Abstract: A thermal head includes: a substrate; a thermal storage layer disposed on the substrate and having a ridge portion; heat generating portions disposed on the ridge portion; and electrodes which are disposed on the substrate. At least one of the electrodes has a first corner portion at which a side surface and an upper surface intersect, more upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium than the top portion of the ridge portion. In a cross section of the thermal head, an inclination angle of an imaginary line which connects an intersection point of an imaginary line which hangs downward from the top portion (13b1) of the ridge portion and the substrate, with the first corner portion, is 75° or less from the substrate. Thus, printing residue is less likely to adhere to the thermal head.

Abstract: A thermal head includes: a substrate; a thermal storage layer disposed on the substrate and having a ridge portion; heat generating portions disposed on the ridge portion; and electrodes which are disposed on the substrate. At least one of the electrodes has a first corner portion at which a side surface and an upper surface intersect, more upstream in the conveyance direction of the recording medium than the top portion of the ridge portion. In a cross section of the thermal head, an inclination angle of an imaginary line which connects an intersection point of an imaginary line which hangs downward from the top portion (13b1) of the ridge portion and the substrate, with the first corner portion, is 75° or less from the substrate. Thus, printing residue is less likely to adhere to the thermal head.

Abstract: A thermal head which is capable of reducing heat concentration on heat generation portions, and a thermal printer provided with the thermal head are provided. A thermal head includes a substrate; a plurality of heat generation portions which are disposed aligned on the substrate; electrodes which are electrically connected to the heat generation portions; and a protection layer which coats the heat generation portions and a part of the respective electrodes. The protection layer includes a first protection layer which is disposed on the heat generation portions and a second protection layer which is disposed on the first protection layer and has a higher thermal conductivity than that of the first protection layer. A width of the second protection layer is larger than that of the first protection layer when seen in an arrangement direction of the heat generation portions.

Abstract: A thermal head which is capable of reducing heat concentration on heat generation portions, and a thermal printer provided with the thermal head are provided. A thermal head includes a substrate; a plurality of heat generation portions which are disposed aligned on the substrate; electrodes which are electrically connected to the heat generation portions; and a protection layer which coats the heat generation portions and a part of the respective electrodes. The protection layer includes a first protection layer which is disposed on the heat generation portions and a second protection layer which is disposed on the first protection layer and has a higher thermal conductivity than that of the first protection layer. A width of the second protection layer is larger than that of the first protection layer when seen in an arrangement direction of the heat generation portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a recording head for a photographic printing device. The recording head of the present invention includes on a substrate two heating elements arranged adjacently and parallel to each other on a substrate. Each of the heating elements has connected to its ends a connection section, the connection sections and the heating element lying in a straight line. First and second connection sections are connected to the first heating element and third and fourth connection sections are connected to the second heating element. The heat capacities of the first and fourth connection sections are different from that of the second and of the third connection sections. The heat capacities of the first and fourth connection sections are substantially the same, as are the heat capacities of the second and third connection sections.

Abstract: A thermal head (X1) is provided with a substrate (10), a plurality of heat generating elements (H), a first electrode (31), and a second electrode (32). The heat generating elements (H) are arranged on the substrate (10) The first electrode (31) is provided with a plurality of first connecting sections (311) and a plurality of first conductive sections (312). Each of the first connecting sections (311) is connected to one end portion of each of the heat generating elements (H). Each of the first conductive sections (312) is connected to each of the first connecting sections (311) at one end. The second electrode (32) is provided with a plurality of second connecting sections (321) and a plurality of second conductive sections (322). Each of the second connecting sections (321) is connected to the other end portion of each of the heat generating elements (H). Each of the second conductive sections (322) is connected to each of the second connecting sections (321) at one end.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate, heating resistors aligned on a surface of the substrate, an electrode pattern connected to the heating resistors, a protective film that covers the heating resistors and the electrode pattern, and a conductive film that covers an upper surface of the protective film. The conductive film has an opening at least in an area above the arrangement of the heating resistors, and the surface of the protective film is exposed through the opening. An edge of the conductive film adjacent to the opening is inclined outward so that the area of the opening gradually increases as the distance from the exposed surface of the protective film. The thermal head may be used as a printing device in facsimile machines and video printers.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate, heating resistors aligned on a surface of the substrate, an electrode pattern connected to the heating resistors, a protective film that covers the heating resistors and the electrode pattern, and a conductive film that covers an upper surface of the protective film. The conductive film has an opening at least in an area above the arrangement of the heating resistors, and the surface of the protective film is exposed through the opening. An edge of the conductive film adjacent to the opening is inclined outward so that the area of the opening gradually increases as the distance from the exposed surface of the protective film. The thermal head may be used as a printing device in facsimile machines and video printers.