Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G15/00—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern
  • G03G15/06—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing
  • G03G15/08—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer
  • G03G15/0806—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer on a donor element, e.g. belt, roller
  • G03G15/0818—Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern for developing using a solid developer, e.g. powder developer on a donor element, e.g. belt, roller characterised by the structure of the donor member, e.g. surface properties
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G21/00—Arrangements not provided for by groups G03G13/00 - G03G19/00, e.g. cleaning, elimination of residual charge
  • G03G21/16—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements
  • G03G21/18—Mechanical means for facilitating the maintenance of the apparatus, e.g. modular arrangements using a processing cartridge, whereby the process cartridge comprises at least two image processing means in a single unit
  • G03G21/1839—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body
  • G03G21/1857—Means for handling the process cartridge in the apparatus body for transmitting mechanical drive power to the process cartridge, drive mechanisms, gears, couplings, braking mechanisms
  • G03G21/186—Axial couplings
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
  • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
  • G03G2215/0855—Materials and manufacturing of the developing device
  • G03G2215/0858—Donor member
  • G03G2215/0861—Particular composition or materials
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G03—PHOTOGRAPHY; CINEMATOGRAPHY; ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ELECTROGRAPHY; HOLOGRAPHY
  • G03G—ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
  • G03G2215/00—Apparatus for electrophotographic processes
  • G03G2215/08—Details of powder developing device not concerning the development directly
  • G03G2215/0855—Materials and manufacturing of the developing device
  • G03G2215/0858—Donor member
  • G03G2215/0863—Manufacturing

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a developing roller used in contact with a latent image carrier (photosensitive drum) incorporated in an image forming apparatus employing a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile, or an electrophotographic system.
• the present invention also relates to a developing device, a process cartridge, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same.
• the developing roller is essentially required to be provided with an elastic layer containing a rubber component and a resin component in order to secure a gap width with the photosensitive drum.
• an elastic layer containing a rubber component and a resin component in order to secure a gap width with the photosensitive drum.
• a structure in which a coating layer is provided on the biological layer is employed.
• the A s k e r C hardness of the developing roller is related to the deterioration of the toner over time and the close contact.
• the Asker-C hardness is too high, the deterioration of the toner over time may be accelerated. Therefore, it has been conventionally proposed that the A sker-C hardness of the developing roller be in the range of 25 ° or more and 85 ° or less (for example, JP 2001-166533 A (Patent Document 1)). JP 2005-121728 A (see (Patent Document 2)).
• Patent Document 4 disclose various configurations for solving the problem.
• the developing roller according to the conventional proposal has always obtained a sufficient effect with respect to the above-mentioned problem, and the above-described problem can be achieved at a higher level. It came to the recognition that the development of a new developing roller that can be solved is necessary. Disclosure of the invention
• An object of the present invention is to provide a developing roller that is flexible to the extent that toner deterioration with time can be suppressed and that is less likely to cause permanent deformation.
• the developing roller according to the present invention has a shaft core body, an elastic body layer, and a coating layer as a surface layer covering the elastic layer, and the A sker -C hardness on the surface of the coating layer is 40.
• the Martens hardness HI (N / mm2) on the surface of the developing roller, the Martens hardness H2 (N / mm2) of the elastic layer, and the film thickness d (mm) of the coating layer are expressed by the following formula (1). Characterized by satisfying relationships:
• FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an example of the developing roller of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the developing roller of the present invention on a plane orthogonal to the shaft core.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the developing device of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of an embodiment of the process cartridge of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of a CVD apparatus as an apparatus for producing a coating layer of a developing roller of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is a view showing a manuscript used for image evaluation by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a part of the Martens hardness measuring apparatus. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
• the developing roller according to the present invention is configured to expose toner by supplying toner to the surface of the latent image carrier on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. Is. And it has the axial body, the inertial body layer formed in the outer peripheral surface of this axial core body, and the coating layer as a surface layer which coat
• the thickness of the coating layer is not less than 15 nm and not more than 500 nm;
• (U) The Martens hardness H 1 (N / mm2) of the developing roller surface, the Martens hardness H 2 (N / mm2) of the elastic layer, and the film thickness d (mm) of the coating layer are expressed by the following formula (1) The relationship shown in is satisfied:
• the developing roller has low hardness and excellent deformation recovery.
• the developing roller can reduce the stress applied to the toner, and can effectively suppress the deterioration of the toner over time.
• the developing roller is provided with a relatively hard coating layer as a surface layer, so that even when the contact member is in contact with a specific part over a long period of time, it is partially deformed. It becomes difficult to produce.
• FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an example of the developing roller of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section in a plane orthogonal to the shaft core.
• the developing roller 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a shaft core body 11 at the center, and an elastic body layer 1 2 and a coating layer 13 on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core body in order. is doing.
• the shaft core 11 has a cylindrical shape, and a shaft formed of a conductive material such as metal can be used. Since the developing roller used in the image forming apparatus is generally used with an electrical bias applied or grounded, the shaft core 11 is a support member. It also functions as an electrode for the developing member.
• At least the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core 11 is made of a conductive material sufficient to apply a predetermined voltage to the elastic layer including rubber formed thereon.
• a conductive material sufficient to apply a predetermined voltage to the elastic layer including rubber formed thereon.
• Specific examples include metals or alloys such as ano-remium, copper alloys and stainless steel, iron plated with chromium and nickel, and synthetic resins made conductive.
• the outer diameter of the shaft core is Usually 4 to 1 O mm.
• the elastic body layer 12 has flexibility, and a molded body mainly composed of rubber can be used.
• Various rubbers conventionally used for elastic rollers can be used as the raw material rubber. Specific examples of rubber are listed below. Ethylene-propylene-copolymer copolymer rubber (EP DM), acrylic nitrile monobutadiene rubber (NBR), chloroprene rubber (CR;), natural rubber (NR), isoprene rubber (IR), styrene monobutadiene rubber (SBR), Fluoro rubber, silicone rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, NBR hydride, urethane rubber. These rubbers may be used in combination of two or more as required, as long as the desired hardness of the elastic layer and characteristics as a developing roller are given.
• additives can be blended with these rubbers as necessary to form an elastic layer.
• Additives can be used to make components necessary for the functions required for the elastic layer itself, conductive agents, non-conductive fillers, and rubber moldings, depending on the specific application of the developing roller.
• 'Metals and alloys such as carbon black, graphite (G F), aluminum, copper, tin, stainless steel;
• 'Conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide antimony monoxide solid solution, nickel tin oxide monolith solid solution;
• Fine powder of insulating material covered with the above metals, alloys or metal oxides • Fine powder of insulating material covered with the above metals, alloys or metal oxides.
• carbon black is suitable because it can be obtained relatively easily and good chargeability can be obtained regardless of the type of the main rubber.
• DB P-bon black with a P absorption of 5 Om 1/100 g or more and ll OmlZl OO g or less is preferred V.
• carbon black having a DBP absorption amount in this range it is easy to obtain desired conductivity while keeping the hardness of the elastic layer relatively low.
• the DBP absorption amount of Chikunbon Black is in the range of 60 mlZl 00 g or more and 100 ml / 100 g or less.
• the amount of DBP absorbed by carbon black indicates the amount of DBP absorbed per 100 g of carbon black, and is one of the indicators for determining the size of the structure of carbon black.
• the structure of carbon black is formed by uniting carbon black unit particles in a chain, and its size affects the electrical conductivity of carbon black when blended in rubber.
• the D BP absorption is measured in accordance with the provisions of J I SK6217-4.
• these carbon blacks may be commercial products, processed commercial products, or newly produced. Examples include oil furnace black, gas furnace black, channel black carbon black, and those obtained by oxidizing these carbon blacks.
• the amount of carbon black added is usually preferably 10 parts by mass or more and 80 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the rubber forming the elastic layer.
• the amount is 10 parts by mass or more, it is easy to stably obtain desired conductivity.
• it is 80 parts by mass or less, the hardness may become too high. Absent.
• it is more preferably 20 parts by mass or more and 50 parts by mass or less from the viewpoint that dispersion into the elastic body layer is easy and conductivity can be stably obtained.
• Examples of means for dispersing a finely powdered conductive agent in the main component rubber include conventional means such as a roll kneader, a Banbury mixer, a pole mill, a sand grinder, and a method using a paint shaker. I can do it. These may be appropriately selected and used according to the main rubber material.
• a method of adding a conductive polymer compound alone or together with a conductive agent can be used.
• a conductive polymer compound a host polymer doped with various dopants can be used.
• polyacetylene poly (p-phenylene), polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly (p-phenylene-oxide), poly (p-phenylene fluoride), poly (p-phenylene vinylene), poly (2,6-dimethylphenol) Lenoxide), poly (bisphenol A carbonate), polyvinylcarbazole, polydiacetylene, poly (N-methyl-4-vinyl pyridine), polyaniline, polyquinoline, poly (phenylene ether sulfonate), etc.
• non-conductive filler examples include diatomaceous earth, quartz powder, dry silica, wet silica, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminokeic acid, and calcium carbonate.
• organic peroxide when using organic peroxide as a vulcanizing agent, it must be combined with organic peroxide. And a co-crosslinking agent can be blended. Specific examples of the co-crosslinking agent are listed below.
• co-crosslinking agents can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
• a vulcanization accelerator can be used. Specific examples of such vulcanization accelerators are listed below.
• Aldehyde ammonia such as hexamethylenetetramine, acetate aldehyde, ammonia
• Guanidine salts such as diphenyldanidine, G-O-tolylguanidine, ortho-trinole. Biguanide, dicatechol-borate diort 'trinole' guanidine salt;
• N—Cyclohexinoles 2 Benzothiazo 1 / Les / Refenamide
• N, N—Dicyclohexylo 2 Benzothiazyl sulfenamide
• N, N —Sulfenamides such as diisopropyl-2-benzothiazinole / snorefenamide, N_t-l-ptyluene 2-benzothiozyl'sulfenamide
• Thioureas such as 'thio-rubber, ethylene' thiourea (2-mercaptoimidazoline), jetyl thiourea, dibutyl thiourea, mixed alkyl thiourea, tolylmethyl thiourea, dilauryl thiourea;
• vulcanization accelerators can be used alone or in combination of two or more.
• a vulcanization accelerating aid may be added as necessary.
• vulcanization accelerators are listed below.
• organic acids (salts) such as stearic acid, oleic acid, lauric acid, zinc stearate, calcium stearate, potassium stearate, sodium stearate.
• zinc Hana, stearic acid and zinc stearate are preferred.
• vulcanization accelerators can be used alone or in admixture of two or more.
• liquid silicone rubber it is preferable that it is crosslinked using a curable organopolysiloxane and a curing agent having a siloxane skeleton.
• the curable organopolysiloxane for example, dimethylpolysiloxane or an organopolysiloxane having a functional group that reacts with a curing agent such as a bull group at the terminal can be used.
• the curable organopolysiloxane is a base polymer of a silicone rubber raw material, and the molecular weight thereof is not particularly limited, but is preferably from 10,000 to 10,000, and the average molecular weight is preferably about 500,000.
• organohydrodiene polysiloxane can be used as the curing agent.
• the alkenyl group of the curable organopolysiloxane is a site that forms a crosslinking point by reacting with the active hydrogen of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane that is the curing agent.
• the kind of such alkenyl group is not particularly limited, but is preferably at least one of a buyl group and a phoaryl group, and particularly preferably a bur group, for reasons such as high reactivity with active hydrogen.
• Organohydrogen polysiloxane acts as a cross-linking agent for the addition reaction in the curing process, and the number of hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms in one molecule is 2 or more, so that the curing reaction can be performed optimally. Three or more polymers are preferred.
• the molecular weight of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane there are no particular restrictions on the molecular weight of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane, and it can range from low molecular weight (oligomer) to high molecular weight. However, a relatively low molecular weight polymer is preferred in order to optimize the curing reaction.
• a transition metal compound exhibiting a catalytic action in a hydrosilylation reaction can be used.
• a crosslinking catalyst For example, the following can be mentioned.
• the thickness of the elastic layer is 0.5 mm or more, particularly 1.0 mm, in order to ensure a uniform two-pipe width when contacting the photosensitive drum and to satisfy a suitable set recoverability.
• the above is preferable.
• the thickness of the elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as the outer diameter accuracy of the developing roller to be produced is not impaired, but in general, if the thickness of the elastic layer is excessively increased, the production cost is kept within an appropriate range. It is difficult to stabilize the dimensional accuracy of the developing roller itself. Considering these practical restrictions, the thickness of the elastic layer is preferably 5.0 mm or less, particularly 4. Omm or less.
• the thickness of the elastic layer is preferably in the range of 0.5 mm or more and 5.0 mm or less, particularly 1.0 mm or more and 4.0 mm or less.
• the thickness of an elastic body layer is suitably determined according to the hardness within said range.
• the elastic layer may be formed by any method such as extrusion molding or cast molding.
• the elastic layer may be modified on the outer peripheral surface before the covering layer is laminated. A quality treatment may be applied. Examples of the modification treatment include corona treatment, plasma treatment, low-pressure mercury UV treatment, and excimer UV treatment.
• the developing roller of the present invention has a coating layer (surface layer) 13 on the outer peripheral surface of the elastic layer 12.
• requirement (u) specifies the hardness of the coating layer per unit thickness (1 mm).
• Martens hardness is a physical property value obtained by pushing into an object to be measured while applying a load to an indenter based on ISO 4145 7 and is obtained by the following formula:
• the Martens hardness can be measured by using an ultra-micro hardness test system (trade name: Picodenter HM500; manufactured by Fischer Instruments).
• Picodenter HM500 manufactured by Fischer Instruments
• an indenter having a predetermined shape is pushed into the object to be measured while applying a predetermined relatively small test load. Then, when the predetermined indentation depth is reached, the surface area with which the indenter is in contact is obtained from the indentation depth, and the Martens hardness is obtained from the above formula.
• the stress at that time relative to the pushed depth is defined as the Martens hardness.
• the Martens hardness was measured by pressing a quadrangular pyramid indenter to a depth of 0.8 ⁇ ⁇ at a constant load application speed (l mNZmm2Z sec) in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the developing roller.
• the measurement is made at three force points, which are the positions where the longitudinal direction of the developing roller is divided into four equal parts, and the arithmetic average is taken as the Martens hardness H I (N / mm2) of the developing roller surface.
• the Martens hardness H 2 of the elastic layer is a straight line connecting two adjacent points when the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller is divided into six equal parts in the circumferential direction (in terms of cross section, an arc equivalent to one-sixth of the outer periphery) Measured at the cut surface of the elastic layer of the developing roller cut through a plane parallel to the axis of the shaft core.
• the measurement of the Martens hardness H 2 of the elastic layer itself is performed in the same manner as the measurement of the Martens hardness on the surface of the developing roller.
• the measurement points were measured at three force points, which were the positions where the longitudinal direction of the developing roller was divided into four equal parts. Martens hardness H 2 (N / mm 2 ).
• the hardness of the coating layer per unit thickness is obtained.
• the reason for defining the hardness of the coating layer in this way is that the coating layer is very thin, 15 nm or more and 5 00 ⁇ m or less. In other words, when such a thin coating layer is present on the surface of the elastic layer, it is extremely difficult to measure the inherent hardness of the coating layer directly and accurately with the current technical level. . Therefore, the hardness of the laminated body of the elastic body layer and the covering layer and the hardness of the elastic body layer were measured, and the difference between them was defined as the inherent hardness of the covering layer.
• the value of (HI—H 2) / d is set to 400 or more, which means that the thickness of the coating layer is in the range of 15 nm or more and 500 nm or less. As a premise, it is possible to effectively suppress partial permanent deformation that occurs in the developing roller.
• partial permanent deformation can be suppressed. That is, since the coating layer is relatively hard, the coating layer itself is not easily deformed, and it has moderate flexibility. Although the coating layer itself is a film, it is difficult to cause partial sudden bends or deformations that reduce the film thickness. The coating layer itself disperses the force received when the contact member comes into contact with the inside, and transmits it to the lower elastic layer. When the abutting member abuts a specific part of the developing roller for a long period of time and then is released from the abutting, the elastic layer has a low hardness and excellent deformation recovery. Can be recovered. At the same time, the coating layer itself returns to its original shape as the elastic layer recovers. In other words, the covering layer does not inhibit the excellent deformation recovery property of the elastic layer, and further improves the deformation recovery property of the elastic layer by dispersing stress in the elastic layer.
• the thickness of the coating layer is in the range of 15 nm or more and 5 00 nm or less. That As a premise, it has flexibility as a developing roller that can suppress toner deterioration.
• the coating layer must have a thickness of 15 nm or more and 5000 nm or less.
• the thickness of the coating layer is 15 nm or more, it is possible to stably form a coating layer having a Martens hardness that satisfies the relationship of formula (1).
• the thickness of the coating layer is 5000 nm or less, the coating layer can be suppressed from having a substantial influence on the Asker C hardness of the developing roller. If the thickness of the coating layer having a Martens hardness satisfying the relationship of the formula (1) is 5000 nm or less, the Asker C hardness can be easily set to 85 °, and deterioration of the toner can be suppressed.
• These materials may be used alone or in admixture of two or more.
• fluororesin a general fluorine-containing polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and tetrafluoroethylene / hexafluoropropylene copolymer can be used.
• fluororesin examples include the following materials. Copolymers of polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith.
• ethylenically unsaturated monomer examples include the following. Olefins such as ethylene and propylene, halogenated olefins such as hexafluoropropylene, vinylidene fluoride, black trifluoroethylene, vinyl fluoride, and perfluoroalkyl biethers.
• a solvent-soluble fluororesin when used, by adjusting the concentration of the fluororesin solution, a wet method described later can be used to relatively easily and easily prepare fluororesin having a desired thickness. A coating layer can be obtained.
• the solvent-soluble fluorine resin include the following.
• Vinylidene fluoride vinylidene fluoride copolymers such as terpolymers of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene;
• Copolymers of fluoroolefins such as tetrafluoroethylene and black trifluoroethylene and hydrocarbon-based olefins such as vinyl ether, vinyl ester and vinyl silane;
• Polymer of diepoxy compound substituted by perfluoroalkyl group may be used alone as a resin component, or may be used in combination with other resins.
• the polyimide resin is a polymer having a cyclic imide structure in the main chain, it may be an aromatic polyimide or an alicyclic polyimide. More specific examples of the polyimide resin material include thermosetting resins such as a polypyromellitic acid imide based polyimide resin material and a polybifinino tetratetralplic acid imido acid based resin material.
• S i OX containing the coating layer examples include the following.
• the DLC is a generic term for carbon thin films with high hardness, electrical insulation, and infrared transparency similar to diamond. Specifically, it means an amorphous material that contains carbon as the main component, contains a small amount of hydrogen, and contains both diamond bonds (SP 3 bonds) and graphite bonds (SP 2 bonds).
• the above-described coating layer is formed on the elastic layer 12 by a dry method such as a wet method, vacuum deposition, physical vapor deposition (P VD) method, chemical vapor deposition (C V D) method.
• a dry method such as a wet method, vacuum deposition, physical vapor deposition (P VD) method, chemical vapor deposition (C V D) method.
• the wet method include dip coating, spray coating, roll coating, and the like.
• Specific examples of the PVD method include sputtering and ion plating.
• Specific examples of the C V D method include plasma C V D, thermal C VD, and laser C V D.
• a solvent which can be dissolved according to the material of the coating layer to be formed may be selected.
• lower alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ketones such as cyclohexanone, toluene, xylene, N-methylpyrrolidone, N, N-dimethylacetamide Preferably used.
• the coating layer is particularly preferably formed of a material containing S i O x as a main component.
• the coating layer containing Si O x as a main component is preferably formed by a plasma CVD method because the composition and film thickness of the coating layer can be more uniformly formed.
• an organic silicon compound as a raw material gas is introduced into a chamber in which an elastic roller is disposed between a pair of electrodes together with necessary hydrocarbon compounds, oxygen gas, etc., high-frequency power is supplied between the electrodes, and plasma is generated.
• This is a method of forming a Si OX film on the inertia layer.
• the organic key compound hekisamemechininoreresijisiroloxoxasan, 11, 11, 11, 33 ,,
• examples of specific examples of carbonized hydrogenated hydrogenated compounds include Tolruenen, Kikishirenren Examples include methane, ethane, propane, and acetylene.
• the hardness is adjusted by the existence ratio of the C atoms in the S i OX film and the oxygen atoms chemically bonded to the C atoms. can do.
• increasing the abundance ratio (OZS i) of oxygen atoms chemically bonded to the ka atom relative to the ka atom in other words, the S i Ox film is a hard film as it approaches S i 0 2. It becomes. That is, the value of [(H1-H2) / d] can be increased.
• the SiOx film becomes a soft film. That is, the value of [(HI-H2) / d] can be reduced.
• O / Si can be adjusted by the mixing ratio of raw material gases.
• the value of OZSi can be increased by increasing the ratio of oxygen gas in the compounding ratio of the organic silicon compound and oxygen gas.
• the value of OZSi can be reduced by increasing the high-frequency power.
• the abundance ratio of each element in the coating layer made of the Si Ox film can be obtained as follows.
• the developing roller on which the coating layer is formed has an Asker C (A sker-C) Hardness of 40 ° or more 8 5. Must be in the following range: This is to suppress the deterioration of the toner and secure a two-pitch width with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.
• the A sker-C hardness of the developing roller surface is a value that is substantially affected by the thickness of the elastic body layer and the coating layer, but it is an elastic layer of the same material and the layer thickness is thin.
• the hardness of the coating layer is substantially higher than that of the elastic layer, but when the thickness of the coating layer is in the above range, the A sker 1 C hardness of the developing roller surface is practically It is substantially controlled by the A sker-C hardness of the elastic layer.
• the A sker-C hardness of the roller surface on which the elastic body layer is formed before the coating layer is preferably in the range of 25 ° to 82 °. .
• the surface of the developing roller preferably has a contact angle with jodomethane in the range of 40 ° to 70 °, particularly 50 ° to 65 °.
• the contact angle with jodomethane is 40 ° or more, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the toner itself to the external additive, which is a constituent component of the toner.
• the contact angle with jodomethane is 70 ° or less, the toner can be stably carried on the surface of the developing roller. That is, a sufficient density can be obtained when forming an image.
• the reason why adhesion of external additives and toner can be prevented by controlling the contact angle of the surface of the developing roller with jodomethane can be considered as follows.
• the adhesion of external additives and toner can be physically removed.
• the coating layer 13 according to the present invention is made of an inorganic film, adhesion of external additives and toner is nder Wa a 1 s force becomes dominant.
• controlling the contact angle of jodomethane that does not have a hydrogen bonding component is linked to preventing adhesion of external additives and toner.
• the hydrogen bond component is a component of the surface free energy ( ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ta 1) and is defined as follows.
• the surface free energy ( ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ ta 1) can be divided into three components: dispersion force component ( ⁇ d), orientation force component ( ⁇ p), and hydrogen bond force component ( ⁇ h). It can be expressed by a formula.
• yd is the dispersion force (between induced dipoles) component
• ⁇ / ⁇ is the orientation force (between polar and polar molecules) component
• hydrogen bonding force hydrogen atom Z negative ⁇ bioatom
• the contact angle value of joemethane and the surface free energy ( ⁇ Total) are not necessarily inversely proportional to each other. The effect that can be reduced is obtained.
• the developing roller of the present invention has a surface free energy of 2 Om j / m 2 or more and 40 m J Zm 2 or less on the surface of the developing roller, and a dispersion force component of the surface free energy is 1 Om jZm 2 or more 2 It is preferably 5 m J Zm 2 or less. When these values are within this range, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the toner to a lower level and to easily achieve the necessary toner transportability.
• the coating layer does not crack when the strip-shaped test sample including the coating layer and the elastic layer cut out from the developing roller is stretched and deformed by 5%. It is preferable.
• Such a coating layer As a result, the component contained in the elastic layer hardly bleeds on the surface of the developing roller, and adhesion of toner and external additives to the surface of the developing roller can be suppressed.
• the two-layered developing roller having the elastic body layer 12 and the coating layer 13 in order on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core body 11 has been described.
• the developing roller according to the present invention is an outer periphery of the shaft core body.
• the layer structure on the surface may have a multilayer structure of three or more layers.
• An example of such a developing roller is a developing roller in which the elastic layer 12 itself is composed of a plurality of layers.
• the Martens hardness H 2 (N / mm 2) of the outermost elastic layer may be used as the Martens hardness H 2 (N / mm 2 ) in the equation (1).
• the developing roller of the present invention is a developing roller that has low hardness and excellent deformation recovery, suppresses contamination of the photosensitive drum, and has a surface property to which toner and external additives are difficult to adhere. Because of this advantage, when used as a developing roller of a developing device, a process cartridge, or an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, it is possible to suppress unevenness in image density and a decrease in density when the number of output images is increased. In addition, image streaks due to toner fusion to the regulating member can be suppressed, and good images can be obtained continuously. Further, the above-described advantages become more remarkable under the condition that the image forming apparatus used is increased in speed and the process speed, that is, the surface speed of the photosensitive drum is increased.
• the developing device includes a developing roller that carries toner in a state of facing a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, and a layer of the toner while frictionally charging the toner carried on the developing roller. And a regulation blade that regulates the thickness.
• the developing roller applies toner to the latent image bearing member to thereby form the electrostatic latent image. Is developed as a toner image, and the developing roller is the developing roller of the present invention.
• An electrophotographic process cartridge develops a latent image carrier, a charging device that uniformly charges the surface of the latent image carrier, and an electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image carrier.
• a developing device, and the developing device is the developing device of the present invention.
• An electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by an electrophotographic method, and charges the latent image carrier to a charge amount necessary for forming the electrostatic latent image. And an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image in a charged region of the latent image carrier. Further, a developing device that causes toner to adhere to the electrostatic latent image formed by the electrostatic latent image forming device and visualizes it as a toner image, and for transferring the toner image to a transfer material. It has a transfer device.
• the electrophotographic image forming apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the developing device is the developing device of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a developing device using the image roller according to the present invention.
• the electrophotographic image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 has a photosensitive drum 21 as a latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by an electrophotographic method, and the latent charge is required to form the electrostatic latent image.
• a charging member 26 is provided as a charging device for charging the image carrier.
• an electrostatic latent image forming device (not shown) for forming an electrostatic latent image on a charged region of the latent image carrier, and an image made of toner is visualized by attaching toner to the electrostatic latent image. It has a developing device 2 for forming. Further, a transfer roller 31 as a transfer device for transferring a toner image formed on the latent image carrier onto a transfer paper 36 as a transfer material is provided.
• the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3 includes the developing device of the present invention as the developing device 2.
• the photosensitive drum 21 is in the direction of the arrow. And is uniformly charged by a charging member 26 for charging the photosensitive drum 21.
• An electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the laser beam 25 which is an exposure unit of the electrostatic latent image forming apparatus for writing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21.
• the electrostatic latent image formed by the laser beam 25 is developed by applying toner by the developing device 2 arranged in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 and visualized as a toner image. Development is performed by so-called reversal development in which a toner image is formed on the exposed portion.
• the visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 is transferred onto the transfer paper 36 by the transfer roller 31.
• the transfer paper 36, onto which the toner image has been transferred, is fixed by the fixing device 29, discharged outside the device, and the printing operation is completed.
• the untransferred toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 without being transferred is scraped off by a cleaning blade 28 for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 21.
• the toner remaining after transfer is stored in a waste toner container 27.
• the cleaned photosensitive drum 21 repeats the above operation.
• the developing device 2 frictionally charges the developing roller 1 that carries toner in a state facing the photosensitive drum 21 as a latent image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image, and the toner carried on the developing roller 1.
• a regulation blade 24 for regulating the toner layer thickness is provided.
• the developing roller 1 applies the toner 23 to the photosensitive drum 21 which is a latent image carrier, thereby visualizing the electrostatic latent image as a toner image (from the toner).
• the resulting image (toner image) is formed.
• a developing device 2 shown in FIG. 3 is a toner carrier at a position of a developing container containing non-magnetic toner 23 as a one-component toner and an opening extending in the longitudinal direction in the image container.
• a developing roller 1 according to the present invention is provided.
• the regulation blade 24 is disposed along the upper edge of the opening extending in the longitudinal direction of the developing container.
• 3 4 is a transfer conveyance belt for conveying the transfer paper 36.
• 3 0, 3 3, and 3 5 are a drive roller, a tension roller, and a slave that are used to rotate the transfer / conveyance belt, respectively. It is a moving roller.
