# US 12,181,832 B2 · Electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus

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- Number: US 12,181,832 B2
- Document ID: US12181832B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/650,991
- Filed: 2022-02-14
- Published: 2022-09-01
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2021-02-26
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Koji Takahashi; Masayuki Shinozuka; Motoya Yamada
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181832B2

## CPC

- G03G 5/102: {consisting of or comprising metals}
- G03G 21/1814: {Details of parts of process cartridge, e.g. for charging, transfer, cleaning, developing (G03G21/1835 takes precedence)}
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY

## Abstract

An electrophotographic photosensitive member having: a support with a cylindrical shape; and a photosensitive layer, in which the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and the surface of the support includes Al crystal grains having (α) plane having {001} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, (β) plane having {101} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, and (γ) plane having {111} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, a ratio of an area occupied by Al crystal grains having (γ) to the total area of the surface of the support is 10% or less, and a ratio of an area occupied by any one of Al crystal grains having (α) and Al crystal grains having (β) is 60% or more.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising: a support with a cylindrical shape; and a photosensitive layer, wherein
the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and
the surface of the support comprises an Al crystal grain having
(α) plane having {001} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
(β) plane having {101} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, and
(γ) plane having {111} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
a ratio of an area occupied by an Al crystal grain having (γ) to the total area of the surface of the support is 10% or less, and a ratio of an area occupied by any one of an Al crystal grain having (α) and an Al crystal grain having (β) is 60% or more.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area occupied by the Al crystal grain having (β) to a total area of a surface of the support is 67% or more.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area occupied by the Al crystal grain having (β) to a total area of a surface of the support is 75% or more.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area occupied by the Al crystal grain having (α) to a total area of a surface of the support is 67% or more.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area occupied by the Al crystal grain having (α) to a total area of a surface of the support is 75% or more.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of an area occupied by the Al crystal grain having (γ) to a total area of a surface of the support is 5% or less.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein an average area of an Al crystal grain is 5 μm2 or more on a surface of the support.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein
the support is an Al alloy comprising Cu in an amount of 0.05 to 0.2% by mass and Mn in an amount of 1.0 to 1.5% by mass.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The electrophotographic photosensitive member according to claim 1, wherein
the support is an Al alloy comprising Si in an amount of 0.2 to 0.6% by mass and Mg in an amount of 0.45 to 0.9% by mass.

### Claim 10

A process cartridge, integrally supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member and at least one unit selected from the group consisting of a charging unit, a developing unit, and a cleaning unit, and being detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic apparatus
the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising: a support with a cylindrical shape; and a photosensitive layer, wherein
the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and
the surface of the support includes an Al crystal grain having
(α) plane having {001} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
(β) plane having {101} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, and
(γ) plane having {111} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
a ratio of an area occupied by an Al crystal grain having (γ) to the total area of the surface of the support is 10% or less, and a ratio of an area occupied by any one of an Al crystal grain having (α) and an Al crystal grain having (β) is 60% or more.

### Claim 11

An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive member; a charging unit; an exposing unit; a developing unit; and a transfer unit
the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprising: a support with a cylindrical shape; and a photosensitive layer, wherein
the support has a surface formed of Al and/or an Al alloy, and
the surface of the support includes an Al crystal grain having
(α) plane having {001} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
(β) plane having {101} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°, and
(γ) plane having {111} orientation of −15° or more and less than +15°,
a ratio of an area occupied by an Al crystal grain having (γ) to the total area of the surface of the support is 10% or less, and a ratio of an area occupied by any one of an Al crystal grain having (α) and an Al crystal grain having (β) is 60% or more.