Abstract: A stacked body is formed from alternating piezoelectric ceramic layers 40 and internal electrode layers 42, 44. At least a central portion of a stacked body is divided into a plurality of actuator portions 46a, 46b, and 46c by elongated holes 52 opened in the stacked direction. The portions are supported at their end portions by a piezoelectric non-active portion 48. Desired actuator portions can be driven independently by selectively applying voltage to the electrodes corresponding to the actuator portions 46a, 46b, and 46c.

Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a layered piezoelectric element 38 constructed from alternately stacked piezoelectric ceramic layers 40 and internal electrode layers 42, 44 and having a plurality of fine actuator portions 46, wherein the layered piezoelectric element 38 deforming the actuator portions 46 in the direction in which they are stacked, slit-shaped holes 52 are formed using ultrasonic wave abrasive particle machining after sintering the stacked body of green sheets 50, 51. The holes 52 are formed as through holes in the layered piezoelectric element 38. The actuator portions 46 are formed so as to be connected by non-through-hole portions 48 at both ends.

Abstract: A method of producing a layered piezoelectric element for producing a pressure fluctuation within a cavity of an ink jet print head to eject ink from within the cavity, the production method comprising the steps of screen printing a slurry of powdered piezoelectric material to form a piezoelectric ceramic layer; screen printing a conductive paste to form an internal electrode layer on the piezoelectric ceramic layer; and repeating in alternation the steps of screen printing the slurry of powdered piezoelectric material and screen printing the conductive paste to obtain a layered body with piezoelectric ceramic layers and internal electrode layers layered in alternation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayer piezoelectric element in which the conductive layers, each having a first layer including conductive particles and a second insulating layer, are formed on two side surfaces, each surface opposing with each other, of the multilayer piezoelectric element that a plurality of the piezoelectric plates and the internal electrodes are alternately stacked and the conductive portions are alternately formed in the conductive layer based on the conductive particles corresponding to the internal electrodes disposed on each side surface, thereby the internal electrodes and the external electrodes are electrically connected with each other on each side surface through the conductive portions.

Abstract: A printer for recording information on one of opposite surfaces of a recording medium, including a recording head displaceable along the one surface of the recording medium, for recording the information on the one surface, a platen device for defining a platen surface which is opposed to the recording head, a vibration device for applying vibration to the platen means and thereby vibrating the platen surface, and an actuating device for, when the recording head is displaced along the one surface of the recording medium, displacing the platen device along the other of the opposite surfaces of the recording medium in a same direction as a direction of the displacement of the recording head and in synchronism with the displacement of the recording head, so that the platen surface continues to be opposed to the recording head.

Abstract: A print head assembly of a printing device, in which a supporting member flexibly supporting a plurality of armature members, and a permanent magnet member urging the armatures in one direction by means of its magnetic force and arranged between a head body as a yoke member, including plurality of cores wound individually with solenoid coils, and a cover member integrally formed with a guide member having a nose for guiding a number of print wires. All these members are joined together along an assembling axis. The cover member has apertures individually formed at positions corresponding to the armature members, the armature members being secured to the supporting member by irradiation of an electron beam or a laser beam from the outside through the apertures.

Abstract: A device for magnifying displacement of an elongated piezoelectric element adapted to be displaced by application of voltage thereto, including a main frame extending along one side of the piezoelectric element and having a lateral projection for supporting one end of the piezoelectric element with respect to a direction of displacement of the piezoelectric element; a movable member mounted on the other end of the piezoelectric element with respect to the direction of displacement of the piezoelectric element; a first leaf spring fixed at its one end portion to the main frame; a second leaf spring fixed at its one portion to the movable member and disposed in opposed relationship to the first leaf spring; a rocking member fixedly connected to the other end of the first leaf spring and the other end of the second leaf spring and adapted to be rocked by flexing of the first and second leaf springs to be generated by the displacement of the piezoelectric element; a sub frame extending along the other side of the

Abstract: A method of producing a device for magnifying displacement of a piezoelectric element adapted to be displaced by application of voltage thereto. The method includes a first step of forming a movable member integrally with a frame through a connecting portion in such a manner as a space for inserting therein a piezoelectric element is defined between the movable member and a base portion of the frame; a second step of fixing the leaf spring to the frame and the movable member; and a third step of forming a separation groove in the connecting portion to separate the movable member from the frame.

Abstract: A device for magnifying displacement of a piezoelectric element adapted to be displaced by application of voltage thereto, comprising a frame extending substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the piezoelectric element; a movable member fixed to a first end of the piezoelectric element with respect to the direction of displacement; a first mount surface formed on said frame and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; a second mount surface formed on the movable member and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement, which second mount surface is opposed to the first mount surface; a first leaf spring mounted at a first end portion on the first mount surface and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; a second leaf spring mounted at a first end portion on the second mount surface and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; and a rolling member fixed to second end portions of the first and seco

Abstract: Disclosed is a print head for a printer which performs a printing operation with dots on a printing medium. The print head is provided with an armature and a wire holder fixed to the armature. A print wire is rigidly joined to the free end of the wire holder. The forward end portion of the print wire extends toward the printing medium through a guide slot formed in a guide member. The side surface of the forward end portion of the print wire on the side opposite to the side on which the armature is disposed slides along the wall defining the guide slot at least during the printing operation.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cast-iron bonded diamond wheel, by using a cast iron as a bond for holding diamond particles together. After a powder mixture consisting of the diamond particles and the cast iron is molded into a desired formed body, a core tube of a heating furnace is loaded with the formed body. The core tube is maintained in a fluid-tight condition, and a flow of pure H.sub.2 gas is introduced into the core tube, so as to maintain the atmosphere within the core tube such that a dew point of the atmosphere is -50.degree. C. or lower. In this condition, the core tube is heated from the outside, whereby the formed mass of diamond abrasive and cast iron bond is sintered into the diamond wheel.

Abstract: A print head for dot printers comprising a plurality of actuators each including an armature supported on a holder through a torsion spring and having at its end a printing wire. The torsion spring is inserted in and bonded to the inner wall of through-holes of the bifurcated end portion of one of the armature and holder and to the inner wall of through-hole of the other of them, and has larger diameter portions fitted in the through-holes and smaller diameter portions interposed between the larger diameter portions. The smaller diameter portions of the torsion spring are formed in the concave section to avoid the concentration of torsional stress in the stepped boundary portions.

Abstract: A print head for impact type dot matrix printer having means for air-cooling the interior of the print head elevated in temperature due to the generation of heat of solenoid coils, the air cooling means is constituted in such a manner that the outer face of the print head along the direction of movement thereof is formed so as to cause the faster flow of air along said outer face when the print head is moved, and said outer face is provided with ventilating hole means which communicates the interior of the print head and the outside. When the print head is moved, it causes the faster flow along said outer face to thereby draw the air from the interior of the print head through the ventilating hole means due to the difference in pressure.

Abstract: A device for magnifying displacement of a piezoelectric element adapted to be displaced by application of voltage thereto, comprising a frame extending substantially parallel to a direction of displacement of the piezoelectric element; a movable member fixed to a first end of the piezoelectric element with respect to the direction of displacement; a first mount surface formed on said frame and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; a second mount surface formed on the movable member and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement, which second mount surface is opposed to the first mount surface; a first leaf spring mounted at a first end portion on the first mount surface and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; a second leaf spring mounted at a first end portion on the second mount surface and extending substantially parallel to the direction of displacement; and a rolling member fixed to second end portions of the first and seco