JPH08220972A - Electrophotographic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide an electrophotographic device capable of performing engagement/disengagement of a drive transmission part linked with a lock mechanism, and presenting high image quality provided with an easily attachable and detachable process cartridge restraining uneven printing by stable fixing of the process cartridge. CONSTITUTION: The process cartridge 31 is provided with a fixing part 51 penetrating a side face of the process cartridge 31 at a position near the center of gravity of the process cartridge 31 on the side face part, a fixed bearing part 53 engaging the device main body with the fixing part 51, and the drive transmission part 56 to which the drive part 4 and the drive transmission part are attachable and detachable with respect to the device main body, linked with the attaching and detaching operation of the process cartridge with use of the fixing part 51.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrophotographic apparatus which is an output device such as a laser printer or a copying machine having a detachable process cartridge containing an image carrier and process means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the era of multimedia, an electrophotographic apparatus capable of high resolution, high image quality and high speed printing has been proposed and developed. In particular, a process cartridge in which an image carrier, a charger that uniformly applies an electric charge to the image carrier, and a cleaning device that removes residual toner on the image carrier are integrated, and the process cartridge is housed and supported in the main body of the device. An electrophotographic apparatus has been proposed which has a built-in means for carrying out transfer paper, a paper carrying means for carrying the transfer paper, a fixing means for fixing the toner image transferred on the transfer paper, and the like, which is detachable from the apparatus main body. There is.

A conventional electrophotographic apparatus will be described below. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of a conventional electronic image device. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part showing a state when a process cartridge of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus is replaced, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a main part around a drive transmission part of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line XX ′ of FIG. An image bearing member 1 has a resin belt such as polyethylene terephthalate as a base material, and a photosensitive receiving layer such as selenium (Se) or an organic photoconductor (OPC) is applied in a thin film on the outer periphery thereof. Image carrier transport rollers 2 and 3 form a vertical plane on the image carrier 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes a drive unit including a drive motor included in the apparatus main body, and reference numeral 5 denotes a drive gear included in the apparatus main body. Reference numeral 6 denotes a drive transmission unit formed by meshing two claws provided on the side surface of the drive gear 5 and two claws provided on the side surface of the end portion of the rotary shaft of the image carrier transport roller 2. The driving force from the driving unit 4 is transmitted to the image carrier carrying roller 2 by the drive transmitting unit 6 through the driving gear 5, and the image carrier 1 is circulated in the direction of arrow A along the image carrier carrying rollers 2 and 3. To move. 7 is a charger, 8 is a charging wire, 9 is a shield plate, and 10 is a grid plate. The charger 7 is arranged above the image carrier 1 and close to the image carrier 1, a charging line 8, a shield plate 9 that shields the charging line 8, and a charge from the charging line 8 is uniformly applied to the image carrier 1. It is composed of a grid plate 10 that is charged to the
The surface of the image carrier 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the corona discharge generated by applying a high voltage to the.
Reference numeral 11 is an exposure optical system, and 12 is an exposure light beam emitted from the exposure optical system 11. An image signal input from the outside via an interface for forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the image carrier 1 is a laser beam. It is composed of a laser beam obtained by light intensity modulation or pulse width modulation by a drive circuit (not shown). The exposure light beam 12 is reciprocally scanned dot by dot in the width direction of the image carrier 1 by the exposure optical system 11 to erase the electric charge on the surface of the image carrier 1 uniformly charged by the charger 7.
Form an electrostatic latent image. A developing device 13 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image and is detachably arranged in a developing device housing portion provided in the main body of the apparatus. An image carrier cleaning device 14 includes 15 cleaning blades for scraping off the toner remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1 and 16 residual toner storage portions. Reference numeral 17 denotes a static eliminator that removes charges remaining on the surface of the image carrier 1. Here, on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped image carrier 1, the charger 7, the exposure optical system 11, the developing device 13, the image carrier, and the image carrier are sequentially arranged in the order of the process in the rotational direction of the image carrier 1 indicated by the arrow A. Cleaning device 1
4, a static eliminator 17 is arranged. 18 is a paper such as copy paper and recording paper, 19 is a paper cassette for storing the paper 18,
A sheet feeding roller 20 is formed in a half-moon shape (semi-circular shape), and takes out and conveys the sheets of paper 18 stored in the paper cassette 19 one by one. Reference numeral 21 is a paper conveyance path surface, and 22 is a registration roller, which has a function of temporarily stopping and waiting the paper 18 in order to match the positions of the paper 18 and the synthetic toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier 1. 23 is a registration roller 22
A driven roller abutted against the roller 24 is a transfer roller for transferring the synthetic toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier 1 to the paper 18. Reference numeral 25 denotes a fixing device, which includes a heat roller having a heat source inside 26 for heating the synthetic toner image transferred onto the paper 18, and a pressure roller for contacting the heat roller 26 and pressing the paper 18. It By the fixing device 25, the synthetic toner image transferred onto the paper 18 is fused and fixed by pressure and heat in accordance with the nip rotation. 28a,
28b is a pair of paper discharge rollers provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 25, and 29 is a paper discharge tray provided on the side of the apparatus main body.

