JP2002214870A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To drastically improve reliability of an image forming device, and also, to provide the image forming device, capable of coping with the epoch- making increase in the productivity of the image forming device, by keeping the increase of a frictional force between a photoreceptor drum surface and a cleaning member as small as possible and maintaining the photoreceptor surface, so that image flowing, defective cleaning the reversal and melt-sticking of a cleaning blade do not occur even without installation of a drum heater, for a single-drum type full color image forming device which uses nearly spherical toner. SOLUTION: For the image forming device provided with the electrophotographic photoreceptor, an electrifying means, an exposure means, a developing means, a transfer means and a cleaning means, the developing means is a rotation developing device with a developing unit, where at least two or more kinds of color toner are arranged for each color, and the rotation developing device is provided with a grinding means for grinding the surface of the photoreceptor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to a one-drum / rotational development type full-color image forming apparatus using an amorphous silicon photoconductor as an electrophotographic photoconductor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multifunction peripherals having all output terminals such as copiers, printers, and faxes have been widely accepted in the market. Although an electrophotographic system has been widely accepted as such a network-compatible output terminal, one of the major problems is that the duty cycle of the main body has been raised. The duty cycle is a limit number of sheets that the main body can continue to operate normally without service maintenance, and the life of the photosensitive drum is increased as one of the maximum rate-limiting duty cycles. Also, from the viewpoint of ecology, eliminating waste, that is, reducing consumables, extending the life of consumables, and increasing reliability have become our absolute issues.

On the other hand, digitization has progressed from conventional analog devices, and it has become an absolute task for us to reduce the main unit cost to analog equivalent or lower.

Furthermore, in recent years, black and white machines have been the mainstream in copiers and printers in the past, but in offices, the use of originals or output files in full color has been rapidly increasing.

[0005] In addition to the analog equivalent digital machine, a full-color printer equivalent to monochrome and running costs has become an absolute issue for us.
For that purpose, a technology capable of dramatically reducing the TCO (total required cost as viewed from the user) is desired.

Under these circumstances, the amorphous silicon photoreceptor as an electrophotographic photoreceptor has a high hardness (Vickers hardness of 1000 kg / m ² or more according to JIS) and is excellent in durability, heat resistance and environmental stability. It is becoming increasingly indispensable, especially in high-speed machines that require high reliability. The exchange life of the amorphous silicon photoconductor is one digit or more longer than that of the OPC photoconductor generally used in recent years. That is, the life of the main body is equivalent, and there is an effect of reducing waste. In addition, there is no need for trouble such as recovery and reproduction as in a drum CRG equipped with an OPC photosensitive member. In addition, the one-component jumping development method using magnetic toner is different from the two-component development method using non-magnetic toner that requires periodic replacement of the developer.
It is widely known that the system is inexpensive and can greatly reduce the load on service personnel.

If a technology using an amorphous silicon photoconductor mounted on a black-and-white high-speed machine using a one-component jumping developing device using an amorphous silicon photoconductor and a magnetic toner becomes possible to mount a full-color printer,
We thought that black-and-white printing could be an apparatus that could achieve the duty cycle of a high-speed machine and low running costs and could produce color printing. In particular, for users with a high black-and-white ratio, in order to realize a high-speed machine duty cycle and low running costs, it is essential to mount an amorphous silicon photoreceptor on a one-drum type full-color printer using a rotary developing device. Thought.

However, in this type of apparatus, not only toner but also fine paper dust and paper dust generated from paper commonly used as a transfer material affect the image quality by adhering to the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Organic components that are precipitated from the product, corona products generated due to the presence of high-pressure members in the apparatus, and the like. This impedes the formation of an electrostatic latent image, which is considered to be a cause of image quality degradation.

It is known that the above-described image deterioration phenomenon is likely to occur in the case of an amorphous silicon photosensitive member formed by glow discharge decomposition of silanes. In order to avoid such a drawback, the following cleaning means has been proposed, particularly when one-component magnetic toner is used. That is, a magnet roller is disposed on the upstream side of the cleaning blade when viewed in the running direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a part of the toner collected in the cleaning device forms a magnetic brush, which is brought into contact with the surface of the image carrier. Then, the magnetic toner is re-supplied, and the above-described various foreign substances are rubbed and removed at the cleaning blade portion by the polishing action of the re-supplied toner particles. Such a means is a polishing material prepared separately such as a web and a rubber roller, and the polishing action is less locally biased on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member as compared with a method of rubbing the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, The deterioration of the electrophotographic photosensitive member surface is also small. In the above method, for example, a heater is disposed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and at the same time, ancillary means such as reducing the humidity of the surroundings at night and during standby to prevent the resistance of the electrophotographic photosensitive member surface from lowering is used. However, a certain effect is obtained in preventing image deterioration due to the above-mentioned causes. On the other hand, in an image forming apparatus that repeats a process of transferring a transferable toner image formed on the surface of an electrophotographic photoreceptor to a transfer material mainly composed of paper, the electrophotographic photoreceptor does not transfer to the transfer material during transfer. It is essential that the residual toner be sufficiently removed by the cleaning means each time.

For this reason, as cleaning means for removing the residual toner, various proposals have conventionally been made. However, there is a cleaning means which scrapes the residual toner by a cleaning blade made of an elastic material such as urethane rubber. Because of its simple structure, compact size, low cost, and excellent toner removing function, it has been widely used. As a rubber material for the cleaning blade, urethane rubber which is high in hardness and rich in elasticity and is excellent in wear resistance, mechanical strength, oil resistance and ozone resistance is generally used.

However, in recent years, from the viewpoint of energy saving, there is a strong demand for eliminating the heater provided in the image bearing member.

The causes of image deletion include toner, fine paper powder generated from paper which is generally used as a transfer material, organic components precipitated from paper powder, and corona with high energy from a high-pressure member in the apparatus. Components such as nitrate ions in which nitrogen in the air is oxidized by various metal oxides and oxygen compounds generated at the time of discharge adhere to the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, thereby forming a thin film on the photoreceptor surface (hereinafter referred to as “filming”). This is called "film" due to durability, absorbs moisture in a high-humidity environment, lowers resistance, and prevents formation of a clear electrostatic latent image, which is a factor that causes deterioration of image quality.

In order to remove the filming film formed by the durability, it is necessary to improve the rubbing ability of the surface of the photosensitive member. However, in order to rub the photoconductor surface,
For example, when the elastic roller is brought into contact with the surface of the photoconductor with a difference in peripheral speed, the toner locally adheres to the surface of the photoconductor. As a result, toner fusion occurs locally on the surface of the elastic roller, and the portion is shaved on the surface of the photoreceptor, resulting in uneven shaving and image failure.

In order to avoid the above problem, it is necessary to further improve the rubbing property of the surface of the photoreceptor by the elastic roller, and even if amorphous silicon is used, the amount of abrasion increases and the reliability decreases. . In addition, in the above setting, there is a problem that the wear amount of the elastic roller itself is increased and the reliability is reduced.

Also, the web, elastic roller, etc.
If the photosensitive drum is kept in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum, the amount of abrasion increases and the life of the amorphous silicon drum is shortened. There is also a configuration in which the photoconductor is disposed at a position other than the cleaning where there is no transfer residual toner (a position downstream of the cleaning unit and upstream of the developing unit, preferably between the cleaning unit and the charging unit). And the size of the image forming apparatus itself becomes large, which causes a problem in terms of space saving.

[0016]

According to our experiments, it has been confirmed by optical experiments that the filming film layer formed by the above-mentioned durability is about 30 to 80 °. However, in our experiment, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the early stage of the endurance was subjected to reflection spectroscopy interferometer (MCD manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.).
(P2000), it was confirmed that a filming layer was formed even in the early stage of durability.

In the early stage of the durability, the filming layer is about
After reaching 30-80Å, there is almost no change in the film thickness, but as the durability progresses, the image deterioration was initially eliminated by dry wiping, water wiping, and alcohol wiping, but it will not be eliminated found. Adhesive wear is repeated,
The surface of the drum, which has been durable in such a state, has a thickness of 0.3 to 2μ.
It was found that image deterioration would not be eliminated without polishing with abrasive particles such as cerium oxide (CeO ₂ ) of about m dispersed in alcohol or the like. This is particularly noticeable when the heater is not mounted on the electrophotographic photosensitive member.

Further, we have been diligently studying the AFM of the initial photoreceptor having various surface shapes and the surface of the photoreceptor after endurance.
(Atomic force microscope: Nano manufactured by Digital Instruments)
Scope IIIa Dimension 3000 / scanning mode Tapping mode / scanning range 20 μm × 20 μm probe Si cantilever). The surface of the photoreceptor after the endurance appeared to be almost smooth due to abrasion as compared with the initial stage. The surface of the photoreceptor after the endurance is heated in an aqueous solution of 5% sodium peroxodisulfate (Na ₂ S ₂ O ₈ ) (70 to 80 ° C., 30 ° C.).
Minutes), ultrasonic cleaning (about 1 minute) in acetone,
Rinse with ethanol / pure water. As a result, it was found that the amount of filming was particularly large in the concave portions on the surface of the photoconductor. As described above, when the photoconductor heater is not installed, it is essential to devise an image forming apparatus that does not form a filming film due to durability from the initial stage. It has been found that it is essential to devise a method for providing a function to perform the function.

Further, it has been newly found in our experiments that the frictional force between the transfer residual toner and the photosensitive member by the cleaning blade is increased due to the durability. The filming film formed by endurance increases the degree of adhesion and affinity between the cleaning blade and the surface of the photoreceptor and the residual toner and the surface of the photoreceptor, thereby increasing the frictional force.

It is considered that the increase in the frictional force increases the shear stress of the cleaning blade, the shear stress between the toners, and the shear stress near the surface of the photosensitive member. As a result, it is thought that chipping of the cleaning blade (local chipping of the edge), toner fusion due to an increase in the amount of heat generated due to an increase in permanent set shear stress, and an increase in fatigue wear due to an increase in the internal stress of the photoconductor are considered. It is.

On the other hand, the image forming apparatus has been widely used not only as a function of a copying machine but also as a printer. In addition, applications such as the feeder function and the sorter function have been enhanced.
A continuous operation of more than 00 sheets has become possible. For example, in the case of 50 sheets / A4 machine, continuous operation is performed for 80 minutes or more even if a simple calculation is made. Under such circumstances, it is considered that the ambient temperature in the vicinity of the photoconductor has reached nearly 50 ° C., and the temperature at the contact (nip) between the cleaning blade and the photoconductor has reached even higher. Therefore, the frequency at which toner fusion occurs on the photoreceptor has increased.

In addition, the full-color toner is generally a non-magnetic material, and the magnetic brush cleaning method, which has been frequently used in black-and-white machines, requires a magnetic carrier to be held in a cleaning device in advance. A problem arises in both durability.

In recent years, polymerized toners have been widely used in terms of improving transfer efficiency and requiring no release material for fixing. However, toners produced by the polymerization method generally have high sphericity. If the sphericity increases, the conventional counter blade system often causes a lot of toner to pass through, and the transfer efficiency can be maintained at 97% or more, and the lubrication function can be exhibited between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum. The existence probability of the toner is also very low, and when the filming film as described above is formed, a local shearing force is applied to the cleaning blade to cause edge chipping.

However, the inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies, and found that the a-Si photoreceptor having a high surface hardness and a smooth surface has a comparatively low surface hardness for a toner manufactured by a polymerization method having a high sphericity. It was found that the cleaning property by the cleaning blade was remarkably better than that of the OPC photoreceptor whose surface was easily damaged. However, it has been found that when the filming film is formed as described above, a local shearing force is applied to the cleaning blade to cause chipping of the edge.

Therefore, as described above, a technology for dramatically reducing the TCO becomes possible by mounting a full-color image forming apparatus on a monochrome machine using magnetic one-component jumping development and an amorphous silicon photosensitive member. Cleaning conditions are different between a magnetic toner used in a black-and-white machine and a polymerized toner used in a full-color machine. Magnetic brush cleaning as a magnetic toner cleaning auxiliary member also tends to reduce the rubbing function of the photoreceptor surface when full-color printing is frequently used. In particular, if the above-described filming film is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor and the frictional force on the surface of the photoreceptor is increased, the cleaning blade is worn or chipped, and a local streak is generated on the surface of the image carrier. There is. The present invention has been made to address such a problem, and even without a photoconductor heater,
An image forming apparatus capable of maintaining a photosensitive member surface state that does not cause image deletion and fusing, greatly improving the reliability of the image forming apparatus, and capable of responding to a breakthrough in productivity of the image forming apparatus. It is intended for.

[0026]

The present invention is as follows. (1) an electrophotographic photoreceptor, a charging unit for applying a charge to an outer surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor, and an exposing unit for irradiating the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor with light to form an electrostatic latent image. Developing means for transferring toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to form a toner image; transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material; Cleaning means for removing residual toner, the developing means,
A rotary developing device having a developing device in which at least two or more colors of toner are arranged for each color, the rotary developing device includes:
An image forming apparatus comprising a polishing means for polishing a surface of a photoreceptor. (2) The image forming apparatus according to (1), wherein the developing unit has a one-component magnetic developing device in addition to the rotary developing device. (3) The image forming apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the polishing means has a surface polishing rate per 0.01 rotation of the electrophotographic photosensitive member of 0.01 to 10 ° / 1000 rotations. (4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the electrophotographic photoconductor is an amorphous silicon photoconductor. (5) The toner of at least one color has a weight average particle diameter of 6 to 8
μm, and based on 100 parts by mass of a binder resin having a glass transition temperature of 40 to 60 ° C., 0.2 to 20 parts by mass of a solid wax,
(2) The image forming apparatus according to (2), which is a magnetic toner having at least 10 to 200 parts by mass of a magnetic material. (6) The cleaning means has a cleaning member and a magnet, and forms a magnetic brush cleaner carrying the magnetic toner on the surface of the magnet. (5)
Image forming apparatus. (7) The image according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the toner of at least one color is a non-magnetic toner, and the developing device in which the toner is provided is performed by a two-component contact developing method. Forming equipment. (8) The non-magnetic toner has a weight average particle diameter of 6 to 10 μm, and the shape factor SF-1 of the toner is 100 to 140 and SF-
(2) The image forming apparatus according to (7), wherein the image forming apparatus has at least substantially spherical toner particles produced by a polymerization method in a range of 100 to 120. (9) The image forming apparatus according to (4), wherein the surface of the amorphous silicon-based photoconductor is hydrogenated amorphous carbon (aC: H). (10) The polishing means according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the polishing means is a polishing rotary body in which polishing particles having Mohs hardness of 5 or more are dispersed in a surface layer made of a porous resin. Any of the image forming apparatuses.

[0027]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reflected light from a document (not shown) placed on a platen glass 10 is passed through an exposure optical system 11 to be a CCD (solid-state image sensor) for R (red), G (green), B
(Blue) is converted to an electric signal. The IPS (image processing system) converts the RGB electrical signals input from the CCD 12 into K (black), Y (yellow), M
The image data is converted into (magenta) and C (cyan) image data, temporarily stored, and output to a laser drive circuit (not shown) at a predetermined timing as image data for forming a latent image. The laser drive circuit outputs a laser drive signal (not shown) to the ROS according to the input image data.
(Latent image writing device).

The photosensitive drum 2, which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member, rotates in the direction of arrow Da, and its surface is uniformly charged by a charger 1 as a charging means. An electrostatic latent image is formed by being exposed and scanned by a laser beam L (main wavelength: 655 nm) of the ROS (latent image writing device) serving as an exposure unit. When forming a full-color image, K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), C
An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image of four colors (cyan) is sequentially formed. In the case of a monochrome image, only an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a K (black) image is formed.

The laser beam L on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2
Is started after a lapse of a predetermined time from the detection of the home position provided in the non-image portion of the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the belt position sensor 41. In the case of a full-color image, each color is superimposed, so that the time from the detection of the home position by the belt position sensor 41 to the start of latent image writing by the laser beam L is the same for each color.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 2, on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, rotates and passes through the developing area B and the primary transfer area C sequentially. The rotary type developing device 30 is a developing device 32, 33 for toner of three colors of Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) which sequentially rotates and moves to the developing area B with the rotation of the rotating shaft 31. , 34. The developing devices 32, 33, and 34 of the respective colors have developing sleeves 35a to 35c that transport the toner to the developing area B, and convert the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum passing through the developing area B into a toner image. I do.

Below the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the intermediate transfer belt 40, a plurality of belt support rollers including a belt drive roller 45, a tension roller 43, idler rollers 46 and 47, and a secondary transfer backup roller 44 are provided. And a primary transfer roller 42 and a belt frame (not shown) for supporting them. And
The intermediate transfer belt 40 is rotatably supported by the belt support roller.

When a full-color image is formed, a first-color electrostatic latent image is formed at the latent-image writing position A, and a first-color toner image is formed at the developing area B. When the toner image passes through the primary transfer area C, the toner image is primary-transferred electrostatically onto the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the primary transfer roller 42. Thereafter, similarly, on the intermediate transfer belt 40 carrying the toner image of the first color, the second color, the third color,
The fourth color toner images are sequentially superimposed and primary-transferred, and finally a full-color multiplex toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 40. In the present invention, the developing device for the K toner can be provided in the rotary developing device, but it is preferable to use the K toner as a magnetic toner to form a one-component developing device. When a monochrome black and white image is formed, it is preferable to use only the one-component developing unit 50 containing the magnetic toner used as the K toner. K
The toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 40, and after the primary transfer, residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is cleaned by a photosensitive drum cleaner 60 as a cleaning unit.

The cleaning device 60 as cleaning means for removing residual toner on the surface of the photoreceptor has a cleaning container 61, a cleaning blade 62 as a cleaning member, and a magnet roller 63. The cleaning container 61 holds a cleaning blade 62 in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

The cleaning blade 62 is made of urethane,
An elastic blade such as fluororubber is used. It is also preferable to arrange a member such as SUS as a back plate on these elastic blades.

The cleaning blade has a hardness of 60 to
It is preferably 80 °, preferably having a rebound resilience of 1 to 30%, and more preferably having a 300% modulus of 100 or more kg / cm ² .

The shape of the cleaning blade may be appropriately selected, but the thickness is preferably 1 to 5 mm, and the free length is preferably 1 to 10 mm. Cleaning blade 62
As concrete, for example, mainly made of urethane, hardness
70 ° (Hs), rebound resilience 15 (%) (rebound resilience at 40 ° C. 25%), 300% modulus 200 (kg / cm ² ) (all JI
(According to the S standard). The cleaning blade has a plate thickness of 2 mm, and the member 20 cSU
S (plate thickness 0.2 mm) is provided as a back plate, and the free length is 3 mm.

The cleaning blade has a contact angle.
It is arranged on the photosensitive drum 2 at a contact pressure of 20 (g / cm) at 24 °.

A magnet roller 63 is provided upstream of the cleaning blade 62 in the cleaning container 60 (upstream in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1) with a predetermined gap formed between the cleaning roller 62 and the photosensitive drum 2. Magnetic toner is collected on the surface of the magnet roller 63 by a magnetic field to form a magnetic brush cleaner.
The surface of the photoreceptor is rubbed by rotating at a peripheral speed of 5 to 80% relative to the direction of rotation of the photoreceptor. The recording sheet S stored in the paper feed tray 70 is taken out by the pickup roller 71 at a predetermined timing, and is conveyed to the registration roller pair 72. The recording sheet S conveyed to the registration roller 72 is conveyed to the secondary transfer area E at the same time that the primary-transferred multi-toner image or single-color toner image moves to the secondary transfer area E. .

In the secondary transfer area E, the secondary transfer roller 48 secondary-transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 40 electrostatically and collectively to the recording sheet S. The residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 40 after the secondary transfer by the belt cleaner 49. Note that the secondary transfer roller 48 and the belt cleaner 49 are disposed so as to be able to be separated (separated and contacted) from the intermediate transfer belt 40, and when a color image is formed, the unfixed toner image of the final color is formed. Until the image is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40.
0 away. The recording sheet S on which the toner image is secondarily transferred is fixed to a fixing device 64 by a sheet conveying belt 63.
Roller 64a and pressure roller 64b
Fixing device 6 having a pair of fixing rollers constituted by
4 for heat fixing. The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been fixed is discharged to a recording sheet discharge tray 65.

The intermediate transfer belt 40 has, for example, a two-layer structure of a polyimide layer and a cyanoresin layer (high dielectric constant layer). The intermediate transfer belt 40 is manufactured as follows.

In the thermosetting seamless belt in which carbon black of the base layer is dispersed, carbon black is mixed with polyimide varnish U for heat-resistant film of Ube Industries, Ltd. and mixed by a mixer or the like. This undiluted solution is poured into a cylindrical mold and centrifugally molded while heating. The mold is released in a semi-cured state, and then the removed belt is covered with an iron core and heated to 400 to 450 ° C., and is fully cured (imidization reaction) to have a surface resistivity of 10 ¹² Ωc.
m, a seamless belt having a volume resistivity of 10 ¹⁰ Ωcm and a thickness of 75 μm can be obtained.

On the other hand, the layer configuration of the backup roller 44, which is a support roller of the intermediate transfer belt 40 and serves as a counter electrode of the secondary transfer roller 48, may be either a single layer or a multilayer. For example, in the case of a single layer, it is constituted by a roller in which an appropriate amount of conductive fine powder such as carbon black is blended with silicone rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or the like. The backup roller 44 in the case of a two-layer structure includes a core layer made of a foam such as silicone rubber, urethane rubber, or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) whose volume resistivity is appropriately adjusted;
Conductive silicone rubber, urethane rubber,
It is composed of a skin layer formed by blending a conductive agent such as carbon black with EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or the like. The volume resistivity of the backup roller 44 is preferably in the range of 10 ⁷ to 10 ⁹ Ωcm.

The layer structure of the secondary transfer roller 48 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of a two-layer structure, the secondary transfer roller 48 includes a core layer and a coating layer covering the surface thereof. The core layer is made of silicone rubber, urethane rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer), or the like, or a foam thereof in which conductive powder is dispersed. The coating layer is preferably made of a fluororesin-based material in which conductive powder is dispersed. Examples of the fluororesin include tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), hexafluoropropylene copolymer (FEP), and perfluoroalkoxy resin (PFA). Secondary transfer roller 4
The volume resistivity of 8 is preferably in the range of 10 ⁶ to 10 ⁹ Ωcm.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention preferably has a pre-exposure unit. As the pre-exposure 3, for example, a light-emitting diode (element GaAlAs) mainly having a peak wavelength of 660 nm is used, the half width at which the peak wavelength is １ ／ is about 25 nm, and the exposure amount is 20 μJ / cm ² . . From the pre-exposure 3 to the primary charger 1, a photosensitive member having a moving time of about 50 mm.sec on the surface of the photosensitive member can be used. <1> Developing Means of the Present Invention The developing means of the present invention is a rotary developing device having a developing device in which at least two or more colors of toner are disposed for each color, and a polishing means for polishing the surface of the photoreceptor. It is arranged. The toner of at least two colors refers to four colors (K (black), Y
(Yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan)).

The developing means of the present invention has a developing device in which these are arranged for each color. As shown in FIG.
Developing units 32 and 33 for three color toners of Y, M and C;
It is preferable that the reference numeral 34 is provided in the rotary developing device 30 having the rotary shaft 31 and the developing device for K toner is provided as another developing device 50. With such a configuration, Y, M, and C can be used as non-magnetic toners and K can be used as magnetic toners, and improvement in cleaning properties can be expected.

The rotary developing device may have the same configuration as a commonly used rotary developing device except that it has a polishing means. As for the developing device for the K toner, a developing device using a normal one-component jumping method using the K toner as the magnetic toner can be used.

The rotary developing device 30 has developing units 32 to 34 for Y toner, M toner and C toner, and each developing unit has a developing sleeve 35a to 35c for transporting the developer to the developing area B. And regulating blades 36a to 36c and developing containers 37a to 37c arranged to form a thin layer of the developer on the surface of the developing sleeve. The developer used in the developing devices 32 to 34 is preferably a two-component developer containing a non-magnetic toner. The developer will be described later.

The developing sleeves 35a to 35c have a region closest to the photosensitive drum 2 at least at the time of development.
It is arranged so as to be 0 μm, and is set so that development can be performed in a state where the developer contacts the photosensitive drum 1.
That is, the developing devices 32 to 34 perform development by a two-component contact development system. Hereinafter, the developing process will be described using the developing device 32, but the developing devices 33 and 34 are similarly performed.

The developing unit 32 performs a developing step of developing an image by a two-component magnetic brush method. First, the developing sleeve 3
The developer pumped at the N2 pole with the rotation of 5a is S
In the process of being transported from the two poles to the N1 pole, a thin layer is formed on the developing sleeve 35a by being regulated by the regulating blade 36a arranged perpendicular to the developing sleeve 35a. Here, when the developer formed in a thin layer is conveyed to the developing main pole S1, a spike is formed by the magnetic force.
The electrostatic latent image is developed by the spike-shaped developer, and thereafter the developer on the developing sleeve 35a is returned into the developing container 37a by the repulsive magnetic field of the N3 pole and the N2 pole.

A DC voltage on which a DC voltage or an AC voltage is superimposed is applied as a developing bias from a power source (not shown) to the developing sleeve 35a. As the developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 35a, the peak-to-peak voltage Vpp =
0.5-2.0kV, frequency f = 1.0-9.0kHz and Duty = 10
A bias in which a DC voltage of 50 to 400 V is superimposed on an AC voltage of 50% is preferable. In general, in the two-component developing method, when an AC voltage is applied, the developing efficiency is increased, and the quality of an image is high, but on the contrary, there is a risk that fogging is likely to occur. For this reason, fog is generally prevented by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing device 32 and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 2. The peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 35a is preferably 100 to 200% in the counter direction with respect to the peripheral speed of the photoconductor. Further, as described above, the Y toner, the M toner, and the C toner used in the developing device of the rotary developing device of the present invention are non-magnetic toners,
It is preferable to use a two-component developer containing the non-magnetic toner and the carrier as the developer.

The non-magnetic toner of the present invention preferably has a weight average particle size of 6 to 10 μm. Weight average particle size is 6
If it is smaller than μm, cleaning properties may be severe, and if it is larger than 10 μm, problems such as resolution may occur, which is not preferable.

The method for measuring the weight average particle size is as follows.

In the present invention, the average particle diameter of the toner is measured by using a Coulter Counter TA-II type (manufactured by Coulter Co., Ltd.).
Can also be used. As the electrolyte, a 1% aqueous NaCl solution is prepared using primary sodium chloride. For example, ISO
TON R-II (manufactured by Coulter Scientific Japan) can be used.

The non-magnetic toner has a shape factor SF.
-1 is in the range of 100 to 140 and SF-2 is in the range of 100 to 120,
It is preferable to have substantially spherical toner particles produced by a polymerization method in order to maintain high transfer efficiency.

In the present invention, the shape factors SF-1 and S
F-2 was replaced with a scanning electron microscope FE manufactured by Hitachi, Ltd.
-Using a SEM (S-800), 100 toner particles are randomly sampled, and the image information is obtained via an interface using an image analyzer (Luz) manufactured by Nireco Corporation.
ex3), analysis is performed, and the values calculated by the following equation are defined as shape factors SF-1 and SF-2.

[0057]

(Equation 1) (AREA: toner projection area, MXLNG: absolute maximum length, PERI: circumference) By using such substantially spherical toner particles, it is possible to always ensure the primary transfer efficiency of 95% or more.

As the two-component carrier, a mixture of the above polymerized toner and a resin magnetic carrier is used. T of developer
The / D ratio is preferably from 3 to 10% by mass.

The polishing means of the present invention is provided in the rotary developing device. The polishing means is not particularly limited as long as it can polish the photoreceptor surface so that a filming film is not formed on the photoreceptor surface. Specifically, the elastic roller 39 as shown in FIG. , And a nonwoven fabric polishing roller 38 as shown in FIG.

As the elastic roller 39, for example, S
Urethane rubber, EPDM on a metal rod made of US, etc.
(Ethylene propylene diene monomer) or a porous resin of these foams is provided as a surface layer, and abrasive particles are dispersed in the surface layer.

It is preferable that abrasive particles are dispersed in the surface layer of the elastic roller 39 by 5 to 30% by mass.

The abrasive particles used for the elastic roller preferably have a Mohs hardness equal to or higher than the surface of the photosensitive drum. For example, aluminum oxide # 2000 (JIS R-6001)
Specific examples of other abrasive particles (hereinafter, numerical values in parentheses are Mohs hardness), diamond (15), boron carbide (14), silicon carbide (13), titanium carbide (13), Those having high Mohs hardness such as aluminum oxide (12), sapphire (12), ruby (12), corundum (12) and the like are preferable. In the present invention, a photoreceptor having a surface Mohs hardness of 5 or more is preferably used. Details will be described later.

The Mohs' hardness is determined by performing a scratch test (scratch test) on ten kinds of standard minerals and judging the order of the hardness based on whether or not the mineral is damaged. The size of the abrasive particles is preferably such that the surface of the photosensitive drum is not scratched when polished and becomes a mirror surface. The upper limit of the abrasive particle size is set so that the size of the flaw is sufficiently smaller than the image recognition size of several tens μm. According to this, the abrasive particle size is # 800 or more according to the standard of JIS R-6001. Are preferred.

When the elastic roller is used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
1.0 to 10.0 mN (100 to 1000 gf) pressure can be applied. The elastic roller 39 preferably rotates forward at a relative speed of 1.0 to 50%. The configuration of the nonwoven fabric polishing roller as the polishing means provided in the rotary developing device is as shown in FIG. 3.
It moves in the counter direction with respect to the m photoconductor. The nip width for the photoconductor is 6.0 mm. Examples of the nonwoven fabric include polyester resins, nylon resins, and the like, or a combination thereof. In the present invention, for example, a split fiber having a chrysanthemum-shaped cross section made of a polyester resin and a nylon resin (manufactured by Kanebo Co., Ltd.)
15g / m ² unidirectional fiber web made of Verima X)
And a cross lay web 60 g / m ² composed of the same split fibers are preferably used.

Further, the above-mentioned abrasive particles are added to the nonwoven fabric by 5 times.
A preferred form is to contain 含有 50%. It is a more preferable form to include aluminum oxide in the nonwoven fabric.

The polishing means according to the present invention comprises a photosensitive drum 10
It is preferable that the surface polishing rate per 00 rotations is 0.01 to 10 ° / 1000 rotations. If the surface polishing rate per 1000 rotations of the photosensitive drum is lower than 0.01 mm / 1000 rotations, image deletion will occur.
/ Undesirably, cleaning failure may occur.
On the other hand, if the rotation speed is higher than 10 ° / 1000 rotations, the life of the photoconductor may not be maintained, which is not preferable. More preferably, the rotation speed is 0.1 to 1 ° / 1000 revolutions. In order to set the surface polishing rate in the above range, the pressing force and the peripheral speed ratio of the polishing means may be appropriately adjusted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the one-component magnetic developing device for K toner contains, for example, a negative toner having the same polarity as that of the photosensitive drum 2, and the magnetic force of the magnet is changed to the magnetic pole N 1 on the surface of the developing sleeve 51. : 86mT (860 gauss), magnetic pole S1: 9
The magnetic pole S1 having a magnetic pole N2 of 75 mT (750 gauss), a magnetic pole S2 of 66 mT (660 gauss), and a magnetic pole S2 of 66 mT (660 gauss) is disposed facing the photosensitive drum 2 via the developing sleeve 51. , The magnetic pole N1 responsible for toner layer regulation,
It is arranged to face the regulating blade 52 via the developing sleeve 51. In the present invention, the closest distance between the developing sleeve 51 and the photosensitive drum 2 is preferably set to 150 to 300 μm, while the gap between the developing sleeve 51 and the regulating blade 52 is preferably set to 150 to 300 μm.

Further, the peripheral speed of the developing sleeve 51 is preferably 120 to 190% of the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 2. Further, as a developing bias applied to the developing sleeve 5 from a power supply (not shown), the peak-to-peak voltage Vpp = 1.0 to
2.0kV, frequency f = 1.0-2.0kHz and Duty = 20-50%
It is preferable to use a bias in which a DC voltage of 100 to 400 V is superimposed on the AC voltage.

The K toner is preferably a magnetic toner as described above. The magnetic toner has at least 0.2 to 20 parts by mass of a solid wax and 10 to 200 parts by mass of a magnetic substance with respect to 100 parts by mass of a binder resin having a glass transition temperature of 40 to 60 ° C.

Examples of the binder resin having a glass transition temperature of 40 to 60 ° C. include styrene-based styrene-acryl copolymers, styrene-butadiene copolymers, phenolic resins, polyesters, and the like.

The glass transition temperature (Tg) is measured according to ASTM D3418-82 using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC measuring apparatus) and DSC-7 (manufactured by PerkinElmer).

5 mg of a measurement sample is precisely weighed, placed in an aluminum pan, and measured at a temperature rising rate of 10 ° C./min in a temperature range of 30 to 200 ° C. using an empty aluminum pan as a reference. In this heating process, an endothermic peak of a main peak is obtained in a DSC curve in a temperature range of 40 to 100 ° C.

The intersection of the DSC curve with the line at the midpoint of the baseline before and after the endothermic peak appears at this time is defined as the glass transition temperature (Tg).

The magnetic toner of the present invention preferably has a weight average particle size of 6 to 8 μm.

Further, in the magnetic toner of the present invention, the ratio of the fine powder toner having a volume average particle diameter of 4 μm or less to the toner having a volume average particle diameter of 7 μm is 20% or less, and the coarse toner having a volume average particle diameter of 15 μm or more is used. The ratio of the toner is preferably 5% or less.

<2> Electrophotographic Photoconductor of the Present Invention The electrophotographic photoconductor of the present invention is preferably an amorphous silicon photoconductor.

The amorphous silicon-based photoreceptor is a non-single-crystal material having silicon atoms as a base material, that is, it mainly represents amorphous silicon, but partially contains microcrystals and polycrystals. And hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC: H) is also included.

Specifically, for example, an amorphous silicon photosensitive layer (photoconductive layer, charge injection blocking layer, etc.) having a thickness of 10 to 40 μm on a support such as aluminum by glow discharge or the like.
Is formed. Further, as a surface layer of the photosensitive drum, hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:
H) may be laminated in a thickness of 1,000 to 10,000Å. Further, as a surface layer of the amorphous silicon-based photoconductor, a-Si
C: Hydrogenated amorphous carbon (a-
C: H) has a low surface free energy,
It is preferable because physical properties of a filming film such as a corona product hardly adhere. The layer thickness of aC: H is preferably 100 to 3000 μm.

The amorphous silicon photoreceptor used in the present invention is obtained by a general manufacturing method, and the manufacturing method will be specifically described below. <Support> The support used in the present invention includes:
It may be conductive or electrically insulating. As the conductive support, Al, Cr, Mo, Au, In, Nb, Te,
Examples include metals such as V, Ti, Pt, Pd, and Fe, and alloys thereof, such as stainless steel. Further, at least the surface of the electrically insulating support such as polyester, polyethylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide or the like on the side on which a photosensitive layer is formed of an electrically insulating support such as glass, ceramic, etc. A support subjected to a conductive treatment can also be used.

The shape of the support used in the present invention may be a cylindrical or endless belt having a smooth surface or an uneven surface, and the thickness thereof is selected so as to form a desired electrophotographic photosensitive member. It is determined as appropriate, but when flexibility as an electrophotographic photosensitive member is required, it can be made as thin as possible within a range where the function as a support can be sufficiently exhibited. However, the thickness of the support is usually 10 μm or more from the viewpoints of production, handling, mechanical strength and the like.

In particular, when image recording is performed using coherent light such as laser light, the surface of the support is preferably used in order to more effectively eliminate image defects caused by so-called interference fringe patterns appearing in a visible image. Irregularities may be provided. The irregularities provided on the surface of the support are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,736.
No. 4,696,884; U.S. Pat.
It is prepared by a known method described in 705,733 and the like. Further, as another method of more effectively eliminating image defects due to interference fringe patterns when using coherent light such as laser light, a concave-convex shape formed by a plurality of spherical trace depressions may be provided on the surface of the support. . That is, the surface of the support has irregularities smaller than the resolution required for the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the irregularities are caused by a plurality of spherical trace depressions. The unevenness due to the plurality of spherical trace depressions provided on the surface of the support is produced by a known method described in US Pat. No. 4,735,883.

<Photoconductive Layer> In this example, the photoconductive layer formed on the support and constituting a part of the photosensitive layer is appropriately formed by a vacuum deposition film forming method so that desired characteristics can be obtained. Are produced by setting the numerical conditions of
Specifically, for example, a glow discharge method (an AC discharge CVD method such as a low-frequency CVD method, a high-frequency CVD method, or a microwave CVD method, or a DC discharge CVD method), a sputtering method, a vacuum deposition method, an ion plating method, Light C
It can be formed by various thin film deposition methods such as a VD method and a thermal CVD method. These thin film deposition methods are appropriately selected and adopted depending on factors such as manufacturing conditions, the degree of load under capital investment, the manufacturing scale, and the characteristics desired for the produced electrophotographic photoreceptor. The glow discharge method, especially in the RF band or VH
An F-band high-frequency glow discharge method is preferred. In order to form a photoconductive layer by a glow discharge method, a source gas for supplying Si that can supply silicon atoms (Si) and a source gas for supplying H that can supply hydrogen atoms (H) or /
And a source gas for X supply capable of supplying a halogen atom (X) is introduced in a desired gas state into a reaction vessel in which the inside can be reduced in pressure, thereby causing a glow discharge in the reaction vessel;
A layer made of a-Si: H, X may be formed on a predetermined support previously set at a predetermined position.

