WO2008066016A1

WO2008066016A1 - Developer transfer apparatus and image forming apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008066016A1
Application number: PCT/JP2007/072808
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masataka Maeda
Original assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2007-11-27
Publication date: 2008-06-05
Also published as: JPWO2008066016A1; JP4508284B2

Abstract

A transfer plate (12) transfers a toner (T) to a section facing a photosensitive drum (5) by traveling-wave electric field. The toner (T) stored in a hopper (11) is transferred to the transfer plate (12) through transfer plates (13, 14, 15) by the traveling-wave electric field. Since the transfer plates (13, 14, 15) transfer the toner (T) from different areas of the hopper (11), nonuniform transfer of the toner (T) is suppressed by having the toner (T) transferred to the transfer plates (13, 14, 15) flow together on the transfer plate (12). Thus, the toner (T) can be uniformly transferred to a section facing the photosensitive drum (5).

Description

Specification

Developer transport device and image forming apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to a developer transport device that transports a charged developer by a traveling wave electric field, and

The present invention also relates to an image forming apparatus provided with the developer conveying device.

Background art

Conventionally, various developer transport devices that transport a charged developer using a transport body provided with a linear electrode that forms a traveling wave electric field by sequentially applying a voltage have been proposed. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-69903, the developer discharged from the developing container in response to the rotation of the agitator is made up to the surface of the developing sleeve by linear electrodes arranged at predetermined intervals in the developer conveying direction. It has been proposed to carry.

Disclosure of the invention

[0003] However, in this type of developer transport device, if there is unevenness in the developer accumulation state at the upstream end of the transport body in the developer transport direction, the developer is maintained while maintaining the unevenness. May be transported. For this reason, in the apparatus described in the above publication, a member is provided for uniformly regulating the developer at the end of the transport body downstream in the developer transport direction so as to regulate the developer to a constant layer thickness. . However, when such a member is provided, there is a case where the developer deteriorates earlier due to friction when the developer is applied.

[0004] Accordingly, the present invention provides a developer that uniformly feeds a developer to a portion facing a developer supply target in a developer transport device that transports a charged developer by a traveling wave electric field without providing a member that smoothes the developer. It was made for the purpose of making it possible to transport.

[0005] The developer transport device of the present invention made to achieve the above object includes a developer transport means for transporting a developer to a portion facing a developer supply target, and a traveling wave by sequentially applying a voltage. And a plurality of first transport members each having a linear electrode for forming an electric field and transporting the charged developer to the developer transport means.

[0006] In the developer transport device of the present invention configured as described above, a traveling wave electric field is formed in each of the plurality of first transport bodies by sequentially applying a voltage to the linear electrodes. The charged developer is transported to the developer transport means. Then, the developer transport means transports the developer transported by the plurality of first transport bodies to a portion facing the developer supply target. Thus, in the present invention, since the developer conveyed by the plurality of first conveying members having the linear electrodes merges on the developer conveying means, a member for leveling the developer need not be provided. Also, the developer can be uniformly conveyed to a portion facing the developer supply target.

[0007] Therefore, in the present invention, since the developer is not subjected to friction when being leveled, the durability of the developer can be improved.

[0008] Note that the present invention is not limited to the following configuration, but further includes a developer storage section that stores the charged developer, and the plurality of first transport bodies includes the developer. The developer may be transported to the developer transport means from different locations in the reservoir.

[0009] In this case, since the developer is transported to the developer transport means from different locations of the developer storage section, unevenness of the developer on the developer transport means is further suppressed, and the developer supply target is controlled. The developer can be conveyed more uniformly to the opposite portion.

[0010] Note that the developer conveying means may be a developing roller or the like that conveys the developer while carrying the developer on the peripheral surface and rotates, but the developer conveying means sequentially has a voltage. It may be constituted by a second transport body having a linear electrode that forms a traveling wave electric field when applied and transports the charged developer to a portion facing the developer supply target! /. In this case, the second transport body may be a separate body from the first transport body, but the linear electrode provided in the second transport body is the first transport body. It may be configured as a linear electrode and a series of electrode groups provided in any one of the above. In the latter case, the configuration of the apparatus can be further simplified.

[0011] Further, the end of the first transport body on the developer storage portion side (that is, the end on the developer transport direction improving flow side) may be arranged non-parallel to each other in plan view. Good. In this case, even if the developer accumulated in the developing agent reservoir is in a state in which striped irregularities are formed on the surface, the end of each first carrier is not irregular. Are arranged at different angles (in plan view). Therefore, in this case, the unevenness of the developer on the developer transport means can be further suppressed, and the developer can be transported more uniformly to the portion facing the developer supply target. [0012] Further, at least one of the end portions of the first transport body (that is, the downstream end portion in the developer transport direction) when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the developer path by the developer transport means. The developer conveying direction may be non-parallel to the developer conveying direction by the developer conveying means. In this case, even if the developer transported by the one first transport body is unevenly transported, when the developer moves from the end of the first transport body to the developer transport means, The unevenness of conveyance is dispersed. Therefore, in this case, the unevenness of the developer on the developer transport means can be further suppressed, and the developer can be transported more uniformly to the portion facing the developer supply target.

[0013] Further, the apparatus further includes an agitator that stirs the toner stored in the developer storage portion with a stirring member, and the linear electrode provided in the first transport body is disposed inside the stirring width of the stirring member. It may be arranged. In this case, since the developer is transported by the first transport body from the portion where the developer has been leveled by the stirring of the agitator, the unevenness of the developer on the developer transport means is further suppressed, and the developer is supplied. The imaging agent can be transported more uniformly to the portion facing the object.

[0014] Further, the developer transport means returns the developer that has not been supplied to the developer supply target even if transported to the facing portion to the developer storage portion, and the first transport body includes The developer may be transported from the side opposite to the side where the developer is returned by the developer transporting means of the developer storage section!

[0015] In this case, even if the developer conveying means returns the developer to the developer storing portion and the developer is unevenly accumulated in the portion where the developer is returned, the first conveying body Transports the developer from the side opposite to the position. For this reason, it is possible to suppress the unevenness of the accumulated state from being unevenly transported of the developer to the facing portion. Therefore, in this case, the unevenness of the developer on the developing agent transporting means can be further suppressed, and the developer can be transported more uniformly to the portion facing the developer supply target.

[0016] Further, the first transport body may transport the developer along a lower surface of the first transport body or in a vertical direction. In this case, an amount of developer exceeding the original transport capability of the first transport body falls due to gravity, and therefore, it is possible to suppress the uneven transport of the developer by the first transport body S. Therefore, in this case, unevenness of the developer on the developer conveying means In the same way, the force S can be controlled more satisfactorily and the developer S can be transported more evenly to the part facing the developer supply target.

[0017] Further, in such a developer transport apparatus, the plurality of first transport bodies include a developer transport direction by the developer transport means after the developer that merges on the developer transport means is merged with each other. The developer may be transported to the developer transport means so that the amount is substantially uniform in the orthogonal direction. In this case, the developer conveying means can convey the developer with less unevenness to the portion facing the developer supply target.

[0018] Further, in such a developer transport apparatus, the positions at which the plurality of first transport members supply the developer to the developer transport means are different in the developer transport direction by the developer transport means. There may be.

[0019] Further, the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed, the above-mentioned! /, And a transfer means for transferring the developer supplied to the electrostatic latent image carrier by the developer transport device to a recording medium.

[0020] In the image forming apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the electrostatic latent image carrier, and any one of the developer transport devices described above has its electrostatic latent image. The developer is transported using the carrier as the developer supply target. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image is uniformly developed by the developer conveyed uniformly by the developer conveying device as described above, and the developer is transferred to the recording medium by the transfer unit. . For this reason, in the present invention, it is possible to form a good image without density unevenness on the recording medium. Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main part of a laser printer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an internal side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the developing unit of the laser printer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an agitator of the developing unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the arrangement of each transport plate of the developing unit.

