Patent ID: 8457522

Claim:
An image-forming apparatus comprising: an image-holding member casing that encases an image-holding member for holding an image, such that the image-holding member is partially exposed; an apparatus main body into which the image-holding member casing is inserted to a predetermined position; a developing device casing provided in the apparatus main body, the developing device casing encasing a developing device, such that the developing device is partially exposed, the developing device supplying developer to the image-holding member encased in the image-holding member casing inserted to the predetermined position; a pushing member provided in the apparatus main body to push the developing device casing in a first direction toward the image-holding member; and a contact portion provided on the image-holding member casing so as to contact the developing device casing for a predetermined period during insertion of the image-holding member casing toward the predetermined position in the apparatus main body, to push the developing device casing in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein, after the predetermined period, when the image-holding member casing reaches the predetermined position, the contact portion does not push the developing device casing in the second direction, wherein the developing device is rotatable about a shaft, the developing device casing is provided with a distance-maintaining member for maintaining a distance between the developing device and the image-holding member, the distance-maintaining member being rotatable about the shaft while being in contact with the image-holding member, and the contact portion contacts the distance-maintaining member to push the developing device casing when the image-holding member casing is inserted into the apparatus main body.