JP2011141376A - Method of manufacturing elastic roller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of manufacturing a high-quality elastic roller excellent in mass productivity that cleans a roller in order to remove a foreign substance, abrasive powder, cleaning liquid, or the like from the surface, end surface, and cored bar of the elastic roller, and suppresses an image failure caused by a cleaning failure. <P>SOLUTION: A cleaning method of the surface, end surface, and cored bar of the roller uses a supporting member of the elastic roller. The supporting member has a core/sheath structure, the core and sheath of the supporting member can reciprocate independently in the direction along the axis, the core supports the cored bar of the elastic roller, and the sheath is moved to cover the exposed part of the cored bar. After cleaning the surface, end surface, and cored bar of the roller, gas is sprayed to the part of the elastic roller where the peripheral surface of the cored bar is exposed through a gap opening over the whole circumference of the core and sheath of the supporting member having the core/sheath structure, and the exposed part of the cored bar is covered with the sheath. Then, gas is sprayed on the peripheral surface of the elastic layer by a ring head having an annular slit opened over the whole circumference at a distance having a predetermined interval to the peripheral surface of the supporting member and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the elastic roller. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an electrophotographic elastic roller (charging roller, developing roller, etc.) used in an electrophotographic apparatus using an electrophotographic process.

  An elastic roller having an elastic layer formed on the peripheral surface of a core metal used for a charging roller and a developing roller of an electrophotographic apparatus is processed in the manufacturing process such as polishing the surface of the elastic layer and cutting the end of the elastic layer. May be performed. When such processing is performed, a cleaning and drying process using a cleaning liquid is required in order to remove the abrasive powder and cut pieces. Here, Patent Document 1 describes a charging roller cleaning method in which an adhering matter adhering to the surface of the charging roller is washed with water, and then the adhering water is removed by blowing compressed air onto the surface. .

JP 2001-051481 A

However, the present inventors have clarified that the conventional cleaning and drying methods have the following problems. That is, the elastic roller normally has a form in which the elastic layer is not formed on the peripheral surfaces of both ends of the core metal, and the core metal peripheral surface is exposed. When a conventional cleaning and drying method is applied to such an elastic roller, the cleaning liquid may wrap around the end surface portion of the elastic layer and remain. The cleaning liquid remaining in this portion may flow on the surface of the elastic layer and contaminate the surface of the elastic layer when the elastic roller is subsequently conveyed. In addition, when compressed air is blown onto the end face to remove the cleaning liquid remaining on the end face of the elastic layer, the sprayed spray of the cleaning liquid adheres again to the surface of the elastic layer, and the surface of the elastic layer is soiled. There was a thing. In recent years, it has been demanded to improve the mass productivity by shortening the process time and automating the production line, and it is necessary to clean and dry the elastic roller reliably and efficiently. This is a very important issue for cost reduction.
Therefore, the present invention is provided with an elastic layer on the core metal and the peripheral surface of the core metal, and at both ends of the core metal, the elastic roller with the peripheral surface of the core metal exposed is reliably and efficiently provided. It is intended to provide a method for producing an elastic roller at low cost by performing cleaning and drying.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors have intensively studied, and in cleaning the roller surface, end face, and cored bar, the elastic roller support member has a core-sheath structure, and the support member The core and the sheath of the elastic roller are configured to be reciprocally movable in the direction along the axis independently of each other. The core of the elastic roller is supported by the core of the supporting member, and then the elastic roller is moved by moving the sheath of the supporting member. It was found to use a support member configured to cover the exposed portion of the core metal. After cleaning the roller surface, the end face, and the cored bar, gas is generated in the part where the peripheral surface of the cored bar of the elastic roller is exposed from the gap opened to the entire circumference of the core and the sheath of the support member having the core-sheath structure. After covering the exposed portion of the core of the elastic roller with the sheath of the support member, the entire circumference is opened at a distance that makes a predetermined distance from the peripheral surface of the support member and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the elastic roller. It was found that gas was blown to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer from the ring head having the annular slit. Furthermore, the elastic roller surface, in particular, the foreign matter on the end face and the cored bar, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. can be removed stably and reliably, and re-adhesion during cleaning can be prevented. The present invention has been completed by finding that it is possible to stably manufacture a high-quality elastic roller that suppresses image defects and is excellent in mass productivity.

  In the method for producing an elastic roller of the present invention, the elastic roller support member has a core-sheath structure, so that the elastic roller surface, in particular, foreign matter on the end face and the cored bar, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. can be stably and reliably removed. By removing and further covering the exposed portion of the core with the sheath of the support member, it is possible to prevent reattachment of foreign matters, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. during cleaning. In addition, by combining the blowing of gas from the gap between the core and the sheath of the supporting member having the core-sheath structure and the gas head from the ring head having the annular slit, it is possible to shorten the time. It is easy to automate the production line because it can be cleaned and is excellent in mass productivity. Then, it is possible to stably obtain a high-quality elastic roller that suppresses image defects due to poor cleaning and is excellent in mass productivity.

