Carriage Mechanism
The carriage mechanism of this product consists of the CR Unit, CR Encoder Sensor, CR Scale, CR Motor, CR Timing Belt, and etc. The carriage mechanism is a key mechanism to ensure stable print quality because printing is performed by moving the CR Unit from side to side.
The CR Unit is supported by the CR Shaft on the lower part and by the CR Guide Frame on the top.
The CR Unit is attached to the CR Timing Belt that is moved by the CR Motor so that the assy can move from side to side to print.
The position and speed of the CR Unit are always monitored by the CR Encoder Sensor and CR Scale, and the CR Motor is controlled in accordance with the information acquired by the CR Encoder Sensor.
To protect the PW Sensor from ink mist, the PW sensor shutter mechanism is mounted on the bottom of the CR Unit.
PW Sensor Shutter Mechanism
To reduce the influence of ink mist on the PW Sensor, WF-C878Ra/WFC878R are equipped with the PW sensor shutter mechanism.
PW sensor shutter mechanism is composed of the Knock Cam on the bottom of the CR Unit, the PW Sensor Shutter, and the CR Solenoid Assy at the end of the 130 digit side (Left side of printer).
Operation Principle
The PW sensor shutter mechanism is opened and closed by the Knock Cam mechanism*1. The Shutter Lever of the CR Solenoid Assy pushes the Knock Shaft, and the PW Sensor Shutter at the end of the shaft slides open accordingly. The PW Sensor Shutter slides shut in the reverse process.
The CR Solenoid Assy controls the operation of the Shutter Lever by electrifying the solenoid*2. The relationship of the electrifying status of the Solenoid and the sticking-out/retracted status of the Shutter Lever is as follow.
Electrifying status of the Solenoid and the sticking-out/retracted status of the Shutter Lever
| Electrifying status of the Solenoid | Electrified | Not electrified |
|---|---|---|
| Shutter Lever | Sticking out | Retracted |
By moving the CR Unit to the end of the left side of the printer (where the PW Sensor Lever functions) with the Shutter Lever sticking out, the PW Sensor Shutter is opened or closed.
When printing normally, the Solenoid is not electrified, so if the CR Unit to the end of the Left side of printer (where the PW Sensor Lever functions), the PW Sensor Shutter does not operate at all.
Only when the PW Sensor detects paper, the PW Sensor Shutter is opened. Soon after the PW Sensor detects the paper, the PW Sensor Shutter is closed.
*1: This mechanism is composed of the Knock Shaft, Rotor, and the Knock Cam. It is used mainly for the knock shift mechanism of knock type ball point pens. In this case, the CR Unit plays a role of the Knock Cam.
*2: Equipped with a pull type Solenoid in which the magnetic body id pulled by the electromagnetic force.