JPH10309760A - Manufacture of fur brush roller - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent unhairing or a decrease in flocked hair density by intermittently applying a high voltage between a core and an electrode in the case of electrostatically flocking the core with conductive fiber, flying and anchoring the fiber, thereby preventing an electric short-circuit between the core and an electrode plate. SOLUTION: A surface of a core 5 is coated with adhesive to form an adhesive layer 6. Then, to flock brush fiber 7 obtained by cutting conductive fiber for constituting a developing brush in a desired length on the layer 6, a high voltage is applied. Thus, the fiber 7 is charged by electrostatic induction, flown by Coulomb force, and anchored to the surface of the layer 6 of an object to be flocked to constitute a cleaning brush roller. And, a high voltage generator 12 is driven so that a high voltage from a high voltage generator 12 is intermittently applied between the core 5 and an electrode 10. For example, a conducting time to the generator 12 is set to about 2 sec, and an interrupting time of non-conducting is set to about 0.5 sec.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developing, charging, and manufacturing of a fur brush roller for a transfer roller used in an electrophotographic apparatus utilizing an electrostatic developing system such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 1, an electrophotographic apparatus utilizing the above-mentioned electrostatic developing system has a charging device 3 for uniformly charging a photoconductor layer around a photoconductor having a photoconductor layer on an outer peripheral surface.
0, a developing device 31 for supplying the toner 3 to the photoreceptor layer on which the electrostatic latent image is formed by the partial exposure and visualizing the toner 3;
A transfer device 32 for transferring the toner on the photoreceptor to paper or the like, and a cleaning device 33 for collecting untransferred residual toner on the photoreceptor layer after the transfer are sequentially provided. 34 shown in the figure is
A paper feeding device for feeding the paper 36, and a fixing device 35 for fixing the transferred toner on paper or the like.

First, various types of developing devices used in the above-described electrophotographic apparatus have been proposed. For example, magnetic toner adsorbed by a magnetic roller is transferred to a photosensitive member. However, in the method of supplying magnetic toner using such a magnetic roller, not only is the magnetic roller expensive, but also the adjustment of the gap between the magnetic roller and the transfer member is delicate, and an accuracy of 0.1 mm unit is often used. There is also a disadvantage that the mechanism for satisfying the required accuracy is complicated. In particular, when a two-component toner is used, the carrier itself has a limited life, and it is necessary to periodically replace the carrier, for example, every 10,000 copies or 20,000 copies. is there. Further, since a magnetic material having a different color is internally added to the magnetic toner itself, it has been technically difficult to convert the magnetic toner into a color toner.

[0004] In order to solve the above inconveniences, several developing methods using non-magnetic toner have been proposed. For example,
There is known a fur brush developing method in which soft bristles such as beaver bristles are formed into a cylindrical brush, and a developer is attached to the brush. This fur brush development method does not require the use of an expensive developer, and does not require a complicated apparatus that must always maintain a constant ratio of developer particles to carrier particles by using carrier particles. Things.

On the other hand, as a charging device, a corona charging device using corona discharge, a roller charging device for applying a bias voltage to a conductive roller to charge it, or applying an electrostatic charge to a dielectric roller and depositing the electrostatic charge on a photosensitive member And a transfer device for charging a dielectric transfer roller. However, of these,
The problem with the roller charging device and the dielectric transfer roller charging device is that uniform charge potential cannot be obtained due to uneven charging of the photoconductor due to variations in the conductivity and dielectric properties of the roller material, or variations in the contact pressure between the roller and the photoconductor. There is a point. In addition, a corona charging device using corona discharge requires a high voltage power supply to generate corona discharge, and the action of ozone that generates corona discharge shortens the life of the photoconductor, or the wire is cut by discharge. And there are problems such as low reliability. In order to solve these problems, a fur brush roller charging device has been proposed. The fur brush roller charging device is a device in which conductive fibers are formed in a brush shape on a roller, the brush fibers are rotated in contact with the photoconductor, and a bias voltage is applied thereto to charge the photoconductor surface. The fur brush roller charging system is inexpensive because it does not require a high-voltage power supply unlike a corona discharge device, has high reliability because there is no cutting of wires, and has a long life of the photoconductor because it generates less ozone. There are features.

