Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate; a heat generating section disposed on the substrate; an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating section; a cover layer which covers part of the electrode; a pad electrically connected to the electrode; and a joining member electrically connected to the pad. The cover layer includes a first portion and a second portion which is smaller in thickness than the first portion. The second portion is placed on the pad. The pad has a convexity which exposes from the second portion. The joining member is connected to the convexity.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate, a heat storage layer disposed on the substrate and including a bulging portion, heating elements disposed on the bulging portion, a protective layer disposed on the heating elements, and a covering layer disposed on the protective layer. The covering layer includes a first portion disposed apart from the bulging portion, and a second portion disposed between the bulging portion and the first portion. The height of the second portion from the substrate is smaller than the height of the first portion from the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate; a plurality of heating elements disposed on the substrate; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate and electrically connected to the plurality of heating elements; a connector disposed adjacent to the substrate and including a plurality of connector pins including connection portions, each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes, and a housing containing the plurality of connector pins; and a covering member covering the connection portions on the substrate. The housing includes an opening facing away from the substrate. The covering member includes a first portion located on the substrate and a second portion located on the housing. The second portion includes a first protrusion protruding toward the opening in a plan view.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate; a heat generating section disposed on the substrate; an electrode electrically connected to the heat generating section; a cover layer which covers part of the electrode; a pad electrically connected to the electrode; and a joining member electrically connected to the pad. The cover layer includes a first portion and a second portion which is smaller in thickness than the first portion. The second portion is placed on the pad. The pad has a convexity which exposes from the second portion. The joining member is connected to the convexity.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a thermal head having improved sealability. [Solution] A thermal head X1 includes a substrate 7, a heat storage layer 13 disposed on the substrate 7 and including a bulging portion 13a, heating elements 9 disposed on the bulging portion 13a, a protective layer 25 disposed on the heating elements 9, and a covering layer 27 disposed on the protective layer 25. The covering layer 27 includes a first portion 27a disposed apart from the bulging portion 13a, and a second portion 27b disposed between the bulging portion 13a and the first portion 27a. The height of the second portion 27b from the substrate 7 is smaller than the height of the first portion 27a from the substrate 7. Thus, the sealability of the thermal head X1 can be improved.

Abstract: A thermal head includes a substrate; a heat generating section disposed on the substrate; an electrode which is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the heat generating section; and a connector including a fixing ping electrically connected to the electrode, a movable pin which holds the substrate between the movable pin and the fixing pin, and a connection pin which connects the fixing pin and the movable pin. The movable pin includes a movable section which is bent or curved and a contact section making contact with the substrate. The movable pin is disposed so as to protrude from the connection pin beyond the fixing pin. The contact section is located closer to a connection pin side than a tip end of the fixing pin.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a thermal head that can reduce the probability of breakage of a connector. [Solution] A thermal head X1 includes a substrate 7; a plurality of heating elements 9 disposed on the substrate 7; a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate 7 and electrically connected to the plurality of heating elements 9; a connector 31 disposed adjacent to the substrate 7 and including a plurality of connector pins 8a including connection portions 32, each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of electrodes, and a housing 10 containing the plurality of connector pins 8a; and a covering member 12 covering the connection portions on the substrate. The housing includes an opening facing away from the substrate. The covering member 12 includes a first portion 12a located on the substrate 7 and a second portion 12b located on the housing 10. The second portion 12b includes a first protrusion 12b1 protruding toward the opening 10i in a plan view.

Abstract: A thermal head capable of reducing a possibility of separation of a connector is provided. A thermal head includes a substrate; a plurality of heat generating portions disposed on the substrate; a plurality of electrodes which are disposed on the substrate and are electrically connected to the plurality of heat generating portions, respectively; and a connector including a plurality of connector pins which pinch the substrate and are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, respectively, and a housing for containing the plurality of connector pins. The housing is disposed adjacent to the substrate in a sub-scanning direction, and the housing includes a support portion disposed under the substrate. This can reduce a possibility of separation of the connector.

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 heat generating section disposed on the substrate; an electrode which is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the heat generating section; and a connector including a fixing ping electrically connected to the electrode, a movable pin which holds the substrate between the movable pin and the fixing pin, and a connection pin which connects the fixing pin and the movable pin. The movable pin includes a movable section which is bent or curved and a contact section making contact with the substrate. The movable pin is disposed so as to protrude from the connection pin beyond the fixing pin. The contact section is located closer to a connection pin side than a tip end of the fixing pin.

Abstract: A thermal head capable of reducing a possibility of separation of a connector is provided. A thermal head includes a substrate; a plurality of heat generating portions disposed on the substrate; a plurality of electrodes which are disposed on the substrate and are electrically connected to the plurality of heat generating portions, respectively; and a connector including a plurality of connector pins which pinch the substrate and are electrically connected to the plurality of electrodes, respectively, and a housing for containing the plurality of connector pins. The housing is disposed adjacent to the substrate in a sub-scanning direction, and the housing includes a support portion disposed under the substrate. This can reduce a possibility of separation of the connector.

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: To provide a thermal head in which separation of a protective layer is unlikely to occur. A thermal head X1 includes a substrate 7, a heat-generating portion 9 disposed on the substrate 7, electrodes 17 and 19 disposed on the substrate 7 and electrically connected to the heat-generating portion 9, and a protective layer 25 which covers the heat-generating portion 9 and part of the electrodes 17 and 19. The electrodes 17 and 19 each includes a first region R1 which lies below a depth of 150 nm from the surface 17e or 19e located on the protective layer 25 side, and the first region R1 contains oxygen. It is possible to suppress separation of each of the electrodes 17 and 19 from the protective layer 25.

Abstract: A thermal head capable of decreasing the possibility of causing a blur in an image printed on a recording medium is provided. A thermal head includes: a substrate; a plurality of heat generating portions disposed aligned on the substrate; an electrode disposed on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the heat generating portions; a driving IC electrically connected to the electrode; and a covering member which covers the driving IC and makes contact with a recording medium which is being conveyed. The covering member includes: a first protrusion extending in a direction away from the substrate; and a second protrusion which is spaced from the first protrusion, is located between the first protrusion and the heat generating portions, and extends in a direction away from the substrate.

Abstract: Problem: To provide a thermal head in which separation of a protective layer is unlikely to occur. Solution: A thermal head X1 includes a substrate 7, a heat-generating portion 9 disposed on the substrate 7, electrodes 17 and 19 disposed on the substrate 7 and electrically connected to the heat-generating portion 9, and a protective layer 25 which covers the heat-generating portion 9 and part of the electrodes 17 and 19. The electrodes 17 and 19 each include a first region R1 which lies below a depth of 150 nm from the surface 17e or 19e located on the protective layer 25 side, and the first region R1 contains oxygen. It is possible to suppress separation of each of the electrodes 17 and 19 from the protective layer 25.

Abstract: There are provided a thermal head capable of decreasing the possibility of occurrence of layer separation in a protective layer, and a thermal printer equipped with the same. A thermal head includes a substrate; an electrode disposed on the substrate; an electric resistor connected to the electrode, part of which serves as a heat-generating section; and a protective layer disposed on the electrode and on the heat-generating section. The protective layer includes a first layer containing silicon nitride or silicon oxide; and a second layer disposed on the first layer, containing tantalum oxide and silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: A thermal head capable of decreasing the possibility of causing a blur in an image printed on a recording medium is provided. A thermal head includes: a substrate; a plurality of heat generating portions disposed aligned on the substrate; an electrode disposed on the substrate so as to be electrically connected to the heat generating portions; a driving IC electrically connected to the electrode; and a covering member which covers the driving IC and makes contact with a recording medium which is being conveyed. The covering member includes: a first protrusion extending in a direction away from the substrate; and a second protrusion which is spaced from the first protrusion, is located between the first protrusion and the heat generating portions, and extends in a direction away from the substrate.

Abstract: A thermal head and a thermal printer are disclosed. The head includes a substrate, heat generating members, an edge portion, and first and second reinforcing members. The substrate includes: first and second surfaces opposing to each other; and an end face connecting the first and second surfaces. The heat generating members are parallel to the end face and located on the substrate. The edge portion is located on the substrate, crosses an array direction of the heating generating members, and includes first, second and third edge portions on the first main surface, the second main surface and the first end face, respectively. The first reinforcing member is located on the first, second and third edge portions. The second reinforcing member is located on the first edge portion, and separated from the first reinforcing member.

Abstract: There are provided a thermal head capable of decreasing the possibility of occurrence of layer separation in a protective layer, and a thermal printer equipped with the same. A thermal head includes a substrate; an electrode disposed on the substrate; an electric resistor connected to the electrode, part of which serves as a heat-generating section; and a protective layer disposed on the electrode and on the heat-generating section. The protective layer includes a first layer containing silicon nitride or silicon oxide; and a second layer disposed on the first layer, containing tantalum oxide and silicon oxynitride.

Abstract: A thermal head and a thermal printer are disclosed. The head includes a substrate, heat generating members, an edge portion, and first and second reinforcing members. The substrate includes: first and second surfaces opposing to each other; and an end face connecting the first and second surfaces. The heat generating members are parallel to the end face and located on the substrate. The edge portion is located on the substrate, crosses an array direction of the heating generating members, and includes first, second and third edge portions on the first main surface, the second main surface and the first end face, respectively. The first reinforcing member is located on the first, second and third edge portions. The second reinforcing member is located on the first edge portion, and separated from the first reinforcing member.