Cleaning body, cleaning device, charging device, assembly and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a cleaning body that prevents peeling off of a foam elastic layer and is excellent in performance of cleaning a body to be cleaned.SOLUTION: A cleaning body 100 has a core body 102, a foam elastic layer 104, and an adhesive layer 106. A leading end of a cell skeleton projecting on the surface of the foam elastic layer 104 has a diameter of 50 μm or less. When the inner peripheral length of the foam elastic layer 104 on the cross section in the radial direction of the core body 102 is defined as X (mm), and the thickness of the foam elastic layer 104 as Y (mm), the value of X×Y2 is 45 or more.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning member, a cleaning device, a charging device, an assembly, and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning member having a core body and an elastic layer in which strip-shaped elastic members are spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body, and when the thickness at the center in the spiral width direction of the elastic layer in a state of being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is t (mm) and the thickness at the center in the width direction of the strip-shaped elastic member before being wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body is T (mm), a cleaning member satisfying 0.7 < t / T < 1.0 is disclosed.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a cleaning body having a core body and a foamed elastic layer spirally wound around the outer peripheral surface of the core body from one end to the other end, in which the equivalent diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 50 μm or less, the spiral pitch of the foamed elastic layer is 5 mm or less, and the spiral angle is 15° or less.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure provides a cleaning body in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is more than 50 μm, or the inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core body satisfy X × Y , , , , , ,

[0005] , , 2 , , , , , < 45, which is less likely to have the foamed elastic layer peeled off and has excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned, compared with a cleaning body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Specific means for solving the above problems include the following aspects.

[0007] <1> A core body and a foamed elastic layer wound spirally around the outer circumferential surface of the core body from one end to the other end of the core body; an adhesive layer that bonds the core body and the foamed elastic layer, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 50 μm or less, When the inner circumferential length of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core body is X (mm) and the thickness of the foamed elastic layer is Y (mm), X × Y 2 The value of is 45 or more, Cleaning body. <2> X×Y 2 The value of is 450 or less, <1> The cleaning body according to claim 1. <3> X×Y 2 The value of is between 80 and 300, <1> or <2> The cleaning body according to claim 1. <4> The X is 8 mm or more and 12 mm or less. <1> ~ <3> The cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims. <5> The Y is 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less. <1> ~ <4> The cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims. <6> The diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 35 μm or more and 45 μm or less. <1> ~ <5> The cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims. <7> The helix angle θ of the foamed elastic layer is greater than 15°; <1> ~ <6> The cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims. <8> The helical angle θ of the foamed elastic layer is 20° or more and 40° or less. <1> ~ <7> The cleaning element according to any one of the preceding claims. <9> An object to be cleaned; <1> ~ <8> The cleaning element according to any one of the above items has a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating object to be cleaned and cleans the object to be cleaned. Cleaning equipment. <10> A charged body; <1> ~ <8> The cleaning element according to any one of the above items has a cleaning element that cleans the rotating charged body while rotating in contact with the rotating charged body. Charging device. <11> a body to be charged; a charging body that charges the body to be charged; <1> ~ <8> a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating charged body and cleans the charged body, the body to be charged, the charging body, and the cleaning body are integrally and detachably assembled to the device main body; assembly. <12> A photoreceptor; a charging member that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure device that exposes the charged photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic image; a developing device for developing the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member; <1> ~ <8> The cleaning element according to any one of the above items has a cleaning element that cleans the rotating charged body while rotating in contact with the rotating charged body. Image forming device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] <1> , <2> , <3> , <4> , <5> , <7> or <8> According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 50 μm, or a cleaning element in which the inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer in the cross section in the radial direction of the core body and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are X×Y 2 Compared with cleaning elements with a foam elastic layer of less peeling resistance than those with a foam elastic layer of less than 45, a cleaning element is provided which has excellent cleaning performance for cleaning objects. <6> According to the invention, a cleaning element is provided in which the foamed elastic layer is less likely to peel off and which has excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned, compared to a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 45 μm. <9> According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 50 μm, or a cleaning element in which the inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer in the cross section in the radial direction of the core body and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are X×Y 2 Compared to a cleaning device having a cleaning element with a foam elastic layer of <45, the cleaning device has a foam elastic layer of the cleaning element that is less likely to peel off and has excellent cleaning performance of the object to be cleaned by the cleaning element. <10> According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 50 μm, or a cleaning element in which the inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer in the cross section in the radial direction of the core body and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are X×Y 2 Compared with a charging device having a cleaning element with a viscosity of <45, the foamed elastic layer of the cleaning element is less likely to peel off, and a charging device is provided in which the cleaning element has excellent cleaning performance for the charged object. <11> According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 50 μm, or a cleaning element in which the inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer in the cross section in the radial direction of the core body and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are X×Y 2 Compared to an assembly having a cleaning element with a viscosity of <45, the foamed elastic layer of the cleaning element is less likely to peel off and the cleaning performance of the cleaning element on charged objects is excellent. <12> According to the invention, there is provided a cleaning element in which the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer exceeds 50 μm, or a cleaning element in which the inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer in the cross section in the radial direction of the core body and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are X×Y 2 Compared with an image forming apparatus having a cleaning element with a foam elastic layer of <45, an image forming apparatus is provided in which the foam elastic layer of the cleaning element is less likely to peel off and the cleaning element has excellent cleaning performance for the charged body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a cleaning element according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a cleaning element according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a cleaning element according to the present embodiment, taken parallel to the radial direction of a core body. FIG. [Figure 4A] 1 is an image of an example of a foamed elastic layer taken with a confocal microscope. [Figure 4B] 1 is an image of an example of a foamed elastic layer taken with a scanning electron microscope. [Figure 5A] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the cleaning element according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5B] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the cleaning element according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5C] 5A to 5C are process diagrams illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing the cleaning element according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged schematic diagram of the charging device and its surrounding area in FIGS. 6 and 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

[0023] The following describes embodiments of the present disclosure. These descriptions and examples are intended to illustrate the embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0011] In the present disclosure, a numerical range indicated using "to" indicates a range that includes the numerical values ​​before and after "to" as the minimum and maximum values, respectively. In the numerical ranges described in stages in this disclosure, the upper or lower limit value described in one numerical range may be replaced with the upper or lower limit value of another numerical range described in stages. Furthermore, in the numerical ranges described in this disclosure, the upper or lower limit value of that numerical range may be replaced with a value shown in the examples.

[0012] In the present disclosure, the term "step" includes not only an independent step but also a step that cannot be clearly distinguished from other steps as long as the purpose of the step is achieved.

[0013] When embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the drawings, the configuration of the embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in the drawings. The size of the components in each drawing is conceptual, and the relative size relationships between the components are not limited thereto. Components having the same function and action are given the same reference numerals throughout the drawings, and their description may be omitted.

[0014] In the present disclosure, each component may contain multiple corresponding substances. When referring to the amount of each component in a composition in the present disclosure, if multiple substances corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the total amount of the multiple substances present in the composition is meant unless otherwise specified. In the present disclosure, the composition may contain multiple types of particles corresponding to each component. When multiple types of particles corresponding to each component are present in the composition, the particle size of each component means the value for a mixture of the multiple types of particles present in the composition, unless otherwise specified.

[0015] <Cleaning body> The structure of the cleaning element according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of a cleaning element according to the present embodiment. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the cleaning element according to the present embodiment.

[0016] 1 and 2 is a member including a core body 102, a foamed elastic layer 104, and an adhesive layer 106. The core body 102 and the foamed elastic layer 104 are bonded together by the adhesive layer 106.

[0017] The core body 102 is a rod-shaped or cylindrical member. The diameter of the core body 102 is preferably 2 mm or more and 12 mm or less, more preferably 3 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and even more preferably 4 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

[0018] The foamed elastic layer 104 is a layer formed by spirally winding a strip-shaped foamed elastic material, and is a layer arranged in a spiral shape with intervals on the outer peripheral surface of the core body 102 from one end to the other end of the core body 102.

[0019] The cleaning element 100 may have an area at the end in the axial direction that does not need to exhibit cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned. In this case, the cleaning element 100 may not have the foamed elastic layer 104 disposed in the area at the end.

[0020] The foamed elastic layer 104 spirally wound around the core 102 may be either right-handed or left-handed.

[0021] The cleaning element 100 may have a plurality of stripes (for example, two stripes) of foamed elastic layer 104. The plurality of stripes (for example, two stripes) of foamed elastic layer 104 are independent layers formed by spirally winding a plurality of stripes (for example, two stripes) of foamed elastic member around the outer circumferential surface of core body 102. The plurality of stripes of foamed elastic layer 104 may be arranged spaced apart from each other, or may be arranged with their longitudinal sides in contact with each other. By providing a plurality of independent stripes of foamed elastic layer 104, the cleaning performance of the cleaning element 100 is improved.

[0022] The adhesive layer 106 has, for example, approximately the same width and length as the foamed elastic layer 104. When the cleaning element 100 has a plurality of ribs of the foamed elastic layer 104, the adhesive layer 106 may be a layer of multiple ribs independent of each of the multiple ribs of the foamed elastic layer 104, or may be a single layer on which the multiple ribs of the foamed elastic layer 104 are placed.

[0023] When the inner circumferential length of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the radial cross section of the core body 102 is X (mm) and the thickness of the foamed elastic layer 104 is Y (mm), the cleaning element 100 has a size of X×Y 2 The value of is 45 or greater. The foamed elastic layer 104 is arranged by being wound spirally around the core body 102, and is fixed to the core body 102 in a deformed state. The foamed elastic layer 104 fixed in a deformed state has a greater force to restore its original shape, i.e., a greater force to peel off from the adhesive layer 106, as the value of X increases and as the value of Y increases. On the other hand, X×Y 2 The larger the value of , the greater the cleaning effect due to compression and deformation of the foamed elastic layer 104.

[0024] The inner perimeter length X (mm) of the foamed elastic layer 104 in a cross section in the radial direction of the core body 102 is the average of the dimensions that appear in a cross section obtained by cutting the cleaning element 100 parallel to the radial direction of the core body 102, and is the average inner perimeter length of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cross section of the foamed elastic layer 104. With the circumferential direction of the cleaning element 100 fixed, the inner perimeter length of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cross section is measured for each spiral turn (for example, if the spiral has 7 turns, measurements are taken at 7 locations), and the arithmetic average value is the inner perimeter length X (mm). The measurement may be performed by a destructive method that creates a cross section of the foamed elastic layer 104, or by a method that does not destroy the foamed elastic layer 104 (for example, a method using a laser scanning size measuring device). If the cleaning element 100 has multiple stripes of the foamed elastic layer 104, the inner perimeter X is determined for each stripe.

[0025] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cleaning element 100 taken parallel to the radial direction of the core body 102 (i.e., a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction in FIG. 2). The average inner periphery length of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cross section of the foamed elastic layer 104 is the inner periphery length X (mm). In the cleaning element 100 shown in FIG. 3, the width of the foamed elastic layer 104 and the width of the adhesive layer 106 are the same, so in the cross section shown in FIG. 3, the length of the inner periphery of the foamed elastic layer 104 is, in other words, the length of the boundary between the foamed elastic layer 104 and the adhesive layer 106.

