JP6842984B2 - Surface processing method for cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and manufacturing method for cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for processing the surface of an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a cylindrical substrate, and a method for producing the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Regarding a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member containing an organic photoconducting substance (charge generating substance), the surface layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is curable for the purpose of improving its durability (wear resistance, etc.). There is a technique for containing a resin. However, if the wear resistance of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is improved by this technique, the cleaning performance of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is likely to be affected and image flow is likely to occur. The effects on the cleaning performance are the increase in driving torque and the minute vibration of the cleaning blade, which are caused by the increased frictional force between the highly wear-resistant surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the cleaning blade. Problems such as slip-through and reversal of the cleaning blade. Image flow means that the material used for the surface layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is deteriorated by acid gas such as ozone and nitrogen oxides generated by charging the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. This is a problem that arises. In addition, a part of the acid gas generated in this way becomes nitric acid due to the adsorption of water, and the surface resistance of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is lowered, so that image flow may occur.

In order to improve these problems, the uneven shape of the mold member is transferred to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member while the mold member having the uneven shape on the surface is pressed against the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. There is a technique for forming a shape. Patent Document 1 states that when the concave-convex shape of a mold member is transferred to the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the temperature between the mold member and the support of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is controlled to improve the concave-convex shape reproducibility. Technology is disclosed that is expensive and further improves image flow and cleaning performance.

On the other hand, in the surface processing method in which the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the surface of the mold member are brought into pressure contact with each other to transfer the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member while rotating it about an axis, the exposure potential at the time of image exposure is used. There is also a problem that the fine line reproducibility is likely to be lowered because the is easily lowered. The reason for this is that while the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is cylindrical, the mold member is planar, and when performing such processing, the contact area becomes smaller due to contact between the two, resulting in a smaller contact area. When the load is concentrated on a part, the resin layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is peeled off (peeling from the support or another resin layer), and the exposure potential at the time of image exposure is lowered. Similarly, as the contact area becomes smaller, the force in the direction of rotation cannot be sufficiently received, so that the resin layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member may peel off. These problems are disclosed in Patent Document 2, and at the same time, in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to deform and process the mold member along the surface (peripheral surface) of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member at the time of pressure contact. It is shown. Further, by adopting an elastic member as a member configuration for supporting the mold member and using a method of transferring the uneven shape of the elastic mold member to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the resin layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is used. It has also been shown that peeling is suppressed and fine line reproducibility is improved.

Japanese Patent No. 4059518 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-238844

The main method shown in Patent Document 2 is to arrange a flat metal member, an elastic member such as rubber, and a support member in this order on the back surface side of a surface having an uneven shape of the mold member. Then, when the load from the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is received by appropriately adjusting the Young's modulus and the thickness of the mold member, the metal member, and the elastic member, the mold member and the metal member become the shape of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is possible to bend in a U shape. This curvature can appropriately expand the contact area between the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member.

However, at the same time, from the viewpoint of the durability of members used for industrial production, there remains a problem in processing a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member with curvature of such members. That is, it is difficult to secure the durability of the members used for processing, and it is difficult to effectively suppress the manufacturing cost. Specifically, the metal member accumulates fatigue by repeating deformation called bending, and after a certain number of times of processing, it reaches plastic deformation in a curved state. For a certain number of times, it is important to appropriately select physical properties and thickness such as the required load force, Young's modulus and tensile strength of the metal member to be used, but as a metal member, flexibility and durability are called mass production. It is difficult to achieve both at the level.

In the method provided in the present invention, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is brought into contact with a mold member having an uneven shape on the surface and pressurized, and the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is rotated about an axis while the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is rotated. It is a method of forming an uneven shape on the surface of the surface. The first method is to arrange the mold member and the concave-convex surface of the mold member so that they are divided and laminated in a direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction and can be displaced from each other during pressurization. It is characterized by using a plurality of provided metal members and a support member that supports the plurality of metal members so that they can bend in the pressurizing direction.

In the second method, the total thickness of all the thicknesses of the plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction in the first method is T _total, and the thickness is orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members. When the thickness of the metal member with the thickest thickness in the direction of orthogonality is T1, the following relational expression T1 ≤ 0.7 · T _total
Is characterized in that.

The third method is the thickness of the metal member having the thickest thickness in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members in the first method and the thickness in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members. When the thickness of the metal member having the same thickness as T1 or the thickness of the metal member having the thickest thickness in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members T1 is T2, the following relational expression T2 ≧ 0 .7 ・ T1
Is characterized in that.

In the fourth method, among the plurality of metal members, at least the metal member having the thickness of the thickest metal member in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members has a thickness of T1 and includes rolling. The thickness is formed by the method, and when the metal member is pressurized by bringing the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member into contact with the mold member in the rolling direction of the rolling process, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is formed. It is characterized in that it is arranged and used in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of.

The fifth method is characterized in that the tensile strength of the metal member having the thickness T1 of the thickness of the metal member having the thickest thickness in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members is 500 MPa or more.

In the sixth method, the plurality of metal members have a metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction and an end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is characterized by having an end portion of the mold member and a metal member located closer to the center than the end portion of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction.

The seventh method is the mold member side of the metal member whose end is located closest to the center in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member from the surface of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction. In the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the end of the mold member, or the end of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction. When the distance from the position of the end located closest to the center to the position of the end of the metal member whose end is located closest to the center is L.
L ≧ T
It is characterized by having a relationship of.

According to the present invention, in a processing method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, a processing method for further enhancing the durability of the member to be used, and a cylindrical electrophotograph for further enhancing the durability of the member to be used. A method for producing a photoconductor is provided.

It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the conventional cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the conventional cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is a figure which shows an example of the concavo-convex shape of a mold member. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member provided in this invention. It is a figure which shows the vicinity of the end portion of a mold member. It is a figure which shows an example of the processing method of the conventional cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member.

In the description of the present invention, first, an example of a conventional method for pressing the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member against a mold member to form an uneven shape is shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is supported with a cylindrical insertion member 17 inserted in the axial direction thereof. The mold member 12 is flat, and a concave-convex shape transferred to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is formed on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 toward the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. A flat metal member 13 is arranged below the mold member 12 in the drawing, that is, on the back surface side of the surface facing the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. Further, an elastic member 14 is arranged below the metal member 13 in the drawing. Further, a support member 15 is arranged below the elastic member 14 in the drawing. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the lengths of the mold member 12, the metal member 13, the elastic member 14, the support member 15, and the base 16 in the illustrated depth direction are approximately equal to or longer than those of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11.

Next, the machining operation will be described. First, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is pressed against the mold member 12 by the insertion member 17 with a predetermined load force in a state where the insertion member 17 is inserted. In that state, the table 16 moves to the left in the drawing, or the insertion member 17 moves to the right in the drawing, so that the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 moves on the mold member 12 in a state of being pressed against the mold member 12. Roll around. Then, when the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 rolls about once, the insertion member 17 separates the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 from the mold member 12.

Here, since the mold member 12 is manufactured by mainly performing etching when imparting the uneven shape, it is preferable to use a metal typified by nickel, stainless steel, iron, etc. as a material, and from the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, the thickness is increased. Is preferably made thin. Further, the main role of the metal member 13 is to make the mold member 12 thin and use it, and to reinforce and support the mold member 12 when receiving the load force from the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11. From the viewpoint of durability, the metal member 13 is preferably made of metal, and in particular, it is preferable to use spring steel or the like whose main raw material is an alloy such as iron, stainless steel, or copper. As the elastic member 14, it is preferable to use various rubber materials or materials having excellent flexibility such as sponge, and when heat is applied during processing, metal particles are dispersed in the rubber material for the purpose of ensuring heat transfer. That is also effective. For fixing the insertion member 17 to the main body of the apparatus, it is important to reduce the rolling load of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11, and the insertion member 17 can rotate around the axis using a bearing such as a bearing. It is preferable to maintain a good condition.

Here, the load force on which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is pressed against the mold member 12 by the insertion member 17 will be described. The strength of this load force should be set mainly by the following factors.

The first factor is the machining surface pressure. This processing surface pressure is the pressing force per unit area generated at the portion where the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member are in contact with each other when the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member. means. When the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member are pressed against each other while the processed surface pressure is generated with a necessary and sufficient strength, the uneven shape of the mold member is sufficiently transferred to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. can do. In setting the processed surface pressure, the hardness of the surface layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the uneven shape of the surface of the mold member should be taken into consideration. If the surface layer is harder, the machined surface pressure needs to be set higher accordingly, and conversely, if the surface layer is softer, the machined surface pressure can be set lower accordingly. Similarly, when the uneven shape of the mold member has a high ratio of the area where the surface layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is recessed to the area where the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member comes into contact with the mold member, the processing surface pressure is increased. It is necessary to set it higher, and conversely, when the ratio of the recessed area is low, the machining surface pressure can be set lower. Further, when the processed surface pressure becomes stronger than a predetermined range, the damage to the photosensitive layer becomes excessive, which causes image defects as in the case of the peeling. From these facts, the predetermined processed surface pressure is a range of strength that can sufficiently transfer the uneven shape of the mold member to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and does not cause image defects in the photosensitive layer. is there.

The processing surface pressure can be measured by using a pressure measuring film or the like that develops a color at a density corresponding to the received pressure. However, when processing is accompanied by heating, measurement by such a method using a film should be avoided because it causes problems of measurement accuracy and heat resistance of the film itself. In that case, the pressure is measured using this pressure measuring film in a state where the mold member and the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member are not heated in advance, and then the necessary parts are heated and processed to evaluate the transfer state. Therefore, the required machining surface pressure range can be examined.

The second factor is the nip width. Here, the nip width will be described. FIG. 4A shows an enlarged cross section of the member configuration shown in FIG. 3 in which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 is pressed against the mold member 12 with a predetermined load force. In this state, the elastic member 14 is dented by the gravity applied from the insertion member 17, so that the mold member 12 and the metal member 13 are deformed so as to be curved. However, since the deformation of the mold member 12 and the metal member 13 occurs within the range of elastic deformation in both members, a substantially gentle curve is maintained. Further, (b) of FIG. 4 further enlarges (a) of FIG. 4 and further emphasizes the deformation of the mold member 12, the metal member 13, and the elastic member 14 in order to facilitate the explanation. There is. The portion indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4B is the nip width, which means the width at which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 11 and the mold member 12 come into contact with each other. The nip width is approximately proportional to the strength of deformation of the mold member and the metal member. When this deformation is large, the nip width becomes wide, and conversely, when the deformation is small, the nip width becomes narrow. Note that a large deformation means a state in which the approximate radius of curvature formed by the deformation is shorter, and a small deformation means a state in which the approximate radius of curvature formed by the deformation is longer. Further, as described above, in the state where the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member by a predetermined load force in the processing, the positions of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member passively rolls on the mold member due to the relative change of. At this time, the narrow nip width means that the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member, or between the films constituting the photosensitive layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, or between the photosensitive layer and the cylindrical substrate. It means that the area for transmitting this passively rolling force is small between the two. Therefore, the transmission of the force is concentrated in a limited part, which induces peeling between layers. On the contrary, a sufficiently wide nip width means that the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the mold member, or between the films constituting the photosensitive layer of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, or between the photosensitive layer and the cylindrical shape. This means that the area for transmitting the force of passively rolling to and from the substrate is large. Therefore, the transmission of the force is not concentrated in the limited portion, and it is possible to prevent the peeling between the layers from being induced in that portion.

The nip width during the processing is determined by the load force on which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member, the Young's modulus and thickness of the mold member, the Young's modulus and thickness of the metal member, and the hardness of the elastic member. And thickness. When the load force against which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member is strong, the deformation of the mold member, the metal member, and the elastic member becomes large. Further, when the Young's modulus of the mold member is higher, the deformation of the mold member becomes smaller, and similarly, when the thickness of the mold member is thicker, the deformation of the mold member becomes smaller. Similarly, the higher the Young's modulus of the metal member, the smaller the deformation of the metal member, and similarly, the thicker the metal member, the smaller the deformation of the metal member. Then, when the hardness of the elastic member is higher, the depression of the elastic member becomes smaller, and similarly, when the thickness of the elastic member is thicker, the depression of the elastic member becomes larger. However, as described above, it is preferable that the mold member is thin in terms of manufacturing cost, and when a highly flexible resin material such as rubber is used as the elastic member, its hardness is much higher than that of a member using metal. Since it is low, the effect on the nip width is limited even if the material is changed. The hardness of an elastic member indicates a stress that resists deformation due to an external force, but in this description, it is used as having the same meaning as Young's modulus in a metal material. Further, in the process of supplying heat to the mold member, changing the type and thickness of the elastic member causes a large change in the heat transfer coefficient. Therefore, in order to adjust the nip width as a member configuration, it is most efficient to appropriately select a metal member.

As described above, the load force for forming the concave-convex shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member by using the mold member is the processing surface pressure which is the first element and the second element. It is important to satisfy both the nip width, which is an element of the above, especially the formation of the nip width by selecting the metal member.

Next, the durability of the metal member will be described. As described above, the metal member is deformed so as to be curved by the load force received from the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. And the magnitude of the deformation, that is, the approximate radius of curvature formed by the deformation, should be kept within the range of the magnitude of the elastic deformation by the metal member. By doing so, the force against deformation of the metal member, that is, the deformation stress is kept constant during repeated machining, so that the machining surface pressure can be kept within a constant range. Similarly, since the magnitude of deformation is kept constant, the nip width can be kept within a constant range. However, by repeating the deformation, fatigue accumulates in the metal member, plastic deformation occurs when the number of deformations reaches a predetermined number of times, and the deformation stress changes remarkably thereafter. This change in the deformation stress of the metal member causes the above-mentioned change in the machining surface pressure and the nip width, which is a major obstacle to the machining result. By repeating the deformation in this way, the time when the fatigue accumulated in the metal member reaches a certain level or more and the deformation stress changes, that is, the number of times is the limit of the durability of the metal member. Then, by repeating the deformation further, it finally leads to destruction such as cracking at the deformed part. In the following description, the number of times of processing (deformation) until the fatigue accumulated in the metal member reaches a certain level or more and the deformation stress changes is referred to as a limit number of times.

The fatigue and the limit number of times accumulated in the metal member change depending on the magnitude of deformation of the metal member under the load force, but even if the magnitude of the deformation is very small, fatigue always accumulates in the metal member. And there is a limit number of times. The limit number of times changes depending on the load force, the physical characteristics of the material, the thickness, and the like. For a metal member having the same material characteristics and the same thickness, the stronger the applied load force, the greater the deformation of the metal member and the smaller the limit number of times. In addition, it is the tensile strength that mainly affects the increase / decrease in the limit number of times as a material property. The higher the tensile strength for the same thickness and the same magnitude of deformation, the greater the limit number of times. Further, as the thickness of the metal member is thinner for the same tensile strength and the same magnitude of deformation, the limit number of times increases. The tensile strength means the stress at the time when a tensile force is applied to the material to cause elongation and the stress exceeds the elastic region and the yield point and reaches fracture. Generally, it is used as an index for judging the resistance of a material to bending in the selection of the material. The durability of the metal member considered in the present invention is the dimensional difference of the outer peripheral portion with respect to the inner peripheral portion when the curved deformation form is compared to an arc. This dimensional difference corresponds to the elongation as the tensile strength means, and as the elongation increases, that is, the stress as the tensile strength means increases as the deformation increases, the limit number of times is reduced. Further, when the thickness of the metal member is thinner than the magnitude of the same deformation, the elongation is suppressed and the range of elastic deformation as the metal member is expanded. As a result, the stress can be suppressed to a smaller value, and the limit number of times can be increased. On the other hand, when the thickness of the metal member is thicker than the same deformation magnitude, the elongation becomes large and the range of elastic deformation as the metal member is reduced. As a result, the stress becomes larger and the limit number of times is reduced.

Further, in order to increase the limit number of times, it is also important to increase the strength as a member. Increasing the thickness of the metal member increases the strength of the member, reduces the deformation of the metal member when the same load force is applied, and increases the limit number of times. Further, selecting and using a metal member having a higher Young's modulus as the material physical characteristics of the metal member increases the strength of the member, reduces the deformation of the metal member when the same load force is applied, and the limit number of times is reduced. To increase. However, as described above, the magnitude of deformation of the metal member is important in terms of securing the nip width, and the deformation should not be reduced by giving priority only to the strength of the member.

Here, the load force and the thickness of the metal member will be further described from the viewpoint of the limit number of times of the metal member. As described above, what is important in the process of pressing the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member against the mold member to form the concave-convex shape is to form a predetermined processed surface pressure and nip width. This means that a predetermined load force is applied to the metal member and a predetermined amount of deformation is generated at the same time. Further, as described above, the magnitude of deformation of the metal member needs to be set within the range of elastic deformation. From these facts, the thickness to be set for the metal member is a thickness having sufficient strength to maintain a deformation of a predetermined size within an elastic range in a state where a predetermined load force is applied. There must be. Further, in order to maintain the limit number of times of the metal member more, the dimensional difference of the outer peripheral portion with respect to the inner peripheral portion is reduced in terms of the stress as described above, that is, the thickness of the metal member. It is also important to set the value thinner. In other words, in terms of increasing the limit number of times, the upper limit of the thickness is subject to the applied load force on the premise that the Young's modulus and tensile strength of the metal member are selected to be the highest in the selectable range. In the state, the deformation of a predetermined size can be maintained as the elastic deformation range. This means that increasing the thickness of the metal member can increase the strength against the applied load force, but it becomes difficult to secure the magnitude of deformation. As described above, the problem with metal members is that it is difficult to achieve both the material strength for securing the limit number of times and the magnitude of deformation for securing the nip width in setting the thickness. is there. The above are technical features relating to the durability of the member in the process of pressing the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member against the mold member to form an uneven shape, particularly the durability of the metal member.

1 and 2 show an example of the processing method provided in the present invention.
In the present invention, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is brought into contact with a mold member having an uneven shape on the surface and pressurized, and the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is uneven while rotating the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member about an axis. A method of forming a shape, in which the mold member and the back surface side of the surface having the uneven shape of the mold member are divided and laminated in a direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction, and are displaced from each other during the pressurization. Cylindrical electrons, characterized in that they use a plurality of arranged metal members and a support member that supports the plurality of metal members so that they can bend in the pressurizing direction. The present invention relates to a method of forming an uneven shape on the surface of a photographic photosensitive member.

Further, in the present invention, among the plurality of metal members, at least the thickest metal member has the thickness formed by a processing method including rolling, and the metal member is rolled in a rolling direction. The present invention relates to a method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, which comprises arranging and using the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is brought into contact with a mold member having an uneven shape on the surface and pressurized, and the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is rotated about an axis to obtain the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. A method of forming a concavo-convex shape on a surface, which is divided and laminated in a direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction on the back surface side of the mold member and the surface having the concavo-convex shape of the mold member, and the pressurization is performed. The surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is uneven, characterized in that a plurality of metal members arranged so as to be displaced from each other, an elastic member, and a support member are arranged and used in this order. It relates to a method of forming a shape.

The features of the present invention will be described mainly focusing on the differences from the prior art. 1 and 2 show an example of the processing method provided in the present invention, and the differences from the configurations described in FIGS. 3 and 4 which are examples of the above-mentioned prior art are as follows. Two metal members 3 are arranged on top of each other below the drawing of one mold member 2. The metal member 3 is preferably composed of a plurality of members, and the effect can be obtained by selecting and using the thickness, Young's modulus, tensile strength, etc. according to the design of the processed surface pressure and the nip width. Similarly, as for the number of sheets, the effect can be obtained by appropriately setting and using the number of sheets such as 3 sheets and 4 sheets. Further, the mold member 2, the metal member 3, the elastic member 4, and the support member 5 are fixed to each other by using the spacer 8. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a spacer 8 having a thickness substantially equal to that of the elastic member 4 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the metal member 3 and the support member 5 on the left side of the drawing, and the mold member 2 is used by using the fixing screw 9. The metal member 3, the spacer 8, and the support member 5 are fastened to each other. Then, on the right side of the drawing, the holding member 10, the spacer 8 and the support member 5 are fastened using the fixing screws 9. In this state, the fixing screw 9 does not fix the mold member 2 and the metal member 3. The holding member 10 regulates the movement of the mold member 2, the metal member 3, and the elastic member 4 in the direction of having the concave-convex shape surface. Each member shown in FIG. 1 such as the mold member 2 is fixed to the base 6.

The largest difference between FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 3 and 4 is that the metal member 13 of FIGS. 3 and 4 which is a conventional example is one, whereas the metal member 3 of FIGS. 1 and 2 according to the present invention has one. It is a structure in which two sheets are stacked, that is, a structure in which a plurality of sheets are stacked. Further, since the metal member 3 is fixed only on the left side of FIG. 1 as described above, the two metal members 3 are deformed by the load force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 as shown in FIG. It is possible to shift from each other at that point.

Here, regarding the use of a plurality of metal members, the machined surface pressure which is the first element, the nip width which is the second element, and the limit number of times of the metal member will be described. First, regarding the processing surface pressure, even when the load force from the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is made stronger as needed, the metal member can be deformed by using two metal members or a stack of necessary number of metal members. It is possible to prevent the size of the cylinder from becoming excessive and to secure an appropriate machining surface pressure. Next, regarding the nip width, the thickness of each metal member can be suppressed by being composed of a plurality of metal members, which enables more flexible deformation, that is, the deformation required to form a sufficient nip width. .. Subsequently, regarding the limit number of times, since the thickness of each sheet is similarly suppressed and it is possible to deviate from each other at the time of deformation, the elongation is shortened, and the metal member is elastic with respect to the same deformation magnitude. The range of deformation expands. As a result, the stress can be suppressed to a smaller value, and the limit number of times can be increased.

Based on these facts, the difference between the case where the metal member is composed of one piece and the case where the metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces will be described. When the metal member is composed of one piece, when a certain amount of deformation occurs due to the nip width in a state where the thickness of the metal member is made thicker in order to secure the machining surface pressure, the member due to the thickness The longer the elongation, the less the limit number of times. On the other hand, when a plurality of metal members are used, the thickness of each metal member is increased even if a certain amount of deformation occurs in a state where the total thickness is increased by increasing the number of metal members in order to secure the processing surface pressure. By setting it thin, the limit number of times can be maintained. That is, the main feature when the metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces is that increasing the total thickness of the metal member does not directly reduce the limit number of times for deformation of a certain size. Is.

Therefore, in the method of the present invention, by using a plurality of metal members, the limit number of times of machining of the metal member at a predetermined machining surface pressure and a predetermined nip width is increased as compared with the case where one metal member is used. It has the effect of. Further, regarding the thickness of the metal member, when the same thickness as that used for one piece is formed by a plurality of pieces, there is also an effect that the limit number of times of the metal member is increased.

Next, in order to obtain the main features when such a metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces, the important points regarding the setting of the thickness of each of the plurality of metal members will be described. As described above, when the deformation of a certain size is repeated, the limit number of times is related to the thickness, and the thicker the deformation, the smaller the limit. Therefore, in order to increase the limit number of times of a plurality of metal members, it is desirable that each of the metal members is configured so as not to be thicker than the others, that is, about all the metal members have the same thickness. ..

This will be described in more detail. For the above reason, when the metal member is deformed to form the nip width and repeated machining is continued, it is the thickest single metal member that reaches the limit number of times at the earliest. When machining is continued while maintaining a constant load force using a metal member composed of a plurality of sheets, all the metal members are involved in maintaining the machining surface pressure and the nip width constant. However, the thickest piece contributes the most to this. That is, the limit number of times for one of the plurality of metal members, which is the thickest, is the limit number of times for the plurality of metal members. From this, when the total thickness of all the metal members is T _total and the thickness of the thickest metal member is T1, the following relational expression
T1 ≤ 0.7 · T _total
It is preferable to configure the thickness of each plate of the metal member so that the above is satisfied in order to secure a large number of times.

Further, for metal members other than the thickest one of the metal members, the following relationship is more preferable in the sense that the limit number of times is increased. It is based on the following relational expression, when the thickness of the metal member is the same as the thickness T1 or the thickness of the metal member having the thickness next to T1 is T2.
T2 ≧ 0.7 ・ T1
Is established. With such a relationship, it approaches the above-mentioned relationship that almost all metal members have the same thickness. Specifically, regarding the setting of the processing surface pressure, the presence of the metal member having a thickness of T2 makes it possible to alleviate the load on the thickest sheet, that is, to make T1 thinner.

Subsequently, the structure of one thickest metal member composed of a plurality of pieces in the processing method of the present invention will be further described. The metal member as used in the present invention has a substantially thin plate shape, and the thickness of the metal member is often formed by a processing method mainly for rolling. The crystal grains constituting the metal subjected to such rolling processing are stretched in the rolling direction as compared with those before rolling, and have an aspect ratio (the length in the rolling direction with respect to the length in the direction orthogonal to the rolling direction of the crystal grains). The ratio) changes in the direction of increasing. On the other hand, the phenomenon of fatigue or plastic deformation due to the deformation of the metal member often occurs mainly as a slight deviation at the interface between the crystal grains. At this time, the area of the interface in the direction orthogonal to the displacement direction of the crystal grains due to deformation is such that the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the rolling direction of the metal member are substantially orthogonal to each other, that is, in FIGS. 1 and 2. The case where the metal member is arranged by rolling in the left-right direction shown in the drawing is larger than the case where the metal member is arranged so that the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the rolling direction of the metal member are substantially parallel to each other. .. By arranging the metal members so that the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and the rolling direction of the metal members are approximately orthogonal to each other, the deviation between the crystal grains of the metal members that have been deformed to the same size due to this is achieved. It will be suppressed to a smaller number, and as a result, the limit number of times of the metal member will be increased. The effect of the rolling direction of the metal member and the direction of the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member on the limit number of times of the metal member is the same not only for the thickest sheet but also for each plate of the other metal member. , The same effect can be obtained by applying this.

Further, it is preferable that the tensile strength is 500 MPa or more with respect to the physical characteristics of one sheet having the thickest metal member. By selecting and using a metal material with higher tensile strength, the limit number of times can be increased when deforming with the same thickness and size, and especially for machining loads such as increasing the load force and machining surface pressure. Great effect is obtained in high processing. The effect of using the tensile strength of this metal member as 500 MPa or more is the same not only for one of the thickest sheets but also for each plate of other metal members, and the same effect can be obtained by applying this.

Moreover, the present invention has yet another effect in addition to the increase in the limit number of times described so far. That is, in the process of forming the same nip width, the applied load force can be further suppressed when the metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces as compared with the case where the metal member is composed of one piece. Is. This is one in the case where the thickness of one metal member is increased to form a predetermined thickness, and in the case where thinner metal members of the same material are added (overlapped) to form the same predetermined thickness. This is because the stress on bending is higher when the thickness of the metal member is increased. That is, the load force required to cause deformation of the same magnitude in both of them is lower when using the method of stacking and using a plurality of metal members of the present invention than when using a single metal member. Become. And it leads to the method of the present invention enabling machining with a lower machining surface pressure than the conventional method of constructing a single metal member. This is the minimum required load force that constitutes the minimum processing surface pressure that allows the uneven shape of the mold member to be transferred to the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in processing, when the metal member is composed of a single piece. When the load force forming the nip width is less than the load force, the lower limit of the effective load force can be lowered by using the method of forming a plurality of metal members. On the other hand, the upper limit of the processed surface pressure, that is, the limit point at which the exposure potential at the time of image exposure of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member after processing is lowered does not change regardless of the configuration of the metal member. This means that the method of the present invention widens the range of effective load forces during machining. Therefore, by using the method of the present invention, the permissible range of load force control can be widened, and the stability of machining in continuous production, particularly load force control, can be improved.

Here, another aspect of the present invention, which can be configured by stacking and using a plurality of metal members, will be described.
When the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is repeatedly pressed against the mold member, bending may occur starting from the position where the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member. Then, when the bending of such a mold member becomes stronger by repeating the processing in mass production, the mold member cannot be used because a crack is finally generated in the portion. The present invention also has the effect of alleviating the bending of the mold member and enabling the mold member to be used for a longer period of time because the metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces. This will be described below.

First, the factors that cause the mold member to bend will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional configuration of one end of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member with respect to a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, a mold member, a metal member, an elastic member, and other member configurations. By moving the insertion member 7 toward the mold member 2 with a desired force, the mold member 2 is pressed against the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, and the concave-convex shape of the mold member 2 is pressed against the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. To transfer.
At this time, in the configuration of FIG. 6A, the mold member 2 is bent in the direction away from the metal member 3 starting from the position corresponding to the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. The reason why this bending occurs is that the portion of the mold member 2 to which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is pressed and the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are located axially outward from the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. This is because the pressing force received by the mold member 2 is significantly different in the portion where the mold member 2 is not pressed. The axially outer side of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 described in this description is the direction away from the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, that is, the right side in the drawing. means.

The difference in pressing force between these two parts will be described. In FIG. 6A, when the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is pressed against the mold member 2, the elastic member 4 elastically generates stress on the metal member 3 from the lower part in the drawing toward the upper part in the drawing. Since it is supported, a corresponding pressing force is generated on the mold member 2 corresponding to the length of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. On the other hand, at the portion of the mold member 2 on the axially outer side (right side in the drawing) of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 from the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 presses against the metal member 3. Therefore, no pressing force is generated on the mold member 2.
Due to this difference in pressing force, the portion of the mold member 2 axially outside (right side in the drawing) from the corner of the end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, that is, the portion of the mold member 2 not subjected to the pressing force is cylindrical. A phenomenon occurs in which the electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is bent in the direction opposite to the pressing direction. This phenomenon does not occur due to the fact that the metal member is composed of a plurality of pieces, but also occurs even if the metal member is composed of one piece.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, by arranging the end portion of the mold member 2 closer to the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction than the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, FIG. It is possible to prevent bending of the mold member 2 as in (a). However, in this configuration, when the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is pressed against the mold member 2, the end portion of the mold member 2 scratches the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Therefore, it is also necessary to alleviate the occurrence of scratches on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 due to the end portion of the mold member 2.

Next, as an example of the configuration of the present invention that alleviates the bending of the mold member, FIG. 7A will be described. The metal member 31 shown in FIG. 7A is the metal member closest to the mold member 2 in the pressurizing direction in which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is directed toward the mold member 2 among the metal members 3 composed of a plurality of members. Is. Further, the plurality of metal members constituting the metal member 3 have metal members whose axial lengths of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are not the same.
A in FIG. 7A is located closest to the center of the three ends of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 or the mold member 2 or the metal member 31 in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It means the position of the end part. Here, the end portion of each member in FIGS. 6 and 7A means the position of the right end portion of each member in the drawing. Further, the center side in FIGS. 6 and 7A means a direction toward the central portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, that is, a direction toward the left side in the drawing.

A in FIG. 7A is a portion that becomes a starting point in the phenomenon in which the mold member 2 is bent, similarly to the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in FIG. 6A. Then, in FIG. 7A, a pressing force is generated from A toward the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) toward the metal member 31 of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2. , A, this pressing force is not generated on the outer side in the axial direction (right side in the drawing). However, in FIG. 7A, there is a metal member whose end is located closer to the center in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) than A on the lower side in the drawing of the metal member 31. As a result, the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the metal member 31 generated in A of FIG. 7A is the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of FIG. 6A. It is smaller than the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2 against the mold member 2. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 7A, the bending of the mold member 2 is lessened as compared with the configuration of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A shows the position of the end of the metal member whose end is closest to the center among the plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 from A in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Indicates the distance to. Further, T is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 having a cylindrical electron at an end of a plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 from the surface of the metal member 31 on the mold member 2 side in the pressurizing direction toward the mold member 2. It means the distance to the surface of the metal member located closest to the center in the axial direction of the photographic photosensitive member 1 on the mold member 2 side. At this time,
L ≧ T
In the case of the above relationship, the portion A of the metal member 31 can further relax the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2. As a result, the bending of the mold member 2 is further alleviated.

Subsequently, as another example of the configuration of the present invention for alleviating the bending of the mold member, FIG. 7B will be described. The metal member 31 shown in FIG. 7B is a metal member 3 that is closest to the mold member 2 in the pressurizing direction in which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is directed toward the mold member 2. Is. Further, the plurality of metal members constituting the metal member 3 have metal members whose axial lengths of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are not the same.

A in FIG. 7B is located closest to the center of the three ends of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 or the mold member 2 or the metal member 31 in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. It means the position of the end part. Here, the end portion of each member in FIGS. 6 and 7B means the position of the end of the right end in the drawing of each member. Further, the term “center-oriented” in FIGS. 6 and 7 (b) means a direction toward the central portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, that is, a direction toward the left side in the drawing.

A in FIG. 7B is a portion that becomes a starting point in the phenomenon in which the mold member 2 is bent, similarly to the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in FIG. 6A. Then, in FIG. 7B, a pressing force is generated from A toward the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) against the mold member 2 toward the metal member 31 of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. , A, this pressing force is not generated on the outer side in the axial direction (right side in the drawing). However, in FIG. 7B, there is a metal member whose end is located closer to the center in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) than A on the lower side in the drawing of the metal member 31. As a result, the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the metal member 31 generated in A of FIG. 7 (b) against the mold member 2 is the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of FIG. 6 (a). It is smaller than the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2 against the mold member 2. Therefore, in the configuration of FIG. 7 (b), the bending of the mold member 2 is lessened as compared with the configuration of FIG. 6 (a).

FIG. 7B shows the position of the end of the metal member whose end is closest to the center among the plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 from A in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Indicates the distance to. Further, T is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 having a cylindrical electron at an end of a plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 from the surface of the metal member 31 on the mold member 2 side in the pressurizing direction toward the mold member 2. It means the distance to the surface of the metal member located closest to the center in the axial direction of the photographic photosensitive member 1 on the mold member 2 side. At this time,
L ≧ T
In the case of the above relationship, the portion A of the metal member 31 can further relax the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2. As a result, the bending of the mold member 2 is further alleviated.

Subsequently, an example of the configuration of the present invention that alleviates scratches on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member by the end portion of the mold member will be described with reference to FIG. The metal member 31 shown in FIG. 8 is the metal member closest to the mold member 2 in the pressurizing direction in which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 is directed toward the mold member 2 among the metal members 3 composed of a plurality of members. Further, the plurality of metal members constituting the metal member 3 have metal members whose axial lengths of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 are not the same.

A in FIG. 8 shows the end located closest to the center of the three ends of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 or the mold member 2 or the metal member 31 in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Means the position of. Here, the end portion of each member in FIGS. 6 and 8 means the position of the end of the right end in the drawing of each member. Further, the term “center-oriented” in FIGS. 6 and 8 means a direction toward the central portion in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1, that is, a direction toward the left side in the drawing.

A in FIG. 8 is a portion that is a starting point of a phenomenon in which the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is scratched by the mold member, similarly to the end portion of the mold member 2 in FIG. 6 (b). Then, in FIG. 8, a pressing force is generated from A toward the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) against the mold member 2 toward the metal member 31 of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. This pressing force is not generated on the outer side in the axial direction (right side in the figure). However, in FIG. 8, there is a metal member whose end is located closer to the center in the axial direction (left side in the drawing) than A on the lower side of the metal member 31 in the drawing. As a result, the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the metal member 31 generated in A of FIG. 8 is applied to the mold member at the end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 of FIG. 6 (b). It is smaller than the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2. Therefore, the configuration of FIG. 8 alleviates the occurrence of scratches on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 due to the end portion of the mold member 2 as compared with the configuration of FIG. 6B.

L in FIG. 8 is the distance from A to the position of the end of the metal member whose end is closest to the center among the plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1. Is shown. Further, T is a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 having a cylindrical electron at an end of a plurality of metal members of the metal member 3 from the surface of the metal member 31 on the mold member 2 side in the pressurizing direction toward the mold member 2. It means the distance to the surface of the metal member located closest to the center in the axial direction of the photographic photosensitive member 1 on the mold member 2 side. At this time,
L ≧ T
In the case of the above relationship, the portion A of the metal member 31 can further relax the pressing force of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 against the mold member 2. As a result, the occurrence of scratches on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 due to the end portion of the mold member 2 is further alleviated.

As a reference, FIG. 10 shows a configuration for alleviating bending of the mold member when the metal member is composed of one piece. Since the configuration of the present invention is composed of a plurality of metal members as compared with the configuration of FIG. 10, the metal member 31 can more effectively relieve the pressing force.

By using the surface processing method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member described above, a method for manufacturing a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an uneven shape on the surface having a more durable member to be used can be obtained. Can be provided.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to specific examples. In addition, "part" in an Example means "mass part". Further, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is also simply referred to as a "photoreceptor" below.

(Manufacturing example of photoconductor)
An aluminum cylinder having an outer diameter of 29.92 mm and a length of 357.5 mm was used as a cylindrical substrate (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 stirred and mixed with 500 parts of toluene, and a silane coupling agent was added thereto. (Compound name: N-2- (aminoethyl) -3-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane, trade name: KBM602, manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.8 part was added, and the mixture was stirred for 6 hours. Then, toluene was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the mixture was dried by heating at 130 ° C. for 6 hours to obtain surface-treated zinc oxide particles.

Next, as the polyol resin, 15 parts of butanone resin (trade name: BM-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 15 parts of blocked isocyanate (trade name: Sumijour 3175, manufactured by Sumitomo Bavarian Urethane Co., Ltd.) were added to methyl ethyl ketone 73. It was dissolved in a mixed solution of 5 parts and 73.5 parts of 1-butanol. 80.8 parts of the surface-treated zinc oxide particles and 0.8 parts of 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzophenone (manufactured by Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) are added to this solution, and this is added to a glass having a diameter of 0.8 mm. The particles were dispersed in a sand mill using beads in an atmosphere of 23 ± 3 ° C. for 3 hours. After dispersion, 0.01 part of silicone oil (trade name: SH28PA, manufactured by Toray Dow Corning Silicone), crosslinked polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) particles (trade name: TECHPOLYMER SSX-102, manufactured by Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.) , Average primary particle size (2.5 μm) was added in 5.6 parts and stirred to prepare a coating solution for the undercoat layer.
The coating liquid for the undercoat layer was immersed and coated on the cylindrical substrate, and the obtained coating film was dried at 160 ° C. for 40 minutes to form an undercoat layer having a film thickness of 18 μm.

ポリビニルブチラール（商品名：エスレックＢＸ−１、積水化学工業（株）製）１０部、および、シクロヘキサノン６００部を、直径１ｍｍガラスビーズを用いたサンドミルに入れ、４時間分散処理した後、酢酸エチル７００部を加えることによって、電荷発生層用塗布液を調製した。この電荷発生層用塗布液を下引き層上に浸漬塗布し、得られた塗膜を１５分間８０℃で乾燥させることによって、膜厚０．１７μｍの電荷発生層を形成した。 Next, 20 parts of crystalline hydroxygallium phthalocyanine crystal (charge generator) having strong peaks at 7.4 ° and 28.2 ° of Bragg angle 2θ ± 0.2 ° in CuKα characteristic X-ray diffraction, the following structural formula 0.2 part of calixarene compound represented by (A),

10 parts of polyvinyl butyral (trade name: Eslek BX-1, manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) and 600 parts of cyclohexanone were placed in a sand mill using glass beads with a diameter of 1 mm, dispersed for 4 hours, and then ethyl acetate 700. A coating liquid for a charge generation layer was prepared by adding a portion. The coating liquid for the charge generation layer was immersed and coated on the undercoat layer, and the obtained coating film was dried at 80 ° C. for 15 minutes to form a charge generation layer having a film 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 10 parts of the compound represented by the following structural formula (D). Part, 100 parts of polycarbonate resin (trade name: Iupilon Z400, manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., bisphenol Z type polycarbonate), polycarbonate represented by the following structural formula (E) (viscosity average molecular weight Mv: 20000) 0.02 A coating liquid for a charge transport layer was prepared by dissolving the parts in a mixed solvent of 600 parts of mixed xylene and 200 parts of dimethoxymethane. The coating liquid for the charge transport layer was immersed and coated on the charge generation layer 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 film thickness of 18 μm. ..

１，１，２，２，３，３，４−ヘプタフルオロシクロペンタン７０部、および、１−プロパノール７０部を上記混合溶剤に加えた。これをポリフロンフィルター（商品名：ＰＦ−０２０、アドバンテック東洋（株）製）で濾過することによって、第二電荷輸送層（保護層）用塗布液を調製した。この第二電荷輸送層用塗布液を電荷輸送層上に浸漬塗布し、得られた塗膜を大気中において６分間５０℃で乾燥させた。その後、窒素中において、支持体（被照射体）を２００ｒｐｍで回転させながら、加速電圧７０ｋＶ、吸収線量８０００Ｇｙの条件で１．６秒間、電子線を塗膜に照射した。引き続いて、窒素中において２５℃から１２５℃まで３０秒かけて昇温させ、塗膜の加熱を行った。電子線照射およびその後の加熱時の雰囲気の酸素濃度は１５ｐｐｍであった。次に、大気中において３０分間１００℃で加熱処理を行うことによって、電子線により硬化された膜厚５μｍの第二電荷輸送層（保護層）を形成した。 Next, a mixed solvent of 20 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane (trade name: Zeorora H, manufactured by Nippon Zeon Corporation) / 20 parts of 1-propanol was added to Polyflon. It was filtered with a filter (trade name: PF-040, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.). After that, 90 parts of the hole transporting compound represented by the following structural formula (F),

70 parts of 1,1,2,2,3,3,4-heptafluorocyclopentane and 70 parts of 1-propanol were added to the above mixed solvent. A coating liquid for the second charge transport layer (protective layer) was prepared by filtering this with a polyfluorocarbon filter (trade name: PF-020, manufactured by Advantech Toyo Co., Ltd.). The coating liquid for the second charge transport layer was immersed and coated on the charge transport layer, and the obtained coating film was dried in the air at 50 ° C. for 6 minutes. Then, in nitrogen, while rotating the support (irradiated body) at 200 rpm, the coating film was irradiated with an electron beam for 1.6 seconds under the conditions of an acceleration voltage of 70 kV and an absorbed dose of 8000 Gy. Subsequently, the temperature was raised in nitrogen from 25 ° C. to 125 ° C. over 30 seconds to heat the coating film. The oxygen concentration in the atmosphere during electron beam irradiation and subsequent heating was 15 ppm. Next, a second charge transport layer (protective layer) having a film thickness of 5 μm cured by an electron beam was formed by performing a heat treatment at 100 ° C. for 30 minutes in the atmosphere.

In this way, 104 cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members (cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members before forming the concave-convex shape) before forming the concave-convex shape on the surface were produced.

(Surface processing and evaluation)
(Example 1)
The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member obtained above was processed using each member having a structure as shown in FIG. The difference between the member configuration used in the first embodiment and the configuration of FIG. 1 is that the number of metal members 3 is four in the first embodiment, and heat is supplied to the mold member 2 to the table 6. It is equipped with a heater for this purpose. First, an insertion member using a cemented carbide mainly made of tungsten carbide was inserted into a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. At the time of insertion, the insertion member was inserted so that the center position in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member coincided with the central position in the axial direction of the insertion member.

On the table, in order from the side closest to the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member to be transferred, a mold member having a continuous convex shape on the surface toward the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, four metal members, an elastic member, Each member was arranged in the order of the support member. As the mold member, a flat plate mold made of nickel material having a thickness of 0.6 mm, a Young's modulus of 204 GPa, and a tensile strength of 335 MPa was used. A convex hemispherical shape as shown in FIG. 5 is continuously provided on the surface of the mold member. The hemispherical pitch X was 57 μm. The hemispherical diameter Y was 50 μm and the height Z was 6 μm. For all four metal members, SUS301 steel material having a thickness of 0.5 mm, a Young's modulus of 205 GPa, and a tensile strength of 520 MPa was used. These four metal members were manufactured by a manufacturing method in which the thickness was adjusted by rolling. The rolling direction of the metal member was confirmed by magnifying the surface with a magnifying glass or the like and observing it, and visually observing the direction of the streak-shaped processing marks on the surface. Then, the streak-shaped processing marks were arranged so that the longitudinal direction was orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. As the elastic member, silicon rubber having a thickness of 8 mm and a hardness of 60 (shore A) was used. The support member was used by subjecting the surface of a plate made of SS400 having a thickness of 6 mm to electroless nickel plating. The material of the table was made of SUS430, and a heater for heating was installed inside.

Further, the table is provided with a slide mechanism that moves to the left in the drawing of FIG. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a spacer having a thickness substantially equal to that of the elastic member is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the metal member and the support member on the left side of the drawing, and the mold member, the metal member, and the spacer are used with fixing screws. And fastened the support member. Then, on the right side of the figure, the holding member, the spacer, and the supporting member were fastened using fixing screws. This fixing screw does not fix the mold member and the metal member, and the holding member regulates the movement of the mold member, the metal member, and the elastic member in the direction having the convex surface.

