Abstract: A process cartridge includes a frame body, a substrate having a memory element, and a cartridge electrical contact and a cartridge pushing portion provided on the frame body. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which the process cartridge is loaded includes a main body electrical connector and main body electrical contacts. The cartridge pushing portion moves the main body electrical connector so that the process cartridge moves in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge pushing portion operates so as to give a pushing force for pushing the main body electrical contact in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact. In this way, the main body electrical contact and the cartridge electrical contact can be stably reliably brought into contact.

Abstract: A process cartridge comprises a frame body, a substrate having a memory element and a cartridge electrical contact electrically connected and a cartridge pushing portion provided on the frame body. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus on which the process cartridge is loaded comprises main body electrical connecting means and main body electrical contacts. The cartridge pushing portion moves the main body electrical connecting means so that the process cartridge moves in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact when the process cartridge is loaded on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge pushing portion operates so as to give a pushing force for pushing the main body electrical contact in a direction to be electrically connected with the cartridge electrical contact. In this way, the main body electrical contact and the cartridge electrical contact can be stably reliably brought into contact.

Abstract: An exhaust mechanism for use in an image development apparatus exhausts air from within the apparatus, taking advantage of an air flow generated by the heating of a fixing unit without the need for an air blower. The apparatus includes a transport path for allowing a recording medium, to which a toner image formed on a photoconductive body, is transferred, to pass therethrough, a transfer unit disposed below the photoconductive body for transferring the toner image to the recording medium, the fixing unit having a heater, and a partitioning plate which separates a space formed below the transfer unit from a space that accommodates the photoconductive body, a toner image forming unit, and the fixing unit, and which is provided with an opening for permitting air to flow near the transfer unit.

Abstract: A guide member according to the present invention is constituted by a guide portion for guiding a positioning projection provided on a process cartridge when the process cartridge is removably mounted to an image forming apparatus, a shutter guide portion for guiding a shutter projection provided on a shutter member opening/closing a transfer opening of the process cartridge when the process cartridge is removably mounted to the image forming apparatus, and a regulating portion against which the shutter projection abuts if the process cartridge is tried to be inserted into the image forming apparatus in an erroneous manner.