Abstract: Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member that can suppress the surface direction unevenness of an output image throughout repeated image formation. The electrophotographic photosensitive member is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a support having a cylindrical shape and a photosensitive layer formed on the support, wherein the support contains at least one of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, and wherein when an area at the maximum frequency calculated from the area distribution curve of the aluminum crystal grains of the surface of the support is represented by A (?m2) and the half-width of the highest peak in the area distribution curve is represented by B (?m2), the support satisfies the following formula (1): B/A?1.0??(1).

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller for developing a latent image on the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge also includes a protrusion having a surface configured to receive a force to move a frame supporting the developing roller from the first position in which the developing roller contacts the photosensitive drum to the second position in which the developing roller is spaced apart from the photosensitive drum.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in an axial direction; a memory including a storing element configured to store information, a memory contact electrically connected to the storing element, and a substrate having a surface on which the memory contact is provided; and a frame which supports the photosensitive drum, on which the substrate is mounted, and which includes a first end with respect to the axial direction and a second end opposite from the first end. The frame includes a container provided with an accommodating chamber for accommodating a developer collected from the photosensitive drum and with an opening communicating with the accommodating chamber and includes a mounting member mounted on the container so as to cover the opening. The mounting member includes a supporting portion for supporting the substrate.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes a casing, a developing roller rotatable about an axis extending in a first direction, a developing memory having an electrical contact surface, an agitator, an agitator gear rotatable about an agitator axis together with the agitator, a holder holding the electrical contact surface, and a plate movable between a first position and a second position in a second direction crossing the first direction relative to the casing. The holder is movable relative to the casing in a third direction crossing the first and second directions between a retracted position and an advancing position. The holder is movable from the retracted position to the advancing position in response to a movement of the plate from the first position to the second position. The plate is positioned farther away from the developing roller than the agitator gear and the holder are in the second direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a drawer, and a process cartridge attachable to the drawer. The drawer can be drawn out of the housing toward one side in a first direction. The process cartridge includes: a process housing; a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in a second direction; a developing roller movable between a separated position and a contacting position relative to the photosensitive drum; and a locking member. The locking member is movable between a locking position for locking the developing roller at the separated position and an unlocking position for allowing the developing roller to move to the contacting position. The process cartridge is configured to contact a first surface of the drawer to be guided toward an attachment position on the drawer while the locking member is at the locking position during attachment of the process cartridge to the drawer.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus includes: an image carrier, a developing unit, a moving mechanism, and a drive input gear. The developing unit, including a development container and a developer carrier, is supported so as to be swingable among a contact position, a first separate position, and a second separate position. The moving mechanism reciprocates the developing unit between the contact position and the second separate position. The drive input gear inputs, to the developing unit, driving force for driving rotation of the developer carrier. While the developing unit is in the contact position or the first separate position, the drive transmission gear is engaged with the drive input gear. While the developing unit is being moved from the first separate position to the second separate position, the drive transmission gear is separated from the drive input gear.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a developing roller configured to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum. The process cartridge further includes a developer supplying roller configured to supply the developer to the developing roller and a developer feeding member configured to feed the developer toward the developer supplying roller. A first gear is configured to transmit a driving force transmitted, through the developer supplying roller, from a driving force receiving member, and a second gear is configured to transmit the driving force to the developer feeding member. An idle gear is configured to transmit the driving force transmitted from the first gear to the second gear.

Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprises a main assembly that includes moving force applying portion, a main assembly engaging portion having a driving shaft and a rotational force applying portion provided on the driving shaft, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A cartridge is dismountable from the main assembly without dismounting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the main assembly. The cartridge includes a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a rotatable member for transmitting a rotational force to the developing roller, and a coupling member including a rotational force receiving portion engageable with the rotational force applying portion to receive a rotational force from the main assembly engaging portion, and a rotational force transmitting portion for transmitting the rotational force to the rotatable member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording material and includes an apparatus body, a first process cartridge including a first photosensitive member and a first developing roller to supply first toner to the first photosensitive member, with the first process cartridge being detachably attached to the apparatus body, and a toner cartridge to accommodate the first toner and detachably attached to the apparatus body independently from the first process cartridge. A second process cartridge includes a second photosensitive member and a second developing roller to supply second toner to the second photosensitive member, with the second process cartridge being detachably attached to the apparatus body and configured not to be replenished with the second toner in a state where the second process cartridge is attached to the apparatus body.

Abstract: A process cartridge includes a developing cartridge having a developing roller; a drum cartridge having a photosensitive drum; and a first end cover and a second end cover. The developing cartridge is rotatably supported on the first end cover and the second end cover. A separation force receiving member mounted at the developing cartridge; the separation force receiving member includes a force-receiving portion, a force transmission portion and a sliding guide portion; the force-receiving portion is used for receiving an acting force that makes the developing cartridge rotate to the separation position; the sliding guide portion and the first end cover are arranged in a manner of being able to slide relative to each other; and when the separation force receiving member slides relative to the first end cover, the force transmission portion synchronously drives the developing cartridge to rotate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body casing, a pressing member, a process cartridge, and a drawer. The body casing includes a positioning member. The pressing member is disposed inside the body casing. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum. The drawer is configured to support the process cartridge and to move, in a sliding direction orthogonal to an axis direction of the photosensitive drum, between an inside position that is a position inside the body casing and an outside position that is a position outside the body casing. The process cartridge includes an engagement portion and a spring. The engagement portion is configured to be positioned by the positioning member. The spring is configured to be pressed by the pressing member such that the engagement portion is pressed toward the positioning member.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a detachable unit, and a guide. The detachable unit is attachable to and detachable from the housing. The guide guides the detachable unit when the detachable unit is attached to or detached. The guide includes a first guide portion inclined downward to guide the detachable unit such that the detachable unit moves downward in a direction in which the detachable unit is detached. The detachable unit includes a positioning portion that protrudes in a direction in which the detachable unit is attached to the housing. The housing includes a unit positioner that engages with the positioning portion of the detachable unit at a position above the guide to position the detachable unit. The guide includes a second guide portion that extends from an upper end of the first guide portion toward a side of the housing in which the unit positioner is disposed.

Abstract: A toner container according to one example embodiment includes a pivotable handle. The handle includes a front segment extending along a front of a body of the toner container when the handle is in a first position for contacting a corresponding pry surface in an image forming device when the handle moves from the first position to a second position. The handle includes a rear segment extending along a rear of the body when the handle is in the first position permitting a user to actuate the rear segment to move the handle from the first position to the second position. The handle includes a first side segment extending along the first side of the body and a second side segment extending along the second side of the body. The first and second side segments connect the front segment and the rear segment.

Abstract: A conductive member includes: a substrate; an elastic layer provided on the substrate; and a surface layer provided on the elastic layer, in which the surface layer contains a conductive agent and has a sea/island structure that consists of a sea portion containing a first resin and an island portion containing a second resin, and a distance R between the island portions and a radius r of the island portion in a cross-section of the surface layer satisfy the following Expression (1-1), ?0.20?R?2r?0.40??Expression (1-1).

Abstract: A cartridge including: a first unit including an image bearing member and a first portion, and configured to take a removal posture when the cartridge is to be removed from a main body; a second unit including a developer bearing member and a second portion, the second unit being movable between a first position where the developer bearing member is in contact with the image bearing member and a second position where the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member and where the second portion is in contact with the first portion, wherein when the first unit takes the removal posture, the second unit is located at the second position, and when the second unit is located at the second position, movement of the second unit in a direction, in which the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member, is restricted.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus to which a toner container is detachably mountable includes a mounting portion to which the toner container is detachably mountable and which includes a receiving port for receiving toner supplied from the toner container, a passage for permitting passing of the toner received through the receiving port and provided with a through hole, and a filter portion provided so as to cover the through hole and for permitting passing of air; and an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the toner received through the receiving port. At least a part of the through hole overlaps with the receiving port as viewed in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a direction of gravitation.

Abstract: A first side frame is apart from a second side frame in a first direction. A photosensitive drum is rotatable about a drum axis extending in the first direction. The photosensitive drum is rotatably supported between the first side frame and the second side frame. A grip portion extends in the first direction. A first connector extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first connector connects the first side frame and a first end portion of the grip portion. The second connector extends in the second direction. The second connector connects the second side frame and a second end portion of the grip portion. A scanner unit is configured to expose the photosensitive drum to light. The scanner unit is located between the photosensitive drum and the grip portion as viewed in a third direction which is perpendicular to the first and second directions.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a main body casing, a drum cartridge and a developing cartridge. The main body casing has an opening and a slot extending in from the opening toward an inside of the main body casing along a first direction. The drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction in a state where the drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are attached to the slot. The main body casing includes a drum guide groove configured to guide movement of the drum cartridge. The drum cartridge includes a drum protrusion configured to be engaged with the drum guide groove. A width of the drum guide groove in the second direction is decreased toward the inside of the main body casing from the opening.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a drum cartridge, and a development cartridge. The drum cartridge is movable in a first direction through the opening between a first position at which the drum cartridge is located inside the housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is located outside the housing. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum rotatable about an axis extending in the first direction and a first handle located at a downstream end of the drum cartridge in a movement direction in which the drum cartridge moves from the first position to the second position. The development cartridge is attachable to and detachable from the drum cartridge. The development cartridge includes a development roller and a second handle located upstream of the first handle in the movement direction in a state where the development cartridge is attached to the drum cartridge.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a housing; drum cartridge attachable to the housing; a toner cartridge attachable to the drum cartridge at an attachment position; and a contacting portion positioned at a side wall of the housing positioned at one end thereof in a first direction. The drum cartridge includes a photosensitive drum and a drum frame. The toner cartridge includes a toner casing, a toner memory, a memory holder holding the toner memory, and a memory holder cover movably holding the memory holder. The memory holder cover has a protrusion protruding in a direction crossing the first direction. In a case where the drum cartridge is to be attached to the housing while the toner cartridge is lifted up from the drum frame than the attachment position, the protrusion is configured to contact the contacting portion to move the toner cartridge to the attachment position from the lifted-up position.

Abstract: A charging member of a contact charging system that applies only a direct-current voltage to the charging member includes a conductive substrate, an elastic layer disposed on the conductive substrate, and a surface layer disposed on the elastic layer. When measured by an alternating-current impedance method within a range of 1 MHz to 1 mHz in an environment at a temperature of 28° C. and a humidity of 85%, a resistance component R of an impedance within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz is 4.0×104 ? or more and 1.0×106 ? or less and an impedance Z within a range of 1 Hz to 100 Hz is over 3.6×104 ? and 3.5×105 ? or less.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical box, a housing having a discharge opening, a cover provided downstream of the optical box in a discharge direction in which a recording material is discharged through the discharge opening and forming a part of the housing, and a circuit board, wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of electronic components and a wiring board configured to electrically connect the plurality of electronic components, the circuit board is disposed in such a direction that a surface of the wiring board on which the plurality of electronic components is mounted intersects the discharge direction, and the wiring board is provided between the cover and the optical box in the discharge direction, and wherein, when viewed in a vertical direction, the optical box and the plurality of electronic components partially overlap each other.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a mounting portion for mounting a process cartridge, the process cartridge including a first unit having an image bearing drum, and a second unit having a developing roller, the second unit being movable between a contact position in which the roller contacts the drum and a spaced position in which they are mutually spaced; an engageable member engageable with a force receiving portion provided on the second unit; wherein the engageable member is movable between a first position for maintaining the second unit in the spaced position by engaging with the force receiving portion, a second position for permitting movement of the second unit from the spaced position to the contact position; and a third position for permitting the process cartridge to be mounted, by being pressed by the process cartridge to retract, when the process cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: The low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) is used in the design of a formula of a water-based printing ink and selection of the water-based printing ink or a wetting agent. The water-based printing ink or the wetting agent is quickly selected through the inversion data of an LF-NMR transverse relaxation time (T2). By using LF-NMR to detect the distribution of water in the water-based printing ink or wetting agent, the water-based printing ink is quickly detected in real-time and a high-quality water-based printing ink is selected, which contributes to the design and development of water-based printing inks. The state of water in the ink also is adjusted based on the relationship between the distribution state of water in the printing ink and the definition of the printed pattern, thereby ensuring the definition of the printed pattern.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a housing; a cartridge including an image bearing member and capable of being attached/detached to/from the housing; a discharging exposure unit having a light source member and a light guide member, which forms a light guide path guiding light from the light source member so as to be emitted to the image bearing member, and exposing the image bearing member; and an opening/closing member capable of being opened/closed and provided on a surface on which an opening portion, through which the cartridge is inserted/removed in the housing, is provided so as to cover the opening portion, wherein the light source member is provided so as to be exposed to a surface of the housing opened/closed by the opening/closing member and be capable of being attached/detached to/from the light guide member.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum in a coupling member. The coupling member includes an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion which is capable of entering a recess of a driving shaft to receive a driving force for rotating photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, an opening/closing member, a cartridge configured to be inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus body, a supporting member configured to support the cartridge, a moving mechanism configured to support the supporting member and move the supporting member from a second position to a first position in accordance with a movement of the opening/closing member from an open position to a closed position, and an urging member configured to urge the supporting member or the moving mechanism so that the supporting member is retained at the second position by the moving mechanism in a state where the opening/closing member is in the open position.

Abstract: The process unit is configured to be rotatable relative to the frame about a rotation axis extending in a rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum between a first position at which the photosensitive drum comes into contact with the transfer member and forms the transfer nip portion and a second position at which the photosensitive drum is separated from the transfer member, and a direction in which the process unit rotates from the first position to the second position is a direction in which the replenishing port of the process unit moves away when the process unit is viewed from the front surface side.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an optical box, a housing having a discharge opening, a cover provided downstream of the optical box in a discharge direction in which a recording material is discharged through the discharge opening and forming a part of the housing, and a circuit board, wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of electronic components and a wiring board configured to electrically connect the plurality of electronic components, the circuit board is disposed in such a direction that a surface of the wiring board on which the plurality of electronic components is mounted intersects the discharge direction, and the wiring board is provided between the cover and the optical box in the discharge direction, and wherein, when viewed in a vertical direction, the optical box and the plurality of electronic components partially overlap each other.

Abstract: Provided is a processing cartridge, which is detachably installed in an imaging device provided with a separation mechanism; the processing cartridge includes: a first unit and a second unit connected with each other in a movable manner; a separating force receiving mechanism, which is arranged at a first end in a length direction of the processing cartridge; an abutment portion, which is located in the second unit; a sliding groove, located at the first end of the processing cartridge; the separating force receiving mechanism includes: a separating force receiving member, movably installed on the sliding groove, including a force receiving portion, a force transmitting portion and a restricting portion; an elastic member having elastic force on the separating force receiving member; under an action of a force of the imaging device, at least a part of the separating force receiving member is able to retract into the processing cartridge.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus having a drum unit and a developing unit attachable to or detachable from an apparatus body, when the drum unit is inserted into or removed from the apparatus body, operation in the following first to third sections occurs in order or reverse. The first section is a predetermined section on a removal side from the innermost position of the drum unit. In the first section, the developing unit is inserted/removed integrally with the drum unit. In the second section, only the drum unit is inserted or removed. Meanwhile, the developing unit gradually rotates to switch the contact or separated states in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the drum unit. In the third section, only the drum unit is inserted into or removed from the apparatus body while the developing unit is separated.

Abstract: A cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes a developing roller, a rotatable member for transmitting a rotational force to the developing roller, a coupling member, and a frame. The coupling member is capable of moving between a first coupling member position in which the coupling axis is substantially coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotatable member and a second coupling member position in which the coupling axis is not coaxial with the rotational axis of the rotatable member. When the frame is in a first frame position, the coupling member is in the first coupling member position and a rotational force receiving portion of the coupling member engages with a rotational force applying portion of the apparatus, and, when the frame is in the second frame position, the coupling member is in the second coupling member position and the rotational force receiving portion engages with the rotational force applying portion.

Abstract: An apparatus body of an image forming apparatus has a first guide portion having an inlet shape corresponding to an outer shape of an engagement portion provided in a cartridge when seen in an attachment direction of the cartridge to the apparatus body and guiding the engagement portion, a second guide portion for guiding a positioning target portion which is provided on the cartridge for positioning an attachment completion position of the cartridge with respect to the apparatus body, and a movable member being at a regulation position at which a guiding path of the positioning target portion by the second guide portion is blocked is immovable from the regulation position unless being pressed by the engagement portion.

Abstract: An Oldham coupling having play in a rotational direction and being capable of transmitting a driving force. The Oldham coupling includes a developing drive gear as a first hub, a drive coupling as a second hub, and an intermediate member that transmits a driving force between the developing drive gear and the drive coupling. The developing drive gear includes a protruded portion that is fitted to a recessed portion of the intermediate member to transmit a driving force between the developing drive gear and the intermediate member. When seen in a rotational axis direction of the Oldham coupling, the shape of a protruded portion is a substantially rhombic shape.

Abstract: A cartridge includes a first unit including a photosensitive member, and a second unit including a developer bearing member and a force receiving portion, the second unit being configured to be rotatable about a first axis to move with respect to the first unit between a first position and a second position. In a state where the first unit is in a same posture as when an image forming operation is performed, the second unit is disposed at the second position by its own weight. The developer bearing member is configured to be rotatable about a second axis. When seen in the direction of the first axis, a first distance between the force receiving portion and the second axis is smaller than a second distance between the first axis and the second axis and a third distance between the first axis and the force receiving portion.

Abstract: Toner cartridge includes a housing, an agitator, an auger, a first protrusion, and a second protrusion. The housing includes a first toner accommodating portion having and a second toner accommodating portion. The auger is rotatable about a second axis extending in a first direction and is configured to convey toner from a first toner accommodating portion to the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion is positioned at a first side of the second toner accommodating portion. The first protrusion extends in the first direction. The second protrusion is positioned at a second side of the second toner accommodating portion and extends in the first direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge including: an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a drum shape; a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with toner; and a cleaning blade for removing the toner on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, the cleaning blade being in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member comprises wrinkles on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and wherein the toner has a fluidity torque E of 320 mJ or more.

Abstract: Metallic paper for electrophotography is provided. The metallic paper comprises a substrate, a metallic luster layer over the substrate, and a polyester at a surface of the metallic paper. A ratio B/A is 0.90 or less, where A and B respectively represent peak area A and a peak area B in an infrared spectrum of the metallic paper obtained by an ATR method with a crystal of Ge, an incident angle of 45°, and one time of reflection. The wavenumber range of peak area A ranges from 1709.586 to 1741.406 cm?1, the wavenumber range of peak area. B ranges from 1630,519 to 1670.052 cm1, and a baseline wavenumber range of the peaks ranges from 1593.878 to 1850.364 cm?1.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing having an opening, a cover movable between an open position and a closed position, a first photoconductive drum and a second photoconductive drum, a first exposing head having a first boss and rotatably coupled to the cover, a second exposing head having a second boss and rotatably coupled to the cover, and a cam rotatably coupled to each of the first exposing head and the second exposing head. The cam is configured to rotate each of the first exposing head and the second exposing head. The cam includes (i) a first elongated hole into which the first boss fits and extending a direction intersecting a movement direction in which the cam moves and (ii) a second elongated hole into which the second boss fits and extending in a direction intersecting the movement direction of the cam.

Abstract: To provide a process cartridge, a drum unit capable of receiving a driving force from the main assembly, and an image forming apparatus including the process cartridge. A cartridge is provided with a movable member having a driving force receiving portion. The movable member moves between an advanced position and a retracted position.

Abstract: An electrical contact according to one example embodiment includes a body composed of an electrically conductive material. The body has an axially inboard side and an axially outboard side. An opening through the body is configured to closely receive a shaft of a rotatable component. A mounting tab extends from the axially outboard side of the body for attaching the body to a rotatable gear to rotatably couple the electrical contact to the gear. A contact arm extends in a cantilevered manner from the axially inboard side of the body for contacting a bushing that rotatably supports the shaft to provide an electrical connection between the bushing and the shaft.

Abstract: A first cartridge support is configured to support a drum cartridge. The first cartridge support is configured to move in a first direction between a first position at which the drum cartridge is mounted on a housing and a second position at which the drum cartridge is detachable. A second cartridge support is configured to support a development cartridge. The second cartridge support is configured to move in the first direction between a third position at which the development cartridge is mounted on the drum cartridge and a fourth position at which the development cartridge is detachable. In a state where the second cartridge support is located at the third position, the second cartridge support is located between the first cartridge support located at the first position and a cover located at a closed position with respect to the first direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge may include a developing roller, a casing capable of containing a developer therein, a developing electrode movable with the casing and the developing roller and pivotable about a developing roller shaft of the developing roller in a direction, a first lever movable relative to the casing, and a holder configured to hold the first lever relative to the casing, in case where the developing electrode pivots from one side of the direction to an other side of the direction, the first lever stops the pivotable movement of the developing electrode from one side of the direction to the other side of the direction and the holder prevents the first lever from coming off the holder from the one side of the direction to the other side of the direction.

Abstract: A developing cartridge includes: a casing; a developing roller extending in a first direction; a boss movable with the casing; and a first lever movable relative to the casing. The first lever includes: one end portion functioning as a point of effort; another end portion functioning as a point of load; a shaft functions as a fulcrum and positioned between the one end portion and the another end portion; and a first hole into which the boss is fitted. By the one end portion receiving a driving force, the first lever is pivotally movable about the shaft. A dimension of the first hole in a second direction crossing the first direction is greater than a dimension in the second direction of the boss. In a case where the casing moves in the second direction relative to the first lever, the boss moves in the second direction within the first hole.

Abstract: A cartridge including: a first unit including an image bearing member and a first portion, and configured to take a removal posture when the cartridge is to be removed from a main body; a second unit including a developer bearing member and a second portion, the second unit being movable between a first position where the developer bearing member is in contact with the image bearing member and a second position where the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member and where the second portion is in contact with the first portion, wherein when the first unit takes the removal posture, the second unit is located at the second position, and when the second unit is located at the second position, movement of the second unit in a direction, in which the developer bearing member is separated from the image bearing member, is restricted.

Abstract: A photosensitive member unit includes a photosensitive member, a transfer roller, a mounting portion capable of mounting a development unit including a development roller, a first gear and a second gear each provided at one end of the photosensitive member in an axial direction of the photosensitive member, and a third gear provided at one end of the transfer roller in an axial direction of the photosensitive member and configured to engage with the second gear. The first gear, the second gear, and the third gear are helical gears. A direction in which helical teeth of the first gear are inclined is opposite to a direction in which helical teeth of the second gear are inclined, and the direction in which the helical teeth of the first gear are inclined matches a direction in which helical teeth of the third gear are inclined.

Abstract: A drum unit includes a photosensitive drum in a coupling member. The coupling member includes an engageable member having a driving force receiving portion which is capable of entering a recess of a driving shaft to receive a driving force for rotating photosensitive drum. The coupling member includes a holding member configured to hold said engageable member so as to be slidable at least in a radial direction of said drum unit.

Abstract: A developing unit and a photosensitive unit respectively have engaging mechanism parts that fit in each other in the longitudinal direction so as to integrate the developing unit and the photosensitive unit. The developing unit includes, as the engaging mechanism part, a first holding member to hold the front end part of a drum shaft. The photosensitive unit includes, as the engaging mechanism part, a second holding member to hold the rear end part of a roller shaft. The first holding member and the second holding member are provided in a slidable manner in a direction in which the developing roller and the photosensitive drum separate from each other, and furthermore are biased toward a direction in which the developing roller and the photosensitive drum come close to each other.

Abstract: A process cartridge is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller, a drum unit containing the drum, a developing unit containing the roller and being movable so the roller contacts and is spaced from the drum, and a first force receiver receiving a force from a main-assembly first force applier by movement of a door from open to closed positions when mounting the cartridge and a second force receiver movable from a stand-by position by movement of the first force receiver by a force received from the first force applier. The second force receiver takes a projected position receiving a force from the second force applier to move the developing unit so the roller moves out of contact with the drum, the projected position being higher than the stand-by position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive drum, an LED unit, and a housing. The LED unit is configured to expose the photosensitive drum. The LED unit has a light emitting surface. The housing includes a discharge portion and a discharge tray. The discharge portion has a discharge opening configured to discharge a sheet. The sheet discharged from the discharge opening is placed on the discharge tray. The discharge tray has a cleaning opening for cleaning the light emitting surface of the LED unit. The LED unit is configured to move between: a first position at which the LED unit exposes the photosensitive drum; and a second position at which the light emitting surface is closer to the cleaning opening than a state where the LED unit is located at the first position.