Process cartridge, method for assembling process cartridge and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus to which a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and charger means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum is removably mounted, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• a first contact for electrically earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• a second contact for applying an AC voltage to the charger means,
• wherein said first and second contacts are respectively arranged at positions on said image forming apparatus corresponding to opposite ends of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, in an axial direction thereof, of the process cartridge mounted to said image forming apparatus.

A process cartridge removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• charger means for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• developing means for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging bias contact for applying an AC voltage to said charger means;
• a developing bias contact for applying an AC voltage to said developing means, said charging bias contact and said developing bias contact being respectively arranged adjacent opposite sides of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction thereof, and adjacent one end portion of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the longitudinal direction thereof;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged at another end portion of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the longitudinal direction thereof.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing means;
• a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charger means, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly of an outer end of a gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus having a spring-biased developing bias contact pin, a spring-biased charging bias contact pin, an antenna line contact member, and a leaf spring earthing contact member, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing device disposed adjacent said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact that applies a developing bias from the spring-bias developing bias contact pin to said developing device when said process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus;
• a charging bias contact that applies a charging bias from the spring-biased charging bias contact pin to said charging roller when said process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a toner remaining amount detection contact that contacts the antenna line contact member when said process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus and detects a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation, said toner remaining amount detection contact being arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that said developing bias contact is spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact that contacts the leaf spring earthing contact member when said process cartridge is mounted in the image forming apparatus and earths said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said earthing contact being arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end,
• wherein said charging bias contact, said developing bias contact, and said toner remaining amount detection contact are arranged substantially along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developing bias contact and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite said one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

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

• mounting means capable of removably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing means, a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charger means, the developing bias contact and the charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly of an outer end of a gear provided on the one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an earthing contact being arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end for earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias terminal which can be abutted against the developing bias contact of the process cartridge;
• a charging bias terminal which can be abutted against the charging bias member contact of the process cartridge;
• and
• an earthing terminal which can be abutted against the earthing contact of the process cartridge.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing means, and a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charger means, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being respectively disposed at opposite sides of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction thereof;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged to protrude outwardly adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

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

• mounting means capable of removably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing means, a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charger means, the developing bias contact and the charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, the developing bias contact and the charging bias contact being disposed adjacent opposite sides of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction thereof, and an earthing contact arranged to protrude outwardly adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end for earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact of said image forming apparatus which can be abutted against the developing bias contact of the process cartridge;
• a charging bias contact of said image forming apparatus which can be abutted against the charging bias contact of the process cartridge;
• and
• an earthing contact of said image forming apparatus which can be abutted against the earthing contact of the process cartridge.

A method for assembling a process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching an earthing contact to a first frame for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that the earthing contact protrudes outwardly, in the axial direction from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• attaching a charging bias contact to the first frame adjacent another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end;
• attaching a developing bias contact to a second frame for supporting a developing means for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum at the same longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum as the charging bias contact, when the first and second frames are interconnected;
• and
• thereafter, interconnecting the first and second frames to each other.

A process cartridge, removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact provided adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a developing bias to said developing roller;
• a charge bias contact provided at another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one side in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a charge bias to said charge member;
• said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact being arranged adjacent one end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earth contact provided projecting in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein both of said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact are arranged inside an outer end of a spur gear disposed at said one end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge, removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact provided adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a developing bias to said developing roller;
• a charge bias contact provided at another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one side in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a charge bias to said charge member;
• said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earth contact provided projecting outwardly toward the image forming apparatus in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein a spur gear, arranged at said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, transmits a rotating drive force to a transfer roller provided at the main body.

A process cartridge, removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact provided adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a developing bias to said developing roller;
• a charge bias contact provided adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, opposite said one side, for applying a charge bias to said charge member;
• said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earth contact provided adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end and projecting outwardly toward the image forming apparatus in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said earth contact is arranged coaxially with said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein at said another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum where said earth contact is arranged, a first helical gear is provided for receiving a drive force for rotating said electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the main body.

A process cartridge removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charge member for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact provided adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a developing bias to said developing roller;
• a charge bias contact provided adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one side in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, for applying a charge bias to said charge member;
• said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earth contact provided adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end and projecting outwardly toward the image forming apparatus in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said earth contact is arranged coaxially with said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said developing bias contact and said charge bias contact are arranged so as to straddle said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a spur gear provided at said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for transmitting a drive force to a transfer roller provided in the image forming apparatus, and
• wherein at said another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum where said earth contact is arranged, a first helical gear is provided for receiving a drive force for rotating said electrophotographic photosensitive drum from the main body.

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

• mounting means capable of removably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for carrying a latent image thereon, a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing device, a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charging roller, the developing bias contact and the charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on the one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner remaining amount detection contact, for detecting a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation, arranged adjacent the one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from-the electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that the developing bias contact is spaced apart from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an earthing contact arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end for earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein the charging bias contact, the developing bias contact, and the toner remaining amount detection contact are arranged substantially along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein the charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developing bias contact and the toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite the one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias terminal that can be abutted against the developing bias contact of the process cartridge;
• a charging bias terminal that can be abutted against the charging bias contact of the process cartridge;
• and
• an earthing terminal that can be abutted against the earthing contact of the process cartridge.

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

• mounting means capable of removably mounting a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for carrying a latent image thereon, a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing device, a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charging roller, the developing bias contact and the charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on the one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner remaining amount detection contact, for detecting a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation, arranged adjacent the one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that the developing bias contact is spaced apart from the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an earthing contact arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end for earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, wherein the charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and the developing bias contact and the toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite the one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and wherein when the process cartridge is mounted on a main body of said image forming apparatus, the charging bias contact, the developing bias contact, and the toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed on a lower surface of the process cartridge and the earthing contact is disposed on a side surface of the process cartridge;
• a developing bias terminal that can be abutted against the developing bias contact of the process cartridge;
• a charging bias terminal that can be abutted against the charging bias contact of the process cartridge;
• and
• an earthing terminal that can be abutted against the earthing contact of the process cartridge.

A process cartridge removably mounted onto a main body of an image forming apparatus including a charge bias output terminal for applying a charge bias to a charge member of said process cartridge, a developing bias output terminal for applying a developing bias to a developing roller of said process cartridge, and an earth terminal member for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum of said process cartridge, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to said developing roller, and a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to said charge member, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent a same longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developing bias contact and said charging bias conductive contact being respectively disposed adjacent opposite sides of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged adjacent an opposite longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and protruding outwardly toward the image forming apparatus, for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein the charge bias output terminal and said charging bias contact are connected, the developing bias output terminal and said developing bias contact are connected, and said earth terminal member and said earthing contact are connected in a state where said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body, for applying the charge bias from the main body to said charge member, for applying the developing bias to said developing roller, and for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the main body, respectively.

A process cartridge removably mounted onto a main body of an image forming apparatus including a charge bias output terminal for applying a charge bias to a charge member of said process cartridge, a developing bias output terminal for applying a developing bias to a developing roller of said process cartridge, and an earth terminal member for earthing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum of said process cartridge, said process cartridge comprising:

• a first frame comprising an electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charge member including a charge roller for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a cleaning blade for removing residual toner on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a charge bias contact provided adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for applying the charge bias to said charge roller, an earth contact provided adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end and projected outwardly from said first frame in the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a second frame comprising a developing roller for developing a latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a toner containing portion for containing toner to be used by said developing roller, a developing bias contact provided adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one side in the direction orthogonal to the axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for applying a developing bias to said developing roller, said developing bias contact being arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that said charge bias contact is arranged, said second frame being rockable relative to said first frame,
• wherein the charge bias output terminal and said charge bias output terminal and developing bias output terminal and said developing bias contact are connected, and the earth terminal member and said earth contact are connected in a state where said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body for applying the charge bias from the main body to said charge member, for applying the developing bias to said developing roller, and for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum to the main body, respectively.

An image forming apparatus onto which a process cartridge is removably mounted for forming an image onto a recording medium, said image forming apparatus comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to a developing roller;
• a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to a charge member;
• said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent a same longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being disposed, respectively, at opposite sides of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• an earthing contact, arranged to protrude outwardly from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said same longitudinal end, for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias output terminal for applying the developing bias to said developing bias contact;
• a charge bias output terminal for applying the charging bias to said charging bias contact;
• and
• an earth terminal member for contacting said earthing contact and for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

An assembling method of a process cartridge removably mounted onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• attaching, to a first frame supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive drum and a charge member for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, an earth contact adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum to be protruded outwardly from the first frame in an axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum for earthing the electrophotographic photosensitive drum relative to the main body, while attaching a charge bias contact adjacent another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, opposite the one longitudinal end, for receiving a voltage to be applied to the charge member from the main body;
• attaching, to a second frame supporting developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, a developing bias contact to be adjacent the same longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum as the charge bias contact when the first frame and the second frame are connected with each other, for receiving a voltage to be applied to the developing roller from the main body;
• and
• thereafter connecting the first frame and the second frame with each other to thereby constitute the process cartridge.

An assembling method of a process cartridge removably mounted onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:

• preparing a first frame to which an earth contact for earthing an electrophotographic photosensitive drum relative to the main body is attached adjacent one longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum so as to be protruded outwardly from the first frame in an axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and to which a charge bias contact for receiving a voltage to be applied to a charge member from the main body is attached at another longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite the one longitudinal end;
• preparing a second frame to which a developing bias contact for receiving a voltage to be applied to a developing roller is attached adjacent the same longitudinal end of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum as the charge bias contact when the second frame is connected to the first frame, and which supports the developing roller for developing a latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• thereafter connecting the first frame and the second frame with each other to constitute the process cartridge.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for carrying a latent image thereon;
• a charging roller contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing device for developing the latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to said developing device;
• a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to said charging roller, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a toner remaining amount detection contact, for detecting a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation, arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that said developing bias contact is spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said charging bias contact, said developing bias contact, and said toner remaining amount detection contact are arranged substantially along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developing bias contact and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite said one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum for carrying a latent image thereon;
• a charging roller contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum for charging said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing device for developing the latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact for applying a developing bias to said developing device;
• a charging bias contact for applying a charging bias to said charging roller, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a toner remaining amount detection contact, for detecting a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation, arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that said developing bias contact is spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end for earthing said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developing bias contact and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite said one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein when said process cartridge is mounted on a main body of the image forming apparatus, said charging bias contact, said developing bias contact, and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed on a lower surface of said process cartridge and said earthing contact is disposed on a side surface of said process cartridge.

A process cartridge removably mountable onto a main body of an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller that contacts said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing device disposed adjacent to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact that receives a developing bias from the main body of the image forming apparatus and supplies the developing bias to said developing device when said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body of the image forming apparatus;
• a charging bias contact that receives a charging bias from the main body of the image forming apparatus and supplies the charging bias to said charging roller when said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body of the image forming apparatus, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a spur gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a toner remaining amount detection contact that detects a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that said developing bias contact is spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact, arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end, that earths said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said charging bias contact, said developing bias contact, and said toner remaining amount detection contact are arranged substantially along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developing bias contact and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite said one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.

A process cartridge removably mountable to an image forming apparatus, said process cartridge comprising:

• an electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a charging roller contacting said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing device disposed adjacent to said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a developing bias contact that receives a developing bias from the main body of the image forming apparatus and supplies the developing bias to said developing device when said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body of the image forming apparatus;
• a charging bias contact that receives a charging bias from the main body of the image forming apparatus and supplies the charging bias to said charging roller when said process cartridge is mounted onto the main body of the image forming apparatus, said developing bias contact and said charging bias contact being arranged adjacent one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum in such a manner that they are disposed inwardly, in a longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, of an outer end of a gear provided on said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• a toner remaining amount detection contact that detects a remaining amount of toner to be used in a developing operation arranged adjacent said one longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum and at a position spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum more than a position that said developing bias contact is spaced apart from said electrophotographic photosensitive drum;
• and
• an earthing contact, arranged adjacent another longitudinal end of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum opposite said one longitudinal end, that earths said electrophotographic photosensitive drum,
• wherein said charging bias contact, said developing bias contact, and said toner remaining amount detection contact are arranged substantially along a line extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and
• wherein said charging bias contact is disposed adjacent one side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and said developing bias contact and said toner remaining amount detection contact are disposed adjacent another side of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum that is opposite said one side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said electrophotographic photosensitive drum.