Patent ID: 9134652
Filing Date: 2015-09-15
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developer carrying member, rotatable while carrying a developer, for supplying developer to an image bearing member; a developer supplying member, which is provided with a foam layer at its surface and is rotatably in contact with said developer carrying member, for supplying the developer to said developer carrying member; a first gear for transmitting a driving force to said developer supplying member; and a second gear for transmitting the driving force to said first gear; and an elastic member for pressing said first gear, wherein said first gear is movable between a first position where said first gear is positioned outside said second gear and is in non-contact with said second gear in a longitudinal direction of said developer supply member and a second position where said first gear engages with said second gear and receives the driving force from said second gear, wherein said developer supplying member includes a shaft provided with an engaging portion, and said first gear is provided with a hole engageable with said engaging portion, wherein before initial drive of said developer carrying member, said developer supplying member is disposed at an angle, where said engaging portion is prevented from entering the hole, to prevent movement of said first gear from the first position to the second position, and wherein during the initial drive of said developer carrying member, when said developer supplying member is rotated by a frictional force generated between said developer supplying member and said developer carrying member to assume a predetermined angle, said engaging portion is changed from a state in which said engaging portion cannot enter the hole to a state in which said engaging portion can enter the hole, and said first gear is moved from the first position to the second position by a pressing force of said elastic member while causing the engaging portion to enter the hole.