JP2000231253A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the detection of residual toner quantity to be performed even when a continuous developing action is carried out where an arbitrary developing device is continuously activated in a developing position by making a constitution of a rotating type developing device so that a rotation for detection of residual toner quantity is carried out besides a rotation for switching over of a developing device in use. SOLUTION: The image forming device is constituted so that the rotation for detection of the residual toner quantity is carried out by the rotating type developing device besides the rotation for switching over the developing device in use. That is, a revolver developing device is installed in this device, a process control mode is activated when image output of a single color is continuously carried out and the rotation that is apart from the rotation for switch over of the developing device in use is carried out by the revolver type developing device. A yellow developing device 100Y, a cyan developing device 100C, a magenta developing device 100M and a black developing device 100K are retained around a rotating shaft of this revolver type developing device. Each of developing devices 100Y to 100K is provided with each of developing rolls 103Y, 103C, 103M and 103K as developer carryer.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a plurality of developing devices disposed around a rotation axis and a plurality of developing devices. And a toner container for replenishing the toner with the toner image is rotated integrally about the rotation axis, and any developing device is displaced to a developing position opposing the latent image carrier, and the latent image on the latent image carrier is displaced. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a rotary developing device that develops an image with toner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus having a rotary developing device (hereinafter referred to as a revolver developing device) in which a developing device and a toner container rotate integrally, a predetermined rotational position other than a developing position is set. A toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of toner is disposed at a position opposing the toner container of the developing device at the position, and the remaining amount of toner in the toner container of the developing device at the position is detected. Are known.

However, in this type of image forming apparatus, the remaining amount of toner is detected at a predetermined rotational position other than the above-described developing position. When the operation is performed, the remaining amount of toner in the developing device cannot be detected, and a problem occurs that the user cannot be urged to supply toner even when the toner in the toner container runs out.

Conventionally, a toner container is connected to each developing device so as to rotate together with a plurality of developing devices.
There is also known an image forming apparatus including a revolver developing device in which the toner in the toner container is replenished to each developing device by the gravity and the rotation at the time of the rotation.

However, in this type of image forming apparatus, since toner is supplied to the developing device by the rotation of the revolver developing device, a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the developing position is performed. When the operation is performed, there is a problem that the toner inside the developing device is exhausted without supplying toner to the developing device.

As a toner remaining amount detecting device for detecting the remaining amount of toner, a light emitting unit emits pulsed light a specified number of times after a certain period of time, and this light is transmitted to a measuring unit for measuring the presence or absence of toner. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a toner remaining amount detection device that transmits a transmitted light, receives the transmitted light at a light receiving unit, amplifies a received light signal at an amplification unit, and converts a signal output from the amplification unit into an integrated waveform by an integrator (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. HEI 3 (1991) -301). -196167).

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of toner remaining in the rotary developing device and the toner container. An image forming apparatus for detecting a remaining amount of toner in a toner container of a developing device at a predetermined rotation position other than the developing position, wherein the developing device detects only the remaining developing device. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of detecting the remaining amount of toner even when a continuous developing operation of continuously operating at a position is performed.

A second object is an image forming apparatus having the above-mentioned rotary developing device, wherein toner is supplied from the toner container to the developing device by the rotation of the rotary developing device. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of replenishing toner even when a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the developing position is performed.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of developing devices arranged around a rotation axis, and each of the plurality of developing devices. And a toner container for replenishing the toner with the toner image is rotated integrally about the rotation axis, and any developing device is displaced to a developing position opposing the latent image carrier, and the latent image on the latent image carrier is displaced. An image forming apparatus including: a rotary developing device that develops an image with toner; and a toner remaining amount detecting unit that detects a remaining amount of toner in a toner container of a developing device at a predetermined rotation position other than the development position. The rotary developing device performs a rotation for detecting the remaining amount of toner separately from a rotation for switching a developing device to be used.

In this image forming apparatus, the rotary developing device performs rotation for detecting the remaining amount of toner separately from the rotation for switching the developing device to be used. This allows
When a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the developing position is performed, the rotation for detecting the remaining amount of toner is performed to detect the remaining amount of toner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of developing devices are provided around a rotation axis, and a plurality of developing devices are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of developing devices. A plurality of toner containers accommodating toner to be replenished therein through a communicating portion with the developing device, and the plurality of toner containers integrated with the plurality of developing devices and the rotation shaft as a center. A developing device for rotating the developing device to a developing position opposed to the latent image carrier, and developing the latent image on the latent image carrier with toner. In an image forming apparatus that replenishes toner in the toner container to a corresponding developing device by rotating the device, the rotary developing device separates rotation for switching a developing device to be used, and supplies toner for replenishing toner. It is characterized in that rotation is performed.

In this image forming apparatus, the rotary developing device performs a rotation for supplying toner separately from a rotation for switching a developing device to be used. Thus, when a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the above-described developing position is performed, the toner is supplied into the developing device by performing rotation for supplying toner.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus of the first or second aspect, the rotation for detecting the remaining amount of toner or the rotation for replenishing the toner changes an image forming process condition. It is characterized by rotation during operation.

In this image forming apparatus, the toner remaining amount is detected or the toner is replenished by rotation during operation of the process control mode for changing image forming process conditions. Thus, it is not necessary to secure a time for rotating the rotary developing device only for detecting the remaining amount of toner or supplying toner.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic printer (hereinafter, referred to as a printer) as an image forming apparatus will be described below.

First, a schematic configuration of the printer will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a cross section of the printer of the present embodiment. In FIG. 1, a flexible photoreceptor belt (hereinafter, referred to as a photoreceptor belt) 1 as a latent image carrier is stretched between rotating rollers 2 and 3, and is driven by the rotation of the rotating roller 2, as indicated by an arrow in the figure. It is transported in the direction A (clockwise).
Below the photoreceptor belt 1, a charging charger 4 for uniformly charging the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 and a laser writing system unit 5 for exposing the surface to carry an electrostatic latent image ( Hereinafter, a writing unit) is provided. On the left side of the photoreceptor belt 1 in the figure, a revolver developing device 6 as a rotary developing device for holding four developing devices using yellow, cyan, magenta and black developers respectively around a rotation axis. Are arranged. Further, on the right side of the photoreceptor belt 1 in the figure, an intermediate transfer belt 10 for intermediately transferring an image in an image forming process is stretched between rotating rollers 11 and 12, and the rotating roller 11 is Is conveyed in the direction of arrow B (counterclockwise) in the figure.

The photosensitive belt 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 10 are pressed by the rotating roller 3 to form a contact portion. A bias roller 13 having conductivity is disposed on the side of the intermediate transfer belt 10 at the contact portion, and applies a transfer bias while making contact with the back surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 under predetermined conditions.

The photoreceptor belt 1, the intermediate transfer belt, the above-described rollers 2, 3, 11, and 12, and the rollers 14, 19, and 20, which will be described later, are provided in a process cartridge 31. Is configured to be detachable from the printer body.

The main body structure includes a main body frame 9 as a stationary housing and a front frame 8 as a front housing. The front frame 8 is rotatably supported by a support shaft (not shown), and has a structure that can be opened as shown in FIG. 2 to replace the revolver developing device 6 and the like due to the life thereof and further process jammed paper. Easy going. At this time, the other imaging units are immobile, and no problems such as toner scattering and leakage occur.

