Sheet transport direction switching device, and image forming apparatus incorporated with the same

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• an image forming section for forming an image on a sheet;
• a main transport path for transporting the sheet via the image forming section;
• at least two sub transport paths defined at a downstream side of the main transport path;
• and
• a sheet transport direction switching device, disposed between the main transport path and the sub transport paths, for switching a transport direction of the sheet between the at least two sub transport paths, as discharge destinations, wherein
• the sheet transport direction switching device includes
• a rotary guide member having a single guide passage for passing the sheet to be transported, and a support shaft extending in a direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction, the rotary guide member being operable to change a posture thereof by pivotal movement about an axis of the support shaft so that an exit of the guide passage faces one of the at least two sub transport paths, and
• a posture changing mechanism having a stepping motor for pivotally moving the rotary guide member about the axis of the support shaft, and operable to change the posture of the rotary guide member.