JP2012068502A - Blade member, manufacturing method thereof, method for evaluating blade member, and blade member device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a blade member capable of precisely evaluating a use state of a blade, a manufacturing method thereof, a method for evaluating the blade member, and a blade member device.SOLUTION: Deformation detection means 13 is buried in a rubber-like elastic layer 12.

Description

  The present invention relates to a blade member, a manufacturing method thereof, a blade member evaluation method, and a blade member device.

  In general, in an electrophotographic process, at least charging, exposure, development, transfer, and cleaning processes are performed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member. In such an electrophotographic process, a cleaning blade used for charging / discharging / cleaning of a transfer photosensitive drum and transfer belt, or an intermediate conveyance belt, and a developing blade for charge flattening, discharging and charging used in a developing process. In addition, a plurality of blades such as a toner regulating blade are used.

  Conventionally, evaluation of these blades has been carried out by mounting the blade on a device (actual machine) or test machine in which the blade is actually used, contacting the blade against an actual contacted object, and using the blade for a predetermined time. This was done by observing the wear state and comparing the amount of wear.

  Although this evaluation method can evaluate the wear resistance, there has been a problem that the characteristics during use of the blade cannot be evaluated.

  Incidentally, a cleaning device in which a strain gauge is attached to the surface of the blade has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 detects bending deformation when the blade is deformed in the rotational direction of the photosensitive member, and returns the blade to its original state.

  The blade described in Patent Document 1 is suitable for detecting the bending deformation, but is inappropriate for evaluating the characteristics of the blade during use. Specifically, because the strain gauge is attached to the blade surface with an adhesive, the deformation of the blade itself cannot be properly observed due to the influence of the adhesive, and the vicinity of the edge in contact with the contacted object. There is a problem that deformation cannot be observed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-230239

  In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a blade member, a manufacturing method thereof, a blade member evaluation method, and a blade member device capable of accurately evaluating characteristics during use of the blade member.

  A first aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described problem is a blade member that includes a rubber-like elastic layer that comes into contact with a contacted body, wherein deformation detection means is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer. It is in the blade member.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the deformation detecting means is a strain gauge, a main body of the strain gauge is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer, and a wiring connected to the main body is exposed on the surface of the rubber-like elastic layer. The blade member according to the first aspect is characterized by being made.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the blade member according to the first or second aspect, the deformation detecting means is embedded on an edge surface side in contact with the contacted body.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the rubber-like elastic layer includes an edge layer and a back layer, and the deformation detection means is provided at a boundary surface between the edge layer and the back layer. The blade member according to any one of the first to third aspects.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a rubber material for forming a rubber-like elastic layer is placed in a molding die, and deformation detecting means is placed in a state where at least a part of the rubber material is cured. A blade member made of a rubber-like elastic layer is formed by introducing and curing the same or different rubber material as in the blade member manufacturing method.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the blade member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is brought into contact with a contacted body, and the deformation detection unit continuously measures the deformation of the blade member, The blade member evaluation method is characterized by evaluating the blade member.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the blade member according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and holding means for holding the blade member in contact with a contacted body with a predetermined contact pressure, A blade member device comprising contact pressure detecting means for detecting a contact pressure between the blade member and the contacted body.

  An eighth aspect of the present invention is the blade member device according to the seventh aspect, further comprising display means for displaying a detection result detected by the contact pressure detection means.

  A ninth aspect of the present invention is the seventh or eighth aspect, further comprising reporting means for reporting when the detection signal detected by the contact pressure detecting means reaches a preset value. It exists in the described blade member apparatus.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is further provided control means for adjusting a holding state of the holding means so that a detection signal detected by the contact pressure detecting means falls within a predetermined range set in advance. The blade member device according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the blade member which can evaluate the characteristic at the time of use of a blade member precisely by embedding a deformation | transformation detection means in a rubber-like elastic layer, its manufacturing method, the evaluation method of a blade member, and a blade member There exists an effect that an apparatus can be provided.

It is the cross-sectional view and exploded cross-sectional view of the braid | blade which concern on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view of the blade member which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the blade member apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of Test Example 1.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a blade according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an exploded cross-sectional view of the blade according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a blade member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated, the blade 10 includes a blade member 11 made of a rubber-like elastic layer 12, and a support member 20 is bonded to one end side of the rubber-like elastic layer 12. In the blade member 11, a strain gauge 13 that is a deformation detecting unit is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer 12.

  The strain gauge 13 includes a strain gauge main body 13A and a wiring 13B connected to the strain gauge main body 13A, and the strain gauge main body 13A is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer 12. The wiring 13B connected to the strain gauge body 13A is exposed on the surface of the blade member 11, and can be connected to a deformation detection device (not shown). In the present embodiment, the blade member 11 and the support member 20 are fixed via an insulating adhesive member 14, and the wiring 13B exposed on the back side of the blade member 11 includes the insulating adhesive member 14 and the illustrated figure. It is comprised so that it may not contact the supporting member 20 with the protection tape which does not. Thereby, the wiring 13 </ b> B is exposed to the base end side of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 without being electrically connected to the support member 20.

  When the blade 10 is mounted on an actual machine or a test machine, the characteristics of the blade member 11 when used in the actual machine can be accurately evaluated. When the blade member 11 is evaluated, the wiring 13B connected to the strain gauge body 13A of the blade member 11 is connected to a detection device, and the blade member 11 is brought into contact with a contacted body such as a photosensitive member, and then strain is applied. The characteristics of the blade member 11 are evaluated by measuring the deformation of the blade member 11 with the gauge 13. From the strain amount of the blade member 11 detected by the strain gauge 13, characteristics at the time of use of the blade member 11, specifically, the deformation amount, the contact pressure, and the like can be estimated. Thereby, the friction characteristic etc. of the blade member 11 can also be evaluated. For example, the friction characteristic of the blade member 11 can be evaluated from the strain amount detected by the strain gauge 13 by measuring in advance the relationship between the strain amount serving as a reference and the friction.

  When the strain gauge 13 is fixed to the blade by an adhesive, the adhesive becomes a rigid body and affects the amount of deformation of the blade member 11, but in this embodiment, a rubber-like elastic layer is used without using an adhesive or the like. By providing the deformation detecting means in 12, the use state of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 itself constituting the blade member 11 can be appropriately evaluated.

  Further, the blade member 11 of the present embodiment can be provided with a strain gauge 13 which is a deformation detection means at an arbitrary position, and can accurately detect the deformation of the blade member 11 at a desired position. Further, since the strain gauge 13 is embedded in the blade member 11, there is no possibility that the strain gauge 13 comes into contact with peripheral components. When the strain gauge is provided on the surface of the blade member, not only the strain gauge may come into contact with peripheral parts, but also the deformation of the blade member cannot be detected properly. For example, when the deformation detection means is provided on the edge surface in contact with the contacted body, a strain gauge is provided at a position not in contact with the contacted body, so that deformation near the edge cannot be measured. On the other hand, when the deformation means is provided on the back surface opposite to the edge surface that comes into contact with the contacted body, the deformation near the edge cannot be measured appropriately.

  In the present embodiment, by using the strain gauge 13 as the deformation detecting means, the strain can be detected as an electric signal, and the amount of strain can be objectively evaluated.

  The position where the strain gauge 13 of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 is embedded is not particularly limited, and may be provided at a site where deformation is to be measured. In other words, according to the present invention, the deformation at an arbitrary position of the blade member 11 can be accurately evaluated. In particular, the blade member 11 according to the present embodiment is suitable for accurately measuring deformation near the edge of the blade member 11.

  When measuring the deformation in the vicinity of the edge, the strain gauge 13 may be provided in the vicinity of the edge of the rubber-like elastic layer 12, for example, from the edge surface contacting the contacted body of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 to the opposite side. When the thickness up to the back surface, which is the surface of the rubber-like elastic layer 12, is 100%, the rubber-like elastic layer 12 may be provided in the region of 50% or less from the edge surface side and on the tip side of the rubber-like elastic layer 12. . In other words, the surface close to the strain gauge 13 may be used as the edge surface. Further, by embedding in a region of 10 to 40% from the thick edge surface side, the deformation of the maximum deformation portion of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 of the blade member 11 can be measured.

  In the present embodiment, the rubber-like elastic layer 12 is composed of a single layer, but it may be composed of two layers of an edge layer and a back layer. In the case of two layers of the edge layer and the back layer, by providing the strain gauge 13 at the interface between the edge layer and the back layer, the deformation at the interface between the edge layer and the back layer can be measured. That is, according to the configuration of the present invention, it is possible to measure not only the deformation in the vicinity of the edge but also the deformation at the interface of the plurality of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the wiring 13B of the strain gauge 13 is exposed on the back side of the blade member 11. However, if the wiring 13B is away from the vicinity of the edge in contact with the contacted body, the wiring 13B is exposed on the edge surface side. Also good.

  In the present embodiment, one strain gauge 13 is provided on the rubber-like elastic layer 12, but a plurality of strain gauges 13 may be provided, and the direction is not particularly limited. For example, the strain gauge 13 can be embedded in the end portion and the center in the longitudinal direction, and the deformation of each part can be measured.

Here, the manufacturing method of the blade member of this invention is demonstrated in detail.
First, while rotating the rotating photosensitive drum of the centrifugal molding machine at a predetermined rotational speed, a part of the rubber material (first rubber material) is put into the centrifugal molding machine and the photosensitive drum is rotated at the predetermined rotational speed. Let it harden.

  Then, the strain gauge 13 is placed on the surface of the first rubber material in a state where at least a part of the first rubber material is cured, that is, before the first rubber material is completely cured. At this time, the wiring 13B of the strain gauge 13 is bent toward the air surface side.

Next, the remainder of the rubber material (second rubber material) is charged and cured.
When the second rubber material is cured, the rotation of the photosensitive drum is stopped, and demolding and cooling are performed. Then, one end is cut into a sheet, and after aging as necessary, the blade member is obtained by cutting so that the longitudinal direction of the blade member is along the circumferential direction or the depth direction of the centrifugal mold. be able to. Note that the air surface, that is, the surface of the second rubber material molded later is the back side of the blade member, and the blade 13 with the wiring 13B of the strain gauge 13 exposed on the back side of the rubbery elastic layer 12 as shown in FIG. Member 11 is formed.

  In the manufacturing method described above, the single rubber-like elastic layer 12 can be formed by forming the second rubber material in an integrated manner before the first rubber material is completely cured.

  The blade member manufacturing method of the present invention can easily manufacture the blade member 11 in which the strain gauge 13 is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer 12 by centrifugal molding as described above. Thus, the blade member manufacturing method of the present invention can easily form a blade member that can accurately evaluate the characteristics of the blade member during use.

  In the blade member manufacturing method of the present invention, the position of the strain gauge 13 can be easily controlled by controlling the amounts of the first rubber material and the second rubber material charged into the photosensitive drum. Specifically, the strain gauge 13 can be embedded in the vicinity of the edge by reducing the amount of the first rubber material. That is, according to the manufacturing method of the present invention, a blade member in which the strain gauge 13 is embedded at an arbitrary position can be formed.

  In the manufacturing method described above, the surface of the second rubber material is on the back side, but the surface of the second rubber material may be an edge layer. In this case, the wiring 13B of the strain gauge 13 is exposed on the edge surface side of the blade member 11.

  In the present embodiment, the first rubber material and the second rubber material are the same to form the single-layer rubber-like elastic layer 12, but the first rubber material and the second rubber material are different. It is good. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a blade member that is composed of two layers, an edge layer and a back layer, and in which a deformation detecting means is provided on the boundary surface between the edge layer and the back layer. In this case, it is preferable to use a rubber material that forms an edge layer as the first rubber material, and a rubber material that forms a back layer as the second rubber material.

  Although the manufacturing method using a centrifugal molding machine has been described as an example of the manufacturing method of the blade member, it is not limited to this. When manufacturing using a molding die other than a centrifugal molding machine, for example, in the case of press molding as well, a part of the rubber material that forms a rubber-like elastic layer is put into the molding die, and the rubber material After the deformation detecting means is placed in a state where at least a part of the rubber member is cured, the remaining rubber material is charged and cured in a laminated state, whereby a blade member made of a rubber-like elastic layer can be formed.

  In the present embodiment, the strain gauge 13 is provided as the deformation detecting means, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any means can be used as long as the deformation of the rubber-like elastic layer 12 can be detected.

  The blade member of the present invention is suitable for use in evaluating the blade member. By using the blade member of the present invention, it is possible to precisely evaluate the characteristics of the blade member when used in an actual machine. By using this blade member, it is possible to accurately and objectively evaluate the characteristics during use even under different systems, evaluation conditions, and environments.

  In addition, by using the blade member of the present invention, the evaluation equipment can be easily set to the same evaluation conditions and environmental conditions as the actual machine. For example, when reproducing the actual machine conditions in the test machine, if the output value of the blade member in the actual machine is measured in advance, the actual machine is reproduced by adjusting the conditions so that the output value is obtained in the test machine be able to.

  Furthermore, if the blade member of this invention is used, a blade member can be installed so that it may become a desired sliding state. As a method for installing the blade member, the measurement blade member in which the deformation detection means is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer is brought into contact with the contacted body, the deformation of the measurement blade member is measured by the deformation detection means, and the measurement result is obtained. A method of grasping the sliding state of the measuring blade member that comes into contact with the contacted body based on this and installing the measuring blade member or the non-measuring blade member in a predetermined sliding state can be mentioned.

  First, a measurement blade member in which a deformation detection unit is embedded in a rubber-like elastic layer is brought into contact with a contacted body, and the deformation of the measurement blade member during operation is continuously measured by the deformation detection unit.

  Next, from this measurement result, the sliding state when the measurement blade member is used in the actual machine (when in contact with the contacted body) is grasped. By using a strain gauge as the deformation detection means, the magnitude of deformation of the measurement blade member and the change over time of the deformation can be quantified and observed, and the sliding state of the blade member can be grasped precisely and objectively. . As a result, the installation conditions such as the contact angle and the contact pressure can be changed to find a condition in which the blade member is in a predetermined deformation (that is, in a predetermined sliding state).

  Based on the obtained conditions, the blade member is installed in the apparatus so as to be in a predetermined sliding state. The blade member installed in the apparatus may be a measurement blade member or a non-measurement blade member. Examples of the non-measuring blade member include those made of the same material as the measuring blade member and in which the deformation detecting means is not embedded. When installing the measurement blade member in the device, measure the deformation of the blade member by the deformation detection means after installation, and determine whether or not the predetermined output value can be obtained. Can be judged.

  As described above, the blade member of the present invention can be suitably used as a blade member for evaluation tests, but of course, it may be used in the same manner as a normal blade member. For example, the blade member of the present invention is suitable for use as an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a transfer photosensitive drum and transfer belt used in a transfer process, or a cleaning blade member used for cleaning an intermediate conveyance belt. For example, it is suitable for use in a toner regulating blade.

(Embodiment 2)
A blade member device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the blade member device 100 according to the present embodiment includes a blade 10 including the blade member 11, a holding unit 30 that holds the blade member 11, a control unit 40, a display unit 50, and a notification unit. 60.

  The blade member 11 can be the same as that described in the first embodiment. Specifically, the blade 10 includes a blade member 11 in which a strain gauge 13 which is a deformation detecting unit is embedded in a rubber-like elastic layer 12, and a support member 20 provided on one end side of the rubber-like elastic layer 12. . In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the member similar to the blade member 11 of Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The blade member 11 is held by a holding unit 30 so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 200 as a contacted body with a predetermined pressure. In the present embodiment, the holding means 30 includes an actuator (not shown), and the holding state of the blade 10 can be adjusted by driving the actuator. Specifically, when the actuator is driven, the distance between the blade member 11 and the photosensitive drum 200 and the inclination of the blade member 11 are changed, and the holding state of the holding unit 30 can be adjusted.

  The strain gauge 13 of the blade member 11 is electrically connected to the contact pressure detecting means 41 of the control unit 40 through wiring. The control unit 40 includes a CPU function, and controls the overall operation of the blade member device 100. In the present embodiment, the control unit 40 includes a contact pressure detection unit 41 that detects the contact pressure of the blade member 11 with the photosensitive drum 200, and a control unit 42 that adjusts the holding state of the holding unit 30. Yes.

  The display unit 50 displays the detection result detected by the contact pressure detection means 41. In addition, the display method of a detection result should just be what can display a detection result etc. visually, and is not specifically limited.

  When the blade member 11 comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 200 and deforms, the strain gauge 13 transmits an output signal S1 to the contact pressure detecting means 41. Then, the contact pressure detection means 41 detects the contact pressure (contact pressure) from the output signal S1 based on the relationship between the output signal S1 and the contact pressure measured in advance. In the present embodiment, when the contact pressure detection unit 41 detects the contact pressure, the contact pressure detection unit 41 generates a detection signal S2, and transmits the generated detection signal S2 to the display unit 50 and the control unit 42. Thereby, the display unit 50 displays the detection result of the contact pressure.

