Patent ID: 6714750
Filing Date: 2004-03-30
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus which includes an openable closing member, a first main assembly guide movable in interrelation with an opening and closing action of the closing member, and a second main assembly guide, said process cartridge comprising:an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; process means actable on said photosensitive drum; a first cartridge frame portion extending in a mounting direction in which said cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, at one axial end portion of said photosensitive drum; a first cartridge guide projecting from said first cartridge frame portion, said first cartridge guide moving said cartridge toward a cartridge mounting position, provided in the main assembly, by movement of the first main assembly guide with said cartridge being supported on the first main assembly guide, when said cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, wherein said first cartridge guide has a portion to be carried which is to be carried on the first main assembly guide and an inclined surface which is inclined downward toward an upstream side of said cartridge with respect to the mounting direction, and when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, a portion where said portion to be carried and said inclined portion intersect is urged in the mounting direction by the first main assembly guide; a second cartridge frame portion extending in the mounting direction at the other axial end portion of said photosensitive drum; a second cartridge guide projecting from said second cartridge frame portion, said second cartridge guide moving said cartridge toward the cartridge mounting position by movement of the second main assembly guide with said cartridge being supported on the second main assembly guide, when said cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, wherein said second cartridge guide has a portion to be carried which is to be carried on the second main assembly guide and an inclined surface which is inclined downward toward an upstream side of said cartridge with respect to the mounting direction, and when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, a portion where said portion to be carried and said inclined portion intersect is urged in the mounting direction by the second main assembly guide; a first cartridge positioning portion for engaging with a first main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to position said process cartridge relative to the main assembly of the apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, said first cartridge positioning portion being projected outwardly from said first cartridge frame portion and coaxially with said photosensitive drum at said one axial end of said photosensitive drum; and a second cartridge positioning portion for engaging with a second main assembly positioning portion provided in the main assembly of the apparatus to position said process cartridge relative to the main assembly of the apparatus when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus, said second cartridge positioning portion being projected outwardly from said second cartridge frame portion and coaxially with said photosensitive drum at the other axial end of said photosensitive drum.