JP2020194059A - Mounting method and mounting device for mounting tube to cylindrical film - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device which can mount a cylindrical body made of film to a tubular body larger in diameter than the cylindrical body easily with good positional accuracy.SOLUTION: The diameter of a gripping tool is expanded in the outer circumferential direction while the gripping tool is inserted into a first end part of a cylindrical body, and is gripped while maintaining the inner circumferential shape of the cylindrical body in cylindrical form. (a) A second end part on the side of the cylindrical body that is opposite to the first end part faces the end part of a tapered part of the tubular body, and a cylindrical body center axis and a tubular body center axis are almost coaxially arranged. Next, the gripping tool is brought closer relative to the tapered part by a lifting mechanism, and the end face of the cylindrical body on the second end side is brought into contact with the tapered part. (b) Pressurized air is supplied from an air supply opening provided in the tubular body to increase the pressure in a space composed of the gripping tool, the cylindrical body and the tubular body, to thereby expand the diameter of the cylindrical body. (c) The lifting mechanism relatively moves the gripping tool toward a tubular body holding part and inserts the tubular body into the cylindrical body. (d) Air is removed from an exhaust port, and the cylindrical body face opposite the exhaust port is attracted to the exhaust port by a suction force. The diameter of the gripping tool 3 is reduced in the outer circumferential direction and then the cylindrical body is released from the gripping and mounted to the tubular body holding part. (e)SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a mounting method and a mounting device for mounting a tube body on a tubular film.

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic method, a so-called electrophotographic apparatus, a toner image is first transferred from an electrophotographic photosensitive member to an intermediate transfer body, and then from the intermediate transfer body to a transfer material (paper, OHP sheet, etc.). There is a next transfer method (intermediate transfer method). As the intermediate transfer body, a tubular film formed of an endless belt is widely used.
In the intermediate transfer method, it is important to reduce the scattering of toner in order not to deteriorate the image quality during the primary transfer and the secondary transfer, and the volume resistance and surface resistance of the tubular film are cited as important parameters for that purpose. Be done. Volumetric resistance can be obtained by adding an appropriate amount of conductive material to the material of the tubular film, and surface resistance can be obtained by adding an appropriate amount of conductive material to the material applied to the surface of the tubular film to impart the desired function. Are known.

In addition, toner residue (hereinafter also referred to as "transfer residue toner") may occur during secondary transfer, and in order to remove this transfer residue toner, a blade cleaning method using a blade is used as a general method. There is. At this time, if the friction between the surface of the tubular film and the blade is high, the tip of the blade is worn, and the transfer residual toner slips through, resulting in poor cleaning. Therefore, there is known a method of polishing the surface of a tubular film with a wrapping film or the like to give a finely shaped groove perpendicular to the cleaning blade in order to suppress wear of the tip of the blade. By such a method, friction can be reduced by reducing the contact area between the surface of the tubular film and the blade.

In order to realize the process of applying paint to the surface of such a tubular film and the process of polishing the surface, it is difficult to process in the state of a flexible tubular film, so the tubular film is backed up from the inner surface. It is necessary to fix the shape. As a general method, there is a method of mounting the tube body inside the tubular film. At this time, if the outer diameter of the tubular body is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular film and there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular body and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film, the tubular film cannot be backed up firmly. It turned out that there is. Therefore, in consideration of the variation in the peripheral length of the tubular film, the outer diameter of the tubular body is made larger than the maximum inner diameter of the tubular film so that even if the peripheral length of the tubular film varies, the tubular shape is formed. A method is used to reliably back up the film from the inside.

As an example of the method of fixing the tubular film to the tube body,
The tube body provided with the tapered calling portion is kept vertically upright, and the cylindrical film having a cylindrical shape is set so that the central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tube body are coaxial. , Placed on top of the tube,
When both the tube and the tubular film are in a state where the diameter of the tubular film is expanded in the outer peripheral direction by grasping several places in the circumferential direction of the lower end of the tubular film from the above state, the expanded tubular film is formed. A method is known in which the film is lowered and attached to a tube body provided with a tapered calling portion. (See Patent Document 1)

Japanese Patent No. 040656888

Since the tubular film is a thin film, it is difficult to handle, and when the tubular film is attached to a tube having a diameter larger than that of the tubular film, it is easily broken and scratched due to slight distortion, etc. .. Therefore, the insertion mechanism becomes precise and complicated, and it takes a long time to insert. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1, there is a method using a retracting mechanism in which a tubular film is attached to a tubular body while expanding its diameter with what is called a hooking claw. However, a plurality of mechanisms for expanding the diameter of the hook claw in the outer peripheral direction are required in the circumferential direction, a mechanism for moving the entire mechanism in the axial direction of the pipe body is required, and the mechanism is in contact with the pipe body. You need to avoid it. In addition, it is necessary to design the thickness and mechanism of the hook claw to be inserted between the tubular body and the tubular film so as not to exceed the elastic deformation region of the tubular film.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a method for more easily attaching a tubular film to a tubular body having a diameter larger than that of the tubular film.
Further, another aspect of the present invention is aimed at providing an apparatus capable of mounting a tubular film on a tube having a diameter larger than that of the tubular film more easily and with higher position accuracy.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is a method of attaching a tubular body to a tubular film.
The pipe body has a holding portion, a tapered portion, a flange portion, and a plurality of exhaust holes on the tapered surface of the tapered portion and / or a plurality of exhaust holes on the end surface of the flange portion on the holding portion side. Cage,
The outer diameter of the tapered portion is continuously reduced from the flange portion toward the end portion.
The outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d3 of the holding portion is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d4 of the flange portion is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion.
(1) A step of gripping the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film on the first end side with a gripper capable of gripping the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film;
(2) The tubular film is provided so that the second end portion of the tubular film opposite to the first end portion faces the end portion of the tapered portion of the tubular body. A step of arranging the central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body so as to be substantially coaxial;
(3) The tubular film and the tubular body are relatively close to each other, and the end surface of the tubular film on the second end side is brought into contact with the tapered portion of the tubular body, and then
A step of increasing the pressure in the space composed of the gripper, the tubular film, and the tubular body to increase the diameter of the tubular film;
(4) A step of inserting the tubular body into the tubular film whose diameter has been expanded in the step (3) by relatively moving the gripping tool toward the end of the tapered portion of the tubular body. ;
(5) Air in the space composed of the gripper, the tube body, and the tubular film is degassed from a first exhaust hole provided on the tapered surface of the tube body, and is subjected to suction force. The surface of the tubular film facing the first exhaust hole is deformed, or the air in the space composed of the gripper, the tubular body, and the tubular film is introduced to the flange of the tubular body. At least one of the deformations of degassing from the second exhaust hole provided on the end surface on the holding portion side of the portion and deforming the surface of the tubular film facing the second exhaust hole by suction force. The process of performing; and
(6) Provided is a method of releasing the grip of the tubular film by the gripping tool and attaching the tubular film to the tubular film, which has a step of attaching the tubular film to the holding portion of the tubular body.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, it is a device for attaching a tubular body to a tubular film.
The device includes a gripping tool, a means for moving the gripping tool, and a means for suppressing a misalignment of the tubular film with respect to the tubular body when the tubular film is attached.
(1) The pipe body has a holding portion, a tapered portion, a flange portion, and a plurality of exhaust holes on the tapered surface of the tapered portion and / or a plurality of exhaust holes on the end surface of the flange portion on the holding portion side. Have and
The outer diameter of the tapered portion is continuously reduced from the flange portion toward the end portion.
The outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d3 of the holding portion is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d4 of the flange portion is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion.
(2) The gripper is
It is possible to grip the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film on the first end side.
In the state where the tubular film is gripped, the second end portion of the tubular film opposite to the first end portion is opposed to the end portion of the tapered portion of the tubular body, and , The central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial.
(3) The means for moving the gripping tool is
The tubular film gripped by the gripping tool has a second end opposite to the first end of the tubular film so as to face the end of the tapered portion of the tubular body. In addition, while maintaining a state in which the central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial with each other, the tubular body and the gripper are relatively close to each other. The tapered portion is inserted into the tubular film,
(4) The means for suppressing the misalignment of the tubular film with respect to the tubular body when the tubular film is attached is
The air in the space composed of the gripper, the tube body, and the tubular film is degassed from the first exhaust hole provided on the tapered surface of the tube body, and the first exhaust force is used by suction force. The surface of the tubular film 1 facing the exhaust hole of the tube is deformed, or the air in the space composed of the gripper, the tube, and the tubular film is held by the flange portion of the tube. A pipe body that performs at least one of degassing from a second exhaust hole provided on the end surface on the portion side and deforming the surface of the tubular film 1 facing the second exhaust hole by an attractive force. A device for mounting on a tubular film is provided.

According to the present invention, it is possible to attach the tubular film to the tubular body without requiring a complicated mechanism, and it is possible to shorten the tact and reduce the cost by reducing the process.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the apparatus which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining each step of the method which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the apparatus which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining each step of the method which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the schematic structure of the conventional apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the device for mounting the tubular film 1 on the tubular body 2 according to the present invention includes a gripper 3 and an elevating mechanism 4. The pipe body 2 includes an air supply port 5. The pipe body 2 and the support column 7 are arranged on the gantry 6. The support column 7 supports the elevating mechanism 4, and the elevating mechanism 4 supports the gripper 3.

(1) The pipe body 2 has a holding portion 2-1 and a tapered portion 2-2, a plurality of exhaust holes 2-4 on the tapered surfaces of the flange portion 2-3 and the tapered portion 2-2, and a flange portion 2-. 3 has a plurality of exhaust holes 2-5 on the end surface on the holding portion side.
The outer diameter of the tapered portion 2-2 is continuously reduced from the flange portion 2-3 toward the end portion.
The outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion 2-2 is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film 1.
The outer diameter d3 of the holding portion 2-1 is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film 1.
The outer diameter d4 of the flange portion 2-3 is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion 2-1.
That is, the outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion 2-2, the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film 1, the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion 2-1 and the outer diameter d4 of the flange portion 2-3 have the following relationships.
Outer diameter d2 <Inner diameter d1 <Outer diameter d3 <Outer diameter d4

(2) The gripper 3 can grip the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film 1 on the first end side.
In the gripping tool 3, when the tubular film 1 is gripped, the second end portion of the tubular film 1 opposite to the first end portion is the end portion of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. They are arranged so as to face each other and so that the central axis of the tubular film 1 and the central axis of the tubular body 2 are substantially coaxial with each other.

(3) The elevating mechanism 4 enables the following by lowering the gripper 3.
The tubular film 1 gripped by the gripper 3 has a second end opposite to the first end of the tubular film 1 so as to face the end of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. And so on
Maintaining a state in which the central axis of the tubular film 1 and the central axis of the tubular body 2 are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial with each other,
The tubular body 2 and the gripper 3 are relatively close to each other, and the tapered portion 2-2 is inserted into the tubular film 1.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film 1 is before the elevating mechanism 4 starts lowering the gripper 3, and is the central axis of the tubular film 1 and the central axis of the tubular body 2. Means the inner diameter of the tubular film 1 in a state where and are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial with each other.

(4) Air for pressurizing the pressure in the space formed by the gripper 3, the tubular film 1, and the tubular body 2 is supplied from the air supply port 5.
(5) From the exhaust holes 2-4 (first exhaust holes) provided on the tapered surface of the pipe body 2, the air in the space composed of the gripper 3, the pipe body 2, and the tubular film 1 is blown. By exhausting, the surface of the tubular film 1 facing the exhaust holes 2-4 can be deformed by the suction force.
As a result, it is possible to prevent the tubular film 1 from being displaced toward the gantry 3.
On the other hand, a space formed by the gripper 3, the tubular body 2, and the tubular film 1 from the exhaust holes 2-5 (second exhaust holes) provided on the end surface of the flange portion of the tubular body 2 on the holding portion side. By exhausting the air inside, the surface of the tubular film 1 facing the exhaust holes 2-5 can be deformed by the suction force. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tubular film 1 from being displaced toward the grip portion 3.

Next, the specific steps will be shown with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
With the gripper 3 inserted into the first end of the tubular film 1, the gripper 3 is expanded in the outer peripheral direction to grip the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film 1 while maintaining a cylindrical shape. To do. (Fig. 2 (a))

The second end portion of the tubular film 1 opposite to the first end portion is opposed to the end portion of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2, and is aligned with the central axis of the tubular film 1. The central axis of the tube 2 is arranged substantially coaxially. Next, the gripping tool 3 is brought relatively close to the tapered portion 2-2 by the elevating mechanism 4, and the end surface of the tubular film 1 on the second end side is brought into contact with the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. Let me. (Fig. 2 (b))

Next, pressurized air is supplied from the air supply port 5 provided in the tubular body 2 to increase the pressure in the space composed of the gripper 3, the tubular film 1, and the tubular body 2, and the tubular body is formed. The diameter of the film 1 is increased. (Fig. 2 (c))

Further, as another method of increasing the diameter, the diameter of the tubular film 1 is increased by increasing the pressure of the internal space by reducing the volume of the internal space only by lowering the elevating mechanism 4 without using the air supply port 5. There is a way to make it. In this method, it is necessary for the gripper to make the space formed by the gripper, the tubular film, and the tubular body a substantially closed space.

The "substantially closed space" means a space having the following airtightness.
That is, the inner diameter of the tubular film is formed by inserting the tapered portion of the tubular body relative to the second end side of the tubular film, reducing the volume of the space, and increasing the pressure of the space. Is a space having an airtightness that can be larger than the outer diameter d4 of the flange portion 2-3. It does not have to be a completely enclosed space. The degree of airtightness required is the ease of diameter expansion of the tubular film 1 (stretchability) and the speed at which the pressure in the space is increased (the speed at which the volume of the space is reduced. The gripper 3 is lowered. It changes according to the speed) and so on.

Next, in a state where the pressure in the space is increasing, the second end portion of the tubular film 1 is relatively moved in the holding portion 2-1 direction of the tubular body 2, whereby the tubular film is formed. Insert the tube 2 into 1. At this time, at the boundary between the lower end portion (second end portion) of the tubular film 1 and the tubular body 2, the second end portion of the tubular film 1 and the tubular body 2 are due to the rising pressure in the space. A part of the pressurized air in the space is leaking from the taper portion 2-2 of the above. Therefore, an air layer exists between the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 2, and the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film 1 and the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 2 are in a non-contact state. It has become.
Then, the gripping tool 3 is relatively moved toward the holding portion 2-1 of the tubular body 2 by the elevating mechanism 4, so that the tubular body 2 can be smoothly inserted into the tubular film 1. (Fig. 2 (d))

Next, the air in the space composed of the gripper 3, the tube body 2, and the tubular film 1 is degassed from either or both of the following exhaust holes 2-4 and 2-5.
The exhaust holes 2-4 are provided on the tapered surface of the pipe body 2. The air is degassed from the exhaust holes 2-4, and the surface of the tubular film 1 facing the exhaust holes 2-4 is attracted to the exhaust holes 2-4 by suction force.
The exhaust holes 2-5 are provided on the end surface of the pipe body 2 on the holding portion side of the flange portion. The air is degassed from the exhaust holes 2-5, and the surface of the tubular film 1 facing the exhaust holes 2-5 is attracted to the exhaust holes 2-5 by suction force.
Then, the gripping tool 3 is reduced in diameter in the outer peripheral direction to release the gripping of the tubular film 1, and the tubular film 1 is attached to the holding portion 2-1 of the tubular body 2. (Fig. 2 (e))
In the device for attaching the tubular film to the tubular body according to this aspect, if either the exhaust port 2-4 or the exhaust port 2-5 is provided, the tubular film for at least the tubular body 2 is provided. It is possible to suppress the misalignment of 1. However, both the exhaust ports 2-4 and the exhaust ports 2-5 are provided in that both the displacement of the tubular film 1 toward the gantry 3 side and the displacement of the tubular film 1 toward the gripper 3 side can be prevented. It is more preferable to do so.

A tubular film having an inner diameter of d1 can be prepared, and an electrophotographic belt having an endless belt-shaped substrate can be produced by using the above method.
Specifically, in a state where the tubular body is inserted into the tubular film using the above method, a coating film of a surface layer forming paint is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body. This makes it possible to manufacture an electrophotographic belt having an endless belt-shaped substrate.
Further, the surface of the coating film may be treated after the coating film of the surface layer forming paint is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body.
Further, in the state where the tube body is inserted into the tubular film by using the above method, the coating film of the surface layer forming paint is not formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tube body. The outer peripheral surface of the tubular film attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body may be treated.

[Example 1]
The method of attaching a specific tube body to the tubular film will be described below.
First, the configuration of the tubular film, the tube body, and the device will be described with reference to FIG.
The tubular film 1 is made of a resin containing PEN (polyethylene naphthalate) as a main component, and has an inner diameter of d1 250 mm, a length of 600 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm.

The tube body 2 is made of aluminum, has a hollow structure inside, and has a total length of 700 mm, and the size of each part is as follows.
The outer diameter of the end of the tapered portion 2-2 d2 230 mm,
Holding part 2-1 outer diameter d3 251 mm,
The lead-in angle of the tapered portion 2-2 is 60 °,
Outer diameter d4 255 mm of flange part 2-3,
Inner diameter d5 1.5 mm of the exhaust hole 2-4 of the tapered portion 2-2,
The inner diameter d6 1.5 mm of the exhaust hole 2-5 of the flange portion 2-3.
Further, the pipe body 2 is provided with an air supply port 5 for supplying compressed air to the inside of the hollow.

The gripper 3 has an O-ring arranged on the outer periphery thereof, and has a mechanism inside the O-ring for changing the outer diameter of the O-ring. This mechanism can change the outer diameter of the O-ring from 248 mm when the diameter is reduced to 252 mm when the diameter is expanded, and the tubular film 1 can be gripped by this mechanism.

The elevating mechanism 4 can move the tubular film 1 gripped by the gripping tool 3 up and down relative to the tubular body 2 by using a uniaxial robot. When the tubular film 1 is moved up and down, the elevating mechanism 4 can maintain a state in which the central axis of the tubular film 1 and the central axis of the tubular body 2 are aligned with each other.
The capacity of the uniaxial robot was a vertical payload of 12 kg and a maximum speed of 385 mm / sec. Further, the following three positions P1 to P3 are set in advance as the stop positions of the gripper 3. Position P1: Position for mounting the tubular film 1 (FIG. 2 (a)),
Position P2: A position where the end surface of the tubular film 1 on the second end side and the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2 come into contact with each other (FIG. 2B).
Position P3: A position where the tubular body 2 is completely inserted into the tubular film 1 (FIG. 2 (d)).
When the gripper 3 reaches the position P3, the gap between the lower end of the gripper 3 and the end of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2 is about 0.2 to 2 mm.

Further, an air supply means (not shown) can inject air into the inside of the pipe body 2 from the air supply port 5, and has a capacity of up to 600 L / min of air supply.
Further, in the degassing means (not shown), the exhaust holes 2-4 and 2-5 are connected to the exhaust pump, and the inside of the pipe body 2 can be degassed from the exhaust holes 2-4 and 2-5. , The degassing amount has a capacity of up to 22 L / min.
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, details of a series of steps for mounting the tube body on the tubular film will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 2A, the gripping tool 3 was moved to the position P1 for mounting the tubular film 1, and the first end portion of the tubular film 1 was made to penetrate into the gripping tool 3. In this state, the diameter of the gripper 3 is expanded to form the tubular film 1 into a cylindrical shape, and the film 1 is supported in that state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, the gripper 3 is moved to the position P2 while the tubular film 1 is supported, and the second end of the tubular film 1 is opposite to the first end. Intrudes and abuts on the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. By doing so, a series of spaces are formed by the tubular film 1, the gripper 3, and the tubular body 2.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2C, compressed air of 100 L / min is supplied from the air supply port 5 to the inside of the tubular body 2 and the space is pressurized from the inside to the outside to form the tubular film 1. Is expanded in the circumferential direction. In this state, the inner diameter of the tubular film 1 is maintained in a state larger than the outer diameter of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. At this time, air is discharged from the gap between the lower end of the tubular film 1 and the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 2D, when the gripper 3 is moved at a moving speed of 100 mm / sec to the position P3 at which the tubular body 2 is completely inserted into the tubular film 1, the tubular body 2 is moved. It can be inserted into the tubular film 1.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the air in the space composed of the gripper 3, the tube body 2, and the tubular film 1 is introduced from the exhaust holes 2-4 and the exhaust holes 2-5 to 3 L. Degass at / min to deform the tubular film 1. The exhaust holes 2-4 are provided on the tapered surface of the pipe body 2, and the exhaust holes 2-5 are provided on the end surface of the flange portion of the pipe body 2 on the holding portion side. Then, by reducing the diameter of the gripping tool 3 in the outer peripheral direction, the gripping of the tubular film 1 was released, and the tubular film 1 could be attached to the holding portion 2-1 of the tubular body 2.
In the first embodiment, the diameter of the gripping tool 3 is expanded in a state where the gripping tool 3 is inserted into the first end portion of the tubular film 1, and then the tubular film 1 is held by the holding portion 2 of the tubular body 2. The time required to attach it to -1 was 10 seconds.

[Example 2]
Further, as another method of expanding the diameter of the tubular film 1, the inside of the tubular film 1 is reduced by lowering the elevating mechanism 4 without supplying air from the air supply port 5 to reduce the volume of the internal space of the tubular film 1. There is a method of increasing the diameter of the tubular film 1 by increasing the pressure in the space.
With this method, the tubular body 2 can be inserted into the tubular film 1 at a higher speed than the method of the first embodiment.

The configuration of the apparatus used in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The configuration of the device shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the configuration of the device shown in FIG. 1 except that the air supply port 5 shown in FIG. 1 is abolished and the air discharge port 8 is added. The air discharge port 8 is a discharge port for discharging the internal air, which is opened in advance so that the pressure inside the hollow of the pipe body 2 does not exceed a predetermined value. The air outlet 8 has a structure in which the opening area can be manually adjusted up to a maximum of 6400 mm ² .

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the details of a series of steps for mounting the tube body on the tubular film will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 4A, the gripper 3 is moved to the position P1 for mounting the tubular film 1 and the first end portion of the tubular film 1 is moved to the position P1 for mounting the tubular film 1 as in the first embodiment. The diameter of the gripping tool 3 is expanded to form a cylindrical film 1 in a state of being penetrated into the gripping tool 3, and the film 1 is supported in that state.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, in order to move the gripping tool 3 from the position P1 to the position P3 at a moving speed of 300 mm / sec by the elevating mechanism 4, the gripping tool 3 is started to descend. At this time, when the tubular film 1 is penetrated into the tubular film 1 at a moving speed (relative velocity) of 300 mm / sec, the pressure in the space formed by the tubular film 1, the gripper 3, and the tubular body 2 increases instantaneously. , The inner diameter of the tubular film 1 is increased to be larger than the outer diameter of the tubular body 2. As a result, the tubular body 2 can be smoothly inserted into the tubular film 1.

Further, at this time, the compressed air in the space is discharged from the gap between the second end portion (lower end portion) of the tubular film 1 and the end portion of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. If the descending speed of the tubular film 1 is high, the discharge cannot keep up and the pressure in the space rises further. Then, when the pressure in the space exceeds a predetermined value, an excessive load is applied to the elevating mechanism 4 and the mechanism 4 is stopped. Therefore, by opening the air discharge port 8 in advance so that the pressure in the space does not exceed a predetermined value, it is possible to avoid increasing the pressure in the space and applying an excessive load to the elevating mechanism 4. I was able to achieve both. The opening area of the air discharge port 8 at this time was 400 mm ² .

Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (e), the air in the space composed of the gripping tool 3, the tube body 2, and the tubular film 1 is evacuated to the exhaust hole 2 provided on the tapered surface of the tube body 2. Degas from -4 and from the exhaust holes 2-5 provided on the end face of the flange portion of the pipe body 2 on the holding portion side at 3 L / min. Then, the tubular film 1 is deformed. Then, by reducing the diameter of the gripping tool 3 in the outer peripheral direction, the gripping of the tubular film 1 was released, and the tubular film 1 could be attached to the holding portion 2-1 of the tubular body 2.
In the second embodiment, after starting the diameter expansion of the gripping tool 3 with the first end portion of the tubular film 1 intruding into the gripping tool 3, the tubular film 1 is held by the holding portion 2 of the tubular body 2. The time required to attach it to -1 was 4 seconds.

When the tubular film 1 is removed from the tubular body 2, the tubular film 1 moves in a direction away from the tubular body 2 (the tubular film 1 rises while the tubular body 2 is stopped). , The volume of the space formed by the tubular film 1, the tube body 2, and the gripper 3 increases. Then, the pressure in the space decreases, the tubular film 1 is recessed inward, and the tubular film 1 is broken and scratched. Therefore, by setting the opening area of the air discharge port 8 to 6400 mm ² which is fully open, there is no difference between the pressure in the space and the atmospheric pressure, and the tubular film 1 does not dent inward and is cylindrical. It was possible to remove the mold while maintaining its shape.

[Comparison example]
A comparative example will be described with reference to FIG.
In the conventional technique, in order to mount the tubular film 2 on the tubular film 1, a mechanism for grasping the second end portion (lower end portion) of the tubular film 1 and pulling it toward the tubular film 2 is required.
Specifically, a mechanism for expanding the diameter at a plurality of positions in the outer peripheral direction (hereinafter referred to as "diameter expansion mechanism") is required while keeping the second end of the tubular film 1 in a cylindrical shape. Become. Further, this diameter expanding mechanism (not shown) moves up and down together with the second end portion of the tubular film 1 by an elevating mechanism.
Next, a series of steps for mounting the tube body on the tubular film will be described.

A diameter expanding mechanism (not shown) is inserted into the inside of the second end of the tubular film 1 so that the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film 1 is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the tubular film 2. Increase the diameter of 1.
In that state, the tubular film 1 was inserted into the tubular film 1 by moving (lowering) the diameter-expanding mechanism relative to the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2.
In the comparative example, the diameter of the first end of the tubular film 1 is increased by the gripper 3, and the diameter of the second end is increased by the diameter expansion mechanism, and then the tubular film 1 is piped. The time required for attaching to the holding portion 2-1 of the body 2 was 20 seconds.
In the comparative example, the inner surface of the tubular film 1 and the outer surface of the tubular body 2 are in contact with each other while the lower end of the tubular film 1 is located below the end of the tapered portion 2-2 of the tubular body 2. Therefore, when the insertion speed was set to 40 mm / sec or more, the lower end portion of the tubular film 1 was detached from the diameter expansion mechanism. Therefore, the insertion speed of the tubular body 2 into the tubular film 1 could not be increased to 40 mm / sec or more.

1 ... Cylindrical film 2 ... Tube 2-1 ... Holding part 2-2 ... Tapered part 2-3 ... Flange part 2-4 ... Exhaust hole 2-5 ...・ Exhaust hole 3 ・ ・ ・ Gripping tool 4 ・ ・ ・ Lifting mechanism 5 ・ ・ ・ Air supply port 6 ・ ・ ・ Stand 7 ・ ・ ・ Support 8 ・ ・ ・ Air discharge port d1 ・ ・ ・ Inner diameter d2 of tubular film ・.. Outer diameter d3 of the end of the tapered part ... Outer diameter d4 of the holding part ... Outer diameter d5 of the flange part ... Inner diameter of the exhaust hole d6 ... Inner diameter of the exhaust hole P1 ... Cylindrical Position for mounting the film P2: Position where the tubular film contacts the tapered portion of the tube P3: Position where the tubular film is completely inserted into the tube holding portion

Claims (4)

It is a method of attaching the tube to the tubular film.
The pipe body has a holding portion, a tapered portion, a flange portion, and a plurality of exhaust holes on the tapered surface of the tapered portion and / or a plurality of exhaust holes on the end surface of the flange portion on the holding portion side. Cage,
The outer diameter of the tapered portion is continuously reduced from the flange portion toward the end portion.
The outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d3 of the holding portion is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d4 of the flange portion is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion.
(1) A step of gripping the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film on the first end side with a gripper capable of gripping the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film;
(2) The tubular film is provided so that the second end portion of the tubular film opposite to the first end portion faces the end portion of the tapered portion of the tubular body. A step of arranging the central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body so as to be substantially coaxial;
(3) The tubular film and the tubular body are relatively close to each other, and the end surface of the tubular film on the second end side is brought into contact with the tapered portion of the tubular body, and then
A step of increasing the pressure in the space composed of the gripper, the tubular film, and the tubular body to increase the diameter of the tubular film;
(4) A step of inserting the tubular body into the tubular film whose diameter has been expanded in the step (3) by relatively moving the gripping tool toward the end of the tapered portion of the tubular body. ;
(5) The air in the space formed by the gripper, the tubular film, and the tube body is degassed from the first exhaust hole provided on the tapered surface of the tube body, and is subjected to suction force. The surface of the tubular film facing the first exhaust hole is deformed, or the air in the space composed of the gripper, the tubular film, and the tubular body is introduced to the flange of the tubular body. At least one of the deformations of degassing from the second exhaust hole provided on the end surface on the holding portion side of the portion and deforming the surface of the tubular film facing the second exhaust hole by suction force. The process of performing; and
(6) A method of attaching a tubular film to a tubular film, which comprises a step of releasing the grip of the tubular film by the gripping tool and attaching the tubular film to the holding portion of the tubular body. .. In the step (3), the space formed by the gripper, the tubular film, and the tubular body is defined as a substantially closed space.
In the steps (3) and (4),
The tapered portion is relatively inserted into the second end side of the tubular film, and is further penetrated into the inside of the tubular film.
By reducing the volume of the space
The pressure in the space is increased to expand the diameter of the tubular film, and the tubular film is inserted into the tubular body.
A method of mounting the tubular body according to claim 1 on a tubular film. A method for manufacturing an electrophotographic belt having an endless belt-shaped substrate.
A method for manufacturing an electrophotographic belt, which comprises the following steps (a) to (c), the following steps (a) to (d), or the following steps (a), (b) and (e). :
(A) A step of preparing a tubular film having an inner diameter of d1 as the endless belt-shaped substrate;
(B) A step of attaching the tubular film to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body by the method of attaching the tubular body to the tubular film according to claim 1 or 2.
(C) A step of forming a coating film of a coating material for forming a surface layer on the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body through the step (b);
(D) Step of treating the surface of the coating film;
(E) A step of treating the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film attached to the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body through the step (b). A device for mounting a tubular body on a tubular film, which is used in the method for mounting the tubular body on the tubular film according to claim 1.
The device includes a gripping tool, a means for moving the gripping tool, and a means for suppressing a misalignment of the tubular film with respect to the tubular body when the tubular film is attached.
(1) The pipe body has a holding portion, a tapered portion, a flange portion, and a plurality of exhaust holes on the tapered surface of the tapered portion and / or a plurality of exhaust holes on the end surface of the flange portion on the holding portion side. Have and
The outer diameter of the tapered portion is continuously reduced from the flange portion toward the end portion.
The outer diameter d2 of the end portion of the tapered portion is smaller than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d3 of the holding portion is larger than the inner diameter d1 of the tubular film.
The outer diameter d4 of the flange portion is larger than the outer diameter d3 of the holding portion.
(2) The gripper is
It is possible to grip the inner peripheral surface of the tubular film on the first end side.
In the state where the tubular film is gripped, the second end portion of the tubular film opposite to the first end portion is opposed to the end portion of the tapered portion of the tubular body, and , The central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial.
(3) The means for moving the gripping tool is
The tubular film gripped by the gripping tool has a second end opposite to the first end of the tubular film so as to face the end of the tapered portion of the tubular body. In addition, while maintaining a state in which the central axis of the tubular film and the central axis of the tubular body are arranged so as to be substantially coaxial with each other, the tubular body and the gripper are relatively close to each other. The tapered portion is inserted into the tubular film,
(4) The means for suppressing the misalignment of the tubular film with respect to the tubular body when the tubular film is attached is
The air in the space composed of the gripper, the tube body, and the tubular film is degassed from the first exhaust hole provided on the tapered surface of the tube body, and the first exhaust force is used by suction force. The surface of the tubular film facing the exhaust hole of the tube is deformed, or the air in the space composed of the gripper, the tube, and the tubular film is held by the flange portion of the tube. It is characterized in that at least one of degassing from a second exhaust hole provided on the side end surface and deforming the surface of the tubular film facing the second exhaust hole by an attractive force is performed. A device that attaches a tube to a tubular film.