Patent ID: 7831189

Claim:
A lubricant applying unit, comprising: a solid lubricant; a lubricant supporting unit configured to support the solid lubricant; a lubricant holder configured to accommodate the solid lubricant supported by the lubricant supporting unit; a pressing mechanism disposed between the lubricant supporting unit and the lubricant holder, the pressing mechanism configured to press the solid lubricant against a lubricant applying member; and a frictional resistance reducing member mounted on an internal surface of the lubricant holder, wherein the lubricant supporting unit comprises a lubricant mounting surface on which the solid lubricant is mounted and a lubricant holder facing surface disposed facing an internal surface of the lubricant holder, and the frictional resistance reducing member reduces a frictional resistance produced at sliding contact portions between the lubricant holder facing surface of the lubricant supporting unit and the internal surface of the lubricant holder.