Sorting device and image forming apparatus therewith

A sorting device comprising:

• a base portion;
• a tray portion supported on the base portion and capable of reciprocating in a sheet width direction perpendicular to a sheet discharging direction;
• and
• a tray driving portion configured to reciprocate the tray portion in the sheet width direction, wherein
• the tray portion is moved in the sheet width direction with respect to the base portion to be disposed at two or more sorting positions to sort a sheet bundle,
• the tray driving portion includes:
• a motor;
• a supporting shaft supported on the base portion;
• an input member having
• a gear portion to which a driving force of the motor is transmitted, and
• a first boss portion in which a. shaft hole is -formed in which the supporting shaft is inserted,
• the input member rotating about the supporting shaft with a rotation driving force of the motor;
• an output member having a second boss portion coupled with a top end of the first boss portion on the input member via a ratchet mechanism, and configured to output the rotation driving force to the tray portion;
• and
• a link mechanism configured to convert a rotary motion of the output member to a linear motion of the tray portion along the sheet width direction,
• the input member being reciprocatable in an up-down direction along the supporting shaft,
• the ratchet mechanism includes:
• a first ratchet tooth which is provided at an upper end edge of the first boss portion on the input member;
• a second ratchet tooth which is provided at a lower end edge of the second boss portion on the output member to engage with the first ratchet tooth;
• and
• an urging member which urges the input gear in a direction approaching the output member, and
• the ratchet mechanism operates such that, when a predetermined or heavier load is applied to the output member via the tray portion, the input member is pushed down against an urging force of the urging member and engagement between the first and second ratchet teeth is released.