Static elimination brush
The static elimination brush with a higher-resistance synthetic resin retaining member and fibrous electrodes addresses abnormal discharge and facilitates recycling, ensuring effective static elimination without grounding.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ACHILLES CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing anti-static brushes using metal retaining members are prone to abnormal discharge due to grounding issues and are difficult to recycle, posing safety risks and hindering effective static elimination performance.
A static elimination brush with fibrous electrodes held by a synthetic resin retaining member, where the surface resistance of the retaining member is higher than that of the fibrous electrodes, ensuring a resistance difference that minimizes abnormal discharge and facilitates easy recycling.
The brush achieves effective static elimination with reduced abnormal discharge and supports easy recycling, maintaining performance without grounding, using conductive synthetic resin components.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] This invention relates to an anti-static brush used for removing static electricity.
[0002] Office automation equipment such as printers, copiers, and facsimile machines are equipped with self-discharging anti-static brushes to remove static charge from output media such as paper and synthetic resin films. Most of these anti-static brushes have a structure in which a holding member made of metal such as an aluminum plate is attached, and fibrous metal electrodes are embedded between the holding member (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Incidentally, in order for self-discharging static elimination brushes to perform optimally, the fibrous metal electrodes need to be grounded to a conductive part such as the metal of the housing. However, after many years of use, the grounding wire may break or the screws that secure the grounding wire may come loose. In such cases, static elimination brushes using metal retaining members can accumulate static electricity and cause abnormal discharge, which can lead to malfunctions in office equipment or even fire accidents. Furthermore, in recent years, with the trend towards recycling, there has been a demand for metal-free anti-static brushes that are easy to separate. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-143168 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-10474 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]
[0004] The present invention aims to provide a static elimination brush that exhibits sufficient static elimination performance while being less prone to causing abnormal discharge. [Means for solving the problem]
[0005] The inventors of this invention diligently studied and researched ways to solve the above problems, and thus invented this static elimination brush.
[0006] The gist of this invention is as follows: (1) Fibrous electrodes via adhesive In an antistatic brush held and fixed by a retaining member, the surface resistance value of the fibrous electrode is 1.0 × 10 1 ~1.0×10 4 It is Ω / cm, The surface resistance of the adhesive is 1.0 × 10 4 ~1.0×10 8 It is Ω / cm, The surface resistance value of the retaining member is 1.0 × 10 2 ~1.0×10 7 A static elimination brush characterized by having an Ω / cm value. (2) The surface resistance of the retaining member is greater than the surface resistance of the fibrous electrode, and the difference between the two surface resistances is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ 2 ~1.0×10 4 The static elimination brush according to (1), characterized in that it has an Ω / cm value. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] The static elimination brush of the present invention exhibits sufficient static elimination performance while being less prone to abnormal discharge. Furthermore, according to the present invention, since all components can be made of synthetic resin, sorting after use is easy and recycling is excellent. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of the static elimination brush of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] The static elimination brush of the present invention is configured such that a fibrous electrode is held and fixed by a holding member, and the tip of the fibrous electrode protrudes from the holding member.
[0010] In this specification, the resistance value refers to the surface resistance value, which is measured by a two-terminal probe (electrode distance = 6 mm) using a measuring instrument conforming to IEC 61340.
[0011] <Retention member> The retention member is a member for holding the fibrous electrode, and its shape is not limited, but a pair of plate-like members or a single plate-like member bent in two is preferably used. Also, when injection molding the retention member, the fibrous electrode may be inserted and the retention member and the fibrous electrode may be integrated. The retention member is made of a conductive synthetic resin, and its surface resistance value is 1.0×10 2 ~1.0×10 7 Ω / cm. If the surface resistance value is within this range, sufficient charge dissipation performance can be exhibited, and abnormal discharge can be prevented even in the absence of an earth. As a method of imparting conductivity to the synthetic resin, there are a method of kneading a conductive agent into the synthetic resin and a method of coating the surface of the molded product with a processing liquid containing a conductive agent after molding. Examples of the synthetic resin include polycarbonate resin, polyolefin resins such as polypropylene resin and polyethylene resin, polybutylene terephthalate resin, polyether ether ketone, etc. Among these, polypropylene resin is preferably adopted in terms of excellent moldability, strength, etc. As the conductive agent, carbon black, graphite carbon, graphite, carbon fiber, metal powder, metal fiber, metal oxide powder, metal-coated inorganic fine powder, organic fine powder, etc. can be used. From the viewpoints of cost, compatibility with the synthetic resin, and processability, preferably, it is carbon black. The content of the conductive agent is preferably 15 to 30 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the synthetic resin forming the retention member. If it is within the above range, it is easy to make the resistance value of the retention member 1.0×10 2 ~1.0×10 7 Ω / cm. Furthermore, the retaining member may be made from scraps of products manufactured for other purposes or reused items that were used for other purposes, as long as they fall within the above-mentioned range of surface resistance values.
[0012] <Fibrous electrodes> The fibrous electrode has a surface resistance of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 1 ~1.0×10 4 It consists of multiple bundles of conductive fibers with a conductivity of Ω / cm, arranged in a single unit. Examples of conductive fibers include carbon fibers, rayon fibers, cupro fibers, and other regenerated fibers to which conductivity has been imparted, as well as synthetic fibers such as nylon fibers, acrylic fibers, polypropylene fibers, and polyester fibers to which conductivity has been imparted. Methods for imparting conductivity to non-conductive fibers such as regenerated fibers and synthetic fibers include kneading a conductive agent into the yarn during the yarn-making process and coating the fiber surface with a processing solution containing a conductive agent after spinning. Examples of such conductive agents include metals such as silver, copper, and nickel, metal compounds such as zinc oxide and tin oxide, fine particles of carbon, and conductive polymers. Among these, carbon fiber is preferred in terms of rigidity, durability, and conductivity.
[0013] The condensed material preferably has 1,000 to 12,000 filaments and a latitude of 67 to 800 tex. The clustering members are arranged at regular intervals on the holding member, and the distance (pitch) between the clustering members is preferably 0.5 to 5.0 mm.
[0014] The fibrous electrode protrudes from the holding member, and its protruding length is preferably 2 to 50 mm. By keeping the protruding length within the above range, the static elimination performance can be fully realized.
[0015] The static elimination brush of the present invention has a surface resistance value of 1.0 × 10 for the holding member. 2 ~1.0×10 7 The resistance is Ω / cm, and the surface resistance of the fibrous electrode is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 1 ~1.0×10 4The resistance is Ω / cm, but it is preferable that the surface resistance of the retaining member is higher than the surface resistance of the fibrous electrode, and furthermore, the difference between the two resistance values should be 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 2 ~1.0×10 4 It is preferable that the resistance is Ω / cm. In this way, if the surface resistance of the holding member is significantly higher than the surface resistance of the fibrous electrode, it has the effect of slowing down leakage current (grounding).
[0016] A preferred method for attaching fibrous electrodes to a holding member is to adhere them using a conductive adhesive or adhesive tape (hereinafter collectively referred to as "adhesive"). In this case, if the adhesive is not conductive, electrical conductivity between the fibrous electrodes and the holding member may not be achieved, making it difficult to achieve static discharge performance. Examples of resins that make up adhesives include acrylic resins, silicone resins, urethane resins, and epoxy resins, and may contain conductive agents such as metals like silver, copper, and nickel, metal compounds like zinc oxide and tin oxide, fine particles of carbon, and conductive polymers. From the viewpoint of recyclability, conductive polymers are preferred for adhesives. The surface resistance of the adhesive is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 4 ~1.0×10 8 It is preferable that the density is Ω / cm. 1.0 × 10 4 If the resistance is less than Ω / cm, there is a risk of abnormal discharge. On the other hand, 1.0 × 10 8 If the impedance exceeds Ω / cm, electrical conductivity between the fibrous electrode and the retaining member may not be achieved.
[0017] The static elimination brush of the present invention, having the above configuration, has a total surface resistance value of 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. 4 ~1.0×10 8 The resistance is Ω / cm. Therefore, it exhibits static elimination performance even without grounding, and abnormal discharge is less likely to occur. In this case, the overall surface resistance of the static elimination brush is measured by connecting one end of the two-terminal probe to the holding member and the other end to the fibrous electrode.
[0018] The static elimination brush of the present invention can eliminate static electricity through air discharge without grounding, but grounding is preferable for quick and reliable static elimination. The method of attaching the grounding device is not limited, but a preferred method is to sandwich and fix the grounding device between a pair of plate-shaped objects that make up the retaining member, or between two folded plate-shaped objects. [Examples]
[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below based on examples. The present invention is not limited to these examples, and various applications are possible without departing from the technical concept of the present invention.
[0020] <Example 1> Two holding members (polypropylene sheets with a thickness of 1 mm, consisting of 100 parts by mass of polypropylene resin and 25 parts by mass of carbon black) were prepared. Fibrous electrodes (carbon fibers with 3000 filaments and a fineness of 200 tex) were placed between the two holding members at a pitch of 1.6 mm, and an adhesive (a conductive adhesive containing polypyrrole particles, with a surface resistance of 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰) was used. 6 A static elimination brush was obtained by bonding and integrating the components using conductive double-sided adhesive tape (Ω / cm).
[0021] <Example 2> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the number of filaments and the fineness of the fibrous electrode were changed.
[0022] <Example 3> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the number of filaments and the fineness of the fibrous electrode were changed.
[0023] <Example 4> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the pitch of the fibrous electrodes was changed to 0.8 mm.
[0024] <Example 5> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the pitch of the fibrous electrodes was changed to 3 mm.
[0025] <Example 6> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the holding member was changed to a 1 mm thick polypropylene sheet consisting of 100 parts by mass of polypropylene resin and 15 parts by mass of carbon black.
[0026] <Example 7> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the fibrous electrodes were replaced with metal-coated fibers (Thunderon ES, manufactured by Nippon Silk Dyeing Co., Ltd.).
[0027] <Comparative Example 1> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the holding member was changed to a 2 mm thick aluminum plate.
[0028] <Comparative Example 2> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the fibrous electrode was replaced with stainless steel thread (Naslon 100F, manufactured by Nippon Seisen Co., Ltd.).
[0029] <Comparative Example 3> An anti-static brush was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the holding member was changed to a 2 mm thick aluminum plate and the fibrous electrode was changed to stainless steel thread (Naslon 100F, manufactured by Nippon Seisen Co., Ltd.).
[0030] The surface resistance values of the holding member, fibrous electrode, and static elimination brush of each example and comparative example were measured using a measuring instrument conforming to IEC 61340 (Prostat PRS-801) with a two-terminal probe (electrode distance = 6 mm). The surface resistance of the static elimination brush was measured by connecting one end of a two-terminal probe to the holding member and the other end to the fibrous electrode. The measured values are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
[0031] The static elimination brushes obtained in each example and comparative example were evaluated as follows.
[0032] <Static elimination performance (residual voltage)> A static elimination brush was placed on a charged plate monitor (Hughle Electronics, part number: 700A), charged to +5000V, and the residual voltage after 60 seconds was measured. The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. Furthermore, the residual voltage after 60 seconds in the blank (without static elimination brush) was 4840V, confirming that almost no discharge occurred in the absence of the static elimination brush.
[0033] <Abnormal discharge> A static discharge plate monitor (manufactured by Hugle Electronics, part number 700A) was connected to a static discharge brush with a wire, and the static discharge brush was charged to 1000V through the static discharge plate monitor. The decrease in voltage was then observed when a grounded metal plate was brought within 10mm of the end face of the static discharge brush. A rapid decrease in the charged voltage (below 10V after 1 second) was considered to indicate "abnormal discharge." The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2.
[0034] [Table 1]
[0035] [Table 2] [Industrial applicability]
[0036] The static elimination brush of the present invention exhibits sufficient static elimination performance while being less prone to abnormal discharge, making it suitable for a variety of applications. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0037] 1. Static-removing brush 2. Retaining member 3. Fibrous electrodes
Claims
1. In an anti-static brush in which fibrous electrodes are held and fixed by a holding member via an adhesive, The surface resistance of the fibrous electrode is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. １ ~1.0 x 10 ４ The surface resistance of the adhesive is Ω / cm, and the surface resistance of the retaining member is 1.0 × 10⁴ to 1.0 × 10⁸ Ω / cm, and the surface resistance of the retaining member is 1.0 × 10⁴ ２ ~1.0 x 10 ７ A static elimination brush characterized by having an Ω / cm value.
2. The surface resistance of the retaining member is greater than the surface resistance of the fibrous electrode, and the difference between the two surface resistances is 1.0 × 10⁻⁶. ２ ~1.0 x 10 ４ The static elimination brush according to claim 1, characterized in that it is Ω / cm.