CONDUCTIVE MEMBER, PROCESS CARTRIDGE USING CONDUCTIVE MEMBER AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS USING PROCESS CARTRIDGE

Abstract

The present invention provides a conductive member 10 with a superior durability by controlling an electric resistance value of an electric resistance adjusting layer 2 within a semi conductive range, preventing an ion conductive material from bleeding out of the electric resistance adjusting layer 2 to avoid improper charging and avoiding strength decreasing of a weld portion of the electric resistance adjusting layer and an electric resistance value fluctuation. The electric resistance adjusting layer 2 is made from a resin composition prepared by melting and kneading a thermoplastic resin, a high molecular ion conductive material containing an alkali metal salt and a graft copolymer which has an affinity for both the thermoplastic resin and the high molecular ion conductive material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a conductive member (charge roller) according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a pattern diagram illustrating a state when the conductive member (charge roller) is disposed on an image carrier.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view illustrating an embodiment of an image formation apparatus.

FIG.4 is a view illustrating a conventional electrophotographic image formation apparatus.

Claims

1. A conductive member comprising: a conductive supporter;an electric resistance adjusting layer formed on the conductive supporter; andgap preserving members which are of a different material from that of the electric resistance adjusting layer and are disposed respectively at both ends of the electric resistance adjusting layer for contacting an image carrier so as to preserve a predefined gap between the electric resistance adjusting layer and the image carrier,wherein the electric resistance adjusting layer is made from a resin composition which is prepared by melting and kneadinga thermoplastic resin;a high molecular ion conductive material containing an alkali metal salt; anda graft copolymer which has an affinity for both the thermoplastic resin and the high molecular ion conductive material.

2. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the alkali metal salt is a lithium salt.

3. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the high molecular ion conductive material is made from a compound at least having an ether group.

4. The conductive member set forth in claim 3, wherein the compound at least having an ether group is a compound containing a polyether ester amide, or a polyether-polyolefin block polymer.

5. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the graft copolymer includes a polycarbonate in a main chain and an acrylonitrile-styrene-glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer in a side chain.

6. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the gap preserving member is adhesively fixed on at least one sort of the conductive supporter and the electric resistance adjusting layer.

7. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the gap preserving member is adhesively fixed on at least one sort of the conductive supporter and the electric resistance adjusting layer via a primer applied to the gap preserving member.

8. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the electric resistance adjusting layer includes a protection layer which prevents a toner from attaching to an outer surface of the electric resistance adjusting layer.

9. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the electric resistance adjusting layer and the gap preserving member are provided with a cylinder shape.

10. The conductive member set forth in claim 1, wherein the conductive member is a charge member.

11. A process cartridge comprising the charge member set forth in claim 10 which is disposed close to a member to be charged.

12. An image formation apparatus comprising the process cartridge set forth in claim 11.