JP3486523B2 - Developer carrier and developing device using the same - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a developer carrier and a developing device applied to a developing device for developing with a developer, which is used in electrophotography, electrostatic recording, magnetic recording and the like. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a number of methods are known as electrophotographic methods, but generally, a photoconductive substance is used, and various means are used to electrically connect an electrostatic latent image bearing member (photoreceptor) to the surface. A latent image is formed, and then the latent image is developed with toner (developer) to form a visible image. If necessary, the toner image is transferred to a transfer material such as paper, and then the transfer material is applied by heat or pressure. The toner image is fixed on the top to obtain a copy.

In recent years, in addition to conventional copying machines, there have been many printers, facsimile machines, and the like using electrophotographic methods. Particularly in printers and facsimiles, a developing device using a one-component toner is often used because it is necessary to reduce the size of the copying device.

Unlike the two-component method, the one-component developing method does not require carrier particles such as glass beads and iron powder, so that the developing apparatus itself can be made compact and lightweight. Furthermore, since the two-component developing system needs to keep the toner concentration in the developer constant, an apparatus for detecting the toner concentration and supplying a required amount of toner is required. Therefore, also in this case, the developing device becomes large and heavy. The one-component developing method is preferable because such an apparatus is not necessary and the size and weight can be reduced.

In addition, LED and LBP printers have recently become the mainstream of the market as a printer device, and as a technical direction, higher resolution, that is, 300, 400 dpi has been conventionally used.
It has become 600, 800, 1200 dpi. Therefore, the developing system is also required to have higher definition. Further, the copiers are also becoming more sophisticated, and as a result, they are moving toward digitalization. In this direction, the method of forming an electrostatic image with a laser is the main method, so it is also moving toward high resolution, and here too, as with printers, high-resolution, high-definition developing methods are required. JP-A-1-112253 and JP-A-2-284158 propose toners having a small particle size. In such a toner having a small particle diameter or a fine particle diameter, the surface area of the toner is remarkably increased as compared with the conventional one, so that the charge amount of the toner tends to be very high.

Further, in recent years, low temperature fixing of toner has been promoted from the viewpoint of energy saving. Since such a toner uses a binder resin having a large amount of low molecular weight components or a binder resin having a low Tg, or contains a large amount of a substance having a low melting point such as wax, it tends to be weak against heat and pressure. It is easy to cause fusion due to temperature rise of the main body.

Under these circumstances, the durability of the developing device is required to be improved due to an increase in the number of copies or prints, and it is required to maintain a high-definition image for a long time.

As a developer carrier used for the above-mentioned development, for example, a metal, an alloy thereof or a compound thereof is molded into a cylindrical shape and the surface thereof is subjected to electrolysis, blasting, sanding, etc. to have a predetermined surface roughness. What was processed so that it may be used. However, in this case, the developer existing in the vicinity of the surface of the developer carrier in the developer layer formed on the surface of the developer carrier by the regulating member has a very high electric charge, and the surface of the carrier has a mirror image. The toner is strongly attracted by the toner, which prevents the toner of the upper layer from rubbing against the carrier, so that the developer cannot have a suitable charge.
Under such a situation, sufficient development and transfer are not performed, resulting in an image with many image density unevenness, character scattering, and reversal fog.

[0009]

As a method of reducing the toner having such an excessively high electric charge and providing a charge amount suitable for development, as disclosed in JP-A-3-36570, etc. A resin coating in which a conductive agent such as carbon or graphite is dispersed is provided on the metal substrate to charge the toner and at the same time prevent the generation of a high-charge toner and the strong adhesion due to the mirroring force of the toner, which is suitable for development. Proposals have been made aiming to have a certain amount of toner on the developing sleeve.

However, when the developing sleeve having a surface layer containing carbon or graphite is used in a developing device having a developer regulating member of the type in which the developing sleeve is pressed, it is formed of carbon black or graphite. Due to the physical properties of graphite, surface irregularities easily become smooth due to wear. If it is smoothed in this way, the amount of developer on the developer carrier decreases, causing a phenomenon such as insufficient supply of developer or an abnormal increase in toner charge, resulting in a decrease in image density. Yamura,
A non-uniform image such as streaks is likely to occur, and although a good image can be obtained with a low toner capacity cartridge, a large capacity cartridge or a replenishment type developing device is insufficient.

On the other hand, as a technique for forming unevenness on the surface firmly and stabilizing the amount of the developer on the developer carrier, JP-A-5-6089 and JP-A-3-20098 are known.
No. 6 publication is cited.

The former is a method in which a relatively large unevenness is formed on a metal substrate by sandblasting, and then a resin containing carbon black, graphite or the like is formed. In this method, the amount of developer is smaller than that in the above method. It is stable, and the durability is improved as compared with the above method, but since the surface irregularities are likely to be uneven, the protrusions are likely to be scraped off, and the durability may be insufficient.

The latter is one in which spherical resin particles are added to the resin layer, and a relatively uniform surface unevenness is formed, and the added spherical particles project and come into contact with the regulating member, so that they are directly applied to the resin layer. There is little influence and less deterioration due to wear than the above method.

However, wear is not entirely absent. Further, usually, the spherical resin particles produced by a general method, for example, the resin particles produced by a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, or the like, have a distribution rather than a uniform distribution.

From these facts, when particles having such a broad distribution are used, almost no effect is observed in the initial stage, but as durability increases, carbon black and graphite parts having weak coating strength fall off due to abrasion. In addition, since the resin particles themselves have high resistance, as a result, the coating layer has high resistance, and in such a case,
Due to overcharge of the toner, image density lowering and image unevenness such as blotches and streaks are likely to occur.

The present invention has been improved in view of the above points.

An object of the present invention is to provide a developer carrier on which the developer on the developer carrier has a stable and appropriate electric charge and which can obtain a uniform and uniform high-quality image. Is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a developer carrying member capable of obtaining a high-quality image free from a decrease in density, a sleeve ghost and the like even at room temperature and normal humidity, as well as at low temperature and low humidity and high temperature and high humidity. Especially.

An object of the present invention is to provide a developer carrying member which does not deteriorate in the image even when it is repeatedly printed and does not cause blotches, streaks or fusion.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a developing device which is constructed by using the above-mentioned developer carrying member and which can stably obtain a high-quality image.

[0021]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has at least a developer carrying member and a developer regulating member, and the developer regulating member is brought into pressure contact with the developer carrying member via the developer to reduce the developer layer thickness. In a developer carrier used in a developing device for regulation, the developer carrier has a substrate and a conductive resin layer coated on the surface of the substrate, and the conductive resin layer is at least a binder resin and a number average. The present invention relates to a developer carrying member having a particle diameter of 1 to 30 μm and containing spherical resin particles having a variation coefficient of 40.0% or less.

Further, according to the present invention, the one-component developer contained in the developing container is carried on the developer carrying member, and the developer regulating member is brought into pressure contact with the developer carrying member via the developer, A developer layer thickness regulating member for regulating the layer thickness is provided, and while the developer layer regulating member forms a thin film of the developer on the developer bearing member, the developer bearing member carries the latent image. The present invention relates to a developing device that conveys a latent image formed on a latent image bearing member to a developing portion facing the body and develops the latent image having the above-described developer bearing member.

Further, the spherical particles are preferably monodispersed or substantially monodispersed. Further, the conductive resin layer may contain a solid lubricant.

[0024]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First, the developer carrying member of the present invention will be described.

As the binder resin used in the resin layer of the present invention, generally known resins can be used. For example, styrene resin, vinyl resin, polyether sulfone resin, polycarbonate resin, polyphenylene oxide resin, polyamide resin, fluororesin, fibrin resin, acrylic resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, alkyd resin, phenol resin, melamine A thermoplastic resin such as a resin, a polyurethane resin, a urea resin, a silicone resin, and a polyimide resin, or a photocurable resin can be used. Among them, those having releasability such as silicone resin and fluororesin, or polyether sulfone,
More preferable are mechanically excellent ones such as polycarbonate, polyphenylene oxide, polyamide, phenol, polyester, polyurethane, styrene resin and acrylic resin.

As the material which is added to the resin layer of the present invention to impart conductivity to the resin layer, generally known conductive fine powder can be mentioned. For example, powders of metals or alloys such as copper, nickel, silver and aluminum, metal oxides such as antimony oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide and titanium oxide, carbon-based conductive agents such as carbon fiber, carbon black and graphite. Can be mentioned. The amount of the conductive fine powder added varies depending on the developing system. For example, in the jumping developing method, when a one-component insulating developer is used, the resin layer is preferably 10 ³ Ω · cm or less. Is preferably added to. Carbon black,
In particular, conductive amorphous carbon is particularly excellent in electrical conductivity, and can be added with conductivity in a smaller amount than others, so that it is possible to obtain an arbitrary resistance value to some extent by controlling the amount added, which is preferable. Used for.

The components of the spherical resin particles used in the present invention can be selected from known resins. For example, as the spherical resin particles, those obtained by pulverizing resin particles obtained by a pulverization method by heat treatment or the like, spherical resin particles obtained by a suspension polymerization method, an emulsion polymerization method, a dispersion polymerization method, or the like can be used. Examples of such spherical resin particles include acrylic resin particles such as polyacrylate and polymethacrylate, polyamide resin particles such as nylon, polyolefin resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, silicone resin particles, phenol resin particles, polyurethane. Examples thereof include resin particles, styrene resin particles, benzoguanamine particles, and the like.

In order to narrow the particle size distribution of the spherical particles and keep the coefficient of variation below a specified value, the spherical particles may be classified by a known method before use.

The coefficient of variation in the present invention is preferably 40% or less, more preferably 30% or less. The coefficient of variation is represented by the following formula.

Aw = Sw / D ₄ (Aw: weight variation coefficient, Sw: standard deviation of weight distribution, D
₄ ; Weight average particle size) As a classifier, elbow jet, MS separator, D
Examples thereof include, but are not limited to, an air classifier such as an S separator, a vibration sieving machine, a sieving machine such as a blower shifter, a wet cyclone, a wet classification method such as centrifugation.

The average particle size of the spherical resin particles in the present invention is measured by Coulter: Multisizer II type having a 100 μm aperture (50 μm for particles of 3.0 μm or less.
(μm aperture) was attached for measurement.

