Patent ID: 8503892
Filing Date: 2013-08-06
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing unit comprising: a developer carrier that carries toner to convey the toner to an opposing portion opposing a latent image carrier; a toner supplying member having a porous surface layer that is rotated while kept in contact with the developer carrier to supply the toner to the developer carrier and to collect toner not used in development from the developer carrier; a toner storage storing therein toner; a stirring member that is rotated to stir the toner in the toner storage; a toner amount detecting unit that detects an amount of the toner remaining in the toner storage; a toner supplying unit that supplies toner from a toner container storing therein new toner to the toner storage based on a detection result of the toner amount detecting unit; and a toner removing member that removes the toner carried in the porous surface layer of the toner supplying member, wherein the toner removing member is arranged in a separable and contactable manner from and with the porous surface layer of the toner supplying member, and the developing unit has a stirring mode in which