The structure and handling of each unit of the conventional electrophotographic apparatus having the above-described structure will be described below. Reference numeral 31 is a process cartridge in which the charger 7, the image carrier cleaning device 14 and the image carrier 1 are integrally configured, and can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body. 32a and 32b are process cartridges 31
Is a guide portion that guides the device body to the device body for storage and support. Three
Reference numeral 3 denotes a fixing portion for fixing the process cartridge 31 to the apparatus main body, which uses a lock mechanism such as a screw. Three
Reference numeral 4 is a chassis frame of the apparatus main body, and 35 is an opening 35 for attaching and detaching the process cartridge 31 to and from the chassis frame 34, which is provided at a peripheral position of the process cartridge 31. Reference numeral 36 is a handle used when the process cartridge 31 is attached to and detached from the apparatus main body.

The operation of the conventional electrophotographic apparatus constructed as above will be described below. First, when a print command is transmitted from a host computer (not shown), the drive motor of the drive unit 4 starts rotating. The driving force is transmitted via the drive gear 5 to the image carrier conveying roller 2 by the drive gear 5 and the two claw-shaped drive transmitting portions 6 provided on the image carrier conveying roller 2, and the image carrier 1 is indicated by the arrow. Rotate in the A direction. Next, the charging wire 8 connected to the high voltage power supply
High voltage is applied to the grid plate to cause corona discharge, and the grid plate 10
Through the surface of the image carrier 1 uniformly from -700V to -8V.
It is charged to about 00V. Next, an exposure light beam 12 such as a laser beam is radiated onto the surface of the image carrier 1 that is uniformly charged, and the charge on the image carrier 1 is erased to form an electrostatic latent image. . On the other hand, when a potential difference is applied between the developing device 13 and the image carrier 1 while the toner, which is the developer, is brought into contact with the image carrier 1, the toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier 1. The toner adheres to form a visible image and the development is completed.
The visible image thus formed on the image carrier 1 is collectively transferred onto the paper 18 sent from the paper cassette 19 along the paper transport path 21 by applying high pressure to the transfer roller 24. Then, the paper 18 is fixed to the fixing device 2.
Then, the developer is fixed by the heating of the heat roller 26 and the pressure of the heat roller 26 and the pressure roller 27, and an image is formed. Paper 18 that has passed through fixing device 25
Are discharged to the discharge tray 29 by the pair of discharge rollers 28a and 28b, and the printing operation is completed. The residual toner on the image bearing member 1 is scraped off by the cleaning blade 15 of the image bearing member cleaning device 14 and stored in the residual toner storing portion 16.

A procedure for replacing the process cartridge 31 of the conventional electrophotographic apparatus that operates as described above from the apparatus main body will be described below. First, the fixing portion 33 that fixes the process cartridge 31 is rotated counterclockwise to unlock the lock mechanism, thereby releasing the fixation of the process cartridge 31 to the apparatus body while pushing it out of the apparatus body. Next, the handle 3 of the process cartridge 31
6 and pulls the process cartridge 31 from the apparatus main body in the direction of arrow B along the guide portions 32a and 32b. At the same time, the engagement between the drive gear 5 of the drive transmission unit 6 and the two claws of the image carrier transport roller 2 is released, and the drive unit 4 is released.
The driving force from the state becomes impossible to be transmitted to the image carrier conveying roller 2.

Next, hold the handle 36 of the new process cartridge 31, and use the arrow C along the guide portions 32a and 32b.
The process cartridge 31 is moved in the direction and inserted into the apparatus main body. As a result, the drive gear 5 of the drive transmission unit 6 and the two claws of the image carrier transporting roller 2 are engaged with each other, and the driving force from the drive unit 4 can be transmitted to the image carrier transporting roller 2. After the insertion of the process cartridge 31 is completed, the process cartridge 31 is fixed while being pushed into the apparatus main body by rotating the fixing portion 33 having the lock mechanism in the clockwise direction. This completes the replacement of the process cartridge 31.

[0008]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, when replacing a process cartridge that has reached the end of its life, its operability is very important. However, in the conventional electrophotographic apparatus, the process cartridge 31 is replaced by the process cartridge 31. When the process cartridge 31 is fixed or released with respect to the apparatus main body, since the lock mechanism for fixing the process cartridge 31 exists in the peripheral portion of the process cartridge 31 deviated from the center of gravity of the vertical plane, the process cartridge 31 is rotated while the fixing portion 33 is rotated. When inserting or pulling out the cartridge into or from the apparatus main body, the guide portions 32a and 32b for attachment / detachment provided in the apparatus main body cannot be twisted, the process cartridge 31 cannot move smoothly, and the operability during replacement is extremely poor. Had a point. Further, since the peripheral portion of the process cartridge 31 is fixed to the main body of the apparatus, an unstable holding state occurs, and when the load changes in the process cartridge, the position with respect to the process section such as the developing section and the transfer section of the electrophotographic apparatus is set. There is a problem in that the accuracy cannot be secured and the print quality deteriorates. Further, when the process cartridge 31 is inserted, the fitting portions of the drive transmission portion 6 collide with each other, the operability of insertion is poor, and further, the drive transmission portion 6 is damaged, and the rotation accuracy is reduced. Had.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. The drive transmission portion is engaged / disengaged in conjunction with the lock mechanism, so that the process cartridge can be stably fixed and the image carrier carrying roller can be secured. An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic apparatus excellent in high image quality, which is provided with a process cartridge which is free from fluctuations in rotation and has no printing unevenness and which can be easily attached and detached.

[0010]

In order to achieve this object, an electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is an apparatus main body having an image carrier and process means arranged around the image carrier. A process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from the drive unit;
An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a process cartridge, and a drive receiving portion that fits into a drive portion, wherein the process cartridge has a side surface portion and a fixing portion that penetrates a side surface of the process cartridge at a substantially center of gravity of a vertical surface of the process cartridge. The main body of the apparatus includes a fixed bearing portion that fits into the fixed portion.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first aspect, the drive unit and the drive receiving unit of the apparatus main body are interlocked with the attaching / detaching operation of the process cartridge with respect to the apparatus main body using the fixing unit. And a removable drive transmission section.

Here, a screw or a cam is used as the fixing means. Further, as the process means, a charger for uniformly applying an electric charge on the image carrier, a cleaning device for removing the residual toner on the image carrier, and a latent image charge on the image carrier remaining after cleaning the residual toner. A static eliminator or the like that removes is used.

[0013]

With this configuration, the fixing portion for locking the process cartridge to the apparatus main body is arranged at a substantially center of gravity position with respect to the vertical plane of the process cartridge, so that the process cartridge is fixed to the apparatus main body while rotating the fixing portion. Alternatively, when the process cartridge is released, the process cartridge can be moved smoothly without twisting the guide portion for attaching and detaching the process cartridge in the apparatus body. Further, since the process cartridge is fixed to the apparatus main body at the position of the substantial center of gravity of the process cartridge, a stable holding state can be realized. Therefore, the process cartridge has a strong stability of being fixed against a load change from the main body of the apparatus and the like, the accuracy with each process unit can be secured, and a high image quality can be obtained. In addition, since the process cartridge and the drive transmission unit of the apparatus main body are engaged with or separated from each other in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the fixing unit, it is possible to prevent the drive transmission unit from colliding strongly when the process cartridge is inserted. It is possible to prevent the deterioration of the transmission accuracy, the damage of the drive transmission portion, etc., the operability and the durability are excellent, and the reliability of the device can be improved. As a result, the driving force from the apparatus main body can be uniformly transmitted to the image carrier conveying roller of the process cartridge, so that whirling of the image carrier due to rotational fluctuation can be prevented, and the uneven pitch of the image can be made extremely small, resulting in high image quality. A printed image can be obtained.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electrophotographic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an essential part of an electrophotographic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a state when the process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is being replaced. 1 is an image carrier, 2 and 3 are image carrier transport rollers, 4 is a drive unit, 7 is a charger, 8 is a charging line, 9 is a shield plate, 10 is a grid plate, 11 is an exposure optical system, and 12 is exposure. A light beam, 13 is a developing device, 14 is an image carrier cleaning device, 15 is a cleaning blade, 16 is a residual toner container, 17 is a static eliminator, 18 is paper, 19 is a paper cassette, 20 is a paper feed roller, and 21 is paper. Conveyance road surface, 22 is registration roller, 23
Is a driven roller, 24 is a transfer roller, 25 is a fixing device, 26
Is a heat roller, 27 is a pressure roller, 28a and 28b are paper discharge roller pairs, 29 is a paper discharge tray, 31 is a process cartridge, 32a and 32b are guide portions, 34 is a chassis frame, 35 is an opening portion, and 36 is a grip. Is. Since these are the same as those in the conventional example, the same reference numerals are given and description thereof is omitted. The difference from the conventional example is that in FIG.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a fixing portion for fixing the process cartridge 31 to the apparatus main body, which is arranged at a substantially center of gravity position with respect to a vertical plane of the process cartridge 31. The fixing portion 51 is a rod-shaped member that horizontally extends from the side surface of the process cartridge 31 to the opposite side surface. Reference numeral 52 is a fixed fitting portion having a threaded portion provided at the end of the fixed portion 51. Further, 53 is a fixed bearing portion provided on the chassis inside the apparatus main body, and the process cartridge 31 is axially fixed by the fixed fitting portion 52. Further, reference numeral 56 is a drive transmission portion in which the drive gear for transmitting the driving force of the drive portion 4 of the main body device and the image carrier transport roller 2 of the process cartridge 31 are fitted.

The operation of the electrophotographic apparatus having the above-described structure according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. First, when a print command from a host computer (not shown) is sent to the electrophotographic apparatus, the process control unit (not shown) of the electrophotographic apparatus starts the drive motor of the drive unit 4 of the main body apparatus. . The driving force is transmitted from the drive unit 4 of the apparatus main body to the image carrier conveyance roller 2 via the drive transmission unit 56, and the image carrier 1 rotates. As shown in the conventional process, the charging process, the exposing process, the developing process, the transferring process, the cleaning process, and the discharging process are repeatedly performed, and the printing by the electrophotographic process is performed.

A procedure for replacing the process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention which operates as described above from the apparatus main body will be described below. First, by rotating the fixing portion 51 in the counterclockwise direction in order to unlock the locking mechanism of the fixing portion 51 for fixing the process cartridge 31, the process cartridge 31 is released from the main body while releasing the fixing, and at the same time, the drive transmitting portion 56. Is disengaged, and the driving force from the drive unit 4 cannot be transmitted to the image carrier conveying roller 2. Next, holding the handle 36 of the process cartridge 31 in the direction of arrow B, the process cartridge 31 is pulled out from the apparatus main body along the guide portions 32a and 32b. Next, hold the handle 36 of the new process cartridge 31 in the direction of arrow C, and guide portions 32a, 3
Insert into device body along 2b. When the insertion of the process cartridge 31 is completed, the fixing portion 51 having a lock mechanism is rotated clockwise to fix the process cartridge 31 by being axially attached to the apparatus main body. When pushed in, the drive gear 5 of the process cartridge 31 and the drive transmission portion 56 that connects the image carrier conveying roller 2 are fitted together,
The drive force from the drive unit 4 is ready to be transmitted to the image carrier conveying roller 2, and the electrophotographic process operates.

With respect to the electrophotographic apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention which operates as described above, the process cartridge mounting / demounting durability test was repeated 100 times. As a result, smooth attachment / detachment was always possible, and no damage was found in the drive transmission portion 56. Further, after the test, the printing operation was performed, but no disturbance of the printed image was confirmed, and a high-quality printed image can be obtained.

As described above, according to this embodiment, when the process cartridge 31 is fixed to and released from the apparatus main body,
Since the fixing portion 51 is arranged at a substantially center of gravity position with respect to the vertical plane of the process cartridge 31, the process cartridge 31 can be smoothly moved along the guide portions 32a and 32b, improving workability and unreasonable. It is possible to obtain a high-quality printed image without applying force, without lowering the reliability and accuracy of the drive system.
Further, the drive transmission unit 6 in which the image carrier transporting roller 2 of the process cartridge 31 which is detachable from the apparatus main body and the drive gear 5 from the main body apparatus mesh with each other uses the fixing portion 51 to attach and detach the process cartridge 31 to and from the main body. Since they are fitted and separated at this time, the drive transmission portion 56 is not subjected to an excessive force, and damage can be prevented. In addition, since the fixing portion 51 is arranged at a substantially center of gravity position with respect to the vertical plane of the process cartridge 31, the process cartridge 31 is firmly fixed to the apparatus main body, is resistant to load fluctuations from the apparatus main body, and is stable from the apparatus main body. Since the driving force can be uniformly and surely transmitted to the image carrier transporting roller 2 of the process cartridge 31, whirling of the image carrier 1 due to rotational fluctuation can be prevented, and the uneven pitch of the image can be extremely reduced, and a high quality printed image can be obtained. Obtainable.

(Embodiment 2) An electrophotographic apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a top view of the essential parts showing the disengaged state of the transport roller and drive gear of the transmission drive unit of the process cartridge in the second embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 31 is a process cartridge, 32a and 32b are guide portions, 34 is a chassis frame, 35 is an opening portion, 36 is a handle, and 53 is a fixed bearing portion. Since these are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that
It is a fixed part for fixing the process cartridge 31 of 54 to the main body, and a cam is used for the fixed fitting part of 55. Here, the fixed fitting portion 55 once contacts the fixed bearing portion 53, and the fixed bearing portion 53 serves as a stopper. Next, as the fixed fitting portion 55 rotates, the fixed bearing portion 5
3 serves as a guide and moves so as to attach and detach the process cartridge 31 according to the cam shape of the fixed fitting portion 55.

The electrophotographic apparatus of the second embodiment of the present invention constructed as described above operates similarly to the first embodiment.

A procedure for replacing the process cartridge 31 of the electrophotographic apparatus in the second embodiment of the present invention, which operates as described above, from the apparatus main body will be described below. When the process cartridge 31 is taken out from the apparatus main body, by rotating the fixed portion 54 in the counterclockwise direction, the fixed fitting portion 55, which is a cam attached to the tip end opposite to the fixed portion 54, also rotates in the counterclockwise direction. As the fixed fitting portion 55 having the cam shape rotates, the process cartridge 31 is released from the fixing of the process cartridge 28 along the guide portions 32a and 32b in the arrow B direction in accordance with the cam shape provided on the fixed fitting portion 55. It At the same time, the drive transmission unit 56 is disengaged, and the drive force from the drive unit 4 cannot be transmitted to the image carrier transporting roller 2.

