Ribbon Drive (See Figure 2-6.) - OKIDATA ML320 Turbo Service Manual

2.2.4 Ribbon Drive (See Figure 2-6 below).
The ribbon driver mechanism moves the ribbon in synchronization with the space motor operation.
The ribbon drive mechanism consist of the following items:
(a) Ribbon drive gear assembly
(b) Ribbon gear (space motor)
(c) Ribbon cartridge
(1) Ribbon cartridge
An endless ribbon with a single direction feed is used. Ink is supplied from an ink reservoir, which is built
in to the ribbon cartridge.
(2) Ribbon feed operation
When the space motor is activated, the ribbon gear rotates. The rotation is transmitted via the ribbon drive
gear assembly to the drive gear in the ribbon cartridge, thus moving the ribbon.
The feed direction of the ribbon is maintained by switching the direction of the gears in the ribbon drive
gear assembly. This ensures ribbon movement when bi-directional printing is used.
Service Guide ML320/321Turbo
Chapter 2 Operation Description
Page: 16