DEVELOPING DEVICE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a developing device in which a conveying performance of developer is improved by suppressing stay of the developer on the developer conveyance passages of the developing device, and also to provide an image forming apparatus using the same. SOLUTION: The developing device 2 includes: a developer tank (developer storage section) 111 storing developer containing toner and magnetic carrier; a first conveyance passage (developer conveyance passage) P and a second conveyance passage Q, along which developer is conveyed; a first conveying member (developer conveying member) 112 and a second conveying member 113 disposed in the first conveyance passage P and the second conveyance passage Q, respectively, and used for conveying developer in the respective predetermined directions while agitating the developer; a developing roller (developer carrying member) 114; and a toner supply port 115a for supplying toner to the first conveyance passage P. In the developing device 2, the first and second conveyance passages P and Q are configured such that the ends 111a1 and 111a2 of the first conveyance passage P and second conveyance passage Q, which extend along the internal wall of the developing tank 111 in the direction of developer conveyance, are formed from a curved face. COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT