Patent ID: 6983114
Filing Date: 2006-01-03
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge detachably attachable to a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a first unit supporting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller configured and positioned to develop, with a developer, an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a second unit supporting said developing roller and coupled to said first unit; an optical path provided between said first unit and said second unit and configured and positioned to pass light emitted from the main body of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in order to expose said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the light; a drum shutter movable between a protecting position for protecting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a retracting position retracted from the protecting position; a supported portion provided in said drum shutter; a supporting portion configured and positioned to support said supported portion in order to move said drum shutter between the protecting position and the retracting position, said supporting portion being positioned outside said optical path in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and being positioned between said first unit and said second unit when said process cartridge is viewed along the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and an open portion provided in said supporting portion to mount said supported portion to said supporting portion, said open portion being arranged to pass through said supported portion under a condition that said drum shutter is positioned at a mount position deviated from and between said protecting position and said retracting position before coupling said first unit and said second unit, and wherein when said first unit and said second unit are coupled, said drum shutter is movable between said protecting position and said retracting position and said drum shutter is restricted not to move to said mount position due to contact between said drum shutter and said second unit when said drum shutter is moving toward said mount position from between said protecting position and said retracting position.