Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Shinichi Oguri

Akio Ohno

Kiyoharu Tanaka

Kenji Yoshinaga

Yusaku Takada

Kenji Takeda

A plurality of developing devices or units are supported on a supporting member or turret which is rotatable to revolve the developing devices to move a desired developing device to a developing station where the developing operation is effected with the desired one of the developing devices. The developing devices are each provided with detecting elements for detecting the remaining amount of the developer or the concentration of the developer. The detecting elements are located at such a position that during the rotation of the supporting member the developer particles move with the rotation of the supporting member so that the detecting element is constantly cleaned by the moving developer.

Developing apparatus

A color image forming apparatus wherein a plurality of developing devices or units are supported on a supporting member or turret which is rotatable to revolve the developing devices to move a desired one of the developing devices to a developing station where the developing operation is effected with the desired one of the developing devices so that a color image is formed. The presence, absence or the amount of the developer within the developing devices are detected. When the detection indicates that the toner is to be supplied into a developing device, the developing device is moved to a predetermined developer supplying position, and then is stopped so that the developing device is supplied with the developer at the developer supplying position.

Growing community of inventors

Yokohama, Japan

Shinichi Oguri