Patent ID: 6889024

Claim:
An image-forming apparatus comprising: a photoconductor on which a latent image can be formed; and a moving member having at least two attaching/detaching sections to/from each of which one of at least two developing units can be attached/detached, each of said developing units having a developer container for containing developer that is capable of developing the latent image formed on said photoconductor; wherein said developer in said developer container is stirred by moving said moving member when none of said at least two developing units attached to each of said at least two attaching/detaching sections is developing a latent image formed on said photoconductor, and a timing for moving said moving member to stir the developer in said developer container is variable; and wherein said timing for moving said moving member is made variable according to information obtained when only a predetermined one said developing unit, among said at least two developing units attached to each of said at least two attached/detaching sections, has continuously developed a image formed on said photoconductor.