Patent ID: 9042776
Filing Date: 2015-05-26
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process unit detachably mountable in a main casing of an image forming apparatus including a driving force input element configured to rotate, the 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; a development frame accommodating the development roller, the development frame having a first side-wall and a second side-wall opposite to the first side-wall in a direction of the second rotation axis; a coupling joint configured to receive a driving force from the driving force input element, the coupling joint being disposed at a position opposite to the second side-wall with respect to the first side-wall, the coupling joint being configured to rotate about a third rotation axis extending parallel to the first rotation axis of the photoconductor drum, the third rotation axis of the coupling joint being substantially coincident with a center of rotation of the driving force input element, the coupling joint including a gear portion for transmitting the driving force from the driving force input element to the development roller; an agitator configured to agitate developer in the development frame; an agitator gear configured to rotate together with the agitator; and an idle gear configured to transmit the driving force from the gear portion of the coupling joint to the agitator gear, wherein the development frame includes a support portion disposed at the second side-wall of the development frame, the support portion being coaxial with the third 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, and wherein the support portion includes a support hole provided in the second side-wall of the development frame at a first surface of the second side-wall facing away from the first side-wall, the support hole having a second surface extending from the first surface toward the first side-wall and a third surface extending from the second surface, the third surface being located closer to the first side-wall than the first surface, and the drum frame includes a base part and a projection extending from the base part toward the first side-wall, the projection being inserted in the support hole.