Patent ID: 8000634
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrostatic latent image bearing member that has an electrostatic latent image formed thereon; a toner cartridge that contains toner and comprises a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a developing member that supplies the toner from the toner cartridge onto the electrostatic latent image bearing member, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image into a toner image; a transfer member that transfers the toner image from the electrostatic latent image bearing member to a recording medium; a developing device, to which the toner cartridge is removably coupled and which incorporates the developing member; a toner-circulating member that is incorporated in the developing device and that circulates toner between the developing device and the toner cartridge, wherein the toner-circulating member is positioned to be attached to the developing device when the toner cartridge is removed from the developing device; a drive-force output unit that is provided in the toner cartridge and that is configured to output to the developing device a drive force for driving the toner-circulating member; a drive-force input unit, to which the drive force to be outputted from the drive-force output unit is inputted; and a circulating-member driving unit that is provided in the developing device and that is configured to drive the toner-circulating member upon receiving the drive force outputted from the drive-force output unit while the toner cartridge is being coupled to the developing device, wherein the drive-force input unit is provided on the first side of the toner cartridge and the drive-force output unit is provided on the second side of the toner cartridge.