[0026] The thickness Y (mm) of the foamed elastic layer 104 is a value measured by the following measurement method. Using a laser scanning type dimension measuring device (for example, a laser scan micrometer manufactured by Mitutoyo Corporation), the cleaning element 100 is scanned in the axial direction at a traverse speed of 1 mm / s while the circumferential direction of the cleaning element 100 is fixed, and a thickness profile of the foamed elastic layer 104 is obtained. The same scan is performed three times, shifting the circumferential direction at 120° intervals. The thickness Y (mm) of the foamed elastic layer 104 is calculated from the three profiles. If the cleaning element 100 has multiple stripes of the foamed elastic layer 104, the thickness Y is determined for each stripe.

[0027] Next, the surface properties of the foamed elastic layer 104 will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 4A is an image of a portion of the exposed surface of an example of the foamed elastic layer 104 taken from above with a confocal microscope. Fig. 4B is an image of a portion of the exposed surface of an example of the foamed elastic layer 104 taken from above with a scanning electron microscope. In FIG. 4A, A represents a pore in the foamed elastic layer 104. In FIG. 4A, B is the cell skeleton of the foamed elastic layer 104. In FIG. 4A, C denotes the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of foamed elastic layer 104, and the circle indicated by the dotted line is the circumscribed circle of the tip.

[0028] A part of the cell skeleton protrudes from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104. The cell skeleton is a structural part that forms the partition walls of the pores of the foamed elastic layer 104. The diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is determined as follows.

[0029] A strip-shaped foamed elastic member for manufacturing the foamed elastic layer 104 is prepared, or a foamed elastic layer 104 peeled off from the cleaning element 100 is prepared. A confocal microscope (e.g., OPTELICS HYBRID, Lasertec Corporation) is used to observe the surface that constitutes the exposed surface of the cleaning element 100 from above. A portion where the cellular skeleton protrudes is selected in the center of the width direction of the foamed elastic layer 104, and the tip of the portion is focused and imaged. Ten locations are imaged at approximately equal intervals along the length of the foamed elastic layer 104, from near one end to near the other. The captured image is analyzed to determine the diameter of the circumscribed circle at the tip of the cellular skeleton, and the arithmetic average of the 10 locations is taken as the diameter of the tip of the cellular skeleton. If the cleaning element 100 has multiple streaks in the foamed elastic layer 104, the diameter of the tip of the cellular skeleton is determined for each streak.

[0030] The cleaning element 100 has a tip end of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 having a diameter of 50 μm or less, and an X×Y 2 When the value is 45 or more, the foamed elastic layer 104 is less likely to peel off and has excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned. The reason for this is presumed to be as follows.

[0031] The diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 being 50 μm or less means that there is a sharp structure on the surface, and the sharp structure is highly effective in scraping off dirt from the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, the fact that the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is 50 μm or less means that there is a similarly sharp structure on the surface facing the adhesive layer 106, and the anchor effect of the sharp structure provides excellent adhesion to the adhesive layer 106. X×Y of the foamed elastic layer 104 2 A value of 45 or more means that a sufficient cleaning effect due to compression and deformation of the foamed elastic layer 104 can be expected. On the other hand, the X×Y dimension of the foamed elastic layer 104 2 Since the value of is 45 or more, the deformation and restoring force (i.e., the force to peel off from the adhesive layer 106) caused by spirally winding the foamed elastic layer 104 around the core body 102 also become large, but the sharp structural portion maintains the adhesion of the foamed elastic layer 104 to the adhesive layer 106.

[0032] When the cleaning element 100 has a foamed elastic layer 104 with multiple stripes, X×Y 2 In all foamed elastic layers 104 having a value of 45 or more, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface must be 50 μm or less. The cleaning element 100 is 2 When the foamed elastic layer 104 has a value of less than 45, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is not limited, that is, it may be 50 μm or less or may be more than 50 μm.

[0033] The diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is 50 μm or less, preferably 48 μm or less, and more preferably 45 μm or less, from the viewpoint of the anchoring effect on the adhesive layer 106 and the effect of scraping off dirt from the object to be cleaned. The diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably 30 μm or more, more preferably 33 μm or more, and even more preferably 35 μm or more, from the viewpoint of the strength of the tip.

[0034] The number of tips of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is set to 10 pieces / mm from the viewpoint of preventing the foamed elastic layer 104 from peeling off from the adhesive layer 106 and from the viewpoint of excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned. 2 More than 20 pieces / mm is preferable. 2 More preferably, 30 pieces / mm 2 The above is more preferable. The number of tips of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 is set to 60 / mm from the viewpoint of suppressing adhesion to the object to be cleaned. 2 Preferably less than 50 pieces / mm 2 Less than 30 pieces / mm is more preferable. 2 More than 40 pieces / mm 2 The following is even more preferred:

[0035] X×Y of the foamed elastic layer 104 2 From the viewpoint of excellent cleaning performance of the object to be cleaned, the value of is 45 or more, preferably 65 or more, more preferably 85 or more, and even more preferably 100 or more. X×Y of the foamed elastic layer 104 2From the viewpoint of preventing the foamed elastic layer 104 from peeling off from the adhesive layer 106, the value of is preferably 450 or less, more preferably 400 or less, and even more preferably 300 or less.

[0036] The inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the radial cross section of the core body 102 is preferably 4 mm or more, more preferably 6 mm or more, and even more preferably 8 mm or more, from the viewpoint of preventing the foamed elastic layer 104 from peeling off from the adhesive layer 106 and of achieving excellent cleaning performance on the object to be cleaned. The inner circumferential length X of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the radial cross section of the core 102 is preferably 14 mm or less, more preferably 12 mm or less, and even more preferably 10 mm or less, from the viewpoint of stabilizing the winding process.

[0037] The thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and even more preferably 4 mm or more, from the viewpoint of excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned. From the viewpoint of stabilizing the winding process, the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably 8 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, and even more preferably 6 mm or less.

[0038] The helical angle θ of the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably greater than 15° and less than or equal to 45°, from the viewpoints of preventing the foamed elastic layer 104 from peeling off the adhesive layer 106 and of achieving excellent cleaning performance on the object to be cleaned. The helical angle θ refers to the angle (acute angle) at which the longitudinal direction P (helical direction) of the foamed elastic layer 104 intersects with the axial direction Q of the core body 102, as shown in FIG. When the helical angle θ is greater than 15°, resistance is reduced when the foamed elastic layer 104 comes into contact with the object to be cleaned, suppressing peeling of the foamed elastic layer 104. Furthermore, when the helical angle θ is greater than 15°, the number of turns of the foamed elastic layer 104 is relatively large, resulting in excellent cleaning performance for the object to be cleaned. From these viewpoints, the helical angle θ is more preferably 18° or greater, and even more preferably 20° or greater. When the helical angle θ is 45° or less, deformation and restoring force of the foamed elastic layer 104 are suppressed, and peeling of the foamed elastic layer 104 is suppressed. From this viewpoint, the helical angle θ is more preferably 40° or less, and further preferably 35° or less.

[0039] From the viewpoint of excellent cleaning performance on the object to be cleaned and the viewpoint of the cleaning element 100 easily rotating in response to the object to be cleaned, the number of turns of the foamed elastic layer 104 around the core body 102 is preferably 3 or more, more preferably 4 or more, and even more preferably 5 or more. The upper limit of the number of turns of the foamed elastic layer 104 is not particularly limited because it depends on the length of the core body 102.

[0040] The coverage of the foamed elastic layer 104 with respect to the core 102 is preferably 30% or more, more preferably 35% or more, and even more preferably 40% or more, from the viewpoint of excellent cleaning performance on the object to be cleaned. The coverage of the foamed elastic layer 104 with respect to the core body 102 is preferably 70% or less, more preferably 65% ​​or less, and even more preferably 55% or less, from the viewpoint of preventing any deposits adhering to the surface of the foamed elastic layer 104 from transferring back to the object to be cleaned. The coverage is {width W1 of the foamed elastic layer 104 ÷ (width W1 of the foamed elastic layer 104 + spacing W2 of the foamed elastic layer 104)}. The width W1 and spacing W2 of the foamed elastic layer 104 refer to the length of the foamed elastic layer 104 and the length between the foamed elastic layers 104 along the axial direction Q of the core 102, as shown in FIG. 2 .

[0041] The width W1 of the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably 5 mm or more and 25 mm or less, more preferably 6 mm or more and 20 mm or less, and even more preferably 8 mm or more and 15 mm or less.

[0042] The materials of the core body 102, the foamed elastic layer 104 and the adhesive layer 106 will be described below.

[0043] [Core body 102] Examples of materials for the core 102 include metals, alloys, and resins. Examples of metals or alloys include metals such as iron (free-cutting steel, etc.), copper, brass, aluminum, and nickel; and alloys such as stainless steel. Examples of resins include polyacetal resin and polycarbonate resin. One type of resin may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0044] The surface of the core 102 may be surface-treated. If the core 102 is made of metal, it is desirable to apply a plating treatment. If the core 102 is made of a material that is not conductive (e.g., resin), it may be subjected to a conductive treatment such as plating.

[0045] [Foamed elastic layer 104] The foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably a layer that can restore its original shape even if it is deformed by application of an external force of 100 Pa.

[0046] Examples of materials for the foamed elastic layer 104 include foamable resins such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polyamide, and polypropylene; and rubber materials such as silicone rubber, fluororubber, urethane rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber), NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber), CR (chloroprene rubber), chlorinated polyisoprene, isoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, hydrogenated polybutadiene, and butyl rubber. These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. These materials may contain foaming agents, foaming aids, foam stabilizers, catalysts, curing agents, plasticizers, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization aids, and vulcanization accelerators.

[0047] The foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably made of foamed polyurethane that is strong against tension, from the viewpoint of preventing scratches on the surface of the object to be cleaned due to friction and preventing tearing or breakage over a long period of time.

[0048] Examples of foamed polyurethane include reaction products of polyols (e.g., polyester polyols, polyether polyols, acrylic polyols, etc.) with isocyanates (e.g., 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate, 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate, tolidine diisocyanate, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate, etc.), and may also be reaction products obtained by further reacting with a chain extender (1,4-butanediol, trimethylolpropane). Polyurethane foaming is generally carried out using a foaming agent such as water or an azo compound (e.g., azodicarbonamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, etc.). Foaming aids, foam stabilizers, catalysts, etc. may also be added to the foamed polyurethane.

[0049] The density of the foamed elastic layer 104 is 60 kg / m 3 More than 100kg / m 3 Less than 65 kg / m 3 More than 95kg / m 3 Less than 70 kg / m is more preferable. 3 More than 90kg / m 3 The following is even more preferred:

[0050] The number of cells in the foamed elastic layer 104 is preferably 80 cells / 25 mm or more and 105 cells / 25 mm or less, more preferably 85 cells / 25 mm or more and 100 cells / 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 90 cells / 25 mm or more and 95 cells / 25 mm or less. The number of cells in the foamed elastic layer 104 is determined in accordance with JIS K 6400-1:2004 (Annex 1).

[0051] [Adhesive layer 106] There are no particular limitations on the material of adhesive layer 106, as long as it can bond core body 102 and foamed elastic layer 104. Examples of adhesive layer 106 include double-sided tape and adhesive.

[0052] [Method of manufacturing the cleaning element 100] 5A, 5B, and 5C are process diagrams showing an example of a method for manufacturing the cleaning element 100.

[0053] First, a foamed elastic material (e.g., foamed polyurethane) is sliced ​​to the desired thickness to obtain a foamed elastic sheet (e.g., foamed polyurethane sheet). In order to control the diameter of the tips of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer to 50 μm or less, for example, the surface of the foamed elastic material is ground when slicing.

[0054] Next, double-sided tape is attached to one side of the foamed elastic sheet. A strip-shaped foamed elastic member having the desired length and width is cut out from the foamed elastic sheet with double-sided tape. The double-sided tape may be attached to one side of the strip-shaped foamed elastic member after it is cut out from the foamed elastic sheet. Through the above process, a strip-shaped member (see FIG. 5A) is obtained in which double-sided tape 100D is attached to one side of strip-shaped foamed elastic member 100C.

[0055] The core body 100A, which is a rod-shaped member, is prepared. The core body 100A comes into contact with the core body 102 of the cleaning element 100.

[0056] The length of the foamed elastic member 100C is determined by the axial length of the core body 100A, the winding angle of the foamed elastic member 100C (the spiral angle θ in the cleaning element 100), and the tension when winding the foamed elastic member 100C.

[0057] Next, place the foamed elastic member 100C on a table with the side with the double-sided tape 100D facing up, and peel off one end of the release paper from the double-sided tape 100D. Next, as shown in Fig. 5B, place one end of the core body 100A on the double-sided tape 100D from which the release paper has been peeled off. At this time, the positions of the core body 100A and the foamed elastic member 100C are determined so that the helical angle θ in the cleaning element 100 is achieved.

[0058] Next, while peeling off the release paper from the double-sided tape 100D, the core body 100A is rotated to spirally wrap the foamed elastic member 100C around the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A (see Figure 5C), and the foamed elastic layer 100B (the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cleaning body 100) is arranged spirally around the outer peripheral surface of the core body 100A.

[0059] From the viewpoint of reducing the restoring force of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cleaning element 100 and preventing the longitudinal ends of the foamed elastic layer 104 from peeling off from the core body 102, it is preferable to wind the foamed elastic member 100C around the core body 100A while suppressing the degree of elastic deformation (change in thickness of the member) of the foamed elastic member 100C. Specifically, it is preferable to control the winding angle of the foamed elastic member 100C and the tension when winding the foamed elastic member 100C according to the thickness of the foamed elastic member 100C.

[0060] When applying tension to the foamed elastic member 100C when wrapping it around the core body 100A, the tension should be such that no gap occurs between the foamed elastic member 100C and the double-sided tape 100D. Specifically, the tension is preferably such that the length of the foamed elastic member 100C is more than 100% but not more than 105%. If too much tension is applied, it becomes difficult to suppress the restoring force of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cleaning element 100, and the permanent tensile elongation increases, which tends to reduce the elastic force of the foamed elastic layer 104 necessary for cleaning.

[0061] When the foamed elastic member 100C is wound around the core body 100A, the foamed elastic member 100C tends to stretch. This stretching varies in the thickness direction of the foamed elastic member 100C, with the outermost periphery stretching the most. This stretching is controlled by the radius of curvature at which the foamed elastic member 100C is wound around the core body 100A and the thickness of the foamed elastic member 100C, and the radius of curvature at which the foamed elastic member 100C is wound around the core body 100A is controlled by the outer diameter of the core body 100A and the winding angle of the foamed elastic member 100C. Specifically, for example, it is desirable that the outermost periphery of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cleaning element 100 stretches by about 105% of the outermost periphery of the foamed elastic member 100C. Excessive stretching may reduce the elastic force of the foamed elastic layer 104 in the cleaning element 100.

[0062] The radius of curvature at which the foamed elastic member 100C wraps around the core 100A is preferably greater than or equal to {(core outer diameter / 2) + 0.2 mm} and less than or equal to {(core outer diameter / 2) + 8.5 mm}, and more preferably greater than or equal to {(core outer diameter / 2) + 0.5 mm} and less than or equal to {(core outer diameter / 2) + 7.0 mm}.

[0063] <Cleaning device> The cleaning device according to this embodiment includes a cleaning element and an object to be cleaned. The object to be cleaned is a rotating member, and the cleaning element is a member that comes into contact with the rotating object to be cleaned and cleans the object while rotating. The cleaning element according to this embodiment is used as the cleaning element.

[0064] The cleaning device according to this embodiment is a cartridge-type cleaning device that is detachably attached to, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Examples of objects to be cleaned include a charged body, a transfer roll, a transfer belt, and a conveyor belt. The cleaning element removes toner, paper dust, and the like that adhere to the surfaces of these objects.

[0065] <Image forming apparatus, assembly, charging device> Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an assembly according to the present embodiment. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged view of the charging device and its surroundings in Figs. 6 and 7.

[0066] 6 is a tandem, direct transfer color image forming apparatus. Inside the apparatus body 10A of the image forming apparatus 10, process cartridges 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are provided.

[0067] The process cartridges 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K are assemblies that are detachably attached to the image forming apparatus 10, and are examples of assemblies according to the present embodiment. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, for example, the process cartridges 18Y, 18M, 18C, and 18K each include a photosensitive member 12, a charging member 14, and a developing device 19.