In order to press the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member against the mold member, load mechanisms (not shown) are provided at both ends of the insertion member. Each load mechanism is provided with a guide rail and a ball screw in the vertical direction (direction from the upper side to the lower side in the drawing of FIG. 1), and further provides a connecting support member connected to the ball screw and the guide rail to move up and down. A servomotor was connected to the underside of the ball screw to rotate it, and the connection support member was moved up and down according to the guide rail. The ends of the connection support member and the insertion member were connected by a spherical joint and a bearing with a built-in bearing. The spherical joint and the connection support member are connected via a load cell so that the load force applied to both ends of the insertion member can be monitored.

-Measurement of machining surface pressure A pressure measurement film (prescale) manufactured by Fuji Film Co., Ltd. is positioned on the mold member, and the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the pressure measurement film using the load mechanism, and the load force of the load cell is applied. When it became 4 kN (one side), it was allowed to stand still for 0.5 seconds. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was then separated from the mold member. Subsequently, the color development density of the portion of the pressure measuring film on which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was pressed was measured using a prescale densitometer (FPD-305E) manufactured by Fuji Film Co., Ltd. The results are shown in Table 1. Of the parts of the pressure measurement film to which the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was pressed, the measurement was performed at one location approximately in the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction and one location near both ends, for a total of three locations. The measurement was performed, and the average value was used as the measured value.

-Using a heating heater installed inside the nip width measuring table, the heater was adjusted so that the temperature of the surface on which the convex shape of the mold member was arranged was 155 ° C. Further, the insertion member was inserted into the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in a state of being preheated to 55 ° C.

Using these mechanisms, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member using the load mechanism, and when the load force of the load cell reaches 4 kN (one side), it stands still for 0.5 seconds, and then the cylindrical electrons. The photographic photosensitive member was separated from the mold member 2.

In order to measure the nip width of the portion pressed against the mold member of this cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, it was observed and measured with an optical microscope. The measurement was performed at one location approximately in the center of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction and one location near both ends, and the average value was taken as the measured value. In this measurement of the nip width, the width of the uneven shape portion formed by transferring the convex shape of the mold member was measured, but the concave shape is formed by about half or more near the end (circumferential direction) of the nip width. The part that is being used is included as the nip width. The results are shown in Table 1.

-Measurement of fine line reproducibility Subsequently, the insertion member was inserted into a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an unprocessed surface and set. Then, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member using the load mechanism, and when the load force of the load cell reaches 4 kN (one side), the table is moved 95 mm to the left in the drawing using the slide mechanism to form a cylinder. The electrophotographic photosensitive member was rolled onto the mold member. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was then separated from the mold member.

In this way, the cyan station of a modified machine of an electrophotographic apparatus (copier) (trade name: iR-ADV C5255) manufactured by Canon Inc., which is an evaluation apparatus for a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an uneven shape on the surface. The test and evaluation were carried out as follows.

First, in an environment of temperature 23 ° C. and humidity 50% RH, the charging device and the image exposure device are set so that the dark potential (Vd) of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is -700 V and the bright potential (Vl) is -200 V. Conditions were set and the initial potential of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was adjusted.

In order to evaluate the fine line reproducibility, we created a test chart in which 2-point size and 3-point size alphabet characters (AZ characters) and complex Kanji characters (Den, Surprise, etc.) are arranged at an output resolution of 1200 dpi. .. The resolution (fine line reproducibility) of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was evaluated from the output image of the test chart. Specifically, the output image was read with a scanner (Canon CanoScan9900F) at a resolution of 1600 dpi, and the read image data was compared with the original data of the test chart. For the read image data, the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinness) from the characters of the test chart (original data) was calculated, and the ratio of the area to the test chart was calculated to be 2%.

The load force shown in Table 1 is a number obtained by doubling the load force on one side, that is, the total load force of one cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and an aluminum cylinder.

-Measurement of the limit number of times of the metal member Next, the insertion member was inserted into an aluminum cylinder having an outer diameter of 30 mm and a length of 357.5 mm and set. In this state, the aluminum cylinder was pressed against the mold member using the load mechanism, and after recording the position of the load mechanism when the load force of the load cell became 4 kN (one side), the aluminum cylinder was separated from the mold member. Then, the load mechanism was automatically repeated as follows by the program operation. The operation first moves the aluminum cylinder to the recorded position with respect to the mold member. Next, the load force of the load cell in that state is read, and it is determined whether or not the load force is 90% or more with respect to 4 kN. Then, after standing still for 0.5 seconds in that state, the aluminum cylinder is separated from the mold member. If the judgment result is 90% or more at that time, the number of operations is counted up once by the counter, and then a series of operations are repeated again. If the judgment result is less than 90%, an alarm is issued. Stop operation. Then, I checked the counter at the time when the alarm was issued. The results are shown in Table 1.

In this embodiment, the load force shown in Table 1 is a number obtained by doubling the load force on one side, that is, the total load force as one cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and an aluminum cylinder. Further, T _total indicates the total thickness of the metal members.

(Examples 2 to 9)
Among the devices used in Example 1, the mold member and the elastic member were replaced with the same and unused ones as in Example 1, and the four metal members were replaced with the unused ones shown in Table 1. The load force shown in Table 1 was used as the setting used for all the load operations and the measurement of the limit number of times of the metal member. Every other measurement was carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was all less than 10%.

(Examples 10 to 18)
All four metal members were replaced with unused SUS430 steel materials having a Young's modulus of 200 GPa and a tensile strength of 450 MPa shown in Table 1. Every other measurement was carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 2. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was all less than 10%.

(Examples 19 to 36)
All four metal members were replaced with unused ones shown in Table 1. However, as these four metal members, those manufactured by a manufacturing method in which the thickness is adjusted by rolling are used. Then, as in Example 1, the direction of the streak-shaped processing marks of the metal member was confirmed, and the longitudinal direction of the streak-shaped processing marks was arranged so as to be parallel to the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. Every other measurement was carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 10. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was all less than 10%.

(Examples 37 to 45)
Two unused metal members shown in Table 1 were used, and all other measurements were carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 19. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was all less than 10%.

(Example 46)
The two metal members were all replaced with unused SS400 steel materials having a Young's modulus of 206 GPa and a tensile strength of 400 MPa shown in Table 1. Every other measurement was carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 42. The results are shown in Table 1. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was less than 10%.

(Reference example 1)
Of the equipment used in Example 1, the mold member, elastic member, and four metal members were replaced with the same and unused ones as in Example 1. The insertion member was inserted into a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an unprocessed surface and set. Regarding the positioning of each member, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the mold member, and all the metal members were positioned so as to align the centers in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. Then, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is pressed against the mold member using the load mechanism, and when the load force of the load cell reaches 8 kN (one side), the table is moved 95 mm to the left in the drawing using the slide mechanism. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was rolled onto the mold member. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was then separated from the mold member.
Subsequently, only the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was replaced with one having an unprocessed surface, and the same processing was repeated to prepare a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an uneven shape formed on 1000 surfaces. When the fine line reproducibility was evaluated for the first one and the last one of the 1000 cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive members by the same method as in Example 1, the area of the misaligned portion (thickness, thinning) was evaluated. The ratio of both to the test chart was less than 10%.

Next, the mold member was removed, and as shown in FIG. 9, the amount of bending of the mold member near the end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was measured. FIG. 9A shows the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member among the three ends of the mold member, the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, or the end portion of the metal member closest to the mold member. It means the position of the end located closest to the center in the axial direction. Reference Example 1 shows the end position of the metal member. Similarly, E means the amount of bending near the end of the mold member, and is the portion outside the axial direction (right side in the drawing) of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 1 mm from A, that is, the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member or metal of the mold member. The distance of the portion where the members did not abut with A in the pressurizing direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is shown.
Next, in order to evaluate the damage caused by the end portion of the mold member coming into contact with the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member when a load is generated, the shaft of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member The surface roughness was measured for the end position of the mold member in the direction. The results are shown in Table 2. In Reference Example 1, the portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member of the mold member closer to the end than A in the axial direction was bent in the direction away from the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, so that the damage did not occur. ..
The length in Table 2 indicates the width dimension in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member of each member. Further, the thickness indicates the thickness dimension of each member in the pressurizing direction.

(Reference example 2)
Of the equipment used in Reference Example 1, the mold member and the four metal members were replaced with unused ones shown in Table 2. Other than that, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was processed in the same manner as in Reference Example 1, and the mold member was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. Moreover, when the fine line reproducibility was evaluated by the same method as in Reference Example 1, the ratio of the area of the displaced portion (thick, thin) to the test chart was less than 10% in both cases.
In Reference Example 2, since the end portion of the mold member was closer to the end portion than the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the surface roughness for evaluation of damage was obtained. Was not measured.

(Reference example 3)
Of the equipment used in Reference Example 1, the mold member and the four metal members were replaced with unused ones shown in Table 2. Other than that, a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was processed in the same manner as in Reference Example 1, and the mold member was evaluated. The results are shown in Table 2. Moreover, when the fine line reproducibility was evaluated by the same method as in Reference Example 1, the ratio of the area of the displaced portion (thick, thin) to the test chart was less than 10% in both cases.
In Reference Example 3, since the position of A in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was the same as the end of the mold member, the distance of E was not measured.

(Examples 47 to 76)
The mold member, metal member, and load force were all processed and evaluated in the same manner as in Reference Example 1 except that they were used in the contents shown in Table 2. The results are shown in Table 2. Moreover, when the fine line reproducibility was evaluated by the same method as in Reference Example 1, the ratio of the area of the displaced portion (thick, thin) to the test chart was less than 10% in both cases.
Here, L shown in Table 2 means the distance from the position of A to the position of the end located closest to the center of the ends of the metal member in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. .. Further, T shown in Table 2 is a metal member whose end is located closest to the center in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member from the surface of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction on the mold member side. It means the distance to the surface on the mold member side.
In the example, in the configuration in which the end portion of the mold member was closer to the end portion than the end portion of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the surface for evaluation of damage was obtained. Roughness measurement was not performed. Further, in the example, the distance of E was not measured for the configuration in which the position of A in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member was the same as the end of the mold member.

(Comparative Example 1)
The metal member was replaced with a single, unused SS400 steel material with a thickness of 2 mm. Every other measurement was carried out by the same method and procedure as in Example 44. The results are shown in Table 3. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was less than 10%.

(Comparative Examples 2 to 4)
The metal member was replaced with a single, unused SUS430 steel material of the thickness shown in Table 3. All other measurements were carried out by the same method and procedure as in Comparative Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3. In addition, when the ratio of the area of the deviation portion (thickness, thinning) in the evaluation of fine line reproducibility to the test chart was calculated, it was less than 10%.

(Comparative Examples 5 to 6)
The load force shown in Table 3 was set, and the machining surface pressure, the nip width, and the fine line reproducibility were measured in the same manner as in Comparative Example 2 except for the load force. The results are shown in Table 3. When the ratio of the area of the deviated portion (thick, thin) in the evaluation of the fine line reproducibility to the test chart was obtained, it was 26% in Comparative Example 5 and 28% in Comparative Example 6. Further, in Comparative Examples 5 and 6, since the fine line reproducibility was remarkably inferior, the limit number of times was not measured.
In this comparative example, the load force shown in Table 3 is a number obtained by doubling the load force on one side, that is, the total load force as one cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and an aluminum cylinder.

1. 1. Cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 2. Mold member 3. Metal member 4. Elastic member 5. Support member 6. Platform 7. Insertion member 8. Spatula 9. Fixing screw 10. Holding member 11. Cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member 12. Mold member 13. Metal member 14. Elastic member 15. Support member 16. Platform 17. Insert member 31. Metal member

Claims (13)

The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is brought into contact with a mold member having an uneven shape on the surface and pressurized to form an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member while rotating the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member about an axis. It ’s a method,
With the mold member
With a plurality of metal members arranged so as to be divided and laminated in a direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction on the back surface side of the surface having the concave-convex shape of the mold member and to be displaced from each other during the pressurization. ,
A method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, which comprises using a support member that supports the plurality of metal members so that they can bend in the pressurizing direction. The total thickness of all the thicknesses of the _{plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction is T total} , and the thickness of the metal member having the thickest thickness in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction of the plurality of metal members is T total. When T1, the following relational expression T1 ≤ 0.7 · T _total
The method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1. The thickness of the plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction is
The following relationship is assumed when the thickness of the plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction is the same as the thickness T1 of the thickest metal member, or when the thickness of the metal member having the thickness next to T1 is T2. Equation T2 ≧ 0.7 · T1
The method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1. Among the plurality of metal members, a metal member having a thickness of at least T1 of the thickest metal member has the thickness formed by a processing method including rolling, and the metal member is rolled. The uneven shape is formed on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is used by arranging the rolling direction in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. how to. The uneven shape is formed on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metal member having the thickness of the thickest metal member T1 has a tensile strength of 500 MPa or more. How to form. The cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member is brought into contact with a mold member having an uneven shape on the surface and pressurized to form an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member while rotating the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member about an axis. It ’s a method,
With the mold member
A plurality of metal members arranged on the back surface side of the concave-convex shape of the mold member in a direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction so as to be divided and laminated and displaced from each other during the pressurization. When,
Elastic members and
A method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, which comprises arranging and using support members in this order. The thickness of the plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction is
When the total thickness of all metal members is T _total and the thickness of the thickest metal member is T1, the following relational expression T1 ≤ 0.7 · T _total
The method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 6, wherein the above is satisfied. The thickness of the plurality of metal members in the direction orthogonal to the pressurizing direction is
When the thickness of the metal member having the same thickness as the thickest metal member T1 or the thickness next to T1 is T2, the following relational expression T2 ≧ 0.7 · T1
The method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 6, wherein the above is satisfied. The metal member having the thickness of T1 has the thickness formed by a processing method including rolling, and the rolling direction of the rolling of the metal member is substantially orthogonal to the axis of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member. The method for forming a concavo-convex shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 6 to 8, which is used by disposing in the direction. The method for forming an uneven shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the tensile strength of the metal member having the thickness of T1 is 500 MPa or more. The plurality of metal members
With the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction,
In the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member,
The end is
The end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member and
The end of the mold member and
The cylindrical electron according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it has a metal member located closer to the center than an end portion of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction. A method of forming an uneven shape on the surface of a photographic photoconductor. From the surface of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction on the mold member side
Let T be the distance to the surface of the metal member whose end is closest to the center in the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member on the mold member side.
In the axial direction of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member,
Of the end of the cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member, the end of the mold member, or the end of the metal member closest to the mold member in the pressurizing direction.
When the distance from the position of the end located closest to the center to the position of the end of the metal member whose end is located closest to the center is L.
L ≧ T
The method for forming a concavo-convex shape on the surface of a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 11, wherein the relationship is the same. A method for producing a cylindrical electrophotographic photosensitive member having an uneven shape on the surface, which comprises using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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