Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including (i) a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion includes at least one pair of projections, with each of the projections including a facing portion that faces the axis L2, each facing portion being open to the axis L2. A diameter of an imaginary circle that is tangent to the facing portions of the projections is greater than a maximum dimension of the connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a coupling member provided at an axial end portion of a photosensitive drum and rotatable about a coupling axis thereof so as to transmit a driving force to the photosensitive drum. The coupling member is capable of inclining relative to the photosensitive drum so that the coupling axis inclines relative to a drum axis, with the coupling member having a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum, a second end portion, and a connecting portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. A maximum distance from the coupling axis to an outermost surface of the 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 the second end portion along a line perpendicular to the coupling axis.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a casing, a photosensitive drum having an axis L1, the photosensitive drum being rotatably supported in the casing to permit rotation about the axis L1, and a coupling member having an axis L2, with the coupling member including (i) a first end portion connected to the photosensitive drum, (ii) a second end portion, and (iii) a connecting portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion. The second end portion includes at least one pair of projections, with each of the projections including a facing portion that faces the axis L2, each facing portion being open to the axis L2. A diameter of an imaginary circle that is tangent to the facing portions of the projections is greater than a maximum dimension of the connecting portion in a direction perpendicular to the axis L2.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes (a) a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof and (b) a drum flange provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including at least two projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the two projections. Each of the two projections projects radially inwardly of the drum flange to a greater extent at a position farther from the cylinder than it does at a position closer to the cylinder.

Abstract: A rotating force transmitting part for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The rotating force transmitting part includes a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the state in which electrophotographic photosensitive drum is mounted to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, wherein the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the axis of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the rotational force transmitting angular position.

Abstract: A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the process cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof; ii) process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; iii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to t

Abstract: A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer, and a process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Abstract: When an opening and closing member is being closed, urging force which a first engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives in a direction opposite to a direction to close the opening and closing member is larger than urging force which a second engaged portion of the opening and closing member receives, and a distance in which the first engaged portion moves until the first engaged portion engages with a first engaging portion is shorter than a distance in which the second engaged portion moves until the second engaged portion engages with a second engaging portion while the first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are caused to engage with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, respectively, by closing the opening and closing member from an opened state of the opening and closing member.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a film, a roller forming a nip with the film, for conveying a sheet while nipping the sheet, a member for urging one of the film and the roller toward the other, a heater for heating one of the film and the roller, a cam, rotationally driven by a motor, for moving the urging member in a releasing direction or a restoring direction of an urging force by the urging member, a gear that swings, depending on normal or reverse rotation of the motor, and a stopper to stop the swinging of the gear. By this arrangement, the rapid rotation of gears that are free from engagement, which can cause impact noise during a transitional process between a gear engagement state in a nip-released state by the roller and a gear engagement state during a nipping function by the roller, can be suppressed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum unit includes a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder, with the drum flange including a plurality of projections provided inside of the drum flange and projected radially inwardly of the drum flange, and with a space diametrically between the projections. A radially inner part of each projection has an overhang.

Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The device includes a flange connectable with the drum. A coupling member is provided with a rotational force transmitting portion engageable with the flange.

Abstract: A device for transmitting a rotational force to an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The device includes a flange connectable with the drum. A coupling member is provided with a rotational force transmitting portion engageable with the flange.

Abstract: A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer, and a process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member for receiving a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a photosensitive drum, a developing roller, and a coupling member. The coupling member is capable of inclining relative to the photosensitive drum such that the coupling axis inclines relative to the drum axis. A regulating portion surrounds the coupling member so as to confine the range of inclination of the coupling member. The regulating portion is provided with a recess that recesses in a direction away from the drum axis and away from the developing roller. An angle between the coupling axis and the drum axis is larger when at least a part of the coupling member is in the recess than when the coupling member contacts another portion of the regulating portion.

Abstract: A rotating force transmitting part is provided for an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The main assembly includes a motor-driven shaft having a rotating force applier. The drum is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantial perpendicular with an axial direction of the shaft. The part includes a coupler engageable with the force applier to receive a rotational force for rotating the drum when mounted to the main assembly. The coupler moves between a position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the drum to the drum and a disengaged position inclined away from the axis of the drum. When the cartridge is dismounted from the main assembly substantially perpendicular to the axis of the drum, the coupler moves from the transmitting position to the disengaging position.

Abstract: A process cartridge for use with a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the main assembly including a driving shaft, to be driven by a motor, having a rotational force applying portion, wherein the process cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the driving shaft, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, the electrophotographic photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof; ii) process means actable on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; iii) a coupling member engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the coupling member being capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to t

Abstract: A process cartridge for use in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer at a peripheral surface thereof, with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum being rotatable about an axis thereof. The process cartridge also includes a coupling member to receive a rotational force for rotating the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, with the coupling member capable of taking a rotational force transmitting angular position for transmitting the rotational force to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The coupling member is also capable of taking a disengaging angular position in which the coupling member is inclined away from the rotational force transmitting angular position.

Abstract: A process cartridge usable with an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, the process cartridge includes i) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis and having a photosensitive layer at its peripheral surface; ii) process means actable on the drum; iii) a coupling member for receiving an external force for rotating the drum, wherein the coupling member is capable of taking a first angular position for transmitting the external force to the drum, a second angular position inclined away from the axis of the drum from the first angular position, and a third angular position away from the axis of the drum from the first angle position; and iv) a regulating portion for regulating an inclination angle of the coupling member such that downward inclination angle of the coupling member is smaller than an inclination angle of the coupling member when the coupling member is at the second angular position.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a film, a roller forming a nip with the film, for conveying a sheet while nipping the sheet, a member for urging one of the film and the roller toward the other, a heater for heating one of the film and the roller, a cam, rotationally driven by a motor, for moving the urging member in a releasing direction or a restoring direction of an urging force by the urging member, a gear that swings, depending on normal or reverse rotation of the motor, and a stopper to stop the swinging of the gear. By this arrangement, the rapid rotation of gears that are free from engagement, which can cause impact noise during a transitional process between a gear engagement state in a nip-released state by the roller and a gear engagement state during a nipping function by the roller, can be suppressed.