Electrophotographic member, transfer device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

An electrophotographic member, a transfer device, and an image forming apparatus, the electrophotographic member including a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound, the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125: 1999 being (A), the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic layer containing a silicone compound in accordance with JIS K7125: 1999 being (B), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the elastic layer containing a silicone compound in accordance with JIS K7125: 1999 being (B). When (B) is the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after the surface layer has been subjected to a corona treatment under the conditions of a current of 100 [mu] A, a temperature of 22 DEG C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW, (A) is 0.15-0.35, and (B-A) is 0.05 or less.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrophotographic component, a transfer device, and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] In an image forming device (such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, etc.) using an electrophotographic system, a toner image formed on the surface of an image holding body is transferred onto an electrophotographic component and fixed onto a recording medium to form an image.

[0003] As an electrophotographic component in an image forming device, there is disclosed "an intermediate transfer belt having good transferability and being less likely to warp by using a limited amount of a filler and an alkoxysilane having 2 or less functional groups together in a 3- or 4-functional alkoxysilane" (Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-56928 Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic component having a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound. In the electrophotographic component, when the kinetic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the kinetic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), the maintainability of cleanliness is higher compared to the case where (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30 or (B - A) is more than 0.05.

[0006] The method for solving the above problems includes the following means.

[0007] <1> An electrophotographic component having a surface layer and an elastic layer,

[0008] the surface layer containing a silicone compound,

[0009] when the kinetic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the kinetic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less.

[0010] <2> The electrophotographic component according to <1>, wherein

[0011] the silicone compound contains a structure represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 ​n A compound represented by Structure A (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and at least one of the plurality of Rs in Structure A is a group containing an alkyl group.

[0012] <3> The electrophotographic member according to <1> or <2>, wherein

[0013] The surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less.

[0014] <4> The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <3>, wherein

[0015] The content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less with respect to the electrophotographic member.

[0016] <5> The electrophotographic member according to <4>, wherein

[0017] The content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less with respect to the electrophotographic member.

[0018] <6> The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <5>, wherein

[0019] The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less.

[0020] <7> The electrophotographic member according to <6>, wherein

[0021] The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less.

[0022] <8> The electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <7>, wherein

[0023] The surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin.

[0024] <9> A transfer device including the electrophotographic member according to any one of <1> to <8>.

[0025] <10> An image forming apparatus including:

[0026] An image holding member;

[0027] A charging device that charges the surface of the image holding member;

[0028] An electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the charged image holding member;

[0029] A developing device that accommodates a developer containing toner and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image carrier to form a toner image;

[0030] <9>The transfer device as described above that transfers the toner image to the surface of a recording medium; and

[0031] A fixing device that fixes the toner image to the surface of the recording medium.

[0032] Advantages of the Invention

[0033] According to the invention described in <1>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound. When the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), compared with the cases where (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or (B - A) is more than 0.05, the maintainability of cleanliness is high.

[0034] According to the invention described in <2>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the case where the silicone compound is PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

[0035] According to the invention described in <3>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the case where the surface free energy of the surface layer exceeds 45 mJ / m 2 2.

[0036] According to the invention described in <4>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the cases where the content of the silicone compound is less than 3% by volume or more than 60% by volume with respect to the electrophotographic component.

[0037] According to the invention described in <5>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the cases where the content of the silicone compound is less than 10% by volume or more than 40% by volume with respect to the electrophotographic component.

[0038] According to the invention described in <6>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the case where the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound exceeds 2.5 μm.

[0039] According to the invention described in <7>, there is provided an electrophotographic component having a higher maintainability of cleanliness compared with the case where the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound exceeds 1 μm.

[0040] According to the invention related to <8>, there is provided an electrophotographic component which has higher maintainability of cleanliness as compared with the case where the adhesive resin to the surface layer is a polyimide resin.

[0041] According to the inventions related to <9> and <10>, there are provided a transfer device and an image forming device which have higher maintainability of cleanliness as compared with the case where an electrophotographic component is applied, the electrophotographic component including a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound, and when the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), (A) is less than 0.15 or exceeds 0.30 or (B - A) exceeds 0.05. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0043] Figure 1 It is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the image forming device of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 2 It is a schematic configuration diagram around a secondary transfer portion in another example of the image forming device of the present invention.

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS

[0046] 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K - image forming units, 10 - primary transfer portion, 11 - photoreceptor, 12 - charger, 13 - laser exposure device, 14 - developing device, 15 - intermediate transfer belt, 16 - primary transfer roller, 17 - photoreceptor cleaner, 20 - secondary transfer portion, 22 - secondary transfer roller, 22A - secondary transfer roller cleaning member, 25 - back roller, 26 - power supply roller, 31 - drive roller, 32 - support roller, 33 - tension applying roller, 34 - cleaning back roller, 35 - intermediate transfer belt cleaning member, 40 - control unit, 42 - reference sensor, 43 - image density sensor, 50 - paper storage portion, 51 - paper feed roller, 52 - conveying roller, 53 - conveying guide, 55 - conveyor belt, 56 - fixing inlet guide, 60 - fixing device, 70 - image forming device, 100 - electrophotographic component, 110 - conductive substrate, 120 - roller body, 122 - elastic layer, 124 - intermediate layer, 126 - surface layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The description and examples illustrate the embodiments and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] Within the numerical ranges described stepwise in this specification, the upper limit value or lower limit value described as one numerical range may also be replaced with the upper limit value or lower limit value of other stepwise described numerical ranges. Further, within the numerical ranges described in this specification, the upper limit value or lower limit value of the numerical range may be replaced with the value shown in the examples.

