Patent · US Expired

Three element switched digital drive system for an ink jet printhead

US5426455A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
19References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 10, 1993
Grant dateJun 20, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 10, 2013

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2202/10
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A digital driver for an ink jet printhead and an associated method for selectively applying voltage to a piezoelectric sidewall actuator of the printhead. The digital driver includes positive, negative and neutral voltage sources, a first switching element having a first control input, a first voltage supply input connected to the positive voltage source and a first output, a second switching element having a second control input, a second voltage supply input connected to the negative voltage source and a second output, and a third switching element having a third control input, a third voltage supply input connected to the neutral voltage source and a third output. The first, second and third outputs are connected together to provide a common output for connection to the piezoelectric sidewall actuator. By asserting the first control input for a first time period, the first switching element generates a positive voltage pulse at the common output to displace the sidewall actuator from a rest position to a first position. Next, by simultaneously deasserting the first control input and asserting the second control input, the second switching element generates a negative voltage pul…

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