Developing device provided with toner concentration detection section and image forming apparatus provided with same

A developing device comprising:

• a container storing developer;
• a stirring member stirring the developer stored in the container while making rotation;
• a developing roller supplying the developer to a photoconductor;
• a toner concentration detection section having a detection surface exposed inside of the container and detecting concentration of a toner in the container;
• a stirring plate extending in a direction along a rotary shaft of the stirring member and a radial direction orthogonal to the direction along the rotary shaft, being attached to the rotary shaft of the stirring member in a manner such as to be rotatable together with the rotary shaft, and having a tip part located in the radial direction at a predefined distance from the detection surface;
• and
• an elastic member having elasticity, being attached to the stirring plate in a manner such as to surround a one-side surface, an another-side surface, and the tip part in a rotation direction of the stirring plate, having a sufficient length in the radial direction enough to abut the detection surface, and making sliding-contact with the detection surface while rotating together with the stirring plate,
• wherein the elastic member is formed of a sheet-type elastic body,
• the elastic member is attached to the stirring plate by winding the elastic body around the one-side surface, the another-side surface, and the tip part, and
• a space having a predefined length in the radial direction is formed between the tip part and an inner surface of the elastic member opposing the tip part.