Image forming apparatus and process cartridge

Abstract

An image forming apparatus and a process cartridge, the image forming apparatus including: a member to be cleaned; and a cleaning blade that is in contact with and cleans a member to be cleaned, and that has both longitudinal end portions provided so as to extend beyond the member to be cleaned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an image forming device and a processing box. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in electronic photographic image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and fax machines, cleaning scrapers have been used as cleaning components for removing residual colorants and other attachments from the surfaces of components to be cleaned, such as image holders (photoreceptors, etc.), charging components (charging rollers, etc.), transfer components (intermediate transfer belts, secondary transfer rollers, etc.), fixing components (heating belts, pressure rollers, etc.), and conveying components (conveyor belts, etc.).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses "a fixing device comprising: a heating component and a pressure component for heating and pressurizing a colorant image formed on a recording material to fix it to the recording material; a cleaning roller for cleaning the colorant attached to the surface of at least one of these components; and a cleaning scraper for scraping off the colorant accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller, wherein the fixing device is characterized in that a backing scraper for supporting the cleaning scraper is provided on the cleaning scraper, and the cleaning scraper is arranged to be longer than the backing scraper in a direction of contact with the cleaning roller."

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses "an image forming device comprising: a cleaning scraper; a cleaned component that is movable and uses the cleaning scraper to remove colorant attached to the surface; and an end component that is respectively configured in an L shape on both end sides in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning scraper and covers the end of the cleaning scraper and an overlapping area where the end component overlaps with the cleaning scraper when the cleaning scraper is observed from the moving direction of the cleaned component, the image forming device being characterized in that the cleaned component has an end on the longitudinal center side of the overlapping area as a boundary line, and the surface roughness of an area closer to the longitudinal end side than the boundary line is smoother than the surface roughness of an area closer to the longitudinal center side than the boundary line."

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-186335

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5754896 Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which lifting of a cleaning blade is suppressed compared with a case where a cleaning blade is provided which contacts and cleans a member to be cleaned and has both ends in the longitudinal direction arranged so as not to protrude from the member to be cleaned.

[0008] The method for solving the problem includes the following aspects.

[0009] <1> An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0010] The parts being cleaned; and

[0011] The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

[0012] <2> The image forming apparatus according to <1>, wherein:

[0013] The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 0.1 mm or more.

[0014] <3> The image forming apparatus according to <2>, wherein:

[0015] The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 1.0 mm or more.

[0016] <4> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein:

[0017] A contact line pressure of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 1.5 gf / mm or more and 4.0 gf / mm or less.

[0018] <5> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein:

[0019] A contact angle of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 18° or more and 50° or less.

[0020] <6> The image forming apparatus according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein

[0021] A Young's modulus of a contact portion of the cleaning blade that contacts the member to be cleaned is 5 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less.

[0022] <7> A process cartridge that is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus and includes:

[0023] The parts being cleaned; and

[0024] The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

[0025] Effects of the Invention

[0026] According to the invention <1>, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared with a case where the cleaning blade is provided so as to contact and clean a member to be cleaned and both ends in the longitudinal direction are provided so as not to protrude from the member to be cleaned.

[0027] According to the invention described in <2>, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared with a case where the length of the cleaning blade protruding from the cleaned member at the end portion in the longitudinal direction is less than 0.1 mm.

[0028] According to the invention as set forth in <3>, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case in which the length of the cleaning blade protruding from the member to be cleaned at the end portion in the longitudinal direction is less than 1.0 mm.

[0029] According to the invention described in <4>, an image forming apparatus is provided in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed while ensuring good cleaning performance, compared with a case where the contact line pressure of the cleaning blade member with respect to the member to be cleaned is less than 1.5 gf / mm or exceeds 4.0 gf / mm.

[0030] According to the invention of <5>, an image forming apparatus is provided in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed while ensuring good cleaning performance, compared with a case where the contact angle of the cleaning blade member with respect to the member to be cleaned is less than 18° or exceeds 50°.

[0031] According to the invention as set forth in <6>, there is provided an image forming apparatus in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case where the Young's modulus of the contact portion of the cleaning blade with the member to be cleaned is less than 5 MPa.

[0032] According to the invention of <7>, there is provided a process cartridge in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared with a case where the cleaning blade is provided which contacts and cleans a member to be cleaned and has both ends in the longitudinal direction provided so as not to protrude from the member to be cleaned. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the setting conditions of the cleaning blade relative to the member to be cleaned in this embodiment;

[0035] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the setting conditions of the cleaning blade relative to the member to be cleaned in this embodiment;

[0036] Figure 3It is a schematic diagram showing an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0037] Explanation of symbols

[0038] 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K-image forming unit, 10-primary transfer section, 11-photoreceptor, 12-charger, 13-laser exposure device, 14-developer, 15-intermediate transfer belt, 16-primary transfer roller, 17-photoreceptor cleaner, 20-secondary transfer section, 22-secondary transfer roller, 22A-secondary transfer roller cleaning member, 25-back roller, 26-power supply roller, 31-driving roller, 32-support roller, 33-tension imparting roller, 34-cleaning back roller, 35-intermediate transfer belt cleaning blade, 40-control section, 42-reference sensor, 43-image density sensor, 50-paper accommodating section, 51-paper supply roller, 52-transport roller, 53-transport guide, 55-transport belt, 56-fixing inlet guide, 60-fixing device, 100-image forming device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0040] Hereinafter, the present embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described. These descriptions and examples are for illustrating the embodiment and do not limit the scope of the embodiment.

[0041] In the numerical ranges recorded in stages in this embodiment, the upper limit or lower limit recorded in one numerical range can be replaced by the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range recorded in other stages. In addition, in the numerical ranges recorded in this embodiment, the upper limit or lower limit of the numerical range can be replaced by the value shown in the embodiment.

[0042] In the present embodiment, the term "process" includes not only independent processes but also processes that cannot be clearly distinguished from other processes as long as the intended purpose of the process can be achieved.

[0043] While the embodiment is described with reference to the drawings in this embodiment, the structure of the embodiment is not limited to the structure shown in the drawings. In addition, the sizes of the components in each figure are conceptual, and the relative relationship between the sizes of the components is not limited to this.

[0044] In this embodiment, each component may include a plurality of corresponding substances. In this embodiment, when the amount of each component in the composition is mentioned, if there are a plurality of substances corresponding to each component in the composition, unless otherwise specified, it indicates the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition.

[0045] <Image forming device>

[0046] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment includes:

[0047] The parts being cleaned; and

[0048] The cleaning blade (hereinafter also referred to as “blade”) contacts the member to be cleaned and cleans the member, and both ends in the longitudinal direction are provided so as to protrude from the member to be cleaned.

[0049] Here, in the past, when a cleaning scraper is used to clean a cleaned component, the cleaning scraper may sometimes be lifted up (hereinafter also referred to as "scraper lift"). In particular, if the contact line pressure of the scraper with respect to the cleaned component and the contact angle of the scraper with respect to the cleaned component are increased for the purpose of improving cleaning performance, the scraper lift is likely to occur.

[0050] The scraper is prone to lift at both ends of the scraper in the length direction. If the scraper is set so as not to extend beyond the cleaned component, the contact line pressure between the two ends of the scraper in the length direction and the cleaned component will be lower than the central part of the scraper in the length direction. Therefore, the scraper is prone to lift at both ends of the scraper in the length direction.

[0051] Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the cleaning blade is arranged to extend beyond the cleaned component. Thus, even at both ends of the blade in the longitudinal direction, the blade is in contact with the cleaned component with sufficient contact line pressure. Thus, lifting of the blade is suppressed.

[0052] As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the scraper is prevented from being lifted up by the above-mentioned structure.

[0053] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0054] (Arrangement of the cleaning blade relative to the component to be cleaned)

[0055] The cleaning blade is arranged so that both ends of the blade in the length direction extend beyond the cleaned part (reference Figure 1 ).

[0056] Specifically, for example, when a scraper is provided along the axial direction or width direction of the cleaned component, the length direction ends of the scraper are respectively beyond the axial ends or width direction ends of the cleaned component. In addition, the scraper can also be arranged so that the length direction of the scraper is inclined relative to the axial direction or width direction of the cleaned component.

[0057] The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that protrudes from the member to be cleaned is, for example, preferably 0.1 mm or more, more preferably 0.5 mm or more, and even more preferably 1.0 mm or more.

[0058] If the excess amount of the scraper at the end in the longitudinal direction is set within the above range, the scraper can easily come into contact with the cleaned member with a more sufficient contact line pressure even at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the scraper.

[0059] In addition, from the viewpoint of saving the installation space of the scraper, the protruding length of the longitudinal end of the scraper is preferably 10 mm or less, for example.

[0060] Here, the “excess length of the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the scraper” means the length from the edge of the end portion in the axial direction or the width direction of the member to be cleaned to the edge of the end portion in the longitudinal direction of the scraper ( Figure 1 , see T).

[0061] in addition, Figure 1 In the figure, CB represents a cleaning blade, MC represents a member to be cleaned, and T represents a protruding length of an end portion of the blade in the longitudinal direction.

[0062] The contact line pressure of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is, for example, preferably 1.5 gf / mm or more and 4.0 gf / mm or less, and more preferably 1.7 gf / mm or more and 3.0 gf / mm or less.

[0063] If the contact line pressure of the scraper is set within the above range, the cleaning performance is improved. That is, while the cleaning performance is fully ensured, the scraper is suppressed from lifting.

[0064] The contact angle of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is, for example, preferably 18° or more and 50° or less, and more preferably 20° or more and 40° or less.

[0065] If the contact angle of the scraper is set within the above range, the cleaning performance is improved. That is, while the cleaning performance is sufficiently ensured, the scraper is prevented from being lifted up.

[0066] Here, the contact line pressure NF of the scraper is calculated by the following formula.

[0067] Formula: NF = k × d

[0068] Where k represents the inherent spring constant of the cleaning blade, and d represents the amount of penetration of the cleaning blade relative to the cleaned component (reference Figure 2 ).

[0069] The spring constant k inherent to the cleaning blade is obtained by applying displacement to the cleaning blade and measuring the load with a load cell.

[0070] The amount d of bite of the cleaning blade into the member to be cleaned is obtained by calculating the amount of displacement of the member to be cleaned when the cleaning blade fixed to the fixing tool is brought into contact with the member to be cleaned.

[0071] The contact angle of the scraper indicates the angle (acute angle θ) at which a virtual line along the non-bent portion of the ventral surface of the scraper and a tangent line at a point where the virtual line contacts the surface of the cleaned member when the scraper is in contact with the cleaned member (refer to Figure 2 ).

[0072] in addition, Figure 2 CB represents a cleaning blade, MC represents a member to be cleaned, FI represents a fixing tool, NF represents a contact line pressure of the cleaning blade, d represents a bite amount of the cleaning blade relative to the member to be cleaned, and θ represents a contact angle of the cleaning blade.

[0073] (Parts to be cleaned)

[0074] The member to be cleaned is a target member to be cleaned by the cleaning blade.

[0075] Examples of the parts to be cleaned include image holders (photoreceptors, etc.), charging members (charging rollers, etc.), transfer members (intermediate transfer belts, secondary transfer rollers, etc.), fixing members (heating belts, pressure rollers, etc.), and conveying members (conveying belts, etc.).

[0076] (Cleaning scraper)

[0077] [Layer structure]

[0078] The cleaning blade may have, for example, a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, a three-layer or higher structure, or other structures.

[0079] Examples of the cleaning blade having a single-layer structure include a cleaning blade whose entirety, including a contact portion that contacts the member to be cleaned, is composed of a single contact member.

[0080] As a cleaning scraper with a double-layer structure, there can be cited a cleaning scraper that is provided with a first layer and a second layer (also called a non-contact member) as a back layer, wherein the first layer is composed of a contact member including a contact portion that contacts the member to be cleaned, and the second layer is formed on the back side of the first layer and is composed of a material different from that of the contact member.

[0081] Examples of the cleaning blade having a three-layer or higher structure include a cleaning blade having another layer (also referred to as a non-contact member) between the first layer and the second layer of the cleaning blade having a two-layer structure.

[0082] The cleaning blade is fixedly supported by, for example, a rigid plate-shaped fixing tool.

[0083] (Contact parts)

[0084] The contact member is a member including a contact portion that comes into contact with the member to be cleaned.

[0085] The contact member (i.e., the contact portion) is, for example, made of a rubber elastic body. Examples of the rubber elastic body include polyurethane rubber, polyimide rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, propylene rubber, butadiene rubber, etc. However, from the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance and mechanical strength, the rubber elastic body preferably contains polyurethane rubber, for example.

[0086] The polyurethane rubber is obtained by polymerizing at least a polyol component and a polyisocyanate component. In addition, if necessary, the polyurethane rubber may be obtained by polymerizing a resin having a functional group that can react with an isocyanate group in the polyisocyanate component in addition to the polyol component.

[0087] The polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion contains hard segments and soft segments. Here, "hard segments" and "soft segments" mean segments in which the material constituting the former is relatively harder than the material constituting the latter, and the material constituting the latter is relatively softer than the material constituting the former.

[0088] In addition, as the material constituting the hard segment (hard segment material), there can be mentioned low molecular weight polyols in the polyol component, resins having functional groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups in the polyisocyanate component, etc. On the other hand, as the material constituting the soft segment (soft segment material), there can be mentioned high molecular weight polyols in the polyol component.

[0089] Polyol ingredients

[0090] The polyol component includes high molecular weight polyols and low molecular weight polyols.

[0091] The high molecular weight polyol is a polyol having a number average molecular weight of 500 or more (for example, preferably 500 or more and 5000 or less).

[0092] Examples of the high molecular weight polyol include well-known polyols such as polyester polyol obtained by dehydration condensation of a low molecular weight polyol and a dibasic acid, polycarbonate polyol obtained by reaction of a low molecular weight polyol and an alkyl carbonate, polycaprolactone polyol, and polyether polyol.

[0093] Moreover, as a commercial item of a high molecular weight polyol, PLAXEL205, PLAXEL240 etc. are mentioned, for example, the Daicel Corporation.

[0094] Here, the number average molecular weight is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The same shall apply hereinafter.

[0095] The high molecular weight polyol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0096] The polymerization ratio of the high molecular weight polyol can be, for example, 30 mol % or more and 50 mol % or less, and preferably 40 mol % or more and 50 mol % or less, based on all the polymerization components of the polyurethane rubber.

[0097] The low molecular weight polyol is a polyol having a molecular weight (or number average molecular weight) of less than 500. The low molecular weight polyol is also a material that functions as a chain extender and a cross-linking agent.

[0098] Examples of the low molecular weight polyol include 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,7-heptanediol, 1,8-octanediol, 1,9-nonanediol, 1,10-decanediol, 1,11-undecanediol, 1,12-dodecanediol, 1,13-tridecanediol, 1,14-tetradecanediol, 1,18-octadecanediol, and 1,20-eicosandiol. Among them, 1,4-butanediol is preferably used as the low molecular weight polyol.

[0099] Examples of the low-molecular polyol component include polyols such as diol (bifunctional), triol (trifunctional) or tetraol (tetrafunctional) which are well known as chain extenders and crosslinking agents.

[0100] The low-molecular polyol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0101] The polymerization ratio of the low molecular weight polyol relative to all the polymerization components of the polyurethane rubber can be, for example, greater than 50 mol% and less than 75 mol%, preferably greater than 52 mol% and less than 75 mol%, more preferably greater than 55 mol% and less than 75 mol%, and further preferably greater than 55 mol% and less than 60 mol%.

[0102] Polyisocyanate ingredients

[0103] Examples of the polyisocyanate component include 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 1,6-hexane diisocyanate (HDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI), and 3,3′-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate (TODI).

[0104] Among these, as the polyisocyanate component, for example, 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI), and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) are more preferred.

[0105] The polyisocyanate component may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0106] The polymerization ratio of the polyisocyanate component can be, for example, 5 mol % to 25 mol %, and preferably 10 mol % to 20 mol %, based on all the polymerization components of the polyurethane rubber.

[0107] Resins having functional groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups

[0108] The resin having a functional group capable of reacting with an isocyanate group (hereinafter also referred to as a "reactive group-containing resin") is preferably a flexible resin, and from the viewpoint of flexibility, an aliphatic resin having a linear structure is more preferred. Specific examples of the reactive group-containing resin include acrylic resins containing two or more hydroxyl groups, polybutadiene resins containing two or more hydroxyl groups, and epoxy resins having two or more epoxy groups.

[0109] Examples of commercially available products of acrylic resins containing two or more hydroxyl groups include ACTFLOW manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd. (grades: UMB-2005B, UMB-2005P, UMB-2005, UME-2005, etc.).

[0110] Examples of commercially available products of the polybutadiene resin containing two or more hydroxyl groups include R-45HT manufactured by IDEMITSU LUBE.

[0111] As the epoxy resin having two or more epoxy groups, for example, an epoxy resin having a hard and brittle property as conventional general epoxy resins is not preferred, and an epoxy resin having a softer and tougher property than conventional epoxy resins is preferred. As the above-mentioned epoxy resin, for example, from the viewpoint of molecular structure, an epoxy resin having a structure (also referred to as a flexible skeleton) capable of improving the mobility of the main chain in its main chain structure is preferred, and as the flexible skeleton, for example, an alkylene skeleton, a cycloalkane skeleton, a polyoxyalkylene skeleton, etc. can be cited, and a polyoxyalkylene skeleton is particularly preferred.

[0112] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of physical properties, epoxy resins having a lower viscosity than the molecular weight are preferred compared to existing epoxy resins. Specifically, for example, the weight average molecular weight is preferably within the range of 900±100, and the viscosity at 25°C is preferably within the range of 15000±5000 mPa·s, more preferably within the range of 15000±3000 mPa·s. Commercially available epoxy resins having such properties include, for example, EPICLON EXA-4850-150 manufactured by DIC CORPORATION.

[0113] The reactive group-containing resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0114] ·Production method of polyurethane rubber

[0115] The polyurethane rubber can be produced by using the above-mentioned polyol component and polyisocyanate component, and a polyurethane rubber raw material containing a resin having a functional group that can react with a reactive isocyanate group as needed, and using a general polyurethane production method such as a prepolymer method and a one-shot method. Since the prepolymer method can obtain a polyurethane rubber with excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance, it is suitable for this embodiment, but it is not limited to the production method.

[0116] In addition, when producing polyurethane rubber, for example, a catalyst is preferably used.

[0117] Examples of the catalyst used in the production of the polyurethane rubber include amine compounds such as tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium salts, and organic metal compounds such as organic tin compounds.

[0118] Examples of the tertiary amine include trialkylamines such as triethylamine, tetraalkyldiamines such as N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,3-butanediamine, amino alcohols such as dimethylethanolamine, ethoxylated amines, ethoxylated diamines, esteramines such as bis(diethylethanolamine) adipate, triethylenediamine (TEDA), cyclohexylamine derivatives such as N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, morpholine derivatives such as N-methylmorpholine and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylmorpholine, piperazine derivatives such as N,N'-diethyl-2-methylpiperazine and N,N'-bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)-2-methylpiperazine, and the like.

[0119] Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt include 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium-octylate, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene-5(DBN)-octylate, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7(DBU)-octylate, DBU-oleate, DBU-p-toluenesulfonate, DBU-formatate, and 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium-formatate.

[0120] Examples of the organic tin compound include dialkyltin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate and dibutyltin di(2-ethylhexanoate), stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, and stannous oleate.

[0121] Among these catalysts, triethylenediamine (TEDA) which is a tertiary ammonium salt is used from the viewpoint of hydrolysis resistance, and quaternary ammonium salts are used from the viewpoint of processability. Among the quaternary ammonium salts, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene-5(DBN)-octanoate, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7(DBU)-octanoate, and DBU-formate which have high reactivity are used.

[0122] The catalyst may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0123] The content of the catalyst is, for example, preferably in the range of 0.0005 mass % to 0.03 mass % inclusive, and particularly preferably 0.001 mass % to 0.01 mass % inclusive, based on the entire polyurethane rubber.

[0124] (Impregnation and curing layer)

[0125] The polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion may have an impregnation and cured layer of an isocyanate compound on the surface layer.

[0126] The hardness of the contact portion is improved by impregnation with the solidified layer, and thus the wear resistance and chipping resistance can be further improved.

[0127] Here, the surface layer of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion refers to a region from the surface of the contact portion to a depth of 200 μm.

[0128] The impregnation cured layer is obtained by modifying the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion.

[0129] Specifically, the impregnation cured layer is a layer obtained by impregnating the surface layer of the contact portion composed of polyurethane rubber with a surface treatment liquid containing an isocyanate compound and an organic solvent, and curing the impregnated surface treatment liquid (ie, isocyanate compound).

[0130] The impregnation solidified layer is formed integrally with the surface layer of the contact portion so as to gradually become sparse from the surface toward the inside.

[0131] Examples of the isocyanate compound include 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), p-phenylene diisocyanate (PPDI), 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate (NDI), 3,3′-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4′-diisocyanate (TODI), and polymers thereof and modified products thereof.

[0132] In addition, the surface layer of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion may include a layer impregnated with diamond-like carbon. In addition, the surface of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion may include a diamond-like carbon layer.

[0133] Specifically, the layer impregnated with diamond-like carbon or the diamond-like carbon layer (hereinafter, both layers are also referred to as "Tac-treated layer") is a layer containing tetrahedral amorphous carbon or tetrahedral amorphous carbon.

[0134] As the composition of the layer, a known layer formed by coating tetrahedral amorphous carbon can be used without particular limitation.

[0135] In the Tac treatment layer, there is sp 3 The proportion of carbon with sp hybrid orbitals among all carbons (i.e., 3Hybrid orbitals of carbon with sp 3 Hybrid orbitals of carbon and sp 2 The ratio of the total amount of carbon in the hybrid orbital) is, for example, preferably 10% to 60%, more preferably 20% to 50%.

[0136] The above has sp 3 The ratio of carbon in the hybrid orbital can be measured by, for example, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or the like.

[0137] As a method for forming the Tac treatment layer, a general method for forming a treatment film of tetrahedral amorphous carbon on a surface of a formation object, that is, various vapor deposition methods (PVD: physical vapor deposition method, CVD: chemical vapor deposition method) are used.

[0138] For example, in the case of a filtered cathode vacuum arc (FCVA) evaporation method which is an ion beam evaporation method using an arc plasma source, the film forming temperature is preferably above 0°C and below 80°C (for example, more preferably above 20°C and below 80°C, particularly preferably above 40°C and below 80°C), and the film forming speed is preferably 1.5 nm / s.

[0139] (Physical properties of contact parts)

[0140] The Young's modulus of the contact portion is preferably, for example, 5 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less.

[0141] Specifically, from the viewpoint of improving the lifting of the cleaning blade, the Young's modulus of the contact portion is preferably 5 MPa or more, more preferably 10 MPa or more, for example, and from the viewpoint of suppressing back surface contamination caused by defective contact portions, it is preferably 30 MPa or less, more preferably 20 MPa or less, for example.

[0142] Young's modulus is measured as follows.

[0143] Young's modulus was measured using nanoindentation method. Specifically, PICODENTOR HM500 manufactured by FISCHER INSTRUMENTS KK and a Berkovich-type diamond indenter were used to measure the indentation depth-load curve, a load was applied at a maximum indentation depth of 1000 nm, and then the slope of the unloading curve when unloading was determined as Young's modulus.

[0144] From the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance, the hardness of the contact portion is, for example, preferably 60 or more and 98 or less, more preferably 65 or more and 97 or less, and further preferably 70 or more and 95 or less.

[0145] Here, the hardness is micro-rubber hardness, and the micro-rubber hardness is measured according to the micro-hardness MD-1 test method using a micro-rubber hardness meter MD-1 type (polymer A type).

[0146] (Molding of contact parts)

[0147] The contact member (ie, contact portion) made of polyurethane rubber is produced by molding a cleaning blade molding composition containing polyurethane rubber or a prepolymer into a sheet by centrifugal molding, extrusion molding, etc., and performing cutting processing.

[0148] The contact member is obtained by molding the cleaning blade molding composition, and therefore may contain additives used when obtaining the urethane rubber, fillers used as needed, and the like in addition to the urethane rubber as a main component.

[0149] [Manufacture of cleaning blade]

[0150] The cleaning blade of the single-layer structure is manufactured by, for example, a contact member molding method.

[0151] The cleaning scraper of the double-layer structure and the cleaning scraper of the three-layer or more structure are produced, for example, by laminating the first layer as the contact part and the second layer (or multiple layers in the case of a layer structure of more than three layers) as the non-contact part. As the laminating method, double-sided tape, various adhesives, etc. can be used. In addition, it is also possible to make the materials of each layer flow into the mold at a time difference during molding, and to bond the multiple layers by bonding the materials to each other without providing an adhesive layer.

[0152] (Composition of non-contact parts)

[0153] The composition of the non-contact member when the contact member of the cleaning blade and the second layer and other non-contact members are made of different materials will be described.

[0154] If the non-contact component has the function of supporting the contact component, any known material can be used without particular limitation. Specifically, as the material used for the non-contact component, for example, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, chloroprene rubber, butadiene rubber, etc. can be cited. Among them, for example, polyurethane rubber is preferred. As the polyurethane rubber, for example, ester polyurethane and ether polyurethane can be cited, and ester polyurethane is particularly preferred.

[0155] (Image Forming Apparatus)

[0156] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it includes a member to be cleaned and a cleaning blade.

[0157] Specifically, the image forming device involved in this embodiment can be, for example, the following device, which includes: an image holder; a charging device for charging the image holder; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image holder; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holder using a colorant to form a colorant image; and a transfer device for transferring the colorant image formed on the image holder to the surface of a recording medium.

[0158] The image forming apparatus involved in this embodiment is applicable to a well-known image forming apparatus such as a device including a fixing device for fixing the colorant image transferred to the surface of a recording medium; a device including a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of an image holder before charging after transferring the colorant image; a device including a static eliminating device for eliminating static electricity by irradiating the surface of the image holder with static eliminating light after transferring the colorant image and before charging; a device including an image holder heating component for increasing the temperature of the image holder to lower the relative temperature; a conveying device for conveying the recording medium, etc.

[0159] Here, the transfer device is also applicable to a direct transfer device that directly transfers the colorant image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the recording medium; and an intermediate transfer device that transfers the colorant image formed on the surface of the image retaining body to the surface of the intermediate transfer body once, and transfers the colorant image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium for a second time.

[0160] In the case of an intermediate transfer method, the transfer device may be, for example, a structure having the following devices: an intermediate transfer body that transfers the colorant image to a surface; a primary transfer device that transfers the colorant image formed on the surface of the image holding body to the surface of the intermediate transfer body; and a secondary transfer device that transfers the colorant image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium.

[0161] The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may be any of a dry developing system image forming apparatus and a wet developing system (development system using a liquid developer) image forming apparatus.

[0162] In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a portion including the member to be cleaned and the cleaning blade may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0163] Hereinafter, an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto. In addition, the main parts shown in the drawings will be described, and the description of other parts will be omitted.

[0164] Here, Figure 3 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0165] like Figure 3 As shown, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is, for example, an image forming apparatus of an intermediate transfer method generally called a tandem type, and includes: a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K (an example of a toner image forming apparatus) that form toner images of each color component by an electrophotographic method; a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfers) the toner images of each color component formed by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K onto an intermediate transfer belt 15; a secondary transfer unit 20 that transfers (secondary transfers) the superimposed toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto a sheet of paper K as a recording medium; and a fixing device 60 that fixes the secondary transferred image onto the sheet of paper K. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 40 that controls the operation of each device (unit).

[0166] Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoreceptor 11 (an example of an image holding member) that rotates in the direction of arrow A and holds a toner image formed on the surface.

[0167] Around the photosensitive body 11, as an example of a charging device, a charger 12 for charging the photosensitive body 11 is provided, and as an example of an electrostatic latent image forming device, a laser exposer 13 (in the figure, the exposure beam is represented by the symbol Bm) for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body 11 is provided.

[0168] In addition, around the photosensitive body 11, as an example of a developing device, there is provided a developer 14 that contains colorant of each color component and uses the colorant to visualize the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body 11, and there is provided a primary transfer roller 16 that transfers the colorant image of each color component formed on the photosensitive body 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 through the primary transfer section 10.

[0169] In addition, a photoreceptor cleaner 17 for removing residual toner on the photoreceptor 11 is provided around the photoreceptor 11, and the electrophotographic devices of the charger 12, the laser exposure device 13, the developer 14, the primary transfer roller 16 and the photoreceptor cleaner 17 are arranged in sequence along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 11. These image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are arranged in a substantially straight line from the upstream side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0170] The intermediate transfer belt 15 passes through various rollers. Figure 3The various rollers include a driving roller 31 that is driven by a motor (not shown) having excellent constant speed to rotate the intermediate transfer belt 15, a supporting roller 32 that supports the intermediate transfer belt 15 that extends substantially linearly along the arrangement direction of the photosensitive bodies 11, a tensioning roller 33 that functions as a correction roller that applies tension to the intermediate transfer belt 15 and prevents the intermediate transfer belt 15 from meandering, a back roller 25 provided on the secondary transfer unit 20, and a cleaning back roller 34 that is provided opposite to a secondary transfer belt cleaning blade 35 that scrapes off residual toner and the like on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0171] The primary transfer unit 10 is composed of a primary transfer roller 16 disposed opposite to the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roller 16 is disposed in pressure contact with the photoreceptor 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner (negative polarity, the same below) is applied to the primary transfer roller 16. As a result, the toner images on the photoreceptors 11 are electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in sequence, and overlapping toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0172] The secondary transfer section 20 includes a back roller 25 and a secondary transfer roller 22 disposed on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0173] The back roller 25 is formed to have a surface resistivity of 1×10 7 Ω / Υ or more and 1×10 10 The back roller 25 is arranged on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and constitutes the counter electrode of the secondary transfer roller 22, and is arranged in contact with a metal power supply roller 26 for stably applying a secondary transfer bias.

[0174] On the other hand, the secondary transfer roller 22 has a volume resistivity of 10 7.5 Ω·cm or more and 10 8.5 The secondary transfer roller 22 is pressed against the back roller 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 sandwiched therebetween, and the secondary transfer roller 22 is grounded, and a secondary transfer bias is formed between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25, so that the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the paper K conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20.

[0175] A secondary transfer belt cleaning blade 35 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer section 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15 so as to be contactable and releasable to remove residual toner or paper powder on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer and clean the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0176] In addition, a secondary transfer roller cleaning member 22A is provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer section 20 of the secondary transfer roller 22 to remove residual toner or paper powder on the secondary transfer roller 22 after the secondary transfer and to clean the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The secondary transfer roller cleaning member 22A may be exemplified by a cleaning blade, but may also be a cleaning roller.

[0177] In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured to include a secondary transfer belt (an example of a secondary transfer member) instead of the secondary transfer roller 22 .

[0178] On the other hand, a reference sensor (home position sensor) 42 is disposed on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y, and the reference sensor generates a reference signal that serves as a reference for grasping the timing of image formation in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. In addition, an image density sensor 43 for image quality adjustment is disposed on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K. The reference sensor 42 recognizes a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generates a reference signal, and each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is configured to start image formation in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 40 based on the recognition of the reference signal.

[0179] In addition, in the image forming apparatus involved in the present embodiment, as a conveying component for conveying the paper K, there is provided a paper accommodating portion 50 for accommodating the paper K, a paper supply roller 51 for taking out and conveying the paper K stacked in the paper accommodating portion 50 at a predetermined time, a conveying roller 52 for conveying the paper K delivered by the paper supply roller 51, a conveying guide 53 for conveying the paper K conveyed by the conveying roller 52 into the secondary transfer portion 20, a conveying belt 55 for conveying the paper K conveyed after the secondary transfer by the secondary transfer roller 22 to the fixing device 60, and a fixing entrance guide 56 for guiding the paper K to the fixing device 60.

[0180] Next, a basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0181] In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, image data output from an image reading device (not shown) or a personal computer (PC) (not shown) is processed by an image processing device (not shown) and then image forming operations are performed by image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0182] In the image processing device, the input image data is subjected to image processing such as shading correction, position shift correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, frame removal or various image editing such as color editing and motion editing. The image data subjected to image processing is converted into color material grayscale data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to the laser exposure device 13.

[0183] In the laser exposure device 13, according to the input color material grayscale data, for example, the exposure beam Bm emitted from the semiconductor laser is irradiated onto each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. In each photoreceptor 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, after the surface is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure device 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image of each color of Y, M, C, and K by each image forming unit 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0184] The toner images formed on the photosensitive bodies 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer section 10 where each photosensitive body 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15. More specifically, at the primary transfer section 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the substrate of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roller 16, and the toner images are sequentially superimposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 for primary transfer.

[0185] After the toner images are transferred to the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 in sequence, the intermediate transfer belt 15 moves and the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer section 20. When the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer section 20, the paper supply roller 51 in the conveying member rotates in accordance with the timing when the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer section 20, and paper K of a target size is supplied from the paper storage section 50. The paper K supplied by the paper supply roller 51 is conveyed by the conveying roller 52 and reaches the secondary transfer section 20 via the conveying guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer section 20, the paper K stops temporarily, and the registration roller (not shown) rotates in accordance with the timing of the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 15 holding the toner images, thereby aligning the position of the paper K with the position of the toner images.

[0186] At the secondary transfer section 20, the secondary transfer roller 22 is pressed against the back roller 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the paper K conveyed at the timing is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roller 22. At this time, if a voltage (secondary transfer bias) having the same polarity as the charged polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied from the power supply roller 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25. And, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the paper K at the secondary transfer section 20 pressed by the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25.

[0187] Then, the paper K to which the toner image is electrostatically transferred is conveyed as it is in a state of being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roller 22, and is conveyed to the conveying belt 55 provided on the downstream side of the secondary transfer roller 22 in the paper conveying direction. On the conveying belt 55, the paper K is conveyed to the fixing device 60 in accordance with the optimum conveying speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner image on the paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 is fixed to the paper K by receiving a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the paper K on which the fixed image is formed is conveyed to a paper discharge accommodating portion (not shown) provided in a discharge portion of the image forming apparatus.

[0188] On the other hand, after the transfer onto the paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the secondary transfer belt cleaning blade 35 as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer belt cleaning blade 35 .

[0189] As mentioned above, although this embodiment was demonstrated, it is not interpreted as being limited to the said embodiment, Various deformation|transformation, change, and improvement are possible.

[0190] Example

[0191] Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the following description, "parts" and "%" are based on mass unless otherwise specified.

[0192] <Example 1>

[0193] [Cleaning Blade]

[0194] Polycaprolactone polyol (manufactured by Daicel Corporation, PLACCEL 205, average molecular weight 529, hydroxyl value 212 KOH mg / g) and polycaprolactone polyol (manufactured by Daicel Corporation, PLACCEL 240, average molecular weight 4155, hydroxyl value 27 KOH mg / g) were used as soft segment materials of the polyol component. In addition, an acrylic resin containing two or more hydroxyl groups (manufactured by Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd., Actflow UMB-2005B) was used as a hard segment material, and the soft segment material and the hard segment material were mixed at a ratio of 8:2 (mass ratio).

[0195] Next, 6.26 parts of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (Millionate MT manufactured by Nippon Polyurethane Industry Co., Ltd.) was added as an isocyanate compound to 100 parts of the mixture of the soft segment material and the hard segment material, and the mixture was reacted at 70°C for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. The amount of the isocyanate compound used in the reaction was selected so that the ratio of the isocyanate group to the hydroxyl group (isocyanate group / hydroxyl group) contained in the reaction system was 0.5.

[0196] Next, 34.3 parts of the isocyanate compound was further added, and the mixture was reacted at 70° C. for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a prepolymer. The total amount of the isocyanate compound used when the prepolymer was used was 40.56 parts.

[0197] Next, the prepolymer was heated to 100° C. and defoamed under reduced pressure for 1 hour. Then, 7.14 parts of a mixture of 1,4-butanediol and trimethylolpropane (mass ratio = 60 / 40) was added to 100 parts of the prepolymer and mixed for 3 minutes to prevent bubbles from forming, thereby preparing a blade forming composition A.

[0198] Next, the blade forming composition A was poured into a centrifugal molding machine with a mold adjusted to 140° C., and a curing reaction was performed for 1 hour. Then, it was aged and heated at 110° C. for 24 hours, cooled, and then cut to obtain a blade member with a length of 360 mm, a width of 12 mm, and a thickness of 2 mm.

[0199] The scraper part can be obtained by using a filtered cathode vacuum arc (FCVA) method in which a vacuum arc discharge of graphite is used to generate carbon plasma, and ionized carbon is extracted and deposited therefrom. The tetrahedral amorphous coating is performed using a FCVA device manufactured by SHIMADZUCORPORATION to obtain a scraper part having a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (Tac) treatment layer.

[0200] As formation conditions, the film formation temperature was 40° C. or higher and 80° C. or lower, and the film formation rate was 1.5 nm / s.

[0201] The obtained blade member having the Tac treatment layer was bonded to a supporting material (SUS) to obtain a cleaning blade.

[0202] In addition, the Young's modulus of the contact portion of the cleaning blade was 10 MPa.

[0203] [Secondary transfer roller]

[0204] A secondary transfer roller having a diameter of 28 mm and a length of 350 mm was prepared, wherein a urethane elastic foam roller was coated with a urethane resin containing fluorine particles.

[0205] [Image forming apparatus]

[0206] The secondary transfer roller and the cleaning blade were attached to a secondary transfer unit of an image forming apparatus "ApeosPort-VIIC6688 manufactured by FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp.," wherein the cleaning blade was used as a cleaning blade for cleaning the secondary transfer roller.

[0207] The cleaning blade was attached to the device so that its length beyond the secondary transfer roller was 5 mm, its total load to the secondary transfer roller was 525 gf (contact line pressure was 1.5 gf / mm), and its contact angle with the secondary transfer roller was 50°.

[0208] The above image forming apparatus is used as the image forming apparatus of Example 1.

[0209] <Examples 2 to 20, Comparative Examples 1 and 2>

[0210] According to Table 1, except for changing the length beyond the secondary transfer roller, the contact line pressure with respect to the secondary transfer roller, and the angle of contact with the secondary transfer roller, the same apparatus as in Example 1 was used as the image forming apparatus of Examples 2 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 to 2.

[0211] Furthermore, apparatuses using cleaning blades having Young's moduli of the contact portion shown in Table 1 by changing the composition of the cleaning blades were used as image forming apparatuses of Examples 1 to 20 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

[0212] <Evaluation> The following evaluations were carried out using the image forming apparatus of each example.

[0213] (Whether the cleaning blade is lifted)

[0214] After the image forming apparatus of each example was left in an environment of 28° C. and 85% RH for 24 hours, 10 A4 white papers of 2000×2000 were loaded into the apparatus, and the occurrence or non-occurrence of blade lifting was evaluated according to the following criteria while a total of 200,000 images were formed.

[0215] (Evaluation criteria for scraper lift)

[0216] S: Not occurred

[0217] A: The lift occurred in more than 100,000 sheets and less than 200,000 sheets.

[0218] B: The number of sheets that have been lifted is more than 10,000 and less than 100,000.

[0219] C: The number of pages that have been lifted is less than 10,000.

[0220] (Initial Cleanliness: Evaluation of Backside Contamination)

[0221] After the image forming apparatus of each example was left in a 10°C, 15% RH environment for 24 hours, a solid image with a density of 100% (25% for each color of YMCK) was directly transferred onto the secondary transfer roller, and then A3 paper was allowed to travel, and the presence or absence of back surface contamination was evaluated based on the following criteria.

[0222] (Cleanability after image formation: Evaluation of back surface contamination)

[0223] After the evaluation of the occurrence of cleaning blade lifting was completed, the cleanability after image formation was evaluated according to the following criteria in the same manner as the initial cleanability evaluation.

[0224] (Evaluation criteria for cleanliness)

[0225] S: Not occurred

[0226] A: There is minimal backside contamination (not a problem)

[0227] B: Slight backside contamination occurred (allowable)

[0228] C: Unacceptable backside contamination occurred or evaluation was not performed based on scraper lift-off

[0229]

[0230] As can be seen from the above results, in the present embodiment, the lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to the comparative example.

[0231] In particular, it can be seen that in Examples 3, 4, and 7, while ensuring good cleaning performance, lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed.

[0232] In Comparative Example 2, the cleaning blade was provided so as to make the contact line pressure and the contact angle too low, and contamination of the back surface of the paper occurred, resulting in failure of the cleaning function.

[0233] This embodiment includes the following aspects.

[0234] (1) An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0235] The parts being cleaned; and

[0236] The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

[0237] (2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein:

[0238] The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 0.1 mm or more.

[0239] (3) The image forming apparatus according to (2), wherein:

[0240] The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 1.0 mm or more.

[0241] (4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein:

[0242] A contact line pressure of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 1.5 gf / mm or more and 4.0 gf / mm or less.

[0243] (5) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein:

[0244] A contact angle of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 18° or more and 50° or less.

[0245] (6) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein:

[0246] A Young's modulus of a contact portion of the cleaning blade that contacts the member to be cleaned is 5 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less.

[0247] (7) A process cartridge that is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus and comprises:

[0248] The parts being cleaned; and

[0249] The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

[0250] The effects of the above method are as follows.

[0251] According to the invention described in (1), an image forming apparatus is provided in which the lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared with a case where the cleaning blade is provided so as to contact and clean a member to be cleaned and both ends in the longitudinal direction are provided so as not to protrude from the member to be cleaned.

[0252] According to the invention as set forth in (2), there is provided an image forming apparatus in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case where the length of the cleaning blade protruding from the member to be cleaned at the end portion in the longitudinal direction is less than 0.1 mm.

[0253] According to the invention as set forth in (3), there is provided an image forming apparatus in which the lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case where the length of the cleaning blade protruding from the member to be cleaned at the end portion in the longitudinal direction is less than 1.0 mm.

[0254] According to the invention described in (4), an image forming apparatus is provided in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed while ensuring good cleaning performance, compared with a case where the contact line pressure of the cleaning blade member with respect to the member to be cleaned is less than 1.5 gf / mm or exceeds 4.0 gf / mm.

[0255] According to the invention described in (5), an image forming apparatus is provided in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed while ensuring good cleaning performance, compared with a case where the contact angle of the cleaning blade member with respect to the member to be cleaned is less than 18° or exceeds 50°.

[0256] According to the invention as set forth in (6), there is provided an image forming apparatus in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case where the Young's modulus of the contact portion of the cleaning blade with the member to be cleaned is less than 5 MPa.

[0257] According to the invention described in (7), a process cartridge is provided in which lifting of the cleaning blade is suppressed compared to a case where the cleaning blade is provided which contacts and cleans a member to be cleaned and has both ends in the longitudinal direction so as not to protrude from the member to be cleaned.

[0258] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various variations optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming device comprising: The parts being cleaned; and The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 0.1 mm or more.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The length of the cleaning blade at the end in the longitudinal direction that exceeds the member to be cleaned is 1.0 mm or more.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A contact line pressure of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 1.5 gf / mm or more and 4.0 gf / mm or less.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: A contact angle of the cleaning blade with respect to the member to be cleaned is 18° or more and 50° or less.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A Young's modulus of a contact portion of the cleaning blade that contacts the member to be cleaned is 5 MPa or more and 30 MPa or less.

7. A process cartridge which is detachably attachable to an image forming apparatus and comprises: The parts being cleaned; and The cleaning blade contacts the cleaned member and cleans the cleaned member, and both ends in the length direction are arranged to exceed the cleaned member.

Images