Patent ID: 7474863
Filing Date: 2009-01-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus including a process cartridge which contains said electrophotographic photosensitive member, process means actable on said electrophotographic photosensitive member, a memory that stores information, said memory being provided with a cartridge contact, said electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: (i) an opening configured and positioned to mount and dismount said process cartridge; (ii) an openable and closable member movable between an opening position for opening said opening and a closing position for closing said opening; (iii) a detecting member that detects a closing state of said openable and closable member; (iv) a connector member having a main assembly contact which is movable between a contact position where said main assembly contact contacts said cartridge contact and a separating position where said main assembly contact is separated from said cartridge contact; (v) an operation member that moves said connector member from the separating position to the contact position; (vi) a holding member engageable with said operation member to hold said connector member at the contact position; (vii) a controller that communicates with said memory through said connector member after detection of a change of a signal outputted from said detecting member when said openable and closable member moves away from the closing position; (viii) a releasing mechanism that releases engagement between said holding member and said operation member after said openable and closable member moves from the closing position toward the opening position by a predetermined distance; and (ix) an urging member that urges said connector member in a direction away from the contact position toward the separating position.