Patent ID: 8611787
Filing Date: 2013-12-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process unit comprising: a photoconductor drum configured to rotate about a first rotation axis; a drum frame accommodating the photoconductor drum; a development roller configured to supply developer to the photoconductor drum and to rotate about a second rotation axis extending parallel to the first rotation axis of the photoconductor drum, the development roller having a first side facing in a direction of the second rotation axis and a second side opposite to the first side; a supply roller configured to supply the developer to the development roller and to rotate about a third rotation axis extending parallel to the first rotation axis of the photoconductor drum; a development frame accommodating the development roller and the supply roller, the development frame having a first portion corresponding to the first side of the development roller and a second portion corresponding to the second side of the development roller; a coupling joint disposed at the first portion of the development frame, the coupling joint being configured to be disengageably engageable with an external driving force input element and to be rotatable about a fourth rotation axis extending parallel to the first rotation axis of the photoconductor drum, the coupling joint including a gear portion for transmitting a rotational force inputted therefrom to the development roller and the supply roller; a support portion disposed at the second portion of the development frame, the support portion being coaxial with the fourth rotation axis of the coupling joint, wherein the development frame is supported by the coupling joint and the support portion swingably relative to the drum frame; a first gear disposed at the first portion of the development frame and configured to rotate together with the development roller, the first gear meshing directly with the gear portion of the coupling joint; and a second gear disposed at the first portion of the development frame and configured to rotate together with the supply roller, the second gear meshing directly with the gear portion of the coupling joint, wherein the second rotation axis of the development roller and the third rotation axis of the supply roller are located in positions shifted from a line segment connecting the fourth rotation axis of the coupling joint and the first rotation axis of the photoconductor drum to an upstream side with respect to a direction of rotation of the coupling joint as viewed in a direction of the second rotation axis of the development roller, wherein the support portion includes a support hole provided in the second portion of the development frame at a first surface of the second portion, the support hole having a second surface extending from the first surface toward the first portion and a third surface extending from the second surface, the third surface being located closer to the first portion than the first surface, and the drum frame includes a base part and a projection extending from the base part toward the first portion, the projection being inserted in the support hole.