JPH07199759A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an image forming device capable of preventing residual carrier on a photoreceptor film from occurring and capable of drastically improving image quality. CONSTITUTION:This device is provided with a destaticizing lamp 20, etc., for eliminating a charge remaining on a photoreceptive drum 13 and uniformizing a potential on the 51 photoreceptor film 12 to a specified potential. A blank lamp 26 is arranged between a main electrifying device 14 and a developing device 16, and locally irradiates the photoreceptor film 12 with light in order to perform the processing of masking or trimming on the image. A pre-transfer destaticizer 27 is arranged between the developing device 16 and a transfer device 17 and destaticizes the film 12 before transfer processing. A pre-cleaning destaticizer 28 is arranged between the transfer device 17 and a cleaning device 19 and destaticizes the film 12 before the cleaning processing is performed by means of the cleaning device 19.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using electrophotography, and more particularly, to a single-layer organic photoconductor drum having a light-generating means such as a discharge lamp for irradiating the photoconductor film with light. And an image forming apparatus that forms an image by performing image exposure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic technique has been actively developed as an electrostatic copying apparatus or a printing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of an image forming apparatus 1 using a conventional electrophotographic technique. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a rotatable photosensitive drum 3 having a photosensitive film 2 formed on its surface, a main charger 4 for uniformly applying a predetermined amount of electric charge to the photosensitive film 2, and a photosensitive film 2. An optical device 5 for exposing and forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor film 2, a developing device 6 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor film 2, and a photoconductor film 2 are formed. A transfer device 8 for transferring the toner image onto the recording paper 7, a cleaning device 9 having a cleaning blade for removing the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3, and an electric charge remaining on the photosensitive drum 3 are removed, A discharge lamp 10 for setting the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 3 to a predetermined uniform potential.
And so on.

According to the image forming apparatus 1, the main charger 4 uniformly applies a predetermined amount of electric charge to the photoconductor film 2, and then the optical device 5 irradiates the photoconductor film 2 with light. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the film 2. Thereafter, the developing device 6 supplies the toner onto the photoconductor film 2 to visualize the electrostatic latent image. The toner image on the photoconductor drum 3 is transferred to the transfer device 8
Is transferred onto the recording paper 7. After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 3 is removed by the cleaning device 9. Next, the static elimination lamp 10 irradiates the photoconductor film 2 with light, removes the electric charge remaining on the photoconductor film 2, and equalizes the surface potential of the photoconductor film 2 to a predetermined potential. After that, the main charger 4 charges the photosensitive drum 3 again. These series of processes are continuously and repeatedly performed according to the rotation of the photosensitive drum 3.

As a photosensitive material forming the photosensitive film 2,
Inorganic materials or organic materials are used. Se-based materials, amorphous Si-based materials, etc. are used as the inorganic materials. In recent years, organic photoconductor films have been widely used because of their safety and ease of processing. Organic photoreceptors using organic materials are classified into laminated organic photoreceptors and single-layer organic photoreceptors.

The laminated organic photoreceptor has a structure in which a charge generation layer and a charge transport layer are laminated. Among the materials for forming the charge transport layer, many materials for transporting holes are known to have good transport ability. On the other hand, as a material for transporting electrons, a material having an excellent transport capacity has not yet been developed. For this reason, most of the laminated organic photoconductors are of the negative charging type. However, when a negative charging type photoconductor is charged by using a charger that uses corona discharge, ozone is often generated, and there is a problem that ozone countermeasures are newly required in terms of safety and environment. was there.

In order to overcome the above problems, a single-layer organic photoreceptor in which a charge generating medium is dispersed in a charge transporting medium has been proposed. In the single-layer organic photoconductor, a positive charge type photoconductor can be realized by using a material having a good hole transport ability as a charge transport medium.

[0008]

A single-layer organic photoreceptor is preferable in terms of ease of production as compared with a laminated organic photoreceptor. However, the single-layer photoconductor film generally has a high residual potential even after charge elimination. If the photoconductor film is charged while the electrons generated by the static elimination light remain in the photoconductor film, the residual electrons move due to the positive charge distributed on the surface of the photoconductor film during charging, and the surface potential is changed. Will lower it.

FIG. 5 is a graph for explaining the problems of the prior art. When an image is to be formed by rotating the photosensitive drum 3 in multiple rotations in the above-mentioned state,
As shown in (1), the decrease in the charging potential and the increase in the residual potential are remarkable with each rotation of the photoconductor film 2, resulting in image unevenness. Further, there is a problem that the charge potential at the time of charging becomes low due to the residual photocarrier showing the high residual potential in the photoconductor film 2. Further, the photoconductor film 2 having a good chargeability during the short use time also becomes fatigued as the use time becomes longer, trap sites increase, and the chargeability decreases. .

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to prevent residual carriers from being generated in a photoconductor film and to significantly improve image quality. It is to provide a device.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a rotatable photoconductor member having a conductive base and a photoconductor film formed of an organic material on the surface of the base. And a charging unit arranged near the photoconductor member for charging the photoconductor film, and at least one charging unit arranged around the photoconductor member for irradiating the photoconductor film with light to obtain a surface of the photoconductor film. A charge eliminating means provided with a light source having a uniform electric potential and having a light emission wavelength band in a range including a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance of at least a half-value width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photosensitive film, and the charged photoreceptor film The photosensitive member is provided with an exposing means for irradiating light corresponding to an image and a developing means arranged downstream of the exposing means along the rotation direction of the photosensitive member, and the photosensitive member is rotated at least once. Single recording medium due to over rotation Is sized to transfer the image on the photoconductor film, and the photoconductor film is rotated by at least one rotation to transfer the image on the photoconductor film to a single recording medium. By doing so, the above object can be achieved.

In the present invention, the residual potential is 10% or less of the charged surface potential after the charge removal by the charge removal means during the first rotation of the photosensitive member, and the residual potential of the residual potential after the charge removal during the final rotation is reduced. The amount of static elimination light in the static elimination means may be selected so that the rate of increase is within 30%.

In the present invention, the amount of light emitted from the light source may be set to be at least 5 times the half-exposure amount with respect to the charged surface potential.

In the present invention, the amount of light emitted from the light source is at least 10 times the half-exposure amount with respect to the charged surface potential.
It may be more than doubled.

In the present invention, the light emission wavelength band of the light source may be included in a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance not less than the half maximum width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristics of the photosensitive film.

In the present invention, the emission wavelength band of the light source may include a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance not less than the half maximum width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristics of the photoconductor film.

[0017]

The image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with the static elimination means, and the static elimination means is provided with the monochromatic light source. The emission wavelength of the monochromatic light source is selected so as to include a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance equal to or more than the half maximum width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photoconductor film. The charge removing unit irradiates the photoconductor film of the photoconductor member with light having the emission wavelength. At this time, the irradiated light is favorably absorbed by the surface of the photoconductor film and is prevented from reaching the deep portion of the photoconductor film. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the carriers from being generated in the deep portion of the photoconductor film by the light from the charge removing unit, and therefore, when the photoconductor film is charged by the charging unit after the charge removal, residual carriers may exist. To be prevented.

As a result, the chargeability of the photoconductor film is improved, and the image quality can be remarkably improved. Further, light fatigue of the photoconductor film is suppressed. In addition, since the light generated in the image forming apparatus is monochromatic light, heat generation due to the generated light is suppressed, and the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus, particularly the surface temperature of the photoconductor film, can be suppressed. it can. Thereby, the characteristics of the photoconductor film can be stabilized. Further, it is possible to stabilize the aging characteristics when the image forming apparatus is continuously used.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the light generated by the static elimination lamp is monochromatic light, and the emission wavelength of the monochromatic light source that generates monochromatic light is set to be half of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristics of the photoconductor film. Make sure to include the wavelength band showing the absorbance over the value range. This prevents the generation of carriers in the deep part of the photoconductor film.

An example of the present invention will be described below in the case of using a positive charging type single-layer organic photoreceptor film as an example.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 11 is a rotation member that is a photoconductor member in which a photoconductor film 12 made of a single-layer organic photoconductor is formed on the surface of a drum base 30 made of a metal material such as aluminum. A main charger 1 which is a charging means for uniformly applying a desired amount of electric charge to the possible photosensitive drum 13 and photosensitive film 12.
4. An optical device 15, which is an exposing means for exposing the photoconductor film 12 to generate light for forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor film 12, and a toner for the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor film 12. A developing device 16 that is a developing unit for developing, a transfer device 18 that transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 13 to the recording paper 17, and the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 13 after the toner image is transferred. The cleaning device 19 for removing and the electric charges remaining on the photoconductor drum 13 are removed to remove the photoconductor film 12.
A static elimination lamp 20 for equalizing the upper potential to a predetermined potential is provided.

The light emitted from the static elimination lamp 20 is
It is selected as monochromatic light, and the emission wavelength of this monochromatic light is
2 is selected within a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance equal to or more than the half-value width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic. As the static elimination lamp 20 having such a wavelength band, any one of visible light sources such as a fluorescent lamp, a cold cathode ray tube, a red and green neon lamp and the like can be used. Alternatively, any of monochromatic light sources such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) for red, yellow, green, etc. can be used. These light sources generate almost no heat at the time of light emission. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the temperature of the photoconductor film 12 rises due to the static elimination action or the exposure during charging, and the fatigue of the photoconductor film 121 is suppressed. can do.

In this embodiment, a scorotron charger is used as the main charger 14, and the discharge wire 21 for corona discharge and the discharge wire 21 are surrounded by the photoconductor drum 1.
The shield case 22 is open to the third side, and the metal grid 23 is provided in the opening of the shield case 22. Discharge wire 21 of main charger 14
, A power supply 25 for supplying the current required for corona discharge
Are connected. The shield case 22 is grounded.

An example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 11 of this embodiment will be described below. The photosensitive drum 13 has a diameter of 30.
Use the one of mm. Shield case 2 for main charger 14
2 has a width W1 of 11 mm in FIG. In the shield case 22, the discharge wire 21 has a width W2 of 5.5 mm from the inner peripheral surface of the shield case 22, and a length L1 from the bottom surface of the shield case 22 opposite to the photoconductor film 12 is a shield. It is set to a value equal to or higher than the middle of the height L3 of the case 22.

The distance L2 between the end of the shield case 22 on the photosensitive drum 13 side and the surface of the photosensitive film 12 is 1.0 m.
The width W3 of the grid 23 in the left-right direction in FIG.
Is set to 10 mm. The length W4 along the circumferential direction of the static elimination region where the light from the static elimination lamp 20 is irradiated on the photoconductor film 12 is set to 7 mm. An angle θ1 along the circumferential direction of the photoconductor film 12 between the center of the static elimination lamp 20 and the discharge wire 21 is set to 13 °, and light corresponding to an image from the discharge wire 21 and the optical device 15 is irradiated. The angle θ2 between the photoconductor film 12 and the exposure position on the photoconductor film 12 is set to 39 °.
The angle θ3 to the contact point with 6a is set to 58 °.

By using the photosensitive drum 13 of such a size, recording paper of Japanese Industrial Standard A row No. 4 (vertical length 297 m
m), when the image is recorded, the photosensitive drum 13 is at least

[0027]

## EQU1 ## An image is recorded on one recording sheet by rotating 297 mm / (78 mm × π) = 1.21 times. When the diameter of the photosensitive drum 13 is 30 mm, the photosensitive drum 13 is at least

[0028]

## EQU00002 ## An image is recorded on one recording sheet with 297 mm / (30 mm.pi.) = 3.15 rotations.

In this embodiment, as the main charger 14,
By using the scorotron charger, the surface potential at the charging position of the photosensitive drum 13 at the time of charging is
It reaches a predetermined upper limit value and is held at the upper limit value. This is for the following reason. The power supply current Icc from the power supply 25 to the discharge wire 21 is the discharge current Isc to the shield case 22, the discharge current Igc to the grid 23, and the discharge current Ipc to the photosensitive drum 13 due to the discharge.
Will be diverted to. In order for the discharge current from the discharge wire 21 to reach the surface of the photoconductor film 12 via the grid 23,
It is necessary that the surface potential of the photosensitive film 12 is lower than the potential of the grid 23.

When the discharge current Ipc is supplied to the photoconductor film 12 at the charging position by the discharge from the discharge wire 21, the surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 gradually rises. When the rising surface potential substantially matches the potential of the grid 23, thereafter, no discharge occurs between the grid 23 and the photoconductor film 12. The power supply current Icc supplied to the discharge wire 21 is the discharge currents Isc and Igc. Therefore, the surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 is determined by the grid potential of the grid 23, and after reaching the grid potential, it is maintained at a potential substantially close to the grid potential.

As the main charger 14, a scorotron charger is used in this embodiment. Generally, the photoreceptor film 1
2 has a saturated charging potential Vs of 500 to 1000 V, especially 7
It is desirable to carry out main charging so as to be in the range of 00 to 850V. Therefore, when performing corona discharge, 4
It is desirable to apply a high voltage of ˜7 kV to the discharge wire 21 of the main charger 14.

In the present embodiment, the light emitted from the static elimination lamp 20 is selected as monochromatic light, and the monochromatic light wavelength is determined as follows.

FIG. 2 is a graph for explaining the absorbance characteristic of the photosensitive film 12. The photoconductor film 12 of this embodiment has the absorbance characteristic shown in FIG. The wavelength band showing the maximum absorbance in this absorbance characteristic is 550 nm,
The absolute value of the absorbance is 1.6. Therefore, the wavelength band showing the absorbance of 29 or more with respect to the half value 0.8 of the maximum absorbance 1.6 is 490 nm to 583 nm. The wavelength of the monochromatic light is selected within the wavelength band showing the absorbance with the half width of 29 or more. That is, in FIG. 2, the monochromatic light wavelength is selected as one or a plurality of wavelengths within the wavelength band corresponding to the half maximum value of the maximum absorbance.

In this measurement, the surface dark potential was set to 800 V, the light quantity was set so that the potential after static elimination was 80 V, and the peripheral speed was 250 m using the photosensitive drum 13 having a diameter of 78 mm.
2.5 K sheets of Japanese Industrial Standard A3 paper were printed at m / sec, and the decrease in surface potential at that time was measured. The static elimination lamp 20 is, for example, a green LED with an emission wavelength of 565 nm,
Alternatively, a yellow LED with an emission wavelength of 580 nm is selected.

FIG. 6 shows a photoconductor film 12 corresponding to various light sources when the static elimination lamp 20 is made from various light sources.
The state of change of the surface potential of is shown. Lines A1 to A of FIG.
6 is an example of the present invention, and line A7 is a comparative example. The line A1 uses a cold cathode ray tube and a filter to set the wavelength band showing the maximum light amount to 550 nm, and the light amount equal to or more than the half width is the wavelength band 545 to 565n.
m. The line A2 uses a green LED, and the wavelength band showing the maximum light amount is 565 nm, and the light amount having a half value width or more is in the wavelength band 555 to 580 nm. The line A3 uses a tungsten lamp and a filter to set the wavelength band showing the maximum light amount to 560 nm, and the light amount exceeding the half width is the wavelength band 510.
˜580 nm. Line A4 uses a tungsten lamp and a filter, and the wavelength band showing the maximum light amount is 580
nm, and the amount of light that exceeds the half width is
The wavelength band is 520 to 600 nm. The line A5 uses a tungsten lamp and a filter to set the wavelength band showing the maximum light amount to 590 nm, and the light amount exceeding the half width is the wavelength band 530 to 625 nm. Line A6 uses a tungsten lamp. Line A
7 uses a red LED, and the wavelength band showing the maximum light quantity is 6
It is set to 60 nm, and the amount of light having a half width or more is in the wavelength band 628 to 675 nm.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing emission wavelength bands of green and red LEDs. In FIG. 6, the LED emits light having a wavelength close to the wavelength band showing the maximum absorbance of the photosensitive film 12,
A light source that emits light as shown in FIG. 7 is a preferable example. In the example of the LED, a green LED (SLR-54MC manufactured by ROHM Co., Ltd.) is suitable. 2.5K sheets (1
In the case of printing K sheets = 1000 sheets), it is a preferable example that the degree of decrease of the surface potential from the surface potential of 800 V in the initial state is about 60 V or less. It can be seen that the red LED (ROMS Co., Ltd., SLS-54VC) greatly reduces the surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 and is inappropriate. Figure 6
Therefore, the lines A1 to A6 fall within the range of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the irradiation light intensity using a single tungsten lamp and three types of filters.
A line B1 in FIG. 8 is a spectral distribution of the tungsten lamp alone, which is distributed over the entire wavelength band. Line B
No. 2 is a case where a filter having a transmitted light wavelength of 520 nm to 600 nm is used. Line B3 is a case where a filter having a transmitted light wavelength of 510 nm to 580 nm is used. Line B4 is the spectral distribution of the filter in the band of 530 nm to 625 nm.

In this way, when a tungsten lamp and a filter are used together as a light source, not only is it possible to produce light in the above-mentioned suitable wavelength band, but also a light source with a large amount of light can be used, which is preferable. is there.

In the image forming apparatus 11 as described above, the static elimination lamp 20 irradiates the photoconductor film 12 of the photoconductor drum 13 with the light selected for the monochromatic light wavelength. At this time, the irradiated light is favorably absorbed by the surface portion of the photoconductor film 12 and is prevented from reaching the deep portion of the photoconductor film 12.
Therefore, the light from the static elimination lamp 20 causes the photoconductor film 1
Carriers are prevented from being generated in the deep portion of 2. As a result, after the charge is removed, the photoconductor film 12 is discharged by the main charger 14.
The presence of residual carriers is prevented when the is charged. As a result, the chargeability of the photoconductor film 12 is improved, and the image quality can be significantly improved.

Specifically, for one sheet of recording paper 17,
Even when the photoconductor drum 13 is to be formed by rotating the photoconductor drum 13 at least once more than once, the charging potential of the photoconductor film 12 is prevented from decreasing with each rotation, and the residual potential of each rotation is prevented from increasing. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent the image recorded on the recording paper 17 from being uneven in image density for each rotation. Further, since the residual electrons in the photoconductor film 12 can be suppressed, it is possible to prevent the charging potential of the photoconductor film 12 at the time of charging from being lowered when the residual electrons are present. Further, the photosensitive film 12 has a good charging ability while the photosensitive drum 13 is used for a short period of time. On the other hand, even if the photoconductor drum 13 is used for a long time, fatigue of the photoconductor film 12 is prevented, so that the charging ability of the photoconductor film 12 can be prevented from lowering. As a result, the generation of residual carriers on the photoconductor film 12 can be prevented, and the image quality can be significantly improved.

Further, the light generated in the image forming apparatus 11 becomes a monochromatic light, and the discharging means 20, 26, 27, 28 are used.
Since heat is not generated from the inside, the generation of heat due to the generated light is suppressed, and the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus 11, particularly,
The surface temperature of the photoconductor film 12 can be suppressed. As a result, the characteristics of the photoconductor film 12 can be stabilized. In addition, the aging characteristics when the image forming apparatus 11 is continuously used can be stabilized.

In the present invention, as the optical device 15 used for image exposure, an optical system including a lens and a reflecting mirror, or a laser light oscillator is used. Developing device 16
Is a developing roller 1 that supplies charged toner of a one-component developer or a two-component developer to the surface of the photoconductor film 12.
6a.

As the transfer device 18, a corona charger similar to the main charger 14 or a contact type charger is used.

Prior to charging the photoconductor film 12, the photoconductor film 12 is neutralized so that the surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 after the neutralization is 100 V or less. Further, after the charge is removed by the charge removing lamp 20 during the first rotation of the photoconductor drum 13, the residual potential on the photoconductor film 12 is changed to the main charger 14.
10% of the charged surface potential of the photoreceptor film 12 after charging by
The amount of static elimination light is selected so as to be the following and after the static elimination at the final rotation of the photosensitive drum 13, the increase rate of the residual potential is within 30%. Therefore, depending on the type of the photoconductor film 12, the charge removal light amount of the charge removal lamp 20 may be preferably 5 LUX · SEC or more, particularly 10 LUX · SEC or more, on the photoconductor film 12. In particular, the above-mentioned amount of charge removal light is preferable in the photoconductor film 12 of this embodiment. On the other hand, 20
If it is 0 LUX · SEC or more, deterioration of quality occurs due to light fatigue of the photoconductor film 12.

After static elimination by the static elimination lamp 20 during the first rotation of the photoconductor drum 13, the residual potential on the photoconductor film 12 becomes the charged surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 after charging by the main charger 14. The reason why the condition is 10% or less and the condition that the increase rate of the residual potential is 30% or less after the charge removal during the final rotation of the photosensitive drum 13 is necessary.

Table 1 below shows data that defines the conditions for the rate of increase in the residual potential.

[0047]

[Table 1]

In Table 1 above, the potential Vsp is the potential at the developing position of the photosensitive film 12, and the potential Vrp is the potential after static elimination. Further, in Table 1 above, the static elimination lamp 20
The amount of light is irradiated as X times the half exposure amount. Potential Vr
p is set to 70V in this embodiment. Further, the measurement for obtaining Table 1 was performed by using an OPC drum 13 (azo pigment single layer positive charging type) having a diameter of 30 mm, CC50 manufactured by Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd.
The above measurement was carried out by modifying a part of the above to obtain the device of FIG.

The wavelength of the light emitted from the static elimination lamp 20 is within the visible light wavelength band showing the absorbance of the half maximum width 29 or more of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photosensitive film 12.
Selected as described above. As an example of the light source of the static elimination lamp 20, one of visible light sources such as the fluorescent lamp, the cold cathode ray tube, the red and green neon lamps, etc., or the red and yellow colors, depending on the type or composition of the photosensitive film 12. Any of monochromatic light sources such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) for green, green, etc. can be used. Alternatively, a halogen lamp can be used as another type of light source for the static elimination lamp 20.

The halogen lamp is characterized in that the wavelength of the generated light is wider over the entire wavelength and that it relatively generates heat, as compared with the above-mentioned LED and the like. The emission wavelength band of the halogen lamp includes a wavelength band showing the absorbance of the half maximum width 29 or more of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photosensitive film 12. Therefore, when using a halogen lamp as the static elimination lamp 20, it is necessary to use a filter. As this filter, for example, a filter having an optical characteristic of selectively transmitting light having the same wavelength as the emission wavelength of the static elimination lamp 20 described above is selected. As a result, light having a relatively long wavelength, that is, heat rays from the light of a relatively wide wavelength band generated from the halogen lamp is absorbed by the filter, and the light radiated to the photosensitive film 12 contains the heat rays. Prevent.

As a result, the fatigue of the photoconductor film 12 is suppressed. Therefore, the charging ability of the photoconductor film 12 is improved,
The image quality can be significantly improved. Further, light fatigue of the photoconductor film 12 is suppressed. In addition, the image forming apparatus 11
Since the light generated inside is emitted from a light source that does not generate heat at the time of light emission, generation of heat inside the machine due to the generated light is suppressed, and the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus 11, especially, the photoconductor film 12 The surface temperature can be suppressed. As a result, the characteristics of the photoconductor film 12 can be stabilized.
In addition, the aging characteristics when the image forming apparatus 11 is continuously used can be stabilized.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing the structure of an image forming apparatus 11a according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, and the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. The feature of this embodiment is that a blank lamp 26, a pre-transfer charge eliminator 27, and a pre-cleaning charge eliminator 28 are arranged in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The blank lamp 26 is the main charger 14
And a developing device 16, and locally irradiates the photoconductor film 12 with light in order to perform processing such as masking or trimming of an image. The pre-transfer charge eliminator 27 is disposed between the developing device 16 and the transfer device 18, and removes the charge on the photoconductor film 12 before the transfer process. Further, a pre-cleaning static eliminator 28 is arranged between the transfer device 18 and the cleaning device 19 to perform static erasing on the photoconductor film 12 before the cleaning process by the cleaning device 19.

The respective static eliminating means 26, 27, 28 are
At least one is provided with a light source that emits light, and the emission wavelength of this light source is determined under the same conditions as the emission wavelength of the static elimination lamp 20 of the first embodiment.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to achieving the same effects as those described in the first embodiment, the fatigue of the photoconductor film 12 is suppressed and the chargeability of the photoconductor film 12 is improved. It can be realized to a higher degree, and the image quality can be further improved. Further, in the present embodiment, since the light generated from at least one of the static elimination means 26, 27, 28 is emitted from the light source that does not generate heat during light emission,
Generation of heat in the machine due to the generated light is further suppressed as compared with the first embodiment, and the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus 11, particularly the surface temperature of the photoconductor film 12 can be further suppressed. As a result, the characteristics of the photoconductor film 12 can be further stabilized. Moreover, the aging characteristics when the image forming apparatus 11 is continuously used can be further stabilized.

Modifications of the first and second embodiments will be described below.

The photoconductor film 12 of Examples 1 and 2 is a positive charging type single layer organic photoconductor film, and is formed by mutually dispersing a binder resin, a charge transport medium and a charge generating substance. Example 1,
In No. 2, it is desirable that the photoconductor film 12 has a clear and single peak in its absorbance characteristic. As the charge generating substance, any organic photoconductive pigment known per se is used. In particular, phthalocyanine pigments, perylene pigments,
Photoconductive organic pigments such as quinacridone pigments, pyranthrone pigments, disazo pigments and trisazo pigments are used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the charge transport medium, a resin medium in which a charge transport substance is dispersed is used. As the charge transport material, any hole transport material or electron transport material known per se is used for the purpose of the present invention. Examples of suitable hole transport materials are poly-N-vinylcarbazole, phenanthrene, N-ethylcarbazole, 2,5-diphenyl 1,3,4-oxadiazole, 2,5-bis (4
-Diethylaminophenyl) -1,3,4-oxadiazole, bis-diethylaminophenyl-1,3,6-
Oxadiazole, 4,4'-bis (diethylamino)
-2,2'-dimethyltriphenylmethane, 2,4,5
-Triaminophenylimidazole, 2,5-bis (4
-Diethylaminophenyl) -1,3,4-triazole, 1-phenyl-3- (4-diethylaminostyryl) -5- (4-diethylaminophenyl) -2-pyrazoline, p-diethylaminobenzaldehyde- (diphenylhydrazone), etc. , Or a combination of a plurality of these. 2 examples of suitable electron transport materials
-Nitro-9-fluorenone, 2,7-dinitro-9-
Fluorenone, 2,4,7-trinitro-9-fluorenone, 2,4,5,7-tetranitro-9-fluorenone, 2-nitrobenzothiophene, 2,4,8-trinitrothioxanthone, dinitroanthracene, dinitroacridine, It is used in any one of dinitroanthoquinone and the like, or a combination of a plurality thereof.

Various binder resins, for example, styrene polymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, styrene-
Maleic acid copolymer, acrylic polymer, styrene-acrylic copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyester, alkyd resin, polyamide, polyurethane, epoxy Examples of various polymers include resins, polycarbonates, polyarylates, polysulfones, diallylphthalate resins, silicone resins, ketone resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, polyether resins, phenol resins, and photocurable resins such as epoxy acrylates and urethane acrylates. To be done. A photoconductive polymer such as poly-N-vinylcarbazole can also be used as the binder resin.

The charge generating substance to be present in the photosensitive film 12 is suitably in the range of 0.1 to 50 parts by weight, particularly 0.5 to 30 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. It is suitable that the charge transport substance is in the range of 20 to 500 parts by weight, particularly 30 to 200 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The thickness of the photoreceptor film 12 is preferably in the range of 10 to 40 μm, particularly 22 to 32 μm in view of high surface potential, printing durability and sensitivity.

As the drum base 30 made of metal of the photosensitive drum 12, an aluminum tube or an aluminum tube subjected to alumite treatment is generally used. In the present invention, the drum substrate 30 is not limited to the above metal, and any material having conductivity may be used. Examples include conductive resins and conductive films.

The organic photoreceptor layer as the photoreceptor film 12 is formed by using resin as N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-.
Amide-based solvents such as dimethylacetamide; cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; dimethyl sulfoxide; aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone; N-methyl-
2-Pyrrolidone: dissolved in a solvent such as phenol or phenol such as cresol, and the charge generating substance is dispersed in the solvent to obtain a coating composition. This composition is applied to the conductive drum substrate 30 to form the photoconductor film 12.

The present invention has a remarkable advantage in the case of a positive charging type organic single layer photoreceptor, and the positive charging type also has an advantage that ozone is little generated at the time of main charging. In the case of the positive charging type, it is preferable to use a perylene pigment, an azo pigment or a combination thereof as the charge generating substance, and to use 2,6-dimethyl-2 ', 6-diter as the charge transporting substance.
a diphenoquinone derivative such as t-butyldiphenoquinone,
3,3′-dimethyl-N, N, N ′, N′-tetrakis-4-methylphenyl (1,1′-biphenyl) -4,
It is preferable to use diamine compounds such as 4′-diamine, fluorene compounds, and hydrazone compounds.

In the above embodiments, the drum-shaped substrate on which the photosensitive film is formed is used as the photosensitive member, but a belt-shaped substrate on which the photosensitive film is formed may be used.

Further, in the above embodiments, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is described as an electrostatic copying machine, but the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the electrostatic copying machine, and the image forming is performed by an electrophotographic system. Any image forming apparatus may be used.

[0066]

The charge eliminating means of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is provided with a monochromatic light source, and the emission wavelength of the monochromatic light source is a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance not less than the half maximum width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristics of the photoconductor film. Has been included. The light emitted from the charge eliminating unit is favorably absorbed by the photoconductor film and prevented from reaching the deep portion of the photoconductor film. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the carriers from being generated in the deep portion of the photoconductor film by the light from the charge removing unit, and therefore, when the photoconductor film is charged by the charging unit after the charge removal, residual carriers may exist. To be prevented.

As a result, the chargeability of the photoconductor film is improved, and the image quality can be remarkably improved. Further, light fatigue of the photoconductor film is suppressed. In addition, since the light generated in the image forming apparatus is monochromatic light, heat generation due to the generated light is suppressed, and the internal temperature of the image forming apparatus, particularly the surface temperature of the photoconductor film, can be suppressed. it can. Thereby, the characteristics of the photoconductor film can be stabilized. Further, it is possible to stabilize the aging characteristics when the image forming apparatus is continuously used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing an absorbance characteristic of a photosensitive film 12.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a conventional image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a problem of the conventional technique.

FIG. 6 shows how the surface potential of the photoconductor film 12 changes in response to various light sources when the static elimination lamp 20 is made of various light sources.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing emission wavelength bands of green and red LEDs.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing irradiation light intensity using a single tungsten lamp and three types of filters.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Photoreceptor Film 13 Photoreceptor Drum 14 Main Charger 16 Developing Device 19 Cleaning Device 20 Discharge Lamp 21 Discharge Wire 22 Shield Case 23 Grid 25 Power Supply 26, 27, 28 Discharger 30 Drum Base

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Ichiro Yamazato 1-22-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takuji Terada 1-2-28 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeaki Muto 1-228 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Masato Katsukawa 1-228 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Keizo Kimoto 1-228 Tamatsukuri, Chuo-ku, Osaka Mita Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A rotatable photoconductor member including a conductive substrate and a photoconductor film formed on the surface of the substrate and made of an organic material, and arranged in the vicinity of the photoconductor member. At least one charging means for charging the photoconductor film, and at least one disposed around the photoconductor member, irradiating the photoconductor film with light to make the surface potential of the photoconductor film uniform, and the absorbance characteristic of the photoconductor film. A static eliminating means provided with a light source having a light emission wavelength band in a range including a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance equal to or more than the half-value width of the maximum absorbance, and an exposing means for irradiating the charged photoconductor film with light corresponding to an image, A developing unit arranged on the downstream side of the exposing unit along the rotation direction of the photoconductor member, wherein the photoconductor member is rotated by at least one rotation to a single recording medium. The image on the photoconductor film is transferred Stipulated in size, the photosensitive film is, by rotation of at least more than one revolution, the single recording medium, the image forming apparatus image on the photosensitive film is transferred. 2. The residual potential is 10% or less of the charged surface potential after the charge removal by the charge removal unit during the first rotation of the photosensitive member, and the increase rate of the residual potential is 30% after the charge removal during the final rotation. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of static elimination light in the static elimination unit is selected so as to be within%. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the amount of light emitted from the light source is set to be at least five times the half-exposure amount with respect to the charged surface potential. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of light emitted from the light source is set to be at least 10 times the half-exposure amount with respect to the charged surface potential. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emission wavelength band of the light source is included in a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance equal to or more than a half-value width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photoconductor film. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the emission wavelength band of the light source includes a wavelength band exhibiting an absorbance equal to or more than a half-value width of the maximum absorbance in the absorbance characteristic of the photoconductor film.