JP2020190713A - Process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can prevent an increase in drive torque in driving an image carrier.SOLUTION: A process cartridge comprises a seal member 4 that is in contact with a peripheral surface of an image carrier 1 on the upstream side, in the direction of rotation of the image carrier 1, of a cleaning member 3 that is in contact with the peripheral surface to remove a developer, the seal member 4 allowing the developer to move from the upstream side in the rotation direction of a contact part N2 of the seal member 4 with the peripheral surface to the downstream side of the contact part N2, and regulating the movement from the downstream side to the upstream side of the contact part N2. The developer has convex parts including organic silicon polymers on its surface. (i) The work function of the seal member 4 has a value larger than the work function of the developer when the charge polarity of the developer is a negative polarity, and has a value smaller than the work function of the developer when the charge polarity of the developer is a positive polarity, or (ii) the magnitude of the absolute value of the difference between the work function of the seal member and the work function of the developer falls within a predetermined range.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention is a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a cleaning apparatus having a cleaning member for removing the developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after transferring the developer image from the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium or an intermediate transfer body. Regarding.

Conventionally, as described in Patent Document 1, a thermoplastic urethane is used as a sealing member suitable for an apparatus for cleaning a developer on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum (hereinafter, photosensitive drum) as an image carrier of an image forming apparatus. A seal sheet consisting of is known.

Jikken 1-21323 Gazette

However, in recent years, image forming apparatus has tended to be smaller, faster, energy-saving, and have higher image quality. Due to the miniaturization of the image forming apparatus, the size of the photosensitive drum becomes smaller. In addition, the high speed causes the photosensitive drum to rotate faster. That is, the cleaning blade as a cleaning member in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum causes the photosensitive drum to repeatedly slide with the surface of the photosensitive drum at high speed. Then, the temperature of the cleaning blade itself rises, the hardness of the cleaning blade becomes soft, and as a result, the contact area between the cleaning blade and the photosensitive drum increases, so that the frictional force between the surface of the photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade increases. As a result, the driving torque for driving the photosensitive drum increases. This leads to an increase in power consumption and hinders energy saving.

An object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a cleaning apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in driving torque when driving an image carrier.

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。）

上記目的を達成するため、本発明の画像形成装置は、
装置本体と、
前記装置本体に対して着脱可能な、本発明のプロセスカートリッジと、
備えることを特徴とする。

上記目的を達成するため、本発明の画像形成装置は、
記録材に画像を形成する画像形成装置であって、
潜像が形成される周面を有する回転可能な像担持体と、
前記潜像を現像するために前記像担持体へ現像剤を供給する現像装置と、
前記周面に当接し、前記周面から現像剤を除去するためのクリーニング部材と、
前記クリーニング部材よりも前記像担持体の回転方向の上流側において前記周面に当接するシール部材であって、現像剤が、シール部材の前記周面との当接部よりも前記回転方向の上流側から前記当接部よりも下流側へ移動することを許容しつつ、前記下流側から前記当接部よりも上流側へ移動することを規制するシール部材と、
前記シール部材に電圧を印加するための電圧印加手段と、
を備え、
前記現像剤は、トナー母粒子及び該トナー母粒子表面の有機ケイ素重合体を含有するトナー粒子を有するトナーであって、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、下記式（１）で表される構造を有し、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、該トナー母粒子表面に凸部を形成することを特徴とするトナーであり、
前記シール部材は、導電性を有する部材であり、
前記電圧印加手段は、前記現像剤の正規の帯電極性とは逆極性の電圧を印加する
ことを特徴とする。

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。）
上記目的を達成するため、本発明のクリーニング装置は、
枠体と、
前記枠体に回転可能に支持され、現像剤からなる現像剤像を担持する像担持体と、
前記枠体に設けられ、前記像担持体から前記現像剤像が転写された後に該像担持体の表面に残留する現像剤をクリーニングするクリーニング部材であって、前記像担持体の表面と当接可能な当接部を備えるクリーニング部材と、
を有し、
使用時において、前記当接部と前記像担持体が当接する当接領域の、前記像担持体の回転方向における上流側に位置すると共に、該当接領域に隣接する隣接領域に、介在粒子が存在するクリーニング装置であって、
前記介在粒子は、
母粒子及び該母粒子表面の有機ケイ素重合体を含有する第１粒子を有する複合粒子であ
って、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、下記式（１）で表される構造を有し、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、該母粒子表面に凸部を形成し、
走査透過型電子顕微鏡ＳＴＥＭによる該複合粒子の断面観察によって、母粒子表面の周に沿った線を描き、該周に沿った線を基準に変換した水平画像において、
該凸部と該母粒子とが連続した界面を形成している部分における該周に沿った線の長さを凸幅ｗとし、該凸幅ｗの法線方向において該凸部の最大長を凸径ｄとし、該凸径ｄを形成する線分における該凸部の頂点から該周に沿った線までの長さを凸高さｈとしたとき、
該凸高さｈが４０ｎｍ以上３００ｎｍ以下である該凸部において、
該凸幅ｗに対する該凸径ｄの比ｄ／ｗが０．３３以上０．８０以下となる該凸部の個数割合Ｐ（Ｄ／ｗ）が、７０個数％以上であり、
前記凸部は、前記像担持体の回転にともない、前記母粒子の表面から前記当接領域に移動される、ことを特徴とするクリーニング装置。

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。）

上記目的を達成するため、本発明のプロセスカートリッジは、
枠体と、
前記枠体に回転可能に支持され、現像剤からなる現像剤像を担持する像担持体と、
前記像担持体に形成された潜像を現像して前記現像剤像とすべく現像剤を前記像担持体に供給する現像剤担持体と、
前記枠体に設けられ、前記像担持体から前記現像剤像が転写された後に該像担持体の表面に残留する現像剤をクリーニングするクリーニング部材であって、前記像担持体の表面と当接可能な当接部を備えるクリーニング部材と、
を有し、
使用時において、前記当接部と前記像担持体が当接する当接領域の、前記像担持体の回転方向における上流側に位置すると共に、該当接領域に隣接する隣接領域に、介在粒子が存在するプロセスカートリッジであって、
前記介在粒子は、
母粒子及び該母粒子表面の有機ケイ素重合体を含有する第１粒子を有する複合粒子であって、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、下記式（１）で表される構造を有し、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、該母粒子表面に凸部を形成し、
走査透過型電子顕微鏡ＳＴＥＭによる該複合粒子の断面観察によって、母粒子表面の周に沿った線を描き、該周に沿った線を基準に変換した水平画像において、
該凸部と該母粒子とが連続した界面を形成している部分における該周に沿った線の長さを凸幅ｗとし、該凸幅ｗの法線方向において該凸部の最大長を凸径ｄとし、該凸径ｄを形成する線分における該凸部の頂点から該周に沿った線までの長さを凸高さｈとしたとき、
該凸高さｈが４０ｎｍ以上３００ｎｍ以下である該凸部において、
該凸幅ｗに対する該凸径ｄの比ｄ／ｗが０．３３以上０．８０以下となる該凸部の個数割合Ｐ（Ｄ／ｗ）が、７０個数％以上であり、
前記凸部は、前記像担持体の回転にともない、前記母粒子の表面から前記当接領域に移動される、ことを特徴とするプロセスカートリッジ。

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。）

上記目的を達成するため、本発明の画像形成装置は、
枠体と、
前記枠体に回転可能に支持され、現像剤からなる現像剤像を担持する像担持体と、
前記枠体に設けられ、前記像担持体から前記現像剤像が転写された後に該像担持体の表面に残留する現像剤をクリーニングするクリーニング部材であって、前記像担持体の表面と当接可能な当接部を備えるクリーニング部材と、
を有し、
使用時において、前記当接部と前記像担持体が当接する当接領域の、前記像担持体の回転方向における上流側に位置すると共に、該当接領域に隣接する隣接領域に、介在粒子が存在する画像形成装置であって、
前記介在粒子は、
母粒子及び該母粒子表面の有機ケイ素重合体を含有する第１粒子を有する複合粒子であって、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、下記式（１）で表される構造を有し、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、該母粒子表面に凸部を形成し、
走査透過型電子顕微鏡ＳＴＥＭによる該複合粒子の断面観察によって、母粒子表面の周に沿った線を描き、該周に沿った線を基準に変換した水平画像において、
該凸部と該母粒子とが連続した界面を形成している部分における該周に沿った線の長さを凸幅ｗとし、該凸幅ｗの法線方向において該凸部の最大長を凸径ｄとし、該凸径ｄを形成する線分における該凸部の頂点から該周に沿った線までの長さを凸高さｈとしたとき、
該凸高さｈが４０ｎｍ以上３００ｎｍ以下である該凸部において、
該凸幅ｗに対する該凸径ｄの比ｄ／ｗが０．３３以上０．８０以下となる該凸部の個数割合Ｐ（Ｄ／ｗ）が、７０個数％以上であり、
前記凸部は、前記像担持体の回転にともない、前記母粒子の表面から前記当接領域に移動される、ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。）

上記目的を達成するため、本発明の画像形成装置は、
枠体と、
前記枠体に回転可能に支持され、現像剤からなる現像剤像を担持する像担持体と、
前記像担持体に形成された潜像を現像して前記現像剤像とすべく現像剤を前記像担持体に供給する現像剤担持体と、
前記枠体に設けられ、前記像担持体から前記現像剤像が転写された後に該像担持体の表面に残留する現像剤をクリーニングするクリーニング部材であって、前記像担持体の表面と当接可能な当接部を備えるクリーニング部材と、
を有し、
使用時において、前記当接部と前記像担持体が当接する当接領域の、前記像担持体の回転方向における上流側に位置すると共に、該当接領域に隣接する隣接領域に、介在粒子が存在する画像形成装置であって、
前記介在粒子は、
母粒子及び該母粒子表面の有機ケイ素重合体を含有する第１粒子を有する複合粒子であって、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、下記式（１）で表される構造を有し、
該有機ケイ素重合体は、該母粒子表面に凸部を形成し、
走査透過型電子顕微鏡ＳＴＥＭによる該複合粒子の断面観察によって、母粒子表面の周に沿った線を描き、該周に沿った線を基準に変換した水平画像において、
該凸部と該母粒子とが連続した界面を形成している部分における該周に沿った線の長さを凸幅ｗとし、該凸幅ｗの法線方向において該凸部の最大長を凸径ｄとし、該凸径ｄを形成する線分における該凸部の頂点から該周に沿った線までの長さを凸高さｈとしたとき、
該凸高さｈが４０ｎｍ以上３００ｎｍ以下である該凸部において、
該凸幅ｗに対する該凸径ｄの比ｄ／ｗが０．３３以上０．８０以下となる該凸部の個数割合Ｐ（Ｄ／ｗ）が、７０個数％以上であり、
前記凸部は、前記像担持体の回転にともない、前記母粒子の表面から前記当接領域に移動される、ことを特徴とする画像形成装置。

（式中、Ｒは炭素数１以上６以下のアルキル基又はフェニル基を示す。） In order to achieve the above object, the process cartridge of the present invention is
A process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus
A rotatable image carrier having a peripheral surface on which a latent image is formed, and
A developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop the latent image,
A cleaning member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface and removes the developer from the peripheral surface.
A seal member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the image carrier in the rotational direction of the cleaning member, and the developer is upstream of the contact portion of the seal member with the peripheral surface in the rotational direction. A seal member that allows movement from the side to the downstream side of the contact portion while restricting movement from the downstream side to the upstream side of the contact portion.
With
The developer is a toner having toner particles containing toner mother particles and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer is a toner characterized by forming convex portions on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The work function of the seal member is relative to the work function of the developer.
(I) When the charge polarity of the developer is negative, it has a large value, and when the charge polarity of the developer is positive, it has a small value.
Or
(Ii) The magnitude of the absolute value of the difference between the work function of the seal member of the developer and the work function of the developer falls within a predetermined range.
It is characterized by that.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
With the device body
The process cartridge of the present invention, which is removable from the device body,
It is characterized by being prepared.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
An image forming device that forms an image on a recording material.
A rotatable image carrier having a peripheral surface on which a latent image is formed, and
A developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop the latent image,
A cleaning member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface and removes the developer from the peripheral surface.
A seal member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the image carrier in the rotational direction of the cleaning member, and the developer is upstream of the contact portion of the seal member with the peripheral surface in the rotational direction. A seal member that allows movement from the side to the downstream side of the contact portion while restricting movement from the downstream side to the upstream side of the contact portion.
A voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the seal member and
With
The developer is a toner having toner particles containing toner mother particles and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer is a toner characterized by forming convex portions on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The sealing member is a conductive member and has a conductivity.
The voltage applying means is characterized in that a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the developer is applied.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)
In order to achieve the above object, the cleaning device of the present invention
With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is a cleaning device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
A cleaning device characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)

In order to achieve the above object, the process cartridge of the present invention is
With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A developer carrier that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier and obtain the developer image.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is a process cartridge that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and in a horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
A process cartridge characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is an image forming device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and in a horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus of the present invention
With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A developer carrier that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier and obtain the developer image.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is an image forming device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in driving torque when driving an image carrier.

Schematic sectional view of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment. Schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic sectional view of the cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment. Schematic diagram of the convex portion of the toner particles in Example 1. Schematic diagram of the convex portion of the toner particles in Example 1. Schematic diagram of the convex portion of the toner particles in Example 1. Schematic diagram of the convex portion of the toner particles in Example 1. Enlarged view of the contact portion between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member in Example 1. Schematic cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. Explanatory drawing of contact separation mechanism of developing means in Example 3 Enlarged view of the contact portion between the photosensitive drum and the cleaning member in Example 3. Schematic diagram of the state near the cleaning nip N1 in the third embodiment Schematic diagram of the lubricant arrangement method in the second embodiment Schematic diagram of the lubricant arrangement method in the third embodiment Schematic diagram of the lubricant arrangement method in the fourth embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail exemplarily based on examples with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described in this embodiment should be appropriately changed depending on the configuration of the apparatus to which the invention is applied and various conditions. That is, it is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the following embodiments.

<First Embodiment>
<Example 1>
(Image forming device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the process cartridge 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the present invention using the process cartridge 100. It is a schematic cross-sectional view explaining the structure of the image forming apparatus 200. In addition, each cross-sectional view used in the following description including FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 shows a cross section seen in the direction of the rotation axis of the photosensitive drum 1 as an image carrier (cut perpendicular to the rotation axis). .. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 200 is configured by attaching the process cartridge 100 to the image forming apparatus main body. That is, the configuration portion of the image forming apparatus 200 excluding the process cartridge 100 is the apparatus main body. The process cartridge 100 is composed of a photosensitive drum 1, a charging roller 6, a developing device 7, and a cleaning device 2, and these are integrated.

The image forming apparatus 200 is configured as follows. A photosensitive drum 1 which is an electrophotographic photosensitive member for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface is arranged in the central portion. Then, various process means are arranged around the photosensitive drum 1. That is, a charging roller 6, which is a charging means for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 to a negative electrode property, is arranged, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to print information and image information is formed on the charged photosensitive drum 1. An exposure apparatus 17 for forming by laser exposure is arranged. Then, a developing device 7 which is a developing means for making a visible image by reverse-developing the negatively charged toner on the formed electrostatic latent image is arranged. Then, a transfer roller 11 is arranged as a transfer means for transferring the visualized toner image (developer image) to the recording material 12 as the recording medium which is the transfer material. Then, a fixing device 13 for permanently fixing the toner image on the transferred recording material 12 is arranged. Further, as a feeding device for supplying the recording material 12, a paper feed cassette 14, a feeding roller 15, and a resist roller 16 are provided. Further, a cleaning device 2 is provided for removing the transfer residual toner and the like remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording material 12 during the transfer step.

The charging roller 6 of this embodiment is installed so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and rotate in a driven manner as the photosensitive drum 1 rotates. In this embodiment, when forming an image, a DC voltage of about −1000 V is applied to the charging roller 6 by a charging bias power supply (not shown) to charge the surface potential on the photosensitive drum 1 to a dark area potential (VD) = −500 V.

The surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged to a dark potential by the charging roller 6, and then exposed by the exposure apparatus 17 corresponding to print information, image information, and the like, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The potential of the exposed portion is the bright potential (VL) = -100V.

The developing apparatus 7 is provided with a developing roller 8, a supply roller 9, and a developing blade 10. The developing roller 8 of the present embodiment as a developing agent carrier has a two-layer structure in which a silicon rubber is used as a base layer on a core metal and an acrylic / urethane rubber is coated on the surface thereof, and the photosensitive drum 1 is electrostatically charged. Develop the latent image. Further, the supply roller 9 for supplying toner to the developing roller 8 is provided with a urethane sponge on the core metal. The metal developing blade 10 regulates the toner layer thickness on the developing roller 8 and charges the toner to a negative polarity. The developing roller 8 is installed so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 for development. When forming an image, a DC voltage of about −300 V is applied to the developing roller 8 by a development bias power supply (not shown), and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is subjected to reverse development to perform electrostatic processing. The latent image is visualized as a toner image.

The transfer means of this embodiment includes a transfer roller 11 made of an EPDM sponge and a transfer bias power supply (not shown) that applies a voltage to the transfer roller 11. The voltage applied to the transfer roller 11 is controlled by a constant voltage at the time of image formation. At the transfer nip N3, which is the transfer position where the transfer roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 1 face each other, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording material 12.

The recording material 12 housed in the paper feed cassette 14 is supplied to the resist roller 16 by the feeding roller 15 in synchronization with the formation of the visible image on the photosensitive drum 1. And this recording material 1
2 is carried between the transfer roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 1 in synchronization with the tip of the visible image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 by the resist roller 16. A DC voltage of about + 1500 V is applied to the transfer roller 11, and the toner image is transferred to the recording material 12.

The toner image transferred to the recording material 12 is conveyed to the fixing device 13 together with the recording material 12 and fixed by applying heat and pressure to obtain a recorded image.

On the other hand, after passing through the nip portion N3 with the transfer roller 11, the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording material 12 moves to the cleaning device 2.
The cleaning device 2 includes a cleaning blade 3 as a cleaning member, a seal sheet 4 as a seal member, and a frame body that supports them and forms a waste toner accommodating portion 5 between them and the photosensitive drum 1. It is configured. The frame of the cleaning device 2 rotatably supports the photosensitive drum 1 and rotatably supports the charging roller 6 so as to maintain a predetermined contact state with the photosensitive drum 1. First, the toner passes through the seal sheet 4 as a seal member that comes into light contact with the photosensitive drum 1, and then is removed from the photosensitive drum 1 by a cleaning blade 3 that is a cleaning member made of polyurethane rubber. Then, the removed toner is stored in the waste toner storage unit 5. After that, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is charged again by the charging roller 6 in order to prepare for the next image formation.

(Cleaning device)
The cleaning device 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
A cleaning blade 3 is fixed to the frame of the cleaning device 2. The cleaning blade 3 includes a support member 25 as a support for a metal base material, and a cleaning portion 26 as an elastic body made of a thermosetting resin. The cleaning unit 26 removes the residual toner (residual developer) on the photosensitive drum 1 by contacting the tip ridgeline portion with the photosensitive drum 1.
One end of the cleaning portion 26 is fixed to a plate-shaped support member 25 which is a metal sheet metal, and the other end which is a free end forms a contact portion capable of contacting the photosensitive drum 1. A cleaning nip N1 is formed, which is a contact region with

The support member 25 is fixed to the frame of the cleaning device 2. One end of the support member 25 is fixed to the frame of the cleaning device 2, and the cleaning portion 26 is fixed to the other end, which is a free end. In the support member 25, one plate portion bent into an L shape is fixed to the frame body of the cleaning device 2 by a fastener such as a screw, and the other plate portion is substantially orthogonal to the one plate portion. A cleaning portion 26 is fixed to the tip of the cleaning portion 26. The support member 25 (the other plate portion) and the cleaning portion 26 integrally extend from the fixed end (one plate portion) of the support member 25 in substantially the same direction. The extending direction is the direction (opposite direction) to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 at the portion where the tip end (other end) of the cleaning portion 26 abuts on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, the counter direction.

The posture of the process cartridge 100 in each figure is a posture in a state of being mounted on the image forming apparatus main body (when in use), and the positional relationship, direction, and the like of each member of the process cartridge 100 are described in this specification. In the case, the positional relationship and direction in this posture are shown. That is, the vertical direction of the paper surface in each figure corresponds to the vertical direction, and the horizontal direction of the paper surface corresponds to the horizontal direction. The setting of this arrangement configuration is based on the premise that the image forming apparatus 200 is installed on a horizontal surface in a normal installation state.

The cleaning portion 26 has a cut surface 26a which is the tip surface of the cleaning portion 26 and an air surface 26b which is the lower surface of the cleaning portion 26, which are adjacent to each other with the tip ridge line portion sandwiched in the entire width in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning blade 3. The angle formed is 90 °. The thickness of the cut surface 26a is 1.8 mm.

The penetration amount δ of the cleaning unit 26 is a virtual amount when the blade tip ridge line portion penetrates into the photosensitive drum 1 without being deformed. Further, the cleaning unit 26 setting angle θ is an angle formed by the tangent line X at the intersection of the air surface 26b and the photoconductor drum 1 and the air surface 26b. In this way, the cleaning unit 26 is installed so as to come into contact with the photoconductor drum 1 with a predetermined penetration amount δ at a set angle θ. As a result, cleaning is performed with the cleaning member 2 and the photosensitive drum 1 in contact with each other at a desired contact pressure. In this embodiment, the blade penetration amount δ is set to 0.7 mm, and the blade setting angle θ is set to 22 °.

When the cleaning portion 26 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 1, the air surface 26b of the cleaning portion 26 is pulled by the frictional force with the photosensitive drum 1, and a curl-down portion with a curled tip is formed. Then, the load is concentrated on the curl-down portion at the tip of the cleaning portion 26 in contact with the photosensitive drum 1 to prevent the toner from entering.

(Seal sheet)
Next, the seal sheet 4, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described.

One end of the seal sheet 4 is fixed to the frame of the cleaning device 2, and the other end, which is a free end, is provided so as to come into contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. The extending direction from one end to the other end of the seal sheet 4 is substantially the same as the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 at the portion where the tip end (other end) side of the seal sheet 4 abuts on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, that is, the forward direction. Become. The seal sheet 4 allows the toner to move from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 to the downstream side of the contact portion N2 with respect to the contact portion N2 with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1, from the downstream side. It contacts the photosensitive drum 1 so as to restrict the movement to the upstream side of the contact portion N2.

As the material of the seal sheet 4 of this embodiment, a sheet-like member having a work function larger than that of (i) toner or a sheet-like member having a small difference from the work function of (ii) toner is used.

More specifically, (i) the value of the work function of the material of the seal sheet 4 is larger than the value of the work function of the toner on the same polarity side as the normal charging polarity of the toner. Further, (ii) even if the value of the work function of the material of the seal sheet 4 is different from the value of the work function of the toner on the side opposite to the normal charging polarity of the toner, the difference The magnitude of the absolute value is within a predetermined range. That is, it is a feature of this embodiment that the seal sheet 4 is made of a material having a work function such that the charged state of the toner is not enhanced by rubbing against the seal sheet 4.

Specifically, (i) the work function difference with the toner is large, and the surface of the PET sheet (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirror (registered trademark)) is covered with PTFE tape (manufactured by 3M Co., Ltd .: PTFE tape part number). A sheet to which 5490) was adhered was used. Further, the surface to which the PTFE tape was adhered was brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1.
Further, a PET sheet (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirror (registered trademark)) was used as a material having a small work function difference with the toner (ii).

The work function (Φ) of the seal sheet 4 was measured using a photoelectron spectrometer (AC-2 manufactured by RIKEN Keiki Co., Ltd.). In this embodiment, a deuterium lamp was used in the apparatus, and the irradiation light amount and the energy scanning range were appropriately set for measurement. Then, the work function was calculated by performing arithmetic processing using the work function analysis software incorporated in the device.
As a result, the work function of the PTFE tape was 5.75 eV, and the work function of the PET sheet was 5.42 eV.

Further, the seal sheet 4 prevents the toner accumulated in the waste toner accommodating portion 5 from leaking from the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4 with respect to the photosensitive drum 1. In addition, the contact pressure between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4 does not damage the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 1, and the toner on the photosensitive drum 1 moves to the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4. The value is set so that it can pass through the contact portion N2 of.

(toner)
Next, the toner used in this embodiment will be described.
The toner of the present invention has a convex portion containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner particles. The convex portion is in surface contact with the surface of the toner mother particles. By surface contact, a remarkable effect of suppressing the movement, detachment, and burial of the convex portion can be expected. In order to show the degree of surface contact, the cross section of the toner was observed by STEM. 4 to 7 show a schematic view of the convex portion of the toner particles.
30 shown in FIG. 4 is a STEM image, which shows about 1/4 of the cross-sectional structure of the toner particles. Tp is the toner mother particle, Tps is the toner mother particle surface, and e is the convex portion. That is, it is an image showing the cross-sectional structure in one of the four quadrants of the coordinate system with the center of the cross-section of the toner particle as the origin, and it is estimated that the remaining three quadrants have the same symmetrical structure. ..
Observe the cross-sectional image of the toner and draw a line along the circumference of the toner matrix particle surface. The horizontal image is converted based on the line along the circumference. In the horizontal image, the length of the line along the circumference at the portion where the convex portion and the toner mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w. Further, the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the convex diameter d in the normal direction of the convex width w, and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex diameter d. The convex height h.

The convex portion e shown in FIG. 5 occupies most of the configuration of the convex portion formed in the toner produced by the manufacturing method of the present embodiment described later, and the convex portion e is the flat portion ep and the curved surface portion described later. It is a convex portion e having an ec.
In FIGS. 5 and 7, the convex diameter d and the convex height h are the same, and in FIG. 6, the convex diameter d is larger than the convex height h.
Further, FIG. 7 schematically shows a fixed state of particles similar to bowl-shaped particles in which the central portion of the hemispherical particles is recessed, which is obtained by crushing or breaking the hollow particles. In FIG. 7, the convex width w is the total length of the organosilicon compounds in contact with the surface of the toner mother particles. That is, the convex width w in FIG. 7 is the sum of W1 and W2.
Based on the above conditions, in the convex portion of the organosilicon compound, if the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less, the convex portion moves / removes. We found that it was difficult to separate and bury. That is, in the convex portion having the convex height h of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, the number ratio P (d / w) of the convex portion having the ratio d / w of 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70% by number or more. If there is, it has been found that it exhibits excellent transferability that can withstand a long life.

It is considered that the convex portion having a diameter of 40 nm or more causes a spacer effect between the surface of the toner mother particles and the transfer member, thereby improving the transferability. On the other hand, it is considered that the convex portion of 300 nm or less has a remarkable effect of suppressing movement / detachment / burial through the durability evaluation.
It was found that when the number ratio P (d / w) is 70% or more as the ratio of the convex portions of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, a higher effect of suppressing member contamination is exhibited while maintaining the transferability throughout the durability. .. P (d / w) is preferably 75% by number or more, and more preferably 80% by number or more. On the other hand, the upper limit is not particularly limited, but is preferably 99% by number or less, and more preferably 98% by number or less.

Further, in the cross-sectional observation of the toner by the scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, the width of the horizontal image (the length of the line along the circumference of the toner mother particle surface) is defined as the peripheral length L, and the organic silicon weight present in the horizontal image. Of the convex portions of the coalescence, when the total convex width w of the convex portions having a convex height h of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less is Σw, Σw / L is preferably 0.30 or more and 0.90 or less. ..
When Σw / L is 0.30 or more, the transferability and the effect of suppressing member contamination become better, and when Σw / L is 0.90 or less, the transferability is more excellent. Σw / L is more preferably 0.45 or more and 0.80 or less.

Further, it is preferable that the adhesion rate of the organosilicon polymer of the toner is 80% by mass or more. When the adhesion rate is 80% by mass or more, the transferability and the effect of suppressing member contamination can be more easily maintained through durable use. The adhesion rate is more preferably 90% by mass or more, still more preferably 95% by mass or more. On the other hand, the upper limit is not particularly limited, but is preferably 99% by mass or less, and more preferably 98% by mass or less. Examples of the method for controlling the adhesion rate include the addition rate of the organosilicon polymer, the reaction temperature, the reaction time, the pH at the time of reaction, and the timing of pH adjustment when the organosilicon compound is added and polymerized.

Further, from the viewpoint of improving the transferability, the cumulative distribution of the convex height h is taken in the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, and the calculation is performed from the smaller convex height h. When the convex height corresponding to 80% by number is h80, the h80 is preferably 65 nm or more. More preferably, it is 75 nm or more. The upper limit is not particularly limited, but is preferably 120 nm or less, and more preferably 100 nm or less.

In the observation of the toner by the scanning electron microscope SEM, when the maximum diameter of the convex portion of the organosilicon polymer is the convex diameter R, the number average diameter of the convex diameter R is preferably 20 nm or more and 80 nm or less. More preferably, it is 35 nm or more and 60 nm or less. Within the above range, member contamination is less likely to occur.

The toner contains an organosilicon polymer having a structure represented by the following formula (1).

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.)
In the organosilicon polymer having the structure of the formula (1), one of the four valences of the Si atom is bonded to R and the remaining three are bonded to O atom. The O atom constitutes a state in which both of the two valences are bonded to Si, that is, a siloxane bond (Si—O—Si). Considering the Si atom and the O atom as the organosilicon polymer, since two Si atoms have three O atoms, it is expressed as −SiO _3/2 . It is considered that the −SiO _3/2 structure of this organosilicon polymer has properties similar to silica (SiO ₂ ) composed of a large number of siloxane bonds.

In the partial structure represented by the formula (1), R is preferably an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, and more preferably an alkyl group having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms.
As the alkyl group having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, a methyl group, an ethyl group and a propyl group can be preferably exemplified. More preferably, R is a methyl group.
The organosilicon polymer is preferably a polycondensation polymer of an organosilicon compound having a structure represented by the following formula (Z).

(In the formula (Z), R ₁ represents a hydrocarbon group (preferably an alkyl group) having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms, and R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are independent halogen atoms and hydroxy groups, respectively. , Acetoxy group, or alkoxy group.)
R ₁ is preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 or more and 3 or less carbon atoms, and more preferably a methyl group.

R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ are independently halogen atoms, hydroxy groups, acetoxy groups, or alkoxy groups (hereinafter, also referred to as reactive groups). These reactive groups are hydrolyzed, addition polymerized and polycondensed to form a crosslinked structure.
The hydrolyzability is mild at room temperature, and from the viewpoint of the precipitation property of the toner matrix particles on the surface, an alkoxy group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms is preferable, and a methoxy group or an ethoxy group is more preferable.
Further, the hydrolysis, addition polymerization and condensation polymerization of R ₂ , R ₃ and R ₄ can be controlled by the reaction temperature, reaction time, reaction solvent and pH. To obtain an organic silicon polymer to be used in the present invention, an organic silicon compound having three reactive groups in a molecule, except for R ₁ in the formula (Z) shown above (R _2, R ₃ and R ₄₎ (Hereinafter, also referred to as trifunctional silane) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Examples of the compound represented by the above formula (Z) include the following.
Methyltrimethoxysilane, Methyltriethoxysilane, Methyldiethoxymethoxysilane, Methylethoxydimethoxysilane, Methyltrichlorosilane, Methylmethoxydichlorosilane, Methylethoxydichlorosilane, Methyldimethoxychlorosilane, Methylmethoxyethoxychlorosilane, Methyldiethoxychlorosilane, Methyl Triacetoxysilane, Methyldiacetoxymethoxysilane, Methyldiacetoxyethoxysilane, Methylacetoxydimethoxysilane, Methylacetoxymethoxyethoxysilane, Methylacetoxydiethoxysilane, Methyltrihydroxysilane, Methylmethoxydihydroxysilane, Methylethoxydihydroxysilane, Methyldimethoxy Trifunctional methylsilanes such as hydroxysilanes, methylethoxymethoxyhydroxysilanes and methyldiethoxyhydroxysilanes.
Ethyltrimethoxysilane, ethyltriethoxysilane, ethyltrichlorosilane, ethyltriacetoxysilane, ethyltrihydroxysilane, propyltrimethoxysilane, propyltriethoxysilane, propyltrichlorosilane, propyltriacetoxysilane, propyltrihydroxysilane, butyltri Trifunctional such as methoxysilane, butyltriethoxysilane, butyltrichlorosilane, butyltriacetoxysilane, butyltrihydroxysilane, hexyltrimethoxysilane, hexyltriethoxysilane, hexyltrichlorosilane, hexyltriacetoxysilane, hexyltrihydroxysilane. Sexual silane.
Trifunctional phenylsilanes such as phenyltrimethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, phenyltrichlorosilane, phenyltriacetoxysilane, and phenyltrihydroxysilane.

Further, an organosilicon polymer obtained by using the following in combination with an organosilicon compound having a structure represented by the formula (Z) may be used to the extent that the effect of the present invention is not impaired. Organosilicon compound having four reactive groups in one molecule (tetrafunctional silane), organosilicon compound having two reactive groups in one molecule (bifunctional silane) or organosilicon compound having one reactive group (bifunctional silane) Monofunctional silane). For example, the following can be mentioned.
Dimethyldiethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, hexamethyldisilazane, 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3-aminopropyltriemethoxysilane, 3- (2-aminoethyl) aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, 3- (2-amino Ethyl) Aminopropyltriethoxysilane, Vinyltriisocyanasilane, Vinyltrimethoxysilane, Vinyltriethoxysilane, Vinyldiethoxymethoxysilane, Vinylethoxydimethoxysilane, Vinylethoxydihydroxysilane, Vinyldimethoxyhydroxysilane, Vinylethoxymethoxyhydroxysilane, Trifunctional vinylsilane, such as vinyldiethoxyhydroxysilane.

Further, the content of the organosilicon polymer in the toner particles is preferably 1.0% by mass or more and 10.0% by mass or less.

As a preferable method for forming the above-mentioned specific convex shape on the surface of the toner particles, an organosilicon compound is added to the place where the toner mother particles are dispersed in an aqueous medium to obtain a toner mother particle dispersion liquid to form a convex shape to disperse the toner particles. A method of obtaining a liquid can be mentioned.

The solid content concentration of the toner mother particle dispersion is preferably adjusted to 25% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less. The temperature of the toner mother particle dispersion is preferably adjusted to 35 ° C. or higher. Further, it is preferable to adjust the pH of the toner mother particle dispersion to a pH at which condensation of the organosilicon compound does not easily proceed. Since the pH at which the condensation of the organosilicon polymer is difficult to proceed differs depending on the substance, the pH at which the reaction is most difficult to proceed is preferably within ± 0.5.

On the other hand, it is preferable to use an organosilicon compound that has been hydrolyzed. For example, it is hydrolyzed in a separate container as a pretreatment for the organosilicon compound. When the amount of the organic silicon compound is 100 parts by mass, the concentration of hydrolysis is preferably 40 parts by mass or more and 500 parts by mass or less of water from which ions have been removed such as ion-exchanged water and RO water, and 100 parts by mass or more and 400 parts by mass. The following is more preferable. The conditions for hydrolysis are preferably pH 2 to 7, temperature 15 to 80 ° C., and time 30 to 600 minutes.
The obtained hydrolysis liquid and the toner mother particle dispersion liquid are mixed to adjust the pH to a pH suitable for condensation (preferably 6 to 12, or 1 to 3, more preferably 8 to 12). By adjusting the amount of the hydrolysis liquid to 5.0 parts by mass or more and 30.0 parts by mass or less of the organosilicon compound with respect to 100 parts by mass of the toner mother particles, it becomes easy to form a convex shape. The temperature and time for forming and condensing the convex shape are preferably 35 ° C. to 99 ° C. and held for 60 minutes to 72 hours.

Further, in controlling the convex shape of the surface of the toner particles, it is preferable to adjust the pH in two steps. The convex shape on the surface of the toner particles can be controlled by appropriately adjusting the holding time before adjusting the pH and the holding time before adjusting the pH in the second step to condense the organosilicon compound. For example, it is preferable to hold the mixture at pH 4.0 to 6.0 for 0.5 hours to 1.5 hours and then at pH 8.0 to 11.0 for 3.0 hours to 5.0 hours. The convex shape can also be controlled by adjusting the condensation temperature of the organic compound in the range of 35 ° C. to 80 ° C.
For example, the convex width w can be controlled by the amount of the organosilicon compound added, the reaction temperature, the reaction pH of the first step, the reaction time, and the like. For example, the convex width tends to increase as the reaction time of the first step becomes longer.
The convex diameter d and the convex height h can be controlled by the amount of the organosilicon polymer added, the reaction temperature, the pH of the second step, and the like. For example, when the reaction pH in the second step is high, the convex diameter d and the convex height h tend to be large.

Hereinafter, a specific method for producing the toner will be described, but the toner is not limited thereto.
It is preferable that the toner mother particles are produced in an aqueous medium to form convex portions containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles.
As a method for producing the toner matrix particles, a suspension polymerization method, a dissolution suspension method, and an emulsion aggregation method are preferable, and the suspension polymerization method is more preferable. In the suspension polymerization method, the organosilicon polymer is easily precipitated uniformly on the surface of the toner matrix particles, and the organosilicon polymer has excellent adhesiveness, environmental stability, charge amount reversal component suppressing effect, and durability and durability thereof. Become good. Hereinafter, the suspension polymerization method will be further described.

In the suspension polymerization method, a polymerizable monomer composition containing a polymerizable monomer capable of producing a binder resin and, if necessary, an additive such as a colorant is granulated in an aqueous medium, and the composition is granulated. This is a method for obtaining toner matrix particles by polymerizing the polymerizable monomer contained in the polymerizable monomer composition.
A mold release agent or other resin may be added to the polymerizable monomer composition, if necessary. Further, after the completion of the polymerization step, the produced particles can be recovered by washing and filtration by a known method. The temperature may be raised in the latter half of the polymerization step. Further, in order to remove the unreacted polymerizable monomer or by-product, it is also possible to distill off a part of the dispersion medium from the reaction system in the latter half of the polymerization step or after the completion of the polymerization step.
It is preferable to use the toner mother particles thus obtained to form convex portions of the organosilicon polymer by the above method.

A mold release agent may be used as the toner. Examples of the release agent include the following.
Paraffin wax, microcrystallin wax, petroleum wax and its derivatives such as petrolatum, Montan wax and its derivatives, hydrocarbon wax and its derivatives by the Fisher Tropsch method, polyolefin wax and its derivatives such as polyethylene and polypropylene, carnauba wax, Natural waxes and derivatives thereof such as candelilla wax, fatty acids such as higher aliphatic alcohols, stearic acid, palmitic acid, or acid amides, esters or ketones thereof, hardened paraffin oil and derivatives thereof, vegetable waxes, animal products. Wax, hydrocarbon resin.
Derivatives include oxides, block copolymers with vinyl-based monomers, and graft-modified products. The release agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.
The content of the release agent is preferably 2.0 parts by mass or more and 30.0 parts by mass or less with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin or the polymerizable monomer that produces the binder resin.

As the other resin, for example, the following resins can be used.
Monopolymers of styrene and its substituents such as polystyrene and polyvinyltoluene; styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-vinyltoluene copolymer, styrene-vinylnaphthalin copolymer, styrene-methylacrylate copolymer, styrene -Ethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-butyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-octyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-dimethylaminoethyl acrylate copolymer, styrene-methyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-methacrylic acid Ethyl copolymer, styrene-butyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl ethyl ether copolymer, styrene-vinyl methyl ketone copolymer Styrene-based copolymers such as coalesced, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-isoprene copolymer, styrene-maleic acid copolymer, styrene-maleic acid ester copolymer; polymethylmethacrylate, polybutylmethacrylate, poly Vinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl butyral, silicone resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, epoxy resin, polyacrylic resin, rosin, modified rosin, terpene resin, phenol resin, aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon resin, aromatic type Styrene. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

As the polymerizable monomer, the vinyl-based polymerizable monomer shown below can be preferably exemplified.
Styrene; α-methylstyrene, β-methylstyrene, o-methylstyrene, m-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, 2,4-dimethylstyrene, pn-butylstyrene, p-tert-butylstyrene, p- Styrene derivatives such as n-hexylstyrene, pn-octyl, pn-nonylstyrene, pn-decylstyrene, pn-dodecylstyrene, p-methoxystyrene, p-phenylstyrene; methylacrylate, Ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, iso-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, iso-butyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, n-amyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, n- Acrylic polymerizable monomers such as nonyl acrylate, cyclohexyl acrylate, benzyl acrylate, dimethyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, diethyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, dibutyl phosphate ethyl acrylate, 2-benzoyloxyethyl acrylate; methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, iso-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, iso-butyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, n-amyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, n-nonyl methacrylate, Methacrylate-based polymerizable monomers such as diethyl phosphate ethyl methacrylate and dibutyl phosphate ethyl methacrylate; methylene aliphatic monocarboxylic acid esters; vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl benzoate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl benzoate, formic acid Vinyl esters such as vinyl; vinyl ethers such as vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether; vinyl methyl ketone, vinyl hexyl ketone, vinyl isopropyl ketone.
Among these vinyl polymers, styrene, styrene derivatives, acrylic-based polymerizable monomers and methacrylic-based polymerizable monomers are preferable.

Further, a polymerization initiator may be added when the polymerizable monomer is polymerized. Examples of the polymerization initiator include the following.
2,2'-azobis- (2,4-divaleronitrile), 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile, 1,1'-azobis (cyclohexane-1-carbonitrile), 2,2'-azobis Azo or diazo polymerization initiators such as -4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile, azobisisobutyronitrile; benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, diisopropyloxycarbonate, cumene hydroperoxide, 2,4- Peroxide-based polymerization initiators such as dichlorobenzoyl peroxide and lauroyl peroxide.
These polymerization initiators are preferably added in an amount of 0.5 parts by mass to 30.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable monomer, and may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Further, in order to control the molecular weight of the binder resin constituting the toner matrix particles, a chain transfer agent may be added when the polymerizable monomer is polymerized. The preferable amount to be added is 0.001 part by mass to 15.000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable monomer.

On the other hand, in order to control the molecular weight of the binder resin constituting the toner matrix particles, a cross-linking agent may be added when the polymerizable monomer is polymerized. For example, the following can be mentioned.
Divinylbenzene, bis (4-acryloxypolyethoxyphenyl) propane, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butanediol diacrylate, 1,5-pentanediol diacrylate, 1,6 -Hexanediol diacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate, diethylene glycol diacrylate, triethylene glycol diacrylate, tetraethylene glycol diacrylate, polyethylene glycol # 200, # 400, # 600 diacrylate, dipropylene glycol diacrylate, polypropylene Glycol diacrylate, polyester diacrylate (MANDA Nihonkayaku), and the above acrylate converted to methacrylate.
Examples of the polyfunctional crosslinkable monomer include the following. Pentaerythritol triacrylate, trimethylolethane triacrylate, trimethylolpropane triacrylate, tetramethylolmethanetetraacrylate, oligoester acrylate and its methacrylate, 2,2-bis (4-methacryloxy-polyethoxyphenyl) propane, diacrylic phthalate, Triallyl cyanurate, triallyl isocyanurate, triallyl trimellitate, diallyl chlorendate.
The preferable amount to be added is 0.001 part by mass to 15.000 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polymerizable monomer.

When the medium used in the suspension polymerization is an aqueous medium, the following can be used as a dispersion stabilizer for the particles of the polymerizable monomer composition.
Tricalcium phosphate, magnesium phosphate, zinc phosphate, aluminum phosphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, calcium metasilicate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, bentonite, silica, alumina ..
In addition, examples of the organic dispersant include the following. Polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose, starch.
It is also possible to use commercially available nonionic, anionic and cationic surfactants. Examples of such a surfactant include the following. Sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, sodium pentadecyl sulfate, sodium octyl sulfate, sodium oleate, sodium laurate, potassium stearate.

