LQ-670 Service Manual

Rev. A 2-1

2.1 Printer Mechanism Operation
This section describes the printer mechanism(M-5060) and explains how it works.

2.1.1 Printing Mechanism

The printing mechanism of this printer is composed of head, ink ribbon and ribbon mask .
The print head is an 24-pin(12pins X 2) head for impact dot printing.(Refer to Chapter 1)
Each wire has its own drive coil.
1. A drive signal, transmitted from the control circuit to the prinhead drive circuit, is converted to the
proper printhead driving voltage, which energizes a corresponding coil. T he energized coil then
causes the iron core to become m agnetized.
2. The magnetic force draws the actuating plate toward the core, and the dot wire, which is connected
to the core, rushes toward the platen.
3. When the dot wire impacts the platen, pressing against the ribbon and paper, it prints a dot.
4. When the driving voltage stops energizing the coil, the magnetic force vanishes from the iron core. T he
actuating plate returns to its original position (the position before coil was energized) with spring action.
The dot wire also returns to its original position.
The mechanism is equipped with a built-in thermistor for head temperature detection. The temperature
detected by the thermistor is converted to an electric signal and fed back to the control circuit. In order to
keep the same print quality, the drive mode of the print head is changed over according to the paper type
and head temperature. This drive mode minimizes the degradation or damage to the dot wires in the print
head, which is caused by temperature rise of the print head from continuous printing, and also keeps print
quality when the surrounding temperature is extremely low. (Refer to section 1.2.2 for the changes of print
speed by the temperature of the head)
The next page shows print head specification.
Platen
Paper Ribbon Mask
Ink Ribbon
Wire
Iron Core
Head Driving Coil
Actuating Plate
Actuating Spring Stopper
Wire Resetting Spring
Figure 2-1.Print Head Operation Principles