KR100495639B1 - Functional dynamic brush filling roller - Google Patents

Abstract

The functional roller and the charging roller used for the electrophotographic apparatus are configured to enable uniform operation at low cost.

Electroconductive functional fiber 24 is planted on the surface of the metal core material 21 made of metal, and the planting layer 22 is formed. Since the surface side becomes the brittle seedling layer 22, when used as a toner supply roller which supplies toner to the developing roller of the electrophotographic apparatus, a good contact state can be obtained.

Description

FUNCTIONAL DYNAMIC BRUSH FILLING ROLLER}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a functional tuft roller that can be used as various rollers in an image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or a printer.

8 shows an electrophotographic apparatus 1 showing a basic configuration of a conventional electrophotographic system having a photosensitive drum 2 formed by applying an optical semiconductor to a surface thereof, and on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 an electrophotographic system. To form an image. Prior to image formation, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 can be similarly charged by the charging roller 3. The light corresponding to the image formed by the optical system 4 is irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 similarly charged. The optical semiconductor applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 has electroconductivity according to the intensity of the irradiated light. For this reason, when light is irradiated to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with the intensity | strength corresponding to the image formed from the optical system 4, an electrostatic latent image can be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

For the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, toner is supplied from the developing device 5, and a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image is obtained. The toner is a thermoplastic particle containing a pigment, which is transferred to the surface of the sheet material 6 such as paper while the sheet material 6 is sandwiched by the photosensitive drum 2 and the transfer roller 7 and conveyed. The toner image transferred to the surface of the sheet material 6 is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 8, and the toner melts and adheres to the surface of the sheet material 6, and is fixed as an image. After transferring the toner image onto the sheet material 6, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is cleaned by the cleaner 9, and the same charging by the charging roller 3 is performed again. In this manner, while the photosensitive drum 2 is rotated, an image by toner is formed on the surface thereof, and is transferred onto the sheet material 6 to be fixed. A high voltage of about 100 V is applied from the high voltage source 10 to the charging roller 3.

The developing machine 5 is provided with a developing roller 5a, and transfers the toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 in a contact manner or a non-contact manner. The toner is stored inside the developer 5 and adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the developing roller 5a by the toner supply roller 5b. The cleaning roller 9a may be used also for the cleaner 9. In this way, many functional rollers are used in the electrophotographic apparatus 1. These functional rollers generally have a structure in which the surface is covered with a rubber material.

FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the charging roller 3 shown in FIG. 8 as an example of the functional roller. The conductive rubber layer 12 is covered on the surface of the conductive metal core 11, and the surface coating layer 13 is formed on the surface of the rubber layer 12. If a strong metal or the like is in direct contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, there is a risk of damaging the surface optical semiconductor layer. For this reason, the rubber layer 12 is used. As the rubber material used for the rubber layer 12, a material having conductivity with suitable elasticity is used. The surface coat layer 13 is formed on the surface of the rubber layer 12 so that toner does not adhere. If toner or the like adheres to the surface of the charging roller 3, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is contaminated with toner, and contaminants are transferred to the sheet material 6, thereby degrading the image quality formed.

In the charging roller 3 as shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary to have an electrical resistance of about 10 ⁶ Ωcm. It is difficult to adjust so that the appropriate electrical resistance can be obtained in the rubber layer 12. In particular, silicone rubber cannot be used because the plasticizer contaminates the photosensitive drum 2. Although the rubber layer 12 as shown in FIG. 9 has a cylindrical shape with a thickness of about several millimeters-about 10 several millimeters, when manufacturing, a block-shaped raw material is manufactured by cutting. For this reason, material cost and processing cost will become high. Moreover, although the strength of the rubber layer 12 is moderate to about 10 degrees in JIS A, it is preferable to make it the foamed sponge in order to make such a mild hardness. However, since fine irregularities are generated on the surface of the sponge, it is difficult to produce uniform charging, and fine shades are likely to occur in the image.

Other functional rollers of the charging roller 3, such as the toner supply roller 5b and the cleaning roller 9a, which are used in the electrophotographic apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 8, have the same structure of covering the outer circumferential surface with a rubber layer. Have a problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a functional tuft roller capable of producing an inexpensive and excellent uniformity as a functional roller such as an electrophotographic apparatus.

The present invention is a functional tuft roller comprising a roller-shaped core material and one or more functional fibers which are cut to a predetermined length and adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the core material to have a predetermined density.

According to the present invention, one or more functional fibers cut to a predetermined length are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the roller-shaped core material so as to have a predetermined density. It can contact and can deform | transform easily according to the surface shape etc. of an object. Since a uniform contact state can be realized, the effect excellent in uniformity can be produced. If the length of the functional fiber is increased, the contact pressure can be lowered. If the length is shortened, the contact pressure can be increased. Attaching one or more functional fibers to the outer circumferential surface of the core material can be performed at a lower cost than forming a rubber layer or the like on the outer circumferential surface.

In the present invention, the functional fiber is planted and adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the core material by the electrostatic weaving method,

The core material is characterized by using any one of metal, insulating resin, conductive resin, or paper.

According to the present invention, since the functional fibers are planted and adhered to the outer circumferential surface of the core material made of any one of metal, insulating resin, conductive resin, or paper by using the electrostatic hair transplanting method, a functional hair removal roller can be obtained at an easy and inexpensive value. Can be.

In the present invention, the functional fiber is characterized in that the yarn produced by the composite spinning method.

According to the present invention, since the functional fibers are produced by a composite spinning method in which a plurality of kinds of polymers are spun at the same time from one hole, the functional fibers can be made utilizing the characteristics of each polymer.

In the present invention, the functional fiber is characterized in that the yarn produced by the mixed spinning method.

According to the present invention, since the functional fiber is manufactured by a spinning method in which a material imparting properties in the spinning step is mixed, the desired fiber can be easily provided with desired characteristics.

In the present invention, the predetermined length of the functional fiber is 0.5mm or more, characterized in that the range of 3mm or less.

According to the present invention, since the length of the short fiber is in the range of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, a uniform contact state can be easily obtained as various functional rollers of the electrophotographic apparatus.

In the present invention, the single yarn decitex of the functional fiber is in the range of 1 decitex or more and 10 decitex or less.

According to the present invention, an electrophotographic apparatus using a single yarn having a line density in the range of 1 decitex to 10 decitex in a tex system prescribed in Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) L0101 as a functional fiber. As the various functional rollers, a uniform contact state can be easily obtained. In the present invention, the functional fiber is characterized by having conductivity and electrical conductivity with the core material.

According to the present invention, since the functional fiber has conductivity and electrical conduction with the core material, it is possible to cause an electrical action to be made on the object to which the tip of the functional fiber contacts. In the present invention, the functional fiber is characterized in that the single thread resistance value is 10 ⁵ Ω / cm or more and 10 ¹² Ω / cm or less.

According to the present invention, since the single thread resistance value is 10 ⁵ Ω / cm or more and 10 ¹² Ω / cm or less, the electrostatic action can be suitably performed as a functional roller used in the electrophotographic apparatus.

In the present invention, the functional fiber is characterized in that it comprises an electrically insulating functional fiber and a conductive functional fiber.

According to this invention, since a functional fiber contains an electrically insulating functional fiber and a conductive functional fiber, electroconductivity can be adjusted by adjusting the ratio of mixing.

1 shows a schematic configuration of a functional tuft roller 20 which is one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 (a) shows the front view, and Fig. 1 (b) shows the side view. The core material 21 is supported by metal rollers, such as iron, and is conductive so that both ends may be rotatable. On the surface of the core material 21, a hair-growing layer 22 formed by the electrostatic weaving method is formed. The seedling layer 22 is formed by adhering the proximal end of the plurality of functional fibers 24 to the surface of the core material 21 with the adhesive layer 23.

2 shows the principle of forming the tufting layer 22 by the electrostatic tufting method. For example, when the seedling layer 22 generates a radial electric field around the core 21, when the functional fibers 24 cut to a predetermined length are adsorbed, the seedling layer 22 is radiated around the core 21 according to the electric field. The functional fibers 24 can be attached in the shape. If an adhesive is applied to the surface of the core material 21, the adsorbed functional fiber 24 can be adhered to the surface of the core material 21, and the tuft layer 22 can be formed easily.

That is, using the functional fiber 24 cut to predetermined length, the functional fiber 24 is planted by the electrostatic tufting method while rotating the core 21 around the axis line on the roller-shaped core 21. The functional fiber 24 can be planted with respect to the core material 21 even if the material is either electrically insulating or electrically conductive, and the functional fiber 24 can be bonded to the core material 21 using an insulating adhesive or a conductive adhesive. And the core material 21 are bonded together. As the adhesive, there may be mentioned an aqueous acrylic emulsion adhesive, a urethane adhesive, and a polyester hot melt adhesive, and conductive materials such as silver paste are mixed in the adhesive in order to provide conductivity.

When using the functional tuft roller 20 of FIG. 1 as a charging roller, a toner supply roller, a cleaning roller, etc. of an electrophotographic apparatus, it is preferable that the functional fiber 24 has electroconductivity. In particular, when used as a charging roller, conductivity is required. When electroconductivity is needed, the functional fiber 24 which comprises the tufted layer 22 can be used, for example, giving electroconductivity to the fiber of a nylon system, or the fiber of an acryl crab. For example, when using as the toner supply roller 5b shown in FIG. 8, the speed ratio (theta) = 0.5-2.0 is set to the peripheral speed of the developing roller 5a. Even if the functional fiber 24 requires electroconductivity, the electroconductivity can be adjusted by changing the ratio by combining the electroconductive yarn and the electrically insulating yarn.

3 and 4 show examples of conductive fibers usable as conductive fibers 24 having conductivity. The name of a manufacturer is abbreviated as a manufacturer name. In the diagram, "PET" represents a polyethylene terephthalate fiber. "Ny" represents a nylon fiber. "An" represents an acrylic fiber. "R" represents a rayon-based fiber. "Ar" represents an aromatic amide fiber. "G" represents a glass type fiber. "CB" represents carbon black. "M" represents an intermetallic compound. "FY" represents long fiber. "SF" represents short fiber. The denominator of the fineness represents the number of filaments.

Composite spinning is also called conjugate spinning, and is a method of spinning aimed at spinning two or more kinds of polymers of different physical properties from one hole at the same time and making fibers by utilizing their properties. In addition, the mixed spinning is a spinning method in which a specific material is mixed in the spinning step, and when a conductive fiber is produced, a conductive agent such as carbon black can be mixed. The dispersion type is obtained by dispersing a conductive agent in a material and spinning it.

As the functional fiber 24 of this embodiment, "mega III" shown in FIG. 4 can be used suitably. Only one type of functional fiber 24 may be used, or many types may be used. Table 1 below shows an example of physical properties when using the trade name "megaIII" as the functional fiber 24.

TABLE 1

type The nature of the thread Electrical resistance value Ω / cm Hydrothermal shrinkage 100 ℃ × 30 minutes% Dry shrinkage 180 ℃ x 20 minutes% Dtex Strength of cn / dtex Elongation% T-1 125.9 1.78  64.9 2.5 × 10 ⁶ 10.9 9.2 T-2 129.8 1.62  58.7 1.4 × 10 ⁶ 6.8 6.1

FIG. 5: shows typically the cross-sectional structure at the time of using Type T-2 shown in Table 1 as a functional fiber 24. As shown in FIG. A layer of conductive carbon fine particles 26 is formed around the core fiber 25. Such a structure can be formed by a composite spinning method as shown in FIG. In addition, when using the electrostatic tufting method shown in FIG. 2, it is easy to fly that the surface is electroconductive and the inside is an electrically insulating fiber.

Conventionally, although the hair-growing roller is produced using the hair-growing technique, there are few materials which have functionality, such as electroconductivity, and the method of use is limited. For example, in the conductive fiber manufactured by the conventional composite spinning method, the electrical insulation part and the electroconductive part are clearly divided on the surface of a fiber, and it turns into one fiber. In such a structure, an electric field is formed on the surface of the fiber electrostatically, and the adhesion force by the electric field is increased. Moreover, exposure of the insulator part on the fiber surface is large, and electric charge is hard to escape. In accordance with such an increase in adhesion force and the remaining of charge, clogging is likely to occur, and it is necessary to cope with clogging radiation. Moreover, in order to reduce the electric field of a surface, after apply | coating with an electrically conductive coating material about insulating fiber, it is also used for hair transplantation. However, since the use of this conductive coating material causes peeling due to abrasion, it is not effective in an apparatus requiring long life, and improvement is necessary. In addition, in the case of weaving the fibers by flying the fibers in an electric field, the electrical properties and the cross-sectional shape of the fibers themselves are also affected, so that if the electrical resistance value is too low, it is difficult to escape and there is a problem that the density of the seedlings decreases. .

In this embodiment, in order to improve these problems, it is an improvement from the fiber itself, and is a fiber as shown in Table 1 which comprises the part which exposes to the surface by complex spinning with a conductor, and the ratio which the insulation part exposes. This fiber of 50% or less is used. A fiber obtained by uniformly dispersing or mixing the carbon black in the fiber may be used so that the resistance value of the fiber becomes a predetermined value. Even in low-resistance fibers, the fiber surface can be treated to stabilize the seedling density. When forming a thin film as a process on a fiber surface, it can carry out the hair transplant after film formation, and can reduce a film | membrane density by post-processing, and can stabilize a hair-growing density.

Moreover, if the surface of the functional tuft roller 20 of this embodiment is comprised by the functional fiber 24, and the functional fiber 24 is planted by the core material 21 by the electrostatic tufting method, The material may be composed of not only metal but also any one of resin (insulating resin, conductive resin) and paper. Hereinafter, the conditions suitable when using the functional hair roller 20 as a toner supply roller are shown.

Moreover, the length of the functional fiber 24 is 0.5 mm or more and can be made into the range which is 3 mm or less. As the characteristics of the tufted layer 22, when a fiber becomes long, the tuft level of a unit area becomes sparse, and when it becomes short, there exists a tendency which becomes dense. The reason for this is that, when the electrostatic tufting method as shown in Fig. 2 is adopted, the fibers are blown electrically.

The fiber adheres perpendicularly to the outer circumferential surface of the core material 21 because it has a tendency of adhesion in the fiber state in which the electric field is the strongest. When the fiber is lengthened, the fiber becomes entangled during movement by the electric field, becomes difficult to adhere vertically, and the density decreases. For example, as a result of the conventional evaluation of the toner supply roller, when the length is about 2 mm, it is found that the toner supplyability starts to decrease due to the decrease in the vertical fiber density. When the length of the fiber becomes 3 mm, the fibers become coarse due to the entanglement between the fibers, and the tuft layer 22 itself becomes a tuft of a level that seems to have a gap, and the toner is almost impossible to supply. If the length of the fiber is smaller than 0.5 mm, the tuft layer 22 is too densely conversely, the surface becomes hard, and elasticity is hardly obtained, and the torque rises or the margin for device precision is lost.

The single thread resistance value of the functional fiber 24 is preferably in the range of 10 ⁵ Ω / cm to 10 ¹² Ω / cm. When the resistance value is larger than 10 ¹² Ω / cm, electric charges remain in the functional fiber 24, and toner easily adheres, and clogging and torque tend to increase. If the resistance value is too large, frictional charging is likely to occur, the amount of charge of the toner is increased, and the adhesion force to the functional fibers 24 is increased to be clogged. Then, the insulating property of the functional tuft roller 20 itself becomes high, making it difficult to supply the toner by the electric field. In addition, when the resistance value is low, the voltage applied to the shape roller (development bias) is affected, so that too low resistance value is also a problem.

The single yarn decitex of the functional fiber 24 is preferably in the range of 1 decitex to 10 decitex. The decitex value is 1/10 of the tex value (tex: g / km), which is the weight of the fiber per unit length. The larger the decitex value, the larger the linear diameter, the stronger the rigidity, and the stem-like peeling to the developing roller. It is easy to generate | occur | produce, and an image defect is easy to produce. In addition, when the desitex value decreases, the linear diameter becomes thinner, the reset effect of the toner on the developing roller by the toner supply roller becomes less, and the developing ghost phenomenon, which is a stain of the developing roller cycle, is likely to occur. For this reason, it is necessary to set the line diameter suitable for the material and the amount of encroachment by the developing roller.

From the past experiences of the present inventors, it has been found that in 1.5 denier (1.67 decitex), a fiber length of 0.7 mm to 1.5 mm can be used. In 7 denier (7.78 decitex), it turns out that the fiber length is usable area | region up to about 1.2 mm-2.0 mm.

Moreover, the functional hair roller 20 can also be used for the use which does not require electroconductivity. Since the contact state can be adjusted by the density of the tufted layer 22, it can be used suitably for a cleaning roller etc. in an electrophotographic apparatus. When electroconductivity is not needed, an electrically insulating fiber may be used as the functional fiber 24.

Fig. 6 shows a schematic configuration of a charging roller 400 which is formed by using the functional tuft roller 20 of Fig. 1 as another embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are attached to the portions, and overlapping descriptions are omitted, and the outer circumferential portion of the tufting layer 22 of the functional tuft roller 20 is covered with a conductive conductive tube 41. In the axial direction of the tuft layer 22 Both ends are covered by the conductive sponge disk 42.

The conductive tube 41 is formed by providing conductivity to a tube made of a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate, polyimide, or teflon, for example. The conductive tube 41 has a thickness of about several tens of micrometers, and is thin and plastic. By manufacturing by the extrusion molding method etc., the conductive tube 41 can be manufactured easily in a smooth state without a seamless surface. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the charging roller 40 of FIG. 6 is disassembled. Both sides of the axial direction of the hair transplant layer 22 are sandwiched by the conductive sponge disk 42, the whole is covered with the conductive tube 42, and the thread which escaped from the hair transplant layer 22 comes out of the charging roller 40. Do not throw away. When the thread detachment | ejection which pulls out a thread from the woolen layer 22 generate | occur | produces, when a thread is electroconductive, when it adheres to the surface of a photosensitive member, a charged state will leak and a defect will arise in an image. However, even if the conductive sponge disk 42 is not provided, for example, the length of the conductive tube 41 is lengthened, and if the length of the conductive tube 41 is extended longer than the end of the tuft layer 22 at both ends in the axial direction, the detachment thread is formed. Even if it exists, it can make it hard to come out from the inside of the conductive tube 41 to the outside.

Since the charging roller 40 of the present embodiment supports the inner surface of the conductive tube 41 having plasticity at the tip of the seedling layer 22, the surface of the conductive tube 41 tends to bend and is in contact with a photoconductor or the like. The nip which is a contact length at the time of making it take can be made long enough. When the contact pressure is required, the length of the yarn forming the tuft layer 22 can be shortened to increase the rigidity.

As described above, according to the present invention, since one or more functional fibers cut to a predetermined length are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the roll-shaped core material to have a predetermined density, when the tip of the functional fiber contacts the object. Since it can be easily deformed in accordance with the surface shape of the object or the like, an operation excellent in uniformity can be generated. The contact pressure can be adjusted by the length or density of the functional fiber. Attaching a large number of functional fibers to the outer circumferential surface of the core material can be performed at a lower cost than forming a rubber layer or the like on the outer circumferential surface.

According to the present invention, functional fibers are planted on the outer circumferential surface of the core material by the electrostatic tufting method, and a functional tuft roller can be obtained at an easy and inexpensive value.

In addition, according to the present invention, a plurality of kinds of polymers can be produced by a composite spinning method in which a single hole is spun at the same time, and a functional fiber can be obtained utilizing the characteristics of each polymer.

Moreover, according to this invention, a functional fiber can be manufactured by the spinning method which mixes the material which gives a characteristic in a spinning step, and can provide a desired characteristic easily.

Moreover, according to this invention, the range of the length of a functional fiber is prescribed | regulated, and a uniform contact state can be easily obtained as various functional rollers of an electrophotographic apparatus.

Moreover, according to this invention, the range of the linear density of a functional fiber is prescribed | regulated, and a uniform contact state can be easily obtained as various functional rollers of an electrophotographic apparatus.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the short fiber has conductivity and electrical conduction with the core material, it can be used for a functional roller to make the object perform an electrical action.

Moreover, according to this invention, the range of a single thread resistance value can be prescribed | regulated, and an electrostatic action can be performed suitably as a functional roller used for an electrophotographic apparatus.

Moreover, according to this invention, the electroconductivity of a functional fiber can be adjusted by adjusting the mixing ratio of an electrically insulating short fiber and a conductive short fiber.

1A and 1B are schematic front and side cross-sectional views of a functional tuft roller 20, which is one embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view of the functional tuft roller 20 of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing an example of conductive fibers usable as functional fibers 24 in the functional tuft roller 20 of FIG.

4 is a diagram showing an example of conductive fibers usable as functional fibers 24 in the functional tuft roller 20 of FIG.

5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the functional fiber 24 of FIG.

6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a charging roller 40 of another embodiment of the present invention;

7 is an exploded perspective view of the charging roller 40 of FIG.

8 is a simplified cross-sectional view showing the basic configuration of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus from the prior art;

9 is a simplified cross-sectional view of the charging roller 3 of FIG. 8.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

20: functional seedling roller

21: heartwood

22: seedling layer

23: adhesive layer

24: functional fiber

40: charging roller

41: conductive tube

42: conductive sponge disc

Claims (9)

Roll-shaped core material, It is cut to a predetermined length and comprises one or more functional fibers attached to the outer peripheral surface of the core material to have a predetermined density, The functional fiber has conductivity, and has electrical conductivity with the core material, The functional fiber has a single thread resistance value of 10 ⁵ Ω / cm or more and 10 ¹² Ω / cm or less in the range of the functional tuft rollers. The method of claim 1, The functional fiber is planted and attached to the outer circumferential surface of the core material by the electrostatic weaving method, The core member is made of any one of metal, insulating resin, conductive resin, or paper. The method of claim 1, The functional fiber is a functional tuft roller, characterized in that the yarn produced by a composite spinning method. The method of claim 1, The functional fiber is a functional hair roller, characterized in that the yarn produced by the mixed spinning method. The method of claim 1, The predetermined length of the said functional fiber is 0.5 mm or more, and is a range of 3 mm or less. The method of claim 1, The single yarn decitex of the functional fiber is at least 1 decitex, and the functional hair-forming roller, characterized in that the range of less than 10 decitex. delete delete The method of claim 1, The functional fiber is in addition to the conductive functional fiber, the functional tuft roller further comprises an electrically insulating functional fiber.