Next, when the process cartridge 31 is attached to the apparatus main body, by rotating the fixing portion 54 in the clockwise direction, the cam-shaped fixed fitting portion 55 attached to the tip of the fixing portion 54 also rotates in the clockwise direction. . When the fixed fitting portion 55 rotates, the process cartridge 31 moves in the direction of arrow C according to the cam shape provided on the fixed fitting portion 55.
When pushed into the apparatus main body along 2a and 32b, the drive transmission unit 56 that connects the drive gear 5 of the process cartridge 31 and the image carrier transport roller 2 is fitted, and the drive force from the drive unit 4 is transferred to the image carrier. The transfer roller 2 is ready for transmission, the fixing of the process cartridge 31 is completed, and the electrophotographic process operates.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the same operation and effect as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and high quality printing can be obtained.

[0025]

As described above, according to the present invention, the fixing portion for fixing the process cartridge to the main body of the apparatus by using the lock mechanism is arranged at the substantially center of gravity position with respect to the vertical plane of the process cartridge. When fixing or releasing the process cartridge to the device body while rotating, the process cartridge can be moved smoothly without twisting the guide part for attaching and detaching the process cartridge in the device body. It is possible to realize an electrophotographic apparatus having excellent properties. Further, since the process cartridge is fixed to the apparatus main body at the position of the substantial center of gravity of the process cartridge, a stable holding state is realized. As a result, the process cartridge has fixed stability against a load change, can reliably maintain the accuracy with each process section, and can realize an electrophotographic apparatus having excellent print quality. In addition, the process cartridge and the drive transmission part of the main body of the device are interlocked with each other in association with the attachment / detachment operation of the fixing part to prevent the drive transmission part from colliding strongly when the process cartridge is inserted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent deterioration of transmission accuracy and damage to the drive transmission portion. Therefore, it is possible to realize an electrophotographic apparatus which is excellent in operability, durability, reliability, and printing quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an essential part of an electrophotographic apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a state when the process cartridge of the electrophotographic apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is replaced.

FIG. 3 is a top view of essential parts showing a detached state of a conveyance roller and a drive gear of the process cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view of essential parts showing a disengaged state of a conveyance roller and a drive gear of a transmission drive unit of a process cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a main part of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of essential parts showing a state when a process cartridge of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus is replaced.

7A is a side view of a main part around a drive transmission part of a conventional electrophotographic apparatus, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the main part taken along line XX ′ of FIG. 7A.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 image carrier 2 and 3 image carrier transport roller 4 drive unit 5 drive gear 6,56 drive transmission unit 7 charger 8 charging line 9 shield plate 10 grid plate 11 exposure optical system 12 exposure light beam 13 developer 14 image carrier Cleaning device 15 Cleaning blade 16 Residual toner storage unit 17 Static eliminator 18 Paper 19 Paper cassette 20 Paper feed roller 21 Paper transport road surface 22 Registration roller 23 Driven roller 24 Transfer roller 25 Fixing device 26 Heat roller 27 Pressure roller 28a, 28b Paper discharge Roller pair 29 Paper ejection tray 31 Process cartridge 32a, 32b Guide portion 33, 51, 54 Fixed portion 34 Chassis frame 35 Opening portion 36 Handle 41 Drive rotary shaft portion 42 Rotation shaft 43 Rotation bearing portion 52, 55 Fixed fitting portion 53 Fixed Bearing part

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshikazu Katsumada 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Eiichiro Nakao, 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. 72) Inventor Nobuo Kishiyama 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yutaka Noda 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma City Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body having an image carrier and process means arranged around the image carrier, and a drive unit for driving the process cartridge by the apparatus main body. An electrophotographic apparatus comprising: a drive receiving portion for fitting the process cartridge to the drive portion, wherein the process cartridge has a side surface with a side surface of the process cartridge at a substantially center of gravity of a vertical surface of the process cartridge. An electrophotographic apparatus, comprising: a fixed portion that penetrates through; and a fixed bearing portion that allows the apparatus main body to fit into the fixed portion. 2. The process cartridge comprises: a drive transmission unit in which the drive unit and the drive receiving unit of the apparatus main body can be attached / detached in association with an attachment / detachment operation using the fixing unit with respect to the apparatus main body. The electrophotographic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrophotographic apparatus is provided.