Next, the image forming operation of the printer will be described. In FIG. 1, after the surface of a photoreceptor belt 1 is uniformly charged by a charger 4, it is scanned and exposed by a writing unit 5 based on image information to carry an electrostatic latent image. This image information is monochrome image information obtained by decomposing a desired full-color image into yellow, cyan, magenta, and black color information. In addition, the operation exposure,
A laser beam L emitted from a semiconductor laser (not shown) based on the image information is scanned and adjusted in optical path by an optical device (not shown). The single-color electrostatic latent image carried on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is developed in a single color with yellow, cyan, magenta, or black toner by a revolver developing device 6 described later, and is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10. This transfer is sequentially performed so that the developed images of all four colors are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10. Specifically, each monochromatic developed image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 is affected by the pressing force of the bias roller 13 and the transfer bias when passing through the contact portion.
The image is transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 10 that rotates while contacting with the photosensitive belt 1 in synchronization.

In the printer of the present embodiment, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1 in the order of yellow, cyan, magenta, and black, and each developed image is developed into yellow, cyan, magenta, and black. Intermediate transfer belt 1 in order
0 and transferred. When all color images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10, the image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 becomes a full color image.

On the other hand, on the paper cassette 17 side, the paper feed roller 18 is driven at a timing when a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 10, and the driving paper 17A is discharged from the paper cassette 17 by this drive. Paper. The discharged transfer paper 17A is transported by the transport rollers 19a and 1
9b and between the registration rollers 20a and 20b, the sheet is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 10 and the transfer roller 14, and the full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 10 is collectively transferred. Then, the full-color image is fixed by being conveyed to the fixing device 80, and is discharged from the discharge rollers 81a and 81b.
And is discharged onto the printer paper stacking section 82 through the interval between.

A cleaning blade 15a of a cleaning device 15 is in contact with the photosensitive belt 1 on the downstream side of the contact portion.
Residual toner that has not been transferred onto the photosensitive belt 1 is mechanically scraped off from the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1. The scraped toner is stored in the waste toner collecting container 15c of the cleaning device 15.

Further, a similar cleaning device 16 is also in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 10, whereby the residual toner not transferred to the transfer paper 17A is mechanically scraped off from the intermediate transfer belt 10. . However, the cleaning blade 16a of the cleaning device 16 is held at a position separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 during the image forming operation, and contacts the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 after the full-color image is transferred onto the transfer paper 17A. Touch

The waste toner scraped off by the cleaning blade 16a is conveyed by the auger 16b provided in the cleaning device 16 in the forward direction in the drawing.
Further, the toner is conveyed to the waste toner collecting container 15c by a conveying unit (not shown) provided on the front side of the process cartridge 31. This printer is configured so that the process cartridge 31 is replaced when a predetermined amount or more of waste toner is stored in the waste toner collecting container 15c, thereby extending the life of the process cartridge 31. I have. The case exterior portion of the process cartridge 31 on the side of the registration roller 20b also has a function as a paper conveyance guide.

Next, the revolver developing device will be described in detail. Since the developing units of the revolver developing device 6 have the same form and operate in the same manner, only the yellow developing unit 100Y will be described here, and the description of the other developing units will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the revolver developing device. As illustrated, the revolver developing device 6 holds a yellow developing device 100Y, a cyan developing device 100C, a magenta developing device 100M, and a black developing device 100K around a rotation axis O. Each developing unit 100Y, C,
Within M and K, developing rollers 103Y, C, M, and K as development carriers are provided, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the yellow developing unit 100Y is at the developing position. The developing roller 103Y is disposed so that a part thereof is exposed to the outside from the opening, and is rotated counterclockwise by a drive mechanism (not shown) in synchronization with the image information, and then moved to a position as shown in FIG. To contact the photoreceptor belt 1. Then, a yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image carried on the surface of the photoreceptor belt 1, and the electrostatic latent image is developed. In the printer of the present embodiment, a so-called one-component developing device that contains a non-magnetic one-component toner is used.
Are selectively moved to the developing position by the rotation of the revolver developing device 6 about the rotation axis O, and the photosensitive belt 1
The electrostatic latent images formed thereon are sequentially developed.

The developing roller 103Y is driven to rotate at a predetermined peripheral speed ratio so as to move the contact portion with the photosensitive belt 1 in the same direction (counterclockwise) as the photosensitive belt 1. Also,
On the side opposite to the opening side of the developing roller 103Y,
A supply roller 104Y is provided, and the developing roller 10Y is provided.
It is in contact with 3Y while forming a nip of a predetermined width. These supply rollers 104Y are also rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed ratio so as to move in the same direction as the developing roller 103Y in the nip.

In FIG. 3, developing units 100Y for each color are provided.
On one side of C, M, and K, toner hoppers 111Y, 111, C, M, and K as toner containers are provided, respectively.
In the printer of the present embodiment, the revolver developing device 6
The toner in the toner hopper 111 is stirred using the rotation. Hereinafter, the stirring and conveyance of the toner will be described.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are cross-sectional views showing the state of toner in the toner hopper 111Y of the yellow developing unit 100Y. In the normal image forming operation, as described above, the revolver developing device 6 is rotated in the direction of the arrow D in the figure, and the yellow developing device 100Y is positioned at the developing position (FIG. 7B) to perform the yellow developing operation. I do. Then, in order to sequentially develop the cyan image, the magenta image, and the black image, respectively, following the development of the yellow image, the revolver developing device 6 is sequentially rotated in the direction of arrow D, and each developing device 100 is moved to the position shown in FIG. , (D), and (a).

Inside the toner hopper 111Y, there is formed a toner supply port A as a communicating portion for supplying toner to the supply roller 104Y. The toner in the toner hopper 111Y moves in the toner hopper 111Y by its own weight while the revolver developing device 6 rotates, as shown in FIGS. Specifically, when the revolver developing device 6 moves and rotates from the state of FIG. 4B to the state of FIG. 4C, the toner in the toner hopper 111Y drops from the toner supply port A due to gravity, and furthermore, FIG.
From the state of (c) to the state of (d), the toner moves on the innermost wall in the rotation direction of the toner hopper 111Y. Then, when the toner hopper 1 is rotated to the developing position (b) through the state (a), the toner hopper 1
11Y toner is pumped to toner supply port A and taken out,
Thus, the toner is supplied from the toner supply port A onto the supply roller 104Y. Thus, the revolver developing device 6
The toner in each toner hopper 111 is agitated by the rotation of
00 is supplied with toner.

The toner supplied to the supply roller 104Y is quantified by the supply roller 104Y and supplied while being charged to the surface of the developing roller 103Y.
It is carried on the 03Y surface. Then, the developing roller 103Y
The toner on the surface is made into a thin layer having a uniform and predetermined thickness by a developing blade made of an elastic body (not shown), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive belt 1 by a contact or non-contact phenomenon.

Next, the toner remaining amount detecting means (hereinafter referred to as "toner end detecting means") in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an external view showing a detected portion 133 for toner end detection provided in the toner hopper 111.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the detected part 133 and a toner end sensor 150 as a toner end detecting unit. The toner end sensor 150 is connected to the same substrate 1
The light emitting unit 131 and the light receiving unit 132 are mounted on the device 30.

In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the detected portion 133 for detecting the toner end is provided by the toner end sensor 1.
A hollow light emitting unit facing recess 133a and a light receiving unit facing recess 133b are formed to protrude inside the outer peripheral surface 111a of the toner hopper 111 facing the 50 light emitting unit 131 and the light receiving unit 132, respectively.

The opposite wall surfaces of the pair of hollow recesses 133a and 133b have transparent portions 134a and 134b that are transparent to light from the light emitting portion 131. Also,
The light-emitting portion facing recess 133a has a reflecting portion 135a for reflecting light from the light-emitting portion 131 toward the transparent portion 134a, and the light-receiving portion facing recess 133b has a light-transmitting portion that receives light transmitted through the transparent portion 134b. A reflecting portion 135b for reflecting the light toward 132 is formed. Transparent part 134
a and b are cleaned by a pendulum-type cleaning tool 160. In the present embodiment, the reflection unit 13
5a and 5b are mirrors formed at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the optical axis from the light emitting unit 131.