By using these spherical particles, a suitable surface roughness can be obtained with a smaller addition amount, and a more uniform surface shape can be easily obtained (see FIG. 3). The amount of addition is preferably about 2 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the binder resin in the resin layer. If it is less than 2 parts by weight, the effect of adding the spherical particles is small, and if it exceeds 100 parts by weight, the resin layer becomes brittle, and the spherical particles fall off, which is not preferable.

The surface roughness of the resin layer to which the particles are added in this way is preferably in the range of 0.3 μm to 5.0 μm in terms of center line average roughness (Ra) in the notation of JIS B0601. More preferably, it is in the range of 0.4 μm to 3.5 μm. If it is less than 0.3 μm, the thickness of the developer layer on the developer carrying member is too small, the amount of the developer supplied is too small to develop a solid image on the latent image carrying member, or the toner is overcharged. Easy to cause. 5.0μ
When it exceeds m, the thickness of the developer layer becomes too large, and the charge of the developer is likely to decrease or become nonuniform.

The surface roughness in the present invention was measured using a surface roughness meter SE-3300H manufactured by Kosaka Laboratory, and the measurement conditions were a cutoff of 0.8 mm and a specified distance of 8.0 mm.
Feed rate 0.1 mm / sec. The average of the measured values at 12 points was taken.

It is also preferable that the resin layer of the present invention contains a lubricating powder. Examples of such lubricating powders include molybdenum disulfide, boron nitride, mica, graphite, graphite fluoride, silver-niobium selenide, calcium chloride-graphite, talc, Teflon, fluorinated polymers such as PVDF, stearin. Examples thereof include fatty acid metal salts such as zinc acid salt, magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate, and zinc palmitate. Among them, graphite is preferably used because it has electrical conductivity as well as lubricity.

A cylindrical tube is preferably used as the substrate of the developer carrying member. As such a cylindrical tube, a non-magnetic metal or alloy such as aluminum, stainless steel, or brass formed into a cylindrical shape and polished or ground is preferably used. These metal cylindrical tubes are used by being molded or processed with high precision in order to improve the uniformity of images. For example, the straightness in the longitudinal direction is preferably 30 μm or less or 20 μm or less, and the deviation of the gap between the sleeve and the photosensitive drum is, for example, abutted against a vertical surface via a uniform spacer,
When the sleeve is rotated, the runout of the gap with the vertical surface is also 3
It is preferably 0 μm or less, or 20 μm or less.

The resin layer of the present invention can be obtained by, for example, dispersing and mixing the respective components in a solvent to form a coating, and applying the coating on the substrate. A well-known dispersing device using beads such as a sand mill, a paint shaker, a dyno mill, and a pearl mill can be suitably used for dispersion and mixing of each component. As a coating method,
Known methods such as a dipping method, a spray method and a roll coating method can be applied.

Next, a developing device incorporating the developer carrying member of the present invention will be described and exemplified.

In FIG. 1, an image carrier that carries an electrostatic latent image formed by a known process, for example, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum 1 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. Developing roller 1
The developing sleeve 8 as the developer carrying member in 1 carries the magnetic toner 4 as the one-component magnetic developer supplied from the hopper 3 and rotates in the arrow A method to thereby develop the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 1. The magnetic toner 4 is conveyed to the developing unit D where and are opposed to each other. In the developing sleeve 8,
A magnet 5 is arranged to magnetically attract and hold the magnetic toner 4 onto the developing sleeve 8. The developing sleeve 8 has a resin layer 7 coated on the metal cylinder 6. Reference numeral 9 is a gap indicating that the developing sleeve and the magnet are not in contact with each other. The magnetic toner 4 rubs against the resin layer 7 on the developing sleeve 8 to obtain a triboelectric charge capable of developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.

In order to regulate the layer thickness of the magnetic toner 4 conveyed to the developing section D, a regulation blade 21 made of an elastic member is used.
Is fixed to the hopper so that the abdomen of the developing sleeve is pressed against the surface of the developing sleeve via toner.

The thin layer of the magnetic toner 4 formed on the developing sleeve 8 is preferably thinner than the minimum gap between the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 in the developing section D. The present invention is particularly effective for a developing device of the type that develops an electrostatic latent image with such a toner thin layer, that is, a non-contact type developing device. However, the present invention can be applied to a developing device in which the thickness of the toner layer in the developing portion is not less than the minimum gap D between the developing sleeve 8 and the photosensitive drum 1, that is, a contact type developing device.

In order to avoid complication of the description, a non-contact type developing device will be taken as an example in the following description.

A developing bias voltage is applied to the developing sleeve 8 by a power source 10 in order to fly the magnetic toner 4 which is the one-component magnetic developer carried on the developing sleeve 8.
When a direct current voltage is used as the developing bias voltage, a voltage having a value between the potential of the image portion (the area where the magnetic toner 4 is attached and visualized) of the electrostatic latent image and the potential of the background portion is the developing voltage. It is preferably applied to the sleeve 8. On the other hand, in order to increase the density of the developed image or improve the gradation, an alternating bias voltage may be applied to the developing sleeve 8 to form an oscillating electric field in which the direction is alternately inverted in the developing portion D. In this case, it is preferable to apply to the developing sleeve 8 an alternating bias voltage in which a DC voltage component having a value between the potential of the image portion and the potential of the background portion is superimposed.

