JP3326952B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents
Image forming deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JP3326952B2 JP3326952B2 JP02397594A JP2397594A JP3326952B2 JP 3326952 B2 JP3326952 B2 JP 3326952B2 JP 02397594 A JP02397594 A JP 02397594A JP 2397594 A JP2397594 A JP 2397594A JP 3326952 B2 JP3326952 B2 JP 3326952B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- intermediate transfer
- toner
- image
- layer
- elastic layer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Landscapes
- Electrostatic Charge, Transfer And Separation In Electrography (AREA)
- Color Electrophotography (AREA)
- Cleaning In Electrography (AREA)
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、電子写真技術を用いた
画像形成装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic technology.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】感光体上に形成されたトナー画像を記録
媒体に転写する前に、中間転写手段上に転写し、中間転
写手段上からトナー画像を記録媒体に転写して画像を形
成する画像形成方式は、容易に多色画像を形成できるこ
とから、カラー複写機等のカラー画像形成装置に採用さ
れている。中間転写体方式では、トナー画像を中間的に
保持する中間転写手段に様々な特性が要求されるが、中
間転写手段に弾性層を設けると、感光体とのニップ部に
現像剤のキャリアが噛み込んだ時に発生する感光体の傷
つきが減少し、感光体の長寿命化に効果がある。また、
弾性層を設ける利点として、特開平1−198773 号公報の
ように、感光体と中間転写手段の転写点でのニップが安
定に確保される。2. Description of the Related Art Before transferring a toner image formed on a photoreceptor to a recording medium, the toner image is transferred to an intermediate transfer means, and the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer means to the recording medium to form an image. The forming method is adopted in a color image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine because a multicolor image can be easily formed. In the intermediate transfer system, various characteristics are required for the intermediate transfer means for holding the toner image in the middle, but if the intermediate transfer means is provided with an elastic layer, the carrier of the developer is caught in the nip portion with the photoconductor. Damage to the photoreceptor that occurs when the photoreceptor is inserted is reduced, which is effective in extending the life of the photoreceptor. Also,
As an advantage of providing the elastic layer, a nip at the transfer point between the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer means is stably secured as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-198773.
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】上記従来技術のよう
に、中間転写手段に弾性を持たせることは有効な手段で
ある。しかし、この弾性という性質が、逆に中間転写体
上のトナーの記録媒体への転写に悪影響を及ぼす結果と
なった。それは、中間転写手段表面が弾性を持つため
に、中間転写手段上に転写したトナーの最下層部分が転
写ドラム表面に粘着し、この粘着したトナーが記録媒体
へ転写されずに中間転写手段上に残ってしまうからであ
る。このため、中間転写手段から記録媒体へのトナーの
転写効率の低下による画像濃度不足，文字・細線等の画
像の中抜けによる画像欠陥、また中間転写手段表面に粘
着したトナーのクリーニング不良など、様々な問題が発
生する。この問題を回避するために、中間転写手段表面
にトナーとの付着力の小さいフッ素樹脂をコーティング
しても、中間転写手段に弾性層があるために、硬いフッ
素樹脂層が割れて剥離するという問題がある。It is an effective means to impart elasticity to the intermediate transfer means as in the above prior art. However, this elastic property adversely affects the transfer of the toner on the intermediate transfer member to the recording medium. That is, since the surface of the intermediate transfer means has elasticity, the lowermost layer of the toner transferred on the intermediate transfer means adheres to the surface of the transfer drum, and the adhered toner is not transferred to the recording medium but is transferred onto the intermediate transfer means. This is because they will remain. For this reason, there are various problems such as insufficient image density due to a decrease in the transfer efficiency of the toner from the intermediate transfer unit to the recording medium, image defects due to missing images such as characters and thin lines, and poor cleaning of the toner adhered to the surface of the intermediate transfer unit. Problems occur. In order to avoid this problem, even if the surface of the intermediate transfer means is coated with a fluororesin having a small adhesive force to the toner, the hard fluororesin layer is cracked and peeled off because the intermediate transfer means has an elastic layer. There is.
【０００４】また、弾性を有するコーティング（例えば
フッ素ゴムやフッ素ゴム等のゴム中にフッ素樹脂を分散
させたもの）を中間転写手段の表面にコートした場合
は、コーティング層の剥がれは無くなったが、中間転写
手段へのトナーの付着力が低減されるものでは無かっ
た。これは、やはり表面にフッ素ゴムなどの弾性の部分
があるとそこにトナーが粘着してしまうからである。こ
の様に、中間転写手段に弾性層を設けると、その表面へ
のトナーの付着が問題となる。When an elastic coating (for example, a fluororesin dispersed in a rubber such as a fluororubber or a fluororubber) is coated on the surface of the intermediate transfer means, the coating layer does not peel off. This does not reduce the adhesion of the toner to the intermediate transfer means. This is because if there is an elastic portion such as fluoro rubber on the surface, the toner sticks to that portion. As described above, when the elastic layer is provided on the intermediate transfer unit, adhesion of the toner to the surface thereof becomes a problem.
【０００５】[0005]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、中間転写手段
が弾性を持つと同時にトナーとの離型性の良い表面を得
るためのものである。これを実現するため、感光体上に
形成されたトナー画像を中間転写体に転写し、前記中間
転写体上のトナー画像を記録媒体に転写して画像を形成
する画像形成装置において、前記中間転写体は、少なく
とも１つの弾性層を有し、前記弾性層上に前記弾性層と
は異なった材質の中間層が形成されるとともに、表面に
は、粒径がトナー粒径の半分以下である粒子が固着さ
れ、前記中間層の材質を、フッ素ゴム、またはフッ素樹
脂を分散させたフッ素ゴムとしたものである。また、感
光体上に形成されたトナー画像を中間転写体に転写し、
前記中間転写体上のトナー画像を記録媒体に転写して画
像を形成する画像形成装置において、前記中間転写体
は、少なくとも１つの弾性層を有するとともに、前記中
間転写体表面には、粒径がトナー粒径の半分以下である
粒子が固着されるとともに、少なくとも１部分に樹脂層
を形成したものである。 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a surface having good elasticity of an intermediate transfer means and good releasability from a toner. In order to realize this, on the photoreceptor
Transferring the formed toner image to an intermediate transfer member,
Transfer toner image on transfer body to recording medium to form image
In the image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer member is less
And one elastic layer, and the elastic layer
Will form an intermediate layer of a different material and
Means that particles whose particle size is less than half the toner particle size
The material of the intermediate layer is made of fluorine rubber or fluorine resin.
It is a fluororubber in which fat is dispersed. Also feeling
Transferring the toner image formed on the optical body to the intermediate transfer body,
The toner image on the intermediate transfer body is transferred to a recording medium to form an image.
In the image forming apparatus for forming an image, the intermediate transfer member
Has at least one elastic layer, and
On the surface of the intermediary transfer member, the particle size is less than half of the toner particle size
The particles are fixed, and at least one portion has a resin layer.
Is formed.
【０００６】[0006]
【作用】本発明によれば、弾性体表面に微小粒子を固着
させることで、中間転写手段表面が、大粒径の硬い粒子
に対しては弾性体として挙動するとともに、トナーに対
する付着力は減少する。このため、キャリアが感光体と
中間転写手段のニップに噛み込んでも中間転写手段が弾
性であるために感光体にストレスが掛からず、感光体が
長寿命となる。また、トナーと中間転写手段表面の付着
力が小さいため、転写効率が向上し、中抜けの発生がな
く画質が向上する。さらに、中間転写手段表面に残留し
たトナーのクリーニングも容易に行われ、クリーニング
不良による画像汚れもなくすことができる。According to the present invention, by fixing fine particles on the surface of the elastic body, the surface of the intermediate transfer means behaves as an elastic body with respect to hard particles having a large particle diameter, and the adhesive force to the toner is reduced. I do. Therefore, even if the carrier bites into the nip between the photoconductor and the intermediate transfer unit, the photoconductor is not stressed because the intermediate transfer unit is elastic, and the photoconductor has a long life. Further, since the adhesive force between the toner and the surface of the intermediate transfer means is small, the transfer efficiency is improved, and the image quality is improved without the occurrence of voids. Further, cleaning of the toner remaining on the surface of the intermediate transfer means can be easily performed, and image contamination due to poor cleaning can be prevented.
【０００７】[0007]
【実施例】以下に本発明の１実施例を図面を用いて詳細
に説明する。図１は、本発明を用いた画像形成装置の側
面図を示す。図に従って装置の構成を説明する。本体奥
側には、プリンタを制御するコントローラ（図示せず）
がある。このコントローラ内には、画像信号処理部とプ
リント指令制御部が内蔵されている。本体右寄り中央部
に三つの回転可能な軸によって張架されたベルト上の感
光体１が設けられている。感光体ベルト１は、表面に感
光層（例えばＯＰＣ）があり、その下に導電層（例えば
アルミ）とを持つ２層構造になっている。感光体ベルト
１は、Ｙ方向に走行するようになっている。感光体ベル
ト１の近傍には、Ｙ方向に沿って順番に帯電器２，露光
手段３，現像手段４ａ，４ｂ，４ｃ，４ｄ，中間転写ド
ラム５，イレーズランプ６，感光体クリーナ７が設けら
れている。また、中間転写ドラム５には、クリーナ８と
転写前帯電器９が設けられている。帯電器２は、コロト
ロン帯電器であり、コロトロンワイヤの放電によって感
光体を帯電する。露光手段３は、レーザダイオード，ポ
リゴンミラー，モータ，ｆθレンズとそれらを納めたケ
ースによりなる。現像手段４ａ，４ｂ，４ｃ，４ｄの４
台の現像装置は、同型のものであるがそれぞれに異なる
色のトナー、例えば、イエロー，マゼンタ，シアン，ブ
ラックが収納されており、各色を現像する。また、それ
ぞれは独立に作動するようになっている。中間転写ドラ
ム５は、直径８０〜１５０mmの円筒で、導電性の円筒基
体（例えばアルミのドラム）とそれを覆う表面層から構
成されている。導電性の円筒基体は、アースに接続され
ている。中間転写ドラム５は、感光体ベルト１と適当な
圧力で押しつけられていて、ニップ幅５〜２０mmで接触
し、感光体ベルト１上に形成されたトナーは、ニップ部
で感光体ベルト１の導電層に印加した電圧により中間転
写ドラム５上に転写される。感光体ベルト１と中間転写
ドラム５は、両方駆動していても、一方が他方の従動で
あってもよい。イレーズランプ６は、転写後、感光体ベ
ルト１上の残留電位を光照射により除去する。感光体ク
リーナ７は、転写後に感光体ベルト１上に残っている残
留トナーを除去する。同じくクリーナ８は、中間転写ド
ラム５上に記録媒体転写後、残留しているトナーを除去
する。クリーナ８は、中間転写ドラム５上にトナー画像
が形成されている間は、上方に待避するようになってい
る。転写前帯電器９は、中間転写ドラム上のトナーの表
面の電位を一定にし、転写を良好にする働きを持つ。感
光体ベルト１の下方には、用紙カセット１１が設けられ
ている。用紙カセット１１の上方には、ピックアップロ
ーラ１２があり、これによって、記録媒体１０は用紙カ
セット１１から引き出され、レジストローラ１３，転写
ローラ１４，除電器１５，定着装置１６を通って排出さ
れる。レジストローラ１３は、記録媒体１０の先端を揃
える為のものである。転写ローラ１４は、中間転写ドラ
ム５上に形成されたトナー画像を記録媒体１０上に転写
するためのもので、金属軸と適当な抵抗値の（１ｋ〜１
０ＧΩ）の弾性層より構成されている。金属軸には、転
写のための適切な電圧が印加され、トナー像の転写が行
われる。また、転写ローラ１４は、中間転写ドラム５上
にトナー画像が形成されている間は、退避して中間転写
ドラム５上には接触しないようになっている。除電器１
５は、記録媒体１０を除電し、定着器１６は、記録媒体
１０上のトナーを定着する。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a side view of an image forming apparatus using the present invention. The configuration of the device will be described with reference to the drawings. A controller (not shown) that controls the printer at the back of the main unit
There is. The controller includes an image signal processing unit and a print command control unit. A photoreceptor 1 on a belt stretched by three rotatable shafts is provided at a central portion on the right side of the main body. The photoreceptor belt 1 has a two-layer structure having a photosensitive layer (for example, OPC) on the surface and a conductive layer (for example, aluminum) thereunder. The photoreceptor belt 1 runs in the Y direction. In the vicinity of the photoreceptor belt 1, a charger 2, an exposing means 3, developing means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, an intermediate transfer drum 5, an erase lamp 6, and a photoreceptor cleaner 7 are provided in this order in the Y direction. ing. The intermediate transfer drum 5 is provided with a cleaner 8 and a pre-transfer charger 9. The charger 2 is a corotron charger, and charges a photoconductor by discharging a corotron wire. The exposure means 3 comprises a laser diode, a polygon mirror, a motor, an fθ lens, and a case containing them. 4 of developing means 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d
The developing devices of the same type store toners of the same type but different colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, and develop each color. Each of them operates independently. The intermediate transfer drum 5 is a cylinder having a diameter of 80 to 150 mm, and includes a conductive cylindrical base (for example, an aluminum drum) and a surface layer covering the base. The conductive cylindrical base is connected to ground. The intermediate transfer drum 5 is pressed against the photoreceptor belt 1 with an appropriate pressure, and comes into contact with the nip width of 5 to 20 mm. The image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 5 by the voltage applied to the layer. The photoreceptor belt 1 and the intermediate transfer drum 5 may both be driven, or one may be driven by the other. After the transfer, the erase lamp 6 removes the residual potential on the photosensitive belt 1 by light irradiation. The photoconductor cleaner 7 removes residual toner remaining on the photoconductor belt 1 after the transfer. Similarly, the cleaner 8 removes the residual toner after transferring the recording medium onto the intermediate transfer drum 5. The cleaner 8 is retracted upward while a toner image is being formed on the intermediate transfer drum 5. The pre-transfer charger 9 has a function of making the potential of the toner surface on the intermediate transfer drum constant and improving the transfer. A paper cassette 11 is provided below the photoreceptor belt 1. Above the paper cassette 11, there is a pickup roller 12, whereby the recording medium 10 is pulled out of the paper cassette 11, and discharged through the registration roller 13, the transfer roller 14, the neutralizer 15, and the fixing device 16. The registration roller 13 is for aligning the leading ends of the recording medium 10. The transfer roller 14 is for transferring the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer drum 5 onto the recording medium 10 and has a metal shaft and an appropriate resistance value (1 k to 1 k).
(0 GΩ). An appropriate voltage for transfer is applied to the metal shaft, and transfer of the toner image is performed. The transfer roller 14 is retracted while the toner image is being formed on the intermediate transfer drum 5 so as not to contact the intermediate transfer drum 5. Static eliminator 1
5 removes the charge of the recording medium 10, and the fixing unit 16 fixes the toner on the recording medium 10.
【０００８】次に、本発明の中間転写ドラム５の表面層
について詳細に説明する。図２(ａ)は本実施例で使用さ
れた中間転写ドラム５の表面の概略構造図であり、中間
転写ドラム基材５ａ上に弾性層５ｂが形成され、さらに
弾性層５ｂの表面には、微小粒子５ｃが固着されてい
る。このように、弾性層表面を微小粒子で覆うことで、
弾性体の持つ粘着性が低下する。これは、粘着テープの
表面に砂を付着させると粘着性が無くなるように、表面
構成でトナーの付着力が抑えられるものである。同様の
効果を発揮するものとして図２(ｂ)のような表面構成で
も良い。図２(ｂ)は、中間転写ドラム基材５ａ上に弾性
層５ｂを形成するとともに、弾性層５ｂ上にさらに樹脂
層５ｄを形成、その樹脂層５ｄの表面間隙部分に微小粒
子５ｃを固着させたものである。この場合、樹脂層５ｄ
は弾性層５ｂの表面にアイランド状に存在し、表面層が
弾性を維持する程度に覆っている。この表面構成でも中
間転写ドラム５は、弾性と非粘着性を併せ持つ良好なも
のとなる。Next, the surface layer of the intermediate transfer drum 5 of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 2A is a schematic structural view of the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 used in the present embodiment. The elastic layer 5b is formed on the intermediate transfer drum base 5a, and the surface of the elastic layer 5b has The fine particles 5c are fixed. In this way, by covering the elastic layer surface with fine particles,
The adhesiveness of the elastic body decreases. This is because the adhesive force of the toner is suppressed by the surface configuration so that when the sand is adhered to the surface of the adhesive tape, the adhesiveness is lost. A surface configuration such as that shown in FIG. FIG. 2 (b) shows that an elastic layer 5b is formed on the intermediate transfer drum base material 5a, a resin layer 5d is further formed on the elastic layer 5b, and fine particles 5c are fixed to the surface gap of the resin layer 5d. It is a thing. In this case, the resin layer 5d
Are present in the form of islands on the surface of the elastic layer 5b and are covered to such an extent that the surface layer maintains elasticity. Even with this surface configuration, the intermediate transfer drum 5 is a good one having both elasticity and non-adhesiveness.
【０００９】次に、各層の特性について詳しく説明す
る。中間転写ドラム基材５ａは、金属（アルミニウムな
ど）の円筒型素管である。Next, the characteristics of each layer will be described in detail. The intermediate transfer drum base material 5a is a cylindrical base tube made of metal (such as aluminum).
【００１０】弾性層５ｂは、感光体ベルト１と中間転写
ドラム５のニップに現像剤のキャリアが噛み込んでも感
光体ベルト１に傷が付きづらいように０.１〜３mm 程度
の厚さにしてある。また、材質には、ポリウレタンゴ
ム，クロロプレンゴム，ニトリルゴム，ヒドリンゴム，
シリコンゴム，アクリルゴム，フッ素ゴムなどが用いら
れる。この様に非常に多種類の材質が選べるのは、表面
に微小粒子５ｃを固着させることで表面の粘着性が無く
なるためである。The elastic layer 5b is formed to have a thickness of about 0.1 to 3 mm so that the carrier of the developer is hardly damaged even if the carrier of the developer bites into the nip between the photosensitive belt 1 and the intermediate transfer drum 5. is there. The materials are polyurethane rubber, chloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrin rubber,
Silicon rubber, acrylic rubber, fluorine rubber, or the like is used. The reason why a great variety of materials can be selected in this way is that the adhesion of the fine particles 5c to the surface eliminates the surface tackiness.
【００１１】ところで、この弾性層５ｂは、必ずしも単
層で形成される必要はない。例えば、ポリウレタンゴム
は、帯電器２などから発生するオゾンの影響を受けて劣
化するという特性を持つ。このため、弾性層５ｂの材質
としてウレタンゴムを用いた場合は、この劣化を防ぐた
めに、弾性層５ｂを２層構造にして表面を別の材質の層
（例えばフッ素ゴムやフッ素樹脂を分散させたフッ素ゴ
ム）で覆う構造としたほうがよい。図３(ａ)及び、図３
(ｂ)は、この弾性層５ｂに表面を覆う中間層５ｅを付加
した中間転写ドラム５表面の断面図を示している。この
例のような弾性層５ｂの上層部を構成する層は、弾性を
有する材質でなくてはならない。Incidentally, the elastic layer 5b does not necessarily have to be formed as a single layer. For example, polyurethane rubber has a characteristic that it is deteriorated under the influence of ozone generated from the charger 2 and the like. For this reason, when urethane rubber is used as the material of the elastic layer 5b, in order to prevent this deterioration, the elastic layer 5b has a two-layer structure and the surface is made of a layer of another material (for example, a fluoro rubber or a fluoro resin is dispersed). It is better to use a structure covered with fluororubber). FIG. 3 (a) and FIG.
(b) is a cross-sectional view of the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 in which an intermediate layer 5e covering the surface is added to the elastic layer 5b. The layer constituting the upper layer portion of the elastic layer 5b as in this example must be made of a material having elasticity.
【００１２】また、中間転写ドラム５の抵抗値を管理す
るために、弾性層５ｂ内部に抵抗を調整する層（例えば
高抵抗のものでは、感光体の下地として使われるブロッ
キング層のようなものやＰＥＴなど、中抵抗のものでは
先に述べたフッ素ゴムなどのゴム材や半導電性プラスチ
ックを用い、弾性層５ｂほか各層の抵抗値に応じて材質
を選ぶ）を設けてもよい。図４(ａ)及び、図４(ｂ)は、
この弾性層５ｂの下層に絶縁層５ｆを有する中間転写ド
ラム５表面の断面図を示している。この場合、この抵抗
層を弾性層５ｂの最下層部に形成する構成では、必ずし
も弾性を有する必要はないが、弾性層５ｂの中間部、お
よび上層部に形成する時は、弾性を必要とする。In order to control the resistance value of the intermediate transfer drum 5, a layer for adjusting the resistance inside the elastic layer 5b (for example, a layer having a high resistance, such as a blocking layer used as a base of a photoreceptor, For a medium resistance material such as PET, a rubber material such as the above-mentioned fluorine rubber or a semiconductive plastic may be used, and a material may be selected according to the resistance value of each layer other than the elastic layer 5b). 4 (a) and 4 (b)
A sectional view of the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 having an insulating layer 5f below the elastic layer 5b is shown. In this case, the configuration in which this resistance layer is formed in the lowermost layer of the elastic layer 5b does not necessarily have to have elasticity, but when it is formed in the middle and upper layers of the elastic layer 5b, elasticity is required. .
【００１３】微小粒子５ｃは、平均粒径がトナーの平均
粒径の半分以下であるものを用いる。材質は、シリカ
（ＳｉＯ2 ）やポリエステル樹脂，アクリル樹脂，フッ
素樹脂などのトナーと粘着しないものを基材としてでき
ている。これらの材質で作成された微小粒子の内、少な
くとも１種類を中間転写ドラム５の表面に固着させるこ
とで、トナーとの付着力を低下させることができた。こ
の様に、微小粒子５ｃとしては、様々なものを用いるこ
とができるが、粒子の剥がれを考慮すると、トナーや感
光体など中間転写ドラムに接触する部材に含まれている
成分と同じ成分で作られた微小粒子を用いるのがよく、
定着などの他のプロセスに弊害を与えないため好適であ
る。ここで、中間転写ドラム５の表面に微小粒子５ｃを
固着させる方法について簡単に説明する。中間転写ドラ
ム５表面に摩擦部材を当て、その接触部分に微小粒子５
ｃを混入、速度差を与えて摩擦させ、摩擦接触で微小粒
子５ｃを中間転写ドラム５表面に固着させる。この時、
微小粒子５ｃとそれよりも粒径の大きな粒子を混ぜ合わ
せて摩擦接触させると比較的短時間で固着が行える。最
後に表面を乾拭きして表面の異物を取り除く。この様に
して固着された微小粒子５ｃは、比較的強固に中間転写
ドラム５にくっつくため、アルコール等の溶剤で布ぶき
してもほとんど取れず、中間転写ドラム５の清掃最利用
が可能である。The fine particles 5c having an average particle diameter of not more than half of the average particle diameter of the toner are used. The base material is a material such as silica (SiO 2 ), polyester resin, acrylic resin, and fluororesin which does not adhere to the toner. By fixing at least one kind of the fine particles made of these materials on the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5, the adhesion to the toner could be reduced. As described above, various kinds of fine particles 5c can be used. However, in consideration of the separation of the particles, the fine particles 5c are made of the same components as those contained in the member that comes into contact with the intermediate transfer drum, such as the toner and the photoconductor. It is better to use the fine particles
This is preferable because it does not adversely affect other processes such as fixing. Here, a method of fixing the fine particles 5c on the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 will be briefly described. A friction member is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 and fine particles 5
The fine particles 5c are fixed to the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 by frictional contact by mixing c and applying a speed difference. At this time,
If the microparticles 5c and particles having a larger particle size are mixed and brought into frictional contact, fixation can be performed in a relatively short time. Finally, dry the surface to remove foreign substances on the surface. The fine particles 5c fixed in this manner adhere to the intermediate transfer drum 5 relatively firmly, so that they are hardly removed even when the cloth is wiped with a solvent such as alcohol, and the intermediate transfer drum 5 can be most utilized for cleaning. is there.
【００１４】樹脂層５ｄは、フッ素樹脂等、トナーとの
離型性の高い樹脂により形成されている。この層は厚さ
が５０μｍ以下で、硬度の高い材質を用いて層が形成さ
れてもよいが、弾性層５ｂの弾性が余り低下しない程度
に島状（２０μｍ角以下が望ましい）に形成することが
必要である。この層は、フッ素樹脂の吹き付け塗装など
で形成される。The resin layer 5d is formed of a resin having a high releasability from the toner, such as a fluororesin. This layer may have a thickness of 50 μm or less, and may be formed using a material having high hardness. However, the layer should be formed in an island shape (preferably 20 μm square or less) so that the elasticity of the elastic layer 5 b is not significantly reduced. is necessary. This layer is formed by spray coating of a fluororesin or the like.
【００１５】この例は、中間転写手段がドラム形状の装
置についての構成であったが、中間転写手段がベルト形
状のものであっても上記例のように、表面に微小粒子を
固着させることで良好な特性を得られる。In this example, the intermediate transfer means is a drum-shaped apparatus. However, even if the intermediate transfer means is a belt-shaped apparatus, fine particles are fixed to the surface as in the above-described example. Good characteristics can be obtained.
【００１６】この様に表面に微小粒子を固着させる方式
は、中間転写ドラム５のみならずトナーと接触し弾性を
必要とする部材に適用しても効果があった。例えば、転
写ローラや、転写ベルトの表面に本実施例のような表面
処理を行ったところ、ローラやベルトのトナー汚れが少
なくなると共に、それらの部材のクリーニングも容易に
なった。また、熱に対して安定な微小粒子を定着ローラ
の表面に固着させることで、オフセットを減らす効果も
あった。この様な用途は、本実施例の中間転写方式の画
像形成装置のみならず、他方式の画像形成装置にも応用
可能である。The method of fixing fine particles on the surface as described above was effective even when applied not only to the intermediate transfer drum 5 but also to a member which comes into contact with toner and requires elasticity. For example, when the surface of the transfer roller or the transfer belt was subjected to the surface treatment as in the present embodiment, toner contamination of the roller and the belt was reduced, and the cleaning of those members was also facilitated. Also, by fixing heat-stable fine particles to the surface of the fixing roller, there is also an effect of reducing offset. Such applications can be applied not only to the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus of the present embodiment but also to other type image forming apparatuses.
【００１７】以下に電子写真装置の動作について説明す
る。まず、コンピュータからのプリント指令がコントロ
ーラに入力されると、感光体ベルト１が動き始め、帯電
器２によって帯電された感光体ベルト１上に露光手段３
から露光が開始され、潜像が形成される。この潜像は、
まず現像手段４ａによって現像される。現像されたトナ
ー画像は、中間転写ドラム５上に転写される。次に、再
び感光体ベルト１は帯電，露光され、今度は現像手段４
ｂにより現像が行われる。そして現像されたトナー画像
は中間転写ドラム５上に先の画像に重ねて転写される。
この工程を、以後、現像手段４ｃ，４ｄと繰り返して行
い、中間転写ドラム５上に複数色のトナー画像を形成す
る。中間転写ドラム５上に形成されたトナー画像は、転
写前帯電器９で電位を揃え、ピックアップローラ１２に
よって用紙カセット１１から引き出された記録媒体１０
に転写ローラ１４によって一度に転写される。そして除
電器１５により記録媒体１０が除電，剥離され、定着装
置１６に送られて定着される。この時、表面に微小粒子
を固着した中間転写ドラム５を用いたところ、中間転写
ドラム５表面が弾性を持つため、感光体ベルト１とのニ
ップに現像剤のキャリア等の異物が噛み込んでも感光体
ベルト１は傷つかず、感光体ベルト１の寿命は通紙一千
枚程度で劣化していたものが、二万枚まで画質に問題な
く印字が行えるレベルになった。また、中間転写ドラム
５表面とトナーの付着力が低下したため、中間転写ドラ
ム５から記録媒体１０への転写効率が、最高で５％も上
がり、画像濃度向上に大きな効果があった。また文字・
細線の中抜けが、目視でほとんどわからないレベルにま
で無くなり、画質向上に大きく寄与した。また、記録媒
体１０にトナーを転写後中間転写ドラム５上に残留した
トナーは、転写効率が上がったことによってそれ自身量
が少なくなったことに加えて、クリーナ８でのクリーニ
ング効率も向上し、次の画像への汚れがほとんど無くな
った。この様に、本発明を用いることで、高画質，低メ
ンテナンス性の画像形成装置が実現された。The operation of the electrophotographic apparatus will be described below. First, when a print command from a computer is input to the controller, the photosensitive belt 1 starts to move, and the exposing means 3 is placed on the photosensitive belt 1 charged by the charger 2.
Exposure is started from, and a latent image is formed. This latent image is
First, it is developed by the developing means 4a. The developed toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 5. Next, the photoreceptor belt 1 is charged and exposed again.
The development is performed by b. Then, the developed toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer drum 5 so as to overlap the previous image.
This process is thereafter repeated with the developing means 4c and 4d, and a plurality of color toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer drum 5. The potential of the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer drum 5 is adjusted by the pre-transfer charger 9, and the recording medium 10 pulled out of the paper cassette 11 by the pickup roller 12
Is transferred at a time by the transfer roller 14. Then, the recording medium 10 is neutralized and peeled by the neutralizer 15 and sent to the fixing device 16 to be fixed. At this time, when the intermediate transfer drum 5 having fine particles adhered to the surface is used, the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 has elasticity. The body belt 1 was not damaged, and the life of the photoreceptor belt 1 was deteriorated after about 1,000 sheets were passed. However, printing was possible to 20,000 sheets without any problem in image quality. Further, since the adhesive force between the surface of the intermediate transfer drum 5 and the toner is reduced, the transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer drum 5 to the recording medium 10 is increased by 5% at the maximum, and has a great effect in improving the image density. In addition, characters
The hollowing out of the thin line disappeared to a level almost invisible to the naked eye, greatly contributing to the improvement of the image quality. Further, the amount of toner remaining on the intermediate transfer drum 5 after transferring the toner to the recording medium 10 is reduced in addition to the reduction in the amount of toner itself due to the increase in transfer efficiency, and the cleaning efficiency in the cleaner 8 is also improved. Stain on the next image was almost eliminated. As described above, by using the present invention, an image forming apparatus having high image quality and low maintenance can be realized.
【００１８】[0018]
【発明の効果】本発明のように、中間転写手段が弾性層
を設け、中間転写手段表面に粒径がトナー粒径の半分以
下である微小粒子を固着させることで、感光体と中間転
写手段のニップへの現像剤キャリアの噛み込みによる感
光体の劣化を防ぎ、かつトナーの中間転写手段表面への
粘着も無くなる。それによって、感光体が長寿命になる
とともに記録媒体へのトナーの高効率転写が実現され
た。また、中抜け及び中間転写手段のクリーニング不良
による画像欠陥・汚れの無い高品質な画像の形成される
画像形成装置が得られた。According to the present invention, the intermediate transfer means is provided with an elastic layer, and fine particles having a particle size of less than half of the toner particle diameter are fixed on the surface of the intermediate transfer means. This prevents deterioration of the photoreceptor due to the bite of the developer carrier into the nip, and eliminates the adhesion of the toner to the surface of the intermediate transfer means. As a result, the life of the photoconductor has been prolonged, and highly efficient transfer of the toner to the recording medium has been realized. Further, an image forming apparatus capable of forming a high-quality image free of image defects and stains due to a hollow portion and a defective cleaning of the intermediate transfer unit was obtained.
【図１】本発明の実施例である画像形成装置の側面図。FIG. 1 is a side view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】図１の画像形成装置の中間転写ドラム表面構造
の説明図。FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a surface structure of an intermediate transfer drum of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
【図３】図１の画像形成装置の中間転写ドラム表面構造
の他の実施例の説明図。FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of another embodiment of the surface structure of the intermediate transfer drum of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
【図４】図１の画像形成装置の中間転写ドラム表面構造
の他の実施例の説明図。4 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the surface structure of the intermediate transfer drum of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
１…感光体ベルト、２…帯電器、３…露光手段、４ａ，
４ｂ，４ｃ，４ｄ…現像手段、５…中間転写ドラム、５
ａ…中間転写ドラム基材、５ｂ…弾性層、５ｃ…微小粒
子、５ｄ…樹脂層、５ｅ…中間層、５ｆ…絶縁層、６…
イレーズランプ、７…感光体クリーナ、８…クリーナ、
９…転写前帯電器、１０…記録媒体、１１…用紙カセッ
ト、１２…ピックアップローラ、１３…レジストロー
ラ、１４…転写ローラ、１５…除電器、１６…定着装
置。DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photoreceptor belt, 2 ... Charging device, 3 ... Exposure means, 4a,
4b, 4c, 4d: developing means, 5: intermediate transfer drum, 5
a: intermediate transfer drum base material, 5b: elastic layer, 5c: fine particles, 5d: resin layer, 5e: intermediate layer, 5f: insulating layer, 6:
Erase lamp, 7: Photoconductor cleaner, 8: Cleaner,
9: pre-transfer charger, 10: recording medium, 11: paper cassette, 12: pickup roller, 13: resist roller, 14: transfer roller, 15: static eliminator, 16: fixing device.
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 斉藤 雅彦 茨城県日立市東多賀町一丁目１番１号 株式会社 日立製作所 情報映像メディ ア事業部内 (72)発明者 丹羽 浩一 茨城県日立市東多賀町一丁目１番１号 株式会社 日立製作所 情報映像メディ ア事業部内 (72)発明者 中野 雅弘 茨城県日立市東多賀町一丁目１番１号 株式会社 日立製作所 情報映像メディ ア事業部内 (72)発明者 鈴木 基之 茨城県日立市東多賀町一丁目１番１号 株式会社 日立製作所 情報映像メディ ア事業部内 (72)発明者 佐藤 俊也 茨城県日立市大みか町七丁目１番１号 株式会社 日立製作所 日立研究所内 (56)参考文献 特開 平４−281485（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平２−213881（ＪＰ，Ａ) 特開 平３−65973（ＪＰ，Ａ) (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.7，ＤＢ名) G03G 15/16 G03G 21/10 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiko Saito 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Information and Video Media Division (72) Inventor Koichi Niwa In-town Higashitagachi, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1, Hitachi, Ltd. Information & Video Media Division (72) Inventor Masahiro Nakano 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi, Ltd. Information & Video Media Division (72) Inventor Suzuki Motoyuki 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Information and Video Media Division (72) Inventor Toshiya Sato 7-1-1, Omika-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Pref. Hitachi, Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory (56) References JP-A-4-281485 (JP, A) JP-A-2-2133881 (JP, A JP-A-3-65973 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. 7 , DB name) G03G 15/16 G03G 21/10
Claims (3)
写体に転写し、前記中間転写体上のトナー画像を記録媒
体に転写して画像を形成する画像形成装置において、 前記中間転写体は、少なくとも１つの弾性層を有し、前
記弾性層上に前記弾性層とは異なった材質の中間層が形
成されるとともに、表面には、粒径がトナー粒径の半分
以下である粒子が固着され、 前記中間層の材質は、フッ素ゴム、またはフッ素樹脂を
分散させたフッ素ゴムであることを特徴とする 画像形成
装置。An image forming apparatus for transferring a toner image formed on a photosensitive member to an intermediate transfer member and transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium to form an image. It may have at least one elastic layer, before
An intermediate layer made of a different material from the elastic layer is formed on the elastic layer.
Together is made on the surface, the particle size is less than half of the toner particle size particles is fixed, the material of the intermediate layer is a fluorine rubber or a fluorine resin,
An image forming apparatus comprising a dispersed fluororubber .
写体に転写し、前記中間転写体上のトナー画像を記録媒
体に転写して画像を形成する画像形成装置において、 前記中間転写体は、少なくとも１つの弾性層を有すると
ともに、 前記中間転写体表面には、粒径がトナー粒径の半分以下
である粒子が固着されるとともに、少なくとも１部分に
樹脂層が形成されていることを特徴とする 画像形成装
置。2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the toner image formed on the photosensitive member is intermediately transferred.
Transferring the toner image on the intermediate transfer member to a recording medium;
In the image forming apparatus for forming an image by transferring the image to a body, the intermediate transfer body may include at least one elastic layer.
In both cases, the particle diameter on the surface of the intermediate transfer member is less than half of the toner particle diameter.
Particles are fixed and at least one part is
An image forming apparatus having a resin layer formed thereon .
いて、 前記トナー粒径の半分以下の粒子は、シリカ，ポリエス
テル樹脂，アクリル樹脂，フッ素樹脂のいずれかを基材
とする粒子である画像形成装置。3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the particles having a particle diameter of not more than half of the toner particles are particles based on any one of silica, polyester resin, acrylic resin and fluororesin. Forming equipment.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP02397594A JP3326952B2 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1994-02-22 | Image forming device |
| US08/348,692 US5600420A (en) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-12-02 | Image transfer element in a color image forming apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP02397594A JP3326952B2 (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1994-02-22 | Image forming device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH07234592A JPH07234592A (en) | 1995-09-05 |
| JP3326952B2 true JP3326952B2 (en) | 2002-09-24 |
Family
ID=12125562
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP02397594A Expired - Lifetime JP3326952B2 (en) | 1993-12-17 | 1994-02-22 | Image forming device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3326952B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3667030B2 (en) * | 1997-05-20 | 2005-07-06 | キヤノン株式会社 | Intermediate transfer member manufacturing method and image forming apparatus |
| EP0880084B1 (en) | 1997-05-20 | 2004-07-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and intermediate transfer member |
| JP2002162767A (en) | 2000-11-24 | 2002-06-07 | Fuji Xerox Co Ltd | Image carrier, image recording device using the same, and method for recording image |
| JP5210694B2 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2013-06-12 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5210695B2 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2013-06-12 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP2011039430A (en) * | 2009-08-18 | 2011-02-24 | Ricoh Co Ltd | Intermediate transfer belt and image forming apparatus using the same, and image forming method |
| JP5286237B2 (en) * | 2009-11-30 | 2013-09-11 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5264694B2 (en) * | 2009-12-17 | 2013-08-14 | 京セラドキュメントソリューションズ株式会社 | Image forming apparatus |
| JP5725409B2 (en) | 2011-03-18 | 2015-05-27 | 株式会社リコー | Intermediate transfer belt and image forming apparatus |
| JP5870541B2 (en) * | 2011-08-17 | 2016-03-01 | 富士ゼロックス株式会社 | Transfer belt and image forming apparatus |
-
1994
- 1994-02-22 JP JP02397594A patent/JP3326952B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH07234592A (en) | 1995-09-05 |
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