JP3440435B2 - Color image forming equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus equipped with a rotary developing device using an electrophotographic system, an electrostatic recording system or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a color image forming apparatus equipped with a rotary type developing device utilizing an electrophotographic method or the like, a method of detecting a toner end of a cartridge containing toner to be supplied to a developing device and a cartridge of a color which has become the toner end The method of requesting the replacement of the cartridge is to detect it by a common optical type detection means that does not contact the detection target and does not move due to the rotation of the rotary developing device, and rotationally moves the empty cartridge to a predetermined replacement position. Things to stop (JP-93034
72) and the like are known.

[0003]

In the rotary type developing device in which the cartridge rotates together with the developing device, since the rotation speed at the time of switching of each color is high, the toner flowing back from the hopper portion or the toner end detecting means described above is detected. Residual toner above the detection amount flows inside the cartridge and does not fall from the toner outlet of the cartridge to the hopper, resulting in deterioration of the image. Also, when the cartridge is replaced, toner remains inside and wastes. At the same time, there is a problem in that the particles are scattered when the cartridge is replaced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and an object of the present invention is to surely drop the toner in the cartridge to the end such as a hopper portion which is a toner receiving portion on the developing device side. It is to provide a color image forming apparatus capable of performing the above.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with a plurality of developing devices which are rotatably supported around a rotation shaft and each contain a predetermined powder developer. And a toner cartridge provided corresponding to each developing device for replenishing the developing device with toner, the plurality of developing devices are rotated together with the respective toner cartridges, and a predetermined developing device carries a latent image. In a color image forming apparatus provided with a rotary developing device which brings the electrostatic latent image formed on the latent image bearing member into a visible image as a toner image by the developing device which is brought to a developing position facing the body, At least when the toner outlet of the cartridge is rotated in the direction of gravity, the developing device and the developing device are rotated at a rotational speed lower than the rotational speed for switching the developing device to the developing position during the printing operation. In which it characterized in that a control means for rotating the cartridge.

A color image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, characterized in that the control means is configured to perform the rotation during the print standby.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the rotation is performed when the cartridge is rotated to a predetermined replacement position in order to request replacement of the cartridge of the toner-end color. In addition, the above control means is configured.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the cartridge which is detected as having no toner is rotated by the control means, and then the presence or absence of toner in the cartridge is detected again. Moved to
When it is determined that the toner is out when the toner is detected again, the control means is provided to shift to the mode requesting the replacement of the cartridge, and to shift to the normal print mode when the toner is detected. It is characterized by that.

A color image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the control means is configured to stop the rotation for a moment when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches the rotational position facing the gravity direction. It is a feature.

A color image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the color image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the developing device and the cartridge are rotated a plurality of times forward and backward with respect to the rotation direction at the time when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches the rotation position facing the gravity direction. It is characterized in that the above-mentioned control means is constituted so as to make a minute rotation.

[0011]

In the color image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when the plurality of developing devices and the plurality of cartridges corresponding to the respective developing devices are integrally rotated, the toner discharge port of each cartridge is rotated in the direction of gravity. In addition, the stored toner that is moving while being guided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall of the cartridge by the rotation up to that time flows out from the toner discharge port by its own weight and is formed in the toner receiving portion such as the hopper portion on the developing device side. The toner moves to the toner receiving portion side through the receiving opening. In this way, the toner is mainly transferred from the cartridge to the developing device side, and at the time when the toner outlet of the cartridge rotates at least in the direction of gravity,
The developing device and the cartridge are rotated at a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed for switching the developing device brought to the developing position during the printing operation. As a result, as compared with the case where the developing device and the cartridge rotate at the developing device switching rotation speed brought to the developing position during the printing operation, the period in which the toner discharge port faces downward is extended, and the developing device and the cartridge move from the cartridge to the developing device. The toner transfer to the side should be performed well.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a color image forming apparatus (color laser printer) used in the present invention. In FIG.
Reference numeral 1 is a flexible belt-shaped photoconductor that is a belt-shaped image carrier.
The belt-shaped photosensitive member 1 is installed between rotating rollers 2 and 3 and is rotated clockwise by driving the rotating rollers.
Reference numeral 4 is a charging member serving as a charging means, 5 is a laser writing system unit serving as an image exposing means, and 6 is a rotary developing device having a plurality of developing means, that is, developing devices each containing a developer of a specific color. The laser writing system unit 5 is incorporated in the main body of the apparatus by being housed in a holding case having a slit-shaped exposure opening on the upper surface. The laser writing system unit 5 may be an optical system in which a light emitting portion and a converging optical transmission body are integrated, in addition to the optical system shown in the figure. The charging position by the charging member 4 and the optical writing position by the laser writing system unit 5 are set on one roller 2 of the plurality of rollers that bridge the belt-shaped photosensitive member 1. Each of the developing devices contains, for example, each of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developers, and each developing device is provided with a developing sleeve that comes close to or in contact with the belt-shaped photoconductor 1 at a predetermined position. Has the function of developing the latent image of No. 1 by non-contact development or contact development. 10 is an intermediate transfer belt which is a transfer image carrier,
The intermediate transfer belt 10 includes a driving roller 11 and a driven roller 1.
It is installed between the two and is rotated counterclockwise by the drive of the rotating roller. The belt-shaped photoconductor 1 and the intermediate transfer belt 10 are in contact with each other at the rotating roller 3, and the first visible image on the belt-shaped photoconductor 1 is the bias roller 13 provided in the intermediate transfer belt. Is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 10. Then, by repeating the same process, the second-time visible image, the third-time visible image, and the fourth-time visible image are sequentially overlapped on the intermediate transfer belt 10 to cause positional deviation. It is transferred so that it will not occur. A transfer roller 14 is provided so as to come into contact with and separate from the intermediate transfer belt 10. Reference numeral 15 is a cleaning device for the belt-shaped photosensitive member 1 provided on the rotating roller 2, and 16 is a cleaning device for the intermediate transfer belt 10. A blade 16A of the cleaning device 16 is provided.
Is kept at a position separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 during image formation, and is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10 as shown only during cleaning after image transfer. In addition,
The intermediate transfer belt 10 and the belt-shaped photoreceptor 1 are seamless belts.

The color image forming process by this color image forming apparatus is performed as follows. First, the formation of a multicolor image according to this embodiment is performed according to the following image forming system. That is, in the color image data input section, which is a separate image reading apparatus from the color image forming apparatus (not shown), the image sensor scans the original image to obtain data, and this data is processed by the image data processing section. Then, the image data is created. This image data is once stored in the image memory. The image data in the image memory is taken out at the time of recording and input to the color image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 which is a recording unit. That is, a color signal output from an image reading device that is separate from the color image forming device is input to the laser writing system unit 5.
Then, in the laser writing system unit 5, the laser beam generated by the semiconductor laser (not shown) is rotationally scanned by the polygon mirror 5B rotated by the drive motor 5A, and the optical path is bent by the mirror through the fθ lens 5C. Then, the charge is removed in advance by the charge removing lamp 21 and is exposed on the peripheral surface of the belt-shaped photoreceptor 1 that is uniformly charged by the charging member 4, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. Here, the image pattern to be exposed is a monochromatic image pattern when the desired full-color image is separated into yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. Each formed electrostatic latent image is developed by a rotary developing device by a yellow, magenta, cyan, and black developing device to form a monochromatic image. The monochromatic image formed on the belt-shaped photoconductor 1 rotates in the counterclockwise direction while being in contact with the belt-shaped photoconductor 1, and the intermediate transfer belt 10 is rotated.
Transcribed on. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black monochromatic images formed on the photosensitive belt 1 are sequentially superposed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 10. The yellow, magenta, cyan, and black images superposed on the intermediate transfer belt 10 are transferred onto the transfer paper which is conveyed from the paper feed table 17 through the paper feed roller 18 and the registration roller 19 to the transfer section.
Is transferred by. After the transfer is completed, the transfer paper is fixed on the fixing device 20.
Is fixed by and the full-color image is completed.

2 (a), 2 (b) and 2 (c)
Is a cartridge 23K, Y, M, C and a hopper unit 24 in the rotary developing device of the color image forming apparatus of FIG.
It is a figure showing only K, Y, M, and C. This hopper part 2
4K, Y, M, and C are provided exclusively for each developing device, and the inside communicates with the corresponding developing device and rotates integrally with each developing device (hereinafter , A plurality of developing devices that rotate together and a hopper are referred to as a rotating developing device). The above-mentioned cartridges 23K, Y, M, and C also contain the toner to be supplied to each developing device, and are detachably attached to the hopper portion of the corresponding developing device. FIG. 2A shows the home position (reference position) of the rotary developing device.
3K is at a position inclined by 30 ° with respect to the vertical direction, and when the printing operation is completed, it rotates to this position, stops, and enters a standby state. FIG. 2B shows the positional relationship at the time of development. In the state shown in the figure, the black (BK) developing device is in the process of development, and the BK cartridge 23K is at a position inclined by 20 ° with respect to the vertical direction. Has become. After the BK development is completed, the rotary developing device is rotated, and the other developing devices are sequentially moved to the developing position in the order of C → M → Y, and the developing operation is performed in each developing device, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. Return to home position. FIG. 2C shows a method of replacing the cartridge, in which the toner-end cartridge is rotated and moved to the upper part of the home position so that the user can easily replace the cartridge.

The toner end detection is performed during the development in which the rotation of the cartridge and the developing device is stopped. FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram of a detection unit 26 according to an example for this detection. In this example, for example, in FIG.
The cartridge that has rotated to the rotation position where the magenta cartridge 23M is located in the state of (b) is sequentially detected in a non-contact manner with the cartridge by using the common detection unit 26 including the light emitting unit 27 and the light receiving unit 28. Figure 3 (b)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a detection unit according to another example for the above detection. In this example, the hopper unit 24 is detected. For example, in the state shown in FIG. 2B, the hopper unit that has been rotated to the rotation position where the cyan cartridge 23C is located is
A common detection unit 26 including the light receiving unit 28 and the light receiving unit 28 is used to sequentially detect the hopper unit in a noncontact manner. For example, the detection unit 26 of either of these two examples may be used. Of course, a toner end detection unit other than this can also be adopted.

Here, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, since the rotational speed of the rotary developing device is conventionally high, the toner 30 remaining in the cartridge is replaced by the toner discharge port 29 (shown in the drawing) of the cartridge as indicated by an arrow 31. Passing through the hatched area), and as a result, it collides with the inner wall surface of the cartridge outer peripheral portion without falling into the toner receiving port formed in the hopper so as to face the discharge port, and remains in the cartridge. I will end up. For this reason, it has been a cause of image deterioration such as image deterioration due to insufficient toner supply to the developing device side, and a situation in which the toner in the cartridge cannot be used up. Therefore, in this embodiment,
When the toner discharge port 29 reaches a rotation position that faces downward in the direction of gravity (hereinafter, referred to as a lower direction in the direction of gravity), the residual toner 30 is rotated by rotating it at a speed slower than the normal rotation speed.
Is moved along the wall surface of the cartridge as indicated by an arrow 32, and the residual toner 30 can be completely dropped into the hopper 24.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electrical equipment for controlling the toner discharge port 29 of the cartridge to slowly rotate when it comes to the lower side in the direction of gravity. The CPU as the control means changes the frequency of the pulse sent to the stepping motor (revolver motor) for rotating the developing device via the I / O port by using the programs and data stored in the ROM and the RAM. Change the rotation speed of. Further, it controls the light emitting portion and the like of the detection unit 26 and takes in the detection signal from the light receiving portion. 6 to 9 are flowcharts of programs for controlling the CPU. In this embodiment, during printing standby and cartridge replacement, control is performed so that the rotation speed is slower than the rotation speed during printing operation.

First, in the main routine (not shown), when the printing operation is completed and the printer enters the standby state, the routine proceeds to the standby processing routine shown in FIG. 6 every time 10 sheets are printed. In this standby processing routine, the developing unit and the cartridge are rotated at a normal speed (STEP1), and the speed is reduced when it is determined that the toner outlet of the target cartridge has come to the lower side in the gravity direction (STEP2). The toner can be dropped from the toner discharge port into the hopper by rotating it by rotating (STEP 3). Then, when it is determined that the toner outlet has passed below the lower portion in the direction of gravity (STEP 4), it is determined whether control has been performed for all four colors (STEP 5). Return to position (STEP
6) Return to the main routine. By such a standby operation, it is possible to move the toner in the cartridge to the hopper unit side without lowering the print speed and causing the user to waste time.

Here, STEP3 and STE of FIG.
As an example of modification of P4, as shown in a dotted line block a in FIG. 6, the toner discharge port is controlled to stop for a moment when it comes to the lower side in the direction of gravity, and similarly, as shown in a dotted line block b, the forward and reverse directions are reversed. The residual toner in the cartridge can be dropped into the hopper more favorably by controlling the vibration by repeating the minute rotation.

Next, the case where the cartridge is replaced will be described in relation to the toner end detection. First, in the main routine, in order to detect the cartridge or hopper at the detection position during development,
The procedure advances to the toner end detection routine shown in (a). In this toner end detection routine, the light emitting unit is turned on (detection is executed) (STEP 1), and it is determined whether toner end is detected or not from the detection signal of the light receiving unit (STEP 2). If NO, the process returns to the main routine, and YES is determined. If so, the color is stored in the memory (STEP 3). This toner end detection routine is executed for each of the four colors.

If the toner end is detected for a certain color, the cartridge is replaced in the post-processing routine of FIG. 7B and the cartridge replacement routine of FIG. In the post-processing routine of FIG. 7B, the toner end color information stored in the memory is referred to
K → C → M → Y, in order from the color closest to the cartridge replacement position at the home position (STEP 1, 3,
5, 7) and exchange (STEPs 2, 4, 6, 8). This can minimize the time required to replace the cartridge and prevent the user from wasting time. In the cartridge replacement routine of FIG. 8, the rotary developing device and the cartridge are rotated at a normal speed (STEP 1), and when it is determined that the toner outlet of the cartridge of the color to be replaced has come to the lower side in the gravity direction (STEP 2). The toner can be dropped from the toner discharge port into the hopper by rotating at a low speed (STEP 3). In the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (c), since the position where the cartridge toner outlet is below the gravity direction is farther than the cartridge replacement position in the rotation direction, at the time when it is determined that the toner outlet has passed below the gravity direction (STEP 4 ) Reverse rotation with respect to the rotation direction (STEP 5), and when it is determined that the replacement position has been reached (STEP 6) stop rotation (ST 5).
EP7), and displays a message requesting replacement of the cartridge (S
When the user confirms that the cartridge has been replaced (STEP8), the display requesting replacement of the cartridge is turned off (STEP10), and the process returns to the post-processing routine. The confirmation of the replacement of the cartridge in STEP 9 is made by a signal from the sensor provided to detect whether the cartridge is set in the hopper or a signal from the opening / closing sensor of the front cover of the color image forming apparatus. You can

Further, as a method for improving the detection accuracy of the toner end detection, control is performed by the program of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b). First, the toner end color in the toner end detection routine shown in FIG. 7A is stored in the memory. Next, the process proceeds to the detection routine of FIG. 9A again, and the color in which the toner end is detected at the first detection is determined based on the color information stored in the memory (STEP 1, 3, 5, 7), and the detection execution routine is performed again. (STEP 2, 4, 6, 8). Figure 9 (b)
In the detection execution routine again, the developing device and the cartridge are rotated at the normal speed (STEP1), and when the toner discharge port of the cartridge of the color to be detected again comes to the lower side in the gravity direction (STEP2), the speed is reduced. Rotate and drop the residual toner from the toner outlet into the hopper (S
TEP3), when the toner outlet has passed the lower part in the direction of gravity (STEP4), the toner is rotated to the detection position at the normal speed (STEP5), detection is executed (STEP6), and if no toner is detected, detection is performed again. After returning to the routine and detecting the absence of toner (STEP 7), the color is stored (STEP 8), and after returning to the main routine,
The process proceeds to the post-processing routine and requests replacement of the cartridge.

As described above, the toner in the cartridge can be surely replenished in the hopper by the control and the re-detection at the time of the print standby, the cartridge replacement, and the image deterioration can be prevented and the toner can be used without waste. It is possible to prevent the toner from scattering when the cartridge is replaced.

[0024]

According to the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, the developing device and the cartridge are rotated by a predetermined control means for switching the developing device to bring the developing device and the cartridge to a developing position during a printing operation. Compared to the case of rotating at the rotation speed, the period in which the toner outlet is facing downward is set to be longer so that the toner can be moved from the cartridge to the developing device side favorably. It is possible to prevent the image from deteriorating due to a shortage of toner in the developing device due to poor toner movement to the developing device side. In addition, the amount of residual toner in the cartridge at the time when the toner end of the cartridge is detected, which occurs when the movement from the cartridge to the developing unit side is not good, can be reduced, so that the toner can be used without waste and the cartridge can be used. Toner scattering at the time of replacement can also be reduced.

Particularly, according to the color image forming apparatus of the second aspect, since the rotation of the developing device and the cartridge by the control means of the first aspect is performed during the print standby, for example,
Unlike the case where the rotation is performed during the continuous image forming operation, it is possible to prevent the image deterioration without lowering the print speed. (Hereafter, margin)

Further, according to the color image forming apparatus of the third aspect, when the cartridge for the color of the toner end is rotated and moved to a predetermined replacement position to request replacement,
Since the developing device and the cartridge are rotated by the control means according to the first aspect, the rotation of the developing device and the cartridge for moving the residual toner in the cartridge which has become the toner end to the developing device side is set to the predetermined value. The waiting time of the user can be shortened as compared with the case where the rotation for the rotational movement to the exchange position is performed separately. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the toner scattering and the like due to the cartridge replacement without causing the user to waste time.

Further, according to the color image forming apparatus of the present invention, after the cartridge which is detected as having no toner is rotated by the control means, the cartridge is put into a mode in which the presence or absence of toner in the cartridge is again detected. Since the presence / absence of toner is detected again after the shift, the toner end detection accuracy can be improved. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the toner end is erroneously detected, the cartridge in which the toner remains is exchanged, the toner is wasted, and a large amount of toner is scattered when the cartridge is exchanged. .

Further, according to the color image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, the rotation of the developing device and the cartridge by the control means of the first aspect is rotated at the time when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches the rotational position in which the direction of gravity is oriented. Is temporarily stopped, so that the proportion of the entire required time for the same rotation in the period in which the toner outlet faces the direction of gravity can be increased as compared to the case where such temporary stop is not performed. Therefore, the effect of claim 1 can be further enhanced.

Further, according to the color image forming apparatus of the sixth aspect, the developing device and the cartridge are rotated by the control means of the first aspect at the time when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches the rotation position in which the direction of gravity is reached. Since the container and the cartridge are micro-rotated several times in the normal and reverse directions with respect to the rotation direction, the ratio of the total time required for the same rotation in the period in which the toner outlet faces the direction of gravity is determined by It can be made larger than when not performing. Further, by swinging the toner in the cartridge by the forward and reverse minute rotation, it is possible to discharge the toner from the toner discharge port more favorably. Therefore, the effect of claim 1 can be further enhanced.

In order to reduce the time required for cartridge replacement so that the user does not need to waste time, in the color image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, the cartridge to be replaced is placed at a predetermined replacement position. When rotating, when the toner discharge port is farther in the rotation direction than the replacement position, rotate the toner discharge port in the reverse direction to move to the predetermined replacement position from the time when the toner discharge port reaches the rotation position facing the gravity direction. You may Further, in order to minimize the time required for replacement when the toners in the plurality of cartridges run out at the same time, the color image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 3 detects the absence of toners in the toners in the plurality of cartridges at the same time. After that, the empty cartridge closest to the replacement position in the rotation direction is rotated to the replacement position by the control described in claim 1, and after the user replaces the cartridge, the same applies to other empty cartridges. Alternatively, it may be rotated to the exchange position.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration front view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a home position position of a developing device. FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram showing a positional relationship during development.
FIG. 6C is an explanatory diagram showing a method for replacing a cartridge that has become a toner end.

FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a detection position when a cartridge is detected. (B) is an explanatory view showing a detection position when detecting the hopper unit.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a flow path of residual toner in the cartridge.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit configuration that enables control of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a standby processing routine.

FIG. 7A is a flowchart of a toner end detection routine. (B) is a flowchart of a post-processing routine.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a cartridge replacement routine.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart of a detection routine again.
(B) is a flowchart of the detection execution routine again.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 photoconductor belt A few rotating rollers 4 charging roller 5 Laser writing unit 5A drive motor 5B polygon mirror 5C fθ lens 6 Rotating developing device 10 Intermediate transfer belt 11 Drive roller 12 Driven roller 13 Bias roller 14 Transfer roller 15 Cleaning device for photoconductor belt 16 Cleaning blade for intermediate transfer belt 16A cleaning blade 17 Paper feed stand 18 Paper feed roller 19A Upper registration roller 20 Fixing device 21 Static elimination lamp 22 Mark sensor 23Y Yellow toner cartridge 23M Magenta Toner Cartridge 23C cyan toner cartridge 23K Black Toner Cartridge 24Y Yellow Hopper 24M magenta hopper 24C cyan hopper 24K black hopper 25 Development device partition 26 Toner end detection unit 27 Light emitting part 28 Light receiving part 29 Cartridge toner outlet 30 Remaining toner when replacing cartridge 31 Flow path of residual toner in conventional control 32 Flow path of residual toner in control of this embodiment

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Utsugu Fujishiro 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-7-152242 (JP, A) Hei 7-64365 (JP, A) JP 7-5742 (JP, A) JP 60-260073 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G03G 15 / 01-15/01 117 G03G 15/08-15/095

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A plurality of developing devices which are rotatably supported around a rotating shaft and each contain a predetermined powder developer, and the developing devices are provided corresponding to each developing device in order to replenish toner to the developing devices. A plurality of toner cartridges, the plurality of developing devices are rotated together with the toner cartridges, and a predetermined developing device is brought to a developing position facing the latent image carrier, and the developing device causes the latent image carrier to In a color image forming apparatus including a rotary developing device that visualizes the formed electrostatic latent image as a toner image, at the time when the toner discharge port of the cartridge rotates at least in the direction of gravity, development during a printing operation is performed. A color image including control means for rotating the developing device and the cartridge at a rotational speed lower than the rotational speed for switching the developing device brought to the position. Image forming device. 2. A color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to perform the rotation during print standby. 3. The control means according to claim 1, wherein the rotation is performed when the cartridge for the color of the toner-end color is rotationally moved to a predetermined replacement position to request replacement. And a color image forming apparatus. 4. The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge which has been detected as having no toner is rotated by the control means, and then the mode is shifted to a mode for again detecting the presence or absence of toner in the cartridge, and the toner is again removed. When it is determined that the toner is out when the toner is detected, the control means is provided for shifting to a mode requesting replacement of the cartridge, and when it is detected that toner is present, shifting to a normal print mode. Color image forming apparatus. 5. The color image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is configured to stop the rotation for a moment when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches the rotation position facing the gravity direction. 6. The control means according to claim 1, wherein when the toner discharge port of the cartridge reaches a rotational position facing the direction of gravity, the developing device and the cartridge are slightly rotated a plurality of times in the forward and reverse directions with respect to the rotational direction. A color image forming apparatus comprising: