Patent ID: 7509080
Filing Date: 2009-03-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing unit comprising: a conveying shaft provided within the developing unit and rotates; a developing conveying portion that is spiral-shaped, formed at an outer periphery of the conveying shaft, and conveys a developer in an axial direction as the conveying shaft rotates; a discharge opening provided in an inner wall surface that opposes the conveying shaft, and discharging the developer from the inner wall surface; an accumulating chamber accumulating the developer discharged from the discharge opening; and an opening/closing member that is plate-shaped, and opens and closes the discharge opening due to its own weight as a rotating body rotates, and is in an open state at a developing position, the developing unit being held at the rotating body, and successively being made to oppose a developing position of an image carrier due to rotation of the rotating body, the opening/closing member having an opening/closing fulcrum at a lower end portion of the opening/closing member at the developing position so as to guide the developer to the discharge opening.