Liquid droplet flight device and image forming apparatus with electrowetting drive electrode
US8373732B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/14459
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A liquid droplet flight device is provided that moves an ink or the like using a comparatively low voltage and stably causes flight of even a high viscosity ink or the like. When causing droplets of a liquid inside a liquid retaining section to fly onto a medium transported between liquid droplet discharge means and an opposing electrode in the liquid droplet flight device, a high voltage is applied to the flight electrode from a bias power source to generate an electric field between the flight electrode and the opposing electrode. On/off control of flight control means is performed in this state to apply a drive voltage of a low voltage to an EW drive electrode from a drive power source such that the liquid inside a slit moves to a leading end portion of the flight electrode due to an electrowetting phenomenon, and the liquid that has moved to the leading end portion of the flight electrode flies toward the opposing electrode through the electric field such that a liquid droplet lands on the medium.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.