JP2011145417A - Cleaning member for image forming apparatus, charging device, unit for image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus, in which separation of one or both lengthwise ends of an elastic layer is prevented. <P>SOLUTION: The cleaning member 100 is formed from, for example, a roll-like member that has a shaft 100A and an elastic layer 100B. The elastic layer 100B is disposed such that it is spirally wound around the shaft 100A, serving as a spiral shaft, from one end of the shaft 100A to the other end thereof in the axial direction of the shaft 100A at regular intervals. The one or both ends of the spirally disposed elastic layer 100B in the lengthwise direction (i.e., the spiral direction) are disposed in the shaft 100A. Specifically, the lengthwise end of the spirally disposed elastic layer 100B is disposed in the shaft 100A so that while the cleaning member 100 makes one rotation in its circumferential direction, the end of the elastic layer 100B is prevented from coming into contact with a surface to be cleaned. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus, a charging device, a unit for an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, first, the surface of an image carrier made of a photosensitive member or the like is charged by a charging device to form a charge, and an electrostatic latent image is formed with a laser beam or the like that modulates an image signal. Form. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the charged toner and a visualized toner image is formed. Then, the toner image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium such as a recording sheet via an intermediate transfer body, and fixed on the transfer medium, thereby obtaining an image.

By the way, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a cleaning roll that performs cleaning by rubbing with a spiral elastic member.
Patent Document 3 discloses a cleaning roll provided with a spiral slit.
Patent Document 4 proposes a cleaning roll having grooves formed obliquely with respect to the rotation direction.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-137208 JP 2001-209238 A JP 2006-276404 A JP 2008-96822 A

  The problem of the present invention is that one or both of the longitudinal ends of the elastic layer are peeled off compared to the case where both of the longitudinal ends of the elastic layer provided in a spiral shape are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the core body. To provide a suppressed cleaning member for an image forming apparatus.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
A cylindrical core;
The elastic layer is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core body in a spiral shape from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the core body, and one or both of the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer are inside the core body. An elastic layer disposed on the
A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 2
One or both of axial end portions of the core body are provided with a cut portion or an opening portion, and one or both of the longitudinal end portions of the elastic layer are arranged inside the core body through the cut portion or the opening portion. A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 3
A longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer disposed inside the core body is an end portion on a side that enters the cleaned surface from the longitudinal end surface side of the elastic layer when the cleaning member rotates. Item 3. A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2.

The invention according to claim 4
A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleaning the surface of the charging member, wherein the cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
A charging device comprising:

The invention according to claim 5
At least the charging device according to claim 4,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 6
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, the charging means having the charging device according to claim 4;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image with toner;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned.
A unit for an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
At least a unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An image forming apparatus comprising the unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, one of the longitudinal end portions of the elastic layer is compared to the case where both of the longitudinal end portions of the elastic layer provided in a spiral shape are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the core body. Alternatively, a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus in which peeling of both is suppressed is provided.
According to the invention of claim 3, when the cleaning member rotates, the elastic layer is more easily peeled off than the end on the side that enters the surface to be cleaned from the side opposite to the longitudinal end surface side of the elastic layer. The peeling of the longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer on the side that enters the surface to be cleaned from the longitudinal end surface side of the elastic layer is suppressed.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the cleaning member in which both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer provided in a spiral are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core body is applied, the surface contamination of the charging member is reduced. Provided is a charging device in which the resulting decrease in charging capability is suppressed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, 6, compared with the case where the cleaning member in which both the longitudinal direction edge parts of the elastic layer provided in the spiral are arrange | positioned at the outer peripheral surface of a core is applied, the surface of a charging member Image defects due to a decrease in charging ability due to contamination are suppressed.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 7, compared with the case where the cleaning member in which both the longitudinal direction edge parts of the elastic layer provided in the spiral are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core body is applied, the surface contamination of the member to be cleaned A unit for an image forming apparatus in which the deterioration in performance due to is suppressed is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 8, 9, compared with the case where the cleaning member arrange | positioned in the outer peripheral surface of the core body is applied to both the longitudinal direction edge parts of the elastic layer provided spirally, Provided are a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which image defects due to performance degradation caused by surface contamination are suppressed.

It is a schematic plan view showing a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an axial end of a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the arrangement state of the longitudinal direction edge part of the elastic layer in the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the method to insert the longitudinal direction edge part of the elastic layer in the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on this embodiment in a notch part. It is a schematic plan view which shows the notch part provided in the shaft in the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on other this embodiment. It is a schematic plan view which shows the notch part provided in the shaft in the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on other this embodiment. It is a schematic plan view showing a shaft in a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment. It is a schematic plan view showing a shaft in a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the axial direction edge part of the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on other this embodiment. It is an enlarged plan view showing an elastic layer in a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is process drawing which shows the manufacturing method of the cleaning member for image forming apparatuses which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the process cartridge which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram in which a peripheral portion of the charging member (charging device) in FIGS. 12 and 13 is enlarged. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the charging device which concerns on this embodiment.

