Patent ID: 8688004
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge comprising: (i) a photosensitive drum rotatable about a drum axis thereof; (ii) a rotatable developing roller configured to develop a latent image formed on said photosensitive drum; (iii) a coupling member provided at an axial end portion of said photosensitive drum and rotatable about a coupling axis thereof so as to transmit a driving force to said photosensitive drum, said coupling member being capable of inclining relative to said photosensitive drum so that the coupling axis inclines relative to the drum axis, said coupling member having (iii-i) a first end portion connected to said photosensitive drum, (iii-ii) a second end portion, and (iii-iii) a connecting portion between said first end portion and said second end portion, wherein a maximum distance from the coupling axis to an outermost surface of said connecting portion along a line perpendicular to the coupling axis is less than a maximum distance from the coupling axis to an outermost surface of said second end portion along a line perpendicular to the coupling axis; and (iv) a regulating portion surrounding said coupling member to confine a range of the inclination of said coupling member, wherein said regulating portion is provided with a portion that opens in a direction away from said drum axis and away from said developing roller, and wherein an angle between the coupling axis and the drum axis is larger when at least a part of said connecting portion is in said portion that opens in a direction away from said drum axis and away from said developing roller than when said coupling member contacts another portion of said regulating portion.