Patent ID: 6735406
Filing Date: 2004-05-11
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A process cartridge mounting mechanism for mounting a process cartridge to a mounting position in a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said cartridge comprises an electrophotographic photosensitive member and process means actable on said photosensitive member, said process cartridge mounting mechanism comprising:an openable cover member mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, said cover member being opened and closed when said cartridge is mounted to or demounted from the main assembly of the apparatus; a first main assembly side guide which is provided in the main assembly of the apparatus and which is movable in interrelation with opening and closing operations of said cover member, said first main assembly side guide including a first supporting portion and a first urging portion; a second main assembly side guide which is provided in the main assembly of the apparatus and which is movable in interrelation with opening and closing operations of said cover member, said second main assembly side guide including a second supporting portion and a second urging portion; a first positioning portion, provided in said cartridge at one longitudinal end of a cartridge frame, for positioning said cartridge to said mounting position, wherein said first positioning portion is engaged with a main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly; a first cartridge guide, provided at a position away from said first positioning portion in said cartridge at one longitudinal end of the cartridge frame, for guiding said cartridge toward said mounting position, said first cartridge guide including a first supported portion to be supported on said first supporting portion and a first urged portion to be urged to said first urging portion; a second positioning portion, provided at said cartridge at the other longitudinal end of the cartridge frame, for positioning said cartridge to said mounting position, wherein when said process cartridge is mounted to the mounting position, said second positioning portion is engaged with the main assembly side positioning portion provided in the main assembly; and a second cartridge guide, provided at a position away from said second positioning portion in said cartridge at the other longitudinal end of the cartridge frame, for guiding said cartridge toward said mounting position, said second cartridge guide including a second supported portion to be supported on said second supporting portion and a second urged portion to be urged to said second urging portion; wherein said cartridge is mounted to the mounting position in interrelation with a closing operation of said cover member.