JP2013145415A - Charging device, unit for image forming apparatus, process cartridge and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging device capable of suppressing the occurrence of distortion of an elastic layer of a cleaning member after storage.SOLUTION: There is provided a cleaning member which comprises: for example, a charging member for charging a body to be charged; a core body 100A as a core body; and an elastic layer 100B. The elastic layer 100B is spirally wound by a strip-like elastic member (hereinafter referred to as a strip 100C) on the surface of the core body 100A. Specifically, the elastic layer 100B is arranged, for example, in a state where the strip 100C is spirally wound around with a given interval using the axis of the core body 100A as a spiral axis from one end to the other end of the core body 100A. In addition, if the thickness at the central part in the spiral direction of the elastic layer in a state of being wound on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A is defined as t (mm) and the thickness of the central part in the width direction of strip 100C before being wound on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A is defined as T (mm), the elastic layer 100B satisfies the conditional expression, (A1):0.7<t/T<1.0.

Description

  The present invention relates to a charging device, a unit for an image forming apparatus, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus.

  In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, first, the surface of an image carrier made of a photosensitive member or the like is charged by a charging device to form a charge, and an electrostatic latent image is formed with a laser beam or the like that modulates an image signal. Form. Thereafter, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the charged toner and a visualized toner image is formed. Then, the toner image is electrostatically transferred to a transfer medium such as a recording sheet via an intermediate transfer body, and fixed on the transfer medium, thereby obtaining an image.

By the way, in patent document 1, the method of attaching a foam roll as a cleaning member of a charging roll is proposed.
Patent Document 2 proposes a method of providing a peripheral speed difference between the charging roll and the cleaning roll.
Patent Documents 3 and 4 propose a method in which a force is applied to the contaminant in the longitudinal direction of the charging roll by a spiral cleaning roll or the like.

JP-A-2-272594 JP 7-129055 A JP 7-219313 A JP 2001-209238 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a charging device and a unit for an image forming apparatus that suppress the occurrence of distortion of an elastic layer of a cleaning member after storage.

The above problem is solved by the following means. That is,
The invention according to claim 1
A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member that is disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleans the surface of the charging member, wherein a tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. And an elastic layer disposed in a spiral shape with a thickness t (mm) at the center in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer in a state of being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, A cleaning member that satisfies the following conditional expression (A1), where T (mm) is the thickness at the center in the width direction of the strip-shaped elastic member before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of
A charging device comprising:
Conditional expression (A1): 0.7 <t / T <1.0

The invention according to claim 2
The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member satisfies the following conditional expression (A2).
Conditional expression (A2): 0.8 <t / T <0.95

The invention according to claim 3
3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.

The invention according to claim 4
2. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. The charging device according to claim 1.

The invention according to claim 5
A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member that is disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleans the surface of the charging member, wherein a tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. The elastic layer is arranged in a spiral shape and has a thickness at the center portion in the spiral width direction smaller than the thickness at the end portion in the spiral width direction in the cross section orthogonal to the spiral direction in the state wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body. And a cleaning member having
A charging device comprising:

The invention according to claim 6
The charging device according to claim 5, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.

The invention according to claim 7 provides:
6. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state where a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. Or the charging device of 6.

The invention according to claim 8 provides:
At least the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 9 is:
An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, the charging means having the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

The invention according to claim 10 is:
A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned, and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned, and tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. An elastic layer that is wound in a spiral shape in a state where the elastic layer is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, and the thickness of the elastic layer in the central portion in the spiral width direction is t (mm), A cleaning member that satisfies the following conditional expression (A1), where T (mm) is the thickness at the center in the width direction of the strip-shaped elastic member before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body;
A unit for an image forming apparatus.
Conditional expression (A1): 0.7 <t / T <1.0

The invention according to claim 11 is:
The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning member satisfies the following conditional expression (A2).
Conditional expression (A2): 0.8 <t / T <0.95

The invention according to claim 12
12. The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.

The invention according to claim 13 is:
The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that gives an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. The unit for image forming apparatuses of any one of -12.

The invention according to claim 14 is:
A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned, and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned, and tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. In the cross-section orthogonal to the spiral direction in a state of being wound in a spiral shape and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, the thickness at the center in the spiral width direction is smaller than the thickness at the end in the spiral width direction. A cleaning member having an elastic layer;
A unit for an image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 15 is:
The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.

The invention according to claim 16 provides:
15. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. Or a unit for an image forming apparatus according to 15;

The invention according to claim 17 provides:
It comprises at least a unit for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16.
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

The invention according to claim 18
An image forming apparatus comprising the unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

According to the invention which concerns on Claim 1, compared with the case where the cleaning member which does not satisfy | fill said conditional expression (A1) is applied, the charging device which suppressed generation | occurrence | production of the distortion | strain of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 2, compared with the case where the cleaning member which does not satisfy | fill said conditional expression (A2) is applied, the charging device which suppressed generation | occurrence | production of the distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage is provided.
According to the invention of claim 3, compared to the case where a cleaning member whose spiral angle and spiral width of the elastic layer are out of the above ranges is applied, the charging that suppresses the generation of distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage. An apparatus is provided.
According to the eighth and ninth aspects of the invention, there are provided a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus in which image defects due to distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage are suppressed.
According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a unit for an image forming apparatus that suppresses the occurrence of distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage as compared with the case where a cleaning member that does not satisfy the conditional expression (A1) is applied. Provided.
According to the invention of claim 11, there is provided a unit for an image forming apparatus that suppresses the generation of distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage as compared with the case where a cleaning member that does not satisfy the conditional expression (A2) is applied. Provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 12, compared with the case where the cleaning member whose spiral angle and spiral width of the said elastic layer are outside the said range is applied, the image which suppressed generation | occurrence | production of the distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage A unit for the forming apparatus is provided.
According to the invention which concerns on Claim 17, 18, the process cartridge and image forming apparatus in which the image defect resulting from distortion of the elastic layer of the cleaning member after storage was suppressed are provided.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows the cleaning member which concerns on this embodiment. It is a schematic side view of the cleaning member which concerns on this embodiment. It is an expanded sectional view showing the thickness of the elastic layer in the cleaning member concerning this embodiment. It is process drawing which shows an example of the manufacturing method of the cleaning member which concerns on this embodiment. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the process cartridge which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram in which a peripheral portion of a charging member (charging device) in FIGS. 5 and 6 is enlarged.

  Embodiments that are examples of the present invention will be described below. In addition, the same code | symbol may be provided to the member which has the same function and effect | action through all the drawings, and the description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(Cleaning member)
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a cleaning member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the cleaning member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the thickness of the elastic layer in the cleaning member according to the present embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, that is, a cross-sectional view along a direction orthogonal to the spiral direction of the elastic layer.

A cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter simply referred to as a cleaning member) is a roll-shaped member as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and includes a core body 100 </ b> A and an elastic layer 100 </ b> B as core bodies. It is a roll-shaped member provided. The elastic layer 100B has a strip-shaped elastic member (hereinafter referred to as a strip 100C) spirally wound around the surface of the core body 100A. Specifically, the elastic layer 100B is disposed, for example, from one end of the core body 100A to the other end, with the axis of the core body 100A being a spiral axis, and in a state where the strip 100C is wound in a spiral shape with an interval. Has been.
The elastic layer 100C has a thickness t (mm) at the central portion in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer in a state provided on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A, and the width of the strip 100C before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A. When the thickness at the center in the direction is T (mm), the following conditional expression (A1) is satisfied (see FIG. 3).

  In the cleaning member 100 according to this embodiment, due to the above-described configuration, distortion of the elastic layer 100B after storage (particularly after storage in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment: for example, a temperature of 40 ° C. and a humidity of 95% RH) occurs. It is suppressed. Although this reason is not certain, it is thought to be due to the following reasons.

  When the strip 100C is wound around the core body 100A and the elastic layer 100B is disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A, the strip body 100C has the longitudinal direction (winding direction) applied with a predetermined tension. It is wound around the outer peripheral surface of 100A. When winding the strip 100C, it is necessary to apply tension, and the elastic layer 100B wound around the core body 100A is in an elastically deformed state (that is, the thickness of the central portion in the width direction of the strip 100C before winding). Therefore, if this tension is too strong, the degree of elastic deformation is large, and it is considered that the elastic layer 100B is distorted after storage. This phenomenon is considered to be particularly likely to occur after storage in a high temperature and high humidity environment: for example, a temperature of 40 ° C. and a humidity of 95% RH.

Therefore, in the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment, the elastic layer 100B is disposed so as to satisfy the conditional expression (A1). That is, the elastic layer 100B is elastically deformed (the central portion in the width direction) with respect to the strip 100C before being wound as much as possible. It is considered that the occurrence of distortion of the elastic layer 100B after storage is suppressed by arranging in a state where the degree of change in thickness) is not as small as possible.
In the charging device (image forming unit), the process cartridge, and the image forming apparatus including the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment, image defects (for example, density unevenness) due to distortion of the elastic layer after storage are suppressed. The

The elastic layer 100B preferably satisfies the following conditional expression (A2). It is more desirable to satisfy the conditional expression (A3.
Conditional expression (A2): 0.8 <t / T <0.95
Conditional expression (A3): 0.8 <t / T <0.9

The thickness t at the central portion in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer 100B is measured, for example, as follows.
Scanning in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the cleaning member at a traverse speed of 1 mm / s using a laser measuring machine (laser scanning micrometer manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation, model: LSM6200) with the circumferential direction of the cleaning member fixed. The profile of the elastic layer thickness (elastic layer thickness) is measured. Then, the circumferential direction position is shifted and the same measurement is performed (the circumferential direction position is 120 ° interval, 3 locations). Based on this profile, the thickness t at the central portion in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer 100B in the elastic layer 100B is calculated.
On the other hand, the thickness T at the center in the width direction of the strip 100C before being wound is also measured in the same manner by using a laser measuring machine (laser scan micrometer, model: LSM6200 manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation) by pasting it on a plate with no curvature. it can.

  For example, when the elastic layer 100B is formed by winding the strip 100C around the core body, the thickness of the strip, the angle at which the strip is wound, the tension at which the strip is wound, etc. There is a technique performed by controlling.

Here, the elastic layer 100B is arranged in a spiral shape. Specifically, for example, the spiral angle θ is 10 ° to 65 ° (desirably 20 ° to 50 °), and the spiral width R1 is 2 mm. It is good that it is 18 mm or less (desirably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less). Further, the spiral pitch R2 is preferably, for example, 3 mm or more and 25 mm or less (desirably 15 mm or more and 22 mm or less).
When the strip 100C is wound around the core body 100A to form the elastic layer 100B, it is preferable that the conditional expression is easily satisfied by controlling the spiral angle and the spiral width to be within the ranges.

The elastic layer 100B has a coverage ratio (spiral width R1 / [helical width R1 of elastic layer 100B + spiral pitch R2 of elastic layer 100B: (R1 + R2)]) of 20% or more and 70% or less. Preferably, it is 25% or more and 55% or less.
If this coverage is larger than the above range, the elastic layer 100B will be in contact with the member to be cleaned for a long time, so that the adherent adhering to the surface of the cleaning member tends to be recontaminated to the member to be cleaned. If the coverage is smaller than the above range, the thickness (wall thickness) of the elastic layer 100B becomes difficult to stabilize, and the cleaning ability tends to decrease.

Note that the helical angle θ means an angle (acute angle) at which the longitudinal direction P (spiral direction) of the elastic layer 100B intersects the axial direction Q (core axis direction) of the cleaning member.
The spiral width R1 means a length along the axial direction Q (core axis direction) of the cleaning member 100 of the elastic layer 100B.
The spiral pitch R2 means the length between the adjacent elastic layers 100B along the axial direction Q (core axis direction) of the cleaning member 100 of the elastic layer 100B.
The elastic layer 100B is a layer made of a material that can be restored to its original shape even when deformed by applying an external force of 100 Pa.

  Hereinafter, each member will be described in detail.

First, the core will be described.
Examples of the material used for the core body 100A include metals (for example, free-cutting steel or stainless steel) or resins (for example, polyacetal resin (POM)). In addition, it is desirable to select a material, a surface treatment method, etc. as needed.
In particular, when the core body 100A is made of metal, it is desirable to perform plating. Further, in the case of a material such as a resin that does not have conductivity, it may be processed by a general process such as a plating process, and may be used as it is.

Next, the elastic layer will be described.
The elastic layer 100B is made of foamable resin such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, or polypropylene, or silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM, NBR, CR, chlorinated polyisoprene, isoprene, acrylonitrile-butadiene. Examples thereof include materials obtained by blending one kind or two or more kinds of rubber materials such as rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and butyl rubber. In addition, you may add adjuvants, such as a foaming aid, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, a hardening | curing agent, a plasticizer, or a vulcanization accelerator, to these as needed.

Among these, a material having bubbles (so-called foam) is good, particularly from the viewpoint of not scratching the surface of the member to be cleaned due to rubbing and preventing tearing or breakage over a long period of time. A strong foamed polyurethane is desirable.
Examples of the polyurethane include polyol (for example, polyester polyol, polyetherpolyester, acrylic polyol, etc.) and isocyanate (for example, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, And a reaction product such as trizine diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate), and a chain extender (1,4-butanediol, trimethylolpropane) may be included. In general, foaming of polyurethane is performed using a foaming agent such as water or an azo compound (for example, azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile). Moreover, you may add adjuvants, such as a foaming aid, a foam stabilizer, and a catalyst, to foamed polyurethane as needed.

Of these foamed polyurethanes, ether-based foamed polyurethane is preferable. This is because ester-based foamed polyurethane tends to be susceptible to wet heat degradation. Ether-based polyurethanes mainly use silicone oil foam stabilizers, but image quality defects due to transfer of silicone oil to the member to be cleaned (eg, charging roll) during storage (especially long-term storage under high temperature and high humidity) May occur. Therefore, image quality defects of the elastic layer 100B are suppressed by using a foam stabilizer other than silicone oil.
Here, specific examples of the foam stabilizer other than silicone oil include organic surfactants that do not contain Si (for example, anionic surfactants such as dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and sodium lauryl sulfate). . Moreover, the manufacturing method which does not use the silicone type foam stabilizer described in Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2005-301000 is also applicable.

  The configuration of the elastic layer 100B may be a single layer configuration or a stacked configuration. Specifically, the configuration of the elastic layer 100B may be, for example, a configuration composed of one foam body or a two-layer configuration of a solid layer and a foam layer.

Next, a method for manufacturing the cleaning member 100 according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 4 is a process diagram illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 4A, a sheet-like elastic layer member (foamed polyurethane sheet or the like) subjected to slicing processing so as to have a target thickness is prepared, and the sheet-like elastic layer member is prepared. After a double-sided tape (not shown) is attached to one side, the member is punched with a punching die to obtain a strip 100C (strip with a double-sided tape) having a desired width and length. On the other hand, the core body 100A is also prepared.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (B), the strip with the double-sided tape facing upward is placed, and in this state, one end of the release paper of the double-sided tape is peeled off, and the release paper is peeled off. One end of the core body 100A is placed on the top.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4C, the core body 100A is rotated at a target speed while peeling the release paper of the double-sided tape, and the strip 100C is spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A. Then, the cleaning member 100 having the elastic layer 100B spirally arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A is obtained.

  Here, when the strip 100C to be the elastic layer 100B is wound around the core body 100A, the strip 100C is positioned on the strip 100C so that the longitudinal direction of the strip 100C becomes a target angle (spiral angle) with respect to the axial direction of the core body 100A. Can be combined. Moreover, the outer diameter of the core body 100A is preferably about φ3 mm to φ6 mm, for example.

  The tension applied when winding the strip 100C around the core body 100A may be such that there is no gap between the core body 100A and the double-sided tape of the strip body 100C, and it is preferable not to apply excessive tension. If too much tension is applied, it is difficult to satisfy the conditional expression (A1), and in addition, the tensile elongation is increased, and the elastic force of the elastic layer 100B necessary for cleaning tends to decrease. Specifically, for example, the tension may be 0% and 5% elongation with respect to the length of the original strip 100C.

On the other hand, when the strip 100C is wound around the core body 100A, the strip 100C tends to extend. This elongation differs in the thickness direction of the strip 100C, and the outermost wall tends to be stretched most, and the elastic force may decrease. Therefore, it is preferable that the elongation of the outermost outline after winding the strip 100C around the core body 100A is about 5% with respect to the outermost outline of the original strip 100C.
This elongation is controlled by the radius of curvature of the strip 100C wound around the core body 100A and the thickness of the strip 100C, and the curvature radius of the strip 100C wound around the core body 100A is controlled by the outer diameter of the core body 100A and the winding angle of the strip 100C. Is done.
The radius of curvature around which the strip 100C is wound around the core body 100A is preferably, for example, ((core body outer diameter / 2) +0.2 mm) or more and [(core body outer diameter / 2) +8.5 mm) or less, preferably ( (Core outer diameter / 2) +0.5 mm) or more ((core outer diameter / 2) +7.0 mm) or less.
The thickness of the strip 100C is, for example, preferably about 1.5 mm to 4 mm, and more preferably 1.5 mm to 3.0 mm. The width of the strip 100C is preferably adjusted so that the coverage of the elastic layer 100B is in the above range. The length of the strip 100C is determined by, for example, the axial length and winding angle of the region wound around the core body 100A and the tension at the time of winding.

(Image forming devices, etc.)
Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a tandem color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, a photosensitive member (image holding member) 12, a charging member 14, a developing device, and the like are provided with yellow (18Y), magenta (18M), cyan (18C), and black ( 18K) is provided as a process cartridge (see FIG. 6) for each color. This process cartridge is configured to be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus 10.

  As the photoconductor 12, for example, a conductive cylinder having a diameter of 25 mm, which is coated with a photoconductor layer made of an organic photosensitive material or the like, is used. The photoconductor 12 is driven to rotate at a process speed of 150 mm / sec by a motor (not shown). The

  The surface of the photoconductor 12 is charged by a charging member 14 disposed on the surface of the photoconductor 12 and then imaged by a laser beam LB emitted from the exposure device 16 downstream of the charging member 14 in the rotation direction of the photoconductor 12. Exposure is performed, and an electrostatic latent image according to image information is formed.

  The electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor 12 is developed by developing devices 19Y, 19M, 19C, and 19K for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Toner image.

  For example, when a color image is formed, the charging, exposure, and development processes are performed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 of each color in yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The toner image corresponding to each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 of each color.

The yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toner images sequentially formed on the photoconductor 12 are tensioned by the support rolls 40 and 42 from the inner peripheral surface. The image is transferred to the recording sheet 24 conveyed on the sheet conveying belt 20 to the outer periphery of the photosensitive element 12 at a position where the photosensitive element 12 and the transfer device 22 are in contact with each other via the supported sheet conveying belt 20. Further, the recording paper 24 onto which the toner image has been transferred from the photoreceptor 12 is conveyed to the fixing device 64, and is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 64 to fix the toner image on the recording paper 24. Thereafter, in the case of single-sided printing, the recording paper 24 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged as it is onto a discharge unit 68 provided on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10 by a discharge roll 66.
The recording paper 24 is taken out from the paper storage container 28 by the take-out roller 30 and conveyed to the paper conveyance belt 20 by the conveyance rollers 32 and 34 to the general public.

  On the other hand, in the case of double-sided printing, the recording paper 24 on which the toner image is fixed on the first surface (front surface) by the fixing device 64 is not directly discharged onto the discharge portion 68 by the discharge roll 66 but is discharged as it is. In this state, the discharge roll 66 is reversed while the rear end portion of the recording paper 24 is nipped, and the conveyance path of the recording paper 24 is switched to the double-sided paper conveyance path 70. With the transport roller 72 provided, the recording paper 24 is turned upside down and transported again onto the paper transport belt 20, and a toner image is formed on the second surface (back surface) of the recording paper 24 from the photoreceptor 12. Transcript. Then, the toner image on the second surface (back surface) of the recording paper 24 is fixed by the fixing device 64, and the recording medium 24 (transfer object) is discharged onto the discharge portion 68.

  Note that the surface of the photoconductor 12 after the toner image transfer process is completed is the surface of the photoconductor 12 every time the photoconductor 12 makes one rotation, and is closer to the surface of the photoconductor 12 than the portion where the transfer device 22 contacts. Residual toner, paper dust, and the like are removed by a cleaning blade 80 disposed on the downstream side in the rotation direction so as to prepare for the next image forming process.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the charging member 14 is, for example, a roll in which an elastic layer 14B is formed around the conductive core 14A, and the core 14A is rotatably supported. The cleaning member 100 of the charging member 14 is in contact with the charging member 14 on the side opposite to the photosensitive member 12 to constitute a charging device (unit). As the cleaning member 100, the cleaning member 100 according to the present embodiment is used.
Here, a method of using the cleaning member 100 in contact with the charging member 14 at all times and being driven by the charging member 14 will be described. However, the cleaning member 100 may be used by being always in contact with the charging member 14. It may be used in contact with and driven only during cleaning. Further, the cleaning member 100 may be brought into contact only when the charging member 14 is cleaned, and a peripheral speed difference may be given to the charging member 14 by separate driving. However, the method in which the cleaning member 100 is always brought into contact with the charging member 14 to create a difference in peripheral speed is not desirable because dirt on the charging member 14 is easily accumulated in the cleaning member 100 and easily reattached to the charging roll.

  The charging member 14 applies a load F to both ends of the core body 14A and is pressed against the photoconductor 12, and is elastically deformed along the peripheral surface of the elastic layer 14B to form a nip portion. Further, the cleaning member 100 applies a load F ′ to both ends of the core body 100A and presses against the charging member 14, and the elastic layer 100B is elastically deformed along the peripheral surface of the charging member 14 to form a nip portion. An axial nip portion between the charging member 14 and the photoreceptor 12 is formed by suppressing the bending of the member 14.

  The photoconductor 12 is rotationally driven in the direction of arrow X by a motor (not shown), and the charging member 14 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow Y by the rotation of the photoconductor 12. Further, the cleaning member 100 is driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow Z by the rotation of the charging member 14.

-Configuration of charging member-
Hereinafter, the charging member will be described, but it is not limited to the following configuration.

  Although it does not specifically limit as a structure of a charging member, For example, the structure which has a resin layer instead of a core body, an elastic layer, or an elastic layer is mentioned. The elastic layer may be composed of a single layer, or may be a laminated structure composed of a plurality of different layers having several functions. Furthermore, a surface treatment may be performed on the elastic layer.

  It is desirable to use free-cutting steel, stainless steel or the like as the material of the core, and to select the material and the surface treatment method in a timely manner according to applications such as slidability. Further, it is desirable to perform a plating process. In the case of a material that does not have conductivity, it may be processed by a general process such as a plating process to perform a conductive process, or may be used as it is.

  The elastic layer is a conductive elastic layer, but the conductive elastic layer is, for example, an elastic material such as rubber having elasticity, a conductive material such as carbon black or ionic conductive material that adjusts the resistance of the conductive elastic layer, Accordingly, materials that can be usually added to rubber, such as softeners, plasticizers, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization accelerators, anti-aging agents, fillers such as silica or calcium carbonate, and the like may be added. It is formed by coating a peripheral surface of a conductive core with a mixture in which materials usually added to rubber are added. As the conductive agent for the purpose of adjusting the resistance value, a material in which a material that conducts electricity using at least one of electrons and ions such as carbon black and an ionic conductive agent mixed in the matrix material as a charge carrier is used. The elastic material may be a foam.

  The elastic material constituting the conductive elastic layer is formed, for example, by dispersing a conductive agent in a rubber material. Preferred examples of the rubber material include silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, and blended rubbers thereof. These rubber materials may be foamed or non-foamed.

  As the conductive agent, an electronic conductive agent or an ionic conductive agent is used. Examples of the electronic conductive agent include carbon black such as ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon, graphite; various conductive metals or alloys such as aluminum, copper, nickel, stainless steel; tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide And fine powders such as various conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide-antimony oxide solid solution, tin oxide-indium oxide solid solution, and the like. Examples of ionic conductive agents include perchlorates and chlorates such as tetraethylammonium and lauryltrimethylammonium; alkali metals such as lithium and magnesium; perchlorates and chlorates of alkaline earth metals ;

  These conductive agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of addition is not particularly limited, but in the case of an electronic conductive agent, it is desirable that the amount be in the range of 1 part by weight to 60 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the rubber material. In such a case, it is desirable that the amount be in the range of 0.1 to 5.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber material.

A surface layer may be formed on the surface of the charging member. As the material for the surface layer, any of resin, rubber and the like may be used, and there is no particular limitation. For example, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyester, polyimide, and copolymer nylon are preferable.
The copolymer nylon includes one or more of 610 nylon, 11 nylon, and 12 nylon as polymerized units, and other polymer units contained in the copolymer include 6 nylon. 66 nylon and the like. Here, it is desirable that the ratio of polymer units composed of 610 nylon, 11 nylon, and 12 nylon to be contained in the copolymer is 10% or more in total by weight ratio.

  The polymer materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The number average molecular weight of the polymer material is preferably in the range of 1,000 to 100,000, and more preferably in the range of 10,000 to 50,000.

  Further, the surface layer may contain a conductive material to adjust the resistance value. The conductive material preferably has a particle size of 3 μm or less.

  In addition, as a conductive agent for adjusting the resistance value, carbon black or conductive metal oxide particles blended in the matrix material, or a material that conducts electricity using at least one of electrons and ions such as an ionic conductive agent as a charge carrier A material in which is dispersed may be used.

Specifically, carbon black as a conductive agent includes “Special Black 350”, “Special Black 100”, “Special Black 250”, “Special Black 5”, “Special Black 4” manufactured by Degussa, "Special Black 4A", "Special Black 550", "Special Black 6", "Color Black FW200", "Color Black FW2", "Color Black FW2V", "MONARCH1000" manufactured by Cabot, Cabot “MONARCH1300” manufactured by the company, “MONARCH1400” manufactured by Cabot, “MOGUL-L”, “REGAL400R”, and the like.
Carbon black desirably has a pH of 4.0 or less.

  The conductive metal oxide particles that are conductive particles for adjusting the resistance value are particles having conductivity such as tin oxide, tin oxide doped with antimony, zinc oxide, anatase titanium oxide, ITO, etc. Any conductive agent using electrons as charge carriers can be used without any particular limitation. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Any particle size may be used, but tin oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide, and anatase-type titanium oxide are desirable, and tin oxide and antimony-doped tin oxide are desirable.

  Furthermore, a fluorine-based or silicone-based resin is preferably used for the surface layer. In particular, it is desirable to be composed of a fluorine-modified acrylate polymer. Moreover, you may add particle | grains in a surface layer. In addition, insulating particles such as alumina and silica are added to provide a concave portion on the surface of the charging member, reducing the load at the time of rubbing against the photosensitive member, and improving the wear resistance between the charging member and the photosensitive member. It may be improved.

  The outer diameter of the charging member described is preferably 8 mm or more and 16 mm or less. Moreover, as a measuring method of an outer diameter, it measures using a commercially available caliper or a laser type outer diameter measuring apparatus.

  The charging member has a micro hardness of 45 ° or more and 60 ° or less. In order to reduce the hardness, it is conceivable to increase the amount of plasticizer added, or to use a low hardness material such as silicone rubber.

  Further, the micro hardness of the charging member is a value measured with an MD-1 type hardness meter manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the process cartridge including the photosensitive member (image holding member), the charging device (unit of the charging member and the cleaning member), the developing device, and the cleaning blade (cleaning device) has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and includes a charging device (unit of charging member and cleaning member), and, if necessary, a photosensitive member (image holding member), an exposure device, a transfer device, a developing device, a cleaning blade (cleaning device). It may be a process cartridge provided with one selected from the apparatus. Note that these devices and members may be arranged directly in the image forming apparatus without being made into a cartridge.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the configuration in which the charging device is configured by the unit of the charging member and the cleaning member has been described, that is, the configuration in which the charging member is employed as the member to be cleaned has been described. The member to be cleaned is not limited to this, and includes a photosensitive member (image holding member), a transfer device (transfer member; transfer roll), and an intermediate transfer member (intermediate transfer belt). The unit of the member to be cleaned and the cleaning member disposed in contact with the member may be directly disposed in the image forming apparatus, or may be disposed in the image forming apparatus as a process cartridge as described above. May be.

  Further, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the above configuration, and a known image forming apparatus such as an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus may be employed.

  EXAMPLES The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[Example 1]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 1)
A foamed urethane (EPM-70; manufactured by Inoac Corporation) sheet with a thickness of 3.4 mm is pasted with a double-sided tape with a thickness of 0.15 mm, and the thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) is 3.4 mm, the width is 6 mm, and the length is long. Cut out to be a 356 mm strip. This strip is wound around a stepped metal core (outer diameter φ6, overall length 337 mm, outer diameter φ4 of bearing part, length 6.0 mm) at a winding angle of 40 °, and the total length of the sheet is about 0% to 5%. The elastic roll arranged spirally was wound while applying tension so as to stretch, and the cleaning roll 1 was produced.

(Preparation of charging roll)
-Formation of elastic layer-
The following mixture was kneaded with an open roll, coated on the surface of a conductive support made of SUS416 with a diameter of 6 mm in a cylindrical shape so as to have a thickness of 3 mm, and placed in a cylindrical mold with an inner diameter of 18.0 mm. After vulcanization at 30 ° C. for 30 minutes and removal from the mold, polishing was performed to obtain a cylindrical conductive elastic layer A.
・ Rubber material ... 100 parts by mass (Epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber) Gechron 3106: manufactured by Nippon Zeon Co., Ltd.)
-Conductive agent (Carbon Black Asahi Thermal: Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd.) ... 25 parts by mass- Conductive agent (Ketjen Black EC: Lion Corp.) -... 8 parts by mass Lithium chlorate) ··· 1 part by mass · Vulcanizing agent (sulfur) 200 mesh: manufactured by Tsurumi Chemical Industry · · · 1 part by mass · Vulcanization accelerator (Noxeller DM: Ouchi Shinsei Chemical) Industrial company) ・ ・ ・ ・ 2.0 parts by mass ・ Vulcanization accelerator (Noxeller TT: Ouchi Shinsei Chemical Co., Ltd.) ・ ・ ・ ・ 0.5 parts by mass

-Formation of surface layer-
Dispersion A obtained by dispersing the following mixture with a bead mill is diluted with methanol, dip-coated on the surface of the conductive elastic layer A, and then heated and dried at 140 ° C. for 15 minutes to form a surface layer having a thickness of 4 μm. Formed to obtain a conductive roll. This was used as a charging roll.
-Polymer material-100 parts by mass (copolymerized nylon) Alamine CM8000: manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.-Conductive agent-30 parts by mass (antimony-doped tin oxide) SN-100P: manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd. Methanol) ··· 500 parts by mass · Solvent (butanol) ··· 240 parts by mass

[Example 2]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 2)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the foamed polyurethane sheet was 3 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 3 mm was used. Was made.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 3]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 3)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the foamed polyurethane sheet had a thickness of 2.75 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 2.75 mm was used. A cleaning roll 3 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 4]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 4)
An elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape is formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the foamed polyurethane sheet is 2.2 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 2.2 mm is used. A cleaning roll 4 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 5]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 5)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the foamed polyurethane sheet was 1.8 mm, and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 1.8 mm was used. A cleaning roll 5 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 6]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 6)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the foamed polyurethane sheet had a thickness of 1.75 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 1.75 mm was used. A cleaning roll 6 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Examples 7 to 12]
(Preparation of cleaning rolls 7 to 12)
Cleaning rolls 7 to 12 were produced in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 6, except that the core was a cylindrical shape having an outer diameter of 4 mm and a total length of 337 mm, and the spiral angle was 26 °.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 13]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 13)
A cleaning roll 13 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the spiral angle was 65 °, the thickness of the polyurethane foam sheet was 2.0 mm, and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 2.0 mm was used. .
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Example 14]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 14)
The core body has a cylindrical shape with an outer diameter of 4 mm and a total length of 337 mm, the spiral angle is 10 °, the thickness of the polyurethane foam sheet is 3.0 mm, and a strip with a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 3.0 mm is used. A cleaning roll 14 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 1]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 15)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the polyurethane foam sheet was 3.5 mm and a strip with a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 3.5 mm was used. A cleaning roll 15 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 2]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 16)
The elastic layer arranged in a spiral shape was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the polyurethane foam sheet was 1.6 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 1.6 mm was used. A cleaning roll 16 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 3]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 17)
A cleaning roll 17 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the thickness of the foamed urethane sheet was 3.5 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 3.5 mm was used.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 4]
(Production of 18 cleaning rolls)
A cleaning roll 18 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the thickness of the urethane foam sheet was 1.6 mm and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 1.6 mm was used.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 5]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 19)
A cleaning roll 19 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the spiral angle was 70 °, the thickness of the urethane foam sheet was 2.0 mm, and a strip having a thickness (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 2.0 mm was used.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Comparative Example 6]
(Preparation of cleaning roll 20)
Example 7 except that a straight core having an outer diameter of φ4, a spiral angle of 5 °, a urethane foam sheet thickness of 3.0 mm, and a strip (thickness at the center in the width direction) of 3.0 mm were used. Similarly, the cleaning roll 20 was produced.
(Preparation of charging roll)
The same thing as Example 1 was used.

[Evaluation]
(Characteristic evaluation)
The thickness of the elastic layer of the clean roll produced in each example at the central portion in the spiral width direction is examined, and Table 1 shows a list.

(Storage evaluation)
Further, the color copying machine DocuCentre-III C3300, in which the charging power source was changed to only a DC power source, was mounted on the Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., and the cleaning roll and charging roll produced in each of the above examples were mounted. This mounting was performed after storing the process cartridge of the color copying machine in which the cleaning roll / charging roll was previously mounted in an environment of a temperature of 40 ° C. and a humidity of 95% RH for one month.
Then, a halftone image was output by this color copying machine, and density unevenness (image defect immediately after storage) was evaluated.

(Cleanability evaluation / color point evaluation)
The cleaning roll and charging roll produced in each example were mounted on a color copier DocuCentre-III C3300: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd., which was modified with only a DC power supply as the charging power supply, and a print test of A4 300,000 sheets was performed. Thereafter, a halftone image was output, and it was determined according to the following criteria whether there was density unevenness (cleaning property) due to cleaning unevenness of the charging roll and color points due to the cleaning roll piece. The results are shown in Table 1.

-Image defects immediately after storage, cleanability: criteria-
A: Density unevenness in image quality does not occur, and distortion of the cleaning roll does not occur. O: Density unevenness in image quality does not occur, but there is a slight distortion of the cleaning roll.
Δ: Density unevenness in image quality is slight, but ×: Density unevenness in image quality occurs

-Color point: criteria-
○: No color point on image quality occurs ×: Color point on image quality occurs

From the above results, it can be seen that the image defect immediately after storage is suppressed in this example as compared with the comparative example.
In addition, it can be seen that in this example, the cleaning property is excellent and the generation of the color point due to the abrasive powder or the like is also suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus, 12 Photoconductor, 14 Charging roll, 14A Core body, 14B Elastic layer, 16 Exposure apparatus, 19Y, 19M, 19C, 19K Developing apparatus, 20 Paper conveyance belt, 22 Transfer apparatus, 24 Recording medium, 64 Fixing Apparatus, 66 discharge roll, 68 discharge section, 70 paper transport path, 72 transport roll, 80 cleaning blade, 100 cleaning member, 100A core body, 100B elastic layer

Claims (18)

A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member that is disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleans the surface of the charging member, wherein a tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. And an elastic layer disposed in a spiral shape with a thickness t (mm) at the center in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer in a state of being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, A cleaning member that satisfies the following conditional expression (A1), where T (mm) is the thickness at the center in the width direction of the strip-shaped elastic member before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of
A charging device comprising:
Conditional expression (A1): 0.7 <t / T <1.0 The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member satisfies the following conditional expression (A2).
Conditional expression (A2): 0.8 <t / T <0.95   3. The charging device according to claim 1, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.   2. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. The charging device according to claim 1. A charging member for charging the object to be charged;
A cleaning member that is disposed in contact with the surface of the charging member and cleans the surface of the charging member, wherein a tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. The elastic layer is arranged in a spiral shape and has a thickness at the center portion in the spiral width direction smaller than the thickness at the end portion in the spiral width direction in the cross section orthogonal to the spiral direction in the state wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body. And a cleaning member having
A charging device comprising:   The charging device according to claim 5, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.   6. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state where a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. Or the charging device of 6. At least the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus. An image carrier,
Charging means for charging the surface of the image carrier, the charging means having the charging device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of the charged image carrier;
Developing means for developing the latent image formed on the image carrier with toner to form a toner image;
Transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer object;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned, and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned, and tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. An elastic layer that is wound in a spiral shape in a state where the elastic layer is wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, and the thickness of the elastic layer in the central portion in the spiral width direction is t (mm), A cleaning member that satisfies the following conditional expression (A1), where T (mm) is the thickness at the center in the width direction of the strip-shaped elastic member before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body;
A unit for an image forming apparatus.
Conditional expression (A1): 0.7 <t / T <1.0 The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the cleaning member satisfies the following conditional expression (A2).
Conditional expression (A2): 0.8 <t / T <0.95   12. The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.   The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that gives an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. The unit for image forming apparatuses of any one of -12. A member to be cleaned;
The cleaning member is disposed in contact with the surface of the member to be cleaned, and cleans the surface of the member to be cleaned, and tension is applied to the core and a strip-shaped elastic member on the outer peripheral surface of the core. In the cross-section orthogonal to the spiral direction in a state of being wound in a spiral shape and wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, the thickness at the center in the spiral width direction is smaller than the thickness at the end in the spiral width direction. A cleaning member having an elastic layer;
A unit for an image forming apparatus.   The unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the spiral angle of the elastic layer is 10 ° to 65 °, and the spiral width of the elastic layer is 2 mm to 18 mm.   15. The winding of the strip-shaped elastic member around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is performed in a state in which a tension is applied that causes an elongation of 0% to 5% with respect to the length of the elastic member. Or a unit for an image forming apparatus according to 15; It comprises at least a unit for an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 16.
A process cartridge that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.   An image forming apparatus comprising the unit for an image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

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