US3882988A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanism for bi-directionally driving a print head
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1973-08-06
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-08-06
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an improved mechanism for driving the print head of a printer and is particularly adapted for bidirectionally driving the print head of a wire matrix printer. The mechanism includes a bi-directional motor, preferably a DC motor, which is coupled to the print head. When a print operation is to be performed, the motor is started running in a first direction, causing the print head to move across a print line in a first direction. A first detector is provided for detecting when the print head reaches a predetermined point of a print line when being driven in the first direction, the motor being energized in response to an output from the first detector for reversing its direction of energization for a period of time at least sufficient to overcome the inertia of the print head in the first direction and for substantially stopping the print head. For the preferred embodiment, the motor continues running in its reverse direction to drive the head in its opposite direction, with a second detector being provided to detect the print head reaching a predetermined point on the print line when being driven in the opposite direction. The motor is energized in response to an output from the second detector to again run in the first direction for a period of time at least sufficient to substantially stop the print head.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles T Sloan
- 👤 Nicholas V Zaccagnino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:24
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J19/00; B41J19/14; B41J19/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
413 words
In a line printer adapted for printing a material on the fly, a mechanism for bi-directionally driving a print head across a print line with the print head being operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line when the print head is driven in at least a first direction, said mechanism comprising: a bi-directional motor adapted to be continuously energized in one direction for continuously running in one direction and continuously energized in another direction for continuously running in another direction; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to continuously drive said print head in said first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to continuously drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is running in the other direction; means moved with said print head for controlling each print stroke in accordance with the print head position to apply print to said material while said print head is driven in said first direction; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for starting said motor running continuously in said one direction to continuously drive said print head in said first direction with said print head operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes; first detecting means operated while said print head is driven in said first direction and after said print head is operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line when said print head is driven in said first direction; means operated responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for continuously energizing said motor in said other direction to brake said motor and then continuously run said motor in said other direction, while the inertia of the print head carryies said print head a distance in said first direction past said predetermined point before said print head stops and is thereafter continuously driven in said opposite direction by said motor energized in said other direction; second detecting means operated for detecting said print heAd reaching another predetermined point on a print line when said print head is driven in said opposite direction; and means operated responsive to the operation of said second detecting means for energizing said motor to again run in said one direction for a period of time sufficient to substantially stop said print head.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
413 words
In a line printer adapted for printing a material on the fly, a mechanism for bi-directionally driving a print head across a print line with the print head being operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line when the print head is driven in at least a first direction, said mechanism comprising: a bi-directional motor adapted to be continuously energized in one direction for continuously running in one direction and continuously energized in another direction for continuously running in another direction; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to continuously drive said print head in said first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to continuously drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is running in the other direction; means moved with said print head for controlling each print stroke in accordance with the print head position to apply print to said material while said print head is driven in said first direction; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for starting said motor running continuously in said one direction to continuously drive said print head in said first direction with said print head operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes; first detecting means operated while said print head is driven in said first direction and after said print head is operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line when said print head is driven in said first direction; means operated responsive to the operation of said first detecting means for continuously energizing said motor in said other direction to brake said motor and then continuously run said motor in said other direction, while the inertia of the print head carryies said print head a distance in said first direction past said predetermined point before said print head stops and is thereafter continuously driven in said opposite direction by said motor energized in said other direction; second detecting means operated for detecting said print heAd reaching another predetermined point on a print line when said print head is driven in said opposite direction; and means operated responsive to the operation of said second detecting means for energizing said motor to again run in said one direction for a period of time sufficient to substantially stop said print head.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said motor is a DC motor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said motor is a brushless DC motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said motor is a stepping motor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means includes a toothed belt to which said print head is attached, a drive roller for said belt, and means connecting said motor to said drive roller.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said motor rotates at a speed substantially greater than that for said roller; and wherein said connecting means is a gear means operative to step down the speed of said motor to that required by said roller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 wherein said gear means includes a worm connected to said motor and a worm gear connected to said roller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 including a resilient bumper positioned at either end of the travel path of said print head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 including means operative when a print operation is to be performed for detecting and indicating if the print head is at a selected end of a print line; and means responsive to said detecting and indicating means indicating that the print head is not at the selected end of the print line for energizing said motor in the reverse direction, said means for starting said motor running in said first direction being operative in response to said detecting and indicating means indicating that the print head is at the selected end of the print line.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
87 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second means for detecting include, for each of said means, a shutter mounted to move with said print head, and a detector mounted adjacent the predetermined point of the print line, said detector having a light source normally directing light at a photodetector, said light source and photodetector being spaced and positioned such that the shutter passes between the light source and photocell of the corresponding detector when the print head is adjacent the predetermined point.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a line printer adapted for printing on the fly, a mechanism for bi-directionally driving a print head across a print line, a print operation being performed when the print head is being driven in at least one of said directions, said mechanism comprising: a bi-directional motor; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to drive said print head in a first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is reversed; an enable flip flop; a forward-reverse flip flop; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for setting the enabled flip flop and for setting said forward-reverse flip flop to its forward state; means responsive to said enable flip flop being set and to said forward-reverse flip flop being in its forward state for energizing said motor to run in said one direction; first means for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line when being driven in said first direction; means responsive to said first means for detecting for resetting said forward-reverse flip flop to the reverse state; means responsive to said enable flip flop being set and to said forward-reverse flip flop being in its reverse state for energizing said motor to reverse its direction, the inertia of the print head carrying it a distance past said predetermined point before it stops and starts moving in said opposite direction; second meAns for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point on a print line when being driven in said opposite direction; means responsive to said second means for detecting or resetting said enable flip flop; and means operative when said motor is being driven in said opposite direction and said enable flip flop is reset for energizing said motor in said one direction for a short period of time which is sufficient to substantially stop said print head but not sufficient to start said print head moving in said first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
345 words
In a line printer adapted for printing on the fly, a mechanism for bi-directionally driving a print head across a print line, a print operation being performed when the print head is being driven in at least one of said directions, said mechanism comprising: a bi-directional motor; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to drive said print head in a first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is reversed; an enable flip flop; a forward-reverse flip flop; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for setting the enabled flip flop and for setting said forward-reverse flip flop to its forward state; means responsive to said enable flip flop being set and to said forward-reverse flip flop being in its forward state for energizing said motor to run in said one direction; first means for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line when being driven in said first direction; means responsive to said first means for detecting for resetting said forward-reverse flip flop to the reverse state; means responsive to said enable flip flop being set and to said forward-reverse flip flop being in its reverse state for energizing said motor to reverse its direction, the inertia of the print head carrying it a distance past said predetermined point before it stops and starts moving in said opposite direction; second meAns for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point on a print line when being driven in said opposite direction; means responsive to said second means for detecting or resetting said enable flip flop; and means operative when said motor is being driven in said opposite direction and said enable flip flop is reset for energizing said motor in said one direction for a short period of time which is sufficient to substantially stop said print head but not sufficient to start said print head moving in said first direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 11 including means operative in the absence of an output from said second means for detecting for inhibiting the setting of said forward-reverse flip flop to its forward condition when a print operation is to be performed, said enable flip flop being set to, in conjunction with said forward-reverse flip flop remaining in its reverse condition, energized said motor to move the print head in said opposite direction until an output is obtained from said second means for detecting.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
87 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 11 including means operative each time said enable flip flop is reset or the state of said forward-reverse flip flop is changed with said enable flip flop set for energizing said motor in a direction opposite from the direction in which it is running for a period of time which is sufficient to substantially stop said print head but not sufficient to cause said print head to start moving in the direction opposite from the direction in which it was running.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 13 wherein said means for energizing the motor in the direction opposite of that in which it was running includes a pair of one-shot circuits, each of said one-shot circuits being connected to be turned on when the signal causing the motor to be energized in a given direction terminates, and being operative to cause the motor to be energized to rotate in a direction opposite from the given direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
309 words
In a line printer adapted for printing a material on the fly, a mechanism for driving a print head in a first direction with said print head being operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes across a print line, comprising: a bi-directional motor adapted to be continuously energized in one direction for continuously running in one direction and continuously energized in another direction for continuously running in another direction; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to continuously drive said print head in a first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to continuously drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is running in the other direction; means moved with said print head for controlling each print stroke in accordance with the print head position to apply print to said material while said print head is driven in said first direction; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for starting said motor running continuously in said one direction to continuously drive said print head in said first direction with said print head operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes; detecting means operated while said print head is driven in said first direction and after said print head is operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line; and means operated responsive to the operation of said detecting means for continuously energizing said motor in said other direction to brake said motor while said print head is carried in said first direction for a period of time at least sufficient to overcome the inertia of the print head in said first direction and to substantially stop the print head.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
309 words
In a line printer adapted for printing a material on the fly, a mechanism for driving a print head in a first direction with said print head being operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes across a print line, comprising: a bi-directional motor adapted to be continuously energized in one direction for continuously running in one direction and continuously energized in another direction for continuously running in another direction; means for coupling said motor to said print head, said means for coupling being operative to continuously drive said print head in a first direction when said motor is running in one direction and being operative to continuously drive the print head in the opposite direction when the motor is running in the other direction; means moved with said print head for controlling each print stroke in accordance with the print head position to apply print to said material while said print head is driven in said first direction; means operative when a print operation is to be performed for starting said motor running continuously in said one direction to continuously drive said print head in said first direction with said print head operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes; detecting means operated while said print head is driven in said first direction and after said print head is operated to provide a plurality of successive print strokes in a print line for detecting said print head reaching a predetermined point of a print line; and means operated responsive to the operation of said detecting means for continuously energizing said motor in said other direction to brake said motor while said print head is carried in said first direction for a period of time at least sufficient to overcome the inertia of the print head in said first direction and to substantially stop the print head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein said motor is a DC motor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein Said motor is a brushless DC motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein said motor is a stepping motor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein said coupling means includes a toothed belt to which said print head is attached, a drive roller for said belt, and means connecting said motor to said drive roller.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 wherein said motor rotates at a speed substantially greater than that for said roller; and wherein said connecting means is a gear means operative to step down the speed of said motor to that required by said roller.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
102 words
A mechanism as claimed in claim 15 including means operative when a print operation is to be performed for detecting and indicating if the print head is at a selected end of a print line; and means responsive to said detecting and indicating means indicating that the print head is not at the selected end of the print line for energizing said motor in the reverse direction, said means for starting said motor running in said first direction being operative in response to said detecting and indicating means indicating that the print head is at the selected end of the print line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |