Process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming apparatus using the same

A process cartridge which is detachable with respect to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first unit frame body supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing unit having a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer and a developer containing portion for containing the developer;
• a second unit frame body supporting the developing unit;
• a first connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at one end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a second connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at the other end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a first fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the first unit frame body through abutment;
• a second fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the second unit frame body through abutment;
• a third fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body by abutting on the first unit frame body through abutment;
• and
• a fourth fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body and the first unit frame body to each other by filling a gap between the second connection frame body and the first unit frame body.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:

• an attachment means for detachably attaching a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first unit frame body for supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a second unit frame body having a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer and a developer containing portion for containing the developer, a first connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at one end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a second connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at the other end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the first unit frame body, a second fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the second unit frame body, a third fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body by abutting on the first unit frame body, and a fourth fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body and the second unit frame body to each other by filling a gap between the second connection frame body and the second unit frame body;
• and
• a transport means for transporting the recording medium.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, comprising:

• an attachment means for detachably attaching a process cartridge having an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first unit frame body supporting the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a second unit frame body having a developing means for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum with a developer and a developer containing portion for containing the developer, a first connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at one end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a second connection frame body for connecting the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body at the other end of the first unit frame body and the second unit frame body with respect to the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a first fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the first unit frame body, a second fixation means for fixing the first connection frame body by abutting on the second unit frame body, a third fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body by abutting on the second unit frame body, and a fourth fixation means for fixing the second connection frame body and the first unit frame body to each other by filling a gap between the second connection frame body and the second unit frame body;
• and
• a transport means for transporting the recording medium.