| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device capable of further reducing variations in the density of a toner in a developing device even when a relatively large amount of the toner is used at one time, and to provide a toner supply method and an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In the developing device 25, two-component developer, comprising toner and carrier, stored in a storage chamber R is supplied to a photoreceptor drum 22 while it is stirred, and thereby electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor drum 22 is developed to form a toner image. When the density of the toner in the storage chamber R reaches a near end level, the developing device 25 stops development. While stirring the toner, the developing device 25 then supplies the toner to the storage chamber R until the density of toner in the storage chamber R reaches a prescribed level. Thereafter, the developing device alternately performs a first toner stirring step for a first time such that development is stopped and the toner is stirred and a second stirring step for a second time such that development is stopped and the toner is supplied to the storage chamber R while being stirred. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
