Electrostatic writing head having integral conductive pads

Abstract

A writing head suitable for use in an electrostatic marking device includes a plurality of first surface conductive pads permanently fixed to a first surface of the first head member and disposed in a lengthwise row, and a plurality of second surface conductive pads permanently fixed to the second surface of the first head member. Each second surface conductive pad is paired with one of the first surface conductive pads, and the pair of pads is electrically connected by way of a conductive via extending through the first head member. A plurality of conductors is disposed on the first head member in a substantially equally spaced and parallel relationship, with one end of each conductor being permanently connected to a respective one of the first surface conductive pads. The other end of each conductor, referred to as a nib, being exposed in at least one line at the first edge of the first surface and lying in a plane perpendicular to the first surface. The plurality of nibs form the nib line of the writing head. The writing head also includes a second insulative head member disposed on top of the plurality of conductors, the plurality of conductive pads and the first head member. The second head member restrains the plurality of conductors in fixed positions. The conductive pads may be arranged in novel arrangements that provide great flexibility in design in order to accommodate a wide variety of writing head pitches and lengths.