Patents by Inventor Takashi Aiba

Takashi Aiba has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11912029
    Abstract: There is provided liquid discharging head having unit heads. Each of the unit heads includes: first piezoelectric layer, driving electrodes arranged on surface of the first piezoelectric layer and to each of which one of first and second potentials is to be applied, and common electrode. The common electrode includes: potential receiving part configured to receive one of the first and second potentials; and extending part extending in extending direction orthogonal to the first direction, so as to overlap with the driving electrodes in the first direction. The unit heads are arranged so that the common electrodes of the plurality of unit heads are adjacent to each other in second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The extending directions of two of the common electrodes adjacent to each other in the second direction are opposite to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Aiba
  • Patent number: 11910717
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes an electrode layer including a trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions branched from the trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a plurality of junction points from each of which a corresponding branch portion of the plurality of branch portions are branched, an end spaced from the plurality of junction points, and a second through hole positioned between the plurality of junction points and the end of the trunk portion. A plurality of first through holes are grouped into a first group and a second group. The first group overlaps, in a first direction, a particular area defined between the end of the trunk portion and the second through hole and the second group overlaps, in the first direction, another particular area defined between the second through hole and the plurality of junction points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Keiji Kura, Takashi Aiba
  • Patent number: 11569429
    Abstract: S1 is a sum of the areas of a plurality of individual electrodes formed on a first plane of a piezoelectric body of a liquid discharge head, S2 is an area of a first common electrode formed on a second plane, S3 is an area of a second common electrode formed on a third plane, D1 is a distance between a neutral plane and the first plane in a stacking direction, D2 is the distance between the neutral plane and the second plane in the stacking direction, and D3 is the distance between the neutral plane and the third plane in the stacking direction. Then, D1×S1+D2×S2>D3×S3 is satisfied. The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of conductor layers which are formed on the third plane, without contact with the second common electrode and without contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyohei Naito, Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 11538978
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including a piezoelectric body having a plurality of individual electrodes and a first common electrode, and a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of individual electrodes have first to fourth individual electrode arrays, and the first common electrode has first and second extending portions, a plurality of first projecting portions, and a plurality of second projecting portions. Each of the first projecting portions overlaps partially with one of the plurality of individual electrodes forming the second individual electrode array along the stacking direction, and each of the second projecting portions overlaps partially with one of the plurality of individual electrodes forming the third individual electrode array along the stacking direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kyohei Naito, Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20220379608
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a flow passage member, a sealing member, and an actuator member. The flow passage member is formed with individual flow passages each including a nozzle and a pressure chamber and the flow passage member has a surface on which the pressure chamber is open. The sealing member is arranged on the surface and seals the pressure chamber. The actuator member has a piezoelectric layer, a driving electrode, and a high electric potential portion. The piezoelectric layer is adhered to a first surface of the sealing member on a side opposite to the flow passage member, via a first adhesive having an insulating property. The driving electrode is arranged on a side opposite to the sealing member with respect to the piezoelectric layer at a position overlapped with the pressure chamber in a first direction orthogonal to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: KEIJI KURA, TAKASHI AIBA, RUI WANG, SHOTARO KANZAKI
  • Publication number: 20220339936
    Abstract: There is provided liquid discharging head having unit heads. Each of the unit heads includes: first piezoelectric layer, driving electrodes arranged on surface of the first piezoelectric layer and to each of which one of first and second potentials is to be applied, and common electrode. The common electrode includes: potential receiving part configured to receive one of the first and second potentials; and extending part extending in extending direction orthogonal to the first direction, so as to overlap with the driving electrodes in the first direction. The unit heads are arranged so that the common electrodes of the plurality of unit heads are adjacent to each other in second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The extending directions of two of the common electrodes adjacent to each other in the second direction are opposite to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: TAKASHI AIBA
  • Publication number: 20220102615
