JP2012203031A - Endless annular body and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress a decrease in position detection accuracy due to the repeated use of an endless annular body.SOLUTION: An endless annular body for an image forming apparatus includes: an endless annular main body 1 that contains at least resin and conductive particles; and a position detection layer 3 for detecting a position of the endless annular main body 1, a first adhesion layer 5, and a transparent layer 7 that seals the position detection layer 3 and has a second adhesion layer 6 that directly contacts the first adhesion layer 5 on the first adhesion layer 5 side thereof, in this order from the endless annular main body 1 side on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the endless annular main body 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to an endless annular body and an image forming apparatus.

  In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, a toner image formed on an image holding member is directly transferred to a recording medium conveyed by a recording medium conveying annular member, or once transferred to an intermediate transferring annular member. Thereafter, there is a method of transferring an image onto a recording medium and recording an image.

Various methods have been proposed as methods for detecting the positions of the recording medium transporting annular member and the intermediate transfer annular member.
For example, a method for providing a slit for detecting the reference position of the intermediate transfer body at both ends of the intermediate transfer body (see, for example, Patent Document 1), a detected member (mark) for detecting position information provided on the belt, and the apparatus main body In an image forming apparatus having means for detecting position information of a belt by a detection member provided on the side, a method of attaching a sheet-like member provided with a detected member (mark) in advance on the belt (for example, Patent Document 2) Etc.) have been proposed.

JP 05-158314 A JP 07-295392 A

  The present invention includes a position detection film, a first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer that is in direct contact with the first adhesive layer on the first adhesive layer side in order from the endless annular body side. It aims at suppressing the fall of the precision of the position detection by repeated use compared with the case where it does not have a transparent film | membrane which has.

The above object is achieved by the present invention described below.
That is, the invention according to claim 1
Having an endless annular body containing at least a resin and conductive particles;
In order from the endless annular body main body side, the position detecting film for detecting the position of the endless annular body main body, the first adhesive layer, and the position detecting film are hermetically sealed and the first adhesive is sealed. A transparent film having a second adhesive layer in direct contact with the first adhesive layer on the layer side surface, and an endless annular for an image forming apparatus having a part on the outer peripheral surface of the endless annular body. Is the body.

The invention according to claim 2
The endless annular body for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the position detection film on the endless annular body side is not bonded to the endless annular body.

The invention according to claim 3
The first adhesive layer is formed in advance on the position detection film, and then the surface of the position detection film on which the first adhesive layer is formed and the second adhesive layer of the transparent film are formed. 3. The endless annular body for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the transparent film are laminated by pasting together the surface on the side having the same. .

The invention according to claim 4
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for exposing the charged surface of the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image;
An intermediate transfer annular body using the endless annular body according to claim 1;
A primary transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the surface of the intermediate transfer ring;
A secondary transfer device for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer ring to a recording medium;
A detection device for detecting the position of the position detection film in the intermediate transfer ring;
An image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 5
An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for exposing the charged surface of the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image;
An annular body for conveying a recording medium using the endless annular body according to claim 1;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to a recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying annular body;
A detection device for detecting the position of the position detection film in the recording medium transporting annular body;
An image forming apparatus.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the first adhesive layer on the first adhesive layer side surface in order from the endless annular body main body side. Compared with the case where the transparent film having the second adhesive layer in contact with the transparent film is not provided, a decrease in position detection accuracy due to repeated use is suppressed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the surface of the position detection film on the endless annular body side is bonded to the endless annular body, a decrease in position detection accuracy due to repeated use is suppressed. Is done.

  According to the invention of claim 3, the first adhesive layer is previously formed on the position detecting film, and then the surface of the position detecting film on which the first adhesive layer is formed and the second transparent film. By adhering to the surface having the adhesive layer, a decrease in position detection accuracy due to repeated use is suppressed as compared with the case where the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the transparent film are not laminated. .

  According to the invention of claim 4, in the endless annular body, the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the first adhesive layer side surface are sequentially arranged from the endless annular body main body side. Compared with the case where the transparent film having the second adhesive layer that is in direct contact with the adhesive layer is not provided, a decrease in the accuracy of position detection of the intermediate transfer annular body due to repeated use is suppressed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the endless annular body, the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the first adhesive layer side surface in order from the endless annular body main body side. Compared with the case where the transparent film having the second adhesive layer that is in direct contact with the adhesive layer is not provided, a decrease in the accuracy of position detection of the recording medium conveying annular body due to repeated use is suppressed.

It is sectional drawing in the location which has the film | membrane for position detection of the annular body which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing in the location which has the film | membrane for position detection of the annular body which concerns on another example of this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the apparatus which manufactures an annular body main body by the spin coating method (flow coating method). 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is an enlarged schematic configuration diagram showing a portion having a detection device (position detection sensor) in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is sectional drawing in the location which has the film | membrane for position detection of the annular body manufactured in the comparative example. It is sectional drawing in the location which has the film | membrane for position detection of the annular body manufactured in the comparative example. It is sectional drawing in the location which has the film | membrane for position detection of the annular body manufactured in the comparative example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

<Endless annular body>
An endless annular body (hereinafter simply referred to as “annular body”) for an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is referred to as an endless annular body (hereinafter simply referred to as “annular body”) containing at least a resin and conductive particles. The position detection film for detecting the position of the annular body main body, the first adhesive layer, and the position detection film are sealed in order from the annular body main body side. A transparent film having a second adhesive layer in direct contact with the first adhesive layer on the surface on the adhesive layer side is provided on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the annular body.

When the position detection film is provided on the annular body, the position detection film and the transparent film that seals and protects the position detection film are bonded only by the adhesive force of the adhesive layer of the transparent film. However, in this annular body, when image formation is repeated over a long period of time, toner enters the interface between the position detection film and the transparent film, and the surface of the position detection film becomes dirty, resulting in detection failure.
Some position detection films have been treated with a release agent on one side, and in order to increase the adhesive strength when bonding the surface subjected to the release agent treatment to the transparent film, the position detection film is used in advance. There is also a method of attaching a transparent film after removing the release agent from the film, but even in the case of this annular body, if image formation is repeated over a long period of time, toner enters the interface between the position detection film and the transparent film. In this case, the surface of the position detection film becomes dirty, and detection failure occurs.

  On the other hand, in the annular body according to the present embodiment, since another layer of the first adhesive layer is further provided between the position detection film and the transparent film, the adhesive force is sufficiently exerted. Even if the image formation is repeated over the entire area, the entrance of the toner to the interface between the transparent film and the position detection film is suppressed, and the surface on the detection side of the position detection film (the surface opposite to the annular body) is stained. As a result, a decrease in accuracy of position detection due to repeated use is suppressed.

In the annular body according to the present embodiment, it is preferable that the surface on the annular body main body side of the position detection film is not bonded to the annular body main body.
Since the position detection film and the annular body main body are not adhered, even if the toner enters between the transparent film and the annular body main body by repeating image formation over a long period of time, the toner is “Position detection film and ring body main body not adhering to the interface between the position detection film and the transparent film” which is strongly bonded by the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer. It is guessed that it enters the "interface with". For this reason, contamination of the surface on the detection side of the position detection film is suppressed, and as a result, a decrease in accuracy of position detection due to repeated use is suppressed.

Conventionally, when the annular body is provided with a position detection film and a transparent film that seals and protects the position detection film, the surface on the adhesive layer side of the position detection film having an adhesive layer on one side is provided. It has been carried out by a method in which it is attached to the annular body main body, and then a transparent film having an adhesive layer on one side is attached to the annular body body so as to cover and seal the position detecting film.
On the other hand, the annular body in a mode in which the position detecting film and the annular body main body are not bonded has the surface on the adhesive layer side of the position detecting film provided with the adhesive layer on one side and the adhesive layer on one side. Affixed to the surface on the adhesive layer side of the transparent film provided, and then the surface on the adhesive layer side of the transparent film on which the position detection film is attached (the surface on the side on which the position detection film is attached) is circular This can be done by applying it to the body. That is, it is an aspect that can be manufactured by simply reversing the direction of the surface of the position detection film relative to the conventional manufacturing method of the annular body, and can be easily manufactured without increasing the number of steps.

  That is, in the annular body according to the present embodiment, the first adhesive layer is formed in advance on the position detection film, and then the surface of the position detection film on the side where the first adhesive layer is formed. It is preferable that the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the transparent film are laminated by bonding the surface of the transparent film on the side having the second adhesive layer.

[Annular Form]
In addition, although it does not specifically limit as an aspect of the cyclic body which concerns on this embodiment, For example, the following two types are mentioned.
First Mode: As shown in FIG. 1, the annular body 1, the third adhesive layer 2 that bonds the annular body 1 and the position detection film 3, the position detection film 3, and the first adhesive layer 5. The second adhesive layer 6 and the transparent film 7 are stacked in this order. As shown in FIG. 1, the first adhesive layer 5 may be provided on the surface of the position detection film 3 via the primer layer 4.
Second Embodiment: As shown in FIG. 2, the annular body 1, the position detecting film 3, the first adhesive layer 5, the second adhesive layer 6, and the transparent film 7 are stacked in this order. is there. That is, the position detection film 3 and the annular body 1 are not bonded. Although not shown, the first adhesive layer 5 may be provided on the surface of the position detection film 3 via a primer layer.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the annular body according to the first aspect at a position having the position detection film 3, and FIG. 2 shows the position detection film 3 formed in the annular body according to the second aspect. FIG. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the left-right direction represents the axial direction in the annular body, and the back and front directions represent the circumferential direction in the annular body.

Here, the position where the position detection film 3 is provided in the annular body according to the present embodiment may be a case where the annular body is used as an intermediate transfer annular body, a recording medium transporting annular body, or the like in the image forming apparatus. For example, it is preferably formed at the end of the annular body 1 in the axial direction (the left-right direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). More specifically, in the case of an annular body used as an intermediate transfer annular body, it is preferable to have the position detection film 3 in a region (end) where the toner image is not transferred from the image carrier. In addition, in the case of an annular body used as a recording medium transporting annular body, it is preferable to have the position detection film 3 in a region (end) where the recording medium is not held.
However, the annular body which concerns on this embodiment is not limited to this, You may provide in positions other than the said edge part by a use.

  Further, the number of locations where the position detection film 3 is provided in the annular body according to the present embodiment may be one in the circumferential direction (rotational drive direction) of the annular body, or may be provided in a plurality of locations. .

[Method for producing annular body]
-1st aspect If it is the annular body which concerns on the said 1st aspect, first, the 3rd contact bonding layer 2 will be formed in the single side | surface of the film | membrane 3 for position detection (In this case, the 3rd contact bonding layer 2 was provided beforehand) The position detection film 3 (position detection seal) may be used). The surface of the position detecting film 3 on the third adhesive layer 2 side is attached to the end of the annular body 1 in the axial direction, and then the position detecting film 3 on the side opposite to the third adhesive layer 2 is attached. An adhesive is applied to the surface to form the first adhesive layer 5. The formation of the first adhesive layer 5 may be performed after the primer is first applied and the primer layer 4 is provided. Thereafter, the second adhesive layer 6 is formed on one surface of the transparent film 7 (in this case, the transparent film 7 provided with the second adhesive layer 6 in advance may be used). The surface of the transparent film 7 on the second adhesive layer 6 side is attached to the annular body 1 so as to cover and seal the position detecting film 3, thereby producing an annular body.

-2nd aspect If it is a cyclic | annular body which concerns on a 2nd aspect next, first, the 1st contact bonding layer 5 will be formed in the single side | surface of the film | membrane 3 for position detection first (at this time, the 1st contact bonding layer 5 was provided beforehand) The position detection film 3 (position detection seal) may be used). Further, the second adhesive layer 6 is formed on one surface of the transparent film 7 (in this case, the transparent film 7 provided with the second adhesive layer 6 in advance may be used). The surface of the position detecting film 3 on the first adhesive layer 5 side is attached to the surface of the transparent film 7 on the second adhesive layer 6 side, and then the transparent film on which the position detecting film 3 is attached. 7 on the second adhesive layer 6 side (the surface on which the position detection film 3 is attached) covers the position detection film 3 and seals the axial end of the annular body 1. An annular body is produced by sticking to the substrate.

[Position detection membrane]
The position detection film is applied to a position detection method in which, for example, light emitted from a detection device (position detection sensor) provided in the image forming apparatus is reflected and the reflected light is read by the position detection sensor. And a reflective film.
As the material of the reflection film, a material having optical characteristics (such as light reflection characteristics) different from that of the annular body is used, and examples thereof include a film on which a metal is deposited. Examples of the metal include aluminum, stainless steel, and copper.

  The “position detection film 3 provided with the third adhesive layer 2 (position detection seal)” in the first aspect or the “position detection film provided with the first adhesive layer 5” in the second aspect. As the “film 3 (position detection seal)” or the like, a position detection film provided with an adhesive layer in advance may be used. For example, as a commercial product, Livic Tape No. 401 etc. are mentioned.

[First adhesive layer]
Next, the adhesive applied to the first adhesive layer 5 will be described. The adhesive shown below may be applied as an adhesive for the above-described third adhesive layer 2 (adhesive layer for bonding the annular body 1 and the position detecting film 3) or the second adhesive layer 6. Good.

As the adhesive, known acrylic, polyether, silicone, rubber and other adhesives are used without particular limitation.
A particularly preferred adhesive is Super X No. manufactured by Cemedine. 8008.

  Further, in the case where the position detecting film previously provided with the adhesive layer is used as the “position detecting film 3 including the first adhesive layer 5 (position detecting seal)” in the second aspect, the above-mentioned commercially available products are used. Goods are used.

[Primer layer]
Further, the first adhesive layer 5 may be formed on the position detection film 3 with the primer layer 4 interposed therebetween. The primer (primer) used for the primer layer 4 is a material applied to improve the adhesion of the surface of the adherend (position detection film 3).
Although the kind of primer to be applied differs depending on the material of the position detection film 3 and the material of the first adhesive layer 5, conventionally known primers such as polyurethane-based, acrylic-based, polyester-based, silicone-based, rubber-based primers may be used. Used.

[Transparent film]
The transparent film 7 plays a role of sealing and protecting the position detection film 3.
Examples of the material of the transparent film 7 include polyester, polyethylene, PET resin, polypropylene, polycarbonate, and the like. Among these, polyester is particularly preferable.

  In addition, as the “transparent film 7 provided with the second adhesive layer 6” in the first and second embodiments, a transparent film provided with an adhesive layer in advance may be used. For example, as a commercial product, manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation No. 31B etc. are mentioned.

[Second adhesive layer]
As the adhesive applied to the second adhesive layer 6, those listed as the adhesive of the first adhesive layer 5 are applied.
In addition, when using the transparent film previously provided with the adhesive layer as the “transparent film 7 including the second adhesive layer 6” in the first and second embodiments, the above-mentioned commercially available products and the like are used.

[Annular body]
-Resin At least resin is used for the annular body. Examples of the resin include a polyester resin, a polyamide resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polysulfone resin, a polyether sulfone resin, a polyimide resin, and a polyamideimide resin, as long as the resin can be used as an annular body of an image forming apparatus. Can be used. Of these, polyimide resins and polyamideimide resins are most suitable. The above resins may be used alone or in combination.

-Conductive particle From a viewpoint of providing electroconductivity (namely, volume resistivity within the range of 10 < ⁹ > ohm * cm or more and 10 < ¹⁴ > ohm * cm or less) in a cyclic | annular body main body, electroconductive particle contains.
Examples of the conductive particles include carbon black, an ion conductive resin, and a conductive polymer material, and carbon black is particularly preferably used. Examples of the carbon black include oil furnace black, channel black, and acetylene black. Among them, channel black is particularly preferable. The conductive materials may be used alone or in combination.

Other additives In addition to the above, various additives used for the annular body of the image forming apparatus, such as an antioxidant and a surfactant, may be used for the annular body.

-Manufacturing method of an annular body main body The manufacturing method of the annular body main body 1 will be described by taking as an example a method performed by a spin coating method (flow coating method) shown in FIG.
In the spin coating method, a cylindrical molded tube 111 having an outer diameter corresponding to the length of the annular body is prepared. For discharging a coating liquid 116 for forming an annular body (coating liquid containing at least the resin and the conductive particles) 116 onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 111 at a position along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 111. The nozzle 115 is disposed, the nozzle 115 is connected to the coating liquid container 114 through a pipe, and the coating liquid container 114 is further connected to the pressurizing device 117 through the pipe. A blade 118 for pressing the discharged coating liquid 116 on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical forming tube 111 is disposed below the nozzle 115.

  The cylindrical forming tube 111 is rotated in the direction of the rotating direction of the cylindrical forming tube (arrow D), the coating liquid 116 is discharged from the nozzle 115 onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical forming tube 111, and the blade 118 is uniformly applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical forming tube 111. The The nozzle 115 and the blade 118 move in the nozzle and blade movement direction (arrow E), and the coating liquid 116 is applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical forming tube 111. The coating liquid 116 is adjusted to be discharged from the nozzle 115 by the pressurizing device 117. As a result, a coating film of the coating liquid 116 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical forming tube 111.

Next, after the coating film of the coating liquid 116 is heated and dried to form an annular body, the annular body is cooled, peeled off from the cylindrical tube 111, and cut to a predetermined width.
For example, when a polyimide precursor is used as the resin material of the coating solution (resin solution) 116, the coating solution 116 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical tube 111 and then dried at 80 ° C. or more and 170 ° C. or less. Then, the solvent is removed (drying step), and the polyimide resin film is formed by heating to 250 ° C. or more and 350 ° C. or less for imide conversion (firing step).

The thickness of the annular body obtained in this way is preferably 50 μm or more and 150 μm or less, particularly when used as a recording medium conveyance annular body or an intermediate transfer annular body of an image forming apparatus.
Moreover, you may provide other layers, such as a surface protective layer and a resistance adjustment layer, in an annular body main body at the inner peripheral surface side or the outer peripheral surface side.

<Image forming apparatus>
Next, the image forming apparatus will be described.
The annular body according to the above-described embodiment is suitably used as an intermediate transfer annular body or a recording medium transport annular body, particularly in an image forming apparatus.

  Here, as an image forming apparatus to which the annular body is applied as an intermediate transfer annular body, an image holding body, a charging device for charging the image holding body, and the charged surface of the image holding body are exposed and statically exposed. A latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image, a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image, and an annular member for intermediate transfer using the annular member according to the above-described embodiment. A primary transfer device that transfers the toner image on the image carrier to the surface of the intermediate transfer annular member, and a secondary transfer device that transfers the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer annular member to a recording medium And a detection device for detecting the position of the position detection film in the intermediate transfer annular body.

  In addition, as an image forming apparatus in which the annular body is applied as a recording medium conveying annular body, an image holding body, a charging device for charging the image holding body, and the charged surface of the image holding body are exposed and statically exposed. A latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image, a developing device that develops the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image, and a recording medium conveyance ring that uses the annular body according to the above-described embodiment. A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying annular body, and detecting the position of the position detection film on the recording medium conveying annular body. And an image forming apparatus including the detecting device.

Next, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus capable of forming a multicolor image. In the figure, as the photosensitive drum (image holding member) 11 rotates in the direction of arrow A, a charging device 12 and an exposure device (not shown) (not shown in the drawing with an exposure beam shown in the figure) are shown on the surface thereof. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to image information is formed by the electrophotographic process. The photosensitive drum 11 includes a rotary developing device including a black (Bk) developing device 14, a yellow (Y) developing device 15, a magenta (M) developing device 16, and a cyan (C) developing device 17. Is arranged. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is developed for each color and transferred to an intermediate transfer annular body (intermediate transfer belt) 20. This is repeated for each color to form a multicolor image on the intermediate transfer ring.

  Further, the intermediate transfer annular member (intermediate transfer belt) 20 disposed in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is stretched around a plurality of (four in this embodiment) rolls 21 to 24 so as to stretch the annular member. The device is formed and arranged so as to be rotationally driven in the direction of arrow B. Here, in this embodiment, reference numeral 21 is a driving roll for the intermediate transfer belt 20, 22 is a driven roll, 23 is a tension roll for controlling the tension of the intermediate transfer belt 20 to be constant, and 24 is a counter roll for secondary transfer. is there. In this aspect, the annular body according to the above-described embodiment is applied as the intermediate transfer belt 20.

  A primary transfer device (primary transfer roll in this embodiment) 18 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 at a portion (primary transfer position) of the intermediate transfer belt 20 facing the photosensitive drum 11. The toner image T on the photosensitive drum 11 is electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 20 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to the toner charging polarity to the transfer roll 18.

  Further, a secondary transfer device 40 is disposed at the secondary transfer position of the intermediate transfer belt 20 facing the conveyance path of the paper P as a recording medium. In this embodiment, the toner image holding surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 is disposed. A secondary transfer roll 25 disposed in contact with the (outer peripheral surface) side and a counter roll 24 disposed on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 20 and serving as a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roll 25 are provided. In this embodiment, the secondary transfer roll 25 is grounded, and a bias having the same polarity as the toner charging polarity is applied to the opposing roll 24 via the power supply roll 26. The secondary transfer roll 25 is provided with a cleaning blade 28 made of, for example, urethane rubber.

  In this embodiment, as the facing roll 24, for example, an EPDM having a two-layer structure in which the outer periphery of the metal core material is coated with the foamed elastic layer and the conductive layer in this order can be used. The outer conductive layer is made of semiconductive EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) foamed rubber in which carbon black is dispersed. The secondary transfer roll 25 is formed by coating a core layer made of a cored bar and a carbon black-dispersed foam EPDM material fixed around the cored bar with a carbon black-dispersed fluororesin material through a skin layer. ing.

Further, a belt cleaner (cleaning scraper) 41 for removing residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer device 40.
A detection device (position detection sensor) 42 for detecting the position of the position detection film on the intermediate transfer belt 20 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer device 40 of the intermediate transfer belt 20 and upstream of the cleaning scraper 41. Is disposed opposite to the outer peripheral surface (toner image holding surface) side of the intermediate transfer belt 20.

  In this embodiment, the paper transport system feeds the paper P from the paper storage unit 50 by the feed roll 51, temporarily stops the positioning by the alignment roll 52, and then moves the paper P to the secondary transfer position at a predetermined timing. The sheet P after the secondary transfer is guided to the conveyance belt 53 through a sheet conveyance guide (not shown), and conveyed to the fixing device 54 by the conveyance belt 53.

[Detection device]
Here, the detection device (position detection sensor) 42 will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the intermediate transfer belt 20 shown in FIG. 5, the position detection film 3 is provided in an axial end portion in a non-image region where an image on the outer peripheral surface side is not formed. In FIG. 5, only the position detecting film 3 is shown, and the first adhesive layer 5, the transparent film 7 and the like are omitted.

  A detection device (position detection sensor) that detects the passage of the position detection film 3 so that the position detection film 3 moves as the intermediate transfer belt 20 rotates and faces the moving position detection film 3. 42 is provided. For example, the detection device 42 emits light to the intermediate transfer belt 20 and reads the reflected light, and detects the position based on the difference in reflection between the portion where the position detection film 3 is provided and the portion where the position detection film 3 is not provided. Specifically, it is a light-receiving element that is irradiated with laser light, LED light, or the like and is reflected from the position detection film 3 and light reflected from a portion without the position detection film 3. A device for detecting the position of the rotating intermediate transfer belt 20 by detecting the passage of the position detection film 3 based on the difference in the amount of reflected light is applied.

  A control unit (not shown) controls the transfer timing of the toner image T shown in FIG. 4 based on the detection data detected by the detection device 42 so that the toner images are accurately superimposed. .

Next, an image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to this aspect will be described.
When a start switch (not shown) is turned on, an image forming process is executed. Specifically, if the electrostatic latent image written on the photosensitive drum 11 corresponds to, for example, yellow image information, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 15 containing yellow (Y) toner. The yellow toner image T is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by development. The unfixed toner image T formed on the photosensitive drum 11 is transferred from the photosensitive drum 11 to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 20 at a primary transfer position where the photosensitive drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 20 are in contact with each other.

  At this time, when a single color image is formed, the toner image T primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is secondarily transferred to the paper P, but a color image in which a plurality of color toner images are superimposed is formed. In this case, the toner image formation on the photosensitive drum 11 and the primary transfer process of the toner image T are repeated for the number of colors. For example, when a multicolor image is formed by superimposing four color toner images, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan toner images T are formed on the photosensitive drum 11 for each rotation. T is sequentially primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20. On the other hand, the intermediate transfer belt 20 is driven to rotate at the same cycle as the photosensitive drum 11 while holding the black toner image T that is primarily transferred first, and yellow, magenta, and magenta are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 20 every rotation. A cyan toner image T is transferred.

  The toner image T primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 20 in this way is conveyed to the secondary transfer position as the intermediate transfer belt 20 is driven to rotate. On the other hand, the paper P is supplied to the secondary transfer position at a timing determined by the alignment roll 52, and the secondary transfer roll 25 nips the paper P against the opposing roll 24. Then, at the secondary transfer position, the secondary transfer device 40 is held on the intermediate transfer belt 20 by the action of a transfer electric field formed in a region (nip region) sandwiched between the secondary transfer roll 25 and the opposing roll 24 which are the secondary transfer device 40. The toner image T is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P at the secondary transfer position. Thereafter, the second-transferred sheet P is conveyed to the fixing device 54 via the conveying belt 53, and the toner image T on the sheet P is fixed.

  The transfer timing of the unfixed toner image T to the intermediate transfer belt 20 is controlled based on the position detection data of the intermediate transfer belt 20 detected by the detection device 42, and the toner images are controlled to be accurately superimposed. ing.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although this invention is demonstrated using an Example and a comparative example, this invention is not limited to a following example.

[Example 1]
(Preparation of annular body)
As shown in FIG. 1, the annular body 1, the third adhesive layer 2 for bonding the annular body 1 and the position detection film 3, the position detection film 3, the primer layer 4, the first adhesive layer 5, the second An annular body in which the adhesive layer 6 and the transparent film 7 were laminated in this order was produced as follows.

In addition, each member which comprises an annular body is as follows.
Ring body 1: Polyimide resin belt in which carbon black is dispersed
(Φ168mm, width 364.8mm)
-Position detection film 3 provided with the third adhesive layer 2
: Product name Livic Tape No. manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation 401
-Primer layer 4: Trade name primer C manufactured by Toray Dow Corning
First adhesive layer 5: trade name Super X No. 8008
-Transparent film 7 provided with second adhesive layer 6: Product name No. manufactured by Nitto Denko Corporation 31

  First, the surface on the third adhesive layer 2 side of the position detecting film 3 provided with the third adhesive layer 2 on one side is attached to the end of the annular body 1 in the axial direction. A primer and an adhesive were applied in this order to the surface opposite to the third adhesive layer 2 to form a primer layer 4 and a first adhesive layer 5. Thereafter, the surface on the second adhesive layer 6 side of the transparent film 7 provided with the second adhesive layer 6 on one side is attached to the annular body 1 so as to cover and seal the position detecting film 3, An annular body was produced.

[Example 2]
(Preparation of annular body)
The position detecting film 3 and the annular body shown in FIG. 2, in which the annular body 1, the position detecting film 3, the first adhesive layer 5, the second adhesive layer 6, and the transparent film 7 are laminated in this order. An annular body having an aspect in which the main body 1 is not adhered was produced as follows.

In addition, each member which comprises an annular body is as follows.
Annular body 1 used in Example 1 A position detection film 3 provided with a first adhesive layer 5
: Used as “position detection film 3 provided with third adhesive layer 2” in Example 1; transparent film 7 provided with second adhesive layer 6: used in Example 1

  First, the surface on the first adhesive layer 5 side of the position detecting film 3 provided with the first adhesive layer 5 on one side, and the second of the transparent film 7 provided with the second adhesive layer 6 on one side. The surface on the second adhesive layer 6 side of the transparent film 7 attached to the surface on the adhesive layer 6 side and then the position detecting film 3 (the surface on the side on which the position detecting film 3 is attached). Was attached to the end of the annular body 1 in the axial direction so as to cover and seal the position detecting film 3 to produce an annular body.

[Comparative Example 1]
(Preparation of annular body)
The annular body 101, the third adhesive layer 102 for bonding the annular body 101 and the position detection film 103A, the position detection film 103A, the second adhesive layer 106, and the transparent film 107 shown in FIG. An annular body laminated in this order was produced as follows.

In addition, each member which comprises an annular body is as follows.
Annular body 101: used in Example 1, a position detection film 103A provided with a third adhesive layer 102: used in Example 1, a transparent film provided with a second adhesive layer 106 107: Used in Example 1

  First, the surface on the third adhesive layer 102 side of the position detecting film 103A having the third adhesive layer 102 on one side is attached to the end of the annular body 101 in the axial direction, and then the second adhesive is attached to one side. The surface of the transparent film 107 provided with the layer 106 on the second adhesive layer 106 side was attached to the annular body main body 101 so as to cover and seal the position detection film 103A, thereby producing an annular body.

[Comparative Example 2]
(Preparation of annular body)
7, the annular body main body 101, the third adhesive layer 102 for bonding the annular body main body 101 and the position detecting film 103B, the position detecting film 103B, the second adhesive layer 106, and the transparent film 107 are provided. An annular body laminated in this order was produced as follows.

In addition, each member which comprises an annular body is as follows.
Annular body 101: used in Example 1. Position detecting film 103B provided with third adhesive layer 102: Provided with third adhesive layer 102 of the position detecting film used in Example 1. Processed to remove the mold release agent on the opposite side of the surface. Transparent film 107 provided with the second adhesive layer 106: used in Example 1

  First, the surface on the third adhesive layer 102 side of the position detection film 103B having the third adhesive layer 102 on one side is attached to the end of the annular body 101 in the axial direction, and then the second adhesive is attached to one side. The surface of the transparent film 107 provided with the layer 106 on the second adhesive layer 106 side was attached to the annular body 101 so as to cover and seal the position detection film 103B, thereby producing an annular body.

[Comparative Example 3]
(Preparation of annular body)
An annular body in which the annular body 101, the third adhesive layer 102 for bonding the annular body 101 and the position detection film 103A, and the position detection film 103A shown in FIG. In this way, it was produced.

In addition, each member which comprises an annular body is as follows.
Ring body 101: used in Example 1 Position detection film 103A provided with third adhesive layer 102: used in Example 1

  The surface on the third adhesive layer 102 side of the position detection film 103A provided with the third adhesive layer 102 on one side was attached to the axial end of the annular body main body 101 to produce an annular body.

<Evaluation test>
Cyan (C), magenta (M) includes an image carrier (photosensitive member) and an intermediate transfer annular member, and forms a toner image on the image carrier and transfers the toner image to the intermediate transfer annular member. , Yellow (Y), and Black (Bk), an image forming apparatus of a type (so-called four-cycle type) that forms a color image on an intermediate transfer annular body by repeating four colors, DocuColor 1257 (manufactured by Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.) In the apparatus modified so that the light output of the position detection sensor can be adjusted by voltage control, the annular body obtained in the above-mentioned examples and comparative examples is installed as an intermediate transfer annular body, and A3 paper (J paper, 20,000 images were formed (printed) using Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd. and evaluated as follows.

-Toner penetration evaluation-
The outer peripheral surface (surface reflecting the light of the position detection sensor) in the position detection film of the annular body after printing 20,000 sheets was visually observed to evaluate the occurrence of dirt due to the toner. The evaluation criteria are as follows.
○: No occurrence of contamination ×: Contamination occurs when toner enters between the position detection film and the transparent film

−Position detection accuracy evaluation−
The accuracy of the position detection of the intermediate transfer annular body at the initial stage of printing 20,000 sheets and after printing 20,000 sheets was evaluated. The evaluation criteria are as follows.
○: Good detection (that is, the detection light is normally reflected and correctly read by the sensor)
×: Detection failure (that is, the detection light does not reflect normally and is not correctly read by the sensor)

1,101 Annular body 2,102 Third adhesive layer 3,103A, 103B Position detecting film 4 Primer layer 5 First adhesive layer 6,106 Second adhesive layer 7,107 Transparent film 11 Photosensitive drum 12 Charging device 13 Exposure beam 14, 15, 16, 17 Developer 18 Primary transfer roll 20 Intermediate transfer belt 21 Drive roll 22 Driven roll 23 Stretch roll 24 Opposed roll 25 Secondary transfer roll 26 Power supply roll 28 Cleaning blade 40 Secondary transfer Device 41 Cleaning scraper 42 Detection device (position detection sensor)
50 Paper storage unit 51 Sending roll 52 Positioning roll 53 Conveying belt 54 Fixing device 111 Cylindrical forming tube 114 Coating liquid container 115 Nozzle 116 Coating liquid 117 Pressurizing device 118 Blade

Claims (5)

Having an endless annular body containing at least a resin and conductive particles;
In order from the endless annular body main body side, the position detecting film for detecting the position of the endless annular body main body, the first adhesive layer, and the position detecting film are hermetically sealed and the first adhesive is sealed. A transparent film having a second adhesive layer in direct contact with the first adhesive layer on the layer side surface, and an endless annular for an image forming apparatus having a part on the outer peripheral surface of the endless annular body. body.   The endless annular body for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the position detecting film on the endless annular body side is not bonded to the endless annular body.   The first adhesive layer is formed in advance on the position detection film, and then the surface of the position detection film on which the first adhesive layer is formed and the second adhesive layer of the transparent film are formed. 3. The endless annular body for an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position detection film, the first adhesive layer, and the transparent film are laminated by pasting together a surface having the surface. An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for exposing the charged surface of the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image;
An intermediate transfer annular body using the endless annular body according to claim 1;
A primary transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to the surface of the intermediate transfer ring;
A secondary transfer device for transferring the toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer ring to a recording medium;
A detection device for detecting the position of the position detection film in the intermediate transfer ring;
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image carrier,
A charging device for charging the image carrier;
A latent image forming apparatus for exposing the charged surface of the image carrier to form an electrostatic latent image; and
A developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image;
An annular body for conveying a recording medium using the endless annular body according to claim 1;
A transfer device for transferring the toner image on the image carrier to a recording medium conveyed by the recording medium conveying annular body;
A detection device for detecting the position of the position detection film in the recording medium transporting annular body;
An image forming apparatus comprising: