OKIDATA MICROLINE 320, Service Manual

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2.2.4 Ribbon Drive (See Figure 2-6.)
The ribbon driver mechanism moves the ribbon in synchronization with the space motor operation.
The ribbon drive mechanism consist of the following items:
(a) Ribbon drive gear assembly
(b) Ribbon gear (space motor)
(c) Ribbon cartridge
(1) Ribbon cartridge
An endless ribbon with a single direction feed is used. Ink is supplied from an ink reservoir,
which is built in to the ribbon cartridge.
(2) Ribbon feed operation
When the space motor is activated, the ribbon gear rotates. The rotation is transmitted
via the ribbon drive gear assembly to the drive gear in the ribbon cartridge, thus moving
the ribbon.
The feed direction of the ribbon is maintained by switching the direction of the gears in
the ribbon drive gear assembly. This ensures ribbon movement when bi-directional printing
is used.