Patent ID: 8989606
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
1. An image forming apparatus performing a single color printing operation and a multiple color printing operation, comprising: an image forming portion for mounting a first image forming unit for forming an image in a first color, said image forming portion mounting a second image forming unit for forming an image in the first color in the single color printing operation, said image forming portion mounting a third image forming unit for forming an image in a second color different from the first color in the multiple color printing operation; a fixing portion disposed on a downstream, side of the first image forming unit, the second image forming unit, and the third image forming unit so that the second image forming unit is situated at a second furthest position from the fixing portion; and a control unit for controlling the image forming portion so that the second image forming unit is used relative to the first image forming unit in the single color printing operation, wherein said image forming portion is arranged to mount the first image forming unit at a first position, said image forming portion is arranged to mount the second image forming unit at a second position in the single color printing operation, and the third image forming unit at the second position in the multiple color printing operation, said image forming portion is arranged to mount a fourth image forming unit for forming an image in the first color at a third position in the single color printing operation, and a fifth image forming unit for forming an image in a third color different from the first color at the third position in the multiple color printing operation, said control unit is arranged to control the image forming portion so that the second image forming unit or the fourth image forming unit is used when both the second image forming unit and the fourth image forming unit not in the empty state in the single color printing operation using the first color, and said control unit is arranged to control the image forming portion so that the first image forming unit is used when both the second image forming unit and the fourth image forming unit become the empty state in the single color printing operation using the first color.