[0049] In this specification, the word "process" is included in this term if the desired purpose of the process can be achieved not only in an independent process but also in a case where it cannot be clearly distinguished from other processes.

[0050] In this specification, when describing an embodiment with reference to the drawings, the structure of the embodiment is not limited to the structure shown in the drawings. Further, the sizes of the components in each drawing are conceptual sizes, and the relative relationship of the sizes between the components is not limited thereto.

[0051] In this specification, each component may contain a plurality of corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in the composition in this specification, it means the total amount of the substance present in the composition.

[0052] In this specification, the "dynamic friction coefficient (A)" means the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer before corona treatment in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 in a transfer member having a surface layer and an elastic layer and the surface layer containing a silicone compound.

[0053] <Electrophotographic component>

[0054] The electrophotographic component of the present invention has a surface layer and an elastic layer, and the surface layer contains a silicone compound. When the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less.

[0055] Based on the above structure, the electrophotographic component of the present invention becomes an electrophotographic component with high maintainability of cleanliness. The reason is speculated as follows.

[0056] In recent years, due to the increasing awareness of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), material development with reduced environmental impact has been promoted. Among them, there is a technology of incorporating a silicone compound as a mold release agent in the surface layer of electrophotographic components.

[0057] However, although the electrophotographic component having a surface layer containing a silicone compound as a mold release agent has low friction at the initial stage of use, during transfer, due to the repeated application of voltage, the Si - O bonds present in the surface layer undergo silanolation through discharge energy, the dynamic friction coefficient increases, and thus the cleaning performance sometimes decreases.

[0058] In contrast, the electrophotographic component of the present invention satisfies the above - mentioned dynamic friction coefficients (A) and (B), and it is thus speculated that the maintainability of the cleaning performance is high.

[0059] Hereinafter, the details of the electrophotographic component of the present invention will be described.

[0060] The electrophotographic component of the present invention can be in the form of a roll or a belt.

[0061] The electrophotographic component of the present invention, for example, may have a structure having an elastic layer and a surface layer on a conductive substrate.

[0062] - Surface layer -

[0063] The surface layer contains a silicone compound. Specifically, for example, the surface layer contains a silicone compound and a binder resin.

[0064] The silicone compound preferably contains, for example, a compound having a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group, and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and at least one of the plurality of Rs in the structure A is a group containing an alkyl group.

[0065] In the structure A, as the organic group represented by R in the formula, for example, there can be mentioned a hydroxyl group, a silane oxy group, a hydrocarbon group, a hydrocarbon group in which one or more methylenes are substituted by a carbonyl group, a hydrocarbon group in which one or more carbon atoms are substituted by a heteroatom (oxygen atom, nitrogen atom or sulfur atom), or a group formed by combining them, etc.

[0066] As the silane oxy group described in the organic group represented by R, for example, there can be mentioned a monoalkyl silane oxy group, a dialkyl silane oxy group, a trialkyl silane oxy group, etc., preferably a dialkyl silane oxy group and a trialkyl silane oxy group, and more preferably a trialkyl silane oxy group.

[0067] ​As the hydrocarbon group described in the organic group represented by R, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group and an aromatic hydrocarbon group can be cited.

[0068] As the aliphatic hydrocarbon group, a linear, branched or alicyclic saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group and a linear, branched or alicyclic unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group can be cited.

[0069] As the aliphatic hydrocarbon group, for example, a hydrocarbon group having 1 or more and 20 or less carbon atoms is preferable, and a hydrocarbon group having 1 or more and 15 or less carbon atoms is preferable.

[0070] The aliphatic hydrocarbon group may also be substituted with substituents such as a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, and an aryl group.

[0071] As the aromatic hydrocarbon group, a hydrocarbon group having 6 or more and 18 or less carbon atoms (for example, preferably 6 or more and 14 or less carbon atoms) can be cited. As the aromatic hydrocarbon group, for example, a phenyl group, a naphthyl group, an anthryl group, etc. can be cited.

[0072] The aromatic hydrocarbon group may be substituted with substituents such as a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an alkyl group, and an alkoxy group.

[0073] In the organic group represented by R, a reactive group may be present. As the reactive group, a vinyl group, an allyl group, a styryl group, a maleimide group, an epoxy group, a (meth)acryloyl group, etc. can be cited.

[0074] The plurality of Rs present in Structure A may be the same organic group or different organic groups.

