JP2012145718A - Cleaning body, cleaning device, electrifying device, assembly, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably driven-rotate a cleaning body with respect to a cleaned body.SOLUTION: A cleaning body 102 includes: a shaft part 104 having a cylindrical outer shape; an elastic layer 107 spirally wound and fixed from one end side to the other end side of the shaft part 104 and coming into contact with a rotating cleaned body 14 to clean the cleaned body 14, while being driven-rotated; and a pressing member 108 provided at one end and the other end of the shaft part 104, so as to press a pressed part 107B integrally formed at one end and the other end of the elastic layer 107 between the pressing member 108 and the shaft part 104, and integrally rotated with the shaft part 104. The pressing member 108 is formed in a round shape, when viewed from the axial direction of the shaft part 104, has an outer diameter R1 equal to an outer diameter R2 of the shaft part 104 including the elastic layer 107 wound on the shaft part 104, and is brought into contact with all areas except a functional area at both ends of the cleaned body 14, to be driven-rotated.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cleaning body, a cleaning device, a charging device, an assembly, and an image forming apparatus.

  A cleaning member that extends in the axial direction of the charging roll and cleans the outer circumferential surface of the charging roll by contacting and rotating the outer circumferential surface of the charging roll has been known (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

JP 2008-304729 A

  An object of the present invention is to obtain a cleaning body, a cleaning device, a charging device, an assembly, and an image forming apparatus in which driven rotation with respect to the cleaning target is stably performed.

  In order to achieve the above object, the cleaning body according to claim 1 according to the present invention is wound in a spiral shape from a shaft portion having a circular outer shape to one end portion side to the other end portion side of the shaft portion. An elastic layer that cleans the object to be cleaned while rotating in contact with the rotating object to be rotated, and a pressed part integrally formed at one end and the other end of the elastic layer. A pressing member provided at one end and the other end of the shaft portion so as to be pressed between the shaft portion and rotating integrally with the shaft portion, and the pressing member from the axial direction of the shaft portion. It is formed in a circular shape when viewed, and has an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the shaft portion including the elastic layer wound around the shaft portion, and is in contact with the outside of the functional region at both ends of the object to be cleaned. It is characterized by driven rotation.

  The cleaning body according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the cleaning body according to claim 1, the outer peripheral portion of the pressing member is an elastic body formed of the same material as the body to be cleaned. .

  Further, the cleaning device according to claim 3 according to the present invention, the cleaning body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning body is cleaned while being rotated in contact with the rotating body to be cleaned. And a supporting member that rotatably supports the pressing member.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a charging device comprising: the cleaning device according to the third aspect; and the charged body as the rotating body to be cleaned.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly according to the third aspect, the cleaning device according to the third aspect, a member to be charged, a charged member as the member to be cleaned that rotates by charging the member to be charged. , Is assembled to the apparatus main body so as to be detachable integrally.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the cleaning apparatus according to the third aspect, an image holding body capable of holding an image, and the object to be cleaned that rotates by charging the image holding body. A charged body as a body, an exposure device that exposes the image carrier charged by the charged body to form an electrostatic latent image, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier by the exposure device is developed And a developing device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the follower rotation with respect to the object to be cleaned is stably performed as compared with the configuration in which the pressing member that presses both ends of the elastic layer against the shaft part does not contact the object to be cleaned. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the driven rotation with respect to the object to be cleaned is more stable than the configuration in which the outer peripheral portion of the pressing member is not an elastic body formed of the same material as the object to be cleaned. Done.

  According to invention of Claim 3, the cleaning performance with respect to a to-be-cleaned body can be improved compared with the structure which is not equipped with the cleaning body of Claim 1 or Claim 2.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning performance for the charged body can be improved as compared with the configuration not including the cleaning device according to the third aspect.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning performance for the charged body can be improved as compared with the configuration that does not include the cleaning device according to the third aspect.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to suppress image defects caused by poor cleaning as compared with the configuration not including the cleaning device according to claim 3.

Schematic showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus Schematic showing the configuration of the cleaning device as seen from the axial direction The top view which shows the structure of a cleaning apparatus seeing from the direction orthogonal to an axial direction Top view showing a spiral cleaning member The top view which shows the shape of the elastic layer of a helical cleaning member The perspective view which shows the structure of a cap member Sectional drawing which shows the structure of the one end part of a helical cleaning member Schematic showing a cap member of a spiral cleaning member that contacts outside the printing area of the charging roll The schematic diagram which shows the cross-sectional shape of the shaft and elastic layer in the helical cleaning member except a cap member Explanatory drawing which shows the cleaning operation | movement of the helical cleaning member with respect to a charging roll. Explanatory drawing which shows the measurement means which measures the dynamic friction coefficient of the cap member with respect to a charging roll

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. An image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is a tandem-type full-color image forming apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, the arrow UP is the upward direction of the image forming apparatus 10. First, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  Inside the image forming apparatus 10, a photosensitive member 12 as an example of an image holding member (a member to be charged), a charging roll 14 as an example of a charged member, a developing device 24, and the like include yellow (Y), magenta (M ), Cyan (C), and black (K) as process cartridges 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K as an example of an assembly for each color.

  The process cartridges 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K are configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus 10. Further, as the photoconductor 12, for example, a conductive cylinder having a diameter of 25 mm is used in which a photoconductor layer made of an organic photosensitive material or the like is coated on the outer peripheral surface (surface), and is 150 mm / sec by a motor (not shown). It is designed to be rotated at the process speed.

  The outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 is charged by a charging roll 14 disposed so as to be in contact with the outer peripheral surface, and then is exposed from an exposure device 16 disposed downstream of the charging roll 14 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12. Exposure is performed by the emitted laser beam LB, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 12 is developed by the developing devices 24Y, 24M, 24C, and 24K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image is developed to be a toner image of each color.

  For example, when a full-color image is formed, charging, exposure, and development processes are performed on the outer peripheral surface of each color photoconductor 12 in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). A toner image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 of each color. It is a configuration.

  The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images respectively formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective photoreceptors 12 are tensioned by the support rolls 40 and 42 while being applied with tension. It is conveyed on the sheet conveying belt 20 from the outer circumferential surface of each photoconductor 12 at a location where a transfer device 22 and a photoconductor 12 described later come into contact with each other via the sheet conveying belt 20 supported from the peripheral surface side. The recording paper P is sequentially transferred to the incoming recording paper P.

