Ion writing unit with air flow

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10155396-B2
Application number	US-201415500490-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 30, 2014
Priority date	Jul 30, 2014
Publication date	Dec 18, 2018
Grant date	Dec 18, 2018

Abstract

An ion writing unit includes an ion generator and an array of electrode nozzles aligned to receive and guide generated ions. An air flow source causes an air flow adjacent the ion generator or in an orientation adjacent the electrode nozzles.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An ion writing unit comprising:
an ion generator to generate ions to be applied to an electrically biased e-paper to switch a state of the e-paper;
an array of electrode nozzles to selectively allow passage of the generated ions through the array and to the e-paper; and
an air flow source to cause air flow in at least one of:
a path adjacent the ion generator; and
an orientation passing adjacent the array of electrode nozzles,

wherein the air flow source comprises an air mover and further comprising:
a housing defining a chamber through which the ion generator extends; and
an air recirculation system including:
an input conduit coupled to a first portion of the chamber; and
an output conduit coupled to an opposite second portion of the chamber,

the air mover interposed between the input conduit and the output conduit, and the air recirculation system to recirculate the air along a recirculation path including the chamber, the outlet conduit, the air mover, and the input conduit.

2. The ion writing unit of claim 1 , comprising:
a treatment element coupled to the air flow source to treat the air prior to directing the air flow, the treatment element including at least one of:
a drying element; and
a contaminant filter element.

3. The ion writing unit of claim 1 , wherein the air recirculation system includes an air intake positioned along the output conduit between the chamber and the air mover to introduce air at a first flow rate into the recirculation path, and wherein at least some of the electrode nozzles act as an air outlet to permit air to exit the recirculation path at a second flow rate generally matching the first flow rate.

4. The ion writing unit of claim 1 , comprising:
a housing at least partially enclosing the ion generator, wherein an interior of the housing defines a chamber through which the ion generator extends, with the chamber having a first portion adjacent the array of electrode nozzles;
a conduit extending from the air flow source to the chamber, the conduit extending through at least a wall of the housing and having an exit port exposed to the chamber to direct the air flow toward the ion generator.

5. The ion writing unit of claim 1 , comprising:
a housing at least partially enclosing the ion generator and defining a chamber through which the ion generator extends, wherein the air flow source is configured to cause an internal air pressure in the chamber sufficient to produce an air seal across an opening into the chamber.

6. The ion writing unit of claim 1 , wherein the air flow source includes at least one port positioned to direct the air flow between the array of electrode nozzles and a surface of the e-paper.

7. A method of manufacturing an ion writing unit comprising:
at least partially enclosing a corona wire within a chamber of a housing;
securing an array of electrode nozzles on an exterior of the housing, the electrode nozzles to receive and guide ions generated by the corona wire to an electrically biased e-paper to switch a state of the e-paper;
positioning an air flow mechanism to cause at least one of:
air flow across the array of electrode nozzles; and
air flow within the chamber; and

arranging a recirculation path of an air recirculation system to include the air flow mechanism, the chamber, an input conduit coupled to the air flow mechanism and a first portion of the chamber, and an outlet conduit coupled to a second portion of the chamber and the air flow mechanism.

8. The method of manufacturing of claim 7 , comprising:
arranging a port of the air flow mechanism to cause air flow across the array of electrode nozzles with a sufficient volume to seal the chamber from exterior moisture.

9. The method of manufacturing of claim 7 , comprising:
arranging a conduit of the air flow mechanism to cause air flow within the chamber of the housing, the conduit coupled to the housing and including an exit port exposed within the chamber of the housing.

10. The method of manufacturing of claim 7 , comprising:
coupling a treatment element to the air flow mechanism to treat the air prior to causing the air flow, the treatment element including at least one of:
a drying element; and
a contaminant filter element.

11. An e-paper writing unit comprising:
an ion generator to generate ions during a writing operation;
an array of electrode nozzles to guide the ions generated by the ion generator to an electrically biased e-paper; and
an air flow source including at least one port to direct air flow over the array of electrode nozzles,
wherein the air flow source comprises an air mover and further comprising:
a housing defining a chamber through which the ion generator extends; and
an air recirculation system including:
an input conduit coupled to a first portion of the chamber; and
an output conduit coupled to a second portion of the chamber,

the air mover interposed between the output conduit and the input conduit, and the air recirculation system to recirculate the air along a recirculation path including the chamber, the outlet conduit, the air mover, and the input conduit.

12. The e-paper writing unit of claim 11 , wherein the at least one port is to direct the air flow between the array of electrode nozzles and the e-paper.

13. The e-paper writing unit of claim 11 , wherein the array of electrode nozzles is spaced from the ion generator and comprises a first electrode layer of an electrode assembly, with the electrode assembly further including a second electrode layer and a dielectric layer between the first and second electrode layers.

14. The e-paper writing unit of claim 11 , wherein the ion generator comprises a housing at least partially enclosing a corona wire and the array of electrode nozzles is exposed on an exterior surface of the housing.

15. The e-paper writing unit of claim 11 , comprising:
a controller in communication with the air flow source to maintain the air flow at least during generation of ions by the ion generator.

16. The e-paper writing unit of claim 11 , comprising:
a treatment element coupled to the air flow source to treat the air prior to directing the air flow, the treatment element including at least one of:
a drying element; and
a contaminant filter element.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Birecki Henryk
• Leoni Napoleon J
• Gila Omer G

Classifications

• G02F1/167

  by electrophoresis · CPC title

• B41J2/415 Primary

  by passing charged particles through a hole or a slit · CPC title

• G02F1/132

  Thermal activation of liquid crystals exhibiting a thermo-optic effect · CPC title

• B41J29/377

  Cooling or ventilating arrangements · CPC title

• G02F1/1685

  Operation of cells; Circuit arrangements affecting the entire cell · CPC title