| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus having a developing device that restrains mechanical stress on developer without causing a toner agglomeration and retains a space-saving design. SOLUTION: In the image forming apparatus, an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier is developed, as a toner image, with developer held on a developer carrier incorporated in a developing means, residual developer on the image carrier is removed by a cleaning means after the transfer of the toner image to a transfer member, and the removed residual developer is repeatedly used for image formation by being directly returned to the developing means via a conveying means and a recycling path or returned from the recycling path via a developer supply tank storing fresh developer. The image forming apparatus is characterized by having an vibrating device that causes substantially vertical vibration in the direction of conveyance of the residual developer in the recycling path. COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT
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