| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device which has a plurality of developing sleeves disposed in the same developing container, which exhibits stable development performance free of image failure, a toner leak, and increases in the rotation loads of the developing sleeves and to provide an image forming apparatus having the developing device. <P>SOLUTION: The representative structure of the developing device 21 has a developing upper sleeve 23 and a developing lower sleeve 24 disposed close to and opposite to a photosensitive drum 1. The developing upper sleeve 23 and developing lower sleeve 24 are pivotally supported relative to the side walls of the developing container 22 storing developer and, in addition, a developing container 22, the developing upper sleeve 23 and developing lower sleeve 24 are integrated. The developing lower sleeve 24 is provided with an abutting roller 28 which is located on the same axial line as that of the developing lower sleeve 24 located at the furthest downstream in an image forming process out of the sleeves 23 and 24, is connected to the developing lower sleeve 24 so as to freely rotate, and is used for keeping the gap between the photosensitive drum 1 and the sleeve 24 constant by abutting on the photosensitive drum 1. The developing upper sleeve 23 is not provided with an abutting member for keeping the gap between the photosensitive drum 1 and the sleeve 23 constant. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
