PRINT HAMMER ACTUATING DEVICE FOR A TYPE CHIP CARTRIDGE PRINTER

摘要

A single print hammer (19) is loaded with a selected type chip (21) transferred from a rotatable carousel cartridge (43). A single solenoid motor (35) is energized to effect chip transfer, the loading of a spring to effect subsequent return of the chip to the cartridge (43) and the loading of an energy storage spring (25) utilized to power the print hammer (19) toward a platen (13). Completion of the chip transfer to the print hammer (19) releases the print hammer (19) to be powered by the storage spring (25) until the solenoid motor (35) is de-energized. The solenoid motor (35) provides a reaction force to the storage spring only during solenoid energization. The duration of solenoid energization thus controls the impact force of the print hammer (19) and is varied in accordance with the character area of the selected type chip (21) and with the desired print density.