Patent ID: 8136916

Claim:
An image-forming apparatus, comprising: a head unit configured to include line-type recording heads for ejecting ink droplets; a transport mechanism disposed facing the recording head and configured to transport a sheet; a maintain-recovery mechanism disposed downstream from the transport mechanism in a direction in which the sheet is transported and configured to maintain and recover the line type recording heads; a head drive mechanism configured to move the head unit between a position facing the transport mechanism and a position facing the maintain-recovery mechanism in the direction in which the sheet is transported; a first base member configured to hold the head unit; and a second base member configured to hold the first base member movably at least in a vertical direction, wherein the transport mechanism is movable between a home position close to the recording head and a release position removed from the recording head, wherein the transport mechanism further comprises a gap control mechanism configured to control a size of a gap between a nozzle surface of the recording head in the head unit and a transport surface of the transport mechanism at the home position.