DEVELOPMENT DEVICE, PROCESS UNIT AND IMAGE FORMATION APPARATUS, AND MEASUREMENT METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT GAP

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a development device capable of securing an optical path of a laser beam for measuring a development gap even in a compact size.;SOLUTION: The development device comprises: a developer carrier 34 which is opposed to a latent image carrier 3a for carrying a latent image on its surface with a development gap G therebetween and carries a developer on its surface; developer conveying members 36, 38 for conveying the developer; and a development casing 32 for holding the developer carrier 34 and the developer conveying members 36, 38 as well as housing the developer therein. A measurement aperture 45 through which a laser beam L irradiated to measure a length of the development gap G passes is provided in the development casing 32. The development device is further configured such that an optical path connecting the measurement aperture 45 and the development gap G passes through the developer conveying member 38.;COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT