| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing unit, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus and an image forming method, capable of preventing failures that may be caused by developer dropping through a gap between an end of a separation member and a developer carrier. <P>SOLUTION: The developing unit 4 includes a developing roller 5 that is the developer carrier for supplying toner to a latent image on the surface of a photoreceptor 1 that is a latent image carrier and developing the image, a supply compartment 9 including a supply screw 8 that is a supply transport member, and a recovery compartment 7 including a recovery screw 6 that is a recovery transport member. The separation member 133 whose one end portion 133a that is the end on a cross section orthogonal to the shaft line direction of the developing roller 5 faces the surface of the developing roller 5 separates the recovery compartment 7 and the supply compartment 9, and the supply compartment 9 is provided to be located above the recovery compartment 7, across the separation member 133. The gap Gp provided at a position where the end 133a faces the developing roller 5 has a width of not more than 1.4[mm]. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT |
