Patent ID: 6792229
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A process cartridge detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:a cartridge frame; an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a charging member configured and positioned to electrically charge said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing member configured and positioned to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developer accommodating portion configured and positioned to accommodate a developer to be used for developing the electrostatic latent image by said developing member; an engaging member; first, second, and third guide portions; a driving force receiving member; and a positioning portion; wherein said engaging member is configured and positioned to be supported by a receiving portion of a movable member provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said engaging member is in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein said engaging member is provided on a portion of said cartridge frame which is above said second and third guide portions when said process cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, at a downstream end of said process cartridge in a direction of insertion of said cartridge into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; wherein said first guide portion is provided on a portion of said cartridge frame which is above said second and third guide portions when said cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, downstream of said third guide portion and said positioning portion with respect to the direction of insertion of said cartridge, wherein said first guide portion is guided by a main assembly fixed guide provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said cartridge is being inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; wherein said second guide portion is provided on a portion of said cartridge frame which is below said engaging member and said first guide portion when said cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, downstream of said third guide portion and said positioning portion with respect to the insertion direction of said cartridge, wherein said second guide portion is guided by a first guide recess provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; wherein said third guide portion is provided on a portion of said cartridge frame which is below said engaging member and said first guide portion when said cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus in the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, upstream of said engaging member, said first and second guide portions, and said driving force receiving member in the direction of insertion of said cartridge, wherein said third guide portion is guided by a second guide recess provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus when said cartridge is inserted into the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; wherein said driving force receiving member is provided at a downstream end of said process cartridge with respect to the direction of insertion of said cartridge, wherein said driving force receiving member receives a driving force from a driving force transmitting member provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and wherein said positioning portion is projected from said cartridge frame in an upstream direction with respect to the direction of insertion of said process cartridge, wherein said positioning portion is disposed coaxially with said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein when said engaging member supported by the receiving portion is released to permit said cartridge to be lowered to a mount position, said positioning portion is supported by a positioning recess provided in the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and wherein when said process cartridge is lowered to the mount position, said first guide portion has passed by the main assembly fixed guide and is not supported by the main assembly fixed guide.