Patent ID: 6859627
Filing Date: 2005-02-22
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. A developing device for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an electrophotographic photosensitive member, said developing device being mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, said developing device comprising: a developer carrying member for feeding a developer to the electrophotographic photosensitive member to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member; a first electroconductive portion; a second electroconductive portion having a first portion for cooperating with said first electroconductive portion to provide an electrostatic capacity, wherein said first electroconductive portion and said second electroconductive portion are disposed in such a region that the developer is capable of entering between them, and wherein said second electroconductive portion has a second portion in which an electrostatic capacity is provided between said second portion of said second electroconductive portion and said developer carrying member; a first electrical contact for receiving a voltage to be applied to said first electroconductive portion from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; a developer carrying member electrical contact for receiving a voltage to be applied to said developer carrying member from the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus; and a second electrical contact for transmitting, to the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus, an electric signal corresponding to an electrostatic capacity between said first electroconductive portion and said first portion of said second electroconductive portion when a voltage is applied to said first electroconductive portion through said first electrical contact and corresponding also to an electrostatic capacity between said developer carrying member and said second portion of said second electroconductive portion when a voltage is applied to said developer carrying member through said developer carrying member electrical contact, to detect in substantially real time the remaining amount of the developer by the main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.