JP4027167B2 - Manufacturing method of belt-shaped transfer member - Google Patents

Description

【００４４】
【発明の効果】
以上に説明したように、本発明のベルト状転写部材、中間転写ベルト−電子写真感光体一体カートリッジ用中間転写ベルト、中間転写ベルト−電子写真感光体一体カートリッジ及び画像形成装置においては、長期にわたり安定したベルト位置制御を行うことができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の中間転写ベルト−電子写真感光体一体カートリッジの一例を示す断面概略図である。
【図２】 発明の画像形成装置の一例を示す断面概略図である。
【図３】 本発明におけるチューブ状フィルムの嵌合方法の一例を示す図である。
【図４】 本発明の位置検出マークを有するベルト状転写部材の一例を示す概略図である。
【符号の説明】
１ 感光ドラム
２ 一次帯電器
３ 像露光手段
５ 中間転写ベルト
６ 一次転写ローラ
７ 二次転写ローラ
８ 駆動ローラ
９ クリーニングローラ
１０ 転写ガイド
１１ 転写材給紙ローラ
１２ テンションローラ
１３ 感光体クリーニング部材
１４ 位置検出センサー
１５ 定着器
３０ 一次転写バイアス電源
３１ 二次転写バイアス電源
３２ 一次帯電バイアス電源
３３ 中間転写体クリーニングバイアス電源
４１ イエロー現像器
４２ マゼンタ現像器
４３ シアン現像器
４４ ブラック現像器
５１ ベルト状転写部材
５２ 位置検出マーク
２００ 熱可塑性無端状フィルム
２０３ 円筒状内型
２０４ テーパー部材
２０５ 流体流入部材
２０６ 流体流入口
２０７ 流体
２０８ 流体噴出口
Ｐ 転写材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a belt-shaped transfer member used in an electrophotographic apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In an apparatus using an electrophotographic system, various belt-shaped transfer members such as an intermediate transfer belt and a transfer belt are used. In particular, in a belt-shaped transfer member used in a color image forming apparatus, in order to prevent a registration shift (so-called registration shift) of the color toner (usually four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black) used during belt driving. Highly accurate position control is essential.
[0003]
FIG. 2 shows a color image forming apparatus (copier or laser beam printer) using an electrophotographic process, which uses a medium resistance belt as an intermediate transfer member. Reference numeral 1 denotes a rotating drum type electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum) that is repeatedly used as a first image bearing member, and is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed) in the direction of an arrow. The photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential by a primary charger 2 during the rotation process, and then exposure means (not shown) (color separation of a color original image, imaging exposure optical system, time series of image information) By receiving exposure light 3 by scanning exposure using a laser scanner that outputs a laser beam modulated in accordance with the electrical digital pixel signal, the first color component (for example, yellow component image) of the target color image is received. An electrostatic latent image is formed.
[0004]
Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed with yellow toner Y, which is the first color, by the first developing device 41 (yellow developing device). At this time, the second to fourth developing units 42, 43 and 44 (magenta, cyan, and black developing units) are turned on and do not act on the photosensitive drum 1, and the yellow of the first color. The toner image is not affected by the second to fourth developing units 42 to 44. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is rotationally driven in the direction of the arrow with the substantially same peripheral speed as that of the photosensitive drum 1. The yellow toner image of the first color formed and supported on the photosensitive drum 1 is formed by the primary transfer bias applied to the primary transfer roller 6 in the process of passing through the nip portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 5. The intermediate transfer is sequentially performed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 5 by the electric field generated. Similarly, a magenta toner image of the second color, a cyan toner image of the third color, and a black toner image of the fourth color are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5, and a composite color toner image corresponding to the target color image is obtained. It is formed. A primary transfer bias for sequentially superimposing and transferring the first to fourth color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 5 is applied from a bias power source 30 with a polarity (+) opposite to that of the toner. In the sequential transfer execution process of the first to fourth color toner images from the photosensitive drum 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 5, the secondary transfer roller 7 can contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 5. A desired secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 7 by a bias power supply 31. In transferring the composite color toner image superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 5 to the transfer material P, the secondary transfer roller 7 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the transfer material is fed from a paper feed cassette (not shown). The transfer material P is fed at a predetermined timing to the contact nip between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 7 through the paper roller 11 and the transfer material guide 10, and at the same time, the secondary transfer bias is supplied from the bias power supply 31. Applied to the secondary transfer roller 7. The composite color toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 5 to the transfer material P by the secondary transfer bias. The transfer material P that has received the toner image transfer is introduced into the fixing device 15 and fixed by heating.
[0005]
In the process of forming the image of each color component as described above, a position detection member (not shown) formed on the intermediate transfer belt is detected by the position detection member 14 in order to measure the timing of forming the toner image of each color component. Thus, the position of the belt is controlled to form an image without color misregistration.
[0006]
Therefore, in order to perform such belt position control, in the prior art, as described in (1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 09-054476, a position detection hole is provided at the belt end, and the position detection hole is provided. A position detection hole method for obtaining positional information of the belt by detection using a reflection type photoelectric sensor or a transmission type photoelectric sensor, and (2) light on the belt as described in JP-A-06-056292. The position detection seal method is used mainly to provide the position detection seal with adhesive tape that reflects or absorbs light and detects the position detection seal using a reflection or absorption photoelectric sensor. ing.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the belt-shaped transfer member provided with the position detection hole of (1), cracks may occur in the belt starting from the position detection hole due to stress applied when the belt is driven to rotate. In addition, when a voltage is applied to the roller member that stretches the belt, dielectric breakdown may occur in the position detection hole. On the other hand, in the position detection seal method of (2), the adhesive strength largely depends on the material of the belt to be attached, and when the adhesive strength is weak, the position detection seal peels off in a short time. there were.
[0008]
Even when the belt-like transfer member is relatively firmly adhered, the position detection seal may be peeled off while the belt-like transfer member is used for a long time. In addition, when used in a high temperature and high humidity environment for a long period of time, the adhesive on the position detection seal softens, and the adhesive adheres to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the roll member, or the belt-like transfer member itself that contacts the belt-like transfer member. As a result, the image was defective.
[0009]
In both cases (1) and (2), the belt-like transfer member is made longer than the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the position detection member (position detection hole, position detection seal) is electrophotographic. It is necessary to provide the outer side of the longitudinal end portion of the photosensitive member, resulting in an increase in size of the apparatus. Otherwise, if the position detection hole of (1) is configured to overlap the photosensitive layer, the primary transfer current in the position detection hole portion is large, and the photosensitive layer in contact with that portion is extremely shaved. Phenomenon occurs. Similarly, when the position detection seal of (2) is used, when the position detection seal is configured to overlap the photosensitive layer, mechanical wear of the position detection seal contact portion significantly proceeds.
[0010]
For these reasons, the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the belt-shaped transfer member have become a great barrier particularly when the cartridge is integrated.
[0011]
An object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a belt-shaped transfer member that solves the above-described problems.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a result of diligent studies to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present inventors have formed the position detection mark by partially changing the surface roughness of the outermost layer of the belt-shaped transfer member, thereby achieving the above-described object of the present invention. Found that can be achieved.
[0013]
That is, the present invention has a position detection mark formed by partially changing the surface roughness of the surface of the outermost layer, polycarbonate resin is used as the material of the surface, and # 2000 A method for producing a belt-shaped transfer member having a wear amount of the surface of less than 10 mg measured under conditions of a load of 500 g, 60 rpm and a friction of 1000 using an ablation tester having a wear ring with a wrapping film attached with a double-sided tape Because
Using a polycarbonate resin, a thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold is produced, and the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film is stretched to produce the thermoplastic endless film. (I) fitting the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold,
On the outside of the thermoplastic endless film fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold in the step (i), the linear expansion coefficient is smaller than that of the cylindrical inner mold, and a transfer surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface. Providing a cylindrical outer mold having (ii);
Heating the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film, and the cylindrical outer mold in a state where the cylindrical outer mold is disposed outside the thermoplastic endless film by the step (ii); The thermoplastic endless film is softened by the heating, and the thermoplastic inner wall of the cylindrical inner mold and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold are thermally expanded by thermally expanding the cylindrical inner mold. A step (iii) of press-contacting an endless film, and heat-pressure-transferring the transfer surface of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold to the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film; and
The position detection mark is formed in the step (iii) by using a cylindrical outer mold in which the surface roughness of a part of the inner peripheral surface is changed as the cylindrical outer mold. It is a manufacturing method of a transfer member.
[0014]
That is, the position detection mark of the belt-shaped transfer member is formed by partially changing the surface roughness of the surface of the outermost layer of the belt, thereby generating cracks and peeling of the position detection seal that the conventional technology has. It is possible to solve such problems.
[0015]
However, the surface of the belt-shaped transfer member that is heavily worn is the surface of the position detection mark portion and the non-position detection mark portion due to the influence of the member that rubs against the belt-shaped transfer member when the belt-shaped transfer member is used for a long time Since the difference in roughness becomes small and accurate position detection cannot be performed, the amount of wear on the surface of the belt-shaped transfer member needs to be less than 10 mg. The amount of wear on the surface of the belt-shaped transfer member in the present invention is determined by the ablation tester No. No. 101 (manufactured by Yasuda Seiki Co., Ltd.) was used, and a # 2000 wrapping film was attached to a wear ring with a double-sided tape, and the amount of wear was rubbed 1000 times at 500 g load and 60 rpm. Here, when the wear test is performed, a large amount of cutting powder is generated when the wear resistance test is continued. Since it is not possible, when abrasion powder is generated, it is necessary to perform an abrasion test while removing the abrasion powder by an appropriate method.
[0016]
Needless to say, the amount of wear on the surface of the belt-shaped transfer member is greatly influenced by the wear resistance of the material used for the surface of the belt-shaped transfer member. The amount of wear can be adjusted to some extent depending on the molecular weight of the main binder, the type and amount of the additive added to the binder, the presence or absence of crosslinking, and the like.
[0017]
Since the position detection mark needs to be detected by the position detection means, it needs to be provided on the surface of the outermost layer of the belt-shaped transfer member. In the present invention, the outermost layer is the outermost layer of the belt-shaped transfer member and the outermost layer. It refers to any of the inner layers.
[0018]
Here, the shape of the position detection mark may be any shape, but a rectangular shape is preferable in terms of ease of processing.
[0019]
The difference in glossiness between the position detection mark part and the non-position detection mark part is preferably 30 or more because stable position detection can be performed, and more preferably 50 or more. Here, the glossiness is a value measured using a gloss meter IG-320 manufactured by Horiba.
[0020]
Further, by using the above method as a method for forming the position detection mark, it is possible to easily change the surface roughness of the outermost layer of the belt-shaped transfer member with high positional accuracy.
[0021]
Further, since the position detection mark is formed by partially changing the surface roughness of the surface of the outermost layer of the belt-like transfer member as in the present invention, the position detection mark can be positioned even when left for a long time in a high temperature and high humidity environment. Since problems such as detection mark peeling and adhesive material softening do not occur, the intermediate transfer belt and the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be integrated into a cartridge.
[0022]
Here, in the method (a) in which the surface roughness of the surface of the outermost layer of the belt-shaped transfer member is partially changed, a thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold As a method of fitting the thermoplastic endless film to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold by extending the peripheral length of the member, it can be easily fitted by using a member as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is described below.
[0023]
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 204 denotes a taper member, the circumference of the upper part of the member is set shorter than the inner circumference of the thermoplastic endless film 200, and the circumference of the lower part of the member is the outer circumference of the cylindrical inner mold 203. The circumference is substantially the same as the length. Further, the taber member 204 and the cylindrical inner mold 203 are provided with a fluid ejection port 208, and a fluid (air, nitrogen, etc.) 207 flows in from the fluid inflow port 206 and heat is generated while ejecting the fluid from the fluid ejection port 208. By moving the plastic endless film 200 in the direction of the arrow, the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film 200 having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold 203 is extended to extend the thermoplastic endless film 200. Is fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold 203.
[0024]
The configuration of the belt-shaped transfer member of the present invention can be used in either a single layer configuration or a multilayer configuration, and can be selected according to the purpose and necessity.
[0025]
Further, as a material constituting the belt-shaped transfer member of the present invention , a polycarbonate resin which is a thermoplastic resin is used .
[0026]
In the belt-like transfer member of the present invention, carbon black, graphite, carbon fiber, metal powder, conductive metal oxide, organic metal oxide, organic metal salt, conductive polymer, antistatic agent are used to adjust electric resistance. A conductive material such as a resin or a surfactant may be mixed and dispersed. In addition, resin powder or inorganic powder may be mixed and dispersed in order to prevent toner adhesion.
[0027]
The electric resistance of the belt-shaped transfer member is preferably 10 ³ to 10 ¹⁰ Ω, and particularly preferably 10 ⁴ to 10 ⁹ Ω.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Examples will be described below.
[0029]
Example 1
Polycarbonate resin 100 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 12 parts by weight Antioxidant 0.5 parts by weight
The above blend was kneaded at 280 ° C. using a twin screw extruder to obtain resistance control resin pellets. The obtained resistance control resin pellets were extruded to produce a tubular film having a diameter of 140 mm, a width of 280 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm. The obtained tubular film was made of a cylindrical inner mold 1 made of aluminum (linear expansion coefficient 2.36 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) having an outer diameter of 142.40 mm and a length of 300 mm, as shown in FIG. This was fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold 1 while extending the peripheral length of the tubular film. Thereafter, the outer surface of the tubular film fitted to the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner mold is made of stainless steel having an inner diameter of 142.72 mm and a length of 300 mm with a partly changed surface roughness by blasting a part of the inner surface ( (Linear expansion coefficient 1.73 × 10 ⁻⁵ / ° C.) With the cylindrical outer mold 1 disposed, the cylindrical inner mold, the tubular film and the cylindrical outer mold were heated to 210 ° C. with a halogen heater. The cylindrical inner mold was thermally expanded to press the outer peripheral surface of the tubular film against the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold. Thereafter, the cylindrical inner mold, the tubular film and the cylindrical outer mold are cooled by pouring water on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold, and the cylindrical inner mold is fitted with the tubular film from the cylindrical outer mold to the outer periphery. 3 is removed, and the tubular film is removed from the cylindrical inner mold using a member as shown in FIG. 3, and both ends of the film are cut so that the length in the longitudinal direction of the tubular film is 250 mm. Seamless belt with dimensions of 142mm in diameter, 250mm in width and 100μm in thickness and 5mm x 5mm position detection marks on the belt outer surface at 5mm position from the belt end side (90 ° phase shift) Got.
[0031]
Two seamless belts were prepared by the above operation, one of which was used as a physical property measurement sample, and the other was used as an image output sample, and the following tests were performed.
[0032]
<Glossiness measurement>
When the glossiness of the position detection mark portion and the non-position detection mark portion of the seamless belt sample for measuring physical properties was measured, the difference between the position detection mark portion and the non-position detection mark portion was 58.
The glossiness is measured using a gloss meter IG-320 manufactured by Horiba Seisakusho.
[0033]
<Measurement of belt surface wear>
A portion of the seamless belt sample for measuring physical properties was cut out and the amount of wear on the belt surface was measured. The amount of wear on the belt surface was 3.8 mg.
As a method for measuring the amount of wear, an ablation tester no. No. 101 (manufactured by Yasuda Seiki Co., Ltd.) was used to attach a # 2000 wrapping film to the wear wheel with double-sided tape, and the amount of wear was rubbed 1000 times at a load of 500 g and 60 rpm.
[0034]
《High temperature and high humidity storage test》
The sample for image output is incorporated into the intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and left in a 40 ° C./95% Rh environment for 720 hours, and then the integrated cartridge is visually observed, as shown in FIG. An image output test was performed by installing the image forming apparatus. Here, reference numeral 14 in FIG. 2 denotes a reflective photoelectric sensor.
As a result, no abnormalities were observed visually, and at the same time, good images could be obtained without any problem in the image output test.
[0035]
《Durability test》
When the intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated cartridge after the high-temperature and high-humidity leaving test was performed was installed in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. I was able to get it. Here, reference numeral 14 in FIG. 2 denotes a reflective photoelectric sensor.
[0036]
(Example 2)
Resistance control resin pellets were prepared by the same method with the same composition as in Example 1, and extruded by the same method to produce a tubular film having a diameter of 140 mm, a width of 280 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm.
[0037]
A seamless belt was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the cylindrical outer mold 2 in which the blast strength of the cylindrical outer mold 1 used in Example 1 was slightly weakened was used as the cylindrical outer mold.
[0038]
The obtained seamless belt was subjected to various tests in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, a slight color shift was confirmed from the endurance test of about 4,500 sheets, but it was an acceptable level. The results are shown in Table 1.
[0039]
(Comparative Example 1 )
Resistance control resin pellets were prepared by the same method with the same composition as in Example 1, and extruded by the same method to produce a tubular film having a diameter of 140 mm, a width of 280 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm.
