JP5633272B2 - Image forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge applicable to a copying machine, a facsimile, a laser printer, a direct digital plate making machine, and the like.

  Currently, organic photoconductors are mainly used as electrophotographic photoconductors (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “photoconductors”) used in image forming apparatuses applied to copying machines and laser printers. Yes. Organic photoreceptors are required to have durability from the viewpoint of reducing the replacement frequency. A method of forming a crosslinked resin film on the surface of the photoreceptor (for example, Patent Document 1), and a high-hardness filler on the photoreceptor surface. A photoreceptor to which durability is imparted by a method of forming a blended film (for example, Patent Document 2) is used.

As a developing toner used in an image forming apparatus, a polymerized toner (spherical toner) is becoming mainstream. The polymerized toner has good developability, excellent sharpness, resolution, and gradation, and good transfer efficiency. In addition, there are many advantages such as no need for oil during transfer.
However, the polymerized toner has a problem in cleaning properties.
In order to improve the cleaning property of the polymerized toner, it is desired that the photoconductor has a low coefficient of friction on the surface and a low coefficient of friction even during repeated use. For example, it is known that the cleaning property of polymerized toner is improved by applying a lubricant such as zinc stearate to the surface of the photoreceptor (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).
However, when a lubricant such as zinc stearate or paraffin is supplied to a highly durable photoconductor, the supply and removal (circulation) of the lubricant on the surface of the photoconductor is insufficient. The coefficient is often high. For this reason, there is a problem that practically sufficient cleaning properties cannot be obtained because the photosensitive member entrains the cleaning blade or wears in a state where the cleaning blade is removed. Since many photoconductors causing such problems have a smooth surface, the surface shape of the photoconductor can be considered as a cause of poor circulation of the lubricant on the photoconductor surface.

Therefore, in connection with this problem, a technique has been proposed in which the surface of the organic electrophotographic photosensitive member is treated with a metal wire having a diameter of 13 μm to 20 μm to form a large number of fine line-like streak grooves on the surface (for example, Patent Document 3).
However, this proposed technique has a problem that a high-quality copy image cannot be obtained due to insufficient fixability of the lubricant due to durability deterioration due to wear.

In addition, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (for example, Patent Document 4) in which innumerable linear scratches intersecting each other are uniformly formed on the toughened photosensitive member surface, or λ / 4 (where λ is an interference property) is provided on the outermost surface of the photosensitive member. Has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 5).
However, even if the above proposed technique is used, the poor circulation of the lubricant in the electrophotographic photosensitive member cannot be solved sufficiently.

Further, it is known that the lubricant is deteriorated by the charging process. If the deteriorated lubricant stays unnecessarily on the surface of the photoconductor, the driving torque of the photoconductor is increased, or a member such as a cleaning blade that rubs against the photoconductor may be damaged. From this point of view, it is important that the lubricant supplied to the photoconductor is properly circulated and supplied to the surface of the photoconductor.
In view of enhancing the circulation of the lubricant on the surface of the photoconductor, the shape control of the surface of the photoconductor is considered as one of the important technologies. However, as described above, the conventional technology has not yet solved the problem. Further, even if the supply of the lubricant is improved due to the shape of the surface of the photoreceptor, it is difficult to simultaneously improve the removability of the lubricant. If the removability of the lubricant is not improved, the retention of the deteriorated lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor is not solved, and it is difficult to maintain a good cleaning property for a long time.

  Therefore, in order to improve the circulation of the lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor, it is necessary to examine a technique different from the technique related to the shape of the photoreceptor surface. From this viewpoint, various methods for supplying the lubricant to the photosensitive member have been proposed.

  Various methods are known for supplying a lubricant to a photoreceptor (for example, Patent Document 6). For example, a method of directly attaching a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor, a method of attaching the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor through a roller, a belt or a cleaner, a method of attaching a microencapsulated lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor, a lubricant Known methods include attaching powders and microencapsulated lubricants to photoreceptors with electrostatic force, dissolving lubricants in an appropriate solvent, applying them to the photoreceptor surface, drying them, and supplying them. Yes.

Some of these methods are described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of a photoreceptor via a belt. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive member 311, a charger 312, an exposure beam unit 313, a developing unit 314, a transfer unit 315, a toner cleaner 316, and a lubricant supply unit 31B. The lubricant supply means 31B has a lubricant bottle 317 for storing the lubricant in the casing. A part of the lubricant transport belt 319 enters the lubricant bottle 317, the other part protrudes, and the remaining part is in the vicinity of the surface of the photoreceptor 311 or the roller 318 to the extent that it almost contacts the surface of the photoreceptor 311. It is hung around. Then, the lubricant is transported from the lubricant bottle 317 to the surface of the photoconductor 311 by the lubricant supply means 31B and supplied to the surface of the photoconductor 311. Further, the lubricant supply means 31B has a blade 31A for removing excess or unnecessary lubricant from the surface of the photoreceptor 311.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor through a roller. The lubricant supply means 31 </ b> B has a configuration in which a roller 318 is provided at the lubricant outlet of the lubricant bottle 317. The lubricant adheres to the surface of the roller 318 in the lubricant bottle 317 and is supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor 311 as the roller 318 rotates.

  Further, a method has been proposed in which the solid lubricant on the block is scraped off by a coating means such as a brush and applied to the photoreceptor (for example, Patent Document 7). FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply unit that scrapes off a solid lubricant on a block with a brush and applies the lubricant to a photoreceptor. In this lubricant supply means, the application brush 3B rotates in contact with the solid lubricant 3A and scrapes a part thereof. The solid lubricant 3A thus scraped off adheres to the application brush 3B and is applied to the photoreceptor surface 31 by the rotating application brush 3B. The solid lubricant 3 </ b> A applied to the photoreceptor surface 31 is spread on the photoreceptor surface 31 by the application blade 39.

By the way, it is considered that the adhesion force between two objects is influenced by the non-electrostatic attractive force, the electrostatic attractive force, and the contact area between the two objects (for example, Non-Patent Document 2). The electrostatic attractive force is expressed by the contact potential difference, and the non-electrostatic attractive force is considered to be expressed from the relationship of surface energy such as wettability.
Originally, the lubricant has poor adhesion, and even if various surface conditioners are contained on the surface of the photoreceptor to change the surface energy, the adhesion force between the two cannot be changed greatly. Therefore, in order to improve the adhesion between the lubricant and the surface of the photoconductor, another effect is considered to be a roughening effect on the surface of the photoconductor that is considered from the contact area.

An example in which the influence of the shape of the photoconductor surface is considered in relation to the roughening of the photoconductor surface is shown below. FIG. 4 shows a state where the powder of the solid lubricant 3A scraped from the application brush is attached to the photoreceptor surface 31 as an aggregate or a single solid shape in the vicinity of the application blade edge portion 3D. If the photoreceptor surface 31 is smooth, as shown in FIG. 5, the solid lubricant 3 </ b> A cannot pass through the coating blade edge portion 3 </ b> D and slides on the photoreceptor surface 31 and then desorbs from the photoreceptor surface 31. It is possible. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, even when the unevenness of the photoreceptor surface 31 is gentle, it is considered that skidding occurs and the solid lubricant 3 </ b> A is detached from the photoreceptor surface 31. As shown in FIG. 7, when the photoreceptor surface 31 has severe irregularities, the solid lubricant 3 </ b> A is in point contact with the photoreceptor surface 31. In this case, the solid lubricant 3 </ b> A is also in contact with the photoreceptor surface 31. It is thought that it is easily detached from
From the above, it is considered that the solid lubricant is detached from the surface of the photoreceptor unless the irregularities on the surface of the photoreceptor have an appropriate period.
Therefore, although it is considered that the adhesion of the lubricant can be improved by providing moderately high-frequency irregularities on the surface of the photoreceptor to prevent the side slip of the solid lubricant as shown in FIG. Cannot be obtained.

  Various methods as described above have been conventionally proposed as means for supplying the lubricant to the photoreceptor. However, the circulatory property of the lubricant cannot be improved by using any of the above methods. This may be due to the fact that the supply of lubricant to the photoreceptor is not controlled. Further, if the supply of the lubricant is not controlled, the problem of excessive retention of the lubricant on the surface of the photoreceptor cannot be solved. Then, the retained lubricant deteriorates, and this deteriorated lubricant has a direct influence on the image noise, or promotes the wear of the cleaning blade that rubs against the photosensitive member, resulting in poor cleaning. The problem is not solved. These problems lead to a reduction in image quality. In addition, there is a problem that an apparatus for removing excessively retained lubricant is required. There is also a problem that the amount of lubricant consumption cannot be reduced, and the frequency of replenishment of the lubricant or replacement of the lubricant bottle increases.

  However, the image forming apparatus or the process cartridge having the lubricant supply means that can control the supply of the lubricant and can supply only the necessary amount when necessary has not been studied so far, and the above problem is still solved. There wasn't.

  Accordingly, there is a need for an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that can supply only a necessary amount of a lubricant when necessary, obtain a high-quality image while achieving high stability of cleaning. .

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and achieve the following objects. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that can supply only a necessary amount of a lubricant when necessary, obtain a high-quality image while achieving high cleaning stability. And

Means for solving the problems are as follows. That is,
<1> An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support; and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the droplet forming member includes a thin film in which a through-hole is formed and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film.
<2> The surface shape of the electrophotographic photoreceptor is the highest frequency component obtained by wavelet transforming the one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photoreceptor using a surface roughness / contour shape measuring instrument. (HHH) to the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), the fourth high frequency component (HML), the fifth high frequency component (HLH) and the lowest frequency component (HLL) Multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) that separates into six frequency components, and the number of data arrays is 1/10 to 1/1 with respect to the one-dimensional data array of the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here. A one-dimensional data array that is thinned so as to decrease to 100 is created, wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned one-dimensional data array, and the next high-frequency component (LH) is converted from the highest frequency component (LHH). HL), the third high-frequency component (LMH), the fourth high-frequency component (LML), the fifth high-frequency component (LLH), and the multiplex that separates into six frequency components ranging from the lowest frequency component (LLL). Of the arithmetic average roughness of the total of 12 frequency components obtained by performing the resolution analysis (MRA-2), at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH) are 0. The image forming apparatus according to <1>, wherein the image forming apparatus is 0.01 μm or more and less than 0.1 μm.
Here, the arithmetic average roughness is an arithmetic average roughness (abbreviation; Ra) defined by JIS-B0601: 2001, and WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH). Represents Ra in the following bands, respectively.
WRa (LHL): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 53 μm to 183 μm
WRa (LMH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 106 μm to 318 μm
WRa (LML): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 214 μm to 551 μm
WRa (LLH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 431 μm to 954 μm
<3> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <2>, wherein an opening diameter of the through hole is 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less.
<4> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.
<5> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the temperature of the lubricant is 50 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.
<6> Eleven frequency components from the highest frequency component (HHH) to the lowest frequency component (LLL) (excluding the lowest frequency component (HLL)) are arranged in the order of the band length on the horizontal axis of the two-dimensional graph. The logarithm of the arithmetic mean roughness of each frequency component is plotted on the vertical axis of the two-dimensional graph, and a line obtained by connecting the plots has an inflection point and a band of any one of LMH, LHL, and LHH. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <2> to <5>, which has any one of maximum points.
<7> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <6>, wherein the surface layer contains a crosslinked resin.
<8> The image forming apparatus according to <7>, wherein the crosslinked resin contains a structural unit derived from trimethylolpropane triacrylate.
<9> The crosslinked resin contains a structural unit derived from a methacryloyl-modified silicone oil having a functional group equivalent of 450 g / mol to 12,000 g / mol in an amount of 1% by mass to 10% by mass with respect to the solid content of the crosslinked resin. The image forming apparatus according to any one of <7> to <8>.
<10> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <9>, wherein the surface layer contains a filler.
<11> A process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
In the process cartridge, the droplet forming member includes a thin film in which a through-hole is formed and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film.
<12> The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is the highest frequency component obtained by wavelet transforming the one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the uneven shape of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with a surface roughness / contour shape measuring instrument. (HHH) to the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), the fourth high frequency component (HML), the fifth high frequency component (HLH) and the lowest frequency component (HLL) Multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) that separates into six frequency components, and the number of data arrays is 1/10 to 1/1 with respect to the one-dimensional data array of the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here. A one-dimensional data array that has been thinned out to 100 is created, and the wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned one-dimensional data array, and the next high frequency component (LHH) LHL), the third high-frequency component (LMH), the fourth high-frequency component (LML), the fifth high-frequency component (LLH), and the multiplex that separates into six frequency components ranging from the lowest frequency component (LLL) Of the arithmetic average roughness of the total of 12 frequency components obtained by performing the resolution analysis (MRA-2), at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH) are 0. The process cartridge according to <11>, wherein the process cartridge is 0.01 μm or more and less than 0.1 μm.
Here, the arithmetic average roughness is an arithmetic average roughness (abbreviation; Ra) defined by JIS-B0601: 2001, and WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH). Represents Ra in the following bands, respectively.
WRa (LHL): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 53 μm to 183 μm
WRa (LMH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 106 μm to 318 μm
WRa (LML): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 214 μm to 551 μm
WRa (LLH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 431 μm to 954 μm

  According to the present invention, the above-described problems can be solved, and only a necessary amount of lubricant can be supplied when necessary, and high-quality images can be obtained while achieving high stability of cleaning. Devices and process cartridges can be provided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the surface of a photoreceptor via a belt. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply unit that supplies a lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor via a roller. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus having a lubricant supply unit that scrapes off a solid lubricant on a block with a brush and applies the lubricant to a photoreceptor. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a lubricant adheres to the surface of the photoreceptor. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where the application property of the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor is poor. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where the application property of the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor is poor. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state where the application property of the lubricant to the surface of the photoreceptor is poor. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which the lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor having moderate unevenness. FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine. FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of multiresolution analysis by wavelet transform. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-resolution analysis by wavelet transform. FIG. 10c is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-resolution analysis by wavelet transform. FIG. 10d is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-resolution analysis by wavelet transform. FIG. 11 is a diagram of frequency band separation in the first multi-resolution analysis. FIG. 12 is a graph after thinning out the minimum frequency data in the first multi-resolution analysis. FIG. 13 is a diagram of frequency band separation in the second multiresolution analysis. FIG. 14 is a relationship diagram of WRa decomposed into frequency components. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment in which a lubricant is applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the lubricant supply means. FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing one aspect of the lubricant supply means. FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the droplet forming member of FIG. 15 viewed from below. FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the droplet forming member. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the droplet forming member. FIG. 20a is a schematic explanatory view of a thin film for explaining the operation principle of droplet formation by a droplet forming member. FIG. 20b is a schematic diagram of the thin film for explaining the operating principle of the vibration of the thin film by the droplet forming member. FIG. 21 is a diagram for explaining the fundamental vibration of the thin film. FIG. 22 is a diagram for explaining the secondary vibration mode of the thin film. FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the third vibration mode of the thin film. FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a convex portion is provided on a thin film. FIG. 25 is a diagram for explaining the secondary vibration mode of the thin film. FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of an example in which a convex portion is formed at the center of the thin film. FIG. 27 a is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation principle of droplet formation by the droplet forming member. FIG. 27B is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation principle of droplet formation by the droplet forming member. FIG. 28 is a schematic sectional view of an aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a schematic sectional view of an aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the process cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 1. FIG. 34 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 14. FIG. 35 is a diagram showing the conformation of the spray nozzle. FIG. 36 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 15. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the conformation of the spray nozzle. FIG. 38 is a view of a spray gun head. FIG. 39 is a schematic view of the front end portion of the spray gun head of FIG. 38 as viewed from the front. FIG. 40 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 16. FIG. 41 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 17. FIG. 42 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 18. FIG. 43 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 19. FIG. 44 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 20. FIG. 45 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 21. FIG. 46 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 22. FIG. 47 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 23. FIG. 48 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 24. FIG. 49 is a surface roughness spectrum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the image forming apparatus of Example 25. FIG. 50 is an enlarged photograph of the front end of the cleaning blade where pitting is observed. FIG. 51 is an enlarged photograph of the tip of the cleaning blade with almost no excretion.

(Image forming device)
The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant supply unit, and further includes other units as necessary.

<Electrophotographic photoreceptor>
The electrophotographic photoreceptor includes at least a conductive support, a photosensitive layer, and a surface layer, and further has other configurations as necessary.

-Conductive support-
The conductive support is not particularly limited as long as it has a volume resistivity of 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm or less, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, aluminum, nickel, Metals such as chrome, nichrome, copper, gold, silver, platinum; metal oxides such as tin oxide and indium oxide by vapor deposition or sputtering, film or cylindrical plastic, paper coated, aluminum, aluminum alloys, Examples thereof include a plate made of nickel, stainless steel or the like, or a tube subjected to surface treatment such as cutting, super-finishing, polishing, etc. after extruding the raw material by a method such as extruding and drawing. Further, endless nickel belts and endless stainless steel belts disclosed in JP-A-52-36016 can also be used as the conductive support. Further, a nickel foil having a thickness of 50 μm to 150 μm may be used, and a surface of a polyethylene terephthalate film having a thickness of 50 μm to 150 μm may be subjected to conductive processing such as aluminum vapor deposition.
When the conductive support is a cylindrical support, the diameter is preferably 60 mm or less, and more preferably 30 mm or less.

-Photosensitive layer-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said photosensitive layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, the lamination type photosensitive layer which laminated | stacked the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer one by one is mentioned.

-Charge generation layer-
The charge generation layer contains at least a charge generation material, and further contains other components such as a resin as necessary.

--- Charge generation material ---
The charge generation material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.For example, a monoazo pigment, a disazo pigment, an asymmetric disazo pigment, a trisazo pigment, an azo pigment having a carbazole skeleton, or a distyrylbenzene skeleton Azo pigments having a triphenylamine skeleton, azo pigments having a diphenylamine skeleton, azo pigments having a dibenzothiophene skeleton, azo pigments having a fluorenone skeleton, azo pigments having an oxadiazole skeleton, azo having a bisstilbene skeleton Azo pigments such as pigments, azo pigments having a distyryl oxadiazole skeleton, azo pigments having a distyrylcarbazole skeleton; azulenium salt pigments, squaric methine pigments, perylene pigments, anthraquinone or polycyclic quinone pigments, Kinonii Pigments, diphenylmethane and triphenylmethane pigments, benzoquinone and naphthoquinone pigments, cyanine and azomethine pigments, indigoid pigments, bisbenzimidazole pigments, phthalocyanine pigments such as metal phthalocyanines and metal-free phthalocyanines, etc. . These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

---- Resin ---
The resin used as necessary for the charge generation layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, polyamide, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyketone, polycarbonate, silicone resin, acrylic resin, Polyvinyl butyral, polyvinyl formal, polyvinyl ketone, polystyrene, poly-N-vinyl carbazole, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl benzal, polyester, phenoxy resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, polyphenylene oxide, polyvinyl pyridine, cellulose Resin, casein, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, etc. are mentioned. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as addition amount of the said resin, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 500 mass parts or less are preferable with respect to 100 mass parts of said charge generation materials, and 10 mass parts-300 mass parts are. More preferred.

When forming the charge generation layer, a coating solution may be used.
The coating liquid is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, the charge generating substance may be used together with the resin as necessary, and may be a known ball mill, attritor, sand mill, ultrasonic wave, or the like. And a coating solution dispersed in a solvent using the above dispersion method. The resin may be added before or after the charge generating material is dispersed. The coating liquid contains a charge generation material, a solvent and a resin as main components, but may contain additives such as a sensitizer, a dispersant, a surfactant, and silicone oil. In some cases, it is also possible to add a charge transport material described later to the charge generation layer.

  The solvent is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, isopropanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, dioxolane, cyclohexanone, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl cellosolve, ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, dichloromethane, dichloroethane And generally used organic solvents such as monochlorobenzene, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, ligroin and the like. Among these, it is preferable to use a ketone solvent, an ester solvent, or an ether solvent. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  The charge generation layer is formed by coating on the conductive support or an undercoat layer using the coating solution and drying. As the coating method, known methods such as dip coating, spray coating, bead coating, nozzle coating, spinner coating, ring coating, and the like can be used. You may heat-dry using oven etc. after coating. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as drying temperature, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 50 to 160 degreeC is preferable and 80 to 140 degreeC is more preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said charge generation layer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 5 micrometers or less are preferable and 0.1 micrometer-1 micrometer are more preferable.

-Charge transport layer-
The charge transport layer contains at least a charge transport material, and further contains other components such as a resin as necessary.

---- Charge transport material ---
The charge transport material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include an electron transport material and a hole transport material.

  Examples of the electron transporting material include electron accepting materials such as asymmetric diphenoquinone derivatives, fluorene derivatives and naphthalimide derivatives, polymers having a carbazole ring such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-78402. A polymer having a hydrazone structure, a polysilylene polymer exemplified in JP-A No. 63-285552, and general formulas (1) to (6) in JP-A No. 2001-330973. And aromatic polycarbonate. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

  Among the electron transport materials, the polymer type electron transport material is less likely to ooze into the cross-linked resin surface layer of components constituting the charge transport layer when the cross-linked resin surface layer is laminated on the charge transport layer. It is a material suitable for preventing poor curing of the cross-linked resin surface layer. Moreover, since it is excellent also in heat resistance, it is advantageous at the point that there is little deterioration by the curing heat at the time of forming a crosslinked resin surface layer.

  Examples of the hole transport material include oxazole derivatives, oxadiazole derivatives, imidazole derivatives, triphenylamine derivatives, butadiene derivatives, 9- (p-diethylaminostyrylanthracene), 1,1-bis- (4-dibenzyl). Aminophenyl) propane, styrylanthracene, styrylpyrazoline, phenylhydrazones, α-phenylstilbene derivatives, thiazole derivatives, triazole derivatives, phenazine derivatives, acridine derivatives, benzofuran derivatives, benzimidazole derivatives, thiophene derivatives, and the like. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together.

---- Resin ---
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as resin used as needed for the said charge transport layer, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, polycarbonate resin, a styrene resin, an acrylic resin, a styrene-acrylic resin, ethylene-acetic acid Vinyl resin, polypropylene resin, vinyl chloride resin, chlorinated polyether, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate resin, polyester resin, furan resin, nitrile resin, alkyd resin, polyacetal resin, polymethylpentene resin, polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin , Polyarylate resin, diarylate resin, polysulfone resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyallylsulfone resin, silicone resin, ketone resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, polyether resin, phenol resin, EVA (ethylene / vinyl acetate) Le copolymer) resins, ACS (acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene) resin, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) resin, a resin such as a photocurable resin such as epoxy acrylate. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. In addition, a mixture of resins having different molecular weights is preferable in terms of improving hardness and wear resistance. In addition to the mechanical, chemical and electrical stability, adhesion, etc., compatibility with the charge transport material is important.

  The method for forming the charge transport layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose.In normal cases, a coating liquid in which a charge transport material and an additive are dispersed or dissolved in a solvent together with a resin is used. A method of coating on the charge generation layer and drying is preferable.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, a butanol; Pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane Saturated hydrocarbons such as cycloheptane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene and xylene; chlorinated hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane, dichloroethane, chloroform and chlorobenzene; dimethyl ether, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran (THF), methoxyethanol, dimethoxyethane , Ethers such as dioxane, dioxolane, anisole; ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone; ethyl formate, propyl formate, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate Propyl acetate, butyl acetate, esters of methyl propionate; N, N-dimethylformamide, and dimethyl sulfoxide. These may be used individually by 1 type and may use 2 or more types together. Among these, ketone solvents, ester solvents, ether solvents, and halogenated hydrocarbon solvents are particularly preferable.

  The thickness of the charge transport layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, in order to maintain a practically effective surface potential, 3 μm to 50 μm is preferable, and 10 μm to 40 μm is more preferable. preferable.

-Surface layer-
The surface layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but it has excellent wear resistance, and even when a lubricant having excellent heat resistance and high temperature adheres, it is deformed by heat. A surface layer containing a cross-linked resin is preferable because it hardly occurs.

--- Crosslinked resin-
The cross-linked resin is not particularly limited as long as it has a cross-linked structure, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
The structural unit constituting the crosslinked resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate, methacryloyl Examples include structural units derived from modified silicone oils.

Among these, a structural unit derived from trimethylolpropane triacrylate is preferable from the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance and elimination of image flow.
The content of the structural unit derived from the trimethylolpropane triacrylate in the cross-linked resin is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but from the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance, 10 mass% or more and 50 mass% or less are preferable with respect to solid content, and 15 mass% or more and 30 mass% or less are more preferable.

Moreover, as a structural unit which comprises crosslinked resin, the structural unit derived from the methacryloyl modified silicone oil of functional group equivalent 450g / mol or more and 12,000g / mol or less is preferable. By having the structural unit, a smooth crater-like shape having an appropriate size can be formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the adhesion efficiency of the lubricant can be increased.
The content of the structural unit derived from the methacryloyl-modified silicone oil having a functional group equivalent of 450 g / mol or more and 12,000 g / mol or less in the crosslinked resin is that the formation of the crater-like shape is easy. 1 mass% or more and 10 mass% or less are preferable with respect to solid content.

The cross-linked resin may have a structural unit derived from a cross-linkable charge transport material.
The crosslinkable charge transport material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose. For example, a structure derived from a charge transport material and a compound having a (meth) acryloyloxy group, a charge transport material Compound derived from structure and styryl group, structure derived from charge transport material and compound having hydroxyl group, structure derived from charge transport material and compound having alkoxysilyl group, structure derived from charge transport material and having isocyanate group Compound etc. are mentioned.

Examples of the compound having a structure derived from the charge transport material and a (meth) acryloyloxy group include compounds represented by the following general formula 1.
However, in the said General formula 1, d, e, and f represent the integer of 0 or 1, respectively. g and h each represent an integer of 0 to 3. R ₁ represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. R ₂ and R ₃ each represent an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. When g and h are 2 or 3, R ₂ and R ₃ may be different from each other. Z is a single bond, methylene group, ethylene group,
Or
Represents.

Examples of the compound represented by the general formula 1 include the following compounds.

The surface layer preferably contains a filler from the viewpoint that the adhesion efficiency of the lubricant can be improved.
--Filler--
Examples of the filler include organic fillers and inorganic fillers.
Examples of the organic filler include fluororesin powders such as polytetrafluoroethylene; silicone resin powders, a-carbon powders, and the like.
Examples of the inorganic filler include metal powders such as copper, tin, aluminum, and indium; alumina such as silica, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and α-alumina, zirconium oxide, indium oxide, antimony oxide, bismuth oxide, Examples thereof include metal oxides such as calcium oxide, antimony-doped tin oxide and tin-doped indium oxide; metal fluorides such as tin fluoride, calcium fluoride and aluminum fluoride; potassium titanate, boron nitride and the like. Among these, it is preferable to use an inorganic filler from the viewpoint of the hardness of the filler from the viewpoint of improving the wear resistance.

Further, as the filler that hardly causes image blur, a filler having high electrical insulation is preferable. As such a filler, a filler having a pH of 5 or more or a filler having a dielectric constant of 5 or more is particularly effective, and examples thereof include metal oxides such as titanium oxide, alumina, zinc oxide, and zirconium oxide. In addition, a filler having a pH of 5 or more or a filler having a dielectric constant of 5 or more can be used alone. Two or more fillers having a pH of 5 or less and a filler having a pH of 5 or more can be mixed, or the dielectric constant can be used. It is also possible to use a mixture of two or more fillers having a dielectric constant of 5 or less and fillers having a dielectric constant of 5 or more.
Among these fillers, α-alumina and silica are particularly preferable from the viewpoint of suppressing occurrence of image blur and improving wear resistance.

  The content of the filler is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose.From the viewpoint of reducing damage to other members such as a cleaning blade that rubs against the electrophotographic photosensitive member, 1 mass% or more and 50 mass% or less are preferable with respect to solid content of a surface layer, and 5 mass% or more and 35 mass% or less are more preferable.

  The surface layer may contain an antioxidant, a plasticizer, a lubricant, an ultraviolet absorber, a leveling agent, a foaming agent, organic fine particles, and the like. There is no restriction | limiting in particular as these content, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 to 20 mass% is preferable with respect to solid content of the said surface layer, 0.1% A mass% or more and 10 mass% or less is particularly preferable. In addition, as content of a leveling agent, 0.1 to 5 mass% is preferable with respect to the solid content of the said surface layer.

  The method for forming the surface layer is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include a method of applying a paint (surface layer paint) containing a material for forming the surface layer. It is done.

  The surface layer coating material may contain a photopolymerization initiator such as 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone in order to promote curing or stabilize the coating.

The surface layer coating material may contain a solvent.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said solvent, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Methyl ethyl ketone, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone, 1-methoxy-2-propanol etc. are preferable from a viewpoint of environmental impact.

  The coating method for the surface layer paint is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, a dipping method, a spray coating method, a ring coating method, a roll coating method, a gravure coating method, a nozzle Examples thereof include a coating method and a screen printing method. Among these, the spray coating method and the ring coating method are preferable.

  The surface layer can be applied at a time to form a surface layer. However, the surface layer is applied twice or more, and the surface layer is multilayered from the viewpoint of uniformity of the filler in the layer. preferable. As a result, a further effect can be obtained with respect to reduction of residual potential, improvement of resolution, and improvement of wear resistance.

When forming the surface layer containing the cross-linked resin, a UV irradiation light source such as a high-pressure mercury lamp or a metal halide lamp having an emission wavelength mainly in the ultraviolet region may be used to cross-link the cross-linkable material. .
As the illuminance of the UV radiation source is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, 50 mW / cm ² or more 1,000 mW / cm ² or less. When the illuminance is less than 50 mW / cm ² , it may take time for the cross-linking reaction, and when it exceeds 1,000 mW / cm ² , the cross-linking reaction may be unevenly progressed. May occur, and many unreacted residues and reaction termination ends may occur. In addition, the internal stress increases due to a rapid crosslinking reaction, and the surface layer may be cracked or peeled off.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said surface layer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 3 micrometers-15 micrometers are preferable. When the thickness of the surface layer is remarkably increased, it is recognized that the image quality tends to be slightly deteriorated.

-Other configurations-
As said other structure, an undercoat layer etc. are mentioned, for example.

--Undercoat layer--
The undercoat layer may be provided between the conductive support and the photosensitive layer as necessary. The undercoat layer is provided for the purpose of improving adhesiveness, preventing moire, improving the coatability of the upper layer, and reducing residual potential.

  Examples of the material for the undercoat layer include those containing a resin and fine powder, and further containing other components as necessary.

---- Resin ---
Examples of the resin include water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol resin, casein, and sodium polyacrylate; alcohol-soluble resins such as copolymer nylon and methoxymethylated nylon; polyurethane resins, melamine resins, alkyd-melamine resins, and epoxy resins. And a curable resin that forms a three-dimensional structure.

---- Fine powder ---
Examples of the fine powder include metal oxides such as titanium oxide, silica, alumina, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, and indium oxide, metal sulfides, and metal nitrides.

--- Other ingredients ---
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said other component, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a silane coupling agent, a titanium coupling agent, a chromium coupling agent etc. are mentioned.

As the undercoat layer, an anodized layer of Al ₂ O ₃ , an organic material such as polyparaxylylene (parylene), or an inorganic material such as SiO ₂ , SnO ₂ , TiO ₂ , ITO, or CeO ₂ is used. The one provided by the vacuum thin film manufacturing method

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as thickness of the said undercoat layer, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, 0.1 micrometer-50 micrometers are preferable, and 0.5 micrometer-20 micrometers are more preferable.

-Surface shape of electrophotographic photosensitive member-
The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. However, the following surface shapes are preferable from the viewpoint of excellent lubricant applicability.

The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is obtained by wavelet transforming a one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine to obtain the highest frequency component (HHH). ) To the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), the fourth high frequency component (HML), the fifth high frequency component (HLH), and the lowest frequency component (HLL). A multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) that separates into six frequency components is performed, and the number of data arrays is reduced to 1/10 to 1/100 with respect to the one-dimensional data array of the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here. A one-dimensional data array that has been thinned out so as to decrease is generated, wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned one-dimensional data array, and the next high frequency component (LH) is calculated from the highest frequency component (LHH). L) Multiplex that is separated into six frequency components, including a third high frequency component (LMH), a fourth high frequency component (LML), a fifth high frequency component (LLH), and a lowest frequency component (LLL). Of the arithmetic average roughness of the total of 12 frequency components obtained by performing the resolution analysis (MRA-2), at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH) are 0. It is preferable that the thickness is 0.01 μm or more and less than 0.1 μm.
Here, the arithmetic average roughness is an arithmetic average roughness (abbreviation; Ra) defined by JIS-B0601: 2001, and WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH). Represents Ra in the following bands, respectively.
WRa (LHL): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 53 μm to 183 μm
WRa (LMH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 106 μm to 318 μm
WRa (LML): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 214 μm to 551 μm
WRa (LLH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 431 μm to 954 μm
In addition, the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of each frequency component is calculated according to the calculation method of arithmetic mean roughness of JIS-B0601: 2001 with respect to each frequency-decomposed roughness curve. However, Ra is directly calculated for the frequency-resolved roughness curve without performing the operation for obtaining the roughness curve by reducing the waviness component again for the frequency-resolved roughness curve.

The surface shape is defined by performing analysis by wavelet transform on the surface shape of an electrophotographic photosensitive member excellent in the application property of a lubricant among electrophotographic photosensitive members having various surface shapes prepared by experiments. . The reason why this surface shape is excellent in the applicability of the lubricant is that the lubricant does not slide easily, prevents the lubricant from forming a large liquid pool, and prevents the lubricant droplets from becoming large, This is considered to be due to the fact that the smoothing efficiency of the lubricant staying on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is increased by the unevenness of the low-frequency component being overlaid.
The effect of improving the applicability of the lubricant due to the surface shape becomes conspicuous by using the lubricant supply means described in detail later when applying the lubricant.

  Even if the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is evaluated by a conventional method such as arithmetic average roughness (centerline average roughness) Ra or waviness RSm obtained by a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine, It is difficult to obtain a correlation between the applicability and the experimental results. On the other hand, according to the multi-resolution analysis, it is possible to analyze the surface shape in detail, so that the surface shape having a correlation with the experimental result can be obtained for the coating property of the lubricant.

--- Multi-resolution analysis of surface shape--
Details of the multi-resolution analysis for measuring the surface shape will be described.
First, the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is measured with a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine to obtain a cross-sectional curve defined in JIS-B0601, and a one-dimensional data array that is the cross-sectional curve is obtained.
The surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. Examples thereof include Surfcom 1400D manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
The one-dimensional data array that is the cross-sectional curve may be obtained as a digital signal from the surface roughness / contour shape measuring instrument, or may be obtained by A / D converting the analog output of the surface roughness / contour shape measuring instrument. .

  The measurement length at the time of measurement is preferably the measurement length defined in JIS standard, and more preferably 8 mm or more and 25 mm or less. The sampling interval is preferably 1 μm or less, more preferably 0.2 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less. For example, when the measurement length is 12 mm and the number of sampling points is 30,720, the sampling interval is 0.390625 μm, which is suitable as a measurement condition.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine. The surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine includes a probe-equipped jig 42 with a probe for measuring surface roughness, a probe moving means 43 for moving the probe-equipped jig 42 along a measurement object, and a surface roughness. A total length 44 and a computer 45 for signal analysis are provided. In this figure, the computer 45 calculates the multi-resolution analysis. When the electrophotographic photosensitive member 41 has a cylindrical shape, the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 41 can be measured in an appropriate direction in both the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction.
FIG. 9 shows an example, and the configuration may be other configurations. For example, the multi-resolution analysis may be performed by a dedicated numerical calculation processor instead of a computer. Further, this processing may be performed by the surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine itself. Various methods can be used to display the results, and the results may be displayed on a CRT or a liquid crystal screen, or printed out. Further, it may be transmitted as an electrical signal to another device, or may be stored in a USB memory or an MO disk.

  In the measurement, for example, Surfcom 1400D manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd. is used as the surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine, a personal computer manufactured by IBM Corporation is used, and RS-232 between the Surfcom 1400D and the personal computer manufactured by IBM Corporation is used. Can be connected with a -C cable. Processing of the surface roughness data sent from Surfcom 1400D to the personal computer can be performed by software created in C language. The multi-resolution analysis calculation is performed using numerical analysis software (for example, MATLAB).

  Next, the one-dimensional data array is wavelet transformed from the highest frequency component (HHH) to the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), and the fourth high frequency component (HML). A multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) is performed to separate the frequency component into six frequency components ranging from the fifth high frequency component (HLH) to the lowest frequency component (HLL), and the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here is further analyzed. Create a one-dimensional data array that has been thinned out so that the number of data arrays is reduced to 1/10 to 1/100 of the one-dimensional data array, and further perform wavelet transform on the thinned one-dimensional data array. From the frequency component (LHH) to the next high frequency component (LHL), the third high frequency component (LMH), the fourth high frequency component (LML), the fifth high frequency component (LLH) And performing multi-resolution analysis to separate into six frequency components leading to the lowest frequency component (LLL) to (MRA-2).

  The wavelet transform can be performed using numerical analysis software (for example, MATLAB). The definition of bandwidth is a software limitation, and there is no special meaning in the range to be defined. The frequency bands of the HML component and the HLH component, the LHL component and the LMH component, the LMH component and the LML component, the LML component and the LLH component, and the LLH component and the LLL component are overlapped. ,It is as follows. That is, in the wavelet transform, the original signal is decomposed into L (Low-pass Components) and H (High-pass Components) by the first wavelet transform (Level 1), and further, wavelet transform is performed on this L. To decompose into LL and HL. Here, when the frequency component f included in the original signal coincides with the frequency F to be separated, since f is just a separation boundary, after separation, both L and H are separated. . This phenomenon is unavoidable in multiresolution analysis. Therefore, it is also important to set the frequency included in the original signal so that the frequency band to be observed is not separated in the wavelet transform in this way. It is also effective to decode (restore) a signal that has been separated into a plurality of bands by performing inverse wavelet transformation at an arbitrary stage after performing wavelet transformation in several stages.