The toner end detection in this embodiment is performed as follows. 5 and 6, first, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 131 is reflected by the reflecting unit 135a of the light emitting unit facing recess 133a formed on the outer peripheral surface 111a of the toner hopper facing the light emitting unit 131. The light passes through the transparent portion 134a. Here, the toner hopper 111
When the amount of toner in the inside is not less than a predetermined amount, the light transmitted through the transparent portion 134a is blocked by the toner, so that the light does not enter the transparent portion 134b of the concave portion 133b opposed to the light receiving portion.
Does not reach. On the other hand, when the toner amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the light transmitted through the transparent portion 134a is not blocked by the toner. The light is reflected and received by the light receiving unit 132. Thus, the light emitting unit 131
Is received by the light receiving unit 132 only when the toner amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount. Can be determined.

Although not shown, each of the toner hoppers 111 of each color is provided with a detected portion 133 for detecting a toner end. Further, the toner end sensor 150 is provided at a position on the main body side facing the toner hopper 111K of the black developing device 100K shown in FIG. 3, and is provided at a predetermined rotation position other than the development position. The toner end is detected for the toner hopper rotated to the facing portion. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the position of the yellow developing device 100Y is the developing position. At this time, toner end detection is performed on the developing device located at the bottom, that is, the toner hopper 111K of the black developing device 100K. As described above, when the revolver developing device 6 rotates and the cyan developing device 100C moves to the developing position, the detection of the yellow toner hopper 111Y is detected, and when the magenta developing device 100M moves to the developing position, the cyan toner hopper 111 When the black developing unit 100K moves to the developing position, the detection of the toner hopper 111M of magenta is performed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a toner end detection operation in the present embodiment. First, the revolver developing device 6 stops at a predetermined toner end detection position (step S1), and waits for two seconds so that the toner settles in the toner hopper 111 (step S2). Next, the toner end sensor 150 starts detecting the toner end in the toner hopper 111C five times at 10 second intervals (step S3). Then, it is determined whether or not the toner end is detected in all of the five detections (step S
4). If it is determined that the toner end has been detected five times, 1 is added to the count number N of the toner end counter (step S5). Next, the count N of the counter is read, and it is determined whether or not this value is 5 or more (step S6). Here, if the count number N is 5 or more, the fact that the color is out of toner is displayed on the display panel (step S7), and if not, the process is terminated. Also,
If the toner end is not detected five times in step S4,
The count number N of the toner end counter is read, and it is determined whether or not this value is 5 or more (step S8). If the count number N is 5 or more, it is determined that toner supply has been performed, and the counter is reset to 0 (step S9). As described above, the toner end detection is performed each time the developing operation is performed.

Next, the process control mode in this embodiment will be described. In the copying machine according to the present embodiment, the image quality fluctuation due to environmental fluctuation and temporal fluctuation is suppressed by operating the process control mode. Specifically, when the process control mode is operated, first, the developing capability of each color developing unit is detected. For example, it is possible to form an image of a certain toner pattern on the intermediate transfer belt 10 under the condition that the developing bias voltage is kept constant, detect the image density with an optical sensor, and grasp the developing ability from the density change. Then, the image quality can be kept constant by changing the set values of the image processing conditions such as the developing bias so that the developing ability becomes a predetermined target developing ability.

As described above, since the toner end detection is performed at a predetermined rotation position other than the development position,
When performing a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the above-described developing position, for example, when a monochrome output of only black is continuously performed, the toner end detection of the toner hopper 111K of the black developing device 100K is performed. Can not do
Even if the toner in the toner hopper 111K runs out, the user cannot be urged to supply toner.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the monochrome image output is continuously performed, the process control mode is operated to rotate the revolver developing device 6. Thereby, each developing device can be moved to a position facing the toner end sensor 150 to detect the toner end, so that when the toner end is detected, the user is notified and the toner replenishment can be prompted. .

As described above, since toner is supplied to each developing unit 100 by the rotation of the revolver developing device 6, when the output of a single color is continued for, for example, 100 or more sheets, the toner in the toner hopper 111 is removed. There is a possibility that the amount of toner in the toner supply port A becomes small and the toner cannot be supplied to the supply roller 104.

Therefore, even in such a case, by operating the process control mode, the revolver developing device 6 is rotated, the toner in the toner hopper 111 is moved to the toner supply port A, and the supply roller 104 is moved.
To supply the toner to the printer. According to this, it is possible to maintain a good image without image deterioration due to running out of toner.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the monochromatic image output is continuously performed, the process control mode is operated to rotate the revolver developing device 6 for switching the developing device to be used. Although an example of performing another rotation has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. But,
According to this, since it is not necessary to secure a time for rotating the revolver developing device 6 only for toner end detection or toner replenishment, there is an advantage in that the influence on the image forming time is small.

In this embodiment, an optical sensor is used as the toner end sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to the optical sensor, and a beam that can pass through the transmitting portion of the toner hopper and can be reflected by the reflecting portion can be applied. Any sensor that can detect the beam may be used.

[0047]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of toner even when a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the developing position is performed.
Therefore, when the toner end is detected, there is an excellent effect that the user can be prompted to replenish the toner.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, toner can be supplied even when a continuous developing operation in which only an arbitrary developing device is continuously operated at the developing position is performed. Therefore,
There is an excellent effect that a good image can be obtained without image deterioration due to running out of toner.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is no need to secure a time for rotating the rotary developing device only for detecting the remaining toner amount or replenishing the toner, so that the influence on the image forming time is small. There is an excellent effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a cross section of a printer according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the front frame of the printer is opened.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a revolver developing device of the printer.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are cross-sectional views each showing a state of toner in a toner hopper of a yellow developing device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a detected portion for toner end detection provided on the outer peripheral surface of the toner hopper.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship between the detected part and a toner end sensor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a toner end detection operation in the toner hopper.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 photoreceptor belt 4 charging charger 5 writing unit 6 revolver developing device 10 intermediate transfer belt 13 bias roller 14 transfer roller 15, 16 cleaning device 17 paper feed cassette 31 process unit 80 fixing device 100 developing device 103 developing roller 104 supply roller 111 toner Hopper 130 Substrate 131 Light emitting part 132 Light receiving part 133 Toner end detected part 133a Light emitting part facing concave part 133b Light receiving part facing concave part 134 Transparent part 135 Reflecting part 150 Toner end sensor 160 Cleaning part

Claims (3)

[Claims] A plurality of developing devices disposed around a rotation axis; and a toner container for replenishing toner to each of the plurality of development devices, integrally rotating about the rotation shaft. ,
A rotary developing device for displacing an arbitrary developing device to a developing position opposing the latent image carrier and developing the latent image on the latent image carrier with toner; and a developing device at a predetermined rotating position other than the developing position. An image forming apparatus comprising: a toner remaining amount detecting means for detecting a remaining amount of toner in the toner container. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the image forming apparatus is configured to perform rotation for image formation. 2. A plurality of developing devices disposed around a rotation axis, and toner provided for each of the plurality of developing devices for supplying toner through a communication portion with the developing devices. A plurality of toner containers housed therein, and the plurality of toner containers are integrally rotated around the plurality of developing devices and the rotation axis to oppose an arbitrary developing device to the latent image carrier. A rotary developing device that is displaced to a developing position and develops the latent image on the latent image carrier with toner, and the developing device corresponding to the toner in the toner container by rotating the rotary developing device. An image forming apparatus for replenishing toner, wherein the rotary developing device performs a rotation for toner replenishment separately from a rotation for switching a developing device to be used. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the rotation for detecting the remaining amount of toner or the rotation for replenishing the toner is a rotation when a process control mode for changing image forming process conditions is operated. An image forming apparatus, comprising: