Differential drive system for an ink jet printhead
US5444467A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 1993 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2202/10
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A differential drive system is used to actuate an ink jet printhead having a spaced, parallel series of internal ink receiving channels opening outwardly through ink discharge orifices formed in the printhead body. The channels are laterally bounded by a spaced series of piezoelectrically deflectable internal sidewall actuator sections of the printhead body interdigitated with the channels. The printhead body is specially configured to facilitate wiring access to spaced apart first and second electrical connection portions on each of the actuators. Electrical leads from a first controller are connected to the first actuator portions and are ganged in groups that are selectively connected to a driving voltage source, or to ground, by the first controller. A second controller has a first set of electrical leads similarly ganged in groups and connected to a first set of the second actuator portions, and a second set of unganged electrical leads individually connected to the rest of the second actuator portions. The second controller is operative to selectively connect any of its individual leads, or any of its ganged lead groups, to the driving voltage source or to ground. In conjunct…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.