Patent ID: 6704525
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
A developing device to be mounted on an electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body and used for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, comprising:a developing container; a first electrode attached to the inside of said developing container, said first electrode having an electric contact portion at one end thereof; a second electrode, wherein said first and said second electrodes are arranged so that the amount of a developer in said developing device is successively detected by the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body by detecting a value corresponding to the capacitance between said first and said second electrodes that is generated when voltage is impressed on said first or said second electrode; a first conductive member for electric conduction from the inside to the outside of said developing container, wherein said first conductive member and said first electrode are electrically connected through said electric contact portion; a second conductive member having a first contact portion electrically connected to said first conductive member and a second contact portion to be electrically connected to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body when said developing device is mounted on the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body, wherein said second contact portion transmits the value corresponding to the capacitance to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body so that the electrophotographic image forming apparatus main body detects the amount of the developer; and an elastic sealing member press-fit in a gap between said first conductive member and said developing container.