DEVELOPING METHOD AND DEVICE

摘要

PURPOSE: To detect the remaining amount and consumption of developer by allowing an electrode having a dielectric layer on the surface to press-contact with a developer carrier and detecting capacitance between the electrode and the developer carrier. CONSTITUTION: A magnet 5 is installed in a developing sleeve 3 and toner T is held thereon and carried to the side of a photoreceptor drum. A voltage applying means 6 composed of AC and DC power sources 11 and 10, as a developing electric field generating means for developing an electrostatic latent image on the drum is connected to the sleeve 3 and controlled by a controller 9. Then, a conductive layer is formed on the surface of urethane rubber on the side of a developing blade 1 in a rubbing part 4 and connected to a residual toner detecting circuit 12. It detects a change in the thickness of an insulating toner layer on the developing sleeve 3 as the change in the capacitance between the conductive layer and the sleeve 3.