Toner conveying method and device for an image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a developer that develops a latent image and makes a toner image on an image carrier for subsequent transfer to a transfer medium;
• a cleaning device positioned adjacent to said image carrier and configured to remove residual toner from said image carrier after said toner image is transferred from said image carrier;
• a powder pump having a rotor and a stator adapted to convey collected toner from said cleaning device in an coaxial direction of said rotor;
• an air pump that supplies an air flow to said powder pump, said powder pump conveying said residual toner with said air flow in a tube connected to said developing device via a joint;
• a fresh toner replenishing device coupled to said developing device and controllably configured to replenish fresh toner to said developing device;
• and
• a control circuit that controls said air pump such that said air pump stops supplying the air flow to said powder pump while said replenishing device replenishes the fresh toner.

A method of supplying toner in an image forming apparatus, comprising the steps of:

• developing a latent image with toner and making a toner image on an image carrier for subsequent transfer to a transfer medium;
• removing residual toner on said image carrier after the toner image is transferred;
• conveying the residual toner to a developer that performs said developing step, comprising the step of supplying an air flow to assist in the conveyance of said residual toner;
• replenishing said developer with fresh toner;
• and
• stopping the air flow when performing said replenishing step.