| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of forming proper images for a long period, by suppressing excessive deterioration of a developer, even when a low-coverage continuous printing state continues over a long period. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus includes a developing device including an intermediate tank for circulating toner and carrier, while agitating them and a developer supply path for transporting a supply developer transported from the intermediate tank into a developer storage part. The intermediate tank has a toner reception port, a carrier reception port, a toner-rich supply developer output port, a carrier-rich supply developer output port and is controlled so that the supply developer is transported from only the carrier-rich supply developer output port, if the amount of the supply developer supplied to the developer storage part is smaller than a reference range, and is transported from both the toner-rich supply developer output port and the carrier-rich supply developer output port, if it is in the reference range, and is transported from only the toner-rich supply developer output port, if it exceeds the reference range. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |
