| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a toner conveying device which can suppress suction of air by a powder pump, and also to provide an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: An agitator 113 for a subtank agitates a toner in the subtank before the powder pump 130 starts sucking operation, so suppression of air by the powder pump 130 right after the start of the sucking operation by the powder pump 130 is suppressed. Consequently, the toner can excellently be sucked from the start to the end of the sucking operation by the powder pump 130. Further, the time for which the powder pump 130 sucks a specified amount of the toner can be made shorter than that when agitation by the agitator 113 for the subtank is started in synchronism with the start of the sucking operation by the powder pump 130. Consequently, the operation time of the powder pump 130 can be made shorter than that when agitation by the agitator 113 for the subtank is started in synchronism with the start of the sucking operation by the powder pump 130, thereby prolonging the life of the powder pump 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT |
