Electrically conductive ribbon break detector for printers

Details Electrically conductive ribbon break detector for printers Electrically conductive ribbon break detector for printers

1980-12-01

1983-03-01

Wright, Jr., Ernest T.

Typewriting machines

Including interposed inking device for record-medium

Means auxiliary to ribbon mechanism

400120, 400229, 400241, B41J 3536

Patent

active

043753396

ABSTRACT:
A ribbon feed failure in a printer can cause serious problems, particularly for a printer that uses heat to cause selective ink transfers. Localized heat buildup may injure the printhead and, if allowed to continue, might injure other printer instrumentalities.
According to the invention, it is recognized that for ribbons having a degree of electrical conductivity, a mechanical ribbon failure will almost always result in a detectable change of electrical properties. By monitoring the characteristics of an electrical circuit passing through a section of the ribbon around the print point and, preferably, also the printhead-ribbon interface, abnormal electrical parameter values that indicate ribbon failure may be detected to trigger a cessation of printer operation.
For a presently preferred implementation in a printer that uses a printhead with multiple electrodes for supplying current to a ribbon, the electrode voltage levels for a plurality of non-adjacent electrodes are combined to provide a resultant voltage level that is examined to detect abnormalities. By so combining voltages, insignificant excursions in electrical characteristics as might result from minor ribbon imperfections are generally eliminated from the triggering of a shutdown response, while still retaining a rapid response for preventing further heat generation in those situations where a serious ribbon failure has occurred.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2419369 (1947-04-01), Ritzert
patent: 3577137 (1971-05-01), Brennan, Jr.
patent: 4146338 (1979-03-01), Hedstrom
patent: 4212552 (1980-07-01), Bemis et al.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "Thermal Transfer Printer Employing Special Ribbons Heated with a Current Pulse", Mitchell et al., vol. 18 No. 8 Jan. 1976, p. 2695.
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "Ribbon Condition Sensor," Standiford, Jr., vol. 20 No. 6 Nov. 1977, pp. 2305-2307.

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