| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To miniaturize a developing device which replenishes a developer replenishment part with toner by the use of a toner cartridge which is freely attachable/detachable to/from the toner receiving part of the developer replenishment part. CONSTITUTION:The entire developing device 11 is miniaturized so that the radius of the rotation of an agitator 15 which stires toner in the developer replenishment part extends to the inside of the toner cartridge 16 fitted in the upper part of the replenishment part 11. A projecting part 22 provided on the gear 21 of the agitator 15 is detected by a photosensor 23, and a control part 24 which controls the driving source 25 of the agitator 15 by the use of a signal from the sensor 23 exerts control so that the agitator 15 stops horizontally in relation to a dividing surface 20. This prevents the agitator 15 from hindering the attachment of a new cartridge 16 due to the stop of the agitator 15 in such a position that a part of the agitator 15 enters the toner cartridge 16. |
