Patent ID: 8408537

Claim:
A sheet reversing mechanism for an image forming apparatus including a switchback reverse path for reversing print sheets, the sheet reversing mechanism comprising: a transfer roller configured to transfer a print sheet along the switchback reverse path; a drive motor configured to rotate in a forward direction and in a reverse direction; and a driving force transmission mechanism configured to transmit driving force generated by rotation of the drive motor to the transfer roller, wherein the driving force transmission mechanism includes a clutch configured to connect or disconnect transmission of the driving force to the transfer roller, and a controller configured to control rotation of the drive motor, wherein the controller is configured to drive the drive motor to rotate in the reverse direction to transfer a preceding print sheet in a direction of discharging a print sheet from the switchback reverse path in a state where the controller drives the clutch to connect transmission of the driving force, and then drive the clutch to disconnect transmission of the driving force, drive the drive motor to start to rotate in the forward direction in the state where the controller drives the clutch to disconnect transmission of the driving force, and drive the clutch to connect transmission of the driving force to transfer a next print sheet in a direction of guiding a print sheet into the switchback reverse path after a predetermined time has passed since the controller drives the drive motor to start to rotate in the forward direction.