Developing device and image forming apparatus therewith

A developing device comprising:

• a developer container having a first transport passage and a second transport passage arranged substantially parallel to each other, the developer container storing developer containing toner;
• a developer carrier rotatably supported on the developer container, the developer carrier carrying, on a surface thereof, the developer inside the second transport passage;
• a first stirring/transporting member comprising a rotary shaft and a transport blade formed on a circumferential surface of the rotary shaft, the first stirring/transporting member stirring and transporting the developer inside the first transport passage;
• a second stirring/transporting member stirring and transporting the developer inside the second transport passage in a direction opposite to the first stirring/transporting member;
• a first developer passing portion through which the developer is delivered from the first transport passage to the second transport passage;
• a second developer passing portion through which the developer is delivered from the second transport passage to the first transport passage;
• a paddle portion formed in a part of the first stirring/transporting member facing the first developer passing portion, the paddle portion being devoid of the rotary shaft and including a plurality of first ribs parallel to the rotary shaft,
• wherein the paddle portion is in a shape of a frame having a rectangular shape as seen in a plan view by being surrounded by
• the transport blade, which is located at a most downstream-side end with respect to the developer transport direction,
• two of the first ribs, which extend from the transport blade parallel to the rotary shaft, and
• a second rib, which couples together respective end parts of the first ribs and which extends perpendicularly to the rotary shaft, the rotary shaft being connected to a face of the second rib facing away from a face thereof to which the first ribs are coupled.