[0040]
A reflective member obtained by vapor-depositing aluminum on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film having a size of 5 mm × 5 mm is stuck on the outer surface of the obtained tubular film at a position 5 mm from the end side of the belt using an adhesive. Then, a seamless belt having position detection marks at four locations (90 ° phase shift) was prepared, and various tests were performed in the same manner as in Example 1. The peeling of was confirmed. Further, in the durability test, an operation failure of the image forming apparatus occurred around the end of about 2,000 sheets, and when the reflecting member was confirmed, the endurance test was stopped because an extreme sticking position shift occurred. The results are shown in Table 1.
[0041]
(Comparative Example 2 )
Resistance control resin pellets were prepared by the same method with the same composition as in Example 1, and extruded by the same method to produce a tubular film having a diameter of 140 mm, a width of 280 mm, and a thickness of 100 μm.
[0042]
Four position detection holes having a size of 5 mm × 5 mm were formed at a position 5 mm from the end side portion of the obtained tubular film (90 ° phase shift) to prepare a seamless belt having position detection marks. Various tests were conducted on the seamless belt in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, in the endurance test, an image defect that was thought to be caused by a crack in the belt occurred around the endurance of about 3000 sheets. As a starting point, cracks were generated in the belt, so the durability test was stopped. The results are shown in Table 1. Here, the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2 having the transmissive photoelectric sensor 14 was used for image output.
[0043]
[Table 1]

[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the belt-shaped transfer member, intermediate transfer belt-intermediate transfer belt for electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated cartridge, intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated cartridge, and image forming apparatus of the present invention are stable over a long period of time. Belt position control can be performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an intermediate transfer belt-electrophotographic photosensitive member integrated cartridge of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an image forming apparatus of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a tubular film fitting method according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an example of a belt-shaped transfer member having a position detection mark according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 2 Primary charger 3 Image exposure means 5 Intermediate transfer belt 6 Primary transfer roller 7 Secondary transfer roller 8 Drive roller 9 Cleaning roller 10 Transfer guide 11 Transfer material feed roller 12 Tension roller 13 Photoconductor cleaning member 14 Position detection Sensor 15 Fixing device 30 Primary transfer bias power source 31 Secondary transfer bias power source 32 Primary charging bias power source 33 Intermediate transfer member cleaning bias power source 41 Yellow developer 42 Magenta developer 43 Cyan developer 44 Black developer 51 Belt-shaped transfer member 52 Position Detection mark 200 Thermoplastic endless film 203 Cylindrical inner mold 204 Taper member 205 Fluid inflow member 206 Fluid inflow port 207 Fluid 208 Fluid ejection port P Transfer material

Claims (2)

It has a position detection mark formed by partially changing the surface roughness of the surface of the outermost layer, polycarbonate resin is used as the material of the surface, and # 2000 wrapping film is coated with double-sided tape A method for producing a belt-shaped transfer member having a wear amount of the surface of less than 10 mg measured under conditions of a load of 500 g, 60 rpm and a friction of 1000 times using an ablation tester having an attached wear ring,
Using a polycarbonate resin, a thermoplastic endless film having an inner peripheral length smaller than the outer peripheral length of the cylindrical inner mold is produced, and the peripheral length of the thermoplastic endless film is stretched to produce the thermoplastic endless film. (I) fitting the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold,
On the outside of the thermoplastic endless film fitted to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical inner mold in the step (i), the linear expansion coefficient is smaller than that of the cylindrical inner mold, and a transfer surface is provided on the inner peripheral surface. Providing a cylindrical outer mold having (ii);
Heating the cylindrical inner mold, the thermoplastic endless film, and the cylindrical outer mold in a state where the cylindrical outer mold is disposed outside the thermoplastic endless film by the step (ii); The thermoplastic endless film is softened by the heating, and the thermoplastic inner wall of the cylindrical inner mold and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold are thermally expanded by thermally expanding the cylindrical inner mold. A step (iii) of press-contacting an endless film, and heat-pressure-transferring the transfer surface of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical outer mold to the outer peripheral surface of the thermoplastic endless film; and
The position detection mark is formed in the step (iii) by using a cylindrical outer mold in which the surface roughness of a part of the inner peripheral surface is changed as the cylindrical outer mold. A method for producing a transfer member. The method for manufacturing a belt-shaped transfer member according to claim 1, wherein the belt-shaped transfer member is an intermediate transfer belt.

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