  Embodiments that are examples of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol may be provided to the member which has the same function and an effect | action through all the drawings, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Cleaning member)
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing an axial end portion of the cleaning member for the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a cleaning member 100 for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a cleaning member) includes a hollow shaft 100A as a cylindrical core body and an elastic layer 100B. It is a roll-shaped member provided. The elastic layer 100B is helically disposed on the surface of the shaft 100A. Specifically, for example, the elastic layer 100B is spirally wound from one end of the shaft 100A to the other end, with the axis of the shaft 100A as a spiral axis and from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the shaft 100A with a gap. Arranged in a state.

  One or both ends (both in the present embodiment) of the end portions in the longitudinal direction (that is, the spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B disposed in a spiral shape are disposed inside the shaft 100A. That is, the elastic layer 100B arranged in a spiral shape has the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer 100B arranged inside the shaft 100A. It is comprised so that an edge part may not contact with respect to a to-be-cleaned surface.

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the notch portion 100C ₁ (so-called slit) provided on one or both axial ends of the shaft 100A, through the cut portion 100C _1, longitudinal end of the elastic layer 100B One or both of the parts are arranged inside the shaft 100A.
In the present embodiment, a cut portion 100C ₁ (cut along the axial direction of the shaft 100A from the distal end of the axial end portion of the shaft 100A toward the central portion at both axial end portions of the shaft 100A. a so-called slit) is provided, through the cut portion 100C _1, both longitudinal ends of the elastic layer 100B indicates a form arranged inside the shaft 100A.

The notch 100C ₁ provided at the axial end of the shaft 100A is, for example, a desired width (without variation along the axial direction of the shaft 100A from the axial end of the shaft 100A toward the center. The length is cut along the circumferential direction of the shaft 100A). In other words, the cut portion 100C ₁ is provided so as to divide the circumferential direction of the axial end portion of the shaft 100A with a width of interest.

On the other hand, the longitudinal ends of the elastic layer 100B disposed inside the shaft 100A through the notch portion 100C ₁ may be in a form arranged as a free end (arranged without contact in the shaft 100A peripheral surface) (Figure 3 (A) Or a configuration in which the elastic layer 100B is folded and brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the shaft 100A (arranged by being attached to the inner peripheral surface of the shaft 100A) (FIG. 3B). Good.
In the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (A), the width of the notch portion 100C _1, for example, from the thickness in the non-elastic deformation of the elastic layer 100B is an elastic layer 100B in a state of collapsed in the thickness direction by the elastic deformation It is good to make it into thickness. For the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 (B), the width of the notch portion 100C _1, for example, to a thickness in a state in which the elastic layer 100B from the thickness at the time of inelastic deformation is collapsed in the thickness direction by the elastic deformation of the elastic layer 100B It is good also as more than the thickness at the time of inelastic deformation of elastic layer 100B.

Further, (width when longitudinal end of the elastic layer 100B is not inserted) cut portions 100C ₁ of width, for example, even less than the thickness in a state in which the elastic layer 100B Crushed in the thickness direction by the elastic deformation well (see FIG. 4 (a)), in this case, spread from the inner peripheral surface side of the shaft 100A by a jig (not shown) or the like (i.e., to expand the outer diameter of the shaft 100A), notches 100C ₁ of width in a state in which spread, inserted longitudinal end of the elastic layer 100B (the longitudinal end of the strip serving as an elastic layer) to the cut portion 100C ₁ (FIG. 4 (B)), then remove the jig or the like The longitudinal end of the elastic layer 100B may be disposed inside the shaft 100A (FIG. 4C).
Note that this approach is not limited to the case where the width of the notch portion 100C ₁ elastic layer 100B was less than the thickness in a state of collapsed in the thickness direction by elastic deformation, the width of the notch portion 100C ₁ of the elastic layer 100B non You may employ | adopt when making it into thickness from the thickness at the time of elastic deformation to the thickness in the state where elastic layer 100B was crushed in the thickness direction by elastic deformation. This makes easier to insert the longitudinal end of the elastic layer 100B to the notches 100C _1.

In the present embodiment, the cut portion 100C ₁ has been described a form provided along the axial direction of the shaft 100A, it is not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 5, the spiral direction (the elasticity of the elastic layer 100B it may be in a form in which a notch portion 100C ₁ along a direction (approximately perpendicular ± 10 °) crossing the direction) to wind the layer 100B. In the case of this embodiment, when the elastic layer 100B is formed (when the strip that becomes the elastic layer 100B is wound), it is easy to suppress the elastic layer 100B (the strip that becomes the elastic layer 100B) from being placed on the shaft 100A. Become.

Further, in the present embodiment, the cut portion 100C ₁ has been described a form provided without varying the width, not limited to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the axial end portion the distal end of the shaft 100A gradually toward the center from, it may be in the form of providing the notch portion 100C ₁ as broadening. In the case of this embodiment, when the elastic layer 100B is formed (when the strip that becomes the elastic layer 100B is wound around the shaft), the elastic layer 100B (the strip that becomes the elastic layer 100B) is placed on the tip side of the axial end of the shaft 100A. It becomes easier to insert the cut portion 100C ₁ from.

Further, in the present embodiment, the notch portion 100C ₁ was described an embodiment in which provided only in the axial end portion of the shaft 100A, is not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), the axial end of the shaft 100A from one end parts toward the other end along the axial direction of the shaft 100A, it may be in a form in which a notch portion 100C ₁ to span the entire axial range of the shaft 100A.
For this embodiment, for example, (see FIG. 7 (A)) to prepare a cylindrical body 100A _1, this is subjected to laser processing, notches 100C ₁ is provided to span the entire axial range of the cylindrical body 100A ₁ Shaft 100A is obtained (see FIG. 7B).

Note that the notch portion 100C _1, not only the site which is formed by performing laser processing or the like, is meant to include a site end faces are arranged with a gap. That is, for example, to prepare a plate-like member 100A ₂ (see FIG. 8 (A)), rounded this may constitute a shaft 100A, this time, the interval end faces of the plate 100A ₂ to round place with, the site where the end faces are arranged with a gap may be cut section 100C _1. In this embodiment, without being subjected to laser processing, a shaft 100A provided with the notch portion 100C ₁ is obtained easily (see FIG. 8 (B)).

In the present embodiment, a cut portion 100C ₁ (so-called slit) is provided in one or both of the axial end portions of the shaft 100A, and one or both of the longitudinal end portions of the elastic layer 100B pass through the cut portion 100C _1. Having described the internal placement form of 100A, not limited to this, as shown in FIG. 9, the openings 100C ₂ provided on one or both axial ends of the shaft 100A, through the opening 100C _2, One or both of the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer 100B may be arranged inside the shaft 100A. Opening shape of the opening 100C ₂ is not particularly limited, for example, a rectangular shape (rectangular shape longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the shaft 100A) and the like. The opening 100C ₂ of the width of the opening shape (lateral direction to the length), the form of such longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 5 and 6) is similar to the cut portion 100C _1.

Hereinafter, each member will be described in detail.
First, the shaft will be described.
Examples of the material used for the shaft 100A include metals (for example, free-cutting steel or stainless steel) or resins (for example, acrylonitrile / butadiene / styrene resin (ABS) or polyacetal resin (POM)). In addition, it is desirable to select a material, a surface treatment method, etc. as needed.
In particular, when the shaft 100A is made of free-cutting steel, it is desirable to perform a plating treatment as a rust prevention treatment. Further, in the case of a material such as a resin that does not have conductivity, it may be processed by a general process such as a plating process, and may be used as it is.

Next, the elastic layer will be described.
The elastic layer 100B is arranged in a spiral shape. Specifically, for example, the spiral angle θ may be 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width R1 may be 3 mm to 25 mm. The spiral pitch R2 is determined by the spiral angle θ and the spiral width R1, but depending on the combination of the spiral angle θ and the spiral width R1, there is a possibility that the elastic layers may overlap. Is preferably 0 mm or more, specifically, for example, 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the spiral angle θ means an angle (acute angle) at which the longitudinal direction P (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B intersects the axial direction Q (shaft axial direction) of the cleaning member. .
The spiral width R1 means a length along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction P (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B.
The spiral pitch R2 means a length between adjacent elastic layers 100B along a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction P (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B.
The elastic layer 100B is a layer made of a material that can be restored to its original shape even when deformed by applying an external force of 100 Pa.

  The elastic layer 100B is made of foamable resin such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, or polypropylene, or silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM, NBR, CR, chlorinated polyisoprene, isoprene, acrylonitrile-butadiene. Examples thereof include materials obtained by blending one kind or two or more kinds of rubber materials such as rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and butyl rubber. In addition, you may add adjuvants, such as a foaming aid, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, a hardening | curing agent, a plasticizer, or a vulcanization accelerator, to these as needed.

Among these, a material having bubbles (so-called foam) is good, particularly from the viewpoint of not scratching the surface of the member to be cleaned due to rubbing and preventing tearing or breakage over a long period of time. A strong foamed polyurethane is desirable.
Examples of the polyurethane include polyol (for example, polyester polyol, polyetherpolyester, acrylic polyol, etc.) and isocyanate (for example, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, And a reaction product such as trizine diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate), and a chain extender (1,4-butanediol, trimethylolpropane) may be included. In general, foaming of polyurethane is performed using a foaming agent such as water or an azo compound (for example, azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile). Moreover, you may add adjuvants, such as a foaming aid, a foam stabilizer, and a catalyst, to foamed polyurethane as needed.

  The configuration of the elastic layer 100B may be a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration. Specifically, the configuration of the elastic layer 100B may be, for example, a configuration composed of one foam body or a two-layer configuration of a solid layer and a foam layer.

Next, a method for manufacturing the cleaning member 100 according to this embodiment will be described.
As a manufacturing method of the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, a sheet-like elastic layer member (foamed polyurethane sheet or the like) is prepared, a double-sided tape is attached thereto, and then punched to obtain a strip. There is a method in which the cleaning member 100 is obtained by winding this around the shaft 100A to form the elastic layer 100B.

The method will be described in more detail. First, as shown in FIG. 11A, a sheet-like elastic layer member (such as a polyurethane foam sheet) that has been sliced to have a target thickness is prepared. For example, after sticking an adhesive member represented by double-sided tape (not shown) on one side of the sheet-like elastic layer member, the member is punched out with a punching die, and a strip having a desired width and length. Obtain 100D (strip with double-sided tape). On the other hand, also prepared a shaft 100A provided with the notch portion 100C ₁ advance in the axial end portion.
Next, as shown in FIG. 11 (B), the cut portion 100C ₁ provided in the axial end portion of the shaft 100A, while peeling off one end of the release paper of double-sided tape, the longitudinal ends of the strip-100D Insert and place inside shaft 100A. However, the strip 100D is disposed so as to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 100A when the surface with the double-sided tape is wound around the shaft 100A.
Next, as shown in FIG. 11C, while peeling the release paper of the double-sided tape, the shaft 100A is rotated at a target speed, and the strip 100D is spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 100A. The cleaning member 100 having the elastic layer 100B spirally disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 100A is obtained. Although not shown, also the end of the winding finish of the strip 100D, and inserted into cut portions 100C ₁ provided with the shaft 100A in the axial end portion, so as to be positioned inside the shaft 100A.

  As described above, the cleaning member 100 according to this embodiment described above performs cleaning by rotating the elastic layer 100 </ b> B arranged in a spiral manner repeatedly contacting and separating from the surface (surface to be cleaned) of the member to be cleaned as it rotates. When viewed from the surface of the member to be cleaned (surface to be cleaned), the corners at both ends in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer 100B are subjected to cleaning by applying force to the axial direction side (spiral axis direction side) of the shaft 100A I do.

  At this time, when the end portion in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, the end portion of the elastic layer 100B is easily peeled off.

Therefore, in the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment, one or both (both in the present embodiment) of the end portions in the longitudinal direction (that is, the spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B arranged in a spiral shape are located inside the shaft 100A. Is arranged. In other words, the elastic layer 100B arranged in a spiral shape has an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer 100B arranged inside the shaft 100A, so that the end of the elastic layer 100B is rotated while the cleaning member 100 rotates once in the circumferential direction. It is comprised so that a part may not contact with respect to a to-be-cleaned surface.
Therefore, in the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment, peeling of one or both of the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer 100B is suppressed.

Here, in the elastic layer 100B arranged in a spiral shape, one or both of the end portions in the longitudinal direction (that is, the spiral direction) (both in the present embodiment) are arranged inside the shaft 100A. When the cleaning member 100 rotates, the end of the elastic layer 100B in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) on the side that enters the surface to be cleaned from the end surface side in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B It is good to arrange in.
The end portion in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B on the side that enters the surface to be cleaned from the end surface side in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B is the end portion disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 100A. Assuming that the end surface of the end portion faces the rotation direction of the cleaning member 100 (see FIGS. 2 and 9: Here, the arrow indicates the rotation direction of the cleaning member 100, and 101 indicates the surface to be cleaned. Show.)
Since the end of the elastic layer 100B on the end surface side in the longitudinal direction (spiral direction) comes into contact with the surface to be cleaned, a force is easily applied in the direction in which the elastic layer 100B is peeled off. Peeling at the end of the is suppressed.

Then, the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment is peeled off at one or both ends of the elastic layer 100B in the longitudinal direction in the charging device (unit of the charging member and the cleaning member disposed in contact with the charging member). Since this is suppressed, peeling of the entire elastic layer 100B is also suppressed and the cleaning capability is maintained, so that a decrease in charging capability due to surface contamination of the charging member is suppressed.
Further, in the image forming apparatus (or process cartridge) to which the charging device including the cleaning member 100 and the charging member according to the present embodiment is applied, there is an image defect due to a decrease in charging ability due to surface contamination of the charging member. It is suppressed.

(Image forming devices, etc.)
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a tandem color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a photosensitive member (image holding member) 12, a charging member 14, a developing device, and the like are provided with yellow (18Y), magenta (18M), cyan (18C), and black ( 18K) is provided as a process cartridge (see FIG. 13) for each color. This process cartridge is configured to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 10.

  As the photoconductor 12, for example, a conductive cylinder having a diameter of 25 mm, which is coated with a photoconductor layer made of an organic photosensitive material or the like, is used. The photoconductor 12 is driven to rotate at a process speed of 150 mm / sec by a motor (not shown). The

  The surface of the photoconductor 12 is charged by a charging member 14 disposed on the surface of the photoconductor 12 and then imaged by a laser beam LB emitted from the exposure device 16 downstream of the charging member 14 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12. Exposure is performed, and an electrostatic latent image according to image information is formed.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 12 is developed by developing devices 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Toner image.

  For example, when a color image is formed, the charging, exposure, and development processes are performed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 of each color in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 of each color.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images sequentially formed on the photoconductor 12 are transferred by the transfer device 22 via the photoconductor 12 and the paper conveyance belt 20. At the contact point, the image is transferred to the recording sheet 24 conveyed on the sheet conveying belt 20 to the outer periphery of the photosensitive member 12. Further, the recording paper 24 onto which the toner image has been transferred from the photoreceptor 12 is conveyed to the fixing device 64, and is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 64 to fix the toner image on the recording paper 24. Thereafter, in the case of single-sided printing, the recording paper 24 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged as it is onto a discharge unit 68 provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 by a discharge roll 66.

  On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, the recording paper 24 on which the toner image is fixed on the first surface (front surface) by the fixing device 64 is not directly discharged onto the discharge portion 68 by the discharge roll 66 but is discharged as it is. In this state, the discharge roll 66 is reversed while the rear end portion of the recording paper 24 is nipped, and the conveyance path of the recording paper 24 is switched to the double-sided paper conveyance path 70. With the transport roller 72 provided, the recording paper 24 is turned upside down and transported again onto the paper transport belt 20, and a toner image is formed on the second surface (back surface) of the recording paper 24 from the photoreceptor 12. Transcript. Then, the toner image on the second surface (back surface) of the recording paper 24 is fixed by the fixing device 64, and the recording medium 24 (transfer object) is discharged onto the discharge portion 68.

  Note that the surface of the photoconductor 12 after the toner image transfer process is completed is the surface of the photoconductor 12 every time the photoconductor 12 makes one rotation, and is closer to the surface of the photoconductor 12 than the portion where the transfer device 22 contacts. Residual toner, paper dust, and the like are removed by a cleaning blade 80 disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction so as to prepare for the next image forming process.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the charging member 14 is, for example, a roll in which an elastic layer 14B is formed around the conductive shaft 14A, and the shaft 14A is rotatably supported. The cleaning member 100 of the charging member 14 is in contact with the charging member 14 on the side opposite to the photosensitive member 12 to constitute a charging device (unit). As the cleaning member 100, the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment is used.

  The charging member 14 applies a load F to both ends of the shaft 14A and presses it against the photoreceptor 12, and is elastically deformed along the peripheral surface of the elastic layer 14B to form a nip portion. Furthermore, the cleaning member 100 applies a load F ′ to both ends of the shaft 100A and presses it against the charging member 14, and the elastic layer 100B elastically deforms along the peripheral surface of the charging member 14 to form a nip portion. 14 is suppressed to form an axial nip portion between the charging member 14 and the photosensitive member 12.

  The photoconductor 12 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow X by a motor (not shown), and the charging member 14 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow Y by the rotation of the photoconductor 12. Further, the cleaning member 100 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow Z by the rotation of the charging member 14.

-Configuration of charging member-
Hereinafter, the charging member will be described, but it is not limited to the following configuration. Reference numerals will be omitted.

  The configuration of the charging member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a configuration having a resin layer instead of a shaft, an elastic layer, or an elastic layer. The elastic layer may be composed of a single layer, or may be a laminated structure composed of a plurality of different layers having several functions. Furthermore, a surface treatment may be performed on the elastic layer.

  It is desirable to use free-cutting steel, stainless steel or the like as the material of the shaft, and to select the material and the surface treatment method in a timely manner according to the application such as slidability. Further, it is desirable to perform a plating process. In the case of a material that does not have conductivity, it may be processed by a general process such as a plating process to perform a conductive process, or may be used as it is.

  The elastic layer is a conductive elastic layer, but the conductive elastic layer is, for example, an elastic material such as rubber having elasticity, a conductive material such as carbon black or ionic conductive material that adjusts the resistance of the conductive elastic layer, Accordingly, materials that can be usually added to rubber, such as softeners, plasticizers, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization accelerators, anti-aging agents, fillers such as silica or calcium carbonate, and the like may be added. It is formed by coating a peripheral surface of a conductive shaft with a mixture added with materials usually added to rubber. As the conductive agent for the purpose of adjusting the resistance value, a material in which a material that conducts electricity using at least one of electrons and ions such as carbon black and an ionic conductive agent mixed in the matrix material as a charge carrier is used. The elastic material may be a foam.

  The elastic material constituting the conductive elastic layer is formed, for example, by dispersing a conductive agent in a rubber material. Preferred examples of the rubber material include silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, and blended rubbers thereof. These rubber materials may be foamed or non-foamed.

  As the conductive agent, an electronic conductive agent or an ionic conductive agent is used. Examples of the electronic conductive agent include carbon black such as ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon, graphite; various conductive metals or alloys such as aluminum, copper, nickel, stainless steel; tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide And fine powders such as various conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide-antimony oxide solid solution, tin oxide-indium oxide solid solution, and the like. Examples of ionic conductive agents include perchlorates and chlorates such as tetraethylammonium and lauryltrimethylammonium; alkali metals such as lithium and magnesium; perchlorates and chlorates of alkaline earth metals ;

  These conductive agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of addition is not particularly limited, but in the case of an electronic conductive agent, it is desirable that the amount be in the range of 1 part by weight to 60 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the rubber material. In such a case, it is desirable that the amount be in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material.

A surface layer may be formed on the surface of the charging member. As the material for the surface layer, any of resin, rubber and the like may be used, and there is no particular limitation. For example, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyester, polyimide, and copolymer nylon are preferable.
The copolymer nylon includes one or more of 610 nylon, 11 nylon, and 12 nylon as polymerized units, and other polymer units contained in the copolymer include 6 nylon. 66 nylon and the like. Here, it is desirable that the ratio of polymer units composed of 610 nylon, 11 nylon, and 12 nylon to be contained in the copolymer is 10% or more in total by weight ratio.

  The polymer materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The number average molecular weight of the polymer material is preferably in the range of 1,000 to 100,000, and more preferably in the range of 10,000 to 50,000.

  Further, the surface layer may contain a conductive material to adjust the resistance value. The conductive material preferably has a particle size of 3 μm or less.

  In addition, as a conductive agent for adjusting the resistance value, carbon black or conductive metal oxide particles blended in the matrix material, or a material that conducts electricity using at least one of electrons and ions such as an ionic conductive agent as a charge carrier A material in which is dispersed may be used.

Specifically, carbon black as a conductive agent includes “Special Black 350”, “Special Black 100”, “Special Black 250”, “Special Black 5”, “Special Black 4” manufactured by Degussa, "Special Black 4A", "Special Black 550", "Special Black 6", "Color Black FW200", "Color Black FW2", "Color Black FW2V", "MONARCH1000" manufactured by Cabot, Cabot “MONARCH1300” manufactured by the company, “MONARCH1400” manufactured by Cabot, “MOGUL-L”, “REGAL400R”, and the like.
Carbon black desirably has a pH of 4.0 or less.

  The conductive metal oxide particles that are conductive particles for adjusting the resistance value are particles having conductivity such as tin oxide, tin oxide doped with antimony, zinc oxide, anatase titanium oxide, ITO, etc. Any conductive agent using electrons as charge carriers can be used without any particular limitation. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Any particle size may be used, but tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, and anatase-type titanium oxide are desirable, and tin oxide and antimony-doped tin oxide are desirable.

  Furthermore, a fluorine-based or silicone-based resin is preferably used for the surface layer. In particular, it is desirable to be composed of a fluorine-modified acrylate polymer. Moreover, you may add particle | grains in a surface layer. In addition, insulating particles such as alumina and silica are added to provide a concave portion on the surface of the charging member, reducing the load at the time of rubbing against the photosensitive member, and improving the wear resistance between the charging member and the photosensitive member. It may be improved.

  The outer diameter of the charging member is desirably 8 mm or greater and 16 mm or less. Moreover, as a measuring method of an outer diameter, it measures using a commercially available caliper or a laser type outer diameter measuring apparatus.

  The micro hardness of the charging member is preferably 45 ° or more and 60 ° or less. In order to reduce the hardness, it is conceivable to increase the amount of plasticizer added, or to use a low hardness material such as silicone rubber.

  Further, the micro hardness of the charging member is a value measured with an MD-1 type hardness meter manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge including the photosensitive member (image holding member), the charging device (unit of the charging member and the cleaning member), the developing device, and the cleaning blade (cleaning device) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a charging device (unit of charging member and cleaning member), and, if necessary, a photosensitive member (image holding member), an exposure device, a transfer device, a developing device, a cleaning blade (cleaning device). It may be a process cartridge provided with one selected from the apparatus. Note that these devices and members may be arranged directly in the image forming apparatus without being made into a cartridge.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the charging device is configured by the unit of the charging member and the cleaning member has been described, that is, the configuration in which the charging member is employed as the member to be cleaned has been described. The member to be cleaned is not limited to this, and includes a photosensitive member (image holding member), a transfer device (transfer member; transfer roll), and an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt). The unit of the member to be cleaned and the cleaning member disposed in contact with the member may be directly disposed in the image forming apparatus, or may be disposed in the image forming apparatus as a process cartridge as described above. May be. Even in these units or image forming apparatuses in which a member other than the charging member is applied as the member to be cleaned, image defects due to dirt (surface contamination) of the member to be cleaned attached by repeated use are suppressed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration, and a known image forming apparatus such as an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus may be employed.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Example 1]
(Production of cleaning roll)
Mixing polyether and isocyanate, heat-curing the resulting urethane resin, slicing a urethane material (EP70 manufactured by INOAC) with a three-dimensional network structure into a 2.35 mm thick sheet, and applying double-sided tape After attaching, it was cut into strips having a width of 6 mm and a length of 232 mm (length is the minimum length).
On the other hand, a stainless steel (SUS304) hollow shaft (outer diameter Φ5 mm, inner diameter Φ4 mm, wall thickness 1 mm, axial length 230 mm) is prepared. And with the laser processing machine, the cut | notch part of width 1mm and length 10mm was formed only in one side of the axial direction edge part of a hollow shaft (refer FIG. 2).
And the longitudinal direction end part (end part of winding start: length 5mm) of the strip which affixed the said double-sided tape was inserted in the incision part formed in the hollow shaft, and it turned up and affixed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft. . Then, this strip was wound around the hollow shaft at a winding angle (spiral angle) of 26 ° to form an elastic layer in a spiral shape to obtain a cleaning roll (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The elastic layer had a helix angle (θ) of 26 °, a helix width (R1) of 6 mm, a helix pitch (R2) of 12.1 mm, and a thickness (thickness) at the center in the helix direction of 2 mm.

(Preparation of charging roll)
After adding 3 parts by mass of ionic conductive agent PEL-100 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) to 100 parts by mass of epichlorohydrin rubber and sufficiently kneading it, after extrusion molding, SUM-Ni having a diameter of φ6 and an axial length L = 240 mm Insert a shaft made of nickel (sulfur free-cutting steel with nickel plating), perform molding and vulcanization with a press molding machine, process to the desired outer diameter by polishing, and end outer diameter Φ8. The rubber roll was obtained by processing the outer diameter of the central portion to 95 and a diameter of 9.00.
Thereafter, the surface of the rubber roll was coated with a fluororesin with a film thickness of 5 μm by a dip coating method to obtain a charging roll.

(Print test)
The produced cleaning roll and charging roll were assembled into a process cartridge of CELL 3110cn made by DELL together with a dedicated bearing (made of conductive POM) that determines the amount of biting between the rolls, and the process cartridge was attached to C3110cn of DELL, and a continuous printing test was performed. .
Here, the cleaning roll and the charging roll are attached. The distance between the axes is fixed (fixed displacement mounting) so that the cleaning roll bites into the charging roll by 0.3 mm, and the cleaning roll and the charging roll are attached so as to be driven to rotate.
However, the cleaning roll was attached so that the rotation direction thereof was opposite to the winding direction of the strip. As a result, of the longitudinal end portions (strip end portions) of the elastic layer of the cleaning roll, the end portion of the elastic layer on the side that enters the charging roll from the longitudinal end surface side is positioned inside the shaft. The cleaning roll is attached.

The printing test is performed so that the end of the elastic layer of the cleaning roll peels easily due to repeated intermittent rotation operation. Therefore, an instruction is sent to print the paper one by one and the rotation operation of the cleaning roll is intermittent. did.
The end of the elastic layer of the cleaning roll was peeled off as a result of visual observation of the cleaning roll every 25,000 rotations of the photosensitive member, and the peeling was confirmed regardless of the cleaning performance of the charging roll at that time. This is the result of completing the test at that time.
The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 2]
Both the axial end portions of the hollow shaft are provided with cut portions having a width of 1 mm and a length of 10 mm (see FIG. 2), and both the longitudinal end portions of the strip (the end portion of the winding start and the end portion of the winding end) ) Was inserted into cut portions provided at both ends of the hollow shaft in the axial direction, and the strip was wound around the shaft to form an elastic layer, thereby obtaining a cleaning roll in the same manner as in Example 1 ( 1 and 2).
On the other hand, a charging roll was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

Then, a printing test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 using the obtained cleaning roll and charging roll. The results are shown in Table 1.
The cleaning roll was attached without any particular limitation on the direction of rotation.

[Example 3]
A stainless steel (SUS304) hollow shaft (outer diameter Φ5 mm, inner diameter Φ4 mm, wall thickness 1 mm, axial length 230 mm) is prepared. Then, with the laser processing machine, a cut portion having a width of 1.0 mm was formed so as to cover the entire axial direction of the shaft along the axial direction of the shaft from one end to the other end of the axial end portion of the hollow shaft (FIG. 7). (See (B)). That is, the cut portion was formed so as to divide (cut) the circumferential direction of the hollow shaft over the entire axial direction.
Then, the longitudinal end of the strip (5 mm in length) with the double-sided tape attached to the hollow shaft with the jig being pushed out from the inner peripheral surface side by a jig and the width of the cut portion widened. In addition to being inserted into the part, it was folded and attached to the inner peripheral surface of the shaft (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Thereafter, the strip is wound around the hollow shaft at a winding angle (spiral angle) of 26 °, and the longitudinal end (length 5 mm) of the strip at the end of winding is inserted into the cut portion, and then folded back to the inner peripheral surface of the shaft. Pasting (see FIGS. 3 and 4), the jig was removed, and the shaft was released from spreading.
In this way, an elastic layer was formed in a spiral shape to obtain a cleaning roll (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The elastic layer had a helix angle (θ) of 26 °, a helix width (R1) of 6 mm, a helix pitch (R2) of 12.1 mm, and a thickness (wall thickness) at the center in the helix direction of 2 mm.
On the other hand, a charging roll was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

Then, a printing test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 using the obtained cleaning roll and charging roll. The results are shown in Table 1.
The cleaning roll was attached without any particular limitation on the direction of rotation.

(Comparative example)
The hollow shaft is not provided with a notch, and the end of the strip in the longitudinal direction (end of winding) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the end of the shaft in the longitudinal direction, and then the strip is wound around the hollow shaft to form an elastic layer. A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that was formed.
On the other hand, a charging roll was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.

Then, a printing test was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 using the obtained cleaning roll and charging roll. The results are shown in Table 1.
The cleaning roll was attached without any particular limitation on the direction of rotation.

  From the above results, it can be seen that in the example, the elastic layer peeling of the cleaning roll (peeling of the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer) is suppressed as compared with the comparative example.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus, 12 Photoconductor, 14 Charging roll, 14A Shaft, 14B Elastic layer, 16 Exposure apparatus, 19Y, 19M, 19C, 19K Developing apparatus, 20 Paper conveyance belt, 22 Transfer apparatus, 24 Recording medium, 53 Charging roll , 64 fixing device, 66 discharge roll, 68 discharge section, 70 paper transport path, 72 transport roll, 80 cleaning blade, 100 cleaning member, 100A shaft, 100B elastic layer

Claims (9)

A cylindrical core;
The elastic layer is arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core body in a spiral shape from one end to the other end in the axial direction of the core body, and one or both of the end portions in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer are inside the core body. An elastic layer disposed on the
A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus.   One or both of axial end portions of the core body are provided with a cut portion or an opening portion, and one or both of the longitudinal end portions of the elastic layer are arranged inside the core body through the cut portion or the opening portion. A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   A longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer disposed inside the core body is an end portion on a side that enters the cleaned surface from the longitudinal end surface side of the elastic layer when the cleaning member rotates. Item 3. A cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to Item 1 or 2. A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleaning the surface of the charging member, wherein the cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
A charging device comprising: At least the charging device according to claim 4,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, the charging means having the charging device according to claim 4;
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier into a toner image with toner;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned.
A unit for an image forming apparatus. At least a unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 7.

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