The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2001
Filed:
Apr. 02, 1999
Kusunoki Higashino, Osaka, JP;
Hisashi Takata, Nishinomiya, JP;
Yasuhiro Sando, Amagasaki, JP;
Yasuhisa Fujii, Kyoto, JP;
Minolta Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An electrostatic inkjet head has first and second electrodes. The first electrode is supported on a substrate and the second electrode is on a diaphragm so that a gap is formed between the first and second electrodes. A drive circuit is connected to the first and second electrodes to apply a voltage or pulse between the electrodes. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes, an electrostatic attraction force is generated between the electrodes. The attraction force displaces the diaphragm toward the substrate. This displacement of the diaphragm is used for the ejection of ink. Also, when the voltage is turned off, opposing central portions of the first and second electrodes define a gap that is greater than that defined by opposing end portions of the first and second electrodes. On the other hand, when the voltage is turned on, the opposing central portions of the first and second electrodes define another gap that is substantially equal to that defined by the opposing end portions of the first and second electrodes.