System for driving print wires for printers

Claim 1

A print wire driver comprising: a first yoke having first and second yoke ends spaced apart at a first predetermined distance; a second yoke having third and fourth yoke ends spaced apart at said first predetermined distance, said second yoke being disposed adjacent said first yoke at a second predetermined distance therefrom, said first yoke end opposing said third yoke end and said second yoke end opposing said fourth yoke end; a permanent magnet for magnetizing said first yoke with a first magnetic polarity and said second yoke with a second magnetic polarity opposite said first magnetic polarity; and an armature constrained between the yoke ends of said first and second yokes for free movement therebetween without a pivot, said armature having first and second ends; said armature being movable between an off position contacting said first and fourth yoke ends to form a first magnetic circuit and a print position contacting said second and third yoke ends to form a second magnetic circuit; said first magnetic circuit forming a path connecting said first yoke end, said armature, said fourth yoke end and said magnet; said second magnetic circuit forming a path connecting said second yoke end, said armature, said third yoke end and said magnet; a solenoid disposed between said first and second yokes and surrounding said armature; and a print wire operatively coupled to one of said armature ends; whereby said armature may be reciprocated between said off position and said print position by alternate excitation of said solenoid.