  Then, the recording paper P on which the toner image is transferred from the outer peripheral surface of each photoconductor 12 is conveyed to the fixing device 64 and heated and pressed by the fixing device 64, so that the toner is placed on the recording paper P. The image is fixed. The recording paper P is taken out from the paper storage container 28 by the take-out roll 30 and is conveyed to the paper transport belt 20 by the transport rolls 32 and 34.

  Here, in the case of single-sided printing, the recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged as it is onto a discharge unit 68 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 10 by a discharge roll 66. On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, the discharge roll 66 rotates in the reverse direction while the rear end portion of the recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed on the surface by the fixing device 64 is sandwiched by the discharge roll 66 and the recording is performed. The conveyance path of the paper P is switched to the double-sided paper conveyance path 70.

  Then, the recording paper P whose front and back are reversed is transported again onto the paper transport belt 20 by the transport roll 72 disposed in the paper transport path 70 for double-sided printing, and each photoconductor is placed on the back surface of the recording paper P. A toner image is transferred from the outer peripheral surface of the toner. The recording paper P with the toner image transferred to the back surface of the recording paper P is fixed with the toner image by the fixing device 64, and the recording paper P with the toner image fixed on the back surface is discharged onto the discharge unit 68.

  The illustrated image forming apparatus 10 can perform double-sided printing, but may be an image forming apparatus capable of only single-sided printing. Further, residual toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 after the toner image transfer process is completed are more photoconductive than the portion where the transfer device 22 contacts each time the photoconductor 12 rotates. The outer peripheral surface of each photoconductor 12 is prepared for the next image forming process.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the charging roll 14 has a roll shape in which, for example, an elastic layer 14B is formed around the conductive shaft 14A, and the conductive shaft 14A is rotatably supported. ing. The charging roll 14 will be described in detail later.

  Further, the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the charging roll 14 opposite to the photoreceptor 12 is rotated while being in contact with the outer peripheral surface, thereby transferring dirt such as toner and external additives on the outer peripheral surface. A cleaning device 100 that removes (cleans the outer peripheral surface) is disposed. The charging roll 14 and the cleaning apparatus 100 constitute a charging apparatus 50, and the charging roll 14 is also an example of an object to be cleaned.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cleaning device 100 includes a spiral cleaning member 102 as an example of a cleaning body and a support member that rotatably supports a cap member 108 described later of the spiral cleaning member 102. And a bearing member 110 as an example.

  The spiral cleaning member 102 is spirally wound around a shaft 104 as an example of a shaft portion (core body) disposed along the axial direction of the charging roll 14 and the periphery (outer peripheral surface) of the shaft 104. A band-shaped (strip-shaped) elastic sheet 106 fixed by bonding, and a cap member 108 as an example of a pressing member that is fitted to both ends of the shaft 104 so as to press both ends of the elastic sheet 106. Have.

  The shaft 104 of the spiral cleaning member 102 is formed in a cylindrical shape (the outer shape is circular when viewed from the axial direction) except for both ends thereof, and is arranged so as to extend along the axial direction of the charging roll 14. It is installed. A metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass is mainly used for the shaft 104, and the material and the surface treatment method are appropriately selected according to the use such as slidability.

  In addition, when using the material which does not have electroconductivity for the shaft 104, it may process by general processes, such as a plating process, and a conductive process may be performed, but you may use as it is. Further, since the grinding process is not performed at the time of manufacture and the rigidity of the shaft necessary for the process is low, a resin shaft may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic sheet 106 of the spiral cleaning member 102 is formed in a strip shape (elongate substantially parallelogram shape) and elastically deformable elastic layer 107, and the elastic layer 107 is bonded to the entire surface. And an adhesive layer 105 (see FIG. 7) whose back surface is bonded to the shaft 104.

  The adhesive layer 105 shown in FIG. 7 is made of an adhesive such as an adhesive or a double-sided tape, and the elastic sheet 106 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104 from one end in the axial direction by the adhesive layer 105. It is pasted (fixed) over the other end.

  Note that the adhesive layer 105 may be a single adhesive layer or a plurality of adhesive layers. Further, when the adhesive layer 105 is composed of a plurality of adhesive layers, a non-adhesive layer such as a conductive layer, a non-conductive layer, a semiconductive layer, a heat insulating layer, or a heat transfer layer is interposed between the adhesive layers. May be.

  A foam is used for the elastic layer 107 shown in FIG. That is, the elastic layer 107 is made of a foam having a porous three-dimensional structure, and is wound around the shaft 104 in a spiral shape after being processed to a required thickness and width.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the elastic layer 107 has a quadrangular shape surrounded by four sides (including a curve along the shaft 104) in a cross section orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft 104. Similarly, in the cross section along the direction (arrow Z direction in FIG. 3) perpendicular to the winding direction, it is a quadrangular shape surrounded by four sides (including a curve along the shaft 104).

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in this spiral cleaning member 102, the ridgeline portion 107 </ b> D on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 107 of the elastic sheet 106 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the charging roll 14, thereby 104 is driven to rotate, and along with the driven rotation, the ridgeline portion 107D on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 107 wipes the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14 and scrapes off the foreign matter. It is the structure removed from an outer peripheral surface.

  In addition, a protruding portion 107B as an example of a pressed portion that protrudes outward in the axial direction when wound around the shaft 104 is integrally connected to both end portions 107A in the longitudinal direction of the elastic layer 107. Yes. In the following description, it is assumed that the protruding portion 107B is not included in the end portion 107A.

  The protrusion 107B is a portion that is pressed by the cap member 108 (sandwiched between the inner peripheral surface of the cap member 108 and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104), and a region that is pressed by the cap member 108 is minimized. For example, the elastic layer 107 protrudes from a part in the width direction, for example, in an elongated triangular shape.

  Specifically, the protrusion 107B is connected to the downstream side in the rotational direction (indicated by arrow F) of the shaft 104 on one end side (left side in FIG. 5) of the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), and is elastic. On the other end side (right side in FIG. 5) of the body sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), the body sheet 106 is connected to the upstream side in the rotational direction of the shaft 104. That is, the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) shown in FIG. 5 is formed in a point-symmetric shape.

  As described above, when the protrusion 107B is connected to the end 107A of the elastic layer 107 and partially in the width direction, and only the protrusion 107B is pressed by the cap member 108, the protrusion The end 107A connected to the portion 107B is prevented from peeling off from the shaft 104, and the end 107A is not pressed (not covered) by the cap member 108 and exposed to the outside. The

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the ridge line portion 107C along the circumferential direction of the shaft 104 and the ridge line portion 107D along the direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the shaft 104 are formed on the end portion 107A reaching the edge of the cap member 108. It is formed. Thereby, the thickness of the elastic layer 107 is formed at the same height from one end of the shaft 104 to the other end, and the cleaning performance with respect to both ends in the axial direction of the charging roll 14 is improved.

  The foam constituting the elastic layer 107 is selected from foamed resins such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene, or those made of NBR, EPDM, SBR, silicone rubber, or the like. However, driven frictional friction with the charging roll 14 efficiently removes foreign substances such as external additives, and at the same time, the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14 is not scratched by rubbing. It is particularly desirable to select a polyurethane that is resistant to tearing, pulling, etc., so as not to break or break.

  Next, the cap member 108 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the cap member 108 is arranged at both ends of the shaft 104 so as to prevent the both ends of the elastic sheet 106 wound spirally around the shaft 104. The protrusion 107B connected to the end 107A of the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) is sandwiched between the surface and the inner peripheral surface of the cap member 108.

  And it is being fixed to the both ends of the shaft 104 so that it may rotate integrally with the shaft 104. That is, both end portions of the shaft 104 have a cross-sectional shape in which rotation prevention such as D-cut is made, and an insertion hole 108D (described later) into which the end portion of the shaft 104 of the cap member 108 is inserted also has its rotation prevention. A cross-sectional shape such as a D-cut is made.

  Thereby, the cap member 108 is configured to rotate integrally with the shaft 104. In addition, as a method for fixing the cap member 108 to the shaft 104, for example, the cap member 108 may be fixed to the shaft 104 with an adhesive or a double-sided tape.

  Further, the cylindrical member 108 </ b> A that forms a gap with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104 and the shaft 104 are inserted into the inner peripheral surface of the cap member 108 in order from the inner side to the outer side in the axial direction. The holding portion 108 </ b> B is integrally formed. That is, the holding portion 108B is formed with an insertion hole 108D into which the shaft 104 is inserted.

  7 is held by the shaft 104 at a position where the end face 108C is flush with the end face 104A of the shaft 104. For example, the end face 104A of the shaft 104 is held by the holding section 108B. However, it may be located on the inner side in the axial direction (the right side in FIG. 7) than the end face 108C of the holding portion 108B.

  The cylindrical portion 108A is formed along the circumferential direction of the shaft 104. The first inner diameter portion 109A and the second inner diameter portion whose inner diameter is smaller than the first inner diameter portion 109A are sequentially formed from the inner side in the axial direction toward the outer side. 109B. As described above, the first inner diameter portion 109A and the second inner diameter portion 109B have different inner diameters, so that a step is formed between the first inner diameter portion 109A and the second inner diameter portion 109B.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, the second inner diameter portion 109 </ b> B sandwiches the protrusion 107 </ b> B of the elastic layer 107 and the adhesive layer 105 that slightly entrains the protrusion 107 </ b> B between the outer periphery of the shaft 104 and the outer periphery of the shaft 104. The adhesive layer 105 and the protrusion 107B are compressed and pressed between the surfaces.

  The first inner diameter portion 109 </ b> A sandwiches the protrusion 107 </ b> B and the adhesive layer 105 of the elastic layer 107 with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104, and the protrusion 107 </ b> B and the adhesive layer 105 with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104. It is designed to compress and hold down. As described above, the first inner diameter portion 109 </ b> A and the second inner diameter portion 109 </ b> B function as a pressing portion that presses the protrusion 107 </ b> B and the adhesive layer 105 between the shaft 104.

  Here, it has been described that the second inner diameter portion 109B sandwiches the adhesive layer 105 with the protrusion 107B slightly wound between the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shaft of the cap member 108 At the time of mounting to 104, the protrusion 107 </ b> B that has been accordionally peeled off from the adhesive layer 105 may be sandwiched between the second inner diameter portion 109 </ b> B and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 104.

  In any case, the elastic sheet 106 is temporarily bonded to the shaft 104 by the adhesive layer 105, and then the end of the shaft 104 is inserted into the insertion hole 108D of the holding portion 108B, and the cap member 108 is attached to the shaft 104. Thus, the adhesive layer 105 is pushed away by the edge around the insertion hole 108D of the holding portion 108B, and the adhesive layer 105 is bonded to the inner peripheral surface of the second inner diameter portion 109B. Thereby, both ends of the elastic sheet 106 are configured to be more difficult to peel off from the shaft 104.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, and 8, the cap member 108 is viewed from the axial direction of the shaft 104 in order to ensure followability between the charging roll 14 and the spiral cleaning member 102. Further, the outer shape is circular, and the outer peripheral surface thereof is configured to come into contact with both end portions of the charging roll 14, specifically, the outer peripheral surface outside the printing (function) region.

  In other words, not only the spirally wound elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), but also the cap member 108 contacts the charging roll 14 so as to be driven and rotated (see FIG. 8). ) And the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) (radius R2 / 2 is shown in FIG. 9).

  Note that the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) referred to here is a cross-sectional view in an unloaded state as seen from the axial direction of the shaft 104, as shown in FIG. This is twice the length (radius) from the center of rotation 104 to the ridgeline portion 107D of the elastic layer 107 in the elastic sheet 106.

  Here, when the outer diameter R1 of the cap member 108 is larger than the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) is attached to the charging roll 14. In some cases, the charging roll 14 cannot be cleaned. That is, in this case, since the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) cannot perform the original cleaning function, a cleaning failure may occur in the charging roll 14.

  When the outer diameter R1 of the cap member 108 is smaller than the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), the cap member 108 may not be able to contact the charging roll 14, and charging In some cases, sufficient followability to the roll 14 cannot be ensured.

  Therefore, the outer diameter R1 of the cap member 108 and the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic body sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) are made the same, whereby the followability of the helical cleaning member 102 with respect to the charging roll 14 is increased. , Is getting more secure.

  Further, as described above, the contact position in the axial direction between the cap member 108 and the charging roll 14 is outside the printing (image forming) region. If the contact position is within the print area, there is a concern that cleaning failure may occur in the contact area of the charging roll 14 with the cap member 108 during long-term use. When the contact position is outside the printing area, it is not necessary to provide the cap member 108 with a function of cleaning the charging roll 14, so that it is possible to select a material specialized for ensuring the followability of the cap member 108.

  The material of the cap member 108 is not particularly limited, but is preferably made of a so-called plastic such as ABS or POM from the viewpoint of shape processing and cost. The material of the outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral portion) of the cap member 108 is more preferably the same as that of the charging roll 14. As a result, the followability to the charging roll 14 is further ensured. Moreover, in order to obtain a desired dynamic friction coefficient, a viscous tape or the like may be pasted on the plastic molded body.

  Furthermore, it is more desirable that the outer peripheral portion of the cap member 108 is made of an elastic body. For example, an elastic body may be laminated on the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the cap member 108. The cap member 108 may have a single layer structure made of an elastic material. For example, the cap member 108 may be composed of only an elastic body such as solid rubber.

  The dynamic friction coefficient of at least the outer peripheral portion of the cap member 108 (in the case of an elastic body, the elastic body) is preferably 1.0 to 1.5, and the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic sheet 106 in the spiral cleaning member 102 is desirable. Is preferably 0.1 to 1.0.

  If the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic body in the cap member 108 is less than 1.0, the frictional resistance is too low, so that sufficient followability cannot be secured, causing a cleaning failure of the charging roll 14, resulting in vertical stripes in image quality. May occur.

  When the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic body in the cap member 108 exceeds 1.5, the frictional resistance is too large, so that it becomes a sliding resistance against the rotation of the charging roll 14 and the photoconductor 12, and the rotation of both is obstructed. As a result, a discharge mark may be formed on the charging roll 14, and the discharge mark may be generated as a color line on the image quality.

  In addition, when the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic sheet 106 in the spiral cleaning member 102 is less than 0.1, sufficient cleaning performance cannot be obtained, and as a result, vertical stripes may be generated in the image quality.

  In addition, if the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic sheet 106 in the spiral cleaning member 102 exceeds 1.0, the charging roll 14 is damaged, causing a charging failure at the damaged portion, and color points or minute color lines on the image quality. May occur.

  Such image defects include surface contamination (mainly toner external additives) of the charging roll 14 and the spiral cleaning member 102 (elastic body sheet 106), contamination of foreign matters (mainly paper dust), and discharge products. Since adhesion or the like occurs as a trigger, the risk of occurrence increases with longer use.

  Note that the dynamic friction coefficient can be measured by a desired method, for example, as shown in FIG. That is, the cap member 108 is attached to the tips 92 of a pair of measuring probes 90 of HEIDON Type HHS-2000 (manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd.) so that the axial direction is orthogonal to the axial direction of the charging roll 14. The dynamic friction coefficient can be obtained by measuring the friction with respect to the direction.

  In measuring the dynamic friction coefficient, the measurement probe 90 and the object to be measured are required. In this embodiment, the cap member 108 is fixed to the tip 92 of the measurement probe 90 and used. Examples of the fixing method include firmly fixing with a double-sided tape or the like, or changing the shape of the tip 92 of the measurement probe 90 to a shape that can hold the cap member 108.

  Note that the dynamic friction coefficient of the cap member 108 is measured not by using the cap member 108 itself but by attaching a material constituting the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the cap member 108 (for example, the same kind of elastic body or adhesive sheet as the charging roll 14). You may measure using ABS resin etc.). Although not shown, the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) in the spiral cleaning member 102 is also measured in the same manner.

  For example, the measurement parameters are set such that the reciprocating speed of the charging roll 14 in the axial direction is 40 mm / sec, the number of reciprocations is 30 times, the moving distance is 50 mm in each of the forward path and the return path, and the pressing load is 0.49 N. Of the frictional force data obtained in this way, the dynamic friction coefficient is obtained from the average value of the frictional force excluding data of 10 mm from the folding position and the normal force in the pressing direction obtained from the pressing load.

  In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cleaning device 100 includes a pair of bearing members 110 that rotatably support the cap members 108 on the side opposite to the contact portion with the charging roll 14. ing.

  Specifically, each of the bearing members 110 has a shape in which the inner side in the axial direction of the shaft 104 is opened and the outer side in the axial direction is closed by the side wall 110A. Each cap member 108 rotates integrally with the shaft 104 along the circumferential direction of the inner wall 110B while sliding on the inner wall 110B of the bearing member 110.

  The pair of bearing members 110 are fixed to fixing portions 114 formed on the side plates 112 on both sides. Note that the charging roller 14 according to the present embodiment is rotatably supported at both ends in the axial direction by a support member (not shown), and the photosensitive member 12 is rotatably supported at the both ends in the axial direction by the side plate 112. .

  Next, the charging roll 14 will be described in detail. The charging roll 14 is formed by sequentially forming a conductive elastic layer and a surface layer as a charging layer on a conductive shaft 14A. The diameter of the charging roll 14 is φ8 mm to φ15 mm, more preferably φ9 mm to φ14 mm, and the thickness of the charging layer is preferably 1.5 mm to 4 mm.

  If the diameter of the charging roll 14 exceeds 15 mm, the number of contact with the external additive per location on the outer peripheral surface is reduced, and the number of discharges is reduced. It is disadvantageous from the viewpoint.

  If the diameter of the charging roll 14 is less than 8 mm, the image forming apparatus 10 can be downsized, which is advantageous. However, the number of times of contact with the external additive per location on the outer peripheral surface is increased, and the number of discharges is increased. Disadvantageous for long-term stability. The charging roll 14 is not limited to the following configuration as long as it has a desired charging performance.

  As the material of the shaft 14A, free-cutting steel, stainless steel, or the like is used, and the material and the surface treatment method are appropriately selected according to applications such as slidability. In the case of a material that does not have conductivity, the material may be processed by a general process such as a plating process to be conducted.

  The conductive elastic layer constituting the charging layer of the charging roll 14 may be, for example, an elastic material such as elastic rubber, a conductive material such as carbon black or ionic conductive material that adjusts the resistance of the conductive elastic layer, or the like. Materials that can be added to ordinary rubber, such as softeners, plasticizers, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization accelerators, anti-aging agents, and fillers such as silica and calcium carbonate, may be added.

  The conductive elastic layer is formed by coating the outer peripheral surface of the conductive shaft 14A with a mixture in which a material added to normal rubber is added. In addition, as the conductive agent for the purpose of adjusting the resistance value, a material in which a material that conducts electricity using electrons and / or ions as charge carriers, such as carbon black and ionic conductive agent blended in the matrix material, is used. It is possible. 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. Rubber materials include isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, butyl rubber, urethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide. -Allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, natural rubber and the like, and blended rubbers thereof.

  Among these, 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 are desirably used. 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 the electronic conductive agent, it is preferably in the range of 1 to 60 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material. Is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material.

  The surface layer constituting the charging layer is formed for the purpose of preventing contamination by foreign matters such as toner, and the surface layer material may be any of resin, rubber, etc. It is not limited.

  For example, polyester, polyimide, copolymer nylon, silicone resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl butyral, ethylenetetrafluoroethylene copolymer, melamine resin, fluororubber, epoxy resin, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride , Polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and the like.

  Of these, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyester, polyimide, and copolymer nylon are preferably used from the viewpoint of external additive contamination. 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. When the polymerized unit is 10% or more, the composition is excellent in liquid preparation and film-forming properties during coating of the surface layer, and in particular, there is little abrasion of the resin layer and adhesion of foreign matter to the resin layer during repeated use, and the charging roll 14 Durability is excellent, and changes in properties due to the environment are reduced.

  In addition, the said polymeric material may be used independently, and 2 or more types may be mixed and used for it. 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. The surface layer can 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 the purpose of adjusting the resistance value, carbon black or conductive metal oxide particles blended in a matrix material, or a material that conducts electrons and / or ions as charge carriers, such as an ionic conductive agent. It is possible to use a material in which is dispersed.

  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.

  The carbon black has a pH of 4.0 or less, and has a good dispersibility in the resin composition due to the effect of oxygen-containing functional groups present on the surface, compared to general carbon black. By blending, it is possible to improve the charging uniformity as compared with those not blended, and to further reduce the variation of the resistance value.

  The conductive metal oxide particles, which are conductive particles for adjusting the resistance value, are conductive particles such as tin oxide, tin oxide doped with antimony, zinc oxide, anatase titanium oxide, and ITO. Any conductive agent that uses electrons as charge carriers can be used and is not particularly limited. These can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

  In addition, any particle size may be used as long as the present invention is not inhibited, but from the viewpoint of resistance value adjustment and strength, it is preferably tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, anatase-type titanium oxide, Tin oxide and antimony-doped tin oxide are desirable. By performing resistance control with such a conductive material, the resistance value of the surface layer does not change depending on environmental conditions, and stable characteristics can be obtained.

  Further, a fluorine-based or silicone-based resin is used for the surface layer. In particular, the surface layer is preferably composed of a fluorine-modified acrylate polymer. Further, fine particles may be added to the surface layer. As a result, the surface layer becomes hydrophobic and acts to prevent adhesion of foreign matter to the charging roll 14.

  Further, insulating particles such as alumina and silica are added to give irregularities to the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the charging roll 14, thereby reducing the burden at the time of rubbing against the photoreceptor 12. It is also possible to improve the mutual wear resistance between the toner and the photoconductor 12.

  The developer used in the image forming apparatus 10 desirably contains spherical silica as an external additive. The reason for this is that silica has a refractive index of around 1.5, and even when the particle size is increased, the transparency decreases due to light scattering, especially for the PE value (index of light transmission) at the time of image preparation on the OHP surface. It has no effect.

  On the other hand, general fumed silica has a specific gravity of 2.2, and the maximum particle size of 50 nm may be a limit in production. Further, although it is possible to increase the particle size as an aggregate, uniform dispersion may be difficult, and the sealing effect may not be exhibited stably.

  Silica suitable as an external additive material contained for improving the cleaning property, particularly spherical monodispersed silica having a specific gravity of 1.3 to 1.9 can be obtained by a sol-gel method which is a wet method. Since the sol-gel method is a wet method and is a method of manufacturing without firing, the specific gravity can be controlled to be lower than other methods such as a vapor phase oxidation method.

  Further, it is possible to further adjust the specific gravity by controlling the type of hydrophobic treatment agent or the treatment amount in the hydrophobization treatment step. The particle diameter of the silica can be freely controlled by the hydrolysis of the sol-gel method, the mass ratio of alkoxysilane, ammonia, alcohol, water in the condensation polymerization step, the reaction temperature, the stirring rate, and the supply rate. Monodispersed and spherical silica can be formed by the sol-gel method.

  A specific method for producing silica is as follows. First, a silane compound such as tetramethoxysilane is dropped into a mixed solution of water and alcohol with stirring using ammonia water as a catalyst while stirring. Next, the produced silica sol suspension is centrifuged to separate it into wet silica gel, alcohol and aqueous ammonia.

  Then, a solvent is added to the wet silica gel to form a silica sol again, and a hydrophobizing agent is added to hydrophobize the silica surface. As the hydrophobization treatment, a general silane compound can be used. Next, the target silica is obtained by removing the solvent from the hydrophobized silica sol, drying, and sieve. Further, the silica thus obtained may be treated again by the sol-gel method.

  Further, as the developer toner used in the image forming apparatus 10, it is desirable to use a polymerized toner produced by a polymerization method. Due to the irregular shape of the toner, the fluidity may not be sufficient even with the addition of a fluidity aid, and due to the movement of fine particles on the toner surface to the toner recesses due to mechanical shearing force during use, The developability, transferability, and cleaning properties are deteriorated due to the decrease in fluidity and the embedding of the fluidity aid in the toner.

  Further, when the toner collected by cleaning is returned to the developing device 24 and used again, the image quality is more likely to deteriorate. If the flow aid is further increased in order to prevent these, contamination, filming, scratches, etc. on the photoreceptor 12 will occur. For this reason, as a means for intentionally enabling control of the toner shape and the surface structure, a toner production method by an emulsion polymerization aggregation method has been proposed.

  In general, a dispersion of resin fine particles is prepared by a polymerization method such as emulsion polymerization, and on the other hand, a colorant particle dispersion in which a colorant is dispersed in a solvent is prepared, and after mixing these, heating and / or pH By controlling, adding a flocculant, and the like, the resin fine particles and the colorant are agglomerated until a desired particle size is obtained, and then the aggregated particles are stabilized at a desired particle size. A toner is produced by heating and fusing to a temperature.

