JP3613742B2 - Continuous coating apparatus and continuous coating method - Google Patents

Description

【００５３】
図１２（ａ）に連続塗布装置の正面図を示す。
【００５４】
本実施例１では図示のように、供給手段１０の昇降手段１４の駆動系を防振台８２の上に設置し、把持手段２１，２２、上下移動部材２３、ボールネジ２４及び駆動系から成る搬送手段２０を防振ゴムを介した防振台８３の上に設置した。このように構成した連続塗布装置により塗布を行い、得られた塗布済み円筒状基材（塗布ドラム）の目視観察を行った。水平方向、垂直方向の最大振幅は塗布手段４０の最近接位で測定を行った。なお円筒状基材１は３０本積み重ねた。表１に結果を示す。
【００５５】
【表１】

【００５６】
本発明の防振台８２，８３を有する連続塗布装置により、膜厚ムラに起因する色ムラがなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００５７】
（実施例２）
本実施例２では図１２（ｂ）に示すように、垂直移動ロボットステージ６１、軸体６２、上把持子６３、下把持子６４、エアーシリンダー６５及び駆動手段により構成されている分離排出手段６０を防振ゴムを介した防振台８４上に設置した以外、防振台８２，８３を備えたことは実施例１と同じである。得られた結果を表２に示す。
【００５８】
【表２】

【００５９】
本発明の防振台８２，８３，８４を有する連続塗布装置により、膜厚ムラに起因する色ムラがなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００６０】
（実施例３）
本実施例３では図１２（ｃ）に示すように、供給手段２０の回転テーブル１２を間欠回転させる駆動系を防振台８１上に、エアーベアリングから成る位置決め手段３０を防振台８５上に、塗布手段４０を防振台８５上に、乾燥手段５０を防振台８７上にそれぞれ設置した以外、防振台８２，８３，８４を備えたことは実施例２と同じである。得られた結果を表３に示す。
【００６１】
【表３】

【００６２】
本発明の防振台８１，８２，８３，８４，８５，８６，８７を有する連続塗布装置により、膜厚ムラに起因する色ムラがなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００６３】
（実施例４）
実施例１の連続塗布装置の代わりに図２の逐次連続塗布装置で塗布を行う。図１３のように供給手段１０昇降部材１４の駆動手段及び供給手段２０の把持手段２１，２２とその上下搬送の駆動装置を防振ゴムを介した同一の防振台８８上に設置するとともに、分離排出手段６０の駆動系を防振ゴムを介した別の防振台８９の上に設置した。このように構成した逐次連続塗布装置により塗布を行った。即ち鏡面加工を施した直径８０ｍｍ、高さ３５５ｍｍ、２８３ｇのアルミニウムドラム支持体（円筒状基材）１上に、下記の如く各々塗布液組成物▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２及び▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１を調製し、スライドホッパー型塗布手段７（▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１用）、７−１（▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２用）、７−２（▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１用）にて、それぞれ乾燥膜厚１．０μｍ、２．２μｍ及び２３μｍになるように３層の逐次重層塗布を行い、感光体を作成し目視観察した。なお、円筒状基材１は２５本積み重ね、最大振幅は最上部の塗布手段（コーター）４０Ｃとの最近接位ドラムで測定した。得られた結果を表４に示す。
【００６４】
【表４】

【００６５】
▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１塗布液組成物
共重合ナイロン樹脂（ＣＭ−８０００ 東レ社製） ３０ｇ
メタノール／ｎ−ブタノール＝１０／１（Ｖｏｌ比） １０ｌ
▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２塗布液組成物
ペリレン顔料（ＣＧＭ−２） ５００ｇ
ブチラール樹脂（エスレックＢＸ−Ｌ 積水化学社製） ５００ｇ
メチルエチルケトン ２４ｌ
上記塗布液組成物（固形分については固形分重量比ＣＧＭ−２：ＢＸ−Ｌ＝２：１に固定）をサンドミルを用いて２０時間分散したもの。
【００６６】
▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１塗布液組成物
ＣＴＭ−１ ５ｋｇ
ポリカーボネート（Ｚ−２００ 三菱瓦斯化学社製） ５．６ｋｇ
１，２−ジクロロエタン ２８ｌ
固形分については、固形分重量比ＣＴＭ−１：Ｚ−２００＝０．８９：１に固定した。
【００６７】
【化２】

【００６８】
本発明の防振台８８，８９を有する逐次連続塗布装置を用いると、振動が少なく、膜厚ムラ、接触キズ等のない塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。得られた感光体Ｎｏ．４−１をコニカ社製Ｕ−ＢＩＸ３０３５複写機で実写したところ、画像ムラやカブリムラ等の塗布ムラに起因する画像不良はなく、画像欠陥（黒ポチ、白ポチ、ゴミ、スジ等）もなく良好であった。
【００６９】
（実施例５）
実施例５〜８は、前記防振台８１〜８７の代わりに能動除振台を備えた連続塗布装置である。
【００７０】
以下、能動除振装置について説明する。連続塗布装置に伝わる振動をできるだけ低い周波数から達成する為に、バネ定数と粘性の小さい支持機構を有する防振台上に設置すれば良い。通常塗布手段中に振動を発生する振動源があり、支持機構のバネ定数と塗布手段及び防振台の質量できまる低周波共振により、全体の振動が大きくなってしまう恐れがあるので、バネ定数及び粘性は小さくできない。このため防振装置は床から伝わる振動の絶縁と装置から発生する振動の兼ね合いより選択されるが、限界があり近年能動除振装置が実用化されている。これは防振台の振動をセンサで検出し、フィードバック機構よりアクチュエータ等で振動制御を行うのが能動式除振装置（能動除振台）である。
【００７１】
本発明で用いられる能動式除振装置は、例えば特開平１−２１０６３４号公報に記載の如く、除振台の振動をセンサで検出し、制御弁を介して空気バネ内の空気圧を調整する事により振動制御を行う空気圧式能動除振機構を用いても良く、また除振台を弾性的に支持する弾性支持手段、除振台を駆動するアクチュエータ、除振台の振動を検出する振動センサ、振動センサの出力を補償してアクチュエータにフィードバックする振動制御補償手段、除振台の変位を検出する変位センサ及び変位センサの出力を補償してアクチュエータにフィードバックする位置制御補償手段等を有する能動除振装置を用いても良い。
【００７２】
本発明で用いられる垂直型連続塗布装置は、円筒状基材１を垂直に積み重ね上方向に搬送させつつ塗布を行うものであるから、本質的に振動の発生や伝達に対しての影響が大きく、根本的な弱点を有する。
【００７３】
本発明はこれに鑑みて行われたものであり、能動式除振装置を設置することにより振動の塗布膜への影響を極めて小さく出来、しかも予期せざる外乱の影響をも除くことが出来るものである。又積み重ね円筒状基材の本数を増すことができコスト的にも有利となる他、塗布手段以後の乾燥工程の有効長を従来のものより約２倍以上長くすることができ、急速乾燥による塗膜のちじれ模様の発生をなくすることもできるという長所も見いだされた。
【００７４】
導電性支持体（円筒状基材）としては鏡面加工を施した直径４０ｍｍ、高さ２７１ｍｍのアルミニウムドラム支持体を用いた。又塗布液としては下記記載の▲１▼ＣＴＬ−１塗布液組成物を用い、乾燥膜厚２４μｍになるように塗布した。
【００７５】
▲１▼ＣＴＬ−１塗布液組成物
ＣＴＭ−１ ５ｋｇ
ポリカーボネート（Ｚ−２００ 三菱瓦斯化学社製） ５．６ｋｇ
１，２−ジクロロエタン ２８ｌ
固形分については、固形分重量比ＣＴＭ−１：Ｚ−２００＝０．８９：１に固定した。
【００７６】
本実施例５では把持手段２１，２２、上下移動部材２３、ボールネジ２４、駆動手段から成る供給手段２０を空気バネを介し能動除振台の上に設置した。該能動除振台上にはレベルセンサ及び振動センサがあり、これらセンサからの出力を補償してアクチュエータにフィードバックする位置制御補償、振動補償がなされ、アクチュエータにより能動除振台を駆動する機構になっており、この能動除振台機構を利用し塗布を行った。得られた塗布ドラムの目視観察を行うと共に、図１の塗布手段４０の最近接位の円筒状基材１での最大振幅を測定した。なお円筒状基材１は３１本積み重ねた。表５に結果を示す。
【００７７】
【表５】

【００７８】
本発明の能動除振台を有する塗布手段を用いると膜厚ムラ、乾燥ムラに起因する塗布故障がなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００７９】
（実施例６）
本実施例６では図１２（ｂ）に示すように、供給手段１０の昇降手段１４の駆動系を能動除振台（８２）上に、把持手段２１，２２、上下移動部材２３、ボールネジ２４及び駆動系から成る搬送手段２０を能動除振台（８３）上に、分離排出手段６０の駆動系を能動除振台（８４）上にそれぞれ設置した。各能動除振台（８２，８３，８４）として、実施例５と同じ機構の能動除振装置を用いて、塗布を行った。得られた塗布ドラムの目視観察を行った。振動の振幅測定は実施例５と同じ。なお、円筒状基材１は３０本積み重ねた。表６に結果を示す。
【００８０】
【表６】

【００８１】
本発明の能動除振台を有する連続塗布装置を用いると膜厚ムラ、乾燥ムラに起因する塗布故障がなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００８２】
（実施例７）
本実施例７では前記供給手段１０の昇降部材１４の駆動系と、搬送手段２０とを第一の能動除振台上に、塗布手段４０の駆動系を第二の能動除振台上に、分離排出手段６０の駆動系を空気バネを介した第三の能動除振台上にそれぞれ設置した。また、円筒状基材と直接に接触する供給手段１０と搬送手段２０とが同一の能動除振台にあり、又円筒状基材に直接接触する分離排出手段６０を別の能動除振台上に設置する事により振動を効率良く抑えることが出来た。得られた結果を表７に示す。
【００８３】
【表７】

【００８４】
本発明の能動除振台を有する連続塗布装置を用いると膜厚ムラ、乾燥ムラに起因する塗布故障がなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。
【００８５】
（実施例８）
実施例５の塗布手段の代わりに図２に示す逐次連続塗布装置で塗布を行った。前記供給手段１０の昇降部材１４の駆動系と、搬送手段２０とを第一の能動除振台上に、分離排出手段６０の駆動系を空気バネを介した第二の能動除振台上にそれぞれ設置して、塗布を行った。なお、能動除振台は実施例５と同じ機構である。
【００８６】
鏡面加工を施した直径８０ｍｍ、高さ３５５ｍｍ、２８３ｇのアルミニウムドラム支持体（円筒状基材）上に、下記の如く各々塗布液組成物▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１、▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２及び、▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１を調製し、スライドホッパー型塗布手段７（▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１用）、７−１（▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２用）、７−２（▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１用）にて、それぞれ乾燥膜厚１．０μｍ、２．２μｍ及び２３μｍになるように３層の逐次重層塗布を行い、感光体を作成した。なお、円筒状基材は２３本積み重ね、最上部の塗布手段４０Ｃに最近接する円筒状基材の最大振幅を測定した。結果を表８に示す。
【００８７】
【表８】

【００８８】
▲１▼ＵＣＬ−１塗布液組成物
共重合ナイロン樹脂（ＣＭ−８０００ 東レ社製） ３０ｇ
メタノール／ｎ−ブタノール＝１０／１（Ｖｏｌ比） １０ｌ
▲２▼ＣＧＬ−２塗布液組成物
ペリレン顔料（ＣＧＭ−２） ５００ｇ
ブチラール樹脂（エスレックＢＸ−Ｌ 積水化学社製） ５００ｇ
メチルエチルケトン ２４ｌ
上記塗布液組成物（固形分については固形分重量比ＣＧＭ−２：ＢＸ−Ｌ＝２：１に固定）をサンドミルを用いて２０時間分散したもの。
【００８９】
▲３▼ＣＴＬ−１塗布液組成物
ＣＴＭ−１ ５ｋｇ
ポリカーボネート（Ｚ−２００ 三菱瓦斯化学社製） ５．６ｋｇ
１，２−ジクロロエタン ２８ｌ
固形分については、固形分重量比ＣＴＭ−１：Ｚ−２００＝０．８９：１に固定した。
【００９０】
本発明の能動除振台を有する逐次連続塗布装置を用いると、振動が少なく膜厚ムラ、乾燥ムラに起因する塗布故障がなく、塗布性の良好な塗布ドラムが得られた。得られた感光体Ｎｏ．７−１をコニカ社製Ｕ−ＢＩＸ３０３５複写機で実写したところ画像ムラやカブリムラ等の塗布ムラに起因する画像不良はなく、画像欠陥（黒ポチ、白ポチ、ゴミ、スジ等）もなく良好であった。
【００９１】
【発明の効果】
本発明による防振台を設けた連続塗布装置は、（１）駆動系の振動による塗布ムラや段ムラが発生しない、（２）画像ムラがなく良好な画像が得られる等の優れた効果が得られる。また、本発明による能動除振台を設けた連続塗布装置は、（１）振動による塗布ムラ、塗布故障がない、（２）振動による画像ムラ、画像欠陥がない、（３）外力により振動が加えられても影響が少ない、（４）ドラムの積み重ね本数が増やせる等の利点がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明による第一の実施の形態の連続塗布装置の全体構成を示す斜視図。
【図２】本発明による第二の実施の形態の逐次連続塗布装置の全体構成を示す斜視図。
【図３】本発明による第一の実施の形態の連続塗布装置を示す正面図。
【図４】供給手段の斜視図。
【図５】供給手段による円筒状基材の上昇過程を示す断面図。
【図６】搬送手段における把持手段の斜視図。
【図７】位置決め手段と塗布手段とを示す断面図。
【図８】塗布手段の斜視図。
【図９】塗布手段と塗布手段の上部に設けた乾燥フードの断面図。
【図１０】乾燥器の断面図。
【図１１】分離排出手段による分離過程を説明する状態図。
【図１２】防振台または能動除振台を備えた連続塗布装置の正面図。
【図１３】防振台または能動除振台を備えた逐次連続塗布装置の正面図。
【符号の説明】
１ 円筒状基材（塗布ドラム）
１０ 供給手段
１２ 回転テーブル
１３ 駆動手段
１４ 昇降部材
１５ 押し上げ部材
２０ 搬送手段
２１，２２ 把持手段
２３ 上下移動部材
２４ ボールネジ
３０ 位置決め手段
４０ 塗布手段（コータ）
５０ 乾燥手段
６０ 分離排出手段
７０ 装置本体
８１〜８９ 防振台または能動除振台
Ｍ１，Ｍ２，Ｍ３，Ｍ４ モータ[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, the cylindrical shafts of a cylindrical base material having a continuous surface formed endlessly are stacked and stacked, and the coating liquid is uniformly and continuously applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while being vertically pushed up from the bottom. The present invention relates to a continuous coating apparatus and a continuous coating method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Various methods such as spray coating, dip coating, blade coating, roll coating, etc. have been studied in relation to uniform coating with a thin film on the outer surface of a cylindrical substrate having a continuous surface formed in an endless manner. ing. In particular, for thin and uniform coating such as an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, studies are being made to develop coating means with excellent productivity. However, the conventional coating means and coating method for a cylindrical base material having a continuous surface formed endlessly have such disadvantages that a uniform coating film cannot be obtained and productivity is poor.
[0003]
In the spray coating method, since the solvent evaporates before the coating droplets ejected from the spray gun reach the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate having a continuous surface formed endlessly, the solid content concentration of the coating droplets When the viscosity of the coated droplet rises and the droplet reaches the surface, the droplet does not spread sufficiently on the surface, or the particles that have dried and solidified Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a coating with a smooth surface. In addition, it is very difficult to control the film thickness because the arrival rate of liquid droplets on the cylindrical substrate having the continuous surface is not 100%, and there is a loss of coating liquid or is partially non-uniform. . Furthermore, stringing may occur in a polymer solution or the like, so that there are limitations on the solvent and resin used.
[0004]
In the blade coating method and the roll coating method, for example, a blade or a roll is arranged in the length direction of the cylindrical base material, the cylindrical base material is rotated, coating is performed, and the cylindrical base material is rotated once. The roll is retracted. However, when the blade or roll is retracted, there is a disadvantage that a part of the coating film thickness is thicker than the other part due to the viscosity of the coating liquid, and a uniform coating film cannot be obtained.
[0005]
In the dip coating method, the smoothness of the coating liquid surface and the poor uniformity of the coating film as described above are improved.
[0006]
However, the control of the coating film thickness is governed by the coating liquid properties such as viscosity, surface tension, density, temperature, and coating speed, and adjustment of the coating liquid properties is very important. Also, the coating speed is low, and a liquid amount of a certain amount or more is necessary to fill the coating liquid tank. In the case of further layering, there are disadvantages such that the lower layer components are dissolved and the coating solution tank is easily contaminated.
[0007]
Therefore, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-189061, a circular amount regulating type coating means (including a slide hopper type coating means) has been developed. This slide hopper type coating means surrounds a cylindrical base material having a continuous peripheral surface formed in an endless manner while continuously moving the cylindrical base material in the longitudinal direction thereof, and surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. A coating liquid is applied, and the coating means further includes an annular coating liquid reservoir chamber, a supply port for supplying the coating liquid from the outside to a part of the coating liquid reservoir chamber, and the coating liquid reservoir chamber A coating liquid distribution slit that opens inward, and the coating liquid that has flowed out of the slit is allowed to flow down on the coating liquid slide surface that is inclined obliquely downward. A bead is formed in a slight gap with the base material, and applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material as the cylindrical base material moves. By using this slide hopper type coating means, coating can be performed with a small amount of liquid, the coating liquid is not contaminated, and high productivity and easy film thickness control can be achieved.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even if the slide hopper type coating means is used, there are coating defects such as coating liquid film breakage (often due to bead breakage) and film thickness fluctuations depending on the coating liquid, which is not satisfactory.
[0009]
Factors causing the above coating defects include: (1) coating unevenness due to vibration transmission from a drive system such as a supply means, a gripping conveyance means, and a separation / discharge means that directly contact the cylindrical base material; ▼ Film thickness variation due to vibration of the coating means for uniformly coating the cylindrical substrate with the coating solution.
[0010]
It is an object of the present invention to provide a coating means and a coating method for solving such problems and obtaining a good image free from image defects and image defects in a continuously coated cylindrical substrate. It is the purpose.
[0011]
That is, the object of the present invention is (1) good coatability, (2) no bead breakage, (3) no change in film thickness in the circumferential direction or longitudinal direction of the cylindrical substrate, A continuous coating means and a coating method are provided.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The object is to apply the coating liquid continuously on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while stacking the cylindrical base materials in alignment with each other and pushing up vertically from bottom to top. Supply means for supplying a cylindrical base material, transport means for transporting the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis for accurately stacking the cylindrical base materials, and the coated cylindrical shape In a continuous coating apparatus provided with a drying means for drying or drying adjustment of a base material and a separation / discharge means for taking out the cylindrical base material after being applied, at least one drive system of each means is vibration-proof This is achieved by a continuous coating apparatus and method characterized by being installed on a table (claims 1 and 2).
[0013]
The above object is also achieved by a continuous coating apparatus and method in which at least the drive systems of the supply means, the transport means, and the separation / discharge means that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material are installed on a vibration isolation table. This is achieved (claims 3 and 4).
[0014]
Further, the above object is achieved by a continuous coating apparatus and method in which at least one drive system of each means is installed on an active vibration isolation table (claims 10 and 11).
[0015]
Still further, the above object is characterized in that at least one corresponding drive system of the supply means, the transport means or the separation / discharge means in direct contact with the cylindrical base material is installed on the active vibration isolation table. This is achieved by a continuous coating apparatus and method (claims 12 and 13).
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a continuous coating apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 10 is a supply means for supplying the cylindrical base material 1 to a predetermined position vertically below the coating means and pushing it upward, and 20 is a gripper for gripping the outer peripheral surface of the supplied cylindrical base material 1 and aligning the cylinder axis. Conveying means for vertically pushing up and conveying the stack from below, 30 is a positioning means for aligning the cylindrical substrate 1 with the center of the annular application portion of the continuous coating apparatus, and 40 is an outer periphery of the cylindrical substrate 1 Coating means for continuously coating the coating liquid on the surface, 50 is a drying means for drying the coating liquid coated on the cylindrical substrate 1, and 60 is a plurality of stacked cylinders that have been dried and conveyed vertically Separating and discharging means for separating and discharging one by one from the substrate.
[0017]
The continuous coating apparatus of the present invention has a vertical coating configuration in which each of the above-described means is continuously arranged on the vertical center line ZZ, and fully automated production that does not require manual operation is achieved with high accuracy. Vertical coating means are (1) slide hopper type coater, (2) extrusion type coater, (3) ring coater, and (4) spray coater. (1) is excellent in terms of reliability of coating properties and the like.
[0018]
That is, the supply means 10 is a rotary table 12 having a plurality of placement guide members 11 for placing the cylindrical substrate 1, and a vertical line connected to the transport means 20 by rotating the rotary table 12. The driving means 13 for feeding, the lifting / lowering member 14 for pushing up the cylindrical base material 1 already gripped and transported upward by the transport means 20, and the cylindrical base material supply provided at the upper end of the lifting / lowering member 14 And a control means (not shown) for controlling the timing of rotation by the drive member 13 and the drive means 13 and the timing of the lift by the elevating member 14. The cylindrical substrate 1 is supplied onto the rotary table 12 by a robot handle.
[0019]
The conveying means 20 provided above the supply means 10 has two sets of gripping means 21 and 22 that can be pressed against and separated from the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material 1 and can be moved vertically and vertically. It has the function of positioning, gripping and transporting the substrate 1 upward. 30 is an air-bearing positioning means, 40 is a vertical annular coating means such as a slide hopper type coater, 50 is a drying means comprising a drying controller 51, a ring suction dryer 53, and a ring heating dryer 52, and 60 is Separation and discharge means for gripping and separating the inner diameter portions from the uppermost portions of the plurality of stacked cylindrical base materials 1 that have been applied and dried and transported vertically upward, and take them out one by one and discharge them out of the apparatus main body. is there. The details of each of the devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 will be described later.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a sequential continuous coating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, on the vertical center line ZZ above the conveying means 20, a unit A comprising positioning means 30A, coating means 40A and drying means 50A, positioning means 30B, coating means 40B and drying means 50B. A plurality of sets of units B each including a unit B including the positioning unit 30C, the coating unit 40C, and the drying unit 50C are arranged in a vertical column. The separation and discharge means 60 is disposed on the uppermost stage. The coating liquid discharged from each of the coating means 40A, 40B, and 40C sequentially forms a multilayer coating layer on the cylindrical substrate 1, and is dried by each of the drying means 50A, 50B, and 50C. The dried uppermost cylindrical base material 1A is gripped by the separation and discharge means 60, separated from the lower cylindrical base material 1B, and placed on a pallet outside the apparatus. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the continuous coating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0021]
The air bearing type positioning means 30, the annular coating means 40, and the ring-shaped drying means 50 are fixed at predetermined positions of the continuous coating apparatus main body 70 and are close to and non-contact with the outer peripheral surface of the passing cylindrical base material 1. . The supply means 10, the conveyance means 20, and the separation / discharge means 60 are all connected to each drive source, and can move while contacting the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material 1.
[0022]
Hereinafter, details of the supply unit 10, the conveyance unit 20, the positioning unit 30, the coating unit 40, the drying unit 50, and the separation / discharge unit 60 constituting the continuous coating apparatus will be described.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the supply means 10. A plurality of cylindrical base materials 1 before the coating process are accommodated in the supply table 161 in advance. The movable conveying member 163 of the automatic conveying device 162 moves by holding one cylindrical substrate 1 from the cylindrical substrate 1 on the supply base 161 and moves on the rotating table 12. Place in. The mounting guide member 11 has a circular groove 11 </ b> A in which the cylindrical base material 1 can be freely fitted and accommodated, and a plurality (six locations in the drawing) are provided in the rotational circumferential direction of the rotary table 12. The rotary table 12 is intermittently driven by the motor M1 of the driving means 13 and the gear trains 131 and 132. When one cylindrical base material 1 is transported below the vertical center line ZZ and stopped, the elevating member 14 is raised via the pinion gear 141 and the rack gear 142 by starting the motor M2. A push-up member 15 is provided on the upper part of the elevating member 14 via a coil spring 143 serving as a buffer means, and the bottom of the placement guide member 11 is pushed up by the raising of the push-up member 15.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the ascending process of the cylindrical substrate 1 by the supply means 10. FIG. 5A shows the rising start state of the cylindrical substrate 1. Due to the drive rotation of the motor M2, the push-up member 15 is raised, the bottom of the placement guide member 11 is pushed up in the direction of the arrow, and the cylindrical substrate 1 is raised in the ZZ direction. FIG. 5 (b) shows the rising end state of the placement guide member 11. The speed at the start of the raising of the elevating member 14 is increased by 1.5 to 5 times the coating speed, and the tip of the cylindrical base material 1 precedes the cylindrical base material 1 that is rising. Control is performed by the motor M2 so that the speed is reduced to 1.0 to 1.5 times the coating speed immediately before the end hits the end. Further, when the leading end portion of the cylindrical base material 1 that follows the rear end portion of the cylindrical base material 1 that has been raised first hits, even if the elevating member 14 continues to rise slightly, it is absorbed by the coil spring 143. As shown in FIG. 1, no impact is applied to the plurality of cylindrical base materials 1 that increase at the coating speed, and coating unevenness does not occur.
[0025]
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the gripping means 21 and 22 of the transport means 20. First, the gripping part 214 of the transporting hand 211 of the gripping means 21 provided at the upper position and the gripping part 215 of the transporting hand 212 are rotatably supported by the shaft 213 and are pushed up first and transported upward. 1 and the cylindrical substrate 1 that has been pushed up in the same manner, the height is increased in the direction indicated by the arrow at the same speed as the application speed while gripping the gripper 214 and gripper 215 while adjusting the level difference. Further, the gripping part 224 of the transporting hand 221 of the gripping means 22 provided at the lower position and the gripping part 225 of the transporting hand 222 are also rotatably supported by the shaft 223, and the cylinder newly pushed up between the cylindrical base materials 1. A step is adjusted between the shaped base materials 1 by the grip portion 224 and the grip portion 225 so as to be gripped. Then, after the gripping is completed, the speed is increased in the direction of the arrow at the same speed as the coating speed that is the same speed as the gripping means 21. 216 and 226 are attached to the tip of the gripping part, and are pressure buffer members for protecting the anti-slip and the circumferential surface of the cylindrical base material 1.
[0026]
Next, the conveying means 20 having the gripping means 21 and 22 will be described with reference to FIG. The conveying means 20 is provided with a vertically moving member 23 fitted to a ball screw 24 provided on each of the gripping means 21 and 22 and provided so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction with respect to the conveying means 20. The up-and-down moving member 23 is connected to the gripping means 21 and 22. By rotating the ball screw 24 at a constant speed using a rotary drive device comprising motors M3 and M4 and a reduction gear train, the vertically moving member 23 applies a coating liquid to the plurality of cylindrical substrates 1 at a constant speed. The gripping means 21 and 22 are configured to move upward at a coating speed.
[0027]
FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the positioning means 30 and the coating means 40, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the coating means 40.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of cylindrical base materials 1A and 1B (hereinafter referred to as cylindrical base materials 1) superposed vertically along a vertical center line ZZ are continuously provided in the direction indicated by the arrow. The coating solution (photosensitive solution) L is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material 1 by a portion (hopper application surface) 41 directly related to the application of the slide hopper type application means 40. The cylindrical substrate 1 may be a hollow drum, for example, an aluminum drum, a plastic drum, or a seamless belt type substrate. On the hopper coating surface 41, a narrow coating liquid distribution slit (abbreviated as a slit) 43 having a coating liquid outlet 42 opened to the cylindrical substrate 1 side is formed in the horizontal direction. The slit 43 communicates with an annular coating liquid distribution chamber (coating liquid reservoir chamber) 44. In the annular coating liquid distribution chamber 44, the coating liquid L in the storage tank 2 is supplied via the supply pipe 4 by the pressure pump 3. Then, it is introduced from the supply port 48 and supplied. On the other hand, below the coating solution outlet 42 of the slit 43, the coating solution slide is formed so as to continuously incline and end with a dimension slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical base material 1. A surface (hereinafter referred to as a slide surface) 45 is formed. Further, a lip 46 extending downward from the end of the slide surface 45 is formed. In the application by the application means (slide hopper type application means) 40, when the coating liquid L is pushed out from the slit 43 and allowed to flow down along the slide surface 45 in the process of lifting the cylindrical substrate 1, the end of the slide surface 45 is reached. The coating solution that has reached is formed on the surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 after forming a bead between the end of the slide surface 45 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1. Since the end of the slide surface 45 and the cylindrical base material 1 are disposed with a certain gap, the cylindrical base material 1 is not applied to the cylindrical base material 1 even when it is formed in multiple layers without damaging the cylindrical base material 1. Can be applied without damaging the layer.
[0029]
On the other hand, an air venting means 47 for removing bubbles in the coating liquid distribution chamber 44 is provided in a part of the coating liquid distribution chamber 44 at a position farthest from the coating liquid supply section of the pressure feed pump 3. When the coating liquid L in the storage tank 2 is supplied to the coating liquid distribution chamber 44 and supplied from the coating liquid distribution slit 43 to the coating liquid outlet 42, the on-off valve is opened and the air venting means 47 opens the coating liquid distribution chamber 44. Exhaust the air.
[0030]
Positioning means 30 for positioning the circumferential direction of the cylindrical substrate 1 is fixed to the lower part of the coating means 40. A plurality of air supply ports 32 and a plurality of exhaust ports 33 are formed in the main body 31 of the positioning means 30 of the cylindrical base material 1. The plurality of air supply ports 32 are connected to an air supply pump (not shown), and fluid such as air is pumped. A discharge port 34 passes through one end of the air supply port 32 that faces the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material 1. The discharge port 34 faces the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material 1 with a predetermined gap. The gap is 30 μm to 2 mm. The discharge port 34 is a small-diameter nozzle having a diameter of 0.05 to 0.5 mm.
[0031]
The fluid pumped from the air supply pump is introduced into the main body 31 from the plurality of air supply ports 32 and discharged from the plurality of discharge ports 34, and is uniform with the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1A (1B). A fluid film layer is formed. The discharged fluid is discharged from the plurality of exhaust ports 33 to the outside of the apparatus.
[0032]
As the vertical type application means 40 connected to the positioning means 30, various devices such as a slide hopper type, an extrusion type, and a ring coater are used.
[0033]
Above the coating means 40, a drying means 50 comprising a drying hood 51 and a dryer 53 is provided.
[0034]
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the coating means 40 and a drying hood 51 provided on the top of the coating means 40. The dry hood 51 has an annular wall surface, and a plurality of openings 51A are formed in the wall surface. The cylindrical substrate 1 is raised in the direction of the arrow, and the coating liquid L is applied by the hopper coating surface (coating head) 41 of the coating means 40 to form the photosensitive layer 5. The photosensitive layer 5 formed on the cylindrical substrate 1 is gradually dried while passing through the drying hood 51. This drying is performed by releasing the solvent contained in the coating liquid L out of the wall surface through the multiple openings 51A. As described above, the coating layer L is coated on the cylindrical substrate 1 by the coating means 40, and the formed photosensitive layer 5 is surrounded by the drying hood 51 immediately after coating, and the solvent is formed only from the opening 51A. Therefore, the drying speed of the photosensitive layer 5 immediately after coating is substantially proportional to the opening area of the opening 51A.
[0035]
FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of the dryer 53 of the present invention. In the dryer 53, a suction slit member 534 having a suction slit 531, a suction chamber 532, and a suction nozzle 533, a lower cylindrical member 535, and an upper cylindrical member 536 are concentrically coupled. Then, suction is performed from a plurality of suction nozzles 533, suction air that has been made uniform in the circumferential direction by a suction chamber 532 that is uniform in the circumferential direction, and suction slits 531 that is uniform in the circumferential direction flows, and further, a suction slit member 534, The turbulence of the air flow between the inner diameter surfaces of the upper and lower cylindrical members 536 and 535 and the outer peripheral surface of the coated cylindrical base material 1 is suppressed by the buffer space 537, and the drying process shown in 538 is performed. The air flow of uniform suction air is created. The coated film is dried by conveying the coated cylindrical substrate 1 in the Z direction indicated by the arrow to this drying zone.
[0036]
The process of separating the cylindrical substrate (substrate drum) 1 that has been coated and dried as described above will be described with reference to the process diagrams of the separation process of FIG.
[0037]
The separation / discharge unit 60 includes a vertical moving robot stage 61, a shaft body 62, an upper chuck (upper gripper) 63, a lower chuck (lower gripper) 64, and an air cylinder 65.
[0038]
The coated cylindrical base material 1 is stacked upward from below, moves upward, and reaches a separation position as shown in FIG. At this time, the vertical robot is activated to move the entire separation device that is coaxial with the cylindrical substrate 1 to be separated at the same speed. First, the lower gripper 64 holds the cylindrical substrate 1B adjacent to the separated cylindrical substrate 1A at the position shown in FIG. Next, the upper gripper 63 holds the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated at the position shown in FIG. The shaft 62 connected to the air cylinder 65 causes the upper gripper 63 to move upward while holding the separated cylindrical base material 1A and to the position shown in FIG. 11 (d). At this time, the coating film straddling the cylindrical substrate 1B adjacent to the cylindrical substrate 1A to be separated is cut, and the cylindrical substrates 1A and 1B are separated as shown in FIG. In order to discharge the separated cylindrical substrate 1A, the lower gripper 64 is released as shown in FIG. 11 (e), and then the upper gripper 63 is separated into a cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 11 (f). The vertical moving robot stage 61 rapidly rises while holding the base material 1A, and the separated cylindrical base material 1A is placed on a separation device arranged far above the position of the adjacent cylindrical base material 1B, and is gripped upward. The child 63 is released and the process ends. Then, for the next separation of the cylindrical substrate 1B, the vertical movement robot stage 61 is lowered and the shaft body 62 is lowered, and the position returns to the initial state shown in FIG.
[0039]
In FIG. 3 again, the driving means 13 including the rotary table 12, the gear trains 131 and 132, and the motor M <b> 1 is installed on a vibration isolation table 81 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 70. Further, the elevating member 14 for elevating the push-up member 15 is also installed on a vibration isolator 82 provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 70. The driving means 13 and the elevating member 14 may be installed on a single vibration isolator. In addition, a conveying means 20 including the gripping means 21 and 22, the up and down moving member 23, and the ball screw 24 is installed on an anti-vibration table 83 at an intermediate portion of the apparatus main body 70. Further, on the upper part of the apparatus main body 70, a separation / discharge means 60 comprising a vertical moving robot stage 61, a shaft body 62, an upper chuck (upper gripper) 63, a lower chuck (lower gripper) 64, and an air cylinder 65. Is installed on the vibration isolation table 84. In this way, vibrations generated from the drive system are provided by installing the drive systems of the supply means 10, the transport means 20, and the separation / discharge means 60 that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material 1 on the vibration isolation table. Can be very small. Further, the supply means 10 and the conveying means 20 that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material 1 are installed on the same vibration isolation table, and the separation / discharge means 60 that is in direct contact with the cylindrical base material 1 is provided as another anti-vibration means. By installing it on the shaking table, vibration could be suppressed efficiently. Furthermore, the positioning means 30, the application means 40, and the drying means 50 that are not directly in contact with the cylindrical base material 1 but are fixed to the main body of the continuous coating apparatus are placed on the vibration isolation table, so that they are transmitted from the apparatus main body. You may make it isolate | separate the vibration which is.
[0040]
Anti-vibration materials that support the anti-vibration tables 81, 82, 83, 84 include metal springs, coil springs, anti-vibration rubbers, air springs, etc., and depending on the natural vibration of the anti-vibration system, anti-vibration rubbers, air springs, etc. Is good. The above-mentioned anti-vibration materials are described in “Vibration Engineering Handbook (published by Yokendo)”, “Precision Anti-Vibration Handbook”, and the like.
[0041]
Conventionally, the operation of each of the devices 10 to 60 is synchronized with the non-image portion so that vibration may occur in the non-image portion. However, this has been found to be insufficient. The amplitude of these original vibrations is accumulated, and when it is large, it reaches as much as 100 μm, resulting in a failure such as step uneven coating, and when it is severe, problems such as contact with the coater portion of the coating means 40 and the inner surface of the positioning means 30 occur. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the influence from each vibration generation source. In particular, in the case of the three-layer sequential continuous coating shown in FIG. 2, the number of vibration sources is increased by about three times compared to the case of single-layer coating, and therefore the vibration applied to the coating becomes more serious.
[0042]
By installing the vibration isolator of the present invention, excellent effects such as (1) no coating unevenness and step unevenness due to vibration of the drive system, and (2) good image without image unevenness were obtained.
[0043]
In place of the vibration isolation tables 81 to 84, an active vibration isolation table is installed in each drive system of the supply means 10, the conveyance means 20, and the separation / discharge means 60 that are in direct contact with the cylindrical substrate 1, thereby driving. The vibration generated from the system can be made extremely small.
[0044]
As an example of the active vibration isolation table, the following active control vibration isolation mechanism is: (1) the vibration suppression table is supported by an air spring provided with a pressure vessel; (2) a level sensor and a vibration sensor on the vibration suppression table main body; (3) A level displacement signal detected by the level sensor, and an inverted signal obtained by inverting the vibration detection signal of the vibration control base body received from the vibration source of the floor or equipment detected by the vibration sensor by 180 ° Is added to the level fluctuation adder, and addition / subtraction is performed. (4) In accordance with the addition / subtraction fluctuation signal from the level fluctuation adder, a drive signal is output from the drive circuit to control the opening / closing degree of the control valve. (5) (2) By controlling the air pressure in the pressure vessel of the air spring with this control valve, precise level control and vibration control can be performed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-210634, active control precision vibration control table).
[0045]
In addition, the following method may be used.
[0046]
1. Vibration isolation table with continuous application equipment
2. Elastic support means for elastically supporting the vibration isolation table
3. Sensor provided on the vibration isolation table. This sensor may serve both as a level sensor and a vibration sensor, or may be provided separately.
4). Actuator that drives the vibration isolation table
5. It comprises position control compensation and / or vibration compensation means for compensating the output from the sensor and feeding back to the actuator. An elastic support means such as an air spring may be used as the actuator.
[0047]
Further, the conveying means 20 and the supply means 10 that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material 1 are in the same active vibration isolation table, and the separation / discharge means 60 that is in direct contact with the cylindrical base material 1 is another active vibration isolation table. By installing it on top, vibration could be suppressed efficiently.
[0048]
The amplitude measurement in the XY direction can be detected in a non-contact manner using, for example, a laser displacement meter or an eddy current displacement sensor. The amplitude measurement in the Z direction can be obtained, for example, by reading the amplitude using an accelerometer.
[0049]
【Example】
Hereinafter, description will be made along the embodiment.
[0050]
Example 1
As the cylindrical substrate (conductive support) 1, a mirror-finished aluminum drum support having a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 271 mm was used. Further, as the coating solution, the following (1) CGL-2 coating solution composition was used and coated so as to have a dry film thickness of 2.0 μm.
[0051]
(1) CGL-2 coating solution composition
Perylene pigment (CGM-2) 500g
Butyral resin (S-REC BX-L manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 500g
Methyl ethyl ketone 24 l
A composition obtained by dispersing the above coating liquid composition (solid content: solid content weight ratio CGM-2: BX-L = 1: 1) for 20 hours using a sand mill.
[0052]
[Chemical 1]

[0053]
FIG. 12A shows a front view of the continuous coating apparatus.
[0054]
In the first embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the drive system of the lifting / lowering means 14 of the supply means 10 is installed on the vibration isolation table 82, and the conveyance system including the gripping means 21 and 22, the vertically moving member 23, the ball screw 24, and the drive system. The means 20 was installed on the vibration isolator 83 through a vibration isolating rubber. Coating was performed by the continuous coating apparatus configured as described above, and the obtained coated cylindrical base material (coating drum) was visually observed. The maximum amplitude in the horizontal and vertical directions was measured at the closest position of the coating means 40. In addition, 30 cylindrical base materials 1 were stacked. Table 1 shows the results.
[0055]
[Table 1]

[0056]
By the continuous coating apparatus having the vibration isolating stands 82 and 83 of the present invention, a coating drum having good coating properties without color unevenness due to film thickness unevenness was obtained.
[0057]
(Example 2)
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), a separation / discharge unit 60 including a vertical moving robot stage 61, a shaft body 62, an upper gripper 63, a lower gripper 64, an air cylinder 65, and a drive unit. The same as the first embodiment except that the anti-vibration tables 82 and 83 are provided on the anti-vibration table 84 through the anti-vibration rubber. The obtained results are shown in Table 2.
[0058]
[Table 2]

[0059]
With the continuous coating apparatus having the vibration isolator 82, 83, 84 of the present invention, a coating drum having good coating properties without color unevenness due to film thickness unevenness was obtained.
[0060]
(Example 3)
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12C, the drive system for intermittently rotating the rotary table 12 of the supply means 20 is on the vibration isolation table 81, and the positioning means 30 comprising an air bearing is on the vibration isolation table 85. The second embodiment is the same as the second embodiment except that the coating means 40 is provided on the vibration isolation table 85 and the drying means 50 is provided on the vibration isolation table 87, respectively. The obtained results are shown in Table 3.
[0061]
[Table 3]

[0062]
With the continuous coating apparatus having the vibration isolation tables 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 of the present invention, a coating drum having good coating properties without color unevenness due to film thickness unevenness was obtained.
[0063]
(Example 4)
In place of the continuous coating apparatus of Example 1, coating is performed by the sequential continuous coating apparatus of FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the driving means of the supply means 10 elevating member 14 and the gripping means 21 and 22 of the supply means 20 and the driving device for conveying the upper and lower sides thereof are installed on the same anti-vibration table 88 through anti-vibration rubber, The drive system of the separation and discharge means 60 was installed on another vibration isolating stand 89 via a vibration isolating rubber. Coating was performed by the sequential continuous coating apparatus configured as described above. That is, on the aluminum drum support (cylindrical base material) 1 having a diameter of 80 mm, a height of 355 mm, and 283 g subjected to mirror finishing, the coating liquid compositions (1) UCL-1 (2) CGL-2 and (3) CTL-1 was prepared and slide hopper type coating means 7 (1) for UCL-1), 7-1 (2) for CGL-2, 7-2 (3) for CTL-1 ), Three successive layers were applied so that the dry film thicknesses were 1.0 μm, 2.2 μm, and 23 μm, respectively, and a photoreceptor was prepared and visually observed. In addition, 25 cylindrical base materials 1 were piled up, and the maximum amplitude was measured with the closest position drum with the application | coating means (coater) 40C of the uppermost part. Table 4 shows the obtained results.
[0064]
[Table 4]

