JP2007155853A - Processing cartridge and image forming apparatus provided with processing cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing cartridge for suppressing a torsion of a cleaning member when the cleaning member is fixed in a contact with the contact part of a first side plate and the contact part of a second side plate; and also to provide an image forming apparatus provided with the processing cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The processing cartridge forms the first side plate 220 provided with a first contact face 221 contacting a holding plate 21 of a cleaning blade 22 being the cleaning member by supporting one end of a photoreceptor 10 and the second side plate 250 provided with a second contact face 251 contacting the holding plate 21 of the cleaning blade 22 by supporting the other end of the photoreceptor 10 by an integral matter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge.

  A process cartridge that performs a process necessary for image formation with a photoreceptor as an image carrier, for example, a process cartridge that integrally supports process means such as a charging means, a developing means, and a cleaning member, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body It has been known. By using a process cartridge, it becomes possible to continue to use the image forming apparatus by replacing the process cartridge itself when it becomes necessary to repair each process means or when the service life is reached. . In addition, since only the replacement work is required, the work time required by the service person can be shortened, and in some cases, the user can easily replace the service person without going to the service person. It was.

  In order to form a high-quality image with this image forming apparatus, any process means constituting the process cartridge must be assembled with high accuracy. In particular, if the cleaning blade as a cleaning member is not brought into contact with the photoconductor with high accuracy, the following problems occur. That is, contact conditions such as contact pressure and contact angle vary in the longitudinal direction, resulting in poor cleaning. When the cleaning failure occurs, an abnormal image is generated in which white spots are formed in the black solid portion or the halftone portion of the image, or the graininess is roughened.

  Patent Document 1 describes a process cartridge in which a photoconductor as an image carrier and a cleaning blade as a cleaning member are held in a frame. The process cartridge of Patent Document 1 includes a first side plate that supports and positions one end of a photoreceptor, and a second side plate that supports and positions the other end. The first side plate and the second side plate are provided with contact surfaces as contact portions for positioning the cleaning blade in close contact with one surface of the holding plate for holding the elastic member of the cleaning blade. The contact surface is formed so that the cleaning blade can contact the photosensitive member with a predetermined contact angle and contact pressure. The holding plate of the cleaning blade is attached so that the one surface is in close contact with the contact surface. Thereby, the cleaning blade can be brought into contact with the photoconductor with high accuracy.

  FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the process cartridge of Patent Document 1. FIG. As shown in the drawing, the process cartridge of Patent Document 1 includes a first side plate 811 on the front side in the drawing, a reinforcing portion 813 extending in the longitudinal direction, and a photoconductor temporary placement portion 814 on the back side in the drawing. A frame body 810 made up of 815 is provided. The rotation shaft 821 on the near side of the photoconductor 820 is inserted into the bearing portion 816 of the first side plate 811 of the frame 810, and the rotation shaft 821 on the back side is temporarily placed on the temporary placement portion 814 of the back side plate 815. Next, the rotary shaft 822 on the back side of the photoconductor 820 is inserted into the bearing portion 832 of the second side plate 830, and the second side plate 830 is fixed to the back side plate 815 of the frame body 810. The process cartridge is assembled by bringing the holding plate 841 of the cleaning blade 840 into contact with the contact surface 812 of the first side plate 811 and the contact surface 831 of the second side plate 830 and fixing them.

JP 2005-284219 A

  However, as shown in the figure, in the process cartridge of Patent Document 1, the first side plate 811 and the second side plate 830 for positioning the photosensitive member 820 and the cleaning blade 841 are configured separately. For this reason, an assembly error may occur between the second side plate 830 and the frame body 810. As a result, the contact surface 831 of the second side plate 830 and the contact surface 812 of the first side plate 811 may not be parallel. When the contact surface 812 of the first side plate 811 and the contact surface 831 of the second side plate 830 are not parallel, the cleaning blade 840 is changed to the contact surface 812 of the first side plate 811 and the contact surface 831 of the second side plate 830. If fixed by contact, the cleaning blade 840 is fixed in a twisted state. If the cleaning blade 840 is fixed in a twisted state, contact conditions such as contact pressure and contact angle with the photoconductor 820 are different in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 840. More specifically, the vicinity of the first side plate and the vicinity of the second side plate of the cleaning blade 840 are positioned in contact with the contact surfaces 812 and 831, respectively. It is in contact. However, the central portion of the cleaning blade 840 cannot contact the photoconductor 820 under predetermined contact conditions due to the twist of the cleaning blade 840. As a result, the cleaning blade 840 cannot be brought into contact with the photoconductor 820 with high accuracy in the longitudinal direction, resulting in poor cleaning.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and the object thereof is when the cleaning member is fixed in contact with the contact portion of the first side plate and the contact portion of the second side plate. A process cartridge capable of suppressing twisting of a cleaning member and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge are provided.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is provided with an image carrier and a cleaning member for removing transfer residual toner on the image carrier, and is detachable from the image forming apparatus. The structured process cartridge includes a first side plate that supports one end of the image carrier, and a second side plate that supports the other end of the image carrier, and the first side plate and the second side plate are the cleaning plates. The first side plate and the second side plate are formed as a single unit by having a contact portion that contacts the member and positions the cleaning member with respect to the image carrier.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the first aspect, the cleaning member is disposed so as to extend in parallel with a longitudinal direction of the image carrier and to contact the image carrier. It is characterized by this.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge of the second aspect, the cleaning blade includes an elastic body and a holding member that holds the elastic body, and one surface of the holding member has the contact surface. The elastic member is fixed to the surface of the holding member that contacts the corresponding contact portion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the process cartridge according to the third aspect, further comprising a storage portion that stores the transfer residual toner removed by the cleaning blade, and the storage portion is attached to the holding plate. It is.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the first or second aspect, the first side plate and the second side plate include a bearing that rotatably supports the image carrier. It is what.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge of the fifth aspect, the contact portion is provided in the vicinity of the bearing.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to any of the first to sixth aspects, an application means for applying a lubricant to the image carrier is provided.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the seventh aspect, a lubricant accommodating portion for accommodating a lubricant is provided.
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a thinning means for thinning the lubricant applied to the image carrier.
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to the ninth aspect, the thinning means is made of an elastomer arranged so as to extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the image carrier and to contact the image carrier. It is characterized by the fact that it is a blade.
The invention of claim 11 is the process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the thinning means and the cleaning member are individually attachable to / detachable from the process cartridge, and the process cartridge is assembled. Further, after the image carrier is assembled, at least one of the thinning means and the cleaning member is assembled.
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, a charging means for charging the image carrier is provided.
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the process cartridge according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, a voltage obtained by superimposing an alternating current on a direct current is applied to the charging means.
A fourteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the process cartridge according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects is provided.
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth aspect, the toner used for toner image formation has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm, a volume average particle diameter (Dv) and a number average particle diameter. The ratio (Dv / Dn) to the diameter (Dn) is in the range of 1.00 to 1.40.
According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the toner has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. It is characterized by this.
According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to any one of the fourteenth to sixteenth aspects, the toner has a glass transition temperature of 45 to 65 ° C and an outflow start temperature of 90 to 115 ° C. It is what.
The invention according to claim 18 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the toner has an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 500 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm on the surface of the toner base particles. ^The toner is obtained by externally adding ³ or more fine particles.
The invention according to claim 19 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the toner comprises at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent. It is a toner obtained by crosslinking and / or stretching reaction of a toner material liquid dispersed in a solvent in an aqueous medium.

  According to the invention of claims 1 to 19, since the first side plate and the second side plate are formed as a single body, an assembly error of the second side plate does not occur. As a result, the cleaning member can be prevented from being twisted when the cleaning member is brought into contact with and fixed to the contact portion of the first side plate and the contact portion of the second side plate. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress contact conditions such as contact pressure and contact angle between the image carrier and the cleaning member from being different in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the cleaning member can be brought into contact with the photoconductor with accuracy in the longitudinal direction, and defective cleaning can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “copying machine”) as an image forming apparatus will be described. In this embodiment, an electrophotographic copying machine employing a so-called tandem type intermediate transfer system will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this.

First, the configuration of the entire copying machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge.
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes four process cartridges 200 (Y, C, M, K) arranged in parallel in the main body, an endless intermediate transfer belt 62, a secondary transfer roller 65, a process. Each color toner bottle 59 supplies toner to the cartridge. The process cartridge 200 includes an image carrier 10, a cleaning module 20 as a cleaning member, a charging module 30 as a charging unit, a developing module 50 as a developing unit, and the like. Details of each process means such as a cleaning member, a charging means, and a developing means will be described later.

  The intermediate transfer belt 62 is positioned above the photoconductor 10 as each image carrier, and the lower running side of the intermediate transfer belt 62 is in contact with the circumferential surface of each photoconductor 10. The intermediate transfer belt 62 constitutes an example of a transfer material onto which toner images of different colors formed on the surface of each photoconductor 10 are transferred in a superimposed manner. The configuration in which a toner image is formed on each photoconductor 10 and the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 62 is substantially the same except that the color of the toner image is different. The photoconductor 10 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, and at this time, the photoconductor 10 is charged to a predetermined polarity by a charging module 30 which is a charging unit to which a charging voltage is applied. The photoconductor 10 after charging is irradiated with a light-modulated laser beam L emitted from the optical writing device 40 shown in FIG. 1, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 10. The electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image of each color by the developing module 50 as developing means.

  A primary transfer roller 61 is disposed on the opposite side of the photoconductor 10 with the intermediate transfer belt 62 interposed therebetween. When a transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 61, the toner image on the photoconductor 10 is rotated in the middle. Primary transfer is performed on the transfer belt 62. The transfer residual toner adhering to the photoreceptor 10 after the toner image transfer is removed by a cleaning module 20 as a cleaning member. On the downstream side of the cleaning member, there is provided a brush roller 70 as a lubricant application means for applying a lubricant on the photoconductor 10 to reduce wear on the surface of the photoconductor 10 and improving the cleaning performance.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a paper feeding device 130 having a paper feeding cassette containing a recording medium made of transfer paper, for example, is disposed in the lower part of the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the intermediate transfer belt 62 is placed at a predetermined timing. The sheet is fed between the portion and the secondary transfer roller 65 opposed to the portion. At this time, a predetermined transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 65 from a power source (not shown), whereby the composite toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 62 is secondarily transferred to the recording medium.

  The recording medium onto which the composite toner image has been secondarily transferred is further conveyed upward and passes through the fixing device 90. At this time, the toner image on the recording medium is fixed by the action of heat and pressure. The recording medium that has passed through the fixing device 90 is discharged to a paper discharge unit at the top of the image forming apparatus main body 100 by a pair of paper discharge rollers.

  In this embodiment, each process unit such as a cleaning member, a charging unit, and a developing unit is modularized so that each process module can be replaced in a module unit in a state where the process cartridge is detached from the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, it is possible to prevent waste of resources by disposing process means that can still be used with the life of the process cartridge. According to the present embodiment, the user or service person can exchange the process cartridge unit or the process module unit, which is very convenient.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the process cartridge 200 includes a frame 210 including at least the photosensitive member 10 as an image carrier and a cleaning module 20 as a cleaning member. The cleaning module 20 is integrally formed with a cleaning blade 22, an entrance seal 23, a transfer residual toner storage portion 26, and the like. The cleaning blade 22 includes a holding plate 21 and an elastic member, which will be described later.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the frame 210 of the process cartridge. The frame 210 is integrally provided in the longitudinal direction of the photoconductor 10 from the side plate 220 (first side plate) on the near side in the drawing to the side plate 250 (second side plate) on the back side. In addition, the frame 210 has a positioning plate 211 to which the charging module 30 is attached, and a lubricant container 270 that houses the brush roller 70 and the lubricant. As shown in FIG. 4, the first side plate 220 has a bearing portion 244 to which a bearing for supporting the rotating shaft 14 of the photosensitive member 10 protruding from the flange 13 of the photosensitive member 10 is attached, and a guide groove in which the developing module 50 is attached. 223, fixing holes 225 and 226 for fixing the developing module 50 are provided. Further, the first side plate 220 is provided with a first contact surface 221 as a contact portion that contacts a holding plate 21 of a cleaning blade 22 described later. Similar to the first side plate, the second side plate 250 has a bearing portion 254 to which a bearing for supporting the rotating shaft 14 of the photosensitive member 10 protruding from the flange 15 of the photosensitive member 10 shown in FIG. A second contact surface 251 that contacts the holding plate 21 is provided. Further, the second side plate 250 has a guide groove 255 that guides the mounting of the developing module 50.
The contact angle of the cleaning blade 22 to the photoconductor 10 is determined by the first contact surface 221 of the first side plate 220 and the second contact surface 251 of the second side plate 250 described above. Although not shown, the first contact surface 221 and the second contact surface 251 are provided with positioning rod-like protrusions. The cleaning blade is positioned by inserting holes provided at both ends of the holding plate 21 of the cleaning blade 22 to be described later into this protrusion. The first contact surface 221 is provided with a screw hole (not shown).

  Further, it is preferable to provide the bearing portions 244 and 254 and the contact surfaces 221 and 251 as close as possible. Thereby, the positional accuracy of the contact surface with respect to the shaft 14 of the photosensitive member can be improved as compared with the case where the bearing portion and the contact surface are provided apart from each other. The contact surface is formed with reference to the center of the photosensitive member shaft. For example, when an error of 1 ° occurs, the contact surface is located closer to the center of the photosensitive member shaft than the position away from the central portion of the photosensitive member shaft. The closer the position, the less variation. Therefore, by providing the contact surface close to the bearing portion, that is, as close as possible to the axial center of the photosensitive member, the positional accuracy with respect to the shaft of the photosensitive member can be improved. Thus, by increasing the positional accuracy of the contact surface with respect to the axis of the photoconductor, the cleaning blade can be brought into contact with the photoconductor with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, the first side plate 220 and the second side plate 250 are formed as a single body. That is, in the frame body of the present embodiment, the first side plate 220 and the second side plate 250 are formed as a single body by molding. Thereby, an assembly error does not occur unlike the case where the side plate and the frame are provided separately. As a result, due to the assembly error, the contact state of the cleaning blade 22 with the photosensitive member does not vary in the longitudinal direction, and the cleaning blade 22 can be brought into contact with the photosensitive member with high accuracy.

  Next, the photoreceptor 10 arranged in the process cartridge 200 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the photosensitive member 10 which is a cylindrical image carrier is provided with flanges 13 and 15 at both ends inside the cylinder, and a rotating shaft 14 penetrating both flanges.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the structure of the photosensitive layer of the photoreceptor. As shown in FIG. 5, the photoreceptor 10 is provided with a photosensitive layer 12 on a cylindrical aluminum substrate 11. The substrate 11 of the photoreceptor 10 is subjected to surface treatment such as cutting, super-finishing, polishing, etc. after extruding a metal such as aluminum, copper, iron, or an alloy thereof, and processing such as drawing to form a cylindrical tube. It is formed in a cylindrical drum. The structure of the photosensitive layer 12 includes a charge generation layer 121 that is a layer mainly composed of a charge generation material and a charge transport layer 122 that transports the generated charges to the surface of the photoreceptor or the substrate 11. In the charge generation layer 121, a charge generation material is dispersed in a suitable solvent together with a binder resin as necessary using a ball mill, an attritor, a sand mill, an ultrasonic wave, etc., and this is applied onto a conductive support. It is formed by drying. A known charge generation material can be used for the charge generation layer 121, and representative examples thereof include monoazo pigments, disazo pigments, trisazo pigments, perylene pigments, perinone pigments, quinacridone pigments, and quinone condensation polymers. Examples thereof include ring compounds, squalic acid dyes, phthalocyanine pigments, naphthalocyanine pigments, and azulenium salt dyes. Of these, azo pigments and / or phthalocyanine pigments are effectively used.

  The charge transport layer 122 can be formed by dissolving or dispersing a charge transport material and a binder resin in a suitable solvent, and applying and drying the solution on the charge generation layer. Moreover, a plasticizer, a leveling agent, antioxidant, etc. can also be added as needed. Charge transport materials include hole transport materials and electron transport materials. Examples of the charge transporting material include chloranil, bromineyl, tetracyanoethylene, and examples of the hole transporting material include poly-N-vinylcarbazole and derivatives thereof, poly-γ-carbazolylethyl glutamate and derivatives thereof, and pyrene-formaldehyde condensates. And derivatives thereof, polyvinylpyrene, and polyvinylphenanthrene. In addition, a protective layer 123 may be provided on the photosensitive layer 12 in order to protect the photosensitive layer 12. In addition, a filler can be added to the protective layer 123 for the purpose of improving the wear resistance. In particular, it is advantageous to use an inorganic material among them from the viewpoint of the hardness of the filler. In particular, silica, titanium oxide, and alumina can be used effectively.

Next, the cleaning module 20 disposed in the process cartridge 200 will be described in detail. 6A is an external perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view.
As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning module 20 includes a cleaning blade 22 including an elastic member 24 and a holding plate 21 that holds the elastic member 24, a transfer residual toner storage unit 26 that stores recovered transfer residual toner, and recovery from the photoreceptor. An entrance seal 23 is provided for sealing the inside of the transfer residual toner container 26 so that the transferred transfer toner is not scattered. Further, a transport auger 25 is provided that transports the toner collected in the transfer residual toner storage unit 26 into the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The untransferred toner storage unit 26 is fixed to the holding plate 21 with screws 27 at a substantially intermediate position in the longitudinal direction.

  On both sides of the holding plate 21, holes 281 corresponding to the positioning bar-like protrusions provided on the contact surfaces 221 and 251 are provided, and the protrusions of the contact surfaces 221 and 251 are inserted into the holes 281. By doing so, the cleaning blade 22 is positioned. Further, a fixing screw hole 282 is provided at the front side end portion of the holding plate 281 in the drawing, and a screw is screwed into the screw hole 282 and the screw hole of the first contact surface 220 so that the frame body The cleaning module 20 is fixed to the first side plate 220. On the other hand, the second side plate 250 and the cleaning module 20 are fixed by inserting an E-ring or the like into the rod-shaped protrusion after the hole 281 is inserted into the rod-shaped protrusion.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view schematically showing the arrangement state of the cleaning blade 22. (A) of the figure is provided with an elastic member 24 on the same surface as the surface of the holding plate 21 facing the photoreceptor. (B) of the figure is provided with an elastic member on the surface of the holding plate 21 opposite to the surface facing the photosensitive member. The elastic member may be provided as shown in (A) of the drawing or may be provided as shown in (B) of the drawing, but is preferably provided as shown in (A) of the drawing. By providing the elastic member as shown in (A) of the figure, the variation in the thickness of the holding plate 21 can be ignored. Therefore, the cleaning blade 11 can be brought into contact with the photoconductor 2 with high accuracy.

  The material of the elastic member 24 is an elastomer including fluorine rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber or the like. In particular, urethane elastomer is preferable from the viewpoints of wear resistance, ozone resistance, and contamination resistance. Further, the holding plate 21 has an L-shaped cross section so that the elastic member 24 is brought into contact with high precision while suppressing bending caused by pressing the elastic member 24 onto the photosensitive member. The material of the holding plate 21 is a SUS steel plate having a thickness of 2.0 mm, and has strength. The holding plate 21 may be a copper plate such as an iron plate, an aluminum plate, or phosphor bronze. Further, the elastic member 23 is fixed to the holding plate 21 by applying an adhesive to the holding portion 21 and bonding it by heating or pressing. However, fixing with a double-sided tape or an adhesive can also be employed for convenience.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the contact condition of the cleaning blade 22. As the contact method of the cleaning blade 22 of this embodiment, a counter method in which the blade-like elastic member 24 is in contact with the counter with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive member is employed. It may be a trailing method that abuts. The counter method, which has a higher cleaning property with respect to the photoconductor 10, is preferable to the trailing method.
The elastic member 24 preferably has a hardness (JIS-A) in the range of 60 to 85 °. If the hardness is less than 60 °, the elastic member 24 is greatly deformed and it becomes difficult to clean the toner or the like. If the hardness exceeds 85 °, the wear on the photoconductor 10 is increased and the life of the image forming apparatus is shortened. Further, the contact pressure of the cleaning blade 22 is preferably in the range of 9.8 to 58.8 [N / m] (10 to 60 [gf / cm]). When the contact pressure is less than 9.8 [N / m] (10 [gf / cm]), it is difficult to clean the toner having a particle size of less than 2 [μm], and 58.8 [N / m] (60 [60] If it exceeds gf / cm]), the tip of the elastic member 24 is likely to be turned over or bound, and cleaning defects such as chatter are likely to occur, resulting in poor cleaning properties. The elastic modulus of the elastic member 24 is 4.5 to 10 [MPa], the free length of the elastic member 24 is 5 to 12 [mm], the thickness of the elastic member 24 is 1 to 2 [mm], and the contact angle is 5 to 5 [mm]. 25 ° and the biting amount is preferably 0.1 to 2.0 [mm]. The contact angle of the cleaning blade 22 is preferably in the range of 5 to 25 ° or less from the tangent line of the contact position. If the contact angle is less than 5 °, cleaning failure due to toner slippage tends to occur, and if it exceeds 25 °, the blade may be turned up during cleaning. The amount of the elastic member 24 biting into the photoreceptor 10 is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 2.0 [mm]. If it is less than 0.1 [mm], the contact area between the elastic member 24 and the photoconductor 10 is small, resulting in poor cleaning through which the toner slips, and if it exceeds 2.0 [mm], the frictional force with the photoconductor 10 increases. Blade turning and bounding are likely to occur. In addition, cleaning defects such as squeal and chatter due to blade vibration occur.

  In the present embodiment, the contact surfaces 221 and 251 formed with the contact portions that hold both ends of the holding plate 21 as surfaces are not limited to this configuration, and the contact state of the cleaning blade to the photosensitive member 10 is determined. The shape of the contact portion is not particularly limited as long as it can be determined.

Next, the developing module 50 disposed in the process cartridge 200 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the developing module 50.
As shown in FIG. 2, the developing module 50 is provided with a developing sleeve 51 that is a developer carrying member disposed so as to be close to the photosensitive member 10. Further, a toner bottle provided outside the process cartridge 200 and a supply port (not shown) for supplying toner to the developing module 50 containing developer from the supply means, and mixing for mixing and stirring the supplied toner with the magnetic carrier Screws 53 and 54 are also provided. A regulating member 55 that regulates the amount of developer supplied to the developing sleeve 51 is also provided. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the developing module 50 includes a rotating shaft 511 for rotating the developing sleeve 51, a guide 521 provided in a protruding shape on the top and bottom of the developing module main body for positioning when mounted on the process cartridge 200, 522 is provided. Further, a partition plate 561 that prevents leakage of the developer during conveyance to the outside, and a developer storage portion 56 that stores the developer by partitioning with the partition plate 561 are also provided. By sealing with a partition plate 561 provided in the developer storage portion 56 for storing the developer, leakage of the developer at the time of transport is prevented, and the partition plate 561 is pulled and removed at the first use to open the container. Then, the developer is supplied from the developer container 56 to the mixing / stirring screw 53.

The developing sleeve 51 is formed of a nonmagnetic material such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel, or conductive resin in a cylindrical shape. The developing sleeve 51 is rotated by a rotation driving mechanism, and developed by a magnetic pole provided therein. The agent is transported. The height of the developer chain spike, that is, the amount of developer on the developing sleeve 51 is regulated by a regulating member 55 arranged in the upstream portion of the developing area in the developer transport direction.
In addition to the two-component developer using a magnetic carrier and toner, a magnetic one-component developer and a non-magnetic one-component developer can be appropriately selected and used as the developer. In this case, the specifications of the developing sleeve are changed. It can respond.

Next, the charging module 30 disposed in the process cartridge 200 will be described in detail. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view of the charging module 30, and FIG. 11 is an external side view.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the charging module 30 includes a charging roller 31 that is a charging member disposed to face the photoreceptor 10, a gear (not shown) fixed to the end of the charging roller 31, and the charging roller 31. Has a spring material 32 for preventing the vibration. Further, a charging cleaning roller 33 that is a charging cleaning means for removing dirt on the charging roller 31, a bearing 37 of the cleaning roller 33, and a spring material 38 that presses the charging cleaning roller 33 in contact with the charging roller 31 are also provided. Further, a support member 35 that is attached to the end portion of the charging roller 31 and supports the charging roller 31 on the case of the charging module 30, and a non-image forming area of the photosensitive member 10, and between the charging roller 31 and the photosensitive member 10. A spacer 34 for forming a predetermined gap is also provided. The gear of the charging roller 31 is rotationally driven by a drive mechanism described later, and the charging cleaning roller 33 is made of a resin foam such as melamine foam, and is rotatably supported so as to rotate with the charging roller 31. The support member 35 is pressed by the spring material 32 in a direction toward the drum shaft of the photosensitive member, and movement of the support member 35 is restricted by a restriction portion formed in the case. With this configuration, when the charging module 30 is mounted on the process cartridge 200, the charging roller 31 maintains an appropriate distance from the photoreceptor 10 by the spacer 34. Further, when the charging module 30 is removed, the charging module 30 itself can be handled. Further, although the charging member 31 is driven by the driving mechanism, the charging member 31 may be configured to be driven by driving of the photoconductor 10. However, in a machine that requires high speed and high image quality, it is preferable to drive the charging member 31 with a drive mechanism. In the present embodiment, the charging member is in the form of a roller. In this embodiment, the charging cleaning means is in the form of a roller, but may be in the form of a brush or a blade.

  Since the charging roller 31 is disposed with a gap with respect to the photoconductor, there is a margin for contamination of the charging roller as compared with the case where the charging roller is in contact with the photoconductor. In addition, since the charging cleaning roller 33 is provided and the surface of the charging roller 31 is cleaned, it is possible to prevent dirt from adhering to the charging roller surface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the charging ability of the portion where the dirt is attached from being deteriorated due to the adhesion of the charging roller, and the photosensitive member cannot be charged to the target potential. Therefore, charging failure can be suppressed and occurrence of abnormal images can be suppressed.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the structure of the charging roller 31. The charging roller 31 has a structure including a main body portion 312 having a shaft portion 311 made of a metal core at the center, an intermediate resistance layer 313 on the outer side, and a surface layer 314 on the outermost layer. The shaft 311 is made of, for example, stainless steel having a diameter of 8 to 20 [mm], aluminum having high rigidity and conductivity, or 1 × 10 ³ [Ω · cm] or less, preferably 1 × 102 [ [Ω · cm] or less and a conductive resin having high rigidity. The medium resistance layer 313 preferably has a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ⁵ [Ω · cm] to 1 × 10 ⁹ [Ω · cm] and a thickness of about 1 to 2 [mm]. The surface layer 314 has a volume resistivity of 1 × 10 ⁶ [Ω · cm] to 1 × 10 ¹² [Ω · cm], and preferably has a thickness of about 10 μm. The volume resistivity of the surface layer 314 is preferably higher than the electrical resistivity of the medium resistance layer 313. Here, the main body 312 is shown as a two-layer structure of the intermediate resistance layer 313 and the surface layer 31, but is not particularly limited to this structure, and may be a single layer or three layers.

  A voltage obtained by superimposing alternating current on direct current is applied to the charging roller 31. When alternating current is superimposed on direct current, high image quality can be obtained compared to direct current, but attention must be paid to the problem of filming of the photoreceptor. Further, in the case of the contact type in which the charging roller 31 is brought into contact with the photosensitive member 10, by controlling the alternating current at a constant current, there is an advantage that the surface potential is not affected by the fluctuation of the resistance value of the charging roller due to the environmental change. Obtainable. However, the cost of the high-voltage power supply becomes high, and AC high frequency sound is a problem. Further, in the case of the non-contact type in which the charging roller 31 is not in contact with the photosensitive member 10, since the influence of the resistance value variation of the charging roller due to the environmental change is detrimentally affected with respect to the surface potential, On the other hand, some means for correcting the applied voltage is required. In addition, if the alternating current is controlled at a constant current, the image will be uneven due to the influence of the gap variation between the photosensitive member and the charging roller. Therefore, as in the case where only the direct current is applied, a means for correcting the applied voltage is required. Become. As a correction method, there are means for detecting the temperature in the vicinity of the charging roller and switching the applied voltage, and means for periodically detecting ground contamination on the photosensitive member and switching the applied voltage. By taking these methods, the surface of the photoreceptor is charged to about −500V to −700V.

  Next, the lubrication constituted by the brush roller 70 serving as the application means and the lubricant container 270 disposed in the process cartridge 200 and the thinning means 711 for thinning the lubricant applied to the image carrier. The agent application device 700 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant application device 700 applies the solid lubricant 73 accommodated in the lubricant accommodating portion 270 to the surface of the photoreceptor by the brush roller 70 as a brush application means. The solid lubricant 73 is in pressure contact with the brush roller 70 and is gradually scraped as the brush roller 70 rotates, and the shaved lubricant is applied to the surface of the photoreceptor. As the brush roller 70, insulating PET, conductive PET, acrylic fiber, or the like can be used. The lubricant applied to the surface of the photoconductor is thinned by a blade-like thinning means 711 disposed downstream of the brush roller 70 in the photoconductor moving direction. As a result, the coefficient of friction of the photoconductor 10 can be lowered, the toner transfer rate can be improved, and the amount of toner to be discarded can be reduced. Further, by applying a lubricant, the friction coefficient of the surface of the photoreceptor 10 can be reduced, and even a spherical toner that is difficult to clean can be cleaned. Further, by forming the thinning means 711 into a blade shape, unnecessary lubricant is blocked by the blade, and a lubricating film having a minimum thickness can be formed on the photoreceptor 10. At this time, the lubricant that has not become a thin layer spills from the blade and returns to the lubricant storage portion 270, so that the lubricant can be used for a long time.

  The thinning means 711 includes a blade member and a blade support member. For the blade member, an elastomer such as a fluorine resin, a urethane resin, or a silicone resin can be used. In particular, a urethane resin having high elasticity and being hard to be worn is preferable. The blade support member may be a foam made of silicone resin, fluorine resin, or urethane resin. In particular, urethane foam is preferable. By making the blade support member into a foam, it is possible to suppress the blade member from being excessively pressed against the photoconductor 10, to suppress wear, and to form a uniform film of lubricant.

  Examples of the lubricant include fatty acid metals such as lead oleate, zinc oleate, copper oleate, zinc stearate, cobalt stearate, iron stearate, copper stearate, zinc palmitate, copper palmitate and zinc linolenate. Fluorine such as salts, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytrifluorochloroethylene, dichlorodifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-oxafluoropropylene copolymer Based resins. In particular, fatty acid metal salts having a large effect of reducing the friction of the photoconductor 10, and stearic acid as a fatty acid, zinc stearate using calcium or calcium as a metal, and calcium stearate are more preferable.

  Next, a drive transmission device that transmits a driving force to each module arranged in the process cartridge 200 will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a gear train that is a drive transmission device provided inside the first side plate 221 of the process cartridge 200. The photoreceptor 10 is rotationally driven by a drive source from the apparatus main body. The rotation of the photoconductor gear 10a provided on the photoconductor 10 is transmitted by the transfer auger gears 25a, 25b, and 25c to rotate the transfer auger 25. The conveyance auger 25 is rotationally driven to convey the transfer residual toner stored in the transfer residual toner storage portion 26 of the cleaning module 20 to the outside of the process cartridge. Further, the rotation of the photoconductor gear 10a is transmitted by the supply gears 72a and 72b, and the brush roller 70 is rotationally driven to supply the lubricant to the surface of the photoconductor 10. Further, the rotation of the photoconductor gear 10b is transmitted by the charging member gear 37, and the charging roller 31 is rotationally driven to uniformly charge the surface of the photoconductor 10.

Next, assembly of the process cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, as shown in FIG. 14, the lubricant 73 and the brush roller 70 are attached to the lubricant container 270 provided in the frame 210 of the process cartridge 200. Further, a blade-like thinning means 711 is attached to the frame body 210.
Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the photoconductor 10 is arranged at a predetermined position in the frame, and the side of the photoconductor shaft 14 that does not have the bearing 244 a is inserted into the bearing portion of the first side plate 220. Then, it passes through the photoreceptor 10 and is inserted into a bearing 254 attached to the second side plate 250. And the bearing 244a previously inserted in the axis | shaft 14 is fitted to the bearing part 244 of a 1st side plate. As a result, the photosensitive member 10 is rotatably fixed in the frame of the process cartridge 200. Next, the holding plate 21 is positioned by positioning rod-shaped protrusions provided on the contact surfaces 221 and 251, and the cleaning unit 20 is attached by bringing the holding plate and the contact surface into close contact with each other. As a result, highly accurate positioning, twisting, and bending with less parts can be achieved.

  Further, when attaching the photoreceptor 10 to the frame 210, the only blade member that comes into contact with the photoreceptor 10 is the thinning means 711. Therefore, the cleaning blade and the blade-like thinning means 711 are attached to the frame. In this state, the tip of the blade member can be prevented from being damaged or deformed as compared with the case where the photoconductor is attached to the frame. This is because when the blade member attached to the frame before attaching the photosensitive member is only the blade-like thinning means 711, only the thinning means 711 needs to be attached with care. This is because the attention does not disperse as in the case of attaching with care to both the stratification means.

Next, the charging module 30 is positioned on the positioning plate 211 and attached to the frame 210 of the process cartridge 200.
Finally, the developing module 50 is attached to the frame 210 of the process cartridge 200. The development module 50 is attached to the frame 210 using a face plate 240 shown in FIG. The face plate 240 is fitted to the outer periphery of a bearing 244 that supports the rotating shaft 14 of the photoreceptor 10 and has a hole 241 that is positioned with respect to the shaft of the photoreceptor. Further, the face plate 240 is provided with an insertion portion 242 into which the shaft of the developing sleeve 51 of the developing module 50 is inserted, and a screw hole 243 for fixing the face plate 240 to the first side plate 220 of the frame body 210.

  FIG. 17 is a view of the developing module 50 fixed to the frame 210 of the process cartridge as viewed from the first side plate 220 side, and FIG. 18 is a view as viewed from the second side plate 250 side. First, as shown in FIG. 18, the bearing 54 a of the stirring screw 54 is supported in the guide groove 255 of the second side plate 250, and the shaft bearing 511 a of the developing sleeve 51 is fitted into the hole 253. Thereby, the second side plate 250 side of the developing module 50 is positioned. Further, on the first side plate 220 side shown in FIG. 17, the shaft 511 of the developing module 50 and the developing sleeve 51 is inserted into the guide groove 223 provided in the first side plate 220, and the shaft 14 of the photoconductor passes therethrough. It is positioned by fitting the hole 241 of the face plate 240 to the outer periphery. After such positioning, the guides 521 and 522 of the developing module 50 are fixed from the fixing holes 225 and 226, respectively, and the developing module 50 is fixed to the frame body 200.

  As shown in FIG. 18, after the photosensitive member 10 is rotatably fixed in the frame body 210, a coupling 141 is attached to the end of the rotating shaft 14 on the second side plate 250 side. The coupling 141 engages with a driving unit (not shown) provided on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 100 when the process cartridge 200 is mounted, and transmits a rotational driving force to the photoconductor 10.

  As described above, the holding plate 21 is positioned on the first side plate 220 by the positioning projection and fixed with screws, and is positioned on the second side plate 250 by the positioning projection and fixed by the E-ring. Therefore, the holding plate 21 is fixed with a distance in both ends of the process cartridge, that is, in the longitudinal direction as much as possible. As a result, the holding plate 21 can be stably held and the cleaning blade 22 can be attached to the photoconductor 10 with higher accuracy than the case where the holding plate is fixed near the center.

  Further, by using a material having high strength for the holding plate 21, the contact accuracy of the cleaning blade to the photosensitive member can be increased. The holding plate 21 of the cleaning blade 22 can restrict the first side plate 220, the second side plate 250, and the process cartridge frame 210 from being twisted or bent. In addition, if the developing module 50 and the charging module 30 are attached after the cleaning module 20 is attached to the process cartridge 200 by the highly rigid holding plate 21 in this way, the influence of twisting and deflection due to the attachment of the cleaning module 20. As a result, the development module 50 and the charging module 30 can be attached with high accuracy. Therefore, the accuracy of the gap between the charging member 30 and the photosensitive member can be increased, generation of ozone and discharge products can be suppressed, and the life of the photosensitive member 10 can be extended. Further, the accuracy of the gap between the photosensitive member and the developing sleeve 51 can be increased, and a high-quality image can be obtained.

  In addition, the process cartridge 200 includes a temperature / humidity sensor for detecting the temperature / humidity in the process cartridge 200, a potential sensor for detecting the potential of the photoconductor 10, and the developed toner on the photoconductor 10 after development. Detection means such as a toner density sensor for detecting the amount may be provided. Further, for example, a pre-transfer static eliminator and a pre-cleaning static eliminator may be provided.

Next, toner that can be suitably used in the copying machine of the present embodiment will be described.
In order to reproduce minute dots of 600 dpi or more, the toner has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm. The ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) is preferably in the range of 1.00 to 1.40. The closer (Dv / Dn) is to 1.00, the sharper the particle size distribution. With such a toner having a small particle size and a narrow particle size distribution, the toner charge amount distribution is uniform, a high-quality image with little background fogging can be obtained, and the electrostatic transfer method has a high transfer rate. can do.

The toner shape factor SF-1 is preferably in the range of 100 to 180, and the shape factor SF-2 is preferably in the range of 100 to 180. FIG. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating the shape of the toner in order to explain the shape factor SF-1 and the shape factor SF-2. The shape factor SF-1 indicates the ratio of the roundness of the toner shape and is represented by the following formula (1). This is a value obtained by dividing the square of the maximum length MXLNG of the shape formed by projecting the toner on a two-dimensional plane by the figure area AREA and multiplying by 100π / 4.
SF-1 = {(MXLNG) 2 / AREA} × (100π / 4) Formula (1)
When the value of SF-1 is 100, the shape of the toner becomes a true sphere, and becomes larger as the value of SF-1 increases.

The shape factor SF-2 indicates the ratio of the unevenness of the toner shape, and is represented by the following formula (2). A value obtained by dividing the square of the perimeter PERI of the figure formed by projecting the toner onto the two-dimensional plane by the figure area AREA and multiplying by 100 / 4π.
SF-2 = {(PERI) 2 / AREA} × (100 / 4π) (2)
When the value of SF-2 is 100, there is no unevenness on the toner surface, and as the value of SF-2 increases, the unevenness of the toner surface becomes more prominent.
Specifically, the shape factor is measured by taking a photograph of the toner with a scanning electron microscope (S-800: manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.), introducing it into an image analyzer (LUSEX 3: manufactured by Nireco) and analyzing it. Calculated.

  When the shape of the toner is close to a spherical shape, the contact state between the toner and the toner or the toner and the photoconductor becomes a point contact, so that the adsorbing force between the toners becomes weak and the fluidity increases, and the toner and the photoconductor The attraction force becomes weaker and the transfer rate becomes higher. If either of the shape factors SF-1 and SF-2 exceeds 180, the transfer rate is lowered, which is not preferable.

Further, it is preferable to use a toner obtained by externally adding fine particles having an average primary particle size of 50 to 500 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more on the surface of the base particles. By using fine particles having an average primary particle size of 50 to 500 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 mg / cm ³ or more as an external additive, a small particle size toner that achieves high image quality while achieving good cleaning properties. When used, improvement in developability and transferability is improved.

  This will be described in detail below. Due to the presence of fine particles having appropriate characteristics on the surface of the toner, an appropriate gap is formed between the toner particles and the object. Further, the fine particles have a very small contact area with the toner particles, the photoconductor, and the charge imparting member and are evenly contacted with each other. Furthermore, since it plays the role of a roller, it is difficult to be buried in toner particles even during cleaning under high stress (high load, high speed, etc.) between the cleaning blade and the photoconductor without wearing or damaging the photoconductor. Or, even if it is buried a little, it can be detached and returned, so that stable characteristics can be obtained over a long period of time. Further, the toner is moderately detached from the surface of the toner and accumulated at the tip of the cleaning blade, and the so-called dam effect has an effect of preventing a phenomenon that the toner passes from the blade. Since these characteristics have an effect of reducing the share received by the toner particles, the filming effect of the toner itself due to the low rheological component contained in the toner is exhibited for high-speed fixing (low energy fixing). In addition, when fine particles having an average primary particle size in the range of 50 to 500 μm are used, the excellent cleaning performance can be fully utilized, and since the particle size is extremely small, the powder fluidity of the toner is improved. There is no reduction. Further, although the details are not clear, even if the surface-treated fine particles are externally added to the toner or the carrier is contaminated, the degree of developer deterioration is small.

  The average primary particle size (hereinafter referred to as the average particle size) of the fine particles is 50 to 500 nm, and particularly preferably 100 to 400 nm. If the thickness is less than 50 nm, the fine particles may be buried in the concave and convex portions on the toner surface to lower the role of the rollers. On the other hand, when the particle size is larger than 500 μm, when the fine particles are located between the blade and the surface of the photosensitive member, the order is the same level as the contact area of the toner itself, and the toner particles to be cleaned pass, that is, defective cleaning occurs. It becomes easy.

Here, an example as a fine particle is shown. As the fine particles, inorganic compounds and organic compounds can be used. As the inorganic _{compound, SiO 2, TiO 2, Al} 2 O 3, MgO, CuO, ZnO, SnO 2, CeO 2, Fe 2 O 3, BaO, CaO, K 2 O, Na 2 O, ZrO 2, CaO · Examples thereof include SiO ₂ , K ₂ O (TiO ₂ ) n, Al ₂ O ₃ .2SiO ₂ , CaCO ₃ , MgCO ₃ , BaSO ₄ , MgSO ₄ , SrTiO _{3 and the} like, preferably SiO ₂ , TiO _2. Al ₂ O ₃ . Particularly, it preferred is SiO _2. These inorganic compounds may be hydrophobized with various coupling agents, hexamethyldisilazane, dimethyldichlorosilane, octyltrimethoxysilane, and the like.
The organic compound fine particles may be a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin. For example, vinyl resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyimide resin, silicon resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, Examples include urea resins, aniline resins, ionomer resins, and polycarbonate resins. As the resin fine particles, two or more of the above resins may be used in combination. Of these, vinyl resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, and combinations thereof are preferred because an aqueous dispersion of fine spherical resin particles is easily obtained. Specific examples of vinyl resins include polymers obtained by homopolymerization or copolymerization of vinyl monomers, such as styrene- (meth) acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, (meth) acrylic acid. -Acrylic ester copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer, styrene- (meth) acrylic acid copolymer, and the like.

  If the bulk density is less than 0.3 mg / cm 3, it contributes to the improvement of fluidity, but the scattering and adhesion of the toner and fine particles become high, so the effect of toner and rollers, and the accumulation in the cleaning section. As a result, the so-called dam effect that prevents toner cleaning failure is reduced.

The bulk density of the fine particles can be expressed by a mathematical formula: “bulk density (g / cm ³ ) = fine particle amount (g / 100 ml) ÷ 100”, and the fine particle amount was measured by the following method. Using a 100 ml graduated cylinder, fine particles were gradually added to make 100 ml. At that time, no vibration was applied. The amount of fine particles was measured by the difference in weight before and after the fine particles in the graduated cylinder were placed.

  The fine particles are externally added and adhered to the toner surface by a method in which the toner base particles and the fine particles are mechanically mixed and adhered using various known mixing devices, or the toner base particles in the liquid phase. There is a method in which fine particles are uniformly dispersed with a surfactant or the like, and are dried after an adhesion treatment. Details will be described later.

  Further, it is preferable to use a toner having a glass transition temperature of 45 to 65 ° C. and an outflow start temperature of 90 to 115 ° C. Satisfactory fixability can be obtained by satisfying these two characteristics. When the glass transition temperature is lower than 45 ° C., offset may occur during fixing. Conversely, when the glass transition temperature is higher than 65 ° C., sufficient fixing property cannot be obtained, and the image is easily peeled off from the transfer paper. There is. If the outflow start temperature is lower than 90 ° C, offset may occur during fixing. Conversely, if it is higher than 115 ° C, sufficient fixability cannot be obtained, and the image tends to peel off from the transfer paper. There is.

  The measuring method of the glass transition point Tg will be outlined. As an apparatus for measuring Tg, a TG-DSC system TAS-100 manufactured by Rigaku Corporation was used. First, about 10 mg of a sample is placed in an aluminum sample container, which is placed on a holder unit and set in an electric furnace. First, after heating from room temperature to 150 ° C. at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min, the sample was allowed to stand at 150 ° C. for 10 min, the sample was cooled to room temperature and left for 10 min, and the temperature rising rate was again increased to 150 ° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. DSC measurement was performed by heating at min. Tg was calculated from the tangent of the endothermic curve near the Tg and the base line using the analysis system in the TAS-100 system.

The toner flow start temperature can be measured using a flow tester. An example of a flow tester is an elevated flow tester CFT500D manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. The flow curve of this flow tester becomes the data shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, from which each temperature can be read. In the figure, Tfb is the outflow start temperature, and the melting temperature in the 1/2 method is the T1 / 2 temperature.
"Measurement condition"
Load: 5 kg / cm @ 2 Temperature rising rate: 3.0 DEG C./min.
Die diameter: 1.00mm Die length: 10.0mm

Further, as the binder resin used for the toner, those having the following composition can be used as long as they satisfy the characteristics of the toner. For example, homopolymers of styrene such as polyester, polystyrene, poly p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyltoluene and the like; and styrene-p-chlorostyrene copolymers, styrene-propylene copolymers, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymers. Styrene-vinyl naphthalene copolymer, styrene-methyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate Copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-α-chloromethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, Styrene-vinyl ethyl acetate Copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-acrylonitrile-indene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester Examples thereof include styrene copolymers such as copolymers.
Moreover, the following resin can also be mixed and used. Polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyamide, epoxy resin, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenol resin, aliphatic or Examples thereof include alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffin, and paraffin wax.
Among these, a polyester resin is particularly preferable in order to obtain sufficient fixability. The polyester resin is obtained by condensation polymerization of alcohol and carboxylic acid, and the alcohol used is polyethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butane. Diols such as diol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-butenediol, 1,4-bis (hydroxymethyl) cyclohexane, bisphenol A, hydrogenated bisphenol A, polyexethylenated bisphenol A, polyoxypropylenated bisphenol A, etc. And a divalent alcohol simple substance obtained by substituting these with a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, and other divalent alcohol simple substance.
Examples of the carboxylic acid used to obtain the polyester resin include maleic acid, fumaric acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, itaconic acid, glutaconic acid, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, Adipic acid, sebacic acid, malonic acid, divalent organic acid monomers in which these are substituted with a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, acid anhydrides thereof, lower alkyl esters and linolenic acid Dimers and other divalent organic acid monomers can be mentioned.

In order to obtain a polyester resin to be used as a binder resin, it is also preferable to use not only a polymer with only the above bifunctional monomer but also a polymer containing a component with a trifunctional or higher polyfunctional monomer. It is. Examples of the polyhydric alcohol monomer having three or more valences that are such polyfunctional monomers include sorbitol, 1,2,3,6-hexanetetrol, 1,4-sarbitane, pentaesitol, dipenta. Esitol, tripentaerythritol, sucrose, 1,2,4-butanetriol, 1,2,5-pentanetriol, glycerol, 2-methylpropanetriol, 2-methyl-1,2,4-butanetriol , Trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, 1.3.5-trihydroxymethylbenzene, and others.
Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid monomer include 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid, 5,7-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-naphthalenetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, 1,2,5-hexanetricarboxylic acid, 1,3-dicarboxyl-2-methyl-2 -Methylenecarboxypropane, tetra (methylenecarboxyl) methane, 1,2,7,8-octanetetracarboxylic acid, embol trimer acid, acid anhydrides thereof, and the like.

Further, the toner can contain a release agent for the purpose of improving the releasability of the toner on the surface of the fixing belt at the time of fixing. As the release agent, all known ones can be used, and in particular, defree fatty acid type carnauba wax, montan wax, oxidized rice wax, and ester wax can be used alone or in combination. The carnauba wax is preferably a microcrystalline one, having an acid value of 5 or less and a particle size of 1 μm or less when dispersed in a toner binder. The montan wax generally refers to a montan wax refined from minerals, and like a carnauba wax, it is microcrystalline and preferably has an acid value of 5 to 14. The oxidized rice wax is obtained by air-oxidizing rice bran wax, and the acid value is preferably 10-30. When the acid value of each wax is less than the respective range, the low temperature fixing temperature rises and the low temperature fixing becomes insufficient. On the contrary, when the acid value exceeds each range, the cold offset temperature rises and the low-temperature fixing becomes insufficient. The added amount of the wax is 1 to 15 parts by weight, preferably 3 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. If it is less than 1 part by weight, the releasing effect is thin and the desired effect is difficult to obtain. On the other hand, when the amount exceeds 15 parts by weight, there is a problem that the spent on the carrier becomes remarkable.
Further, for the purpose of imparting charge to the toner, a charge control agent can be contained. Any conventionally known charge control agent can be used. Examples of positive charge control agents include nigrosine, basic dyes, lake dyes of basic dyes, quaternary ammonium salt compounds, etc., and examples of negative charge control agents include metal salts of monoazo dyes, salicylic acid, naphthoic acid, dyes, and the like. Examples include carboxylic acid metal complexes and the like. The amount of the polarity control agent used is determined by the toner production method including the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the dispersion method, and is not limited uniquely. Is used in an amount of 0.01 to 8 parts by weight, preferably 0.1 to 2 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. If it is less than 0.01 part by weight, the effect is small with respect to the fluctuation of the charge amount Q / M at the time of environmental change.
Further, as the metal-containing monoazo dye to be used, a chromium-containing monoazo dye, a cobalt-containing monoazo dye, and an iron-containing monoazo dye can be used alone or in combination. By adding these, the rising of the charge amount Q / M in the developer (time until saturation) becomes more excellent. The amount used is determined by the toner production method including the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the dispersion method as in the case of the polar control agent, and is uniquely limited. However, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 1 to 7 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. If the amount is less than 0.1 parts by weight, the effect is small, and if the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, defects such as a decrease in the saturation level of the charge amount occur.

  In addition, it is particularly preferable to use a metal salt of a salicylic acid derivative for the color toner, but if necessary, a transparent or white substance that does not impair the color tone of the color toner is added to stabilize the charging property of the toner. Can be granted. Specifically, organic boron salts, fluorine-containing quaternary ammonium salts, calixarene compounds and the like are used, but are not limited thereto.

Furthermore, the toner of the present invention further contains a magnetic material and can be used as a magnetic toner. Examples of the magnetic material contained in the magnetic toner of the present invention include iron oxides such as magnetite, hematite, and ferrite, metals such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, or aluminum, cobalt, copper, lead, magnesium, tin, and zinc of these metals. And alloys of metals such as antimony, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, calcium, manganese, selenium, titanium, tungsten, vanadium, and mixtures thereof.
These ferromagnetic materials preferably have an average particle size of about 0.1 to 2 μm. The amount of the ferromagnetic material to be contained in the toner is about 20 to 200 parts by weight, particularly preferably 100 parts by weight of the resin component, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component. 40 to 150 parts by weight per part.

  As the colorant, all known colorants can be used. As the black colorant, for example, carbon black, aniline black, furnace black, lamp black and the like can be used. Examples of cyan colorants include phthalocyanine blue, methylene blue, Victoria blue, methyl violet, aniline blue, and ultramarine blue. As the magenta colorant, for example, rhodamine 6G lake, dimethylquinacridone, watching red, rose bengal, rhodamine B, alizarin lake and the like can be used. Examples of yellow colorants include chrome yellow, benzidine yellow, hansa yellow, naphthol yellow, molybdenum orange, quinoline yellow, and tartrazine. As the colorant used in the toner, dyes and pigments capable of obtaining toners of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black colors can be used. For example, carbon black, lamp black, ultramarine, aniline blue, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine green, Hansa Yellow G, Rogmin 6G, lake, chalcoil blue, chrome yellow, quinacridone, benzidine yellow, rose bengal, triallylmethane dye, etc. Any conventionally known dyes and pigments such as dyes and pigments can be used alone or in combination. Further, as an external additive, for the purpose of improving the fluidity of the toner, a hydrophobic silica, titanium oxide, alumina, or the like, and a fatty acid metal salt, polyvinylidene fluoride, or the like may be added as necessary.

Further, when the toner is used as a two-component developer, any known carrier can be used. For example, magnetic powder such as iron powder, ferrite powder, nickel powder, glass beads, etc. And those whose surfaces are treated with a resin or the like.
Examples of the resin powder that can be coated on the carrier include a styrene-acrylic copolymer, a silicone resin, a maleic acid resin, a fluorine resin, and a polyester resin epoxy resin. In the case of a styrene-acrylic copolymer, those having a styrene content of 30 to 90% by weight are preferred. In this case, when the styrene content is less than 30% by weight, the development characteristics are low, and when it exceeds 90% by weight, the coating film becomes hard and easily peeled, and the life of the carrier is shortened.
Moreover, the resin coating of the carrier in the present invention may contain an adhesion-imparting agent, a curing agent, a lubricant, a conductive material, a charge control agent, and the like in addition to the above resin.
The carrier core particles coated with the silicone resin may be conventionally known particles such as ferromagnetic metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel; alloys and compounds such as magnetite, hematite and ferrite; and glass beads. The average particle diameter of these core particles is usually 10 to 1000 μm, preferably 30 to 500 μm. In addition, the usage-amount of a silicone resin is 1 to 10 weight% normally with respect to a carrier core particle. The silicone resin may be any conventionally known silicone resin, for example, KR261, KR271, KR271, KR272, KR275, KR280, KR282, KR285, KR251, KR155, KR220 manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicone Co., Ltd., which are commercially available. , KR201, KR204, KR205, KR206, SA-4, ES1001, ES1001N, ES1002T, KR3093 and SR2100, SR2101, SR2107, SR2110, SR2108, SR2109, SR2115, SR2400, SR2410, SR2411, SH805A, SH806A, SH806A, SH806A, SH840 or the like is used. As a method for forming the silicone resin layer, a silicone resin may be applied to the surface of the carrier core particles by a spraying method, a dipping method, or the like, as in the past.

  Next, a more specific constituent material and manufacturing method of toner preferably used in the present copying machine will be described in detail. The toner suitably used in this copying machine includes a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, polyester, a colorant, and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. A toner obtained by crosslinking and / or elongation reaction in an aqueous solvent.

(polyester)
The polyester is obtained by a polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol compound and a polycarboxylic acid compound.
Examples of the polyhydric alcohol compound (PO) include dihydric alcohol (DIO) and trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO). (DIO) alone or a mixture of (DIO) and a small amount of (TO) preferable. Examples of the dihydric alcohol (DIO) include alkylene glycol (ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, etc.); alkylene ether glycol (diethylene glycol) , Triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene ether glycol, etc.); alicyclic diols (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, etc.); bisphenols (bisphenol A, bisphenol) F, bisphenol S, etc.); alkylene oxide (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.) adduct of the above alicyclic diol; Alkylene oxide bisphenol (ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, etc.), etc. adducts. Among them, preferred are alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols, and particularly preferred are alkylene oxide adducts of bisphenols and alkylene glycols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms. It is a combined use. As trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO), 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohol (glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, etc.); trihydric or higher phenols (Trisphenol PA, phenol novolak, cresol novolak, etc.); and alkylene oxide adducts of the above trivalent or higher polyphenols.

  Examples of the polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) include divalent carboxylic acid (DIC) and trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC). (DIC) alone and (DIC) with a small amount of (TC) Mixtures are preferred. Divalent carboxylic acids (DIC) include alkylene dicarboxylic acids (succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, etc.); alkenylene dicarboxylic acids (maleic acid, fumaric acid, etc.); aromatic dicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid) And naphthalenedicarboxylic acid). Of these, preferred are alkenylene dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 20 carbon atoms and aromatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent carboxylic acid (TC) include aromatic polycarboxylic acids having 9 to 20 carbon atoms (such as trimellitic acid and pyromellitic acid). In addition, as polyhydric carboxylic acid (PC), you may make it react with polyhydric alcohol (PO) using the above-mentioned acid anhydride or lower alkyl ester (Methyl ester, ethyl ester, isopropyl ester, etc.).

  The ratio of the polyhydric alcohol (PO) to the polycarboxylic acid (PC) is usually 2/1 to 1/1, preferably as the equivalent ratio [OH] / [COOH] of the hydroxyl group [OH] and the carboxyl group [COOH]. Is 1.5 / 1 to 1/1, more preferably 1.3 / 1 to 1.02 / 1. The polycondensation reaction between a polyhydric alcohol (PO) and a polycarboxylic acid (PC) is carried out in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate or dibutyltin oxide, and heated to 150 to 280 ° C. while reducing the pressure as necessary. The produced water is distilled off to obtain a polyester having a hydroxyl group. The hydroxyl value of the polyester is preferably 5 or more, and the acid value of the polyester is usually 1 to 30, preferably 5 to 20. By giving an acid value, the toner tends to be negatively charged, and further, when fixing to a recording paper, the affinity between the recording paper and the toner is good and the low-temperature fixability is improved. However, when the acid value exceeds 30, there is a tendency to deteriorate with respect to the stability of charging, particularly environmental fluctuation. The weight average molecular weight is 10,000 to 400,000, preferably 20,000 to 200,000. A weight average molecular weight of less than 10,000 is not preferable because offset resistance deteriorates. On the other hand, if it exceeds 400,000, the low-temperature fixability is deteriorated.

  In addition to the unmodified polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction, the polyester preferably contains a urea-modified polyester. The urea-modified polyester is obtained by reacting a terminal carboxyl group or hydroxyl group of the polyester obtained by the above polycondensation reaction with a polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) to obtain a polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group. It is obtained by cross-linking and / or extending the molecular chain by the reaction of the amine with amines. Examples of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) include aliphatic polyisocyanates (tetramethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, 2,6-isocyanatomethylcaproate, etc.); alicyclic polyisocyanates (isophorone diisocyanate, cyclohexylmethane diisocyanate, etc.) Aromatic diisocyanates (tolylene diisocyanate, diphenylmethane diisocyanate, etc.); araliphatic diisocyanates (α, α, α ′, α′-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, etc.); isocyanates; phenol derivatives, oximes, caprolactam And a combination of two or more of these. The ratio of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) is usually 5/1 to 1/1, preferably as an equivalent ratio [NCO] / [OH] of the isocyanate group [NCO] and the hydroxyl group [OH] of the polyester having a hydroxyl group. 4/1 to 1.2 / 1, more preferably 2.5 / 1 to 1.5 / 1. When [NCO] / [OH] exceeds 5, low-temperature fixability deteriorates. When the molar ratio of [NCO] is less than 1, when a urea-modified polyester is used, the urea content in the ester is lowered and hot offset resistance is deteriorated. The content of the polyvalent isocyanate compound (PIC) component in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 0.5 to 40 wt%, preferably 1 to 30 wt%, more preferably 2 to 20 wt%. . If it is less than 0.5 wt%, the hot offset resistance deteriorates, and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability. On the other hand, if it exceeds 40 wt%, the low-temperature fixability deteriorates. The number of isocyanate groups contained per molecule in the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group is usually 1 or more, preferably 1.5 to 3 on average, more preferably 1.8 to 2 on average. Five. If it is less than 1 per molecule, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester will be low, and the hot offset resistance will deteriorate.

Next, as amines (B) to be reacted with the polyester prepolymer (A), a divalent amine compound (B1), a trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2), an amino alcohol (B3), an amino mercaptan (B4) ), Amino acid (B5), and amino acid block of B1 to B5 (B6).
Examples of the divalent amine compound (B1) include aromatic diamines (phenylenediamine, diethyltoluenediamine, 4,4′-diaminodiphenylmethane, etc.); alicyclic diamines (4,4′-diamino-3,3′-dimethyldicyclohexyl). Methane, diamine cyclohexane, isophorone diamine, etc.); and aliphatic diamines (ethylene diamine, tetramethylene diamine, hexamethylene diamine, etc.) and the like. Examples of the trivalent or higher polyvalent amine compound (B2) include diethylenetriamine and triethylenetetramine. Examples of amino alcohol (B3) include ethanolamine and hydroxyethylaniline. Examples of amino mercaptan (B4) include aminoethyl mercaptan and aminopropyl mercaptan. Examples of the amino acid (B5) include aminopropionic acid and aminocaproic acid. Examples of B1 to B5 blocked amino groups (B6) include ketimine compounds and oxazolidine compounds obtained from the amines of B1 to B5 and ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.). Among these amines (B), preferred are B1 and a mixture of B1 and a small amount of B2.

The ratio of amines (B) is equivalent to the equivalent ratio [NCO] / [NHx] of isocyanate groups [NCO] in the polyester prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups and amino groups [NHx] in amines (B). Is usually 1/2 to 2/1, preferably 1.5 / 1 to 1 / 1.5, more preferably 1.2 / 1 to 1 / 1.2. When [NCO] / [NHx] is less than 2 or less than 1/2, the molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is lowered, and the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.
The urea-modified polyester may contain a urethane bond together with a urea bond. The molar ratio of the urea bond content to the urethane bond content is usually 100/0 to 10/90, preferably 80/20 to 20/80, and more preferably 60/40 to 30/70. When the molar ratio of the urea bond is less than 10%, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.

  The urea-modified polyester is produced by a one-shot method or the like. Polyhydric alcohol (PO) and polyvalent carboxylic acid (PC) are heated to 150-280 ° C. in the presence of a known esterification catalyst such as tetrabutoxytitanate, dibutyltin oxide, etc., and water generated while reducing the pressure as necessary. Distill off to obtain a polyester having a hydroxyl group. Subsequently, at 40-140 degreeC, this is made to react with polyvalent isocyanate (PIC), and the polyester prepolymer (A) which has an isocyanate group is obtained. Further, this (A) is reacted with amines (B) at 0 to 140 ° C. to obtain a urea-modified polyester.

When reacting (PIC) and when reacting (A) and (B), a solvent may be used if necessary. Usable solvents include aromatic solvents (toluene, xylene, etc.); ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, etc.); esters (ethyl acetate, etc.); amides (dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, etc.) and ethers And those inert to isocyanates (PIC), such as tetrahydrofuran (such as tetrahydrofuran).
In addition, in the crosslinking and / or extension reaction between the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B), a reaction terminator can be used as necessary to adjust the molecular weight of the resulting urea-modified polyester. Examples of the reaction terminator include monoamines (diethylamine, dibutylamine, butylamine, laurylamine, etc.), and those obtained by blocking them (ketimine compounds).
The weight average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester is usually 10,000 or more, preferably 20,000 to 10,000,000, and more preferably 30,000 to 1,000,000. If it is less than 10,000, the hot offset resistance deteriorates. The number average molecular weight of the urea-modified polyester or the like is not particularly limited when the above-mentioned unmodified polyester is used, and may be a number average molecular weight that can be easily obtained to obtain the weight average molecular weight. When the urea-modified polyester is used alone, its number average molecular weight is usually 2000-15000, preferably 2000-10000, more preferably 2000-8000. When it exceeds 20000, the low-temperature fixability and the glossiness when used in a full-color apparatus are deteriorated.

By using the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester in combination, the low-temperature fixability and the gloss when used in the full-color image forming apparatus 100 are improved. Therefore, it is preferable to use the urea-modified polyester alone. The unmodified polyester may include a polyester modified with a chemical bond other than a urea bond.
The unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester are preferably at least partially compatible with each other in terms of low-temperature fixability and hot offset resistance. Therefore, it is preferable that the unmodified polyester and the urea-modified polyester have a similar composition.
The weight ratio of unmodified polyester to urea-modified polyester is usually 20/80 to 95/5, preferably 70/30 to 95/5, more preferably 75/25 to 95/5, particularly preferably 80 /. 20-93 / 7. When the weight ratio of the urea-modified polyester is less than 5%, the hot offset resistance is deteriorated, and it is disadvantageous in terms of both heat-resistant storage stability and low-temperature fixability.

The glass transition point (Tg) of the binder resin containing unmodified polyester and urea-modified polyester is usually 45 to 65 ° C, preferably 45 to 60 ° C. If it is less than 45 ° C., the heat resistance of the toner deteriorates, and if it exceeds 65 ° C., the low-temperature fixability becomes insufficient.
In addition, since the urea-modified polyester is likely to be present on the surface of the obtained toner base particles, the heat-resistant storage stability tends to be good even when the glass transition point is low as compared with known polyester-based toners.

(Coloring agent)
As the colorant, all known dyes and pigments can be used. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, iron black, naphthol yellow S, Hansa yellow (10G, 5G, G), cadmium yellow, yellow iron oxide, ocher , Yellow lead, titanium yellow, polyazo yellow, oil yellow, Hansa yellow (GR, A, RN, R), pigment yellow L, benzidine yellow (G, GR), permanent yellow (NCG), Vulcan fast yellow (5G, R), Tartrazine Lake, Quinoline Yellow Lake, Anthrazan Yellow BGL, Isoindolinone Yellow, Bengala, Red Dan, Lead Zhu, Cadmium Red, Cadmium Mercury Red, Antimon Zhu, Permanent Red 4R, Para Red, Phi Sayred, Parachlor Ortonito Aniline Red, Resol Fast Scarlet G, Brilliant Fast Scarlet, Brilliant Carmin Min BS, Permanent Red (F2R, F4R, FRL, FRLL, F4RH), Fast Scarlet VD, Belkan Fast Rubin B, Brilliant Scarlet G, Resol Rubin GX, Permanent Red F5R , Brilliant Carmine 6B, Pigment Scarlet 3B, Bordeaux 5B, Toluidine Maroon, Permanent Bordeaux F2K, Helio Bordeaux BL, Bordeaux 10B, Bon Maroon Light, Bon Maroon Medium, Eosin Lake, Rhodamine Lake B, Rhodamine Lake Y, Alizarin Lake, Thio Indigo Red B, Thioindigo Maroon, Oil Red, Quinacridone Red, Pyrazolone Red Polyazo Red, Chrome Vermillion, Benzidine Orange, Perinone Orange, Oil Orange, Cobalt Blue, Cerulean Blue, Alkaline Blue Lake, Peacock Blue Lake, Victoria Blue Lake, Metal Free Phthalocyanine Blue, Phthalocyanine Blue, Fast Sky Blue, Indanthrene Blue (RS, BC), indigo, ultramarine blue, bitumen, anthraquinone blue, fast violet B, methyl violet lake, cobalt purple, manganese purple, dioxane violet, anthraquinone violet, chrome green, zinc green, chromium oxide, pyridian, emerald green, pigment Green B, Naphthol Green B, Green Gold, Acid Green Lake, Malachite Green Lake, Lid Russian nin green, anthraquinone green, titanium oxide, zinc white, litbon and mixtures thereof can be used. The content of the colorant is usually 1 to 15% by weight, preferably 3 to 10% by weight, based on the toner.

  The colorant can also be used as a master batch combined with a resin. As a binder resin to be kneaded together with the production of the master batch or the master batch, a polymer of styrene such as polystyrene, poly-p-chlorostyrene, polyvinyl toluene or the like, or a copolymer of these and a vinyl compound, Polymethyl methacrylate, polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, epoxy resin, epoxy polyol resin, polyurethane, polyamide, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, fat Aromatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resins, aromatic petroleum resins, chlorinated paraffins, paraffin waxes and the like can be mentioned, and these can be used alone or in combination.

(Charge control agent)
Known charge control agents can be used, such as nigrosine dyes, triphenylmethane dyes, chromium-containing metal complex dyes, molybdate chelate pigments, rhodamine dyes, alkoxy amines, quaternary ammonium salts (fluorine-modified 4 Secondary ammonium salts or compounds, tungsten simple substances or compounds, fluorine activators, salicylic acid metal salts, and metal salts of salicylic acid derivatives. Specifically, Bontron 03 of a nigrosine dye, Bontron P-51 of a quaternary ammonium salt, Bontron S-34 of a metal-containing azo dye, E-82 of an oxynaphthoic acid metal complex, E-84 of a salicylic acid metal complex , Phenolic condensate E-89 (above, Orient Chemical Industries, Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt molybdenum complex TP-302, TP-415 (above, Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), quaternary ammonium salt copy Charge PSY VP2038, copy blue PR of triphenylmethane derivative, copy charge of quaternary ammonium salt NEG VP2036, copy charge NX VP434 (manufactured by Hoechst), LRA-901, LR-147 which is a boron complex (Nippon Carlit) Manufactured), copper phthalocyanine, perylene, quinacridone, azo series Fee, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and polymer compounds having a functional group such as quaternary ammonium salts. Of these, substances that control the negative polarity of the toner are particularly preferably used.
The amount of charge control agent used is determined by the type of binder resin, the presence or absence of additives used as necessary, and the toner production method including the dispersion method, and is not uniquely limited. Preferably, it is used in the range of 0.1 to 10 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. The range of 0.2 to 5 parts by weight is preferable. When the amount exceeds 10 parts by weight, the chargeability of the toner is too high, the effect of the charge control agent is reduced, the electrostatic attraction with the developing roller is increased, the developer fluidity is lowered, and the image density is lowered. Invite.

(Release agent)
As a release agent, a low melting point wax having a melting point of 50 to 120 ° C. works more effectively as a release agent in the dispersion with the binder resin between the fixing roller and the toner interface. The effect on high temperature offset is exhibited without applying a release agent such as oil. Examples of such a wax component include the following. Examples of waxes and waxes include plant waxes such as carnauba wax, cotton wax, wood wax and rice wax, animal waxes such as beeswax and lanolin, mineral waxes such as ozokerite and cercin, and paraffin, microcrystalline, And petroleum waxes such as petrolatum. In addition to these natural waxes, synthetic hydrocarbon waxes such as Fischer-Tropsch wax and polyethylene wax, and synthetic waxes such as esters, ketones, and ethers can be used. Furthermore, fatty acid amides such as 12-hydroxystearic acid amide, stearic acid amide, phthalic anhydride imide, chlorinated hydrocarbon, and low molecular weight crystalline polymer resin, poly-n-stearyl methacrylate, poly-n- A crystalline polymer having a long alkyl group in the side chain such as a homopolymer or copolymer of polyacrylate such as lauryl methacrylate (for example, a copolymer of n-stearyl acrylate-ethyl methacrylate, etc.) can also be used. .
The charge control agent and the release agent can be melt-kneaded together with the master batch and the binder resin, and of course, they may be added when dissolved and dispersed in the organic solvent.

(External additive)
Inorganic fine particles are preferably used as an external additive for assisting the fluidity, developability and chargeability of the toner particles. The primary particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 5 × 10 −3 to 2 μm, and particularly preferably 5 × 10 −3 to 0.5 μm. Moreover, it is preferable that the specific surface area by BET method is 20-500 m < ² > / g. The use ratio of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.01 to 5 wt% of the toner, and particularly preferably 0.01 to 2.0 wt%. Specific examples of the inorganic fine particles include, for example, silica, alumina, titanium oxide, barium titanate, magnesium titanate, calcium titanate, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, tin oxide, quartz sand, clay, mica, wollastonite, diatomaceous earth. Examples include soil, chromium oxide, cerium oxide, bengara, antimony trioxide, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxide, barium sulfate, barium carbonate, calcium carbonate, silicon carbide, and silicon nitride. Among these, as the fluidity imparting agent, it is preferable to use hydrophobic silica fine particles and hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles in combination. In particular, when stirring and mixing are performed using particles having an average particle diameter of 5 × 10 ⁻⁴ μm or less, the electrostatic force and van der Waals force with the toner are remarkably improved. Even when stirring and mixing inside the developing device is performed to obtain a good image quality that does not cause the release of the fluidity imparting agent from the toner and does not generate firefly, etc., and further reduces the residual toner. It is done. Titanium oxide fine particles are excellent in environmental stability and image density stability, but have a tendency to deteriorate the charge rise characteristics. Therefore, if the amount of titanium oxide fine particles added is larger than the amount of silica fine particles added, this side effect is affected. It can be considered large. However, when the added amount of the hydrophobic silica fine particles and the hydrophobic titanium oxide fine particles is in the range of 0.3 to 1.5 wt%, the charge rising characteristics are not greatly impaired, and the desired charge rising characteristics can be obtained, that is, repeated copying. Stable image quality can be obtained even if

Next, a toner manufacturing method will be described. Here, although a preferable manufacturing method is shown, it is not limited to this.
(Toner production method)
1) A toner material solution is prepared by dispersing a colorant, unmodified polyester, a polyester prepolymer having an isocyanate group, and a release agent in an organic solvent.
The organic solvent is preferably volatile with a boiling point of less than 100 ° C. from the viewpoint of easy removal after toner base particle formation. Specifically, toluene, xylene, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, chloroform, monochlorobenzene, dichloroethylidene, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, Methyl isobutyl ketone and the like can be used alone or in combination of two or more. In particular, aromatic solvents such as toluene and xylene and halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, 1,2-dichloroethane, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride are preferred. The usage-amount of an organic solvent is 0-300 weight part normally with respect to 100 weight part of polyester prepolymers, Preferably it is 0-100 weight part, More preferably, it is 25-70 weight part.

2) The toner material liquid is emulsified in an aqueous medium in the presence of a surfactant and resin fine particles.
The aqueous medium may be water alone or an organic solvent such as alcohol (methanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, etc.), dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolves (methyl cellosolve, etc.), lower ketones (acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, etc.). It may be included.
The amount of the aqueous medium used relative to 100 parts by weight of the toner material liquid is usually 50 to 2000 parts by weight, preferably 100 to 1000 parts by weight. If the amount is less than 50 parts by weight, the dispersion state of the toner material liquid is poor, and toner particles having a predetermined particle diameter cannot be obtained. If it exceeds 20000 parts by weight, it is not economical.

Further, in order to improve the dispersion in the aqueous medium, a dispersant such as a surfactant and resin fine particles is appropriately added.
As surfactants, anionic surfactants such as alkylbenzene sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, phosphate esters, alkylamine salts, amino alcohol fatty acid derivatives, polyamine fatty acid derivatives, amine salt types such as imidazoline, Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium salt, dialkyldimethylammonium salt, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salt, pyridinium salt, alkylisoquinolinium salt, benzethonium chloride, fatty acid amide derivative, polyhydric alcohol Nonionic surfactants such as derivatives, for example, amphoteric surfactants such as alanine, dodecyldi (aminoethyl) glycine, di (octylaminoethyl) glycine and N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylammonium betaine And the like.

Further, by using a surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group, the effect can be obtained in a very small amount. Preferred anionic surfactants having a fluoroalkyl group include fluoroalkyl carboxylic acids having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and metal salts thereof, disodium perfluorooctanesulfonyl glutamate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkyl (C6-C11 ) Oxy] -1-alkyl (C3-C4) sodium sulfonate, 3- [ω-fluoroalkanoyl (C6-C8) -N-ethylamino] -1-propanesulfonic acid sodium, fluoroalkyl (C11-C20) carvone Acids and metal salts, perfluoroalkylcarboxylic acids (C7 to C13) and metal salts thereof, perfluoroalkyl (C4 to C12) sulfonic acids and metal salts thereof, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid diethanolamide, N-propyl-N- ( 2-Hydroxyethyl) Perful Olooctanesulfonamide, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) -N-ethylsulfonylglycine salt, monoperfluoroalkyl (C6-C16) ethyl phosphate, etc. Can be mentioned.
Product names include Surflon S-111, S-112, S-113 (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Florard FC-93, FC-95, FC-98, FC-129 (Sumitomo 3M Co., Ltd.), Unidyne DS-101. DS-102 (manufactured by Daikin Industries, Ltd.), Megafac F-110, F-120, F-113, F-191, F-812, F-833 (manufactured by Dainippon Ink, Inc.), Xtop EF-102, 103, 104, 105, 112, 123A, 123B, 306A, 501, 201, 204 (manufactured by Tochem Products), and Fgentent F-100, F150 (manufactured by Neos).

  In addition, examples of the cationic surfactant include aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts such as aliphatic primary, secondary or secondary amine acids having a fluoroalkyl group, and perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salts. , Benzalkonium salt, benzethonium chloride, pyridinium salt, imidazolinium salt, trade names include Surflon S-121 (manufactured by Asahi Glass), Florard FC-135 (manufactured by Sumitomo 3M), Unidyne DS-202 (Daikin Industries) Manufactured), MegaFuck F-150, F-824 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Xtop EF-132 (Tochem Products Co., Ltd.), Footgent F-300 (Neos Co., Ltd.), and the like.

  The resin fine particles are added to stabilize the toner base particles formed in the aqueous medium. For this reason, it is preferable to add so that the coverage existing on the surface of the toner base particles is in the range of 10 to 90%. For example, polymethyl methacrylate fine particles 1 μm and 3 μm, polystyrene fine particles 0.5 μm and 2 μm, poly (styrene-acrylonitrile) fine particles 1 μm, trade names are PB-200H (manufactured by Kao), SGP (manufactured by Soken), Techno Examples include polymer SB (manufactured by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.), SGP-3G (manufactured by Sokensha), and micropearl (manufactured by Sekisui Fine Chemical Co., Ltd.). In addition, inorganic compound dispersants such as tricalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, titanium oxide, colloidal silica, and hydroxyapatite can also be used.

  As a dispersant that can be used in combination with the above resin fine particles and inorganic compound dispersant, the dispersed droplets may be stabilized by a polymer protective colloid. For example, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, α-cyanoacrylic acid, α-cyanomethacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid or maleic anhydride and other (meth) acrylic monomers containing hydroxyl groups Bodies such as acrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxyethyl, acrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-β-hydroxypropyl, acrylic acid-γ-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-γ-hydroxy Propyl, acrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, methacrylic acid-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl, diethylene glycol monoacrylate, diethylene glycol monomethacrylate, glycerol monoacrylate, glycerol monomethacrylate Luric acid esters, N-methylol acrylamide, N-methylol methacrylamide, etc., vinyl alcohol or ethers with vinyl alcohol, such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl propyl ether, or compounds containing vinyl alcohol and a carboxyl group Esters such as vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, acrylamide, methacrylamide, diacetone acrylamide or their methylol compounds, acid chlorides such as acrylic acid chloride, methacrylic acid chloride, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl Nitrogen compounds such as imidazole and ethyleneimine, or homopolymers or copolymers such as those having a heterocyclic ring thereof, polyoxyethylene, poly Xoxypropylene, polyoxyethylene alkylamine, polyoxypropylene alkylamine, polyoxyethylene alkylamide, polyoxypropylene alkylamide, polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether, polyoxyethylene lauryl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl phenyl ester, polyoxy Polyoxyethylenes such as ethylene nonylphenyl ester, celluloses such as methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose can be used.

  The dispersion method is not particularly limited, and known equipment such as a low-speed shear method, a high-speed shear method, a friction method, a high-pressure jet method, and an ultrasonic wave can be applied. Among these, the high-speed shearing method is preferable in order to make the particle size of the dispersion 2 to 20 μm. When a high-speed shearing disperser is used, the rotational speed is not particularly limited, but is usually 1000 to 30000 rpm, preferably 5000 to 20000 rpm. The dispersion time is not particularly limited, but in the case of a batch method, it is usually 0.1 to 5 minutes. The temperature during dispersion is usually 0 to 150 ° C. (under pressure), preferably 40 to 98 ° C.

3) At the same time as the preparation of the emulsion, the amines (B) are added to cause a reaction with the polyester prepolymer (A) having an isocyanate group.
This reaction involves molecular chain crosslinking and / or elongation. The reaction time is selected depending on the reactivity between the isocyanate group structure of the polyester prepolymer (A) and the amines (B), but is usually 10 minutes to 40 hours, preferably 2 to 24 hours. The reaction temperature is generally 0 to 150 ° C, preferably 40 to 98 ° C. Moreover, a well-known catalyst can be used as needed. Specific examples include dibutyltin laurate and dioctyltin laurate.

4) After completion of the reaction, the organic solvent is removed from the emulsified dispersion (reactant), washed and dried to obtain toner base particles.
In order to remove the organic solvent, the temperature of the entire system is gradually raised in a laminar stirring state, and after giving strong stirring in a certain temperature range, the solvent base is removed to produce spindle-shaped toner base particles. . Further, when an acid such as calcium phosphate salt or an alkali-soluble material is used as the dispersion stabilizer, the calcium phosphate salt is dissolved from the toner base particles by a method such as dissolving the calcium phosphate salt with an acid such as hydrochloric acid and washing with water. Remove. It can also be removed by operations such as enzymatic degradation.

5) A charge control agent is injected into the toner base particles obtained above, and then inorganic fine particles such as silica fine particles and titanium oxide fine particles are externally added to obtain a toner.
The injection of the charge control agent and the external addition of the inorganic fine particles are performed by a known method using a mixer or the like.
Thereby, a toner having a small particle size and a sharp particle size distribution can be easily obtained. Furthermore, by giving strong agitation in the process of removing the organic solvent, the shape between the true spherical shape and the rugby ball shape can be controlled, and the surface morphology is also controlled between the smooth shape and the umeboshi shape. be able to.

(1)
As described above, according to the process cartridge of the present embodiment, since the first side plate and the second side plate are integrally formed with the frame body, no assembly error occurs between the side plate and the frame body. Therefore, the shift of the angle and position of the contact surface as the contact portion with respect to the photosensitive member as the image carrier can be reduced as compared with the case where the side plate is configured separately from the frame. Accordingly, the cleaning member is attached to the image bearing member with a predetermined contact angle and contact pressure by contacting the image bearing member with a predetermined contact angle by contacting the contact portion with the cleaning member. be able to. As a result, the contact conditions such as the contact pressure and contact angle of the cleaning member with respect to the image carrier can be prevented from changing in the longitudinal direction as compared with the case where the side plate is configured separately from the frame. , Cleaning failure can be suppressed.
(2)
In addition, since the configuration of the above (1) is used, a cleaning blade that is arranged so as to extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the image carrier and to come into contact with the image carrier has a predetermined contact with the photosensitive member. The pressure can be applied at a predetermined contact angle.
(3)
In addition, by fixing the elastic member of the cleaning blade to the same surface as the contact surface of the holding plate, the contact condition between the photosensitive member and the cleaning blade may vary depending on the thickness of the holding plate. Absent. Therefore, the cleaning blade can be accurately positioned with respect to the photoconductor, and the cleaning blade can be brought into contact with the photoconductor with high accuracy.
(4)
In addition, an accommodating portion for accommodating the removed transfer residual toner is attached to the holding plate. As a result, the accommodating portion can be attached to the cleaning blade with high accuracy, and the transfer residual toner scraped off by the cleaning blade can be reliably collected in the accommodating portion.
(5)
Further, since the first side plate and the second side plate are provided with bearings that rotatably support the photoconductor, the photoconductor can be positioned in the process cartridge by the first side plate and the second side plate. Therefore, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the positional relationship between the cleaning blades positioned and fixed on the contact surfaces provided on the first side plate and the second side plate. As a result, the cleaning can be brought into contact with the photosensitive member with high blade accuracy.
(6)
Further, since the contact surface is provided in the vicinity of the bearing, the positional accuracy of the contact surface with respect to the shaft of the photosensitive member can be improved as compared with the case where the bearing portion and the contact surface are provided apart from each other. The contact surface is formed with reference to the center of the photosensitive member shaft. For example, when an error of 1 ° occurs, the contact surface is located closer to the center of the photosensitive member shaft than the position away from the central portion of the photosensitive member shaft. The closer the position, the less variation. Therefore, by providing the contact surface close to the bearing portion, that is, as close as possible to the axial center of the photosensitive member, the positional accuracy with respect to the shaft of the photosensitive member can be improved. Therefore, by providing the contact portion in the vicinity of the bearing, the contact surface can be brought close to the axial center of the photoconductor, and the positional accuracy of the contact surface with respect to the photoconductor can be improved. As a result, the cleaning blade can be brought into contact with the photoconductor with high accuracy.
(7)
In addition, by applying a lubricant to the photoconductor with a brush roller as an application means, the coefficient of friction of the photoconductor can be lowered, and the transfer rate of toner can be improved to reduce the amount of residual toner to be discarded. it can. Furthermore, by reducing the coefficient of friction of the surface of the photoreceptor, even a spherical toner that is difficult to clean can be cleaned well.
(8)
In addition, since the process cartridge is provided with the lubricant container for storing the lubricant, when the lubricant runs out, the lubricant is replaced by replacing the process cartridge. Therefore, it is possible to easily replace the lubricant. Further, if the lubricant container is formed integrally with the frame of the process cartridge, the strength of the frame can be increased, and twisting of the frame can be suppressed. Accordingly, it is possible to ensure the positioning accuracy of a member that is positioned with respect to the photosensitive member by being attached to the frame body, such as a cleaning unit or a charging unit.
(9)
In addition, by providing a thinning means for thinning the lubricant applied to the photoconductor, unnecessary toner can be prevented from being applied to the surface of the photoconductor, and a minimum thickness can be applied to the photoconductor. A lubricating film can be formed.
(10)
Further, the thinning means is an elastomer blade arranged so as to extend in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the photoreceptor and to be in contact with the photoreceptor, so that unnecessary lubricant applied to the surface of the photoreceptor can be removed. It can be stopped by a blade, and a lubricating film having a minimum thickness can be formed on the photoreceptor. At this time, if the lubricant that has not become a thin layer is configured to fall from the blade to the lubricant storage portion 270, the lubricant that has not become a thin layer can be used again. Can be delayed.
(11)
In addition, when the photosensitive member is assembled after the cleaning blade and the thinning blade are assembled, the photosensitive member must be assembled with the thinning blade and the cleaning blade in contact with each other at the same time. It becomes. In this case, if the photoconductor is not attached carefully, the photoconductor strongly contacts the cleaning blade or the thinning blade during assembly, and the tip of the thinning blade or the tip of the cleaning blade is deformed. . As a result, there arises a problem that the blade cannot be brought into contact with the photosensitive member at a predetermined contact pressure and contact angle. If the tip of the cleaning blade is deformed, good cleaning properties cannot be obtained, and if the thinned blade is deformed, there is a possibility that the lubricant cannot be uniformly adhered to the surface of the photoreceptor. In addition, there is a risk that the tip of the cleaning blade or the thinning blade may be damaged or the tip may be chipped when the photoreceptor is assembled. Therefore, when attaching the photosensitive member, it is necessary to attach it carefully while paying attention to both the thinning blade and the cleaning blade, which deteriorates the assembling workability. However, in the present embodiment, the thinning blade and the cleaning blade are configured to be detachable / attachable to the process cartridge individually. When assembling the process cartridge, the photosensitive member is assembled and then the cleaning blade is assembled. As a result, when assembling the photoconductor, only the thinning blade needs to be assembled with care, so that the photoconductor can be used as compared with the case where the photoconductor is assembled while paying attention to both the cleaning blade and the thinning blade. Assembling workability can be improved.
(12)
The process cartridge may be provided with a charging module as charging means. If the holding plate of the cleaning blade is attached to both side plates of the frame body, and the charging module is attached to the frame body in which twisting and distortion are suppressed, the charging member should be arranged with a predetermined gap with respect to the photoconductor. Can do. Therefore, generation of ozone and discharge products can be suppressed, and the life of the photoreceptor can be extended.
(13)
In addition, by applying a voltage in which alternating current is superimposed on direct current to the charging roller, stable discharge can be achieved even if there are gap fluctuations or slight fluctuations in resistance of the charging roller or photoconductor, compared to those in which only direct current voltage is applied. The amount can be obtained, and the surface of the photoreceptor can be uniformly charged.
(14)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, since the process cartridge having any one of the above characteristics (1) to (13) is provided, it is possible to suppress the cleaning failure and to remove it with the cleaning blade. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of an abnormal image due to the transferred residual toner.
(15)
Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the weight average particle diameter is 3.0 [μm] or more and 8.0 [μm] or less, and the ratio of the weight average particle diameter Dv to the number average particle diameter Dn (Dv / A toner having Dn) of 1.0 or more and 1.40 or less is used. By using a toner having a small particle size and a sharp particle size distribution as described above, an image having excellent sharpness and high definition can be obtained. Further, the toner charge amount distribution is uniform, and a high-quality image with little background stain can be obtained. Furthermore, the transfer rate can be increased in the electrostatic transfer system.
(16)
In this embodiment, toner having a shape factor SF-1 of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 of 100 to 180 is used. If the shape factor SF-1 is 180 or less and the shape factor SF-2 is 180 or less, the transfer efficiency can be increased as the shape factor SF-1 approaches 100.
(17)
Further, by using a toner having a glass transition temperature of 45 to 65 ° C. and an outflow start temperature of 90 to 115 ° C., good fixability can be obtained.
(18)
In addition, a toner additive having an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 500 [nm] and a bulk density of 0.3 [g / cm ³ ] or more is used. Due to this additive, an appropriate gap is formed between the toner particles and the thing (toner particles, image carrier, etc.) in contact therewith, and the adsorbing power (mirror power) to the thing is weakened. Therefore, the releasability from the photosensitive member and the developing roller is improved, and the development / transfer efficiency can be improved. Further, even when cleaning under high load, high speed, etc., it is difficult to embed in the toner particles, or it can be detached and restored even if it is slightly buried, so that stable characteristics can be obtained over a long period of time.
(19)
In addition, the toner includes at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, and a toner material liquid in which a colorant and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent. It is a toner obtained by an extension reaction. Thereby, a high quality image can be obtained.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a copier according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process cartridge. The schematic block diagram of the frame of a process cartridge. FIG. The figure which shows the photosensitive layer of a photoreceptor. (A) is an external appearance perspective view of a cleaning module, (B) Sectional drawing of a cleaning module. (A) is a figure which shows the structure which provided the elastic member in the same surface as the surface facing the photoreceptor of a holding plate. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a configuration in which an elastic member is provided on the surface of the holding plate 21 opposite to the surface facing the photoconductor. The figure which shows the contact conditions of a cleaning blade. The external appearance perspective view of a development module. The external appearance perspective view of a charging module. The side view of a charging module. The figure which shows the structure of a charging member. The schematic block diagram which shows the gear train provided inside the 1st side plate of the process cartridge. The figure which shows a mode that the lubricant and the brush roller were attached to the lubricant accommodating part. The figure which shows a mode that a photoconductor and a cleaning module are attached to a frame. The external appearance perspective view of the face plate which attaches a developing module to a frame. The figure which looked at the state which fixed the development module to the frame from the 1st side plate side. The figure which looked at the state which fixed the development module to the frame from the 2nd side plate side. The figure which represented the shape of the toner typically in order to demonstrate shape factor SF-1 and shape factor SF-2. (A), (b) is a figure which shows the flow curve of a flow tester. FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional process cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

10 Image carrier (photoreceptor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Aluminum substrate 12 Photosensitive layer 20 Cleaning module 21 Holding plate 22 Cleaning blade 23 Entrance seal 24 Elastic member 25 Conveyance auger 26 Transfer residual toner accommodating part 30 Charging module 31 Charging member (charging roller)
33 Charge cleaning roller 34 Spacer 35 Spring support member 40 Exposure device 50 Development module 51 Development sleeve 55 Restriction member 56 Developer storage unit 60 Transfer device 61 First transfer roller 62 Intermediate transfer belt 65 Secondary transfer roller 70 Brush roller 73 Lubricant 90 fixing device 100 image forming apparatus 110 reading unit 120 image forming unit 130 paper feeding unit 200 process cartridge 210 process cartridge frame 211 positioning plate 220 first side plate 221 first contact surface 240 face plate 250 second side plate 251 second contact Surface 561 Partition plate 270 Lubricant storage unit 700 Lubricant application device 711 Thinning means

Claims (19)

In a process cartridge that includes an image carrier and a cleaning unit that includes a cleaning member that removes transfer residual toner on the image carrier and is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus.
A first side plate that supports one end of the image carrier, and a second side plate that supports the other end of the image carrier. The first side plate and the second side plate are in contact with the cleaning member and A process cartridge having a contact portion for positioning a cleaning member with respect to the image carrier, wherein the first side plate and the second side plate are integrally formed. 12. The process cartridge of claim 11.
The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is a cleaning blade that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the image carrier and is disposed so as to contact the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 2, wherein
The cleaning blade includes an elastic body and a holding member that holds the elastic body, and one surface of the holding member is in contact with the contact portion, and the elastic member is the holding member. A process cartridge, which is fixed to a side of a member that contacts a corresponding contact portion. The process cartridge according to claim 3.
The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit includes a storage unit that stores the transfer residual toner removed by the cleaning blade, and the storage unit is attached to the holding plate. The process cartridge according to claim 1 or 2,
The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first side plate and the second side plate are provided with bearings for rotatably supporting the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 5.
A process cartridge, wherein the contact portion is provided in the vicinity of the bearing. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A process cartridge comprising an application means for applying a lubricant to the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 7.
A process cartridge comprising a lubricant containing portion for containing a lubricant. The process cartridge according to claim 7 or 8,
A process cartridge comprising a thinning means for thinning a lubricant applied to the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 9, wherein
2. A process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the thinning means is an elastomer blade that extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the image carrier and is in contact with the image carrier. The process cartridge according to claim 10, wherein
The thinning means and the cleaning member can be individually attached / detached to / from the process cartridge, and when assembling the process cartridge, at least the thinning means is assembled after assembling the image carrier. And a process cartridge configured to assemble any one of the cleaning members. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
A process cartridge comprising charging means for charging the image carrier. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
A process cartridge in which a voltage in which alternating current is superimposed on direct current is applied to the charging means.   An image forming apparatus comprising the process cartridge according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.
The toner used for toner image formation has a volume average particle diameter of 3 to 8 μm and a ratio (Dv / Dn) of the volume average particle diameter (Dv) to the number average particle diameter (Dn) of 1.00 to 1. The image forming apparatus is in the range of .40. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14 or 15,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the toner has a shape factor SF-1 in the range of 100 to 180 and a shape factor SF-2 in the range of 100 to 180. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner has a glass transition temperature in the range of 45 to 65 ° C. and an outflow start temperature in the range of 90 to 115 ° C. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 17,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the toner is a toner obtained by externally adding fine particles having an average primary particle diameter of 50 to 500 nm and a bulk density of 0.3 g / cm ³ or more on the surface of toner base particles. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14.
In the toner, at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, and a toner material liquid in which a colorant and a release agent are dispersed in an organic solvent are subjected to a crosslinking and / or elongation reaction in an aqueous medium. An image forming apparatus, wherein the toner is a toner obtained in the above manner.

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