US4847631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Charge and deflection control type ink jet printer
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-07-14
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Granted: 1989-07-11
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Expires: 2007-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A charge and deflection control type ink jet printer in which at least an ink jet head section, a charging section and a deflecting section are configured in a single replaceable module, or unit. The user of the printer may replace the module without the help of a serviceman. The replaceable unit is further provided with an ink ejection adjusting mechanism, a deflection efficiency adjusting device, an a drive efficiency adjusting device.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Naruse
- 👤 Sadao Kakeno
- 👤 Chuji Ishikawa
- 👤 Satoshi Sekimoto
- 👤 Masanori Horike
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:20
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/07; B41J2/075; B41J2/08; B41J25/00; B41J25/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An ink jet printer having a charge and deflection control system, said ink jet printer comprising: an ink supply means having an output connector; a printer head module comprising a print head means, a charging electrode means, a deflecting electrode means, a gutter, an electrical input connector and a ink input connector; a control means for controlling the operation of said printer head means, said charging electrode means and said deflecting electrode means wherein said control means is connected to said module by engaging said electrical input and output connectors; wherein said ink supply is provided by engaging said ink input and output connectors and wherein the removal and replacement of said printer head module is accomplished by the alignment of said electrical connectors and said ink connectors in a single manipulation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An ink jet printer having a charge and deflection control system, said ink jet printer comprising: an ink supply means having an output connector; a printer head module comprising a print head means, a charging electrode means, a deflecting electrode means, a gutter, an electrical input connector and a ink input connector; a control means for controlling the operation of said printer head means, said charging electrode means and said deflecting electrode means wherein said control means is connected to said module by engaging said electrical input and output connectors; wherein said ink supply is provided by engaging said ink input and output connectors and wherein the removal and replacement of said printer head module is accomplished by the alignment of said electrical connectors and said ink connectors in a single manipulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module further comprises a module cover and a module base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the module base of the module is provided with an ink inlet port and an ink collection port which leads to a gutter, said ink inlet port and collection port being both directed downward.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the module further comprises an ink ejection adjusting mechanism for adjusting a position of ink ejection of the ink jet head relative to the charging and deflection electrodes and gutter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 4, wherein the module further comprises a connector for picking up electrical signals for driving and controlling the temperature of the ink jet head.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The printer according to claim 1 wherein said module further comprises a deflection efficiency adjusting means for maintaining deflection efficiency constant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the deflection efficiency adjusting means comprises an adjusting means for changing a distance between a pair of deflection electrodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the deflection efficiency adjusting means comprises a deflection voltage level adjusting circuit for changing a deflection voltage level which is applied to the deflection electrodes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the deflection efficiency adjusting means comprises a charge voltage level adjusting circuit for changing a level of a charge voltage which is applied to the charging electrode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 6, wherein the module further comprises a drive efficiency adjusting means for maintaining a drive voltage applied to the ink jet head unit for forming ink drops constant.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 10, the drive efficiency adjusting means comprises a variable resistor which is connected between a piezoelectric vibrator of the head and a driving circuit which applies the drive voltage to said piezoelectric vibrator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drive efficiency adjusting means comprises a variable capacitor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the drive efficiency adjusting means comprises a means for cutting an electrode surface of the piezoelectric vibrator by laser trimming.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 11, wherein the driving circuit comprises an output level adjusting means for adjusting an output level of the driving circuit such that the drive voltage is maintained at a predetermined reference value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the output level adjusting means is built in the driving circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ink jet printer as claimed in claim 14, wherein the output level adjusting means is built in a power source for supplying power to the driving circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-07-10 | 1993-01-09 | 1993-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-10 | 1997-01-09 | 1997-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-10 | 2001-01-09 | 2001-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |