Patent ID: 6234608
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A magnetically actuated ink jet printing device for use in an ink jet printer, comprising:a substrate having parallel opposing sides and first and second parallel surfaces, the second substrate surface having at least one recess with a bottom surface substantially parallel to the first substrate surface, the recess bottom surface containing at least one flexible membrane therein, defining a diaphragm;at least one electrode formed on the substrate, a portion of the at least one electrode overlying and being affixed to the at least one diaphragm, the electrode portion overly the at least one diaphragm being flexible;a member formed on the first substrate surface and having at least one internal cavity opening against the first substrate surface which forms a part thereof, the cavity serving as an ink reservoir, said cavity having a nozzle and an ink inlet, the nozzle being aligned with the diaphragm;at least one magnetic field generating means being located adjacent the substrate and oriented to generate a magnetic field of a predetermined strength and direction relative to the electrode over the diaphragm;an ink supply connected to the ink inlet of the cavity to fill said cavity with ink; andmeans for selectively applying electrical current to the at least one electrode, the current through the electrode which is in the magnetic field producing a force which causes the diaphragm with the electrode to deform momentarily in a direction at least one of toward and away from the nozzle, each momentary deformation of the diaphragm and electrode ejecting an ink droplet from the nozzle.