Patent ID: 7529509
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device comprising: a developing unit having a developer storage chamber for storing a developer composed of a toner and a carrier, in which a developer agitating carrying member and a developer holding member capable of holding and carrying the developer agitated and carried by the developer agitating carrying member are disposed in the developer storage chamber; and an auxiliary developing unit for supplementing development for the developing unit, the auxiliary developing unit connected in communication with the developing unit and having an auxiliary storage chamber for storing the developer containing at least one of the toner and the carrier, wherein: the developer storage chamber of the developing unit and the auxiliary storage chamber of the auxiliary developing unit are disposed adjacently via a bulkhead; a dispenser chamber that can supply or withdraw a fixed amount of developer is formed in communication with the developer storage chamber and the auxiliary storage chamber inside the bulkhead; and a dispenser member for carrying a fixed amount of developer is disposed within the dispenser chamber; wherein the bulkhead includes a thin wall portion for partitioning the developer storage chamber and the auxiliary storage chamber, and a thick wall portion; wherein the dispenser chamber is formed within the thick wall portion; and wherein the dispenser member is provided directly below the thin wall portion.