DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME

摘要

A developing device includes a developing container, a first agitating/conveying member, a second agitating/conveying member, a developer supply member, a supply port, and a supply section. The developing container is separated into a developer supply passage, a first conveying chamber, and a second conveying chamber, which are arranged substantially parallel to one another. The supply section is disposed between the developer supply passage and the first conveying chamber, and through the supply section, the developer is supplied from the developer supply passage into the first conveying chamber. The supply section is disposed upstream from a downstream-side end portion of the developer supply passage but downstream from the supply port with respect to a developer-conveying direction of the developer supply passage, and via the supply section, the developer supply member supplies the developer into the first conveying chamber in a direction opposite to a developer-conveying direction of the first conveying chamber.

主权项

1. A developing device, comprising:
a developing container that accommodates a developer including toner, the developing container being separated into a developer supply passage, a first conveying chamber, and a second conveying chamber that are arranged substantially parallel to one another; a first agitating/conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer in the first conveying chamber; a second agitating/conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer in the second conveying chamber in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first agitating/conveying member agitates and conveys the developer; a developer supply member that supplies the developer existing in the developer supply passage into the first conveying chamber; a supply port disposed in the developer supply passage to be connected to a developer supply mechanism; and a supply section that is disposed between the developer supply passage and the first conveying chamber to supply the developer from the developer supply passage into the first conveying chamber therethrough, the supply section being located upstream from a downstream-side end portion of the developer supply passage but downstream from the supply port with respect to a direction in which the developer is conveyed in the developer supply passage, the developer supply member supplying the developer to the first conveying chamber through the supply section in a direction opposite to a direction in which the developer is conveyed in the first conveying chamber.