Patent ID: 6512897
Filing Date: 2003-01-28
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing device to be used for a main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus to develop an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said developing device comprising:a developer bearing member for supplying developer to said electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on said electrophotographic photosensitive member; a developer regulating member for regulating the amount of developer adhering to a surface of said developer bearing member; an electrode member arranged in a traveling route of the developer removed from the surface of said developer bearing member by said developer regulating member to guide the traveling developer in a direction away from said developer bearing member; an output member for outputting a voltage value corresponding to the amount of developer between said developer bearing member and said electrode member in order to detect the developer remaining amount; and a developer in-flow restricting member arranged for preventing the developer from flowing into a side of a surface of said developer regulating member opposite to a surface of said developer regulating member opposed to said developer bearing member, wherein said developer in-flow restricting member cooperates with said developer regulating member and said electrode member to define an enclosed space, into which no developer flows.