Sheet discharge device and image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus, comprising:

• an image forming unit which performs image forming processing on sheet;
• and
• a sheet discharge device discharging sheets on which an image has been formed, wherein
• the sheet discharge device includes:
• a sheet discharge path for discharging a sheet to be discharged;
• a plurality of sheet discharge trays disposed along the sheet discharge path;
• a plurality of switching guides disposed in the sheet discharge path corresponding to the sheet discharge trays, and being changed a position thereof between a retracting position for being retracted so that the sheet being conveyed can pass through, and a distributing position for distributing a sheet being conveyed to the sheet discharge tray;
• and
• a switching mechanism which changes the position of the switching guide between the retracting position and the distributing position, the switching mechanism including an endless belt which is installed along the sheet discharge path and which rotates in one direction, a protrusion which protrudes from the endless belt so as to be capable of interfering with the switching guide, and a drive member which rotates the endless belt, the protrusion, interfering with the switching guide to switch the position of the switching guide, the endless belt moving the projection among the plurality of switching guides, a rotation of the endless belt stopping in a state where one switching guide out of the plurality of switching guides and the protrusion interfere with each other, whereby the position of the one switching guide is set to be the distributing position,
• the switching mechanism further including a first pulley around which the endless belt is wound and which drives the endless belt for rotation by drive force supplied from the drive member;
• and
• a second pulley disposed at the inner circumference side of the endless belt, the second pulley being disposed at a position to suppress deformation of the endless belt by pressing force due to the interference of the protrusion and the switching guide.