US4652893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ink-jet recording apparatus
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1986-03-24
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Granted: 1987-03-24
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Expires: 2006-03-24
Abstract
Abstract An ink-jet recording apparatus includes a film having a number of holes for holding ink. The film is driven in a predetermined direction near a recording paper. Ink is supplied to the holes by an ink supply mechanism. Ink in desired holes are heated by a thermal head to be ejected onto the recording paper. The thermal head is supported by a bimorph cell. In accordance with a voltage supplied from a voltage generator, the bimorph cell exponds or contracts to move the thermal head between a first position wherein the thermal head is adjacent to the recording paper and in contact with the film and a second position wherein the thermal head is separated from the recording paper and film.
Inventors
- 👤 Yuji Suzuki
- 👤 Syunsuke Hattori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 23:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/135; B41J2/14; B41J2/14016; B41J2/14161
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
An ink-jet recording apparatus which records data on a recording surface of a recording medium in accordance with input recording data, comprising: a film having a plurality of ink holding portions; drive means for driving said film in a predetermined direction near the recording surface of said recording medium; an ink supply mechanism for supplying ink to said ink holding portions of said film; a thermal head for heating desired ink holding portions to eject ink in the heated ink holding portions onto the recording surface; signal supply means for generating a position control signal in accordance with the input recording data; and a supporting mechanism for supporting said thermal head and for moving said thermal head between a first position at which said thermal head is adjacent to the recording surface and is in contact with said film, and a second position at which said thermal head is separated from the recording surface and film in accordance with the position control signal generated from said signal supply means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
An ink-jet recording apparatus which records data on a recording surface of a recording medium in accordance with input recording data, comprising: a film having a plurality of ink holding portions; drive means for driving said film in a predetermined direction near the recording surface of said recording medium; an ink supply mechanism for supplying ink to said ink holding portions of said film; a thermal head for heating desired ink holding portions to eject ink in the heated ink holding portions onto the recording surface; signal supply means for generating a position control signal in accordance with the input recording data; and a supporting mechanism for supporting said thermal head and for moving said thermal head between a first position at which said thermal head is adjacent to the recording surface and is in contact with said film, and a second position at which said thermal head is separated from the recording surface and film in accordance with the position control signal generated from said signal supply means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting mechanism has a bimorph cell which supports said thermal head and receives a voltage to deform by an amount corresponding thereto, and said signal supply means has a voltage generator for applying a voltage to said bimorph cell in accordance with the input recording data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal supply means has means for supplying a control signal to said voltage generator to generate a voltage so that said bimorph cell deviates to move said thermal head to the second position when the input recording data is at "0" level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said signal supply means has means for supplying a control signal to said voltage generator to generate a voltage corresponding to a level of the input recording data so that said thermal head is moved to a position corresponding to the level between the first and second positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a tension mechanism for giving a predetermined tension to said film so that said film is moved to separate from said recording medium in a state wherein said film is in contact with said thermal head while said thermal head is moved from the first position to a position immediately before the second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a carriage which is movable with facing the recording surface of said recording medium and supports said supporting mechanism and said ink supply mechanism, a pair of reel drive shafts rotatably supported by said carriage, a motor which is fixed to said carriage and rotate said reel drive shafts, and a pair of reels engaged with said reel drive shafts, and said film is wound around said reels in an endless manner.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, which further comprises a tension mechanism for giving predetermined tension to said film so that said film is moved to separate from said recording medium in a state wherein said film is in contact with said thermal head while said thermal head is moved from the first position to a position immediately before the second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said tension mechanism includes a guide roller engaged with said film and arranged on said carriage to be rotatable and movable in a predetermined direction, and a biasing member for biasing said guide roller in the predetermined direction to give a tension to said film.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said ink holding portions have a large number of small holes formed in said film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supporting mechanism has a voice coil motor supporting said themal head.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS6071260A
Cited
US4608577A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-03-23 | 1990-09-22 | 1991-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-23 | 1994-09-22 | 1995-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-23 | 1998-09-22 | 1999-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |