Ribbon Feed/Ribbon Shift Mechanism - Epson DLQ-3000+ Service Manual

DLQ-3000+

2.1.4 Ribbon Feed/Ribbon Shift Mechanism

Ribbon feed/ribbon shift mechanism, located at the upper part of the CR, is composed of the
ribbon motor, ribbon wind-up mechanism inside the ribbon cartridge, ribbon shift mechanism,
and color ribbon cartridge sensor. The torque from the ribbon motor, the only motor which
drives these mechanisms, is transmitted to each mechanism by changing the direction for
rotating the motor, as described below:

Forward rotation (Clockwise):

Backward rotation (Counterclockwise):
A stepping motor used for the ribbon motor enables the CR to move to and stop at any
position. The color ribbon cartridge sensor detects which of color or black ribbon cartridge is
installed and switches the ribbon motor between the monochrome ribbon mode and color
ribbon mode according detected cartridge. The printer refers to the switch mode of the
sensor when the printer is turned on or resuming the operation after the cover open error is
detected. The motor is controlled by the open-loop system. While the motor is used for the
ribbon shift, the color home position sensor detects the reference position (black) to manage
the color ribbon shift. The motor drive speed and phase excitement mode changes in
accordance with printing modes such as copy mode, normal mode and color mode.
I n k R i b b o n
R i b b o n F e e d R o l l e r
R i b b o n H o l d R o l l e r
R i b b o n D r i v e G e a r
Figure 2-4. Ribbon Feed/Ribbon Shift Mechanism
Table 2-4. Color Ribbon Cartridge Sensor Specification
Detecting method
Rated voltage/current
Switch mode
2-6
Color/Black ribbon shift
Ribbon feed
R i b b o n B r a k e S p r i n g
R i b b o n T r a n s m i s s i o n G e a r T r a i n
R i b b o n P l a n e t a r y g e a r
Mechanical switch system
5 to 10 mA/5 VDC ± 5%
Monochrome ribbon mode : HIGH
Color ribbon mode:
R i b b o n C a r t r i d g e
C o l o r R i b b o n C a r t r i d g e
S e n s o r
C R / P F P i n i o n
R i b b o n M o t o r
LOW
Rev. A