On the other hand, if the detection signal S2 is outside the predetermined range set in advance, the control means 42 generates a predetermined signal as necessary. For range _S a <S2 _{<S b} of detection signal S2 is set in advance, but does not generate a signal, in the case of _{S b} ≦ S2 _{<S c,} to generate the driving signal S3 for driving the actuator. At this time, as the drive signal S3, a predetermined drive signal is selected from the value of the detection signal S2 according to the table data that the control means 42 has in advance. Further, when S _c ≦ S2, the drive signal S4 is generated. In other words, the control unit 42, the detection signal S2, generates a drive signal S4 when it reaches the value S _c which is set in advance.

  When the drive signal S3 is generated, it is transmitted to the actuator of the holding means 30. As a result, the actuator is driven. Thus, the holding state of the holding unit 30 is adjusted by moving the position of the holding unit 30 in a predetermined direction or tilting in a predetermined direction so that the detection signal S2 is within a predetermined range set in advance.

  On the other hand, when the drive signal S4 is generated, it is transmitted to the reporting unit 60. The reporting unit 60 reports when the drive signal S4 is input, that is, when the detection signal S2 reaches a preset value. The reporting method is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include lighting of a lamp and generation of an alarm sound. By this reporting means, the user can detect the change in the contact pressure of the blade member 11 and stop driving the photosensitive drum 200 and the like. In the present embodiment, the control means 42 has a function of determining whether or not the detection signal S2 has reached a preset value, and the “notification means” comprises the control means 42 and the notification unit 60. Has been.

  In this embodiment, since the strain gauge 13 is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer 12 of the blade 10, the contact pressure between the blade member 11 and the photosensitive drum 200 can be detected with high accuracy. Can be fine-tuned. When using a blade with a strain gauge on the surface of the blade, the strain gauge cannot be provided near the edge, and the deformation amount of the strain gauge is not the same as the deformation amount inside the rubber-like elastic layer of the blade. Therefore, the deformation of the blade cannot be accurately detected, and the contact pressure cannot be accurately obtained. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the strain gauge 13 is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer 12 of the blade 10, so that the strain gauge 13 can be embedded in the vicinity of the edge of the blade 10. Is deformed together with the rubber-like elastic layer 12 of the blade 10, that is, the same deformation as that of the rubber-like elastic layer 12. Thereby, the deformation of the rubber-like elastic layer of the blade 10 can be accurately detected, and the contact pressure of the blade 10 can be accurately obtained.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the holding unit 30 is set so that the contact pressure between the blade member 11 and the photosensitive drum 200 is within a predetermined range based on the detection result of the contact pressure detecting unit 41. The holding state can be adjusted. When the blade member 11 is used for a long period of time, the sag is generated and the contact pressure with the photosensitive drum 200 is weakened. However, in the present embodiment, the holding unit 30 is moved in the direction of the photosensitive drum 200. By adjusting, the contact pressure of the blade member 11 can be maintained within a predetermined range. Therefore, contact failure of the blade member 11 with the photosensitive drum 200 can be suppressed. Conventionally, since the blade member 11 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 200 with a predetermined contact pressure by a spring or the like, the blade member 11 has been brought into contact with an unnecessarily high contact pressure. Since the contact pressure can be controlled with high accuracy, the contact pressure can be brought into contact with an appropriate contact pressure. Thereby, wear and sag of the blade member 11 can be suppressed, and the blade member can be used for a long period of time.

  Further, in the present embodiment, by providing the notifying means, when the preset value is reached due to a failure such as wear of the blade member 11, that is, by adjusting the holding means 30, the blade member 11 and the photosensitive drum 200. When it becomes impossible to control the contact pressure with the operator, the operator can find a defect in the blade member 11. Therefore, the occurrence of the peeling of the blade member 11 can be prevented in advance. Further, the life of the blade member 11 can be accurately determined, and an appropriate replacement time can be determined.

  Note that the reporting means may not be provided. When not providing the reporting means, it is only necessary to confirm whether or not the detection result is within a predetermined range based on the display of the display unit 50 that displays the detection result of the contact pressure detection means 41.

  Further, the display unit 50 may constitute a part of the reporting unit without providing the reporting unit 60. For example, when the detection signal S2 reaches a preset value, the drive signal S4 generated by the control means 42 is transmitted to the display unit 50. When the drive signal S4 is input, the display unit 50 receives “ Information regarding a report such as “abnormal” may be displayed. In addition, the display regarding a report should just be a display method with which an operator can recognize visually visually, and is not specifically limited.

  Further, the control means 42 may not be provided. When the control means 42 and the notification means are not provided, the position of the holding means 30 is adjusted based on the display of the display unit 50 that displays the detection result of the contact pressure detection means 41, and the contact pressure detection means 41 detects after adjustment. What is necessary is just to confirm whether the detection result to perform is in a predetermined range.

  Further, the display unit 50 may not be provided. Even when the display unit 50 is not provided, the control unit 42 can control the overall operation of the blade member device 100, and the control signal 42 and the notification unit 60 detect the detection signal detected by the contact pressure detection unit 41. An operator can detect when S2 reaches a preset value.

  Hereinafter, although the blade member of this invention is demonstrated based on an Example, this invention is not limited to this.

Example 1
While rotating the rotating photosensitive drum of the centrifugal molding machine at a predetermined rotational speed, a part of the polyurethane composition (first rubber material) is put into the centrifugal molding machine and the photosensitive drum is rotated at the predetermined rotational speed. While curing. And before the 1st rubber material hardened | cured completely, the strain gauge (made by Kyowa Denki Co., Ltd.) was mounted on the surface of the 1st rubber material, and was fixed. Before the first rubber material was completely cured, the remainder of the polyurethane composition (second rubber material) was added and cured. Then, the blade member of Example 1 was obtained by performing demolding and cooling and cutting into a predetermined shape. A support member was fixed to this, and the blade of Example 1 was obtained.

(Example 2)
A blade of Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as Example 1 except that the lubricant was applied to the blade member surface of Example 1.

(Test Example 1)
In a testing machine equipped with a photosensitive member and a blade using the blade member of each example as a cleaning blade, the photosensitive member is kept stationary in an environment of a temperature of 25 ° C. and a humidity of 60% at a linear velocity of 353 mm / sec. The strain when rotated for 10 seconds was measured. The results are shown in FIG.

(Summary of results)
As shown in FIG. 4, when the rotation of the contacted photosensitive drum is started and stopped, the strain of the strain gauge of the blade member of Examples 1 and 2 is 0, and the output corresponding to the strain of the blade is output. It was confirmed that the value was changing.

  In addition, it was confirmed that the blade member of Example 2 in which the lubricant was applied to the surface had a smaller output change than the blade member of Example 1. From this, it was confirmed that the difference in the friction of the blade member can be accurately determined by the output change of the strain gauge as the deformation detecting means.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Blade 11 Blade member 12 Rubber-like elastic layer 13 Strain gauge 13A Strain gauge main body 13B Wiring 20 Support member

Claims (10)

  A blade member comprising a rubber-like elastic layer in contact with a contacted body, wherein a deformation detecting means is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer.   The deformation detecting means is a strain gauge, the strain gauge body is embedded in the rubber-like elastic layer, and the wiring connected to the body is exposed on the surface of the rubber-like elastic layer. The blade member according to claim 1.   The blade member according to claim 1, wherein the deformation detection unit is embedded on an edge surface side in contact with the contacted body.   The rubber-like elastic layer is composed of an edge layer and a back layer, and the deformation detecting means is provided on a boundary surface between the edge layer and the back layer. The blade member according to Item.   A rubber material for forming a rubber-like elastic layer is put into a molding die, a deformation detecting means is placed in a state in which at least a part of the rubber material is cured, and a rubber material that is the same as or different from the rubber material is put in. A blade member made of a rubber-like elastic layer is formed by curing the blade member.   The blade member according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is brought into contact with a contacted body, and deformation of the blade member is continuously measured by the deformation detection unit to evaluate the blade member. A method for evaluating a blade member.   The blade member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a holding unit that holds the blade member in contact with a contacted body with a predetermined contact pressure, the blade member, and the contacted body, And a contact pressure detecting means for detecting the contact pressure of the blade member device.   The blade member device according to claim 7, further comprising display means for displaying a detection result detected by the contact pressure detection means.   The blade member device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising notification means for notifying when a detection signal detected by the contact pressure detection means reaches a preset value. 10. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a control unit that adjusts a holding state of the holding unit so that a detection signal detected by the contact pressure detecting unit falls within a predetermined range set in advance. The blade member device according to item.