JP2011022618A - Electrophotographic image-forming apparatus and process cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact process cartridge capable of stably keeping a development roller separated for a long period of time, and to provide an image-forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A separation member is supported at both ends by one frame body and the other frame body is supported between them to maintain the separation state when the separation member is mounted on the process cartridge. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that can be attached to and detached from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

  Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is for recording an image on a recording medium using an electrophotographic image forming method. For example, an electrophotographic copying machine, an electrophotographic printer (for example, a laser beam printer, an LED printer, etc.) A facsimile machine and a word processor.

  The process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of charging means, developing means, and cleaning means and an electrophotographic image carrier are integrally formed, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus main body. is there.

  An electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a laser printer, or a facsimile forms an electrostatic latent image by selectively exposing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, which is an image carrier uniformly charged by a charging device. . The electrostatic latent image is developed as a toner image by attaching toner to the developing device, and then the toner image is transferred to a recording agent such as paper to form an image. Then, the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier after the transfer of the toner image is removed by a cleaning device and used for the next image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, an image carrier, a charging device, a developing device, a cleaning device, and the like are integrally incorporated in a cartridge container to form a cartridge as a process cartridge. The process cartridge is configured to be detachable from the image forming apparatus main body. Therefore, when the user mounts this on the main body of the image forming apparatus, the user can easily supply the toner and replace the image carrier, thereby facilitating maintenance.

  Further, in recent years, an image forming apparatus for forming a multicolor image has been devised, and a process cartridge used for the multicolor image forming apparatus has been put into practical use.

  Here, as the developing means in the above-described process cartridge, a contact development method in which development is generally performed in a state where the developer carrier is in contact with the image carrier, and the developer carrier is predetermined with respect to the image carrier. There are two known non-contact development methods in which development is performed in a state where a gap is provided.

  However, if the above-mentioned contact-type developing means is left in contact with the image carrier for a long time, the portion of the developing means that contacts the image carrier is deformed, and the image There was a case to affect. In addition, even on the surface of the image carrier, the image carrier and the developing unit rub against each other due to vibration or the like when the process cartridge is transported, and a history remains as a development memory, which may affect the image.

  As means for avoiding the above problem, an image forming apparatus and a process cartridge having a mechanism for separating the image carrier from the developing means when not in use, such as at the time of shipment, or when the use is stopped for a long period of time (for example, Patent Document 1). ) Has been proposed. The conventional separation member is configured to separate the developing means from the image carrier by gripping the frame of the process cartridge against the development urging member.

JP2003-241621

  The present invention is a further development of the prior art. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a process cartridge and an image forming apparatus that can stably separate a developing roller or a charging roller from an electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

  A typical configuration for achieving the above object is that, in a process cartridge that is detachable from an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, the electrophotographic photosensitive member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A developing roller that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the drum; a first frame that rotatably supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a second frame that rotatably supports the developing roller. A contact position where the developing roller is rotatably connected to the first frame and the developing roller is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and a separating position where the developing roller is separated from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. And when the first frame and the second frame are engaged from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge, the second frame is moved to the separated position. A separating member to be And the spacing member includes a first support part and a second support part provided on either the first frame or the second frame, and the first frame or 3rd support part provided in either one of the said 2nd frame bodies, Comprising: The 3rd support located between the said 1st support part and the said 2nd support part in the said longitudinal direction And a process cartridge.

  According to the present invention, since the separating member for separating the developing roller and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum can be reliably supported by the first frame and the second frame, the developing roller is electrophotographic photosensitive. Separation from the body drum can be performed stably and reliably.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic cross-sectional view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention 1 is a schematic perspective view of a process cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of developing contact and separation operation according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of a developing separation mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic side view of a charging member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a charging member and a charging support member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a charging member, a charging support member, and a charging moving member according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a separation member according to an embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram of a process cartridge when a toner seal is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of a process cartridge when a toner seal is opened according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of developing contact and separation operation according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of developing contact and separation operation according to an embodiment of the present invention Schematic diagram of developing contact and separation operation according to an embodiment of the present invention

(About the entire image forming apparatus)
Embodiments to which the present invention can be applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless otherwise specified. . Further, the materials, shapes, etc. of the members once described in the following description are the same as those in the first description unless otherwise described.

[Overall Description of Image Forming Apparatus]
First, an overall configuration of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as an image forming apparatus 100) will be described together with an image forming operation with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a state in which a process cartridge 1 (hereinafter referred to as cartridge 1) according to the present embodiment is mounted on an image forming apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a mounting portion (not shown) for mounting four cartridges 1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. . A cartridge 1 that forms yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images in order from the bottom is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. Each cartridge 1 has the same configuration although the color of the formed toner image is different.

  Each cartridge 1 is irradiated with a laser beam image based on image information from the optical means 103 (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d). Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 (21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) which is a drum-shaped electrophotographic photosensitive member. Then, the electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image by the developing roller 11 or the like. In synchronization with the toner image formation, the recording medium S such as recording paper or OHP sheet is conveyed from the cassette 17 by a conveying means including a separation feeding roller 118, a conveying roller 119, a conveying belt 111, and the like.

  The conveyance belt 111 is a film-like member that circulates and moves so as to face and contact all the photosensitive drums 21, and is stretched around four rollers: a driving roller 113, driven rollers 114 a and 114 b, and a tension roller 115. It rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The recording medium S is transported to the transfer position by the transport belt 111. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the recording medium S by applying a bias to a transfer roller 112 (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d) as a transfer means, and the recording medium S is fixed to the fixing means. It is conveyed to 120. The fixing unit 120 includes a driving roller 121a and a fixing roller 121b incorporating a heater. The toner image is fixed by applying heat and pressure to S conveyed through the fixing unit 120. The recording medium S is discharged to the discharge unit 124 by the discharge roller pair 123.

[Process cartridge]
Next, the configuration of the process cartridge 1 to which the present invention can be applied will be described with reference to FIG. The cartridge 1 has a drum unit 20 that is a first frame including a photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 23, and a cleaning blade 24, and a second developing unit that develops an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21. The developing unit 10 is a frame.

[Drum unit]
The configuration of the drum unit 20 will be described with reference to FIG. A photosensitive drum 21 is rotatably attached to the drum unit 20. The photosensitive drum 21 is configured by applying an organic photoconductor layer to the outer peripheral surface of an aluminum cylinder. On the periphery of the photosensitive drum 21, a charging roller 23 that is a primary charging member for uniformly charging the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and a developer (toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 21 are removed. The cleaning blade 24 (hereinafter referred to as the blade 24) is disposed. Further, the residual toner removed from the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by the blade 24 is sequentially sent to the waste toner chamber 26 by the toner feeding mechanism 25. Then, by transmitting the driving force of a driving motor (not shown), the photosensitive drum 21 rotates in the direction of arrow A (counterclockwise) according to the image forming operation.

[Development unit]
The configuration of the developing unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The developing unit 10 includes a developing roller 11 that contacts the photosensitive drum 21 and rotates in the direction of arrow B, a toner container 13 that contains toner, and a developing container 14 that is a developing unit. On the peripheral surface of the developing roller 11, a toner supply roller 12 that rotates in the direction of arrow C in contact with the developing roller 11 and a developing blade 15 are disposed. Further, a toner agitation mechanism 16 for agitating the toner and transporting it to the toner supply roller 12 is provided in the toner container 13.

[Support for development unit]
A method for supporting the developing unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The developing unit 10 has support holes 71 on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the developing unit 10. The drum unit 20 also has support holes 72 on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the drum unit 20. Then, by allowing the coupling pin 73 to pass through the support hole 71 and the support hole 72, the entire developing unit 10 is supported to be swingable with respect to the drum unit 20. The developing unit 10 is constantly urged by a pressure spring 74 that is an urging means so that the developing roller 11 contacts the photosensitive drum 21 around the support holes 71 and 72.

[Development method]
During development, the toner contained in the toner container 13 is conveyed to the toner supply roller 12 by the toner stirring mechanism 16. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the toner supply roller 12 supplies the toner to the developing roller 11 and carries it by sliding with the developing roller 11. The toner carried on the developing roller 11 moves to the developing blade 15 as the developing roller 11 rotates. Then, the toner is regulated by the developing blade 15 to give a desired charge amount, and the toner is formed to have a predetermined toner layer thickness.

  The regulated toner is conveyed to a contact portion (developing portion) between the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 as the developing roller 11 rotates. A DC developing bias is applied to the developing roller 11 from a power source (not shown) in the developing unit. The developing unit adheres to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and develops the electrostatic latent image. The toner that has not contributed to the development is conveyed by the rotation of the developing roller 11 and is collected in the developing container 14 by the sliding friction between the developing roller 11 and the toner supply roller 12. The collected toner is stirred and mixed with the remaining toner by the toner stirring mechanism 16. In the contact development method in which the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 11 are in contact with each other for development, the photosensitive drum 21 is preferably a rigid body and the developing roller 11 is preferably a roller having an elastic body.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a slope 83a is provided at the distal end in the insertion direction of the separation member 83 made of a resin material. Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, the separating member 83 is inserted into the support hole 80 provided in the drum unit 20 from the direction of arrow D (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1). Here, the support hole 80 is provided on the side opposite to the photosensitive drum 21 with respect to the vertical line passing through the coupling pin 73. That is, first, the separation member 83 passes through the first support hole 80 provided in the drum unit 20 on one end side in the longitudinal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the slope 83 a engages with the third support hole 82 provided in the developing unit 10. When the separating member 83 is further inserted in the arrow D direction, the developing unit 10 is lifted in the arrow E direction along the inclined surface 83a. Then, as shown in FIG. 5C, the developing unit 10 is lifted to a position where the outer shape (engagement portion) 83 b of the separation member 83 and the upper portion of the second support hole 82 are engaged. That is, the slope 83a serves to guide the support hole 82 to the engaging portion 83b. The spacing member 83 is finally supported by a support hole 81 provided in the drum unit 20 inside the support hole 80 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the spacing member 83 is supported by both the first support hole 80 and the second support hole 81. In the longitudinal direction, the third support hole 82 provided in the developing unit 10 positioned therebetween is maintained in a state of being moved against the urging force of the pressure spring 74. That is, in this state, the developing roller 11 is separated from the photosensitive drum 21 as shown in FIG. The position of the developing unit at this time is set as a separated position. Further, by removing the separation member 83, the third support hole portion is moved by the urging force of the pressure spring 74, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other. The position of the developing unit at this time is defined as a contact position.

  4 and 5 described above are also provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1.

  In the above-described configuration, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the separation member 83, the separation member 83 is supported at both ends by the first support hole 80 and the second support hole 81. In addition, the structure in which the developing unit 10 is engaged between the first support hole 80 and the second support hole 81 in the longitudinal direction can suppress the deformation of the separation member 83. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 11 can be reliably separated from each other even with time.

  In the above description, the first and second support holes 80 and 81 are provided in the drum unit 20, and the third support hole 82 is provided in the developing unit 10. However, the first and second support holes 80 and 81 may be provided in the developing unit 10 and the third support hole 82 may be provided in the drum unit 20 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12A, the separating member 83 is inserted into the developing unit 10 from the direction of arrow D (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1). That is, first, the separation member 83 passes through the first support hole 80 provided in the drum unit 20 on one end side in the longitudinal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 12B, the slope 83 a engages with the third support hole 82 provided in the developing unit 10. The slope 83a is opposite to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in the vertical direction. That is, the separation member 83 is inserted at a position where the inclined surface 83b faces downward. When the separating member 83 is further inserted into the developing unit 10 in the direction of arrow D, the drum unit 20 is lowered in the direction of arrow E along the inclined surface 83a. Then, as shown in FIG. 12C, the drum unit 20 is lowered to a position where the outer diameter portion of the separation member 83 and the lower portion of the second support hole 82 are engaged. The spacing member 83 is finally supported by a support hole 81 provided in the drum unit 20 inside the support hole 80 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the spacing member 83 is supported by both the first support hole 80 and the second support hole 81. In the longitudinal direction, the third support hole 82 provided in the developing unit 10 positioned therebetween is maintained in a state of being moved against the urging force of the pressure spring 74. That is, in this state, the developing roller 11 is separated from the photosensitive drum 21 as shown in FIG. The position of the developing unit at this time is set as a separated position. Further, by removing the separation member 83, the third support hole is moved by the urging force of the pressure spring 74, and the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. Become. The position of the developing unit at this time is defined as a contact position.

  The above-described configuration shown in FIG. 12 is also provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1.

  That is, the same effects as those in the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 described above can be obtained.

[Grip part]
Next, the structure of the handle part 86 provided in the separation member 83 will be described with reference to FIG. The spacing member 83 is provided with a handle 86 so that a user can easily apply a force when pulling out the spacing member 83. As shown in FIG. 11A, the handle portion 86 can be bent at the bent portion 87 along the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1 (here, the drum unit 20). Then, the cartridge 1 with the separation member 83 attached can be attached to the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be separated while the cartridge 1 is mounted on the image forming apparatus 100. When the user pulls out the separating member 83, the handle 86 can be bent in the pulling direction by the bent portion 87 as shown in FIG.

  A second embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the present embodiment, the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging roller 23 are separated by the separating member 83 simultaneously with the separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21.

[Charging member]
The charging roller 23 uses a contact charging method. The charging roller 23 abuts on the surface of the photosensitive drum 21 and applies a voltage to the charging roller 23 to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. . A conductive rubber member 23b is formed around the core metal 23a. Then, it is pressed against the photosensitive drum 21 by a pressure spring (biasing means) 23d through a charging bearing 23c. The charging roller 23 is rotatably supported by the charging bearing 23c. Further, the charging bearing 23 c is supported by the guide portion 22. Here, the charging member bearing 131 and the guide portion 133 are slidable. The charging roller 23 is rotatable and can move in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

[Separation member]
The support member 90 is formed of a bearing portion 90a, a connecting portion 90b, and an action hole portion 90c. The bearing portion 90a can support the charging member core metal 23a so as to be slidable. The bearing portion 90a is not in contact with the photosensitive drum 21, and does not damage the surface of the photosensitive drum 21. By inserting the separation member 84 into the action hole 90 c of the support member 90, the support member 90 is moved to separate the charging roller 23 from the photosensitive drum 21. The spacing member 84 is inserted from the first support hole 80 provided in the drum unit 20 as in the first embodiment.

[Separation of developing roller and charging roller]
Next, a configuration for moving the developing roller and the charging roller will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9, 13, and 14.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the spacing member 83 of the present embodiment is also made of a resin material. The separation member 83 includes a first slope 83a, a second slope 83b, a first engagement portion 83c, and a second engagement portion 83d. The first inclined surface 83a is provided to engage the third support hole 82 and guide the developing unit 10 to the separation position when the separation member 83 is inserted into the cartridge 1. Further, the second inclined surface 83 b engages with the action hole 90 c of the support member 90 when the separation member 83 is inserted into the cartridge 1, and guides the charging roller 23 to a position away from the photosensitive drum 21. It is provided for. Reference numeral 83e denotes a gripping portion that the operator grips when the separation member 83 is inserted into the cartridge 1.

  Next, the separation operation of the developing roller 11 and the charging roller 23 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 13A, the separation member 83 is inserted from the direction of arrow D (the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1). That is, first, the separation member 83 passes through the first support hole 80 provided in the drum unit 20 on one end side in the longitudinal direction. Then, as shown in FIG. 13B, the slope 83 a engages with the third support hole 82 provided in the developing unit 10. When the separating member 83 is further inserted in the arrow D direction, the developing unit 10 is lifted in the arrow E direction along the inclined surface 83a. Then, as shown in FIG. 13C, the developing unit 10 is lifted to a position where the first engaging portion 83c and the upper portion of the second support hole 82 are engaged. That is, the developing unit 10 moves to the separation position. Then, as shown in FIG. 13D, the separation member 83 and the action hole 90c start to engage. That is, the second inclined surface 83b is engaged with the action hole 90c, whereby the separation member 83 is further inserted in the arrow D direction. Then, the connecting portion 90b moves in the direction of arrow F along the slope 83b. Here, the direction of the arrow E is a direction intersecting with the direction of the arrow F, and is a direction substantially orthogonal to the present embodiment. When the separating member 83 further moves in the direction of arrow D, the action hole 90c moves to a position where it engages with the second engaging portion 83d. In this state, the charging roller 23 is separated from the photosensitive drum 21. The position of the connecting portion 90b at this time is defined as a separation position (second separation position). The position of the connecting portion 90b when the charging roller 23 is in contact with the photosensitive drum 21 is defined as a contact position (second contact position). The spacing member 83 is finally supported by a support hole 81 provided in the drum unit 20 inside the support hole 80 in the longitudinal direction. Then, in the state shown in FIG. 13E, the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging roller 23 are maintained in a separated state simultaneously with the separation of the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21. In other words, the developing roller 11 and the charging roller 23 having different directions away from the photosensitive drum 21 can be simultaneously separated by the separating member 83.

  That is, in the longitudinal direction of the spacing member 83, the spacing member 83 is supported at both the first and second support holes 80 and 81 in both the e and f directions as shown in FIG. . Further, the configuration in which the developing unit 10 and the connecting portion 90b are engaged between the first support hole 80 and the second support hole 81 in the longitudinal direction can prevent the separation member 83 from being deformed. be able to. Therefore, the photosensitive drum 21 and the developing roller 11, and the photosensitive drum 21 and the charging roller 23 can be reliably separated stably over time.

  Further, the charging roller 23 is separated with the same configuration on the other end side in the longitudinal direction, and the pressure applied to the charging member is released. Since the mechanism acts on the charging member via the support member that supports the charging member instead of directly acting on the charging roller 23 in this way, it is inserted into the frame around the charging member that requires accuracy and rigidity. There is no need for special designs such as drilling holes.

  Further, since the separation member 83 is configured to be detachable from the process cartridge 1, when image formation is not performed for a long period of time, the separation roller 83 is attached to the process cartridge 1 again, so that the developing roller 11 is again attached. The charging roller 23 can be separated from the photosensitive drum.

  6 to 9, 13, and 14 described above are also provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 1.

  Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[Toner seal]
The toner container 13 and the developing container 14 are closed with a toner seal 85 as a seal member so that the toner does not leak before use, such as at the time of shipment. When the cartridge 1 is used, the opening 17 is opened by opening the toner seal 85, and the toner in the toner container 13 can be moved to the developing container 14 by the conveying member 16.

  Although the configuration of the present embodiment is almost the same as that of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the end portion of the toner seal 85 is further pasted on the toner seal pasting surface 83 a of the spacing member 83 as shown in FIG. With such a configuration, when the user opens the toner seal 85, the developing roller 11 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be separated and the charging roller 23 and the photosensitive drum 21 can be separated at the same time. Therefore, forgetting to remove the spacing member 83 can be prevented with a simple configuration.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example. Forms other than the embodiments and arrangement of the constituent elements are possible, but the scope of the present invention is limited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Process cartridge 10 Developing unit 11 Developing means 12 Toner supply roller 13 Toner container 14 Developing container 15 Developing blade 16 Toner stirring mechanism 17 Opening part 20 Drum unit 21 Image carrier 22 Guide part 23 Charging member (charging means)
23a Core 23b Rubber layer 23c Bearing 23d Spring 24 Cleaning blade 25 Toner feeding mechanism 26 Waste toner chamber 41 Scanner unit 42 Feeding unit 43 Transfer unit 44 Fixing unit 45 Discharge unit 46 Paper feed cassette 70, 71 Bearing unit 72 Support hole 73a , B Pins 74a, b Development biasing means 80 First support hole 81 Second support hole 82 Third support hole 83 Separating member 83a Toner seal sticking surface 83b Separating member tip slope 84 Charging moving part 84a Charging moving part tip Slope 85 Toner seal 86 Grip part 87 Bent part 90 Charging support member 90a Bearing part 90b Connection part 90c Working hole part 90d Charging moving part P Transfer material

Claims (10)

In a process cartridge that is detachable from the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, an electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
A developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A first frame that rotatably supports the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
A second frame that rotatably supports the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is rotatably coupled to the first frame, and the developing roller contacts the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and A second frame that can be separated from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum by a developing roller;
A separation member that moves the second frame to the separation position when engaged with the first frame and the second frame from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge;
Have
The separation member includes a first support part and a second support part provided on either the first frame or the second frame, and the first frame or the second frame. A third support portion provided on either one of the frames, and a third support portion located between the first support portion and the second support portion in the longitudinal direction; A process cartridge which is engaged.   The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion are holes.   The first support portion, the second support portion, and the third support portion with respect to a vertical line passing through a rotation center that rotatably couples the first frame body and the second frame body. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the support portion is provided on a side opposite to the electrophotographic photosensitive drum.   The separation member is detachably engaged at one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the first frame body and the second frame body. Process cartridge according to.   5. The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the separation member has an inclined surface on a distal end side when being attached to the first frame body and the second frame body. Further, the process cartridge includes:
A developer accommodating portion for accommodating a developer for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein the developer is supplied from the developer accommodating portion to the developing roller. A developer container having an opening;
A seal member that removably closes the opening, wherein one end in the longitudinal direction of the seal member is connected to the spacing member;
The process cartridge according to claim 1, comprising: Furthermore, the process cartridge includes:
A charging roller for contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
The charging roller rotatably supports a second contact position where the charging roller contacts the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and a second separation position where the charging roller separates from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum. A support member having a fourth support portion that engages with the separation member at the second separation position;
A process cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The process cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the support member is engaged with the separation member between the first support portion and the second support portion in the longitudinal direction.   The process cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the separation member is provided on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction. In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachable and forms an image on a recording medium.
(I) an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing roller that contacts the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and develops an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is rotated. A first frame body that can be supported, and a second frame body that rotatably supports the developing roller, wherein the developing roller is rotatably coupled to the first frame body. A second frame that can be in contact with the photosensitive drum; and a separation position in which the developing roller is separated from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum; and the first frame from the longitudinal direction of the process cartridge. And a separation member that moves the second frame to the separation position when engaged with the second frame, and the separation member is the first frame or the second The first support portion provided on either one of the frames And a second support part, and a third support part provided on the other of the first frame or the second frame, wherein the first support part and the second support part in the longitudinal direction A third support portion positioned between the second support portion and a mounting member for removably mounting the process cartridge engaged therewith;
(Ii) conveying means for conveying the recording medium;
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising:

Images