Patent ID: 8036575

Claim:
A development device for containing a developer containing toner and carrier and developing an electrostatic latent image formed on an image carrier, the development device comprising: an inlet configured to supply fresh carrier to the development device; a developer carrier provided opposite the image carrier and configured to carry the developer to be supplied to the electrostatic latent image formed on the image carrier; a plurality of conveyance members configured to convey the developer contained in the development device in an axial direction of the development device to form a circulation path, the plurality of conveyance members including a first conveyance member provided opposite the developer carrier, and a second conveyance member provided at a position opposite the developer carrier and lower than the first conveyance member; an outlet provided in a wall of a conveyance path formed by one of the plurality of conveyance members and configured to discharge the developer to an outside of the conveyance path when an amount of the developer conveyed by the one of the plurality of conveyance members exceeds a predetermined height; and a discharge conveyance member configured to form a discharge conveyance path to convey the developer discharged from the outlet in the axial direction of the development device and to discharge the developer to an outside of the development device, wherein the discharge conveyance path is disposed within a length in which the circulation path formed by the plurality of conveyance members is provided in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the development device, and wherein a center of rotation of the discharge conveyance member is disposed higher than a center of rotation of the first conveyance member in a height direction of the development device.