JP2012168233A - Lubricant, image forming apparatus using the same, and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having lubricant application means capable of outputting images with high durability and high quality, and stable and without the occurrence of image blur in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment, as well as the lubricant, and a process cartridge.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier, charging means, latent image forming means, developing means, transfer means, and lubricant application means having lubricant mounted therein, which contains at least a lubricative material and an amine compound represented by a specific structural formula. The image forming apparatus applies lubricant to the latent image carrier with the use of the lubricant application means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant and an image forming apparatus using the same, and more specifically, a lubricant application mechanism for applying a lubricant to a surface of a latent image carrier is mounted, and the durability is stable over a long period of time with high quality. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus (such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof) using an electrophotographic system that can output an image 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 and shorten the life of the rubber blade and the organic photoreceptor.

  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 or a brush 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. Since there are problems such as image flow that accumulates on the body and excessive lubricant mixes with the developer, resulting in poor developer performance. It was necessary to leave.

  On the other hand, as a method for improving the cleaning property, a method in which a lubricant is externally added to a toner used as a developer, and the lubricant is supplied 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 cleaning defects and harsh frictional noises are likely to occur.

  In addition, when 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 the amount of lubricant applied is too small, and the latent image carrier is worn, scratched, If the effect of the blade deterioration cannot be exerted and the image density is too high or the concentration of the externally added lubricant is too high, the externally added lubricant is placed on the latent image carrier. As the amount increases, the lubricant is excessively applied and the excess lubricant is accumulated on the latent image carrier. Depending on the image forming conditions, blurring may occur due to image flow at the edge of the image area, or the lubricant may be charged. Since the transfer to the roller causes variations in the resistance of the charging roller and causes problems such as poor charging, 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, it is possible to output an image stably for a long period of time without causing image blurring in a high temperature and high humidity environment with excellent durability and high quality. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a lubricant used therefor, and a process cartridge for the image forming apparatus.

  As a result of intensive studies, the present inventors have found that the above problems can be solved by the inventions described in the following [1] to [23], and have reached the present invention. Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described.

  [1]: The above problem is that 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 is at least a lubricating substance and the following general formulas (1) to (22). It solves by the lubricant characterized by containing the amine compound represented by either.

[In formula (1), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. ]

Wherein ^{(2), R 1, R} 2 represents an aromatic ring group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l, m, and n are not 0 or 1 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ² and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ¹ may each form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (3), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (4), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (5), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. X represents a divalent linking group such as a methylene group, a cyclohexylidene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom. ]

[In Formula (6), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , and Ar ¹ and Ar ³ may each form a ring together. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. ]

[In Formula (7), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ and R ^{4 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. However, any one of Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ³ or R ⁴ is an aromatic heterocyclic group. ]

[In Formula (8), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ^2, or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (9), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (10), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In formula (11), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (11a)

[In formula (11a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (12), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (12a)

[In Formula (12a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. However, R ³ and R ⁴ are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (13), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (14), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (15), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ⁴ , Ar ² and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (16), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ⁴ , Ar ² and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (17), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (18), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (19), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0 at the same time, R ³ and R ⁴ may represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other. And a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (20), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m are 0 to 4, and n is an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0, R ³ and R ⁴ represent an alkyl group having 1 to ⁴ carbon atoms, which may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other to form nitrogen. A heterocyclic group containing an atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (21), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3, and are not 0 at the same time. ]

[In Formula (22), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3 and are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. ]

  [2]: The lubricant according to [1], wherein the lubricating substance contains at least a fatty acid metal salt.

  [3]: In the lubricant according to the above [2], the fatty acid metal salt is at least one fatty acid selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and oleic acid, zinc, aluminum, calcium, It consists of at least 1 type of metal selected from the group of magnesium, 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 formula (1) contained in the lubricant is 0.1 mass. % Or more and 40% by mass or less.

  [5]: The problem is that 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 according to any one of [1] to [4]. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that 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 crosslinked surface layer has a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerization having no charge transporting structure. It is characterized by being cured and formed using a functional monomer.

  [9]: In the image forming apparatus according to [8], the polymerizable functional group of the trifunctional or higher functional polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure is an acryloyloxy group and / or a methacryloyloxy group. It is characterized by that.

  [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 trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure (molecular weight / functional group 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.

  [13]: In the image forming apparatus described in [12] above, 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 (I) or ( II).

[In the formula (I) or (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. Aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₁₁ (R ₁₁ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Or a halogenated carbonyl group or CONR ₁₂ R ₁₃ (R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Represents an aralkyl group or an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ represent an arylene group which may have a substituent. Identical or different Good. 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 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, a sulfur atom or a vinylene group. To express. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group which may have a substituent, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ]

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

  [In the formula (III), o, p and q are each an integer of 0 or 1, Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rb and Rc represent a substituent other than a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. May be the same or different. s and t represent an integer of 0 to 3. Za represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, or a divalent group represented by the following formulas (a), (b), and (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]: In the image forming apparatus described in [16] above, 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]: In the image forming apparatus according to any one of [5] to [18], the charging unit includes a corona charger.

  [20]: The image forming apparatus according to any one of [5] to [19], 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.

  [21]: In the image forming apparatus according to [20], 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. It is characterized by being a tandem type.

  [22]: In the image forming apparatus described in [20] or [21] above, an intermediate transfer member on which the toner image formed on the latent image carrier is primarily transferred, and the intermediate transfer member 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 is characterized by being configured to perform secondary transfer.

  [23]: At least one of the latent image carrier, the charging unit, and the developing unit, and the lubricant supply for applying the lubricant according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to the surface of the latent image carrier. This is solved by a process cartridge characterized in that it is integrally supported by a combination of means and detachable from the image forming apparatus main body according to any one of [5] to [22].

  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 facilitate storage, transportation, etc., and to improve handling such as enabling a 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 according to the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the lubricant application mechanism used for the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows another example of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram illustrating an example in which an image forming method of the present invention is carried out by an image forming apparatus (tandem color image forming apparatus) according to the present invention. It is a partial expansion schematic explanatory drawing in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. It is the schematic which shows an example of the process cartridge which concerns on this invention.

  The lubricant according to the present invention forms an electrostatic latent image 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. 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, The lubricant used in an image forming apparatus having a lubricant applying means for applying a lubricant to the surface of the latent image carrier, wherein at least a lubricating substance and the following general formulas (1) to (22): And an amine compound represented by any one of them.

[In formula (1), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. ]

Wherein ^{(2), R 1, R} 2 represents an aromatic ring group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l, m, and n are not 0 or 1 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ² and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ¹ may each form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (3), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (4), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (5), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. X represents a divalent linking group such as a methylene group, a cyclohexylidene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom. ]

[In Formula (6), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , and Ar ¹ and Ar ³ may each form a ring together. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. ]

[In Formula (7), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ and R ^{4 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. However, any one of Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ³ or R ⁴ is an aromatic heterocyclic group. ]

[In Formula (8), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ^2, or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (9), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (10), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In formula (11), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (11a)

[In formula (11a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (12), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (12a)

[In Formula (12a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. However, R ³ and R ⁴ are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (13), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (14), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (15), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (16), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (17), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (18), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (19), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0 at the same time, R ³ and R ⁴ may represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other. And a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (20), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m are 0 to 4, and n is an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0, R ³ and R ⁴ represent an alkyl group having 1 to ⁴ carbon atoms, which may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other to form nitrogen. A heterocyclic group containing an atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (21), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3, and are not 0 at the same time. ]

[In Formula (22), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3 and are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. ]

  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 supply 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 relative 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, especially in high-temperature and high-humidity environments, A quality image can be provided stably. Furthermore, by applying the lubricant of the present invention to the surface of the latent image carrier, the releasability of the toner is improved, and the spherical toner which is difficult to clean can be easily cleaned. Problems such as blade squeal and blade edge wear that are likely to occur during rubbing can be solved.

  The lubricant does not need to be 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. Can be selected as appropriate. As the lubricating material (lubricating substance), for example, fatty acid metal salt, natural wax such as carnauba wax, fluorine-based resin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, melamine cyanurate, boron nitride and the like 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 contained in the lubricant.

  Among the above fatty acid metal salts, at least one fatty acid selected from the group of stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid and oleic acid, and at least one selected from the group of zinc, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron and lithium Since the fatty acid metal salt composed of the above metal has a straight-chain hydrocarbon structure, slippage between layers is likely to occur, and good lubricity is exhibited.

  Moreover, in the case of such a linear fatty acid metal salt, it can have favorable weather resistance by selecting the above-mentioned metal. These fatty acid metal salts are usually melted at a high temperature of 70 to 150 ° C., poured into an arbitrary mold, cooled, and solidified to obtain a solid lubricant. Therefore, as in the present invention, in order to contain the amine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (22), the mixture is preliminarily mixed with a fatty acid metal salt and then heated or dissolved or dispersed before cooling. By solidifying, it can be easily mixed. Thus, the fatty acid metal salt is preferably used as the lubricating material of the present invention because of its high lubricity, excellent weather resistance, and easy handling of the mixture with the amine.