A colorant may be used as the toner, and a known toner may be used without particular limitation.
The content of the colorant is preferably 3.0 parts by mass to 15.0 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin or the polymerizable monomer capable of producing the binder resin.

A charge control agent can be used during toner production, and known ones can be used. The amount of these charge control agents added is preferably 0.01 parts by mass to 10.00 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder resin or the polymerizable monomer.

The toner particles may be used as they are as toner, or various organic or inorganic fine powders may be externally added to the toner particles, if necessary. The organic or inorganic fine powder preferably has a particle size of 1/10 or less of the weight average particle size of the toner particles from the viewpoint of durability when added to the toner particles.
As the organic or inorganic fine powder, for example, the following is used.
(1) Fluidity imparting agent: silica, alumina, titanium oxide, carbon black and carbon fluoride.
(2) Abrasive: Metal oxide (for example, strontium titanate, cerium oxide, alumina, magnesium oxide, chromium oxide), nitride (for example, silicon nitride), carbide (for example, silicon carbide), metal salt (for example, calcium sulfate, sulfuric acid) Barium, calcium carbonate).
(3) Lubricating agent: Fluorine-based resin powder (for example, vinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene), fatty acid metal salt (for example, zinc stearate, calcium stearate).
(4) Charge control particles: metal oxides (for example, tin oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, silica, alumina), carbon black.

Surface treatment of organic or inorganic fine powder may be performed in order to improve the fluidity of the toner and make the charge uniform. Examples of the treatment agent for hydrophobizing organic or inorganic fine powders include unmodified silicone varnish, various modified silicone varnishes, unmodified silicone oil, various modified silicone oils, silane compounds, silane coupling agents, and other organosilicon compounds. Includes organotitanium compounds. These treatment agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

Hereinafter, various measurement methods related to the present invention will be described.
<Method of observing the cross section of toner with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM)>
The cross section of the toner observed with a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) is prepared as follows.
The procedure for producing the cross section of the toner will be described below.
First, the toner is sprayed on a cover glass (Matsunami Glass Co., Ltd., square cover glass; square No. 1) so as to form a single layer, and an osmium plasma coater (filgen Co., Ltd., OPC80T) is used to apply Os to the toner as a protective film. A film (5 nm) and a naphthalene film (20 nm) are applied.
Next, a PTFE tube (Φ1.5 mm × Φ3 mm × 3 mm) is filled with a photocurable resin D800 (JEOL Ltd.), and the cover glass is placed on the tube so that the toner comes into contact with the photocurable resin D800. Place gently in the orientation. After irradiating light in this state to cure the resin, the cover glass and the tube are removed to form a cylindrical resin in which toner is embedded on the outermost surface.
4 when the radius of the toner (for example, weight average particle size (D4)) from the outermost surface of the cylindrical resin is 8.0 μm at a cutting speed of 0.6 mm / s by an ultrasonic ultramicrotome (Leica, UC7). Cut by a length of .0 μm) to obtain a cross section of the central part of the toner.
Next, cutting is performed so that the film thickness is 100 nm, and a flaky sample of the cross section of the toner is prepared. By cutting by such a method, a cross section of the toner center portion can be obtained.
Images are acquired with a STEM probe size of 1 nm and an image size of 1024 x 1024 pixel. Further, the contrast of the director control panel of the bright field image is adjusted to 1425, the contrast control is adjusted to 3750, the contrast of the image control panel is adjusted to 0.0, the brightness control is adjusted to 0.5, and the Gammma is adjusted to 1.00 to acquire an image. The image magnification is 100,000 times, and the image is acquired so as to fit in about one-fourth to one-half of the circumference of the cross section in one toner particle as shown in FIG. The obtained image is subjected to image analysis using image processing software (image J (available from https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/)), and the convex portion containing the organosilicon polymer is measured. Image analysis is performed on 30 STEM images.
First, draw a line along the circumference of the toner matrix particle with the line drawing tool (select the Segmented line on the Strat tab). The portion where the convex portion of the organosilicon polymer is buried in the toner matrix particles is smoothly connected as if it were not buried.
Convert to a horizontal image based on the line (select Selection on the Edit tab, change the line width to 500pixel in Properties, then select Selection on the Edit tab and perform Struggtener). With respect to the horizontal image, the convex width w, the convex diameter d, and the convex height h are measured for each convex portion containing the organosilicon polymer by the method described above. P (d / w) is calculated from the result of measuring 30 STEM images. Further, the cumulative distribution of the convex height h is taken to calculate h80.
Further, the total value of the convex width w of the convex portion whose convex height h existing in the horizontal image used for the image analysis is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less is Σw, and the width of the horizontal image used for the image analysis is defined as the peripheral length L. To do. The width of the horizontal image corresponds to the length of the surface of the toner matrix particles in the STEM image. Σw / L is calculated from one image, and the arithmetic mean value of 30 STEM images is adopted.
The detailed measurement of the convex portion is as described above and FIGS. 5 to 7.
The measurement is done with Image J, and the scale on the image is set to Strig on the Straight tab.
Overlay with ht Line, and set the scale length on the image with Set Scale on the Analyze tab. A line segment corresponding to the convex width w or the convex height h can be drawn with the Straight Line of the Straight tab, and can be measured with the Measure of the Analyze tab.

<Calculation method of average particle size of convex parts in scanning electron microscope (SEM)>
The method of SEM observation is as follows. This is performed using images taken by the Hitachi ultra-high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope S-4800 (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation). The image capturing conditions of S-4800 are as follows.
(1) Sample preparation A conductive paste (TED PELLA, Inc, Product No. 16053, PELCO Colloidal Graphite, Isopropanol base) is thinly applied to a sample table (aluminum sample table 15 mm × 6 mm), and toner is sprayed on the conductive paste. Further air blow is performed to remove the excess fine particles from the sample table, and then platinum is vapor-deposited at 15 mA for 15 seconds. Set the sample table in the sample holder and adjust the sample table height to 30 mm with the sample height gauge.
(2) Setting of observation conditions for S-4800 Inject liquid nitrogen into the anti-contamination trap attached to the housing of S-4800 until it overflows, and leave it for 30 minutes. The "PC-SEM" of S-4800 is started to perform flushing (cleaning of the FE chip which is an electron source). Click the accelerating voltage display part of the control panel on the screen and press the [Flushing] button to open the flushing execution dialog. Confirm that the flushing intensity is 2, and execute. Confirm that the emission current due to flushing is 20 to 40 μA. Insert the sample holder into the sample chamber of the S-4800 housing. Press [Origin] on the control panel to move the sample holder to the observation position.
Click the accelerating voltage display to open the HV setting dialog, and set the accelerating voltage to [2.0 kV] and the emission current to [10 μA]. In the [Basic] tab of the operation panel, set the signal selection to [SE] and select [Bottom (L)] for the SE detector to set the mode for observing the reflected electron image. Similarly, in the [Basic] tab of the operation panel, set the probe current of the electro-optical system condition block to [Normal], the focus mode to [UHR], and the WD to [8.0 mm]. Press the [ON] button on the acceleration voltage display of the control panel to apply the acceleration voltage.

(3) Focus adjustment Drag the inside of the magnification display section of the control panel to set the magnification to 5000 (5k) times. Rotate the focus knob [COARSE] on the operation panel to adjust the aperture alignment when the focus is adjusted to some extent. Click [Align] on the control panel to display the alignment dialog, and select [Beam]. Rotate the STIGMA / ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) on the operation panel to move the displayed beam to the center of the concentric circles.
Next, select [Aperture] and turn the STIGMA / ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) one by one to stop the movement of the image or adjust it to the minimum movement. Close the aperture dialog and use autofocus to focus. This operation is repeated twice more to focus. With the midpoint of the maximum diameter of the observed particles aligned with the center of the measurement screen, drag the inside of the magnification display section of the control panel to set the magnification to 10000 (10k) times. Rotate the focus knob [COARSE] on the operation panel to adjust the aperture alignment when the focus is adjusted to some extent. Click [Align] on the control panel to display the alignment dialog, and select [Beam]. Rotate the STIGMA / ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) on the operation panel to move the displayed beam to the center of the concentric circles.
Next, select [Aperture] and turn the STIGMA / ALIGNMENT knobs (X, Y) one by one to stop the movement of the image or adjust it to the minimum movement. Close the aperture dialog and use autofocus to focus. After that, the magnification is set to 50,000 (50k) times, the focus is adjusted using the focus knob and the STIGMA / ALIGNMENT knob in the same manner as above, and the focus is adjusted again by autofocus. Repeat this operation again to focus.
(4) Image saving Perform brightness adjustment in ABC mode, take a picture with a size of 640 x 480 pixels, and save it.
From the obtained SEM image, the number average diameter (D1) of the 500 convex portions having a thickness of 20 nm or more existing on the surface of the toner particles was calculated by image processing software (Image J). The measurement method is as follows.
-Measurement of the number average diameter of the convex parts of the organosilicon polymer The convex parts and the toner mother particles in the image are color-coded by binarization by particle analysis. Next, the maximum length of the selected shape is selected from the measurement commands, and the convex diameter R (maximum diameter) of one convex portion is measured. By performing this operation a plurality of times and obtaining the arithmetic mean value at 500 points, the number average diameter of the convex diameter R is calculated.

<Measurement method of fixation rate of organosilicon polymer>
160 g of sucrose (manufactured by Kishida Chemical Co., Ltd.) is added to 100 mL of ion-exchanged water and dissolved in a hot water bath to prepare a sucrose concentrate. 31 g of the above sucrose concentrate in a centrifuge tube (capacity 50 ml), and 10 of a neutral detergent for cleaning precision measuring instruments with a pH of 7 consisting of Contaminone N (nonionic surfactant, anionic surfactant, and organic builder). Add 6 mL of a mass% aqueous solution (manufactured by Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd.) to prepare a dispersion. 1.0 g of toner is added to this dispersion, and the toner lumps are loosened with a spatula or the like.
The centrifuge tube is shaken on a shaker at 350 spm (strokes per min) for 20 minutes. After shaking, the solution is replaced with a glass tube for a swing rotor (capacity: 50 mL), and separated by a centrifuge (manufactured by Kokusan Co., Ltd., H-9R) at 3500 rpm for 30 minutes. Visually confirm that the toner and the aqueous solution are sufficiently separated, and collect the separated toner in the uppermost layer with a spatula or the like. The aqueous solution containing the collected toner is filtered through a vacuum filter and then dried in a dryer for 1 hour or more. The dried product is crushed with a spatula and the amount of silicon is measured by fluorescent X-ray. The adhesion rate (%) is calculated from the ratio of the amount of elements to be measured between the toner after washing with water and the initial toner.
The measurement of fluorescent X-rays of each element conforms to JIS K 0119-1969, but the specifics are as follows.
As the measuring device, the wavelength dispersive fluorescent X-ray analyzer "Axios" (manufactured by PANalytical) and the attached dedicated software "SuperQ ver.4.0F" (manufactured by PANalytical) for setting measurement conditions and analyzing measurement data ) Is used. Rh is used as the anode of the X-ray tube, the measurement atmosphere is vacuum, the measurement diameter (collimator mask diameter) is 10 mm, and the measurement time is 10 seconds. Further, when measuring a light element, it is detected by a proportional counter (PC), and when measuring a heavy element, it is detected by a scintillation counter (SC).
As a measurement sample, put about 1 g of the toner after washing with water and the initial toner in a special press aluminum ring with a diameter of 10 mm and flatten it, and then flatten it with the tablet molding compressor "BRE-32" (manufactured by Maekawa Testing Machine Co., Ltd.). ) Is pressed at 20 MPa for 60 seconds, and pellets molded to a thickness of about 2 mm are used.
Measurement is performed under the above conditions, an element is identified based on the obtained peak position of X-rays, and its concentration is calculated from the counting rate (unit: cps) which is the number of X-ray photons per unit time.
As a quantification method in the toner, for example, the amount of silicon is added so that, for example, 0.5 parts by mass of silica (SiO2) fine powder is added to 100 parts by mass of the toner particles, and the mixture is sufficiently mixed using a coffee mill. .. Similarly, the silica fine powder is mixed with the toner particles so as to be 2.0 parts by mass and 5.0 parts by mass, respectively, and these are used as a sample for the calibration curve.
For each sample, pellets of the sample for the calibration curve were prepared as described above using a tablet molding compressor, and when PET was used for the spectroscopic crystal, the diffraction angle (2θ) = 109.08 ° was observed. The counting rate (unit: cps) of Si-Kα rays is measured. At this time, the acceleration voltage and current value of the X-ray generator are set to 24 kV and 100 mA, respectively. A calibration curve having a linear function is obtained with the obtained X-ray count rate on the vertical axis and the amount of SiO2 added in each calibration curve sample on the horizontal axis.
Next, the toner to be analyzed is pelletized as described above using a tablet molding compressor, and the count rate of Si—Kα rays is measured. Then, the content of the organosilicon polymer in the toner is determined from the above calibration curve. The ratio of the elemental amount of the toner after washing with water to the elemental amount of the initial toner calculated by the above method is calculated and used as the fixing rate (%).

[Manufacturing example of toner T]
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to a production example of the toner T, but the present invention is not limited to this production example. Unless otherwise specified, all "parts" of each material in the production example are based on mass.

[Manufacturing example of toner T]
(Preparation step of aqueous medium 1)
14.0 parts of sodium phosphate (12-hydrate manufactured by Rasa Industries, Ltd.) was put into 650.0 parts of ion-exchanged water in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, and a return pipe, and nitrogen was purged. However, the temperature was kept at 65 ° C. for 1.0 hour.
T. K. Using a homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.), while stirring at 15,000 rpm, a calcium chloride aqueous solution in which 9.2 parts of calcium chloride (dihydrate) is dissolved in 10.0 parts of ion-exchanged water is batched. Aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer was prepared. Further, 10% by mass hydrochloric acid was added to the aqueous medium to adjust the pH to 5.0 to obtain the aqueous medium 1.
(Preparation step of polymerizable monomer composition)
・ Styrene: 60.0 parts ・ C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3: 6.5 parts The material was put into an attritor (manufactured by Mitsui Miike Machinery Co., Ltd.), and further dispersed with zirconia particles having a diameter of 1.7 mm at 220 rpm for 5.0 hours to obtain a pigment. A dispersion was prepared. The following materials were added to the pigment dispersion.
-Styrene: 20.0 parts-n-butyl acrylate: 20.0 parts-Crosslinking agent (divinylbenzene): 0.3 parts-Saturated polyester resin: 5.0 parts (propylene oxide-modified bisphenol A (2 mol adduct) Polycondensate of terephthalic acid and terephthalic acid (molar ratio 10:12), glass transition temperature Tg = 68 ° C., weight average molecular weight Mw = 10000, molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn = 5.12)
-Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 78 ° C): 7.0 parts This was kept warm at 65 ° C, and T.I. K. A polymerizable monomer composition was prepared by uniformly dissolving and dispersing at 500 rpm using a homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.).
(Granulation process)
The temperature of the aqueous medium 1 was set to 70 ° C. K. While maintaining the rotation speed of the homomixer at 15,000 rpm, the polymerizable monomer composition was put into the aqueous medium 1 and 10.0 parts of t-butylperoxypivalate as a polymerization initiator was added. Granulation was carried out for 10 minutes while maintaining 15,000 rpm with the stirring device as it was.
(Polymerization / distillation process)
After the granulation step, the stirrer is replaced with a propeller stirring blade, and while stirring at 150 rpm, polymerization is carried out at 70 ° C. for 5.0 hours, and the temperature is raised to 85 ° C. and heated for 2.0 hours to carry out the polymerization reaction. went.
After that, the return pipe of the reaction vessel was replaced with a cooling pipe, and the slurry was heated to 100 ° C. to carry out distillation for 6 hours to distill off the unreacted polymerizable monomer to obtain a toner mother particle dispersion. ..