In the measurement, the wavelet transformation is performed twice. The first wavelet transformation is called the first wavelet transformation, and the subsequent wavelet transformation is called the second wavelet transformation. In order to distinguish the first conversion from the second conversion, for the sake of convenience, H (first time) and L (second time) are added as prefixes to the abbreviations of each frequency band.
Here, various wavelet functions can be used as the mother wavelet function used in the first and second wavelet transforms, for example, a Daubecies function, a Haar function, and a Meyer function. ) Function, Simlet function, Coiflet function, etc. can be used.

In the thinning performed on the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained by the first wavelet transform, the number of data arrays is preferably 1/10 to 1/100.
Data thinning has the effect of increasing the data frequency (expanding the logarithmic scale on the horizontal axis). For example, the number of data arrays of the one-dimensional array obtained as a result of the first wavelet transform was 30,000. In this case, if 1/10 decimation is performed, the number of data arrays becomes 3,000.
When the decimation is less than 1/10, for example, 1/5, the effect of increasing the frequency of the data is small, and the data is not well separated even if the second wavelet transform is performed and the multi-resolution analysis is performed.
If the decimation exceeds 1/100, for example 1/200, the frequency of the data becomes too high, and even if the second wavelet transform is performed and the multi-resolution analysis is performed, the data concentrates on the high frequency components. Is not well separated.
For example, when the thinning is 1/100, the thinning is performed by obtaining an average value of 100 data and setting the average value as one representative point.

Finally, an arithmetic average roughness is obtained for each frequency component obtained by the multiresolution analysis. In this specification, in order to distinguish from general arithmetic average roughness Ra, the arithmetic average roughness of each frequency component is referred to as WRa.
As described above, the multi-resolution analysis for measuring the surface shape can be performed.

Next, the procedure for multi-resolution analysis of the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member will be described using a specific example.
First, the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was measured with Surfcom 1400D manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.

  Here, the length of one measurement was 12 mm, and the total number of sampling points was 30,720. In one measurement, this was measured at four locations. The measured results are imported into a personal computer, and the first wavelet transform, 1/40 decimation processing for the lowest frequency component obtained by the program created by the inventor, and the second wavelet transform are performed. It was.

The arithmetic average roughness Ra, the maximum height Rmax, and the ten-point average roughness Rz were determined for the results of the first and second multiresolution analysis obtained in this manner. An example of the calculation result is shown in FIGS. 10a to 10d. There are a total of 14 graphs in FIGS. 10a-10d. The vertical axis of the graph is the displacement of the surface shape, and the unit of the vertical axis is μm. Further, the horizontal axis is the length, and the measurement length is 12 mm although no scale is provided.
FIG. 10a is a graph showing original data obtained by measurement with Surfcom 1400D, and may be called a roughness curve or a cross-sectional curve.
In the conventional surface roughness measurement, the arithmetic average roughness Ra, the maximum height Rmax, Rz, etc. were obtained from only the data of FIG.

The six graphs in FIG. 10b are the results of multiresolution analysis (MRA-1) by the first wavelet transform.
Here, in FIG. 10b, a graph 101 is the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is referred to as HHH in the present invention.
The graph 102 shows a frequency component that is one lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result. In the present invention, this band is called HHL.
A graph 103 is a frequency component that is two lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is referred to as HMH in the present invention.
The graph 104 shows three frequency components lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is called HML in the present invention.
The graph 105 shows four frequency components lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result. In the present invention, this band is called HLH.
The graph 106 shows the lowest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is called HLL in the present invention.

  In the multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1), the graph of FIG. 10a is separated into six graphs of FIG. 10b depending on the frequency. FIG. 11 shows the frequency separation state.

In FIG. 11, a graph 121 is an HHH band in multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1), a graph 122 is an HHL band, a graph 123 is an HMH band, a graph 124 is an HML band, a graph 125 is an HLH band, Is the HLL bandwidth.
In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis represents the number of irregularities appearing per 1 mm length when the irregular shape is a sine wave. In addition, the vertical axis indicates the ratio when each band is separated.

If FIG. 11 is demonstrated in detail, it will show that all appear in the graph 126, when the number of unevenness | corrugations per mm is 20 or less. For example, when the number of irregularities is 110 per mm, it appears most strongly in the graph 124, and this appears in HML in FIG. 10b. Further, when the number of irregularities is 220 per 1 mm, it appears most strongly in the graph 123, which indicates that it appears in the HMH in FIG. 10b. Further, when the number of irregularities is 310 per mm, it appears in the graph 122 and the graph 123, and this shows that it appears in both HHL and HMH in FIG. 10b.
Therefore, the frequency of the surface roughness determines where it appears in the six graphs of FIG. 10b. In other words, in the surface roughness, fine roughness appears in the upper graph in FIG. 10b, and large surface waviness appears in the lower graph in FIG. 10b.

In the measurement of the surface shape, the surface roughness is decomposed by the frequency. FIG. 10b is a graph showing this, and the surface roughness in each frequency band is obtained from this graph. Here, as the surface roughness, it is possible to calculate the arithmetic average roughness Ra, the maximum height Rmax, and the ten-point average roughness Rz.
The arithmetic average roughness Ra, the maximum height Rmax, and the ten-point average roughness Rz calculated in this way are illustrated numerically in the respective graphs of FIG. 10b.

  Thus, since the data measured by the surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine is separated into a plurality of data according to the frequency, the amount of unevenness change in each frequency band can be measured.

  In the measurement of the surface shape, the lowest frequency, that is, HLL data is thinned out from the data separated as shown in FIG.

  How to perform the decimation, that is, how many pieces of data are taken out may be determined by experiments. By optimizing the decimation number, it becomes possible to optimize the frequency band separation in the multi-resolution analysis shown in FIG. The target frequency can be set at the center of the band.

  In FIG. 11, 1/40 thinning is performed with the average value of 40 data as one representative point.

  The thinned result is shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis represents surface irregularities, and the unit is μm. Moreover, although the scale is not attached to the horizontal axis, the measurement length is 12 mm.

  In the measurement of the surface shape, the data of FIG. 12 is further subjected to multiresolution analysis. That is, the second multiresolution analysis (MRA-2) is performed.

The six graphs in FIG. 10c are the results of multiresolution analysis (MRA-2) by the second wavelet transform.
Here, in FIG. 10c, a graph 107 is the highest frequency component of the second multiresolution analysis result, and this band is referred to as LHH in the present invention.
The graph 108 shows a frequency component that is one lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result. In the present invention, this band is called LHL.
A graph 109 is a frequency component that is two lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result, and in the present invention, this band is referred to as LMH.
The graph 110 shows three frequency components lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is called LML in the present invention.
The graph 111 shows four frequency components lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is called LLH in the present invention.
The graph 112 shows the lowest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result, and this band is called LLL in the present invention.

  In the multi-resolution analysis (MRA-2), the graph of FIG. 12 is separated into six graphs of FIG. 10c according to the frequency, and the state of the frequency separation is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents the number of irregularities appearing per 1 mm length when the irregular shape is a sine wave. In addition, the vertical axis indicates the ratio when each band is separated.

  13, a graph 127 is an LHH band in multi-resolution analysis (MRA-2), a graph 128 is an LHL band, a graph 129 is an LMH band, a graph 130 is an LML band, a graph 131 is an LLH band, and a graph 132. Is the LLL bandwidth.

If FIG. 13 is demonstrated in detail, when the number of unevenness | corrugations per 1 mm is 0.2 or less, it will show that all appear in the graph 132. FIG. For example, when the number of irregularities is 11 per mm, the graph 128 is the highest, but this is the highest in the frequency component band one lower than the highest frequency component in the second multiresolution analysis (MRA-2). It shows that it appears strongly, and in FIG. 10c, it shows that it appears in LML.
Therefore, the frequency of the surface roughness determines where it appears in the six graphs of FIG. 10c. In other words, in the surface roughness, fine roughness appears in the upper graph in FIG. 10c, and large surface waviness appears in the lower graph in FIG. 10c.

  In the measurement of the surface shape, the surface roughness is decomposed by the frequency. FIG. 10c is a graph showing this, and the surface roughness in each frequency band is obtained from this graph. Here, as the surface roughness, it is possible to calculate the arithmetic average roughness Ra, the maximum height Rmax, and the ten-point average roughness Rz.

  The multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) and the multi-resolution analysis (MRA-2) of the one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the uneven shape on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with the surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine in this way. Table 1 shows an example of the result of calculating the arithmetic average roughness Ra (WRa), the maximum height Rmax (WRmax), and the ten-point average roughness Rz (WRz) for each frequency component obtained.

  In the arithmetic average roughness obtained from the multi-resolution analysis result, eleven of the highest frequency component (HHH) to the lowest frequency component (LLL) (excluding the lowest frequency component (HLL)) on the horizontal axis of the two-dimensional graph. The frequency components are arranged in the order of the band lengths, the logarithm of the arithmetic mean roughness of each frequency component is plotted on the vertical axis of the two-dimensional graph, and a line obtained by connecting the plots (hereinafter referred to as “surface roughness spectrum”). For example, as shown in FIG. Here, since the LHH component is an arithmetically prominent value, the arithmetic average roughness of the LHH band is omitted.

As the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the surface roughness spectrum has either a bending point or a maximal point in any one band of LMH, LHL, and LHH. Is preferable. The cleaning property is excellent by having either the bending point or the maximum point. The unevenness of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member gives moderate vibration to the member in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, thereby relieving the stress of the member. It is thought to make it.
Here, the bending point means a point where the curvature changes suddenly in the surface roughness spectrum. The point at which the curvature changes abruptly refers to the surface roughness spectrum on the horizontal axis and the vertical axis of the two-dimensional graph (surface roughness spectrum diagrams of FIGS. 33, 34, 36, and 40 to 49). When a state where there is no convex angle vertex (straight line) is 0 °, there is a convex angle, and the convex angle vertex has an angle of 20 ° or more with respect to 0 °.

The method of setting the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML) and WRa (LLH) is 0.01 μm or more and less than 0.1 μm is not particularly limited. It can be appropriately selected according to the purpose.
For example, a method of containing the filler in the surface layer, a method of containing two or more resins having different glass transition temperatures in the surface layer, a method of containing organic fine particles in the surface layer, and a foaming agent in the surface layer Examples thereof include a method for containing the silicone oil and a method for containing silicone oil in the surface layer.
Also, a sol-gel based paint is used as the surface layer paint for forming the surface layer, a method for adjusting the composition, and a large amount of water is added to the surface layer paint for forming the surface layer. And a method of blending solvents having different boiling points. Examples of a method of adjusting the blending using a sol-gel coating include a method of blending an acrylic UV curing component with a sol-gel type coating such as an organosilica sol. When the paint obtained by this method is applied and then the paint applied by exposure is cured, a sea-island structure and periodic undulations can be formed. That is, a characteristic surface unevenness | corrugation can be formed because sol-gel hardened | cured material is unevenly distributed in an island or stripe form.
Moreover, the method of spraying an organic solvent and water with respect to the surface layer before bridge | crosslinking immediately after coating the coating material for surface layers containing the material which has crosslinkability is mentioned.
Moreover, the method of sandblasting the said surface layer and the method of surface-polishing with abrasive paper, such as a wrapping film, are mentioned.
Furthermore, a method of roughening the surface by dissolving the charge transport layer or the like with a solvent and forming the surface layer thereon may be mentioned.

<Lubricant supply means>
The lubricant supply means is means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant supply means includes at least a droplet forming member, and further includes other members as necessary.

-Droplet forming member-
The droplet forming member is a member that droplets the lubricant.
The droplet forming member has at least a thin film and a vibration generating portion, and further includes other portions as necessary.

-Thin film-
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said thin film, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, metals, such as stainless steel and nickel, resin, such as a polyimide resin film, silicon | silicone etc. are mentioned.
The thickness of the thin film is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 5 μm or more and 500 μm or less from the viewpoint that fine droplets of a lubricant having a uniform particle diameter can be discharged. The thickness is more preferably 50 μm or less and particularly preferably 15 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

A through hole is formed in the thin film.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a shape of the said through-hole, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, substantially circular, an ellipse, a rectangle etc. are mentioned.
The opening diameter of the through-hole is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose, but is preferably 1 μm or more and 35 μm or less from the viewpoint that fine droplets of a lubricant having a uniform particle diameter can be discharged. 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less is more preferable, and 3 μm or more and 8 μm or less is particularly preferable.
The opening diameter means a diameter when the through hole is substantially circular, and means a short diameter when the through hole is elliptical.

  There is no restriction | limiting in particular as the number of the through-holes formed in the said thin film, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, Two or more are preferable and 2 to 3,000 are more preferable.

--- Vibration generator ---
The vibration generating unit is a unit that vibrates the thin film.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as a material of the said vibration generation part, According to the objective, it can select suitably, For example, a piezoelectric material is mentioned.
Examples of the piezoelectric body include piezoelectric ceramics such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT), piezoelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), single crystal quartz, LiNbO ₃ , LiTaO ₃ , KNbO _{3, and the} like. .
The piezoelectric body is preferably a piezoelectric body that excites bimorph type flexural vibration.

  The arrangement of the vibration generating part is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, the vibration displacement of the thin film is determined to be arranged in a substantially annular shape around the thin film. The area where a large amount of displacement can be obtained in the thin film is widened, and a plurality of through holes can be arranged in the area, and more lubricant droplets can be stably supplied at a time than the plurality of through holes. It is preferable in that it can be formed and discharged.

-Lubricant-
The lubricant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. For example, lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, zinc stearate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, stearic acid Fatty acid metal salts such as copper, zinc palmitate, copper palmitate, zinc linolenate, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytrifluorochloroethylene, dichlorodifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene Examples thereof include fluoropolymers such as polymers, tetrafluoroethylene-oxafluoropropylene copolymers, and paraffin. Among these, a metal stearate salt and paraffin are preferable, and zinc stearate and paraffin are more preferable because the effect of reducing the friction coefficient on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is large.

Many of the lubricants are solid at room temperature. Therefore, when supplying the lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the lubricant may be heated by a heating member.
The temperature of the lubricant is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended purpose. The temperature of the lubricant is 50 ° C. or more and 100 ° C. or less, and the through-holes of the lubricant are increased. It is preferable from the viewpoint that the discharge from is stable. Further, since a relatively high temperature lubricant is supplied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, it is preferable from the viewpoint of preventing image blurring that tends to occur in a high humidity environment.
Here, the temperature means the temperature of the lubricant when leaving the through hole.

-Other parts-
As said other part, the flow-path part etc. which supply a lubricant to the said thin film are mentioned, for example.

-Other components-
Examples of the other members include a lubricant containing member that contains a lubricant, a pump member that supplies the lubricant from the lubricant containing member to the droplet forming member, and a heating member that heats the lubricant. .

  The shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supply means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the purpose, but is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, preferably 2 mm or more. 8 mm or less is more preferable, and 3 mm or more and 7 mm or less is particularly preferable. When the shortest distance is within the particularly preferable range, it is advantageous in that the adhesion efficiency of the lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is improved. In addition, when the lubricant is heated, the lubricant adheres to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in a molten state, and the lubricant covers the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as a film. This is also advantageous in that the coverage is improved.

  When the lubricant is supplied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the lubricant supply means, only a necessary amount of the lubricant can be supplied when necessary. That is, the minimum necessary lubricant can be supplied. The required amount can be determined with reference to, for example, a motor current value required for driving the drum of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Use of the lubricant supply means is advantageous because it requires a minimum amount of lubricant to be supplied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, so that the circulation efficiency of the lubricant is apparently extremely high. Further, since it is not necessary to use an extra lubricant, it is possible to prevent the cleaning blade from being worn by deterioration of the remaining lubricant and to achieve a high level of cleaning performance. Furthermore, combined with these effects, a high-quality image can be obtained.

  The lubricant supply means will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment in which a lubricant is applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the lubricant supply means. The lubricant supply means includes a droplet forming member 202, a pump member 209, and a lubricant accommodating member 207, and is disposed above the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201. The droplet forming member 202 includes a thin film 211 in which a plurality of through holes 215 are formed, a vibration generating unit 217, a channel unit 213 in which a channel 212 is formed, and a support unit 220. The droplet forming member 202 is held in the vicinity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201 by the support portion 220. The thin film 211 is joined to the flow path part 213 by a resin binding material whose outermost peripheral part is not dissolved in solder or lubricant. The vibration generating unit 217 is arranged in a substantially annular shape around a deformable region (region not joined to the flow channel) of the thin film 211. The lubricant containing member 207 contains a lubricant 210, and the lubricant 210 is supplied to the droplet forming member 202 through a pump member 209 and a pipe 208. The vibration generation unit 217 is connected to a drive circuit (drive signal generation source) 223 through lead wires 221 and 222, and the vibration generation unit 217 is applied by applying a drive voltage (drive signal) having a required frequency. A flexural vibration is generated in the thin film 211. When the thin film 211 vibrates, the lubricant 210 in the droplet forming member 202 is discharged as a droplet 231 from the through-hole 215 and applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 201. Is done.

One lubricant supply means may be arranged in the image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 15, or two or more lubricant supply means may be arranged.
For example, as shown in FIG. 16, from the viewpoint of controllability, 1 to 100 (four in FIG. 16) droplet forming members 202 are arranged side by side in the vicinity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the pipe 208 The droplet forming member 202 may be passed through a lubricant containing member (not shown) so that the lubricant is supplied. By adopting the embodiment of FIG. 16, it becomes possible to discharge more droplets at one time, or supply different lubricants to the individual droplet forming members 202 to perform various types of lubrication according to environmental changes. It becomes possible to use different agents properly.

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the droplet forming member 202 of FIG. 15 as viewed from below, and FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the droplet forming member 202.
As shown in FIG. 18, the droplet forming member has an annular vibration generating portion 217 arranged around the deformable region 216A of the thin film 211 having a plurality of through holes 215. For example, FIG. Compared with the configuration in which the vibration generating unit 217 holds the periphery of the thin film 216 as in the configuration shown, the displacement amount of the thin film 216 is relatively large, and a relatively large area (φ1 mm or more) from which this large displacement amount can be obtained. ), A plurality of through holes 215 can be arranged, and more liquid droplets can be stably formed and discharged at a time than the plurality of through holes 215.

  The operation principle of the vibration of the thin film will be described with reference to FIGS. 20a and 20b. The peripheral portion 216B of the thin film 216 (simple circular thin film) as shown in FIGS. 20a and 20b is fixed (more specifically, Is a state in which the outer periphery of the deformable region 216A shown in FIG. 18 is fixed), when vibration is applied to the thin film 216, the periphery of the basic vibration becomes a node, and as shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape is such that the displacement amount ΔL is maximum (ΔLmax) at the center 0 of the center, and periodically vibrates in the vibration direction.

  It is preferable to vibrate the thin film 216 in a vibration mode as shown in FIG. 22 where the periphery is a node and there is no node in the diameter direction (radial direction). It is known that higher order vibration modes exist as shown in FIG. These modes have one or a plurality of concentric nodes in the thin film 216 and have a deformed shape that is substantially symmetrical in the radial direction.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 24, a vibration mode having no nodes in the diameter direction of the convex portion 216D can be used, but in this case, it is better to use the secondary mode shown in FIG. Moreover, it is preferable to set the position of the node at the boundary between the convex portion 216D and the convex portion outer peripheral portion. As shown in FIG. 25, the vibration of the convex portion 216D is reduced in vibration displacement and vibration speed difference between the central portion and the peripheral portion of the convex shape, and becomes a picnic, so that the through hole arrangement region can be expanded. In this case, there is a risk that the convex-shaped portion 216D that expands in area causes so-called divided vibration. In order to avoid the divided vibration and enter the single vibration mode, it is necessary to improve the rigidity of the convex portion 216D. The rigidity can be improved by using a metal having a high Young's modulus for the thin film, increasing the thickness of the thin film, and optimizing the convex shape.

  For measurement of the vibration mode, a commercially available laser Doppler vibration measuring device can be used. For example, if a scanning type vibrometer (PSV-200) manufactured by Polytech Co. is used, even a metal plate having a solid shape of several hundreds of micrometers can be measured. Can be grasped accurately.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26, by forming a shape like the convex portion 216C, it is possible to control the traveling direction of the droplet and adjust the vibration amplitude.

Here, due to the vibration of the thin film 216, a pressure Pa proportional to the vibration speed Vm of the thin film 216 is applied to the lubricant in the vicinity of the plurality of through holes 215 provided in the thin film 216. It is known that the pressure Pa is generated as a reaction of the radiation impedance Zr of the lubricant, and can be expressed using an equation shown by the following equation (1) based on the product of the radiation impedance Zr and the membrane vibration velocity Vm.
Pa (r, t) = Zr · Vm (r, t) (1)

  The membrane vibration velocity Vm of the thin film 216 is a function of time because it periodically varies with time, and various periodic variations such as a sine waveform and a rectangular waveform can be formed. Further, as described above, the vibration displacement in the vibration direction is different in each portion of the thin film 216, and the film vibration velocity Vm is also a function of the position coordinates on the thin film 216. Since the preferable vibration mode of the thin film is a deformation shape symmetrical in the radial direction as described above, it is substantially a function of the radial coordinate.

  As described above, a pressure proportional to the film vibration speed of the thin film 216 having a distribution is generated, and the lubricant is discharged into the gas phase in response to a periodic change in pressure. Since the lubricant periodically discharged to the gas phase forms a sphere due to the difference in surface tension between the liquid phase and the gas phase, droplets are periodically generated. As a result, the lubricant is discharged as droplets from the plurality of through holes 215.

This is schematically shown in FIGS. 27a and 27b. A state in which the thin film 216 is bent to the opposite side to the flow path 212 side as shown in FIG. And, as shown in FIG. 27b, it vibrates between the state bent to the flow path 212 side. As a result, the lubricant 210 coming out of the through-hole 215 due to the vibration of the thin film 216 is turned into droplets 231.
At this time, when the pressure is 10 kPa or more, droplet formation is efficiently performed.

  The diameter of the formed droplet 231 tends to increase as the vibration displacement increases in the region of the thin film 216 in which the plurality of through holes 215 are formed. When the vibration displacement is small, a small droplet is formed. Or do not drop. In order to reduce variation in droplet size in a region where the plurality of through-holes 215 are formed, the arrangement of the plurality of through-holes 215 may be defined at an optimal position for vibration displacement of the thin film 16. is necessary.

  In order to expand the range where the ratio R (= ΔLmax / ΔLmin) of the maximum value ΔLmax and the minimum value ΔLmin of the vibration direction displacement (displacement amount) ΔL is within 2.0, as shown in FIGS. It is more advantageous to use a vibration mode that does not have a node in the diameter direction of the convex portion provided in. In this case, it is better to use the secondary mode shown in FIG. And it is preferable to set the position of the node at the boundary between the convex portion 216D and the convex outer peripheral portion. Therefore, for example, in FIG. 24, the phase of the convex portion 216D is different from that of the thin film around the convex portion by 180 °.

<Other means>
Examples of the other means include a charging means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means, a fixing means, a charge eliminating means, and a cleaning means.

-Charging means-
The charging means is not particularly limited as long as it can apply a voltage to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to be uniformly charged, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. A non-contact charging means that charges the electrophotographic photosensitive member in a non-contact manner is used.
Examples of the non-contact charging means include, for example, a non-contact charger using a corona discharge, a needle electrode device, a solid discharge element, and a conductive or semiconductive material disposed with a small gap with respect to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. And a charging roller. Among these, corona discharge is particularly preferable.

The corona discharge is a non-contact charging method that gives positive or negative ions generated by corona discharge in the air to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and has a characteristic of giving a certain amount of charge to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There are a charger and a scorotron charger having a characteristic of giving a constant potential.
The corotron charger is composed of a casing electrode that occupies a half space around the discharge wire, and a discharge wire placed substantially at the center thereof.
The scorotron charger is obtained by adding a grid electrode to the corotron charger, and the grid electrode is provided at a position 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm away from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

-Exposure means-
The exposure means is not particularly limited as long as it can imagewise expose the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to form an electrostatic latent image, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. .
The optical system in the exposure is roughly classified into an analog optical system and a digital optical system. The analog optical system is an optical system that directly projects an original onto an electrophotographic photosensitive member by an optical system, and the digital optical system receives image information as an electrical signal, converts this into an optical signal, and converts it into an electrophotographic image. It is an optical system that exposes a photoreceptor to form an image.
The exposure unit is not particularly limited as long as the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member charged by the charging unit can be exposed like an image to be formed, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, various exposure devices such as a copying optical system, a rod lens array system, a laser optical system, a liquid crystal shutter optical system, and an LED optical system can be used.
In addition, you may employ | adopt the back light system which exposes imagewise from the back surface side of the said electrophotographic photoreceptor.

-Development means-
The developing means is means for developing the electrostatic latent image using toner or developer to form a visible image.
The visible image can be formed, for example, by developing the electrostatic latent image using the toner or the developer.
The developing unit is not particularly limited as long as it can be developed using, for example, the toner or the developer, and can be appropriately selected from known ones. For example, the toner or developer is accommodated. Preferred examples include those having at least a developing unit capable of bringing the toner or developer into contact or non-contact with the electrostatic latent image.

  The developing unit may be a dry developing type, a wet developing type, a single color developing unit, or a multi-color developing unit. For example, a toner having a stirrer for charging the toner or the developer by frictional stirring and a rotatable magnet roller is preferable.

  In the developing unit, for example, the toner and the carrier are mixed and stirred, and the toner is charged by friction at that time, and held on the surface of the rotating magnet roller in a raised state to form a magnetic brush. Since the magnet roller is disposed in the vicinity of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member), a part of the toner constituting the magnetic brush formed on the surface of the magnet roller is caused by an electric attractive force. It moves to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. As a result, the electrostatic latent image is developed with the toner, and a visible image is formed with the toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

  The developer accommodated in the developing device is a developer containing the toner, but the developer may be a one-component developer or a two-component developer.

-Transfer means-
The transfer means is not particularly limited as long as it is a means for transferring the visible image onto a recording medium, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. However, an intermediate transfer member is used on the intermediate transfer member. A means for primary transfer of the visible image and then secondary transfer of the visible image onto a recording medium is preferable. The visible image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer member using two or more colors, preferably full color toner as the toner. It is preferable to include a primary transfer unit that forms a composite transfer image and a secondary transfer unit that transfers the composite transfer image onto a recording medium.

The transfer unit (the primary transfer unit and the secondary transfer unit) includes at least a transfer unit that peels and charges the visible image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member toward the recording medium. preferable. There may be one transfer means or two or more transfer means. Examples of the transfer device include a corona transfer device using corona discharge, a transfer belt, a transfer roller, a pressure transfer roller, and an adhesive transfer device.
The recording medium is typically plain paper, but is not particularly limited as long as it can transfer an unfixed image after development, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. A PET base or the like can also be used.

-Fixing means-
The fixing unit is a unit that fixes the transfer image transferred to the recording medium by a fixing member, and may be a unit that is performed each time the toner of each color is transferred to the recording medium. It may be a means for simultaneously performing this in a stacked state.
There is no restriction | limiting in particular as said fixing member, Although it can select suitably according to the objective, A well-known heating-pressing member is preferable. Examples of the heating and pressing member include a combination of a heating roller and a pressing roller, and a combination of a heating roller, a pressing roller, and an endless belt.
The heating in the heating and pressing member is usually preferably 80 ° C to 200 ° C.
In the present invention, for example, a known optical fixing device may be used together with or in place of the fixing unit depending on the purpose.

-Static elimination means-
The neutralization means is not particularly limited as long as it can perform neutralization by applying a neutralization bias to the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a neutralization lamp Etc. are preferable.

-Cleaning means-
The cleaning means is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the toner remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and can be appropriately selected according to the purpose. For example, a magnetic brush cleaner, static Examples thereof include an electric brush cleaner, a magnetic roller cleaner, a blade cleaner, a brush cleaner, and a web cleaner.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 28 is a schematic sectional view of an aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. 28 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, a charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, a developing unit 14, a transfer unit 16, a cleaning unit 17, a fixing unit 19, and a lubricant supply unit 20. And 1A of static elimination means. In FIG. 28, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a crosslinked resin surface layer. The electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 has a drum shape. The toner 15 developed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 by the developing means 14 is transferred to a printing medium 18 such as printing paper or an OHP slide, but not all is transferred, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not transferred. Toner remaining on the body 11 is also generated. Such toner is removed from the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 by the cleaning means 17.

  FIG. 29 is a schematic sectional view of an aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of FIG. 29 includes a belt-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, a charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, a transfer unit 16, a cleaning unit 17, a lubricant supply unit 20, a neutralizing unit 1A, A pre-cleaning exposure unit 1B and a driving unit 1C are provided. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a crosslinked resin surface layer. In the image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is driven by the driving unit 1C, charged by the charging unit 12, image exposure by the exposure unit 13, development by a developing unit (not shown), and the transfer unit 16. , Transfer by the pre-cleaning exposure means 1B, pre-cleaning exposure by the cleaning, cleaning by the cleaning means 17 and static elimination by the static elimination means 1A are repeated. In FIG. 29, light irradiation for pre-cleaning exposure is performed from the support side of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 (in this case, the support is translucent).

  FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of FIG. 30 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, a charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, and development for each color of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Means (14Bk, 14C, 14M, 14Y), an intermediate transfer belt 1F as an intermediate transfer member, a cleaning means 17, a fixing means 19, and a lubricant supply means 20. Here, the subscripts (Bk, C, M, Y) shown in the figure correspond to the color of the toner, and are added or omitted as appropriate. The electrophotographic photoreceptor 11 is an electrophotographic photoreceptor having a crosslinked resin surface layer. Each color developing means (14Bk, 14C, 14M, 14Y) can be controlled independently, and only the color developing means for image formation is driven. The toner image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1F by the first transfer unit 1D disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 1F. The first transfer unit 1D is disposed so as to be able to come into contact with and separate from the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, and the intermediate transfer belt 1F is brought into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 only during a transfer operation. Each color image is sequentially formed, and the toner images superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 1F are collectively transferred to the print medium 18 by the second transfer unit 1E and then fixed by the fixing unit 19 to form an image. Is done. The second transfer unit 1E is also disposed so as to be able to contact and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 1F, and contacts the intermediate transfer belt 1F only during a transfer operation.

  In the transfer drum type image forming apparatus, since the toner images of the respective colors are sequentially transferred to the transfer material electrostatically attracted to the transfer drum, there is a limitation on the transfer material that cannot be printed on thick paper, as shown in FIG. Such an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus is characterized in that the toner images of the respective colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer body 1F, so that the transfer material is not limited.

  FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. The image forming apparatus of FIG. 31 is a type that uses four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) as toners, and electrophotographic photosensitive members (11Y, 11M, and 11C) of each color. 11Bk). Around each electrophotographic photosensitive member (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11Bk), a charging unit 12, an exposing unit 13, a developing unit 14, a cleaning unit 17, and a lubricant supply unit 20 are disposed. Here, the subscripts (Bk, C, M, Y) shown in the figure correspond to the color of the toner, and are added or omitted as appropriate. In addition, a transfer transfer belt 1G as a transfer material carrier that comes in contact with and separates from each transfer position of each electrophotographic photosensitive member (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11Bk) arranged on a straight line is stretched by a driving unit 1C. ing. A transfer means 16 is disposed at a transfer position facing each electrophotographic photosensitive member (11Y, 11M, 11C, 11Bk) with the conveyance transfer belt 1G interposed therebetween.

  In the tandem image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 31, an electrophotographic photosensitive member (11 Y, 11 M, 11 C, 11 Bk) is arranged for each color, and the toner image of each color is transferred to the conveyance transfer belt using the fixing unit 19. Since the images are sequentially transferred to the print medium 18 held at 1G, a full-color image can be output at a higher speed than a full-color image forming apparatus having only one electrophotographic photosensitive member.

(Process cartridge)
The process cartridge of the present invention includes at least an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a lubricant supply unit, and further includes other units as necessary.
Examples of the electrophotographic photosensitive member include the same electrophotographic photosensitive member as the electrophotographic photosensitive member described in the description of the image forming apparatus.
Examples of the lubricant supply means include the same lubricant supply means as the lubricant supply means described in the description of the image forming apparatus.
It is preferable that the process cartridge can be detachably attached to various electrophotographic image forming apparatuses.

One aspect of the process cartridge will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the process cartridge of the present invention. The process cartridge of FIG. 32 includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, a charging unit 12, an exposure unit 13, a developing unit 14, a transfer unit 16, a cleaning unit 17, a fixing unit 19, and a lubricant supply unit 20. And 1A of static elimination means.
The image forming process using the process cartridge shown in FIG. 32 will be described. The electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is rotated while being charged by the charging unit 12 and exposed by the exposure unit 13. An electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner by the developing unit 14, and the toner development is transferred to the recording medium 18 by the transfer unit 16 and printed out. Next, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 after the image transfer is cleaned by the cleaning unit 17 and further neutralized by a neutralizing unit (not shown), and the above operation is repeated again.

  Examples of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

Example 1
<Production of image forming apparatus>
-Production of electrophotographic photoreceptor-
By coating and drying an undercoat layer paint, a charge generation layer paint, and a charge transport layer paint in the following composition on an aluminum drum having a thickness of 1 mm, a length of 352 mm, and an outer diameter of Φ40 mm, a thickness of 3.5 μm is obtained. An undercoat layer, a 0.2 μm thick charge generation layer, and a 22 μm thick charge transport layer were formed. A coating for the surface layer was sprayed thereon. Spray coating was performed using a PC-WIDE308 manufactured by Olympus as a spray gun at a position where the distance between the nozzle tip of the spray gun and the photoconductor was 50 mm with an atomizing pressure of 2.5 kgf / cm ² . The discharge amount was about 5 cc.
As a result, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a surface layer having a thickness of 6 μm was obtained.

[Coating for undercoat layer]
-Alkyd resin solution 12 parts by mass (Beckolite M6401-50, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Melamine resin solution 8.0 parts by mass (Super Becamine G-821-60, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
・ Titanium oxide (CR-EL, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) 40 parts by mass ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 200 parts by mass

[Charge generation coating]
-5.0 parts by mass of bisazo pigment having the following structure (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.)

・ Polyvinyl butyral (XYHL, manufactured by UCC) 1.0 part by mass ・ Cyclohexanone 200 part by mass ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 80 part by mass

[Charge transport layer coating]
-Z-type polycarbonate (Panlite TS-2050, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) 10 parts by mass-Charge transport material having the following structure 7.0 parts by mass

Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts by weight 1% silicone oil (KF50-100CS, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) tetrahydrofuran solution 1 part by weight

[Coating for surface layer]
-Z-type polycarbonate (Panlite TS-2050, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) 10 parts by mass-Charge transport material having the following structure: 7 parts by mass
・ Alumina fine particles (α-alumina) 5.7 parts by mass (Sumicorundum AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.)
・ Dispersant (Bic Chemie, BYK-P104) 0.014 parts by mass. Tetrahydrofuran 280 parts by mass. Cyclohexanone 80 parts by mass.

-Production of lubricant supply means-
Lubricant supply means having a droplet forming member having a thin film and a vibration generating portion as shown in FIG. 15 was produced. The thin film used was a nickel plate having an outer diameter of 8.0 mm and a thickness of 20 μm, and a circular through hole having a diameter of 5 μm was produced by electroforming. The through holes were in a staggered pattern such that the distance between the through holes was 100 μm, and were provided only in the range of about 5 mmΦ at the center of the thin film. The vibration generating portion was made of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and arranged in an annular shape on the outer periphery of the thin film. By applying a sine wave voltage having a frequency of 98 kHz and a peak-to-peak voltage of 20.0 V to this, a lubricant supplying means for discharging the lubricant toward the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was produced.
As the lubricant, normal paraffin (Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) having a melting point of 70 ° C. was used, and the lubricant was discharged at 75 ° C. From one lubricant supply means, the discharge amount was 150 mg with respect to the travel distance of 1 km of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member and the lubricant supplying means were mounted on a black developing station of IPSiO SP C811 (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) to obtain an image forming apparatus.
The lubricant supply means removes the application brush and the lubricant bar as the lubricant application means originally installed in the photoreceptor cartridge dedicated to the IPSiO SP C811, and attaches five to the vacant space at equal intervals of 70 mm. It was.
The shortest distance between the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was 5 mm.

<Measurement / Evaluation>
(1) Measurement of surface shape of electrophotographic photosensitive member The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is measured by using a surface roughness / contour shape measuring machine (Surfcom 1400D, manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.), pickup: E-DT-S02A. Attachment, measurement length: 12 mm, total number of sampling points: 30,720, measurement speed: 0.06 mm / s.
A multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) was performed in which the one-dimensional data array of the surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member obtained by the measurement was subjected to wavelet transform and separated into six frequency components from HHH to HLL. Furthermore, a one-dimensional data array is created by thinning out the HLL one-dimensional data array obtained here so that the number of data arrays is reduced to 1/40, and wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned-out one-dimensional data array. Then, a multi-resolution analysis (MRA-2) for separating the frequency components into six frequency components from LHH to LLL was performed. And the arithmetic mean roughness was calculated about the obtained total 12 frequency components.
The surface shape was measured at four locations for each electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the arithmetic average roughness for each frequency component was calculated for each location.
For wavelet transformation, Matlab's Wavelet Toolbox was used as it was. As described above, in the present invention, the wavelet transform is performed twice.
The average value of the arithmetic average roughness of each frequency component at four locations was defined as the arithmetic average roughness (WRa) of each frequency component of the measurement result. The measurement results are shown in Table 2. A surface roughness spectrum is shown in FIG.

(2) Image evaluation After conducting a print test on 100,000 sheets, half-tone patterns and blank paper patterns in which 4 dots x 4 dots are drawn in an 8 x 8 matrix with a pixel density of 600 dpi x 600 dpi are alternately and continuously 5 sheets Printing was performed one by one, and the background stain of the white paper pattern was visually evaluated on the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 2.
5; Very good 4; Excellent 3; No problem 2; Slightly dull feel but no problem in actual use 1; Dull feel 0;

(3) Evaluation of abrasion of cleaning blade 100,000 sheets of copy paper (My Paper A4, NBS) under the condition that a line pattern parallel to the sub-scanning direction of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having an image density of 6% is printed continuously by 5 sheets. Printed out by Ricoh). As the toner and developer, genuine IPSiO SP C811 was used. The toner is a polymerized toner.
The voltage applied to the charging roller provided in the electrophotographic photoreceptor unit was selected as an AC component with a peak-to-peak voltage of 1.5 kV and a frequency of 0.9 kHz. For the DC component, a bias was set such that the charging potential of the electrophotographic photosensitive member at the start of the test was −700 V, and the test was performed under this charging condition until the end of the test. The developing bias was −500V. Note that the image forming apparatus is not provided with a charge eliminating unit. The cleaning means was changed to an unused product before the test was started. After the test, the color test chart was copied and printed on PPC paper TYPE-6200A3. The test environment was 25 ° C./55% RH.
The tip of the cleaning blade collected after the test was observed with a confocal microscope (Lasertec's OPTELICS H-1200). The tip of the cleaning blade made of a rubber plate is pulled in the moving direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by rubbing with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. For this reason, since the cleaning blade is drawn from the tip and wears on the portion that comes into contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the collected cleaning blade wears as if the portion away from the tip is removed. The wear condition was evaluated using the length of the gap from the tip as the starting point. Here, the length removed from the tip refers to the distance from the tip to the tip side of the outer edge of the bore. For the observation image of the tip part of the blade cut surface obtained with a confocal microscope, obtain a cross-sectional curve by digital data in the height direction for four lines that divide the top and bottom at equal intervals, and using these data, The length of the gap was calculated individually, and the average value was used as the evaluation value of the length (edge start point) of the gap.
The results are shown in Table 2. The evaluation shows that the shorter the starting point is, the better the wear of the cleaning blade is.
Here, FIGS. 50 and 51 show enlarged photographs of the tip of the cleaning blade. FIG. 50 is an enlarged photograph of the tip of the cleaning blade in which “egre” is observed, and FIG. 51 is an enlarged photograph of the tip of the cleaning blade in which “egre” is hardly present.

(Example 2)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the through hole formed in the thin film was replaced with a circular through hole having a diameter of 2 μm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

Example 3
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the through hole formed in the thin film was replaced with a circular through hole having a diameter of 10 μm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

Example 4
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the through hole formed in the thin film was replaced with a circular through hole having a diameter of 1 μm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 5)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the through hole formed in the thin film was replaced with a circular through hole having a diameter of 12 μm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 6)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was changed to 1 mm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 7)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was changed to 10 mm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 8)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was changed to 0.5 mm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

Example 9
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was changed to 11 mm. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 10)
An image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the lubricant was changed to 50 ° C. and the lubricant was changed to normal paraffin (Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) having a melting point of 46 ° C. . The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 11)
An image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the lubricant was changed to 100 ° C. in Example 1. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 12)
An image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the temperature of the lubricant was changed to 45 ° C. and the lubricant was changed to normal paraffin (Kanto Chemical Co., Inc.) having a melting point of 44 ° C. . The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 13)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the temperature of the lubricant was changed to 110 ° C. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 14)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member was replaced with the following electrophotographic photosensitive member. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
-Production of electrophotographic photoreceptor-
By coating and drying an undercoat layer paint, a charge generation layer paint, and a charge transport layer paint in the following composition on an aluminum drum having a thickness of 1 mm, a length of 352 mm, and an outer diameter of Φ40 mm, a thickness of 3.5 μm is obtained. An undercoat layer, a 0.2 μm thick charge generation layer, and a 22 μm thick charge transport layer were formed.
Next, while rotating the drum at a rotation speed of 160 rpm, spraying speed: 11 mm / s, spraying pressure: 2.0 kgf / cm ² , number of spraying; The surface was sprayed onto the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the charge transport layer, and further heat-dried at 135 ° C. for 20 minutes. The amount of tetrahydrofuran sprayed was 330 mg / s.
A cross-linked resin surface layer coating material having the following composition was applied thereon by spraying. After leaving to stand for 15 minutes and drying with the finger, a metal halide lamp was provided at a distance of 120 mm from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and UV curing was performed while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The illuminance of the metal halide lamp at this position was 550 mW / cm ² (ultraviolet integrated light meter UIT-150, measured value by Ushio Inc.). The drum rotation speed was 25 rpm. When performing UV curing, UV curing was performed for 4 minutes continuously by circulating water at 30 ° C. in an aluminum drum. Then, it heat-dried at 130 degreeC for 30 minutes. As a result, an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided with a 6 μm thick crosslinked resin surface layer was obtained. The surface roughness spectrum is shown in FIG.

[Coating for undercoat layer]
-Alkyd resin solution 12 parts by mass (Beckolite M6401-50, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
Melamine resin solution 8.0 parts by mass (Super Becamine G-821-60, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc.)
・ Titanium oxide (CR-EL, manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.) 40 parts by mass ・ Methyl ethyl ketone 200 parts by mass

[Charge generation coating]
-5.0 parts by mass of bisazo pigment having the following structure (manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.)

-Polyvinyl butyral (XYHL, manufactured by UCC) 1 part by mass- Cyclohexanone 200 parts by mass- Methyl ethyl ketone 80 parts by mass

[Charge transport layer coating]
-Z-type polycarbonate (Panlite TS-2050, manufactured by Teijin Chemicals Ltd.) 10 parts by mass-Low molecular charge transport material having the following structure 7.0 parts by mass

Tetrahydrofuran 100 parts by weight 1% silicone oil (KF50-100CS, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) tetrahydrofuran solution 1 part by weight

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure

・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
・ 567 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran

(Example 15)
In Example 1, the surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material, and the coating method for the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following coating method. Thus, an image forming apparatus was obtained. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
-Coating method-
The spray nozzle conformation was the type shown in FIG. After spray coating the following coating for the cross-linked resin surface layer on the charge transport layer, it is allowed to stand for 15 minutes, dried by touch, and then provided with a metal halide lamp at a distance of 120 mm from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. UV curing was performed while rotating the photosensitive drum. The illuminance of the metal halide lamp at this position was 550 mW / cm ² (ultraviolet integrated light meter UIT-150, measured value by Ushio Inc.). The rotation speed of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum was 25 rpm. When performing the UV curing, 30 ° C. water was circulated in the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and UV curing was performed continuously for 4 minutes. Then, it heat-dried at 130 degreeC for 30 minutes. As a result, an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided with a 6 μm thick crosslinked resin surface layer was obtained. A surface roughness spectrum is shown in FIG.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure

・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
・ 38 parts by mass of silica fine particles (SO-E1, manufactured by Admatechs)
Tetrahydrofuran 721 parts by mass

(Example 16)
Example 15 was the same as Example 15 except that the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material and the coating method of the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following method. Thus, an image forming apparatus was obtained. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
-Coating method-
The spray coating was carried out while being translated at a constant speed with respect to the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The configuration of the spray nozzle was the type shown in FIG. The spray gun head shown in FIG. 38 was used. Further, FIG. 39 shows a schematic diagram of the front end portion of the head observed from the front. This tip has a compressed air ventilation hole and a hole through which paint is discharged. Changing the position of the vent changes the brush-like orientation of the paint that is blown out. In this coating, a peculiar pattern was formed by changing the direction of the brush to obtain an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The surface roughness spectrum is shown in FIG.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure
・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
・ 38 parts by mass of alumina fine particles (α-alumina) (Sumicorundum AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.)
Tetrahydrofuran 721 parts by mass

(Example 17)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material. About the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor, the surface roughness spectrum was measured. The measurement results are shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.
The following coating for the crosslinked resin surface was performed by spray-coating with a conformation spray of the type shown in FIG. 35 and then drying by heating at 130 ° C. for 30 minutes.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 27 parts by mass of low molecular charge transport material with the following structure

・ Alumina fine particles (α-alumina) 3 parts by mass (Sumicorundum AA-03, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.)
-7 parts by mass of tin oxide (NanoTek SnO ₂ , manufactured by CI Kasei Co., Ltd.)
-Dispersant 2 parts by mass (DisperBYK-2000, manufactured by Big Chemie; solid content 40% by mass, amine value: 4 mgKOH / g)
・ Curable monomer (melamine) 105 parts by mass (Super Becamine G-821-60, manufactured by Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc .; solid content 60% by mass)
Tetrahydrofuran 90 parts by mass 1-methoxy-2-propanol 766 parts by mass

(Example 18)
In Example 1, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material. About the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor, the surface roughness spectrum was measured. The measurement results are shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure
・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
-Methacryloyl-modified silicone oil (functional group equivalent; 4,600 g / mol)
(X-22-174DX, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by mass / tetrahydrofuran 522 parts by mass

(Example 19)
In Example 18, an image was obtained in the same manner as in Example 18 except that the content of methacryloyl-modified silicone oil (X-22-174DX) contained in the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was changed from 3 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass. A forming device was obtained. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 20)
In Example 18, the content of methacryloyl-modified silicone oil (X-22-174DX) contained in the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was changed from 3 parts by weight to 2.5 parts by weight, and another methacryloyl-modified silicone oil (functional An image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 18 except that 2.5 parts by mass of a base equivalent: 2,370 g / mol, X-22-164C, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) was added. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 21)
In Example 15, 38 parts by mass of silica fine particles contained in the coating for the crosslinked resin surface layer were mixed with 5 parts by mass of highly crosslinked particles (SX8743 (B) -03; particle size 0.03 μm, organic filler, manufactured by JSR). An image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 15 except that the amount of tetrahydrofuran was changed from 721 parts by mass to 494 parts by mass, instead of the mass of only the component. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Example 22)
In Example 15, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 15 except that the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure

・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
Alumina (Sumicorundum AA-1.5, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 9 parts by mass Dispersant (BIC Chemie, BYK-P104) 1.8 parts by mass Tetrahydrofuran 522 parts by mass

(Example 23)
In Example 15, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 15 except that the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

[Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer]
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure

・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
-Methacryloyl-modified silicone oil (functional group equivalent; 4,600 g / mol)
(X-22-174DX, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 3 parts by mass / alumina (Sumicorundum AA-05, manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.) 18 parts by mass / dispersing agent (Bic Chemie, BYK-P104) 1.8 parts by mass・ 653 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran

(Example 24)
In Example 1, the surface layer coating material was replaced with the following crosslinked resin surface layer coating material, and the coating method for the crosslinked resin surface layer coating material was replaced with the following coating method. Thus, an image forming apparatus was obtained.
-Coating method-
The cross-linked resin surface layer paint was spray-coated on the charge transport layer. The conformation of the spray nozzle was the type shown in FIG. After spray coating, the mixture was left for 15 minutes, dried by touch, and then a metal halide lamp was provided at a distance of 120 mm from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and UV curing was performed while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The illuminance of the metal halide lamp at this position was 550 mW / cm ² (ultraviolet integrated light meter UIT-150, measured value by Ushio Inc.). The rotation speed of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum was 25 rpm. When performing the UV curing, 30 ° C. water was circulated in the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and UV curing was performed continuously for 4 minutes. Then, it heat-dried at 130 degreeC for 30 minutes. As a result, an electrophotographic photosensitive member provided with a 6 μm thick crosslinked resin surface layer was obtained. The surface roughness spectrum is shown in FIG.

(Coating for cross-linked resin surface layer)
・ 43 parts by mass of a cross-linked charge transport material having the following structure

・ 21 parts by mass of trimethylolpropane triacrylate (KAYARAD TMPTA, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
-21 parts by mass of caprolactone-modified dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate (KAYARAD DPCA-120, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd.)
・ 0.2 parts by mass of acrylic group-containing polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxane and propoxy-modified-2-neopentylglycol diacrylate mixture (BYK-UV3570, manufactured by Big Chemie)
・ 4 parts by mass of 1-hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals)
・ 567 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran

(Example 25)
In Example 24, the image forming apparatus was changed in the same manner as in Example 24 except that 567 parts by mass of tetrahydrofuran contained in the paint for the crosslinked resin surface layer was changed to 454 parts by mass and 113 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water was added. Obtained. The surface roughness spectrum of the obtained electrophotographic photoreceptor is shown in FIG. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 1)
In Example 24, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 24 except that normal paraffin was applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member via a fur brush instead of the lubricant supply unit. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 24. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Example 25, an image forming apparatus was obtained in the same manner as in Example 25 except that normal paraffin was applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member via a fur brush instead of the lubricant supply unit. The obtained image forming apparatus was evaluated in the same manner as in Example 25. The evaluation results are shown in Table 2.

  Table 2 shows the evaluation results of the above examples and comparative examples.

If the supply of lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member is insufficient, the coefficient of friction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member increases. When the lubricant is sufficiently applied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the coefficient of friction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is usually 0.15 or less. The friction coefficient of the electrophotographic photosensitive member affects the motor current value for driving the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Therefore, the state of lubricant application can be determined by measuring the motor current value.
When the lubricant is sufficiently applied, the motor current value at the time of printing is 0.9 A or less, and when it exceeds this, the supply of the lubricant is insufficient.
In Examples 1 to 25, the motor current value was 0.9 A or less. That is, a necessary amount of lubricant could be supplied by the lubricant supply means.
In Comparative Example 1, the motor current value was 1.1 A, and in Comparative Example 2, the motor current value was 1.2 A. That is, the required amount of lubricant could not be supplied by the lubricant supply means.

  The image forming apparatus of Example 1 was higher in quality than the image forming apparatus of Comparative Example 1 after the durability test. Also, the wear of the cleaning blade was small. In the image forming apparatus of Example 1, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is appropriately roughened and exhibits excellent properties in the application property of the lubricant supplied to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by the lubricant supply unit. It was. In Comparative Example 1, although the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is appropriately roughened, the supply amount of the lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be controlled because the lubricant supplying means is a fur brush. There wasn't. For this reason, the unevenness of applicability of the lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is likely to be uneven.

  Embodiments 2 to 5 are image forming apparatuses in which the opening diameters of the through holes of the lubricant supply unit are variously changed with respect to Embodiment 1. The quality of the printed images after the durability test was high. Looking at the erosion wear of the cleaning blade, it can be evaluated that Examples 1 to 3 are shallower than Examples 4 and 5 and have superior durability. When the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member immediately after the lubricant was supplied from the lubricant supplying means to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was observed, the condition was smaller as the opening diameter of the through hole was smaller. On the other hand, when the opening diameter is too small, the droplets become mist-like, and the adhesion efficiency of the lubricant to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is lowered. The lubricant supply means of the first to third embodiments have a good balance between these. This gave excellent results in the wear of the cleaning blade.

  Examples 6 to 9 are image forming apparatuses in which the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying unit and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is variously changed from that of Example 1. The quality of the printed images after the durability test was high. In view of the wear of the cleaning blade, it can be evaluated that Example 1, Example 6, and Example 7 have a wear depth shallower than that of Example 8 and Example 9, and are superior in durability. There is an appropriate distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There is an appropriate distance, and if this distance is not too long, the lubricant can be sufficiently distributed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is considered that the sliding of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is stabilized. As one of the effects, it is considered that the cleaning blade wear becomes shallow. In particular, Example 1, Example 6 and Example 7 are favorable conditions, and the shortest distance between the surface of the thin film of the lubricant supplying means and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is preferably 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  Examples 10 to 13 are image forming apparatuses in which the temperature of the lubricant is variously changed with respect to Example 1. The quality of the printed images after the durability test was high. Among these, Example 1, Example 10, and Example 11 were excellent. The cleaning blades were slightly worn out, but among them, Examples 1, 10, and 11 were good. When the temperature of the lubricant is increased, the lubricant spreads on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the lubricant film is easily formed. This is considered to be reflected in the wear of the cleaning blade. Although the effect is weak in Example 13, this is considered to be a result of the influence of the thermal characteristics of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. From the viewpoint of the film forming ability of the lubricant and the reduction in thermal deterioration of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the most excellent lubricating effect can be obtained when the temperature of the lubricant is 50 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower.

  In Examples 14 to 23, an image forming apparatus in which a surface shape having a bending point or a maximum point in any one of LMH, LHL, and LHH in a surface roughness spectrum is imparted to an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is. The printed image after the endurance test is maintained at a much higher quality. It is considered that the coating property of the lubricant is improved by giving a special surface shape to the electrophotographic photosensitive member. This effect also has an advantageous effect on reducing the wear of the cleaning blade. Extremely high durability can be obtained by using a lubricant supplying means in combination with an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a special surface shape. Although the detailed reason why remarkable high quality and remarkable high durability are obtained in Examples 22 and 23 is unknown, the friction between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is almost perfect by the lubricant. It is thought that proper fluid lubrication is realized. In other words, it is considered that the specific surface shape promotes the familiarity between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can supply only a necessary amount of a lubricant when necessary, and a high-quality image can be obtained while achieving high stability of cleaning, so that a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a laser printer, It is suitably used for a direct digital plate making machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Electrophotographic photoreceptor 12 Charging means 13 Exposure means 14 Developing means 15 Toner 16 Transfer means 17 Cleaning means 18 Print media (printing paper, slide for OHP)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Fixing means 1A Static elimination means 1B Pre-cleaning exposure means 1C Driving means 1D 1st transfer means 1E 2nd transfer means 1F Intermediate transfer body 1G Conveyance transfer belt 20 Lubricant supply means 21 Conductive support 31 Photoreceptor surface 39 Application Blade 3A Solid lubricant 3B Application brush 3D Application blade edge 41 Electrophotographic photosensitive member 42 Jig with probe 43 Probe moving means 44 Surface roughness meter 45 Computer 101 Highest frequency component (HHH) of first multi-resolution analysis result Graph 102 Graph of frequency component (HHL) one lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result 103 Graph of frequency component (HMH) two lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result 104 From the highest frequency component of the first multiresolution analysis result Lower frequency component (HML) graph 105 Graph of frequency component (HLH) four lower than the highest frequency component of the first multi-resolution analysis result 106 Graph of lowest frequency component (HLL) of the first multi-resolution analysis result 107 2 Graph of the highest frequency component (LHH) of the second multi-resolution analysis result 108 Graph of a frequency component (LHL) one lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result 109 Highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result Graph of two lower frequency components (LMH) 110 Graph of three lower frequency components (LML) than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result 111 Four lower than the highest frequency component of the second multi-resolution analysis result Graph of frequency component (LLH) 112 Minimum frequency component of the second multiresolution analysis result ( LL) 121 The highest frequency component (HHH) band in the first multi-resolution analysis 122 The frequency component (HHL) band one lower than the highest frequency component in the first multi-resolution analysis 123 In the first multi-resolution analysis Band of frequency component (HMH) two lower than highest frequency component 124 Band of frequency component (HML) three lower than highest frequency component in first multiresolution analysis 125 Four from highest frequency component in first multiresolution analysis Band of low frequency component (HLH) 126 Band of lowest frequency component (HLL) in first multi-resolution analysis 127 Band of highest frequency component (LHH) in second multi-resolution analysis 128 Highest frequency in second multi-resolution analysis Band 1 of frequency component (LHL) one lower than the component 9 Band of frequency component (LMH) two lower than the highest frequency component in the second multi-resolution analysis 130 Band of frequency component (LML) three lower than the highest frequency component in the second multi-resolution analysis 131 Second multi-resolution Band of frequency component (LLH) four lower than highest frequency component in analysis 132 Band of lowest frequency component (LLL) in second multi-resolution analysis 201 Electrophotographic photosensitive member 202 Droplet forming member 207 Lubricant containing member 208 Piping 209 Pump member 210 Lubricant 211 Thin film 212 Flow path 213 Flow path part 215 Through hole 216 Thin film 216A Deformable area 216B Peripheral part 216C Convex part 216D Convex part 217 Vibration generating part 220 Support part 221 Lead wire 222 Lead wire 223 Drive circuit 231 droplet 311 photosensitivity 312 charger 313 exposing beam means 314 developing device 315 the transfer unit 316 toner cleaner 317 lubricant bottle 318 roller 319 lubricant conveyor belt 31A blade 31B lubricant supply means

JP 2000-66424 A JP 2002-229227 A JP-A-57-94772 JP 2006-11047 A JP 63-106757 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-311486 JP 2000-162881 A

Nobuo Hyakutake, Akihisa Maruyama, Jun Shigezaki, Hiroe Okuyama, Japan Hardcopy Fall Meeting, 24-27, 2001 Yukiko Mizuguchi, Kento Miyamoto, KONICA MINOLTA TECHNOLOGY REPORT Vol. 1, 19-22, 2004

Claims (13)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support; and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The liquid droplets member, possess a thin film formed with a through-hole, and a vibration generating unit for vibrating the thin film,
An image forming apparatus, wherein an opening diameter of the through hole is 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less . An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support; and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The droplet forming member has a thin film in which a through hole is formed, and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a shortest distance between the surface of the thin film and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support; and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The droplet forming member has a thin film in which a through hole is formed, and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the temperature of the lubricant is 50 ° C. or higher and 100 ° C. or lower. The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is the highest frequency component (HHH) obtained by wavelet transforming the one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a surface roughness / contour measuring instrument. To the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), the fourth high frequency component (HML), the fifth high frequency component (HLH) and the lowest frequency component (HLL). Multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) is performed to separate frequency components, and the number of data arrays is reduced to 1/10 to 1/100 with respect to the one-dimensional data array of the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here. A thinned one-dimensional data array is created, and the wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned one-dimensional data array, and the next high frequency component (LHL) is converted from the highest frequency component (LHH). Multi-resolution analysis (separation into 6 frequency components ranging from 3rd high frequency component (LMH), 4th high frequency component (LML), 5th high frequency component (LLH) and lowest frequency component (LLL)) Among the arithmetic average roughness of each of the 12 frequency components obtained by performing MRA-2), at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH) are 0.01 μm or more. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is less than 0.1 μm.
Here, the arithmetic average roughness is an arithmetic average roughness (abbreviation; Ra) defined by JIS-B0601: 2001, and WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH). Represents Ra in the following bands, respectively.
WRa (LHL): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 53 μm to 183 μm
WRa (LMH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 106 μm to 318 μm
WRa (LML): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 214 μm to 551 μm
WRa (LLH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 431 μm to 954 μm On the horizontal axis of the two-dimensional graph, 11 frequency components from the highest frequency component (HHH) to the lowest frequency component (LLL) (excluding the lowest frequency component (HLL)) are arranged in the order of the band length, and the two-dimensional The logarithm of the arithmetic mean roughness of each frequency component is plotted on the vertical axis of the graph, and a line obtained by connecting the plots has a bending point and a maximum point in any one band of LMH, LHL, and LHH. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, having any one of them. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer contains a crosslinked resin. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the crosslinked resin contains a structural unit derived from trimethylolpropane triacrylate. The cross-linked resin contains a structural unit derived from a methacryloyl-modified silicone oil having a functional group equivalent of 450 g / mol to 12,000 g / mol in an amount of 1% by mass to 10% by mass with respect to the solid content of the cross-linked resin. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer contains a filler. A process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The droplet forming member has a thin film in which a through hole is formed, and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film,
An opening diameter of the through hole is 2 μm or more and 10 μm or less. A process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The droplet forming member has a thin film in which a through hole is formed, and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film,
A process cartridge, wherein a shortest distance between the surface of the thin film and the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. A process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer and a surface layer on a conductive support, and a lubricant supply means for supplying a lubricant to the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The lubricant supply means has a droplet forming member that droplets the lubricant,
The droplet forming member has a thin film in which a through hole is formed, and a vibration generating unit that vibrates the thin film,
The process cartridge characterized in that the temperature of the lubricant is 50 ° C or higher and 100 ° C or lower. The surface shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is the highest frequency component (HHH) obtained by wavelet transforming the one-dimensional data array obtained by measuring the surface roughness of the electrophotographic photosensitive member using a surface roughness / contour measuring instrument. To the next high frequency component (HHL), the third high frequency component (HMH), the fourth high frequency component (HML), the fifth high frequency component (HLH) and the lowest frequency component (HLL). Multi-resolution analysis (MRA-1) is performed to separate frequency components, and the number of data arrays is reduced to 1/10 to 1/100 with respect to the one-dimensional data array of the lowest frequency component (HLL) obtained here. A thinned one-dimensional data array is created, and the wavelet transform is further performed on the thinned one-dimensional data array, and the next high frequency component (LHL) is converted from the highest frequency component (LHH). Multi-resolution analysis (separation into 6 frequency components ranging from 3rd high frequency component (LMH), 4th high frequency component (LML), 5th high frequency component (LLH) and lowest frequency component (LLL)) Among the arithmetic average roughness of each of the 12 frequency components obtained by performing MRA-2), at least WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH) are 0.01 μm or more. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the process cartridge is less than 0.1 μm.
Here, the arithmetic average roughness is an arithmetic average roughness (abbreviation; Ra) defined by JIS-B0601: 2001, and WRa (LHL), WRa (LMH), WRa (LML), and WRa (LLH). Represents Ra in the following bands, respectively.
WRa (LHL): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 53 μm to 183 μm
WRa (LMH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 106 μm to 318 μm
WRa (LML): Ra in a band where the length of one cycle of unevenness is 214 μm to 551 μm
WRa (LLH): Ra in a band in which the length of one cycle of unevenness is 431 μm to 954 μm