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:
Jun. 09, 2009
Filed:
Dec. 07, 2006
Seiji Izuo, Shojiri, JP;
Seiji Izuo, Shojiri, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A nozzle inspection deviceincludes: an inspection areathat is provided inside a capping memberand is capable of receiving ink; a voltage application circuitthat applies voltage to a print headto generate a predetermined potential difference between the print headand the inspection area; and a switching modulethat is switched between the ground side where a nozzle plate has ground potential and the voltage-application side where the nozzle plate is independent from ground potential and voltage is applied to the print head. During a nozzle inspection to determine whether or not ink can be ejected from nozzleson the basis of voltage variations in the inspection area, a CPUswitches the switchto the voltage-application side. During printing, the CPUswitches the switchto the ground side. In this structure, the print head is free from electrical impact during printing, and the head can be at a predetermined potential during a nozzle inspection.