Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image forming unit that includes: an image forming unit main body including an image carrier; a housing of the image forming unit main body, the housing having at least one opening having concave parts at edge parts facing each other in the opening; and a connection element suspended with fracture parts between the edge parts facing each other in the opening, the fracture parts located within the concave parts. At least a part of the connection element corresponding to the image carrier is removable at the fracture parts.

Abstract: A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge.

Abstract: A flange assembly for a drum of an image forming apparatus. The flange assembly including a flange having a hollow portion that extends from a first end of the flange to a second end of the flange, and a grounding member provided within the hollow portion of the flange. The grounding member is configured to ground the drum by contacting a ground pin of the image forming apparatus when the drum and the flange assembly are mounted to the image forming apparatus. When the grounding member is provided within the hollow portion of the flange, an open space is provided along an entire length from the first end of the flange to the second end of the flange. The driving flange has a generally triangular-shaped drive member at a terminal end thereof, and the drive member is configured to mate with a drum drive assembly of the image forming apparatus.

Abstract: A supporting mechanism supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum having a photosensitive layer formed through a dip-coating on a peripheral surface of a cylindrical member, said supporting mechanism includes a bearing member supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum while contacting such a portion of the photosensitive layer as is away from one axial end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum which have taken a lower position in the dip-coating, toward an axially central part.

Abstract: A drive transmitting device includes: a rotational shaft having peripheral surface with a cut-off surface extending along an axial direction of the rotational shaft; a bearing member for supporting the rotational shaft, the bearing member being in slide contact with the peripheral surface of the rotational shaft; and a spacer which is mounted in a clearance formed between an inner circumferential surface portion of the bearing member and the cut-off surface of the rotational shaft.

Abstract: A photosensitive-drum supporting member has a pair of side walls confronting both ends of each photosensitive drum. The photosensitive-drum supporting member supports the photosensitive drums between the side walls. The photosensitive-drum supporting member moves between: a stowed position at which the photosensitive-drum supporting member is stowed within an apparatus main body; and a moved position at which the photosensitive-drum supporting member is moved from the stowed position to outside the apparatus main body through an opening. Exposing members are provided at the photosensitive-drum supporting member such that the exposing members move between: an exposing position at which each exposing member is adjacent to a corresponding photosensitive drum; and a retracted position at which each exposing member is separated from the corresponding photosensitive drum and is engaged by an engaging part.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, each of a plurality of exposure units provided at a drum supporting member is configured to be movable between an exposure position in which the exposure unit is located in proximity to a corresponding photoconductor drum supported by the drum supporting member and a retreating position in which the exposure unit retreated away from the corresponding photoconductor drum is positioned by a stopper, such that the exposure unit is located inside the drum supporting member regardless of whether the exposure unit is in the exposure position or in the retreating position. A motion-imparting member is provided at the drum supporting member, movably relative to the drum supporting member and is configured to act on an engageable portion of each exposure unit to thereby cause the exposure unit to move to the exposure position or to the retreating position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a cable. The main body circuit board is arranged below the belt, and the cable passes a region outside the belt in the axial direction of the photoconductor drum and is connected to the main body circuit board.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; a separation mechanism configured to support the guide members together with the drum supporting member such that the photoconductor drums are movable in an upward-and-downward direction; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a flat cable. The flat cable is partly supported at its retained portion by at least one of the guide members.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus, a drum supporting member has a pair of opposed sidewalls facing in an axial direction of a plurality of photoconductor drums, and supports the plurality of photoconductor drums at insides of the sidewalls. A sheet output tray portion is formed in an upper wall of a casing of the apparatus as a downwardly recessed portion to receive a recording sheet with an image formed thereon. Part of the drum supporting member is disposed in spaces formed inside the casing at both sides of the sheet output tray portion facing in the axial direction of the plurality of photoconductor drums. The part of the drum supporting member overlaps the sheet output tray portion as viewed in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photoconductor drums; a plurality of exposure members; a drum supporting member having a pair of side walls disposed opposite to each other in an axial direction of the photoconductor drum and configured to support the photoconductor drums and the exposure members between the side walls; a belt disposed below and opposite to the photoconductor drums; a pair of guide members configured to support the drum supporting member while allowing rectilinear movement of the drum supporting member; and a main body circuit board provided in the main body and connected to the exposure members via a cable. The main body circuit board is arranged above the drum supporting member.

Abstract: A disclosed photoconductive drum includes a mechanism where, when the sleeve inner circumferential surface pressing member is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the photoconductive sleeve member, a displacement of the first end surface member with respect to the photoconductive sleeve member in the center line direction leads to increasing a pressing force applied from the sleeve inner circumferential surface pressing member to the inner circumferential surface of the photoconductive sleeve member.

Abstract: A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge.

Abstract: A photosensitive body for electro-photography includes a photosensitive drum, a shaft, and a contact segment. The photosensitive drum includes a drum body that has a cylindrical shape, electrical conductivity, and an outer peripheral surface, and a photosensitive layer that is formed on the outer peripheral surface. The photosensitive drum is rotatable about a central axis of the drum body. The shaft penetrates through the drum body and extends along the central axis. The photosensitive drum is rotatable relative to the shaft. The contact segment is interposed between the photosensitive drum and the shaft to electrically connects the shaft and the drum body. The contact segment includes a pair of contact portions that forms a gap therebetween. The pair of contact portions is aligned in a direction perpendicular to the central axis while contacting with an outer circumferential surface of the shaft. A portion of the outer circumferential surface is placed in the gap.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an enclosure including a first opening provided at a front side thereof, a second opening provided at a left side thereof, and a third opening provided at a right side thereof. The enclosure further includes an image bearing member to bear a latent image on the surface thereof; an image forming unit including the image bearing member and detachably mountable from the first opening; an exposure unit to expose the image bearing member to form the latent image on the surface of the image bearing member and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which an intermediate transfer unit is detachably mountable; the intermediate transfer unit to transfer the toner image and detachably mountable from either the second or the third opening that is opposite the opening from which the exposure unit is detachably mountable.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: image-holding members each holding an image and being rotatable around a rotation shaft; a frame member that partially defines a space for accommodating the image-holding members; a cover that opens and closes the space, an inner side of the cover having rotation shaft insertion holes; a supporting shaft that supports the cover so the cover is pivotable with respect to the frame member; and a positioning mechanism that positions the cover when the cover closes the space. The positioning mechanism includes at least two projections that project from either the frame member or the cover and are spaced apart in a direction of an axis of the supporting shaft such that lengths of perpendicular line segments from the two projections to the axis of the supporting shaft are different from each other. Projection insertion holes receive the corresponding projections when the cover is closed.

Abstract: A unit detachably mountable to an apparatus main assembly is provided with a coupling for receiving a rotational driving force from the apparatus main assembly. Also the apparatus main assembly is provided with a coupling to be engaged with the coupling of the unit. At least one of these couplings can be pushed in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft and one of the couplings is provided with an inclined surface. During mounting and demounting of the unit, the engagement between the couplings is released by the pushing in of one of the couplings pushed by the inclined surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image forming apparatus including: a latent image carrier; a latent image writing unit; a development unit; a latent image carrier unit having the latent image carrier; a first positioning protrusion disposed on the latent image carrier unit, the first positioning protrusion being engaged with a groove or a slit of an image forming apparatus body; an abutted portion disposed on the groove or the slit, the abutted portion abutting the first positioning protrusion in order to position the latent image carrier unit in an installation and removal direction; and a second positioning protrusion shifted in the installation and removal direction and disposed on the latent image carrier unit, the second positioning protrusion positioning the latent image carrier unit at a position different from a position of the first positioning protrusion in order to engage the groove or the slit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus body including a driving force transmitting portion and a process cartridge. The process cartridge includes a housing, a photosensitive drum disposed in the housing, a first bearing rotatably supporting an axial end portion of the photosensitive drum, a driving force input portion, which is provided on the axial end portion of the photosensitive drum and is configured to engage the driving force transmitting portion in order to drive the photosensitive drum by a driving force transmitted from the driving force transmitting portion when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion, and a second bearing, which rotatably supports the other axial end of the photosensitive drum, and which comprises a first contact portion which contacts the image forming apparatus body when the driving force transmitting portion is pressed against the driving force input portion.

Abstract: A drum support structure of a production printing system is disclosed. The drum support structure secures a photoconductive drum within a printing system during operation. The drum support structure includes a plurality of ring members spaced in parallel along a longitudinal axis. The ring members have an outside diameter that corresponds with an inside diameter of the drum so that the ring members fit within the drum. The drum support structure also includes a plurality of connecting members that affix the ring members to one another. The drum support structure also includes an inner end cap that connects to an inner-most ring member through one or more connecting members and is adapted to contact one end of the drum. The drum support structure also includes an outer end cap that is adapted to fasten to an outer-most ring member and is further adapted to contact another end of the drum.

Abstract: An image forming device includes: a main body; a plurality of image forming units; a holding unit; and an engagement mechanism. Each of the plurality of image forming units has a developing portion. The holding unit holds the plurality of image forming units. The plurality of image forming units are aligned in the holding unit in a predetermined drawing direction. The holding unit is configured so as to be drawn out in the predetermined drawing direction from a storage position where the holding unit is stored in the main body. The holding unit sequentially reaches a plurality of different drawing positions while moving in the predetermined drawing direction. The plurality of image forming units are sequentially exposed to the outside while the holding unit sequentially reaches the plurality of drawing positions. The engagement mechanism is configured to engage the holding unit with the main body when the holding unit reaches each of the plurality of drawing positions.

Abstract: An imaging cartridge for use with an imaging machine comprises a waste bin and photoconductive drum rotatably mounted in the waste bin. The photoconductive drum is supported at its ends by support members that are connected to the waste bin. At least a portion of at least one support member is made of an electrically conductive material, such that the support member electrically connects the photoconductive drum to the imaging machine when the imaging cartridge is positioned in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine. At least one of the support members extends from a side of the waste bin to locate the imaging cartridge in correct position in the imaging cartridge receiving cavity of the imaging machine.

Abstract: A bearing plate for rotably supporting a photoconductor drum having a center shaft according to one exemplary embodiment includes a body having a first side, a second side, and an edge surface between the first and second sides. A center hole extends through the body for rotably receiving an end of the center shaft and positionally referencing an outer surface of the photoconductor drum to a center axis of the center hole. A support arm extends from the body in a non-radial direction. The support arm has a mounting surface for receiving an additional component positionally referenced to the center axis. An assembly for use in an image forming device according to one embodiment includes a photoconductor drum having a center shaft and a pair of substantially identical bearing plates mounted on opposite ends of the photoconductor drum. The bearing plates are translated from one another and have identical orientations.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including plural image forming units each having an image-carrier includes: a cylindrical image-carrier body holding an image; a rotary shaft inserted in the image-carrier body, and rotatably supporting the image-carrier body; a coupling member fitted to an end portion of the rotary shaft, transmitting a rotational-drive-force to the rotary shaft; an engaging member projecting from a circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, being engaged to an engaged portion formed in the image-carrier body to disable relative rotation of the image-carrier body to the rotary shaft; and an attaching member continuously inserted into a first through hole formed in the coupling member and a second through hole formed in the rotary shaft and fixed thereto such that an angle formed between the engaging member and the attaching member is substantially 90 degrees as seen in an rotary shaft axial-direction, attaching the coupling member and the rotary shaft.

Abstract: There is provided a tandem drum unit including a pair of side plates, a plurality of photosensitive drums, a plurality of developing cartridge accommodating sections and at least two abutment portions provided on each connecting frame. The pair of side plates is disposed in opposition to each other in a first direction, each side plate extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The plurality of photosensitive drums is juxtaposed in the second direction and interposed between the pair of side plates in the first direction, each photosensitive drum having an axis extending in the first direction and supported rotatably about the axis by the pair of side plates.

Abstract: A drum unit is provided. The drum unit includes a frame, a photosensitive drum that is rotatably supported by the frame, a contact member that is held to the frame and that contacts a circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum. The circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum has an image forming area on which an electrostatic latent image is formed and a non-image forming area that is adjacent to the image forming area. The contact member is in surface-contact with the non-image forming area and is not contacting with the image forming area.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a plurality of photosensitive members, an endless belt, and a separation mechanism. The photosensitive members are arranged in parallel with and spaced from one another and correspond to respective colors. The plurality of photosensitive members includes a first photosensitive member and at least one second photosensitive member. Each of the photosensitive members has a first end portion and second end portion that is opposite to the first end portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the photosensitive members. The endless belt contacts the photosensitive members. The separation mechanism is configured to swing the second photosensitive member around the first end portion of the second photosensitive member as a fulcrum between a contact position at which the second photosensitive member contacts the endless belt and a separated position at which the second photosensitive member is separated from the endless belt.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus in which a drum unit or a developing unit can be individually replaced, and the efficiency of an operation of providing the developing unit with developer or of an operation of removing the developer from the developing unit can be improved includes a supplying roller including a magnetic roller and a developing sleeve arranged on an outer circumference of the magnetic roller. A fixing member is attached to an axial portion of the magnetic roller. The supplying roller can be removably attached to a side of a photoconductive drum by the fixing member, and at the same time, a pole position of the magnetic roller relative to the photoconductive drum can be fixed.

Abstract: A tandem type photosensitive unit includes a plurality of drum retaining units arrayed in line in an arraying direction, and a pair of side plates arranged on both sides of the drum retaining units in an axial direction perpendicular to the arraying direction and collectively opposed to the drum retaining units. Each drum retaining unit retains a photosensitive drum having an axis which extends in the axial direction. At least one of the side plates is provided to be slidable in the axial direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body, a magnetic roller disposed at a predetermined distance from the photosensitive body, and a donor roller disposed between the photosensitive body and the magnetic roller. The donor roller has a diameter larger than the closest distance between the photosensitive body and the magnetic roller. The image forming apparatus includes gap rings and pressing device to maintain desired gaps between the magnetic roller and the donor roller and between the donor roller and the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A cartridge detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge includes a photosensitive drum having a shaft provided adjacent one axial end; a frame; the frame being provided with a first bearing portion supporting a circumference of the shaft; the frame being provided with a second bearing portion supporting a circumference of the shaft, the second bearing portion being spaced from the first bearing portion with respect to the axial direction and being disposed in a side opposite from the first bearing portion with respect to a plane including an axis of the shaft at the time when the shaft is supported by the first bearing portion; a first clearance space, provided in a position opposite the first bearing portion with respect to the plane, wherein when causing the shaft to be supported by the first bearing portion, the shaft is capable of entering the first clearance space; and a second clearance space, provided in a position opposite the second bearing portion with respect to the plane, whe

Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoconductor, a charging device that charges a photosensitive surface of the photoconductor by a charging member, an optical writing device that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged photosensitive surface with light emitted from a light emitting portion, a developing device that develops the image by a developing member, and a support member that rotatably supports the photoconductor and supports the optical writing device at a distance from the photosensitive surface. The charging member and the developing member are provided closer to the optical writing device than a line extending orthogonally to an emitting direction of the light and passing through a center point of a shaft of the photoconductor. An application direction of a pressure to be applied to each of the charging member and the developing member intersects the emitting direction of the light at an acute angle.

Abstract: A pressing member applies a pressing force to a trailing end in a direction which intersects a predetermined reference direction, allowing the pressing force to have both a first component in the predetermined reference direction and a second component perpendicular to the predetermined reference direction. A trailing end is pressed in the predetermined reference direction by the first component. In the mounted state, the leading end is in contact with the reference member at two contact surfaces including a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The first contact surface defines a first positioning direction being perpendicular to the first contact surface and intersecting the predetermined reference direction.

Abstract: A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame including: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

Abstract: A shaft member holding mechanism comprising: a shaft member arranged rotatably about a rotation axis; a bearing that supports the shaft member rotatably, including an outer ring portion, and an inner ring portion that holds the shaft member and is arranged at an inside of the outer ring portion so that the inner ring portion can rotate relatively to the outer ring portion; a holding member having a bearing holding portion that holds the outer ring portion of the bearing in a state where a rotation of the outer ring portion is regulated; and an inclination suppression member that is arranged at one side of the bearing in the rotation axis direction of the bearing and suppresses the bearing from inclining.

Abstract: A photoconductor drum support structure includes a photoconductor drum that is supported to rotate about a rotation axis; a drum shaft that passes through the photoconductor drum, and is disposed along a rotation axis; a notch formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction of the drum shaft; a drum frame that retains the photoconductor drum to rotate, the drum frame including an opening that is formed on the first end in the rotation axis direction on the drum frame, and enables insertion of the first end of the drum shaft, an engaging portion that is engaged with the notch formed on the drum shaft inserted into the opening, and that regulates displacement of the drum shaft towards the second end.

Abstract: A cleaning device for removing a developer remaining on an image bearing member from the image bearing member includes a cleaning device, including an elastic blade elastically contacted to the image bearing member and a supporting member for supporting the elastic blade, for removing the developer remaining on the image bearing member from the image bearing member; an image bearing member bearing member including a supporting portion for rotatably supporting the image bearing member; and a removed developer accommodating container formed of a material having a thermal expansion coefficient different from that of a material for the supporting member, the removed developer accommodating container including an accommodating portion for accommodating the developer removed by the cleaning device. The image bearing member bearing member is fixed to the supporting member. The removed developer accommodating container is fixed to the supporting member.

Abstract: An image-forming apparatus includes: an image-forming unit that includes an image holder having a rotating shaft, and forms an image on the image holder; a bearing made of a conductive sintered compact, that contacts and supports the rotating shaft so that the rotating shaft is able to rotate; and a metallic supporting portion that is electrically grounded, and has a cut that contacts and supports the bearing.

Abstract: A photosensitive unit is described. The photosensitive unit may include a side wall; a drum body rotatably provided with respect to the side wall and formed with an electrostatic latent image; a brake member provided on one end portion of the drum body in an axial direction and having a brake-side inclined surface whose diameter is gradually enlarged or reduced along the axial direction with an axis of the drum body as a center; and an urging member having an urging-side inclined surface surface-contacting the brake-side inclined surface and urging the brake member such that the urging-side inclined surface surface-contacts the brake-side inclined surface.

Abstract: An electrophotographic photosensitive drum is provided for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The unit comprises a cylinder having a photosensitive layer at an outer periphery thereof. A drum flange is provided at one end of the cylinder. A plurality of resin regulating portions are provided inside the drum flange, the regulating portions projecting inwardly of the drum flange, with a gap between the regulating portions along a circumferential direction of the drum flange. A recess is provided in the regulating portions at a position radially outside of the drum flange for facilitating deformation of the regulating portions radially outwardly of the drum flange.

Abstract: Provided is a process unit positioning device which performs positioning of a plurality of process units with respect to an apparatus main body, including: a positioning plate in which bearing holes into which individual drum shafts are fitted and a fitted portion onto which positioning portion of the apparatus main body is fitted are formed; and a holder portion supported by the apparatus main body so as to be able to pivot while holding the positioning plate so that a position changes by contact between the bearing holes and the drum shafts.

Abstract: A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame including: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image forming apparatus including: a conveyer that conveys a developer image or a transfer medium to which the developer image is transferred; an image carrier that carries the developer image transferred to the conveyer or the transfer medium which the conveyer conveys; a latent image forming unit that forms the latent image on the image carrier; a developing unit that develops the latent image formed on the image carrier and forms the a developer image; a transfer unit that transfers the developer image formed on the image carrier; and a restricting unit that restricts the movement of the image carrier and the latent image forming unit in at least two directions and a rotational direction of the image carrier.

Abstract: An end cover part is used to close an end of a cylindrical body, and transmits a driving force of a rotatable driving shaft to the cylindrical body, and the end cover part includes a cover member having a tubular portion into which the driving shaft is to be fitted, and a to-be-fitted portion which is disposed in a flange-like manner in a periphery of the tubular portion, and which is to be fitted into an end portion of the cylindrical body; and three cut surfaces which are disposed respectively on inner and outer circumferences of the tubular portion of the cover member and an outer circumference of the to-be-fitted portion, and concentrically about a common reference central axis.

Abstract: An end cover part which is used to close an end of a cylindrical body, and transmits a driving force of a rotatable driving shaft to the cylindrical body, includes a cover member having a tubular portion into which the driving shaft is to be fitted, and a to-be-fitted portion which is disposed in a flange-like manner in a periphery of the tubular portion, and which is to be fitted into an end portion of the cylindrical body; cut surfaces which are disposed respectively on an inner circumference of the tubular portion of the cover member and an outer circumference of the to-be-fitted portion and concentrically about a common reference central axis; and a recess as defined herein.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of process units, a plurality of latent image carriers, an optical writing unit, an upper cover, and a pitch positioning member. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of abutting portions so as to regulate movements of the plurality of process units in the horizontal direction by abutting each of the plurality of process units. The pitch positioning member including a plurality of notches extending from an upper portion to a lower portion of each of the respective plurality of abutting portions with a predetermined pitch.

Abstract: A process cartridge is configured to be mounted in an apparatus main body along a predetermined mounting direction. The process cartridge includes: a photosensitive drum; a drum drive input member into which a driving force for rotating the photosensitive drum is inputted; and a frame which holds the photosensitive drum and the drum drive input member; the frame including: a substantially cylindrical first protecting member which is formed on the frame. The first protecting member is configured to accommodate the drum drive input member, and project in a rotational axis direction of the photosensitive drum, wherein a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at a downstream side in the mounting direction is smaller than a projecting amount of a portion of the first protecting member which lies at an upstream side in the mounting direction.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes an organic photo conductor, an OPC frame part to support the organic photo conductor, a developing roller to develop a latent image formed on the organic photo conductor by supplying a developer, a developing roller frame part to support the developing roller, a developer storing part to store the developer and provided with a supplying opening through which the developer is supplied to the developing roller, a spacer removably interposed between the OPC frame part and the developing roller frame part and spacing the OPC frame part from the developing roller frame part such that the organic photo conductor and the developing roller do not contact each other, a leakage preventer removably attached to and sealing the supplying opening, and a connecting part to connect the spacer with the leakage preventer. Thus, the spacer and the leakage preventer are capable of being removed simultaneously.

Abstract: A developing device is detachably attached to an image forming apparatus. The developing device includes a first frame member; a second frame member disposed to face the first frame member; a shaft member for connecting the first frame member and the second frame member; a first engagement member disposed at one end portion of the shaft member for engaging the first frame member; a second engagement member disposed at the other end portion of the shaft member for engaging the second frame member; and a fixing member for fixing at least one of the first engagement member and the second engagement member.

Abstract: A bearing device to hold a rotor in an opening formed in a frame is provided. Circumference of the opening is formed to have a first edge and a second edge, which linearly extend along different directions from each other. The bearing device includes a flange member to be attached to an axial end portion of the rotor, a bearing member to be externally attached to the flange member and inserted in the opening, and a presser member to press the flange member toward a section between the first edge and the second edge.