Drive switching device, sheet transport device, and image forming apparatus

A drive switching device comprising:

• a covering member that is rotatably provided on a support shaft provided in a housing including a driver, and is rotatable from a closed position for covering an inside of the housing to an open position for exposing the inside of the housing;
• an input unit that is provided in the covering member, and receives an input of displacement when the covering member is rotated in a direction toward the open position;
• a release member provided in a direction apart from the input unit inside the housing and including a cam that moves in conjunction with movement of the input unit, the release member being configured to, upon rotation of the covering member toward the open position, release drive of the driver by the cam;
• a first link rotatably provided around a fulcrum as a center to move the cam connected to one side of the fulcrum;
• a second link connected to the other side of the fulcrum in the first link;
• and
• a third link connected to and rotatably supported by the second link and the input unit.