It is a schematic diagram of a supporting member (core-sheath structure). It is a schematic diagram of the manufacturing process (1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of manufacturing process (1) ', (2)', (3) ', and (4)' of this invention. 3 is a schematic diagram of a support member (core-sheath structure) A. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a support member (core-sheath structure) B. FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the method of spraying gas on a rubber roller from a ring head. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus. 6 is a schematic diagram of a support member C of Comparative Example 1. FIG. It is a schematic diagram of a compressed air blowing manufacturing apparatus.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with an example of a rubber roller (charging roller).
First, as a method for molding a rubber roller in which a rubber layer is provided on a mandrel, the following method may be mentioned.
-An injection molding method in which two cylindrical pieces concentrically holding a shaft metal core are assembled in a cylindrical mold, and a rubber roller is formed by curing the material by pouring and heating the rubber material;
-An extrusion method in which the rubber material is extruded into a tube shape, and then the core metal is covered with the tube-shaped rubber material, or the core metal and the rubber material are integrally extruded to form a cylindrical rubber roller;
・ Transfer molding method;
・ Press molding method.
Among these, extrusion molding that can shorten the production time is preferable. Regarding the method of heating the rubber roller, any method such as a hot stove, vulcanizing can, hot platen, far / near infrared, induction heating, etc. may be used, and a method of pressing while rotating on a heated cylindrical or planar member May be used. In some cases, dry grinding using a rotating grindstone may be performed to obtain a desired roller shape and roller surface roughness after heating. The polishing means is not particularly limited, and there is a so-called traverse method in which a grindstone moves and polishes, and a plunge method in which lump polishing is performed without moving by a wider grindstone. Here, the material used as the metal core of the rubber roller is preferably a stainless steel rod, a phosphor bronze rod, an aluminum rod, or a heat-resistant resin rod containing a steel material such as a nickel-plated SUM material. The rubber layer provided on the metal core is a conductive elastic layer, and specific examples of the polymer constituting this elastic layer are given below. Natural rubber, butadiene rubber, hydrin rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubber, fluorine rubber, chlorine rubber, thermoplastic elastomer, etc. Examples of the conductive powder dispersed in this polymer include carbons such as carbon black and conductive carbon, and metal powder, conductive fiber, semiconductive metal oxide powder such as tin oxide, and a mixture thereof. Either is fine.

  Next, the support member used for the manufacturing method of the rubber roller of this invention is demonstrated in detail. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a process of supporting one end of a rubber roller with a support member having a core-sheath structure. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a core bar of a rubber roller, 2 denotes an elastic layer of the rubber roller, 3 denotes a core of the support member, and 4 denotes a sheath of the support member. The support member according to the present invention has a sheath 4 and a core 3 accommodated inside the sheath 4 substantially coaxially with the sheath 4. The core 3 is configured to be reciprocally movable in a direction along the axis independently of the sheath 4. The core of the support member is positioned and fixed by supporting the core of the rubber roller. As a result, it is possible to support the rubber roller in a state where the cored bar is held by a transport hand (not shown). The core 3 is used for positioning the rubber roller by fixing the core 1 of the rubber roller to the reverse center or the peripheral surface of the core. Preferably, the sheath of the support member is designed so that the outer diameter of the rubber layer is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the sheath, and the exposed portion of the core of the rubber roller is partially moved by the movement of the sheath of the support member, or It covers everything. The outer diameter of the sheath of the support member is preferably within ± 2 mm with respect to the outer diameter of the rubber roller. By setting the outer diameter difference of the sheath of the support member within this range, it is possible to reduce the remaining of the cleaning liquid or the like on the end face of the rubber roller. As the material of the core and the sheath of the support member of the rubber roller, metals such as stainless steel, iron, aluminum, copper, and brass, and resins such as fluororesin, phenol resin, polycarbonate, polyethylene, and polystyrene can be used. The core and sheath of the support member are members that hold or support the core of the rubber roller, and considering that the core is not damaged, it is preferable to use a resin as the material.

  Here, steps (1) to (5) of the rubber roller manufacturing method (cleaning method) according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, 5 is an injection nozzle that injects water at a high pressure, and 6 is a compressed air nozzle that blows compressed air. First, in the step (1) of cleaning the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer, cleaning is performed by spraying water at a high pressure onto the peripheral surface of the core metal 1 and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer 2 of the rubber roller. To do. The spray nozzle 5 that sprays water at a high pressure can be moved in parallel with the axial direction of the rubber roller, and a plurality of spray nozzles 5 can be provided. When a plurality of injection nozzles 5 are provided, the injection nozzles 5 can be fixed without being moved. The direction of the injection nozzle 5 is preferably arranged so that the streamline (center axis) of water injected at a high pressure is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rubber roller. The pressure of water to be sprayed is preferably 1 to 10 MPa, and the distance from the spray nozzle to the rubber roller is preferably 10 to 100 mm. Examples of the water jetted at high pressure include ion exchange water, purified water, ultrapure water, alkali ion water, superreducible water, tap water, and well water. Further, it is preferable that the rubber roller is rotated while water is jetted at a high pressure, and the movement of the jet nozzle is temporarily stopped at the end of the elastic layer. The reason for rotating the rubber roller when jetting water at a high pressure is to apply water jetted uniformly at a high pressure to the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer. At the same time, there is an effect of draining water adhering to the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer by centrifugal force. As a method for gripping the rubber roller when water is jetted at a high pressure, there is a method in which the rubber roller is rotatable without being subjected to the pressure of water and grips the exposed portions of the metal cores at both ends. Examples of the gripping method include a reverse center, but are not particularly limited thereto.

  In the step (1), the cleaning method in which water is sprayed at a high pressure on the peripheral surface of the core 1 of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer 2 is shown. The method for cleaning the peripheral surface of the layer is not particularly limited to this. For example, a method of cleaning by applying a solvent while bringing a brush or sponge into contact with the peripheral surface of the core of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer, and the peripheral surface of the core of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer together with compressed air There is a method of spraying towards.

  After the step (1), the step (2) of supporting the rubber roller by moving the core of the support member in a direction approaching the rubber roller, and the step of blowing gas onto the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller (3 ). Furthermore, the step of moving the sheath of the support member in the direction approaching the elastic roller to cover the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core of the rubber roller (4), the step of blowing gas to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller (5 ) In this order. Here, the gas used in the step of blowing the gas in step (3) and step (5) is preferably a chemically inert and safe gas, and examples thereof include air and nitrogen gas. It is not limited to. Further, the gas temperature and humidity may be set arbitrarily. For example, the case where the compressed air is blown will be described. The compressed air is blown by arranging the compressed air nozzle so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction of the rubber roller while rotating the rubber roller. The compressed air nozzle may be movable with respect to the axial direction of the rubber roller. It is also possible to provide a plurality of compressed air nozzles. The pressure and flow rate of the compressed air may be arbitrarily adjusted and determined to a desired value, but the pressure is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 MPa, and the flow rate is preferably 10 to 1000 L / min. In order to prevent drainage and dust in the compressed air supply line, an air filter and a mist separator are preferably provided between the supply line and the compressed air nozzle.

  Next, FIG. 3 shows another manufacturing example. The step of supporting the rubber roller by moving the core of the support member in a direction approaching the rubber roller is defined as (1). Then, the process of washing | cleaning the surrounding surface of the metal core of a rubber roller, and also spraying gas is set to (2). Further, the step of moving the sheath of the support member in the direction approaching the rubber roller to cover the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core of the rubber roller (3) ′, cleaning the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller, and further gas The step of spraying is designated as (4) ′ and is manufactured in the order of this step. The steps (2) and (4) in FIG. 3 show a cleaning method in which water is injected at a high pressure, and a method in which compressed air is blown.

  As a method of blowing gas to the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller and the end surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller in the steps of FIGS. 2 and 3, all of the core and the sheath of the support member having the core-sheath structure are used. A method may be used in which gas is blown toward the peripheral surface of the core of the rubber roller from a gap opened around the periphery. In this case, since it becomes possible to blow gas on the peripheral surface of the metal core without rotating the rubber roller, the manufacturing apparatus can be simplified. Here, the schematic diagram of the structure of the supporting members A and B capable of blowing gas is shown in FIGS. Reference numeral 7 denotes a gas supply port, and 8 denotes a gap opened around the entire circumference of the core and the sheath. The gas supplied from the gas supply port is distributed to the circumferential gap between the core and the sheath, and is blown toward the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller through the gap opened to the entire circumference of the core and the sheath. As in the support member A, the gas is supplied from the center of the core and branched in several directions (four directions in FIG. 4) and distributed to the circumferential gap between the core and the sheath over the entire circumference of the core and the sheath. This is more preferable because the flow rate distribution from the opened gap becomes uniform. Further, the core and the sheath of the support member having the core-sheath structure must be arranged concentrically so that the gaps opened in the entire circumference of the core and the sheath are uniform. The blowing of the gas from the gap opened around the entire circumference of the core and the sheath may be started and stopped at any timing when the core is moved or when the sheath is moved. You can keep blowing. After moving the sheath of the support member, if there is a gap or a step between the elastic layer of the rubber roller and the sheath of the support member, if the gas continues to be blown, foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. Reattachment can be prevented. Further, the sheath of the support member may be stopped halfway while the gas is blown, or the moving speed of the sheath of the support member may be changed. Furthermore, the flow rate for blowing the gas may be increased or decreased in stages. The timing of gas blowing, adjustment of the flow rate of blowing, and the moving speed and moving position of the sheath are not particularly limited, but foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. on the rubber roller end face and core metal part are completely removed. It is good to decide. The gas pressure and flow rate are arbitrarily adjusted and determined to the desired value, and the gas flow rate is determined to the desired value by arbitrarily adjusting the size of the gap (opening width) opened around the entire circumference of the core and sheath. To do. The gas pressure is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 MPa, and the flow rate is preferably 10 to 1000 L / min. The gap (opening width) that is opened around the entire circumference of the core and the sheath of the support member is preferably 0.01 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

  In the method described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, as a method of blowing gas to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer, a predetermined distance is formed between the peripheral surface of the support member and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller. It is also possible to use a ring head having an annular slit opened on the entire circumference. In this case, since the gas can be blown to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer without rotating the rubber roller, the manufacturing apparatus can be simplified. Here, FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a method of blowing gas from the ring head having an annular slit to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller. 9 is a ring head having an annular slit, 10 is an outlet of an annular slit opened to the entire circumference, 11 is a gas supply port, 12 is a distribution chamber, and 13 is a throttle portion. The gas introduced from the gas supply means (not shown) into the distribution chamber 12 of the ring head is moved from the annular slit 10 to the rubber roller while the rubber roller and the ring head are relatively moved at a predetermined speed (about 10 to 500 mm / s). Spray all around the elastic layer. The gas pressure and flow rate are arbitrarily adjusted and determined to the desired values, and the gas flow velocity is desired by arbitrarily adjusting the size of the outlet (opening width) of the annular slit that is opened around the entire circumference of the ring head. Determine the value of. The amount (flow rate) of air blown onto the surface of the rubber roller is determined to a desired value by arbitrarily adjusting the size of the (opening width) of the air outlet of the annular slit opened on the entire circumference of the ring head. The gas pressure is preferably 0.1 to 1.0 MPa, and the flow rate is preferably 10 to 1000 L / min. The outlet (opening width) of the annular slit opened on the entire circumference of the ring head is preferably 0.01 mm or more and 1.0 mm or less.

  Next, an application method for forming the surface layer of the cleaned rubber roller will be described. The coating method is performed by ring head coating, dip coating (dip coating), roll coating coating, or the like using a paint or a surface treatment agent, and a layer with a thickness of several nanometers to several tens of micrometers is formed on the surface of the rubber roller. .

In addition to the method of applying a surface layer to the rubber roller, the surface of the elastic layer of the cleaned rubber roller may be modified with active energy rays. Here, a surface treatment method for modifying the surface of the rubber roller will be described. The surface treatment method is performed by irradiating the surface of the rubber roller with active energy rays. The active energy ray is an ultraviolet ray or an electron beam, and is irradiated on the surface of the rubber roller while rotating the rubber roller. For irradiation with ultraviolet rays, a high pressure mercury lamp, a metal halide lamp, a low pressure mercury lamp, or an excimer UV lamp is used. Among these, high-pressure mercury lamps and metal halide lamps emit near-ultraviolet rays in the near-ultraviolet region typified by a wavelength of 365 nm. The low-pressure mercury lamp emits short-wavelength ultraviolet rays having wavelengths of 185 nm and 254 nm, which are shorter than near ultraviolet rays. In addition, the excimer UV lamp emits ultraviolet light having a peak at 172 nm, which is shorter than other short wavelength ultraviolet light, and having no other peak. For ultraviolet irradiation, it is preferable to use a low-pressure mercury lamp or excimer UV lamp. The integrated light quantity of ultraviolet rays is defined below.
UV integrated light quantity (mJ / cm ² ) = UV intensity (mW / cm ² ) × irradiation time (sec)

