Patent ID: 8995883
Filing Date: 2015-03-31
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device, comprising: a developing container that accommodates a developer including toner, the developing container being separated into a developer supply passage, a first conveying chamber, and a second conveying chamber that are arranged substantially parallel to one another; a first agitating/conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer in the first conveying chamber; a second agitating/conveying member that agitates and conveys the developer in the second conveying chamber in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first agitating/conveying member agitates and conveys the developer; a developer supply member that supplies the developer existing in the developer supply passage into the first conveying chamber; a supply port disposed in the developer supply passage to be connected to a developer supply mechanism; and a supply section that is disposed between the developer supply passage and the first conveying chamber to supply the developer from the developer supply passage into the first conveying chamber therethrough, the supply section being located upstream from a downstream-side end portion of the developer supply passage but downstream from the supply port with respect to a direction in which the developer is conveyed in the developer supply passage, the developer supply member supplying the developer to the first conveying chamber through the supply section in a direction opposite to a direction in which the developer is conveyed in the first conveying chamber, wherein a rib is disposed in a portion of the supply section such that the rib extends upstream with respect to a rotation direction of the developer supply member when the supply section is viewed in an axial direction of the developer supply member; an edge of the rib is located downstream from a line connecting a center of the developer supply member and a center of the first agitating/conveying member with respect to the rotation direction of the developer supply member; the center of the developer supply member is located at a position higher than the center of the first agitating/conveying member; and in a case where the developer supply member supplies the developer to the first agitating/conveying member from below, the rib is formed as a rib that extends downward from an upper portion of the supply section such that the edge of the rib is located above the center of the developer supply member, while in a case where the developer supply member supplies the developer to the first agitating/conveying member from above, the rib is formed as a rib that extends upward from a lower portion of the supply section such that the edge of the rib is located below the center of the first agitating/conveying member.