(Polymerization of organosilicon compounds)
60.0 parts of ion-exchanged water was weighed in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 with 10% by mass of hydrochloric acid. This was heated with stirring to bring the temperature to 40 ° C. Then, 40.0 parts of methyltriethoxysilane, which is an organosilicon compound, was added and stirred for 2 hours or more for hydrolysis. The end point of hydrolysis was visually confirmed that the oil and water did not separate and became one layer, and the mixture was cooled to obtain a hydrolyzed solution of an organosilicon compound.
After cooling the temperature of the obtained toner mother particle dispersion to 55 ° C., 25.0 parts of a hydrolyzate of the organosilicon compound was added to start the polymerization of the organosilicon compound. After holding it as it was for 15 minutes, the pH was adjusted to 5.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. After holding for 60 minutes while continuing stirring at 55 ° C., the pH was adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, and the mixture was further held for 240 minutes to obtain a toner particle dispersion.

(Washing and drying process)
After the polymerization step is completed, the toner particle dispersion is cooled, hydrochloric acid is added to the toner particle dispersion to adjust the pH to 1.5 or less, the mixture is left to stir for 1 hour, and then solid-liquid separated with a pressure filter to separate the toner cake. Got This was reslurried with ion-exchanged water to form a dispersion liquid again, and then solid-liquid separated with the above-mentioned filter to obtain a toner cake.
The obtained toner cake was dried and classified in a constant temperature bath at 40 ° C. for 72 hours to obtain toner particles T.

When the toner T produced as described above was put into the developing apparatus 7 of this embodiment, the toner T was negatively charged (negative electrode property).

(Toner work function)
The work function (Φ) of the toner was measured using a photoelectron spectrometer (AC-2 manufactured by RIKEN Keiki Co., Ltd.) in the same manner as the material used for the seal sheet 4.
As a result, the work function of the toner was 5.53 eV.

(Toner purge sequence)
In this embodiment, toner is periodically supplied to the cleaning blade 3 in order to impart lubricity to the cleaning blade 3.
Therefore, the image forming apparatus 200 is set to execute a toner purge sequence for supplying toner from the developing apparatus 7 to the cleaning apparatus 2 for each predetermined number of prints.

In the toner purge sequence of this embodiment, a non-image formation time is provided for every 100 printed sheets, the image formation is interrupted, and the toner purge sequence is operated at that time. Then, for each toner purge sequence, a horizontal band pattern having a width of 15 mm is drawn in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 (direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 and the like) to develop the toner on the photosensitive drum 1. Then, a transfer bias of −200 V was applied to the transfer roller 11 to prevent the toner from transferring to the transfer roller 11, and the toner was supplied to the cleaning device 2.
As a result, toner is periodically supplied to the cleaning device 2.

(Drive torque)
Next, the measurement of the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 in this embodiment will be described.
In this measurement, the photosensitive drum 1, the cleaning blade 3, and the seal sheet 4 are mounted on the frame of the cleaning device 2, and a torque measuring device for measuring the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 is connected to the rotation jig. Connected to the tool. At that time, assuming that toner is supplied to the cleaning device 2 by the toner purge sequence, a horizontal solid image is formed in advance on the upstream side of the seal sheet 4 by 15 mm in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 and in the entire axial direction. Drum 1 was used.
As a result, the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 5 seconds after the start of rotation was 1.74 kgf · cm in the cleaning device 2 in which the PTFE tape was attached to the surface of the seal sheet 4.
Further, when a PET sheet, which is another material, was used as the seal sheet 4, the driving torque in the cleaning device 2 was 1.78 kgf · cm.

(Explanation of low torque action)
Next, in the cleaning device 2 of the present embodiment, the drive torque is reduced by effectively supplying the convex portion of the toner having the convex portion on the surface to the cleaning nip N1. The mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8A shows a schematic view of a state in the vicinity of the cleaning nip N1 when the toner (residual toner) T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being primary transferred is cleaned by the cleaning unit 26.
The toner (developer) T is composed of a toner mother particle Tp and a plurality of convex portions e formed on the surface of the toner mother particle Tp.
The toner (residual toner) T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording material 12 passes through the contact portion N2 between the seal sheet 4 and the photosensitive drum 1 and reaches the cleaning portion 26. The toner T that has reached the cleaning unit 26 is rubbed against the cleaning unit 26, and at least a part of the convex portion e formed on the surface of the toner T is transferred from the toner mother particles Tp to the cleaning unit 26. When a part of the transferred convex portion e is pushed by the other convex portion e that has been transferred by the cleaning portion 26, it moves to the cleaning nip N1 and the flat portion ep of the convex portion e adheres to the cleaning portion 26 side. The convex portion e that could not enter the cleaning nip N1 is deposited near the entrance of the cleaning nip N1 to form a deposited layer 23 of the convex portion e.

After the deposited layer 23 is formed, as shown in FIG. 8B, the toner (residual toner) T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred abuts on the deposited layer 23. After that, the toner T is continuously pushed up from the rear (upstream in the moving direction of the photosensitive drum 1), and is pushed up in the direction of arrow B1. The pushed-up toner T moves in the direction of arrow B2 due to gravity. As a result, in the region 27, the toner T is circulated from the arrow B1 to the arrow B2. At this time, the toner T rubs against the cut surface 26a and the toners T, and the convex portion e formed on the surface of the toner T moves to the surface of another toner T or the deposited layer 23.

By the way, before the toner T reaches the cleaning nip N1, the toner T rubs against the seal sheet 4. At that time, in this embodiment, as the seal sheet 4, (i) PTFE, which is a material having a work function larger than that of the toner T, and (ii) PET, which is a material having a work function substantially equal to that of the toner T, are used. ..

(I) When PTFE is used for the seal sheet 4, a material is used in which the toner T is positively charged (positive electrode property) when the toner T and PTFE are rubbed against each other. Therefore, the toner T rubs against the seal sheet 4 when passing through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, and its electric charge changes to the positive side. Since the toner T is negatively charged before passing through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, the charge changes to the positive side by rubbing against the seal sheet 4. The amount of charge decreases. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T is weakened, and the fluidity of the toner T is improved.

(Ii) When PET is used for the seal sheet 4, even if the toner T and the seal sheet 4 are rubbed against each other, the change in the charge of the toner T is small, so that the change in the fluidity of the toner T is also small.
When the toner T reaches the region 27, the fluidity of the toner T has not deteriorated, so that the toner T is easy to move, and the toner T has more chances to rub against the cut surface 26a and the toners T. The amount of the portion e transferred from the surface of the toner T to another toner T, the cleaning portion 26, or the deposition layer 23 increases. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply a large number of transferred convex portions e to the cleaning nip N1.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the toner T used in this embodiment, the convex portion e that has migrated to the other toner T, the cleaning portion 26, and the deposited layer 23 has a flat portion ep and a curved portion ec, and has migrated. Of the convex portions e, those that have entered the cleaning nip N1 have the flat surface portion ep of the convex portion e adhered to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the curved surface portion ec of the convex portion e comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes smaller. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.
The toner T used in the present embodiment has a function as a developer used for image formation (development of a latent image), and also provides lubricity to a contact region between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 3. It also has a function as "(intervening particles)". That is, the toner T exists as composite particles (intervening particles) in the region 27 as an adjacent region adjacent to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the contact region between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 3. .. Then, the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced by the above-mentioned lubrication function of the "convex portion e" that has moved from the mother particles of the toner T to the contact region by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1.
In addition, unlike the present embodiment, toner as a developer for image formation (for latent image development) and toner as composite particles for lubrication are separately prepared, that is, specialized in each function. It may be configured to prepare different types of dedicated particles (toners). The lubricating composite particles can be a lubricant having first particles containing the mother particles and the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particles, similar to the toner for development.
Further, the method of supplying the toner as composite particles to the apparatus is not particularly limited. For example, a method in which the composite particles are stored in the toner storage portion 5 in advance may be used. That is, the composite particles may be stored in a place different from the developing toner at the time of manufacturing the device, and may be supplied to the place where the desired lubricity should be imparted by driving the device.

(Comparative Example 1)
As Comparative Example 1, a seal sheet 4 having a work function smaller than that of the toner T, that is, a negative (negative electrode) charged when rubbed against the toner T was used. Specifically, a sheet in which a nylon tape (3M Co., Ltd .: product number 2756) was adhered to the surface of a PET sheet (Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirror (registered trademark)) was used. Further, the surface to which the nylon tape was adhered was brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1.
Further, the work function (Φ) of the seal sheet 4 was measured using a photoelectron spectrometer (AC-2 manufactured by RIKEN Keiki Co., Ltd.) in the same manner as in Example 1. As a result, the work function of the nylon tape was 5.20 eV.
Further, the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was also measured by the same method as in Example 1. As a result, the driving torque of the cleaning device 2 in which the nylon tape was attached to the surface of the seal sheet 4 was 2.13 kgf · cm.

As described above, when a material that negatively charges the toner T, that is, a material having a work function smaller than the work function of the toner T is used as the material of the seal sheet 4, the charge of the toner T is as follows. Change. That is, when the toner T passes through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, its charge changes to the negative side due to rubbing against the seal sheet 4. Since the toner T is negatively charged before passing through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, the charge is further changed to the negative side by rubbing against the seal sheet 4. , The amount of charge increases. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T is further strengthened, and the fluidity of the toner T is deteriorated. Since the toner T has a large amount of negative charges, even if the toner T reaches the region 27, the toner T agglomerates with each other, the movement of the toner T near the region 27 becomes slow, and the toner T has a cut surface 26a. And the chance of rubbing against each other of toner T is reduced. Therefore, it is difficult for the convex portion e to migrate from the toner mother particle Tp to the toner T, the cleaning portion 26, the deposited layer, and the like, and the amount of the transferred convex portion e supplied to the cleaning nip N1 is reduced. Therefore, the amount of the transferred convex portion e adhering to the cleaning portion 26 side is reduced, and the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 are less likely to slip. As a result, the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes high.

(Comparative Example 2)
In Comparative Example 2 as another Comparative Example, the toner used was a toner having no convex portion e on the surface, and the seal sheet 4 used the same materials as in Example 1, Example 2, and Comparative Example 1. The driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured.

One of the materials used for the seal sheet 4 is a sheet in which PTFE tape (3M Co., Ltd .: PTFE tape product number 5490) is adhered to the surface of a PET sheet (Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirror (registered trademark)). Is. The other is a PET sheet (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirer (registered trademark)), and the other is a PET sheet (manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc .: Lumirer (registered trademark)) on the surface. This is a sheet to which nylon tape (manufactured by 3M Co., Ltd .: product number 2756) is adhered.

When the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was similarly measured with these materials, it was 2.94 kgf · cm for the PTFE tape, 3.09 kgf · cm for the PET sheet, and 3.04 kgf · cm for the nylon tape.

As described above, even if the toner having no convex portion e on the surface reaches the deposited layer 23 and the external additive desorbed from the toner mother particles Tp enters the cleaning nip N1, the external additive is flat. Since it does not have a portion, it hardly adheres to the cleaning portion 26. Then, the external additive is discharged from the cleaning unit 26 by the movement of the photosensitive drum 1. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become less slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes high.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus using the toner T in which the normal charging polarity of the toner is negative (negative electrode property) and the surface has a convex portion e, the work function of the material used for the seal sheet 4 is (i) toner. It is larger than the work function of T, or (ii) the difference from the work function of toner T is small.
As a result, even if the toner T and the seal sheet 4 rub against each other when passing through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, the toner T is statically eliminated or the electric charge is maintained. Therefore, the toner T is rarely further negatively charged. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T does not become strong, and the fluidity of the toner T does not deteriorate. When the toner T reaches the region 27, the fluidity of the toner T is maintained, so that the toner T has more chances to rub against the cut surface 26a and the toners T, and the toner T or the toner T is exposed from the surface of the toner T. The amount of the convex portion e that migrates to the cleaning portion 26, the deposited layer, or the like increases. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply many transition protrusions to the cleaning nip N1.

In the toner T used in this embodiment, the convex portion e transferred to the toner T, the cleaning portion 26, the deposited layer, or the like has a flat portion ep and a curved surface portion ec, and among the transferred convex portions e, the cleaning nip. For those that have entered N1, the flat surface portion ep of the convex portion e adheres to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the curved surface portion ec of the convex portion e comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes smaller. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, as an example in which the work function difference between the toner T and the seal sheet 4 is small, an example using a PET sheet is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the work function difference between the toner and the material used for the seal sheet 4 is within 0.15 eV, it is considered that the amount of electric charge applied by rubbing is small and the fluidity of the toner is maintained.

Further, in this embodiment, the toner having a negative normal charge polarity (negative electrode property) of the toner has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the toner having a positive positive charge polarity (positive electrode property) of the toner is not limited to this. The value of the work function of the seal sheet 4 is made smaller than the value of the work function. As a result, when the seal sheet 4 and the toner rub against each other, a negative charge is applied to the positively charged toner, and the amount of charge of the toner is reduced. Then, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner is weakened, and the fluidity of the toner is improved, so that the convex portion e on the toner surface can be easily transferred to the toner, the cleaning portion 26, the deposited layer, or the like. As a result, the convex portion e of the toner can be supplied to the cleaning nip N1, and the flat portion ep of the convex portion e is attached to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced, so that the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 is reduced.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the process cartridge is detachably provided with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 200 has been illustrated and described, but the apparatus configuration to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. Absent.
For example, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus configuration in which a cleaning apparatus is not detachably provided from the image forming apparatus main body.
Further, in the present embodiment, the process cartridge provided with the charging roller 6, the developing device 7, and the cleaning device 2 has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to at least a process cartridge provided with the cleaning device. Is.

<Example 2>
FIG. 9 is a schematic explanatory view of the process cartridge 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In Example 2 of the present invention, a SUS (stainless steel) sheet is used as the sheet used for the seal sheet 4, and a bias is applied to the SUS sheet from the high-voltage power supply device 40 as a voltage applying means. ing. The applied bias is a positive voltage (voltage opposite to the charging polarity of the toner 4) or a bias with a voltage of 0V, that is, a bias that does not increase the charging amount of the toner 4 (same as the charging polarity of the toner 4). A bias that has no magnitude on the polar side) is applied.
Of the configurations of the second embodiment, the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Moreover, the explanation of Example 1 is incorporated.
The image forming apparatus 200 of this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, but the material of the sheet used for the seal sheet 4 provided in the cleaning apparatus 2 is a SUS sheet. Further, a bias is applied to the SUS sheet from the high-voltage power supply device 40 provided in the image forming apparatus 200 (device main body).
The material of the sheet used for the seal sheet 4 is not limited to SUS, and other conductive materials may be used.

(Seal sheet, high pressure bias)
Next, the seal sheet 4, which is a feature of this embodiment, and the high-voltage bias applied to the seal sheet 4 from the high-voltage power supply device 40 will be described.
A SUS sheet (SUS304, thickness 40 μm) was used as the material of the seal sheet 4 of this example.
Further, as a high-voltage bias, a DC bias (DC voltage) of + 400 V and 0 V was applied to the seal sheet 4 from the high-voltage power supply device 40.
In this way, by making the material of the seal sheet 4 metal and applying a bias to the seal sheet 4, it is possible to eliminate static electricity of the toner T and suppress an increase in the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T.

(Drive torque)
Next, the measurement of the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 in this embodiment will be described.
The drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured from the high-voltage power supply device 40 under the same conditions as in Example 1 with DC biases of + 400 V and 0 V applied to the seal sheet 4.
As a result, the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was 1.96 kgf · cm when a + 400 V bias was applied, and 1.89 kgf · cm when a 0 V bias was applied.

(Explanation of low torque action)
Next, the drive torque mechanism in this embodiment will be described.

Similar to the first embodiment, the toner (residual toner) T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without being transferred to the recording material 12 reaches the cleaning unit 26. The toner T that has reached the cleaning unit 26 is rubbed against the cleaning unit 26, and at least a part of the convex portion e formed on the surface of the toner T is transferred from the toner mother particles Tp to the cleaning unit 26. Then, the flat surface portion ep of the transferred convex portion e adheres to the cleaning portion 26 side or is deposited near the entrance of the cleaning nip N1 to form the deposited layer 23 of the transferred convex portion e.
After the deposited layer 23 is formed, the toner (residual toner) T remaining on the photosensitive drum 1 without primary transfer hits the deposited layer 23 due to the convex portion e, and in the region 27, from arrow B1 to arrow B2. Circulation occurs. At this time, the toner T rubs against the cut surface 26a and the toners T, and the convex portion e formed on the toner surface moves to the surface of another toner T or the deposited layer 23.

By the way, the toner T rubs against the seal sheet 4 before reaching the cleaning nip N1. At that time, in this embodiment, a DC bias of + 400 V or 0 V is applied to the seal sheet 4.

That is, when a + 400 V DC bias is applied to the seal sheet 4, an electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4. Then, when the toner T and the seal sheet 4 rub against each other, since the seal sheet 4 is a conductor, the negative charge of the toner T moves to the seal sheet 4 side which is the positive side. On the other hand, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is an insulator, almost no charge is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the toner T. As a result, the toner T is statically eliminated.

Further, when a DC bias of 0 V is applied to the seal sheet 4, no electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4. However, when the toner T and the seal sheet 4 rub against each other, since the seal sheet 4 is a conductor, the negative charge that the toner T has in advance moves to the seal sheet 4. On the other hand, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is an insulator, almost no charge is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the toner T. As a result, the toner T is statically eliminated.

Eventually, the negative charge that the toner T has in advance moves to the seal sheet 4, the toner is discharged, and the charge amount of the toner T decreases. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T is weakened, and the fluidity of the toner T is improved.

When the toner T reaches the region 27, the flowability of the toner T is good, so that the toner T moves easily, and the toner T has more chances to rub against the cut surface 26a and the toners T, and the convex portion e Will move from the toner surface to the surface of another toner T or the deposited layer 23 in a large amount. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply a large number of transferred convex portions e to the cleaning nip N1. In the toner T used in this embodiment, the transferred convex portion e has a flat surface portion ep and a curved surface portion ec, and among the transferred convex portions e, the one that has entered the cleaning nip N1 is the convex portion e. The flat surface portion ep of the above is attached to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the curved surface portion ec of the convex portion e comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes smaller. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

(Comparison example)
As a comparative example, the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was measured from the high-voltage power supply device 40 under the same conditions as in Example 1 in a state where a DC bias of −400 V was applied to the seal sheet 4.
As a result, the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was 2.39 kgf · cm, and the value of the drive torque was larger than that in the case of applying a DC bias of + 400 V or 0 V to the seal sheet 4 as in Example 2.

This is because when a DC bias of −400 V is applied to the seal sheet 4, an electric field is formed between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4. Then, when the toner T and the seal sheet 4 are rubbed against each other, the seal sheet 4 is a conductor, and the toner T is potentially on the positive side as compared with the seal sheet 4, so that the toner T is negatively charged from the seal sheet 4. Moves. On the other hand, since the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is an insulator, almost no charge is transferred from the photosensitive drum 1 to the toner T. As a result, the negative charge of the toner T is further increased. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner is strengthened, and the fluidity of the toner T is deteriorated.

Since the toner T has a large amount of negative charges, when the toner T reaches the region 27, the toners T are aggregated with each other, the movement of the toner T near the region 27 becomes slow, and the toner T is cut. The chance of rubbing against the surface 26a and the toners T is reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult for the convex portion e to migrate from the toner T, and the amount of the transferred convex portion e deposited on the deposition layer 23 becomes small. As a result, the amount of the convex portion e supplied to the cleaning nip N1 is reduced, and the amount of the convex portion e adhering to the cleaning portion 26 side is reduced. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become less slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes high.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus using the toner T having the convex portion e on the surface, the SUS sheet is used as the sheet used for the seal sheet 4, and the SUS sheet has a positive voltage from the high voltage power supply device 40. Alternatively, a bias with zero voltage is applied. As a result, even if the toner T and the seal sheet 4 rub against each other when passing through the contact portion N2 between the photosensitive drum 1 and the seal sheet 4, the toner T is statically eliminated. Therefore, the electrostatic adhesive force of the toner T is weakened, and the fluidity of the toner T is improved. When the toner T reaches the region 27, the fluidity of the toner T is improved, so that the toner T has more chances to rub against the cut surface 26a and the toners T, and the other toner T is rubbed from the toner surface. The amount of the convex portion e that migrates to the surface of the toner and the deposited layer 23 increases. Therefore, it becomes possible to supply a large number of transferred convex portions e to the cleaning nip N1. In the toner T used in this embodiment, the transferred convex portion e has a flat surface portion ep and a curved surface portion ec, and among the transferred convex portions e, the one that has entered the cleaning nip N1 is the convex portion e. The flat surface portion ep of the above is attached to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the curved surface portion ec of the convex portion e comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes smaller. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

Further, in this embodiment, a bias of 0 V is applied to the seal sheet 4 by connecting to the high-voltage power supply device 40, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming device 200 may be connected to the ground (GND) of the main body.

Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the process cartridge is detachably provided with respect to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 200 has been illustrated and described, but the apparatus configuration to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to this. Absent.
For example, the present invention can be applied to an apparatus configuration in which a cleaning apparatus is not detachably provided from the image forming apparatus main body.
Further, in the present embodiment, the process cartridge provided with the charging roller 6, the developing device 7, and the cleaning device 2 has been described as an example, but the present invention can be applied to at least a process cartridge provided with the cleaning device. Is.

<Example 3>
Example 3 of the present invention will be described. Since the process cartridge 100 and the image forming apparatus 200 of this embodiment basically have the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 200 of Example 1 shown in FIG. 1, the elements having the same function and configuration have the same reference numerals. , And detailed explanation is omitted.

A part of the toner T accumulated in the region 27 described with reference to FIG. 8 is accommodated in the waste toner accommodating portion 5 as the photosensitive drum 1 is driven. Therefore, when images having a low printing rate are continuously printed or when the photosensitive drum 1 is driven with the developing roller 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 separated from each other, new toner T is not supplied to the region 27. As a result, the amount of toner in the region 27 is reduced and the drive torque is increased.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the cut surface 26a is arranged so as to suppress the decrease of the toner T accumulated in the region 27.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the cut surface 26a is set to a horizontal or positive elevation angle (an angle at which the height from the horizontal line H increases as the distance from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 increases), preferably the cut surface 26a. The angle β formed by the horizontal line H is set to be equal to or higher than the angle of repose of the toner T.

Further, in this embodiment, a contact separation mechanism for separating the developing roller 8 from the photosensitive drum 1 is provided, and in order to prevent fog of contact development, the photosensitive drum 1 is rotated during the non-image formation period. The developing device (developing roller 8) is separated from the developing device.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the contact state switching means (contact separation mechanism) of the developing roller 8. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, the cam member 18 as an acting member in the contact state switching means is arranged on the apparatus main body so as to come into contact with a part of the frame 21 of the developing apparatus 7. By rotating the cam member 18, the developing device 7 is configured to swing with respect to the main body of the device about a support shaft (not shown), and the swing of the developing device 7 causes the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing device to develop. The contact and separation operations (contact state and separation state) of the rollers 8 are controlled.
FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the developing roller 8 switches between contact and separation with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 by rotating the cam member 18, in which (a) is a contact state (contact state) and (b). ) Indicates the separated state.

As shown in FIG. 10B, when the photosensitive drum 1 is driven in a state where the developing roller 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 are separated from each other, the driving torque of the cleaning device 2 (because the photosensitive drum 1 of the motor 50 is rotationally driven). The drive torque) increases, but the mechanism will be explained below.

(Mechanism of torque increase during non-image formation)
As described in the first embodiment, the toner T deposited in the region 27 circulates, and the toner T rubs against the cleaning portion 26 and other toner T, so that the convex portion e shifts from the toner T to the cleaning nip N1. However, the torque is reduced by adhering. However, if the photosensitive drum 1 is driven with the developing rollers 8 separated from each other, new residual toner T is not supplied to the toner layer in the region 27. When the photosensitive drum 1 is driven in a situation where no new residual toner T is supplied, the toner T in the region 27 deposited on the cut surface 26a due to the vibration of the cleaning portion 26 accompanying the driving of the photosensitive drum 1 becomes the waste toner accommodating portion. It falls to 5. As a result, the amount of toner deposited on the cut surface 26a is reduced in the region 27. When the amount of toner in the region 27 decreases, the amount of the convex portion e existing in the deposited layer 23 decreases, and the amount of the convex portion e adhering to the cleaning nip N1 decreases, so that the driving torque increases.

According to the inventor of the present application, an increase in driving torque greatly affects the angle of the cut surface 26a, and by making the angle of the cut surface 26a a positive elevation angle with respect to the horizontal plane, the accumulated toner in the region 27 due to the vibration of the cleaning portion 26 We have found that the decrease in quantity can be reduced. The experimental results will be described in detail below.

(Results of examination of drive torque)
In this embodiment, paying attention to the arrangement of the cut surface 26a, the angle of the cut surface with respect to the horizontal plane was changed, and the drive torque of the cleaning device 2 in a state where the developing rollers 8 were separated was evaluated. The drive torque was measured in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the drive torque was measured 5 seconds and 90 seconds after the start of rotation.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the contact portion between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning portion 26 in the cleaning device 2 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the drive torque when the angle β formed by the cut surface 26a and the horizon H was changed was measured.
The drive torque at an elevation angle (0 degree or more) with a positive angle β is fixed to the same contact conditions as in Example 1, the penetration amount δ = 0.7 mm, and the blade set angle θ = 22 °, and the torque is measured. It was.

(Table 1)

From Table 1, it can be seen that when the angle β is a positive value, the increase in torque after 90 seconds tends to be suppressed. When the cut surface 26a has a positive elevation angle (an angle at which the height from the horizon H increases as the distance from the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 increases), the toner in the region 27 contains waste toner due to the vibration of the cleaning portion 26 accompanying the driving of the photosensitive drum 1. This is probably because the fall to the portion 5 is reduced.
Further, when the angle β is 50 degrees or more, which is the angle of repose of the toner, the torque immediately after rotation tends to decrease.

FIG. 12A shows a schematic view of a state near the cleaning nip N1 when the angle β is 0 degrees and FIG. 12B shows a schematic diagram when the angle β is 50 degrees.
Since the cleaning blade 3 is arranged with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 according to a predetermined blade setting angle θ, the contact position of the cleaning portion 26 with respect to the photosensitive drum 1 is determined in FIGS. 12A and 12B. It's different.

As shown in FIG. 12B, by making the cut surface 26a larger than the angle of repose, the toner T in the vicinity of the cut surface 26a is promoted to move in the cleaning nip N1 direction by gravity. As a result, the amount of the convex portion e that migrates to the deposited layer 23 due to the circulation of the toner T in the toner layer of the region 27 increases.

Here, the angle of repose of the toner will be described. The angle of repose of toner is the angle of inclination of the ridgeline of the toner peak formed on a flat surface when the toner is dropped on the flat surface. In this example, the angle of repose was measured using a powder tester PT-S (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron). 150 g of toner is placed on a mesh having a mesh size of 250 μm, and the toner is deposited on a circular table having a diameter of 8 cm through a funnel by applying vibration. At this time, the toner is deposited to the extent that the toner overflows from the edge of the table. The angle of repose is determined by measuring the angle formed between the ridgeline of the toner deposited on the table and the circular table surface at this time.

In this embodiment, a configuration in which a contact / detachment mechanism for separating the developing roller 8 from the photosensitive drum 1 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the developing roller 8 is always in contact with the photosensitive drum 1. The present invention is also applicable to the above-mentioned configuration.

It should be noted that each of the above embodiments can be configured by combining their respective configurations as much as possible.

<Second embodiment>
In the present embodiment, after the new photosensitive drum is driven, the developer is developed from the developing device on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, and the developer (toner) is conveyed to the contact portion of the cleaning blade. A configuration for reducing torque at the contact portion will be described.

(Image forming device)
Since the image forming apparatus and the process cartridge of the present embodiment have the same configuration as the (image forming apparatus) described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

(Cleaning device)
Since the cleaning device of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the (cleaning device) described in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

(Developer)
Since the toner as a developer constituting the "composite particles (intervening particles)" of the present embodiment has the same configuration as the (toner) described in Example 1, the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, a toner (composite particle) described later that functions as a lubricant is used in order to reduce the driving torque at the contact portion between the new photosensitive drum and the cleaning blade. Since the toner as a lubricant can also be used as a developer, the "developer" and the "lubricant" can be the same particles (composite particles). Of course, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment, and for example, the "developer" and the "lubricant" do not have to be the same.
That is, the toner (as a developer) used for image formation (development of a latent image) is separately contained (mixed) with particles (composite particles) that function as a lubricant and is stored in a developing container in advance. May be good.
In this way, the toner (developer) used for development may be used as the lubricant (composite particles) that imparts predetermined lubrication performance to each sliding portion of the cartridge, or dedicated particles whose main purpose is lubrication. May be prepared.

