JP2012173478A - Lubricant supply device, image carrier unit, process unit, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubricant supply device able to make an amount of lubricant supplied in the axial direction of a lubricant supplied member even, an image carrier unit with the lubricant supply device, a process unit, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The lubricant supply device comprises: lubricant 502; a lubricant scraping member 704 rotated and driven in contact with the surface of the lubricant supplied member 8; a lubricant hold member 703 holding the lubricant 502; and first pressing means 503 pressing the lubricant 502 in the direction of the lubricant scraping member 704. While being rotated and driven, the lubricant scraping member 704 scrapes the lubricant 502 and supplies the lubricant 502 to the lubricant supplied member 8. It is provided with second pressing means 804 pressing the lubricant hold member 703 in an axial direction, and correction means 800 disposed in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant scraping member 704, receiving pressing force from the second pressing means 804, and used to correct the inclination of the lubricant hold member 703 in the longitudinal direction thereof.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lubricant supply device that supplies a lubricant to the surface of an image carrier, an image carrier unit including the lubricant supply device, a process unit, and an image forming apparatus.

  As an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic image forming process such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, etc., a direct transfer type image forming apparatus that directly transfers a toner image carried on the surface of a photosensitive member to a recording medium such as paper. And an indirect transfer type image forming apparatus that transfers a toner image on a photosensitive member to a recording medium via an intermediate transfer member. Untransferred toner or the like remains on the surface of the image bearing member of the photosensitive member or intermediate transfer member after the toner image is transferred. The remaining toner or the like is cleaned by a cleaning unit so as not to adversely affect the next image formation. As a cleaning means, one that removes deposits such as untransferred toner by sliding a cleaning blade made of an elastic material such as rubber against the surface of the image carrier is generally known.

  However, the cleaning blade and the cleaning brush as described above have a problem that if they are continuously rubbed with the image carrier, they are worn over time and the cleaning performance is deteriorated due to chipping or deformation. Further, since the surface of the image carrier is also worn, the life is shortened. Therefore, in order to reduce the contact resistance generated between the image carrier and these cleaning members and eliminate problems such as the wear of the cleaning member and the photoconductor, a lubricant is supplied to the surface of the image carrier. The method is taken.

  As means for supplying the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier, for example, a lubricant supply device as shown in FIG. 8 is often used (see Patent Document 1). The lubricant supply device shown in FIG. 8 includes a solid lubricant 100 in which a lubricant such as zinc stearate is formed in a block shape, a brush roller 300 in contact with the surface of an image carrier (photoconductor) 200, and a solid lubricant. A spring 400 that pressurizes 100 toward the brush roller 300, a case 500 that houses the solid lubricant 100 and the spring 400, and the like.

  According to this lubricant supply device, the solid lubricant 100 is configured to be movable in a direction in which the solid lubricant 100 approaches and separates from the brush roller 300 within the case 500, and the solid lubricant is applied by the spring 400 pressurizing the solid lubricant 100. The agent 100 is pressed against the brush roller 300. In this state, when the brush roller 300 is driven to rotate, the solid lubricant 100 is scraped by the rubbing of the brush roller 300 to become powder and adhere to the brush fibers of the brush roller 300. The powdery lubricant adhering to the brush roller 300 is supplied to the surface of the image carrier 200.

  Even if the solid lubricant 100 is scraped and consumed by the brush roller 300, the solid lubricant 100 is always kept in contact with the brush roller 300 by the spring 400. However, since the pressing force in the rotational direction due to friction with the brush roller 300 is also applied to the solid lubricant 100, the posture of the solid lubricant 100 with respect to the brush roller 300 cannot be maintained, and the solid lubricant 100 is kept against the brush roller 300. It is difficult to make contact with uniform pressing force. When the pressing force of the solid lubricant 100 against the brush roller 300 varies in the brush roller 300 axial direction, the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier 200 varies. As a result, there is a risk of image defects due to a decrease in cleaning properties.

  The conventional lubricant supply device shown in Patent Document 2 is provided with a long hole portion extending in a direction intersecting the axial direction of the brush roller in the case, and a long lubricant holder for holding the solid lubricant. Protrusions that are movably inserted in the longitudinal direction are disposed in the holes. Thus, the lubricant holder and / or the lubricant is prevented from hitting the case in part because the lubricant holder is restricted from moving to one end side of the case due to the interference between the convex portion and the elongated hole portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the difference in the slidability between both ends of the lubricant holder and / or the lubricant.

  In Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 9A, the brush fibers 300 a of the brush roller 300 in the initial stage of use are arranged so as to be in contact with the solid lubricant 100 at a substantially right angle. However, since the brush roller and the solid lubricant are pressed against each other by a spring, as shown in FIG. 9B, the brush fibers 300a fall over time. Thus, when the solid lubricant 100 is scraped off by the brush roller 300 that has fallen down, the solid lubricant 100 has a conveying force in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the brush roller 300 (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 9B). receive. When the solid lubricant 100 receives a conveying force in the left direction of the drawing parallel to the axial direction of the brush roller 300, the solid lubricant 100 moves to the left end side of the case 500 in the drawing. When the conveying force is applied to the solid lubricant 100 as described above, the solid lubricant 100 may be inclined in the longitudinal direction. As a result, a difference in sliding resistance occurs in the lubricant correction means, a difference in contact force / contact state between the solid lubricant 100 and the brush roller 300 due to a shape error of the lubricant correction means, or the like. Due to the difference in the scraping force in the longitudinal direction, the deviation of the scraping amount in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant cannot be sufficiently suppressed, and the supply amount of the lubricant varies in the axial direction of the lubricant supply member. To do.

  Moreover, the thing of patent document 2 regulates that a lubricant holder moves to the one end side of a case by interference with a convex part and an elongate hole part, and a lubricant holder and / or a lubricant contact one side of a case. This is to prevent this from happening. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a difference in sliding properties between the lubricant holder and / or both ends of the lubricant, but it is impossible to prevent the solid lubricant from being inclined in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the thing of patent document 2 cannot fully control the amount of scraping in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant, and there is a possibility that the supply amount of the lubricant may vary over the axial direction of the lubricant supply member. is there.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a lubricant supply device capable of making the supply amount of lubricant in the axial direction of a lubricant supply member uniform, and an image carrier unit including the lubricant supply device. The present invention intends to provide a process unit and an image forming apparatus.

  The lubricant supply device of the present invention includes a lubricant, a lubricant scraping member that contacts and rotates with a surface of the lubricant supply member, a lubricant holding member that holds the lubricant, and the lubricant. Lubrication provided with a first pressurizing unit that pressurizes the lubricant shaving member in the direction of the lubricant shaving member, scraping the lubricant while the lubricant shaving member is rotationally driven, and supplying the lubricant to the lubricant receiving member And a second pressurizing unit that pressurizes the lubricant holding member in the axial direction, and a second pressurizing unit that is disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant scraping member. Correction means for correcting the inclination of the lubricant holding member with respect to the longitudinal direction in response to the pressure applied by the means is provided.

  According to the lubricant supply device of the present invention, the second pressurizing unit is provided to pressurize the lubricant holding member in the axial direction, and the correction unit receives the pressure applied by the second pressurizing unit. Thereby, the lubricant holding member follows the lubricant shaving member. That is, since the lubricant holding member and the lubricant can be prevented from being inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lubricant shaving member, the posture of the lubricant holding member is stabilized, and the posture of the lubricant is slid. It can be corrected along the surface. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the deviation of the amount of scraping in the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the lubricant, and it is possible to suppress variations in the amount of lubricant supplied over the axial direction of the lubricant supply member, It is possible to make the supply amount of the lubricant in the axial direction of the lubricant supply member uniform.

  The correction means is provided on a predetermined reference surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member, and a protrusion disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant scraping member; and the protrusion And a receiving surface that receives the protrusion when pressed in the axial direction. Thereby, when the protrusion is pressed in the axial direction by the second pressurizing means, the receiving surface receives the protrusion. Therefore, the lubricant holding member follows the lubricant shaving member, and the lubricant holding member and the lubricant can be prevented from being inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lubricant shaving member.

  The lubricant application member is an image carrier, and the lubricant supplied to the image carrier preferably contains at least a fatty acid metal salt. In this case, the fatty acid metal salt is preferably zinc stearate.

  In the above configuration, the lubricant preferably contains at least an inorganic lubricant. In this case, the inorganic lubricant is preferably boron nitride.

  It is more preferable to supply a lubricant containing both a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant to the lubricant supply member. Zinc stearate is used as the fatty acid metal salt, and boron nitride is used as the inorganic lubricant. Particularly preferred.

  In the image carrier unit of the present invention, the lubricant supply member is an image carrier, the lubricant supply device of the present invention, a cleaning unit, and a charging member that contacts or is in contact with the image carrier. It is what has. By supplying the lubricant to the surface of the image carrier after the cleaning by the cleaning means with the lubricant scraping member, it becomes possible to supply the lubricant without any influence of foreign matters such as transfer residual toner. In the case of using a charging member that comes into contact with or close to the image carrier, if there is a deviation in the lubricant supply amount in the longitudinal direction, the charging member becomes dirty on the side where the lubricant supply amount is large, and the image on the side where the lubricant is small. Abnormal wear of the carrier, adhesion of foreign matter, filming, poor cleaning, etc. occur. By using the lubricant supply means of the present invention, it is possible to suppress deviations in the amount of lubricant lubricant in the longitudinal direction and to suppress deviations in the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier. It is extremely effective in preventing the image carrier from being poorly cleaned due to insufficient supply, the adhesion of foreign matter, and the occurrence of filming.

  A process cartridge according to the present invention includes the lubricant supply device according to the present invention, and at least an image carrier and at least one other process means are integrally formed. In this case, it is preferable that the process cartridge be removable.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention has the lubricant supply means of the present invention.

  The toner used in the developing unit 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 1.40. It can be a range.

  Further, the toner used in the developing unit preferably 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 toner used in the developing means is obtained by crosslinking a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent is dispersed in an organic solvent in an aqueous medium. A toner obtained by an extension reaction is preferred.

  The toner used in the developing unit is preferably substantially spherical.

  The shape of the toner used in the developing means is defined by the major axis r1, the minor axis r2, and the thickness r3 (where r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), and the ratio of the major axis r1 to the minor axis r2 ( r2 / r1) is preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.0, and the ratio (r3 / r2) of the thickness r3 to the minor axis r2 is preferably in the range of 0.7 to 1.0.

  In the lubricant supply device of the present invention, it is possible to make the supply amount of the lubricant in the axial direction of the lubricant supply member uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of excessive supply or insufficient supply of the lubricant due to the deviation of the amount of axial wear of the lubricant. In addition, since there is no deviation in the amount of wear of the lubricant, the supply amount of the lubricant is stabilized, so that even when the lubricant supply amount to the lubricant supply member is set small, the lubricant amount is insufficient. Hateful. Thus, if the amount of lubricant loaded is reduced, the device can be reduced in size and weight, and if the amount loaded is the same as that of the prior art, the life of the device can be extended.

  If the correction means is constituted by a protrusion and a receiving surface, the correction means can be configured with a simple configuration.

  When zinc stearate is used as the lubricant among the fatty acid metal salts, the effect of protecting the image bearing member and reducing cleaning defects can be obtained.

  When boron nitride is used as the lubricant among inorganic lubricants, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing the deterioration of the cleaning means with time, an effect of reducing the deterioration of the charging roller with time, and an effect of reducing cleaning defects.

  When zinc stearate is used as the lubricant among the fatty acid metal salts and boron nitride is used as the inorganic lubricant, both of the above-described effects are combined, so that the time of the image carrier and the peripheral parts of the image carrier is increased. Since the deterioration can be improved together, it is possible to improve the lifetime of peripheral parts including the image carrier.

  The image carrier unit of the present invention can stably supply the lubricant to the surface of the lubricant supply member even under the condition of continuous output with a large image area where the transfer residual toner is the largest. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of streak-like smear images in the sheet passing direction due to defective cleaning without impairing the function of the cleaning means, and it is possible to improve the function and reliability of cleaning. Moreover, the life of the cleaning means can be extended by applying the lubricant evenly to the lubricant supply member.

  The process cartridge of the present invention can suppress deviation in the amount of lubricant in the longitudinal direction and suppress deviation in the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier. When the process cartridge is detachable, the maintenance performance is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress a deviation in the amount of lubricant lubricant in the longitudinal direction, and can suppress a deviation in the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier.

1 is a perspective view of a lubricant supply device according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the lubricant supply apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a side cover provided on a main body case of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is opened. It is an expanded sectional view of the process unit concerning the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the shape of a toner in order to explain the shape factor SF-1 and the shape factor SF-2. It is a figure which shows typically the shape of the toner of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional lubricant supply apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the contact state with respect to the solid lubricant of the brush fiber of a brush roller, Comprising: (a) is a figure which shows the state before a brush fiber falls down, (b) is the state where the brush fiber fell down FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention according to embodiments shown in the drawings will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view schematically showing a color printer which is an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the main body case 2 of the color printer 1 according to the present embodiment, a printer engine 3, an optical writing device 4 that emits a light beam, and a paper feed that is a recording medium storage unit that stores a recording medium P that is a transfer target. A cassette 5, a fixing device 6 for fixing the recording medium P on which the toner image is transferred, a waste toner collecting container 7 for collecting waste toner generated after transferring the toner image, and the like are provided.

