| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device where excessive toner supply is hardly caused. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device is equipped with: a toner supply means 40 for supplying toner to a toner storing chamber 20 in a developing unit 30 having the toner storing chamber 20 in which toner to be imparted to a developing roller is stored; and a toner detection means 50 having a light projecting part 51 and a light receiving part 52 and detecting that a proper amount of toner is supplied to the toner storing chamber by detecting that light going toward the light receiving part 52 from the light projecting part 51 is intercepted by the toner in the toner storing chamber 20. It is also provided with a control part 2 counting the consumption of the toner and actuating the toner supply means 40 so as to supply the toner to the toner storing chamber 20 until the toner is detected by the toner detection means 50 when the consumption thereof attains a prescribed value. An optical path going toward the light receiving part 52 from the light projecting part 51 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the toner storing chamber 20. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