  What is necessary is just to select suitably about the integrated light quantity of an ultraviolet-ray according to the effect of surface treatment. The adjustment can be performed by any of irradiation time, lamp output, and distance between the lamp and the roller, and may be determined so as to obtain a desired integrated light quantity. Further, the integrated light quantity may be graded within the irradiation time. At this time, regarding the low-pressure mercury lamp, the integrated light quantity of ultraviolet rays was measured using a UIT-150-A, UVD-S254 ultraviolet integrated light quantity meter manufactured by USHIO INC. Further, regarding the excimer UV lamp, the integrated light amount of ultraviolet rays was measured using a UIT-150-A, VUV-S172 ultraviolet integrated light amount meter manufactured by USHIO INC. In addition, a reflecting plate may be disposed outside the ultraviolet lamp, and the reflecting plate is made of aluminum, stainless steel, or iron, and the reflecting surface is mirror-finished or coated or surface-treated to improve reflectivity. It is desirable. As the reflecting plate, it is preferable that the surface is made of high-purity aluminum of 99.9% or more, and the surface is subjected to gloss anodizing with a reflectance of 90% or more. Here, in the case of a reflector made of stainless steel with a mirror finish, the reflectance of ultraviolet rays is about 80%, and in the case of a reflector made of high-purity aluminum with a gloss anodized surface, the reflectance of ultraviolet rays is 90% or more. It is. The distance between the reflecting plate and the rubber roller can be arbitrarily set, and is determined in consideration of the influence of heat by ultraviolet integrated light quantity and radiation from the reflecting plate.

The electron beam irradiation is performed using an electron beam irradiation apparatus (manufactured by Iwasaki Electric Co., Ltd.) having an acceleration voltage of 150 kV and an electron current of 40 mA. Also, nitrogen gas purge is performed during irradiation. The electron beam dose is defined below.
Dose (kGy) = [equipment constant × electron current (mA)] / processing speed (m / min)

  What is necessary is just to select suitably about the dose of an electron beam according to the effect of surface treatment. The adjustment can be performed using either an electronic current or a processing speed, and it is sufficient to determine that a desired dose can be obtained. Further, the dose may be graded within the irradiation time. This time, we measured the dose at a certain electron current and processing speed using a dose film, calculated the device constant, and calculated the dose of the electron beam based on it.

  The rubber roller obtained by the rubber roller manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is used as an electrophotographic member of an image forming apparatus such as an LBP (Laser Beam Printer), a copying machine, or a facsimile. Here, FIG. 7 shows a usage pattern when used as a charging roller. The image forming apparatus is a rotating drum type / transfer type electrophotographic apparatus, and 14 is an electrophotographic photosensitive member (photosensitive drum) as an image carrier, and rotates clockwise at a predetermined peripheral speed (process speed). Driven. The photosensitive drum is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and potential (-600 V in this embodiment) by a charging roller 15 to which a charging bias is applied from a power source E1 as a charging means during the rotation process. Next, the exposure system 16 receives negative image exposure (analog exposure of the original image, digital scanning exposure) corresponding to the target image information, and an electrostatic latent image of the target image information is formed on the peripheral surface. Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image by a toner developing roller 17 to which a developing bias is applied from a power source E3 of a reverse developing method using minus toner. Then, the toner image is fed at a predetermined timing from a sheet feeding means (not shown) to a transfer portion between the photosensitive drum 14 and a transfer roller 18 as a transfer means. Then, a transfer bias of about +2 to 3 KV is applied from the power source E2 to the transfer roller, and the toner images that have been reversely developed on the surface of the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred to the transfer material. The transfer material that has received the transfer of the toner image is separated from the surface of the photosensitive drum and introduced into fixing means (not shown) to undergo image fixing processing. The surface of the photosensitive drum after the transfer of the toner image is subjected to a removal process of adhering contaminants such as transfer residual toner by the cleaning unit 19 to be cleaned and repeatedly used for image formation.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the elastic roller surface and end face, the foreign material on the cored bar part, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. can be removed stably and reliably, suppressing image defects due to poor cleaning, and mass production. It is possible to stably manufacture a high-quality elastic roller having excellent properties.

The obtained rubber roller was evaluated for the following items.
The poor cleaning, in which the foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. of the rubber roller were not sufficiently removed and remained, was judged by visually evaluating the appearance of the rubber roller. Evaluation: ○: The removal of foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. is insufficient, and these remain, and no poor cleaning is observed. ×: The removal of foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. is insufficient. It was determined that there was a poor cleaning with these remaining.

Further, a rubber roller is incorporated in the electrophotographic cartridge shown in FIG. 7 as a charging roller, and pressed with a load of 500 g applied to both ends of the photosensitive drum, and a halftone image is obtained in an environment of 23.5 ° C./60%. Initial image evaluation was performed. The evaluation criteria were as follows.
◯: An image defect that is thought to be caused by a cleaning defect in which foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. of the charging roller are not sufficiently removed and remains is not generated.
X: The removal of foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. from the charging roller is insufficient, and an image defect that is thought to be caused by poor cleaning occurs.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention further more concretely, this invention is not limited to these.

[Example 1]
<Production of rubber roller>
The following raw materials were kneaded with a pressure kneader for 15 minutes.
・ NBR 100 parts by mass (trade name “JSR N230SV”: manufactured by JSR Corporation)
・ 48 parts by mass of carbon black (trade name “Toka Black # 7360SB” manufactured by Tokai Carbon Co., Ltd.)
・ Zinc stearate 1 part by mass ・ Zinc oxide 5 parts by mass ・ Calcium carbonate 20 parts by mass (trade name “Nanox # 30” manufactured by Maruo Calcium Co., Ltd.)
Further, 4.5 parts by mass of a vulcanization accelerator (TBzTD: tetrabenzylthiuram disulfide) and 1.2 parts by mass of sulfur as a vulcanizing agent were added and kneaded with an open roll for 15 minutes to produce an unvulcanized rubber composition. did. Next, a stainless bar core bar having an outer diameter of 6 mm and a length of 252 mm was prepared. Here, the core metal and the unvulcanized rubber composition were integrally extruded using a cross head extruder to form a rubber roller. Thereafter, heat vulcanization was performed at 160 ° C. for 1 hour, and further, dry polishing using a rotating grindstone with a plunge type polishing machine and cutting / removal processing of the end portion to obtain a rubber roller having a thickness of 1.25 mm and a length of 232 mm. (Rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5mm). This is a rubber roller with 10 mm of both ends of the core metal exposed.

<Rubber cleaning process>
The rubber roller obtained as described above was held in a horizontal state by gripping the metal core with a conveying hand. The rubber roller was transported to a position where it can be supported by the support member by the transport hand, and the core of the support member was simultaneously moved in the direction approaching the rubber roller to support the core metal portion of the rubber roller. Here, the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer were washed by spraying water at a high pressure. An injection nozzle for injecting water at a high pressure is arranged so as to be perpendicular to the axial direction of the rubber roller, translated at a speed of 100 mm / s, and while rotating the rubber roller at a speed of 1500 rpm, The peripheral surface and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer were cleaned. The pressure of the water jetted was 5 MPa. After that, a compressed air nozzle is disposed on the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller, and while rotating the rubber roller at a speed of 1500 rpm, compressed air is applied to the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller at a pressure of 0.5 MPa and a flow rate of 200 L / min. I sprayed with. Further, thereafter, the sheath of the support member was simultaneously moved in the direction approaching the rubber roller to cover the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller. At this time, the difference between the outer diameter of the sheath of the support member and the outer diameter of the rubber roller was within ± 2 mm.
Further, a compressed air nozzle is disposed on the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller, and the compressed air is moved to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller while being translated at a speed of 100 mm / s and rotating the rubber roller at a speed of 1500 rpm. Were sprayed at a pressure of 0.5 MPa and a flow rate of 200 L / min. Then, the cleaning of the rubber roller was finished.

<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
The following raw materials were prepared.
-Glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane (GPTES): 27.84 g (0.1 mol)
-Methyltriethoxysilane (MTES): 17.83 g (0.1 mol)
Tridecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrooctyltriethoxysilane (FTS, carbon number of perfluoroalkyl group 6): 7.68 g (0.0151 mol) (7 mol based on the total amount of hydrolyzable silane compounds) % Equivalent))
・ Water: 17.43g
・ Ethanol: 37.88 g
After mixing the raw materials, the hydrolyzable silane compound was hydrolyzed and condensed by stirring at room temperature and then refluxing for 24 hours to obtain a hydrolyzable condensate. By adding this hydrolyzable condensate to a mixed solvent of 2-butanol / ethanol, a hydrolyzable condensate-containing alcohol solution having a solid content of 7% by mass was prepared. To 100 g of this hydrolyzable condensate-containing alcohol solution, 0.35 g of an aromatic sulfonium salt (trade name: Adekaoptomer SP-150, manufactured by Asahi Denka Kogyo Co., Ltd.) as a photocationic polymerization initiator was added. . Furthermore, the coating material I for surface layers was produced by diluting with ethanol so that a solid content might be 1.0 mass%. The viscosity of the coating solution at this time was 1.0 mPa · s as measured by a B-type viscometer. The paint was put in a sealed container, the sealed container was connected to a syringe pump as a liquid supply means, and further connected to one liquid supply port provided in the ring head, and an appropriate amount of paint was supplied into the ring head. The paint was filled in a ring head having a liquid distribution chamber for joining and distributing in the circumferential direction in the ring head.

<Rubber roller application process>
Immediately after the washing step, a rubber roller was applied. The ring head was arranged so that the discharge port of the annular slit opened in the entire circumference was at a distance forming a distance of 0.5 mm with respect to the outer diameter of the rubber roller obtained as described above. At this time, the opening width (slit width) of the discharge port of the annular slit was 0.1 mm. The elastic layer of the ring head and the rubber roller was moved relative to each other at a constant speed of 85 mm / s, and at the same time, the coating was applied uniformly over the entire circumference at a discharge speed of 0.07 mL and 0.03 mL / s. Thereafter, in order to cure the surface layer, ultraviolet irradiation with a low-pressure mercury lamp (manufactured by Harrison Toshiba Lighting) was performed for 5 minutes. Regarding the low-pressure mercury lamp, the ultraviolet light mainly represented by a wavelength of 254 nm was used, and the UV integrated light quantity at this time was about 10,000 mJ / cm ² (UV intensity was 35 mW / cm ² ).

  Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the appearance of the rubber roller, there was no single defective cleaning (◯) in which foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. were not sufficiently removed and these remained. Furthermore, no image defect occurred as a result of the initial image evaluation (◯). The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 2]
<Production of rubber roller>
A rubber roller was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 (exposed rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5 mm, both ends of core metal 10 mm exposed).
<Rubber cleaning process>
The rubber roller obtained as described above was held in a horizontal state by gripping the metal core with a conveying hand. The rubber roller was transported to a position where it can be supported by the support member by the transport hand, and the core of the support member was simultaneously moved in the direction approaching the rubber roller to support the core metal portion of the rubber roller. Thereafter, an injection nozzle for injecting water at a high pressure was disposed on the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller, and the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller was cleaned while rotating the rubber roller at a speed of 1500 rpm. Further, a compressed air nozzle was disposed on the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller, and compressed air was blown onto the peripheral surface of the metal core of the rubber roller. Further, thereafter, the sheath of the support member was simultaneously moved in the direction approaching the rubber roller to cover the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller. At this time, the difference between the outer diameter of the sheath of the support member and the outer diameter of the rubber roller was within ± 2 mm. Further, an injection nozzle for injecting water at a high pressure was disposed on the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller, and the water jet was moved in parallel at a speed of 100 mm / s to clean the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller. Further, a compressed air nozzle is arranged on the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller, and is moved in parallel at a speed of 100 mm / s. While rotating the rubber roller at a speed of 1500 rpm, compressed air is applied to the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller. The rubber roller was sprayed to finish cleaning the rubber roller. The pressure of water to be injected was 5 MPa, the pressure of compressed air was 0.5 MPa, and the flow rate was 200 L / min.
<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
A paint was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.
<Rubber roller application process>
The rubber roller was applied in the same manner as in Example 1.
Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the appearance of the rubber roller, there was no single defective cleaning (◯) in which foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. were not sufficiently removed and these remained. Furthermore, no image defect occurred as a result of the initial image evaluation (◯). The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 1]
<Production of rubber roller>
A rubber roller was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 (exposed rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5 mm, both ends of core metal 10 mm exposed).
<Rubber cleaning process>
The rubber roller was washed by the same method as in Example 1 and Example 2 except that the support member C having no core-sheath structure was used. Here, the schematic diagram of the supporting member C which does not have the core-sheath structure of the comparative example 1 in FIG. 8 is shown. Reference numeral 20 denotes a support member C having no core-sheath structure.
<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
A paint was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.
<Rubber roller application process>
The rubber roller was applied in the same manner as in Example 1.
Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the appearance of the rubber roller, water stains and poor coating unevenness were found in five (×). This is presumably because the remaining water (cleaning liquid residue) was reattached to the rubber roller surface due to poor cleaning of the end face of the rubber roller and the cored bar. Furthermore, as a result of initial image evaluation, image defects occurred in these five (×). The results are shown in Table 1.

[Comparative Example 2]
<Production of rubber roller>
A rubber roller was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 (exposed rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5 mm, both ends of core metal 10 mm exposed).
<Rubber cleaning process>
Using the support member C that does not have a core-sheath structure, the rubber roller was washed by rotating it against the adhesive tape while rotating the rubber roller at 60 rpm.
<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
A paint was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.
<Rubber roller application process>
The rubber roller was applied in the same manner as in Example 1.
Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the external appearance of the rubber roller, 65 poor cleaning due to foreign matters and the remaining abrasive powder was found in 65 (×). This is a residue of foreign matter and polishing powder mainly caused by poor cleaning of the end face of the rubber roller and the cored bar. Although the adhesive tape was pressed against the surface and end of the elastic layer of the rubber roller and the cored bar, it is considered difficult to clean the stepped part of the elastic layer and the cored bar and the end surface of the elastic layer. Furthermore, as a result of initial image evaluation, image defects occurred in nine of the 65 (×). This is presumably because foreign matter on the end face of the rubber roller and the cored bar part and the remainder of the polishing powder were reattached to the rubber roller surface. The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 3]
<Production of rubber roller>
A rubber roller was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 (exposed rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5 mm, both ends of core metal 10 mm exposed).
<Rubber cleaning process>
Compression is applied to the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller by using the support member A that can blow gas toward the peripheral surface of the core metal of the rubber roller from the gap opened to the entire periphery of the core and the sheath shown in FIG. The rubber roller was cleaned in the same manner as in Example 1 except that air was blown. Here, the pressure of the compressed air was 0.5 MPa, and the flow rate was 100 L / min. Moreover, the clearance gap (opening width | variety) opened to the perimeter of the core and sheath of a supporting member was 0.1 mm.
<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
A paint was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.
<Rubber roller application process>
The rubber roller was applied in the same manner as in Example 1.
Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the appearance of the rubber roller, there was no single defective cleaning (◯) in which foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. were not sufficiently removed and these remained. Furthermore, no image defect occurred as a result of the initial image evaluation (◯). The results are shown in Table 1.

[Example 4]
<Production of rubber roller>
A rubber roller was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1 (exposed rubber roller outer diameter φ8.5 mm, both ends of core metal 10 mm exposed).
<Rubber cleaning process>
The rubber roller was cleaned in the same manner as in Example 3 except that the compressed air was blown onto the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller using the ring head having the annular slit shown in FIG. The ring head was arranged so that the blowout port of the annular slit opened to the entire circumference at a distance forming a distance of 1.0 mm with respect to the circumferential surface of the elastic layer of the rubber roller. Then, the elastic layer of the ring head and the rubber roller was relatively moved at a constant speed of 200 mm / s, and at the same time, cleaning was performed by blowing compressed air. At this time, the air outlet (opening width) of the annular slit was used at 0.1 mm. The compressed air pressure was 0.5 MPa, and the flow rate was 200 L / min. Here, FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a compressed air blowing production apparatus used in the cleaning process of Example 4. FIG.
<Preparation of paint to form surface layer>
A paint was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1.
<Rubber roller application process>
The rubber roller was applied in the same manner as in Example 1.
Further, 100 rubber rollers of this example were produced and evaluated. As a result of visual evaluation of the appearance of the rubber roller, there was no single defective cleaning (◯) in which foreign matter, polishing powder, cleaning liquid, etc. were not sufficiently removed and these remained. Furthermore, no image defect occurred as a result of the initial image evaluation (◯). The results are shown in Tables 1 to 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rubber roller core 2 Rubber roller elastic layer 3 Support member core 4 Support member sheath 7 Gas supply port 9 Ring head 11 having annular slit Gas supply port

Claims (3)

In the manufacturing method of the elastic roller in which the elastic layer is provided on the peripheral surface of the core metal and the core metal, and the peripheral surface of the core metal is exposed at both ends of the core metal,
The supporting members at both ends or one end supporting the elastic roller have a core-sheath structure, and the core and the sheath are configured to be reciprocally movable in the direction along the axis independently of each other. ) Cleaning the peripheral surface of the core of the elastic roller and the peripheral surface of the elastic layer;
(B) supporting the elastic roller by moving the core of the support member in a direction approaching the elastic roller;
(C) a step of blowing gas onto the peripheral surface of the core of the elastic roller;
(2) moving the sheath of the support member in a direction approaching the elastic roller and covering the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core of the elastic roller;
(E) a step of blowing gas onto the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the elastic roller;
A method for producing an elastic roller, characterized in that the rollers are provided in this order. In the manufacturing method of the elastic roller in which the elastic layer is provided on the peripheral surface of the core metal and the core metal, and the peripheral surface of the core metal is exposed at both ends of the core metal,
The supporting members at both ends or one end supporting the elastic roller have a core-sheath structure, and the core and the sheath are configured to be reciprocally movable in the direction along the axis independently of each other. ) Supporting the elastic roller by moving the core of the support member in a direction approaching the elastic roller;
(B) cleaning the peripheral surface of the core of the elastic roller, and then blowing gas onto the peripheral surface of the core;
(C) moving the sheath of the support member in a direction approaching the elastic roller to cover the exposed portion of the peripheral surface of the core of the elastic roller;
(2) The step of cleaning the peripheral surface of the elastic layer of the elastic roller and further blowing gas.
A method for producing an elastic roller, characterized in that the rollers are provided in this order.   The step of blowing the gas to the peripheral surface of the core metal is to apply the gas to the portion where the peripheral surface of the core metal of the elastic roller is exposed from the gap opened to the entire periphery of the core and the sheath of the support member having the core-sheath structure. The manufacturing method of the elastic roller of Claim 1 or 2 including the process to spray.

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