Patent ID: 8918024
Filing Date: 2014-12-23
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A development device comprising: a main unit having a developer stored therein and having formed therein: a first stirring member that extends in the longitudinal direction within the first space and that conveys the developer in the longitudinal direction from the second end side of the main unit toward the first end side while stirring; a second stirring member that is positioned within the first space between the first stirring member and the second space, that extends in the longitudinal direction, and that conveys the developer in the longitudinal direction from the second end side of the main unit toward the first end side while stirring; a conveyance member that extends in the longitudinal direction within the second space and that conveys the developer flowing in from the first communicating portion, in the longitudinal direction from the first end side of the main unit toward the second end side, thereby sending the developer back to the first space via the second communicating portion; and a developer support member that extends in the longitudinal direction within the second space and that supports the developer being conveyed by the conveyance member, wherein, the main unit has a first bottom surface that faces the first stirring member and a second bottom surface that faces the second stirring member, and the first bottom surface has a bottom edge positioned higher than a bottom edge of the second bottom surface, wherein a boundary between the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface projects from a bottom surface of the first space to form an elongated protrusion that continuously extends in the longitudinal direction from the first end side of the main unit to the second end side between the first stirring member and the second stirring member, and wherein a to edge of the elongated protrusion is positioned lower than a central rotational axis of the first stirring member.