It is necessary that the photoconductive layer contains hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms, which compensates for dangling bonds of silicon atoms and improves the quality of the layer, in particular, photoconductivity and charge retention. This is because it is indispensable to improve the characteristics. Therefore, the content of the hydrogen atom or the halogen atom, or the sum of the hydrogen atom and the halogen atom is preferably 25 to 40 atom%, more preferably 30 to 35 atom%, based on the sum of the silicon atom and the hydrogen atom and / or the halogen atom. It is desirable to be. S used in the present invention
Substances that can be i supply gas include SiH ₄ , Si ₂
Silicon hydrides (silanes) in a gas state such as H ₆ , Si ₃ H ₈ , and Si ₄ H ₁₀ or capable of being gasified can be used effectively.
SiH _4, Si ₂ H ₆ in terms of the goodness of Si supply efficiency may be mentioned as preferred. Then, hydrogen atoms are structurally introduced into the formed photoconductive layer, and the control of the introduction ratio of hydrogen atoms is further facilitated. It is necessary to form a layer by further mixing a desired amount of H ₂ and / or He or a silicon compound gas containing a hydrogen atom with the above gas. Further, each gas is not limited to a single species, and a plurality of species may be mixed at a predetermined mixture ratio.

Halogen progeny used in the present invention
For example, halogen gas is effective as a feed gas.
, Halides, interhalogen compounds including halogens,
Gaseous or silane derivatives substituted with halogen
Is preferably a gaseous halogen compound.
Furthermore, silicon atoms and halogen atoms are constituent elements.
Gaseous or gasifiable water containing halogen atoms
Silicon iodides can also be mentioned as effective ones.
You. A halogen compound which can be suitably used in the present invention;
Specifically, specifically, fluorine gas (F_Two), BrF, Cl
F, ClF_Three, BrF _Three, BrF_Five, IF_Three, IF₇Such as
Interhalogen compounds can be mentioned. Halogen atom
A silicon compound containing, substituted by a so-called halogen atom
As the silane derivative, specifically, for example, Si
F_Four, Si_TwoF_ThreeAnd the like are preferred.
I can do it. Hydrogen atoms contained in the photoconductive layer
Or / and the amount of halogen atoms can be controlled, for example,
The temperature of the support, hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms
Introduce the raw materials used to be contained into the reaction vessel
What is necessary is just to control the input amount, discharge power, and the like.

In the present invention, the photoconductive layer preferably contains atoms for controlling the conductivity as necessary. The atoms that control the conductivity may be contained in the photoconductive layer in a uniformly distributed state, or may be present in the layer thickness direction in a non-uniform distribution state. Good. Examples of the atom for controlling the conductivity include a so-called impurity in the field of semiconductors, and an atom belonging to Group IIIb (Group 13) of the Periodic Table that gives p-type conduction characteristics (hereinafter referred to as “Group IIIb atom”). Abbreviated) or n
An atom belonging to Group Vb (Group 15) of the Periodic Table that gives the type conduction characteristics (hereinafter abbreviated as “Vb group atom”) can be used. As the group IIIb atom, specifically, boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga),
There are indium (In) and thallium (Tl), and B, Al, and Ga are particularly preferable. Specific examples of group Vb atoms include phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), and bismuth (Bi). In particular, P and As
Is preferred. The content of atoms for controlling the conductivity contained in the photoconductive layer is preferably 1 × 10 ^-2 to 1 × 10 ² atomic ppm, more preferably 5 × 10 ^-2 to 50 atomic ppm, and optimally 1
It is desirable that the concentration be from × 10 ^-2 to 1 × 10 atomic ppm. Atoms controlling conductivity, for example, Group IIIb atoms or V
In order to introduce a group b atom structurally, it is necessary to add a group II
The raw material for introducing a group Ib atom or the raw material for introducing a group Vb atom may be introduced in a gaseous state into the reaction vessel together with another gas for forming a photoconductive layer. No.
As a raw material for introducing a Group IIIb atom or a raw material for introducing a Group Vb atom, a material which is gaseous at normal temperature and normal pressure or which can be easily gasified at least under layer forming conditions is used. Is desirable.

Raw materials for introducing group IIIb atoms
More specifically, for boron atom introduction, B
_TwoH₆, B_FourH_Ten, B_FiveH₉, B_FiveH₁₁, B₆H_Ten, B₆H₁₂,
B₆H₁₄Such as boron hydride, BF_Three, BCl_Three, BBr_ThreeWhat
Any boron halide and the like can be mentioned. In addition, AlC
l_Three, GaCl_Three, Ga (CH_Three)_Three, InCl_Three, TIC
l_ThreeAnd so on. For introducing group Vb atoms
Effectively used as raw materials are for introducing phosphorus atoms.
Then, PH_Three, P_TwoH_FourPhosphorus hydride, PH_FourI, PF
_Three, PF_Five, PCl_Three, PCl_Five, PBr_Three, PBr_Five, PI
_ThreeAnd the like. In addition, AsH_Three,
AsF_Three, AsCl_Three, AsBr_Three, AsF _Five, SbH_Three,
SbF_Three, SbF_Five, SbCl_Three, SbCl_Five, BiH_Three,
BiCl_Three, BiBr_ThreeAlso departure for introducing group Vb atoms
It can be cited as an effective substance. Also,
Require raw materials for atom introduction to control their conductivity
H accordingly_TwoAnd / or diluted with He for use
Is also good. Furthermore, in the present invention, a carbon source is added to the photoconductive layer.
Selected from the group consisting of oxygen, oxygen and nitrogen
It is also effective to contain at least one kind of atom.
Select from the group consisting of carbon, oxygen and nitrogen atoms
The atomic content of silicon atoms, carbon atoms, oxygen
Preferably 1 × 10^-Four~Ten
Atomic%, more preferably 1 × 10^-3~ 5 atomic%, optimally 1
× 10^-2~ 1 atomic% is desirable. Carbon atom, oxygen atom and
Atoms selected from the group consisting of
It may be contained evenly and uniformly in the photoconductive layer.
Non-uniform distribution such that the content changes in the thickness direction
There may be parts.

In the present invention, the thickness of the photoconductive layer is appropriately determined as desired from the viewpoint of obtaining desired electrophotographic characteristics and economic effects, and is preferably 20 to 50.
μm, more preferably 23 to 45 μm, and most preferably 25 to 40 μm. Considering that when the layer thickness is less than 20 μm, electrophotographic characteristics such as charging ability and sensitivity become practically insufficient, and when the thickness is more than 50 μm, the production time of the photoconductive layer becomes longer and the production cost becomes higher. It was done.

To form a photoconductive layer having desired film characteristics, the flow rate of the Si supply gas, the mixing ratio of the Si supply gas and the diluent gas, the gas pressure in the reaction vessel, the discharge power and the temperature of the support Must be set appropriately. An optimum range of the flow rate of the Si supply gas is appropriately selected according to the layer design. The ratio (X / Z) of the flow rate (X) of the Si supply gas and the discharge space volume (Z) is preferably 1 ×. 10 ^-3 to 1 × 10
⁻² [sccm / cm ³ ], more preferably 3 × 10 ^{−3 to} 5 × 10 ⁻² [sc
cm / cm ³ ]. Similarly, the flow rate of H ₂ and / or He used as the diluent gas is also appropriately selected in accordance with the layer design, but the H ₂ and / or He is usually 5 to 30 times the Si supply gas. It is desirable to control it within the range of preferably 8 to 25 times, and most preferably 10 to 20 times. Similarly, the optimum range of the gas pressure in the reaction vessel is appropriately selected according to the layer design.
3 × 10 ^{-2 to} 1.3 × 10 ³ [Pa], preferably 6.7 × 10 ^{-2 to} 6.
7 × 10 ² [Pa], optimally 1.3 × 10 ^{-1 to} 1.3 × 10 ² [P
a]. Similarly, the optimum range of the discharge power is also appropriately selected according to the layer design. 3 × 10 ^{-4 to} 7 × 10 ^-4
[W / cm ³ · sccm], optimally 4 × 10 ^{-4 to} 6 × 10 ^-4 [W / cm ³ · sc
cm].

Further, the temperature of the support is appropriately selected in an optimum range according to the layer design.
It is desirable that the temperature be 250 to 300 ° C. In the present invention, the above-mentioned range is mentioned as a desirable numerical range of the temperature of the support and the gas pressure for forming the photoconductive layer. However, the conditions are usually not independently determined separately, and the desired properties are not necessarily determined. It is desirable to determine the optimum value based on mutual and organic relevance to form a photoreceptor having

<Surface Layer> In the present invention, it is preferable to further form an amorphous silicon-based surface layer on the photoconductive layer formed on the support as described above. This surface layer has a free surface, and is provided to achieve the object of the present invention mainly in moisture resistance, continuous repeated use characteristics, electrical pressure resistance, use environment characteristics, and durability. Further, since each of the amorphous material forming the photoconductive layer and the amorphous material forming the surface layer has a common component of silicon atoms, sufficient chemical stability can be ensured at the lamination interface. Has been done. The surface layer can be made of any material as long as it is an amorphous silicon material. For example, amorphous silicon containing hydrogen atoms (H) and / or halogen atoms (X) and further containing carbon atoms (hereinafter referred to as amorphous silicon) Amorphous silicon containing a hydrogen atom (H) and / or a halogen atom (X) and further containing an oxygen atom (hereinafter referred to as “a-SiO: H, X”). Amorphous silicon containing a hydrogen atom (H) and / or a halogen atom (X) and further containing a nitrogen atom (hereinafter referred to as “a-SiN: H, X”); and a hydrogen atom ( H) and / or a halogen atom (X) and further contains at least one atom selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom, an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom. Fass silicon (hereinafter referred to as "a-SiCO
N: H, X "). The surface layer is manufactured by a method of forming a vacuum deposited film by appropriately setting numerical conditions of film forming parameters so as to obtain desired characteristics. Specifically, for example, a glow discharge method (a low-frequency CVD method, a high-frequency CVD method,
AC discharge CVD method such as VD method, or DC discharge CV
D method), a sputtering method, a vacuum evaporation method, an ion plating method, an optical CVD method, a thermal CVD method, and other various thin film deposition methods. These thin film deposition methods are appropriately selected and adopted depending on factors such as the manufacturing conditions, the degree of load under capital investment, the manufacturing scale, and the characteristics desired for the manufactured electrophotographic photoreceptor. It is preferable to use a deposition method equivalent to that of the photoconductive layer from the viewpoint of properties. For example, a-SiC: H,
In order to form the surface layer of X, a source gas for supplying Si that can supply silicon atoms (Si), a source gas for supplying C that can supply carbon atoms (C), and a hydrogen atom A source gas for supplying H that can supply (H) and / or a source gas for supplying X that can supply a halogen atom (X) are introduced in a desired gas state into a reaction vessel capable of reducing the pressure inside. Then, a glow discharge is generated in the reaction vessel, and a layer made of a-SiC: H, X may be formed on a support on which a photoconductive layer has been previously set at a predetermined position.

In the present invention, it is necessary for the surface layer to contain hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms, which compensates for dangling bonds of silicon atoms and improves the quality of the layer. It is indispensable in order to improve the properties and charge retention properties. The hydrogen content is usually 30 to 70 atomic%, preferably 35 to 70 atomic%, based on the total amount of the constituent atoms.
Desirably, it is about 65 at%, optimally 40 to 60 at%.

The hydrogen content in the surface layer can be controlled by the flow ratio of the raw material gas, the temperature of the support, the discharge power, the gas pressure and the like. Further, by controlling the fluorine content in the surface layer to a range of 0.01 atomic% or more, it becomes possible to more effectively achieve the generation of the bond between silicon atoms and carbon atoms in the surface layer.

The substance which can be a silicon (Si) supply gas used in the formation of the surface layer in this embodiment is a gas such as SiH ₄ , Si ₂ H ₆ , Si ₃ H ₈ , Si ₄ H _10. Or gasified silicon hydride (silanes)
Are effectively used, and furthermore, Si is advantageous in terms of ease of handling at the time of forming a layer, and high Si supply efficiency.
H ₄ and Si ₂ H ₆ are preferred. In addition, these source gases for supplying Si may be diluted with a gas such as H ₂ , He, Ar, or Ne as necessary. Substances that can serve as carbon supply gas include:
CH ₄ , C ₂ H ₂ , C ₂ H ₆ , C ₃ H ₈ , C ₄ H ₁₀ and other gaseous or gasifiable hydrocarbons are effectively used. Ease of handling,
CH ₄ , C ₂ H ₂ , C ₂ H ₆
Are preferred. In addition, these source gases for supplying C may be replaced with H ₂ , He, Ar, Ne, if necessary.
It may be used after being diluted with such a gas. Substances that can serve as nitrogen or oxygen supply gas include NH ₃ , N
Compounds in the gaseous state or gasifiable compounds such as O, N ₂ O, NO ₂ , O ₂ , CO, CO ₂ , N ₂ are mentioned as those which can be effectively used. These nitrogen and oxygen supply source gases may be diluted with a gas such as H ₂ , He, Ar, or Ne as necessary.

In order to make it easier to control the introduction ratio of hydrogen atoms introduced into the surface layer to be formed, hydrogen gas or a silicon compound gas containing hydrogen atoms may be added to these gases. It is preferable to form a layer by mixing a desired amount. In order to control the amount of hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms contained in the surface layer, for example, the temperature of the support, the raw material used for containing hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms, and the like are introduced into a reaction vessel. The amount to be introduced, the discharge power, etc. may be controlled. An atom selected from the group consisting of a carbon atom, an oxygen atom and a nitrogen atom is
The surface layer may be evenly and uniformly contained, or there may be a portion having a non-uniform distribution such that the content changes in the thickness direction of the surface layer. Further, in the present invention,
It is preferable that the surface layer contains atoms for controlling conductivity as necessary. The atoms controlling the conductivity may be contained in a state uniformly distributed in the surface layer, or there may be a part containing the atoms in a non-uniform distribution state in the layer thickness direction. . Examples of the atoms for controlling the conductivity include so-called impurities in the semiconductor field described for the photoconductive layer.

Atoms controlling conductivity contained in the surface layer
Is preferably 1 × 10^-3~ 1 × 10^ThreeAtom pp
m, more preferably 1 × 10^-2~ 5 × 10^TwoAtomic ppm, optimally 1
× 10^{- 1}~ 1 × 10^TwoDesirably, it is atomic ppm. Conductivity
Atoms controlling, for example, Group IIIb atoms or
In order to structurally introduce a Vb group atom, a
IIIb source material or group Vb atom introduction
The surface layer is formed in the reaction vessel in the gaseous state
What is necessary is just to introduce with another gas for forming. No.
IIIb group material or group Vb atom introduction
As a raw material to be used, the description has been given for the photoconductive layer.
Can be appropriately selected and used. Also, these
Raw material for atom introduction to control conductivity as required
H_TwoDiluted with gases such as He, Ar, Ne
May be.

The thickness of the surface layer in this embodiment is as follows.
Usually 0.01-3 μm, preferably 0.05-2 μm, optimally 0.1-1
It is desirable to be set to μm. If the layer thickness is less than 0.01 μm, the surface layer is lost due to abrasion or the like during use of the photoreceptor, and if it exceeds 3 μm, the electrophotographic properties such as an increase in residual potential are reduced. The surface layer is carefully formed to give its required properties as desired. That is, Si (silicon), C (carbon),
A substance containing an atom selected from N (nitrogen) and O (oxygen) and H and / or X structurally takes a form from crystalline to amorphous depending on its formation conditions, and has an electrical property. In general, it shows properties between conductivity, semiconductivity, and insulation, and properties between photoconductive properties and non-photoconductive properties. The formation conditions are strictly selected as desired so that a compound having the following characteristics is formed. For example, in order to provide the surface layer mainly for the purpose of improving the pressure resistance, it is preferable that the surface layer be made of a non-single-crystal material having a remarkable electric insulating property in a use environment. Further, when a surface layer is provided for the purpose of mainly improving continuous repetitive use characteristics and use environment characteristics, the degree of the above-described electrical insulation is alleviated to some extent, and the non-conductive layer has a certain sensitivity to irradiated light. Formed as a single crystal material.

Tables having characteristics that can achieve the object of the present invention
To form the surface layer, the temperature of the support, the gas in the reaction vessel
The pressure needs to be set appropriately as desired. support
The body temperature (Ts) can be set to an optimal range according to the layer design.
Is selected, but usually, preferably 200 to 350 ° C.,
More preferably 230-330 ° C, optimally 250-310 ° C
It is desirable. The gas pressure inside the reactor is also designed in layers.
Therefore, the optimal range is selected as appropriate, but in the normal case 1.3
× 10^-2~ 1.3 × 10^Three[Pa], preferably 6.7 × 10 ^-2~ 6.7
× 10^Two[Pa], optimally 1.3 × 10^-1~ 1.3 × 10^Two[Pa]
It is preferred that In the present invention, a surface layer is formed
The temperature range of the support and the gas pressure
The conditions are usually independent of each other.
It is not determined separately, but has the desired characteristics.
Based on mutual and organic relationships to form optical bodies
It is desirable to determine an appropriate value. Further, in the present invention,
Between the photoconductive layer and the surface layer, carbon atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen
Surface layer to determine the content of atoms selected from the group consisting of elemental atoms
Providing a reduced blocking layer (lower surface layer)
Both are effective for further improving the characteristics such as charging ability.
is there. Also, between the surface layer and the photoconductive layer, carbon atoms and oxygen
Containing atoms selected from the group consisting of atoms and nitrogen atoms
The area where the amount changes so as to decrease towards the photoconductive layer
It may be provided. This improves the adhesion between the surface layer and the photoconductive layer.
To reduce the effects of interference due to light reflection at the interface.
Can be eliminated.

<Charge Injection Blocking Layer> In the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention, the charge injection blocking function of preventing charge injection from the conductive support side between the conductive support and the photoconductive layer. Providing a layer is more effective. That is,
The charge injection blocking layer has a function of preventing charge from being injected from the support side to the photoconductive layer side when the photosensitive layer is subjected to charging treatment of a fixed polarity on its free surface. Such a function is not exerted when it is received, that is, it has a so-called polarity dependency. In order to provide such a function, the charge injection blocking layer contains a relatively large number of atoms for controlling conductivity as compared with the photoconductive layer. The atoms that control the conductivity contained in the layer may be uniformly distributed in the layer, or may be uniformly distributed in the layer thickness direction, but may be unevenly distributed. There may be a part contained in the state where it is used. When the distribution concentration is non-uniform, it is preferable that the compound be contained so as to be distributed more on the support side.
However, in any case, it is necessary to uniformly contain the particles in a direction in a plane parallel to the surface of the support with a uniform distribution in order to make the characteristics in the direction in the plane uniform.

The atoms for controlling the conductivity contained in the charge injection blocking layer include the above-mentioned impurities. In the present embodiment, the content of atoms for controlling the conductivity contained in the charge injection blocking layer is preferably 10 to
It is desirable that the concentration be 1 × 10 ⁴ atomic ppm, more preferably 50 to 5 × 10 ³ atomic ppm, and most preferably 1 × 10 ^{2 to} 3 × 10 ³ atomic ppm.
Furthermore, by including at least one of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms, and oxygen atoms in the charge injection blocking layer, the adhesion between the charge injection blocking layer and another layer provided in direct contact with the charge injection blocking layer can be improved. I can do even more. At least one atom selected from the group consisting of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms contained in the layer may be uniformly distributed in the layer, or may be uniformly distributed in the layer thickness direction. Although it is contained without, there may be a part which is contained in a state of being non-uniformly distributed. However, in any case, it is necessary to uniformly contain the particles in a direction in a plane parallel to the surface of the support with a uniform distribution in order to make the characteristics in the direction in the plane uniform.

In the present invention, the content of at least one atom selected from the group consisting of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and oxygen atoms contained in the entire layer region of the charge injection blocking layer is as follows:
The amount is appropriately determined so as to effectively achieve the object of the present invention. However, in the case of one kind, the amount is preferably 1 × 10 ⁻³ to 50 atom%, and in the case of two or more kinds, the amount is more preferably. Preferably 5 × 10 ⁻³ to 30 atomic%, optimally 1 × 10 ⁻² to 10 atomic%
It is desirable to be. In addition, the hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms contained in the charge injection blocking layer in the present invention compensate for dangling bonds existing in the layer, and are effective in improving the film quality. The content of hydrogen atoms or halogen atoms or the sum of hydrogen atoms and halogen atoms in the charge injection blocking layer is
Preferably, it is 1 to 50 at%, more preferably 5 to 40 at%, and most preferably 10 to 30 at%. In the present invention, the thickness of the charge injection blocking layer is preferably 0.
1-5 μm, more preferably 0.3-4 μm, optimally 0.5-3 μm
m is desirable. When the layer thickness is less than 0.1 μm, the ability to stop injection of electric charge from the support becomes insufficient and sufficient charging ability cannot be obtained.Even if the thickness is more than 5 μm, there is no improvement in electrophotographic properties, and This only increases the manufacturing cost due to the extension.

In the present invention, a charge injection blocking layer is formed.
Vacuum deposition similar to the method of forming the photoconductive layer described above.
The law is adopted. Has characteristics that can achieve the object of the present invention
To form a charge injection blocking layer, like the photoconductive layer,
Mixing ratio of Si supply gas and diluent gas,
Set the gas pressure, discharge power and the temperature of the support appropriately
It is necessary. H as a dilution gas_TwoAnd / or
The optimal flow rate of He flow is appropriately selected according to the layer design.
However, H_TwoAnd / or H
e, usually 1 to 20 times, preferably 3 to 15 times,
Optimally, it is desirable to control it in the range of 5 to 10 times.
Similarly, the gas pressure in the reaction vessel should be appropriately minimized according to the layer design.
Suitable range is selected, but usually 1.3 × 10^-2~ 1.3 × 10
^Three[Pa], preferably 6.7 × 10^-2~ 6.7 × 10^Two[Pa],
1.3 × 10 optimally^-1~ 1.3 × 10^Two[Pa] is preferred.
New Similarly, the discharge power is also appropriately optimized according to the layer design.
An appropriate range is selected, but the flow rate (X) of the Si supply gas
Of input power density (Y) to discharge space with respect to (Y / X)
Is usually 3 × 10^-Five~ 4 × 10^-Four[W / cm^Three・ Sccm], preferred
Or 6 × 10^-Five~ 3 × 10^-Four[W / cm^Three・ Sccm], optimally 1 × 1
0^-Four~ 3 × 10^-Four[W / cm ^Three・ Sccm]
Good. Furthermore, the temperature of the support depends on the layer design
The optimal range is appropriately selected, but in the normal case, preferably
200-350 ° C, more preferably 230-330 ° C, optimally 250
It is desirably set to ~ 310 ° C.

In the present invention, the desirable ranges of the mixing ratio of the diluent gas, the gas pressure, the discharge power, and the temperature of the support for forming the charge injection blocking layer include the above-mentioned ranges. Is usually not independently determined separately, but it is desirable to determine an optimum value of each layer forming factor based on mutual and organic relations in order to form a surface layer having desired properties. In addition to the above, in the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention, a layer containing at least aluminum atoms, silicon atoms, hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms in a non-uniform distribution state in the layer thickness direction is provided on the support side of the photosensitive layer. It is desirable to have a region. In the electrophotographic photoreceptor of the present invention, for the purpose of further improving the adhesion between the support and the photoconductive layer or the charge injection blocking layer, for example, Si ₃ N ₄ , SiO 2
₂ , an adhesion layer composed of an amorphous material or the like containing SiO or silicon atoms as a base and containing hydrogen atoms and / or halogen atoms and atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms May be provided. Further, a light absorbing layer for preventing an interference pattern from being generated by light reflected from the support may be provided.

[0103]

The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to examples. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples. Note that the physical properties measured in the examples were measured by the same methods as those described in the embodiments. <Manufacture of Developer> (1) Two-Component Developer for Full Color First, in this example, the following two-component developer used for full-color image formation was used. [Production method of cyan toner] 710 parts by mass of ion-exchanged water
Add 450 parts by mass of 0.1 mol / l-Na ₃ PO ₄ aqueous solution, and add
After heating to ° C, the mixture was stirred at 1300 rpm using a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo). 1.0mol / l
68 parts by mass of a CaCl ₂ aqueous solution are gradually added, and Ca ₃
An aqueous medium containing (PO ₄ ) _{2 and} having a pH of 6 was obtained. 160 parts by mass of styrene 34 parts by mass of n-butyl acrylate 12 parts by mass of copper phthalocyanine pigment 2 parts by mass of aluminum ditertiary butyl salicylate compound 10 parts by mass of saturated polyester (acid value 10 mg KOH / g, peak molecular weight 8500) Monoester 20 parts by mass of wax (Mw: 500, Mn: 400, Mw / Mn: 1.25, melting point: 69 ° C, viscosity: 6.5 mPa · s, Vickers hardness: 1.1, SP value: 8.6) The above material was heated to 60 ° C. Then, using a TK homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kika Kogyo Co., Ltd.), the mixture was uniformly dissolved and dispersed at 12000 rpm. In this, 10 parts by mass of a polymerization initiator 2,2'-azobis (2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) was dissolved to prepare a polymerizable monomer composition. The polymerizable monomer composition was put into the aqueous medium, and the mixture was stirred at 60 ° C. under a N ₂ atmosphere at 10,000 rpm for 10 minutes using a Clare mixer (manufactured by M Technique Co., Ltd.). Granulated. Thereafter, the temperature of the aqueous medium was raised at 80 ° C. while stirring with a paddle stirring blade, and the pH was adjusted to 6
The polymerization reaction was carried out for 10 hours while maintaining the temperature.

After the completion of the polymerization reaction, the mixture was cooled, hydrochloric acid was added to adjust the pH to 2 to dissolve calcium phosphate, and then filtered, washed with water and dried to obtain polymer particles (cyan toner particles).
I got The obtained toner particles contained 8.4 parts by mass of the monoester wax per 100 parts by mass of the binder resin. Further, a core-shell structure in which the wax was encapsulated in the outer shell resin layer was confirmed by a tomography method of the polymer particles using a transmission electron microscope (TEM).

The obtained toner particles had a weight average particle diameter of 7 μm.
Negatively-charged toner particles having a shape factor SF-1 of 11
5. A substantially spherical toner having a smooth surface of SF-2 of 110. In addition, the number average particle diameter is 20 nm with respect to the toner particles.
Each of the toners was obtained by using 1% by mass of titanium oxide externally added. The specific gravity of the toner was 1.05 g / cm ³ , and the average charge per unit mass was 25 μC / g.

The average charge amount was measured using a suction Faraday gauge. [Production method of magenta toner, yellow toner and black toner] Production of cyan toner except that quinacridone pigment, yellow pigment and carbon black are used instead of the copper phthalocyanine pigment used in the production method of cyan toner described above. Magenta toner, yellow toner, and black toner were produced in the same manner as in the above method.

As the carrier, the saturation magnetization is 20500 kA / m ²
(205 emu / cm ³ ) with an average particle size of 35 μm and a specific resistance of 10 ¹³
A magnetic carrier of Ω · cm was used. Each toner (T) was mixed with a carrier so that the toner concentration ([T / D] × 100) in the developer (D) was 8% by mass, and used as each developer.

(2) Monochromatic One-Component Developer A monochrome magnetic toner was manufactured using the following raw materials. [Method of manufacturing magnetic toner] 100 parts by mass of resin obtained by mixing a polyester resin and a vinyl copolymer 90 parts by mass of magnetic iron oxide (silicon content: 1.5% by mass, average particle size: 0.2 μm, Hc: 9.5 kA) / m, σs: 65m ² / kg, σr: 7Am ² / kg) ・ 2 parts by mass of organic zirconium compound ・ 5 parts by mass of paraffin wax After premixing the above materials with a Henschel mixer, 130
The mixture was melt-kneaded by a twin-screw kneading extruder (PCM-30, manufactured by Ikegai Iron Works) set to ° C. The obtained kneaded material was cooled, coarsely pulverized by a cutter mill, pulverized by a fine pulverizer using a jet stream, and the obtained finely pulverized powder was classified using a multi-part classifier utilizing Coanda effect. Thus, magnetic toner particles having a weight average particle diameter of 7.5 μm were obtained. Based on 100 parts by mass of the obtained magnetic toner particles, methanol wettability 65% hydrophobically treated with 20 parts by mass of hexamethyldisilazane per 100 parts by mass of silica fine powder, BET specific surface area 260 m ² /
g of hydrophobic silica fine powder (0.9 parts by mass) and strontium titanate fine powder (4.0 parts by mass) were externally added and mixed with a Henschel mixer to prepare a magnetic toner.

[0109]

Example 1 In this example, image deletion, occurrence of a filming layer, and the like were evaluated using the above-described developer in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 similar to that of the above-described embodiment.

The electrophotographic photosensitive member is a negatively charged amorphous silicon photosensitive member.
An amorphous silicon photosensitive layer having a thickness of 30 μm was formed on an aluminum cylinder having a thickness of about 3 mm by glow discharge or the like, and the surface layer was formed by stacking 8000 ° of SiC: H. The surface potential V of the photosensitive drum 2 is applied to the developing sleeves 35 a to 35 c of the developing devices 32 to 34 of the rotary developing device 30.
d: -450V, Vl: -50V, DC voltage is -300
V, Vpp: 1500 V and Vf: 2000 Hz are applied as AC voltages.

The developing sleeves 35a to 35c were disposed at a peripheral speed of 450 mm / sec in the counter direction with respect to a peripheral speed of the photosensitive member of 300 mm / sec. Note that the maximum image width in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is about 320 mm corresponding to A4 width + Nobi.

The cleaning blade 62 of the cleaning device 60 is an elastic blade mainly composed of urethane and has a hardness.
70 ° (Hs), rebound resilience 15 (%) (rebound resilience at 40 ° C 25%), 300% modulus 200 (kg / cm ² )
(According to IS standard), contact angle 24 °, contact pressure 20
(G / cm). The cleaning blade 62 has a plate thickness of 2 mm and a member 20cSUS (plate thickness 1.0 mm).
mm) is provided as a back plate. The free length of the cleaning blade is 3 mm.

In the cleaning container 60, upstream of the cleaning blade 62 (upstream with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1), a magnet roller 63 is provided with a 10 mm gap between the magnetic roller 63 and the photosensitive drum 2 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. Is formed and provided. The magnet roller 63 rubs the photoconductor surface by rotating at a peripheral speed of 10% relative speed in a forward direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photoconductor 2.

The elastic roller 39 serving as a polishing means disposed in the rotary developing device 30 has an outer diameter of 20 mm and a diameter of 12 mm.
SUS metal rod and aluminum oxide # 2000 on it
(JIS R-6001) was provided with a urethane rubber containing 30% by mass.

In FIG. 1, when the elastic roller 39 is located in the developing area B, the direction of the photosensitive member A is 9.8 N
(1000 gf) pressure is applied by a spring (not shown). The elastic roller 39 is used for the photosensitive drum 2.
It rotates forward at a relative speed of 10%.

The elastic roller 39 and the photosensitive drum 2
The surface polishing rate per 1,000 revolutions was 1.0 °. The elastic roller was brought into contact with the photoreceptor for about 2 minutes during the so-called warm-up time in the morning when the main switch of the image forming apparatus was turned on, and for about 30 seconds during the post rotation of every 1000 sheets.

Using the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration, the durability of 3 million sheets was performed. As a result, no image deletion occurred even in an environment of high temperature and high humidity (32.5 ° C./85%) after durability. No problem such as chipping occurred at the edge of the cleaning blade.

Then, in the photosensitive drum 2 after the endurance,
The film thickness was measured using 5% sodium peroxodisulfate (Na ₂ S ₂ O).
₈ ) Heating (70 ° C-80 ° C, 30 minutes) in aqueous solution, ultrasonic cleaning (about 1 minute) in acetone, and reflection spectroscopy interferometer (Otsuka Electronics) before and after rinsing with ethanol / pure water (stock)
As a result, no filming layer was confirmed. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 2 is also 300
Even after the endurance of 10,000 sheets, there were no problems such as fusion, partial filming, and scratches on the image.

[0119]

Example 2 Evaluation was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the polishing means provided in the rotary developing device was a polishing member (38 in FIG. 3) using a nonwoven fabric.

The non-woven fabric is the same as the unidirectional fiber web 15 g / m ² made of a split fiber having a chrysanthemum cross section made of polyester resin and nylon resin (trade name: Verima X, manufactured by Kanebo Co., Ltd.). Crosslay web consisting of
It is obtained by laminating 60 g / m ² . This nonwoven has # 20
50% by mass of Si-C.

The polishing rate of the surface of the photosensitive member 2 per 1,000 revolutions of the polishing member 38 using the nonwoven fabric is 5.0 °.
Met. As a result, the high temperature and humidity (32.
No image deletion occurred even in an environment of 5 ° C./85%). No problem such as chipping occurred at the edge of the cleaning blade. In the photosensitive drum 2, no problem such as fusing, partial filming, or scratches on the image occurred at all even after the endurance of 3 million sheets.

[0122]

Example 3 Evaluation was performed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a photoconductor in which a-C: H (hydrogenated amorphous carbon) was laminated on the surface of the electrophotographic photoconductor at 1000 ° was used.

Amorphous carbon is made of conventional SiC:
It has been confirmed by our study that the coefficient of friction is smaller than that of the H surface layer.

The surface polishing rate in this example is 0.5 / 1000.
It was a spin.

Further, the coefficient of friction after running was small. It is presumed that filming is hardly formed because the surface free energy is smaller than that of SiC: H, so that organic substances such as ozone products and toner paper powder hardly adhere to and adhere to the surface of the photoreceptor.

The amount of wear was 0.05 ° / 1000 revolutions.
This is also presumed to be due to the fact that adhesive wear hardly occurs. In Example 3, no image deletion occurred even under an environment of high temperature and high humidity (32.5 ° C./85%) after the endurance of 3 million sheets. Also, no problems such as fusing, partial filming film formation, defective cleaning, and scratches on the image, such as fusing, occurred even after the durability of 3 million sheets. As described above, in all of Examples 1 to 3, image deletion did not occur even in an environment of high temperature and high humidity (32.5 ° C./85%) after durability of 3 million sheets.

Also, no problem such as chipping occurred at the edge of the cleaning blade.

Then, the photosensitive member was fused even after the durability of 3 million sheets,
There were no problems such as partial filming and scratches on the image.

[0129]

According to the present invention, even without a photoconductor heater,
A single-drum rotation that can maintain the photoreceptor surface state that does not cause image deletion and fusion, greatly improve the reliability of the image forming apparatus, and can respond to the breakthrough in productivity of the image forming apparatus It is intended to be a full-color image forming device of a developing device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of a rotary developing device unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of a rotary developing device unit according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 charger 2 photosensitive drum 3 pre-exposure 10 platen glass 11 platen lamp 12 CCD units 32, 33, 34 developing units 35a to 35c developing sleeves 36a to 36c regulating blades 37a to 37c developing container 38 polishing member 39 elastic roller 40 intermediate Transfer belt 42 Primary transfer roller 48 Secondary transfer roller 50 One-component magnetic developing device 51 Developing sleeve 52 Regulator blade 64 Fixing device 64a Fixing roller 64b Pressure roller 65 Discharge tray

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G03G 9/08 365 G03G 9/08 101 9/087 361 15/08 503 384 507 15/08 507L 21/10 21/00 310 316 318 318 F term (reference) 2H005 AA01 AA02 AA06 AA15 AA21 AB06 CA14 CA21 DA07 EA03 EA05 EA07 FA01 FA06 2H030 AD01 AD03 BB02 BB24 BB42 BB63 2H068 CA03 DA01 FB13 FC08 FC15 2H003 AD06 GA06 GB06 GB10 HA01 HA04 HA05 HA09 HA10 HC09 HD01 HD04 HD05 HD07 KD08 KD14 KG07 KG08 KH01 KH04 KH09 KJ02

Claims (10)

[Claims] An electrophotographic photoreceptor; a charging unit for applying a charge to an outer surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor; and an exposure for irradiating the charged electrophotographic photoreceptor with light to form an electrostatic latent image. Means, developing means for transferring a toner to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor to form a toner image, transfer means for transferring the toner image to a transfer material, and the photoreceptor A cleaning unit for removing residual toner on the surface, wherein the developing unit is a rotary developing device having a developing device in which at least two or more colors of toner are arranged for each color; An image forming apparatus, wherein the developing device is provided with a polishing means for polishing the surface of the photoreceptor. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said developing means has a one-component magnetic developing device in addition to said rotary developing device.
The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 3. The polishing means according to claim 1, wherein the polishing means comprises:
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a surface polishing rate per 1000 rotations is 0.01 to 10 [deg.] / 1000 rotations. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrophotographic photoreceptor is an amorphous silicon photoreceptor. 5. The toner of at least one color has a weight average particle size of 6 to 8 μm and a solid wax of 0.2 to 20 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of a binder resin having a glass transition temperature of 40 to 60 ° C.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the toner is a magnetic toner having at least 10 parts by mass and 10 to 200 parts by mass of a magnetic material. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cleaning unit has a cleaning member and a magnet, and forms a magnetic brush cleaner carrying the magnetic toner on a surface of the magnet. . 7. The developing device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one color toner is a non-magnetic toner, and the developing device provided with the toner is a two-component contact developing system. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 8. The non-magnetic toner has a weight average particle diameter of 6%.
1010 μm, and the shape factor SF-1 of the toner is 100-140.
8. An image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said toner has at least substantially spherical toner particles produced by a polymerization method in which SF-2 is in the range of 100 to 120. 9. The amorphous silicon-based photoconductor,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the surface is made of hydrogenated amorphous carbon (aC: H). 10. The polishing means according to claim 1, wherein said polishing means is a polishing rotary member in which polishing particles having Mohs hardness of 5 or more are dispersed in a surface layer made of a porous resin.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein