US 7,587,154 B2
Developing unit and image forming apparatus using the same
Masahiro Sakai, Osaka (Japan); Shuichi Akedo, Sakai (Japan); Shigeki Hayashi, Ikoma-gun (Japan); and Teruyoshi Sudoh, Yamatokoriyama (Japan)
Assigned to Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka (Japan)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/956,382.
Claims priority of application No. 2007-003954 (JP), filed on Jan. 12, 2007.
Prior Publication US 2008/0170876 A1, Jul. 17, 2008
Int. Cl. G03G 21/20 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 399—92  [399/93; 399/94; 399/98; 399/99] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
10. A developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image on the outer peripheral surface of a latent image bearing member, comprising:
a developing roller located at a front of the developing unit, the developing roller conveying developer to the latent image bearing member;
a carrier collecting roller located at the front of the developing unit at a downstream side of the developing roller with respect to a rotational direction of the latent image bearing member;
a cooling duct located on a bottom of the developing unit, the cooling duct conducting a cooling airflow that cools the developing unit, wherein the cooling airflow exits the cooling duct at a rear of the developing unit; and
a suction duct located under the cooling duct, the suction duct conducting a suction airflow from a lower side of the carrier collecting roller, the suction airflow collecting scattered toner, wherein the suction airflow exits the suction duct at a rear of the developing unit.