Cleaning blade for conveyor belt, image forming apparatus, and transfer apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to a cleaning blade for a conveyor belt, an image forming apparatus, and a transfer apparatus. The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt has a contact portion that comes into contact with at least the surface of a conveyor belt, which is a member to be cleaned, the contact portion being composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, the proportion HX occupied by the domain of the hard segment in the surface of the contact portion being 15.2-26.1%, and the proportion HX occupied by the domain of the soft segment in the surface of the contact portion being 15.2-26.1%. And the ratio HY of the area of the hard segment domains having an area of 200 nm2 or more and 1000 nm2 or less to the total area of the hard segment domains on the surface is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a cleaning scraper for a conveyor belt, an image forming device and a transfer device. Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus (copier, facsimile machine, printer, etc.) using an electrophotographic method, a cleaning blade may be used for cleaning attached toner.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a cleaning scraper, which is composed of a polyurethane component at least in contact with the component to be cleaned, wherein the polyurethane component contains a polyurethane material containing hard segments and soft segments, and the area ratio occupied by hard segment agglomerates with a diameter in the range of greater than 0.3 μm and less than 0.7 μm in the cross section is greater than 2% and less than 10%.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 describes a cleaning blade, wherein at least the contact portion with the cleaned component is composed of a polyurethane component, wherein the polyurethane component contains a hard segment component and a soft segment component, and the domain particle size of the hard segment component is greater than 45 nm and less than 100 nm.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-14740

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-49558 Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a method for cleaning a conveyor belt having a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and the ratio H of the domain of the hard segment in the surface of the contact portion is X Less than 15.2% or more than 26.1%, or with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y When the content is less than 38.9% or exceeds 60.8%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0008] Means for solving the above-mentioned problems include the following.

[0009] <1> A conveyor belt cleaning blade having a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned,

[0010] The contact part is composed of polyurethane rubber containing hard segments and soft segments.

[0011] The proportion of the hard segment domain in the surface of the contact part H X is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and has a thickness of 200 nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y It is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

[0012] <2> The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to <1>, wherein the ratio H X It is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less.

[0013] <3> The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to <1>, wherein the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

[0014] <4> The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to <1>, wherein the ratio H X is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less, and the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

[0015] <5> The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to any one of <1> to <4>, wherein the cleaning blade has a thickness of 200 nm. 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments on the surface is H Z It is 31.2% or more and 48.7% or less.

[0016] <6> The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein

[0017] When in the cross section of the contact part, the proportion of the domain of the hard segment in the total area of ​​the cross section is set as D X , will have 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain of the following area to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain of the cross section is defined as D Y hour,

[0018] The ratio D X With the ratio H X The ratio D is greater than or equal to 0.58 and less than or equal to 1.64, and the ratio DY With the ratio H Y The ratio is 0.29 or more and 1.19 or less.

[0019] <7> The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to <5> or <6>, wherein:

[0020] When in the cross section of the contact site, there will be 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments is defined as D Z hour,

[0021] The ratio D Z With the ratio H Z The ratio is 0.04 or more and 0.34 or less.

[0022] <8> An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0023] Photoreceptor;

[0024] A charging device for charging the photoreceptor;

[0025] An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive body;

[0026] a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor with a toner to form a toner image;

[0027] a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive body to the surface of a recording medium;

[0028] Conveyor belts are the parts to be cleaned; and

[0029] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of <1> to <7> is configured such that the contact portion is brought into contact with a surface of the conveyor belt to clean the surface.

[0030] <9> A transfer device comprising:

[0031] An intermediate transfer belt, the surface of which is used to transfer the toner image;

[0032] a primary transfer device for primarily transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt;

[0033] a secondary transfer device for secondarily transferring the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt onto the surface of a recording medium; and

[0034] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of <1> to <7> is configured to make the contact portion contact the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to clean the surface.

[0035] Effects of the Invention

[0036] According to the invention described in <1>, there is provided a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and the ratio H of the domain of the hard segment in the surface of the contact portion is X Less than 15.2% or more than 26.1%, or with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y When the content is less than 38.9% or exceeds 60.8%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0037] According to the invention described in <2> or <4>, there is provided a X When the content is less than 18.4% or exceeds 25.3%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0038] According to the invention described in <3> or <4>, there is provided a Y When the content is less than 39.9% or exceeds 59.2%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0039] According to the invention described in <5>, there is provided a Z When the content is less than 31.2% or exceeds 48.7%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0040] According to the invention described in <6>, there is provided a X With the ratio H X The ratio is less than 0.58 or exceeds 1.64, or the ratio D Y With the ratio H Y When the ratio is less than 0.29 or exceeds 1.19, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0041] According to the invention described in <7>, there is provided a Z With the ratio H Z When the ratio is less than 0.04 or exceeds 0.34, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0042] According to the invention of <8> or <9>, there is provided a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and in the surface of the contact portion, the ratio H occupied by the domain of the hard segment is X Less than 15.2% or more than 26.1%, or with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y When the content is less than 38.9% or more than 60.8%, an image forming apparatus or a transfer apparatus having a cleaning blade for a conveyor belt having excellent abrasion resistance and chipping resistance can be obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the contact condition between the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt cleaning blade involved in this embodiment;

[0045] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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 means the total amount of the plurality of substances present in the composition.

[0051] <Conveyor belt cleaning blade>

[0052] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment has a contact portion that contacts at least the surface of the conveyor belt as the member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and the ratio H of the domain of the hard segment in the surface of the contact portion is X is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and has a thickness of 200 nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y It is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

[0053] The conveyor belt cleaning blade is a cleaning blade used to contact the surface of the conveyor belt as a cleaned member to clean the surface of the conveyor belt. The conveyor belt cleaning blade is used to remove toner (toner particles, external additives, etc.), discharge products, paper powder, etc. attached to or remaining on the surface of the conveyor belt, thereby cleaning the surface of the conveyor belt.

[0054] Due to the structure of the contact portion described above, the conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment is excellent in wear resistance and chipping resistance. The reason for this is presumed as follows.

[0055] In an image forming apparatus, a photoreceptor is one example of a component whose surface is cleaned by a cleaning blade. When the photoreceptor is cleaned by a cleaning blade, it is possible to remove the attached matter on the surface while scraping the surface of the photoreceptor.

[0056] On the other hand, the surface of a conveyor belt such as an intermediate transfer belt generally has extremely high wear resistance. In this case, when a cleaning blade is used to clean the surface, the surface is rarely scraped, and the attached matter on the surface of the conveyor belt generally remains. As a result, the conveyor belt cleaning blade tends to be worn.

[0057] Therefore, in the conveyor belt cleaning blade, it is expected to increase the hardness of the contact portion with the conveyor belt to improve the wear resistance. However, if the hardness is increased to improve the wear resistance, cracks may occur at the contact portion with the conveyor belt.

[0058] In the conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment, first, the contact portion with the surface of the conveyor belt is formed by the polyurethane rubber containing the hard segment and the soft segment. Then, in the surface of the contact portion, the existence ratio of the domain of the hard segment (the above ratio H) is set to X ) and the ratio of the hard segment domains with a specific area to all domains (the above ratio H Y ) are set within specific ranges.

[0059] The domain of the hard segment harder than the soft segment can be present in a large number of contact parts with such a surface, thereby improving hardness and improving wear resistance. In addition, since the elongation between the domain of the hard segment and the soft segment is different, cracks sometimes appear at the interface between the two, resulting in collapse. However, by being set to the above structure, the domain of the hard segment that is not too large is contained, and the distance between the domains of the hard segment will not become too small, it is believed that the cracks generated at the interface between the domain of the hard segment and the soft segment are suppressed, so that the collapse of the contact part can be effectively suppressed.

[0060] [Contact area on the conveyor belt cleaning blade]

[0061] The contact portion of the conveyor belt cleaning blade is a portion that contacts the surface of the conveyor belt and is composed of polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment.

[0062] Furthermore, the proportion of the hard segment domain in the contact area is H X is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and has a thickness of 200 nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y It is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

[0063] The "hard segment domain" refers to an aggregate formed by aggregation of the hard segments of the polyurethane rubber.

[0064] (Proportion H X )

[0065] The proportion of the hard segment domain in the contact area is H X The ratio H is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less. X It refers to the ratio of the total area of ​​the hard segment domains to the total area of ​​the surface of the contact sites.

[0066] From the viewpoint of improving wear resistance, the ratio H X For example, it is preferably 18.4% or more, and more preferably 19.0% or more.

[0067] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving chipping resistance, the ratio H X For example, it is preferably 25.3% or less, and more preferably 24.8% or less.

[0068] In summary, from the perspective of further improving wear resistance and chipping resistance, the ratio H X For example, it is preferably 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less, and more preferably 19.0% or more and 24.8% or less.

[0069] (Proportion H Y )

[0070] In the surface of the contact part, there is 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less. Y Refers to 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following area is the ratio of the total area of ​​the hard segment domains to the total area of ​​the surface hard segment domains.

[0071] From the viewpoint of improving chipping resistance, the ratio H Y For example, it is preferably 59.2% or less, and more preferably 58.5% or less.

[0072] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving wear resistance, the ratio H Y For example, it is preferably 39.9% or more, and more preferably 44.4% or more.

[0073] In summary, from the perspective of further improving wear resistance and chipping resistance, the ratio H Y For example, it is preferably 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less, and more preferably 44.4% or more and 58.5% or less.

[0074] In the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of further improving the wear resistance and chipping resistance, for example, the ratio H is preferably X is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less, and the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

[0075] (Proportion H Z )

[0076] In the surface of the contact part, there is 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of hard segment domains in the area below to the total number of hard segment domains on the surface is HZ For example, it is preferably 31.2% or more and 48.7% or less. Z Refers to 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following is the ratio of the total number of hard segment domains in the area to the total number of hard segment domains in the surface.

[0077] From the viewpoint of improving wear resistance, the ratio H Z For example, it is more preferably 33.7% or more, and still more preferably 35.0% or more.

[0078] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving chipping resistance, the ratio H Z For example, it is more preferably 47.9% or less, and further preferably 47.6% or less.

[0079] In summary, from the perspective of further improving wear resistance and chipping resistance, the ratio H Z For example, it is more preferably 33.7% or more and 47.9% or less, and still more preferably 35.0% or more and 47.6% or less.

[0080] Furthermore, in the cleaning blade for conveyor belts according to the present embodiment, from the viewpoint of maintaining the followability due to the deformation of the entire contact portion of the blade and further improving the wear resistance and chipping resistance, in the cross section of the contact portion, the ratio of the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the cross section is set to D X , will have 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain of the following area to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain of the cross section is defined as D Y For example, the preferred ratio D X With ratio H X The ratio is 0.58 or more and 1.64 or less, and the ratio D Y With ratio H Y The ratio is 0.29 or more and 1.19 or less.

[0081] In addition, the ratio D X With ratio H X The ratio is, for example, more preferably 0.60 or more and 1.36 or less, and further preferably 0.61 or more and 1.32 or less.

[0082] And, the ratio D Y With ratio H Y The ratio is, for example, more preferably 0.30 or more and 1.16 or less, and further preferably 0.30 or more and 1.05 or less.

[0083] Here, the ratio D XIt refers to the ratio of the total area of ​​the hard segment domains to the total area of ​​the cross section.

[0084] Scale D X As long as the above ratio D is met X With ratio H X The ratio of D X For example, it is preferably 14.9% to 25.1%, more preferably 16.0% to 24.0%, and still more preferably 18.0% to 23.5%.

[0085] Scale D Y Refers to 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following area is the ratio of the total area of ​​the hard segment domains to the total area of ​​the hard segment domains of the cross section.

[0086] Scale D Y As long as the above ratio D is met Y With ratio H Y The ratio of D Y For example, it is preferably 17.8% to 46.5%, more preferably 18.0% to 45.0%, and still more preferably 19.0% to 44.0%.

[0087] Furthermore, in the cleaning blade for conveyor belt according to the present embodiment, when the cross section of the contact portion has a thickness of 200 nm, 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of the hard segment domains in the total number of the hard segment domains is set as D Z When the ratio D Z With ratio H Z The ratio is preferably, for example, 0.04 or more and 0.34 or less.

[0088] In addition, the ratio D Z With ratio H Z The ratio is, for example, more preferably 0.04 to 0.32, further preferably 0.04 to 0.30.

[0089] Here, the ratio D Z Refers to 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following is the ratio of the total number of hard segment domains in the area to the total number of hard segment domains in the cross section.

[0090] Scale D Z As long as the above ratio D is met Z With ratio H Z The ratio of DZ For example, it is preferably 2.2% to 11.1%, more preferably 3.5% to 10.8%, and even more preferably 5.0% to 10.5%.

[0091] The above ratio H X , ratio H Y , ratio H Z , Ratio D X , Ratio D Y And the ratio D Z It is determined by using AFM (atomic force microscope) on the surface or cross section of the contact part.

[0092] Specifically, when the ratio H is found X , ratio H Y And the ratio H Z When the contact area is formed, an AFM (AFM5000II manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation) is used to obtain 5 500 nm square images of the surface of the contact area at five viewing angles. The obtained image is subjected to Otsu binarization using image processing software, and the domain of the hard segment is set to black and the soft segment is set to white. The total surface area, the total area of ​​the domain of the hard segment, and the area with 200 nm are measured based on the binarized image. 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The area of ​​the hard segment domains below the area, the total number of hard segment domains, and the area of ​​the hard segment domains with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following are the total number of hard segment domains and the diameter of the hard segment domains.

[0093] And, when the ratio D is found X , Ratio D Y And the ratio D Z When the contact part composed of polyurethane rubber is obtained by freezing section method, an arbitrary cross section (wherein, it is set to a position about 1 mm from the surface) is obtained, and an AFM (AFM5000II manufactured by Hitachi High-Tech Corporation) is used to obtain a 500 nm square image of the cross section at 5 viewing angles. The obtained image is subjected to Otsu binarization using image processing software, and the domain of the hard segment is set to black and the soft segment is set to white. The total area of ​​the cross section, the total area of ​​the domain of the hard segment, and the area with 200 nm are measured based on the binarized image. 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The area of ​​the hard segment domains below the area, the total number of hard segment domains, and the area of ​​the hard segment domains with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The following are the total number of hard segment domains and the diameter of the hard segment domains.

[0094] The above ratio H X , ratio H Y , ratio H Z , Ratio D X , Ratio D Y And the ratio D Z All of them are adjusted according to the amount of hard segments of the polyurethane rubber, the degree of aggregation of the hard segments, the degree of surface treatment, and the like.

[0095] In particular, the ratio H indicating the surface properties of the contact area X , ratio H Y And the ratio H Z The amount is adjusted according to various conditions in the surface treatment (for example, the formation treatment of the impregnation and cured layer using an isocyanate compound described later).

[0096] The specific method is not particularly limited, but for example, if the impregnation treatment time in the isocyanate compound is prolonged in the formation of the impregnation cured layer using the isocyanate compound, the ratio Hx, the ratio Hy, and the ratio Hz can all be increased.

[0097] Next, the structure of the conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0098] [Layer structure]

[0099] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment may have, for example, a single-layer structure, a double-layer structure, a three-layer or higher structure, or other structures.

[0100] Examples of the single-layer cleaning blade include a cleaning blade whose entirety including a contact portion with the conveyor belt is made of a single material (ie, a cleaning blade including a contact portion made of the above-mentioned polyurethane rubber).

[0101] As a double-layer cleaning scraper, for example, there can be cited a cleaning scraper that is provided with a first layer and a second layer (also referred to as a non-contact portion) as a back layer, wherein the first layer includes a contact portion that contacts a conveyor belt, 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 portion.

[0102] 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 portion) between the first layer and the second layer of the cleaning blade having a two-layer structure.

[0103] The cleaning blade is used while being supported by, for example, a rigid plate-shaped supporting member.

[0104] (Polyurethane forming the contact area)

[0105] As mentioned above, the contact portion is made of polyurethane rubber.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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.

[0109] Polyol ingredients

[0110] The polyol component includes high molecular weight polyols and low molecular weight polyols.

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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.

[0113] Moreover, as a commercial item of a high molecular weight polyol, PLACCEL205, PLACCEL240 etc. are mentioned, for example, the Daicel Corporation manufactures.

[0114] Here, the number average molecular weight is a value measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The same shall apply hereinafter.

[0115] The high molecular weight polyol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] The low-molecular polyol may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0121] 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%.

[0122] Polyisocyanate ingredients

[0123] 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).

[0124] 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.

[0125] The polyisocyanate component may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0126] 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.

[0127] Resins having functional groups capable of reacting with isocyanate groups

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.).

[0130] Examples of commercially available products of the polybutadiene resin containing two or more hydroxyl groups include R-45HT manufactured by IDEMITSU LUBE.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] The reactive group-containing resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0134] ·Production method of polyurethane rubber

[0135] 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.

[0136] In addition, when producing polyurethane rubber, for example, a catalyst is preferably used.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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.

[0139] Examples of the quaternary ammonium salt include 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium-octanoate, 1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]nonene-5(DBN)-octanoate, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene-7(DBU)-octanoate, DBU-oleate, DBU-p-toluenesulfonate, DBU-formatate, and 2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium-formatate.

[0140] Examples of the organic tin compound include dialkyltin compounds such as dibutyltin dilaurate and dibutyltin di(2-ethylhexanoate), stannous 2-ethylhexanoate, and stannous oleate.

[0141] 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.

[0142] The catalyst may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0143] 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.

[0144] (Impregnation and curing layer)

[0145] For example, it is preferable that the surface layer of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion has an impregnation and cured layer of an isocyanate compound.

[0146] The hardness of the contact portion is increased by impregnation with the solidified layer, and the wear resistance and chipping resistance can be further improved.

[0147] 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.

[0148] The impregnation cured layer is obtained by modifying the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion.

[0149] Specifically, the impregnation cured layer is a layer formed by impregnating a surface treatment liquid containing an isocyanate compound and an organic solvent into the surface layer of the contact portion composed of the polyurethane rubber and curing the impregnated surface treatment liquid (ie, isocyanate compound).

[0150] The impregnation and solidification layer is formed integrally with the surface layer of the contact portion so as to gradually become sparse from the surface toward the inside.

[0151] 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.

[0152] In this embodiment, in order to X , ratio H Y And the ratio H Z The above-described ranges are adjusted by, for example, changing the degree of polymerization of 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), changing the impregnation treatment time, changing the impregnation treatment temperature, and the like.

[0153] In addition, the surface layer of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion may have a layer impregnated with diamond-like carbon. In addition, the surface of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion may have a diamond-like carbon layer.

[0154] (Physical properties of contact parts)

[0155] From the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance, the Young's modulus of the polyurethane rubber constituting the contact portion is, for example, preferably 3 MPa to 25 MPa, more preferably 5 MPa to 22 MPa, and further preferably 10 MPa to 20 MPa.

[0156] Young's modulus is measured as follows.

[0157] 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.

[0158] From the viewpoint of excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance, the hardness of the polyurethane rubber constituting 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.

[0159] Here, the hardness is micro-rubber hardness. The micro-rubber hardness is measured according to the micro-hardness MD-1 test method using a micro-rubber hardness tester MD-1 type (polymer A type) manufactured by KOBUNSHI KEIKI CO., LTD.

[0160] (Contact area molding)

[0161] The contact portion composed of polyurethane rubber (i.e., the above-mentioned contact portion) is prepared as follows: a cleaning blade molding composition containing polyurethane rubber or prepolymer obtained by the described method is used, and is molded into a sheet by centrifugal molding, extrusion molding, etc., and subjected to cutting processing, etc.

[0162] The contact portion is obtained by molding the cleaning blade molding composition, and therefore may contain additives used when obtaining the polyurethane rubber, fillers used as needed, and the like in addition to the polyurethane rubber as a main component.

[0163] [Manufacture of cleaning blade]

[0164] The cleaning blade of the single-layer structure is manufactured, for example, by the above-mentioned contact portion molding method.

[0165] A cleaning blade having a double-layer structure or a cleaning blade having a structure having more than three layers is produced by laminating a first layer as a contact portion and a second layer (or a plurality of layers in the case of a layer structure having more than three layers) as a non-contact portion to each other. As the laminating method, double-sided tape, various adhesives, etc. can be used. In addition, the plurality of layers can be bonded to each other by allowing the materials of each layer to flow into the mold at a time difference during molding and bonding the materials to each other without providing an adhesive layer.

[0166] (Composition of non-contact parts)

[0167] The composition of the non-contact portion when the contact portion of the cleaning blade and the non-contact portions such as the second layer and other layers described above are made of different materials will be described.

[0168] If the non-contact part has the function of supporting the contact part, any known material can be used without particular limitation. Specifically, as the material used for the non-contact part, 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.

[0169] [Contact conditions with conveyor belt]

[0170] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment cleans the surface of the conveyor belt by coming into contact with the surface of the conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned.

[0171] use Figure 1 The contact conditions between the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt cleaning blade at this time will be described.

[0172] Figure 1 Schematic diagram for explaining the contact condition between the conveyor belt and the conveyor belt cleaning blade. Figure 1 In the figure, BE denotes an intermediate transfer belt (an example of a conveyor belt), CB denotes a cleaning blade for the conveyor belt, and CBS denotes a supporting member that supports the cleaning blade.

[0173] From the perspective of achieving good cleaning properties, Figure 1 The pressing force NF of pressing the conveyor belt cleaning blade CB against the conveyor belt BE is preferably, for example, 0.05 N·m or more and 5 N·m or less, and more preferably 0.1 N·m or more and 3 N·m or less.

[0174] Furthermore, the amount d of the conveyor belt cleaning blade CB biting into the conveyor belt BE is preferably, for example, not less than 0 mm and not more than 10 mm, and more preferably not less than 0.01 mm and not more than 5 mm.

[0175] Furthermore, the angle WA (Working Angle) of the contact portion between the conveyor belt BE and the conveyor belt cleaning blade CB is, for example, preferably 3° or more and 35° or less, and more preferably 5° or more and 30° or less.

[0176] Here, the pressing force NF of the cleaning blade is calculated by the following formula.

[0177] Formula: Pressing force NF = k × d

[0178] Where k is the spring constant inherent to the cleaning blade, and d is the amount of penetration of the cleaning blade relative to the conveyor belt (reference Figure 1 ).

[0179] 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.

[0180] The amount d of the cleaning blade biting into the conveyor belt is obtained by calculating the displacement amount of the conveyor belt when the cleaning blade fixed to the supporting member is brought into contact with the conveyor belt.

[0181] [Parts to be cleaned]

[0182] As the conveyor belt to be cleaned by the conveyor belt cleaning scraper according to the present embodiment, there can be cited intermediate transfer belts, secondary transfer belts, paper conveyor belts, etc. used in image forming apparatuses. Among them, from the viewpoint of obtaining good cleaning performance by combining with the conveyor belt cleaning scraper according to the present embodiment, the cleaned component is preferably, for example, an intermediate transfer belt.

[0183] (Intermediate transfer belt)

[0184] Hereinafter, a secondary transfer belt which is suitable as a member to be cleaned will be described, for example.

[0185] Layer structure

[0186] The intermediate transfer belt may be a single-layer body of a polyimide-based resin layer or a laminated body having a polyimide-based resin layer as an outermost layer.

[0187] That is, it is preferable that the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is constituted by a polyimide-based resin layer, for example.

[0188] When the intermediate transfer belt is composed of a laminate having a polyimide resin layer as the outermost layer, an intermediate transfer belt having a polyimide resin layer disposed on a resin substrate layer is used. Alternatively, an intermediate layer (elastic layer, etc.) may be disposed between the substrate layer and the polyimide resin layer.

[0189] As the resin base material layer and the intermediate layer (elastic layer, etc.), known layers used in the intermediate transfer belt can be applied.

[0190] ·Structure of polyimide resin layer

[0191] The polyimide resin layer contains, for example, a polyimide resin and conductive carbon particles. The polyimide resin layer preferably contains, for example, a release agent.

[0192] Furthermore, the polyimide-based resin layer may contain other well-known components as necessary.

[0193] Here, the polyimide-based resin layer refers to a layer having the largest content of the polyimide-based resin by mass among the resin layer constituent components.

[0194] -Polyimide resin-

[0195] The polyimide-based resin refers to a resin containing a structural unit having an imide bond.

[0196] Examples of the polyimide-based resin include polyimide resins, polyamide-imide resins, and polyether-imide resins.

[0197] Among them, from the viewpoint of cleanliness maintenance performance, as the polyimide-based resin, for example, a polyimide resin and a polyamide-imide resin are preferred, and a polyimide resin is more preferred.

[0198] As a polyimide resin, the imidation product of the polyamic acid (precursor of a polyimide resin) which is a polymer of a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamine compound is mentioned, for example.

[0199] Examples of the polyimide resin include resins having a structural unit represented by the following general formula (I).

[0200] [Chemical formula 1]

[0201] In the general formula (I), R 1 represents a tetravalent organic group, R 2 It represents a divalent organic group.

[0202] As R 1 The tetravalent organic group represented by the present invention includes an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a cyclic aliphatic group, a group formed by combining an aromatic group and an aliphatic group, or a substituted group thereof. Specifically, the tetravalent organic group includes, for example, a residue of tetracarboxylic dianhydride described below.

[0203] As R 2 The divalent organic group represented by the compound may be an aromatic group, an aliphatic group, a cyclic aliphatic group, a group formed by combining an aromatic group and an aliphatic group, or a substituted group thereof. Specifically, the divalent organic group may be a residue of a diamine compound described below.

[0204] Specific examples of the tetracarboxylic dianhydride used as a raw material for the polyimide resin include pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,3',4-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,2,5,6-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2'-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)sulfonic acid dianhydride, perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride, and ethylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride.

[0205] Specific examples of the diamine compound used as a raw material of the polyimide resin include 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 3,3'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenylenediamine, benzidine, 3,3'-dimethylbiphenylamine, Aniline, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl propane, 2,4-bis(β-aminotert-butyl)toluene, bis(p-β-aminotert-butylphenyl)ether, bis(p-β-methyl-δ-aminophenyl)benzene, bis-p-(1,1-dimethyl-5-aminopentyl)benzene, 1-isopropyl-2,4-m-phenylenediamine, m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, di(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane, hexadecene Methylenediamine, heptamethylenediamine, octamethylenediamine, nonamethylenediamine, decamethylenediamine, diaminopropyltetramethylene, 3-methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4'-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 2,11-diaminododecane, 1,2-bis-3-aminopropoxyethane, 2,2-dimethylpropylenediamine, 3-methoxyhexamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 3-methylheptamethylenediamine, 5-methylnonamethylene Diamine, 2,17-diaminoeicosane, 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, 1,10-diamino-1,10-dimethyldecane, 12-diaminooctadecane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, piperazine, H2N(CH2)3O(CH2)2O(CH2)NH2, H2N(CH2)3S(CH2)3NH2, H2N(CH2)3N(CH3)2(CH2)3NH2, etc.

[0206] Examples of the polyamide-imide resin include resins having an imide bond and an amide bond in a repeating unit.

[0207] More specifically, examples of the polyamide-imide resin include polymers of a trivalent carboxylic acid compound (also referred to as tricarboxylic acid) having an acid anhydride group and a diisocyanate compound or a diamine compound.

[0208] As the tricarboxylic acid, for example, trimellitic anhydride and its derivatives are preferred. In addition to the tricarboxylic acid, tetracarboxylic dianhydride, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, aromatic dicarboxylic acid, etc. may be used simultaneously.

[0209] Examples of the diisocyanate compound include 3,3'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,3'-diisocyanate, biphenyl-3,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-diethylbiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, 2,2'-dimethoxybiphenyl-4,4'-diisocyanate, naphthalene-1,5-diisocyanate, and naphthalene-2,6-diisocyanate.

[0210] Examples of the diamine compound include compounds having the same structure as the above-mentioned isocyanate and having an amino group instead of an isocyanate group.

[0211] From the viewpoint of mechanical strength and volume resistivity adjustment, the content of the polyimide resin relative to the polyimide resin layer is, for example, preferably 60 mass % or more and 95 mass % or less, more preferably 70 mass % or more and 95 mass % or less, and further preferably 75 mass % or more and 90 mass % or less.

[0212] -Conductive carbon particles-

[0213] Examples of the conductive carbon particles include carbon black.

[0214] Examples of carbon black include Ketjen black, oil furnace black, channel black, acetylene black, etc. As carbon black, surface-treated carbon black (hereinafter also referred to as "surface-treated carbon black") can be used.

[0215] Surface-treated carbon black is obtained, for example, by imparting a carboxyl group, a quinone group, a lactone group, a hydroxyl group, etc. to its surface. Examples of surface treatment methods include an air oxidation method in which the carbon black is contacted with air in a high-temperature atmosphere to react, a method in which the carbon black is reacted with nitrogen oxides or ozone at room temperature (e.g., 22° C.), a method in which the carbon black is oxidized with air in a high-temperature atmosphere and then oxidized with ozone at a low temperature, and the like.

[0216] From the viewpoints of dispersibility, mechanical strength, volume resistivity, film-forming properties, etc., the average particle size of the conductive carbon particles is, for example, preferably from 2 nm to 40 nm, more preferably from 8 nm to 20 nm, and further preferably from 10 nm to 15 nm.

[0217] The average particle size of the conductive carbon particles is measured by the following method.

[0218] First, a 100 nm thick sample was collected from the polyimide resin layer using a microtome, and the sample was observed using a TEM (transmission electron microscope). Then, the diameter of a circle equal to the projected area of ​​each of 50 conductive carbon particles (i.e., equivalent circle diameter) was taken as the particle size, and the average value thereof was taken as the average particle size.

[0219] From the viewpoint of mechanical strength and volume resistivity, the content of the conductive carbon particles is preferably, for example, 10% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less relative to the polyimide-based resin layer.

[0220] -Other ingredients-

[0221] Examples of other components include conductive agents other than conductive carbon particles, fillers for improving mechanical strength, antioxidants for preventing thermal degradation of the tape, surfactants for improving fluidity, heat-resistant antioxidants, and release agents.

[0222] When other components are contained, the content of other components is, for example, preferably more than 0 mass % and 10 mass % or less, more preferably more than 0 mass % and 5 mass % or less, and further preferably more than 0 mass % and 1 mass % or less, relative to the polyimide resin layer.

[0223] ·Thickness of polyimide resin layer

[0224] When the intermediate transfer belt is composed of a single-layer body of a polyimide-based resin layer, the thickness of the polyimide-based resin layer is, for example, preferably 60 μm to 120 μm, and more preferably 80 μm to 120 μm, from the viewpoint of mechanical strength.

[0225] When the intermediate transfer belt is composed of a laminate having a polyimide resin layer as the outermost layer, the thickness of the polyimide resin layer is, for example, preferably greater than 1 μm and less than 60 μm, more preferably greater than 3 μm and less than 60 μm, from the viewpoint of manufacturing adaptability and discharge suppression.

[0226] In addition, the thickness of the polyimide-based resin layer was measured as follows.

[0227] Specifically, a cross section of the polyimide resin layer in the thickness direction is observed using an optical microscope or a scanning electron microscope, the thickness of the layer to be measured is measured at 10 locations, and the average value is defined as the thickness.

[0228] ·Surface roughness of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt

[0229] From the viewpoint of improving the cleaning performance of the conveyor belt cleaning blade of the present embodiment, the surface roughness Rz of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is, for example, preferably 0.001 μm to 1 μm, more preferably 0.005 μm to 0.5 μm, and further preferably 0.01 μm to 0.3 μm.

[0230] The surface roughness Rz of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt is the ten-point average roughness Rz measured in accordance with JIS B 0601: 1994. The surface roughness Rz was measured using a contact surface roughness measuring device (SURFCOM570A, manufactured by TOKYO SEIMITSU CO., LTD.) at 23°C and 55% RH. A contact needle with a diamond tip (5 μmR, 90° cone) was used. The measurement conditions were: contact needle = contact needle with a diamond tip (5 μmR, 90° cone), measurement distance = 2.5 mm, cutoff wavelength = 0.8 mm, and measurement speed = 0.60 mm / s.

[0231] The measurement location was set to the center portion in the width direction of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt, and the measurement was performed at three locations, and the average value was calculated.

[0232] Volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt

[0233] From the viewpoint of transferability, the common logarithm of the volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt when a voltage of 500 V is applied for 10 seconds is, for example, preferably greater than 9.0 (logΩ·cm) and less than 13.5 (logΩ·cm), more preferably greater than 9.5 (logΩ·cm) and less than 13.2 (logΩ·cm), and particularly preferably greater than 10.0 (logΩ·cm) and less than 12.5 (logΩ·cm).

[0234] The volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt when a voltage of 500 V was applied for 10 seconds was measured by the following method.

[0235] As a resistance measuring machine, a microammeter (R8430A manufactured by ADVANTEST CORPORATION) was used, and as a probe, a UR probe (manufactured by Nittoseiko Analytech Co., Ltd.) was used. Regarding the volume resistivity (logΩ·cm), under the conditions of a voltage of 500 V, an application time of 10 seconds, and a pressure of 1 kgf, the intermediate transfer belt was measured at 6 locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and at 3 locations in the center and both ends in the width direction, so that a total of 18 locations were measured, and the average value was calculated. Furthermore, the measurement was performed in an environment of a temperature of 22° C. and a humidity of 55% RH.

[0236] Surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt

[0237] From the viewpoint of transferability onto embossed paper, the common logarithmic value of the surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt when a voltage of 500 V is applied to the outer surface for 10 seconds is, for example, preferably from 10.0 (logΩ / suq.) to 15.0 (logΩ / suq.), more preferably from 10.5 (logΩ / suq.) to 14.0 (logΩ / suq.), and particularly preferably from 11.0 (logΩ / suq.) to 13.5 (logΩ / suq.).

[0238] The unit of the surface resistivity, logΩ / suq., is a unit expressing the surface resistivity by the logarithmic value of the resistance value per unit area, and is also expressed as log(Ω / suq.), logΩ / suquare, logΩ / □, and the like.

[0239] The surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer belt when a voltage of 500 V was applied to the outer peripheral surface for 10 seconds was measured by the following method.

[0240] As a resistance measuring machine, a micro ammeter (R8430A manufactured by ADVANTEST CORPORATION) was used, and as a probe, a UR probe (manufactured by Nittoseiko Analytech Co., Ltd.) was used. The surface resistivity (logΩ / suq.) of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt was measured at 6 locations at equal intervals in the circumferential direction, and at 3 locations in the center and both ends in the width direction, for a total of 18 locations, and the average value was calculated. The measurement was performed in an environment of a temperature of 22° C. and a humidity of 55% RH.

[0241] <Image forming device>

[0242] The image forming device involved in this embodiment comprises: a photosensitive body; a charging device for charging the photosensitive body; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged photosensitive body; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body with a colorant to form a colorant image; a transfer device for transferring the colorant image formed on the photosensitive body to the surface of a recording medium; a conveyor belt, which is a component to be cleaned; and a cleaning scraper for the conveyor belt, which makes the contact portion contact with the surface of the conveyor belt to clean the surface.

[0243] Here, as the member to be cleaned, that is, the conveyor belt, as described above, there can be cited the intermediate transfer belt, the secondary transfer belt, the paper conveyor belt, etc. And as the conveyor belt cleaning blade, the conveyor belt cleaning blade according to this embodiment is suitable.

[0244] The image forming apparatus involved in this embodiment is applicable to well-known image forming apparatuses such as an apparatus including a fixing component for fixing the colorant image transferred to the surface of a recording medium; an apparatus including a cleaning device for cleaning the surface of a photosensitive body after transferring the colorant image but before charging; an apparatus including a static elimination device for eliminating static electricity by irradiating the surface of the photosensitive body with static elimination light after transferring the colorant image and before charging; and an apparatus including a photosensitive body heating component for increasing the temperature of the photosensitive body to lower the relative temperature.

[0245] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus involved in the present embodiment is also applicable to a direct transfer apparatus for directly transferring the colorant image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to a recording medium; and an intermediate transfer apparatus for primarily transferring the colorant image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to the surface of an intermediate transfer belt, and for a second time transferring the colorant image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to the surface of a recording medium.

[0246] In the case of an intermediate transfer device, the transfer device, for example, may have a structure having the following devices: an intermediate transfer belt for transferring the colorant image onto a surface; a primary transfer device for primary transferring the colorant image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt; and a secondary transfer device for secondary transferring the colorant image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt onto the surface of the recording medium.

[0247] 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.

[0248] In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, for example, a portion including a photoreceptor may be a cartridge structure (process cartridge) that is attachable to and detachable from the image forming apparatus.

[0249] 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.

[0250] Here, Figure 2 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0251] like Figure 2As 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).

[0252] Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a photoreceptor 11 that rotates in the direction of arrow A and holds a toner image formed on the surface.

[0253] 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.

[0254] 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.

[0255] 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).

[0256] The intermediate transfer belt 15 passes through various rollers. Figure 2The 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.

[0257] Here, the conveyor belt cleaning blade according to the present embodiment is applied as the secondary transfer belt cleaning blade 35. In this case, the intermediate transfer belt 15 corresponds to the conveyor belt as the member to be cleaned.

[0258] 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 on the photoreceptor 11 in pressure contact 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 (set to 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.

[0259] 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 .

[0260] The back roller 25 is formed to have a surface resistivity of 1×10 7 Ω / □ 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. The back roller 25 is arranged in contact with a metal power supply roller 26 for stably applying a secondary transfer bias.

[0261] 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.

[0262] 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 .

[0263] 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.

[0264] 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 .

[0265] 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 42 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.

[0266] 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.

[0267] Next, use Figure 2 The image forming apparatus shown will explain the basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

[0268] 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.

[0269] 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.

[0270] 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.

[0271] 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.

[0272] 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.

[0273] 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 that is transported at a fixed time 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. Then, the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the paper K at the secondary transfer section 20 that is pressed by the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25.

[0274] 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.

[0275] 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 .

[0276] <Transfer device>

[0277] The transfer device involved in this embodiment includes: an intermediate transfer belt, whose surface is used to transfer the colorant image; a primary transfer device, which transfers the colorant image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt; a secondary transfer device, which transfers the colorant image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to the surface of the recording medium; and a cleaning scraper, which makes the contact portion contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to clean the surface.

[0278] Here, as the cleaning blade, the cleaning blade for the conveyor belt according to the present embodiment is applied.

[0279] The intermediate transfer belt in the transfer device according to the present embodiment is as described above.

[0280] The primary transfer device has a primary transfer member disposed opposite to the photoreceptor with the intermediate transfer belt interposed therebetween. In the primary transfer device, a voltage having a polarity opposite to the charged polarity of the toner is applied to the intermediate transfer belt by the primary transfer member, thereby primarily transferring the toner image onto the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt.

[0281] Furthermore, the secondary transfer device has a secondary transfer member disposed on the toner image holding side of the intermediate transfer belt. Furthermore, the secondary transfer device has, for example, a back member disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer belt opposite to the toner image holding side together with the secondary transfer member. In the secondary transfer device, the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred to the recording medium by forming a transfer electric field by sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt and the recording medium with the secondary transfer member and the back member.

[0282] The secondary transfer member may be a secondary transfer roller or a secondary transfer belt. In addition, the back member may be, for example, a back roller.

[0283] In addition, the transfer device involved in this embodiment may be a transfer device that transfers the toner image to the surface of the recording medium via a plurality of intermediate transfer belts. That is, the transfer device may be, for example, a transfer device that transfers the toner image from the photoreceptor to the first intermediate transfer belt, then transfers the toner image from the first intermediate transfer belt to the second intermediate transfer belt, and then transfers the toner image from the second intermediate transfer belt to the recording medium.

[0284] 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.

[0285] Example

[0286] 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.

[0287] [Example 1]

[0288] (Production of Cleaning Blade (CB1) for Conveyor Belt)

[0289] Polycaprolactone polyol (manufactured by Daicel Corporation, PLACCEL 205) and polycaprolactone polyol (manufactured by Daicel Corporation, PLACCEL 240) were used as hard 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 soft segment material, and the hard segment material and the soft segment material were mixed at a ratio of 8:2 (mass ratio).

[0290] Next, 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 hard segment material and the soft segment material, and the mixture was reacted at 70°C for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere. Next, the above isocyanate compound was further added, and the mixture was reacted at 70°C for 3 hours under a nitrogen atmosphere to obtain a prepolymer.

[0291] Next, the prepolymer was heated to 100°C and defoamed under reduced pressure for 1 hour. Then, a mixture of 1,4-butanediol and trimethylolpropane was added to the prepolymer and mixed for 3 minutes without allowing bubbles to enter, thereby preparing a cleaning blade molding composition. Next, the cleaning blade molding composition was flowed into a centrifugal molding machine after adjustment, and a curing reaction was performed. Thus, a blade-shaped molding was obtained.

[0292] Next, the blade-shaped molded product was immersed in a 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (Millionate MT manufactured by TOSOH CORPORATION) bath at 80° C. for 45 minutes for impregnation treatment, then removed from the bath and subjected to aging heating, then dried at room temperature and cut into pieces having a length of 15 mm and a thickness of 2 mm.

[0293] Through the above operation, a cleaning blade (CB1) for a conveyor belt was obtained.

[0294] [Example 2 to Example 21]

[0295] (Production of cleaning blades (CB2) to (CB21) for conveyor belts)

[0296] Cleaning blades (CB2) to (CB21) were obtained in the same manner as the cleaning blade (CB1), except that the degree of polymerization, impregnation treatment time and impregnation treatment temperature of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate were appropriately changed as needed to adjust the physical properties described in Table 1 below.

[0297] [Comparative Examples A1 to A8]

[0298] (Production of cleaning blades for conveyor belts (CBC1) to (CBC8))

[0299] Cleaning blades (CBC1) to (CBC8) were obtained in the same manner as in the cleaning blade (CB1), except that the degree of polymerization, the impregnation treatment time and the impregnation treatment temperature of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate were appropriately changed as needed to adjust the physical properties described in Table 1 below.

[0300] <Ratio H X , ratio H Y , ratio H Z , Ratio D X , Ratio D Y And the ratio D Z Determination of >

[0301] The cleaning blade for conveyor belt of each example obtained by the method described above was subjected to a ratio H X , ratio H Y , ratio H Z , Ratio D X , Ratio D Y And the ratio D Z Determination of.

[0302] Table 1 shows the results.

[0303] <Preparation of the intermediate transfer belt>

[0304] An intermediate transfer belt (BE1) composed of a single-layer body of a polyimide-based resin layer was prepared. The surface roughness Rz of the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt (BE1) was 0.07 μm.

[0305] <Evaluation>

[0306] The image forming apparatus for evaluation was obtained by installing the intermediate transfer belt and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning blade in the combination shown in Table 1 in an image forming apparatus "FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp., Apeos C8180". In addition, regarding the installation conditions of the intermediate transfer belt cleaning blade, the pressing force NF (Normal Force) was set to 2.6 gf / mm, and the angle W / A (Working Angle) was set to 20°.

[0307] Then, the following evaluations were performed using this image forming apparatus.

[0308] -Evaluation of wear resistance and chipping resistance-

[0309] An image with an image density of 50% was printed on A4 paper (210×297 mm, FUJIFILM Business Innovation Corp., P paper) under an environment of 32.5° C. and 85% RH using the above-mentioned image forming apparatus for evaluation until the cumulative number of rotations of the photoreceptor reached 100K cycles. The edge portion (contact angle portion with the conveyor belt) of the cleaning blade after printing was evaluated as follows.

[0310] The wear amount of the edge of the cleaning blade was measured based on the maximum wear depth of the edge of the conveyor belt surface side observed by using a laser microscope VK-8510 manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION. The wear resistance was evaluated based on the obtained values ​​according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0311] The presence or absence of chipping at the edge of the cleaning blade and the size of chipping were observed using a laser microscope VK-8510 manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION. Based on the observation results, chipping resistance was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria.

[0312] - Wear resistance benchmark -

[0313] G1: The wear amount of the edge portion is 3 μm or less.

[0314] G2: The wear amount of the edge portion exceeds 3 μm and is 5 μm or less.

[0315] G3: The wear amount of the edge portion exceeds 5 μm and is 7 μm or less.

[0316] G4: The wear amount of the edge portion is more than 7 μm and is 9 μm or less.

[0317] G5: The wear amount of the edge portion exceeds 9 μm and is 11 μm or less.

[0318] G6: The wear amount of the edge portion exceeded 11 μm.

[0319] -Crack resistance benchmark-

[0320] G1: No chipping occurred at the edge.

[0321] G2: The chipping size of the edge portion is 1 μm or less, and the number of chippings is 1 or more and less than 5.

[0322] G3: The chipping size of the edge portion is 1 μm or less, and the number of chippings is 5 or more.

[0323] G4: The chipping size of the edge portion is more than 1 μm and less than 5 μm, and the number of chippings is 1 or more and less than 5.

[0324] G5: The chipping size of the edge portion is more than 1 μm and less than 5 μm, and the number of chippings is 5 or more and less than 10.

[0325] G6: The chipping size of the edge portion is more than 1 μm and less than 5 μm, and the number of chippings is 10 or more.

[0326] [Table 1]

[0327]

[0328] From the above results, it can be seen that the conveyor belt cleaning blade of this example is superior in both wear resistance and chipping resistance compared to the comparative example.

[0329] The following is a supplementary description of aspects of this embodiment.

[0330] (((1))) A conveyor belt cleaning blade having a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned,

[0331] The contact part is composed of polyurethane rubber containing hard segments and soft segments.

[0332] The proportion of the hard segment domain in the surface of the contact part H X is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and has a thickness of 200 nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y It is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

[0333] (((2))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to (((1))), wherein the ratio H X It is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less.

[0334] (((3))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to (((1))), wherein the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

[0335] (((4))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to (((1))), wherein the ratio H X is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less, and the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

[0336] (((5))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein the cleaning blade has a thickness of 200 nm. 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments on the surface is H Z It is 31.2% or more and 48.7% or less.

[0337] (((6))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), wherein

[0338] When in the cross section of the contact part, the proportion of the domain of the hard segment in the total area of ​​the cross section is set as D X , will have 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain of the following area to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain of the cross section is defined as D Y hour,

[0339] The ratio D X With the ratio H X The ratio D is greater than or equal to 0.58 and less than or equal to 1.64, and the ratio D Y With the ratio H Y The ratio is 0.29 or more and 1.19 or less.

[0340] (((7))) The cleaning blade for a conveyor belt according to (((5))) or (((6))), wherein:

[0341] When in the cross section of the contact site, there will be 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments is defined as D Z hour,

[0342] The ratio D Z With the ratio H Z The ratio is 0.04 or more and 0.34 or less.

[0343] (((8)))An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0344] Photoreceptor;

[0345] A charging device for charging the photoreceptor;

[0346] An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive body;

[0347] a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor with a toner to form a toner image;

[0348] a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive body to the surface of a recording medium;

[0349] Conveyor belts are the parts to be cleaned; and

[0350] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))) makes the contact portion contact with the surface of the conveyor belt to clean the surface.

[0351] (((9)))A transfer device comprising:

[0352] An intermediate transfer belt, the surface of which is used to transfer the toner image;

[0353] a primary transfer device for primarily transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt;

[0354] a secondary transfer device for secondarily transferring the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt onto the surface of a recording medium; and

[0355] The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of (((1))) to (((7))) makes the contact portion contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to clean the surface.

[0356] According to the invention of (((1))), there is provided a contact portion which is in contact with at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and in the surface of the contact portion, a ratio H occupied by the domain of the hard segment is X Less than 15.2% or more than 26.1%, or with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y When the content is less than 38.9% or exceeds 60.8%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0357] According to the invention of (((2))) or (((4))), there is provided a method for X When the content is less than 18.4% or exceeds 25.3%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0358] According to the invention of (((3))) or (((4))), there is provided a method for Y When the content is less than 39.9% or exceeds 59.2%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0359] According to the invention of (((5))), there is provided a Z When the content is less than 31.2% or exceeds 48.7%, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0360] According to the invention of (((6))), there is provided a X With the ratio HX The ratio is less than 0.58 or exceeds 1.64, or the ratio D Y With the ratio H Y When the ratio is less than 0.29 or exceeds 1.19, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0361] According to the invention of (((7))), there is provided a Z With the ratio H Z When the ratio is less than 0.04 or exceeds 0.34, the conveyor belt cleaning blade has excellent wear resistance and chipping resistance.

[0362] According to the invention of (((8))) or (((9))), there is provided a contact portion which is in contact with at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, wherein the contact portion is composed of a polyurethane rubber containing a hard segment and a soft segment, and in the surface of the contact portion, the ratio H occupied by the domain of the hard segment is X Less than 15.2% or more than 26.1%, or with 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y When the content is less than 38.9% or more than 60.8%, an image forming apparatus or a transfer apparatus having a cleaning blade for a conveyor belt having excellent abrasion resistance and chipping resistance can be obtained.

[0363] 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.

[0364] Explanation of symbols

[0365] 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.

Claims

1. A conveyor belt cleaning blade having a contact portion that contacts at least a surface of a conveyor belt as a member to be cleaned, The contact part is composed of polyurethane rubber containing hard segments and soft segments. The proportion of the hard segment domain in the surface of the contact part H X is 15.2% or more and 26.1% or less, and has a thickness of 200 nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain on the surface is H Y It is 38.9% or more and 60.8% or less.

2. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein: The ratio H X It is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less.

3. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein: The ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

4. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to claim 1, wherein: The ratio H X is 18.4% or more and 25.3% or less, and the ratio H Y It is 39.9% or more and 59.2% or less.

5. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: With 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments on the surface is H Z It is 31.2% or more and 48.7% or less.

6. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: When in the cross section of the contact part, the proportion of the domain of the hard segment in the total area of ​​the cross section is set as D X , will have 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the area of ​​the hard segment domain of the following area to the total area of ​​the hard segment domain of the cross section is defined as D Y hour, The ratio D X With the ratio H X The ratio D is greater than or equal to 0.58 and less than or equal to 1.64, and the ratio D Y With the ratio H Y The ratio is 0.29 or more and 1.19 or less.

7. The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: When in the cross section of the contact site, there will be 200nm 2 Above and 1000nm 2 The ratio of the number of domains of the hard segments in the total number of domains of the hard segments is defined as D Z hour, The ratio D Z With the ratio H Z The ratio is 0.04 or more and 0.34 or less.

8. An image forming apparatus comprising: Photoreceptor; A charging device for charging the photoreceptor; An electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the photosensitive body; a developing device for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor with a toner to form a toner image; a transfer device for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive body to the surface of a recording medium; Conveyor belt, which is the part to be cleaned; and The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is configured to make the contact portion contact the surface of the conveyor belt to clean the surface.

9. A transfer device comprising: An intermediate transfer belt, the surface of which is used to transfer the toner image; a primary transfer device for primarily transferring the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive body to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt; a secondary transfer device for secondarily transferring the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt onto the surface of a recording medium; and The conveyor belt cleaning blade according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is configured to make the contact portion contact the surface of the intermediate transfer belt to clean the surface.

Images