Further, in so-called normal development in which toner is visualized by adhering toner to a high potential portion of an electrostatic latent image having a high potential portion and a low potential portion, toner charged to a polarity opposite to the polarity of the electrostatic latent image is used. On the other hand, in so-called reversal development in which toner is made visible by adhering toner to the low potential portion of the electrostatic latent image, the toner uses toner that is charged to the same polarity as the electrostatic latent image. The high potential and the low potential are expressed by absolute values. In any case, the magnetic toner 4 is charged with the polarity for developing the electrostatic latent image by friction with the developing sleeve 8.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the developing device of the invention.

As a member for controlling the layer thickness of the magnetic toner 4 on the developing sleeve 8, a material having rubber elasticity such as urethane rubber or silicone rubber, or a material having metal elasticity such as phosphor bronze or stainless steel is used. Boards are used.
The elastic plate 20 is pressed against the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 8 in the forward direction, and in FIG. 1, the elastic plate 21 is pressed against the direction of rotation of the developing sleeve 8 in the opposite direction. The other basic structure of the developing device of FIG. 2 is the same as that of the developing device shown in FIG. 1, and those having the same reference numerals basically indicate the same members. 1 and 2 are merely schematic examples, and it goes without saying that there are various forms such as the shape of the container, the presence / absence of a stirring member, and the arrangement of magnetic poles.

Next, the developer (toner) used in the present invention will be described.

The toner is a fine powder in which a resin, a release agent, a charge control agent, a colorant and the like are melt-kneaded, solidified and then pulverized, and then classified to classify the particle size distribution.

As the binder resin used in the toner, generally known resins can be used. For example, styrene,
Monomers of styrene such as α-methylstyrene and p-chlorostyrene and their substitution products; styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate. Copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-dimethylaminoethyl copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-ethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene -Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer,
Styrene-based copolymers such as styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymer; polymethyl methacrylate , Polybutyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl butyral, polyacrylic acid resin, rosin, modified rosin,
Tempel resin, phenol resin, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic petroleum resin, paraffin wax, carnauba wax and the like can be used alone or in combination.

Further, the toner may contain a pigment as a colorant. For example, carbon black, nigrosine dye, lamp black, Sudan Black SM, First Yellow G, Benzidine Yellow, Pigment Yellow, India First Orange, Irgadine Red, Paranitroaniline Red, Toluidine.
Red, Carmin FB, Permanent Bordeaux FR
R, Pigment Orange R, Resor Red 2G,
Lake Red C, Rhodamine FB, Rhodamine B Lake, Methyl Vio Red B Lake, Phthalocyanine
Blue, Pigment Blue, Brilliant Green B, Phthalocyanine Green, Oil Yellow GG,
Pomelo First Yellow CGG, Kayaset Y96
3, Kayaset YG, Pomelo First Orange R
R, Oil Scarlet, Orazol Brown B,
Pomelo First Scarlet CG, Oil Pink O
P etc. can be applied.

In order to use the toner as a magnetic toner, magnetic powder is contained in the toner. As such a magnetic powder, a substance that is magnetized by being placed in a magnetic field is used, and a powder of a ferromagnetic metal such as iron, cobalt or nickel,
Alternatively, there are alloys and compounds such as magnetite, hematite, and ferrite. The content of the magnetic powder is preferably 15 to 70% by weight based on the weight of the toner.

Various releasing agents may be used in the toner. As such releasing agents, polyfluorinated ethylene,
Examples thereof include fluororesins, fluorocarbon oils, silicone oils, low molecular weight polyethylenes, low molecular weight polypropylenes and various waxes. Further, if necessary, a charge control agent may be added to facilitate positive or negative charging.

[0053]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be described below with reference to specific examples.
This will be described in more detail.

Example 1 Coefficient of variation 46.2% prepared by suspension polymerization, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 10.0 μm,
Cross-linked PMMA particles having a particle size of 6.35 μm or less in an amount of 35.9% and a particle size of 16 μm or more in an amount of 3.7% by number were used.
Strictly classifying this with a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 10.0 μm, coefficient of variation 2
A distribution of 9.2% was obtained. The PMMA particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, paints were prepared with the following compounding ratios. Phenolic resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 12 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed in a sand mill using glass beads. After diluting a methanol solution of the phenol resin intermediate with isopropyl alcohol, carbon black is added and dispersed by a sand mill. Further PM
Add MA to disperse. After the dispersion, the glass beads were separated and the viscosity was measured at room temperature.
It was 5 mPa · s.

A sleeve was coated with this coating material. An aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ was erected and rotated, and coating was performed while lowering the spray gun at a constant speed to obtain a coating sleeve having a uniform film thickness. This was dried and cured at 140 ° C. for 30 minutes in a drying oven to obtain a sleeve sample. The amount of paint adhered after drying is 1000
It was 0 mg / m ² . When measuring the surface roughness, R
It was 1.75 μm on average in the notation a. The volume resistance value was measured by attaching a four-terminal probe to Mitsubishi Yuka: Lorester AP.

On the other hand, the toner was prepared as follows. Styrene-butyl acrylate-maleic acid n-butyl half ester copolymer 100 parts by weight Magnetite 85 parts by weight Charge control agent 4 parts by weight Low molecular weight polypropylene 6 parts by weight

These materials were mixed using a Henschel mixer, kneaded using a twin-screw extruder, cooled, crushed with a hammer mill, and then crushed with a jet mill to obtain a finely crushed product. . This was classified with an elbow jet classifier, and the weight average particle diameter D ₄ = 6.28 μm,
The number% of particles of 4.0 μm or less is 18.3%, 10.1
A classified product was obtained in which the weight% of particles of μm or more was 1.0%. To 100 parts by weight of this classified product, 1.2 parts by weight of hydrophobic colloidal silica was externally added and mixed to obtain a toner.

Next, using the above-mentioned sleeve and toner, LBP-1260 manufactured by Canon Inc. was used to perform image evaluation by the following evaluation method. E for LBP-1260
This sleeve was processed so that it could be mounted on a PE cartridge. 100 g of toner was replenished each time 100 g of toner was consumed, and a durability test was conducted on a total of 60,000 sheets.

Image evaluation was carried out at 15 ° C./10% RH, 23
C./55% RH and 30.degree. C./80% RH. A sufficient image density was maintained at a durability of 60,000 sheets.
There were no problems with ghosts, fog, etc.
In addition, the surface of the aluminum cylindrical tube underlying the coat layer was not exposed. When the surface roughness of this sleeve after running was measured under the environment of 23 ° C./55% RH, Ra = 1.53 μm, which was not much changed. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.

[Evaluation Method] (1) Solid Black Image Density Change At 10 points on the page when solid black was printed, the reflection density was measured with a reflection densitometer RD918 (manufactured by Macbeth), and the average of 10 points was taken. Image density.

(2) An image in which a ghost solid white and a solid black portion are adjacent to each other is developed at the image leading end portion (the first rotation of the sleeve rotation), and the density of solid white marks and solid black marks appearing on the halftone of the second and subsequent laps. The difference was mainly compared visually, and the image density measurement was referred to. The evaluation results are shown by the following indexes. ⊚: No difference in light and shade is seen. ◯: A slight difference in shade can be confirmed depending on the viewing angle. B: The difference in density can be visually confirmed, but the difference in image density is within 0.01. Δ ○: A difference in gray level to the extent that the edge is not clear can be confirmed, but is practically OK level. Δ: The shade is slightly clear, and is the lower limit of the practical level. Δx: The difference in light and shade can be clearly confirmed, and can be confirmed as the difference in image density. Inferior to practical level. X: The difference in density is quite large and the difference in density by the reflection densitometer is 0.
There are more than 05.

(3) The reflectance of the solid white image in the fog-appropriate image was measured, and the reflectance of the unused transfer paper was further measured (the worst of the reflectance of the solid white image-the reflectance of the unused transfer paper). The highest value) was taken as the fog density, and the evaluation results were shown by the following indexes (however, the reflectance was measured at random 10 times). The reflectance was measured by TC-6DS (manufactured by Tokyo Denshoku Co., Ltd.). ⊚: 1.0 or less O: 1.0 to 1.5 O Δ: 1.5 to 2.3 Δ O: 2.3 to 3.0 Δ: 3.0 to 4.0 (4.0 is practical Lower limit of level) △ ×: 4.0 to 5.0 ×: 5.0 or more

However, when the above numerical values are visually judged, if the numerical value is 1.5 or less, it hardly changes by visual observation, and it is 2-3.
The degree is a level that can be confirmed by looking closely, and if it exceeds 4.0, fogging can be seen at a glance.

(4) Unevenness Various images such as solid black, halftone, and line image are confirmed, and image unevenness due to defective coating of the developer on the sleeve, such as wavy unevenness and blotch (spotted unevenness) on the developing sleeve. (Wavy, blotch-shaped, etc.) was used as a reference, and the evaluation criteria results are shown by the following indexes. ⊚: Does not appear at all. ◯: It can be confirmed by watermarking about one image out of several to several dozen. Δ: Wavy or spotted unevenness is confirmed on the first circumference of the first sleeve of the halftone image or the solid black image. No problem with photographic images. Δ ×: 1 to several uneven images appear as solid black images. Not practically possible. X: The unevenness appears on the solid white.

<Example 2> The crosslinked PMMA particles produced by suspension polymerization used in Example 1 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, and the coefficient of variation at this time was 21. It was used by making it 2%. A coating material was prepared with the same compounding ratio as in Example 1 except that these particles were used, and was dispersed in a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. 55.0 mPa at room temperature
s of paint was obtained. Using this paint, in the same manner as in Example 1, the weight attached to an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ was 9
It was applied to 500 mg / m ² . Surface roughness is Ra = on average
It was 1.93 μm, and the volume resistance by the OHP sheet was 0.95 Ωcm. Using the toner of Example 1,
Similarly, the durability test was performed.

At this time, a good image was obtained through the endurance with respect to the density (5) of the endurance. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.

<Comparative Example 1> A coating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the crosslinked PMMA particles which had not been classified were used. Paint viscosity is 52.5m
Pa · s was almost the same as in Example 1. Using this paint, in the same manner as in Example 1, the outer diameter is 16 mmφ.
It was applied to the aluminum cylindrical tube of No. 3 with an adhesion weight of 9500 mg / m ² . The surface roughness after binder curing is Ra = 1.
The volume resistance was 83 μm, and the volume resistance was 0.76 Ωcm, which was almost the same as in Example 1.

When the same image evaluation as in Example 1 was carried out, an image of almost the same level as in Example 1 was obtained in the first half of the durability test, but the density level was changed halfway after 25,000 sheets. The level of sleeve ghosts also decreased. When the surface of the sleeve was observed, the surface roughness was slightly decreased due to the surface being abraded, and the exposure of fine powder of the added particles was often seen (see FIG. 4).

Example 3 The crosslinked PMMA particles prepared by suspension polymerization used in Example 1 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, and the coefficient of variation at this time was 13. It was used as 0%. The PMMA particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenol resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 10 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed in a sand mill as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
An outer diameter of 16 mm was obtained using this paint in the same manner as in Example 1.
Weight attached to φ aluminum cylinder tube 9500mg / m ²
Applied to. The surface roughness is Ra = 1.80 μm on average, and the volume resistance of the OHP sheet is 0.66 Ωcm.
Met. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1.

The results are shown in Table 2. Good results have been obtained.

<Example 4> The crosslinked PMMA particles prepared by suspension polymerization used in Example 1 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect to obtain a coefficient of variation of 35%. Used. The PMMA particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenolic resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 12 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
An outer diameter of 16 mm was obtained using this paint in the same manner as in Example 1.
Weight attached to φ aluminum cylinder tube 9500mg / m ²
Applied to. The surface roughness is Ra = 1.93 μm on average, and the volume resistance of the OHP sheet is 0.95 Ωcm.
Met. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1.

At this time, a good image was obtained through the durability with respect to the density of 5 during durability. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 2.

Comparative Example 2 A coating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the crosslinked PMMA particles were not added. The paint viscosity was 52.5 mPa · s, which was almost the same as in Example 1. Using this coating composition, a coating weight of 9500 mg / m ² was applied to an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ in the same manner as in Example 1. The surface roughness after binder curing was Ra = 0.6 μm, and the volume resistance was 0.76 Ωcm, which was almost the same as in Example 1.

When the same image evaluation as in Example 1 was carried out, an image of almost the same level as that in Example 1 was obtained in the first half of the durability test, but the density level was changed halfway after 25,000 sheets. The level of sleeve ghosts also decreased. When the surface of the sleeve was observed, the surface roughness was slightly reduced due to the surface being abraded, and the exposure of fine powder of the added particles was observed in many cases.

Example 5 Coefficient of variation produced by suspension polymerization 0.24%, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 10.0 μm,
Monodisperse crosslinked PMMA particles having 0% by number of particles of 5.04 μm or less and 0% by number of particles of 12.7 μm or more were used. The PMMA particles were made by suspension and had a spherical morphology.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenol resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 10 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill to obtain a coating material of 52.5 mPa · s at room temperature. With this paint,
The same coating as in Example 1 was performed. Adhesion weight 9500m
It was coated at g / m ² . Surface roughness Ra = 2.18 on average
μm, and the volume resistance was 15.2 Ωcm. The same durable image evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. The results were good as shown in Table 2.

Example 6 Variation coefficient 58.5% produced by suspension polymerization, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 5.0 μm,
A crosslinked PMMA particle having 80.0% by number of particles of 6.35 μm or less and 0.1% by number of particles of 16 μm or more was used.
This was strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, and the number average particle diameter D ₁ = 5.0 μm and the variation coefficient 30.
7% PMMA particles were obtained. The PMMA particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, paints were prepared with the following compounding ratios. Phenolic resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 24 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 7 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
An outer diameter of 16 mm was obtained using this paint in the same manner as in Example 1.
Weight attached to φ aluminum cylinder tube 9500mg / m ²
Applied to. The surface roughness is Ra = 1.80 μm on average, and the volume resistance of the OHP sheet is 0.66 Ωcm.
Met. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1.

The results are shown in Table 3. Good results have been obtained.

Example 7 The crosslinked PMMA particles prepared by suspension polymerization used in Example 6 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, and the coefficient of variation was 21.5.
% Was used. A coating material was prepared in the same mixing ratio as in Example 6 except that the above-mentioned particles were used, and was dispersed in a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature. An outer diameter of 1 was obtained using this coating material in the same manner as in Example 1.
Adhesion weight 9500mg on a 6mmφ aluminum cylinder
/ M ² was applied. Surface roughness Ra = 1.81μ on average
m, and the volume resistance of the OHP sheet is 0.78.
It was Ωcm. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1.

At this time, a good image was obtained through the durability with respect to the density of 5 during durability. The ghost and the transition of image density were as good as in Example 1. The change in surface roughness was also small.

<Comparative Example 3> A coating composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 7 except that the crosslinked PMMA particles which had not been classified were used in the above Example 7, and the coating composition had a viscosity of 47.5 mPas at room temperature.・ I got s paint. Using this coating composition, a coating weight of 9500 mg / m ² was applied to an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ in the same manner as in Example 1. The surface roughness after curing the binder is Ra = 1.83μ
m, and the volume resistance was 0.76 Ωcm, which was almost the same as in Example 7.

When the same image evaluation as in Example 1 was carried out, an image having almost the same level as that in Example 7 was obtained in the first half of the durability test, but the density level decreased from the middle after about 20,000 sheets. , The level of the sleeve ghost also decreased. When the surface of the sleeve was observed, it was found that the surface roughness was slightly decreased due to the surface being abraded, and the exposed area of the fine powder of the added particles was increased.

<Example 8> Coefficient of variation 41.0% produced by suspension polymerization, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 20.0 μm,
Crosslinked PMMA particles having a particle size of 6.35 μm or less in an amount of 2.3% by number and particles having a particle size of 32 μm or more in an amount of 2.0% by number were used. Strictly classify this with a multi-division classifier using Coanda effect, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 20.0 μm, coefficient of variation 18.
8% PMMA particles were obtained. The PMMA particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenol resin intermediate 100 parts by weight PMMA particles 8 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 30 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 4 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
An outer diameter of 16 mm was obtained using this paint in the same manner as in Example 1.
Weight attached to φ aluminum cylinder tube 9500mg / m ²
Applied to. The surface roughness is Ra = 2.12 μm on average, and the volume resistance of the OHP sheet is 0.99 Ωcm.
Met. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3. Good results have been obtained.

<Example 9> The crosslinked PMMA particles prepared by suspension polymerization used in Example 8 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect to obtain a coefficient of variation of 28.7.
% Was used. A coating material was prepared with the same compounding ratio except that the above-mentioned particles were used, and was dispersed in a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 55.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature. Using this coating material, an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ was applied in a weight of 9500 mg / m ² in the same manner as in Example 1. The surface roughness is Ra = 1.80 μm on average,
The volume resistance of the OHP sheet was 0.73 Ωcm. A durability test was conducted in the same manner using the toner of Example 1.

Good images were obtained through the durability test. The evaluation results are summarized in Table 3.

Comparative Example 4 A coating material was prepared in the same mixing ratio as in Example 9 except that the crosslinked PMMA particles which had not been classified were used.
Adhesion weight 9500mg on a 6mmφ aluminum cylinder
/ M ² was applied. Volume resistance after curing is 1.21Ωc
m, and the surface roughness was Ra = 0.54 μm. This sample was incorporated into an EP-E cartridge in the same manner as in Example 6, and the same durability evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. Endurance 5
(3) The image density was generally low.
Moreover, uneven density occurred in a low humidity environment.

<Example 10> In place of the particles of Example 1,
Coefficient of variation 57.4%, number average particle size D ₁ = 10.0 μ
m, particles of 6.35 μm or less 32.8% by number, 16 μm
Nylon particles having 2.5% by number or more of m particles were used.
Strictly classifying this with a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 10.0 μm, coefficient of variation 2
Nylon particles of 9.9% were obtained. The nylon particles had a spherical shape.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenol resin intermediate 100 parts by weight Nylon particles 12 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 25 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 230 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 50.0 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
This was applied in the same manner as in Example 1. Adhesion weight 85
00 mg / m ² , surface roughness Ra = 1.99 μm on average
And the volume resistance was 0.92 Ωcm. The same durable image evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. The results are good as shown in Table 3.

<Example 11> The nylon particles used in Example 10 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect, and used with a coefficient of variation of 19.3%. A coating material was prepared with the same compounding ratio except that the above-mentioned particles were used, and was dispersed in a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. 45.0m at room temperature
A paint of Pa · s was obtained. This was applied in the same manner as in Example 1. Adhesion weight 13500 mg / m ² , surface roughness Ra = 2.26 μm on average, volume resistance 0.86 Ωcm
Met. The same durable image evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. The results are good as shown in Table 4.

Comparative Example 8 A coating material was prepared in the same manner as in Example 10 except that nylon particles which had not been classified were used.

The raw material was dispersed in a sand mill using glass beads. After diluting a methanol solution of the phenol resin intermediate with isopropyl alcohol, graphite and carbon are added and dispersed by a sand mill. Further, the above nylon particles are added and dispersed. After the dispersion, the glass beads were separated. This coating material was applied to an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ in a weight of 9500 mg / m ² in the same manner as in Example 10. The volume resistance value after curing was 1.21 Ωcm, and the surface roughness was Ra = 0.54 μm. This sample was incorporated into an EP-E cartridge as in Example 5, and the same durability evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. With respect to the image density of 5 during durability, only a low image density was generally obtained. Moreover, uneven density occurred in a low humidity environment.

<Example 12> Instead of the particles of Example 1,
Cross-linking with a coefficient of variation of 59.7%, number average particle diameter D ₁ = 15.0 μm, particles of 6.35 μm or less of 55.2% and particles of 16 μm or more of 3.7% produced by suspension polymerization Ethyl acrylate particles were used. This was strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect to obtain crosslinked ethyl acrylate particles having a number average particle diameter D ₁ = 15.0 μm and a coefficient of variation of 29.6%. The crosslinked ethyl acrylate particles had a spherical morphology.

Next, a coating material was prepared with the following compounding ratio. Phenolic resin intermediate 100 parts by weight Crosslinked ethyl acrylate particles 15 parts by weight Crystalline graphite having an average particle size of 2 μm 35 parts by weight Conductive carbon black 5 parts by weight Methanol 60 parts by weight Isopropyl alcohol 240 parts by weight

The above raw materials were dispersed by a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1. A paint of 52.5 mPa · s was obtained at room temperature.
This was applied in the same manner as in Example 1. Adhesion weight 85
00 mg / m ² , surface roughness Ra = 1.99 μm on average
And the volume resistance was 1.03 Ωcm. The same durable image evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. The results are good as shown in Table 4.

Example 13 The crosslinked ethyl acrylate particles used in Example 12 were strictly classified by a multi-division classifier using the Coanda effect and used with a coefficient of variation of 1.93%. A coating material was prepared with the same mixing ratio except that the above-mentioned particles were used, and was dispersed in a sand mill in the same manner as in Example 1 to obtain a coating material. When the viscosity was measured at room temperature, it was 65.5 mPa
・ It was s. Using this paint, in the same manner as in Example 1, the weight attached to an aluminum cylindrical tube having an outer diameter of 16 mmφ was 9
It was applied to 500 mg / m ² . Volume resistance is 1.16Ωc
m and surface roughness Ra = 1.38 μm. A durability test was similarly performed using the toner of Example 1. The durability results are shown in Table 4. The surface roughness after durability was 1.28 μm.

Comparative Example 6 A coating composition was prepared in the same manner as in Example 12 except that the crosslinked ethyl acrylate particles which had not been classified were used. The viscosity at room temperature was 50.0 mPa · s. The same coating as in Example 1 was performed using this paint. Adhesion weight is 9300
mg / m ² , the surface roughness was Ra = 2.15 μm, and the volume resistance was 16.1 Ωcm. The same durable image evaluation as in Example 1 was performed. Example 9 initially
A good image similar to that obtained was obtained. However, under normal temperature and normal humidity and high temperature and high humidity environment, the density decreases after 15,000 sheets,
After the pause, the image density further decreased, and the phenomenon that the density started up gradually occurred. The ghost worsened as durability increased in low temperature environments.

Table 1 shows the characteristic values of the resin particles in the resin of the sleeve used in each of the examples and comparative examples.

[0110]

[Table 1]

[0111]

[Table 2]

[0112]

[Table 3]

[0113]

[Table 4]

[0114]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The number average particle size is 1 to 30 μm on the metallic developer carrier.
A resin film having a particle size distribution of m and a coefficient of variation of 40.0% or less, or containing at least monodisperse spherical particles is formed, and is developed under normal temperature and normal humidity, low temperature and low humidity, and high temperature and high humidity. A stable and appropriate electric charge can be applied to the developer on the agent carrier, and a uniform, high-quality image without density unevenness and sleeve ghost can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a developing device configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the developing device configured according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the surface of the developer carrying member used in Examples 1 to 11.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view near the surface of a developer carrying member used in Comparative Examples 1 to 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Photosensitive drum 3: Container 4: Developer (toner) 5: Magnet roll 6: Metal cylinder (base) 7: Resin coating layer 8: Development sleeve (developer carrier) 9: void 10: Development bias power supply 11: Developing roller 12: spherical particles 13: Conductive resin layer 14: Sleeve base 20: Elasticity regulation blade 21: Elasticity regulation blade N1, S1, N2, S2: Magnetic pole

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuki Saiki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Yasuhide Goseki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Ki Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Satoshi Otake 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-8-185042 (JP, A) JP-A-8-179616 ( (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/08 501 F16C 13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A development used in a developing device having at least a developer carrying member and a developer regulating member, wherein the developer regulating member is in pressure contact with the developer carrying member through the developer to regulate the developer layer thickness. In the agent carrier, the developer carrier has a base and a conductive resin layer coated on the surface of the base, and the conductive resin layer has at least a binder resin and a number average particle diameter of 1 to 30 μm. Further, a developer carrying member containing spherical resin particles having a variation coefficient of 40.0% or less. 2. The developer carrying member according to claim 1, wherein the conductive resin layer further contains a solid lubricant. 3. A one-component developer contained in a developing container is carried on a developer carrier, and a developer regulating member is pressed against the developer carrier via the developer to regulate the developer layer thickness. And a developer layer thickness regulating member for forming a thin film of the developer by the developer layer regulating member on the developer bearing body, and the developer bearing body faces the developer against the latent image bearing body. In a developing device which conveys a latent image formed on a latent image carrier to a developing unit, the developer carrier has a substrate and a conductive resin layer coated on the surface of the substrate, The developing device, wherein the functional resin layer contains at least a binder resin and spherical resin particles having a number average particle size of 1 to 30 μm and a coefficient of variation of 40.0% or less. 4. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein the conductive resin layer further contains a solid lubricant.