  The developer used in the image forming apparatus 10 preferably contains polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as an external additive, and the blending amount is 0.1 wt% to 1.0 wt%. Particularly desirable. PTFE can suppress the wear of the photoconductor 12 and is useful for extending the life of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The toner particles obtained by the emulsion polymerization agglomeration method have extremely superior characteristics (particularly the particle size distribution is smaller than those obtained by other polymerization methods typified by the conventional suspension polymerization method). If it is used as a toner, it is possible to obtain high quality image quality over a long period of time.

  In addition, the toner production method by the emulsion polymerization aggregation method is such that the aggregated particles are heated and fused to the glass transition point (Tg) or more of the resin fine particles, so that the shape can be changed from an irregular shape by controlling the heating method and pH. Since it is possible to produce toners having various shapes up to spherical particles, the electrophotographic system to be used can select the shape from a so-called potato shape to a spherical shape.

  Next, the operation of the cleaning device 100 configured as described above will be described. Foreign substances such as developer remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 12 without being transferred to the recording paper P are removed from the photoconductor 12 by the cleaning blade 26.

  Here, foreign substances such as an external additive having a relatively small particle diameter among the components of the developer pass through the cleaning blade 26. Foreign substances such as external additives that have passed through the cleaning blade 26 adhere to the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14.

  A foreign matter such as an external additive attached to the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14 is detected by the ridge 107D of the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) of the spiral cleaning member 102 that rotates following the charging roll 14 at the outer periphery of the charging roll 14. It is removed by contacting the surface. That is, the ridgeline portion 107D scrapes off the foreign matter adhering to the outer peripheral surface while wiping the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14 rotating in the arrow J direction (see FIG. 10).

  Here, in the spiral cleaning member 102 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the protrusion 107 </ b> B of the elastic layer 107 in the elastic sheet 106 is pressed by the cap member 108. Therefore, in the elastic layer 107 of the elastic sheet 106, the end portion 107A where the protruding portion 107B is connected is prevented from peeling off from the shaft 104.

  Further, with such a configuration, the end portion 107A of the elastic layer 107 is not covered with the cap member 108 and is not elastically deformed. Accordingly, a ridge line portion 107C in the circumferential direction and a ridge line portion 107D in the direction intersecting with the circumferential direction are secured at the end portion 107A. Therefore, the cleaning performance with respect to both axial ends of the charging roll 14 is improved.

  This also keeps the height of the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) constant from one axial end to the other end of the shaft 104. The outer diameter R1 of each cap member 108 is the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107), that is, the ridge line portion of the elastic layer 107 from the center of the shaft 104 as shown in FIG. It is the same as twice the length (radius) up to 107D.

  Accordingly, the helical cleaning member 102 is stably driven and rotated with respect to the charging roll 14. In other words, not only the elastic sheet 106 but also the cap member 108 having the same height as the elastic sheet 106 (with the same outer diameter R1 as the outer diameter R2) is in contact with the charging roll 14, so The cleaning member 102 is stably rotated by the charging roll 14. Therefore, the cleaning property of the charging roll 14 is improved.

  Furthermore, the contact position of each cap member 108 with respect to the charging roll 14 is outside both ends of the charging roll 14, specifically, the printing area. Therefore, even if the cap member 108 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the charging roll 14 and driven to rotate, it is possible to prevent the cleaning failure of the charging roll 14 from occurring. Therefore, it is possible to maintain the cleaning property of the charging roll 14 over a long period of time, and it is possible to obtain the image forming apparatus 10 in which image quality defects are less likely to occur.

  Hereinafter, specific examples and comparative examples of the spiral cleaning member 102 and specific examples of the charging roll 14 will be described. The spiral cleaning member 102 according to the present embodiment is not limited to these examples.

<Example 1>
[Spiral cleaning member]
A urethane material (EP70) having a three-dimensional network structure obtained by mixing polyether and isocyanate and heat-curing the obtained urethane resin was sliced into a sheet having a thickness of 2.35 mm. The entire length excluding the protrusion 107B shown in Fig. 2 was cut into strips having a length of 232 mm (the minimum length) and a width of 6 mm. At this time, the length of the protrusion 107B is 6 mm.

  To this strip sheet, a double-sided tape (Nitto Denko No. 5605) made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin having a thickness of 0.05 mm and a width of 6 mm is attached to only one side of the strip sheet, and an elastic body Sheet 106 was obtained. Then, one end of the elastic sheet 106 in the longitudinal direction was attached to a predetermined position of a φ4 mm shaft 104 obtained by electroless nickel plating on free-cutting steel.

  Next, the elastic sheet 106 is spirally wound so that the angle with respect to the axial direction (helical angle θ shown in FIG. 4) is 26 ° while rotating the shaft 104 in a state in which no slack occurs in the longitudinal direction. The member 102 was produced. The outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) at this time was 6 mm.

  Next, a cap base (made by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.78 mm, an inner diameter of 5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was prepared, and a 0.06 mm thick adhesive sheet (SPV-P- manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation) was formed on the outer peripheral surface. 366) was attached via a double-sided tape (thickness 0.05 mm, Nitto Denko Corporation No. 5605) to obtain a cap member 108.

  An appropriate amount of adhesive (Cyanone-722 manufactured by High Pressure Gas Co., Ltd.) is applied to the inner surface of the cap member 108 obtained as described above, so that the protrusion 107B in the elastic layer 107 of the spiral cleaning member 102 fits in the cap member 108. Built into both ends. Thus, the spiral cleaning member 102 having the cap member 108 was obtained. Note that the cap member 108 is covered within a range that is outside the print region during the print test.

[Charging roll]
3 parts by mass of ionic conductive agent PEL-100 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) is added to 100 parts by mass of epichlorohydrin rubber and sufficiently kneaded. Then, this is extruded and then SUM-Ni shaft (φ6 mm, L = 240 mm (sulfur) (Free-cutting steel with nickel plating) is inserted, molded and vulcanized with a press molding machine, then processed to the desired outer diameter by polishing, outer diameter of both ends φ8.95mm, center A rubber roll was manufactured by processing so that the outer diameter was 9.00 mm.

  Next, the end of the rubber roll was cut and the length of the rubber roll was 220 mm. Thereafter, 100 parts by mass of a copolymer resin of tetrafluoroethylene and vinyl ether (Zeffle GK-500 manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) and an isocyanate crosslinking agent (Coronate HL manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd.) 2 are formed on the outer peripheral surface (surface) of the rubber roll. Coating was performed with a film thickness of 5 μm by a coating method of immersing in a dispersion for a surface layer containing parts by mass, and a charging roll 14 was obtained.

[Dynamic friction coefficient measurement]
As shown in FIG. 11, the shape of the measurement probe 90 of HEIDON Type HHS-2000 (manufactured by Shinto Kagaku Co., Ltd.) was improved so that the cap member 108 produced as described above could be held. Then, the cap member 108 was attached to the measurement probe 90, and the rubbing measurement was performed in the axial direction of the charging roll 14.

  At this time, the reciprocating speed was 40 mm / sec, the number of reciprocations was 30 times, the moving distance was 50 mm in each of the forward path and the return path, and the pressing load was 0.49 N. Among the obtained data, the dynamic friction coefficient was obtained from the average value of the resistance force excluding the data of 10 mm from the folding position and the pressing load. The results are shown in Table 1. The same measurement was performed on the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) in the spiral cleaning member 102. The measurement was performed by attaching only the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) to the tip 92 of the self-made measurement probe 90. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Print test]
Dedicated constant displacement (made of conductive POM) in which the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 created as described above are fixed at a biting amount of the spiral cleaning member 102 with respect to the charging roll 14 of 0.3 mm. The bearing member 110 and the C3110cn process cartridge 18 manufactured by DELL were assembled.

  Also, the toner weight of the CELL 3110cn toner cartridge is measured, PTFE (Daikin Kogyo Lubron L2) is added so as to be 0.8% by weight, and the process cartridge 18 and the toner cartridge are attached to the DELL C3110cn. A continuous printing test was conducted. This printing test was carried out so that each halftone of 30% density was sent one by one as a job instruction, and the rotation operation was intermittent. The detection method of each failure mode is as follows.

End peeling of the elastic layer 107 of the spiral cleaning member 102: visually observed Poor cleaning of the spiral cleaning member 102: presence or absence of vertical halftone stripes on the entire surface Failure of driven rotation of the spiral cleaning member 102: by a tachometer (non-contact method) Inhibition of rotation of charging roll 14: Presence / absence of color stripes (discharge marks) in the direction of periodic axis of charging roll 14 Scratches of charging roll 14: Presence / absence of color points and color lines

The above items relating to the charging roll 14 and the helical cleaning member 102 were recorded every 10,000 rotations of the photoreceptor 12. This printing test was completed when the photosensitive member 12 was rotated up to 500,000 revolutions, and the result was judged. Judgment is
A: All of the above failures have not occurred until the photoconductor 12 is rotated to 500,000 rotations O: At least one of the above failures has not occurred until the photoconductor 12 has been rotated to 300,000 times x: At least one of the above respective failures has occurred Photoreceptor 12 was generated by 100,000 revolutions, and a value of ◯ or more was regarded as acceptable. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 2>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, a cap base (manufactured by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.0 mm, an inner diameter of 4.5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was produced. Then, the surface of the charging roll 14 described in Example 1 is cut out and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cap base as a rubber sheet having a thickness of 0.45 mm via a double-sided tape (thickness 0.05 mm, Nitto Denko Corporation No. 5605). The cap member 108 was attached.

  The cap member 108 obtained as described above was assembled to both ends of the shaft 104 of the spiral cleaning member 102 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the spiral cleaning member 102 having the cap member 108 was obtained. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 3>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, 3 parts by mass of an ionic conductive agent PEL-100 (manufactured by Nippon Carlit Co., Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by mass of epichlorohydrin rubber, and then kneaded sufficiently, followed by extrusion molding, and then a SUM-Ni shaft with φ4 mm and L = 100 mm. (Sulfur free-cutting steel with nickel plating) is inserted, molded and vulcanized with a press molding machine, then processed to the desired outer diameter by polishing, and processed to an outer diameter of 6 mm Thus, a rubber roll was produced.

  Next, 100 parts by mass of a copolymer resin of tetrafluoroethylene and vinyl ether (Zeffle GK-500 manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.) and 2 parts by mass of an isocyanate crosslinking agent (Coronate HL manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Co., Ltd.) are included on the surface of the rubber roll. Coating was carried out with a film thickness of 5 μm by a coating method of immersing in the surface layer dispersion. Thereafter, the shaft was pulled out and cut to have an axial length of 5.5 mm to produce a cap member 108 having an outer diameter of 6 mm, an inner diameter of 4 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm.

  The cap member 108 obtained as described above was assembled to both ends of the shaft 104 of the spiral cleaning member 102 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the spiral cleaning member 102 having the cap member 108 was obtained. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 4>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, a cap base (manufactured by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.0 mm, an inner diameter of 4.5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was produced. And the charging roll 14 was similarly produced except having added 5 weight part of phenol resins (PL2211 by Gunei Chemical Co., Ltd.) in the coating liquid of the charging roll 14 described in Example 1. The surface of the charging roll 14 was cut out and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cap base as a 0.45 mm-thick rubber sheet via a double-sided tape (thickness 0.05 mm, Nitto Denko Corporation No. 5605) to obtain a cap member 108. .

  The cap member 108 obtained as described above was assembled to both ends of the shaft 104 of the spiral cleaning member 102 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the spiral cleaning member 102 having the cap member 108 was obtained. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 5>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, a cap base (manufactured by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.0 mm, an inner diameter of 4.5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was produced. And the charging roll 14 was produced similarly except having added 5 weight part of acrylic fluoropolymers (Nippon Yushi Co., Ltd. Modiper F600) in the coating liquid of the charging roll 14 described in Example 1. The surface of the charging roll 14 was cut out and attached to the outer peripheral surface of the cap base as a 0.45 mm-thick rubber sheet via a double-sided tape (thickness 0.05 mm, Nitto Denko Corporation No. 5605) to obtain a cap member 108. .

