FIELD: physics, photography.
SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to use of a cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a cartridge is detachably mounted. The disclosed group of inventions includes a developing cartridge for use in the main unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, where said main unit includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a driving shaft, having a portion for applying a rotary force, as well as an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. A developing cartridge for use in the main unit of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, where said main unit includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a driving shaft, having a portion for applying a rotary force, wherein said developing cartridge is dismountable from the main unit in a removal direction, substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the driving shaft, said developing cartridge comprising: a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, where said developing roller is rotatable around its own axis; and a connecting element engaged with the driving shaft to rotate said developing roller, where said connecting element is capable of taking up an angular position for transferring the rotary force to said developing roller for rotating said developing roller, and a disengagement angular position in which said connecting element deviates from said angular position for transferring a rotary force, wherein, when said developing cartridge is dismounted from the main unit in a removing direction, substantially perpendicular to the axis of said developing roller, said connecting element is disengaged from the driving shaft by moving from said angular position for transferring a rotary force to said disengagement angular position.
EFFECT: providing a developing cartridge which is detachably mounted in the main unit of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus by a user, enabling the user to maintain the image forming apparatus operational (without relying on maintenance personnel), thereby considerably improving the electrophotographic image forming apparatus with respect to convenience and usability, particularly maintenance and repair.
46 cl, 63 dwg
