| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device capable of retaining satisfactory image quality by preventing deterioration toner from staying in a developing section, and to provide an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The developing device 2 includes: the developing section 4, which supplies a toner to an electrostatic latent image on an image carrier 30, thereby developing the image; a supply section 6, which supplies the toner to the developing section 4 through a predetermined supply passage; a developing roller 14, which is rotated in a predetermined direction and disposed opposite the image carrier 30; and a supply roller 16, which is rotated in a predetermined direction and supplies/recovers the toner to/from the developing roller 14 in a firm contact area between the developing roller 14 and the supply roller 16. The developing device 2 is provided with a toner returning means 23 by which the toner recovered by the supply roller 16 from the developing roller in the firm contact area is returned to the supply section 6 through a returning passage different from the supply passage. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