[0068] The photoreceptor 12 is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). The surface of the photoreceptor 12 is charged by a charging member 14 arranged on the surface of the photoreceptor 12. After being charged, the photoreceptor 12 is exposed to a laser beam emitted from an exposure device 16 downstream in the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor 12, and an electrostatic image is formed on the photoreceptor 12. The electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor 12 is developed into a toner image by a developing device 19. The surface of the photoreceptor 12 for each color undergoes the processes of charging, exposure, and development, and a toner image corresponding to that color is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 12 for each color.

[0069] The toner image formed on the photoreceptor 12 is transferred to the recording medium 24 transported on the transport belt 20 at a location where the photoreceptor 12 and the transfer member 22 come into contact with each other via the transport belt 20. The transfer member 22 is, for example, a roll having a conductive elastic layer on the outer peripheral surface of a conductive support, which is rotatably supported within the image forming apparatus 10. The transport belt 20 is supported from its inner peripheral surface while being tensioned by support rolls 40 and 42, and transports the recording medium 24. The recording medium 24 is taken out of a storage container 28 by a take-out roller 30 and transported to the transport belt 20 by transport rolls 32 and 34.

[0070] The toner images of each color are transferred onto the recording medium 24 in the order of the four process cartridges, that is, in the order of black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

[0071] The recording medium 24 onto which the toner image has been transferred is transported to a fixing device 64, where it is heated and pressurized to fix the toner image onto the recording medium 24. Thereafter, in the case of single-sided printing, the recording medium 24 onto which the toner image has been fixed is discharged by a discharge roll 66 onto a discharge section 68 provided at the top of the image forming apparatus 10. In the case of double-sided printing, the recording medium 24 onto which the toner image has been fixed on its first side (front side) is transported to a transport path 70 for double-sided printing by the reverse rotation of the discharge roll 66. The recording medium 24 is then transported onto the transport belt 20 again by a transport roll 72 provided on the transport path 70, with the recording medium 24 turned upside down, and the toner image from the photoreceptor 12 is transferred to the second side (back side) of the recording medium 24. The recording medium 24 onto which the toner image has been transferred on its second side (back side) is then transported to the fixing device 64, where the toner image is fixed onto the recording medium 24 by the fixing device 64. Thereafter, the recording medium 24 with the toner images fixed on both sides is discharged onto a discharge section 68 by a discharge roll 66 .

[0072] After the transfer of the toner image is completed, the photoreceptor 12 is cleaned by the cleaning blade 80 with each rotation of the photoreceptor 12 to remove any remaining toner or paper dust from the surface of the photoreceptor 12 in preparation for the next image formation.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, the charged member 14 is a roll member having a conductive elastic layer 14B on the outer peripheral surface of a support 14A. The support 14A is a conductive cylindrical or columnar body. The support 14A is supported rotatably within the image forming apparatus. The conductive elastic layer 14B is laminated in a cylindrical shape on the outer peripheral surface of the support 14A. The conductive elastic layer 14B is, for example, a layer in which a conductive agent is dispersed in a foamed or non-foamed rubber material.

[0074] A cleaning element 100 for the charged body 14 is disposed on the opposite side of the charged body 14 from the photoreceptor 12, in contact with the charged body 14. In other words, the charged body 14 and the cleaning element 100 constitute a charging device (unit) (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The cleaning element according to this embodiment is used as the cleaning element 100. The cleaning element 100 may be, for example, any of a member that is in constant contact with the charged body 14 and rotates in accordance with the charged body 14, a member that is in contact with the charged body 14 only during cleaning and rotates in accordance with the charged body 14, or a member that is in contact with the charged body 14 only during cleaning and rotates by a separate drive.

[0075] 8, the charged member 14 is pressed against the photoreceptor 12 by applying a load F to both ends of the support 14A. This causes the conductive elastic layer 14B to elastically deform, forming a nip portion along the outer circumferential surface of the photoreceptor 12. 8, the cleaning element 100 is pressed against the charged body 14 by applying a load F' to both ends of the core body 102. This causes the foamed elastic layer 104 to elastically deform, forming a nip portion along the outer circumferential surface of the charged body 14.

[0076] 8, the photosensitive member 12 is driven to rotate in the direction of arrow X by a motor (not shown), and the rotation of the photosensitive member 12 causes the charged member 14 to rotate in the direction of arrow Y. The rotation of the charged member 14 also causes the cleaning member 100 to rotate in the direction of arrow Z.

[0077] Although examples of the image forming apparatus and process cartridge according to the present embodiment have been described above using FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, the present embodiment is not limited to this. The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to the tandem and direct transfer type shown in Fig. 6, and well-known image forming apparatuses such as intermediate transfer type ones may be applied. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment may have internal devices and components directly arranged therein rather than being made into cartridges. The process cartridge equipped with a charging device may be a process cartridge equipped with a charging device (a unit of a charging body and a cleaning body) and also equipped with at least one selected from a photosensitive body, an exposure device, a developing device, and a transfer device.

[0078] The object to be cleaned, the surface of which is cleaned by the cleaning element according to this embodiment, is not limited to a charged body. Other examples of the object to be cleaned include a photosensitive body, a transfer member, a paper transport belt, a secondary transfer member of an intermediate transfer system (e.g., a secondary transfer roll), and an intermediate transfer body of an intermediate transfer system (e.g., an intermediate transfer belt). These objects to be cleaned and the cleaning element arranged in contact therewith may be combined into a unit to form a process cartridge that is detachable from an image forming apparatus.

[0079] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a charged body (that is, a charged body provided in the charging device according to the present embodiment) will be described in detail as an example of an object to be cleaned whose surface is cleaned by the cleaning element according to the present embodiment.

[0080] The charged body has, for example, a support and a conductive elastic layer. The conductive elastic layer may be a single layer or a laminate of multiple layers. The conductive elastic layer may be a layer whose surface has been surface-treated, or a surface layer containing a polymer material may be further laminated on the outer peripheral surface of the conductive elastic layer.

