Patent · US Expired

Dot matrix print head with unitary armature assembly and method of operation thereof

US5975776A · kind A · utility

8Cited by
14References
26Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJun 9, 1997
Grant dateNov 2, 1999
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 9, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2/285
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A print head is disclosed which includes a unitary armature assembly including a thin resilient spring, thick structural members and cores upon which a magnetic flux path can be electrically imposed, such that motion of the armatures is constrained to only the desirable back-and-forth axial movement of an ideal print stroke. Lateral movement of the armatures is prevented, so that armatures wires wear only very slowly, resulting in long and reliable service life. Improved performance for size is obtained by having the magnet plate positioned with the working air gap on the outside and the return pole on the inside, with the armature pivot at the outside periphery of the print head, so that the larger magnet area imparts greater magnetic force, an increased length of the lever arm for the print wire, and enhancement of the print stroke and the printing performance of the device. The wire guide pattern provides bidirectional and orthogonal printing capability. Heat transfer is obtained through a heat sink. A universal connection bracket is provided for connection to numerous printers.

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