Inkjet printer

Abstract

Disclosed is an inkjet printer including an inkjet head containing electrically conductive ink and having a nozzle for spraying the ink and a mask positioned on a side of the inkjet head, the mask having a number of slits formed so that the electrically conductive ink passes through the slits and an electromagnetic field is established. The electromagnetic field is used to control the direction of movement of sprayed ink for uniform ink spraying.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a conventional inkjet printer in the process of spraying ink;

FIG. 2 shows an inkjet printer in the process of spraying ink according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a mask shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing part A of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 illustrates the direction of electromagnetic force near a slit shown in FIG. 3.

Claims

1. An inkjet printer comprising: an inkjet head containing electrically conductive ink and having a nozzle for spraying the ink anda mask positioned on a side of the inkjet head, the mask having a number of slits formed so that the electrically conductive ink passes through the slits and an electromagnetic field is established.

2. The inkjet printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mask has a number of electric wires positioned on a highly-elastic thin metallic layer so that opposite polarities alternate with each other while being adjacent to each other and magnets laminated on the electric wires with an insulation layer interposed between each layer.

3. The inkjet printer as claimed in claim 2, wherein the magnets establish a magnetic field in a predetermined direction and a current flows through the electric wires in a predetermined direction so that electromagnetic force is created by the magnetic field and the current towards a center of the slits.