[0081] Examples of the material for the support include free-cutting steel, stainless steel, etc., and the surface may be plated. When the material is not conductive, it may be subjected to a treatment to make it conductive, such as plating.

[0082] The conductive elastic layer contains an elastic material such as rubber and a conductive agent such as carbon black or an ionic conductive agent. For example, the conductive agent is dispersed in the elastic material. The conductive elastic layer may further contain a softener, a plasticizer, a curing agent, a vulcanizing agent, a vulcanization aid, a vulcanization accelerator, an antioxidant, a lubricant, a filler (silica, calcium carbonate, etc.), etc. The conductive elastic layer is formed by coating the outer surface of a conductive support with a mixture of the above materials. The elastic material may be a foam, in which case the conductive elastic layer becomes a conductive foamed elastic layer.

[0083] Examples of elastic materials constituting the conductive elastic layer include silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide copolymer rubber, epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber, and mixtures thereof. One type of elastic material may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination.

[0084] Examples of conductive agents include electronic conductive agents and ionic conductive agents. Examples of electronic conductive agents include particles or powders of carbon black such as ketjen black and acetylene black; pyrolytic carbon; graphite; conductive 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; and insulating materials whose surfaces have been treated to be conductive. Examples of ionic conductive agents include perchlorates or chlorates of oniums such as tetraethylammonium and lauryltrimethylammonium; and perchlorates or chlorates of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals such as lithium and magnesium.

[0085] The conductive agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The amount of conductive agent is not particularly limited, but in the case of an electronic conductive agent, it is preferably in the range of 1 part by mass to 60 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the elastic material, and in the case of an ionic conductive agent, it is preferably in the range of 0.1 parts by mass to 5.0 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the elastic material.

[0086] The surface of the charged body may be provided with a surface layer containing a polymer material. Examples of the polymer material contained in the surface layer include polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polyester, polyimide, copolymer nylon, and silicone resin. One of the above polymer materials may be used alone, or two or more may be used in combination.

[0087] The surface layer may contain a conductive material to adjust the resistance value. Examples of the conductive material include carbon black, conductive metal oxide particles, and ionic conductive agents. One type of conductive material may be used alone, or two or more types may be used in combination. The surface layer may contain insulating particles such as alumina and silica. [Example]

[0088] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail using examples, but the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these examples. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, "parts" and "%" are based on mass. In the following description, synthesis, processing, production, etc. were carried out at room temperature (25°C ± 3°C) unless otherwise specified.

[0089] <Production of charging roll> - Formation of conductive elastic layer - 100 parts epichlorohydrin-ethylene oxide-allyl glycidyl ether copolymer rubber (GECHRON3106, Zeon Corporation) Carbon black (Asahi Thermal, Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd.) 25 parts Ketjenblack EC (Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd.) 8 Divisions Ion conductive agent (lithium perchlorate) 1 part 1 part sulfur (200 mesh, Tsurumi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) Vulcanization accelerator (Noccela DM, Ouchi Shinko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 2 parts Vulcanization accelerator (Noccela TT, Ouchi Shinko Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 0.5 parts The above materials were kneaded in an open roll to obtain a composition for forming an elastic layer. The outer surface of a support made of SUS416, with a diameter of 9 mm and a total length of 370 mm, was coated with a 1.5 mm thick composition for forming an elastic layer, placed in a cylindrical mold with an inner diameter of 12.0 mm, and vulcanized at 170°C for 30 minutes. After removal from the mold, the outer surface of the conductive elastic layer was polished to obtain an elastic roll.

[0090] - Formation of surface layer - Copolymer nylon (Amilan CM8000, Toray Industries, Inc.) 20 parts Antimony-doped tin oxide (SN-100P, Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.) 30 parts 500 parts methanol Butanol 240 parts The above materials were dispersed in a bead mill. The resulting dispersion was applied to the outer surface of an elastic roll by dip coating, and then heated and dried at 140°C for 15 minutes to form a surface layer with a thickness of 4 μm. This produced a charging roll.

[0091] <Production of cleaning roll> [Example 1] A metal core made of SUM24EZ with a diameter of 5.0 mm and a total length of 360 mm was prepared as the core. Urethane foam (FHS, Inoac Corporation) was prepared as the material for the foamed elastic layer.

[0092] The urethane foam was sliced ​​to the desired thickness to obtain a urethane foam sheet. 0.15 mm thick double-sided tape (No. 501L, Nitto Denko Corporation) was attached to the entire surface of the urethane foam sheet. The urethane foam sheet with double-sided tape was cut to the desired length and width to obtain a strip-shaped member with double-sided tape. The exposed surface of the strip-shaped member (the side without double-sided tape) was observed using a confocal microscope, and the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface was determined.

[0093] The strip-shaped member with double-sided tape was placed on a horizontal table with the release paper of the double-sided tape facing up, and while the release paper was removed, tension was applied to the strip-shaped member with double-sided tape so that the total length of the strip-shaped member was elongated by approximately 0% to 5%. The metal core was rolled on the table to wrap the strip-shaped member with double-sided tape around the metal core, thereby obtaining a cleaning roll. The helical angle θ of the foamed elastic layer, the inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core, and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer are as shown in Table 1.

[0094] [Example 2] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the double-sided tape was changed to another double-sided tape (thickness: 0.15 mm) (No. 510, Nitto Denko Corporation).

[0095] [Example 3] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the double-sided tape was changed to another double-sided tape (thickness: 0.15 mm) (No. 5615, Nitto Denko Corporation).

[0096] [Example 4] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer was changed to the value shown in Table 1.

[0097] [Example 5] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer was changed to the value shown in Table 1.

[0098] [Example 6] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer were changed to the values ​​shown in Table 1.

[0099] [Example 7] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core and the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer were changed to the values ​​shown in Table 1.

[0100] [Comparative Example 1] A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the material of the foamed elastic layer was changed to another urethane foam (EP70, Inoac Corporation).

[0101] Comparative Example 2 A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the inner peripheral length X of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core was changed to the values ​​shown in Table 1.

[0102] Comparative Example 3 A cleaning roll was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the thickness Y of the foamed elastic layer was changed to the value shown in Table 1.

[0103] <Preparation of charging device> A charging roll was combined with either the cleaning roll of the example or the comparative example to assemble a charging device.

[0104] <Performance evaluation> [Peeling of foam elastic layer] After the cleaning roll was left in an environment with a temperature of 50°C and a relative humidity of 75% for 30 days, both ends of the cleaning roll in the axial direction were observed. Peeling was judged to have occurred when the end of the foamed elastic layer was separated from the metal core over a length of 1 mm or more. The presence or absence of peeling and the length of peeling were classified as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0105] G0: No peeling. G1: Peeling is observed and the length of the peeling is 10 mm or less. G2: Peeling is observed and the length of the peeling is more than 10 mm.

[0106] [Cleaning performance] A cleaning roll and a charging roll were placed in contact with the drum cartridge of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (DocuCentre-VI C7771, Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.). In an environment of 32°C temperature and 85% relative humidity, a belt-shaped image quality pattern measuring 320 mm in length (in the paper transport direction) and 30 mm in width was printed on 20,000 sheets of A3-sized paper at 100% image density. The position on the surface of the charging roll facing the position where the image pattern was formed on the photoreceptor was observed with a confocal laser microscope (OLS1100, Olympus Corporation). 2 The area covered by the deposits was classified as follows. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0107] G0: Deposits are found in an area of ​​10% or less. G0.5: Deposits are found in the area of ​​more than 10% but not more than 20%. G1: Deposits are found in the range of more than 20% but not more than 30%. G2: Deposits are found in the range of more than 30% but less than 40%. G3: Deposits are found in an area of ​​more than 40% but not more than 50%.

[0108] [Maintaining cleaning performance] After the cleaning performance evaluation, the same image quality pattern as above was printed on 80,000 sheets in an environment of 10°C temperature and 15% relative humidity, and the charging roll surface was similarly observed, and the cleaning performance was classified using the same criteria as above. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0109] [Table 1]

[0110] In Table 1, the numerical value listed in the "adhesion strength" of the adhesive layer is the value indicating the adhesive performance listed in the manufacturer's catalog, and the larger the value, the higher the adhesive performance. Regardless of the adhesive performance of the adhesive layer itself, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer and the X × Y of the foamed elastic layer 2 By controlling the values ​​of and , peeling of the foamed elastic layer was suppressed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] 100 cleaning body, 102 core body, 104 foam elastic layer, 106 adhesive layer

[0112] 100A Core, 100B Foamed elastic layer, 100C Foamed elastic member, 100D Double-sided tape

[0113] 10 image forming apparatus, 10A apparatus main body, 12 photosensitive member, 14 charged member, 14A support, 14B conductive elastic layer, 16 exposure device, 19 developing device, 20 conveyor belt, 22 transfer member, 24 recording medium, 64 fixing device, 66 discharge roll, 68 discharge section, 70 conveyance path, 72 conveyance roll, 80 cleaning blade

Claims

1. A core body and a foamed elastic layer wound spirally around the outer circumferential surface of the core body from one end to the other end of the core body; an adhesive layer that bonds the core body and the foamed elastic layer, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 50 μm or less, When the inner circumferential length of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core body is X (mm) and the thickness of the foamed elastic layer is Y (mm), X × Y ２ The value of is 80 or more and 300 or less, Cleaning body.

2. A core body and a foamed elastic layer wound spirally around the outer circumferential surface of the core body from one end to the other end of the core body; an adhesive layer that bonds the core body and the foamed elastic layer, the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 50 μm or less, When the inner circumferential length of the foamed elastic layer in the radial cross section of the core body is X (mm) and the thickness of the foamed elastic layer is Y (mm), Y is 4 mm or more and 6 mm or less, and X × Y ２ The value of is 45 or more, Cleaning body.

3. The cleaning element according to claim 1 , wherein Y is equal to or greater than 4 mm and equal to or less than 6 mm.

4. The X×Y ２ The cleaning element according to claim 2, wherein the value of

5. The X×Y ２ The cleaning element according to claim 2, wherein the value of is 80 or more and 300 or less.

6. The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein X is 8 mm or more and 12 mm or less.

7. The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the diameter of the tip of the cell skeleton protruding from the surface of the foamed elastic layer is 35 µm or more and 45 µm or less.

8. The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the helical angle θ of the foamed elastic layer is greater than 15°.

9. The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the helical angle θ of the foamed elastic layer is 20° or more and 40° or less.

10. An object to be cleaned; The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating object to be cleaned while cleaning the object to be cleaned; Cleaning equipment.

11. A charged body; The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating charged body and cleans the charged body, Charging device.

12. a body to be charged; a charging body that charges the body to be charged; The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating charged body and cleans the charged body; the body to be charged, the charging body, and the cleaning body are integrally and detachably assembled to the device main body; assembly.

13. A photoreceptor; a charging member that charges the photosensitive member; an exposure device that exposes the charged photoreceptor to light to form an electrostatic image; a developing device for developing the electrostatic image formed on the photosensitive member; The cleaning element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising: a cleaning element that rotates in contact with the rotating charged body and cleans the charged body, Image forming device.

Images