US 5,177,504 A · On-demand type ink jet print head

Abstract

An on-demand type ink jet print head having a nozzle plate which is arranged horizontally so that its nozzle openings face upward and cantilevered vibrating members the free ends of which confront the nozzle openings. Ink is held by a capillary force in a gap between the vibrating members and the nozzle plate and is supplied by surface tension in a gap formed between a plurality of members from an ink tank up to the vicinity of the vibrating members. Since the ink is supplied by a capillary force between the ink level in the tank and the vibrating members, the ink supply is stable irrespective of the ink level in the tank. Further, since the ink is ejected in the form of ink droplets produced by a dynamic pressure associated with vibration of the vibrating members within the ink, it is possible to produce fine ink droplets.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An on-demand ink jet print head comprising:

a horizontally arranged nozzle plate having formed therein a plurality of nozzle openings facing upward;
a plurality of vibrating members disposed below said horizontally arranged nozzle plate, each of said vibrating members having one end secured to a base and another end confronting said nozzle openings, said vibrating members being arranged in an array having at least one row and one column in a horizontal plane forming a gap wide enough to hold ink in cooperation with said nozzle plate by a capillary force;
a frame member serving also as an ink tank;
and
ink supply means for supplying said ink by a capillary force from said ink tank to said vibrating members.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

On-demand type ink jet print head

Life of this patent

On-demand type ink jet print head

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15