JPH08318188A - Method for positioning cylindrical base material and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To embody positioning with high accuracy without generating coating defects by changing the discharge rate of the fluid discharging from a discharge port in the joint part where the end faces of cylindrical base materials are connected to each other at the time of continuously applying a processing liquid on the outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical base materials, such as photoreceptors used in a electrophotographic device. CONSTITUTION: The positioning device 20 of an annular coating applicator 10 which executes coating on the cylindrical base material 1A by a coating head 11 while moving the base material 1A upward is composed of an outside cylindrical member 21 and an inside cylindrical member 22 fixed therein. This outside cylindrical member 21 is formed with four air feed ports 23 radially and perpendicularly in plural stages and the inside cylindrical member 22 is formed with 12 discharge ports. Four exhaust ports 26 are radially and perpendicularly formed in plural stages through both the members 21, 22. The discharge rate of the fluid discharged from these discharge ports is so controlled as to be changed in accordance with the outputs of a joint part detecting means for detecting the joint part between the base materials 1A and 1B.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for positioning a cylindrical substrate when continuously applying a treatment liquid onto the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of cylindrical substrates, and more particularly to a cylindrical substrate. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for accurately positioning a cylindrical base material when manufacturing an electrophotographic photosensitive member by applying a photosensitive liquid to a material.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In manufacturing an organic photoconductor photosensitive drum which is a photosensitive member used in an electrophotographic apparatus, a photosensitive photosensitive liquid (treatment liquid) is applied to a cylindrical drum. In the coating, it is necessary to adjust the slide hopper at a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the cylindrical drum and to keep the gap between them constant in the circumferential direction. In this case, since the required coating layer thickness is extremely thin,
Even if it is deviated by mm, with respect to the circumferential direction, it causes a large deviation in the film thickness of the coating layer when viewed as the entire cylindrical surface.

It is a well-known fact that such a film thickness deviation of the coating layer causes various problems such as a change in charge amount, a non-uniform sensitivity, and a change in residual potential in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical drum. Therefore, accurate positioning of the cylindrical drum is extremely important.

Conventionally, as a positioning device for this type of cylindrical drum, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-50537, a position regulating roller rotatably provided on a supporting member is provided on the outer periphery of the cylindrical drum. Some are provided in contact with each other.
Further, JP-A-3-280063 and JP-A-4-7
Japanese Patent No. 3655 discloses a photosensitive drum positioning device using an air bearing.

[0005]

However, since the above-mentioned conventional roller contact type positioning device positions the position regulating roller while directly contacting the cylindrical drum, the cylindrical drum is damaged. There was a difficulty that it would keep up. It is well known that scratching a cylindrical drum will degrade the electrophotographic properties.

The air bearing type positioning device is
A fluid such as air is sprayed from a spray nozzle to perform positioning, which is extremely effective because scratches on the cylindrical drum can be prevented.

However, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), when the end portions of a plurality of cylindrical drums 1A and 1B are brought into contact with each other and stacked and moved, the cylindrical drum 1A is moved forward.
6 escapes from the positioning spray nozzle 3 and moves to the next cylindrical drum 1B, when an external force that causes the previous cylindrical drum 1A to move in the horizontal direction due to an external factor is applied, So even if the next cylindrical drum 1B
Even if the positioning can be performed, the cylindrical drum 1A may be abruptly displaced in the horizontal direction. When this movement phenomenon occurs, it appears as a horizontal step of the photosensitive solution or a coating solution running out.

The main object of the present invention is to position the cylindrical drum without damaging the cylindrical drum, and
The purpose is to prevent displacement of the cylindrical drums at the connecting portion between the cylindrical drums.

[0009]

A method of positioning a cylindrical base material according to claim 1 of the present invention which solves the above-mentioned problems is a method of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials by aligning their cylindrical axes, and from top to bottom. A discharge port for continuously applying the coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate by a vertical coating device while pushing it up vertically and spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate at a position before or after coating. In a cylindrical substrate positioning method for positioning the cylindrical substrate by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having The discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is changed at a connecting portion where the end faces of the discharge nozzles are in contact with each other.

Further, in the method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to a second aspect of the present invention, a detecting means for detecting a connecting portion where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other is provided, and the detecting means detects the connecting portion. Based on the detected signal, when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material passes through the discharge port, the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to be changed. .

Further, in the method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to a third aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion where the end faces of the respective cylindrical base materials contact each other is a detection signal and a timing signal detected by a timer means. Based on the above, when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material passes through the discharge port, the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to be changed.

Furthermore, in the method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is fixed at the connecting portion where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other. It is characterized by changing.

Further, in the method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a detecting means for detecting a connecting portion where the end faces of the respective cylindrical base materials contact each other is provided, and the detecting means is used. Based on the detected detection signal, when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material passes through the discharge port, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to be changed.

Furthermore, in the method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the connecting portion where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other is timed with a detection signal detected by the timer means. Based on the signal, when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material passes through the discharge port, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to be changed.

Further, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning device for a cylindrical base material, wherein a plurality of cylindrical base materials are stacked so that their cylindrical axes are aligned with each other, and the vertical coating device is vertically pushed upward from below. By means of which the coating liquid is continuously applied on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material, and at a position before or after application, a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In a cylindrical substrate positioning device for positioning the cylindrical substrate by a positioning means that is arranged coaxially with the cylindrical substrate, a connecting portion in which end faces of the cylindrical substrates are in contact with each other. Detecting means for detecting the change of the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material passes through the discharge port based on the detection signal detected by the detecting means. Control to let And it is characterized in Rukoto.

[0016]

In the present invention, the fluid is sprayed onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate, and the fluid pressure causes the cylindrical substrate to be positioned. That is, when a fluid such as air is blown from around the cylindrical base material, the blowing pressure neutralizes the position of the cylindrical base material, thereby positioning the cylindrical base material at a predetermined position. Moreover, since the cylindrical base material does not come into mechanical contact with the cylindrical base material, it is possible to prevent the cylindrical base material from being damaged.

On the other hand, a plurality of cylindrical base materials are stacked by aligning the cylinder axes, and while vertically pushing upward from below, the coating liquid is continuously applied onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device, At a position before or after coating, a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material is positioned by the positioning means arranged coaxially with the cylindrical base material. In a cylindrical base material positioning device that positions a cylindrical base material, when positioning, if there is at least one cylindrical base material with a bad squareness, it is ejected from the spraying device. The air enters the joint where the end faces of each of the cylindrical substrates come into contact with each other, and the cylindrical substrates float, tilt or vibrate, and adversely affect all the cylindrical substrates that progress in a stack. , Paint Sex is reduced.

The present invention solves the above problems by controlling the discharge amount or pressure of the fluid to be changed at the connecting portion between the cylindrical substrates. That is, the discharge amount of the fluid at the connecting portion is stopped, or 80% or less of the original discharge flow rate. Or 8 of the original discharge pressure
It is better to set it to 0% or less. Preferably, the discharge flow rate or discharge pressure is 0 to 70%.

Thus, even at the abutting portion between the plurality of cylindrical base materials, both the cylindrical base materials can be accurately positioned. By accurately and smoothly holding and moving the cylindrical substrate in this manner, it is possible to suppress the film thickness variation of the coating liquid and improve the coating property. In addition, the cylindrical base material and the coater are not damaged.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the entire vertical coating apparatus including the positioning apparatus of the present invention. The vertical type coating apparatus includes a circular coating apparatus 10 for coating a coating liquid (photosensitive liquid) 2 on cylindrical base materials (cylindrical drums) 1A and 1B vertically stacked along a center line O, and the circular coating apparatus 10. From a cylindrical substrate positioning device 20 fixed below the coating device 10, a drying hood 30 installed above the vertical coating device 10, and a supporting device 40 fixed to the lower part of the positioning device 20. It is configured.

Inside the annular coating device 10, a coating head 11 for coating the treatment liquid 2 so as to surround the outer periphery of the cylindrical substrate 1A, and a tapered treatment liquid outlet (treatment liquid) adjacent to the coating head 11. A slide surface) 12, a processing liquid distribution slit 13 forming a narrow processing liquid passage in the horizontal direction, a coating liquid distribution chamber 14, and a decompression chamber 15 are formed. A processing liquid supply pipe 16 is connected to the coating liquid distribution chamber 14, and the processing liquid is supplied by a pressure feed pump (not shown). An air exhaust pipe 17 is connected to the decompression chamber 15 and decompressed by an exhaust pump (not shown).

The coating method by the vertical coating device 10 is as follows.
The annular coating device 10 is fixed, and coating is performed by the coating head 11 from the upper end of the cylindrical base material 1A while moving the cylindrical base material 1A upward along the center line O in the direction of the arrow.

A fixed amount of the processing liquid is stably fed to the vertical coating device 10 by a pressure pump, and the processing liquid supply pipe 16, the coating liquid distribution chamber 14, the processing liquid distribution slit 13, and the processing liquid outlet 12 are provided. After that, the treatment liquid is applied to the surface of the cylindrical substrate 1A under reduced pressure in the decompression chamber 15 which is supplied to the coating head 11 and is connected to the exhaust pump to form a photosensitive layer.

An annular drying hood 30 is fixed to the upper portion of the vertical coating device 10. A large number of openings 31 are formed in the drying hood 30. The photosensitive layer on the cylindrical substrate formed by the vertical coating device 10 gradually dries the coated photosensitive liquid 2 while passing through the drying hood 30. The drying is performed by releasing the solvent contained in the photosensitive liquid to the outside through the opening 31.

A cylindrical substrate positioning device 20 is fixed to the lower part of the vertical coating device 10. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA (air supply portion) of the cylindrical base material positioning device 20 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB (exhaust portion).

The cylindrical base material positioning device 20 is composed of an outer cylinder member 21 and an inner cylinder member 22 fixed inside the outer cylinder member 21. The outer cylinder member 21 and the inner cylinder member 22 are provided with a plurality of air supply ports 23 penetrating both members and a plurality of exhaust ports 26. The plurality of air supply ports 23
Is connected to the air supply pump 29, and a fluid such as air is pressure-fed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (a), the outer cylinder member 21 is provided with four air supply ports 23 in the horizontal direction in a radial pattern and further in a vertical direction in a plurality of stages (5 stages in the figure). ) It is arranged. A horizontal groove 24 is formed in the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 21 to form a horizontal flow path between the outer cylindrical member 21 and the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 22, and the grooves are arranged radially in the horizontal direction.
It communicates with the individual air supply port 23. A hole having twelve discharge ports 25 in the horizontal direction penetrates through the inner cylinder member 22. The discharge port 25 faces the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1 with a gap G therebetween. The gap G is 20 μm to 3
mm, preferably 30 μm to 2 mm. This gap G
Is less than 20 μm, the cylindrical base material 1 is likely to be damaged by contacting the inner cylindrical member 22 with a slight shake of the cylindrical base material 1.
Further, when the gap G is larger than 3 mm, the positioning accuracy of the cylindrical base material 1 is reduced. The discharge port 25 has a diameter of 0.0
The nozzle has a small diameter of 1 to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 mm.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2B, four exhaust holes 26 are arranged in a horizontal direction radially through the outer cylinder member 21 and the inner cylinder member 22, and further in a vertical direction. A plurality of stages (5 stages in the figure) are arranged. The exhaust ports 26 are arranged alternately with the air supply ports 23 in the vertical direction. A vertical groove 27 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder member 22,
The plurality of stages of exhaust ports 26 communicate with each other.

The inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the inner cylinder member 22 is a tapered surface 28 that widens on the inlet side. The tapered surface 28 is, for example, a conical surface having an axial length of 50 mm and a one-sided inclination angle of 0.5 mm. This taper surface 2
By providing 8, the front end of the cylindrical base material 1 is prevented from coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylindrical member 22 when the cylindrical base material 1 enters the inner cylindrical member 22.

The fluid pumped from the air supply pump 29 is introduced into the outer cylinder member 23 through the plurality of air supply ports 23, and is discharged through the plurality of discharge ports 25 through the horizontal groove 24 to form the cylindrical shape. A uniform fluid film layer is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base material 1A (1B). The discharged fluid is discharged to the outside of the apparatus through the plurality of exhaust ports 26 through the vertical groove 27.

The opening diameter of the discharge port 25 is 0.01 to 1
mm, preferably 0.05-0.5 mm, eg 0.2
It is formed in a circular shape of 0.5 mm. The opening diameter of the exhaust port 26 is 1.0 to 10 mm, preferably 2.0 to 8.0.
It is formed in a circular shape of mm, for example, 3 to 5 mm. The discharge port 25 and the exhaust port 26 are integrally incorporated on the side of the member (inner tubular member 22) forming the innermost surface of the positioning means 20 facing the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical substrate 1. .

The discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port 25 is changed at the connecting portion by the connecting portion detecting means (53) for detecting the connecting portion between the plurality of cylindrical substrates 1 or the timer means (51). To be controlled.

Alternatively, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port 25 is a joint portion detecting means (53) for detecting the joint portion between the plurality of cylindrical substrates 1 or a timer means (5).
It is controlled so as to change at the connecting portion by 1).

By using, for example, reflectance fluctuation detection, magnetic change measurement, eddy current measurement, electric capacitance change measurement, laser measurement, etc. as the connecting portion detecting means, connection between the cylindrical substrates 1 can be easily performed. The part can be detected.

The connection between the cylindrical base materials 1 is detected by the timer means, and the length of the cylindrical base material 1, the moving speed of the cylindrical base material 1, the distance between the plurality of discharge ports 25, and the first of the spraying means. It is detected from the discharge port distance and the like.

The positioning device 20 shown in FIG.
Although it is a set of units, two or more sets may be continuously connected in the vertical direction.

The fluid supplied to the air supply port 23 is preferably air or an inert gas such as nitrogen gas. The fluid is preferably clean gas of class 100 or higher according to JIS standard.

As the vertical coating device connected to the positioning device of the present invention, various devices such as a slide hopper type, an extrusion type and a ring coater are used.

[Embodiment] The present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

Example 1 (Examples and Comparative Examples) The conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1 has a mirror-finished diameter of 80 mm and a height of 355 mm.
Of aluminum drum support.

A coating liquid composition UCL-1 (3.0 W / V% polymer concentration) was prepared on the conductive support 1 as follows, and a slide hopper type coating apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 was used. Applied. 3 is a schematic sectional view of the coating device 10 and a positioning device 20 provided with a timer control means, and FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the positioning device 20.
In this embodiment, a positioning device 20 (length H = 250 mm) shown in FIG. 3 is installed immediately before the coating device 10, the moving speed of the cylindrical substrate 1 is 20 mm / sec, and a coater (coating head) 11 is used. The gap between the cylindrical substrates 1 is 100
The continuous coating was performed with a thickness of μm.

UCL-1 coating liquid composition Copolymerized nylon resin (CM-8000 manufactured by Toray) Methanol / n-butanol = 10/1 (Vol ratio) Coating speed of cylindrical substrate 1, cylindrical substrate 1 By the timer control calculated from the length, the distance from the reference point to the first discharge port 25, the distance from the discharge port to the discharge port, and the like, the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material 1 is exactly located at the discharge port 25 of the positioning means. Only when it was applied, the fluid such as nitrogen gas from the discharge port 25 was temporarily stopped and the continuous coating was performed. As a result, the cylindrical substrate 1 did not vibrate or sway, and the coatability was good. When applied without pausing the discharge of the fluid,
A nitrogen gas flow flows into the gap between the connecting portions of the cylindrical base materials 1 having a poor squareness, and the cylindrical base material 1 is tilted and lifted to vibrate or shake all the cylindrical base materials 1 stacked thereon. It was moved and rubbed against the inner wall of the positioning device 20 and the coater 11, causing failure such as coating unevenness and scratches.

Example 2 (Example and Comparative Example) As the conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1, a mirror-finished diameter 80 mm and height 355 m were used.
m aluminum drum support was used.

Coating solution composition C was prepared on the support as follows.
GL-2 (3.0 W / V% polymer concentration) was prepared and coated using the slide hopper type coating device 10 as described in FIG. At this time, immediately before the coating device 10 shown in FIG.
The ring-shaped positioning device (length H = 250 mm) shown in 1 was installed, and continuous coating was performed at a moving speed of the cylindrical substrate 1 of 30 mm / sec and a gap between the coater 11 and the cylindrical substrate 1 of 100 μm.

CGL-2 coating liquid composition Perylene pigment (CGM-2) Butyral resin (S-REC BX-L Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Methyl ethyl ketone The above coating liquid composition (solid content weight ratio CG
M-1: BX-L = fixed at 2: 1) dispersed for 20 hours using a sand mill.

[0047]

Embedded image

Cylindrical substrate coating speed, cylindrical substrate length,
By the timer control calculated from the distance from the reference point to the first discharge port, the distance from the discharge port to the discharge port, etc., the discharge is performed only when the connecting portion of the cylindrical substrate 1 is applied to the discharge port of the positioning device. The nitrogen gas flow rate from the outlet 25 was temporarily reduced to 30% of the original discharge flow rate, and continuous coating was performed. Vibration and shaking of the cylindrical substrate 1 did not occur, and the coatability was good. When applying without reducing the nitrogen gas flow rate, the nitrogen gas flow flows into the gap between the connecting portions between the cylindrical base materials 1 having a bad squareness, and the cylindrical base material 1 is tilted and lifted, and all The cylindrical substrate 1 was vibrated or rocked to rub against the inner wall of the positioning device 20 or the coater 11 to cause a failure such as coating unevenness or scratches.

Example 3 (Example) As the conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1, the same aluminum drum support as in Example 1 was used.

A coating solution composition CTL-1 (35 W / V% solid content concentration) was prepared on the conductive support 1 as follows, and a slide hopper type coating apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared.
0 was used for coating. At this time, the positioning device 20 (length H = 250 mm) shown in FIG.
Was installed, and continuous coating was performed at a moving speed of the cylindrical substrate 1 of 5 mm / sec and a gap between the coater 11 and the cylindrical substrate 1 of 250 μm. -CTL-1 coating liquid composition CTM-1 polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.) 1,2-dichloroethane For solids, solids weight ratio CTM-1: Z-200
Fixed at = 0.89: 1

[0051]

Embedded image

Positioning is performed by timer control calculated from the coating speed of the cylindrical base material 1, the length of the cylindrical base material 1, the distance from the reference point to the first discharge port, the distance from the discharge port to the discharge port, and the like. Only when the connecting portion of the cylindrical substrate 1 was applied to the discharge port of the apparatus, the nitrogen gas pressure from the discharge port was temporarily reduced to 20% of the original gas pressure, and continuous coating was performed. Vibration and shaking of the cylindrical substrate 1 did not occur, and the coatability was good. When applied without reducing the gas pressure, a nitrogen gas flow flows into the gap between the connecting portions of the cylindrical base material 1 having a poor squareness, and the cylindrical base material 1 is tilted and lifted up, and all the cylindrical shapes Positioning device 2 that vibrates and rocks substrate 1
The inner wall of No. 0 and the coater 11 rubbed against each other, causing failure such as coating unevenness and scratches.

Example 4 (Examples and Comparative Examples) The conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1 had a mirror-finished diameter of 80 mm and a height of 355 m.
m aluminum drum support was used.

A coating liquid composition UCL-2 (3.0 W / V% polymer concentration) was prepared on the conductive support 1 as follows, and a slide hopper type coating apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 was used. Applied. At this time, the ring-shaped positioning device (length H = 250) shown in FIG.
mm, the connecting portion detection device 53 is installed at the first discharge port, that is, the lower end of the lowermost discharge port is installed), the moving speed of the cylindrical base material 1 is 20 mm / sec, and the coater 11 and the cylindrical base material 1 are moved. The gap was 100 μm and continuous coating was performed.

UCL-2 coating liquid composition vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer (S-REC MF-
10, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.) Acetone / Cyclohexanone = 10/1 (Vol ratio) Only when the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material 1 is applied to the discharge port 25 of the positioning device 20, nitrogen gas is generated by the connecting portion detecting device 53. It was temporarily stopped and continuous coating was performed. Vibration and shaking of the cylindrical substrate 1 did not occur, and the coatability was good. When applying without stopping, the nitrogen gas flow flows into the gap between the connecting portions of the cylindrical base material 1 having a bad squareness, and the cylindrical base material 1 is lifted while being tilted to remove all the cylindrical base materials stacked on top of it. It vibrated and shook and rubbed against the inner wall of the positioning device 20 and the coater 11 to cause uneven coating and scratches.

Example 5 (Example and Comparative Example) As the conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1, a mirror-finished diameter of 80 mm and height of 355 m were used.
m aluminum drum support was used.

A coating liquid composition CGL-3 (3.0 W / V% polymer concentration) was prepared on the conductive support 1 as follows, and a slide hopper type coating apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1 was used. Applied. At this time, the ring-shaped positioning device 20 (length H = 2) shown in FIG.
70 mm, the connecting portion detection device 53 to the first discharge port 25-6
(Incorporated into the lower end of the lowermost discharge port) was installed, and continuous coating was performed at a substrate moving speed of 30 mm / sec and a gap between the coater 11 and the cylindrical substrate 1 of 100 μm.

CGL-3 coating liquid composition Y-type titanyl phthalocyanine pigment (CGM-3) silicone resin (KR-5240 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.) t-butyl acetate The above coating liquid composition (solid content is solid weight). Ratio CG
M-2: KR-5240 = fixed at 2: 1) dispersed for 20 hours using a sand mill.

[0059]

Embedded image

Only when the connecting portion of the cylindrical substrate 1 is applied to the discharge port 25 of the positioning device 20, the connecting portion detecting device 5
By 3, the air flow rate was temporarily reduced to 10% of the original air flow rate, and continuous coating was performed. Vibration and shaking of the cylindrical substrate 1 did not occur, and the coatability was good. If applied without reducing the air flow rate, the air flow will flow into the gap between the connecting parts of the cylindrical base material with a bad squareness, and the cylindrical base material will be lifted while tilting, and all the cylindrical base materials stacked on top It vibrated and shook and rubbed against the inner wall of the positioning device 20 and the coater 11 to cause uneven coating and scratches.

Example 6 (Example and Comparative Example) As the conductive support (cylindrical base material) 1, the same aluminum drum support as in Example 1 was used.

A coating liquid composition CTL-2 (35 W / V% solid content concentration) was prepared on the conductive support 1 as follows, and a slide hopper type coating apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 1 was prepared.
0 was used for coating. At this time, the positioning device 20 (length H = 250 mm, the connecting portion detection device 53 is installed at the first discharge port 25-6 (incorporated at the lower end of the lowermost discharge port) shown in FIG. 5 immediately before the coating device 10. Then, continuous movement was performed at a moving speed of the cylindrical substrate 1 of 5 mm / sec and a gap between the coater 11 and the cylindrical substrate 1 of 250 μm.

CTL-2 coating liquid composition CTM-2 polycarbonate (Z-200 manufactured by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.) 1,2-dichloroethane For solids, solids weight ratio CTM-1: Z-200
Fixed at = 0.89: 1 Only when the connecting portion of the cylindrical substrate 1 is applied to the discharge port 25 of the positioning device 20, the air pressure is temporarily 20% of the original air pressure by the connecting portion detecting device 53. And continuous coating was performed. Vibration and shaking of the cylindrical substrate did not occur, and the coatability was good. When applied without reducing the air pressure, an airflow flows into the gap between the connecting parts of the cylindrical base material with a bad squareness, lifting the cylindrical base material while tilting it, and removing all the cylindrical base materials stacked on top. Positioning device that vibrates and shakes, and rubs against the inner wall of the positioning device 20 and the coater 11 into the gaps for coating unevenness and scratches, and tilts and lifts the base materials while vibrating and rocking all the base materials stacked on top. Rubbing with the wall or coater caused uneven coating and scratches.

The photoconductor of the present invention is UCL / CGL / CTL.
When an OPC photosensitive member having three layers sequentially formed was produced and actually copied, it was good without uneven density, fog unevenness and image defects (black spots, white spots, streak defects, and scratch defects). It also did not damage the coater.

[0065]

By the method and apparatus for positioning a cylindrical substrate provided in the coating apparatus of the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained.

(1) The fluctuation of the photosensitive film thickness coated on the cylindrical substrate was extremely small.

(2) The coating property of the coating liquid on the cylindrical substrate was improved.

(3) The occurrence of scratches on the surface of the cylindrical substrate was eliminated.

(4) The coating liquid discharge part (coater) of the coating device is not damaged.

(5) The positioning accuracy of the cylindrical substrate is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a positioning device and a coating device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA and a sectional view taken along the line BB of the coating apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a coating device and a positioning device.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a positioning device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the positioning device.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which cylindrical base materials are stacked and conveyed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1A, 1B Cylindrical base material (cylindrical drum, conductive support) 2 Treatment surface (photosensitive liquid surface) 10 Vertical coating device (slide hopper type coating device) 11 Coating head (coater) 20 Positioning device (positioning means) ) 21 outer cylinder member 22 inner cylinder member 23 air supply port 25 discharge port 26 exhaust port 29 air supply pump 51 timer means 53 joint detection device

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials so that their cylindrical axes are aligned with each other and continuously pushing up the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material with a vertical coating device while vertically pushing upward from below. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. The method for positioning a cylindrical base material according to claim 1, wherein the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is changed at a joint where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other. 2. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials by aligning their cylindrical axes and vertically pushing upward from below to continuously apply a coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In a method for positioning a cylindrical base material, a detecting means for detecting a connecting portion where end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other is provided, and based on a detection signal detected by the detecting means, the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material. The method for positioning a cylindrical substrate is characterized in that when the liquid passes through the discharge port, the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to be changed. 3. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials so that the cylinder axes thereof are aligned with each other and continuously pushing up the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material with a vertical coating device while vertically pushing upward from below. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In the method for positioning a cylindrical base material, the connecting portion where the end faces of the respective cylindrical base materials contact each other is based on a detection signal and a timing signal detected by a timer means, and the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material is the discharge port. A method for positioning a cylindrical substrate, characterized in that the amount of fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled to change when passing through 4. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials by aligning their cylindrical axes with each other and continuously applying a coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device while vertically pushing upward. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In the method for positioning a cylindrical base material, the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is changed at a joint where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other. 5. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials by aligning their cylindrical axes with each other and continuously applying a coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device while vertically pushing upward. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In a method for positioning a cylindrical base material, a detecting means is provided for detecting a connecting portion where end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other, and based on a detection signal detected by the detecting means, the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material. Is controlled so that the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is changed when the liquid passes through the discharge port. 6. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials so that their cylindrical axes are aligned with each other and continuously pushing up a coating liquid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device while vertically pushing upward. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In the method for positioning a cylindrical base material, the connecting portion where the end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other is based on a detection signal and a timing signal detected by a timer means, and the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material is the discharge port. A method for positioning a cylindrical substrate, characterized in that the pressure of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is controlled so as to change when passing through. 7. The method for positioning a cylindrical substrate according to claim 1, wherein the vertical coating device is a slide hopper type coating device. 8. The method for positioning a cylindrical substrate according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is an inert gas. 9. A step of stacking a plurality of cylindrical base materials by aligning their cylindrical axes and vertically pushing them upward from below to continuously apply the coating liquid onto the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material by a vertical coating device. In, at the position before or after application,
A cylinder for positioning the cylindrical base material by a positioning means formed by coaxially arranging a hollow cylindrical spraying means having a discharge port for spraying a fluid on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical base material. In a positioning device for a cylindrical base material, a detecting means is provided for detecting a connecting portion where end faces of the cylindrical base materials contact each other, and based on a detection signal detected by the detecting means, the connecting portion of the cylindrical base material. The cylindrical base material positioning device is characterized by controlling so that the discharge amount of the fluid discharged from the discharge port is changed when the liquid passes through the discharge port.