JP2018025832A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce wear of a cleaning member while improving efficiency in transfer of toner from an intermediate transfer body to a transfer material.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises: image carriers 1 that respectively carry toner images; a movable intermediate transfer body 8 to which the toner images are transferred from the image carriers 1; and a cleaning member 21 that is in contact with a surface of the intermediate transfer body 8 to scrape off a toner from the surface of the moving intermediate transfer body 8. The surface of the intermediate transfer body 8 has grooves 84 formed along a moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer body 8, and an in-plane average roughness of the toner in an average particle diameter square is 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less on the surface of the intermediate transfer body 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, a copying machine, and a facsimile machine, an intermediate transfer member used in the image forming apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the intermediate transfer member.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus using, for example, an electrophotographic system, there is an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member. In an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, a toner image formed on a photosensitive member is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and then the toner image on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred onto a transfer material. As the intermediate transfer member, an intermediate transfer belt formed of an endless belt is widely used.

  In the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, toner (secondary transfer residual toner) remains on the intermediate transfer belt after the secondary transfer process. Therefore, a cleaning process is required to remove the secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt before transferring the next image to the intermediate transfer belt.

  As a method for removing secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt, a blade cleaning method is widely used. In the blade cleaning system, a cleaning blade serving as a cleaning member disposed on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit in the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt (hereinafter also referred to as “belt conveyance direction”) is used to move the surface of the intermediate transfer belt from above. The secondary transfer residual toner is physically recovered, and an elastic body such as urethane rubber is generally used as the cleaning blade, and the cleaning blade is arranged so as to face the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt. The edge portion is often pressed against the intermediate transfer belt.

  On the other hand, in order to further improve the image quality, improvement in transfer efficiency when transferring a toner image from an intermediate transfer belt to a transfer material is required. For example, an intermediate transfer belt in which toner is less likely to remain on the belt by embedding powder (hereinafter also referred to as “filler”) smaller than the toner particle diameter on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to modify the physical properties of the surface. It has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Further, an intermediate transfer belt has been proposed in which the toner is less likely to remain on the belt by defining the surface roughness of the intermediate transfer belt (Patent Document 2).

JP 2009-75154 A JP 2004-240176 A

  By the way, in the blade cleaning method, it is necessary to satisfy the durability performance by repeated use.

  However, the method of adding a filler to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in terms of wear of the cleaning blade due to repeated use. When the protrusion shape by the filler is scattered on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt, the protrusion tip selectively contacts the edge portion of the cleaning blade, so that the edge portion of the cleaning blade gradually moves from the contact point with the protrusion shape by repeated use. Start to wear out. As a result, the edge of the cleaning blade may be worn unevenly, or the edge of the cleaning blade may be chipped, and toner may slip out from that point, resulting in a cleaning failure. . In particular, when the particle size of the filler is large, the protrusion shape becomes larger, so that wear and chipping are more likely to proceed.

  Further, even if the surface roughness value of the intermediate transfer belt is defined as described in Patent Document 2, the intermediate transfer belt has a protruding shape on the surface, so depending on the setting of the surface roughness, Similarly, there is a concern that the amount of wear at the edge of the cleaning blade increases.

  As described above, the conventional blade cleaning method has a problem of extending the life of the apparatus by reducing wear of the cleaning blade during long-term use while improving transfer efficiency.

  In the above, the conventional problem has been described by taking the intermediate transfer belt as an example, but the same applies to an image forming apparatus having a drum-shaped intermediate transfer body (intermediate transfer drum) formed by stretching a sheet on a frame. The problem may arise.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing the abrasion of a cleaning member while improving the transfer efficiency of toner from an intermediate transfer member to a transfer material.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an intermediate transfer member used in such an image forming apparatus and a method for producing the intermediate transfer member.

  The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer member, and the method of manufacturing the intermediate transfer member according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides an image carrier that carries a toner image, a movable intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier, and the surface that moves in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus having a cleaning member that scrapes off toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and a groove is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member along a moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the surface of the intermediate transfer member has an in-plane average roughness in the average particle diameter of the toner of 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, in an intermediate transfer member that is used in an image forming apparatus and onto which a toner image is transferred from an image carrier, grooves are formed on the surface along the moving direction of the surface in the image forming apparatus. The intermediate transfer body is characterized in that the surface has an in-plane average roughness of 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less in the average particle diameter of the toner used in the image forming apparatus.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, in a method of manufacturing an intermediate transfer member that is used in an image forming apparatus and a toner image is transferred from an image carrier, the surfaces of the toner used in the image forming apparatus in four directions with an average particle diameter. Grooves are formed on the surface having an inner average roughness of 10 nm or less along the moving direction of the surface in the image forming apparatus, and the in-plane average roughness in the four average particle diameter directions of the toner on the surface is 10 nm or more. , 30 nm or less, a method for producing an intermediate transfer member is provided.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress wear of the cleaning member while improving the transfer efficiency of toner from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer material.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of an image forming apparatus. It is a typical sectional view near the belt cleaning device. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view and a top view of an intermediate transfer belt. FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic view of a contact portion between a surface layer of an intermediate transfer belt and toner. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic view of a contact portion between a surface layer of an intermediate transfer belt and a cleaning blade. FIG. 6 is a top view of another example of an intermediate transfer belt.

  Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus, the intermediate transfer member, and the method of manufacturing the intermediate transfer member according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
1. Overall Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment is a tandem type laser beam printer that employs an intermediate transfer method capable of forming a full-color image using an electrophotographic method.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes four image forming units (stations) SY, SM, SC, and SK arranged in a line at regular intervals. Each of the image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK forms yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) images.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration and operation of the image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK are substantially the same except that the color of the toner used is different. Therefore, hereinafter, unless it is particularly necessary to distinguish, the reference numerals Y, M, C, and K that indicate elements for any color are omitted, and the elements will be described collectively.

  The image forming unit S includes a photosensitive drum 1 that is a drum-type (cylindrical) electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive member) as an image carrier. The photosensitive drum 1 is an OPC photosensitive drum, and is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow R1 in the figure. Around the photosensitive drum 1, the following units are arranged in order along the rotation direction. First, a charging roller 2 which is a roller-shaped charging member as a charging unit is disposed. Next, an exposure apparatus 3 as an exposure unit is arranged. Next, a developing device 4 as a developing unit is arranged. Next, a primary transfer roller 5 which is a roller-shaped primary transfer member as a primary transfer means is disposed. Next, a drum cleaning device 6 is disposed as an image carrier cleaning means.

  The developing device 4 contains a non-magnetic one-component developer as a developer, and includes a developing sleeve 41 as a developer carrying member, a developer coating blade 42 as a developer regulating means, and the like. In each image forming unit S, the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 2, the developing device 4, and the drum cleaning device 6 as process means acting on the photosensitive drum 1 are integrally detachable from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. A cartridge 7 is configured. The exposure device 3 is composed of a scanner unit that scans laser light with a polygon mirror, and irradiates the photosensitive drum 1 with a scanning beam modulated based on an image signal.

  Further, an intermediate transfer belt constituted by an endless belt as an intermediate transfer member that can move so as to contact all of the photosensitive drums 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming units SY, SM, SC, and SK. 8 is arranged. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is supported by three rollers (stretching rollers) including a driving roller 9, a tension roller 10, and a secondary transfer counter roller 11, and a predetermined tension is maintained. When the drive roller 9 is driven to rotate, the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves (rotates) in the direction of arrow R2 (belt conveyance direction) in the drawing. In the present embodiment, the intermediate transfer belt 8 moves at a substantially same speed in the forward direction with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 at a portion facing the photosensitive drum 1. On the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 8, the primary transfer roller 5 described above is disposed at a position facing each photosensitive drum 1. The primary transfer roller 5 is urged (pressed) to the photosensitive drum 1 through the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a predetermined pressure, and a primary transfer portion (primary transfer nip) where the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 are in contact with each other. N1 is formed. Further, on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 8, a secondary transfer roller 15 that is a roller-like secondary transfer member as a secondary transfer unit is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer counter roller 11. . The secondary transfer roller 15 is urged (pressed) to the secondary transfer counter roller 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 8 with a predetermined pressure, and the secondary transfer roller 8 and the secondary transfer roller 15 are in contact with each other. A transfer portion (secondary transfer nip) N2 is formed. A belt cleaning device 12 as an intermediate transfer member cleaning unit is disposed on the outer peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 8 at a position facing the tension roller 10. The intermediate transfer belt 8 supported by the three stretching rollers 9, 10, 11 described above and the belt cleaning device 12 are unitized, and an intermediate transfer belt unit 13 that can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100. Is configured. This facilitates maintenance by a service person or the like.

  When the image forming operation is started, each photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 start to rotate in the directions of arrows R1 and R2 in the drawing at a predetermined process speed (circumferential speed), respectively. The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 1 is charged almost uniformly with a predetermined polarity (in this embodiment, negative polarity) by the charging roller 2. At this time, a predetermined charging bias is applied to the charging roller 2 from a charging power source as a charging bias applying means (not shown). Next, the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 1 is exposed by a scanning beam from the exposure device 3 according to the image information corresponding to each image forming unit S, whereby the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to the image information. Thus, an electrostatic image (electrostatic latent image) is formed. Next, the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is developed as a toner image by toner of a color corresponding to each image forming unit S by the developing device 4. Here, the toner in the developing device 4 is negatively charged by the developer application blade 42 and applied to the developing sleeve 41. A predetermined developing bias is applied to the developing sleeve 41 from a developing power source (not shown) as a developing bias applying means. When the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 reaches a facing portion (developing portion) between the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing sleeve 41, the electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized by negative polarity toner. A toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1.

  Next, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred (primary transfer) to the intermediate transfer belt 8 that is rotationally driven by the action of the primary transfer roller 5 in the primary transfer portion N1. At this time, the primary transfer roller 5 receives from the primary transfer power source E1 as a primary transfer bias application means a primary transfer bias that is a DC voltage having a polarity (positive in this embodiment) opposite to the charging polarity of the toner at the time of development. Is applied. For example, when a full-color image is formed, an electrostatic image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 with a certain timing in accordance with the distance between the primary transfer portions N1 for each color, and this is developed into a toner image. Then, the toner images of the respective colors formed on the respective photosensitive drums 1 of the respective image forming units S are transferred (primary transfer) so as to be sequentially superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the respective primary transfer units N1Y, N1M, N1C, N1K. ), And a four-color multiple toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  Along with the formation of an electrostatic image by exposure, a transfer material P such as a recording sheet loaded on a transfer material storage cassette (not shown) is picked up by a transfer material supply roller (not shown), and a registration roller by a transport roller (not shown). 14 is conveyed. The transfer material P is conveyed by the registration roller 14 to the secondary transfer portion N2 formed by the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the secondary transfer roller 14 in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8. For example, the four-color multiple toner images carried on the intermediate transfer belt 8 as described above are collectively transferred to the transfer material P by the action of the secondary transfer roller 15 (secondary transfer) at the secondary transfer portion N2. Next transfer). At this time, the secondary transfer roller 15 has a DC voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner at the time of development (positive polarity in this embodiment) from the secondary transfer power source E2 as a secondary transfer bias applying unit. A secondary transfer bias is applied.

  Thereafter, the transfer material P onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device 16 as a fixing unit. The transfer material P is pressed and heated in the process of being sandwiched and transported between the fixing roller and the pressure roller of the fixing device 16 so that the toner image is fixed thereon. The transfer material P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged outside the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 100 as an image formed product.

  Further, the toner (primary transfer residual toner) that is not completely transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 8 and remains on the photosensitive drum 1 in the primary transfer portion N1 is removed from the photosensitive drum 1 by the drum cleaning device 6 and collected. Further, the toner (secondary transfer residual toner) that is not completely transferred onto the transfer material P in the secondary transfer portion N2 and remains on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 8 by the belt cleaning device 12 and collected. The

Here, in this embodiment, the primary transfer roller 5 is configured by coating an elastic layer made of a foaming elastic body so as to have an outer diameter of 14 mm around the core of a nickel-plated steel rod having an outer diameter of 5 mm. Yes. The electrical resistance of the primary transfer roller 5 is 10 ⁶ Ω. The electric resistance of the primary transfer roller 5 is preferably in the range of 10 ³ to 10 ⁷ Ω, from the viewpoint of good image formation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the secondary transfer roller 15 is configured by coating an elastic layer made of a foaming elastic body so as to have an outer diameter of 16 mm around the core of a nickel-plated steel rod having an outer diameter of 8 mm. Yes. The electrical resistance of the secondary transfer roller 15 is 10 ⁸ Ω. Note that the electrical resistance of the secondary transfer roller 15 is preferably in the range of 10 ⁷ to 10 ⁹ Ω from the viewpoint of good image formation.

In the present embodiment, the driving roller 9 has an outer diameter of 26 coated with a silicone rubber having an electric resistance of 10 ⁵ Ω and a wall thickness of 0.085 mm dispersed in an aluminum cored bar as a conductive agent. .3 mm roller.

  In the present embodiment, the tension roller 10 is an aluminum metal roller (metal bar) having an outer diameter of 24 mm, and applies a tension of 49 N on one side and a total pressure of 98 N to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at both ends in the rotational axis direction. doing.

In this embodiment, the secondary transfer counter roller 11 has an outer diameter in which an aluminum core is coated with EPDM rubber in which carbon is dispersed as a conductive agent, electric resistance is 10 ⁵ Ω, and wall thickness is 1 mm. Is an 18 mm roller.

  The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a control board (control unit) (not shown) on which an electric circuit for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 is mounted. On the control board, a CPU (not shown) as control means, a memory (not shown) as storage means in which various control information are stored, and the like are mounted. The CPU collectively performs operations of the image forming apparatus 100 such as control of a drive source related to conveyance of the transfer material P, a drive source of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the process cartridge 7, control related to image formation, and control related to failure detection. Control.

2. Belt Cleaning Device Next, the configuration of the belt cleaning device 12 will be described. FIG. 2A is a virtual cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting position of the cleaning blade 21 when the cleaning blade 21 described later is not elastically deformed. FIG. 2B is a main cross-sectional view in the vicinity of the belt cleaning device 12. It is sectional drawing.

  The belt cleaning device 12 includes a cleaning container 17 and a cleaning operation unit 20 provided in the cleaning container 17. The cleaning container 17 is configured as a part of a frame (not shown) of the intermediate transfer belt unit 13. The cleaning action unit 20 includes a cleaning blade 21 as a cleaning member and a support member 22 that supports the cleaning blade 21. The cleaning blade 21 is an elastic blade (rubber part) made of urethane rubber (polyurethane), which is an elastic material. The support member 22 is formed of a sheet metal made of a plated steel plate (sheet metal part). The cleaning blade 21 is bonded to the support member 22 to form the cleaning action unit 20.

  The cleaning blade 21 is a plate-like member that has a predetermined thickness and is long in one direction. The cleaning blade 21 extends along a direction (hereinafter also referred to as a “thrust direction”) in which one side in the longitudinal direction is substantially perpendicular to the belt conveying direction among two sides that are substantially perpendicular to each other. Is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8. The thickness of the cleaning blade 21 is 2 mm, and the hardness of the cleaning blade 21 is 77 degrees according to JIS K 6253 standard.

  The cleaning operation unit 20 is configured to be swingable. In other words, the support member 22 is swingably supported via the swing shaft 19 fixed to the cleaning container 17. Then, when the support member 22 is pressurized by the pressure spring 18 as an urging means provided in the cleaning container 17, the cleaning action portion 20 is moved around the swing shaft 19, and the cleaning blade 21 is in the middle. The transfer belt 8 is urged (pressed). A tension roller 10 is disposed inside the intermediate transfer belt 8 so as to face the cleaning blade 21. The cleaning blade 21 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 8 in a counter direction with respect to the belt conveyance direction at a position on the tension roller 10. That is, the cleaning blade 21 is in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 such that the free end in the short direction faces the upstream side in the belt conveyance direction. Thereby, a blade nip portion 23 is formed between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8. The cleaning blade 21 scrapes off the toner from the surface of the moving intermediate transfer belt 8 at the blade nip portion 23.

  In the present embodiment, the attachment position of the cleaning blade 21 is set as follows. As shown in FIG. 2A, the set angle θ is 24 °, the penetration amount δ is 1.5 mm, and the contact pressure is 0.6 N / cm. Here, the set angle θ corresponds to the tangent line of the tension roller 10 at the intersection of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the cleaning blade 21 (more specifically, the end surface on the free end side), and the cleaning blade 21 (more specifically, the thickness thereof). Angle formed with one surface substantially orthogonal to the direction). Further, the intrusion amount δ is the length in the thickness direction in which the cleaning blade 21 overlaps the tension roller 10. The contact pressure is defined by the pressing force (linear pressure in the longitudinal direction) from the cleaning blade 21 at the blade nip 23, and is measured using a film-type pressure measurement system (trade name: PINCH, manufactured by Nitta Corporation). The By setting in this way, the cleaning blade 21 can be prevented from curling and slipping in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment (30 ° C./80%), and good cleaning performance can be obtained. Moreover, by setting in this way, it is possible to suppress poor cleaning in a low-temperature and low-humidity environment (15 ° C./10%) and obtain good cleaning performance.

  Further, generally, the urethane rubber and the synthetic resin have a large frictional resistance due to sliding, and the initial deflection of the cleaning blade 21 is likely to occur. Therefore, an initial lubricant such as fluorinated graphite can be applied to the free end of the cleaning blade 21 in advance.

  The rubber hardness of the cleaning blade 21 is preferably in the range of 70 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less, although the rubber hardness of the cleaning blade 21 is JIS K 6253 standard). If the rubber hardness is lower than the above range, the amount of wear due to use may increase and the durability may be lowered. If the rubber hardness is higher than the above range, the elastic force will decrease and chipping will occur due to friction with the intermediate transfer belt 8. May occur. The contact pressure of the cleaning blade 21 is preferably in the range of 0.4 N / cm or more and 0.8 N / cm or less, although it is appropriately selected according to the material of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the like. If the contact pressure is smaller than the above range, good cleaning performance may not be obtained. If the contact pressure is larger than the above range, the load for rotationally driving the intermediate transfer belt 8 may be too large.

3. Intermediate Transfer Belt Next, the configuration of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3A is a schematic enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the intermediate transfer belt 8 cut in a direction substantially orthogonal to the belt conveyance direction (seen along the belt conveyance direction), and FIG. In the same cross section, a surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 described later is shown in more detail. FIG. 3C is a schematic top view of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 as viewed from above.

  The intermediate transfer belt 8 is an endless belt member (or film-like member) composed of two layers of a base layer 81 and a surface layer 82. The surface layer 82 carries (holds) the toner transferred from the photosensitive drum 1. The base layer 81 is a layer having a thickness of 70 μm in which carbon black is dispersed as an electric resistance adjusting agent in a polyethylene naphthalate resin. In addition, the surface layer 82 is obtained by dispersing antimony-doped zinc oxide as an electric resistance adjusting agent 86 in an acrylic resin as a base material 85 and adding polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles as a lubricant 83 to a thickness of 3 μm. Layer. The lubricant 83 added to the surface layer 82 forms a protrusion shape with at least a portion thereof deposited on the outermost surface of the surface layer 82 and a portion thereof exposed before at least the start of use of the intermediate transfer belt 8. . Further, the lubricant 83 added to the surface layer 82 is also present in a dispersed state in the base material 85 of the surface layer 82.

  Further, the surface layer 82 is subjected to surface processing, and grooves (groove shapes, groove portions) 84 are formed in a direction along the moving direction (belt conveying direction) of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. As an example, the width of the groove 84 (the width of the opening in the direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction of the groove 84) W is 2 μm and the depth (the depth from the opening to the bottom in the thickness direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8). ) D is 1 μm. As will be described in detail later, the width W of the groove 84 is less than half of the average particle diameter of the toner. The pitch I of the grooves 84 (interval in the direction substantially perpendicular to the belt conveyance direction) is 10 μm to 100 μm, typically 10 μm to 20 μm. Since the thickness of the surface layer 82 is 3 μm, the groove 84 does not reach the base layer 81 and exists only in the surface layer 82. The groove 84 exists in the entire circumference of the intermediate transfer belt 8 along the circumferential direction (rotation direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  As will be described in detail later, the groove 84 is formed on the surface of the surface layer 82 by a surface processing process in which a wrapping film as a shape imparting unit is brought into contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. In the present embodiment, the grooves 84 are in a positional relationship that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact portion between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8. That is, in this embodiment, the groove 84 is formed in a straight line, and the belt conveyance direction and the longitudinal axis direction of the groove 84 are substantially parallel. In the present embodiment, the groove 84 is continuously formed over one circumference of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the circumferential direction (rotation direction). Further, in the present embodiment, the grooves 84 are formed so that the pitch I is random within the above range. The pitch I depends on the surface processing method, but does not necessarily have periodicity. Further, the grooves 84 may be formed so that the pitch I is substantially equidistant within the above range. Further, the groove 84 may not be formed continuously over the entire circumference (rotation direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 8 but may be interrupted in the middle. That is, the groove 84 may be formed intermittently over the entire circumference (rotation direction) of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the direction along the belt conveyance direction includes, for example, a case where the groove 84 is formed in a spiral shape while gradually moving the wrapping film in the thrust direction. That is, the groove 84 only needs to extend along a direction intersecting with a direction substantially perpendicular to the belt conveyance direction (represented by the rotation axis direction of the drive roller 9). You may have an angle. However, in order to obtain the effect described later in detail, the angle formed by the longitudinal axis direction of the groove 84 with respect to the belt conveyance direction is preferably 45 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less. Typically, as in the present embodiment, the belt conveyance direction and the longitudinal axis direction of the groove 84 are substantially parallel. Further, the groove 84 may not be entirely linear, and may be bent or curved in the middle, or may be entirely curved.

The volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is 10 ¹⁰ Ω · cm using a Hiresta UP MCP-HT450 (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) in an environment of a temperature of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%.

The volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is preferably in the range of 10 ⁹ to 10 ¹² Ω · cm, from the viewpoint of good image formation.

4). Method for Producing Intermediate Transfer Belt Next, a method for producing the intermediate transfer belt 8 will be described.

  First, as the material used for the base layer 81, for example, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethylpentene-1, polystyrene, polyamide, polysulfone, polyarylate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate. Examples thereof include thermoplastic resins such as phthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether sulfone, polyether nitrile, thermoplastic polyimide, polyether ether ketone, thermotropic liquid crystal polymer, and polyamic acid. Two or more of these can be mixed and used. In addition, the base material 81 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 can be obtained by melt-kneading a conductive material or the like in these thermoplastic resins, and then selecting a molding method such as inflation molding, cylindrical extrusion molding, or blow molding as appropriate. it can.

  On the other hand, the surface layer 82 is cured by irradiation of heat or energy rays such as light (ultraviolet rays) or an electron beam from the viewpoint of increasing the surface hardness of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and improving durability (wear resistance). A curable material can be preferably used. In particular, a curable material that is cured by irradiation with highly curable ultraviolet rays or electron beams is preferable, but is not limited thereto. Among the curable materials, examples of the organic material include curable resins such as melamine resin, urethane resin, alkyd resin, acrylic resin, and fluorine-based curable resin (fluorine-containing curable resin). Examples of inorganic materials include alkoxysilane / alkoxyzirconium-based materials and silicate-based materials. Examples of the organic / inorganic hybrid material include inorganic fine particle-dispersed organic polymer materials, inorganic fine particle-dispersed organoalkoxysilane materials, acrylic silicon materials, and organoalkoxysilane materials. From the viewpoint of strength such as wear resistance and crack resistance of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8, a resin material (curable resin) is preferable among the curable materials, and among the curable resins, an unsaturated double bond-containing acrylic. An acrylic resin obtained by curing the copolymer is preferred. The unsaturated double bond-containing acrylic copolymer is available, for example, as lucifural (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.), which is an acrylic ultraviolet curable hard coat material. That is, the intermediate transfer belt 8 is a liquid containing an ultraviolet curable monomer and / or an oligomer component, and a surface layer (cured film, surface cured layer) 82 obtained by irradiating the resin with an energy ray and curing it. It is preferable to have.

  In addition, a conductive material (conductive filler, electrical resistance adjusting agent) 86 can be added to the surface layer 82 for the purpose of adjusting electrical resistance. As the conductive material 86, an electron conductive material or an ion conductive material can be used. Examples of the electronic conductive material include particulate, fibrous or flaky carbon-based conductive fillers such as carbon black, PAN-based carbon fiber, and expanded graphite pulverized product. Also, for example, particulate, fibrous or flaky metallic conductive fillers such as silver, nickel, copper, zinc, aluminum, stainless steel and iron can be mentioned. Examples thereof include particulate metal oxide conductive fillers such as zinc antimonate, antimony-doped tin oxide, antimony-doped zinc oxide, tin-doped indium oxide, and aluminum-doped zinc oxide. Examples of the ion conductive material include an ionic liquid, a conductive oligomer, and a quaternary ammonium salt. One or more of these conductive materials may be appropriately selected, and an electronic conductive material and an ion conductive material may be mixed and used. Among these, a metal oxide conductive filler in the form of particles (submicron or less particles) is preferable in that the addition amount is small and desired surface smoothness of the surface layer 82 can be obtained.

  A solid lubricant 83 can be added to the surface layer 82. The solid lubricant 83 is made of PTFE resin powder, ethylene trifluoride chloride resin powder, ethylene tetrafluoride propylene resin powder, vinyl fluoride resin powder, vinylidene fluoride resin powder, difluoride difluoride. It can be appropriately selected from fluorine-containing particles such as ethylene chloride resin powder, fluorinated graphite, and copolymers thereof. The solid lubricant 83 is not necessarily limited to these, and may be silicone resin particles, silica particles, molybdenum disulfide powder, or the like. Among these, PTFE resin particles (emulsion polymerization type PTFE resin) are used in that the friction coefficient of the surface of the particles is low and wear of other members that contact the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8, such as the cleaning blade 21, can be reduced. Particles, etc.) are preferred.

  An outline of an example of a method for producing the surface layer 82 is as follows. Antimony-doped zinc oxide as a conductive material and PTFE particles as a solid lubricant are mixed in an unsaturated double bond-containing acrylic copolymer, and dispersed and mixed with a high-pressure emulsifying disperser. Make it. Moreover, as a method of forming the surface layer 82 on the base layer 81, a normal coating method, for example, a dip coat, a spray coat, a roll coat, a spin coat etc. can be mentioned. By appropriately selecting and using these methods, the surface layer 82 having a desired film thickness can be obtained. An example of a more detailed manufacturing method will be described later.

  A groove 84 is formed in the surface layer 82 of the obtained intermediate transfer belt 8. The groove 84 can be formed by bringing the wrapping film into contact with the surface layer 82 and rotating the intermediate transfer belt 8 or by rubbing the wrapping film in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Further, the method for imparting a desired surface form to the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is not limited to processing using a wrapping film. A desired surface form can be imparted to the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 by any method. For example, a method of imparting a desired surface form to the surface of the base layer 81 before coating the surface layer 82, post-processing using a mold or a nanoimprint technique, and the like can be mentioned. A more detailed example of the processing method will be described later.

5. Relationship between Surface Layer of Intermediate Transfer Belt and Transfer Efficiency FIGS. 4A to 4C schematically show an enlarged contact portion between the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the toner.

  In order to improve the transfer efficiency when transferring the toner on the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the transfer material P, it is desirable that the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is smooth. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the in-plane average roughness of the surface layer 82 is 10 nm or less and the ratio occupied by the smooth portion is dominant, the contact opportunity (contact area) between the toner and the surface layer 82 is small. Is mainly in point contact. The in-plane average roughness represents the surface roughness (or surface smoothness) in a minute region, and the measurement method will be described later. As a result, the physical adhesive force acting between the toner and the surface layer 82 is weak and the releasability of the toner is improved, so that the transfer efficiency tends to be improved.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, when the in-plane average roughness of the surface layer 82 is greater than 30 nm and there is no smooth portion, there are many opportunities for contact between the toner and the surface layer 82 (contact area). Multi-point contact. As a result, the physical adhesive force acting between the toner and the surface layer 82 is strong, and the releasability of the toner is deteriorated, so that the transfer efficiency tends to deteriorate.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4C, in the surface layer 82 in which the groove 84 having a width W less than half the average particle diameter of the toner is formed on the smooth surface layer 82, for example, in the case of spherical toner, the toner is placed on the groove 84. May exist. The toner on the groove 84 exists in two-point contact with the surface layer 82 without being buried in the groove 84 because the width W of the groove 84 is smaller than the particle diameter of the toner. Therefore, the physical adhesive force acting between the toner and the surface layer 82 is weaker than that of the surface layer 82 (FIG. 4B) where no smooth portion exists. Therefore, the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which such grooves 84 are formed makes it possible to suppress the wear of the cleaning blade 21 as described later in detail while maintaining sufficient transfer efficiency.

  Thus, in order to improve the transfer efficiency, it is desirable that the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 has a smoothness that makes point contact with the toner. As will be described in detail later, according to the study by the present inventors, good transfer efficiency can be obtained when the in-plane average roughness of the surface layer 82 is 30 nm or less. The groove is formed on the smooth surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 along the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (that is, in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the contact portion between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8). This is achieved by forming 84.

  The above-described tendency regarding transfer efficiency is not limited to the spherical toner, but is the same when non-spherical toner is used. The surface area 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is smooth, so that the contact area is increased. And the transfer efficiency tends to be improved.

6). FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically show an enlarged contact portion (blade nip portion 23) between the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the cleaning blade 21. FIG. ing.

  In order to satisfy the cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8, it is desired that the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 has an appropriate roughness. In the present embodiment, the grooves 84 formed in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 are in a positional relationship that is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the contact portion between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8. As shown in FIG. 5A, in the case of the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 in which the groove 84 is formed, the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt in the blade nip portion 23 do not come into contact with the groove 84. The contact area with 8 is reduced. Therefore, the frictional force at the blade nip portion 23 during the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is reduced, and the wear of the cleaning blade 21 is suppressed. Further, since the width W of the groove 84 is smaller than the average particle diameter of the toner, the toner does not enter the groove 84 and slip through the cleaning blade 21.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the case of the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the smooth surface layer 82 that does not have any uneven shape, the cleaning blade 21 is almost completely adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the blade nip portion 23. It becomes a state. Therefore, the frictional force at the blade nip portion 23 during the rotational driving of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is large, and the cleaning blade 21 may wear due to repeated use, so that a cleaning failure may occur.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the case of the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 84 provided with a random uneven shape, the cleaning blade 21 selectively contacts the convex portion of the surface layer 82 at the blade nip portion 23. To do. Therefore, in the blade nip portion 23, pressure is concentrated on the contact region portion between the cleaning blade 21 and the surface layer 82, and the frictional force in the contact region portion increases. As a result, the cleaning blade 21 is locally worn by repeated use, and uneven wear or chipping may occur, resulting in poor cleaning.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5D, in the case of the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 provided with a convex shape by the addition of a filler or the like, as in the case of FIG. The blade nip portion 23 selectively contacts the convex portion of the surface layer 82. Therefore, the cleaning blade 21 that comes into contact with the convex portions of the surface layer 82 is locally worn by repeated use, and uneven wear or chipping may occur, resulting in poor cleaning.

  Thus, in order to obtain good cleaning performance over a long period of time, it is desirable to reduce the contact area between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 at the blade nip portion 23. Then, this is performed on the smooth surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 along the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (that is, in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the contact portion between the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8). This is achieved by forming the groove 84.

  Here, the contact area of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the cleaning blade 21 with respect to the total area of the intermediate transfer belt 8 within the range of the cleaning blade 21 in the direction substantially perpendicular to the belt conveyance direction (in the region where the blade and the belt face each other). Is the contact area ratio. The contact area ratio can be determined in detail by a measuring method described later as a ratio of the total area in an arbitrary region of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the contact region portion with the cleaning blade 21. In this case, in order to obtain good cleaning performance due to the frictional force reducing effect as described above, the contact area ratio is preferably 80% or more and 97% or less. When the contact area ratio is less than 80%, the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 that comes into contact with the cleaning blade 21 is small, and pressure is intensively applied to the contact region portion, and the amount of wear of the cleaning blade 21 is likely to increase. . On the other hand, when the contact area ratio is greater than 97%, the effect of reducing the frictional force due to the reduction of the contact portion does not appear, and the amount of cleaning blade wear tends to increase.

  As described above, the groove 84 is appropriately formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 along the belt conveyance direction, thereby improving the transfer efficiency of the toner from the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the transfer material P, and the cleaning blade. 21 can be suppressed.

7). Examples and Comparative Examples Hereinafter, the above effects will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

Example 1
In this embodiment, an intermediate transfer belt 8 composed of a base layer 81 and a surface layer 82 is used. A method for manufacturing the intermediate transfer belt 8 will be described below.

<Preparation of base layer>
First, a method for manufacturing the base layer 81 will be described. A bottle-shaped molded body was obtained by blow-molding a polyethylene naphthalate resin, and an endless belt body was obtained by cutting this with an ultrasonic cutter. In the polyethylene naphthalate resin, carbon black is dispersed as an electric resistance adjusting agent. The polyethylene naphthalate resin belt having a thickness of 70 μm thus obtained was used as the base layer 81 of the intermediate transfer belt 8.

<Preparation of surface layer forming coating solution (ultraviolet curable resin composition)>
Next, a method for producing a coating liquid (ultraviolet curable resin composition) for forming the surface layer 82 will be described. An acrylic system containing pentaerythritol triacrylate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate in PTFE particles having a particle diameter of 200 nm (lubron: manufactured by Daikin Industries) as a lubricant (slidability imparting particle) 83 in a container shielded from ultraviolet rays. Lufifural (trade name, manufactured by Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.), an ultraviolet curable hard coat material, is mixed, and a high molecular weight fluorine-based graft polymer GF400 (trade name, manufactured by Toagosei Co., Ltd.) and methyl isobutyl are used as a dispersant for PTFE particles. Rough dispersion was performed by adding ketone and treating with a high-speed shearing disperser (homogenizer). Thereafter, the liquid subjected to the rough dispersion treatment was subjected to the main dispersion treatment using a high-pressure emulsification disperser (Nanobeta: manufactured by Yoshida Kikai Kogyo Co., Ltd.). Furthermore, the liquid after the final dispersion treatment of PTFE particles was completed while stirring a liquid obtained by adding an amine having a low molecular weight as a dispersing agent to Cellax (trade name, 210IP: manufactured by Nissan Chemical Industries, Ltd.) as conductive particles. The resultant was dropped to obtain a coating solution for forming the surface layer 82.

<Preparation of intermediate transfer belt with surface layer>
Next, a method for forming the surface layer 82 on the base layer 81 will be described. On the base layer 81 for the intermediate transfer belt 8 described above, the above-described ultraviolet curable resin composition was dip-coated in a coating environment of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 60%. Then, ultraviolet rays are irradiated using an ultraviolet irradiation device (trade name: UE06 / 81-3, manufactured by Eye Graphic Co., Ltd., integrated light quantity: 1000 mJ / cm ² ) 10 seconds after the coating is completed. Was applied to cure the surface layer 82. As a result, a cured resin film having a thickness of 3 μm was formed, and this cured resin film was used as the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8. Thus, the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was produced.

<Formation of grooves on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt>
Next, grooves 84 were formed in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 obtained by the above-described method. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is elastically deformed and attached to a cylinder having an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the intermediate transfer belt 8. A wrapping film (Lapika # 2000 (trade name), manufactured by KOVAX) using aluminum oxide with a grain size of 9 μm as abrasive grains is applied to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 mounted on the cylinder at a surface pressure of 1.96 N / mm ² . Make contact. Then, by rotating the above-described cylinder for 40 seconds, an intermediate transfer belt 8 in which a groove 84 having a width W of 2 μm and a depth D of 1 μm was formed on the surface layer 82 was obtained.

<Measurement method of average particle diameter of toner>
The average particle size of the toner used in this example was measured using Coulter Multisizer II (manufactured by Coulter). Data analysis was performed by connecting a number distribution and volume distribution interface (manufactured by Nikka) to a Coulter Multisizer II and a personal computer. As the electrolytic solution, a 1% NaCl aqueous solution prepared using primary sodium chloride was used. As such an electrolytic solution, for example, ISOTON R-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan) can be used. The measuring method is as follows. As a dispersant, 0.1 to 5 ml of a surfactant, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonate, was added to 100 to 150 ml of the electrolytic solution, and 2 to 20 mg of a measurement sample was further added. The electrolyte solution to which the sample is added is dispersed for about 1 to 3 minutes using an ultrasonic disperser, and the volume and number of toner particles having a particle diameter of 2 μm or more are measured using the above-mentioned Coulter Multisizer with a 100 μm aperture. Thus, the volume distribution and the number distribution were calculated. Using these values, the weight average particle diameter based on weight (representing the representative value of each channel as the representative value for each channel) was determined, and this value was used as the average toner particle diameter. In this embodiment, the average particle size of the toner was 6 μm.

<Surface observation evaluation 1>
The in-plane average roughness of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was measured in the observation field of view (toner average particle diameter of four sides) of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 produced by the above method. A scanning probe microscope (SPI3800: manufactured by SII Nanotechnology Inc.) was used for the measurement. The cantilever was made of silicone and had a tip radius of 15 nm or less, a spring constant of 15 N / m, and a resonance frequency of 136 KHz. As the measurement mode, a dynamic force mode capable of obtaining a highly accurate image in nano order without destroying the sample was used. The measurement frequency was 0.3 to 1.0 Hz. The observation visual field was determined from the average particle diameter of the toner obtained from the measurement of the average particle diameter of the toner, and the in-plane average roughness (Ra) of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in 6 μm square was measured. Note that the average roughness in the surface of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is an average value at 10 arbitrary positions that do not overlap.

<Surface observation evaluation 2>
Ten-point average roughness Rzjis in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 produced by the above-described method was measured. For the measurement, a surface roughness / contour shape measuring instrument Surfcom 1500SD (manufactured by Tokyo Seimitsu) is used, in accordance with the standard JIS B0601: 2001, with a cutoff wavelength of 0.25 mm, a measurement reference length of 0.25 mm, and a measurement length of 1. It measured on 25 mm conditions. Here, the ten-point average roughness Rzjis of the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is measured by scanning the stylus of the measuring instrument in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and is at least 5 The average value of the places was taken as the measurement result.

<Surface observation evaluation 3>
The contact area ratio in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 produced by the above-described method was measured. For the measurement, a confocal microscope (OPTELICS, manufactured by Lasertec Corporation) was used. The observation area was 100 μm square, the measurement wavelength was 546 nm, the scan frequency in the thickness direction of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was 0.2 μm, and the surface layer 82 was scanned with a thickness of 3 μm. The contact area ratio was calculated with respect to the obtained surface shape by the following method. A threshold is provided on the base layer 81 side by 0.3 μm from the outermost surface portion of the measurement region, a region less than 0.3 μm from the outermost surface is defined as a contact region, and a region greater than 0.3 μm from the outermost surface is defined as a non-contact region, The following formula,
Contact area ratio% = (area of contact area / area of observation area) × 100
Calculated by And the average value of arbitrary at least 5 places was made into the measurement result by the above-mentioned method. This value is the contact area between the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 and the cleaning blade 21 with respect to the total area of the intermediate transfer belt 8 within the range of the cleaning blade 21 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8. The percentage can be represented.

<Evaluation of transfer efficiency>
The intermediate transfer belt 8 produced by the above-described method was attached to the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and the transfer efficiency was evaluated. The image pattern was obtained by superposing yellow, magenta, and cyan solid images and setting the toner amount per unit area on the intermediate transfer belt 8 to 1.3 mg / cm ² . The toner image having this image pattern was secondarily transferred by a secondary transfer bias optimum for the transfer material P. From the amount of toner before and after the secondary transfer, the transfer efficiency is expressed by the following equation:
Transfer efficiency% = (amount of transferred toner / amount of toner before transfer) × 100
Calculated by The transfer efficiency was evaluated using a 25% COTTON CONTENT (trade name) transfer material having a basis weight of 90 g / m ² under an environment of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%. At this time, when the transfer efficiency was less than 94%, an image defect (toner granularity, white spots) at a level that could be visually confirmed occurred.

<Durability evaluation of cleaning performance>
In order to examine the durability of the cleaning performance, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 was used, and the intermediate transfer belt 8 manufactured by the above-described manufacturing method was mounted and the paper passing durability evaluation was performed. Specifically, in an environment of a temperature of 25 ° C. and a relative humidity of 50%, an OCE Extra grammage of 80 g / m ² , A4 paper is used, and two sheets are intermittently printed up to 100 k sheets for cleaning. The occurrence of defects was confirmed.

  The evaluation method for the cleaning performance is as follows. After printing a red image (yellow toner, magenta toner) on the entire A4 size with the secondary transfer voltage turned off (0V), set the secondary transfer voltage to an appropriate value and continuously feed three sheets of white paper. To do. By doing so, the yellow and magenta toners that are hardly transferred to the transfer material P at the secondary transfer portion N2 enter the cleaning blade 21. If they can be cleaned, the three sheets that are subsequently passed through are output in a completely blank state. However, if they cannot be cleaned, the toner that has passed through the cleaning blade 21 is transferred onto the blank sheet and the defectively cleaned image is displayed. Is output as The evaluation as described above was performed for every 10k sheets passed, and “○” was indicated when cleaning was completed after 100 k sheets were passed, and “X” was indicated otherwise.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 95.6%, and it was confirmed that there was no image defect at a level that could be visually confirmed, and that good transferability was obtained. Further, in the evaluation of the durability of the cleaning performance, it was confirmed that no defective cleaning occurred even after passing 100k sheets, and that a good cleaning performance was obtained.

(Example 2)
In this embodiment, the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the depth D is made larger than that of the first embodiment, the groove 84 having a width W of 2 μm and a depth D of 1.5 μm are formed were confirmed. . The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 is obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the contact time of the wrapping film with the intermediate transfer belt 8 when forming the grooves 84 in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is set to 80 sec. It was.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. As in Example 1, it was confirmed that good transfer performance with a transfer efficiency of 95.2% was obtained, and good cleaning performance was obtained even after 100 k sheets were passed.

(Example 3)
In this example, the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the width W was made smaller than that of the first example and the groove 84 having a width W of 1 μm and a depth D of 1 μm were formed were confirmed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pressing force of the wrapping film when forming the groove 84 on the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was changed to a surface pressure of 0.98 N / mm ^2. Got.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. As in Example 1, it was confirmed that good transfer performance with a transfer efficiency of 97.2% was obtained, and that good cleaning performance was obtained even after 100 k sheets were passed.

Example 4
In this embodiment, the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the width W is larger than that of the first embodiment, the groove 84 having the width W of 2.5 μm, and the depth D of 1 μm are confirmed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the pressing force of the wrapping film when forming the groove 84 on the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was changed to a surface pressure of 3.92 N / mm ^2. Got.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. As in Example 1, it was confirmed that good transfer performance with a transfer efficiency of 94.8% was obtained, and good cleaning performance was obtained even after 100 k sheets were passed.

(Example 5)
In this embodiment, the transfer efficiency and cleaning performance in the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the width W and the depth D are made larger than those in the first embodiment, and the groove 84 having the width W of 2.5 μm and the depth D of 2 μm is formed. It was confirmed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the abrasive grain size of the wrapping film when forming the grooves 84 in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was 12 μm.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. As in Example 1, it was confirmed that good transfer performance with a transfer efficiency of 94.3% was obtained, and that good cleaning performance was obtained even after 100 k sheets were passed.

(Comparative Example 1)
In this comparative example, the transfer efficiency and cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the groove 84 is not formed in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 were confirmed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the groove 84 by lapping was not formed after the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was formed.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 97.2%, and it was confirmed that good transferability was obtained. On the other hand, in the durability evaluation of the cleaning performance, cleaning failure occurred after passing 100k sheets, and the cleaning performance could not be satisfied.

(Comparative Example 2)
In this comparative example, the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance in the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the groove 84 is further made smaller than that in the third embodiment and the groove 84 having a width W of 0.5 μm and a depth D of 0.3 μm is formed. confirmed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the abrasive grain size of the wrapping film when forming the grooves 84 in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 was changed to 5 μm.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 96.7%, and it was confirmed that good transferability was obtained. On the other hand, in the durability evaluation of the cleaning performance, cleaning failure occurred after passing 100k sheets, and the cleaning performance could not be satisfied.

(Comparative Example 3)
In this comparative example, the transfer efficiency and the cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in which the groove 84 is made larger than that in the fifth embodiment and the groove 84 having a width W of 4 μm and a depth D of 2.5 μm are formed were confirmed. . The abrasive grain size of the wrapping film when forming the groove 84 in the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is 12 μm, and the contact time of the wrapping film with the intermediate transfer belt 8 is 80 sec. An intermediate transfer belt 8 having a surface layer 82 was obtained.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 91.8%, and an image defect of a level that could be visually confirmed occurred, and good transferability could not be obtained. In the cleaning durability evaluation, cleaning failure occurred after passing 100k sheets, and the cleaning performance could not be satisfied.

(Comparative Example 4)
In this comparative example, a filler was added to the intermediate transfer belt surface layer 82 to confirm the transfer efficiency and cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 provided with a random uneven shape. When preparing the ultraviolet curable resin composition described above, for the purpose of imparting a shape to the surface layer 82, 50 parts by weight of styrene / acryl resin fine particles (Fineware: Nippon Paint Co., Ltd.) having a particle diameter of 1 μm are newly added. Added. Otherwise, the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 96.7%, and it was confirmed that good transferability was obtained. On the other hand, in the durability evaluation of the cleaning performance, cleaning failure occurred after passing 100k sheets, and the cleaning performance could not be satisfied.

(Comparative Example 5)
In this comparative example, the transfer efficiency and cleaning performance of the intermediate transfer belt 8 provided with a random uneven shape were confirmed by adding a filler having a larger particle diameter than that of Comparative Example 4. During the preparation of the UV curable resin composition, 50 parts by weight of melamine silica resin particles having a particle size of 2 μm (Opto Beads: manufactured by Nissan Chemical Co., Ltd.) are newly added for the purpose of imparting a shape to the surface layer 82. did. Otherwise, the intermediate transfer belt 8 having the surface layer 82 was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1.

  Table 1 shows the evaluation results of durability of transfer efficiency and cleaning performance. In the transfer efficiency evaluation, the transfer efficiency was 93.1%, an image defect at a level that could be visually confirmed occurred, and good transferability could not be obtained. In the cleaning durability evaluation, cleaning failure occurred after passing 100k sheets, and the cleaning performance could not be satisfied.

  In order to obtain a transfer efficiency of 94% or more, it is necessary from the results of Example 5, Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 5 that the in-plane average roughness in the average particle diameter of the toner is 30 nm or less. I understand. This is presumably because the toner cannot make point contact with the surface layer 82 if the surface roughness in the minute region is too large. Further, in order to satisfy the durability of the cleaning performance, from the results of Example 5 and Comparative Example 4, the shape of the surface layer 82 is not a random uneven shape, but a groove 84 is formed along the belt conveyance direction. It turns out that it is necessary. This is considered because local abrasion of the cleaning blade 21 is likely to occur in the case of a random uneven shape. Further, from the results of Example 5, Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, it is understood that the in-plane average roughness in the average particle diameter of the toner needs to be 10 nm or more. This is presumably because, even if the surface roughness in the minute region is too small, the cleaning blade 21 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 are too close to each other and wear of the cleaning blade 21 is likely to proceed.

  From the results of Example 3 and Comparative Example 2, and Example 5 and Comparative Example 3, the following can be understood. That is, the ten-point average roughness Rzjis when measured in a direction substantially orthogonal to the belt conveyance direction is preferably 0.26 μm or more and 0.67 μm or less. This is because the surface roughness when viewed macroscopically in a wider area of the surface layer 84 also affects the durability of the transfer efficiency and cleaning performance, and if it is too low, local wear of the cleaning blade 21 is likely to occur, If it is too high, it is considered that the transfer efficiency tends to be low. Further, the contact area ratio is preferably 80% or more and 97% or less. This is presumably because if the contact area ratio is too low, a frictional force is excessively applied to the cleaning blade 21 and the amount of wear increases, and if it is too high, the effect of reducing the frictional force is hardly exhibited. In addition, the width W of the groove 84 is preferably 2.5 μm or less. This is because if the width W of the groove 84 is too large, the toner is buried in the groove 84 and the transfer efficiency is easily lowered, and the toner easily passes through the cleaning blade 21 and easily causes a cleaning failure. It is done. From this viewpoint, it can be seen that the width W of the groove 84 is preferably less than half of the average particle diameter of the toner. The depth D of the groove 84 is preferably 2 μm or less. The reason similar to the case of the width W can be considered, and it can be said that the depth D is preferably equal to or smaller than the width W.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the surface layer 82 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 is provided with the smooth surface layer 82 of acrylic resin or the like, and the grooves 84 are formed along the belt conveyance direction. Accordingly, the durability of the cleaning performance can be satisfied by reducing the contact area with the cleaning blade while reducing the adhesion force of the toner to improve the transfer efficiency. That is, according to this embodiment, the grooves 84 are formed along the belt conveyance direction on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the in-plane average roughness of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 8 in the toner average particle diameter is 10 nm or more and 30 nm. The following. As a result, it is possible to improve both the efficiency of transferring the toner from the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the transfer material P and to suppress the wear of the cleaning blade 21.

  In addition to this, by satisfying the conditions of the above preferable range regarding at least one of the ten-point average roughness Rzjis, the contact area ratio, the width W of the groove 84, and the depth D of the groove 84, it is synergistic. Effects can be obtained.

[Others]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to specific embodiment, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the same effect can be obtained even with an intermediate transfer belt in which grooves having a certain angle are formed rather than substantially parallel to the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt. it can. The preferable range of the angle is as described above.

  In the case of a single-layer intermediate transfer belt, the same effect can be obtained by forming grooves on a smooth surface according to the present invention. In other words, the intermediate transfer member is not limited to a configuration composed of a plurality of layers, and may be a single layer. In that case, the single layer only needs to have the same shape as the surface layer in the embodiment. . In addition, the configuration in which the intermediate transfer member is composed of a plurality of layers is not limited to two layers, and the layer corresponding to the base layer of the above-described embodiment is composed of a plurality of layers or corresponds to the base layer of the above-described examples. One or a plurality of layers may be provided under the layer to be performed.

  Further, the intermediate transfer member is not limited to a belt-like member. For example, the present invention can be applied to a drum-like member (intermediate transfer drum) formed by stretching a sheet on a frame member. The same effect can be obtained by applying the same.

  Further, the image forming apparatus is not limited to an inline type. For example, a plurality of developing devices are provided for one photoconductor, and toner images sequentially formed on the photoconductor are sequentially primary-transferred to the intermediate transfer member, and then superimposed on the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus of a type that secondarily transfers the combined toner image onto a transfer material may be used.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Photosensitive drum 5 Primary transfer roller 8 Intermediate transfer belt 12 Belt cleaning apparatus 15 Secondary transfer roller 21 Cleaning blade 22 Support member 81 Base layer of intermediate transfer belt 82 Surface layer of intermediate transfer belt 84 Groove 100 Image forming apparatus

The present invention, laser printers, copiers, it relates to an image forming equipment such as a facsimile apparatus.

As a method for removing secondary transfer residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt, a blade cleaning method is widely used. In the blade cleaning method, the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is moved by the cleaning blade as a cleaning member disposed downstream of the secondary transfer unit in the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer belt (hereinafter also referred to as “belt transport direction ” ). The secondary transfer residual toner is physically collected from the toner. Generally, an elastic body such as urethane rubber is used as the cleaning blade. In many cases, the edge of the cleaning blade is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt from a direction facing the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer belt.

The above object is manually achieved in the image forming equipment according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention provides an image carrier that carries a toner image, a movable intermediate transfer member to which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier, and the surface that moves in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer member. in the image forming apparatus having a cleaning member from the surface of the intermediate transfer body scraping the toner, wherein the intermediate transfer member is a groove is formed in the surface along the moving direction of the intermediate transfer member, the moving direction 10-point average roughness Rzjis when measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface is 0.26 μm or more and 0.67 μm or less, and the cleaning member and the intermediate transfer member face each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction. The ratio of the contact area between the intermediate transfer member and the cleaning member to the total area of the intermediate transfer member within the range is 80% or more and 97% or less. An image forming apparatus.

Hereinafter will be described in more detail with reference to an image forming equipment according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

6). Intermediate transfer abrasion view of the surface layer and the cleaning blade of the belt 5 (a) ~ (d) is an enlarged contact portion between the surface layer 82 and the cleaning blade 21 of the intermediate transfer belt 8 (the blade nip portion 23) shown schematically ing.

Claims (16)

An image carrier for carrying a toner image;
A movable intermediate transfer body onto which a toner image is transferred from the image carrier;
A cleaning member that contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer member and scrapes the toner from the surface of the intermediate transfer member that moves.
In an image forming apparatus having
On the surface of the intermediate transfer member, grooves are formed along the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer member. An image forming apparatus having a thickness of 10 nm to 30 nm.   The surface of the intermediate transfer member has a ten-point average roughness Rzjis of 0.26 μm or more and 0.67 μm or less when measured in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The ratio of the contact area between the intermediate transfer member and the cleaning member to the total area of the intermediate transfer member within the range of the cleaning member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the surface of the intermediate transfer member is 80% or more. 97. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is 97% or less.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the groove is less than half of an average particle diameter of the toner.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface layer forming a surface of the intermediate transfer member is formed of a curable resin.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface layer forming a surface of the intermediate transfer member is formed of an acrylic copolymer.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer forming the surface of the intermediate transfer member contains fluorine-containing particles.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the fluorine-containing particles are polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer member is an endless belt.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer member includes a plurality of layers.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is a blade made of polyurethane.   The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning member has a rubber hardness (JIS K 6253 standard) of 70 degrees or more and 80 degrees or less.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is in contact with the intermediate transfer member in a counter direction.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a contact pressure of the cleaning member with respect to the intermediate transfer member is 0.4 N / cm or more and 0.8 N / cm or less. . In an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus and transferring a toner image from an image carrier,
Grooves are formed on the surface along the moving direction of the surface of the image forming apparatus, and the surface has an in-plane average roughness of 10 nm in all directions of the average particle diameter of toner used in the image forming apparatus. An intermediate transfer member having a thickness of 30 nm or less. In a method for producing an intermediate transfer member used in an image forming apparatus and transferring a toner image from an image carrier,
Grooves are formed on the surface of the toner used in the image forming apparatus having an average in-plane average roughness of 10 nm or less along the moving direction of the surface in the image forming apparatus. A method for producing an intermediate transfer member, characterized in that an in-plane average roughness in an average particle diameter of the toner is 10 nm or more and 30 nm or less.

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