Wire print head having piezoelectric drive elements

摘要

A wire print head is provided with piezoelectric drive elements in the form of strips which are bonded to flexible tabs directed radially inward from a support ring. The ring is secured between a wire guide structure and a cover and the curved surface of the wire guide structure opposite the flexible tabs is grooved whereby contact of the piezoelectric elements on the flexed tabs and the risk of breakage thereof is avoided. The drive ends of the print wires supported in the wire guide structure are directly driven by the ends of the flexible tabs and have no contact with the piezoelectric elements. Further the cover is provided with electrode guards having slots to dissipate heat generated in the flexible tabs.