• 3 2 is the bias 1 ⁇ original.
• Reference numeral 37 denotes a paper feed roller that supplies transfer paper 36 from a paper feed cassette (not shown).
• Reference numeral 3 8 denotes an adsorption roller for adsorbing the transfer paper 36 supplied by the paper feed roller 37 to carry it on the transfer conveyance belt 3 4.
• FIG. 4 shows an explanatory view of an example of an embodiment of the electrophotographic process cartridge according to the present invention.
• the process cartridge 4 shown in FIG. 4 is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 as a latent image carrier, a charging member 26 as a charging device that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 21, and the photosensitive drum 21.
• the developing device 2 of the present invention is provided as a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image.
• the electrophotographic process cartridge of the present invention may further include at least one of a cleaning member 28 and a transfer roller 31.
• the process cartridge of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned members held in a body-like manner and is detachably provided on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
• the developing roller 1 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 with a contact width.
• the toner application member 2 2 force The rotation direction of the developing roller 1 with respect to the contact portion between the regulating blade 2 4 that is a member regulating the toner layer thickness and the surface of the developing port roller 1 in the developing container It is in contact with the upstream side and is rotatably supported.
• the toner application member 22 has a foamed skeleton-like sponge structure and a fur brush structure in which fibers such as rayon and polyamide are planted on the shaft core.
• the toner 23 is supplied to the developing roller 1 and undeveloped. This is preferable from the viewpoint of removing the toner.
• an elastic roller having a diameter of 16 mm in which a polyurethane foam is provided on the shaft core body can be used as the toner applying member 22.
• the contact width of the toner applying member 22 with respect to the developing roller 1 is preferably 1 to 8 mm, and it is preferable that the developing roller 1 has a relative speed at the contact portion.
• a developing roller having an elastic body layer and a coating layer on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core will be described as an example. These examples are examples of the best mode of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the examples.
• the developing roller produced by the method shown in the examples can be suitably used as a developing roller used in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
• the coating layer thickness A sker-C hardness, Martens hardness, contact angle, surface free energy, surface free energy dispersion component, and carbon black DBP absorption amount are as follows. It is measured. Coating thickness>
• the film thickness of the coating layer of the present invention was measured using a thin film measuring apparatus F20-EXR (trade name, manufactured by FILM METR ICS). It is 120 in the circumferential direction at 3 force points, which is the position where the longitudinal direction of the developing roller is divided into 4 equal parts. This is the value obtained by arithmetic averaging of 9 points in total, each of 3 points divided by.
• a sker-C hardness (Asker C hardness) in the present invention is measured using an Asker C-type spring rubber hardness tester (manufactured by Kobunshi Keiki Co., Ltd.) in accordance with the Japan Rubber Association standard SR IS 0101. The hardness of the developing roller surface. The measured value after 30 seconds from the contact of the hardness tester with 1 ON force to the developing roller that has been left in an environment of normal temperature and humidity (23 ° C, 55% RH) for 12 hours or more.
• the Martens hardness was measured by the above-described method using an ultra-micro hardness test system Picodenter HM500 (trade name, manufactured by Fisher's Instrument Co., Ltd.).
• the contact angle of the developing roller surface to jodomethane was measured using a contact angle meter CA-S ROLL (trade name) manufactured by Kyowa Kaimen Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha. Measurements were made at three force points, which were the positions where the longitudinal direction of the developing roller was divided into four equal parts, and the arithmetic average value was taken as the contact angle ⁇ d of the developing roller surface with respect to jodomethane. The measurement was performed in an environment at a temperature of 25 ° C and a relative humidity of 50% RH.
• the surface free energy on the surface of the developing roller in the present invention was measured using a probe liquid whose surface free energy 3 components shown in Table 1 are known.
• the contact angle ⁇ between the probe liquid and the developing roller surface was also measured for probe liquids (water, ethylene glycol) other than shodomethane in the same manner as jodomethane.
• the contact angle 0 obtained using the probe liquid water, jodomethane, and ethylene glycol surface free energy ⁇ y L d, y L p ⁇ ⁇ and YL tal in Table 1 and the respective probe liquids is given by the following formula ( Substituting into the Kitazaki ⁇ Field formula shown in 2), we make three formulas.
• the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller When the outer peripheral surface of the developing roller is divided into six equal parts in the circumferential direction, it passes through a straight line connecting two adjacent lines (in terms of cross section, it is a chord for the arc corresponding to one-sixth of the outer periphery)
• a rubber piece having an elastic layer and a coating layer on its surface was cut out on a plane parallel to the surface. This corresponds to a portion cut out from the developing roller by processing when measuring the Martens hardness H 2 (N / mm 2) of the elastic layer portion.
• This rubber piece was cut into a length of 100 mm, and stamped at 40 mm and 6 O mm in the longitudinal direction so that the distance between the marked lines was 20 mm.
• DBP absorption is calculated based on JISK 6 2 1 7-4 “Carbon black for rubber one basic special one , for carbon black that is isolated from the elastic layer by the following procedure. It was measured according to the provisions of “Part 4: Determination of DBP absorption”.
• the method for extracting and isolating the carbon black component from the elastic layer was as follows.
• the elastic layer 12 is cut out from the developing roller and the rubber component is decomposed by heating the elastic layer piece, which has been cut to about 1 to 2 mm square, to a high temperature for a certain period of time using a rotary kiln under a nitrogen stream. More carbon black component It was collected.
• the temperature and time are selected according to the type and amount of rubber contained in the elastic layer. Silicone rubber can be decomposed by heating at 750 ° C for 15 minutes. Rubber is broken down into hydrocarbons and / or oils.
• the recovered residue contains inorganic additives such as silica, quartz, talc, and S i O components generated from silicone rubber, in addition to the carbon black component, these will be utilized using the difference in specific gravity. Separated.
• the method for extracting and isolating the carbon black component from the elastic layer is not limited to this, and a generally used method may be used.
• the following raw materials were prepared as raw materials for forming the elastic layer.
• FIG. 5 41 is a reaction gas supply unit, 42 is a rare gas supply unit, 43 is a pair of parallel electrodes, 44 is a high-frequency power source, 45 is a decompression device that depressurizes the interior of the chamber 47, 46 Is a bullet that is placed in the chamber 47! ⁇ A rotating device that rotates the biological roller 48.
• the raw material gas for forming the coating layer As the raw material gas for forming the coating layer, the following mixed gas was used.
• Anolegon gas 23.5 sccm where “sccm” represents a volumetric flow rate of 1 cm 3 per minute when the source gas is at 0 ° C. and 1 atm. Further, the pressure in the vacuum chamber was set to 25.3 Pa, high-frequency heat treatment was performed at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and an output of 120 w for 4 minutes to form the coating layer.
• Hexamethydisiloxane was a primary product with a purity of 99%, oxygen with a purity of 99.999% or higher, and argon with a purity of 99.999% or higher.
• the abundance ratio of each element in the coating layer composed of the Si Ox film thus formed is I asked for it.
• the X-ray source is A 1 ⁇ ⁇ ⁇
• the surface of the surface layer 13 of the developing roller is 2 ⁇ orbit of Si
• the peak due to the binding energy of 1 s orbit of ⁇ was measured from each peak, and OZS i was obtained from the obtained abundance ratio.
• the IR of the surface of the S i Ox film was measured using a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) apparatus (trade name: SpectrumOne; manufactured by Perkin Elmer Japan Co., Ltd.). Confirmed by measurement. That is, the presence of the Si i O vibration peak (450 cm—) confirmed the existence of the chemical bond of S i— O. As a result, the value of ⁇ / S i of the S i Ox film according to this example was It was 1.03.
• FT-IR Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
• a developing roller 2 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the source gas oxygen was 1.0 sccm and the argon gas was 23.0 sccm.
• the value of O / S i of the S i Ox film according to this example was 1.29.
• the developing roller 3 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the oxygen of the source gas was 1.5 sccm and the argon gas was 22.5 sccm, 7
• the value of OZS i of the S i Ox film according to this example was 1.56.
• a developing roller 4 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the source gas oxygen was 2.0 sccm and the argon gas was 22.0 sccm.
• the value of OZS i of the S i Ox film according to this example was 1.66.
• a developing roller 5 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the source gas oxygen was 2.5 sccm and the argon gas was 21.5 sccm. This example The O / S i value of the S i Ox film was 1.77.
• a developing roller 7 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials and conditions were changed as follows.
• the value of OZS i of the S i O X film according to this example was 1.77.
• Carbon black to talker black # 7350 F (trade name, manufactured by Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.),
• a developing roller 8 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials, conditions, and the like were changed as follows.
• the value of OZS i of the S i O X film according to this example was 1.90.
• a developing roller 9 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the oxygen of the source gas was 1.5 sccm, the argon gas was 22.5 sccm, and the high-frequency heat treatment time was 30 seconds.
• the value of O / S i of the S i O x film according to this example was 1.56.
• a development roller 10 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the oxygen of the source gas was 1.5 sccm, the argon gas was 22.5 sccm, and the high-frequency heat treatment time was 90 seconds.
• the O / S i value of the S i O X film according to this example was 1.56 o
• a developing port roller 11 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials and conditions were changed as follows.
• the value of Ono S i of the S i O X film according to this example was 1.77.
• Carbon black is Denka Black FX—35 (trade name, manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.), • Oxygen of raw material gas is 2.5 s c cm,
• Zinc oxide 5.0 parts by weight Stearic acid 2.0 parts by weight Carbonic acid; 30 parts by weight • 2—Mercaptobenzimidazole (MB) 0.5 parts by mass
• Plasticizer 20 parts by mass Polysizer I P-202 (trade name, manufactured by Dainippon Ink and Company)
• the above elastic layer compound is formed into a tube shape by extrusion molding, primary vulcanization is performed by steam vulcanization for 30 minutes at 130 ° C, and further secondary vulcanization is performed in an electric furnace at 140 ° C for 30 minutes, rubber A tube was obtained. After cutting this tube, a nickel-plated SUS shaft core (diameter 6.0 mm), which was coated with an adhesive (primer) on the outer peripheral surface and baked, was press-fitted. Next, the surface was polished to provide an elastic body layer having a thickness of 3 mm on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core body.
• NBR elastic layer roller 0 The roller having the elastic layer obtained by the above method is referred to as “NBR elastic layer roller 0”.
• a coating layer was formed around the NBR inertia layer roller 0.
• Cover layer shape The developing roller 12 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the following mixed gas was used as a raw material gas and the following conditions were used.
• the value of 07 3 mm of the S i OX membrane according to this example was 1.5 6.
• High frequency heat treatment time is 5 minutes.
• the following raw materials were prepared as raw materials for forming the elastic layer.
• the elastic body layer was polished with a rotating grindstone to provide a 3 mm thick elastic body layer on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft core body.
• the roller having the elastic layer obtained by the above method is referred to as “elastic layer roller 0 made of thermoplastic resin”.
• a covering layer was formed around the elastic layer roller 0 with this thermoplastic resin.
• the coating layer was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the following mixed gas was used as a raw material gas and the following conditions were used.
• the value of O / S i of the S i OX membrane according to this example was 1.56.
• Hexamethyldisi oral hexane vapor 1.0 s c cm, oxygen 2-5 s c cm,
• High frequency heat treatment time is 3 minutes.
• a developing roller 14 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials and conditions were changed as follows.
• the value of O / S i of the S i O X film according to this example was 1.56.
• Carbon black to toe black # 7350F (trade name, manufactured by Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.),
• a developing roller 15 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials, conditions, and the like were changed as follows.
• the value of ⁇ / S i of the S i Ox film according to this example was 1.56.
• thermoplastic resin 821 1 -45 (Product name, AJS Bread),-• 10 mass of plasticizer used,
• the silicone elastic layer roller 0 is placed on a vacuum vapor deposition apparatus, and after placing a fluorine resin (F 1 uon fine powder CD 1 4 5 (trade name, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.) in a crucible, the vacuum vapor deposition apparatus The inside was depressurized to 13.3 3 Pa. In that state, the temperature of the crucible was adjusted to 65 ° C., and the loaded roller was rotated at 20 rpm for 3 minutes. A developing roller 16 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that it was placed in the apparatus and a coating layer was formed.
• a fluorine resin F 1 uon fine powder CD 1 4 5 (trade name, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
• a developing roller 17 was produced in the same manner as in Example 16 except that the processing time in the vacuum evaporation apparatus was changed to 10 minutes.
• a developing roller 18 was produced in the same manner as in Example 16 except that the processing time in the vacuum evaporation apparatus was changed to 20 minutes.
• a fluororesin solution was prepared by dissolving 3.0% by mass of a solvent-soluble fluororesin Lumiflon L F 100 (trade name, manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.).
• the silicone elastic layer roller 0 was immersed in this solution, and this was pulled up and dried at 150 ° C. for 2 hours to form a coating layer.
• a developing roller 19 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for these.
• a fluororesin solution was prepared by dissolving 1.0% by mass of polyimid varnish U-varnish—A (trade name, manufactured by Ube Industries). Immerse the silicone elastic layer roller 0 in this solution, pull it up, After heat treatment at 150 ° C. for 4 hours, heat treatment was further performed at 200 ° C. for 2 hours to form a coating layer.
• a developing roller 20 was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except for these.
• a developing port 22 was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the materials, conditions, and the like were changed as follows.
• the value of OZS i of the S i Ox film according to this comparative example was 0.94.
• 'Carbon black is Denka Black FX—35 (trade name, manufactured by Denki Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.), • Raw material gas;
• the raw material rubber is J SR N222L (trade name, manufactured by .TSR), carbon A developing roller 24 was produced in the same manner as in Example 12 except that MA 230 (trade name, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) was used as the black.
• the value of 0 ZSi of the S 10 film according to this example was 1.5 6.
• a developing roller 25 was produced in the same manner as in Example 16 except that the materials and conditions were changed as follows.
• a fluororesin solution was prepared by dissolving 3.5% by mass of polyimide varnish U-varnish I S (trade name, manufactured by Ube Industries) using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a solvent. Except that the silicone elastic layer roller 0 was immersed in this solution, pulled up, heat-treated at 150 ° C for 4 hours, and further heat-treated at 200 for 2 hours to form a coating layer. Is the same as in Example 1 to produce the developing roller 26.
• the following raw materials were prepared as paint preparation raw materials.
• the silicone elastic layer roller 0 obtained in Example 1 was not provided with a coating layer, and was used as a developing roller 28.
• Table 2 shows the D B P absorption (measured values before use) of the carbon black used in the examples and comparative examples.
• Example 1 2 the elastic layer contains a crosslinked rubber, and contains carbon black having a DBP absorption of 8 7 m 1 Z 100 g. Similarly, in Examples 1 3, 14, and 15, the elastic layer contains carbon black having a thermoplastic elastomer and a DBP absorption amount of 10 6 m 1 Z 100 g.
• the coating layers of Examples 1 to 15 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 include a material mainly composed of SiOX.
• a toner roller 311 (cyan) (trade name, manufactured by Canon) was incorporated with a developing roller and left in an environmental tester at room temperature 35 ⁇ 2 ° 0, relative humidity 85% RH 5% for 14 days. Thereafter, the cartridge was angulated, and the presence or absence of adhesion on the surface of the latent image carrier was visually observed. Assembling, disassembling, and observing the image roller in the cartridge were performed in an environment with a room temperature of 25 ° ⁇ 2 ° 0 and a relative humidity of 50% RH and 5% soil.
• a device As an electrophotographic image forming device, we prepared a device (hereinafter also referred to as a modified machine) in which the output speed of a color printer (Satera LBP 5 400 (trade name, manufactured by Canon Inc.)) was modified to 25 sheets of A4 paper / min. .
• This color printer has a cyan, magenta, yellow, and black color cartridge, is provided with an image writing means (laser) for each cartridge, and is a tandem type having a transfer belt.
• the standard image creation capability is 21 sheets / minute for A4 size.
• the color cartridge is provided with a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, a developing roller, and a toner supply roller regulating blade (corresponding to a one-component contact development method), and the developing roller is disposed in contact with the photosensitive drum. Further, the color cartridge is provided with a cleaning blade in contact with the photosensitive drum.
• the above-mentioned color printer includes a developing roller 1 to 23 as a developing roller of a cyan color cartridge provided with a pre-exposure means for removing the charge remaining on the photosensitive drum before charging by the charging roller. For magenta, yellow, and black color cartridges, remove the toner, and then check the remaining toner. The intelligence mechanism was disabled and placed at each station.
• Image output test was conducted for 11 days under low temperature and low humidity (temperature 15 ° C ⁇ 2.C, relative humidity 20% RH ⁇ 5%). evaluated. Specifically, it was as follows.
• ⁇ 2nd day to 10th day 400 standard prints are printed continuously.
• the solid images (output on the 10th sheet) and halftone images (output on the 1st sheet) formed on the first day were visually observed for density unevenness and evaluated according to the following criteria. It was defined as uneven shading in the image.
• a solid image formed on the 11th day (output on the 4010th sheet) and a halftone image (output on the first sheet of 401) were also evaluated in the same manner, and the shading unevenness evaluation of the image over time was performed.

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