[0065]
(1) UCL-1 coating composition
Copolymer nylon resin (CM-8000, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) 30 g
Methanol / n-butanol = 10/1 (Vol ratio) 10 l
(2) CGL-2 coating composition
Perylene pigment (CGM-2) 500g
Butyral resin (S-REC BX-L manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 500g
Methyl ethyl ketone 24 l
A composition obtained by dispersing the above coating composition (solid content: solid content weight ratio CGM-2: BX-L = 2: 1) using a sand mill for 20 hours.
[0066]
(3) CTL-1 coating solution composition
CTM-1 5kg
Polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company) 5.6kg
1,2-dichloroethane 28 l
About solid content, solid content weight ratio CTM-1: Z-200 = 0.89: 1 was fixed.
[0067]
[Chemical 2]

[0068]
When a sequential continuous coating apparatus having the vibration isolators 88 and 89 according to the present invention was used, a coating drum having good coating properties with less vibration and no film thickness unevenness or contact scratches was obtained. The obtained photoreceptor No. When 4-1 was photographed with a U-BIX3035 copier manufactured by Konica, there was no image defect due to coating unevenness such as image unevenness or fogging unevenness, and there were no image defects (black spots, white spots, dust, streaks, etc.) Met.
[0069]
(Example 5)
Examples 5 to 8 are continuous coating apparatuses provided with an active vibration isolation table instead of the vibration isolation tables 81 to 87.
[0070]
Hereinafter, the active vibration isolator will be described. In order to achieve vibration transmitted to the continuous coating apparatus from as low a frequency as possible, it may be installed on a vibration isolator having a support mechanism having a small spring constant and viscosity. Usually there is a vibration source that generates vibration in the application means, and there is a possibility that the overall vibration will increase due to the spring constant of the support mechanism and the low frequency resonance created by the mass of the application means and the vibration isolator. And the viscosity cannot be reduced. For this reason, the vibration isolator is selected based on the balance between the insulation of the vibration transmitted from the floor and the vibration generated from the apparatus, but there is a limit and the active vibration isolator has been put into practical use in recent years. This is an active vibration isolator (active vibration isolator) that detects vibration of a vibration isolator with a sensor and controls vibration with an actuator or the like from a feedback mechanism.
[0071]
An active vibration isolator used in the present invention detects vibration of a vibration isolation table with a sensor and adjusts air pressure in an air spring via a control valve, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-210634. A pneumatic active vibration isolation mechanism that performs vibration control using a vibration isolation device may be used, and elastic support means that elastically supports the vibration isolation table, an actuator that drives the vibration isolation table, a vibration sensor that detects vibration of the vibration isolation table, Active vibration isolation means having vibration control compensation means for compensating the output of the vibration sensor and feeding back to the actuator, a displacement sensor for detecting the displacement of the vibration isolation table, and a position control compensation means for compensating the output of the displacement sensor and feeding back to the actuator An apparatus may be used.
[0072]
Since the vertical continuous coating apparatus used in the present invention performs coating while vertically transporting the cylindrical base material 1 in the upward direction, the influence on the generation and transmission of vibration is essentially large. Have fundamental weaknesses.
[0073]
The present invention has been made in view of this, and by installing an active vibration isolator, the influence of vibration on the coating film can be made extremely small, and the influence of unexpected disturbance can also be eliminated. It is. In addition, the number of stacked cylindrical substrates can be increased, which is advantageous in terms of cost, and the effective length of the drying process after the application means can be increased by about twice or more than the conventional one. An advantage was also found that it was possible to eliminate the occurrence of a tangled pattern on the film.
[0074]
As the conductive support (cylindrical base material), a mirror-finished aluminum drum support having a diameter of 40 mm and a height of 271 mm was used. Further, as the coating solution, the following (1) CTL-1 coating solution composition was used and coated so as to have a dry film thickness of 24 μm.
[0075]
(1) CTL-1 coating composition
CTM-1 5kg
Polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company) 5.6kg
1,2-dichloroethane 28 l
About solid content, solid content weight ratio CTM-1: Z-200 = 0.89: 1 was fixed.
[0076]
In the fifth embodiment, the holding means 21 and 22, the vertically moving member 23, the ball screw 24, and the supplying means 20 including the driving means are installed on the active vibration isolation table via an air spring. A level sensor and a vibration sensor are provided on the active vibration isolation table. Position control compensation and vibration compensation for compensating the output from these sensors and feeding back to the actuator are made, and a mechanism for driving the active vibration isolation table by the actuator is provided. Application was performed using this active vibration isolation table mechanism. While visually observing the obtained coating drum, the maximum amplitude of the cylindrical substrate 1 at the closest position of the coating means 40 of FIG. 1 was measured. In addition, 31 cylindrical substrates 1 were stacked. Table 5 shows the results.
[0077]
[Table 5]

[0078]
When the coating means having the active vibration isolation table of the present invention was used, there was no coating failure due to film thickness unevenness and drying unevenness, and a coating drum with good coating properties was obtained.
[0079]
(Example 6)
In the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12 (b), the drive system of the raising / lowering means 14 of the supply means 10 is placed on the active vibration isolation table (82), the gripping means 21, 22, the vertically moving member 23, the ball screw 24, The conveying means 20 composed of a drive system was installed on the active vibration isolation table (83), and the drive system of the separation / discharge means 60 was installed on the active vibration isolation table (84). Coating was performed using an active vibration isolation device having the same mechanism as that of Example 5 as each active vibration isolation table (82, 83, 84). The obtained coating drum was visually observed. The vibration amplitude measurement is the same as in Example 5. In addition, 30 cylindrical base materials 1 were stacked. Table 6 shows the results.
[0080]
[Table 6]

[0081]
When the continuous coating apparatus having the active vibration isolation table of the present invention was used, there was no coating failure due to film thickness unevenness and drying unevenness, and a coating drum having good coating properties was obtained.
[0082]
(Example 7)
In the seventh embodiment, the drive system of the elevating member 14 of the supply means 10 and the transport means 20 are on the first active vibration isolation table, and the drive system of the application means 40 is on the second active vibration isolation table. The drive system of the separation / discharge means 60 was installed on a third active vibration isolation table via an air spring. Further, the supply means 10 and the conveying means 20 that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material are in the same active vibration isolation table, and the separation / discharge means 60 that is in direct contact with the cylindrical base material is placed on another active vibration isolation table. It was possible to suppress vibration efficiently by installing it in The results obtained are shown in Table 7.
[0083]
[Table 7]

[0084]
When the continuous coating apparatus having the active vibration isolation table of the present invention was used, there was no coating failure due to film thickness unevenness and drying unevenness, and a coating drum having good coating properties was obtained.
[0085]
(Example 8)
Instead of the coating means of Example 5, coating was performed using a sequential continuous coating apparatus shown in FIG. The drive system of the elevating member 14 of the supply means 10 and the transport means 20 are on the first active vibration isolation table, and the drive system of the separation and discharge means 60 is on the second active vibration isolation table via an air spring. Each was installed and applied. The active vibration isolation table has the same mechanism as that of the fifth embodiment.
[0086]
On a mirror-finished aluminum drum support (cylindrical base material) having a diameter of 80 mm, a height of 355 mm, and 283 g, the coating liquid compositions {circle around (1)} UCL-1, {circle around (2)} CGL-2, and (3) CTL-1 was prepared and slide hopper type coating means 7 (1) for UCL-1), 7-1 (2) for CGL-2, 7-2 (3) for CTL-1 ), Three layers were successively applied so as to have dry film thicknesses of 1.0 μm, 2.2 μm and 23 μm, respectively, to prepare a photoconductor. 23 cylindrical substrates were stacked, and the maximum amplitude of the cylindrical substrate closest to the uppermost application means 40C was measured. The results are shown in Table 8.
[0087]
[Table 8]

[0088]
(1) UCL-1 coating composition
Copolymer nylon resin (CM-8000, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.) 30 g
Methanol / n-butanol = 10/1 (Vol ratio) 10 l
(2) CGL-2 coating composition
Perylene pigment (CGM-2) 500g
Butyral resin (S-REC BX-L manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) 500g
Methyl ethyl ketone 24 l
A composition obtained by dispersing the above coating composition (solid content: solid content weight ratio CGM-2: BX-L = 2: 1) using a sand mill for 20 hours.
[0089]
(3) CTL-1 coating composition
CTM-1 5kg
Polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company) 5.6kg
1,2-dichloroethane 28 l
About solid content, solid content weight ratio CTM-1: Z-200 = 0.89: 1 was fixed.
[0090]
When the sequential continuous coating apparatus having the active vibration isolation table of the present invention was used, a coating drum having a good coating property with less vibrations and no coating failure due to uneven film thickness and uneven drying was obtained. The obtained photoreceptor No. When 7-1 was photographed with a U-BIX3035 copier manufactured by Konica, there was no image defect due to coating unevenness such as image unevenness or fogging unevenness, and there were no image defects (black spots, white spots, dust, streaks, etc.). there were.
[0091]
【The invention's effect】
The continuous coating apparatus provided with the anti-vibration table according to the present invention has excellent effects such as (1) no coating unevenness and step unevenness due to vibration of the drive system, and (2) a good image without image unevenness. can get. Moreover, the continuous coating apparatus provided with the active vibration isolation table according to the present invention has (1) no coating unevenness and coating failure due to vibration, (2) no image unevenness and image defect due to vibration, and (3) vibration due to external force. Even if added, there is an effect that there is little influence, and (4) the number of stacked drums can be increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a continuous coating apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an overall configuration of a sequential continuous coating apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a front view showing the continuous coating apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a supply unit.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a rising process of a cylindrical base material by a supply means.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of gripping means in the transport means.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing positioning means and application means.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an application unit.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a coating means and a drying hood provided on top of the coating means.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a dryer.
FIG. 11 is a state diagram for explaining a separation process by a separation discharge means.
FIG. 12 is a front view of a continuous coating apparatus provided with a vibration isolation table or an active vibration isolation table.
FIG. 13 is a front view of a sequential continuous coating apparatus provided with a vibration isolation table or an active vibration isolation table.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Cylindrical base material (coating drum)
10 Supply means
12 Rotary table
13 Drive means
14 Lifting member
15 Push-up member
20 Transport means
21, 22 Gripping means
23 Vertical movement member
24 Ball screw
30 Positioning means
40 Application means (coater)
50 Drying means
60 Separation and discharge means
70 Device body
81-89 Vibration isolation table or active vibration isolation table
M1, M2, M3, M4 motor

Claims (18)

The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a continuous coating apparatus comprising a drying means for adjusting drying and a separation / discharge means for taking out the coated cylindrical base material, at least one drive system of each means is installed on a vibration isolation table A continuous coating apparatus characterized by being made. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a method of coating by a continuous coating apparatus including a drying unit for adjusting drying and a separation / discharge unit for taking out the coated cylindrical base material, at least one drive system of each unit is vibration-proof Coating is performed by a continuous coating apparatus installed on a table. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a continuous coating apparatus comprising a drying means for adjusting drying and a separation / discharge means for taking out the coated cylindrical base material, at least a supply means that directly contacts the cylindrical base material, a transport means And a continuous application apparatus characterized in that each drive system of the separation and discharge means is installed on a vibration isolation table. The cylindrical substrate is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and the coating means continuously applies the coating liquid onto the peripheral surface outside the cylindrical substrate while pushing up vertically from bottom to top, and the cylindrical substrate on the coating means Supply means for supplying the cylindrical base material, transport means for transporting the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis for accurately stacking the cylindrical base materials, and the coated cylindrical base material In a method of coating by a continuous coating apparatus having a drying means for drying or drying adjustment and a separation and discharge means for taking out the cylindrical substrate after the coating, at least direct contact with the cylindrical substrate A continuous coating method, wherein each of the drive systems of the supply means, the transport means, and the separation / discharge means is applied by a continuous coating apparatus installed on a vibration isolation table. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coating unit is a vertical coating unit. 2. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vertical coating unit is a slide hopper type coating unit. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the drive systems of the means are on separate vibration isolation tables. Among the drive systems of the means, at least the drive means of the supply means and the transport means that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material are on the same vibration isolation table, and the drive system of the separation and discharge means is on another vibration isolation table The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the continuous coating apparatus is installed. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of coating layers are sequentially formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical base material by a coating unit having a plurality of coating units. The continuous coating apparatus as described. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a continuous coating apparatus including a drying unit for adjusting drying and a separation / discharge unit for taking out the coated cylindrical base material, at least one drive system of each unit is placed on an active vibration isolation table. A continuous coating apparatus characterized by being installed. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a method of coating by a continuous coating apparatus having a drying means for adjusting the drying and a separation / discharge means for taking out the coated cylindrical substrate, at least one drive system of each means is actively removed. The continuous coating method characterized by applying with the continuous coating apparatus installed on the shaking table. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a continuous coating apparatus comprising a drying means for adjusting drying and a separation / discharge means for taking out the coated cylindrical base material, a supply means, a transport means or a direct contact with the cylindrical base material A continuous coating apparatus characterized in that at least one corresponding drive system of the separation and discharge means is installed on an active vibration isolation table. The cylindrical base material is stacked with the cylinder axis aligned, and is applied vertically to apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material while pushing it vertically upward, and the cylindrical base material is applied to the application means. Supply means for supplying, conveying means for conveying the cylindrical base material upward, positioning means for aligning a central axis to accurately stack the cylindrical base materials, and drying the coated cylindrical base material Alternatively, in a method of coating by a continuous coating apparatus comprising a drying means for adjusting the drying and a separating and discharging means for taking out the cylindrical substrate after the coating, a supply means that is in direct contact with the cylindrical substrate. A continuous coating method characterized in that at least one corresponding drive system of the conveying means or the separation / discharge means is coated by a coating means installed on an active vibration isolation table. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 10 or 12, wherein the coating unit is a vertical coating unit. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the vertical coating unit is a slide hopper type coating unit. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least two or more of the drive systems of each means are on separate active vibration isolation tables. Of the drive systems of each means, at least the drive systems of the supply means and the transport means that are in direct contact with the cylindrical base material are on the same active vibration isolation table, and the drive system of the separation / discharge means is a separate active drive. The continuous coating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the continuous coating apparatus is installed on a shaking table. 18. The method according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of coating layers are sequentially formed on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a coating unit having a plurality of coating units. A continuous coating apparatus according to 1.

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