JP6723790B2 - Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus.

The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is applied with an electric external force or a mechanical external force such as charging or cleaning, and therefore durability (wear resistance etc.) against these external forces is required.
In order to meet this demand, a technique such as using a resin having high abrasion resistance (curable resin or the like) for the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member has been conventionally used.
On the other hand, as a problem caused by increasing the abrasion resistance of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, there is a decrease in cleaning performance.

Techniques for improving the cleaning performance include, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2.
Patent Document 1 discloses an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a specific groove shape on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Patent Document 2 discloses a toner image carrier having a periodic groove shape on the outer peripheral surface of the toner image carrier.

JP, 2010-26240, A JP, 2010-250355, A

The techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 have an effect of improving the cleaning performance. However, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, streak-shaped image defects (hereinafter referred to as H/H) on a halftone image having a density of about 30% output after printing in a low print mode in a high temperature and high humidity environment. There is room for further improvement in that the initial streaks occur). Further, in the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is still room for further improvement in terms of suppressing the load on the cleaning blade.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic photoconductor that realizes reduction of streak-shaped image defects caused by low print mode output in a high temperature and high humidity environment and suppression of load on a cleaning blade, and the electrophotographic photoconductor. An object is to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus.

The present invention relates to a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed by arranging a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member side by side on the surface, and is derived from the plurality of the grooves. The concavo-convex shape continuous in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is such that the line segment of the contour connecting the apex of the concavo-convex shape and the bottom point adjacent to the concavo-convex shape in the axial direction cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member Is projected from an imaginary straight line connecting the apex and the adjacent bottom point, and w is 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less, where w (μm) is the width between the apexes of the concavo-convex shape. when the depth to the bottom point of the next set to d ([mu] m) from the apex of the concave-convex shape, d is Ri der least 5μm below 1 [mu] m, the average value of the width w between adjacent vertices of the concave-convex w _{When av} (μm) and its standard deviation are wσ, wσ/w _av ≦0.10, and the average value of the depth d from the peak of the concavo-convex shape to the bottom point next thereto is d _av (μm). ) and, when the standard deviation and Dishiguma, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member characterized by dσ / d _av ≦ 0.10 der Rukoto.
Further, the present invention is characterized in that the electrophotographic photosensitive member and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member arranged in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally supported, and are detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. It is a process cartridge that does.
Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising the above-mentioned electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging means, an exposing means, a developing means, a transferring means, and a cleaning means having a cleaning member arranged in contact with the electrophotographic photoreceptor. It is an electrophotographic device.

According to the present invention, an electrophotographic photosensitive member that realizes reduction of streak-shaped image defects caused by low print mode output in a high temperature and high humidity environment and suppression of load on a cleaning blade, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member are provided. A process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus can be provided.

It is a figure which shows the reference plane in the axial direction cross section of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the width w between the apexes of concavo-convex shape, and the depth d from the apex of concavo-convex shape to the bottom point next to it. It is a figure which shows typically some uneven|corrugated shapes of the surface in the axial direction cross section of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows typically the relationship of the axial direction position and depth direction position about a part of uneven|corrugated shape of the surface in the axial direction cross section of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. FIG. 3 is a diagram partially showing an example of a surface irregularity shape in an axial section of an electrophotographic photosensitive member according to the present invention. (Figs. 4(A) to (D)) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a pressure contact shape transfer processing device for forming a recess on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a diagram showing an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention. Mold No. used in the production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows 1. ((A) schematic top view, (b) BB schematic sectional view, (c) CC schematic sectional view) Mold No. used in the production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows 2. ((A) schematic top view, (b) BB schematic sectional view, (c) CC schematic sectional view) Mold No. used in the production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows 3. ((A) schematic top view, (b) BB schematic sectional view, (c) CC schematic sectional view) Mold No. used in the production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows 4. ((A) schematic top view, (b) BB schematic sectional view, (c) CC schematic sectional view) Mold No. used in the production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows 5. ((A) schematic top view, (b) BB schematic sectional view, (c) CC schematic sectional view)

The feature of the present invention with respect to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 is that a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction are formed on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the plurality of grooves are arranged side by side in the axial direction. Point where the contour line segment connecting the bottom point and the apex of the concavo-convex shape in the axial direction is projected more than the virtual straight line connecting the bottom point and the apex of the concavo-convex shape. Is.

As a result of the study by the present inventors, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is provided with a concavo-convex shape continuously formed in the axial direction formed by the above-mentioned groove, whereby streak-shaped image defects under a high temperature and high humidity environment are generated. It was found that the load was reduced and the load on the cleaning blade (cleaning member) was suppressed.

On the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, arrange a shape in which the line segment of the contour connecting the bottom point and the apex of the uneven shape in the axial direction projects more than the virtual straight line connecting the bottom point and the apex of the uneven shape. Thus, the contact area of the cleaning blade in the vicinity of the bottom point of the uneven shape formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be reduced. As a result, the frictional force generated between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is reduced, vibration and deformation of the cleaning blade are suppressed, and the contact state between the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is stabilized. Therefore, the present inventors believe that the occurrence of streak-shaped image defects in a high temperature and high humidity environment due to uneven rubbing of the cleaning blade is suppressed.

Further, on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a shape in which the line segment of the contour connecting the bottom point and the apex of the uneven shape in the axial direction is projected from the virtual straight line connecting the bottom point and the apex of the uneven shape is arranged. By doing so, the contact area of the cleaning blade in the vicinity of the apex of the uneven shape formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member increases. As a result, the present inventors believe that the load on the cleaning blade contact portion near the apex of the uneven shape is leveled and chipping or gouging of the cleaning blade is suppressed.

Specifically, in the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention, a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member are formed on the surface side by side. Further, the concavo-convex shape which is derived from the plurality of grooves and which is continuous in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member satisfies the following (1) to (3) in the axial cross section of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
(1) A line segment of a contour connecting the apex of the concave-convex shape and the bottom point adjacent to the convex-concave shape is projected more than a virtual straight line connecting the apex of the concave-convex shape and the adjacent bottom point.
(2) When the width between adjacent vertices of the uneven shape is w (μm), w is 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less.
(3) When the depth from the apex of the concavo-convex shape to the bottom point adjacent thereto is d (μm), d is 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less.

The groove and the uneven shape on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be observed using a microscope such as a laser microscope, an optical microscope, an electron microscope, and an atomic force microscope.

As the laser microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Ultra depth shape measuring microscope VK-8550, ultra depth shape measuring microscope VK-9000, ultra depth shape measuring microscope VK-9500, VK-X200, VK-X100 manufactured by Keyence Corporation.
Scanning confocal laser microscope OLS3000 manufactured by Olympus Corporation
Lasertec Corp. real color confocal microscope Oprytex C130

As the optical microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Keyence Corporation Digital Microscope VHX-500, Digital Microscope VHX-200
3D digital microscope VC-7700 manufactured by OMRON Corporation

As the electron microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Keyence Corporation 3D Real Surface View Microscope VE-9800, 3D Real Surface View Microscope VE-8800
Scanning electron microscope conventional/Variable Pressure SEM manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd. (formerly SII Nano Technology Co., Ltd.)
Scanning electron microscope SUPERSCAN SS-550 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation

As the atomic force microscope, for example, the following devices can be used.
Nanoscale hybrid microscope VN-8000 manufactured by Keyence Corporation
Scanning probe microscope NanoNavi Station manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Science Co., Ltd. Scanning probe microscope SPM-9600 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.

The groove and the concavo-convex shape continuous in the axial direction in the present invention will be described in detail below.
The shape in the measurement visual field can be measured with a predetermined magnification using the microscope. Specifically, the width w between adjacent vertices in the concavo-convex shape in the visual field and the depth d from the top to the bottom point next to the apex can be measured. Further, in the concavo-convex shape per unit length in the visual field, the average value w _{av of} adjacent vertices and its standard deviation wσ, and the average value d _av of the depth from the apex to its adjacent bottom point The standard deviation dσ can be calculated.

Here, a method of measuring the width w between adjacent peaks of the uneven shape and the depth d from the peak of the uneven shape to the adjacent bottom point will be described. First, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is observed using the microscope. As a result of observation with the device, three-dimensional image data (A) is obtained, and the image data is saved. If it is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, then the stored image data is subjected to curvature correction to obtain three-dimensional data (B) equivalent to the data in which the groove and the uneven shape are formed on the plane. A waveform obtained by cutting out a section of the data (B) is shown in FIG. The cut section corresponds to a plane parallel to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photoreceptor (axial section). Therefore, the waveform shown in FIG. 1 is (a part of) the profile profile in the axial cross section of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member.

A solid line 101 in FIG. 1 is a shape obtained by cutting a groove and an uneven shape formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member from a cross section. The reference surface 102 is obtained by connecting the adjacent vertices 106 having uneven shapes. The length 103 of the straight line connecting the adjacent vertices 106 of the uneven shape was determined as the width w between the adjacent vertices 106 of the uneven shape (hereinafter, also simply referred to as the width w of the uneven shape). Assuming that the surface 104 is obtained by connecting the adjacent bottom points 107 of the uneven shape, the distance 105 between the reference surface 102 and the surface 104 is the depth d from the peak 106 of the uneven shape to the adjacent bottom point 107 (hereinafter , And also simply referred to as the depth d of the uneven shape.). The apex 106 is the highest point in one convex portion, and the bottom point 107 is the lowest point in one concave portion.

However, the concavo-convex shape of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is not limited to those in which the apexes and the bottom points of the concavo-convex shapes adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 1 are at the same vertical direction position (depth direction position). For this reason, when the adjacent vertices of the concavo-convex shape are at different height positions, the axial length of the electrophotographic photosensitive member between the vertices at different height positions is defined as the width w. In the waveform shown in FIG. 1, the horizontal length (corresponding to the axial direction in the electrophotographic photosensitive member) between the adjacent apexes of the uneven shape is the width w. Further, when the vertices and/or bottom points of adjacent concavo-convex shapes are at different height positions, the radial length of the electrophotographic photosensitive member between the apex and the bottom point adjacent thereto in the concavo-convex shape is deepened. Defined as d. In the waveform shown in FIG. 1, the vertical length (corresponding to the radial direction in the electrophotographic photosensitive member) from the apex of the concavo-convex shape to the bottom point adjacent thereto is the depth d.

The average value w _av of the width w of the uneven shape and its standard deviation wσ, and the average value d _av of the depth d of the uneven shape and the value of its standard deviation dσ were calculated as follows. First, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to be measured was divided into four equal parts in the rotating direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Then, a square area of 500 μm on each side is provided in each of a total of 100 areas obtained by dividing the electrophotographic photosensitive member in a direction (axial direction) perpendicular to the rotation direction (axial direction), and each observation is performed. It was Then, a number average value (w _av , d _av ) of all the values of the width w and the depth d of the concavo-convex shape finally obtained at 100 positions and a standard deviation (wσ, dσ) were calculated.

In the present invention, the width w of the uneven shape is preferably 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less from the viewpoint of reducing H/H initial streaks. Further, the depth d of the uneven shape is preferably 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less from the viewpoint of reducing H/H initial streaks.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an axial cross section of a part of the groove and the uneven shape. The groove and the uneven shape of the present invention are shapes in which the cross-sectional profile 201 of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is projected with respect to the virtual straight line 204 connecting the apex 202 of the convex portion and the bottom point 203 of the concave portion. In other words, in the groove and the uneven shape of the present invention, the virtual straight line 204 connecting the apex 202 of the convex portion and the bottom point 203 of the concave portion adjacent thereto passes only inside the electrophotographic photosensitive member, Does not pass through external areas. Further, it is preferable that the groove and the uneven shape of the present invention have a shape in which the depth of the uneven shape gradually increases from the apex toward the adjacent bottom point. The shape protruding from a virtual line connecting the apex and the adjacent bottom point, and the depth d of the uneven shape gradually increasing from the apex toward the adjacent bottom point, thereby The displacement of the cross-sectional shape toward the bottom point in the depth direction becomes gentle, and the contact of the cleaning blade in the vicinity of the apex of the convex portion tends to be stabilized.

FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the position in the axial direction and the position in the depth direction in the example of the cross section in the axial direction of the groove and the uneven shape. The vertical axis represents the depth direction (radial direction) position, and the horizontal axis represents the axial position. Here, the cross-sectional profile 301 of the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member connecting the apex 302 of the convex portion and the bottom point 303 of the concave portion adjacent to the convex portion 302 is defined as a function D. In other words, the distance in the depth direction of each point on the line segment connecting the apex 302 of the uneven shape and the bottom point 303 adjacent thereto is defined as the function D of the axial distance of the point. In the groove and the uneven shape in the present invention, the absolute value |D′| of the first derivative of the function D gradually increases from the apex 302 of the convex portion to the bottom point 303 of the concave portion adjacent to the convex portion H/ It is preferable from the viewpoint of reducing H initial streaks and suppressing the load on the cleaning blade.

Examples of the shape of the groove and the concavo-convex shape of the cross section in the axial direction of the present invention include the shapes shown in FIGS. 4(A) to 4(D).

An axial cross section of a part of the concavo-convex shape shown in FIG. 4A has a sectional profile 201 formed by combining two convex shapes having curved contours to form concavities and convexities. This uneven shape is a shape in which the cross-sectional profile 201 showing the contour is projected with respect to the virtual straight line 204 connecting the vertex and the bottom point adjacent thereto. When the cross-sectional profile 201 is a function D, the absolute value |D′| of the first derivative of the function D gradually increases from the apex of the convex portion to the bottom point of the adjacent concave portion. In addition, this uneven|corrugated shape is a mold No. shown in FIG. It can be produced by 1.

The partial axial cross section of the concavo-convex shape shown in FIG. 4B has a sectional profile 201 formed by concavo-convex by combining two convex shapes having a contour made of a plurality of straight lines. This uneven shape is a shape in which the cross-sectional profile 201 showing the contour is projected with respect to the virtual straight line 204 connecting the vertex and the bottom point adjacent thereto. When the cross-sectional profile 201 is a function D, the absolute value |D′| of the first derivative of the function D gradually increases from the apex of the convex portion to the bottom point of the adjacent concave portion. As described above, even if the absolute value |D'| of the first derivative of the function D is flat in a part of the region, it is referred to as gradual increase in the present invention. In addition, this uneven|corrugated shape is a mold No. shown in FIG. 2 can be used.

The partial axial cross section of the uneven shape shown in FIG. 4C has a cross-sectional profile 201 formed by combining two convex shapes having curved contours to form unevenness. This uneven shape is a shape in which the cross-sectional profile 201 showing the contour is projected with respect to the virtual straight line 204 connecting the vertex and the bottom point adjacent thereto. This concavo-convex shape is a shape that is raised at the apex as compared with the other examples. In addition, this uneven|corrugated shape is a mold No. shown in FIG. 3 can be used.

The partial axial cross section of the uneven shape shown in FIG. 4D has a cross-sectional profile 201 formed by combining two convex shapes having curved contours to form unevenness. This uneven shape is a shape in which the cross-sectional profile 201 showing the contour is projected with respect to the virtual straight line 204 connecting the vertex and the bottom point adjacent thereto. The concavo-convex shape is a shape that is asymptotic to the virtual straight line 204 at the bottom point as compared with the other examples. In addition, this uneven|corrugated shape is a mold No. shown in FIG. 4 can be used.

The plurality of grooves and concave and convex shapes provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member may all have the same shape, width and depth, or may have different shapes, widths and depths. .. Further, if necessary, grooves and uneven shapes other than the groove and uneven shapes of the present invention may be formed.

However, the groove and the uneven shape in the present invention preferably have a small variation in the width w of the uneven shape. That is, it is preferable that the value of the standard deviation wσ with respect to the average value w _av of the width w of the uneven shape is small. Specifically, a value obtained by the above calculation method wσ / w _av is preferably a wσ / w _av ≦ 0.10, and more preferably substantially zero.
Further, it is preferable that the groove and the uneven shape in the present invention have a small variation in the depth d of the uneven shape. That is, it is preferable that the standard deviation dσ has a small value with respect to the average value d _av of the depth d of the uneven shape. Specifically, the value dσ/d _av obtained by the above calculation method is preferably dσ/d _av ≦0.10, and more preferably substantially 0.

Since the width w and the depth d of the uneven shape are uniform, the contact state of the cleaning with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is stabilized, and the effect of reducing the initial streak of H/H tends to be obtained.

The groove and the uneven shape have a total value w _sum (μm) of the width w of the uneven shape per 1000 μm in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member at any position on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and 995≦w _sum ≦ It is preferably 1000. More preferably, it is substantially 1000. The larger the total value of the width w of the uneven shape, the smaller the contact area of the cleaning blade with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member can be. As a result, the frictional force generated between the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade is reduced, the contact state of the cleaning blade is stabilized, and the effect of reducing HH/initial streaks tends to be obtained.
The area that does not contribute to the integration of the total value w _sum (μm) of the width w of the uneven shape is an area where the uneven shape is not provided, and for example, a flat peripheral surface having no unevenness corresponds to this. To do. In order for the groove and the uneven shape to exhibit good performance, it is preferable that the groove and the uneven shape are formed at least in the entire contact region with the cleaning blade.

As the cleaning blade, it is preferable to use a urethane material, and it is also possible to use a cleaning blade that has been coated or surface-treated for the purpose of enhancing releasability, water repellency and hardness, or one that has been added with a filler or the like. Is. The cleaning blade can be brought into contact with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member by known means, but the linear pressure can be adjusted within the range of 18 g/cm to 250 g/cm and the contact angle within the range of 15° to 45°. preferable.

<Method of forming groove and uneven portion on surface of electrophotographic photosensitive member>
As a method of forming the groove and the uneven portion on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, a mold having an uneven shape and a groove portion corresponding to the groove and the uneven shape to be formed is pressed against the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to transfer the shape. As a result, it is possible to form grooves and irregularities on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a pressure-contact shape transfer processing apparatus for forming grooves and uneven shapes on the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
According to the press-contact shape transfer processing apparatus shown in FIG. 5, while rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 which is the workpiece, the mold 52 is continuously brought into contact with the surface (peripheral surface) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 to pressurize the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51. A concave portion or a flat portion can be formed on the surface of the photographic photosensitive member 51.

Examples of the material of the pressing member 53 include metal, metal oxide, plastic, glass and the like. Among these, stainless steel (SUS) is preferable from the viewpoint of mechanical strength, dimensional accuracy, and durability. The mold 52 is installed on the upper surface of the pressing member 53. Further, the pressing member 53 has a mold 52 on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor 51 supported by the supporting member 54 by a supporting member (not shown) and a pressing system (not shown) installed on the lower surface side. Can be contacted with the pressure of. Further, the supporting member 54 may be pressed against the pressing member 53 with a predetermined pressure, or the supporting member 54 and the pressing member 53 may be pressed against each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, by moving the pressing member 53 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 is continuously processed while being driven or driven to rotate. This is an example. Furthermore, by fixing the pressing member 53 and moving the supporting member 54 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51, or by moving both the supporting member 54 and the pressing member 53, The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 can be continuously processed.
From the viewpoint of efficiently transferring the shape, it is preferable to heat the mold 52 and the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51.

The mold 52 is, for example, a metal or resin film having a finely surface-treated surface, a silicon wafer or the like having its surface patterned by a resist, a resin film having fine particles dispersed therein, or a resin film having a fine surface shape. There is a metal coating on.

From the viewpoint of making the pressure applied to the electrophotographic photosensitive member 51 uniform, it is preferable to install an elastic body (not shown) between the mold 52 and the pressing member 53.

<Structure of electrophotographic photoreceptor>
The electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention has a support and a photosensitive layer formed on the support. The electrophotographic photosensitive member has a cylindrical shape.

(Photosensitive layer)
The photosensitive layer may be a single-layer type photosensitive layer containing a charge transporting substance and a charge generating substance in the same layer, or a charge generating layer containing a charge generating substance and a charge transporting layer containing a charge transporting substance. It may be a laminated type (function separated type) photosensitive layer separated into two. From the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics, a laminated type photosensitive layer is preferable. Further, the laminated type photosensitive layer may be a forward layer type photosensitive layer in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are laminated in this order from the support side, or an inverse layer in which a charge transport layer and a charge generation layer are laminated in this order from the support side. Type photosensitive layer. From the viewpoint of electrophotographic characteristics, a forward layer type photosensitive layer is preferable. Further, the charge generation layer may have a laminated structure or the charge transport layer may have a laminated structure.

(Support)
The support is preferably one that exhibits conductivity (conductive support). Examples of the material of the support include metals (alloys) such as iron, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, zinc, titanium, lead, nickel, tin, antimony, indium, chromium, aluminum alloys, and stainless steel. Alternatively, a metal support or a plastic support having a film formed by vacuum evaporation using aluminum, an aluminum alloy, an indium oxide-tin oxide alloy, or the like can be used. It is also possible to use a support obtained by impregnating plastic or paper with conductive particles such as carbon black, tin oxide particles, titanium oxide particles, and silver particles, or a support made of a conductive binder resin.
The surface of the support may be subjected to cutting treatment, roughening treatment, alumite treatment or the like for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes due to scattering of laser light.

Between the support and the undercoat layer or photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer) described below, conductive layers are used for the purpose of suppressing interference fringes due to scattering of laser light and covering the support with scratches. Layers may be provided.

(Conductive layer)
The conductive layer is formed by coating a conductive layer coating solution obtained by dispersing carbon black, a conductive pigment, a resistance adjusting pigment, etc. together with a binder resin to form a coating film, and drying the obtained coating film. Can be formed by In addition, a compound that is cured and polymerized by heating, ultraviolet irradiation, radiation irradiation, or the like may be added to the conductive layer coating liquid. The surface of a conductive layer in which a conductive pigment, a resistance-adjusting pigment or the like is dispersed tends to be roughened.

Examples of the binder resin used for the conductive layer include polymers of vinyl compounds such as styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, vinylidene fluoride, and trifluoroethylene, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl acetal. , Polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicon resin, epoxy resin and the like.

Examples of the conductive pigment and the resistance adjusting pigment include particles of metal (alloy) such as aluminum, zinc, copper, chromium, nickel, silver, and stainless, and those obtained by vapor deposition of these on the surface of plastic particles. .. It is also possible to use particles of metal oxides such as zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide, antimony oxide, indium oxide, bismuth oxide, indium oxide doped with tin, and tin oxide doped with antimony or tantalum. it can. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When two or more kinds are used in combination, they may be mixed, or may be in the form of solid solution or fusion.

The thickness of the conductive layer is preferably 0.2 μm or more and 40 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 35 μm or less, and further preferably 5 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

(Undercoat layer (middle layer))
Between the support or conductive layer and the photosensitive layer (charge generation layer, charge transport layer), the adhesion of the photosensitive layer is improved, the coatability is improved, the charge injection property from the support is improved, and the electrical breakdown of the photosensitive layer An undercoat layer (intermediate layer) having a barrier function or an adhesive function may be provided for the purpose of protection against the above.
The undercoat layer can be formed by applying a coating liquid for undercoat layer obtained by dissolving a resin (binder resin) in a solvent and drying the obtained coating film.

Examples of the resin used for the undercoat layer include polyvinyl alcohol, poly-N-vinylimidazole, polyethylene oxide, ethyl cellulose, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, casein, polyamide, N-methoxymethylated 6 nylon, copolymer nylon. , Glue, gelatin, polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, allyl resin, alkyd resin, phenol resin, epoxy resin and the like.

The undercoat layer may contain metal oxide particles. Examples of the metal oxide particles used for the undercoat layer include titanium oxide, zinc oxide, tin oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide.
The metal oxide particles may be particles in which the surface of the metal oxide particles is treated with a surface treatment agent such as a silane coupling agent.
Examples of the method for dispersing the metal oxide particles in the coating liquid for the undercoat layer include a method using a homogenizer, an ultrasonic disperser, a ball mill, a sand mill, a roll mill, a vibration mill, an attritor, and a liquid collision type high speed disperser. ..

The undercoat layer may further contain organic resin particles or a leveling agent for the purpose of adjusting the surface roughness of the undercoat layer or reducing cracks in the undercoat layer. As the organic resin particles, hydrophobic organic resin particles such as silicone particles and hydrophilic organic resin particles such as crosslinked polymethacrylate resin (PMMA) particles can be used.

The thickness of the undercoat layer is preferably 0.05 μm or more and 40 μm or less, and more preferably 0.2 μm or more and 35 μm or less.

(Photosensitive layer)
Examples of the charge generating substance used in the photosensitive layer include pyrylium and thiapyrylium dyes, phthalocyanine pigments having various central metals and various crystal forms (α, β, γ, ε, X type, etc.), and anthanthrone pigments. And dibenzpyrenequinone pigments, pyranthrone pigments, azo pigments such as monoazo, disazo, and trisazo, indigo pigments, quinacridone pigments, asymmetric quinocyanine pigments, and quinocyanine pigments. These charge generating substances may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the charge transport material used in the photosensitive layer include pyrene compounds, N-alkylcarbazole compounds, hydrazone compounds, N,N-dialkylaniline compounds, diphenylamine compounds, triphenylamine compounds, triphenylmethane compounds, pyrazoline compounds, styryl. Examples thereof include compounds and stilbene compounds. These charge transport materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

When the photosensitive layer is a laminate type photosensitive layer, the charge generation layer is formed by applying a charge generation layer coating solution obtained by dispersing the charge generation substance together with a binder resin and a solvent to form a coating film, It can be formed by drying the obtained coating film. Further, the charge generation layer may be a vapor deposition film of a charge generation substance.
The mass ratio of the charge generating substance to the binder resin is preferably in the range of 1:0.3 or more and 1:4 or less.
Examples of the dispersion treatment method include a method using a homogenizer, ultrasonic dispersion, a ball mill, a vibrating ball mill, a sand mill, an attritor, a roll mill and the like.

The charge-transporting layer is formed by applying a charge-transporting layer coating solution obtained by dissolving a charge-transporting substance and a binder resin in a solvent to form a coating film, and drying the obtained coating film. You can When a charge transporting substance having film-forming properties is used alone, the charge transporting layer can be formed without using the binder resin.

Examples of the binder resin used in the charge generation layer and the charge transport layer include, for example, styrene, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, acrylic acid ester, methacrylic acid ester, vinylidene fluoride, polymers of vinyl compounds such as trifluoroethylene, and the like. Examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetal, polycarbonate, polyester, polysulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyurethane, cellulose resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicon resin and epoxy resin.

The thickness of the charge generation layer is preferably 5 μm or less, and more preferably 0.1 μm or more and 2 μm or less.
The thickness of the charge transport layer is preferably 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and more preferably 10 μm or more and 35 μm or less.

When the photosensitive layer is a single-layer type photosensitive layer, the photosensitive layer is formed by coating a photosensitive layer coating liquid obtained by dissolving a charge generating substance, a charge transporting substance and a binder resin in a solvent. It can be formed by drying the obtained coating film. The binder resin, charge generating substance and charge transporting substance used in the single-layer type photosensitive layer may be the same as those used in the charge generating layer and charge transporting layer.

From the viewpoint of improving the durability of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, it is preferable that the surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member be composed of a crosslinked organic polymer.
In the present invention, for example, the charge transport layer on the charge generation layer can be formed of a crosslinked organic polymer as the surface layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Further, a surface layer composed of a crosslinked organic polymer can be formed as a second charge transport layer or a protective layer on the charge transport layer on the charge generation layer.

In addition, the properties required for the surface layer composed of the crosslinked organic polymer are compatibility of the strength of the film and the charge transport ability, and from this viewpoint, the charge transport substance or conductive particles, and the crosslinkable polymerizable monomer/ It is preferable to form the surface layer using an oligomer.
As the charge transport material, the above-mentioned charge transport material can be used. As the conductive particles, known conductive particles can be used. Examples of the crosslinkable monomer/oligomer include compounds having a chain-polymerizable functional group such as an acryloyloxy group and a styryl group, and compounds having a sequentially polymerizable functional group such as a hydroxyl group, an alkoxysilyl group and an isocyanate group. Can be mentioned.
From the viewpoint of achieving both film strength and charge transport ability, it is more preferable to use a compound having both a charge transport structure (preferably a hole transport structure) and an acryloyloxy group in the same molecule.
Examples of the method for cross-linking and hardening include a method using heat, ultraviolet rays, and radiation.
The thickness of the surface layer composed of the crosslinked organic polymer is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or more and 10 μm or less.

Additives can be added to each layer of the electrophotographic photoreceptor. Examples of the additive include antioxidants, deterioration inhibitors such as ultraviolet absorbers, organic resin particles such as fluorine atom-containing resin particles and acrylic resin particles, and inorganic particles such as silica, titanium oxide and alumina. To be

<Structure of process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus>
FIG. 6 shows an example of an electrophotographic apparatus provided with a process cartridge having the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of the present invention is rotationally driven around a shaft 2 in a direction of an arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined positive or negative potential by the charging unit 3 (primary charging unit: for example, a charging roller) during the rotation process. Next, the uniformly charged surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 receives exposure light (image exposure light) 4 emitted from an exposure unit (image exposure unit) (not shown). In this way, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the target image information is formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1.
The present invention is particularly effective in the case of using a charging means that uses discharge.

The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is then developed (normal development or reversal development) with the toner (amorphous toner or spherical toner) in the developing means 5 to form a toner image. The toner image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is transferred onto the transfer material P by a transfer bias from a transfer unit (for example, a transfer roller) 6. At this time, the transfer material P is taken out from the transfer material supply means (not shown) in synchronization with the rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, and is transferred between the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and the transfer means 6 (contact portion). Be delivered. Further, a bias voltage having a reverse polarity to the charge held by the toner is applied to the transfer unit 6 from a bias power source (not shown).

The transfer material P on which the toner image has been transferred is separated from the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and conveyed to the fixing unit 8 to undergo a fixing process of the toner image, whereby an electrophotographic image (print, copy) is obtained. Printed out of the device.

After the transfer of the toner image, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is subjected to removal of adhering substances such as transfer residual toner by a cleaning unit 7 having a cleaning blade arranged (contacted) with the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It becomes a clean surface. Further, the cleaned surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is subjected to charge elimination processing by pre-exposure light (not shown) from pre-exposure means (not shown), and then repeatedly used for image formation. If the charging means 3 is a contact charging means using a charging roller as shown in FIG. 6, the pre-exposure means is not always necessary.

The process cartridge according to the present invention integrally supports a cleaning means 7 having an electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 and a cleaning blade (cleaning member) arranged in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, and is detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. It is a cartridge. In the present invention, the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the cleaning means 7, and one or more constituent elements selected from the constituent elements selected from the charging means 3 and the developing means 5 are housed in a container to form a process cartridge. It may be configured to be integrally supported. The process cartridge can be detachably attached to the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. In FIG. 6, the electrophotographic photoreceptor 1, the charging means 3, the developing means 5 and the cleaning means 7 are integrally supported to form a cartridge, and the electrophotographic apparatus is constructed by using a guide means 10 such as a rail of the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. The process cartridge 9 is removable from the main body.

When the electrophotographic apparatus is a copying machine or a printer, the exposure light 4 is reflected light or transmitted light from an original, or a sensor reads the original, converts it into a signal, and scans a laser beam performed according to this signal, an LED array, or an LED array. The light is emitted by driving the liquid crystal shutter array.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. In addition, "part" in an Example means a "mass part." Further, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is hereinafter also simply referred to as “photosensitive member”.
Note that Examples 8, 10, 11, 19, 21, 21, 22, 30, 32, 33, 41, 43, and 44 are reference examples.

(Production Example of Photoreceptor-1)
An aluminum cylinder having a diameter of 30 mm and a length of 357.5 mm was used as a support (cylindrical support).

Next, 100 parts of zinc oxide particles (specific surface area: 19 m ² /g, powder resistance: 4.7×10 ⁶ Ω·cm) as a metal oxide were mixed by stirring with 500 parts of toluene, and this was mixed with a silane coupling agent. (Compound name: N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, trade name: KBM602, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) 0.8 part was added and stirred for 6 hours. Then, toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the resultant was heated and dried at 130° C. for 6 hours to obtain surface-treated zinc oxide particles.
Next, 15 parts of butyral resin (trade name: BM-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) as a polyol resin and blocked isocyanate (trade name: Sumijour 3175, Sumika Covestro Urethane Co. (former: Sumitomo Bayer Urethane) 15 parts) were dissolved in a mixed solution of 73.5 parts of methyl ethyl ketone and 73.5 parts of 1-butanol. 80.8 parts of the surface-treated zinc oxide particles and 0.8 part of 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (manufactured by Tokyo Kasei Kogyo Co., Ltd.) were added to this solution, and this was added to a glass having a diameter of 0.8 mm. It was dispersed for 3 hours in an atmosphere of 23±3° C. by a sand mill apparatus using beads. After dispersion, 0.01 part of silicone oil (trade name: SH28PA, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone Co., Ltd.), crosslinked polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) particles (trade name: TECHPOLYMER SSX-102, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) 5.6 parts (average primary particle size 2.5 μm) was added and stirred to prepare a coating liquid for the undercoat layer.
This coating liquid for undercoat layer was applied onto the above support by dip coating, and the obtained coating film was dried at 160° C. for 40 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a thickness of 18 μm.

Next, 20 parts of a crystalline hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal (charge generating substance) having strong peaks at 7.4° and 28.2° with a Bragg angle 2θ±0.2° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, the following structural formula 0.2 parts of the calixarene compound represented by (A), 10 parts of polyvinyl butyral (trade name: S-REC BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), and 600 parts of cyclohexanone were used with 1 mm diameter glass beads. After being placed in a sand mill and dispersed for 4 hours, 700 parts of ethyl acetate was added to prepare a charge generation layer coating solution. The coating solution for a charge generating layer was applied onto the undercoat layer by dip coating, and the resulting coating film was dried at 80° C. for 15 minutes to form a charge generating layer having a thickness of 0.17 μm.

Next, 30 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (B) (charge-transporting substance), 60 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (C) (charge-transporting substance), and the compound 10 represented by the following structural formula (D) Part, polycarbonate resin (trade name: Iupilon Z400, Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., bisphenol Z type polycarbonate) 100 parts, polycarbonate having the following structural formula (E) (viscosity average molecular weight Mv: 20000) 0.02 part Was dissolved in a mixed solvent of 600 parts of mixed xylene and 200 parts of dimethoxymethane to prepare a charge transport layer coating solution. This charge transport layer coating solution was applied onto the charge generation layer by dip coating to form a coating film, and the obtained coating film was dried at 100° C. for 30 minutes to form a charge transport layer having a thickness of 18 μm. ..

このようにして、表面に溝および凹凸形状を形成する前の円筒状の電子写真感光体（溝および凹凸形状形成前の電子写真感光体）を作製した。 Next, 36 parts of a compound represented by the following structural formula (F) (charge-transporting substance having an acrylic group which is a chain-polymerizable functional group), polytetrafluoroethylene resin fine powder (Lubron L-2, Daikin Industries, Ltd.) 4 parts) and 60 parts of n-propanol were dispersed and mixed with an ultrahigh pressure disperser to prepare a coating liquid for protective layer.
The coating liquid for protective layer was dip-coated on the charge transport layer, and the resulting coating film was dried at 50° C. for 5 minutes. After drying, the coating film was irradiated with an electron beam in a nitrogen atmosphere under the conditions of an acceleration voltage of 70 kV and an absorbed dose of 8000 Gy while rotating the cylinder for 1.6 seconds to cure the coating film. Then, under a nitrogen atmosphere, heat treatment was performed for 3 minutes under the condition that the coating film had a temperature of 120°C. The oxygen concentration from the electron beam irradiation to the heat treatment for 3 minutes was 20 ppm. Next, in the atmosphere, heat treatment was performed for 30 minutes under the condition that the coating film was 100° C., to form a protective layer (second charge transport layer) having a film thickness of 5 μm.

In this way, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming grooves and concave and convex shapes on the surface (electrophotographic photosensitive member before forming grooves and concave and convex shapes) was produced.

-Formation of uneven shape by mold pressure contact shape transfer In a pressure contact shape transfer processing apparatus having a configuration shown in FIG. 5, a mold No. having a shape generally shown in FIGS. No. 1 was installed, and surface processing was performed on the produced electrophotographic photosensitive member before formation of the groove and the uneven shape. Mold No. 1 has the shape shown in Table 1. The details of the shape are as follows.

A state in which the line segment of the contour connecting the apex of the convex portion of the concave-convex shape of the mold and the bottom point of the concave portion next to it is more depressed than the virtual straight line connecting the apex of the concave-convex shape of the mold and the adjacent bottom Is. In other words, the virtual straight line connecting the apex of the concave-convex shape of the mold and the bottom point adjacent thereto passes outside the mold and does not pass inside the mold. Further, in the uneven cross section of the mold (BB cross section in FIG. 7A), when the line showing the uneven surface is the function M and the absolute value of its first derivative is |M′|, This is a state in which |M'| gradually decreases from the apex of the uneven shape of the mold to the bottom point next to it. That is, the function M is a function having the distance corresponding to the axial direction and the depth direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to be manufactured as a variable, and the first derivative M′ is the first derivative with respect to the axial distance of the function M. Is. In addition, a groove and an uneven shape having an uneven width X of 50 μm and a height H of 4 μm are formed.

During processing, the temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold is controlled so that the surface temperature of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is 120° C., and the electrophotographic photosensitive member and the pressing member are pressed at a pressure of 7.0 MPa while the electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed. The photoconductor was rotated in the circumferential direction to form grooves and irregularities on the entire surface (circumferential surface) of the electrophotographic photoconductor.
In this way, an electrophotographic photosensitive member having grooves and irregularities on the surface was produced. This electrophotographic photosensitive member is referred to as "photosensitive member-1".

-Observation of surface of electrophotographic photosensitive member The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member-1) was magnified and observed with a laser microscope (manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION, trade name: X-100) with a 50x lens. As described above, the shape of the groove and the unevenness provided on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member were determined. At the time of observation, adjustments were made so that there was no inclination in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and in the circumferential direction that the apex of the arc of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was in focus. A square area having a side of 500 μm was obtained by connecting the magnified images by an image connection application. Regarding the obtained results, the image processing height data was selected by the attached image analysis software, and the filter processing was performed by the filter type median.
By the above observation, the width w of the uneven shape, the depth d of the uneven shape, the average value w _av of the uneven width, the standard deviation wσ, the average depth d _av of the uneven depth, the standard deviation dσ, and the like were obtained. The results are shown in Table 3.

The surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member-1) was observed by another laser microscope (manufactured by Keyence Corporation, trade name: X-9500) in the same manner as above. The same result as in the case of using a laser microscope (trade name: X-100, manufactured by Keyence Corporation) was obtained. In the following production examples, a laser microscope (manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION, trade name: X-100) and 50 times are used for observing the surface of the electrophotographic photoconductors (photoconductors 2 to 44, photoconductors 101 to 106). A lens was used.

(Production Example of Photoreceptor-2 to Photoreceptor-44)
In the manufacturing example of the photoconductor-1, the mold No. An electrophotographic photoreceptor was produced in the same manner as in Production Example of Photoreceptor-1 except that 1 was changed as shown in Table 1 and Table 2. These electrophotographic photosensitive members are referred to as "photosensitive member-2 to photosensitive member 44". The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member was observed in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member-1. The results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

7 to 10, each of (a) is a schematic top view showing the mold used in each production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and (b) is an unevenness in the mold shown in (a). FIG. 6C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the shape, and FIG. 7C is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C of the uneven shape of the mold shown in FIG. Further, since detailed illustrations are omitted in FIGS. 7 to 10, even when the mold shown in the same figure is used, the uneven width X, the mold height, and the mold height are different according to each manufacturing example. Molds having different detailed shapes, which are manufactured so that H is as described in Tables 1 and 2, are used.

(Evaluation of actual electrophotographic photoreceptor)
(Example 1)
Photoreceptor-1 was attached to a cyan station of a modified machine of an electrophotographic apparatus (multifunction machine) (trade name: iR-ADV C5255) manufactured by Canon Inc., which is an evaluation apparatus, and tested and evaluated as follows. went.
Under the environment of 32.5° C./85% RH, the conditions of the charging device and the image exposure device are set so that the dark portion potential (Vd) and the light portion potential (Vl) of the electrophotographic photosensitive member are −500V and −180V, respectively. , The initial potential of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was adjusted.
Next, a polyurethane rubber cleaning blade having a hardness of 77° was set so that the contact angle was 28° and the contact pressure was 50 g/cm with respect to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. The heater (drum heater) for the electrophotographic photosensitive member was turned on. In the present invention, the hardness (IRHD) of the urethane rubber cleaning blade (urethane rubber) is measured by the international rubber hardness test M method using a Wallace micro hardness meter manufactured by Wallace (HWWALLACE). It is the value. The International Rubber Hardness Test M method is specified in JIS K6253-1997.

Next, the following method was used to evaluate the H/H initial streak and the state of the cleaning blade.
For the initial streaks of H/H, 100 sheets of 1% printed image for A4 landscape were continuously output in an environment of 32.5°C/85%RH, and then a halftone screen image with a cyan density of 30% was printed. The image was output as an image, and the H/H initial streaks on the image were ranked and evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

[Rank Evaluation Criteria for H/H Initial Streaks]
A: No streak is generated on the image.
B: An image in which streaks are suspected is obtained on the image, but it is at a level at which it cannot be clearly determined whether or not there are streaks.
C: Very slight streaks can be confirmed on the image, but there is no problem on the image.
D: A slight streak is generated on the image, but it is at an acceptable level on the image.
E: Clear streaks are generated on the image. The level is unacceptable on the image.

Further, regarding the state of the cleaning blade, the rank evaluation was performed based on the evaluation of the cleaning property and the observation evaluation of the contact surface. After continuously outputting 10,000 sheets of the above evaluation chart under a 32.5° C./85% RH environment, the electrophotographic apparatus was left under a 5° C./50% RH environment for 24 hours. Then, 10 solid white images were continuously printed out, 10 solid images (cyan density 100%) were output, and immediately after that, a halftone image was output, and the cleaning property was evaluated using this. Specifically, the occurrence of a slip-through image, which is considered to be poor cleaning in the output image, was visually counted. Further, the contact surface of the cleaning blade after image output was observed with a microscope to evaluate the state of the cleaning blade. The rank evaluation was performed according to the following evaluation criteria from both the output image and the microscope observation. The evaluation results are shown in Table 3.

[Rank evaluation criteria for cleaning blade status]
A: No chipping of the blade was observed and no slip-through image was generated.
B: An extremely slight blade breakage is observed, and an extremely slight slip-through image is generated.
C: A slight blade chipping is observed and a slight slip-through image is generated.
D: A chip is observed in a part of the cleaning blade, and a slip-through image is generated in a part.
E: A chip is observed on the entire cleaning blade, and a slip-through image is generated on the entire surface.

(Examples 2 to 44)
The actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive members shown in Tables 3 and 4 were used. The evaluation results are shown in Tables 3 and 4.

(Production Example of Photoreceptor-101 to Photoreceptor-106)
In the manufacturing example of the photoconductor-1, the mold No. An electrophotographic photoconductor was produced in the same manner as in the production example of the photoconductor-1 except that 1 was changed as shown in Table 5. These electrophotographic photoreceptors are referred to as "photoreceptor-101 to photoreceptor-106". The surface of the obtained electrophotographic photosensitive member was observed in the same manner as in the production example of the photosensitive member-1. The results are shown in Table 6.

Note that, in FIG. 11, (a) is a schematic top view showing the mold used in each production example of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and (b) is a concavo-convex shape BB in the mold shown in (a). Schematic sectional view, (c) figure is CC sectional view of the uneven|corrugated shape in the mold shown by (a) figure. Further, in FIG. 11, detailed illustrations are omitted, and the mold No. manufactured so that the uneven width X and the mold height H are as shown in Table 5. 5 is used.

(Comparative Examples 1 to 4)
An actual evaluation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the electrophotographic photosensitive member shown in Table 6 was used. The evaluation results are shown in Table 6.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 electrophotographic photoreceptor, 2 axis, 3 charging means, 4 exposure light, 5 developing means, 6 transfer means, 7 cleaning means, 8 fixing means, 9 process cartridge, 10 guiding means, 51 electrophotographic photoreceptor, 52 mold, 53 pressure member, 54 support member, 101 solid line (cross-sectional profile), 102 reference plane, 103 length (width w), 104 plane (line connecting bottom points), 105 distance (depth d), 106 vertex, 107 Bottom point, 201 cross-sectional profile (solid line), 202 vertex, 203 bottom point, 204 virtual straight line (virtual straight line connecting vertex and bottom point; broken line), 301 cross-sectional profile, 302 vertex, 303 bottom point

Claims (4)

In the cylindrical electrophotographic photoreceptor,
The electrophotographic photosensitive member, a plurality of grooves along the circumferential direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed in a line on the surface,
The concavo-convex shape which is derived from the plurality of grooves and which is continuous in the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
A line segment of a contour connecting the apex of the uneven shape and the bottom point adjacent thereto is a shape protruding from a virtual straight line connecting the apex of the uneven shape and the adjacent bottom point thereof,
When the width between adjacent vertices of the uneven shape is w (μm), w is 30 μm or more and 100 μm or less,
When the depth to the bottom point of the next set to d ([mu] m) from the apex of the concave-convex shape, d is Ri der than 5μm or less 1 [mu] m,
When the average value of the widths w between adjacent vertices of the uneven shape is w _av (μm) and the standard deviation thereof is wσ, wσ/w _av ≦0.10.
The average value of the depth d from the apex of the concave-convex shape to the bottom point of the next and d _{av ([mu]} m), when the standard deviation and dσ, dσ / d _av ≦ 0.10 der wherein Rukoto And an electrophotographic photoreceptor. In the axial cross section of the electrophotographic photoreceptor,
The depth direction distance of each point on the line segment connecting the apex of the concave-convex shape and the adjacent bottom point is defined as a function D of the axial distance of the point,
When the absolute value of the first derivative of the function D is |D'|,
The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein the |D′| gradually increases from the apex toward the bottom point. The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1 or 2 , and a cleaning unit having a cleaning member arranged in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member are integrally supported, and are removable from the main body of the electrophotographic apparatus. And process cartridge. 3. An electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, and a cleaning unit having a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a cleaning member arranged in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Electrophotographic device.

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