Further, a similar fur brush roller is used in a transfer device. When the visible image formed by the developing device on the photoreceptor reaches the transfer device, it is charged on the back surface of the transfer material such as paper sent from the paper feeding device and transferred to the transfer material by the visible image and electrostatic attraction. I do. Some of these fur brush rollers use resin fibers, but they are used for the purpose of improving charging efficiency and transfer efficiency, and preventing image defects that cause “fogging” by releasing excessive charge from excessively charged toner. There is a fur brush roller in which fibers having small electric resistance, so-called conductive fibers, are planted. The conductive fiber is a polymer resin fiber material, for example, a nylon resin or a polyester resin,
Also, fibers made of conductive particles such as carbon or metal powder dispersed in polyester resin, acrylic resin, or the like, or metal processing threads such as ultrafine wire stainless steel or copper are also conductive fibers, and usually have a specific resistance of 10 ⁸ Ω.・ Refers to fibers of cm or less.

To manufacture these fur brush rollers, first, an adhesive is applied to a core to form an adhesive layer.
Thereafter, the conductive fiber, which is a brush fiber constituting the brush, is charged by using a high voltage, and is caused to fly by Coulomb force, so that the conductive fiber is implanted in the adhesive layer. FIG. 8 shows a simple principle diagram. A core body 5 having an adhesive layer 6 on its surface is arranged above, an electrode plate 10 is arranged below the core body 5, and a rotating shaft 1 of the electrode plate 10 and the core body 5 is arranged.
1 is connected to the high voltage generator 12. Are placed on the electrode plate 10, the high-voltage generator 12 is turned on, and the core 5 is rotated, so that the conductive fibers 7 fly off. The hair is implanted in the adhesive layer 6.

However, when the conductive fibers 7 fly away from the electrode plate 10 during the electrostatic flocking of the conductive fibers 7, as shown in FIG. The density of the conductive fibers 7 between them increases, so that the conductive fibers 7 continue between the core body 5 and the electrode plate 10. As a result, the resistance value between the core 5 and the electrode plate 10 is extremely reduced, and an electrical short circuit occurs between the core 5 and the electrode plate 10. When the core body and the electrode plate are in a short-circuit state as described above, the high voltage applied between the core body and the electrode plate is not applied. As a result, the electric field generated between the core and the electrode plate is reduced, so that the flying speed of the conductive fiber is reduced. When the flying speed of the conductive fiber is reduced, the depth at which the conductive fiber is anchored to the core becomes shallow, the adhesive strength is reduced, and the hair loss is increased. This hair loss not only reduces the planting density and changes the performance of the fur brush roller, but also, for example, if the fur brush roller for development is depilated, the conductive fibers that have come off adhere to the output image, and the image deteriorates. And other problems.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention is intended to solve the problem in producing a fur brush roller using conductive fibers as brush fibers, in which electric current is applied between a core and an electrode plate. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a fur brush roller free of deteriorating characteristics due to hair loss or a decrease in the density of flocking and preventing image defects by preventing short circuit.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an electroconductive fiber forming a brush on the adhesive layer after forming an adhesive layer by applying an adhesive to the surface of the core. In the method of manufacturing a fur brush roller, a high voltage is intermittently applied between the core and the electrode when the conductive fiber is electrostatically implanted on the core to fly the conductive fiber. It is characterized by anchoring. By intermittently applying a high voltage between the core and the electrode as described above, the flying speed of the conductive fiber is reduced during a period in which no voltage is applied, that is, at a voltage cutoff portion, and at the same time, the conductive fiber is gravity-driven. With the force to drop, the action of loosening the conductive fibers connected between the core and the electrode works, and a short circuit between the core and the electrode can be prevented.

In addition, when the conductive fibers are electrostatically implanted on the core, the conductive fibers fly and anchor while applying vibration to the electrodes, so that the conductive fibers are connected between the core and the electrodes as described above. The action of unraveling the conductive fibers works, and a short circuit between the core and the electrode can be prevented.

In addition, when the conductive fibers are electrostatically implanted on the core, the conductive fibers fly and anchor while intermittently jetting compressed air into a gap between the core and the electrode. As described above, the action of unraveling the conductive fibers connected between the core and the electrode works, and a short circuit between the core and the electrode can be prevented.

When the conductive fibers are electrostatically implanted on a core,
A high voltage is intermittently applied between the core and the electrode, and while applying vibration to the electrode, the conductive fiber flies and anchors, and a high voltage is intermittently applied between the core and the electrode. And, while intermittently jetting compressed air into the gap between the core and the electrode, fly or anchor the conductive fiber, or intermittently apply a high voltage between the core and the electrode. Flying the conductive fibers while applying vibration to the electrodes and intermittently injecting compressed air into the gap between the core and the electrodes,
By anchoring, as described above, the action of unraveling the conductive fibers connected between the core and the electrode can be increased, and a short circuit between the core and the electrode can be more reliably prevented.

[0014]

FIG. 2 shows a fur brush developing device provided in the above-described electrophotographic apparatus. The fur brush developing device includes a photoconductor 1 rotatable clockwise,
The developing roller 2 includes a developing roller 2 that is rotatable counterclockwise so as to contact the surface of the photoconductor 1 and develops the toner, and a toner supply box 4 that supplies toner 3 to the developing roller 2. The rotation directions of the photoconductor 1 and the developing roller 2 are not limited to the above directions.

The developing roller 2 includes a rotatable core 5.
And an adhesive layer (not shown) formed by applying an adhesive to the surface of the core body 5, and a number of brush fibers 7 which are conductive fibers electrostatically implanted on the adhesive layer. And a developing brush 8 composed of This developing roller 2
The developing roller 2 may have a configuration other than that shown in the figure, for example, with a conductive layer interposed between the core 5 and the adhesive layer. It is preferable that the charging fur brush roller and the transfer fur brush roller are also configured in the same manner as described above. However, at least one of the developing roller 2, the charging fur brush roller, and the transfer fur brush roller is configured as described above. It can also be configured and implemented.

The brush fibers 7 are prepared by kneading a polymer resin with carbon or metal powder to form fibers, or by plating, vapor-depositing, coating or the like on the outer peripheral surface of a polymer resin fiber with a metal or conductive resin. There is something to form. Examples of the polymer resin fibers include nylon, rayon, acrylic, vinylon, polyester, and vinyl chloride.

Next, a method of manufacturing the fur brush roller 2 of the present invention will be described. First, an adhesive is applied to the surface of the core 5 to form an adhesive layer 6. Thereafter, in order to implant the brush fibers 7 obtained by cutting the conductive fibers constituting the developing brush 8 into a desired length on the adhesive layer 6,
As shown in FIG. 3, when a high voltage is applied, the brush fibers 7 are charged by electrostatic induction and fly by Coulomb force.
The hair is implanted by being anchored to the surface of the adhesive layer 6 of the object, and the fur brush roller 2 is constituted.

Then, between the core 5 and the electrode 10,
The high voltage generator 12 is driven by the waveform shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, or FIG. 4C so that the high voltage from the high voltage generator 12 is intermittently applied.
In FIG. 4A, the energizing time to the high voltage generator 12 is set to about 2 seconds, and the cutoff time for not energizing the high voltage generator 12 is set to about 0.5 seconds. The time is set in consideration of the size and weight of the conductive fiber, the number of flight, and the like, and is intended to reduce the flying property to such an extent that the conductive fiber between the core and the electrode is loosened. Since it is difficult to instantaneously energize and de-energize as in the case of FIG. 4 (a), the voltage gradually increases with time as shown in FIG. 4 (b). A waveform in which the voltage gradually decreases may be used.
As shown in (c), the waveform may repeat the maximum set voltage V and the flying start voltage V ₀ at which the conductive fiber starts flying.
In short, waveforms other than those shown above may be used as long as the purpose is to reduce the flying property to the extent that the conductive fiber between the core and the electrode is released.

Instead of the means for intermittently applying the high voltage from the high voltage generator 12, as shown in FIG. 5, compressed air is intermittently inserted into a gap 13 between the core 5 and the electrode 10. Is configured to be able to be injected. That is, an air pump 14 for injecting compressed air and an electromagnetic valve 15 for switching between a state in which the compressed air from the air pump 14 is injected into the gap 13 and a state in which the compressed air is not injected into the gap 13 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, an ultrasonic vibration device 16 for applying vibration from the lower surface of the electrode 10 is provided so that vibration can be applied to the electrode 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the ultrasonic vibration device 16 and means for intermittently applying a high voltage from the high voltage generator 12 are provided. In this figure,
Numerous holes 1 through which conductive fibers can pass through electrode 10
By configuring the mesh electrode so that 0A is formed, and controlling the amount of the conductive fiber passing through the mesh electrode 10, it is possible to prevent the conductive fiber from solidifying and flying. 17 is a receiving plate for receiving the conductive fiber 7.

The above four means can be used alone or in combination of two or more. For example, a means for intermittently applying a high voltage from the high-voltage generator 12 and a means for intermittently injecting compressed air into the gap 13 between the core 5 and the electrode 10 are combined with or combined with the electrode. Various combinations are conceivable, such as adding a means for imparting vibration to 10.

The core 5 is made of iron, aluminum, stainless steel,
When the adhesive layer 6 is formed of a conductive adhesive in addition to a metal such as brass, a plastic or a plastic that has been subjected to a conductive treatment such as plating to obtain a structure that can be grounded at the time of electrostatic flocking. Paper or the like may be used. Further, by performing a blast treatment to roughen the surface of the core body 5 by colliding the surface of the core body 5 with glass beads, aluminum powder, or the like at a high speed, the adhesiveness with the adhesive can be improved. In addition, by making the core body 5 into a hollow cylindrical shape and having a structure in which flanges are attached to both ends, the weight can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost and the running cost for rotation can be reduced.

As the kind of the adhesive constituting the adhesive layer 6, an adhesive of vinyl acetate type, acrylic type, urethane type, epoxy type or the like can be used. By forming the adhesive itself with elasticity, the adhesive layer 6 is configured to have an elastic function, so that the bristles become easy to move and become a soft developing brush 7, and the contact with the photoreceptor 1 is achieved. There are also advantages such as a wider width. Also, a conductive material such as carbon may be kneaded with the adhesive to have conductivity or semi-conductivity. The viscosity of the adhesive is 3000 CPS to 1000
It is preferable to set in the range of 0 CPS.

As a surface treatment of the developing brush 8,
Electric conductivity, dielectric constant,
The brush fibers may be treated with an inorganic salt, a surfactant, or the like for the purpose of separating (easiness of fraying), adjusting the humidity of the fibers, and the like.
However, if the treatment agent for the above-described electrostatic flocking causes contamination of the photoreceptor surface and the like, the treatment agent may be washed after the electrostatic flocking process. Further, in order to prevent the roller resistance from changing due to the moisture absorption of the brush fibers 7 at the atmospheric humidity and the characteristics becoming unstable, moisture-proof treatment may be performed depending on the type of the fibers. The present invention can be applied not only to a copying machine but also to various electrophotographic apparatuses using an electrostatic image developing system such as a printer and a facsimile.

[0026]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a high voltage is intermittently applied between the core and the electrode when the conductive fibers are electrostatically implanted on the core. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in manufacturing a fur brush roller using conductive fibers as brush fibers by intermittently injecting compressed air into a gap between the core and the electrode, Since it can exert the action of unraveling the conductive fibers connected between them, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the core and the electrode, and to reduce the quality of the hair due to hair loss or a decrease in the density of hair transplantation, and to a fur free of image defects. A method for manufacturing a brush roller can be provided.

[0027] As described in claims 4 to 6, by combining two or more of the means of claims 1 to 3, the action of unraveling the conductive fibers connected between the core and the electrode can be increased. In addition, a short circuit between the core and the electrode can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the brush developing device.

FIG. 3 is a principle diagram showing an electrostatic flocking method configured to intermittently apply a high voltage.

FIG. 4 shows waveform diagrams (a), (b), and (c).

FIG. 5 is a principle diagram showing an electrostatic flocking method configured to intermittently inject compressed air into a gap between a core and an electrode.

FIG. 6 is a principle diagram showing an electrostatic flocking method configured to apply vibration to an electrode.

FIG. 7 is a principle diagram showing an electrostatic flocking method configured to intermittently apply a high voltage and to apply vibration to an electrode.

FIG. 8 is a principle diagram showing a conventional electrostatic flocking method.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photoreceptor 2 Developing roller 3 Toner 4 Toner supply box 5 Core 7 Brush fiber (conductive fiber) 8 Developing brush 10 Electrode plate 11 Rotary shaft 11A hole 12 High voltage generator 13 Air gap 14 Air pump 15 Electromagnetic valve 16 Ultrasonic vibration Device 17 Receiving plate 20 Polymer resin fiber material 21 Conductive particles 22 Conductive part 30 Charging device 31 Developing device 32 Transfer device 33 Cleaning device 34 Paper feeding device 35 Fixing device 36 Paper

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising: applying an adhesive to a surface of a core to form an adhesive layer; and implanting conductive fibers constituting a brush on the adhesive layer. A method for producing a fur brush roller, comprising applying a high voltage intermittently between a core body and an electrode to fly and anchor the conductive fiber when electrostatically flocking to the core body. 2. A method for manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising: applying an adhesive to the surface of a core to form an adhesive layer; and implanting conductive fibers constituting a brush on the adhesive layer. A method of manufacturing a fur brush roller, wherein, when electrostatically flocking to a core, the conductive fiber is made to fly and anchor while applying vibration to the electrode. 3. A method for producing a fur brush roller, comprising: forming an adhesive layer by applying an adhesive to the surface of a core body; and implanting conductive fibers constituting a brush on the adhesive layer. When electrostatically flocking to the core, while intermittently blowing compressed air into the gap between the core and the electrode,
A method of manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising flying and anchoring the conductive fiber. 4. A method for producing a fur brush roller in which an adhesive is applied to the surface of a core to form an adhesive layer, and then conductive fibers constituting a brush are implanted on the adhesive layer. A method of applying a high voltage intermittently between the core body and the electrode when the hair is electrostatically implanted on the core body, and causing the conductive fiber to fly and anchor while applying vibration to the electrode. Manufacturing method of brush roller. 5. A method for producing a fur brush roller, comprising applying an adhesive to the surface of a core to form an adhesive layer, and then implanting conductive fibers constituting a brush on the adhesive layer. When electrostatically flocking to the core, while applying a high voltage intermittently between the core and the electrode, and while intermittently spraying compressed air into the gap between the core and the electrode, A method of manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising flying and anchoring the conductive fiber. 6. A method for manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising: applying an adhesive to the surface of a core to form an adhesive layer; and implanting conductive fibers constituting a brush on the adhesive layer. When electrostatic flocking is applied to the core, a high voltage is intermittently applied between the core and the electrode to vibrate the electrode and to intermittently compress the gap between the core and the electrode. A method of manufacturing a fur brush roller, comprising flying and anchoring the conductive fiber while jetting air.