Patent ID: 8275287

Claim:
A developing device comprising: a chassis having an opening that faces upward, in a state in which the developing device is attached to an image forming apparatus main body; a developer carrying member configured to carry a developer while rotating; a thickness regulating member configured to regulate a thickness of the developer carried on the surface of the developer carrying member; a supply member configured to supply the developer to the developer carrying member; and a first conveying member that faces the supply member, and includes a rotational axis around which the first conveying member is configured to rotate in order to convey the developer in an axial direction of the first conveying member from one side of the developer carrying member to the other side thereof, wherein the developer carrying member, the thickness regulating member, the supply member, and the first conveying member are provided within the chassis; the developer carrying member is arranged such that an upper portion of the developer carrying member is exposed from the opening; and the thickness regulating member and the supply member are arranged below the developer carrying member; wherein the thickness regulating member contacts the surface of the developer carrying member from underneath the developer carrying member and below a horizontal plane that passes through a rotational axis of the developer carrying member.