FIG. 5 is an internal side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a developing unit according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is an internal side view schematically showing an internal configuration of a developing unit of still another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating voltage applied to each electrode of an electrode group.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0022] [Entire configuration of laser printer]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the main part of a laser printer 1 to which the present invention is applied. The laser printer 1 of the present embodiment transports one sheet of paper P stored in a paper tray (not shown) and forms an image with toner T (see FIG. 2) on the surface of the paper P. Is.

As shown in FIG. 1, the laser printer 1 includes registration rollers 2 and 3 that appropriately lock the leading ends of the paper P supplied from the paper feed tray. The stopped paper P is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer roller 6 at a predetermined timing.

The photosensitive drum 5 has a drum main body grounded, and a positively charged photosensitive layer made of an organic photosensitive material such as polycarbonate is formed on the surface thereof. 1 is supported so as to be rotatable counterclockwise in FIG.

Further, on the outer periphery of the photosensitive drum 5, a charger 8, a laser scanner unit 9, and a developing unit 10 are disposed from the upstream side in the rotation direction. The charger 8 is a positively charged scorotron charger that generates corona discharge from a charging wire such as tungsten, and is configured to uniformly charge the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 to a positive polarity. . The laser scanner unit 9 emits a laser beam corresponding to image data input from the outside from a light source, scans the laser beam with a mirror surface of a polygon mirror that is driven to rotate by a polygon motor, and the like. Is a well-known one.

In addition, the developing unit 10 is disposed below the photosensitive drum 5 and supplies positively charged toner T to the surface of the photosensitive drum 5. In the present embodiment, a positively charged non-magnetic one-component polymer toner is used as the toner T.

For this reason, the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is first uniformly charged positively by the charger 8 as the photosensitive drum 5 rotates, and then the high speed of the laser beam from the laser scanner unit 9 is increased. Exposure is performed by scanning, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed.

Next, when the positively charged toner T is supplied from the developing unit 10 to the photosensitive drum 5, the toner T is an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5, that is, The surface of the photoconductive drum 5 that is uniformly positively charged is supplied to an exposed portion exposed to a laser beam and the potential is lowered, and is visualized by being selectively carried, Thereby, a toner image is achieved.

The transfer roller 6 is supported by the laser printer 1 so as to be rotatable in the clockwise direction in FIG. The transfer roller 6 has a metal roller shaft covered with a roller made of an ion conductive rubber material. During transfer, a transfer bias (transfer forward bias) is applied from a transfer bias application power source (not shown). It is configured as follows. Therefore, the toner image carried on the surface of the photosensitive drum 5 is transferred to the paper P while the paper P passes between the photosensitive drum 5 and the transfer roller 6. Although not shown, the paper P after the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing device including a heating roller and a pressure roller, and after the toner image is thermally fixed, the paper P is discharged to a discharge tray. The

[0030] [Configuration of development unit]

Next, FIG. 2 is an internal side view showing the internal configuration of the developing unit 10 to which the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 2, the developing unit 10 includes a hopper 11 that stores the toner T therein. The hopper 11 opens upward, and the opening faces the photosensitive drum 5 with a downward force. Further, the hopper 11 has a bottom surface inclined so as to gradually become deeper from one end side toward the other end side.

A transport plate 12 that transports the toner T to a portion facing the photosensitive drum 5 is provided at a position facing the opening of the hopper 11. In the hopper 11, a plurality of transport plates 13, 14, and 15 are provided for transporting the toner T stored in the hopper 11 to the transport plate 12.

The transport plate 12 is connected to the long inclined plate portion 12a and the long inclined plate portion 12a extending obliquely from the approximate center of the hopper 11 toward the vicinity of the portion facing the photosensitive drum 5, and the photosensitive drum 5 The horizontal plate portion 12b extends horizontally through the facing portion, and the short inclined plate portion 12c connected to the opposite side of the long inclined plate portion 12a of the horizontal plate portion 12b and inclined downward. Transport plate 12 A plurality of linear electrodes 22 are provided on the surface. Each of the linear electrodes 22 has a length over almost the entire width direction of the transport plate 12 (a direction intersecting the developer transport direction and perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 2). Are provided at equal intervals over almost the entire length direction (the direction in which the developer is conveyed). Further, the length of the linear electrode 22 in the width direction of the transport plate 12 is formed to be the same as or slightly longer than the maximum width capable of forming an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 5! / .

[0033] The transport plates 13, 14, and 15 are all connected to the long inclined plate portions 13a, 14a, and 15a that extend obliquely upward from the vicinity of the other end of the hopper 11, and the long inclined plate portions 13a, 14a, and 15a. The horizontal plate portions 13b, 14b and 15b extend horizontally to the vicinity of the surface of the long inclined plate portion 12a. A plurality of spring-like electrodes 23, 24, and 25 are provided on the surfaces of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15. Each of the linear electrodes 23, 24, and 25 has a length that extends almost in the width direction of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15, and extends almost in the length direction of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15 respectively. It is provided at regular intervals

[0034] Furthermore, each of these linear electrodes 23, 24, 25 has a Norse shape in which the phase is shifted by 90 ° between adjacent electrodes as shown in FIGS. 7 (A) to (D). The voltage is applied sequentially by the voltage supply unit 27. As a result, traveling wave electric fields are formed on the surfaces of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15. Therefore, the toner T stored on the other end side of the hopper 11 is transported on the transport plates 13, 14, 15 by the traveling wave electric field formed by the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25, Long Drops on the surface of the inclined plate part 12a. The positions where the toner T falls from the respective conveying plates 13, 14, 15 onto the long inclined plate portion 12a are different in the conveying direction of the toner T in the long inclined plate portion 12a.

In addition, similarly to the linear electrode 23 and the like, a pulsed voltage whose phase is shifted by 90 ° between adjacent electrodes is sequentially applied to each linear electrode 22 by the voltage supply unit 28. As a result, a traveling wave electric field is formed on the surface of the transport plate 12. For this reason, the toner T supplied to the long inclined plate portion 12a by the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25 is conveyed on the conveying plate 12 by the traveling wave electric field formed by the linear electrodes 22, and the photosensitive drum 5 Is supplied to the opposite part. Here, a part of the toner T is supplied to the photosensitive drum 5 according to the electrostatic latent image, and the toner T not supplied to the photosensitive drum 5 passes through the short inclined plate portion 12c and the one end of the hopper 11 is supplied to the photosensitive drum 5. Fall into The Further, the dropped toner T flows toward the other end due to the above-described inclination of the bottom surface of the hopper 11.

[0036] In addition, an agitator 30 that stirs toner particles stored in the hopper 11 and frictionally charges it is provided at the deepest portion on the other end side of the hopper 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the agitator 30 has a known structure in which two plate-like blades 32 are attached to a shaft 31 that is rotationally driven by a motor (not shown).

Further, as schematically shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, the width w 2 of the linear electrode 23 provided on the transport plate 13 is smaller than the width wl of the blade 32 in the direction of the axis 31 of the agitator 30. As a result, the linear electrode 23 of the conveying plate 13 conveys the toner T within the range of the agitation width in which the blade 32 spreads the toner T over at least the width of w2. Toner τ can be transported from V where there is little unevenness.

[0038] Further, the linear electrodes 23, 24, and 25 disposed on the upstream end portions 13d, 14d, and 15d of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15 in the toner transport direction are all arranged non-parallel in plan view. It is installed. Further, the end portions 13d, 14d, and 15d are arranged at different locations on the hopper 11. In FIG. 4, for the sake of convenience, a wavy line is drawn on the horizontal plate portion 12b, and illustration of a configuration downstream of the wavy line (such as the short inclined plate portion 12c) is omitted. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of the invention. The length of each of the transport plates 12, 13, 14, 15 in FIG. 4 and the mutual dimensional relationship are different from those in FIG. Yes. Further, the width of the transport plates 12, 13, 14, 15 (the width in the direction intersecting the toner T transport direction) is substantially the same as the force S shown in FIG. Become. That is, the transport width of the toner T transported on the transport plates 13, 14, 15 (that is, the width of the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25, for example, the width w2 of the linear electrode 23). It is desirable that the conveying width of the toner T in (i.e., the width of the linear electrode 22) is greater than the force w3. If the transport width of the toner T on the transport plates 13, 14, 15 is smaller than the transport width w3 of the toner T on the transport plate 12, the toner T does not fall on the end of the linear electrode 22 (that is, the linear electrode This is because the toner T falls only near the center of 22), and unevenness is formed in the width direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the width w3 of the linear electrode 22 is desirably wider than the effective width w4 of development on the photosensitive drum 5.

[Effect of the present embodiment] In the developing unit 10 configured as described above, the toner T is transported by the transport plates 13, 14, and 15 from the portion where the toner T is leveled by the agitator 30. In addition, the transport is made from different parts of the hopper 11, and the angle seen from the top of the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25 (see FIG. 2) for transport is also different at the ends 13d, 14d, 15d. Yes. For this reason, even if the toner T accumulation state in the hopper 11 is uneven, the unevenness is suppressed by the toner T transported from each part joining on the transport plate 12. The toner T that has been conveyed by the conveying plates 13, 14, 15, and merged on the conveying plate 12 is a direction perpendicular to the toner conveying direction on the conveying plate 12 (the width of the linear electrode 22). Direction), the layer thickness is substantially constant.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the transport direction of the toner T by the transport plates 14 and 15 is not the transport direction of the toner T by the transport plate 12 when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the long inclined plate portion 12a. Parallel. For this reason, even if the toner T transported on the surface of the transport plate 14 or 15 has uneven transport, the transport unevenness is dispersed when the toner T moves to the transport plate 12. Further, as described above, the force S that a part of the toner T is returned to the one end side of the hopper 11, and the end portions 13 d, 14 d, and 15 d of the transport plates 13, 14, and 15 are applied to the other end side of the hopper 11. It is arranged. For this reason, even if unevenness occurs in the accumulated state of the toner T due to the returned toner T, the unevenness in the accumulated state is suppressed from being unevenly conveyed in the toner T. In the above description, at least one of the forces described in the example in which all of the end portions 13d, 14d, 15d of the transport plates 13, 14, 15 are disposed on the other end side of the hopper 11 is described. Even if the two ends are configured in this way, there is an effect corresponding to that.

Therefore, in the developing unit 10 of the present embodiment, the toner T can be transported extremely uniformly to the horizontal plate portion 12b of the transport plate 12 (that is, the portion facing the photosensitive drum 5). For this reason, in the laser printer 1 of the present embodiment, the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 5 can be developed without unevenness, and a good image without unevenness in density can be formed on the paper P. it can.

[0042] [Another embodiment of the present invention]

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, transport plates 13, 14, 15 May be configured in a curved strip shape.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the conveying plate 12 is separated from the toner T stored in the hopper 11 and separated from the force T. FIG. 5 (Similar to FIG. Like the developing unit 110 illustrated in the internal side view schematically illustrating the configuration, the long inclined plate portion 12a of the conveying plate 12 is extended so that the toner T stored in the hopper 11 is inserted. May be. In this case, the toner T stored in the hopper 11 can be directly conveyed by the conveying plate 12. In this case, even if only one conveying plate 13, 14 and 15 is provided, unevenness can be suppressed by the joining of the toner T in this case.

Further, like the developing unit 210 illustrated in FIG. 6 (similar to FIG. 2, an internal side view schematically showing the internal configuration of the developing unit 10), the linear electrodes 23, 24, and 25 are conveyed. It may be provided on the lower surface of the plates 13, 14, 1 5. In this case, since the toner is transported along the lower surfaces of the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25, the transport efficiency of the toner T is reduced, but the toner T exceeding the original transport capability by the traveling wave electric field is caused by gravity. Since it falls, the unevenness of the toner T due to the linear electrodes 23, 24, and 25 can be more effectively suppressed. Therefore, the toner T can be conveyed to the photosensitive drum 5 more uniformly. Note that the same effect can be obtained when each of the linear electrodes 23, 24, and 25 conveys the toner T in the vertical direction. In the above description, all of the linear electrodes 23, 24, 25 are provided on the lower surfaces of the transport plates 13, 14, 15, and each linear electrode 23, 24, 25 is in the vertical direction. The force described in the example of transporting the electrode has an effect equivalent to at least one of the linear electrodes configured in this way.

[0045] Further, the developer transport means for transporting the toner T transported by the first transport body such as the transport plates 13, 14, 15 to a portion facing the developer supply target such as the photosensitive drum 5 is a line. Instead of the electrode 22, a developing roller or the like that conveys the toner T by carrying the toner T on the surface and rotating it may be adopted, or even if the linear electrode 22 conveys the toner T to the developing roller or the like. Good. Further, the first conveying body such as the conveying plates 13, 14, 15 is not limited to the one that conveys the toner T from the developer storage section such as the hopper 11, but conveys the toner T from other conveying means. It may be. In addition, the electrostatic latent image carrier may be formed in a belt shape, or an electrostatic latent image may be formed by a method other than exposure. Further, in FIG. 4, although there is a demerit that the force device described in the example in which the width w2 of the linear electrode 23 provided on the conveying plate 13 is smaller than the width wl of the blade 32 of the agitator 30 is increased, If an agitator with a large agitation width is provided so that the linear electrodes 24 and 25 provided on the conveyance plates 14 and 15 are also included in the agitation width of the blades 32, the unevenness of conveyance can be further suppressed. .

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] developer transport means for transporting the developer to a portion facing the developer supply target;

A plurality of first transport bodies each having a linear electrode that forms a traveling wave electric field by sequentially applying a voltage and transports the charged developer to the developer transport means; Developer transport device.

[2] A developer reservoir that stores the charged developer,

In addition,

2. The developer transport device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of first transport members transport the developer from different portions of the developer storage section to the developer transport unit. .

[3] The developer conveying means has a linear electrode that forms a traveling wave electric field by sequentially applying a voltage, and conveys the charged developer to a portion facing the developer supply target. 3. The developer conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the developer conveying device is constituted by a conveying member.

[4] The linear electrode provided in the second transport body and the linear electrode provided in any one of the first transport bodies are configured as a continuous electrode group. The developer conveying device according to claim 3.

[5] The linear electrode disposed at the end of the first transport body on the developer storage section side is disposed non-parallel in plan view. The developer conveying device according to any one of the above.

[6] When viewed from the direction perpendicular to the developer path by the developer transport means, at least one of the first transport members at the end in the developer transport direction by the first transport body The transport direction is the developer. 6. The developer conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the developer conveying device is non-parallel to a developer conveying direction by the conveying means.

[7] The apparatus further includes an agitator that stirs the toner stored in the developer storage section with a stirring member,

7. The developer transport device according to claim 2, wherein the linear electrode provided in the first transport body is disposed inside the stirring width of the stirring member.

[8] Even if the developer conveying means is conveyed to the facing portion, the developer is supplied to the developer supply target. Return the developer that has not been returned to the developer reservoir,

8. The first transport body transports the developer from a side of the developer reservoir that is opposite to a side where the developer is returned by the developer transport unit. 9. ! / Developer developer device as described in a deviation.

[9] The developer according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the first transport body transports the developer along a lower surface of the first transport body or in a vertical direction. Developer transport device.

[10] In the plurality of first transport bodies, the developer joining on the developer transport means has a substantially uniform amount in the direction perpendicular to the developer transport direction by the developer transport means after joining. The developer conveying device according to claim 9, wherein the developer is conveyed to the developer conveying means.

[11] The position at which the plurality of first transport members supply the developer to the developer transport means is a position that is different in the developer transport direction by the developer transport means. ; Developer conveying apparatus in any one of! -10.

[12] an electrostatic latent image carrier on which an electrostatic latent image is formed;

12. The developer conveying device according to claim 11, wherein the electrostatic latent image bearing member is the developer supply target;

Transfer means for transferring the developer supplied to the electrostatic latent image carrier by the developer conveying device to a recording medium;

An image forming apparatus comprising: