Patent ID: 7796921

Claim:
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an electrostatic latent image carrier configured to carry an electrostatic latent image; and a development unit configured to develop the electrostatic latent image, the development unit including a developer carrying member disposed opposite to the electrostatic latent image carrier, a first developer conveyance mechanism configured to supply a developer to the developer carrying member, and configured to carry the developer in a first conveyance direction, a second developer conveyance mechanism disposed below and oblique to the first developer conveyance mechanism, the second developer conveyance mechanism configured to convey the developer in a second conveyance direction that is substantially opposite to the first conveyance direction, and to transport the developer obliquely upwards to the first developer conveyance mechanism at a downstream side of the second developer conveyance mechanism, a third developer conveyance mechanism configured to collect the developer from the developer carrying member after an image is developed, and to convey the developer substantially in the first conveyance direction so as to transport the developer to the second developer conveyance mechanism at a downstream side of the third developer conveyance mechanism, and an opening area disposed at a position higher than a lowermost point of the first developer conveyance mechanism, and configured to allow the developer to drop from the first developer conveyance mechanism to the second developer conveyance mechanism.