  The cap member 108 obtained as described above was assembled to both ends of the shaft 104 of the spiral cleaning member 102 similar to that of the first embodiment, and the spiral cleaning member 102 having the cap member 108 was obtained. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 6>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, a strip was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a urethane material (RSM55, manufactured by INOAC) having a three-dimensional network structure in which polyester and isocyanate were mixed and the obtained urethane resin was heat-cured was used. A sheet was produced. To this strip sheet, a double-sided tape made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin having a thickness of 0.05 mm and a width of 6 mm (No. 5605, manufactured by Nitto Denko Co., Ltd.) is attached to only one side of the strip sheet. A body sheet 106 was obtained.

  The elastic sheet 106 obtained as described above was wound around the shaft 104 in the same manner as in Example 1 to form a spiral cleaning member 102, and a cap member 108 similar to that in Example 1 was assembled. At this time, the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) was 6 mm. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Example 7>
The spiral cleaning member 102 was produced as follows. First, the surface of the elastic layer 107 described in Example 1 was melt processed using a heated nichrome wire to obtain a strip sheet. To this strip sheet, a double-sided tape made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin having a thickness of 0.05 mm and a width of 6 mm (No. 5605, manufactured by Nitto Denko Co., Ltd.) is attached to only one side of the strip sheet. A body sheet 106 was obtained.

  The elastic sheet 106 obtained as described above was wound around the shaft 104 in the same manner as in Example 1 to form a spiral cleaning member 102, and a cap member 108 similar to that in Example 1 was assembled. At this time, the outer diameter R2 of the shaft 104 including the elastic sheet 106 (elastic layer 107) was 6 mm. Using the spiral cleaning member 102 and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Comparative Example 1>
A spiral cleaning member according to a comparative example was produced as follows. A cap member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a cap base (made by POM) having an outer diameter of 6.3 mm, an inner diameter of 5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was used. The cap member obtained as described above was assembled to the same shaft as in Example 1 to obtain a spiral cleaning member. Using this spiral cleaning member and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Comparative example 2>
A spiral cleaning member according to a comparative example was produced as follows. A cap member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a cap base (made by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.5 mm, an inner diameter of 5 mm, and an axial length of 5.5 mm was used. The cap member obtained as described above was assembled to the same shaft as in Example 1 to obtain a spiral cleaning member. Using this spiral cleaning member and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Comparative Example 3>
A spiral cleaning member according to a comparative example was produced as follows. An elastic sheet was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the protrusion 107B shown in FIG. 5 was not provided. This elastic sheet was wound around a shaft in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare a spiral cleaning member. Next, a cap member was attached in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a spiral cleaning member. Note that both ends of the elastic sheet are free ends that are not pressed by the cap member. Using this spiral cleaning member and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

<Comparative example 4>
A spiral cleaning member according to a comparative example was produced as follows. A cap member was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a cap base (made by POM) having an outer diameter of 5.78 mm, an inner diameter of 5 mm, and an axial length of 12 mm was used. At this time, the cap member covers up to a position in the printing area during the printing test of the first embodiment. The cap member obtained as described above was assembled to the shaft in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a spiral cleaning member. Using this spiral cleaning member and the charging roll 14 similar to that in Example 1, the dynamic friction coefficient measurement and the printing test similar to those in Example 1 were performed. The results are shown in Table 1.

  As described above, the spiral cleaning member 102 according to the present embodiment has been described based on the drawings and the examples. However, the spiral cleaning member 102 according to the present embodiment is limited to the illustrated ones and the examples. Various modifications, changes, and improvements are possible.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the mode in which the spiral cleaning member 102 is always in contact with the charging roll 14 and driven to rotate is described. However, the spiral cleaning member 102 is charged only when the charging roll 14 is cleaned. You may make it the aspect rotated by making it contact with the roll 14 and being driven.

  In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge 18 including the photosensitive member 12, the charging device 50 (unit of the charging roll 14 and the cleaning device 100), the developing device 24, and the cleaning blade 26 is described. However, the process cartridge 18 includes a charging device 50, and other components selected from the photosensitive member 12, the exposure device 16, the transfer device 22, the developing device 24, and the cleaning blade 26 as necessary. Also good. Note that these devices and members may be arranged directly on the image forming apparatus 10 without being formed into a cartridge.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the aspect in which the charging roll 14 is employed as the member to be cleaned has been described. It is done. Then, the unit of the object to be cleaned and the cleaning device 100 arranged in contact therewith may be directly arranged in the image forming apparatus 10 or may be formed into a cartridge like the process cartridge 18 to form the image forming apparatus 10. You may arrange in. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration, and may be, for example, an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Photoconductor (an example of an image holding body / charged body)
14 Charging roll (an example of charged / cleaned object)
16 Exposure device 18 Process cartridge (an example of an assembly)
24 Developing Device 50 Charging Device 100 Cleaning Device 102 Spiral Cleaning Member (Example of Cleaning Body)
104 Shaft (Example of shaft)
105 Adhesive Layer 106 Elastic Sheet 107 Elastic Layer 107A End 107B Protrusion (Example of pressed part)
107C Ridge part 107D Ridge part 108 Cap member (an example of a pressing member)

Claims (6)

A shaft having a circular outer shape;
An elastic layer that is wound and fixed in a spiral form from one end side to the other end side of the shaft, and that cleans the cleaning target while rotating in contact with the rotating cleaning target;
Provided at one end and the other end of the shaft portion so as to hold the pressed portion formed integrally with the one end portion and the other end portion of the elastic layer between the shaft portion and integrally with the shaft portion. A holding member that rotates,
Have
The holding member is
It is formed in a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction of the shaft portion, and has an outer diameter equal to the outer diameter of the shaft portion including the elastic layer wound around the shaft portion,
A cleaning body that rotates in contact with the outside of the functional area at both ends of the body to be cleaned.   The cleaning body according to claim 1, wherein an outer peripheral portion of the pressing member is an elastic body formed of the same material as the body to be cleaned. The cleaning body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning body is cleaned while contacting and rotating following the rotating body to be cleaned.
A support member that rotatably supports the pressing member;
A cleaning device comprising: A cleaning device according to claim 3;
A charged body as the object to be cleaned that rotates;
A charging device comprising: A cleaning device according to claim 3;
A charged body,
A charged body as the body to be cleaned that charges and rotates the body to be charged; and
Is assembled to the apparatus main body so as to be detachable integrally. A cleaning device according to claim 3;
An image carrier capable of holding an image;
A charged body as the cleaning object that charges and rotates the image carrier;
An exposure device that exposes the image carrier charged by the charged body to form an electrostatic latent image;
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier by the exposure device;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images