[0075] Among them, at least one of the plurality of Rs present in Structure A is preferably a group containing an alkyl group. From the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of cleanliness, the alkyl group is more preferably an alkyl group having 1 or more and 9 or less carbon atoms, further preferably an alkyl group having 1 or more and 4 or less carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkyl group having 1 carbon atom (i.e., a methyl group).

[0076] In addition, as the silicone compound, a high molecular compound called silsesquioxane having various skeleton structures can be exemplified.

[0077] The silsesquioxane may have any of an amorphous, ladder-shaped and basket-shaped skeleton structures. However, from the viewpoint of setting the surface free energy of the surface layer to 45 mJ / m 2 In the following range and improving the maintainability of cleanliness, a basket-shaped T8 type can be exemplified. According to the rigid structure, even when a voltage is repeatedly applied during transfer, it is difficult to generate a silanol group, so an increase in the dynamic friction coefficient is suppressed, and thus it is easy to improve the maintainability of cleanliness.

[0078] Further, in Structure A, n in the formula represents an integer of 2 or more. However, from the viewpoints of improving cleaning performance and maintainability, for example, it preferably represents an integer of 8 or more, more preferably an integer of 8 or more and 10,000 or less.

[0079] From the viewpoints of improving cleaning performance and maintainability, the content of the silicone compound is preferably 3% by volume or more, more preferably 6% by volume or more, and still more preferably 10% by volume or more, relative to the electrophotographic member.

[0080] However, from the viewpoint of the bending resistance of the electrophotographic member, the upper limit of the content of the silicone compound is preferably 60% by volume or less, more preferably 50% by volume or less, and still more preferably 40% by volume or less, relative to the electrophotographic member.

[0081] Further, the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 10 μm or less, more preferably 0.5 μm or more and 5 μm or less, and still more preferably 1 μm or more and 2.5 μm or less. In particular, the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is preferably 2.5 μm or less, more preferably 1 μm or less.

[0082] Since the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is within the above range, it is easy to uniformly approach and disperse in the surface layer, reduce the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer, and easily suppress an increase in the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer, thereby easily improving cleaning performance and maintainability.

[0083] The volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is measured as follows.

[0084] A sample is collected from the surface layer of the electrophotographic member. The sample is a sample having a cut surface along the thickness direction of the surface layer as an observation surface.

[0085] The observation surface of the sample is observed by a scanning electron microscope and an image is taken. In the image, the area of each primary particle of the silicone compound is measured by image analysis, and the equivalent circle diameter is calculated from the area value. This calculation of the equivalent circle diameter is performed for 100 silicone compounds. Then, the 50% diameter (D50v) at the volume-based cumulative frequency of the obtained equivalent circle diameter is defined as the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound.

[0086] Examples of the binder resin include polyamide resin, polyurethane resin, polyvinylidene fluoride resin, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, polyester resin, polyimide resin, silicone resin, acrylic resin, polyvinyl butyral resin, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin, melamine resin, fluororubber, epoxy resin, polycarbonate resin, polyvinyl alcohol resin, cellulose resin, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, and the like.

[0087] In particular, from the viewpoint of maintaining cleanliness, as the adhesive resin, for example, a urethane resin is preferably contained. As the urethane resin, an acrylic urethane resin, a polyester polyurethane resin, a polyether polyurethane resin, etc. may be used. Among them, from the viewpoint of maintaining cleanliness, as the urethane resin, for example, a silicone-modified urethane resin is preferably used, and a silicone-modified acrylic urethane resin is more preferably used.

[0088] The content of the adhesive resin is set to the amount that becomes the main component of the surface layer. Here, the amount that becomes the main component of the surface layer means the amount of the component contained in the surface layer other than the silicone compound that is the largest.

[0089] The surface layer may further contain additives. As the additives, according to various uses of the electrophotographic component, they can be appropriately selected from well-known additives such as conductive agents, reinforcing agents, antioxidants, surfactants, heat-resistant anti-aging agents, etc.

[0090] The content of the additives relative to the surface layer is, for example, preferably 30% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, and further preferably 10% by mass or less.

[0091] The dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer is measured in accordance with JIS K7125:1999.

[0092] In the electrophotographic component of the present invention, when the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set to (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set to (B), (A) is, for example, 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and more preferably 0.22 or more and 0.25 or less. And, (B - A) is 0.05 or less, and more preferably 0.01 or less, for example.

[0093] And, from the viewpoint of improving the maintainability of cleanliness, the surface free energy of the surface layer is, for example, preferably 45 mJ / m 2 hereinafter, more preferably 42 mJ / m 2 hereinafter, further preferably 38 mJ / m 2 .

[0094] The surface free energy of the surface layer is measured by the following method.

[0095] According to the OWRK (Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble) method, using water, diiodomethane, and n-dodecane with known surface free energies, water is dropped onto the electrophotographic component to measure the contact angle of water, diiodomethane is dropped onto the electrophotographic component to measure the contact angle of diiodomethane, and n-dodecane is dropped onto the electrophotographic component to measure the contact angle of n-dodecane, in order to calculate the surface free energy (mJ / m 2 ).

[0096] If the surface free energy is to be set to 45 mJ / m 2 or less, for example, it is preferable that the silicone compound contains a compound having the structure A, and in the structure A, the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group is 1 or more and 4 or less.

[0097] The thickness of the surface layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the use. For example, it can be 0.1 μm or more and 30 μm or less.

[0098] - Elastic layer -

[0099] The elastic layer is not particularly limited as long as it contains an elastic material. Examples of the elastic material include isoprene rubber, chloroprene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, fluororubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether terpolymer rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), polyurethane rubber, natural rubber, and rubbers obtained by mixing them.

[0100] From the viewpoint of improving conductivity, the elastic layer preferably contains a conductive agent, for example. Examples of the conductive agent include carbon blacks such as Ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon, graphite; metals or alloys such as aluminum, copper, nickel, and stainless steel; conductive metal oxides such as tin oxide, indium oxide, titanium oxide, tin oxide-antimony oxide solid solution, and tin oxide-indium oxide solid solution; substances obtained by conducting surface treatment on an insulating substance; and powders.

[0101] The conductive agent can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0102] Examples of other additives include known materials that can be added to elastomers, such as softeners, plasticizers, curing agents, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization accelerators, antioxidants, surfactants, coupling agents, fillers (such as silica and calcium carbonate).

[0103] The elastic layer can be a foam containing an elastic material (hereinafter, also referred to as "elastic foam"). To obtain the elastic foam, a foaming agent, a foam stabilizer, a catalyst, etc. can be used as needed. Examples of the foaming agent include water; azo compounds such as azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, and diazoaminobenzene; benzenesulfonyl hydrazide compounds such as benzenesulfonyl hydrazide, 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide), and toluenesulfonyl hydrazide; bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate that generate carbon dioxide gas by thermal decomposition; a mixture of NaNO2 and NH4Cl that generates nitrogen gas; peroxides that generate oxygen gas; etc.

[0104] The volume resistivity of the elastic layer when applying a voltage of 10 V is, for example, preferably 10 9 Ω or less, more preferably 10 1 Ω or more and 10 9 Ω or less, and even more preferably 10 2 Ω or more and 10 8 Ω or less.

[0105] In addition, the volume resistivity of the elastic layer is measured as follows.

[0106] Place the electrophotographic component on a metal plate such as a copper plate, apply a load of 500 g to each of the two ends of the electrophotographic component, use a microcurrent measuring device (R8320 manufactured by Advantest Corporation), apply a voltage (V) of 10 V (in the case of the elastic layer) between the conductive support member of the electrophotographic component and the metal plate, read the current value I (A) after 5 seconds, and calculate according to the following formula to obtain the volume resistivity. In addition, the measurement is carried out in an environment of a temperature of 22 °C and a relative humidity of 55% RH.

[0107] Formula: Volume resistivity Rv (Ω) = V / I

[0108] The thickness of the elastic layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the use. For example, it can be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

[0109] The length of the elastic layer in the axial direction is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the use. For example, it can be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

[0110] The width of the elastic layer is not particularly limited and can be appropriately selected according to the use. For example, it can be 5 mm or more and 500 mm or less.

[0111] The method for forming the elastic layer is not particularly limited, and a known method can be used.

[0112] For example, in the case of an elastic foam, the following methods can be cited: a method of preparing a composition containing an elastic material, a foaming agent, and other components (such as a vulcanizing agent, etc.), extruding the composition into a cylindrical shape, and then heating the molded article to perform vulcanization and foaming; and a method of cutting out from a huge foam in a cylindrical shape. Also, after forming a cylindrical elastic foam, a central hole for inserting a support member can be formed to obtain a cylindrical elastic foam. In addition, after obtaining a cylindrical elastic foam, if necessary, the shape can be further trimmed, and post-treatments such as surface grinding can also be performed.

[0113] - Conductive substrate -

[0114] The conductive substrate is selected according to the shape of the electrophotographic component (i.e., roll-shaped or belt-shaped).

[0115] The conductive substrate functions as an electrode and a support member. For example, as its material, metals such as iron (free-cutting steel, etc.), copper, brass, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, etc. can be cited. As the conductive substrate, components with a plating treatment on the outer peripheral surface (resin components, ceramic components, etc.), components in which a conductive agent is dispersed (rubber components, resin components, ceramic components, etc.), etc. can also be cited. The conductive substrate can be a belt-shaped component, a hollow-shaped component (tubular component), or a non-hollow-shaped component.

[0116] <Transfer device>

[0117] The transfer device of the present invention includes the electrophotographic component of the present invention as a transfer component. By including the electrophotographic component of the present invention, a transfer device with high maintainability of cleanliness can be obtained.

[0118] The transfer device of the present invention can include: an intermediate transfer body made of the electrophotographic component of the present invention, and a toner image is transferred to the surface; a primary transfer device that transfers the toner image to the surface of the intermediate transfer body once; and a secondary transfer device that transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium twice.

[0119] Also, the transfer device of the present invention can include: an intermediate transfer body with a toner image transferred to the surface; a primary transfer device that transfers the toner image to the surface of the intermediate transfer body once and has a primary transfer component made of the electrophotographic component of the present invention; and a secondary transfer device that transfers the toner image transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body to the surface of the recording medium twice.

[0120] Further, the transfer device of the present invention may include: an intermediate transfer member onto which a toner image is transferred on the surface; a primary transfer device that primarily transfers the toner image onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member; and a secondary transfer device that secondarily transfers the toner image transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member onto the surface of a recording medium, and has a secondary transfer member made of the electrophotographic component of the present invention.

[0121] That is, the electrophotographic component of the present invention can be applied to any one of the intermediate transfer member, the primary transfer member, and the secondary transfer member.

[0122] <Image Forming Apparatus>

[0123] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image holding member; a charging device that charges the surface of the image holding member; an electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member; a developing device that accommodates a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image; the transfer device of the present invention that transfers the toner image onto the surface of a recording medium; and a fixing device that fixes the toner image onto the surface of the recording medium.

[0124] Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0125] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram showing the structure of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[0126] As Figure 1 shown, the image forming apparatus 70 of the present invention is, for example, an image forming apparatus of an intermediate transfer type generally referred to as a tandem type, and includes: a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K (an example of a toner image forming device) that form toner images of respective color components by an electrophotographic method; a primary transfer unit 10 that sequentially transfers (primary transfer) the toner images of respective color components formed by the respective image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K onto an intermediate transfer belt 15; a secondary transfer unit 20 that collectively transfers (secondary transfer) the overlapping toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto a sheet K as a recording medium; and a fixing device 60 that fixes the secondarily transferred image onto the sheet K. Further, the image forming apparatus 70 has a control unit 40 that controls the operations of the respective devices (respective units).

[0127] Each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K of the image forming apparatus 70 includes a photoreceptor 11 that holds a toner image formed on the surface and rotates in the direction of arrow A.

[0128] Around the photosensitive body 11, a charger 12 for charging the photosensitive body 11 is provided as an example of a charging member, and a laser exposure device 13 (the exposure beam is represented by the symbol Bm in the figure) for writing an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body 11 is provided as an example of a latent image forming member.

[0129] In addition, around the photosensitive body 11, as an example of a developing member, there is provided a developer 14 that contains toners of each color component and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive body 11 through the toners, and there is provided a primary transfer roller 16 that transfers the toner images of each color component formed on the photosensitive body 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 through the primary transfer section 10.

[0130] 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).

[0131] The intermediate transfer belt 15 as an example of an intermediate transfer member is formed to have a volume resistivity of, for example, 1×10 6 Ω·cm or more and 1×10 14 The thickness is 0.1 mm or less, for example.

[0132] The intermediate transfer belt 15 passes through various rollers. Figure 1 The 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 tension applying 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 in the secondary transfer section 20, and a cleaning back roller 34 provided in the cleaning section that scrapes off residual toner on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0133] The primary transfer unit 10 is composed of a primary transfer roller 16 disposed opposite to the photoreceptor 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. The primary transfer roller 16 is disposed in pressure contact with the photoreceptor 11 via the intermediate transfer belt 15, and a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner (negative polarity, the same below) is applied to the primary transfer roller 16. As a result, the toner images on the photoreceptors 11 are electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in sequence, and overlapping toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0134] The secondary transfer unit 20 is configured to include a back roller 25 and a secondary transfer roller 22 disposed on the toner image holding surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0135] The back roller 25 is formed such that its surface resistivity is 1×10 7 Ω / sq or more and 1×10 10 Ω / sq or less, and its hardness is set to, for example, 70° (Asker C: manufactured by KOBUNSHI KEIKI CO., LTD., the same applies hereinafter). The back roller 25 is disposed on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to form a counter electrode for the secondary transfer roller 22, and is in contact with a metal power supply roller 26 that stably applies a secondary transfer bias.

[0136] On the other hand, the secondary transfer roller 22 is a cylindrical roller having a volume resistivity of 10 7.5 Ω·cm or more and 10 8.5 Ω·cm or less. Further, the secondary transfer roller 22 is press-fitted to the back roller 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween, and the secondary transfer roller 22 is grounded to form a secondary transfer bias between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25, and the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the sheet K conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20.

[0137] Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 20 of the intermediate transfer belt 15, an intermediate transfer belt cleaning member 35 is provided so as to be in contact with and separable from the intermediate transfer belt 15 to remove residual toner or paper dust on the intermediate transfer belt 15 after secondary transfer and clean the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0138] Further, on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 20 of the secondary transfer roller 22, a secondary transfer roller cleaning member 22A is provided to remove residual toner or paper dust on the secondary transfer roller 22 after secondary transfer and clean the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The secondary transfer roller cleaning member 22A may be exemplified by a cleaning blade. However, it may also be a cleaning roller.

[0139] In addition, the intermediate transfer belt 15, the primary transfer roller 16, and the secondary transfer roller 22 correspond to an example of a transfer device.

