but a slight color shift occurred although the color image had a practically no problem level. This is because it is considered difficult to forcibly shift the endless belt during meandering due to the extension of the belt-shaped member.
Then, image formation was further performed, and the output test was terminated when the number of times exceeded 500,000 times. Ten produced endless belts had no belt breakage.

[Example 4]
A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape “TOMBONo. 9001: manufactured by NICHIAS Corporation, Young's modulus 600 MPa” having a thickness of 80 μm, a width of 12 mm, and a length of 593 mm was prepared as a band-shaped member (band-shaped member main body). Ten endless belts were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this belt-shaped member (band-shaped member main body) was used.

  As a result, 10 out of 10 produced endless belts exceeded 480,000 times without causing belt breakage, but the color test had an unacceptable level of color shift, and the output test was terminated. This is because it is considered difficult to forcibly shift the endless belt during meandering due to the extension of the belt-shaped member.

[Example 5]
As a band-shaped member (band-shaped member main body), a polyimide film having the thickness of 80 μm, the width of 12 mm, and the length of 593 mm (the same material as the belt main body manufactured in Example 1, Young's modulus of 3400 MPa) was prepared. Ten endless belts were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that this belt-shaped member (band-shaped member main body) was used.

As a result, 8 of the 10 endless belts produced were not broken and exceeded 480,000 times, and no image defects occurred. When all the broken endless belts were observed, only the belt-like member was broken, and the belt body was not broken.
Further, image formation was performed, and when the number of times exceeded 500,000, two of the produced endless belts were broken by two belts. When this broken endless belt was observed, only one belt-like member was broken, and the belt main body was not broken. On the other hand, the belt body of one was broken.
In addition, when stripping the belt-like member together with the rib member from the belt main body in which only the belt-like member was broken, using the belt main body, using the belt-like member of Example 5, the endless belt was similarly manufactured and evaluated. It exceeded 480,000 times without breaking.

[Comparative Example 1]
Ten endless belts were produced and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the belt-shaped member (the belt-shaped member main body and the belt-shaped reinforcing member) was not provided.

As a result, 8 of the 10 endless belts produced were not broken and exceeded 480,000 times, and no image defects occurred. When all the broken endless belts were observed, the belt body was broken and discarded.
Further, image formation was further performed, and when 50 times were exceeded, two of the produced endless belts were broken by 2 belts. When the broken endless belt was observed, the belt body was all broken and discarded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Endless belt 12 Belt main body 14 Strip | belt-shaped member 14A Strip | belt-shaped member main body 14B Strip | belt-shaped reinforcement member 15 Protrusion part 16 Rib member 101 Photosensitive drum 102 Intermediate transfer belt 103 Bias roller 104 Paper supply part 105-108 Developing device 109 Belt cleaning member 113 Peeling claw 120 Belt support device 121 Belt support roller 122 Backup roller 125 Highly conductive roller 126 Electrode roller 131 Cleaning blade 141 Paper bundle 142 Feed roller 143 Paper feed rollers 201Y, 201M, 201C, 201BK Photosensitive drums 202Y, 202M, 202C, 202BK Charging rolls 203Y, 203M, 203C, 203BK Exposing device 204Y Yellow developing device 204M Magenta developing device 204C Cyan developing device 204BK Black developing device 205Y 205M, 205C, 205BK Photosensitive drum cleaning member 206 Paper transport belt 207Y, 207M, 207C, 207BK Transfer roll 208 Paper transport roll 209 Fixing device 210, 211, 212, 213 Belt support roll 214 Belt cleaning member 216 Paper 220 Belt support apparatus

Claims (4)

A belt body;
A belt-like member that is disposed in a belt shape along the circumferential direction of the belt body at least at one end in the axial direction of the belt body, and has a protrusion that protrudes outward in the axial direction of the belt body;
A convex member disposed along the circumferential direction of the belt at the protruding portion of the belt-shaped member;
Endless belt with.   The endless belt according to claim 1, wherein a Young's modulus of the belt-like member is lower than a Young's modulus of the belt body. The endless belt according to claim 1 or 2,
A plurality of support rolls for supporting the endless belt in a state where tension is applied from the inside;
A belt support device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the endless belt according to claim 1.

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