Patent ID: 8768225
Filing Date: 2014-07-01
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a rotating image carrier; a charging device that charges an outer surface of the image carrier; a latent image forming device that forms a latent image on the outer surface of the charged image carrier; a developing device that has a developer container that stores a developer including a toner and a carrier, and a developer holder that holds the developer stored in the developer container on the outer surface and rotates and transports the developer toward a developing region that faces the image carrier, and that develops the latent image of the image carrier as a visible image; a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the developer holder, and that generates a potential difference between the image carrier and the developer holder to form an electric field, by which toner is directed toward the latent image of the image carrier from the developer holder, in a developing region; and a transfer device that transfers the visible image of the image carrier to a medium, wherein the developer holder having a convex portion and a concave portion in an outer surface thereof and the volume resistivity of the convex portion is set to be larger than the volume resistivity of the concave portion.