Patent ID: 8369752
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus provided with a development apparatus, the development apparatus comprising: a developer storing part to store a two-component developer comprising a toner and a carrier for development of an electrostatic latent image carried on an image carrier; a developer supply mechanism to supply a supplying developer to the developer storing part; and a surplus developer removing section to remove a surplus two-component developer from the developer storing part; wherein said developer supply mechanism comprises: a toner storing part; a carrier storing part; a developer conveying path arranged between the toner storing part and the developer storing part, and between the carrier storing part and the developer storing part; a conveying mechanism arranged between the toner storing part and the developer storing part; and between the carrier storing part and the developer storing part; a toner supply amount control section to control a toner amount supplied from the toner storing part to the developer conveying path; and a carrier supply amount control section to control a carrier amount supplied from the carrier storing part to the developer conveying path; wherein said developer conveying path being provided with, on one end of the conveying path, a toner ejection outlet through which a toner stored in the toner storing part is ejected and a carrier ejection outlet through which a carrier stored in the carrier storing part is ejected, and on the other end, a supplying developer ejection outlet through which a supplying developer is ejected to the developer storing part; and the toner ejected through the toner ejection outlet and the carrier ejected through the carrier ejection outlet are conveyed from the one end toward the other end while being stirred by the conveying mechanism.