Image developing device, process cartridge including image developing device, and image forming device including image developing device

A process cartridge that is detachably attached to an image forming device, the process cartridge integrally supporting:

• a latent image supporting body configured to support a latent image;
• and
• at least one of units selected from a charging unit configured to uniformly charge the latent image supporting body;
• a developing unit configured to develop the latent image on the latent image supporting body;
• and a cleaning unit configured to clean the latent image supporting body,
• wherein the process toner cartridge includes an image developing device including
• a developer supporting body configured to support a developer and configured to convey the developer to a portion facing a latent image supporting body;
• a first conveyance path in which a first conveyance member is arranged, the first conveyance member being configured to convey the developer along an axis line direction of the developer supporting body;
• a second conveyance path in which a second conveyance member is arranged, the second conveyance path being configured to convey the developer in a direction opposite to the developer conveyance direction by the first conveyance member, the second conveyance member being arranged above the first conveyance path;
• and
• a partition member configured to partition the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and that has a first communication port and a second communication port, the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path being configured to communicate with each other at a first end portion and a second end portion in the axis line direction through the first communication port and the second communication port,
• wherein the image developing device includes a developer amount detection unit that includes an optical detection unit arranged in the second conveyance path and configured to optically detect an amount of the developer in the image forming device, and
• wherein a second developer conveyance speed by the second conveyance member is greater than a first developer conveyance speed by the first conveyance member so that the developer is caused to accumulate in the vicinity of the developer amount detection unit of the image developing device.

An image forming device comprising:

• a latent image supporting body configured to support a latent image;
• and
• an image developing unit configured to develop the latent image on the latent image supporting body,
• wherein the image developing device including
• a developer supporting body configured to support a developer and configured to convey the developer to a portion facing a latent image supporting body;
• a first conveyance path in which a first conveyance member is arranged, the first conveyance member being configured to convey the developer along an axis line direction of the developer supporting body;
• a second conveyance path in which a second conveyance member is arranged, the second conveyance path being configured to convey the developer in a direction opposite to the developer conveyance direction by the first conveyance member, the second conveyance member being arranged above the first conveyance path;
• and
• a partition member configured to partition the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and that has a first communication port and a second communication port, the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path being configured to communicate with each other at a first end portion and a second end portion in the axis line direction through the first communication port and the second communication port,
• wherein the image developing device includes a developer amount detection unit that includes an optical detection unit arranged in the second conveyance path and configured to optically detect an amount of the developer in the image forming device, and
• wherein a second developer conveyance speed by the second conveyance member is greater than a first developer conveyance speed by the first conveyance member so that the developer is caused to accumulate in the vicinity of the developer amount detection unit of the image developing device.