JP3473808B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic technique such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, etc., and particularly to an intermediate transfer for carrying out primary and secondary transfer steps using an intermediate transfer body. System image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electrophotographic image forming apparatuses (color copying machines, color printers, color facsimiles, etc.) capable of forming multicolor images of two or more colors and full-color images have been put into practical use. In such an image forming apparatus,
For example, as a method of transferring a full-color image onto a transfer material, an image of toner of each color (cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (Bk)) is color-transferred onto an image carrier such as a photoconductor. The developed image of each color is sequentially superposed on the intermediate transfer member and primary-transferred to form a full-color image on the intermediate transfer member, and then the full-color toner image is collectively transferred to a transfer material such as recording paper. An intermediate transfer method in which secondary transfer is performed is known. The intermediate transfer body after the toner image transfer is prepared for the next transfer step by scraping off the toner remaining on the surface by a cleaning member such as a cleaning blade.

An endless belt member stretched between a driving roller and a driven roller is usually used as an intermediate transfer member of such an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus, and is used as an image bearing member such as a photosensitive member. The toner images on the image bearing member are arranged in contact with each other to be electrostatically transferred. However, depending on the structure of the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate transfer member is formed of a dielectric material, or at least the toner The intermediate transfer body to which is transferred is formed of a dielectric material, and the intermediate transfer body is formed of a medium resistance material. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer member made of the above medium resistance material, and solves the problems of abnormal images, especially insect-eating prints and transfer dust.

Here, as a typical conventional technique for improving the above-mentioned abnormal image, the surface of the intermediate transfer member is made to have a specific roughness, or the surface of the intermediate transfer member is made to be an adhesive layer so that the photosensitive member / intermediate transfer member is transferred. The transfer efficiency between the body and the intermediate transfer body / transfer material (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 5)
No. 9-50475), the transfer efficiency between the photosensitive member / intermediate transfer member and the intermediate transfer member / transfer material is improved by using an addition polymerization type silicone rubber on the surface of the intermediate transfer member (JP-A-59-23975). Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-242242), a protective film having lubricity such as zinc stearate is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer member, and the photosensitive member / intermediate transfer member
Improving transfer efficiency between transfer materials (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2138/1990)
No. 81), a substance having a low wettability such as a fluororesin and a silicone resin is added to the resin forming the intermediate transfer member to improve the transfer efficiency between the photoconductor / intermediate transfer member and the intermediate transfer member / transfer material ( JP-A-2-198476), the intermediate transfer member is grounded to prevent interference between the primary transfer electric field and the secondary transfer electric field, thereby improving transfer efficiency between the photoconductor / intermediate transfer member and the intermediate transfer member / transfer material. Improve (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-14
2955), and the like.

[0005]

However, among the techniques for improving the transfer efficiency and the cleaning property of the intermediate transfer member according to the above-mentioned prior art, the structure of (1) is supposed to improve the transfer efficiency by preventing the mutual interference of the primary and secondary transfer electric fields. But the primary,
When the secondary transfer electric field interferes, not only the transfer efficiency but also the transfer electric field is distorted, so that the toner image formed on the image carrier is not faithfully transferred. That is, it is a problem before the transfer efficiency. In other words, what we call transfer efficiency and toner cleaning property on the intermediate transfer body is based on the assumption that there is no mutual interference between the primary and secondary transfer electric fields, and from this meaning, this technology is out of the question. I can say. Also,~
In terms of the improvement technology of, the transferability in a macro sense, that is, the transfer efficiency (transfer efficiency (%) = (amount of toner transferred onto the transfer material / amount of transferred toner on the intermediate transfer member) x 100)
Although it can be said that there is an improvement effect in that the toner is 90% or more, the toner to be originally transferred is not pinpointly transferred and the remaining insect-eating print (toner is not pinpointly transferred and the transfer material surface is partially Abnormally exposed image
In terms of micro transferability such as the occurrence of insect-eating prints), it can be said that the effects are insufficient not only by themselves but also by combining these technologies.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and improves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art in an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer system, and improves the cleaning property of the intermediate transfer member and the transfer material from the intermediate transfer member. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus which is excellent in transfer efficiency to an image and can prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image such as a bug-eating print.

[0007]

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 primary-transfers a developed image formed on a image carrier by toner to an intermediate transfer member, In an image forming apparatus of an intermediate transfer system in which a primary transfer image on a transfer body is secondarily transferred to a transfer material by using a transfer member, the intermediate transfer body is an intermediate transfer body substrate material during molding.
And long-chain fatty acids, which are substances that can reduce the coefficient of friction,
And / or a derivative thereof, or a compound having them
It is characterized by being mixed and molded .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, both the static / dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the intermediate transfer member is 0.3 or less.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the substance capable of reducing the friction coefficient is organic resin particles, and the organic resin particles have a carbon number.
A long chain of 12 or more and a melting point of 50 ° C. or more,
Long-chain fatty acids and / or their derivatives, or
The compound is characterized by

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is
It is characterized in that it is 1 × 10 8 to 1 × 10 14 Ω · cm .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the intermediate transfer member has at least two layers.
The surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is 1
It is characterized in that it is × 107 to 1 × 1013 Ω / □ (□: unit area) .

[0012]

[0013]

[0014]

[0015]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the intermediate transfer member is formed at the time of molding.
And long-chain fatty acids, which are substances that can reduce the coefficient of friction, and
/ Or a derivative thereof, or a compound having them
By molding together (claim 1), the releasability between the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the toner is improved, and the transfer efficiency from the intermediate transfer member to the transfer material and the cleaning property can be improved. By setting both the coefficients to 0.3 or less (claim 2), it is possible to prevent insect-eating prints from occurring. Further, the invention of claim 3 Symbol placement, materials which are capable of reducing the friction coefficient is contained in at least the surface of the intermediate transfer member is identified,
Further, according to the invention of claim 4 , improvement of transfer efficiency,
The electrical characteristics (volume resistivity) of the intermediate transfer member capable of preventing the generation of an abnormal image are specified. According to the invention of claim 5 , even when the intermediate transfer member has a multi-layer structure, the transfer efficiency is improved and the abnormal image is generated. The electrical characteristics (surface resistivity) of the intermediate transfer member that can be prevented are specified.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, an example of an image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer system will be shown, and its configuration and operation will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a full-color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer system.
Note that only the configuration of the image forming unit (printer unit) is shown in the figure, and when the image forming apparatus is a copying machine, a known image reading apparatus (scanner unit) is installed. Here, taking a full-color copying machine as an example, the color image information of the original is read by the image reading device, for example, red (R),
Each color separation of green (G) and blue (B) is read and converted into an electric image signal. And R, G,
Color conversion processing is performed in the image processing unit of the image reading apparatus based on the intensity level of the B color-separated image signal, and colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) are obtained. Converted to image data. Then, based on this color image data, the printer unit having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 forms an image using four color toners of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Done. When used as a printer such as a computer or a word processor, color image data is transmitted from the computer or the like to the printer unit.

Next, the structure and image forming operation of the printer section shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Reference numeral 3 in the drawing is a writing optical unit 3, and the writing optical unit 3 is a unit that converts color image data from an image reading unit or the like into an optical signal and performs optical writing corresponding to an original image. As the writing optical unit 3, for example, a laser beam from a laser light source is deflected and scanned via a rotary polygon mirror to generate fθ.
There is an optical scanning device that guides scanning light to the photosensitive drum 1 via a constant-speed scanning optical system such as a lens to form an electrostatic latent image. In addition to this, there are an optical writing device using an LED array and an optical writing device using a liquid crystal shutter array.

The photosensitive drum 1, which is an image bearing member, rotates counterclockwise as shown by the arrow in the figure, but around it, the charger 2, the potential sensor 4, the developing section 5, and the development density pattern detection are provided. Image forming by electrophotographic method such as a device (P sensor) 6, an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 7, a pre-cleaning static eliminator (Pcc) 9, a photoconductor drum cleaning device (cleaning brush, cleaning blade) 10, a static elimination lamp 11 and the like. Equipment for performing the process is arranged. The developing unit 5 includes a Bk developing device 5a and a C developing device 5
b, M developing device 5c, and Y developing device 5d are arranged, and a two-component developer composed of toner of each color and a carrier is used as the developer of each developing device, but only the developing sleeve is shown in the figure. Although not shown, the units of the developing devices, the developing paddles, the toner replenishing parts, and the like are omitted.

When the image forming process is started, the photoconductor drum 1 is charged by the charger 2, and the writing optical unit 3 performs optical writing based on the image data of the first color (for example, Bk image data). A latent image of the Bk image of is formed. Then, in the developing unit 5, the Bk developing device 5
The latent image is visualized by the toner a and a Bk toner image is formed. The Bk toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is
It is transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer member 7 at the contact portion between the photosensitive member and the intermediate transfer member 7 which is driven at a constant speed. The transfer here is called primary transfer. The photoconductor drum 1 after the transfer has the pre-cleaning static eliminator 9 and the photoconductor drum cleaning device 10.
Thus, the residual toner is removed, and the static elimination lamp 11 performs static elimination. Then, the image forming process of the next color is executed, and in the case of full color image formation, the latent image formation described above,
The processes of development and primary transfer are sequentially repeated for the C, M, and Y images of the second and subsequent colors, and a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 7. Incidentally, in the case of full-color image formation, it may be performed with three colors of C, M and Y.

The intermediate transfer member 7 is composed of an endless belt member, and includes a driving roller 18, a belt transfer bias roller 17,
The transfer earth roller 19 and the driven roller group are stretched, and rotated by a drive motor (not shown) in the direction of the arrow in the drawing. In the contact state of the photosensitive drum 1 and the intermediate transfer member 7, the belt By applying a predetermined bias voltage to the transfer bias roller 17, the above-described primary transfer of the toner image is performed. In addition, around the intermediate transfer member 7,
A sweeper brush 8, a transfer member (paper transfer bias roller, etc.) 14 to the transfer material 13, and a belt cleaning device (cleaning blade, brush roller, etc.) 12 are arranged. A contacting / separating mechanism (not shown) is provided for separating from the surface of the intermediate transfer body 7 during the transfer of the first to fourth colors (or the first to third colors) during full-color image formation. It is designed to be used.

When a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer body 7 through the above-described process, the transfer member 14 is brought into contact with the intermediate transfer body 7 by a contact / separation mechanism (not shown), and the transfer material is contacted at the contact portion. Images are collectively transferred to (recording paper or the like) 13 (transfer here is called secondary transfer). Then, the transfer material 13 onto which the image has been transferred is separated from the intermediate transfer member 7 by the separating member 15 and is sent to a known fixing device (not shown) by the conveyor belt 16, and a full color image is output through the fixing process. It On the other hand, the belt cleaning device 12 and the sweeper brush 8 are brought into contact with the intermediate transfer body 7 after the secondary transfer by a contacting / separating mechanism (not shown), and the surface of the intermediate transfer body is cleaned and discharged.

The structure and operation of the intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus have been briefly described above. In the secondary transfer process of the above process, the formed image is transferred from the intermediate transfer body 7 to the transfer material 13. However, in order to obtain a sufficient image density, the transfer efficiency here needs to be 90% or more. Further, even if 90% or more of the toner is transferred, the toner may not be transferred in a pinpoint manner and may remain on the intermediate transfer member, resulting in an abnormal image called an insect bite print.

In order to solve this problem, the inventors of the present invention realize that the surface of the intermediate transfer member 7 further contains a substance capable of reducing the friction coefficient in order to further improve the releasing property. I found that. Further, it is preferable that both the static / dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the intermediate transfer member is 0.3 or less, and if it exceeds this, it is verified that a bug-eating image is generated.

Specific examples of the substance contained in at least the surface of the intermediate transfer member and capable of reducing the coefficient of friction include the following substances. First, inorganic solid lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide, lead oxide, graphite, boron nitride, Sekiboku, calcium fluoride, and carbon fluoride,
Examples thereof include polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyimide resins, organic resins such as long-chain fatty acids and their derivatives, and compounds having them, and it is preferable that they are added in the form of solid particles. Examples of the polyolefin-based resin particles include polyethylene and polypropylene. Further, typical examples of the long-chain fatty acid and / or its derivative or the compound having them are as follows. Synthesis of natural waxes such as candelilla wax, carnauba wax, beeswax, montan wax, hydrogenated castor oil, 12-hydric acid and its derivatives, fatty acid amide, N-substituted fatty acid amide, monohydric or polyhydric alcohol fatty acid, fatty acid ester, etc. Fatty acids such as wax, lauric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, behenic acid, palmitic acid, zinc stearate, lithium stearate, zinc oleate,
Examples thereof include metal soaps such as lithium hydroxystearate, and derivatives, compounds and composites containing the above substances. Moreover, you may use these in mixture of 2 or more types. Then, a material having a good compatibility with the intermediate transfer member material is appropriately selected from these. The long-chain fatty acid preferably has 12 or more carbon atoms and has a melting point of 50 ° C. or more.
If it is less than this, the sufficient effect is not exhibited, and the insect-eating image described above occurs.

Each substance contained in at least the surface of the above-mentioned intermediate transfer member and capable of reducing the friction coefficient is mixed with the intermediate transfer member base material at the time of molding the intermediate transfer member, and is subjected to a method such as extrusion molding or injection molding. It is molded, but the content thereof is preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight. That is, if the content is less than 1 part by weight, a desired effect cannot be obtained and an insect-eating image is generated. Further, when it exceeds 50 parts by weight, the surface property,
Durability deteriorates, which is not preferable. The particle size of these substances is preferably 10 μm or less. If it is more than this, the surface smoothness deteriorates, which is not preferable.

Further, the intermediate transfer member preferably has the following electrical characteristics in order to normally establish the above-mentioned process. That is, the volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is preferably 1 × 10 ⁸ to 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm. Below this, the transfer bias is discharged and the image is disturbed or the image bearing member such as the photosensitive drum is damaged. Further, if it is more than this, a sufficient transfer bias cannot be obtained, and it becomes difficult to transfer from the image carrier to the intermediate transfer member. In addition, since charges are accumulated in the intermediate transfer member, an afterimage is generated.

Furthermore, the intermediate transfer member is not limited to a single layer, but may have a multi-layered structure if necessary. In this case, the substance that reduces the friction coefficient may be contained in at least the outermost surface layer. In addition to the above-described method, the surface layer may be formed by coating the substrate with a method such as dipping, spraying or casting. In the case of this method, the substance capable of reducing the coefficient of friction is dispersed by water, an organic solvent or the like as a dispersion medium by a known method such as a ball mill, a sand mill or an attritor so that the average particle diameter is not more than a prescribed average particle size. It is prepared by a coating liquid mixed with a resin.

As the base material of the intermediate transfer member, for example,
Polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyester, nylon, polycarbonate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylidene fluoride, thermoplastic resins such as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, and the like,
An organic electroconductivity imparting substance such as polyethylene oxide, polyaniline, polypyrrole, a quaternary ammonium salt or the like or an inorganic electroconductivity imparting substance such as carbon black, zinc oxide or metal powder is added to these to adjust to a desired resistance value. Also,
The surface layer coating material may be a thermosetting resin such as the above-mentioned thermoplastic resin, phenol resin, urea resin, melamine resin, silicone resin, fluorine resin, or acrylic resin.

When the intermediate transfer member has a multi-layered structure, the surface resistivity of its outermost surface layer is 1 × 10 ⁷ to 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω / □.
(□: unit area) is preferable. Below this, an abnormal image such as transfer dust occurs due to the discharge of the transfer bias. Further, if it is more than this, electric charge is accumulated and an afterimage is generated.

[0031]

EXAMPLES The specific construction and evaluation results of the intermediate transfer member used in the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. Each characteristic value described in the following examples was measured by the following measuring device. First, for surface resistivity and volume resistivity, Mitsubishi Yuka's Hirestor was used.
A value with an applied voltage of 500 V and a measurement time of 10 seconds was used. The friction coefficient is Friction Abrasion Analayze manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.
r Using DF.PM-SS, stainless ball indenter weight 100g
It was measured at.

Example 1 A seamless belt was produced by extruding a melt-kneaded mixture of the following materials to prepare an intermediate transfer belt. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.26 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.21. The volume resistivity is 2 × 10.
It was ⁹ Ω · cm. Material: Polyvinylidene fluoride (KF-850; Kureha Chemical Industry) 100 parts by weight. 15 parts by weight of carbon black (Printex 40; Degussa). 20 parts by weight of molybdenum disulfide.

(Example 2) A seamless belt was prepared by extrusion-molding a mixture obtained by melt-kneading the mixture of the above Example 1 to obtain an intermediate transfer belt support. The components of the surface layer of the transfer body shown below were spray-coated on this support to prepare a transfer belt. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.25 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.22. The surface resistivity of this surface layer is 4 × 10 ¹⁰ Ω /
It was □. Transfer member surface layer constituents: Fluororesin (Lumiflon 601C; Asahi Glass) 100 parts (solid content). 20 parts curing agent for Lumiflon. 7 parts of carbon black (BP-L; Cabot). 20 parts of boron nitride. Methyl isobutyl ketone 200 parts. Xylene 100 parts. The above mixture was milled in a ball mill for about 60 hours to prepare it.

(Example 3) Polyimide resin (BANI-M; Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd) was used in place of molybdenum disulfide in Example 1, and other conditions were the same as in Example 1. . Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.18 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.13.

(Example 4) Instead of molybdenum disulfide in Example 1, polyethylene fine particles (melting point 128 ° C;
Luwax OA5; BASF) was used, and otherwise the same as in Example 1. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.19 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.15.

Example 5 Polypropylene fine particles (melting point: 166 ° C .; Text; instead of boron nitride in Example 2)
ure 5378; Shamrock Chemocals) and other conditions were the same as in Example 2. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.18 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.15.

Example 6 Instead of molybdenum disulfide in Example 1, N-lauroyl-L-lysine (melting point 2
30 ° C .: Famex L-12; Ajinomoto) was used, and other conditions were the same as in Example 1. The coefficient of friction of this intermediate transfer belt is 0.18 for static friction and 0.1 for dynamic friction.
It was 6.

Example 7 A montanic acid wax (melting point: 82 ° C .: Luwa) was used instead of boron nitride in Example 2.
xS; BASF) was used, and otherwise the same as in Example 2. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.20 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.17.

Example 8 The same procedure as in Example 2 was carried out except that stearic acid amide (melting point 100 ° C .: Kawaslip VL; Kawaken Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.) was used in place of boron nitride in Example 2. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.15 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.12.

(Examples 9 to 13) Example 9 was the same as Example 1 except that the value of the volume resistivity was changed as follows according to the amount of carbon black. Example 9: 3 × 10 ⁷ Ω · cm, Example 10: 1 × 10 ⁸ Ω · cm, Example 11: 5 × 10 ¹² Ω · cm, Example 12: 1 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω · cm, Example 13: 4 × 10 ¹⁵ Ω · cm.

(Examples 14 to 18) Example 14 is different from Example 2 except that the value of the surface resistivity is changed depending on the amount of carbon black as a constituent component of the surface layer.
Same as Example 14: 4 × 10 ⁶ Ω / □, Example 15: 1 × 10 ⁷ Ω / □, Example 16: 8 × 10 ⁹ Ω / □, Example 17: 1 × 10 ¹³ Ω / □, Example 18: 6 × 10 ¹⁴ Ω / □.

Next, a comparative example with respect to the present invention will be shown. (Comparative Example 1) The structure was the same as that of Example 1 except that molybdenum disulfide was not used in Example 1. Regarding the friction coefficient of this intermediate transfer belt, the static friction coefficient was 0.45 and the dynamic friction coefficient was 0.40.

(Comparative Example 2) The structure was the same as that of Example 2 except that boron nitride was not used in Example 2.
The coefficient of friction of this intermediate transfer belt is 0.3.
5, the coefficient of dynamic friction was 0.31.

Next, the intermediate transfer belts produced in each of the above Examples and Comparative Examples were mounted on a commercially available full-color copying machine (Ricoh's: Preter550), and test images were used to evaluate the rank of the insect bite image (five-step evaluation, The permissible level was rank 3 or higher). In addition, the presence or absence of transfer dust and other abnormal images was also observed. The results are shown in Table 1. 5
Each rank of the graded evaluation is as follows, for example. Rank 5 ...- A state in which almost no insect-eating part can be found even with the naked eye. Rank 4 ...- It is difficult to determine the insect biting part by observing it with the naked eye, and it is possible to barely find the insect biting part. Rank 3: The state where the insect-eating part can be found with the naked eye and the image-eating part does not impair the image quality. Rank 2: The state where the insect-eating part can be found with the naked eye and the number can be counted. Rank 1 ...- There are many large enough to find the insect-eating part immediately even if anyone observes it.

[0045]

[Table 1]

[0046]

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the structure of the intermediate transfer member is such that at least the surface of the intermediate transfer member contains a substance capable of reducing the friction coefficient. By doing so, the releasability between the surface of the intermediate transfer member and the toner is improved, and a high-quality image in which no abnormal image such as an insect bite print is generated can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a full-color image forming apparatus using an intermediate transfer system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Photoconductor drum (image carrier) 2: Charger 3: Writing optical system 4: Potential sensor 5: Development section 5a to 5d: developing devices for each color 6: Development density pattern detector 7: Intermediate transfer body 8: Sweeper brush 9: Static eliminator before cleaning 10: Photoconductor drum cleaning device 11: Static elimination lamp 12: Belt cleaning device 13: Transfer material 14: Transfer member 15: Separation member 16: Transfer material transport belt 17: Belt transfer bias roller 18: Drive roller 19: Transfer ground roller

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Mitsuru Seto 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shigeru Fukuda 1-3-3 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo No./share company Ricoh (56) References JP-A-8-211757 (JP, A) JP-A-6-332324 (JP, A) JP-A-2-198476 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15/16 G03G 15/01

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. An intermediate transfer in which a developed image formed on an image bearing member by toner is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer member, and the primary transfer image on the intermediate transfer member is secondarily transferred to a transfer material using a transfer member. In the image forming apparatus of the method, the intermediate transfer member , when molding, and an intermediate transfer member base material,
Long-chain fatty acids and / or substances that can reduce the coefficient of friction
Mixed with its derivatives, or compounds with them
An image forming apparatus characterized by being formed by molding . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both the static / dynamic friction coefficient of the surface of the intermediate transfer member is 0.3.
An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substance capable of reducing the friction coefficient is organic resin particles.
And the organic resin particles are long chains having 12 or more carbon atoms.
Long-chain fatty acid having a melting point of 50 ° C. or higher and / or
Is a derivative thereof or a compound having them, and an image forming apparatus. 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, before
The volume resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is 1 × 108 to 1 × 101.
An image forming apparatus having a characteristic of 4 Ω · cm . 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate transfer member comprises at least two layers.
The surface resistivity of the intermediate transfer member is 1 × 10 7 to 1 × 10 13
An image forming apparatus characterized in that it is Ω / □ (□: unit area) .