High speed shuttle printer.

摘要

An improvement to a dot matrix printer of the shuttle variety wherein a printhead is oscillated from side to side within a printer base (38). The shuttle (24) is disposed within a ballistic energy transfer device (42) mounted for oscillating movement from side to side in the opposite direction to the instantaneous movement of the shuttle (24). A rebound spring (52) is operably connected to exert a rebounding force against the shuttle to aid it in reversing direction. Also, a centering spring (54) is operably connected for exerting a centering force against the ballistic energy transfer device. A linear motor (44) is connected for driving the shuttle (24) back and forth in an oscillating motion with respect to the ballistic energy transfer device (42). Optionally, the linear motor is connected for driving the ballistic energy transfer device back and forth in an oscillating motion with respect to the printer base. The turnaround time of the shuttle is adjusted by adjusting the span of the shuttle or the spring constant of the rebound spring. Linear encoders are provided to determine the shuttle position as the shuttle moves back and forth.