Switching device for switching transport directions of recording medium, and image forming apparatus

A switching device for switching transport directions of a recording medium, the switching device comprising:

• a switching member configured to switch transport paths of the recording medium;
• and
• at least one rotation stopper configured to hit the switching member to stop rotation of the switching member, wherein
• the at least one rotation stopper is disposed asymmetrically in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction in which the switching member transports the recording medium, wherein
• the switching member is configured to rotate in one direction due to movement of the recording medium, and rotate in a direction opposite to the one direction via gravitational force,
• the at least one rotation stopper is disposed at least at one position in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the switching member,
• no rotation stopper is disposed at a central portion of the switching member in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the switching member,
• the switching member includes a guide portion configured to come into contact with the recording medium and guide the recording medium, and
• the rotation stopper is configured to hit the guide portion.

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a transport path on which a recording medium is transported;
• an image forming unit configured to form an image on the recording medium transported on the transport path;
• and
• a switching device configured to switch transport directions of the recording medium transported on the transport path, wherein
• the switching device comprises
• a switching member configured to switch the transport path and another transport path;
• and
• a rotation stopper configured to hit the switching member to stop rotation of the switching member, and
• the rotation stopper is disposed asymmetrically in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction in which the switching member transports the recording medium,
• wherein the switching member is configured to rotate in one direction due to movement of the recording medium, and rotate in a direction opposite to the one direction via gravitational force,
• the at least one rotation stopper comprises a plurality of rotation stoppers, and
• the rotation stoppers are disposed at a plurality of positions, in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, of the switching member.

A switching device for switching transport directions of a recording medium, the switching device comprising:

• switching means for switching transport paths of the recording medium;
• and
• rotation stopping means for hitting the switching means to stop rotation of the switching means, wherein
• the rotation stopping means is disposed asymmetrically in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction in which the switching means transports the recording medium.