  The printer engine 3 is a portion that forms a toner image and transfers the formed toner image to the recording medium P, and is an image carrier yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), black (K). Are provided with four photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K, respectively. Further, the printer engine 3 includes a charging roller 9, which is a charging device disposed around each of the photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K, a developing device 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K, a cleaning unit 11, a primary transfer roller 12, An intermediate transfer belt 13 as an image carrier and a transfer target, a secondary transfer roller 14 as a transfer device, a belt cleaning unit 15 and the like are provided. Here, in the description of the present specification and drawings, the subscripts Y, C, M, and K indicate yellow, cyan, magenta, and black colors, respectively, and these subscripts are used as necessary. Omit.

  Each of the photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a drive motor (not shown) is connected to the rotation shafts of these photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K. As shown by the arrow by the driving force, it rotates around the center line. A photosensitive layer on which an electrostatic latent image is formed is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 8. The charging roller 9 is disposed in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8 or is disposed with a small gap from the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8. When a voltage is applied to the charging roller 9 from a power supply unit (not shown), corona discharge is generated between the charging roller 9 and the photoconductor 8, and the photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, 8K The outer peripheral surface is uniformly charged. The optical writing device 4 emits light beams LY, LC, LM, and LK corresponding to yellow, cyan, magenta, and black image data, and the uniformly charged photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K. The outer peripheral surface of is exposed. By this exposure, electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data of the respective colors are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photoreceptors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K.

  The developing devices 10Y, 10C, 10M, and 10K contain yellow, cyan, magenta, and black toners, respectively, and the electrostatic latent images formed on the photoreceptors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K have different colors. Supply toner. The supplied toner adheres to the electrostatic latent images corresponding to the image data of the respective colors formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the photoreceptors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K, and the photoreceptors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K The electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface is visualized as a toner image of each color.

  The intermediate transfer belt 13 is an endless loop belt formed of a resin film or rubber as a base, and is wound around a driving roller 16, an entrance roller 17, and a tension roller 18, and a driving motor (not shown). When the drive roller 16 connected to is rotated, it is rotated and transferred in the direction of arrow A. The entrance roller 17 and the tension roller 18 are driven to rotate by the frictional force with the intermediate transfer belt 13 as the intermediate transfer belt 13 rotates in the direction of arrow A.

  The primary transfer roller 12 is disposed on the inner peripheral surface side (inside of the loop) of the intermediate transfer belt 13, and a transfer voltage is applied to these primary transfer rollers 12, whereby each of the photoconductors 8Y, 8C, and 8M. , 8K toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 13. The toner images formed on the photoconductors 8Y, 8C, 8M, and 8K are sequentially transferred and overlaid on the intermediate transfer belt 13, and four color toner images are stacked on the intermediate transfer belt 13 to form a color image. A toner image is formed.

  The cleaning unit 11 cleans the outer peripheral surface of each photoconductor 8 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13. By this cleaning, toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8 after the toner image is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 13 are removed from the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor 8 and collected as waste toner. .

  The color toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 13 is subjected to the secondary transfer at the timing when the recording medium P is fed by the registration roller 20 to the transfer position where the intermediate transfer belt 13 and the secondary transfer roller 14 are in contact with each other. When the transfer voltage is applied to the roller 14, the image is transferred to the recording medium P.

  The recording medium P is fed from the sheet feeding cassette 5 and is conveyed by the conveyance roller 19 and the registration roller 20, and is transferred to the fixing device 6 after the toner image is transferred. The recording medium P to which the toner image has been transferred is subjected to fixing processing by applying heat and pressure in the fixing device 6, and the toner image melted by this fixing processing is fixed to the recording medium P. The recording medium P for which the fixing process has been completed is discharged onto a discharge tray 21 formed on the upper surface of the main body case 2.

  The belt cleaning unit 15 cleans the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 after the color toner image is transferred to the recording medium P. By this cleaning, toner, paper dust, and the like remaining on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 after the toner image is transferred are removed from the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 13 and collected as waste toner.

  In the printer 1 according to this embodiment, a waste toner collecting device 7 is detachably disposed from the case body 2 between the optical writing device 4 and the paper feed cassette 5. The waste toner collecting device 7 is a portion that stores waste toner collected by the cleaning units 11 and 15 from the cleaning units 11 and 15 and stores the thrown-in waste toner. The waste toner collecting device 7 is detachably attached to the main body case 2, and is removed from the main body case 2 when the waste toner in the waste toner collecting device 7 is almost full, so that the empty waste toner collecting device is removed. 7 is attached.

  The photosensitive member 8 which is a component of the printer engine 3, the charging roller 9, the developing device 10 and the cleaning means 11 arranged around each photosensitive member 8 are unitized and housed in a case 22, and the process cartridge 23 ( 23Y, 23C, 23M, and 23K). Each process cartridge 23 is detachably mounted in the main body case 2. Since the photosensitive member 8, the charging roller 9, the developing device 10, and the cleaning unit 11 are unitized as a process cartridge 23, replacement and maintenance work is facilitated, and the positional accuracy between the members is high. Therefore, the quality of the formed image can be improved. In this embodiment, the process cartridge 23 in which the photosensitive member 8, the charging roller 9, the developing device 10, and the cleaning unit 11 are unitized has been described as an example. However, there are various process cartridge configurations. For example, there is a unit in which at least one of the charging roller 9, the developing device 10, and the cleaning unit 11 and the photosensitive member 8 are housed in a case.

  4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a side cover provided in the main body case of the printer shown in FIG. 1 is opened. By opening the side cover 24, the printer engine 3 and the waste toner collecting container 7 appear, and the process cartridge 23, the intermediate transfer belt 13 and the waste toner collecting container 7 of the printer engine 3 are replaced, and other maintenance is performed. Can do. The intermediate transfer belt 13, the rollers 16, 17, 18 and the cleaning means 15 are housed in a belt case 13a and unitized.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the process cartridge 23 is scraped off by the photoconductor 8 as an image carrier, a cleaning blade 31 (cleaning member) that removes transfer residual toner and the like adhering to the photoconductor 8, and the cleaning blade 31. A scattering prevention sheet 505 for preventing the transfer residual toner and the like from scattering, a powder transfer coil 32 for transferring the transfer residual toner and the like, a lubricant supply device 700, a charging roller 9 for uniformly charging the surface of the image carrier, and a charging roller A charging cleaner roller 705 for cleaning, and a frame body 601 for directly or indirectly holding the components and the like are provided. The photoconductor 8, the cleaning unit 11, and the charging member (charging roller 9) constitute an image carrier unit.

  The lubricant supply device 700 is provided in all the process cartridges 23 (23Y, 23C, 23M, and 23K). The lubricant supply device 700 includes a lubricant supply roller 704 as a lubricant shaving member, a solid lubricant 502, a lubricant holding member 703 that holds the lubricant 502, a lubricant leveling blade 402, and a lubricant 502. First pressure means 503 for pressing the supply roller 704, second pressure means 804 for pressing the lubricant holding member 703 in the axial direction, and correction means 800 for correcting the inclination of the lubricant holding member 703 with respect to the longitudinal direction. It has. The lubricant supply roller 704 scrapes off the lubricant while being driven to rotate, and supplies the lubricant 502 to the lubricant supply member. In the present embodiment, the lubricant supply member to which the lubricant is supplied is the image carrier 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the lubricant supply roller 704 has a core shaft (not shown) and a large number of brush fibers having base ends fixed to the core shaft. The lubricant supply roller 704 is produced by, for example, spirally winding a belt-like base material in which brush fibers are planted around a core shaft (not shown). The lubricant supply roller 704 extends substantially parallel to the image carrier 8 and extends along the image carrier 8. End portions in the longitudinal direction of the core shaft of the lubricant supply roller 704 are rotatably supported by a cleaning case (not shown) via a bearing 706. During the image forming operation, the lubricant supply roller 704 is rotationally driven by the rotational driving means 707 while the brush fibers are in contact with the image carrier 8.

  On the other hand, the lubricant 502 is obtained by solidifying, for example, zinc stearate. The solid lubricant 502 can be made of a material other than zinc stearate. However, by forming the solid lubricant 502 with a solid lubricant containing at least zinc stearate as a component, the moldability of the solid lubricant 502 is improved and lubrication is performed. There is an advantage that uneven supply of the agent can be suppressed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the solid lubricant 502 is formed in a longitudinal block extending long along the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704. Further, the lubricant 502 is pressurized toward the lubricant supply roller 704 by the first pressurizing unit 503, so that the surface of the lubricant 502 facing the lubricant supply roller 704 has a brush fiber of the lubricant supply roller 704. Abut.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lubricant holding member 703 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending along the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704. The lubricant holding member 703 is attached to the surface of the lubricant 502 opposite to the surface that contacts the lubricant supply roller 704.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the frame body 601 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending along the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704. Specifically, it is formed in a longitudinal box shape having an opening on the lubricant supply roller 704 side. A lubricant holding member 703 is accommodated in the frame body 601, and the lubricant holding member 703 is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting (or perpendicular to) the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704 in the frame body 601. .

  The lubricant leveling blade 402 is made of rubber, and forms a thin layer by extending the lubricant applied on the image carrier. As shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to reduce the contact surface pressure of the blade by using a trailing method and a contact method in which the surface in front of the edge mainly contacts the lubricant leveling blade 402 as shown in FIG. It is possible to greatly reduce the wear of the leveling blade as compared with the prior art. Specifically, in the configuration in which the same contact linear pressure is set to 20 g / cm, with edge contact, the wear amount of the lubricant leveling blade is about 60 to 100 μm at a travel distance of about 80 km on the surface of the photoreceptor (see FIG. Wear distance in the direction away from the image carrier), but when using the belly contact method with the same contact linear pressure, the wear amount is 5 μm or less at a travel distance of about 200 km on the photoreceptor surface. It can be greatly improved. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the lubricant leveling blade is arranged so that the direction of the lubricant leveling blade (longitudinal direction of the blade in a state in which there is no bending by the image carrier in the cross section) is directed toward the center of the photoconductor. Can be reduced, and the space of the apparatus can be saved.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first pressurizing unit 503 pressurizes the lubricant holding member 703 and the lubricant 502 toward the lubricant supply roller 704. The first pressing means 503 includes two pressing members 802a and 802b and one tension spring 803 that pulls the two pressing members 802a and 802b. Each of the pressure members 802a and 802b is configured to be swingable around a fulcrum (not shown), and the lubricant holding member 703 is used as a lubricant supply roller at the tip of the swing side of each of the pressure members 802a and 802b. It is comprised so that it may pressurize to 704 side. Each of the pressing members 802a and 802b is configured to pressurize the lubricant holding member 703 by the tensile force of the tension spring 803, but a compression spring or the like can be applied instead of the tension spring 803.

  The second pressurizing means 804 is provided inside a compression spring 805 provided on one end surface of the frame body 601 in the longitudinal direction and a lubricant holding member 703, and receives a pressing force from the compression spring 805. It consists of a surface. The receiving surface receives a biasing force from the compression spring 803 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG.

  The correcting unit 800 is disposed on the frame body 601 along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704, receives the pressure applied by the second pressurizing unit 804, and the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member 703. This corrects the inclination with respect to the direction. The correcting means 800 is provided on a predetermined reference plane (in this embodiment, the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member 703, and Two protrusions 806 disposed along the orthogonal direction, and provided on a surface corresponding to the reference surface of the frame 601, the protrusion 806 is formed when the protrusion 806 is pressed in the axial direction. It is comprised with the receiving surface 801 to receive. The receiving surface 801 is a flat surface that protrudes toward the anti-lubricant holding member from the longitudinal center of the frame body 601 and extends in a direction along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant supply roller 704.

  Accordingly, when the protrusion 806 is pressed in the axial direction by the second pressurizing unit 804, the receiving surface 801 receives the protrusion. Therefore, the lubricant holding member 703 follows the lubricant supply roller 704, and the lubricant holding member 703 and the lubricant 502 are prevented from being inclined in the longitudinal direction with respect to the lubricant supply roller 704. can do.

  In this embodiment, a solid lubricant is used, but the effect of the present invention is not limited to the solid lubricant. For example, the same effect can be obtained in a configuration in which a powder lubricant or a solid and powder lubricant is used in combination. By using the following fatty acid metal salt (A) or inorganic lubricant (B) as the lubricant, it is possible to achieve high durability, high reliability, and long life of the cleaning property.

  Examples of the fatty acid metal salt (A) include barium stearate, lead stearate, iron stearate, nickel stearate, cobalt stearate, copper stearate, strontium stearate, calcium stearate, cadmium stearate, magnesium stearate, Zinc stearate, zinc oleate, magnesium oleate, iron oleate, cobalt oleate, copper oleate, lead oleate, manganese oleate, zinc palmitate, cobalt palmitate, lead palmitate, magnesium palmitate, palmitate Aluminum, calcium palmitate, lead caprylate, lead caprate, zinc linolenate, cobalt linolenate, calcium linolenate, zinc ricinoleate, cadmium ricinoleate and mixtures thereof There, but is not limited to this. Moreover, you may mix and use these. In the present invention, zinc stearate is most preferably used since it is particularly excellent in film formability on an image carrier.

  The inorganic lubricant (B) in the present invention refers to an inorganic compound that cleaves and lubricates itself or causes internal slip. Specific examples include talc, mica, boron nitride, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, kaolin, smectite, hydrotalcite compound, calcium fluoride, graphite, plate-like alumina, sericite, and synthetic mica. However, it is not limited to this. Among them, boron nitride is most preferable in the present invention because hexagonal mesh surfaces in which atoms are firmly combined overlap with each other at a wide interval, and the force acting between the layers is only weak van der Waals force. Used.

  These inorganic lubricants may be surface-treated as necessary for the purpose of imparting hydrophobicity. Further, a larger effect can be obtained with respect to cleaning by performing a step of applying or adhering both the fatty acid metal salt (A) and the inorganic lubricant (B).

Next, the toner suitably used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
In order to reproduce minute dots of 600 dpi or more, the toner preferably 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. 6 is a diagram schematically showing 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) (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.

  The toner suitably used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a 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. Hereinafter, the constituent material and the manufacturing method of the toner will be described.

(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. The trihydric or higher polyhydric alcohol (TO) includes 3 to 8 or higher polyhydric aliphatic alcohols (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, it tends to be negatively charged, and furthermore, 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-diisocyanatomethylcaproate, 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; Those blocked with caprolactam or the like; and combinations 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 is lowered, and the hot offset resistance is deteriorated.

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 more 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, and 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 Carmine B, 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, 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 size of 5 × 10-2 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, a fluidity-imparting agent is not detached from the toner, a good image quality that does not cause fireflies and the like is obtained, and a reduction in residual toner is further achieved. .
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 preferable. 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 salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium salts, pyridinium salts, alkylisoquinolinium salts, benzethonium chloride, fatty acid amide derivatives, polyhydric alcohols 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).

  Moreover, as the cationic surfactant, aliphatic quaternary ammonium such as aliphatic primary, secondary or secondary amic acid, perfluoroalkyl (C6-C10) sulfonamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt which has a right fluoroalkyl group is used. Salt, 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) Smoke), Megafac F-150, F-824 (Dainippon Ink Co., Ltd.), Xtop EF-132 (Tochem Products), Footage F-300 (Neos), 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 Corporation), SGP (manufactured by Soken Co., Ltd.), 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.

The toner according to the present invention has a substantially spherical shape and can be represented by the following shape rule.
FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the shape of the toner of the present invention. In FIG. 7, when a substantially spherical toner is defined by a major axis r1, a minor axis r2, and a thickness r3 (where r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), the toner of the present invention has a major axis and a minor axis. Ratio (r2 / r1) (see FIG. 7B) is 0.5 to 1.0, and the ratio of thickness to minor axis (r3 / r2) (see FIG. 7C) is 0.7 to 1.0. It is preferable to be in the range of 1.0. When the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis (r2 / r1) is less than 0.5, the dot reproducibility and transfer efficiency are inferior because of being away from the true spherical shape, and high-quality image quality cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if the ratio of thickness to minor axis (r3 / r2) is less than 0.7, the shape is close to a flat shape, and a high transfer rate like a spherical toner cannot be obtained. In particular, when the ratio of the thickness to the minor axis (r3 / r2) is 1.0, the rotating body has a major axis as a rotation axis, and the fluidity of the toner can be improved.
In addition, r1, r2, r3 can be measured by the following method, for example. That is, the toner is uniformly dispersed and adhered on a smooth measurement surface, and 100 particles of the toner are magnified 500 times by a color laser microscope “VK-8500” (manufactured by Keyence Corporation). The major axis r1 (μm), the minor axis r2 (μm), and the thickness r3 (μm) of the particles can be measured and obtained from their arithmetic average values.

  In the lubricant supply device of the present invention, it is possible to make the supply amount of the lubricant in the axial direction of the image carrier uniform. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of excessive supply or insufficient supply of the lubricant due to the deviation of the amount of axial wear of the lubricant. Further, since there is no deviation in the amount of wear of the lubricant, the supply amount of the lubricant is stabilized, so that even when the supply amount of the lubricant to the image carrier is set to be small, the amount of the lubricant is unlikely to be insufficient. Thus, if the amount of lubricant loaded is reduced, the device can be reduced in size and weight, and if the amount loaded is the same as that of the prior art, the life of the device can be extended.

  If the correction means is constituted by a protrusion and a receiving surface, the correction means can be configured with a simple configuration.

  When zinc stearate is used as the lubricant among the fatty acid metal salts, the effect of protecting the image bearing member and reducing cleaning defects can be obtained.

  When boron nitride is used as the lubricant among inorganic lubricants, it is possible to obtain an effect of reducing the deterioration of the cleaning means with time, an effect of reducing the deterioration of the charging roller with time, and an effect of reducing cleaning defects.

  When zinc stearate is used as the lubricant among the fatty acid metal salts and boron nitride is used as the inorganic lubricant, both of the above-described effects are combined, so that the time of the image carrier and the peripheral parts of the image carrier is increased. Since the deterioration can be improved together, it is possible to improve the lifetime of peripheral parts including the image carrier.

  The image carrier unit of the present invention can stably supply the lubricant to the surface of the lubricant supply member even under the condition of continuous output with a large image area where the transfer residual toner is the largest. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of streaky smear images in the sheet passing direction due to defective cleaning without impairing the function of the cleaning blade, and it is possible to improve the function and reliability of cleaning. Moreover, the life of the cleaning blade can be extended by applying the lubricant uniformly to the lubricant supply member.

  The process cartridge of the present invention can suppress deviation in the amount of lubricant in the longitudinal direction and suppress deviation in the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier. When the process cartridge is detachable, the maintenance performance is further improved.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention can suppress a deviation in the amount of lubricant lubricant in the longitudinal direction, and can suppress a deviation in the amount of lubricant supplied to the image carrier.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example, Of course, a various change can be added in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. Examples of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention include an electrophotographic copying machine, a laser beam printer, and a facsimile machine. In the example shown in the figure, the lubricant supply roller is arranged on the downstream side of the cleaning blade, but the effect of the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. For example, even if the lubricant supply means is arranged upstream of the cleaning blade conventionally used for cleaning the photoconductor and there is no lubricant leveling blade, the lubricant supply means of the present invention can be used. It is extremely effective for preventing contamination of the charging roller due to excessive supply, cleaning failure of the photoreceptor due to insufficient supply, adhesion of foreign matter, and occurrence of filming. Further, since the deviation of the scraping amount is eliminated, the lubricant supply amount can be stabilized, and even when the lubricant supply amount to the image carrier is set to be small, the lubricant amount is unlikely to be insufficient. This makes it possible to reduce the size and weight of the device by reducing the amount of lubricant mounted, and to extend the life of the device when the amount mounted is the same. Further, the contact condition of the lubricant leveling blade does not affect the effect of the present invention. For example, the same effect can be obtained even when the counter type contact is used.

8 Image carrier 9 Charging member 11 Cleaning means 23 Process cartridge 502 Lubricant 503 First pressure means 703 Lubricant holding member 704 Lubricant supply roller 800 Correction means 801 Receiving surface 804 Second pressure means 806 Projection

JP 2007-140391 A JP 2010-72564 A

Claims (17)

A lubricant, a lubricant scraping member that rotates in contact with the surface of the lubricant supply member, a lubricant holding member that holds the lubricant, and the lubricant in the direction of the lubricant scraping member. A lubricant supply device including a first pressurizing unit that pressurizes the lubricant, and scraping off the lubricant while the lubricant scraping member is rotationally driven to supply the lubricant to the lubricant supply member,
A second pressurizing unit configured to pressurize the lubricant holding member in the axial direction; and a pressure applied by the second pressurizing unit disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant scraping member. And a correction means for correcting the inclination of the lubricant holding member with respect to the longitudinal direction.   The correction means is provided on a predetermined reference surface orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lubricant holding member, and a protrusion disposed along a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the lubricant scraping member; and the protrusion The lubricant supply device according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant supply device comprises a receiving surface that receives the protrusion when pressed in the axial direction.   3. The lubricant supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lubricant application member is an image carrier, and the lubricant supplied to the image carrier contains at least a fatty acid metal salt.   4. The lubricant supply device according to claim 3, wherein the fatty acid metal salt is zinc stearate.   The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lubricant contains at least an inorganic lubricant.   6. The lubricant supply device according to claim 5, wherein the inorganic lubricant is boron nitride.   The lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein a lubricant containing both a fatty acid metal salt and an inorganic lubricant is supplied to the lubricant supply member.   The lubricant supply device according to claim 7, wherein zinc stearate is used as the fatty acid metal salt and boron nitride is used as the inorganic lubricant.   The lubricant supply member is an image carrier, and the lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a cleaning unit, and a charging member that contacts or is in contact with the image carrier. An image carrier unit comprising:   A process cartridge comprising the lubricant supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein at least an image carrier and at least one other process means are integrally formed.   11. An image forming apparatus, wherein the process cartridge according to claim 10 is detachable.   An image forming apparatus comprising the lubricant supply unit according to claim 1.   The toner used in the developing unit 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 1.40. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is in a range.   The toner used in the developing unit 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. Image forming apparatus.   The toner used in the developing means is obtained by crosslinking a toner material liquid in which at least a polyester prepolymer having a functional group containing a nitrogen atom, a polyester, a colorant, and a release agent is dispersed in an organic solvent in an aqueous medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the toner is a toner obtained by an extension reaction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the toner used in the developing unit has a substantially spherical shape.   The shape of the toner used in the developing means is defined by the major axis r1, the minor axis r2, and the thickness r3 (where r1 ≧ r2 ≧ r3), and the ratio of the major axis r1 to the minor axis r2 ( r2 / r1) is in the range of 0.5 to 1.0, and the ratio (r3 / r2) of the thickness r3 to the minor axis r2 is in the range of 0.7 to 1.0. Item 13. The image forming apparatus according to Item 11 or 12.

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