Patent ID: 7212768
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum extending in a longitudinal direction of said process cartridge; a cartridge coupling, provided at one longitudinal end of said photosensitive drum, configured and positioned to engage a main assembly coupling provided in a main assembly of the apparatus to transmit a driving force from a motor provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to said photosensitive drum when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus: a developing roller configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a first cartridge positioning portion which is provided at each of one and the other longitudinal end portion of said process cartridge and which is abuttable to a first main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to position said process cartridge with respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus; a second cartridge positioning portion which is provided at one longitudinal end portion of said process cartridge and which is abuttable to a second main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to limit rotation of said process cartridge about said first cartridge positioning portion, when said process cartridge receives a rotational driving force for rotating said developing roller from the main assembly of the apparatus; and a first drive input gear, provided at said one longitudinal end portion, for engagement with a main assembly driving gear provided in the main assembly to transmit a rotational driving force to said developing roller, wherein a range of engagement, with respect to the longitudinal direction, between the main assembly driving gear and said first drive input gear when said first drive input gear is engaged with the main assembly driving gear, overlaps with said second cartridge positioning portion as seen in a direction which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and which passes through said second cartridge positioning portion.