Patents by Inventor Tsutomu Nishiwaki

Tsutomu Nishiwaki 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: 11123988
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle substrate in which a nozzle that ejects a liquid is formed and a flow path substrate that is joined to the nozzle substrate. The flow path substrate includes a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle and a first liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid to be supplied to the pressure chamber. The nozzle substrate includes a first damper chamber and one or more first hole portions which communicate with the first liquid storage chamber and the first damper chamber and in which a meniscus for absorbing a pressure fluctuation of the liquid in the first liquid storage chamber is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 11104144
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a substrate where a first nozzle and a second nozzle that eject liquid. The substrate is formed with a plurality of hole portions which communicate with a supply liquid chamber and in each of which a meniscus for absorbing pressure variation of liquid inside the supply liquid chamber is formed. The plurality of hole portions include a first hole portion. A distance between an end portion of a first supply flow path on a side of the supply liquid chamber and the first hole portion is equal to a distance between an end portion of a second supply flow path on a side of the supply liquid chamber and the first hole portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20200338896
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a substrate where a first nozzle and a second nozzle that eject liquid. The substrate is formed with a plurality of hole portions which communicate with a supply liquid chamber and in each of which a meniscus for absorbing pressure variation of liquid inside the supply liquid chamber is formed. The plurality of hole portions include a first hole portion. A distance between an end portion of a first supply flow path on a side of the supply liquid chamber and the first hole portion is equal to a distance between an end portion of a second supply flow path on a side of the supply liquid chamber and the first hole portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Publication number: 20200338886
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a nozzle substrate in which a nozzle that ejects a liquid is formed and a flow path substrate that is joined to the nozzle substrate. The flow path substrate includes a pressure chamber that communicates with the nozzle and a first liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid to be supplied to the pressure chamber. The nozzle substrate includes a first damper chamber and one or more first hole portions which communicate with the first liquid storage chamber and the first damper chamber and in which a meniscus for absorbing a pressure fluctuation of the liquid in the first liquid storage chamber is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Inventor: Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Patent number: 10611152
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting head including a pressure chamber to accommodate a liquid, a vibration plate, a nozzle to eject the liquid, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body layer, a first electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric body layer, and a second electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric body layer. The liquid ejecting head further includes wiring connected to the second electrode and extended along a surface direction of the piezoelectric body layer, and does not include a metal layer having the same potential as the first electrode in a first area which is an area positioned between the wiring and the vibration plate and in which the wiring overlaps with none of the second electrode and the piezoelectric body layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface direction of the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Ichiro Asaoka, Eiju Hirai, Tsutomu Nishiwaki, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 10611150
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a pressure chamber that accommodates a liquid, a diaphragm that forms a wall surface of the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric element that is provided on an opposite side of the pressure chamber with the diaphragm interposed between the piezoelectric element and the pressure chamber and vibrates the diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a silicon oxynitride layer formed with including silicon oxynitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nishiwaki, Hiroshi Kato, Tsutomu Asakawa
  • Publication number: 20190092016
    Abstract: Provided is a liquid ejecting head including a pressure chamber to accommodate a liquid, a vibration plate, a nozzle to eject the liquid, and a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element includes a piezoelectric body layer, a first electrode disposed on one surface of the piezoelectric body layer, and a second electrode disposed on the other surface of the piezoelectric body layer. The liquid ejecting head further includes wiring connected to the second electrode and extended along a surface direction of the piezoelectric body layer, and does not include a metal layer having the same potential as the first electrode in a first area which is an area positioned between the wiring and the vibration plate and in which the wiring overlaps with none of the second electrode and the piezoelectric body layer in a direction perpendicular to a surface direction of the second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Ichiro ASAOKA, Eiju HIRAI, Tsutomu NISHIWAKI, Hiroshi KATO
  • Publication number: 20190077150
    Abstract: A liquid discharge head includes a pressure chamber that accommodates a liquid, a diaphragm that forms a wall surface of the pressure chamber, and a piezoelectric element that is provided on an opposite side of the pressure chamber with the diaphragm interposed between the piezoelectric element and the pressure chamber and vibrates the diaphragm. The diaphragm includes a silicon oxynitride layer formed with including silicon oxynitride.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tsutomu NISHIWAKI, Hiroshi KATO, Tsutomu ASAKAWA
  • Patent number: 9851266
    Abstract: A stress-detecting element includes a support body, a support film, a first piezoelectric element, first and second elastic parts. The support body has an opening part with first and second rectilinear sections extending parallel to each other. The support film blocks off the opening part. The first piezoelectric element straddles the first rectilinear section from an interior area to an exterior area of the opening part as seen in plan view. The first elastic part straddles the first rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The second elastic part straddles the second rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The first and second elastic parts respectively have first and second elastic end sections disposed in the interior area of the opening part and spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakamura, Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20170265844
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic vibrators arranged in a circumferential direction, an acoustic matching layer disposed on the ultrasonic vibrators, and a flexion section disposed between the ultrasonic vibrators adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and having an electrode layer acting as an electrode of the ultrasonic vibrators adjacent to each other. Further, it is also possible to configure the ultrasonic probe in which the electrode layer is exposed in the flexion section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Patent number: 9692524
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a first substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a second substrate and a wiring member. The first substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. Each of the ultrasonic transducer elements is provided in each of the openings in a plan view. The second substrate includes a first wiring part, and coupled to the first substrate. The wiring member includes a second wiring part electrically connecting the ultrasonic transducer elements to the first wiring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20160056901
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a first substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a second substrate and a wiring member. The first substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. Each of the ultrasonic transducer elements is provided in each of the openings in a plan view. The second substrate includes a first wiring part, and coupled to the first substrate. The wiring member includes a second wiring part electrically connecting the ultrasonic transducer elements to the first wiring part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Patent number: 9197331
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a wiring substrate and a wiring member. The substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. Each of the ultrasonic transducer elements is provided in each of the openings on a first surface of the substrate. The wiring substrate is arranged to face a second surface of the substrate that is opposite from the first surface. The wiring substrate includes a first wiring part. The wiring member is connected to the substrate and the wiring substrate. The wiring member includes a second wiring part electrically connecting the ultrasonic transducer elements to the first wiring part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 9127999
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a substrate; an ultrasonic transducer disposed on the substrate, and configured and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves that propagate as plane waves in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the substrate; an acoustic refracting part contacting the ultrasonic transducer, and configured and arranged to refract the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer; an elastically deformable elastic portion contacting the acoustic refracting part; and an ultrasonic reflecting member disposed within the elastic portion, and configured and arranged to reflect the ultrasonic waves. The acoustic refracting part is configured and arranged to refract, toward the ultrasonic reflecting member, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Tsuruno, Tsutomu Nishiwaki, Tomoaki Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9114428
    Abstract: A first piezoelectric element having a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric element having a second piezoelectric layer, which is different from the first piezoelectric layer, are included on the same substrate. The first piezoelectric layer has a d constant greater than a d constant of the second piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Kobayashi, Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 8991985
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a liquid jet head includes depositing a lower electrode film on a passage forming substrate and patterning the lower electrode film into a predetermined pattern, forming a piezoelectric layer on the passage forming substrate, forming an intermediate film made of a conductive material on the piezoelectric layer, forming a protective film on the intermediate film and, using the protective film as a mask, patterning by etching the piezoelectric layer together with the intermediate film into a predetermined pattern, peeling off the protective film, and depositing an upper electrode film on the passage forming substrate and patterning the upper electrode film into a predetermined pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Yazaki, Setsuya Iwashita, Eiju Hirai, Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Publication number: 20140338462
    Abstract: A stress-detecting element includes a support body, a support film, a first piezoelectric element, first and second elastic parts. The support body has an opening part with first and second rectilinear sections extending parallel to each other. The support film blocks off the opening part. The first piezoelectric element straddles the first rectilinear section from an interior area to an exterior area of the opening part as seen in plan view. The first elastic part straddles the first rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The second elastic part straddles the second rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The first and second elastic parts respectively have first and second elastic end sections disposed in the interior area of the opening part and spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Tomoaki NAKAMURA, Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Publication number: 20140292941
    Abstract: A first piezoelectric element having a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric element having a second piezoelectric layer, which is different from the first piezoelectric layer, are included on the same substrate. The first piezoelectric layer has a d constant greater than a d constant of the second piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomokazu KOBAYASHI, Tsutomu NISHIWAKI
  • Patent number: 8826748
    Abstract: A stress-detecting element includes a support body, a support film, a first piezoelectric element, first and second elastic parts. The support body has an opening part with first and second rectilinear sections extending parallel to each other. The support film blocks off the opening part. The first piezoelectric element straddles the first rectilinear section from an interior area to an exterior area of the opening part as seen in plan view. The first elastic part straddles the first rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The second elastic part straddles the second rectilinear section from the interior area to the exterior area of the opening part. The first and second elastic parts respectively have first and second elastic end sections disposed in the interior area of the opening part and spaced apart from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Nakamura, Tsutomu Nishiwaki
  • Patent number: 8776605
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: a substrate; an ultrasonic transducer disposed on the substrate, and configured and arranged to transmit ultrasonic waves that propagate as plane waves in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the substrate; an acoustic refracting part contacting the ultrasonic transducer, and configured and arranged to refract the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer; an elastically deformable elastic portion contacting the acoustic refracting part; and an ultrasonic reflecting member disposed within the elastic portion, and configured and arranged to reflect the ultrasonic waves. The acoustic refracting part is configured and arranged to refract, toward the ultrasonic reflecting member, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Jiro Tsuruno, Tsutomu Nishiwaki, Tomoaki Nakamura