When dedicated particles (composite particles) are used, the mother particles and the organic particles on the surface of the mother particles are similar to the form of the "convex portion e" having a lubricating function derived from the toner (developer) of the present embodiment. Any lubricant (composite particle) having the first particles containing a silicon polymer may be used.
In this case, the composite particle (lubricant) whose main purpose is lubrication is as in the present embodiment as long as the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle is transferred (supplied) from the mother particle to the cleaning nip N1. It is possible to obtain the same effect as that of composite particles made of various developer.

(Manufacturing example of toner T)
Since the production example of the toner T of the present embodiment has the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment (production example of the toner T), the description thereof is omitted in the present embodiment.

(Lubricant placement method)
The method of arranging the lubricant, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is the lubricant arrangement method of FIG. 13 (a). However, since the lubricant placement methods shown in FIGS. 13 (b) and 13 (c) are also possible, a supplementary explanation will be given.
In the present embodiment, the toner T is arranged as a lubricant, but as described above, composite particles different from the toner T may be arranged as a lubricant.

First, the lubricant arranging method of FIG. 13A performed in the present embodiment will be described. The lubricant is arranged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 at the time of manufacturing the process cartridge to form the lubricant arrangement area 28. The lubricant arrangement area 28 is arranged between the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 and the seal sheet 4. That is, the toner T as a lubricant is previously applied to the lubricant arrangement area 28 on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 1. Alternatively, the lubricant arrangement area 28 may be configured to be housed in the internal space of the frame of the cleaning device. Then, when the apparatus is driven for the first time, the toner T as a lubricant applied to the lubricant arrangement area 28 is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 3 by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 (in front of the photosensitive drum 1). It is conveyed to the adjacent region 27), and the convex portion e moves to the contact region to bring about the above-mentioned lubricating action.

By arranging the lubricant arrangement area 28 between the cleaning blade 3 and the seal sheet 4, the lubricant arrangement area 28 fits inside the waste toner accommodating portion 5, so that the lubricant arrangement area 28 other than the lubricant arrangement area 28 due to the scattering of the lubricant is used. Contamination of the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 and the charging roller 6 can be suppressed. Further, since the distance from the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 to the lubricant placement area 28 is short, the lubricant is placed on the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 immediately after the photosensitive drum 1 is driven, so that the drive torque is reduced. It is possible to reduce the physical damage to the cleaning unit 3.

Next, since FIG. 13B is also possible as an example of lubricant arrangement, a supplementary explanation will be given. Similar to FIG. 13A, the lubricant arranged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 forms a lubricant arrangement area 29, and the lubricant arrangement area 29 is on the upstream side of the rotation direction A of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the seal sheet 4. Is placed. Therefore, in FIG. 13B, the amount of the lubricant arranged can be increased as compared with the case of FIG. 13A. As a result, the amount of lubricant conveyed to the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 increases, and a more stable lubricating effect can be obtained. The position of the lubricant placement area 29 is upstream of the seal sheet 4 with respect to the rotation direction A of the photosensitive drum 1, and it is preferable to place the lubricant before contacting the charging roller 6 from the viewpoint of contamination of the charging roller.

At the same time, FIG. 13C, which is possible as an example of lubricant arrangement, will be described. Similar to FIG. 13A, the lubricant arranged on the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 forms the lubricant arrangement area 30, and lubricates the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 on the upstream side in the rotation direction A of the photosensitive drum 1. The agent placement area 30 is placed. Therefore, as in FIG. 13A, the lubricant can be placed on the cut surface 26a of the cleaning blade 3 immediately after the photosensitive drum 1 is driven, and the amount of the lubricant applied can be increased as in FIG. 13B. By making it possible, it becomes possible to obtain a stable lubricating effect. In the case of FIG. 13C as well as in FIG. 13B, the position of the lubricant arrangement area 30 is upstream of the seal sheet 4 with respect to the rotation direction A of the photosensitive drum 1 from the viewpoint of contamination of the charged member. It is preferable to arrange it before the charging roller 6 comes into contact with it.

(lubricant)
In this embodiment, toner is used as a lubricant. The toner as a lubricant will be described in detail below.

As the lubricant used, a toner having a convex portion containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner particles described in (Toner) of the present embodiment was used. Regarding the detailed conditions of the toner as a lubricant, the toners of a plurality of embodiments and a plurality of toners as comparative examples were produced, and a study on reducing the torque was carried out. Table 2 shows various manufacturing conditions.

[Production example of lubricant 1]
(Preparation step of aqueous medium 1)
14.0 parts of sodium phosphate (12-hydrate manufactured by Rasa Industries, Ltd.) was put into 650.0 parts of ion-exchanged water in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, and a return pipe, and nitrogen was purged. However, the temperature was kept at 65 ° C. for 1.0 hour.

T. K. Using a homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.), while stirring at 15,000 rpm, a calcium chloride aqueous solution in which 9.2 parts of calcium chloride (dihydrate) is dissolved in 10.0 parts of ion-exchanged water is batched. Aqueous medium containing a dispersion stabilizer was prepared. Further, 10% by mass hydrochloric acid was added to the aqueous medium to adjust the pH to 5.0 to obtain the aqueous medium 1.

(Preparation step of polymerizable monomer composition)
・ Styrene: 60.0 parts ・ C.I. I. Pigment Blue 15: 3: 6.5 parts The material was put into an attritor (manufactured by Mitsui Miike Machinery Co., Ltd.), and further dispersed with zirconia particles having a diameter of 1.7 mm at 220 rpm for 5.0 hours to obtain a pigment. A dispersion was prepared. The following materials were added to the pigment dispersion.
-Styrene: 20.0 parts-n-butyl acrylate: 20.0 parts-Crosslinking agent (divinylbenzene): 0.3 parts-Saturated polyester resin: 5.0 parts (propylene oxide-modified bisphenol A (2 mol adduct) Polycondensate of terephthalic acid and terephthalic acid (molar ratio 10:12), glass transition temperature Tg = 68 ° C., weight average molecular weight Mw = 10000, molecular weight distribution Mw / Mn = 5.12)
-Fischer-Tropsch wax (melting point 78 ° C): 7.0 parts This was kept warm at 65 ° C, and T.I. K. A polymerizable monomer composition was prepared by uniformly dissolving and dispersing at 500 rpm using a homomixer (manufactured by Tokushu Kagaku Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

(Granulation process)
The temperature of the aqueous medium 1 was set to 70 ° C. K. While maintaining the rotation speed of the homomixer at 15,000 rpm, the polymerizable monomer composition was put into the aqueous medium 1 and 10.0 parts of t-butylperoxypivalate as a polymerization initiator was added. Granulation was carried out for 10 minutes while maintaining 15,000 rpm with the stirring device as it was.

(Polymerization / distillation process)
After the granulation step, the stirrer is replaced with a propeller stirring blade, and while stirring at 150 rpm, polymerization is carried out at 70 ° C. for 5.0 hours, and the temperature is raised to 85 ° C. and heated for 2.0 hours to carry out the polymerization reaction. went.

Then, the return tube of the reaction vessel was replaced with a cooling tube, and the slurry was heated to 100 ° C. to carry out distillation for 6 hours to distill off the unreacted polymerizable monomer to obtain a colorant particle dispersion. ..

(Polymerization of organosilicon compounds)
60.0 parts of ion-exchanged water was weighed in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 with 10% by mass of hydrochloric acid. This was heated with stirring to bring the temperature to 40 ° C. Then, 40.0 parts of methyltriethoxysilane, which is an organosilicon compound, was added and stirred for 2 hours or more for hydrolysis. The end point of hydrolysis was visually confirmed that the oil and water did not separate and became one layer, and the mixture was cooled to obtain a hydrolyzed solution of an organosilicon compound.

After cooling the temperature of the obtained colorant particle dispersion to 55 ° C., 25.0 parts of a hydrolyzate of the organosilicon compound was added to start the polymerization of the organosilicon compound. After holding for 15 minutes as it was, the pH was adjusted to 5.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. After holding for 60 minutes while continuing stirring at 55 ° C., the pH was adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution, and the mixture was further held for 240 minutes to obtain a toner particle dispersion.

(Washing and drying process)
After the polymerization step is completed, the toner particle dispersion is cooled, hydrochloric acid is added to the toner particle dispersion to adjust the pH to 1.5 or less, the mixture is left to stir for 1 hour, and then solid-liquid separated with a pressure filter to separate the toner cake. Got This was reslurried with ion-exchanged water to form a dispersion liquid again, and then solid-liquid separated with the above-mentioned filter to obtain a toner cake.

The obtained toner cake was dried and classified in a constant temperature bath at 40 ° C. for 72 hours to obtain toner particles 1. Table 2 shows the conditions for producing the toner particles 1.

[Manufacturing method of toner particles 2 to toner particles 12]
Toner particles 2 to 12 were obtained in the same manner as the toner particles 1 except that the conditions shown in Table 2 were changed. Table 2 shows the production conditions of the toner particles 2 to the toner particles 12.

[Manufacturing method of comparative toner particles 1]
Comparative toner particles 1 were obtained in the same manner as the toner particles 1 except that the polymerization of the organosilicon compound was changed as shown below. Table 2 shows the production conditions of the comparative toner particles 1.

(Polymerization of organosilicon compounds)
60.0 parts of ion-exchanged water was weighed in a reaction vessel equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer, and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 with 10% by mass of hydrochloric acid. This was heated with stirring to bring the temperature to 40 ° C. Then, 40.0 parts of methyltriethoxysilane, which is an organosilicon compound, was added and stirred for 2 hours or more for hydrolysis. The end point of hydrolysis was visually confirmed that the oil and water did not separate and became one layer, and the mixture was cooled to obtain a hydrolyzed solution of an organosilicon compound.

The temperature of the obtained colorant particle dispersion was cooled to 70 ° C., and then the pH was adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. While continuing stirring at 70 ° C., 5.0 parts by mass of colloidal silica (Snowtex ST-ZL: solid content 40%) and 12.5 parts of a hydrolyzate of the organosilicon compound were added to polymerize the organosilicon compound. Started. It was held as it was for 300 minutes to obtain a toner particle dispersion.

[Manufacturing method of comparative toner particles 2]
Comparative toner particles 2 were obtained in the same manner as the toner particles 1 except that the polymerization of the organosilicon compound was changed as shown below. Table 2 shows the production conditions of the comparative toner particles 2.

(Polymerization of organosilicon compounds)
In a mixed solvent in which 1.0 part by mass of polyvinyl alcohol was dissolved in 20 parts by mass of a mixed solution of ethanol / water = 1: 1 (mass ratio), the colorant particle dispersion was dispersed, and then 3-as a silicon compound. 20 parts by mass of (methacryloxy) propyltrimethoxysilane was dissolved, and the mixture was further stirred for 5 hours to allow 3- (methacryloxy) propyltrimethoxysilane to swell and be contained in the toner particles.

Then, after the temperature was adjusted to 70 ° C., the pH was adjusted to 9.5 with a 3.0% aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. By stirring at room temperature for 10 hours, the sol-gel reaction was allowed to proceed on the surface of the toner particles to obtain comparative toner particles 2.

[Manufacturing method of comparative toner particles 3]
The comparative toner particles 3 were obtained by not polymerizing the organosilicon compound in the production example of the toner particles 1. Table 2 shows the production conditions of the comparative toner particles 3.

(Table 2)

(Measurement of drive torque)
Next, the measurement of the drive torque of the photosensitive drum 1 in this embodiment will be described.

In this measurement, the torque was measured with the photosensitive drum 1, the charging roller fixed so as to be driven to rotate with the photosensitive drum, the cleaning blade 3, and the seal sheet 4 attached to the frame of the cleaning device 2. Then, a torque measuring device for measuring the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 was connected to a rotating jig to measure the torque. Since this embodiment assumes a driving torque at the initial stage of using the cartridge, the developing device 7 is separated from the photosensitive drum 1 so as not to be affected by the developing device 7.

The drive torque was measured immediately after the start of the drive and 60 seconds after the start of the drive in order to confirm the degree of maintenance of the lubricating effect of the lubricant. The determined drive torque value was set according to the following evaluation criteria. In the determination of the presence or absence of the lubrication effect in the present embodiment, it was determined that the drive torque 60 seconds after the start of drive was good when the determination rank was Δ or higher. Table 3 shows the torque measurement results of various study toners.

(Evaluation criteria)
◯: Drive torque is 1.8 kgf ・ cm or less Δ: Drive torque is above 1.8 kgf ・ cm 2.0 kgf ・ cm or less ×: Drive torque is above 2.0 kgf ・ cm

In the results shown in Table 3, toners with a small Σw / L tend to have a low torque 60 seconds after the start of driving. It is considered that this is because the convex portion e on the surface of the lubricant is exfoliated due to the rubbing between the cut surface 26a and the lubricants with the passage of time from the start of driving.

Further, even with a toner having a small P (D / w), the torque tends to be low 60 seconds after the start of driving. It is considered that this is because the height h of the convex portion e on the surface of the lubricant is low, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 is not small and the drive torque is large.

(Explanation of initial low torque operation)
Next, in the cleaning device 2 of the present embodiment, the initial drive torque is reduced by supplying the convex portion of the lubricant (toner having the convex portion on the surface) to the cleaning nip N1. The mechanism will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing a state in the vicinity of the cleaning nip N1 when the lubricant arranged on the photosensitive drum is collected by the cleaning unit 26. As described above, the lubricant comprises the toner mother particles Tp and a plurality of convex portions e formed on the surface of the toner mother particles Tp. The lubricant reaches the cleaning unit 26 by the above-mentioned lubricant coating method. When the lubricant reaches the cleaning unit 26, the cleaning unit 26 and the photosensitive drum 1 move relative to each other by driving the photosensitive drum 1 in the “adjacent region”, and the lubricant “convection” between the cleaning unit 26 and the photosensitive drum 1. Occurs. As a result, repeated rubbing occurs between the lubricants or between the lubricants and other members, and the surface of the lubricants is subjected to "shear stress". As a result, at least a part of the convex portion e formed on the surface of the lubricant is transferred from the toner mother particles Tp to the cleaning portion 26. When a part of the transferred convex portion e is pushed by the other convex portion e that has been transferred by the cleaning portion 26, it moves to the cleaning nip N1 and the flat portion ep of the convex portion e adheres to the cleaning portion 26 side. The convex portion e that could not enter the cleaning nip N1 is deposited near the entrance of the cleaning nip N1 to form a deposited layer 23 of the convex portion e.

After the deposition layer 23 is formed, the photosensitive drum 1 rotates in the direction of arrow A, so that the lubricant accumulated in the cleaning portion 26 cut surface 26a and the region formed by the photosensitive drum 1 exerts a force pushing up in the direction of arrow B1. The lubricant that works and is pushed up moves in the direction of arrow B2 by gravity. As a result, in the region 27, the lubricant circulates from the arrow B1 to the arrow B2. At this time, the lubricant is rubbed against the cut surface 26a and the lubricants, the convex portion e formed on the surface of the lubricant is peeled off, and the lubricant is transferred to the deposition layer 23 and the cleaning portion 26 cut surface 26a.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the lubricant used in the present embodiment, the convex portion e that has migrated to the other lubricant, the cleaning portion 26, or the deposition layer 23 has a flat portion ep and a curved portion ec, and has migrated. Of the convex portions e, those that have entered the cleaning nip N1 have the flat surface portion ep of the convex portion e adhered to the cleaning portion 26 side. As a result, the curved surface portion ec of the convex portion e comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 1, so that the contact area between the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 becomes smaller. Therefore, the surfaces of the cleaning blade 3 and the photosensitive drum 1 become slippery, and the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced.

In the case of the lubricant under the conditions of the fourth to the fifteenth embodiments of Table 3, the convex portion e formed on the surface of the toner mother particle Tp is conveyed to the cut surface 26a of the cleaning portion 26, and as a result, the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum It is possible to exhibit a low torque effect in driving the photosensitive drum 1 even until the developer is developed from the developing device 7.

In the present embodiment, the toners described in Embodiments 4 to 15 are used as the lubricant, but the toners described in Embodiments 4 to 15 are viscoelastic with respect to the toner T as a developing agent. Is using the same or better toner, that is, the same or better toner. The toner as a lubricant is arranged on the photoconductor drum in the present embodiment, but shifts to the contact nip with the cleaning member when the photoconductor drum rotates slightly during transportation of the process cartridge, for example. Things can be considered. Therefore, compared to toner as a developer, toner as a lubricant is expected to be subject to rubbing and pressing pressure, and may be exposed to an environment that is relatively unfavorable for deformation and sticking. A toner having a viscoelasticity equal to or higher than that of the toner T as an agent is used.

Further, in the present embodiment, Ye toner is used as a lubricant, but in consideration of the influence on the toner as a developing agent, Ye which has a small influence even if the colors are mixed is used.

(Table 3)

<Third embodiment>
Since this embodiment is characterized by a lubricant arrangement method, only the lubricant supply method will be described. Since other descriptions such as the image forming apparatus of the above are the same as those of the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Lubricant placement method)
In this embodiment, a lubricant arrangement method different from that of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that the lubricant 31 is stored in the waste toner storage chamber 5 in advance.
Like the toner T, the lubricant 31 is a composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle. When the device is driven, the rotation of the photosensitive drum 1 conveys and supplies the contact region between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 3 to an adjacent region 27 adjacent to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1. .. Then, the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced by the same lubrication function as the convex portion e in the convex portion toner T that has moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region.
FIG. 14A shows a state in which the waste toner storage chamber 5 shown in FIG. 14B is turned upside down. The lubricant 31 is stored in the waste toner storage chamber 5 as shown by a dotted line in the waste toner storage chamber 5 of FIG. 14A. Then, by changing the posture of the waste toner accommodating chamber 5 after the photosensitive drum 1 is assembled, the lubricant 31 is supplied to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 between the seal sheet 4 and the cleaning blade 3. As a result, the same torque reduction effect as described in (Method of arranging the lubricant) of the second embodiment can be obtained.

<Fourth Embodiment>
Since this embodiment also features a lubricant arrangement method, only the lubricant supply method will be described. Since other descriptions such as the image forming apparatus of the above are the same as those of the second embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Lubricant placement method)
In this embodiment, a lubricant arrangement method different from that of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that the lubricant 32 is arranged (applied) in advance on the surface of the developing roller 8.
Like the toner T, the lubricant 32 is a composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle. When the device is driven, the rotation of the developing roller 8 and the photosensitive drum 1 causes an adjacent region 27 adjacent to the upstream side in the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1 with respect to the contact region between the photosensitive drum 1 and the cleaning blade 3. Transported and supplied. Then, the driving torque of the photosensitive drum 1 can be reduced by the same lubrication function as the convex portion e in the convex portion toner T that has moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region.
The toner T may be used as the lubricant 32.
FIG. 15 shows a state in which the lubricant 32 is arranged on the surface of the developing roller 8. When the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 8 are in contact with each other and the developing roller 8 is rotated, the lubricant 32 is exposed to light by applying a voltage such that the photosensitive drum 1 becomes a positive electrode to the developing roller 8. Developed on the surface of drum 1.
As a result, the arrangement of the lubricant is the same as that of FIG. 13 (c) of the second embodiment, and the torque reduction effect can be obtained.
In order to supply the lubricant 32 arranged on the surface of the developing roller 8 to the photosensitive drum 1, the photosensitive drum 1 and the developing roller 8 need to be in contact with each other. But it is possible. Further, the rotation direction of the developing roller 8 can be either a forward rotation direction or a reverse rotation direction with respect to the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 1.

1 ... Photosensitive drum, 2 ... Cleaning device, 3 ... Cleaning blade, 4 ... Seal sheet, 5 ... Waste toner accommodating part, 7 ... Developing device, 18 ... Cam member, 23 ... Deposit layer, 25 ... Support member, 26 ... Cleaning Member, 26a ... cut surface, 26b ... air surface, 27 ... region, 100 ... process cartridge, 200 ... image forming apparatus

Claims (39)

A process cartridge used in an image forming apparatus
A rotatable image carrier having a peripheral surface on which a latent image is formed, and
A developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop the latent image,
A cleaning member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface and removes the developer from the peripheral surface.
A seal member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the image carrier in the rotational direction of the cleaning member, and the developer is upstream of the contact portion of the seal member with the peripheral surface in the rotational direction. A seal member that allows movement from the side to the downstream side of the contact portion while restricting movement from the downstream side to the upstream side of the contact portion.
With
The developer is a toner having toner particles containing toner mother particles and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer is a toner characterized by forming convex portions on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The work function of the seal member is relative to the work function of the developer.
(I) When the charge polarity of the developer is negative, it has a large value, and when the charge polarity of the developer is positive, it has a small value.
Or
(Ii) The magnitude of the absolute value of the difference between the work function of the seal member of the developer and the work function of the developer falls within a predetermined range.
A process cartridge that features that.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the magnitude of the absolute value of the difference in (ii) is smaller than 0.15 eV as the predetermined range. The first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the sealing member is (i) a sheet-like member made of PET with a tape made of PTFE adhered to it, or (ii) a sheet-like member made of PET. Process cartridge. Further provided with a frame to which the cleaning member is fixed,
The cleaning member has an elastic body and a support that supports the elastic body.
One end of the elastic body is fixed to the support, the other end of the free end abuts on the peripheral surface, and the support has one end fixed to the frame and the other end of the free end. The elastic body is fixed,
The claim is characterized in that the direction extending from the one end of the support to the other end of the elastic body is opposite to the rotation direction of the image carrier at the portion where the other end abuts on the peripheral surface. Item 6. The process cartridge according to any one of Items 1 to 3. The elastic body has a tip surface at the other end of the elastic body, and a lower surface adjacent to the tip surface and facing the peripheral surface with a ridge line portion interposed therebetween.
With the process cartridge mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus
The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the tip surface is horizontal or has an elevation angle with respect to the horizontal plane so that the height from the horizontal plane becomes higher as the distance from the peripheral surface increases. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the tip surface has an angle with respect to a horizontal plane larger than the angle of repose of the developer. With the device body
The process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is removable from the apparatus main body.
An image forming apparatus characterized by being provided. An image forming device that forms an image on a recording material.
A rotatable image carrier having a peripheral surface on which a latent image is formed, and
A developing device that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop the latent image,
A cleaning member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface and removes the developer from the peripheral surface.
A seal member that comes into contact with the peripheral surface on the upstream side of the image carrier in the rotational direction of the cleaning member, and the developer is upstream of the contact portion of the seal member with the peripheral surface in the rotational direction. A seal member that allows movement from the side to the downstream side of the contact portion while restricting movement from the downstream side to the upstream side of the contact portion.
A voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the seal member and
With
The developer is a toner having toner particles containing toner mother particles and an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer is a toner characterized by forming convex portions on the surface of the toner mother particles.
The sealing member is a conductive member and has a conductivity.
The voltage applying means is an image forming apparatus, characterized in that a voltage having a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of the developer is applied.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) Further provided with a frame to which the cleaning member is fixed,
The cleaning member has an elastic body and a support that supports the elastic body.
One end of the elastic body is fixed to the support, the other end of the free end abuts on the peripheral surface, and the support has one end fixed to the frame and the other end of the free end. The elastic body is fixed,
The claim is characterized in that the direction extending from the one end of the support to the other end of the elastic body is opposite to the rotation direction of the image carrier at the portion where the other end abuts on the peripheral surface. Item 8. The image forming apparatus according to item 8. The elastic body has a tip surface at the other end of the elastic body, and a lower surface adjacent to the tip surface and facing the peripheral surface with a ridge line portion interposed therebetween.
The image according to claim 9, wherein at least a part of the tip surface is horizontal or has a positive elevation angle with respect to the horizontal plane so that the height from the horizontal plane becomes higher as the distance from the peripheral surface increases. Forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least a part of the tip surface has an angle with respect to a horizontal plane larger than the angle of repose of the developer. With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is a cleaning device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
A cleaning device characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) In the cross-sectional observation of the composite particles with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM,
The width of the horizontal image is defined as the peripheral length L.
When the total of the convex widths w of the convex portions having a convex height h of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less among the convex portions of the organosilicon polymer existing in the horizontal image is Σw.
The cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein Σw / L is 0.30 or more and 0.90 or less. The cleaning device according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the fixation rate of the organosilicon polymer of the composite particles is 80% by mass or more. Any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the intervening particles are previously applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier. The cleaning device according to item 1. Any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the intervening particles are housed inside the frame, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier. The cleaning device described in. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the intervening particles have viscoelasticity equal to or higher than that of the developer used for developing the developer image. The intervening particles consist of a developer and are made of a developer.
The cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the developer has toner particles and toner particles containing the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles. In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, the cumulative distribution of the convex height h is taken, and the convex height corresponding to 80% by number is integrated from the smaller convex height h to h80. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein the h80 is 65 nm or more. The cleaning device according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms. With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A developer carrier that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier and obtain the developer image.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is a process cartridge that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
A process cartridge characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) In the cross-sectional observation of the composite particles with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM,
The width of the horizontal image is defined as the peripheral length L.
When the total of the convex widths w of the convex portions having a convex height h of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less among the convex portions of the organosilicon polymer existing in the horizontal image is Σw.
The process cartridge according to claim 21, wherein Σw / L is 0.30 or more and 0.90 or less. The process cartridge according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the fixation rate of the organosilicon polymer of the composite particles is 80% by mass or more. The intervening particles are previously applied to the peripheral surface of the image carrier, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier, according to claims 21 to 23. The process cartridge according to any one item. One of claims 21 to 23, wherein the intervening particles are housed inside the frame, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier. The cleaning device described in. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the intervening particles have viscoelasticity equal to or higher than that of the developer used for developing the developer image. The intervening particles consist of a developer and are made of a developer.
The process cartridge according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the developer has toner particles and toner particles containing the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles. In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, the cumulative distribution of the convex height h is taken, and the convex height corresponding to 80% by number is integrated from the smaller convex height h to h80. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the h80 is 65 nm or more. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms. With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is an image forming device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) With the frame
An image carrier that is rotatably supported by the frame and supports a developer image made of a developer, and an image carrier.
A developer carrier that supplies a developer to the image carrier in order to develop a latent image formed on the image carrier and obtain the developer image.
A cleaning member provided on the frame body that cleans the developer remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the developer image is transferred from the image carrier, and is in contact with the surface of the image carrier. Cleaning members with possible contacts and
Have,
At the time of use, the abutting region where the abutting portion and the image carrier abut is located on the upstream side in the rotation direction of the image carrier, and intervening particles are present in the adjacent region adjacent to the contact region. It is an image forming device that
The intervening particles are
A composite particle having a mother particle and a first particle containing an organosilicon polymer on the surface of the mother particle.
The organosilicon polymer has a structure represented by the following formula (1) and has a structure represented by the following formula (1).
The organosilicon polymer forms a convex portion on the surface of the mother particle and forms a convex portion.
By observing the cross section of the composite particle with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM, a line along the circumference of the surface of the mother particle is drawn, and the horizontal image converted based on the line along the circumference is used.
The length of the line along the circumference in the portion where the convex portion and the mother particle form a continuous interface is defined as the convex width w, and the maximum length of the convex portion is defined as the normal direction of the convex width w. When the convex diameter d is defined and the length from the apex of the convex portion to the line along the circumference of the line segment forming the convex diameter d is defined as the convex height h.
In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less.
The number ratio P (D / w) of the convex portions such that the ratio d / w of the convex diameter d to the convex width w is 0.33 or more and 0.80 or less is 70 number% or more.
An image forming apparatus, characterized in that the convex portion is moved from the surface of the mother particle to the contact region as the image carrier rotates.

(In the formula, R represents an alkyl group or a phenyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.) In the cross-sectional observation of the composite particles with a scanning transmission electron microscope STEM,
The width of the horizontal image is defined as the peripheral length L.
When the total of the convex widths w of the convex portions having a convex height h of 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less among the convex portions of the organosilicon polymer existing in the horizontal image is Σw.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 31, wherein Σw / L is 0.30 or more and 0.90 or less. The image forming apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the fixation rate of the organosilicon polymer of the composite particles is 80% by mass or more. The intervening particles are applied in advance to the peripheral surface of the image carrier, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier, according to claims 31 to 33. The image forming apparatus according to any one item. Any one of claims 31 to 33, wherein the intervening particles are housed inside the frame, and the intervening particles are transported to the adjacent region by rotating the image carrier. The cleaning device described in. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 35, wherein the intervening particles have viscoelasticity equal to or higher than that of the developer used for developing the developer image. The intervening particles consist of a developer and are made of a developer.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 36, wherein the developer has toner mother particles and toner particles containing the organosilicon polymer on the surface of the toner mother particles. In the convex portion where the convex height h is 40 nm or more and 300 nm or less, the cumulative distribution of the convex height h is taken, and the convex height corresponding to 80% by number is integrated from the smaller convex height h to h80. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 37, wherein the h80 is 65 nm or more. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 31 to 38, wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 or more and 6 or less carbon atoms.

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