Patent ID: 8160478
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising: an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a drum unit containing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing unit swingably supported by said drum unit and containing said developing roller; an urging member for urging said drum unit and said developing unit to each other so as to press said developing roller against said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a first space keeping member for keeping space between said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and said developing roller by engaging with said developing unit and limiting swing of said developing unit against an urging force of said urging member, wherein said first space keeping member is movable by being contacted by the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction crossing with a swing plane perpendicular to an axis of the swing, when said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus in a direction of an axis of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein said first space keeping member is provided at an upstream position with respect to a mounting direction in which said process cartridge is mounted to the main assembly of the apparatus.