Patent ID: 8326185
Filing Date: 2012-12-04
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said developing device comprising: a developing roller for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive drum; a developing portion in which said developing roller is provided; a developer accommodating portion for accommodating the developer to be used for development of the electrostatic latent image by said developing roller; a supply opening, provided between said developing portion and said developer accommodating portion, for supplying the developer from said developer accommodating portion; and a stirring member including (a) a supporting portion rotatably provided on said developer accommodating portion, and (b) a stirring portion provided on said supporting portion, said stirring portion including a sweeping edge provided at a free end of said stirring portion and extended in a rotational axial direction of said supporting portion, (c) first inclined portion connected to one end of said sweeping edge with respect to the rotational axial direction and inclined relative to said sweeping edge, and (d) a second inclined portion connected to the other end of said sweeping edge with respect to the rotational axial direction and inclined relative to said sweeping edge, wherein said stirring portion has a length measured in a longitudinal direction of a mounting portion mounted to said supporting portion that is longer than a length of said supply opening in the longitudinal direction, and said sweeping edge has a length that is shorter than the length of said supply opening, and wherein when said stirring member is rotated said sweeping edge enters said supply opening by the rotation thereof toward said supply opening.