    Abstract: There is provided a piezoelectric actuator including a vibration plate; first and second piezoelectric layers; individual electrodes; a first common electrode arranged between the vibration plate and the first piezoelectric layer; a second common electrode arranged between the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer; a first surface electrode which is arranged on the second piezoelectric layer and which is in conduction with the first common electrode; and a second surface electrode which is arranged on the second piezoelectric layer and which is in conduction with the second common electrode. The piezoelectric actuator further comprises an inspection electrode which is arranged on the second piezoelectric layer at an end portion of the second piezoelectric layer, which is overlapped with the one of the first and second common electrodes, and which is not in conduction with any of the individual electrodes, and the first and second common electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20220102617
    Abstract: There is provided piezoelectric actuator including: vibration plate; first and second piezoelectric layers; a plurality of individual electrodes arranged on actuator surface, of the second piezoelectric layer, on first side in first direction of the second piezoelectric layer; first and second common electrodes; first surface electrode arranged on the actuator surface at an end portion in second direction orthogonal to the first direction; second surface electrode arranged on the actuator surface; and non-conductive electrodes arranged at end portions in the second direction of at least two of the actuator surface, and the first and second boundary surfaces, and which are not in conduction with any of the individual electrodes, and the first and second common electrodes. The non-conductive electrodes are arranged at least in an area of an end portion in the second direction of a stack of the vibration plate, and the first and second piezoelectric layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 11285722
    Abstract: An inkjet head includes a channel unit and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric plate, a first electrode, a second piezoelectric plate, a second electrode, and a conductive member. The first piezoelectric plate includes a first surface. The first electrode is disposed on the first surface, and includes a first extending portion. The second piezoelectric plate includes a second surface. The second electrode is disposed on the second surface, and includes a second extending portion. The conductive member includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is disposed on the first surface. The second conductive portion is disposed on the second surface. The conductive portion covers, in a first direction, a spacing that is located between the first extending portion and the second extending portion in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 11225076
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a piezoelectric body including piezoelectric layers stacked in a stacking direction, the piezoelectric body including a first end and a second end that are separated in a first direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the piezoelectric layers; individual electrodes positioned in a first plane orthogonal to the stacking direction; a first common electrode formed in a second plane that is orthogonal to the stacking direction and of which position in the stacking direction is different from a position of a neutral plane of the piezoelectric body in the staking direction and a position of the first plane in the staking direction; and a trace positioned in a third plane of which position in the stacking direction is different from a position of the first plane, the position of the second plane, and the position of the neutral plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20210305486
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric layer and a first electrode layer disposed on a surface of the first piezoelectric layer. The first electrode layer includes a trunk portion and a plurality of brunch portions branched from the trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a plurality of junction points from each of which a corresponding branch portion of the plurality of branch portions is branched, an end spaced from the plurality of junction points, and a first through hole positioned between the plurality of junction points and the end of the trunk portion. A first mark is positioned inside the first through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Keiji Kura, Takashi Aiba
  • Publication number: 20210305482
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator includes an electrode layer including a trunk portion and a plurality of branch portions branched from the trunk portion. The trunk portion includes a plurality of junction points from each of which a corresponding branch portion of the plurality of branch portions are branched, an end spaced from the plurality of junction points, and a second through hole positioned between the plurality of junction points and the end of the trunk portion. A plurality of first through holes are grouped into a first group and a second group. The first group overlaps, in a first direction, a particular area defined between the end of the trunk portion and the second through hole and the second group overlaps, in the first direction, another particular area defined between the second through hole and the plurality of junction points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Keiji Kura, Takashi Aiba
  • Publication number: 20210300041
    Abstract: An inkjet head includes a channel unit and a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric plate, a first electrode, a second piezoelectric plate, a second electrode, and a conductive member. The first piezoelectric plate includes a first surface. The first electrode is disposed on the first surface, and includes a first extending portion. The second piezoelectric plate includes a second surface. The second electrode is disposed on the second surface, and includes a second extending portion. The conductive member includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. The first conductive portion is disposed on the first surface. The second conductive portion is disposed on the second surface. The conductive portion covers, in a first direction, a spacing that is located between the first extending portion and the second extending portion in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 10814627
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including: a piezoelectric body, a common electrode, a bypass trace, and a plurality of individual electrodes. The piezoelectric body is provided with: a first through hole extending in a stacking direction between a conductive layer constructing the piezoelectric body and a first extending portion of the common electrode, and a second through hole extending in the stacking direction between the conductive layer and the first extending portion. The conductive layer and the first extending portion are electrically connected to each other by a conductive material arranged in the first and second through holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20200324547
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes: a piezoelectric body including piezoelectric layers stacked in a stacking direction, the piezoelectric body including a first end and a second end that are separated in a first direction orthogonal to the stacking direction of the piezoelectric layers; individual electrodes positioned in a first plane orthogonal to the stacking direction; a first common electrode formed in a second plane that is orthogonal to the stacking direction and of which position in the stacking direction is different from a position of a neutral plane of the piezoelectric body in the staking direction and a position of the first plane in the staking direction; and a trace positioned in a third plane of which position in the stacking direction is different from a position of the first plane, the position of the second plane, and the position of the neutral plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 10744767
    Abstract: A liquid ejection device is disclosed. One device includes a liquid supply member defining a liquid supply channel that is in communication with a common liquid chamber via an outlet of the liquid supply channel. The outlet and the common liquid chamber extend along a longitudinal direction respectively. The liquid supply member includes a plurality of ribs located within the liquid supply channel, the plurality of ribs are disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of ribs includes a first rib, a second rib and a third rib. A distance from the first rib to the third rib in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a distance from the first rib to the second rib in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Taisuke Mizuno, Yasuo Kato, Takashi Aiba, Keita Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20190299616
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including: a piezoelectric body, a common electrode, a bypass trace, and a plurality of individual electrodes. The piezoelectric body is provided with: a first through hole extending in a stacking direction between a conductive layer constructing the piezoelectric body and a first extending portion of the common electrode, and a second through hole extending in the stacking direction between the conductive layer and the first extending portion. The conductive layer and the first extending portion are electrically connected to each other by a conductive material arranged in the first and second through holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20190103545
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharge head including a piezoelectric body having a plurality of individual electrodes and a first common electrode, and a plurality of conductor layers. The plurality of individual electrodes have first to fourth individual electrode arrays, and the first common electrode has first and second extending portions, a plurality of first projecting portions, and a plurality of second projecting portions. Each of the first projecting portions overlaps partially with one of the plurality of individual electrodes forming the second individual electrode array along the stacking direction, and each of the second projecting portions overlaps partially with one of the plurality of individual electrodes forming the third individual electrode array along the stacking direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyohei Naito, Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20190103544
    Abstract: S1 is a sum of the areas of a plurality of individual electrodes formed on a first plane of a piezoelectric body of a liquid discharge head, S2 is an area of a first common electrode formed on a second plane, S3 is an area of a second common electrode formed on a third plane, D1 is a distance between a neutral plane and the first plane in a stacking direction, D2 is the distance between the neutral plane and the second plane in the stacking direction, and D3 is the distance between the neutral plane and the third plane in the stacking direction. Then, D1×S1+D2×S2>D3×S3 is satisfied. The liquid discharge head includes a plurality of conductor layers which are formed on the third plane, without contact with the second common electrode and without contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Kyohei Naito, Takashi Aiba, Keiji Kura
  • Publication number: 20180361743
    Abstract: A liquid ejection device is disclosed. One device includes a liquid supply member defining a liquid supply channel that is in communication with a common liquid chamber via an outlet of the liquid supply channel. The outlet and the common liquid chamber extend along a longitudinal direction respectively. The liquid supply member includes a plurality of ribs located within the liquid supply channel, the plurality of ribs are disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The plurality of ribs includes a first rib, a second rib and a third rib. A distance from the first rib to the third rib in the longitudinal direction is smaller than a distance from the first rib to the second rib in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Taisuke MIZUNO, Yasuo KATO, Takashi AIBA, Keita SUGIURA