JP2012158635A - Lubricant, image forming apparatus using the same, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant which can stably output an image over a long period without causing any image blur even in a high-temperature high-humidity environment in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes the lubricant applying means applying the lubricant to the surface of an image carrier. The lubricant includes: at least a lubricating substance; and at least one selected from amine compounds represented by general formula (1). In the formula: each of R-R, Rand Ris, for example, an alkyl group or Y represented by the following formula; and Ris an alkylene group.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant, an image forming apparatus using the same, and a process cartridge, and more specifically, is equipped with a lubricant application mechanism for applying a lubricant to the surface of a latent image carrier, and has excellent durability and high quality. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof) using an electrophotographic method capable of outputting an image stably over a long period of time and a process cartridge for the image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process, image formation is performed by subjecting a photoreceptor used as a latent image carrier to a charging step, an exposure step, a development step, and a transfer step. At this time, the photosensitive member may contain discharge products generated in the charging step and untransferred residual toner that has not been transferred. For this reason, the photoconductor is subjected to a cleaning process after the transfer process to remove a residue made up of discharge products and residual toner.

  As a cleaning method used in the cleaning process, a method using a rubber blade that is inexpensive, has a simple mechanism, and has excellent cleaning properties is generally well known. However, since the rubber blade is pressed against the photoconductor to remove the residue on the surface of the photoconductor, stress due to friction between the photoconductor surface and the cleaning blade is large. Wear, shortening the life of rubber blades and organophotoreceptors.

  In recent years, toners used for image formation in response to the demand for higher image quality have been increasing in size. In an image forming apparatus using a toner having a small particle size, the proportion of untransferred residual toner slips through the cleaning blade increases. In particular, the dimensional accuracy and assembly accuracy of the cleaning blade are insufficient, or the cleaning blade is partially In the case of shaking, the toner slipped out and prevented high-quality image formation. Therefore, in order to extend the life of the organic photoreceptor and maintain high image quality over a long period of time, it is necessary to reduce the deterioration of the member due to friction and improve the cleaning property.

As a general method for reducing friction, there is a method in which a lubricant is supplied to the surface of the organic photoreceptor, and the supplied lubricant is uniformly applied with a cleaning blade, a brush, or the like to form a lubricant film. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
When using a lubricant, if the amount of lubricant applied is too small, sufficient effects cannot be exerted on the abrasion, scratches and blade deterioration of the organic photoconductor. The amount of lubricant applied is specified because problems such as image build-up on the body, image flow, and excessive lubricant mixed in the developer may cause the developer performance to deteriorate. It was necessary to keep.

On the other hand, as a method for improving the cleaning property, a method of externally adding a lubricant to toner used as a developer and supplying the lubricant to a latent image carrier when developing with toner during image formation is adopted. Has been. There is a method in which the supply of the lubricant reduces the friction between the latent image carrier and the cleaning blade and ensures the cleaning performance of the residual toner (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
However, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the lubricant is externally added to the toner, the lubricant is applied to the latent image carrier only at the portion where the toner image is formed.
For this reason, for example, when a portion with or without an image such as a letter is clearly separated in one image, or a large amount of images with a large difference in image density is output In some cases, the lubricant is not supplied in the portion where the toner image is not formed, and the portion where the lubricant is applied on the latent image carrier may be biased. As a result, if the latent image carrier wears unevenly, or if the part where the lubricant is applied and the part where the lubricant is not applied are in contact with each other with a boundary, the cleaning blade is likely to vibrate at that boundary, There arises a problem that poor cleaning and harsh frictional noise are likely to occur.

  Also, if the image density is low, the amount of lubricant externally added to the toner used for the developer is reduced on the latent image carrier, so that the amount of lubricant applied is too small. It will not be able to exert sufficient effects on wear, scratches, and blade deterioration. If the image density is too high or if the concentration of the externally added lubricant is too high, the amount of lubricant externally added to the toner also increases on the latent image carrier, so that the lubricant is excessively applied and the latent Depending on the image forming conditions, excess lubricant is accumulated on the image carrier and blurring may occur due to image flow at the edge of the image area, or the lubricant may move to the charging roller and cause variations in the resistance of the charging roller. Since problems such as defects occur, it is necessary to keep the amount of lubricant applied at an optimum amount.

As a method using a toner added with a lubricant as disclosed in Patent Document 2, a solid image that can be developed with toner is formed on the entire surface of the latent image carrier before the start of image formation. A method has also been proposed in which a lubricant is supplied to the entire surface of the carrier (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
However, using the method disclosed in Patent Document 3, it is possible to supply the lubricant to the entire surface of the latent image carrier. However, since a large amount of developer is used, a large amount of waste toner is produced, resulting in an environmental load. It becomes very big. Further, the output of a solid image is not limited to before the start of image formation, and may be performed periodically over time to prevent uneven wear. As described above, conventionally, a large amount of waste toner is discharged in order to prevent uneven wear.

By the way, a lubricant such as metal soap also has a function of protecting the surface of the latent image carrier from discharge energy by the charging means by covering the surface of the latent image carrier. However, protecting the surface of the latent image carrier means that the lubricant absorbs the discharge energy, and the lubricant film deteriorates. In view of this, a method has been proposed in which the amount of lubricant applied is defined to achieve lubricant application as a protective film while suppressing side effects (see, for example, Patent Document 4).
However, if the deteriorated lubricant is present on the surface of the latent image carrier and left in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, significant image blur may occur particularly directly under the charger. In particular, it has been found that it easily occurs in a latent image carrier having a crosslinked surface layer having a structure in which a radical polymerizable compound is crosslinked. The reason for this is not clearly understood, but it is thought that the surface of the lubricant becomes low due to the combination of deteriorated lubricant, moisture in the air, and discharge products generated from the charger, and the electrostatic latent image flows. It is done. The reason why the radically polymerizable compound is remarkably generated in the crosslinked surface layer is thought to be that the deteriorated lubricant is difficult to remove from the surface and is difficult to replace with a new lubricant. In other words, even if the amount of lubricant applied is increased, the lubricant is applied further on the deteriorated lubricant adhering to the surface of the latent image carrier, so that the replacement of the deteriorated lubricant is not effective. Image blur is hardly improved. On the contrary, although it becomes easier to remove by reducing the coating amount of the lubricant, the wear on the surface of the latent image carrier is also increased.

  Here, as a means for preventing deterioration of the lubricant, a method in which an antioxidant such as hindered phenol or hindered amine is contained in the lubricant has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 5). According to this, although the effect of suppressing the secular deterioration of the lubricant is exhibited, it is not very effective for the image blur in a high temperature and high humidity environment. This is because the antioxidant easily reacts with the discharge energy, and the antioxidant itself deteriorates (oxidizes and decomposes), so that it easily binds to the discharge product and induces image blur. There is a possibility that. In addition, these antioxidants are gradually oxidized over time, and even when such antioxidants are applied to the surface of the photoreceptor, the effect of suppressing deterioration due to discharge can hardly be exhibited. it is conceivable that. Furthermore, in such a state, both the lubricant that has deteriorated due to the discharge and the antioxidant that has deteriorated with time may cause image blurring.

  As described above, when an image is repeatedly formed in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant application unit, a phenomenon that image blur occurs in a high temperature and high humidity environment has been desired, and improvement has been desired. In particular, when a highly durable latent image carrier having a cross-linked surface layer having a structure in which a radical polymerizable compound is cross-linked is used, it is more likely to occur and improvement has been demanded.

  An object of the present invention is to solve various problems in the prior art and achieve the following objects. That is, according to the present invention, in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant application unit, an image can be stably output for a long period of time with high durability and high quality, without causing image blurring in a high temperature and high humidity environment. It is an object to provide a lubricant, an image forming apparatus using the same, and a process cartridge for the image forming apparatus.

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基を表す。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、置換もしくは無置換の芳香族炭化水素環基を表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、互いに結合し、窒素原子を含む置換もしくは無置換の複素環基を形成してもよい。但し、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９のいずれか１つは置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。Ｘは酸素原子又は硫黄原子を表す。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）
〔２〕：前記〔１〕に記載の潤滑剤において、前記潤滑性物質が、少なくとも脂肪酸金属塩を含有することを特徴とする。
〔３〕：前記〔２〕に記載の潤滑剤において、前記脂肪酸金属塩が、ステアリン酸、パルミチン酸、ミリスチン酸及びオレイン酸の群から選ばれる少なくとも一種の脂肪酸と、亜鉛、アルミニウム、カルシウム、マグネシウム、鉄及びリチウムの群から選ばれる少なくとも一種の金属とから成ることを特徴とする。
〔４〕：前記〔１〕乃至〔３〕のいずれかに記載の潤滑剤において、前記一般式（１）〜（５）で表されるアミン化合物の含有量が、前記潤滑剤中０．１〜４０質量％であることを特徴とする。 As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the above-mentioned problems can be solved by the following invention, and have reached the present invention.
[1]: The lubricant of the present invention comprises a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and an electrostatic on the latent image carrier. A latent image forming unit for forming a latent image; a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer member A lubricant used in an image forming apparatus having a transfer means for applying a lubricant and a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, and at least a lubricating substance and the following general formulas (1) to (1): It contains at least one selected from amine compounds represented by (5).

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ At least one of ˜R ⁶ is Y. R ⁷ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, R ⁸ and R ⁹ are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be the same or different, and R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be bonded to each other to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, provided that R ⁸ and R ⁹ Any one of them is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ^{1 .R} 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y of to R ⁶ are the the same as in the general formula (1) .X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R ^.R 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)
[2]: The lubricant according to [1], wherein the lubricating substance contains at least a fatty acid metal salt.
[3]: The lubricant according to [2], wherein the fatty acid metal salt is at least one fatty acid selected from the group of stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, and oleic acid, and zinc, aluminum, calcium, and magnesium. And at least one metal selected from the group consisting of iron and lithium.
[4]: In the lubricant according to any one of [1] to [3], the content of the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (5) is 0.1 in the lubricant. It is characterized by being ˜40 mass%.

[5]: The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and a static image on the latent image carrier. A latent image forming unit for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing unit for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, and a toner image formed on the latent image carrier on the transfer member 5. The lubricant according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant applying unit includes a transfer unit for transferring and a lubricant applying unit for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier. And the lubricant is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier.
[6]: The image forming apparatus according to [5], wherein the lubricant mounted on the lubricant applying unit is in a solid state.
[7]: In the image forming apparatus according to [5] or [6], the latent image carrier has a photosensitive layer on at least a conductive support, and the surface layer of the latent image carrier is at least It is characterized by comprising a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed using a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure.
[8]: In the image forming apparatus according to [7], the cross-linked surface layer includes a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional or higher functional radical having no charge transporting structure. It is characterized by being cured and formed using a polymerizable monomer.
[9]: In the image forming apparatus according to [8], the polymerizable functional group of the tri- or higher functional polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure is an acryloyloxy group and / or a methacryloyloxy group. It is characterized by being.
[10]: In the image forming apparatus according to [8] or [9], the ratio of molecular weight to the number of polymerizable functional groups of the tri- or higher functional polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure (molecular weight / functional Base number) is 250 or less.
[11]: In the image forming apparatus according to any one of [8] to [10], the polymerizable functional group of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group. It is a group.
[12]: In the image forming apparatus according to any one of [8] to [11], the charge transport structure of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure has a triarylamine structure. It is characterized by.

［式（Ｉ）及び（II））中、Ｒ^１０は、水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアリール基、シアノ基、ニトロ基、アルコキシ基、−ＣＯＯＲ^１１（Ｒ^１１は水素原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基を示す。）、ハロゲン化カルボニル基もしくはＣＯＮＲ^１２Ｒ^１３（Ｒ^１２及びＲ^１３は水素原子、ハロゲン原子、置換基を有してもよいアルキル基、置換基を有してもよいアラルキル基又は置換基を有してもよいアリール基を示し、互いに同一であっても異なっていてもよい。）を表す。Ａｒ^１、Ａｒ^２は、置換基を有してもよいアリーレン基を表し、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ａｒ^３、Ａｒ^４は、置換基を有してもよいアリール基を表し、同一であっても異なってもよい。Ｘ^１０は、単結合、置換基を有してもよいアルキレン基、置換基を有してもよいシクロアルキレン基、置換基を有してもよいアルキレンエーテル基、酸素原子、硫黄原子、ビニレン基を表す。Ｚは、置換基を有してもよいアルキレン基、置換基を有してもよいアルキレンエーテル基又はアルキレンオキシカルボニル基を表す。ｍ及びｎは０〜３の整数を表す。］ [13]: In the image forming apparatus according to [12], at least one of the radical polymerizable compounds having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure is represented by the following general formula (I) or (II It is a compound represented by this.

[In the formulas (I) and (II)), R ¹⁰ has a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, -COOR ¹¹ (wherein R ¹¹ has a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group which may be substituted), a carbonyl halide group or CONR ¹² R ¹³ (R ¹² and R ^{13 each} have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group which may have an aralkyl group or a substituent, which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an arylene group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. X ¹⁰ represents a single bond, an alkylene group that may have a substituent, a cycloalkylene group that may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group that may have a substituent, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group. Represents. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ]

［式（III）中、Ｒａは水素原子又はメチル基を表す。Ｒｂ及びＲｃは水素原子以外の置換基で炭素数１〜６のアルキル基を表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。ｏ、ｐ及びｑは、それぞれ０又は１であり、ｓ及びｔは０〜３の整数を表す。Ｚａは、単結合、メチレン基、エチレン基、あるいは下記式（ａ）、（ｂ）又は（ｃ）で表される二価基を表す。］

[14]: In the image forming apparatus according to [12] or [13], at least one of the radical polymerizable compounds having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having the triarylamine structure is represented by the following general formula (III): It is a compound represented by this.

[In formula (III), Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. Rb and Rc are substituents other than a hydrogen atom and represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. o, p, and q are each 0 or 1, and s and t represent the integer of 0-3. Za represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, or a divalent group represented by the following formula (a), (b) or (c). ]

[15]: The image forming apparatus according to any one of [7] to [14], wherein the surface layer contains fine filler particles.
[16]: In the image forming apparatus according to [15], the filler fine particles are inorganic fillers.
[17]: The image forming apparatus according to [16], wherein the inorganic filler is a metal oxide.
[18]: In the image forming apparatus according to [17], the metal oxide contains at least one oxide selected from silicon oxide, titanium oxide, and aluminum oxide.
[19]: The image forming apparatus according to any one of [5] to [18], comprising the latent image carrier, a charging unit, a latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a lubricant applying unit. The forming apparatus is configured to form a color image by sequentially superimposing a plurality of color toner images.
[20]: The image forming apparatus according to [19] is a tandem image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming elements each having at least a latent image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit. To do.
[21]: In the image forming apparatus described in [19] or [20], the toner image formed on the latent image carrier is primarily transferred, and is supported on the intermediate transfer member. A transfer means for secondary transfer of the toner image to a recording medium, and sequentially superimposing a plurality of color toner images on the intermediate transfer member to form a color image, and the color image is collectively collected on the recording medium. It has the structure which carries out a secondary transfer.
[22]: A process cartridge according to the present invention includes at least one of a latent image carrier, a charging unit, and a developing unit, and the lubricant according to any one of [1] to [4] on the surface of the latent image carrier. The lubricant supply means to be applied is combined and supported integrally, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body according to any one of [5] to [21].

  By using the image forming apparatus in which the lubricant of the present invention is mounted on the lubricant applying means, the durability of the latent image carrier can be significantly improved without causing image blur even in a high temperature and high humidity environment. It is possible to output a stable and high-quality image over a long period of time. In addition, if the lubricant applying unit loaded with the lubricant of the present invention and at least one of the latent image carrier, the charging unit, and the developing unit are integrally supported to be a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body, While maintaining the above-mentioned various characteristics, it is possible to improve handling properties, such as facilitating storage, transportation, etc. and enabling short-time replacement.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a layer configuration example of a latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the layer structure of the latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the layer structure of the latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the layer structure of the latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is IR measurement data of the charge transport polyol (D3-2) mentioned as a synthesis example of the charge transport material having a hydroxyl group. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the lubricant supply means used for the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the full-color image forming apparatus which is another example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the tandem type color image forming apparatus which is another example of the image forming apparatus of this invention. It is a partial expansion schematic explanatory drawing of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the process cartridge of this invention.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated based on drawing. Note that it is easy for a person skilled in the art to make other embodiments by changing or correcting the present invention within the scope of the claims, and these changes and modifications are included in the scope of the claims. The following description is an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and does not limit the scope of the claims.

  The lubricant of the present invention forms a latent image carrier on the latent image carrier, a latent image carrier for carrying the electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and the latent image carrier. Latent image forming means, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body, A lubricant used in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, and at least a lubricant and the following general formulas (1) to (5) It contains at least one selected from the amine compounds represented.

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキレン基を表す。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、置換もしくは無置換の芳香族炭化水素環基を表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、互いに結合し、窒素原子を含む置換もしくは無置換の複素環基を形成してもよい。但し、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９のいずれか１つは置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。Ｘは酸素原子又は硫黄原子を表す。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^７、Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）

（式中、Ｒ^１、Ｒ^２、Ｒ^３、Ｒ^４、Ｒ^５及びＲ^６は、置換もしくは無置換のアルキル基、又は前記式Ｙを表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。但し、Ｒ^１〜Ｒ^６の少なくとも１つはＹである。Ｒ^８及びＲ^９は、前記一般式（１）と同様である。）

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ At least one of ˜R ⁶ is Y. R ⁷ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, R ⁸ and R ⁹ are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be the same or different, and R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be bonded to each other to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, provided that R ⁸ and R ⁹ Any one of them is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ^{1 .R} 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y of to R ⁶ are the the same as in the general formula (1) .X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R ^.R 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

The lubricant of the present invention is mounted on the lubricant applying means and applied to the surface of the latent image carrier. That is, in the lubricant supplying step, the lubricant is supplied onto the latent image carrier using a lubricant supply means (lubricant applying means) and applied, whereby the friction coefficient of the surface of the latent image carrier with respect to the cleaning blade is set. Reduced over a long period of time, while maintaining excellent durability (wear resistance, scratch resistance, etc.) while suppressing the occurrence of abnormal images such as voids, and especially the occurrence of image blurring in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. A quality image can be provided stably.
Furthermore, the lubricant of the present invention is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier, so that the toner releasability is improved, the spherical toner which is difficult to clean can be easily cleaned, and the cleaning blade and the latent image carrier are provided. Problems such as blade squeal and blade edge wear that are likely to occur during rubbing can be solved.

The lubricant is not necessarily solid, and can be applied to the surface of the latent image carrier in liquid, powder or semi-kneaded form, and is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies electrophotographic characteristics. It can be selected as appropriate according to the conditions.
Lubricating materials (lubricating substances) contained in the lubricant include, for example, fatty acid metal salts, natural waxes such as carnauba wax, fluorine-based resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene, melamine cyanurate, and boron nitride. Etc. can be used. However, a solid material is preferable in terms of supply stability and ease of handling.
Here, it is preferable to contain at least a fatty acid metal salt as a lubricating substance.

Among the fatty acid metal salts, in particular, at least one fatty acid selected from the group of stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and oleic acid, and at least one metal selected from the group of zinc, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron and lithium Since the fatty acid metal salt consisting of the above has a linear hydrocarbon structure, slipping between layers is likely to occur, and good lubricity is exhibited.
By combining such a linear fatty acid with the metal, good weather resistance can be imparted. These fatty acid metal salts are usually dissolved at a high temperature of 70 to 150 ° C., poured into an arbitrary mold, cooled, and solidified, whereby a solid lubricant can be obtained. Therefore, as in the present invention, in order to contain the amine compound in the aliphatic metal salt, the fatty acid metal salt and the amine compound are preliminarily mixed at a high temperature, dissolved or dispersed, and then cooled and solidified. By such an operation, a mixture of an amine compound and an aliphatic metal salt can be easily obtained. Thus, the fatty acid metal salt is preferably used as a lubricating material in the present invention because of its high lubricity, excellent weather resistance, and easy handling of a mixture with an amine compound.

Next, the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (5) contained in the lubricant will be described.
In the description of the general formula, specific examples of the alkyl group include methyl group, ethyl group, propyl group, butyl group, hexyl group, undecyl group, dodecyl group, tridecyl group, tetradecyl group, hexadecyl group, octadecyl group and icosyl group. Etc. Examples of the aromatic hydrocarbon ring group include 1 to 6-valent aromatic hydrocarbon groups of aromatic hydrocarbon rings such as benzene, naphthalene, anthracene and pyrene, and pyridine, quinoline, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxadiazole and Examples thereof include monovalent to hexavalent aromatic heterocyclic groups of aromatic heterocyclic rings such as carbazole. Examples of the alkylene group include a methylene group, an ethylene group, a trimethylene group, a propylene group, a tetramethylene group, a pentamethylene group, and a hexamethylene group.
Examples of the substituent of these groups include those exemplified in the specific examples of the alkyl group, alkoxy groups such as a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, a propoxy group and a butoxy group, a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom. A halogen atom, an aromatic ring group, etc. are mentioned.
Furthermore, specific examples of the heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom in which R ⁸ and R ⁹ are bonded to each other include a pyrrolidinyl group, a piperidinyl group, and a pyrrolinyl group. Examples of the heterocyclic group in which R ⁸ and R ⁹ jointly contain a nitrogen atom include aromatic heterocyclic groups such as N-methylcarbazole, N-ethylcarbazole, N-phenylcarbazole, indole, and quinoline. .
Preferred examples of the amine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (5) are given below. However, the present invention is not limited to these compounds.

  0.1-40 mass% is preferable and, as for content of the amine compound represented by the said General formula (1)-(5) contained in the said lubricant, 1-30 mass% is more preferable. When the content of the amine compound is less than 0.1% by mass, the effect of suppressing the decomposition of the fatty acid metal salt is small, and the occurrence of image blur may not be suppressed. On the other hand, if the amount is more than 40% by mass, the component of the lubricant is insufficient, and the surface of the latent image carrier is insufficiently lubricated, resulting in poor cleaning, and the loss of the image during transfer is likely to occur. May occur. Moreover, the mixed solid as a lubricant becomes brittle, and the consumption of the lubricant may increase.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier. A latent image forming means for forming; a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body. And a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, wherein the lubricant applying means carries the lubricant, and the lubricant is applied to the latent image carrier. It is characterized in that it is configured to be applied to the surface.
Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail.

[Latent image carrier]
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a known latent image carrier is used. (1) Optical characteristics such as light absorption wavelength range and absorption amount, (2) high sensitivity and stability. From the viewpoints of electrical characteristics such as charging characteristics, (3) wide range of material selection, (4) ease of manufacturing, (5) low cost, (6) non-toxicity, etc., an organic photoreceptor (OPC). In particular, the surface layer of the latent image bearing member is a crosslinked surface formed by curing and forming at least a radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure. A layer is preferably used because it has high durability and good electrical properties.

In the first embodiment, the latent image carrier is provided with a single-layer type photosensitive layer on a support, and further includes a protective layer, an intermediate layer, and other layers as necessary.
In the second embodiment, the latent image carrier is provided with a laminated photosensitive layer having at least a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer in this order on a support, and further includes a protective layer, an intermediate layer, if necessary. It has a layer and other layers. In the second embodiment, the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer may be laminated in reverse.
In the single-layer type photosensitive layer, the surface layer corresponds to a photosensitive layer or a protective layer formed on the photosensitive layer. In the laminated photosensitive layer, the surface layer corresponds to a charge transport layer or a protective layer formed on the charge transport layer.

The latent image carrier will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a layer structure of a latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention. The latent image carrier shown in FIG. 1 has a structure in which a photosensitive layer 102 is provided on a support 101.
2, 3 and 4 are schematic cross-sectional views showing other examples of the layer structure of the latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention. The latent image carrier shown in FIG. 2 is of the function separation type in which the photosensitive layer is composed of a charge generation layer (CGL) 103 and a charge transport layer (CTL) 104. The latent image carrier shown in FIG. 3 is a type in which an undercoat layer 105 is inserted between a support 101 and a charge generation layer (CGL) 103 and a function-separated type photosensitive layer is laminated on the undercoat layer 105. Is. The latent image carrier shown in FIG. 4 is a type in which a protective layer 106 is laminated on the charge transport layer 104 in the latent image carrier shown in FIG.
Note that the latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention may have any combination of the other layers and the photosensitive layer type as long as the latent image carrier has at least a photosensitive layer on the support 101. However, it is preferable that the surface layer of the latent image carrier is made of a crosslinked resin, and in particular, the latent image carrier is preferably made of a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed using at least a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure.

[Protective layer]
Next, the protective layer will be described in more detail.
In the latent image carrier, it is preferable to use a crosslinkable resin or provide a protective layer containing inorganic fine particles or lubricating fine particles for the purpose of protecting the surface, because high wear resistance is achieved. Examples of the crosslinkable resin include urethane resin, silicone resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, and acrylic resin. In particular, a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed using a composition containing a monomer having a charge transporting structure is preferably used because high wear resistance and good electrostatic properties are easily obtained.
For example, when a urethane resin is used, a suitable crosslinked surface layer is formed by heat-curing a monomer having a charge transporting structure having a hydroxyl group and an isocyanate compound.
Specific examples of the hydroxyl group-containing charge transport material that can be cured by heating with a urethane resin or a silicone resin to form a crosslinked surface layer are shown in Tables 6 to 11 below, but are not limited to compounds having these structures. .

The charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group, which is mentioned as an example of a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure suitably used in the present invention, can be obtained by a synthesis method disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3540056. it can.
As a charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group, exemplified compounds D1-3 in Table 6 and exemplified compound D3-2 in Table 10 are taken as examples to exemplify the synthesis.
[Synthesis Example of Charge Transporting Polyol]
(1) Synthesis of diethyl 4-methoxybenzylphosphonate 4-methoxybenzyl chloride and triethyl phosphite were reacted at 150 ° C. for 5 hours. Thereafter, excess triethyl phosphite and by-product ethyl chloride were removed by distillation under reduced pressure to obtain diethyl 4-methoxybenzylphosphonate.
(2) Synthesis of 4-methoxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene Equimolar amounts of diethyl 4-methoxybenzylphosphonate and 4- (di-p-tolylamino) benzaldehyde are dissolved in N, N-dimethylformamide. Then, tert-butoxypotassium was added little by little with stirring under water cooling. After stirring at room temperature for 5 hours, water was added to make it acidic to obtain a crude product of the desired product which precipitated. Further, purification was performed by column chromatography on silica gel to obtain the desired 4-methoxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene.

(3) Synthesis of 4-hydroxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene The obtained 4-methoxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene and double equivalent sodium ethanethiolate were mixed with N, It was dissolved in N-dimethylformamide and reacted at 130 ° C. for 5 hours. Then, it was cooled and opened in water, neutralized with hydrochloric acid, and the target product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water, dried and evaporated to give a crude product. Furthermore, 4-hydroxy-4 '-(di-p-tolylamino) of the target compound represented by the following structural formula (D1-3) [Exemplary Compound D1-3 in Table 6] was purified by column chromatography on silica gel. ) Obtained stilbene.

(4) Synthesis of 1,2-dihydroxy-3- [4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilben-4-yloxy] propane In a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser and dropping funnel, 4 -Hydroxy-4 '-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene (11.75 g), glycidyl methacrylate (4.35 g) and toluene (8 ml) were added, the temperature was raised to 90 ° C., triethylamine (0.16 g) was added, and the mixture was heated at 95 ° C. for 8 hours. , Stirred. Thereafter, 16 ml of toluene and 20 ml of a 10% by mass aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were added, and the mixture was further heated and stirred at 95 ° C. for 8 hours.
After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with acid, washed with water, and then the solvent was distilled off to obtain 19 g of a coarse product. Further, the target compound 1,2-dihydroxy-3- [4 represented by the following structural formula (D3-2) [Exemplary Compound D3-2 in Table 9] by column chromatography using silica gel (solvent: ethyl acetate). '-(Di-p-tolylamino) stilben-4-yloxy] propane (OH equivalent: 232.80) was obtained (yield 9.85 g, yellow crystals, melting point 127-128.7 ° C.).
FIG. 5 shows IR measurement data of the obtained object.

As a protective layer made of a crosslinkable resin, a three-dimensional network structure formed using a radical polymerizable monomer and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure is a highly hard surface layer having a very high degree of crosslinking. And higher wear resistance is achieved.
When the crosslinked surface layer contains at least a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is Incorporated into the cross-linking bond at the time of curing the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer.
On the other hand, when a low molecular charge transport material having no functional group is contained in the crosslinked surface layer, precipitation of low molecular charge transport material and white turbidity occur due to its low compatibility, and Mechanical strength may also decrease.
In addition, when a bifunctional or higher functional charge transporting compound is used as a main component, it is fixed in the crosslinked structure with a plurality of bonds, but the charge transporting structure is very bulky, and thus distortion occurs in the cured resin. The internal stress of the crosslinked surface layer is increased, and cracks and scratches may frequently occur due to carrier adhesion and the like.

Furthermore, a latent image carrier using a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure has good electrical characteristics, so that high image quality can be realized over a long period of time. This is due to the fact that the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure is immobilized in a pendant manner between the crosslinks.
On the other hand, since the charge transport material having no functional group described above is likely to cause precipitation and clouding phenomenon, deterioration in repeated use such as reduction in sensitivity and increase in residual potential is often significant. When a bifunctional or higher-functional charge transporting compound is used as the main component, it is fixed in the crosslinked structure with a plurality of bonds, so the intermediate structure (cation radical) during charge transport cannot be kept stable, Sensitivity decreases due to traps and residual potential increases. Such deterioration of the electrical characteristics often appears as an image such as a decrease in image density or thinning of characters, which is not preferable.

Next, a constituent material of the crosslinked surface layer using a radical polymerizable monomer and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure will be described.
The trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer preferably used for the latent image carrier crosslinked surface layer is a hole transporting structure (for example, triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, etc.) and an electron. It refers to a monomer that does not have a transport structure (eg, condensed polycyclic quinone, diphenoquinone, an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a cyano group or a nitro group, etc.) and has three or more radically polymerizable functional groups. The radical polymerizable functional group may be any group having a carbon-carbon double bond and capable of radical polymerization.
Examples of these radical polymerizable functional groups include 1-substituted ethylene functional groups and 1,1-substituted ethylene functional groups shown below.

(1) As 1-substituted ethylene functional group, the functional group represented by the following general formula (d) is mentioned, for example.

CH ₂ = CH—X ¹ − (d)

[In Formula (d), X ¹ is an arylene group which may have a substituent, an alkenylene group which may have a substituent, a —CO— group, a —COO— group, —CON (R ¹ ) -Group [R ¹ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aralkyl group or an aryl group. Or -S- group. ]

Examples of the arylene group in the general formula (d) include a phenylene group and a naphthylene group which may have a substituent, and examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group and an ethyl group. Examples of the aryl group include a benzyl group, a naphthylmethyl group, and a phenethyl group. Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group.
Specific examples of the functional group represented by the general formula (d) include vinyl group, styryl group, 2-methyl-1,3-butadienyl group, vinylcarbonyl group, acryloyloxy group, acryloylamide group, and vinyl thioether. Groups and the like.

(2) Examples of the 1,1-substituted ethylene functional group include functional groups represented by the following general formula (e).

^{_{CH 2 = C (Y) -X}} 2 - ··· (e)

[In the formula (e), Y represents an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, a halogen atom, cyano. Group, nitro group, alkoxy group, —COOR ² group [R ² has a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group or —CONR ³ R ⁴ (R ³ and R ^{4 each} have a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group that may have a substituent, an aralkyl group or a substituent that may have a substituent, Represents an aryl group which may be the same or different from each other. X ² represents the same substituent, single bond, and alkylene group as X ^{1 in the} formula (d). Provided that at least one oxycarbonyl group in Y and X ^2, a cyano group, an alkenylene group or an aromatic ring. ]

Examples of the aryl group in the general formula (e) include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. Examples of the alkoxy group include a methoxy group and an ethoxy group. Examples of the aralkyl group include a benzyl group, a naphthylmethyl group, and a phenethyl group. Examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group and an ethyl group.
Specific examples of the functional group represented by the general formula (e) include α-acryloyloxy chloride, methacryloyloxy, α-cyanoethylene, α-cyanoacryloyloxy, α-cyanophenylene and methacryloyl. An amino group etc. are mentioned.

In addition, examples of the substituent further substituted with the substituent for X ¹ , X ² and Y include, for example, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, an alkyl group such as a methyl group and an ethyl group, a methoxy group and an ethoxy group And aryloxy groups such as phenoxy group, aryl groups such as phenyl group and naphthyl group, and aralkyl groups such as benzyl group and phenethyl group.

  Among these radical polymerizable functional groups, acryloyloxy group and methacryloyloxy group are particularly useful. A compound having 3 or more acryloyloxy groups may be subjected to an ester reaction or a transesterification reaction using, for example, a compound having 3 or more hydroxyl groups in the molecule and acrylic acid (salt), acrylic acid halide, or acrylic ester. Can be obtained. A compound having three or more methacryloyloxy groups can be obtained in the same manner. Further, the radical polymerizable functional groups in the monomer having three or more radical polymerizable functional groups may be the same or different.

Specific examples of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure include the following, but are not limited to these compounds.
That is, as the radical polymerizable monomer suitably used in the present invention, for example, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, EO-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate, PO-modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate, Caprolactone modified trimethylolpropane triacrylate, HPA modified trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, pentaerythritol triacrylate, pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETTA), glycerol triacrylate, ECH modified glycerol triacrylate, EO modified glycerol triacrylate, PO modified glycerol triacrylate , Tris (acryloxyethyl) isocyanurate Dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (DPHA), caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hydroxypentaacrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol tetraacrylate, alkyl-modified dipentaerythritol triacrylate, di Examples include methylolpropane tetraacrylate (DTMPTA), pentaerythritol ethoxytetraacrylate, EO-modified phosphoric acid triacrylate, and 2,2,5,5-tetrahydroxymethylcyclopentanone tetraacrylate. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
In the above, EO modification refers to ethyleneoxy modification, and PO modification refers to propyleneoxy modification.

Further, the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer suitably used in the present invention having no charge transporting structure has a molecular weight relative to the number of functional groups in the monomer in order to form a dense crosslink in the cross-linked surface layer. The ratio (molecular weight / number of functional groups) is desirably 250 or less.
When this ratio is larger than 250, the crosslinked surface layer is soft and wear resistance is somewhat lowered. Therefore, among the monomers exemplified above, monomers having modifying groups such as HPA, EO and PO are extremely long modifying groups. It is not preferable to use a compound having a
Further, the proportion of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used for the crosslinked surface layer is preferably 20 to 80% by mass, more preferably 35 to 65% by mass with respect to the total amount of the crosslinked surface layer. %. When the monomer component is less than 20% by mass, the three-dimensional cross-linking density of the cross-linked surface layer is small, and a drastic improvement in wear resistance is not achieved as compared with the case where a conventional thermoplastic binder resin is used. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80% by mass, the content of the charge transporting compound is lowered, and the electrical characteristics are deteriorated. Since the required wear resistance and electrical characteristics differ depending on the process used, it cannot be said unconditionally, but considering the balance of both characteristics, the range of 35 to 65% by mass is more preferable.

The radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure suitably used in the present invention includes a hole transporting structure (for example, triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, etc.) and an electron transporting structure (for example, condensed polycyclic quinone, Diphenoquinone, an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a cyano group or a nitro group, and the like, and a compound having a radical polymerizable functional group. Examples of the radical polymerizable functional group include those described above for the radical polymerizable monomer, and acryloyloxy group and methacryloyloxy group are particularly useful.
Moreover, as a charge transporting structure, those having a triarylamine structure are highly effective, and further, a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure represented by the following general formula (I) or (II) is used. When the radically polymerizable compound is used, the electrical characteristics such as sensitivity and residual potential are favorably maintained.

[In the formulas (I) and (II), R ¹⁰ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Good aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, —COOR ¹¹ (R ¹¹ has a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group which may be substituted), a carbonyl halide group or CONR ¹² R ¹³ (R ¹² and R ¹³ may be a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. A good aralkyl group or an aryl group which may have a substituent, which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an arylene group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. X ¹⁰ represents a single bond, an alkylene group that may have a substituent, a cycloalkylene group that may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group that may have a substituent, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group. Represents. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ]

Specific examples of each group indicated by general symbols in the general formula (I) or (II) are shown below.
In the general formula (I) or (II), examples of the alkyl group represented by R ¹⁰ include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, and a butyl group. Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. Examples of the aralkyl group include a benzyl group, a phenethyl group, and a naphthylmethyl group. Examples of the alkoxy group include a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, and a propoxy group. These include halogen atoms, nitro groups, cyano groups, alkyl groups such as methyl groups and ethyl groups, alkoxy groups such as methoxy groups and ethoxy groups, aryloxy groups such as phenoxy groups, aryl groups such as phenyl groups and naphthyl groups, It may be substituted with an aralkyl group such as a benzyl group and a phenethyl group.
Of the substituents represented by R ¹⁰ , preferred are a hydrogen atom and a methyl group.

Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ are aryl groups which may have a substituent, and examples of the aryl group include a condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon group, a non-condensed cyclic hydrocarbon group, and a heterocyclic group.
The condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon group preferably has 18 or less carbon atoms forming a ring, for example, a pentanyl group, an indenyl group, a naphthyl group, an azulenyl group, a heptaenyl group, a biphenylenyl group, an as-indacenyl group. , S-indacenyl group, fluorenyl group, acenaphthylenyl group, preadenyl group, acenaphthenyl group, phenalenyl group, phenanthryl group, anthryl group, fluoranthenyl group, acephenanthrenyl group, aceanthrylenyl group, triphenylyl group, pyrenyl group , A chrycenyl group and a naphthacenyl group.
Examples of the non-condensed cyclic hydrocarbon group include monovalent groups of monocyclic hydrocarbon compounds such as benzene, diphenyl ether, polyethylene diphenyl ether, diphenyl thioether and diphenyl sulfone, or biphenyl, polyphenyl, diphenylalkane, diphenylalkene, diphenylalkyne. , Monovalent groups of non-condensed polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds such as triphenylmethane, distyrylbenzene, 1,1-diphenylcycloalkane, polyphenylalkane and polyphenylalkene, or ring assemblies such as 9,9-diphenylfluorene And monovalent groups of hydrocarbon compounds.
Examples of the heterocyclic group include monovalent groups such as carbazole, dibenzofuran, dibenzothiophene, oxadiazole, and thiadiazole.

Moreover, the aryl group represented by Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may have a substituent as shown below, for example.
[1] A halogen atom, a cyano group and a nitro group.
[2] An alkyl group. Preferably it is C1-C12, More preferably, it is C1-C8, More preferably, it is a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group, and these alkyl groups further include a fluorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and C1-C4. You may have the phenyl group substituted by the alkoxy group, the phenyl group, or the halogen atom, the C1-C4 alkyl group, or the C1-C4 alkoxy group.
Specifically, methyl group, ethyl group, n-butyl group, isopropyl group, t-butyl group, s-butyl group, n-propyl group, trifluoromethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl group, 2-ethoxyethyl group 2-cyanoethyl group, 2-methoxyethyl group, benzyl group, 4-chlorobenzyl group, 4-methylbenzyl group, 4-phenylbenzyl group and the like.
[3] Alkoxy group (—OR ¹⁴ ). R ¹⁴ is the same as the alkyl group represented by [2].
Specifically, methoxy group, ethoxy group, n-propoxy group, isopropoxy group, t-butoxy group, n-butoxy group, s-butoxy group, isobutoxy group, 2-hydroxyethoxy group, benzyloxy group and trifluoro A methoxy group etc. are mentioned.
[4] Aryloxy group. Examples of the aryl group of the aryloxy group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. These groups may contain a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group or a halogen atom as a substituent.
Specific examples include a phenoxy group, a 1-naphthyloxy group, a 2-naphthyloxy group, a 4-methoxyphenoxy group, and a 4-methylphenoxy group.
[5] Alkyl mercapto group or aryl mercapto group. Specific examples include a methylthio group, an ethylthio group, a phenylthio group, and a p-methylphenylthio group.
[6] A group represented by the following general formula (f).

[In Formula (f), R ¹⁵ and R ¹⁶ each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group represented by [2], or an aryl group. R ¹⁵ and ¹⁶ may form a ring together. ]
Examples of the aryl group include a phenyl group, a biphenyl group, and a naphthyl group, and these groups may contain a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, or a halogen atom as a substituent. .
Specifically, amino group, diethylamino group, N-methyl-N-phenylamino group, N, N-diphenylamino group, N, N-di (tolyl) amino group, dibenzylamino group, piperidino group, morpholino group And a pyrrolidino group.
[7] An alkylenedioxy group or an alkylenedithio group. Specific examples include a methylenedioxy group and a methylenedithio group.
[8] A styryl group which may have a substituent, a β-phenylstyryl group, a diphenylaminophenyl group and a ditolylaminophenyl group which may have a substituent.

Examples of the arylene group represented by Ar ¹ and Ar ² include a divalent group derived from the aryl group represented by Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ .
X ¹⁰ represents a single bond, an alkylene group which may have a substituent, a cycloalkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group which may have a substituent, an oxygen atom, sulfur. Represents an atom and a vinylene group.
The alkylene group which may have a substituent is preferably a C1-C12, more preferably C1-C8, and still more preferably a C1-C4 linear or branched alkylene group. These alkylene groups May further have a phenyl group substituted by a fluorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, a C1-C4 alkoxy group, a phenyl group or a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or a C1-C4 alkoxy group. .
Specifically, methylene group, ethylene group, n-butylene group, isopropylene group, t-butylene group, s-butylene group, n-propylene group, trifluoromethylene group, 2-hydroxyethylene group, 2-ethoxyethylene group 2-cyanoethylene group, 2-methoxyethylene group, benzylidene group, phenylethylene group, 4-chlorophenylethylene group, 4-methylphenylethylene group, 4-biphenylethylene group, and the like.

Examples of the cycloalkylene group which may have a substituent include a C5-C7 cyclic alkylene group, and these cyclic alkylene groups include a fluorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a C1-C4 alkyl group, C1 as a substituent. It may have a C4 alkoxy group. Specific examples include a cyclohexylidene group, a cyclohexylene group, and a 3,3-dimethylcyclohexylidene group.
As the alkylene ether group which may have the substituent, a —CH ₂ CH ₂ O— group, a —CH ₂ CH ₂ CH ₂ O— group, a — (OCH ₂ CH ₂ ) _h —O— group, or — _{(OCH 2 CH 2 CH 2)} i -O- group. However, h and i in the said formula represent the integer of 1-4, respectively.
In addition, the alkylene group of the alkylene ether group may have a substituent such as a hydroxyl group, a methyl group, and an ethyl group.
The vinylene group in the X ^10, include groups represented by the following general formula (g) or (h).

［式（ｇ）及び（ｈ）中、Ｒ^１７は水素原子、アルキル基（前記〔２〕で定義されるアルキル基と同じ）又はアリール基（前記Ａｒ^３、Ａｒ^４で表されるアリール基と同じ）を表し、ａは１又は２、ｂは１〜３の整数を表す。］

[In the formulas (g) and (h), R ¹⁷ represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group (the same as the alkyl group defined in [2] above) or an aryl group (the aryl group represented by Ar ³ or Ar ⁴ above) The same), a represents 1 or 2, and b represents an integer of 1 to 3. ]

Z in the general formulas (I) and (II) represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group and an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent.
Examples of the alkylene group that may have a substituent include the same alkylene groups as those represented by X ¹⁰ in formula (I).
As the good alkylene ether group optionally having a substituent group include the same alkylene ether group of the X ¹⁰ and the like.
Examples of the alkyleneoxycarbonyl group include caprolactone-modified groups.
More preferably, the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure according to the present invention includes a compound represented by the following general formula (III).

［式（III）中、Ｒａは水素原子又はメチル基を表す。Ｒｂ及びＲｃは水素原子以外の置換基で炭素数１〜６のアルキル基を表し、同一でも異なっていてもよい。ｏ、ｐ及びｑは、それぞれ０又は１であり、ｓ及びｔは０〜３の整数を表す。Ｚａは、単結合、メチレン基、エチレン基、あるいは下記式（ａ）、（ｂ）又は（ｃ）で表される二価基を表す。］

[In formula (III), Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. Rb and Rc are substituents other than a hydrogen atom and represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. o, p, and q are each 0 or 1, and s and t represent the integer of 0-3. Za represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, or a divalent group represented by the following formula (a), (b) or (c). ]

The compound represented by the general formula (III) is preferably a compound in which Rb and Rc are a methyl group or an ethyl group.
The aforementioned crosslinked surface layer suitably used in the present invention is free from cracks and has excellent electrical characteristics. The reason is that when the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure represented by the general formulas (I), (II) and (III), particularly the general formula (III), used in the present invention is used. Since the carbon-carbon double bond is released on both sides and polymerizes, it does not become a terminal structure, but is incorporated into a chain polymer and crosslinked by polymerization with a tri- or more functional radical polymerizable monomer. In the polymer, it exists in the main chain of the polymer, and in the cross-linked chain between the main chain and the main chain (this cross-linked chain includes an intermolecular cross-linked chain between one polymer and another polymer, and 1 There is an intramolecular cross-linked chain where a part of the main chain folded in one polymer is cross-linked with another part derived from the polymerized monomer at a position away from this in the main chain. .
That is, a triarylamine structure that hangs from a chain portion regardless of whether a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure is present in the main chain or in a crosslinked chain Has at least three aryl groups arranged radially from the nitrogen atom and is bulky, but is not directly bonded to the chain portion but is suspended from the chain portion via a carbonyl group or the like. For this reason, since they are fixed in a state where there is flexibility in steric positioning, these triarylamine structures can be arranged in a polymer so as to be adjacent to each other. In addition, when it is used as a surface layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor, it is presumed that an intramolecular structure that is relatively free from interruption of the charge transport path can be adopted.

  Further, the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure suitably used in the present invention is important for imparting the charge transporting performance of the crosslinked surface layer, and this component contains 100 parts by mass of the crosslinked surface layer. It is 20-80 mass parts with respect to this, Preferably it is 35-65 mass parts. If this component is less than 20 parts by mass, the charge transport performance of the cross-linked surface layer cannot be maintained sufficiently, and deterioration of electrical characteristics such as a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential appear with repeated use. On the other hand, if it exceeds 80 parts by mass, the content of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure is lowered, resulting in a decrease in the crosslink density, and high wear resistance is not exhibited. Although the electrical characteristics and wear resistance required by the process used are different, it cannot be said unconditionally, but considering the balance between the two characteristics, the range of 35 to 65 parts by mass is preferable.

  In the present invention, a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed using a radical polymerizable monomer having three or more functional groups having no charge transporting structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is provided. In addition to the radical polymerizable monomer and the radical polymerizable compound, it is preferably used for the purpose of imparting functions such as viscosity adjustment during coating, stress relaxation of the crosslinked surface layer, low surface energy, friction coefficient reduction, etc. Monofunctional and bifunctional radically polymerizable monomers and radically polymerizable oligomers can be used in combination. Known radical polymerizable monomers and oligomers can be used. Specific examples are given below.

  Examples of the monofunctional radical monomer include 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl carbitol acrylate, 3-methoxybutyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, and cyclohexyl acrylate. , Isoamyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, methoxytriethylene glycol acrylate, phenoxytetraethylene glycol acrylate, cetyl acrylate, isostearyl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, and styrene monomer.

  Examples of the bifunctional radical polymerizable monomer include 1,3-butanediol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate, 1, Examples include 6-hexanediol dimethacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, EO-modified bisphenol A diacrylate, EO-modified bisphenol F diacrylate, and neopentyl glycol diacrylate.

  Examples of functional monomers include those substituted with fluorine atoms such as octafluoropentyl acrylate, 2-perfluorooctylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluorooctylethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoroisononylethyl acrylate, Acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane ethyl, methacryloyl polydimethylsiloxane ethyl, acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane propyl, acryloyl polydimethylsiloxane butyl, diacryloyl polydimethylsiloxane having 20 to 70 siloxane repeating units described in JP-A-60503 and JP-B-6-45770 Examples thereof include vinyl monomers having a polysiloxane group such as diethyl, acrylates and methacrylates.

  Examples of the radical polymerizable oligomer include an epoxy acrylate oligomer, a urethane acrylate oligomer, and a polyester acrylate oligomer. However, when a large amount of monofunctional and bifunctional radically polymerizable monomers and radically polymerizable oligomers are contained, the three-dimensional cross-linking density of the cross-linked surface layer is substantially reduced, resulting in a decrease in wear resistance. For this reason, the content of these monomers and oligomers is limited to 50 parts by mass or less, preferably 30 parts by mass or less, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer.

  In the present invention, the crosslinked surface layer is preferably formed by curing at least a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure. Although used, a polymerization initiator (thermal polymerization initiator and photopolymerization initiator) may be used as necessary in order to allow the curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) to proceed efficiently.

  Examples of the thermal polymerization initiator include 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, t-butylcumyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di ( Peroxybenzoyl) hexyne-3, di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, peroxide initiators such as lauroyl peroxide, azobisisobutylnitrile, azobiscyclohexanecarbonitrile Azo initiators such as methyl azobisisobutyrate, azobisisobutylamidine hydrochloride, and 4,4′-azobis-4-cyanovaleric acid.

  Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include diethoxyacetophenone, 2,2-dimethoxy-1,2-diphenylethane-1-one, 1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone, 4- (2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl- (2 -Hydroxy-2-propyl) ketone, 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1- (4-morpholinophenyl) butanone-1, 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-1-one, 2- Acetophenone photopolymerization initiator or ketal photopolymerization such as methyl-2-morpholino (4-methylthiophenyl) propan-1-one and 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2- (o-ethoxycarbonyl) oxime Initiator, benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isobu Benzoin ether photopolymerization initiators such as ether and benzoin isopropyl ether, benzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, methyl o-benzoylbenzoate, 2-benzoylnaphthalene, 4-benzoylbiphenyl, 4-benzoylphenyl ether, acrylated benzophenone and 1 Benzophenone photopolymerization initiators such as 1,4-benzoylbenzene, thioxanthone photopolymerization such as 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone and 2,4-dichlorothioxanthone Examples of the initiator and other photopolymerization initiators include ethyl anthraquinone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzo Ruphenylethoxyphosphine oxide, bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide, bis (2,4-dimethoxybenzoyl) -2,4,4-trimethylpentylphosphine oxide, methylphenylglyoxyester, 9, Examples thereof include 10-phenanthrene, acridine compounds, triazine compounds, and imidazole compounds.

  A compound having a photopolymerization promoting effect can be used alone or in combination with the photopolymerization initiator. Examples of the compound having a photopolymerization promoting effect include triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, isoamyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, (2-dimethylamino) ethyl benzoate, and 4,4′- And dimethylaminobenzophenone.

  The said polymerization initiator may be used by 1 type, and may mix and use 2 or more types. Moreover, the usage-amount of a polymerization initiator is 0.5-40 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of total contents of the compound and monomer which have radical polymerizability, Preferably it is 1-20 mass parts.

Furthermore, the surface layer (crosslinked surface layer) according to the present invention can be formed using a coating solution. For the preparation of such a coating liquid, a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure (for example, a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional or higher functional radical having no charge transporting structure) is used. In addition to the polymerizable monomer), various plasticizers (for the purpose of stress relaxation and adhesion improvement), leveling agents, and additives such as low molecular charge transport materials having no radical reactivity can be included as necessary. .
Known additives can be used as these additives. As the plasticizer, those used in general resins such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate can be used. The amount of the plasticizer used is 20 parts by mass or less, preferably 10 parts by mass or less, based on 100 parts by mass of the total solid content of the coating liquid.
As the leveling agent, silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, and polymers or oligomers having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain can be used. The amount of the leveling agent used is suitably 3 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the total solid content of the coating liquid.

As described above, the crosslinked surface layer suitably used in the present invention contains a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer not having a charge transporting structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. What is formed by hardening | curing the coating film (surface layer) apply | coated using the coating liquid to perform is used suitably. When the radically polymerizable monomer is a liquid, the coating liquid can be applied by dissolving other components in the liquid, and diluted with a solvent as necessary.
Solvents used here include alcohol solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone, ester solvents such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane And ether solvents such as propyl ether, halogen solvents such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane and chlorobenzene, aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene and xylene, cellosolv solvents such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve and cellosolve acetate, etc. It is done.
These solvents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The dilution ratio with the solvent varies depending on the solubility of the composition, the coating method, and the target film thickness, and is arbitrary. The application can be performed by dip coating, spray coating, bead coating, ring coating, or the like.

  In this invention, after apply | coating this coating liquid, the method of giving a light energy from the outside and making it harden | cure and forming a crosslinked surface layer is used suitably. As light energy, UV irradiation light sources such as high pressure mercury lamps and metal halide lamps that have an emission wavelength mainly in ultraviolet light (UV light) can be used, but visible light is matched to the absorption wavelength of radical polymerizable substances and photopolymerization initiators. A light source can also be selected. Moreover, the reactivity of the crosslinking reaction by radical polymerization is greatly affected by temperature, and the surface temperature of the coating film during light irradiation is preferably maintained at 20 to 170 ° C. The surface temperature control means of the coating film may be any method as long as the above temperature range can be maintained, but a method of controlling the temperature using a heat medium is preferable.

An example of forming a latent image carrier is illustrated for the case where a crosslinked surface layer forming material is used.
For example, an acrylate monomer having three acryloyloxy groups is used as a tri- or more functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure, and one acryloyloxy is used as a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure. When using a triarylamine compound having a group, the ratio of use is 7: 3 to 3: 7 by mass ratio, and 3 to 20 parts by mass of a polymerization initiator is added to 100 parts by mass of the total amount of these acrylate compounds. Further, a solvent is added to prepare a coating solution.
In the charge transport layer that is the lower layer of the cross-linked surface layer, for example, when a triarylamine donor is used as the charge transport material, polycarbonate is used as the binder resin, and the cross-linked surface layer is formed by spray coating, the coating As the liquid solvent, tetrahydrofuran, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate and the like are preferable. The use ratio of the solvent is 3 to 10 times the total amount of the acrylate compound. The surface cross-linked layer formed by curing is preferably insoluble in an organic solvent. A film that is not sufficiently cured is soluble in an organic solvent and has a low crosslink density, so that the mechanical durability is also low.

For example, the prepared coating solution is applied by spraying on a photoreceptor in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and the charge transport layer are sequentially laminated on a support such as an aluminum cylinder, and then dried by touch. And cured by light irradiation.
In the case of UV irradiation, a metal halide lamp or the like is used, but the illuminance is preferably 50 to 1000 mW / cm ² . For example, when UV of 700 mW / cm ² is irradiated, for example, the drum is rotated to uniformly irradiate all surfaces for about 2 minutes. At this time, using a heat medium or the like, control is performed so that the surface temperature does not become too high. After completion of curing, the latent image carrier according to the present invention can be obtained by heating at 100 to 150 ° C. for 10 to 30 minutes to reduce the residual solvent.

In order to accelerate the curing reaction, it is preferable to significantly reduce the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere during heating or UV irradiation. Further, at this time, during UV irradiation, the UV irradiation is performed while rotating, but it is more preferable to lower the oxygen concentration of the surrounding atmosphere including not only the portion irradiated with UV light but also the portion not irradiated with UV light. Thereby, since oxygen inhibition at the time of radical polymerization reaction can be remarkably reduced, a surface layer having a higher crosslinking density can be obtained.
When forming by spray coating, it is also effective to fill the inside of the coating facility with nitrogen and reduce the oxygen concentration, or to dry the touch.

  The thickness of the crosslinked surface layer of the latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus of the present invention is preferably 1 to 30 μm, more preferably 2 to 20 μm, and further preferably 4 to 15 μm. Here, if the thickness of the crosslinked surface layer is less than 1 μm, the film thickness is too small with respect to the amount of indentation to the surface of the latent image carrier when carrier adhesion or the like occurs, so that sufficient durability cannot be secured. Many. On the other hand, if the thickness of the crosslinked surface layer is greater than 30 μm, there may be a problem such as an increase in residual potential. Therefore, it is necessary to form a cross-linked surface layer with a suitable thickness so as to ensure a margin for wear and scratches and to reduce the occurrence of residual potential.

  Moreover, it is preferable to contain filler fine particles in the surface layer. The surface layer plays a role as a protective layer. That is, by dispersing the filler fine particles in the surface layer, the wear resistance is remarkably improved and the life of the latent image carrier is extended. Furthermore, fine irregularities are formed on the surface by the filler fine particles, and in particular, the applicability of a lubricant composed of a fatty acid metal salt such as zinc stearate or calcium stearate is improved, and the cleaning property and transfer property are improved.

The following can be used as the filler fine particles.
Examples of the organic filler material include fluororesin powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone resin powder, and a-carbon powder.
Inorganic filler materials include metal powders such as copper, tin, aluminum and indium, metal oxides such as silicon oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide and bismuth oxide, and potassium titanate. An inorganic material is mentioned.
Among the above, it is advantageous to use an inorganic material from the viewpoint of the hardness of the filler. In particular, metal oxides are used favorably with little side effect on the electrostatic characteristics of the latent image carrier, and silicon oxide, aluminum oxide and titanium oxide can be used effectively. Also, fine particles such as colloidal silica and colloidal alumina can be used effectively.

  The average primary particle size of the filler fine particles is preferably 0.01 to 0.5 μm from the viewpoint of the light transmittance and wear resistance of the surface layer. When the average primary particle size of the filler is less than 0.01 μm, it causes a decrease in wear resistance, a decrease in dispersibility, etc., and when it exceeds 0.5 μm, the filler settles in the coating liquid (dispersion). There is a risk that the property may be promoted, and toner filming on the surface of the latent image carrier in the image forming apparatus may occur.

  The higher the filler material concentration in the surface layer, the better the wear resistance, but the better, but if it is too high, the residual potential increases, the write light transmittance of the protective layer decreases, and side effects may occur. . Therefore, it is about 5-50 mass parts with respect to 100 mass parts of total solids in general, Preferably it is 5-30 mass parts.

  Moreover, these fillers can be surface-treated with at least one kind of surface treatment agent, and it is preferable to do so from the viewpoint of dispersibility of the filler. Lowering the dispersibility of the filler not only adversely affects the electrostatic properties such as increased residual potential, but also lowers the transparency of the coating, causes defects in the coating, and decreases the wear resistance. , There is a risk of developing a big problem that hinders high durability or high image quality.

As the surface treatment agent, a conventionally used surface treatment agent can be used, but a surface treatment agent capable of maintaining the insulating properties of the filler is preferable.
As the surface treatment agent, for example, titanate coupling agent, aluminum coupling agent, zircoaluminate coupling agent and higher fatty acid, or mixed treatment of these with a silane coupling agent, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , silicone, aluminum stearate, or the like, or a mixed treatment thereof is more preferable from the viewpoint of preventing filler dispersibility and image blurring.

  When the treatment with the silane coupling agent is performed, the influence of image blur becomes strong, but the influence may be suppressed by performing the mixing treatment of the surface treatment agent and the silane coupling agent. The surface treatment amount varies depending on the average primary particle size of the filler used, but is preferably 3 to 30% by mass, and more preferably 5 to 20% by mass. When the surface treatment amount is less than 3% by mass, the filler dispersion effect cannot be obtained, and when it is more than 30% by mass, the residual potential is significantly increased. These filler materials may be used individually by 1 type, and may use 2 or more types together.

Examples of the binder resin used for the surface layer (protective layer) in which filler fine particles are dispersed include, for example, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polystyrene resin, Examples thereof include phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinylidene chloride resin, alkyd resin, silicone resin, polyvinyl carbazole resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, polyacrylate resin, polyacrylamide resin, and phenoxy resin. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
In particular, a protective layer in which metal oxide inorganic filler fine particles are dispersed in a crosslinkable surface layer in which a three-dimensional network structure is formed using the above-described radical polymerizable monomer and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure. In particular, the wear resistance is remarkably improved, which is particularly preferable.

[Photosensitive layer]
Next, the multilayer type photosensitive layer and the single layer type photosensitive layer constituting the electrostatic latent image carrier of the present invention will be described.
<Multi-layer type photosensitive layer>
(Charge generation layer)
The charge generation layer contains at least a charge generation material, and includes a binder resin and, if necessary, other components. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a charge generation substance, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Either an inorganic material and an organic material can be used.
Examples of the inorganic material include, but are not limited to, crystalline selenium, amorphous selenium, selenium-tellurium, selenium-tellurium-halogen, and selenium-arsenic compounds.
Examples of the organic material include, but are not limited to, for example, phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and metal-free phthalocyanine, azulenium salt pigments, squalic acid methine pigments, azo pigments having a carbazole skeleton, and triphenylamine skeletons. An azo pigment having a diphenylamine skeleton, an azo pigment having a dibenzothiophene skeleton, an azo pigment having a fluorenone skeleton, an azo pigment having an oxadiazole skeleton, an azo pigment having a bisstilbene skeleton, and a distyryl oxadiazole skeleton Azo pigments, azo pigments having a distyrylcarbazole skeleton, perylene pigments, anthraquinone or polycyclic quinone pigments, quinoneimine pigments, diphenylmethane pigments, triphenylmethane pigments, benzoquinone faces , Naphthoquinone pigments, cyanine pigments, azomethine pigments, indigoid pigments, and bisbenzimidazole pigments. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

The binder resin for the charge generation layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, polyketone resin, polycarbonate resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl butyral resin , Polyvinyl formal resin, polyvinyl ketone resin, polystyrene resin, poly-N-vinyl carbazole resin and polyacrylamide resin. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
In addition, you may add a charge transport material as needed. In addition to the binder resin described above, a polymer charge transport material can be added as the binder resin for the charge generation layer.

The method for forming the charge generation layer is roughly classified into a vacuum thin film preparation method and a casting method from a solution dispersion system.
Examples of the former method include glow discharge polymerization, vacuum deposition, CVD (chemical vapor deposition), sputtering, reactive sputtering, ion plating, and accelerated ion injection. This vacuum thin film manufacturing method can satisfactorily form the charge generation layer when the above-described inorganic material or organic material is used.
In order to provide the charge generation layer by the latter casting method, a charge generation layer forming coating solution is used and a conventional method such as dip coating, spray coating, or bead coating is used. it can.

Examples of the organic solvent used in the charge generation layer forming coating solution include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone, cyclohexanone, benzene, toluene, xylene, chloroform, dichloromethane, dichloroethane, dichloropropane, trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, Examples include tetrahydrofuran, dioxolane, dioxane, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, butanol, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and propyl cellosolve. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
Among these, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, dichloromethane, methanol and ethanol having a boiling point of 40 ° C. to 80 ° C. are particularly preferable because they can be easily dried after coating.

  The coating solution for forming a charge generation layer can be produced by dispersing and dissolving the charge generation material and a binder resin in the organic solvent. Examples of the method for dispersing the organic pigment in the organic solvent include a dispersion method using a dispersion medium such as a ball mill, a bead mill, a sand mill, and a vibration mill, and a high-speed liquid collision dispersion method.

  Depending on the thickness of the charge generation layer, the electrophotographic characteristics, particularly the photosensitivity, change. Generally, the thicker the thickness, the higher the photosensitivity. Therefore, the thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably set in a suitable range according to the required specification of the image forming apparatus. In order to obtain the sensitivity required for the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 0.01 to 5 μm is preferable, and 0.05 to 2 μm is more preferable.

(Charge transport layer)
The charge transport layer of the latent image carrier is required to have a high electric resistance in order to achieve the purpose of holding a charged charge. Further, in order to achieve the purpose of obtaining a high surface potential with the charged electric charge held, the dielectric constant is small and the charge mobility is good. Is required.
Examples of the hole transport material (electron donating material) used for the charge transport layer include oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, triphenylamine derivatives, 9- (p-diethylaminostyrylanthracene), 1,1- Bis- (4-dibenzylaminophenyl) propane, styrylanthracene, styrylpyrazoline, phenylhydrazones, α-phenylstilbene derivatives, thiazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, phenazine derivatives, acridine derivatives, benzofuran derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives and thiophene derivatives Etc. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

On the other hand, examples of the polymer charge transport material include those having the following structure.
(A) Polymer having carbazole ring For example, poly-N-vinylcarbazole, JP-A-50-82056, JP-A-54-9632, JP-A-54-11737, JP-A-4-175337 And the compounds described in JP-A-4-183719 and JP-A-6-234841.
(B) Polymer having a hydrazone structure For example, JP-A-57-78402, JP-A-61-20953, JP-A-61-296358, JP-A-1-134456, JP-A-1-134456 179164, JP-A-3-180851, JP-A-3-180852, JP-A-3-50555, JP-A-5-310904, and JP-A-6-234840, and the like. Is done.
(C) Polysilylene polymer For example, JP-A-63-285552, JP-A-1-88461, JP-A-4-264130, JP-A-4-264131, JP-A-4-264132, Examples include compounds described in Kaihei 4-264133 and JP-A-4-289867.
(D) Polymer having a triarylamine structure For example, N, N-bis (4-methylphenyl) -4-aminopolystyrene, JP-A-1-134457, JP-A-2-282264, JP-A-2- Examples thereof include compounds described in JP-A No. 304456, JP-A No. 4-133065, JP-A No. 4-133066, JP-A No. 5-40350 and JP-A No. 5-202135.
(E) Other polymers For example, formaldehyde condensation polymer of nitropyrene, JP-A-51-73888, JP-A-56-150749, JP-A-6-234836 and JP-A-6-234837 The described compounds and the like are exemplified.

In addition to the above, the polymer charge transporting material includes, for example, a polycarbonate resin having a triarylamine structure, a polyurethane resin having a triarylamine structure, a polyester resin having a triarylamine structure, and a polyarylamine structure having a polyarylamine structure. Examples include ether resins.
Examples of the polymer charge transporting material include JP-A 64-1728, JP-A 64-13061, JP-A 64-19049, JP-A-4-11627, JP-A 4-116627. JP 2225014, JP 4-230767, JP 4-320420, JP 5-232727, JP 7-56374, JP 9-127713, JP 9-222740. And compounds described in JP-A-9-265197, JP-A-9-211877, JP-A-9-30495, and the like.

  Examples of the polymer having an electron donating group include not only the aforementioned polymer but also a copolymer with a known monomer, a block polymer, a graft polymer, a star polymer, and further, for example, A crosslinked polymer having an electron donating group as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 109406 can also be used.

Examples of the binder resin used for the charge transport layer include polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, methacrylic resin, acrylic resin, polyethylene resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl acetate resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin, polyurethane resin, and polyresin. Vinylidene chloride resin, alkyd resin, silicone resin, polyvinyl carbazole resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyvinyl formal resin, polyacrylate resin, polyacrylamide resin, phenoxy resin, and the like are used. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
The charge transport layer may also contain a copolymer of a crosslinkable binder resin and a crosslinkable charge transport material.

The charge transport layer can be formed by dissolving or dispersing the charge transport material and the binder resin in an appropriate solvent, and applying and drying the solution on the charge generation layer. If necessary, an appropriate amount of additives such as a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and a leveling agent can be added to the charge transport layer in addition to the charge transport material and the binder resin.
The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 to 100 μm. In recent years, the charge transport layer has been made thinner to meet the demand for higher image quality. To achieve a higher image quality of 1200 dpi or more, More preferably, it is ˜30 μm.

Next, the single layer type photosensitive layer will be described.
<Single layer type photosensitive layer>
The single-layer type photosensitive layer contains a charge generation material, a charge transport material, a binder resin, and other components as necessary.
When a single-layer photosensitive layer is provided by a casting method, the single-layer photosensitive layer is formed by, for example, dissolving or dispersing at least a charge generation material, a binder resin, and a charge transport material in a suitable solvent, and applying and drying the solution. Can be formed. In addition, a plasticizer can be added to the single-layer photosensitive layer as necessary.
The thickness of the single-layer type photosensitive layer is preferably 5 to 100 μm, and more preferably 5 to 50 μm. When the film thickness is less than 5 μm, the chargeability may decrease, and when it exceeds 100 μm, the sensitivity may decrease.

[Support]
The support in the latent image carrier according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it has conductivity, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
As the support, a conductor or an insulator subjected to conductive treatment is suitable, for example, metals such as Al, Ni, Fe, Cu and Au, or alloys thereof; insulating properties such as polyester, polycarbonate, polyimide and glass A metal such as Al, Ag and Au or a thin film made of a conductive material such as In ₂ O ₃ or SnO ₂ formed on a substrate; metal powder such as carbon black, graphite, Al, Cu and Ni, conductive Examples thereof include a resin substrate in which a conductive glass powder or the like is uniformly dispersed and conductivity is imparted to the resin, and paper subjected to a conductive treatment.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape and a magnitude | size of a support body, Any of plate shape, drum shape, and belt shape can be used. When a belt-like support is used, there is an advantage that the apparatus becomes complicated and the size is increased while it is necessary to provide a driving roller and a driven roller inside, but the degree of freedom in layout is increased. However, when the protective layer is formed, the protective layer is not flexible enough to cause a crack called a crack on the surface, which may cause a granular background stain. . For this reason, a drum-like thing with high rigidity is suitable as a support.

[Underlayer]
An undercoat layer may be provided between the support and the photosensitive layer as necessary. The undercoat layer is provided for the purpose of improving adhesiveness, preventing moire, improving the coatability of the upper layer, and reducing the residual potential.
In general, the undercoat layer is mainly composed of a resin, but these resins are resins having high solubility resistance to general organic solvents in consideration of applying a photosensitive layer thereon using a solvent. Preferably there is.
Examples of such resins include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, casein, and sodium polyacrylate, alcohol-soluble resins such as copolymer nylon and methoxymethylated nylon, polyurethane, melamine resins, alkyd-melamine resins, and epoxy resins. And a curable resin that forms a three-dimensional network structure. Further, metal oxides such as titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, and indium oxide, or fine powders such as metal sulfides and metal nitrides may be added. These undercoat layers can be formed by a conventional coating method using an appropriate solvent.
As the undercoat layer, a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent, a chromium coupling agent, or the like is used, for example, a metal oxide layer formed by a sol-gel method or the like, and Al ₂ O ₃ is anodized. In addition, an organic material such as polyparaxylylene (parylene), an inorganic material such as SnO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ITO, or CeO ₂ provided by a vacuum thin film manufacturing method can also be used.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular in the thickness of an undercoat layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, 0.1-10 micrometers is preferable and 1-5 micrometers is more preferable.

[Image forming apparatus]
The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier. A latent image forming means for forming; a developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image; and a transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body. And a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, wherein the lubricant applying means includes at least a lubricant substance and the general formulas (1) to (5). It is characterized in that a lubricant containing the represented amine compound is mounted and the lubricant is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier. The image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes other means appropriately selected as necessary, for example, a fixing means, a charge eliminating means, a cleaning means, a recycling means, and a control means.
Hereinafter, latent image forming step (electrostatic latent image forming step) and latent image forming unit (electrostatic latent image forming unit), developing step and developing unit, toner used for forming a toner image, transfer step and transferring unit, fixing step And fixing means, lubricant application process (lubricant supply process) and lubricant application means (lubricant supply means), static elimination process and static elimination means, cleaning process and cleaning means, recycling process and recycling means, control process and control means explain.

<Electrostatic latent image forming step and electrostatic latent image forming means>
The latent image forming step (electrostatic latent image forming step) is a step of forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier mounted in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
The formation of the electrostatic latent image can be performed, for example, by uniformly charging the surface of the latent image carrier and then exposing it like an image, and can be performed by electrostatic latent image forming means.
The latent image forming means (electrostatic latent image forming means) includes, for example, at least a charger that uniformly charges the surface of the latent image carrier and an exposure device that exposes the surface of the latent image carrier imagewise. . The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the latent image carrier using a charger.

The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charger including a conductive or semiconductive roller, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. And non-contact chargers utilizing corona discharge such as corotron and scorotron.
The shape of the charging member may take any form such as a magnetic brush or a fur brush in addition to the roller, and can be selected according to the specifications and form of the image forming apparatus. In the case of using a magnetic brush, the magnetic brush is composed of, for example, various ferrite particles such as Zn-Cu ferrite as a charging member, and a non-magnetic conductive sleeve for supporting the same, and a magnet roll included therein. . Alternatively, in the case of using a brush, for example, as a material of the fur brush, a fur brush that is conductively treated with carbon, copper sulfide, metal, or metal oxide is used, and this is wound around a metal or other conductive core metal. By charging or pasting, it becomes a charger.
Of course, the charger is not limited to the contact-type charger as described above, but a contact-type charger is used because an image forming apparatus in which ozone generated from the charger is reduced can be obtained. Is preferred.
In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the charger is disposed in contact or non-contact with the latent image carrier, and the surface of the latent image carrier is charged by applying a DC voltage and an AC voltage in a superimposed manner. Further, the charger is a charging roller that is disposed in close proximity to the latent image carrier via a gap tape. The surface of the latent image carrier is charged by applying a DC voltage and an AC voltage to the charging roller in a superimposed manner. What to do is preferable.

The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent image carrier imagewise using an exposure device.
The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can expose the surface of the latent image carrier charged by the charger so as to form an image to be formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples include various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, and a liquid crystal shutter optical system.
In the present invention, an optical backside system that performs imagewise exposure from the backside of the latent image carrier may be employed.

<Development process and development means>
The development step is a step of developing the electrostatic latent image with toner or developer to form a visible image (toner image).
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using toner or developer, and can be performed by a developing unit.
The developing means supplies either the carrier or the two-component developer to the inside of the developing means, and discharges either the carrier or the two-component developer contained in the developing means to the outside of the developing means. It is preferable to have a discharging means.
The developing means is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using toner or developer, for example, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, a toner that contains toner or developer and that has at least a developing device that can apply toner or developer to an electrostatic latent image in a contact or non-contact manner is preferably used.

The developing unit may be of a dry development type, may be of a wet development type, may be a single color developer, or may be a multicolor developer. For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.
In the developing device, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and stirred, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state, thereby forming a magnetic brush. Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the latent image carrier, a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is electrically attracted by the surface of the latent image carrier. Move to. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed in the exposure step is developed with the toner to form a visible image with the toner on the surface of the latent image carrier.
The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing toner, and a two-component developer composed of a toner and a carrier is preferably used as the developer.

<Toner used to form toner image>
A known toner can be used as the toner for forming the toner image. That is, it contains at least a binder resin, a colorant and an external additive, preferably contains a release agent and a charge control agent, and further contains other components as necessary.

<Transfer process and transfer means>
The transfer step is a step of transferring a visible image to a recording medium, and a mode in which the visible image is primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer member and then this visible image is secondarily transferred onto the recording medium is preferable. A primary transfer step of transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image using two or more colors, preferably full color toner, and a second transfer of the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. An embodiment including a next transfer step is more preferable.
The transfer of the visible image can be performed, for example, by charging the latent image carrier using a transfer charger, and can be performed by a transfer unit. The transfer unit includes a primary transfer unit that transfers a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer unit that transfers the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Is preferred.
The intermediate transfer member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected from known transfer members according to the purpose. For example, a transfer belt and the like are preferable.
The transfer means (the primary transfer means and the secondary transfer means) preferably has at least a transfer device that peels and charges the visible image formed on the latent image carrier to the recording medium side. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer an unfixed image after development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. PET for OHP A base or the like can also be used.

<Fixing process and fixing means>
The fixing step is a step of fixing the visible image transferred to the recording medium using a fixing unit, and may be performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium, or for the toner of each color. You may perform this simultaneously in the state which laminated | stacked this.
The fixing unit is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. A fixing unit and a heat source for heating the fixing member are used.
Examples of the fixing member include a combination of an endless belt and a roller, and a combination of a roller and a roller. However, the warm-up time can be shortened, and the fixing is possible in terms of realizing energy saving. From the viewpoint of increasing the width, a combination of an endless belt and a roller having a small heat capacity is preferable.

<Lubricant supply step and lubricant supply means>
In the lubricant supply step (lubricant application step), the lubricant is supplied onto the latent image carrier by the lubricant supply unit (lubricant application unit) and applied, whereby the friction of the surface of the latent image carrier with respect to the cleaning blade is applied. The main purpose is to reduce the coefficient over a long period of time. Lubricant is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier, facilitating cleaning of spherical toner that is difficult to clean, and blade squeal and blade edge that tend to occur when the cleaning blade and the latent image carrier are rubbed. Problems such as wear can be eliminated. Further, the toner releasability is improved, and the occurrence of abnormal images such as voids can be suppressed.
As described in detail above, the lubricant used in the present invention is characterized by containing a lubricating substance and an amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (5).

<Static elimination process and static elimination means>
The neutralization step is a step of performing neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the latent image carrier or irradiating neutralization light, and can be suitably performed by a neutralization unit.
The neutralizing means is not particularly limited as long as it can neutralize the surface charge of the latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known neutralizers. Preferably mentioned.

<Cleaning process and cleaning means>
The cleaning step is a step of removing the electrophotographic toner remaining on the latent image carrier and can be suitably performed by a cleaning unit.
There are no particular limitations on the cleaning means, and it is sufficient that the electrophotographic toner remaining on the latent image carrier can be removed, and can be appropriately selected from known cleaners. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner, electrostatic A brush cleaner, a magnetic roller cleaner, a blade cleaner, a brush cleaner, a web cleaner and the like are preferable.

<Recycling process and recycling means>
The recycling process is a process in which the toner removed in the cleaning process is recycled to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a recycle means, A well-known conveyance means etc. are mentioned.

<Control process and control means>
A control process is a process of controlling each said process, and can be suitably performed by a control means.
The control means is not particularly limited as long as the movement of each means can be controlled, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. Examples thereof include devices such as a sequencer and a computer.

Here, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 6 includes a drum-shaped latent image carrier 1, a charging charger 3, a pre-transfer charger 7, a transfer charger 10, a separation charger 11, and a pre-cleaning charger 13.
The shape of the latent image carrier 1 is not limited to a drum shape, and may be, for example, a sheet shape or an endless belt shape. In addition, various chargers include a corotron, a scorotron, a solid state charger (solid state charger), a contact arrangement or a gap tape or a gap between the latent image carrier and a means such as providing a step at the end. Known means such as a charging roller disposed in the vicinity can be used.

As the transfer means, the above-described charger can be generally used. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a combination of the transfer charger 10 and the separation charger 11 is effective.
Further, the light source such as the image exposure unit 5 and the charge removal lamp 2 emits light such as fluorescent lamp, tungsten lamp, halogen lamp, mercury lamp, sodium lamp, light emitting diode (LED), semiconductor laser (LD), and electroluminescence (EL). All things can be used. Various types of filters such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter can be used to irradiate only light in a desired wavelength range.
Such a light source or the like irradiates the latent image carrier with light by providing a transfer step, a static elimination step, a cleaning step, or a pre-exposure step in combination with light irradiation in addition to the steps shown in FIG. Can do.

  The toner image developed on the latent image carrier 1 by the developing unit 6 is transferred to a transfer paper (recording medium) 9, but not all is transferred, and the toner remains on the latent image carrier 1. To do. If such a residual toner is not cleaned and the next copying process is carried out, defective charging or a problem in forming an electrostatic latent image due to exposure will occur. Therefore, it is generally necessary to remove untransferred residual toner using a cleaning unit. Cleaning may be performed by using the cleaning brush 14 or the cleaning blade 15 alone or in combination as a cleaning means. Known cleaning brushes such as a fur brush and a mag fur brush are used. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 8 denotes a registration roller, and 12 denotes a separation claw.

  Examples of the elastic body having a low friction coefficient that forms the cleaning blade 15 include urethane resin, silicone resin, fluororesin, urethane elastomer, silicone elastomer, and fluoroelastomer. The cleaning blade 15 is preferably formed of a thermosetting urethane resin, and a urethane elastomer is particularly preferable from the viewpoints of wear resistance, ozone resistance, and contamination resistance. Elastomer includes rubber. The cleaning blade 15 preferably has a hardness (JIS-A) in the range of 65 to 85 degrees. The cleaning blade 15 preferably has a thickness of 0.8 to 3.0 mm and a protruding amount of 3 to 15 mm. Further, as other conditions, the contact pressure, the contact angle, the amount of biting, and the like can be determined as appropriate.

  Such a cleaning means that comes into contact with the latent image carrier has a high toner removing performance, but naturally, a mechanical hazard is given to the latent image carrier and the surface layer of the latent image carrier is worn. Since the latent image carrier having a protective layer suitably used in the present invention has extremely high wear resistance of the crosslinked surface layer, a stable and good image can be obtained even in an image forming apparatus having a cleaning means in contact with the surface. Can be output.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a lubricant application unit that supplies and applies a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier. In particular, in recent years, spherical toners, which are advantageous for improving the image quality of electrophotography, have been put into practical use. However, spherical toners are difficult to blade-clean as compared with conventional pulverized toners. Are known. Therefore, measures such as increasing the contact pressure of the cleaning blade and using a urethane rubber blade having high hardness are taken.
These methods tend to increase the hazard to the surface of the latent image carrier on which the blade abuts. In fact, it has been found that the surface wear amount of the latent image carrier tends to increase when spherical toner is used. . Since the latent image carrier having a crosslinked surface layer suitably used in the present invention has very high wear resistance, the crosslinked surface layer is hardly worn even under conditions where the hazard is large as described above. In some cases, problems such as blade squealing and blade edge wear, which are considered to be due to the high friction coefficient of the cleaning blade, may occur.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the friction coefficient of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with respect to the cleaning blade is reduced over a long period of time by providing a lubricant supply means for supplying and applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier. And the above problems can be solved.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of a lubricant supply unit used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
In FIG. 7, a rod-like lubricant (solid matter) 16 is pressed against the cleaning brush 14, and when the cleaning brush 14 rotates, the lubricant 16 is scraped off, and the lubricant adhering to the brush is the latent image carrier. It is a mechanism to be applied to the surface of. As the lubricant 16, the above-described lubricant is used. In the figure, reference numeral 15 denotes a cleaning blade.
As shown in FIG. 7, the provision of the lubricant supply means in the cleaning unit 117 has advantages such as easier layout design around the drum and simplification of the apparatus, but the cleaned toner. In some cases, a large amount of lubricant is mixed into the toner, making it difficult to recycle the toner or reducing the cleaning efficiency of the brush. Although not shown, the above problem can be solved by providing a lubricant application unit having a lubricant supply means independently of the cleaning unit. In that case, the lubricant application unit is preferably provided downstream of the cleaning unit. Furthermore, by providing the lubricant application units at a plurality of locations and operating them simultaneously or sequentially, it is possible to increase the efficiency of applying the lubricant and to control the consumption of the lubricant.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a latent image carrier 22 is driven by a drive roller 23, charged by a charging charger 29, image exposure by an image exposure light source 21, development by a developing unit (not shown), transfer using a transfer charger charger 25, and lubricant. Lubricant application by the application unit 30, uniform application of the lubricant by the lubricant leveling blade 31, cleaning by the cleaning brush 26, and static elimination by the static elimination light source 28 are repeated. In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes a transfer roller, and 27 denotes a driven roller.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a full-color image forming apparatus which is another example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the latent image carrier drum 56 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charging charger 53 using a corotron, a scorotron or the like, and then from a laser optical device (not shown). The electrostatic latent image is carried by scanning with the emitted laser beam (exposure) L. Since this scanning is performed based on single-color image information obtained by decomposing a full-color image into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black color information, yellow, magenta, cyan, or black are used on the latent image carrier drum 56. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  A revolver developing unit 66 is disposed on the left side of the latent image carrier drum 56 in FIG. The revolver developing unit 66 has a yellow developing unit, a magenta developing unit, a cyan developing unit, and a black developing unit in a rotating drum-shaped casing, and each developing unit is opposed to the latent image carrier drum 56 by rotation. Sequentially move to the developing position. The yellow developer, magenta developer, cyan developer, and black developer are for developing an electrostatic latent image by attaching yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. On the latent image carrier drum 56, electrostatic latent images for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed, and these images are sequentially developed by the developing units of the revolver developing unit 66, so that a yellow toner image and magenta toner image are formed. A toner image, a cyan toner image, and a black toner image are obtained.

  An intermediate transfer unit is disposed on the downstream side of the latent image carrier drum 56 from the development position. This is because the intermediate transfer belt 58 stretched by a tension roller 59a, an intermediate transfer bias roller 57 as a transfer means, a secondary transfer backup roller 59b, and a belt drive roller 59c is driven by rotation of the belt drive roller 59c. Move endlessly clockwise. The yellow toner image, magenta toner image, cyan toner image, and black toner image developed on the latent image carrier drum 56 are transferred to the intermediate transfer nip where the latent image carrier drum 56 and the intermediate transfer belt 58 are in contact with each other. enter in. Then, while being influenced by the bias from the intermediate transfer bias roller 57, the toner image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 58 and is primarily transferred to form a four-color superimposed toner image. The intermediate transfer method in which the toner images are superimposed using such an intermediate transfer belt is advantageous for color misregistration because the relative positioning of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member can be relatively easily and accurately performed. Therefore, it can be said that this is an effective means for obtaining a high-quality full-color image.

  Then, the surface of the latent image carrier drum 56 that has passed through the intermediate transfer nip in accordance with the rotation is cleaned of untransferred residual toner by the drum cleaning unit 55. The drum cleaning unit 55 cleans untransferred residual toner with a cleaning brush such as a fur brush or a mag fur brush, and uses a cleaning roller to which a cleaning bias is applied, a cleaning blade, or the like alone or in combination. It may be. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 9, the cleaning unit 55 is also used as a lubricant application member.

  The surface of the latent image carrier drum 56 from which the untransferred residual toner has been cleaned is discharged by the discharging lamp 54. As the static elimination lamp 54, a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser (LD), an electroluminescence (EL), or the like is used. A semiconductor laser is used as the light source of the laser optical device. About these emitted light, you may make it use only a desired wavelength range by various filters, such as a sharp cut filter, a band pass filter, a near-infrared cut filter, a dichroic filter, an interference filter, and a color temperature conversion filter.

  A transfer unit composed of various transfer rollers such as a transfer conveyance belt 62, a transfer bias roller 63, and a drive roller is disposed on the lower side of the intermediate transfer unit in FIG. 9, and a paper transfer belt 64, A fixing unit 65 is provided. The transfer unit may be moved in the vertical direction in FIG. 9 by a moving means (not shown). At least one color toner image (yellow toner image) on the intermediate transfer belt 58, two colors or three colors may be used. When the superimposed toner image passes through a position facing the secondary transfer bias roller 63, the toner image is retracted to a position where it does not contact the intermediate transfer belt 58. Then, the transfer unit moves to the contact position with the intermediate transfer belt 58 before the leading edge of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 58 enters the position facing the secondary transfer bias roller 63. To form a secondary transfer nip.

On the other hand, the registration roller pair 61 that sandwiches the recording medium 60 sent from a paper feeding cassette (not shown) between two rollers can superimpose the recording medium 60 on the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 58. It feeds toward the secondary transfer nip at the timing. The four-color superimposed toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 58 are secondarily transferred collectively onto the recording medium 60 under the influence of the secondary transfer bias from the paper transfer bias roller 63 in the secondary transfer nip. By this secondary transfer, a full color image is formed on the recording medium 60.
Then, the recording medium 60 on which the full-color image is formed is sent to the paper conveyance belt 64 by the transfer conveyance bell 62.
The paper conveying belt 64 sends the recording medium 60 received from the transfer unit into the fixing unit 65.

The fixing device unit conveys the fed recording medium 60 while being sandwiched in a fixing nip formed by the contact between the heating roller and the backup roller.
The full-color image on the recording medium 60 is fixed on the recording medium 60 under the influence of the heating from the heating roller and the pressing force in the fixing nip.

  Although not shown, a bias for attracting the recording medium 60 may be applied to the transfer conveyance belt 62 and the paper conveyance belt 64. Further, a paper recording medium neutralization charger that neutralizes the recording medium 60 and three belt neutralization chargers that neutralize each belt (the intermediate transfer belt 58, the transfer conveyance belt 62, and the conveyance belt 64) may be provided. Further, the intermediate transfer unit may include a belt cleaning unit having a configuration similar to that of the drum cleaning unit 55, thereby cleaning untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 58.

FIG. 10 is a schematic explanatory view showing a tandem color image forming apparatus which is another example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The tandem image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 includes an image forming apparatus main body 250, a paper feed table 300, a scanner 400, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 500. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged schematic explanatory view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The image forming apparatus main body 250 is provided with an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 150 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 150 is stretched around the support roller a (114), the support roller b (115), and the support roller c (116), and can rotate clockwise in FIG. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 117 for removing untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer body 150 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller b (115). Four image forming units 118 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are opposed to the intermediate transfer member 150 stretched by the support roller a (114) and the support roller b (115) along the conveyance direction. The tandem developing devices 220 arranged side by side are arranged. An exposure device 121 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing unit 220. A secondary transfer device 122 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 150 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing device 220 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 122, a secondary transfer belt 124, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 123, and the recording medium conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 124 and the intermediate transfer member 150 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 125 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 122.
In the tandem image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10, a sheet reversing device 128 for reversing the recording medium is formed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 122 and the fixing device 125 in order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium. Has been.

  Next, formation of a full-color image (color copy) using the tandem developing device 220 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 230 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 500, or the automatic document feeder 500 is opened and a document is set on the contact glass 132 of the scanner 400. Close 500.

When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when a document is set on the automatic document feeder 500, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 132, and then the document is set on the contact glass 132. Immediately when the scanner 400 is driven, the first traveling body 133 and the second traveling body 134 travel. At this time, light from the light source is emitted from the first traveling body 133 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 134 and is received by the reading sensor 136 through the imaging lens 135 and is reflected in color. An original (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.
Then, each image information of black, yellow, magenta and cyan is stored in each image forming means 118 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means and cyan image forming means in the tandem developing device 220. ) And black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed in the respective image forming means. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 126 denotes a fixing belt, 127 denotes a pressure roller, 151 denotes a manual feed tray, and 152 denotes a separation roller.

  That is, each image forming means 118 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem developing device 220 is a latent image as shown in FIG. Image carrier 110 (black latent image carrier 110K, yellow latent image carrier 110Y, magenta latent image carrier 110M, and cyan latent image carrier 110C) and latent image carrier 110 are uniformly charged. The latent image carrier 110 is exposed (laser light L in FIG. 11) in a manner corresponding to each color image based on the charger 160 and each color image information, and each color image is corresponding to the latent image carrier 110. An exposure unit that forms an electrostatic latent image, and the electrostatic latent image are developed using each color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner), and each color toner is developed. A developing device 161 for forming a toner image with toner; a transfer charger (primary transfer charger) 162 for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer member 150; a latent image carrier cleaning device 163; Each monochrome image (black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image) can be formed based on the image information of each color.

The black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image formed in this way are respectively transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 150 rotated by the support roller a (114), the support roller b (115), and the support roller c (116). A black image formed on the black latent image carrier 110K, a yellow image formed on the yellow latent image carrier 110Y, a magenta image and a cyan latent image carrier formed on the magenta latent image carrier 110M. The cyan image formed on the body 110C is sequentially transferred (primary transfer).
Then, the black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image are superimposed on the intermediate transfer member 150 to form a composite color image (composite transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 300, one of the paper feed rollers 242 is selectively rotated to feed out a recording medium (recording paper) from one of the paper feed cassettes 244 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 243, and the separation roller 245. Are separated one by one and sent to the paper feed path 246, transported by the transport roller 247, guided to the paper feed path 248 in the image forming apparatus main body 250, and abutted against the registration roller 149 to stop. Alternatively, the sheet feeding roller is rotated to feed out the recording medium (recording paper) on the manual feed tray 151, separated one by one by the separation roller 152, put into the manual sheet feed path 153, and abutted against the registration roller 149 and stopped. . The registration roller 149 is generally used while being grounded, but may be used in a state where a bias is applied to remove paper dust from the recording medium.

  Then, the registration roller 149 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (composite transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 150, and a recording medium (recording paper) is interposed between the intermediate transfer member 150 and the secondary transfer device 122. ), And the secondary transfer device 122 transfers the composite color image (composite transfer image) onto the recording medium (recording paper), thereby transferring the color image onto the recording medium (recording paper). Is formed. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 150 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 117.

The recording medium (recording paper) on which the color image has been transferred is conveyed by the secondary transfer device 122 and sent to the fixing device 125, where the combined color image (with the heat and pressure) The composite transfer image) is fixed on the recording medium (recording paper). Thereafter, this recording medium (recording paper) is switched by the switching claw 155 and discharged by the discharge roller 156 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 157, or switched by the switching claw 155 and reversed by the sheet reversing device 128 and again. After leading to the transfer position and recording an image on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 156 and stacked on the discharge tray 157.
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 165 denotes a developing sleeve, 166 denotes a stirring portion, 167 denotes a developing portion, 168 denotes a stirring screw, 169 denotes a partition plate, 170 denotes a developing case, 171 denotes a toner density sensor, 172 denotes a developing roller, and 173 denotes a developing roller. A doctor blade, 174 is a lubricant, 175 is a cleaning blade, 176 is a cleaning brush, 177 is an electric field roller, 178 is a scraper, 179 is a recovery screw, and 180 is a toner recycling device.

  In the tandem method, latent image formation and development of each color can be performed in parallel, so that the image formation speed can be much higher than that of the revolver method. Furthermore, the printer of FIG. 10 also employs an intermediate transfer system, and by mounting the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention, a high-quality full-color image with little color misregistration can be repeated at a very high speed for a long period of time. Can be output.

[Process cartridge]
The process cartridge of the present invention comprises at least one of a latent image carrier, a charging unit, and a developing unit, and a lubricant supply unit that applies the lubricant of the present invention to the surface of the latent image carrier, and Other means appropriately selected as necessary are combined and supported integrally, and can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the process cartridge of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the process cartridge of the present invention incorporates a latent image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 601, includes a charger 602, a developing unit 604, and a cleaning unit 609, and further, if necessary. It has other means. Reference numeral 603 denotes an exposure unit (latent image forming unit), 605 denotes a recording medium, and 610 denotes a conveyance roller. The process cartridge shown in FIG. 12 is a cleaning unit including a lubricant supply unit. The lubricant 606 is pressed against the cleaning brush 608 constituting the cleaning unit 609, and the lubricant is supplied by the cleaning brush 608. The cleaning blade 607 also serves as a lubricant leveling blade.

EXAMPLES Next, although an Example demonstrates this invention further in detail, this invention is not limited to a following example. In addition, all “parts” used in Examples and Comparative Examples represent parts by mass.
First, in order to produce the latent image carrier of Example, a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure (charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group) and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure were synthesized, and an amine compound. A lubricant application member (lubricant: a lubricious substance or a lubricious material) containing s.
As a charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group, a triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound is exemplified as a charge transporting polyol having the structure of Exemplified Compound D2-4 shown in Table 8 and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure. An example of synthesis is shown below. Moreover, the manufacture example is shown taking the lubricant (lubricating substance or lubricating material) containing the amine compound which has the structure of the exemplary compound 1-1 shown in Table 1 as an example. The lubricants using other amine compounds in the examples can be produced in the same manner.

[Synthesis Example 1]
<Synthesis Example of Polymerizable Compound Having Charge Transporting Structure>
[Synthesis Example of Charge Transporting Polyol D2-4]
(1) Synthesis of Charge-Transporting Polyol D2-3 First, using a derivative necessary for the structure of the target compound, the reaction route is the same as the reaction route in the synthesis example of the exemplified compound D1-3 and the exemplified compound D3-2 described above. A hydroxy α-phenyl stilbene derivative represented by the following structural formula (D2-3) [Exemplary Compound D2-3 in Table 8] ({4- [2,2-bis- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -vinyl] -phenyl } -Di-p-toluyl-amine).

(2) Synthesis of charge transporting polyol D2-4 33.9 g of the amine [Structural Formula (D2-3)] obtained in (1) and 35 g of potassium carbonate were put in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer. 120 ml of dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and 3 ml of nitrobenzene were added and dissolved. Subsequently, 70.5 g of 2-bromoethanol was dropped and reacted at 100 ° C. for 18 hours. Then, it cooled to room temperature, the insoluble matter was removed, and it diluted with toluene. Thereafter, the toluene solution was washed with brine and water, and magnesium sulfate was added for dehydration. Thereafter, filtration was performed and toluene was distilled off to obtain 39.6 g of a crude product as a target product.
Then, using a column packed with silica gel, purification was performed by column chromatography using a mixed solvent of dichloromethane / ethyl acetate (20/1 to 3/1) as a developing solvent, and further to a mixed solvent of toluene / cyclohexane (2/1). The target product (2- (4- {2- [4- (di-p-toluyl) represented by the following structural formula (D2-4) [Exemplary compound D2-4 in Table 8]] -Amino) phenyl-]-1- [4- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy) -phenyl] -vinyl} -phenoxy) -ethanol) (OH equivalent: 285.86) (yield 22.3 g, yellow crystals) Mp 178.5-179.0 ° C.).

このような電荷輸送性物質は、例えば、イソシアネート化合物と架橋してウレタン結合を有する架橋層を形成したり、シラノール化合物と架橋してシロキサン結合を有する架橋層を形成したりすることができる。

For example, such a charge transporting substance can be crosslinked with an isocyanate compound to form a crosslinked layer having a urethane bond, or can be crosslinked with a silanol compound to form a crosslinked layer having a siloxane bond.

[Synthesis Example 2]
<Synthesis Example of Radical Polymerizable Compound Having Charge Transporting Structure>
The radically polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure suitably used in the present invention is synthesized by, for example, a method described in Japanese Patent No. 3164426. Moreover, an example of this compound is shown below.
(1) Synthesis of hydroxy group-substituted triarylamine compound [the following structural formula (B)] 113.85 g (0.3 mol) of methoxy group-substituted triarylamine compound [the following structural formula (A)] and 138 g of sodium iodide (0) .92 mol) was added 240 ml of sulfolane and heated to 60 ° C. in a nitrogen stream. In this solution, 99 g (0.91 mol) of trimethylchlorosilane was added dropwise over 1 hour and stirred at a temperature of about 60 ° C. for 4 and a half hours to complete the reaction.
About 1.5 L of toluene was added to the reaction solution, cooled to room temperature, and repeatedly washed with water and an aqueous sodium carbonate solution. Thereafter, the solvent was removed from the toluene solution and purified by column chromatography (adsorption medium: silica gel, developing solvent: toluene: ethyl acetate = 20: 1). Cyclohexane was added to the obtained pale yellow oil to precipitate crystals. In this way, 88.1 g (yield 80.4%) of white crystals represented by the following structural formula (B) was obtained (melting point: 64.0 to 66.0 ° C.).

The elemental analysis values of the white crystals represented by the structural formula (B) thus obtained are shown in Table 12 below together with the calculated values.

(2) Synthesis of triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound 82.9 g (0.227 mol) of the hydroxy group-substituted triarylamine compound [Structural Formula (B)] obtained in (1) above was dissolved in 400 ml of tetrahydrofuran, and nitrogen was added. A sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (NaOH 12.4 g, water 100 ml) was added dropwise in an air stream. The solution was cooled to 5 ° C., and 25.2 g (0.272 mol) of acrylic acid chloride was added dropwise over 40 minutes. Then, it stirred at 5 degreeC for 3 hours, and reaction was complete | finished.
The reaction solution was poured into water and extracted with toluene. This extract was repeatedly washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and water. Thereafter, the solvent was removed from the toluene solution and purified by column chromatography (adsorption medium: silica gel, developing solvent: toluene). N-Hexane was added to the obtained colorless oil to precipitate crystals. In this way, 80.73 g (yield: 84.8%) of white crystals of the triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound was obtained (melting point: 117.5 to 119.0 ° C.).
The elemental analysis values of the obtained white crystals of the following compounds are shown in Table 13 below together with the calculated values.

[Example 1]
<Manufacture of lubricant application member containing amine compound>
First, 90 parts by mass of zinc stearate and 10 parts by mass of an amine compound having the structure of Exemplary Compound 1-1 shown in Table 1 were melted at 140 ° C. with stirring. Separately, the melt was poured into a cavity of an aluminum mold having a cavity of width 8 mm × depth 8 mm × length 500 mm preheated at 140 ° C. After pouring, a preheated insulating lid was placed on top of the mold. The mold was then placed under room temperature conditions and allowed to cool until the mold temperature reached 50 ° C. After 2 hours, the solidified molded product was taken out from the mold.
The molded product is processed into a shape of width 8mm x thickness 11mm x length 380mm, and a full color printer (RICOH)
ProC900 (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) was obtained, and a lubricant (lubricating substance or lubricating material) containing an amine compound of Example Compound 1-1 was obtained. This lubricant is applied to a full color printer (RICOH).
A lubricant coated member sheet metal (metal support) mounted on Pro C900 (manufactured by Ricoh Company) was bonded with double-sided tape instead of the existing lubricant.
In addition, the temperature heated in order to melt a fatty acid metal salt was made into about 15-30 degreeC temperature higher than melting | fusing point of each fatty acid metal salt.

(Preparation of latent image carrier 1)
[Undercoat layer]
On the Al support (outer diameter 100 mmφ), the following undercoat layer coating solution was applied by the dipping method so that the film thickness after drying at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes was 3.5 μm. A pulling layer was formed.
<Coating liquid for undercoat layer>
Alkyd resin: 6 parts (Beccosol 1307-60-EL, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Melamine resin: 4 parts (Super Becamine G-821-60, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Titanium oxide (CR-EL: Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) 40 parts Methyl ethyl ketone: 50 parts

(Charge generation layer)
On the formed undercoat layer, dip coating was performed using the following charge generation layer coating solution, followed by heating and drying at 90 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a thickness of 0.2 μm.
<Coating liquid for charge generation layer>
Y-type titanyl phthalocyanine: 6 parts Butyral resin (BX-1: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.): 4 parts 2-butanone: 200 parts

(Charge transport layer)
On the formed charge generation layer, dip coating is performed using a charge transport layer coating solution containing a charge transport material having the following structure, followed by heating and drying at 135 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 22 μm. Formed.
<Coating liquid for charge transport layer>
Bisphenol Z-type polycarbonate: 10 parts Low molecular charge transport material having the following structure (VI): 10 parts Tetrahydrofuran: 80 parts

[Surface layer (crosslinked surface layer)]
On this charge transport layer, a coating solution 1 for crosslinked surface layer (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 1) having the following composition is spray-coated in a nitrogen stream, and then left in the nitrogen stream for 10 minutes to dry the touch. Carried out. Thereafter, in a UV light irradiation booth in which the inside of the booth is replaced with nitrogen gas so that the oxygen concentration becomes 2% or less, metal halide lamp: 160 W / cm, irradiation distance: 120 mm, irradiation intensity: 700 mW / cm ² , irradiation time: Light irradiation was performed for 60 seconds, and drying was further performed at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to provide a surface layer (crosslinked surface layer) having a thickness of 8 μm. Thus, a latent image carrier 1 was produced.
<Crosslinked surface layer coating solution 1>
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure: 10 parts [Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., molecular weight: 296, functional group number: trifunctional, molecular weight / functional group number = 99)]
Radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure: 10 parts (compound of the following structural formula)

Photopolymerization initiator: 1 part [1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)]
Tetrahydrofuran solution of 1% UV curable leveling agent: 5 parts [Mixture of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate (trade name: BYK-UV
3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
Tetrahydrofuran: 100 parts

The lubricant application member and latent image carrier 1 containing the amine compound produced as described above were modified so that the following evaluation was possible.
Pro C900 (manufactured by Ricoh Company) was mounted on a black station of a modified machine, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed under the following conditions. The results are shown in Table 14 below.

<Image blur evaluation>
Under a 27 ° C. and 85% RH environment, 5000 black single color test charts having an image area ratio of 5% were continuously output, and then the image forming apparatus main body was turned off. After the elapse of 24 hours, the image forming apparatus main body was turned on to output a 1200 dpi, 2by2 black single-color whole surface halftone image, and the presence or absence of blur due to image blur was evaluated.
The evaluation criteria were as follows.
A: Image blur does not occur.
○: Slight image blur occurred just under the charger, but practically no problem.
Δ: Slight image blur occurred just under and around the charger, but at a practically acceptable level.
X: Image blurring occurs not only directly under the charger but also on the almost entire surface in the circumferential direction on the back side of the image forming apparatus, and is an unacceptable level.
<Abrasion resistance evaluation>
A running test was performed in which 100,000 black single color test charts having an image area ratio of 15% were continuously output in an environment of 25 ° C. and 50% RH. The film thickness of the photosensitive layer before and after the running test was measured with an eddy current film thickness meter (Fisherscope MMS, manufactured by Fischer), and the amount of abrasion of the photosensitive layer by continuous output of 100,000 sheets was calculated. Note that the film thickness of the photosensitive layer is an average value measured from the position of the upper end 50 mm to 330 mm at intervals of 10 mm in an arbitrary main scanning direction (drum axis direction) of the carrier drum so that the same portion can be measured before and after running. Marked.
It is considered that the smaller the amount of wear, the better the coating property of the lubricant and the higher the protection of the surface of the latent image carrier.
<Scratch resistance evaluation>
The surface of the latent image carrier after the wear resistance evaluation was visually observed for the presence of streak-like scratches in the sub-scanning direction (drum circumferential direction). It is considered that the greater the number of scratches, the better the coating property of the lubricant and the lower the protective property of the latent image carrier surface.

[Examples 2 to 20]
In Example 1, except that the content ratio of the amine compound in the amine compound (exemplary compound No.) and the lubricant (lubricant material) used in the lubricant material was changed as shown in Table 14 below, respectively. Lubricating materials were produced in the same manner as in Example 1, and image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 14 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 1]
In Example 1, except that the amine compound was not included, a lubricating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 14 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 2]
In Example 1, a lubricating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amine compound was changed to Antioxidant 1 (Sanol LS-2626; manufactured by Sankyo Corporation) of Comparative Example 2 shown in Table 15 below. Then, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 14 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 3]
In Example 1, a lubricating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amine compound was changed to the antioxidant 2 of Comparative Example 3 (Sanol LS-744; manufactured by Sankyo Co., Ltd.) shown in Table 15 below. Then, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 14 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 4]
Lubricating material in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amine compound in Example 1 was changed to the antioxidant 3 of Comparative Example 3 (IRGANOX-MD1024; manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) shown in Table 15 below. And image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 14 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

In the image forming apparatuses of Examples 1 to 20 having the configuration of the present invention, image blurring occurs even after leaving 5000 images in a high temperature and high humidity environment after forming 5000 images while applying a lubricant. It turns out that it is difficult to do. Further, when Examples 1 and 9 to 11 are compared, it can be observed that image blur suppression and amine compound content are closely related. Further, the wear resistance and scratch resistance are maintained at a level that does not cause a problem in practical use, and it can be confirmed that the side effect on the lubricity due to the inclusion of the amine compound is small.
On the other hand, in the image forming apparatuses of Comparative Example 1 that did not contain the amine compound and Comparative Examples 2 to 4 that contained the antioxidants 1 to 3, image blur occurred in the same evaluation. The reason may be that the deterioration of the lubrication material due to the discharge product could not be suppressed, or the antioxidant itself was deteriorated, which could cause image blurring. However, the image blur suppression effect confirmed by the image forming apparatus of the present invention was not exhibited.

[Example 21]
In Example 1, the same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution was changed to the following monomer. A latent image carrier 2 was prepared, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure: 10 parts
[Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD
DPCA-60, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., molecular weight: 1263, number of functional groups: 6, functional weight / number of functional groups = 211)]

[Example 22]
In Example 1, the same procedure as in Example 1 was performed except that the trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution was changed to the following monomer. A latent image carrier 3 was prepared, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure: 10 parts
[Dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD
DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd .; molecular weight: 1947, number of functional groups: 6, functional, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 325)]

[Example 23]
In Example 1, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula. Similarly, a latent image carrier 4 was produced, and image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 24]
In Example 1, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula. Similarly, a latent image carrier 5 was produced, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 25]
In Example 1, the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula. Similarly, a latent image carrier 6 was produced, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 26]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, a crosslinked surface layer coating solution 2 (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 2) having the following composition was applied onto the charge transport layer using a spray coating method, allowed to dry naturally for 1 minute, and then used with a metal halide lamp. Irradiation was performed under the conditions of irradiation distance: 120 mm, irradiation intensity: 500 mW / cm ² , irradiation time: 45 seconds, and the coating film was cured. Further, drying was performed at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to provide a crosslinked surface layer of 4 μm, and a latent image carrier 7 was produced. Using the same lubricating material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, Scratch resistance was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
<Crosslinked surface layer coating solution 2>
Alumina (average primary particle size: 0.3 μm, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.): 3.0 parts Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer: 0.06 parts (BYK-P104; manufactured by BYK Chemie)
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure: 5 parts [Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (SR-351, manufactured by Sartomer)]
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure: 5 parts [dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)]
Radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure: 10 parts (compound of the following structural formula)

光重合開始剤: １部
［１−ヒドロキシ−シクロヘキシル−フェニル−ケトン（イルガキュア１８４、チバ・スペシャルティ・ケミカルズ社製）］
テトラヒドロフラン: １００部

Photopolymerization initiator: 1 part [1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)]
Tetrahydrofuran: 100 parts

[Example 27]
In Example 26, the latent image carrier 8 was produced in the same manner as in Example 26 except that the alumina fine particles contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution were replaced with silica fine particles (KMPX100: manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.). Using the same lubricating material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 28]
In Example 26, the latent image carrier 9 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 26 except that the alumina fine particles contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution were replaced with titanium oxide fine particles (CR-97: manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.). Using the same lubricating material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 29]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, the following surface layer coating solution 3 (surface layer coating solution 3) is applied onto the charge transport layer using a spray coating method, dried at 150 ° C. for 20 minutes, and a surface cross-linked layer having a thickness of 5 μm. Then, the latent image carrier 10 was produced, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed using the same lubricating material as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
<Surface layer coating solution 3>
Alumina (average primary particle size; 0.3 μm, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.): 3.0 parts Unsaturated polycarboxylic acid polymer: 0.06 parts (BYK-P104; manufactured by BYK Chemie)
Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Limited): 10 parts Dibutylhydroxytoluene (BHT): 0.06 parts Antioxidant (Sanol LS-2626, manufactured by Sankyo Corporation): 0.20 parts Tetrahydrofuran: 230 parts Cyclohexanone: 70 Part

[Example 30]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, a crosslinked surface layer coating solution 4 (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 4) having the following composition was applied onto the charge transport layer using a spray coating method, allowed to air dry for 1 minute, and then 30 ° C. at 30 ° C. Heated for 5 minutes to form a surface cross-linked layer having a thickness of 5 μm to produce a latent image carrier 11, and using the same lubricating material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, scratch resistance Evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 16 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
<Crosslinked surface layer coating solution 4>
Polyol: 20 parts [Styrene-acrylic copolymer composed of styrene, methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate (polyol = LZR-170; solid content: 41% by mass: manufactured by Fujikura Kasei Co., Ltd.)]
Charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group (D2-4): 20 parts Isocyanate [polyol adduct of tolylene diisocyanate]: 38 parts (isocyanate = coronate L: solid content 75%; manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.)
Tetrahydrofuran solution of 1% silicone oil: 5 parts (silicone oil = KF50-100CS; manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Cyclohexanone: 50 parts Tetrahydrofuran: 200 parts

  In the image forming apparatuses of Examples 21 to 25 and 30 having the configuration of the present invention, image blurring is less likely to occur even if the constituent material of the surface layer of the latent image carrier is changed. In the image forming apparatuses of Examples 26 to 29, since the surface layer of the latent image carrier contains fine particles, the latent image carrier having improved lubricity and improved wear resistance is mounted. Even in this case, it can be seen that the side effects of image blur are suppressed as much as possible, and that remarkable wear resistance and scratch resistance are exhibited.

As described above, a latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier. Latent image forming means, developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body, A lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, wherein the lubricant applying means contains at least a lubricating substance and an amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (5). The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is equipped with the lubricant according to the present invention and applied to the surface of the latent image carrier without causing image blur even in a high temperature and high humidity environment. Therefore, the durability of the electrostatic latent image carrier can be remarkably improved. I, stable, can output a high-quality image.
In other words, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention significantly improves the durability of the latent image carrier without generating image blur even in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, and stably provides a high-quality image over a long period of time. Since it can output, it can be suitably used as an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a composite machine having a latent image carrier.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Latent image carrier 2 Static elimination lamp 3 Charger charger 5 Image exposure part 6 Developing unit 7 Charger before transfer 8 Registration roller 9 Transfer paper (recording medium)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Transfer charger 11 Separation charger 12 Separation claw 13 Charger before cleaning 14 Cleaning brush 15 Cleaning blade 16 Lubricant (solid matter)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Cleaning unit 21 Image exposure light source 22 Latent image carrier 23 Drive roller 24 Transfer roller 25 Transfer charger charger 26 Cleaning brush 27 Driven roller 28 Static elimination light source 29 Charger charger 30 Lubricant application unit 31 Lubricant leveling blade 53 Charger charger 54 Static elimination lamp 55 Drum cleaning unit 56 Latent image carrier drum 57 Intermediate transfer bias roller 58 Intermediate transfer belt 59a Tension roller 59b Secondary transfer backup roller 59c Belt drive roller 60 Recording medium 61 Registration roller pair 62 Transfer conveyance belt 63 Transfer bias roller 64 Paper transport belt 65 Fixing unit 66 Revolver developing unit 101 Support body 102 Photosensitive layer 103 Charge generation layer (CGL)
104 Charge transport layer (CTL)
105 Undercoat layer 106 Protective layer 110 Latent image carrier 110K Black latent image carrier 110Y Yellow latent image carrier 110M Magenta latent image carrier 110C Cyan latent image carrier 114 Support roller a
115 Support roller b
116 Support roller c
117 Intermediate transfer member cleaning device 118 Image forming means 121 Exposure device 122 Secondary transfer device 123 Pair of rollers 124 Secondary transfer belt 125 Fixing device 126 Fixing belt 127 Pressure roller 128 Sheet reversing device 132 Contact glass 133 First traveling member 134 Second traveling member 135 Imaging lens 136 Reading sensor 149 Registration roller 150 Intermediate transfer member 151 Manual feed tray 152 Separating roller 153 Manual feed path 155 Switching claw 156 Discharge roller 157 Discharge tray 160 Charger 161 Developer 162 Transfer charger ( (Primary transfer charger)
163 Latent image carrier cleaning device 164 Static eliminator 165 Developing sleeve 166 Agitating unit 167 Developing unit 168 Agitating screw 169 Partition plate 170 Developing case 171 Toner density sensor 172 Developing roller 173 Doctor blade 174 Lubricant 175 Cleaning blade 176 Cleaning brush 177 Electric roller 178 Scraper 179 Collecting screw 180 Toner recycling device 242 Paper feed roller 243 Paper bank 244 Paper feed cassette 245 Separating roller 246 Paper feed path 247 Transport roller 248 Paper feed path 220 Tandem type developer 230 Document base 250 Image forming apparatus main body 300 Paper feed Table 400 Scanner 500 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
601 Latent image carrier (electrophotographic photoreceptor)
602 Charger 603 Exposure means (latent image forming means)
604 Developing means 605 Recording medium 606 Lubricant 607 Cleaning blade 608 Cleaning brush 609 Cleaning means 610 Conveying roller L Laser light (exposure)

JP 2000-162881 A JP 2002-229241 A JP 2003-241570 A JP 2008-139804 A JP 2004-258177 A

Claims (22)

A latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and a latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body, and the latent image carrier A lubricant used in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to a surface,
A lubricant comprising at least one selected from a lubricating substance and an amine compound represented by the following general formulas (1) to (5).

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ At least one of ˜R ⁶ is Y. R ⁷ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene group, R ⁸ and R ⁹ are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be the same or different, and R ⁸ and R ⁹ may be bonded to each other to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, provided that R ⁸ and R ⁹ Any one of them is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ^{1 .R} 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y of to R ⁶ are the the same as in the general formula (1) .X represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom.)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R ^.R 7, ^{R 8} and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).)

(Wherein R ¹ , R ² , R ³ , R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the formula Y, and may be the same or different, provided that R ¹ to R .R ⁸ and ^{R 9} at least one is a Y ⁶ is the same as the general formula (1).) The lubricant according to claim 1, wherein the lubricating substance contains at least a fatty acid metal salt. The fatty acid metal salt is at least one fatty acid selected from the group of stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and oleic acid, and at least one metal selected from the group of zinc, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron and lithium. The lubricant according to claim 2, wherein 4. The content of the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (5) is 0.1 to 40% by mass in the lubricant. 4. lubricant. A latent image carrier for carrying an electrostatic latent image, a charging means for charging the surface of the latent image carrier, and a latent image forming means for forming an electrostatic latent image on the latent image carrier Developing means for developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the latent image carrier to a transfer body, and the latent image carrier In an image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the lubricant applying unit is mounted with the lubricant according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and applies the lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lubricant mounted on the lubricant applying unit is in a solid state. The latent image carrier has at least a photosensitive layer on a conductive support, and the surface layer of the latent image carrier is cured and formed using a polymerizable compound having at least a charge transporting structure. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises: The cross-linked surface layer is formed by curing and forming using a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the polymerizable functional group of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer not having the charge transport structure is an acryloyloxy group and / or a methacryloyloxy group. The ratio (molecular weight / number of functional groups) of molecular weight to the number of polymerizable functional groups of a trifunctional or higher-functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure is 250 or less. Image forming apparatus. 11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the polymerizable functional group of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the charge transport structure of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure has a triarylamine structure. The at least one radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure is a compound represented by the following general formula (I) or (II). The image forming apparatus described in 1.

[In the formulas (I) and (II)), R ¹⁰ has a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, -COOR ¹¹ (wherein R ¹¹ has a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group which may be substituted), a carbonyl halide group or CONR ¹² R ¹³ (R ¹² and R ^{13 each} have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. An aryl group which may have an aralkyl group or a substituent, which may be the same or different from each other. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent an arylene group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different. X ¹⁰ represents a single bond, an alkylene group that may have a substituent, a cycloalkylene group that may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group that may have a substituent, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, or a vinylene group. Represents. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group which may have a substituent. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ] The at least one kind of radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure is a compound represented by the following general formula (III). Image forming apparatus.

[In formula (III), Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. Rb and Rc are substituents other than a hydrogen atom and represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. o, p, and q are each 0 or 1, and s and t represent the integer of 0-3. Za represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, or a divalent group represented by the following formula (a), (b) or (c). ]

The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the surface layer contains filler fine particles. The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the filler fine particles are inorganic fillers. The image forming apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the inorganic filler is a metal oxide. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the metal oxide contains at least one oxide selected from silicon oxide, titanium oxide, and aluminum oxide. An image forming apparatus having the latent image carrier, a charging unit, a latent image forming unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a lubricant applying unit has a configuration in which a plurality of color toner images are sequentially superimposed to form a color image. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image forming elements each including at least a latent image carrier, a charging unit, a developing unit, and a transfer unit. An intermediate transfer member on which the toner image formed on the latent image carrier is primarily transferred; and a transfer means for secondary transfer of the toner image carried on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium,
The color image is formed by sequentially superimposing a plurality of color toner images on an intermediate transfer member, and the color image is secondarily transferred collectively onto a recording medium. Image forming apparatus. Support at least one of a latent image carrier, at least one of charging means and developing means, and a lubricant supply means for applying the lubricant according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to the surface of the latent image carrier. A process cartridge which is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body according to any one of claims 5 to 21.

Images