| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device capable of always appropriately supplying toner and making the toner uniform in a short time regardless of the remaining amount of the toner in a developing unit. <P>SOLUTION: The developing unit 16 in which toner for development is stored develops an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor drum 2 with the toner and stirs the toner by an incorporated stirring member in prescribed timing. A toner container 5 stores toner to be supplied. A toner supply member 6 is inserted from the toner supply port of the developing unit 16 to supply the toner to be supplied from the toner container 5. An advance/retreat mechanism 27 moves the toner supply member 6 to advance/retreat so as to insert it in the developing unit 16. A detection part detects the propriety of toner supply from the residual amount of the toner in the developing unit 16. Based on the detection of the necessity of the toner supply, a toner supply control part 80b controls to insert a part of the toner supply member 6 to a position where it reaches the residual toner by the advance/retreat mechanism 27 and also controls to supply the fixed amount of toner. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
