Patent ID: 6075336
Filing Date: 2000-06-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A stepping motor drive mechanism for printers comprises:a multi-phase stepping motor that turns as each phase is excited in turn by drive pulses;a stepping motor drive circuit that outputs said drive pulses;a movable member that is driven by the turning of said stepping motor;a stopper that restricts the movement of said movable member when said stopper comes into contact with said movable member;drive pulse control means, said drive pulse control means causing said stepping motor to become out of step by causing said stepping motor drive circuit to continue to output drive pulses after said movable member has come into contact with said stopper and thereafter causing said drive pulse control means to stop said output of said drive pulses at a preset fixed phase; andfixed phase switching means responsive to input entered by an operator for switching said preset fixed phase to any of said stepping motor phases.