FIELD: image forming devices.
SUBSTANCE: present invention relates to a process cartridge, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a replaceable process cartridge can be installed, and an electrophotographic photosensitive drum assembly. Claimed group contains variants of process cartridges. Process cartridge contains: guide element located on one side of the process cartridge, developer contained in the process cartridge, photosensitive drum having an axis L1, photosensitive drum rotatably supported in the process cartridge to allow rotation around the axis L1, developing roller, having an axis L1', the developing roller is made with the possibility of developing a latent image formed by the developer on the photosensitive drum, and the developing roller is rotatably supported in the process cartridge to allow rotation around the axis L1′, and a connecting element having an axis L2, the connecting element includes (i) a first end portion that is functionally associated with a photosensitive drum and a developing roller, (ii) a second end portion including at least one protrusion, wherein said at least one protrusion includes an inverted portion that faces the axis L2, and (iii) a coupling portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, for at least part of the connecting part, the maximum distance from the axis L2 along a line perpendicular to the axis L2 to the outermost surface of the connecting part is less than the distance between said reversed part and the axis L2 along a line perpendicular to the axis L2, and wherein the relative position of the coupling element and the guide element is variable between (i) the first relative position, wherein the end point of said at least one protrusion is at a first distance from the end of the guide element, when measured in the direction of the axis L1, and (ii) a second relative position, in which the end point of said at least one protrusion is at a second distance from the end of the guide element, when measured in the direction of the axis L1, with the first distance greater than the second distance.
EFFECT: technical result consists in manufacturing a process cartridge capable of smoothly rotating the photosensitive drum by installing it in the main unit, not equipped with a mechanism for moving the coupling element on the side of the main assembly, in the direction of its center line, for transmitting the rotational force to the photosensitive drum by opening and closing the lid of the primary assembly.
27 cl, 112 dwg
