Patent ID: 7991318

Claim:
An image forming apparatus comprising: (a) an image carrier on which a latent image is formed; (b) a developing unit comprising a developer carrier arranged to face the image carrier and to form a developing nip portion therewith, which carries a developer including a toner that develops the latent image, and a developer regulating member that regulates a layer thickness of the developer carried on the developer carrier; (c) an air sending duct having an air sending path provided in the developing unit, which sends air to the developer carrier; and (d) a suction duct having a suction path provided in the developing unit, which sucks air from the developer carrier, wherein the developer regulating member is arranged on a side of the air sending duct, and the air sending path and the suction path are arranged to be connected with each other by forming a space surrounded by a surface of the developer carrier, the developer regulating member and a wall forming the suction path.