Next, the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (22) contained in the lubricant will be described. Hereinafter, the amine compounds represented by the general formulas (1) to (22) contained in the lubricant of the present invention are simply referred to as amine compounds.
The amine compound is known as a dye intermediate or a precursor of a polymer compound (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-13382, US Pat. Nos. 4,223,144, 3,271,383, and 3291788). Such an amine compound can be easily synthesized and produced by a known method (for example, literature: E. Elce and AS Hay, Polymer, Vol. 37 No. 9, 1745 (1996)). For example, the amine compound of the general formula (1) is obtained by reacting a dihalide represented by the following general formula (IV) and a secondary amine compound represented by the following general formula (V) from room temperature in the presence of a basic compound. It can be obtained by reacting at a temperature of about 100 ° C. Amine compounds of general formulas (2) to (22) can also be synthesized by the same reaction.

[In formula (IV), Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and X represents a halogen atom. ]
That is, Ar is the same as the definition of the general formula (1) and represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group that may have a substituent.

[In formula (V), R ¹ and R ² are the same as defined in general formula (1). ]
That is, R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group.

  Specific examples of the basic compound used when the dihalide and the secondary amine compound are reacted include potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium hydride, and sodium methylate, Examples include potassium-t-butoxide. Examples of the reaction solvent include dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, xylene, dimethyl sulfoxide, N, N-dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, acetonitrile and the like.

Specific examples of the alkyl group in the description of the general formula (V) include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a hexyl group, and an undecanyl group. In addition, aromatic hydrocarbon groups (aromatic ring groups) include aromatic rings such as benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, fluorene and pyrene, and aromatics such as pyridine, quinoline, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxadiazole, and carbazole. And heterocyclic groups. Further, as these substituents, those exemplified in the specific examples of the alkyl group, alkoxy groups such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group, butoxy group, or fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom, iodine atom, etc. Examples include a halogen atom, the aromatic hydrocarbon group, and a heterocyclic group such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, and piperazine. Further, when R ¹ and R ² are bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom, the heterocyclic group may be a condensed heterocyclic group in which an aromatic hydrocarbon group is condensed to a pyrrolidino group, piperidino group, piperazino group, or the like. A cyclic group can be mentioned.

Specific examples of the alkyl group in the description of amine compounds represented by other general formulas include a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, a butyl group, a hexyl group, and an undecanyl group. As aromatic ring groups, monovalent to hexavalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups of aromatic hydrocarbon rings such as benzene, biphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene, fluorene and pyrene, and pyridine, quinoline, thiophene, furan, oxazole, oxadi Examples thereof include monovalent to hexavalent aromatic heterocyclic groups such as azole and carbazole. These substituents include those exemplified in the above specific examples of alkyl groups, alkoxy groups such as methoxy group, ethoxy group, propoxy group and butoxy group, or halogen atoms of fluorine atom, chlorine atom, bromine atom and iodine atom. Atoms and aromatic ring groups, and heterocyclic groups such as pyrrolidine, piperidine, piperazine and the like can be mentioned. Furthermore, specific examples of the heterocyclic group in which R ¹ and R ² are bonded to each other and contain a nitrogen atom include a pyrrolidinyl group, a piperidinyl group, and a pyrrolinyl group. In addition, examples of the heterocyclic group jointly containing 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 (22) are listed in Tables 1 to 22 below. However, the present invention is not limited to these compounds.

  The content of the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (22) contained in the lubricant is preferably 0.1% by mass to 40% by mass, and more preferably 1% by mass to 30% by 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 lubricating substance, particularly 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 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 an image forming apparatus having 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 carrier is at least a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed by a reaction between a radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transport structure and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transport structure. Since these materials have high durability and good electrical properties, they are preferably used.

  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. Further, in the second embodiment, the latent image carrier is provided with a support, and a laminated photosensitive layer having a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer at least in this order on the support, and further if necessary. A protective layer, an intermediate 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 a layer configuration example of a latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention, in which a photosensitive layer 202 is provided on a support 201. 2, 3 and 4 show other examples of the layer structure of the latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a function-separated type in which the photosensitive layer includes a charge generation layer (CGL) 203 and a charge transport layer (CTL) 204. FIG. 3 shows a type in which an undercoat layer 205 is inserted between a support 201 and a charge generation layer (CGL) 203 and a function-separated type photosensitive layer is laminated on the undercoat layer 205. FIG. 4 shows a type in which a protective layer 206 is laminated on the charge transport layer 204 shown in FIG.
The latent image carrier preferably used in the present invention may have any combination of the above other layers and photosensitive layer types as long as it has at least a photosensitive layer on the support 201. 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 bearing member, for the purpose of protecting the surface, it is preferable to use a crosslinkable resin or to provide a protective layer containing inorganic fine particles or lubricating fine particles because high wear resistance is achieved. . Examples of the crosslinkable resin include urethane resin, silicone resin, phenolic resin, epoxy resin, acrylic resin, and the like. Particularly, a crosslinked surface formed by using a composition containing a monomer having a charge transporting structure. The layer is preferably used because high wear resistance and good electrostatic properties are easily obtained.
For example, when a urethane resin is used, a suitable cross-linked 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 urethane resin or silicone resin to form a crosslinked surface layer are shown in Tables 23 to 28 below, but are not limited to compounds having these structures. .

The charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group 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.
In the following, examples of synthesis are shown by way of example compound D1-3 in Table 23 and example compound D3-2 in Table 27 as charge transporting substances having a hydroxyl group.

[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 diethyl 4-methoxybenzylphosphonate and 4- (di-p-tolylamino) benzaldehyde were dissolved in N, N-dimethylformamide, and 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, and a crude product of the desired product was obtained. Further, the product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel to obtain 4-methoxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene as a target product.

(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 dissolved in N, 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 23] 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]
A reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, condenser, and dropping funnel was charged with 11.75 g of 4-hydroxy-4 ′-(di-p-tolylamino) stilbene, 4.35 g of glycidyl methacrylate, and 8 ml of toluene. Then, 0.16 g of triethylamine was added, and the mixture was heated and stirred at 95 ° C. for 8 hours. Thereafter, 16 ml of toluene and 20 ml of a 10% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution were added, and the mixture was further stirred with heating at 95 ° C. for 8 hours.
After completion of the reaction, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed with acid and washed with water, and then the solvent was distilled off to obtain 19 g of a crude product. Further, the target compound 1,2-dihydroxy-3- [4 represented by the following structural formula (D3-2) [Exemplary Compound D3-2 in Table 27] 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.

In addition, 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 has a very high degree of crosslinking and high hardness. A surface layer is obtained 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 the above trifunctional. Incorporated into the cross-linking bond at the time of curing the above radical polymerizable monomer.
On the other hand, when a low molecular charge transport material having no functional group is contained in the cross-linked surface layer, precipitation of the low molecular charge transport material and white turbidity occur due to its low compatibility, and the cross-linked surface layer The 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. However, the charge transporting structure is very bulky, so that distortion occurs in the cured resin and crosslinking occurs. The internal stress of the surface layer becomes high, and cracks and scratches may frequently occur due to carrier adhesion or the like.

Furthermore, a latent image carrier using a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure has good electrical characteristics, and thus high image quality can be realized over a long period of time. This is because a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is used and is immobilized in a pendant shape between crosslinks.
On the other hand, the charge transport materials having no functional group described above are likely to be precipitated and clouded, and thus the deterioration in repeated use such as a decrease in sensitivity and an increase in residual potential is often significant. When a transport compound is used as the main component, it is fixed in the cross-linked structure with multiple bonds, so the intermediate structure (cation radical) during charge transport cannot be kept stable and the sensitivity is reduced due to charge trapping. The residual potential tends to increase. 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, for example, a hole transporting structure such as triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, for example, condensation. It refers to a monomer that does not have an electron transport structure such as polycyclic quinone, diphenoquinone, an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a cyano group or a nitro group, and has three or more radically polymerizable functional groups. The radical polymerizable functional group may be any group as long as it has a carbon-carbon double bond and is 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.

[In the formula (d), X ₁ represents 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 of the general formula (d) include an optionally substituted phenylene group and naphthylene group, an alkyl group such as a methyl group and an ethyl group, and an aralkyl group such as a benzyl group, Examples of the aryl group include 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, vinylthioether. Groups and the like.

  (2) Examples of the 1,1-substituted ethylene functional group include functional groups represented by the following general formula (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, a cyano group. , A nitro group, an alkoxy group, a —COOR ₂ group [R ₂ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or an aryl which may have a substituent. Group, or —CONR ₃ R ₄ (R ₃ and R ₄ may have a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Represents an aryl group and 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). However, Y, at least one oxycarbonyl group in X _2, a cyano group, an alkenylene group, and an aromatic ring. ]

  The aryl group of the general formula (e) is a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, etc., the alkoxy group is a methoxy group, an ethoxy group, etc., and the aralkyl group is a benzyl, naphthylmethyl group, phenethyl group, etc. Examples include a methyl group and an ethyl group.

  Specific examples of the functional group represented by the general formula (e) include an α-acryloyloxy chloride group, a methacryloyloxy group, an α-cyanoethylene group, an α-cyanoacryloyloxy group, an α-cyanophenylene group, and a methacryloyl group. 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, a methyl group, an alkyl group such as a methyl group, 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 transporting 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, 2,2,5,5, -tetrahydroxymethylcyclopentanone tetraacrylate, and these are used alone or in two types. The above may be used together.
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 transport 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 / functional group number) is preferably 250 or less.
Further, 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 a modifying group such as HPA, EO, and PO are extremely long. It is not preferable to use one having a modifying group alone. Moreover, the component ratio of the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure used for the crosslinked surface layer is 20 to 80% by mass, 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 generally stated, but the range of 35 to 65% by mass is most preferable in consideration of the balance of both characteristics.

  The radically polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure suitably used in the present invention is, for example, a hole transporting structure such as triarylamine, hydrazone, pyrazoline, carbazole, such as condensed polycyclic quinone, diphenoquinone, cyano group And a compound having an electron transport structure such as an electron-withdrawing aromatic ring having a nitro group and a radically polymerizable functional group. Examples of the radical polymerizable functional group include those shown in the above 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 formula (I) or (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. Aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₁₁ (R ₁₁ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Or a halogenated carbonyl group or CONR ₁₂ R ₁₃ (R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Represents an aralkyl group or an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ represent an arylene group which may have a substituent. Identical or different Good. 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 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, a sulfur atom or a vinylene group. To express. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group which may have a substituent, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ]

Specific examples of groups represented 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 a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, Substituted by alkyl groups such as methyl group, ethyl group, alkoxy groups such as methoxy group and ethoxy group, aryloxy groups such as phenoxy group, aryl groups such as phenyl group and naphthyl group, aralkyl groups such as benzyl group and phenethyl group May be. Of the substituents represented by R ₁₀ , particularly 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, a naphthacenyl group, and the like.
Examples of the non-fused 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.

The aryl group represented by Ar ₃ or Ar ₄ may have a substituent as shown below, for example.
[1] Halogen atom, cyano group, nitro group and the like.
[2] An alkyl group. Preferably, it is a C1-C12, particularly C1-C8, more preferably a C1-C4 linear or branched alkyl group, and these alkyl groups further include a fluorine atom, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, and a C1-C4 alkoxy group. , A phenyl group or a halogen atom, a C1-C4 alkyl group or a C1-C4 alkoxy group substituted with a phenyl group.
Specifically, methyl group, ethyl group, n-butyl group, i-propyl group, t-butyl group, s-butyl group, n-propyl group, trifluoromethyl group, 2-hydroxyethyl group, 2-ethoxy Examples include ethyl 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, i-propoxy group, t-butoxy group, n-butoxy group, s-butoxy group, i-butoxy group, 2-hydroxyethoxy group, benzyloxy group And a trifluoromethoxy group.
[4] Aryloxy group. Examples of the aryl group of the aryloxy group include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. This 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, and specific examples include methylthio group, ethylthio group, phenylthio group, p-methylphenylthio group and the like.
[6] Examples include groups 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 R ₁₆ may jointly form a ring. ]
As said aryl group, a phenyl group, a biphenyl group, or a naphthyl group is mentioned, for example, These 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 pyrrolidino group.
[7] Methylenedioxy group, alkylenedioxy group such as methylenedithio group, or alkylenedithio group.
[8] A styryl group that may have a substituent, a β-phenylstyryl group that may have a substituent, a diphenylaminophenyl group, a ditolylaminophenyl group, and the like.

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, a sulfur atom or a vinylene group. Represents.

Examples of the alkylene group which may have a substituent include C1-C12, preferably C1-C8, more preferably C1-C4 linear or branched alkylene groups, and these alkylene groups further include You may 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, i-propylene 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 above 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.
The alkylene group of the alkylene ether group may have a substituent such as a hydroxyl group, a methyl group, or an ethyl group.

The vinylene group in the X _10, the following general formula (g), and the like groups represented by (h).

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

  Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group which may have a substituent, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group.

Examples of the alkylene group which may have a substituent include the same alkylene groups as those described above for X.
Examples of the alkylene ether group which may have a substituent include the alkylene ether group of X.
Examples of the alkyleneoxycarbonyl group include a caprolactone-modified group.

  Further, the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transport structure of the present invention is more preferably a compound represented by the following general formula (III).

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

  As the compound represented by the general formula (III), a compound having a methyl group or an ethyl group as a substituent for Rb and Rc is particularly preferable.

  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 formula (I) and the general formula (II), particularly the general formula (III), used in the present invention is used, carbon -A polymer in which double bonds between carbons are opened on both sides and polymerized, so that it does not become a terminal structure, but is incorporated in a chain polymer and crosslinked by polymerization with a tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer Among them, 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 one high chain. There is an intramolecular cross-linked chain in which a part of the main chain folded in the molecule and another part derived from the polymerized monomer are cross-linked in a position away from the main chain. In other words, a triarylamine structure suspended 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 part and is suspended from the chain part via a carbonyl group or the like. Since these triarylamine structures can be arranged adjacent to each other in the polymer, the structural distortion in the molecule is small. When the surface layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor is used, 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 is based on the total amount of the crosslinked surface layer. It is 20-80 mass%, Preferably it is 35-65 mass%. If this component is less than 20% by mass, the charge transport performance of the crosslinked 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% by mass, the content of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure is lowered to cause a reduction in the cross-linking density, and high wear resistance is not exhibited. Although the electrical characteristics and abrasion resistance required differ depending on the process used, it cannot be said unconditionally, but the range of 35 to 65% by weight is most preferable in consideration of the balance of both characteristics.

  In the present invention, a crosslinked surface layer cured and formed using a radically polymerizable monomer having three or more functional groups having no charge transporting structure and a radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is suitable. In addition to the radically polymerizable monomer and the radically polymerizable compound, for the purpose of imparting functions such as viscosity adjustment at the time of coating, stress relaxation of the crosslinked surface layer, reduction of surface energy and reduction of friction coefficient, Functional 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, styrene monomer, and the like.

  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 the functional monomer include those substituted with a fluorine atom 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 include vinyl monomers having a polysiloxane group such as diethyl, acrylates and methacrylates.

  Examples of the radical polymerizable oligomer include epoxy acrylate, urethane acrylate, and polyester acrylate oligomers. 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 weight or less, preferably 30 parts by weight or less, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the tri- or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer.

  In the present invention, the crosslinked surface layer is preferably used 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. In order to advance this curing reaction (crosslinking reaction) efficiently, a crosslinking surface layer may be formed using a polymerization initiator as necessary.

  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, 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-based or ketal-based photopolymerization initiators such as methyl-2-morpholino (4-methylthiophenyl) propan-1-one, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione-2- (o-ethoxycarbonyl) oxime, Benzoin, benzoin methyl ether, benzoin ethyl ether, benzoin isobutyl ether Benzoin ether photopolymerization initiators such as benzoin isopropyl ether, benzophenone, 4-hydroxybenzophenone, methyl o-benzoylbenzoate, 2-benzoylnaphthalene, 4-benzoylbiphenyl, 4-benzoylphenyl ether, acrylated benzophenone, 1, Benzophenone photopolymerization initiators such as 4-benzoylbenzene, thioxanthone photopolymerization initiation such as 2-isopropylthioxanthone, 2-chlorothioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone, 2,4-diethylthioxanthone, 2,4-dichlorothioxanthone And other photopolymerization initiators include ethyl anthraquinone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylpheny Ethoxyphosphine oxide, bis (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phenylphosphine oxide, bis (2,4-dimethoxybenzoyl) -2,4,4-trimethylpentylphosphine oxide, methylphenylglyoxyester, 9,10- Examples include phenanthrene, acridine compounds, triazine compounds, imidazole compounds.

  Moreover, what has a photopolymerization acceleration effect can also be used individually or in combination with the said photoinitiator. Examples include triethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, ethyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, isoamyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, (2-dimethylamino) ethyl benzoate, 4,4'-dimethylaminobenzophenone, and the like.

  The said polymerization initiator may be used by 1 type, and may mix and use 2 or more types. Moreover, content 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) of the present invention can be formed using a coating liquid. For the preparation of such a coating liquid, a polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure (for example, 1 In addition to a radically polymerizable compound having a functional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional or higher functional radically polymerizable monomer not having a charge transporting structure), various plasticizers (for the purpose of stress relaxation and adhesion improvement) as necessary ), Leveling agents, and additives such as low molecular charge transport materials having no radical reactivity.
As these additives, known additives can be used, and as plasticizers, those used in general resins such as dibutyl phthalate and dioctyl phthalate can be used, and the amount used is the total solid content of the coating liquid. To 20% by mass or less, preferably 10% by mass or less.
As leveling agents, silicone oils such as dimethyl silicone oil and methylphenyl silicone oil, polymers or oligomers having a perfluoroalkyl group in the side chain can be used, and the amount used is based on the total solid content of the coating liquid. 3% by mass or less is appropriate.

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, such a coating liquid can be applied by dissolving other components in the liquid, but is diluted with a solvent as required.
Solvents used at this time include alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and cyclohexanone, esters such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and propyl ether. And ethers such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, trichloroethane, and chlorobenzene, aromatics such as benzene, toluene, and xylene, and cellosolves such as methyl cellosolve, ethyl cellosolve, and cellosolve acetate. 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 coating can be performed using a dip coating method, spray coating, bead coating, ring coating method or the like.

  In this invention, after apply | coating such a coating liquid, what is hardened by giving optical energy from the outside and forming a crosslinked surface layer is used suitably. As the energy of light, UV irradiation light sources such as high-pressure mercury lamps and metal halide lamps that mainly emit light in the ultraviolet light can be used. Is possible. In addition, the reactivity of the crosslinking reaction by radical polymerization is greatly affected by the temperature, and the surface temperature of the coating during light irradiation is preferably maintained at 20 ° C. or higher and 170 ° C. or lower. The surface temperature control means of the coating film may be any method as long as the above temperature range can be maintained. However, 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. In the case of using a triarylamine compound having a group, the use ratio thereof is 7: 3 to 3: 7, and 3 to 20% by mass of a polymerization initiator is added to the total amount of these acrylate compounds, and a solvent is further added. Prepare the coating solution.
In the charge transport layer which is the lower layer of the crosslinked surface layer, for example, when a triarylamine donor is used as a charge transport material and polycarbonate is used as a binder resin, and the crosslinked surface layer is formed by spray coating, the above coating solution As the solvent, tetrahydrofuran, 2-butanone, ethyl acetate and the like are preferable, and the use ratio thereof is 3 to 10 times the total amount of the acrylate compound. The cured surface crosslinked layer 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, on a support such as an aluminum cylinder, on a photoreceptor in which an undercoat layer, a charge generation layer, and the charge transport layer are sequentially laminated, the prepared coating solution is applied by spraying, etc. Curing by light irradiation. For UV irradiation, uses a metal halide lamp, illuminance 50 mW / cm ² or more, preferably 1000 mW / cm ² or less, for example, to rotate when, upon curing, for example, a drum for irradiating the UV light of 700 mW / cm ² Irradiate all surfaces uniformly 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 the completion of curing, the latent image carrier of the present invention is 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 of the atmosphere during heating or UV light irradiation. Further, at this time, when UV light is irradiated, it is irradiated with UV light while rotating, but it is more preferable to lower the oxygen concentration in the surrounding atmosphere including not only the portion that is exposed to UV light but also the portion that is not exposed to 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 occurs, so that sufficient durability cannot be secured. Many. On the other hand, if the film thickness 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. Further, it is preferable because 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 fluorine resin powder such as polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone resin powder, a-carbon powder, and the like.
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 possibility that the property may be promoted, or 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 mass% or more and 50 mass% or less with respect to total solid content, Preferably it is about 30 mass% or less.

  Furthermore, these fillers can be surface-treated with at least one kind of surface treatment agent, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of dispersibility of the fillers. 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 possibility that it will develop into 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.
For example, a titanate coupling agent, an aluminum coupling agent, a zircoaluminate coupling agent, a higher fatty acid, etc., or a mixing treatment of these with a silane coupling agent, Al ₂ O ₃ , TiO ₂ , ZrO ₂ , Silicone, aluminum stearate, or the like, or a mixture thereof is more preferable from the viewpoint of filler dispersibility and image blur.

  The treatment with the silane coupling agent is strongly influenced by image blur, but the influence may be suppressed by performing a 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 alone or in combination of two or more.

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, 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, phenoxy resin and the like are used. 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, phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanine and metal-free phthalocyanine, azulenium salt pigments, squaric acid methine pigments, azo pigments having a carbazole skeleton, and triphenylamine skeletons. Azo pigments, azo pigments having a diphenylamine skeleton, azo pigments having a dibenzothiophene skeleton, azo pigments having a fluorenone skeleton, azo pigments having an oxadiazole skeleton, azo pigments having a bisstilbene skeleton, having a distyryl oxadiazole skeleton Azo pigments, azo pigments having a distyrylcarbazole skeleton, perylene pigments, anthraquinone or polycyclic quinone pigments, quinoneimine pigments, diphenylmethane or triphenylmethane pigments, benzoquinone or naphthalene Tokinon pigments, cyanine and azomethine pigments, indigoid pigments, bisbenzimidazole pigments, and the like. 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, polyacrylamide resin, and the like. 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.

As a method for forming the charge generation layer, a vacuum thin film preparation method and a casting method from a solution dispersion system can be mentioned.
Examples of the former method include a glow discharge polymerization method, a vacuum deposition method, a CVD method, a sputtering method, a reactive sputtering method, an ion plating method, and an accelerated ion injection method. This vacuum thin film manufacturing method can satisfactorily form the inorganic material or organic material described above.
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 a dip coating method, spray coating, or bead coating method 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, propyl cellosolve, and the like. 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. Usually, 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) 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, 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, 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 thereof 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 include compounds described in JP-A-304456, JP-A-4-133605, JP-A-4-133066, JP-A-5-40350, and JP-A-5-202135.
(E) Other polymers For example, formaldehyde condensation polymer of nitropyrene, JP-A-51-73888, JP-A-56-150749, JP-A-6-234836, JP-A-6-234837 The described compounds and the like are exemplified.

In addition to the above, the polymer charge transport 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. And 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 above-mentioned polymers but also copolymers with known monomers, block polymers, graft polymers, star polymers, and further, for example, A cross-linked polymer having an electron donating group as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 109406 can also be used.

Examples of the binder resin 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 polychlorinated resin. Vinylidene 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. In addition to the charge transport material and the binder resin, an appropriate amount of additives such as a plasticizer, an antioxidant, and a leveling agent can be added to the charge transport layer as necessary.
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 an appropriate 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 of 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 a conductive treatment is suitable. For example, a metal such as Al, Ni, Fe, Cu, or Au, or an alloy thereof; insulating properties such as polyester, polycarbonate, polyimide, and glass A metal such as Al, Ag, Au, or a thin film made of a conductive material such as In ₂ O ₃ or SnO ₂ formed on a substrate; a metal powder such as carbon black, graphite, Al, Cu, or Ni; Examples thereof include a resin substrate in which conductive glass powder and the like are uniformly dispersed to impart conductivity 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, or 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.
The undercoat layer generally contains a resin as a main component, but these resins are resins having high resistance to dissolution in general organic solvents in consideration of applying a photosensitive layer thereon with a solvent. It is preferable. 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, fine powders such as metal oxides exemplified by titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, indium oxide and the like, or 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, 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 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 lubricating substance and an amine represented by the general formula (1). A lubricant containing a 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, a control means, and the like.
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 imagewise, and can be performed by electrostatic latent image forming means. .
The latent image forming means (electrostatic latent image forming means) includes, for example, 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. At least.
The charging can be performed, for example, by applying a voltage to the surface of the latent image carrier using the charger.

The charger is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a known contact charging device including a conductive or semiconductive roller, brush, film, rubber blade, etc. And non-contact chargers using corona discharge such as corotrons and corotrons.
The shape of the charging member may take any form such as a magnetic brush or a fur brush in addition to a 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 an image forming apparatus in which ozone generated from the charger is reduced can be obtained. Is preferred.
It is preferable that the charger is disposed in contact or non-contact with the latent image carrier and charges the surface of the latent image carrier by applying a direct current and an alternating voltage. The charger is a charging roller that is disposed in close proximity to the latent image carrier via a gap tape, and charges the surface of the latent image carrier by applying a direct current and an alternating voltage to the charging roller. Those are preferred.

The exposure can be performed, for example, by exposing the surface of the latent image carrier imagewise using the exposure device.
The exposure device is not particularly limited as long as it can perform imagewise exposure on the surface of the latent image carrier charged by the charger, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, 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 can be used.
In the present invention, a back light system in which imagewise exposure is performed from the back side of the latent image carrier may be employed.

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

The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multi-color developing unit. 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 agitated, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form 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 carried by the electric attraction force. Move to the surface of the body. As a result, the electrostatic latent image formed in the exposure step is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the latent image carrier.
The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing the 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>
As the toner used for forming the toner image, a known toner can be used. 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 the visible image onto a recording medium. After the primary transfer of the visible image onto the intermediate transfer member using an intermediate transfer member, the visible image is transferred onto the recording medium. A primary transfer step of forming a composite transfer image by transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer body using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner, and a composite transfer image; A mode including a secondary transfer step of transferring the transfer image onto the recording medium is more preferable.
The transfer can be performed, for example, by charging the latent image carrier using a transfer charger, and can be performed by the transfer unit. The transfer means includes a primary transfer means for transferring a visible image onto an intermediate transfer member to form a composite transfer image, and a secondary transfer means for transferring the composite transfer image onto a recording medium. Embodiments are 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 unit (the primary transfer unit and the secondary transfer unit) includes at least a transfer unit that peels and charges the visible image formed on the latent image carrier to the recording medium side. preferable. 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 device, 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, a combination of a roller and a roller, etc., but the warm-up time can be shortened, and in terms of realizing energy saving, A combination of an endless belt and a roller having a small heat capacity is preferable in terms of expansion of the fixable width.

<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 a lubricant supply means (lubricant application means) and applied to the surface of the latent image carrier relative to the cleaning blade. The main purpose is to reduce the coefficient of friction 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 any one of the general formulas (1) to (22).

<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 neutralization means is not particularly limited, and may be any suitable one as long as it can neutralize the surface charge of the latent image carrier, and can be appropriately selected from known neutralizers. For example, a charger or a neutralization lamp that applies a neutralization bias. Etc. are preferable.

<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.
The cleaning means is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected from known cleaners as long as the electrophotographic toner remaining on the latent image carrier can be removed. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner Suitable examples include electrostatic brush cleaners, magnetic roller cleaners, blade cleaners, brush cleaners, web cleaners, and the like.

<Recycling process and recycling means>
The recycling process is a process of recycling the toner removed by the cleaning process to the developing unit, and can be suitably performed by the recycling unit. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said recycling 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 charger 3, a pre-transfer charger 7, a transfer charger 110, a separation charger 111, a pre-cleaning charger 113, a lubricant application unit [ Lubricant applying means (lubricant applying means)] 116 and the following means.

  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 have a gap between the latent image carrier and the corotron, scorotron, solid state charger, contact arrangement, or gap tape or a step at the end. Well-known means such as charging rollers arranged in close proximity can be used.

As the transfer means, the above charger can be generally used, but a combination of a transfer charger and a separation charger as shown in the figure is effective.
Light sources such as the image exposure unit 5 and the charge removal lamp 2 emit light such as a fluorescent lamp, a tungsten lamp, a halogen lamp, a mercury lamp, a sodium lamp, a light emitting diode (LED), a semiconductor laser (LD), and an 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. As the cleaning means, the cleaning brush 114 or the cleaning blade 115 may be used alone or in combination. Known cleaning brushes such as a fur brush and a mag fur brush are used. Reference numeral 8 denotes a registration roller, and 112 denotes a separation claw.

  The cleaning blade 115 includes an elastic body having a low coefficient of friction, such as urethane resin, silicone resin, fluororesin, urethane elastomer, silicone elastomer, and fluoroelastomer. As the cleaning blade 115, a thermosetting urethane resin is preferable, and a urethane elastomer is particularly preferable from the viewpoints of wear resistance, ozone resistance, and contamination resistance. Elastomer includes rubber. The cleaning blade 115 preferably has a hardness (JIS-A) in the range of 65 to 85 degrees. The cleaning blade 115 preferably has a thickness of 0.8 to 3.0 mm and a protruding amount of 3 to 15 mm. Furthermore, 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 116 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 being 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. . The latent image carrier having a crosslinked surface layer suitably used in the present invention has very high wear resistance, and therefore 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 squeal 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 illustrates another example of the lubricant supply means. That is, it is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a lubricant application mechanism [lubricant supply means (lubricant applying means)] used in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
In FIG. 7, a rod-like lubricant (solid matter) 116a is pressed against the cleaning brush 114, and the lubricant is scraped off when the cleaning brush 114 rotates, and the lubricant adhering to the brush is the latent image carrier. It is a mechanism to be applied to the surface of. The aforementioned lubricant is used as the lubricant. In the figure, reference numeral 115 denotes a cleaning blade. By providing the cleaning unit 117 with the lubricant supply means shown in FIG. 7, there is a merit that the layout design around the drum can be facilitated and the apparatus can be simplified, but the lubricant is added to the cleaned toner. In some cases, a large amount of toner may be mixed, making it difficult to recycle toner, and causing problems such as reduced brush cleaning efficiency. Although not shown in the drawings, the above problem can be solved by providing an application unit having a lubricant supply means independently of the cleaning unit. In that case, the coating unit is preferably provided downstream of the cleaning unit. Furthermore, by providing the 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 control the consumption.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing another example of the process using the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 8, a latent image carrier 122 is driven by a driving roller 123, charged by a charging charger 129, image exposure by an image exposure light source 121, development (not shown), transfer using a transfer charger charger 125, and lubrication. The lubricant application unit 130 applies the lubricant, the lubricant leveling blade 131 equalizes the lubricant application amount, the cleaning brush 126 performs cleaning, and the static elimination light source 128 performs static elimination. In the figure, reference numeral 124 denotes a transfer roller, and 127 denotes a driven roller.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the full-color image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the latent image carrier drum 156 is rotated counterclockwise in the drawing, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charging charger 153 using a corotron or a scorotron. 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 156. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

  A revolver developing unit 250 is disposed on the left side of the latent image carrier drum 156 in FIG. This 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 156 by the rotation. To move sequentially. 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 156, electrostatic latent images for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are sequentially formed, and these images are sequentially developed by each developer of the revolver developing unit 250 to obtain a yellow toner image and a magenta toner image. 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 156 from the development position. This is because an intermediate transfer belt 158 stretched by a tension roller 159a, an intermediate transfer bias roller 157 as a transfer means, a secondary transfer backup roller 159b, and a belt drive roller 159c is driven by rotation of the belt drive roller 159c. Move endlessly clockwise. The yellow toner image, magenta toner image, cyan toner image, and black toner image developed on the latent image carrier drum 156 are transferred to the intermediate transfer nip where the latent image carrier drum 156 and the intermediate transfer belt 158 are in contact with each other. enter in. Then, while being influenced by the bias from the intermediate transfer bias roller 157, the toner image is superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 158 and 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.

  The surface of the latent image carrier drum 156 that has passed through the intermediate transfer nip with rotation is cleaned of untransferred residual toner by the drum cleaning unit 155. The drum cleaning unit 155 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 a thing. In FIG. 9, the cleaning unit 155 is also used as a lubricant application member [lubricant supply means (lubricant application means)].

  The surface of the latent image carrier drum 156 from which the untransferred residual toner has been cleaned is discharged by the discharging lamp 154. As the charge removal lamp 154, 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 lights, 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 including a transfer conveyance belt 162, a transfer bias roller 163, and various rollers such as a drive roller is disposed on the lower side of the intermediate transfer unit in FIG. 9, and on the left side in FIG. 164 and a fixing unit 165 are provided. In the transfer unit, the endlessly moving transfer belt 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 158 may be used. In addition, when the two-color or three-color superimposed toner image passes through the position facing the secondary transfer bias roller 163, the toner image is retracted to a position where it does not contact the intermediate transfer belt 158. Then, before the leading end of the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 158 enters the position facing the secondary transfer bias roller 163, it moves to the contact position with the intermediate transfer belt 158 to perform secondary transfer. Form a nip.

  On the other hand, the registration roller pair 161 that sandwiches the recording medium 160 sent from a paper feeding cassette (not shown) between the two rollers can superimpose the recording medium 160 on the four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 158. Feed toward the secondary transfer nip at the timing. The four-color superimposed toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 158 is secondarily transferred collectively onto the recording medium 160 under the influence of the secondary transfer bias from the paper transfer bias roller 163 in the secondary transfer nip. By this secondary transfer, a full color image is formed on the recording medium 160. Then, the recording medium 160 on which the full-color image is formed is sent to the paper conveyance belt 164 by the transfer conveyance belt 162. The conveyance belt 164 sends the recording medium 160 received from the transfer unit into the fixing device 165.

The fixing device 165 conveys the fed recording medium 160 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 160 is fixed on the recording medium 160 under the influence of the heating from the heating roller and the pressure in the fixing nip.

  Although not shown, a bias for attracting the recording medium 160 may be applied to the transfer conveyance belt 162 and the paper conveyance belt 164. Further, a paper recording medium neutralization charger that neutralizes the recording medium 160 and three belt neutralization chargers that neutralize each belt (intermediate transfer belt 158, transfer conveyance belt 162, and conveyance belt 164) may be provided. Further, the intermediate transfer unit may include a belt cleaning unit having the same configuration as that of the drum cleaning unit 155, thereby cleaning untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 158.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 10 is a tandem type color image forming apparatus. The illustrated tandem image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body 150, a paper feed table 200, a scanner 300, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 400.
The image forming apparatus main body 150 is provided with an endless belt-like intermediate transfer member 50 at the center. The intermediate transfer member 50 is stretched around the support roller a (14), the support roller b (15), and the support roller c (16), and can rotate clockwise in FIG. An intermediate transfer body cleaning device 17 for removing untransferred residual toner on the intermediate transfer body 50 is disposed in the vicinity of the support roller b (15). Four image forming units 18 of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black are opposed to the intermediate transfer member 50 stretched by the support roller a (14) and the support roller b (15) along the conveyance direction. The tandem developing devices 120 arranged side by side are arranged. An exposure device 21 is disposed in the vicinity of the tandem developing device 120. A secondary transfer device 22 is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer member 50 opposite to the side on which the tandem developing device 120 is disposed. In the secondary transfer device 22, a secondary transfer belt 24, which is an endless belt, is stretched around a pair of rollers 23, and the recording medium conveyed on the secondary transfer belt 24 and the intermediate transfer member 50 are in contact with each other. Is possible. A fixing device 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22.
In the tandem image forming apparatus of FIG. 10, a sheet reversing device 28 for reversing the recording medium in order to form an image on both sides of the recording medium is disposed in the vicinity of the secondary transfer device 22 and the fixing device 25. Has been.

  Next, formation of a full-color image (color copy) using the tandem developing device 120 will be described. That is, first, a document is set on the document table 130 of the automatic document feeder (ADF) 400, or the automatic document feeder 400 is opened and the document is set on the contact glass 32 of the scanner 300. 400 is closed.

When a start switch (not shown) is pressed, when the document is set on the automatic document feeder 400, the document is transported and moved onto the contact glass 32, and then the document is set on the contact glass 32. Immediately after that, the scanner 300 is driven, and the first traveling body 33 and the second traveling body 34 travel. At this time, light from the light source is irradiated by the first traveling body 33 and reflected light from the document surface is reflected by the mirror in the second traveling body 34 and is received by the reading sensor 36 through the imaging lens 35 to be color. An original (color image) is read and used as black, yellow, magenta, and cyan image information.
Each image information of black, yellow, magenta and cyan is stored in each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means and cyan image forming means in the tandem developing device 120. ) And black, yellow, magenta and cyan toner images are formed in the respective image forming means. In the figure, reference numeral 26 denotes a fixing belt, 27 denotes a pressure roller, 51 denotes a manual feed tray, and 52 denotes a separation roller.

  That is, each image forming means 18 (black image forming means, yellow image forming means, magenta image forming means, and cyan image forming means) in the tandem type developing device 120 is a latent image as shown in FIG. The image carrier 10 (black latent image carrier 10K, yellow latent image carrier 10Y, magenta latent image carrier 10M, and cyan latent image carrier 10C) and the latent image carrier are uniformly charged. The latent image carrier is exposed (L in FIG. 11) in a manner corresponding to each color image based on the charger 60 and each color image information, and the electrostatic image corresponding to each color image is formed on the latent image carrier. An exposure device for forming a latent image and the electrostatic latent image are developed with each color toner (black toner, yellow toner, magenta toner, and cyan toner) to form a toner image with each color toner. An imager 61, a transfer charger (primary transfer charger) 62 for transferring the toner image onto the intermediate transfer member 50, a latent image carrier cleaning device 63, and a charge eliminator 64. Each monochrome image (black image, yellow image, magenta image, and cyan image) can be formed based on the color image information.

The black image, the yellow image, the magenta image, and the cyan image thus formed are rotated and moved by the support roller a (14), the support roller b (15), and the support roller c (16). A black image formed on the black latent image carrier 10K, a yellow image formed on the yellow latent image carrier 10Y, a magenta image and cyan formed on the magenta latent image carrier 10M, respectively. The cyan image formed on the latent image carrier 10C 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 50 to form a composite color image (composite transfer image).

  On the other hand, in the paper feed table 200, one of the paper feed rollers 142 is selectively rotated to feed out a recording medium (recording paper) from one of the paper feed cassettes 144 provided in multiple stages in the paper bank 143, and the separation roller 145. The sheet is separated one by one and sent to the sheet feeding path 146, conveyed by the conveying roller 147, guided to the sheet feeding path 148 in the image forming apparatus main body 150, and abutted against the registration roller 49 and stopped. Alternatively, the recording medium (recording paper) on the manual feed tray 51 is fed out by rotating the paper feed roller, separated one by one by the separation roller 52, and put into the manual paper feed path 53. . The registration roller 49 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 49 is rotated in synchronization with the synthesized color image (composite transfer image) synthesized on the intermediate transfer member 50, and a recording medium (recording paper) is interposed between the intermediate transfer member 50 and the secondary transfer device 22. ) And the secondary transfer device 22 transfers (secondary transfer) the composite color image (composite transfer image) onto the recording medium (recording paper), whereby a color image is formed on the recording medium (recording paper). Is transferred and formed. The residual toner on the intermediate transfer member 50 after image transfer is cleaned by the intermediate transfer member cleaning device 17.
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 26 denotes a fixing belt, and 27 denotes a pressure roller.

The recording medium (recording paper) on which the color image has been transferred is transported by the secondary transfer device 22 and sent to the fixing device 25, where the combined color image (with heat and pressure) is transferred. The composite transfer image) is fixed on the recording medium (recording paper). Thereafter, the recording medium (recording paper) is switched by the switching claw 55 and discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the paper discharge tray 57, or switched by the switching claw 55 and reversed by the sheet reversing device 28 and again. After leading to the transfer position and recording an image on the back surface, the image is discharged by the discharge roller 56 and stacked on the discharge tray 57.
In FIG. 11, reference numeral 65 denotes a developing sleeve, 66 denotes a stirring portion, 67 denotes a developing portion, 68 denotes a stirring screw, 69 denotes a partition plate, 70 denotes a developing case, 71 denotes a toner concentration sensor, 72 denotes a developing roller, and 73 denotes a developing roller. A doctor blade, 74 is a lubricant, 75 is a cleaning blade, 76 is a cleaning brush, 77 is an electric field roller, 78 is a scraper, 79 is a recovery screw, and 80 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 method, 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 includes 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. Other means appropriately selected as necessary are combined and supported integrally, and are detachable from the image forming apparatus main body of the present invention.
Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the process cartridge includes a latent image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member) 101, and includes a charger 102, a developing unit 104, and a cleaning unit 109, and further, if necessary. And other means. Reference numeral 103 denotes exposure means (latent image forming means), 105 denotes a recording medium, and 110 denotes a conveyance roller. In FIG. 12, the cleaning unit is provided with a lubricant supply means. The lubricant 106 is pressed against the cleaning brush 108 of the cleaning means 109, and the lubricant is supplied by the cleaning brush. The cleaning blade 107 is lubricated. Also serves as a 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 an Example represent a mass part.
First, in order to prepare the latent image carrier of the examples, 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 A lubricant application member (lubricant: lubricant or lubricant) containing an amine compound represented by any one of the general formulas (1) to (22) was produced.
As a charge transporting substance having a hydroxyl group, a charge transporting polyol having the structure of Exemplified Compound D2-4 shown in Table 25, and a radical polymerizable compound having a charge transporting structure, a triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound [described later] A structural example is shown below by taking structural formula (IX)] as an example.

<Synthesis Example of Polymerizable Compound Having Charge Transporting Structure>
[Synthesis Example of Charge Transporting Polyol D2-4]
(A) <Synthesis of charge transporting polyol D2-3>
First, a derivative necessary for the structure of the target compound is used, and by the same reaction route as in the above synthesis example, hydroxy α-phenyl represented by the following structural formula (D2-3) ([Exemplary Compound D2-3 in Table 25] A stilbene derivative ({4- [2,2-bis- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -vinyl] -phenyl} -di-p-toluyl-amine) is synthesized.

(B) <Synthesis of charge transporting polyol D2-4>
33.9 g of the amine (D2-3) and 35 g of potassium carbonate were placed in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, and 120 ml of 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, it is purified by column chromatography using a column filled with silica gel with a mixed solvent of dichloromethane / ethyl acetate (20/1 to 3/1) as a developing solvent, and further with a mixed solvent of toluene / cyclohexane (2/1). The target product (2- (4- {2- [4- (di-p-toluyl- Amino) phenyl-]-1- [4- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy) -phenyl] -vinyl} -phenoxy) -ethanol) (OH equivalent: 285.86). (Yield 22.3 g, yellow crystals, melting point 178.5-179.0 ° C.)

  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 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. An example of this is shown below.
(1) <Synthesis of hydroxy group-substituted triarylamine compound [the following structural formula (B)]>
240 ml of sulfolane was added to 113.85 g (0.3 mol) of a methoxy group-substituted triarylamine compound [the following structural formula (A)] and 138 g (0.92 mol) of sodium iodide, and the mixture was 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 washed repeatedly 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 obtained white crystals represented by the structural formula B are shown in Table 29 below together with the calculated values.

(2) <Synthesis example of triarylamino group-substituted acrylate compound (VI)>
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 an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH: 12.4 g, Water: 100 ml) was added dropwise. 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 (VI) was obtained (melting point: 117.5 to 119.0 ° C.). The elemental analysis values of the obtained white crystals of the following compound (VI) are shown in Table 30 below together with the calculated values.

<Production example of lubricant application member containing amine compound>
First, 90 parts by weight of zinc stearate is mixed with 10 parts by weight of an amine compound (white powder) having the structure of Exemplified Compound 1-2 in Table 1, and these are melted at 140 ° C. with stirring. Separately, the melt was poured into a cavity of an aluminum mold having a cavity of width 8 × depth 8 × length 500 mm preheated at 140 ° C. After injection, a preheated insulating lid was placed on the 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.
Lubricant (lubricant substance or lubricity) containing an amine compound having the structure of Exemplified Compound 1-2 that can be molded into a shape of width 8 × thickness 11 × length 380 mm and mounted on RICOH Pro C900 Material). This was bonded to a sheet metal (metal support) for a lubricant application member mounted on RICOH Pro C900 with a 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.

[Example 1]
(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): 40 parts Methyl ethyl ketone: 50 parts

(Charge generation layer)
On the undercoat layer formed above, 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: 4 parts (BX-1: Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.)
2-butanone: 200 parts

(Charge transport layer)
On this 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. did.
<Coating liquid for charge transport layer>
Bisphenol Z type polycarbonate: 10 parts Low molecular charge transport material of the following structure (VII): 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. did. 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, a metal halide lamp: 160 W / cm, an irradiation distance: 120 mm, an irradiation intensity: 700 mW / cm 2, an irradiation time: 60 Light irradiation was performed under the conditions of 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>
Tetrahydrofuran: 80 parts Trifunctional or higher radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure: 10 parts [Trimethylolpropane triacrylate;
KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku (molecular weight: 296,
Functional group number: trifunctional, molecular weight / functional group number = 99)]
Radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure: 10 parts [the following structural formula (VI)]

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 [acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane,
Mixture with propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate (trade name: BYK-UV 3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
Tetrahydrofuran: 100 parts

  The latent image carrier 1 produced as described above is mounted on a black station of a Ricoh full-color printer, RICOH Pro C900 remodeled machine modified so that the following evaluation is possible, and image blur evaluation is performed under the following conditions. Abrasion resistance evaluation and scratch resistance evaluation were carried out. The results are shown in Table 31 below. In addition, the lubricating material, the amine compound used (exemplary No.) and the content ratio thereof are shown.

<Image blur evaluation>
Under a 27 ° C. and 85% RH environment, 5000 black single color test charts with an image area ratio of 5% are continuously output, and then the image forming apparatus main body is turned off. After the elapse of 24 hours, the image forming apparatus main body was turned on, and a 1200 dpi 2by2 black monochrome half-tone image was output, and the presence or absence of blur due to image blur was evaluated.
The evaluation criteria were as follows.
A: No image blur occurs.
○: Image blurring slightly occurred just below the charger. There is almost no problem in practical use.
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>
In a 25 ° C. 50% RH environment, a running test is performed in which 100,000 black single color test charts having an image area ratio of 15% are continuously output. The film thickness of the photosensitive layer before and after the running test is measured with an eddy current film thickness meter (Fisherscope MMS; manufactured by Fischer), and the abrasion amount of the photosensitive layer due to continuous output of 100,000 sheets is 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. Mark it.
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 evaluation of wear resistance is 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 30]
In Example 1, except that the content ratios of the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) used in the lubricating material and the amine compound in the lubricant (lubricating material) were changed as shown in Table 31 below, respectively. In the same manner as in No. 1, a lubricating material was prepared, and image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 31 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 contained, the lubricating material of Comparative Example 1 was produced 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 31 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 2]
In Example 1, the amine compound was changed to Antioxidant 1 (Sanol LS-2626; manufactured by Sankyo Co., Ltd.) of Comparative Example 2 shown in Table 32 below. Lubricating materials were prepared, and image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 31 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 3]
In Example 1, the amine compound was changed to Antioxidant 2 (Sanol LS-744; manufactured by Sankyo Co., Ltd.) of Comparative Example 3 shown in Table 32 below. Lubricating materials were prepared, and image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 31 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Comparative Example 4]
In Example 1, except that the amine compound was changed to the antioxidant 3 of Comparative Example 3 (IRGANOX-MD1024; manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals) shown in Table 32 below, the same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated. Lubricating materials were prepared, and image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 31 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 30 configured as the present invention, 5000 sheets of the lubricant containing the lubricant and the amine compound represented by the general formulas (1) to (22) are applied. It can be seen that image blurring is less likely to occur even after being left in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment for 24 hours after image formation. In addition, 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.
In contrast, 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 antioxidant 1 to the antioxidant 3, image blurring occurred in the same evaluation. Occurred. 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 31]
In Example 1, the latent image was changed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the coating solution for the crosslinked surface layer was changed to the following monomer. The carrier 2 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 33 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 (Molecular weight: 1263,
Number of functional groups: 6 functions, molecular weight / number of functional groups = 211)]

[Example 32]
In Example 1, the latent image was changed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure contained in the coating solution for the crosslinked surface layer was changed to the following monomer. The carrier 3 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 33 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 (Molecular weight: 1947,
Functional group number: 6 functions, molecular weight / functional group number = 325)]

[Example 33]
Example 1 except that the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution in Example 1 was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (VIII). A latent image carrier 4 was prepared in the same manner as described above, 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 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 34]
Example 1 except that the radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution in Example 1 was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (IX). A latent image carrier 5 was prepared in the same manner as described above, 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 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 35]
Example 1 except that the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution in Example 1 was changed to 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (X). A latent image carrier 6 was prepared in the same manner as described above, 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 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 36]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, the coating solution 2 for crosslinked surface layer 2 (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 2) having the following composition was spray-coated and naturally dried for 1 minute, and then a metal halide lamp was used, irradiation distance: 120 mm, irradiation intensity: 500 mW / The coating film was cured by light irradiation under conditions of cm 2 and irradiation time: 45 seconds. Further, drying was performed at 130 ° C. for 20 minutes to provide a cross-linked surface layer of 4 μm, and a latent image carrier 7 was prepared. Using the same lubricating material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, abrasion resistance evaluation, Scratch evaluation was performed. The results are shown in Table 33 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 (BYK-P104; manufactured by BYK Chemie): 0.06 parts No charge transporting structure 3 Radical polymerizable monomer higher than functional group: 5 parts [Trimethylolpropane triacrylate (SR-351,
Sartomer)]
Trifunctional or higher functional radical polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting structure: 5 parts [dipentaerythritol caprolactone-modified hexaacrylate;
KAYARAD DPCA-120 (Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)]
Radical polymerizable compound having monofunctional charge transport structure
[Structural Formula (VI) below]: 10 parts Photopolymerization initiator: 1 part [1-hydroxy-cyclohexyl-phenyl-ketone;
Irgacure 184 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals)]
Tetrahydrofuran: 100 parts

[Example 37]
In Example 36, the latent image carrier 8 was produced in the same manner as in Example 36 except that the alumina fine particles contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution were changed to 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 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 38]
In Example 36, the latent image carrier 9 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 36 except that the alumina fine particles contained in the crosslinked surface layer coating solution were changed to titanium oxide fine particles (CR-97: manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo). Using the same lubricant material as in Example 1, image blur evaluation, wear resistance evaluation, and scratch resistance evaluation were performed. The results are shown in Table 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.

[Example 39]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, the following coating solution 3 for crosslinked surface layer (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 3) is applied onto the charge transport layer using a spray coating method and dried at 150 ° C. for 20 minutes to form a 5 μm surface layer. The latent image carrier 10 was formed, 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 33 below together with the content ratio in the amine compound (Exemplary Compound No.) and the lubricating material.
<Crosslinked 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 (BYK-P104, manufactured by BYK Chemie): 0.06 parts Polycarbonate (Z Polyca, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals) : 10 parts Dibutylhydroxytoluene (BHT): 0.06 parts Antioxidant (Sanol LS-2626, manufactured by Sankyo Corporation): 0.20 parts Tetrahydrofuran: 230 parts Cyclohexanone: 70 parts

[Example 40]
First, the charge transport layer of the latent image carrier was formed in the same manner as in Example 1.
Next, a coating solution 4 for crosslinked surface layer (crosslinked surface layer coating solution 4) having the following composition is spray-coated and then naturally dried for 1 minute, and then heated at 150 ° C. for 30 minutes to form a 5 μm surface crosslinked layer. The latent image carrier 11 was prepared, 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 33 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 comprising styrene, methyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate; polyol = LZR-170 [
Solid content 41% by mass] (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.)
1% silicone oil in tetrahydrofuran: 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 31 to 35 and 40 having the configuration of the present invention, even if the constituent material of the surface layer of the latent image carrier is changed, image blur is less likely to occur. Further, as in Examples 36 to 39, even when the surface layer contains fine particles, the application property of the lubricant is improved, and the latent image carrier having improved wear resistance is mounted, the side effects of image blur As a result, it was found that it exhibited remarkable wear resistance and scratch resistance.

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 formula (1). With the configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention in which a lubricant is mounted and this lubricant is applied to the surface of the latent image carrier, electrostatic latent images are not generated even in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment. The durability of the image carrier can be significantly improved, over a long period of time, Constant to be output high-quality images.
In other words, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can significantly improve the durability of the latent image carrier without generating image blur even in a high temperature and high humidity environment, and can stably provide 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 complex machine having a latent image carrier.

(Figs. 1-4)
201 Support 202 Photosensitive Layer 203 Charge Generation Layer (CGL)
204 Charge transport layer (CTL)
205 Undercoat layer 206 Protective layer (FIG. 6)
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)
110 Transfer Charger 111 Separation Charger 112 Separation Claw 113 Charger Before Cleaning 114 Cleaning Brush 115 Cleaning Blade 116 Lubricant Application Unit (FIG. 7)
114 Cleaning brush 115 Cleaning blade 116a Lubricant (solid matter)
117 Cleaning unit (Fig. 8)
121 image exposure light source 122 latent image carrier 123 drive roller 124 transfer roller 125 transfer charger charger 126 cleaning brush 127 driven roller 128 static electricity source 129 charge charger 130 lubricant application unit 131 lubricant leveling blade (FIG. 9)
153 Charger 154 Static elimination lamp 155 Drum cleaning unit 156 Latent image carrier drum 157 Intermediate transfer bias roller 158 Intermediate transfer belt 159a Stretching roller 159b Secondary transfer backup roller 159c Belt drive roller 160 Recording medium 161 Registration roller pair 162 Transfer conveyance belt 163 Transfer bias roller 164 Paper transport belt 165 Fixing unit 250 Revolver development unit L Laser beam (exposure)
(FIGS. 10-11)
10 latent image carrier 10K latent image carrier for black 10Y latent image carrier for yellow 10M latent image carrier for magenta 10C latent image carrier for cyan 14 support roller a
15 Support roller b
16 Support roller c
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 17 Intermediate transfer body cleaning apparatus 18 Image forming means 21 Exposure apparatus 22 Secondary transfer apparatus 23 A pair of rollers 24 Secondary transfer belt 25 Fixing apparatus 26 Fixing belt 27 Pressure roller 28 Sheet reversing apparatus 32 Contact glass 33 First traveling body 34 Second traveling member 35 Imaging lens 36 Reading sensor 49 Registration roller 50 Intermediate transfer member 51 Manual feed tray 52 Separating roller 53 Manual feed path 55 Switching claw 56 Discharge roller 57 Discharge tray 60 Charger 61 Developer 61 Transfer charger ( (Primary transfer charger)
63 latent image carrier cleaning device 64 static eliminator 65 developing sleeve 66 agitating unit 67 developing unit 68 agitating screw 69 partition plate 70 developing case 71 toner concentration sensor 72 developing roller 73 doctor blade 74 lubricant 75 cleaning blade 76 cleaning brush 77 electric field roller 78 Scraper 79 Collection screw 80 Toner recycling device 142 Paper feed roller 143 Paper bank 144 Paper feed cassette 145 Separation roller 146 Paper feed path 147 Transport roller 148 Paper feed path 120 Tandem type developer 130 Document table 150 Image forming apparatus main body 200 Paper feed Table 300 Scanner 400 Automatic document feeder (ADF)
L exposure (Figure 12)
101 Latent image carrier (electrophotographic photosensitive member)
102 Charging device 103 Exposure means (latent image forming means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 Developing means 105 Recording medium 106 Lubricant 107 Cleaning blade 108 Cleaning brush 109 Cleaning means 110 Conveying roller

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

Claims (23)

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, wherein the lubricant is at least a lubricating substance and an amine represented by any one of the following general formulas (1) to (22) A lubricant comprising a compound.

[In formula (1), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. ]

Wherein ^{(2), R 1, R} 2 represents an aromatic ring group or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l, m, and n are not 0 or 1 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ² and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ¹ may each form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (3), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (4), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (5), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, m, and n are not 0 simultaneously. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , Ar ¹ and Ar ³ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ⁴ may each form a ring together. X represents a divalent linking group such as a methylene group, a cyclohexylidene group, an oxygen atom, or a sulfur atom. ]

[In Formula (6), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² , and Ar ¹ and Ar ³ may each form a ring together. n represents an integer of 1 to 4. ]

[In Formula (7), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ and R ^{4 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. However, any one of Ar ¹ , Ar ² , R ³ or R ⁴ is an aromatic heterocyclic group. ]

[In Formula (8), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ^2, or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (9), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, m and n are not 0 at the same time. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , Ar ⁴ and Ar ⁵ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In Formula (10), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic ring containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ , Ar ² , Ar ³ , and Ar ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. Ar ¹ , Ar ² or Ar ¹ , Ar ³ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. ]

[In formula (11), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (11a)

[In formula (11a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (12), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ and R ⁴ are a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, or the following general formula (12a)

[In Formula (12a), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ⁵ and R ^{6 each} represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. ]
Which may be the same or different. However, R ³ and R ⁴ are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms. R ³ and R ⁴ , R ⁵ and R ⁶ , or Ar ¹ and Ar ² may form a ring together. ]

[In Formula (13), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (14), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ , R ⁶ , and R ⁷ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ² , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ and R ⁵ may jointly form a ring. l represents an integer of 1 to 3, m represents an integer of 0 to 3, and n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (15), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3; However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ⁴ , Ar ² and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (16), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic ring group substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, l and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ⁴ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ⁴ , Ar ² and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (17), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (18), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. However, k, l, and m are not 0 at the same time. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and R ³ , or Ar ² may form a ring together. n represents an integer of 0 or 1. ]

[In Formula (19), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m represent an integer of 0 to 3. n represents an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0 at the same time, R ³ and R ⁴ may represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other. And a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (20), R < ¹ >, R < ² > represents an aromatic-ring-group-substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, and may be same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group, and may be the same or different. R ⁵ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. Ar ¹ and Ar ² represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ , R ⁴ , or Ar ¹ , R ⁴ may jointly form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. k, l, and m are 0 to 4, and n is an integer of 1 or 2. However, when k, l, and m are 0, R ³ and R ⁴ represent an alkyl group having 1 to ⁴ carbon atoms, which may be the same or different, and R ³ and R ⁴ are bonded to each other to form nitrogen. A heterocyclic group containing an atom may be formed. ]

[In Formula (21), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ and R ⁴ represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l, m, and n represent an integer of 0 to 3, and are not 0 at the same time. ]

[In Formula (22), R ¹ and R ² represent an aromatic ring group-substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which may be the same or different. R ¹ and R ² may be bonded to each other to form a heterocyclic group containing a nitrogen atom. Ar ¹ , Ar ² and Ar ³ represent a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. R ³ represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic ring group. l and m represent an integer of 0 to 3 and are not 0 at the same time. n represents an integer of 1 to 3. ]   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, oleic acid, and at least one metal selected from the group of zinc, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, iron, lithium The lubricant according to claim 2, comprising:   The content of the amine compound represented by the general formula (1) contained in the lubricant is 0.1% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less. The lubricant as described. 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 crosslinked surface layer is formed by curing and forming using a radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure and a trifunctional 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 polymerizable monomer having no charge transporting 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, according to claim 8 or 9, Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a polymerizable functional group of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure is an acryloyloxy group or a methacryloyloxy group.   12. 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 kind of radically polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure is represented by the following general formula (I) or (II). Image forming apparatus.

[In the formula (I) or (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. Aryl group, cyano group, nitro group, alkoxy group, —COOR ₁₁ (R ₁₁ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, an aralkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Or a halogenated carbonyl group or CONR ₁₂ R ₁₃ (R ₁₂ and R ₁₃ may have a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group which may have a substituent, or a substituent. Represents an aralkyl group or an aryl group which may have a substituent, and may be the same or different from each other. Ar ₁ and Ar ₂ represent an arylene group which may have a substituent. Identical or different Good. 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 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, a sulfur atom or a vinylene group. To express. Z represents an alkylene group which may have a substituent, an alkylene ether group which may have a substituent, or an alkyleneoxycarbonyl group. m and n represent an integer of 0 to 3. ] The image according to claim 12 or 13, wherein at least one kind of the radical polymerizable compound having a monofunctional charge transporting structure having a triarylamine structure is represented by the following general formula (III): Forming equipment.

[In the formula (III), o, p and q are each an integer of 0 or 1, Ra represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, Rb and Rc represent a substituent other than a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. May be the same or different. s and t represent an integer of 0 to 3. Za represents a single bond, a methylene group, an ethylene group, or a divalent group represented by the following formulas (a), (b), and (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.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the charging unit includes a corona charger.   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 is configured to form a color image by sequentially superimposing a plurality of color toner images. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.   21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the image forming apparatus is of a tandem type including 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 toner image is sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer member to form a color image, and the color image is secondarily transferred onto a recording medium at a time. 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. 23. A process cartridge, wherein the process cartridge is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

Images