[0140] Here, the image forming apparatus 70 may be configured to include a secondary transfer belt instead of the secondary transfer roller 22. Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, the image forming apparatus 70 includes a secondary transfer device, and the secondary transfer device includes a secondary transfer belt 23, a drive roller 23A disposed opposite to the back roller 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer belt 23, and an idle roller 23B that supports the secondary transfer belt 23 together with the drive roller 23A.

[0141] On the other hand, a reference sensor (original position sensor) 42 is disposed on the upstream side of the yellow image forming unit 1Y. This reference sensor generates a reference signal that serves as a reference for obtaining the image forming time in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. Further, an image density sensor 43 for performing image quality adjustment is disposed on the downstream side of the black image forming unit 1K. The reference sensor 42 is configured to recognize a mark provided on the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and generate a reference signal. Based on an instruction from the control unit 40 for recognizing this reference signal, each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K starts image formation.

[0142] Moreover, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, as a conveying member for conveying the paper K, there are provided a paper accommodating portion 50 for accommodating the paper K, a paper feed roller 51 for taking out the paper K accumulated in the paper accommodating portion 50 at a preset time and conveying it, a conveying roller 52 for conveying the paper K sent out by the paper feed roller 51, a conveying guide member 53 for feeding the paper K conveyed by the conveying roller 52 into the secondary transfer portion 20, a conveyor belt 55 for conveying the paper K conveyed after secondary transfer by the secondary transfer roller 22 to the fixing device 60, and a fixing entrance guide member 56 for guiding the paper K to the fixing entrance of the fixing device 60.

[0143] Next, the basic imaging process of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.

[0144] In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, after image processing is performed on image data output from an image reading device (not shown) or a personal computer (PC) (not shown) by an image processing device (not shown), an imaging operation is executed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0145] In the image processing device, various image editing processes such as shadow correction, position offset correction, brightness / color space conversion, gamma correction, removal of borders or color editing, and movement editing are performed on the input image data. The image data on which the image processing has been performed is converted into colorant gray-scale data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to the laser exposure unit 13.

[0146] In the laser exposure unit 13, according to the input colorant gray-scale data, for example, an exposure light beam Bm emitted from a semiconductor laser is irradiated onto each of the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K. In each of the photoreceptors 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 unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. The formed electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image of each color, Y, M, C, and K, by each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0147] The toner images formed on the photoreceptors 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer section 10 where each photoreceptor 11 contacts the intermediate transfer belt 15. More specifically, in the primary transfer section 10, a voltage (primary transfer bias) having a polarity opposite to the charge polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied to the base material of the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the primary transfer roller 16, and the toner images are sequentially superimposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to perform primary transfer.

[0148] After the toner images are sequentially transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, 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, in the conveying member, the paper feed roller 51 rotates corresponding to the moment 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 feed roller 51 is conveyed by the conveying roller 52 and reaches the secondary transfer section 20 through the conveying guide 53. Before reaching the secondary transfer section 20, the paper K pauses, and a registration roller (not shown) rotates corresponding to the movement moment of the intermediate transfer belt 15 holding the toner images, thereby performing registration of the position of the paper K and the position of the toner images.

[0149] In the secondary transfer section 20, the secondary transfer roller 22 presses against the back roller 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the paper K conveyed at the corresponding moment 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 charge polarity (negative polarity) of the toner is applied from the power supply roller 26, a transfer electric field is formed between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25. And the unfixed toner images held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 are electrostatically transferred onto the paper K together in the secondary transfer section 20 pressed by the secondary transfer roller 22 and the back roller 25.

[0150] Then, the paper K with the electrostatically transferred toner images is directly conveyed in a state of being peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the secondary transfer roller 22, and is conveyed to the conveyor belt 55 provided on the downstream side in the paper conveying direction of the secondary transfer roller 22. On the conveyor belt 55, the paper K is conveyed to the fixing device 60 corresponding to the optimum conveying speed in the fixing device 60. The unfixed toner images on the paper K conveyed to the fixing device 60 are fixed onto the paper K by undergoing a fixing process with heat and pressure by the fixing device 60. Then, the paper K with the fixed image formed thereon is conveyed to a paper discharge storage section (not shown) provided in the discharge section of the image forming apparatus.

[0151] On the other hand, after the transfer of the paper K is completed, the residual toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the cleaning unit as the intermediate transfer belt 15 rotates, and is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 15 by the cleaning back roller 34 and the intermediate transfer belt cleaning member 35.

[0152] Example

[0153] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the following examples. In addition, unless otherwise specified, "parts" are based on mass.

[0154] <Example 1>

[0155] - Production of elastic layer -

[0156] The following components were blended in the following proportions to prepare a rubber composition.

[0157] CR (chloroprene rubber) "TSR-61" (manufactured by TOSOH CORPORATION): 35 parts

[0158] ECO (epichlorohydrin rubber) "610" (manufactured by DAISOCO., LTD.): 15 parts

[0159] EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) "EP33" (manufactured by JSR Corporation): 35 parts

[0160] NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber) "DN211" (manufactured by Zeon Corporation): 15 parts

[0161] Sulfur (manufactured by Tsurumi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.): 0.5 part

[0162] Zinc oxide (manufactured by Kyoudou Kagaku Kougyou Co., Ltd.): 5 parts

[0163] Vulcanization accelerator "Nocceler M" (manufactured by OUCHI SHINKO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.): 1 part

[0164] Stearic acid: 0.5 part

[0165] Conductivity imparting agent (carbon black) "#3030B" (manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation): 23 parts

[0166] Next, after the rubber composition was put into a Banbury mixer and kneaded, it was further kneaded with two rolls. The obtained kneaded product was formed into an annular belt shape by an extrusion molding machine equipped with a pipe crosshead.

[0167] Next, the rubber composition formed into an annular belt shape was heated in a vulcanizing tank with pressurized steam (temperature 126 °C, pressure 1.5 kg / cm 2 ) to form an elastic layer. The elastic layer was coated on the outside of a metal pipe (conductive substrate), and the surface was ground to form an annular belt-shaped elastic layer (diameter 40 mm, width 340 mm, thickness 492 μm).

[0168] - Fabrication of the surface layer -

[0169] To 100 parts by mass of a silicone-modified acrylic urethane (manufactured by Henkel Japan Ltd.), 34 parts by mass of SQ1 (PSS - Octavinyl(dimethylsilyloxy)substituent, manufactured by Sigma - Aldrich Co., LLC., R = dimethylsilyloxy in Structural Formula A) (an amount that becomes 6% by volume with respect to the surface layer) and 15 parts by mass of carbon black "FW200" (manufactured by Degussa) were added to prepare a coating liquid for forming the surface layer.

[0170] Next, the coating liquid for forming the surface layer was sprayed onto the surface of the fabricated elastic layer, and heated and dried at 180 °C for 30 minutes to form a surface layer (thickness: 8 μm). An electrophotographic member having a diameter of 40 mm, a width of 340 mm, and a thickness of 500 μm was obtained.

[0171] <Example 2>

[0172] SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 10% by volume, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0173] <Example 3>

[0174] SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 40% by volume, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0175] <Example 4>

[0176] SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 60% by volume, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0177] <Example 5>

[0178] The binder resin was made a polyimide resin, and SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 30 vol%, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0179] <Example 6>

[0180] SQ1 was made SQ2 (Tospearl 120 (polymethylsilsesquioxane), manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Inc., R = methyl in Structural Formula A), and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 3 except for this.

[0181] <Comparative Example 1>

[0182] SQ1 was made PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane: CHALINE R200) (manufactured by Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.), and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except for this.

[0183] <Comparative Example 2>

[0184] SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 2 vol%, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0185] <Comparative Example 3>

[0186] SQ1 was added to the surface layer to make it 70 vol%, and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 except for this.

[0187] <Comparative Example 4>

[0188] SQ1 was made SQ3 (Tospearl 130 (polymethylsilsesquioxane), manufactured by Momentive Performance Materials Inc., R = methyl in Structural Formula A), and an electrophotographic member was obtained in the same manner as in Example 2 except for this.

[0189] <Evaluation>

[0190] -Surface free energy-

[0191] According to the method described above, the surface free energy of the surface layer of the electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples was measured. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0192] -Volume average particle diameter-

[0193] The volume-average particle diameter of the silicone compound in the surface layer of the electrophotographic member obtained in the examples and comparative examples was measured according to the method described above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0194] -Coefficient of kinetic friction-

[0195] Using a sheet including the surface layer cut out with a thickness of 1 mm from the electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples, the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer before and after corona treatment was measured under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 using a portable friction meter (manufactured by HEIDON (SHINTECH SCIENTIFIC CO., LTD.)). The results are shown in Table 1.

[0196] -Cleanliness-

[0197] The electrophotographic members obtained in the examples and comparative examples were applied to the secondary transfer roller of an ApeosPort VII C6688 (manufactured by FUJIFILM Business Innovation) retrofitting machine. After passing a single-sided 10,000 sheets of a black (K) 100% solid image using A3 plain paper, the dirt on the back of the 10,001st output sheet was visually observed to evaluate the cleanliness. The evaluation was performed according to the following criteria. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0198] A: No dirt adhered at all

[0199] B: Dirt adhered, and the adhered area was 5% or more and less than 10%

[0200] C: Dirt adhered, and the adhered area was 10% or more

[0201]

[0202] As shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the electrophotographic member of the present example has higher maintainability of cleanliness compared to the electrophotographic member of the comparative example.

[0203] Embodiments of the present invention include the following modes.

[0204] (1) An electrophotographic member including a surface layer and an elastic layer,

[0205] wherein the surface layer contains a silicone compound,

[0206] When the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the coefficient of kinetic friction of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22 °C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less.

[0207] (2) The electrophotographic member according to (1), wherein

[0208] the silicone compound contains a compound having a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n (wherein, in the formula, R represents an organic group, and n represents an integer of 2 or more), and at least one of the plurality of Rs in the structure A is a group containing an alkyl group.

[0209] (3) The electrophotographic member according to (1) or (2), wherein the surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less.

[0210] (4) The electrophotographic member according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein

[0211] the content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less based on the electrophotographic member.

[0212] (5) The electrophotographic member according to (4), wherein

[0213] the content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less based on the electrophotographic member.

[0214] (6) The electrophotographic member according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein

[0215] the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less.

[0216] (7) The electrophotographic member according to (6), wherein

[0217] the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less.

[0218] (8) The electrophotographic member according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

[0219] the surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin.

[0220] ​(9) A transfer device that includes the electrophotographic component according to any one of (1) to (8).

[0221] (10) An image forming apparatus that includes:

[0222] An image holding member;

[0223] A charging device that charges the surface of the image holding member;

[0224] An electrostatic latent image forming device that forms an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member;

[0225] A developing device that accommodates a developer containing toner and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image;

[0226] The transfer device according to (9) that transfers the toner image to the surface of a recording medium; and

[0227] A fixing device that fixes the toner image to the surface of the recording medium.

[0228] The effects of the above-described aspects are as follows.

[0229] According to the invention related to (1), there is provided an electrophotographic component that includes a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound. When the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is set as (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is set as (B), the maintainability of cleanliness is higher compared to the case where (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30, or (B - A) is more than 0.05.

[0230] According to the invention related to (2), there is provided an electrophotographic component that has higher maintainability of cleanliness compared to the case where the silicone compound is PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane).

[0231] According to the invention related to (3), there is provided an electrophotographic component that has higher maintainability of cleanliness compared to the case where the surface free energy of the surface layer exceeds 45 mJ / m 2 2.

[0232] According to the invention related to (4), there is provided an electrophotographic component that has higher maintainability of cleanliness compared to the case where the content of the silicone compound is less than 3% by volume or more than 60% by volume with respect to the electrophotographic component.

[0233] According to the invention related to (5), there is provided an electrophotographic member which has higher maintainability of cleanability as compared with the case where the content of the silicone compound is less than 10% by volume or more than 40% by volume with respect to the electrophotographic member.

[0234] According to the invention related to (6), there is provided an electrophotographic member which has higher maintainability of cleanability as compared with the case where the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound exceeds 2.5 μm.

[0235] According to the invention related to (7), there is provided an electrophotographic member which has higher maintainability of cleanability as compared with the case where the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound exceeds 1 μm.

[0236] According to the invention related to (8), there is provided an electrophotographic member which has higher maintainability of cleanability as compared with the case where the binder resin of the surface layer is a polyimide resin.

[0237] According to the inventions related to (9) and (10), there are provided a transfer device and an image forming device which have higher maintainability of cleanability as compared with the case where an electrophotographic member is applied, the electrophotographic member including a surface layer and an elastic layer, the surface layer containing a silicone compound, where when the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is (B), (A) is less than 0.15 or more than 0.30 or (B - A) exceeds 0.05.

[0238] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are provided for purposes of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not comprehensively and exhaustively include the present invention and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed forms. Obviously, various modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. This embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily explain the principle of the present invention and its applications. Thus, other technicians in this technical field can understand the present invention through various modified examples optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrophotographic component having a surface layer and an elastic layer, wherein the surface layer contains a silicone compound, when the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer in accordance with JIS K7125:1999 is defined as (A), and the dynamic friction coefficient of the surface layer after corona treatment of the surface layer under the conditions of a current of 100 μA, a temperature of 22°C, a relative humidity of 55% RH, and a total discharge power of 0.72 kW is defined as (B), (A) is 0.15 or more and 0.35 or less, and (B - A) is 0.05 or less.

2. The electrophotographic component according to claim 1, wherein The silicone compound contains a compound having a structure A represented by the formula: [RSiO 1.5 n and at least one of a plurality of Rs in the structure A is a group containing an alkyl group, where, in the formula, R represents an organic group and n represents an integer of 2 or more.​ 3. The electrophotographic component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The surface free energy of the surface layer is 45 mJ / m 2 or less.

4. The electrophotographic component according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the content of the silicone compound is 3% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less based on the electrophotographic component.

5. The electrophotographic component according to claim 4, wherein the content of the silicone compound is 10% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less based on the electrophotographic component.

6. The electrophotographic component according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 2.5 μm or less.

7. The electrophotographic component according to claim 6, wherein the volume average particle diameter of the silicone compound is 1 μm or less.

8. The electrophotographic component according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the surface layer contains a urethane resin as a binder resin.

9. A transfer device having the electrophotographic component according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An image forming apparatus having: an image holding member; a charging device for charging the surface of the image holding member; an electrostatic latent image forming device for forming an electrostatic latent image on the charged surface of the image holding member; a developing device for accommodating a developer containing toner and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the image holding member with the developer to form a toner image; the transfer device according to claim 9 for transferring the toner image to the surface of a recording medium; and a fixing device for fixing the toner image to the surface of the recording medium.

Images