Patent · US Expired

Ink printing head with variable-size heat elements

US5121143A · kind A · utility

26Cited by
9References
3Claims
0Family size

Assignees

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 3, 1990
Grant dateJun 9, 1992
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 3, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2002/14379
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

This invention relates to an ink jet printing head comprising in combination: a thermal head member having at least one thermal element consisting of a plurality of thermal dot elements, a guide member having ink-supplied grooves contacting the thermal elements and being moved reciprocatingly, and a plurality of electrodes of different widths connected to each thermal element, whereby different-sized heated portions of the thermal element are obtainable, and it is possible to vary the amount of ink jetted in one dot. For a ratio of 1:3 for the widths of the electrodes (corresponding to the widths of the heated portions) in one dot, 16 printing density levels (16.times.4) can be obtained by printing four times for one dot. By combining four dots it is possible to obtain 64 printing density levels (16.times.4). The thermal dot elements can be arranged in either a zigzag pattern or in a continuous straight form.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.