Recorders – Thermal recording
Patent
1991-10-23
1994-08-30
Fuller, Benjamin R.
Recorders
Thermal recording
B41J 235
Patent
active
053432223
ABSTRACT:
An array of heat elements is driven by a driving circuit including a plurality of control units operative to sequentially carry out generation of heat efficiently even with using a relatively small capacity of a power supply and without relying on processing by CPU, thereby achieving fast heat generating operation while saving electric power. The thermal head is provided with a plurality of heat generating units each being comprised of a heat resistive element for generating heat by current flow and an electrode for supplying a current to the heat resistive element, and a plurality of switching elements for controlling supply of current to respective one of the heat generating units. The heat generating unit is constructed such that its resistance increases according to a temperature rising of the heat resistive element by the current supply so as to reduce an output of a driving current. The switching element is composed of, for example, a thyristor operative to turn off the current supply when the current flowing therethrough is reduced below a given level. A voltage between the switching element and the corresponding heat generating unit is monitored to detect the turning-off of the switching element so as to constitute a turning-off detector. The detection of the turning-off indicates the completion of the heat generation or the finish of current supply. Thus, after the detection of the turning-off, a next switching element is initiated to start generation of heat in an adjacent or subsequent heat generating unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4395146 (1983-07-01), Arai
patent: 4679056 (1987-07-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 4873535 (1989-10-01), Sasaki
patent: 5220349 (1993-06-01), Saita et al.
Saita Yoshiaki
Sanbongi Norimitsu
Sato Yoshinori
Adams Bruce L.
Fuller Benjamin R.
Seiko Instruments Inc.
Tran Huan
Wilks Van C.
LandOfFree
Driving method of heat element array does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Driving method of heat element array, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Driving method of heat element array will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-32527