Abstract: A container holder typically including a concave portion which is formed on an outside of a utility vehicle and which is configured to be positioned forward of a driver's seat. A container may be put into or taken out of the container holder. The container holder has a pad configured to inhibit a container accommodated therein from disengaging from the container holder. When a small item is accommodated in the container holder, the pad serves as a lid.

Abstract: This invention is related to a mechanism for use in motion furniture that reduces the complexity and links of typical linkage mechanisms. The mechanism has a base plate and a footrest mechanism. The mechanism also includes a seat support link coupled to the footrest mechanism and front and rear pivot links rotatably coupled to the seat support link and slidably and rotatably coupled to the base plate. An ottoman drive link is slidably and rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion of the front pivot link and rotatably coupled to an intermediate portion rear pivot link. A primary ottoman link couples the ottoman drive link and the footrest mechanism. The primary ottoman link is rotatably coupled to the seat support link at an intermediate portion, so that the primary ottoman link and the ottoman drive link cooperate to move footrest mechanism between a closed chair position and an open recliner position.

Abstract: A safety device for a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat surface which extends along a longitudinal direction of the seat, a securing element assigned to the seat surface and a drive device which is operatively connected to the securing element and is activated in a crash situation, in order to move the securing element out of a starting position, without changing the spatial position thereof, so that the seat surface and the securing element oppose the forward displacement of the pelvis of a person sitting on the seat surface in the longitudinal direction of the seat.

Abstract: An Occupant Retraction System (ORS) retracts a partially exposed occupant into a vehicle. The system responds to a trigger, wherein an occupant support retracts and actively pulls the occupant into the vehicle interior. The triggering event may be initiated by a manual switch, a rollover sensor, a crash sensor, a hostile ordnance sensor, or the like. A belt, harness, or foot strap may be connected to the occupant support to pull the occupant into the vehicle interior. A forcing means may be provided by a spring, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electro-mechanical actuator. The system further includes a damper for limiting acceleration to a safe maximum.

Abstract: An acoustic structure of seat back includes a suspension board element provided therein. The suspension board element, which has a speaker unit provided to a backward surface thereof, is resiliently provided in a seat back frame of the seat back. A sound-conductive cushion element of a flat plate configuration is juxtaposed on a forward surface of the suspension board element. Those seat back frame and sound-conductive cushion element are covered with a foam padding and a trim cover assembly to thereby form such an acoustic seat back structure wherein all the suspension board element, speaker unit and sound-conductive cushion element are resiliently supported within the seat back, as an acoustic and vibration generator unit effective for imparting sound and vibration directly to a back portion of seat occupant.

Abstract: The inventive pneumatic child seat (1) comprises a back part (8) and a seating part (7). The child seat (1) can be impinged upon by pressure from a pressure gas store (11) after the closing element (6) is opened. The child seat (1) automatically unfolds from an opening (5) in a back rest (4) of a vehicle seat, changes into the represented shape and is disposed on the seat (3) of a vehicle seat. Said child seat is configured in such a manner that the back part (8) can be supported separately, extending into the opening (5) when impinged upon by pressure from a pocket (17) and being secured therein.

Abstract: A thoracic back support allows for and assists in the promotion of scapular retraction in a seated human. In various examples, such supports may be rigid or semi-rigid, and they may be convex.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting a vehicle seat having a backrest and a seat base by moving the backrest and seat base at the same time to one of a normal position and a loading position. A transmission that may include a drive is provided and may further include a lock mechanism coupled to the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat lift assembly includes a seat pan and a seat frame positioned beneath the seat pan. Each of a pair of first linking members has a first end pivotally secured to the seat pan and a second end pivotally secured to the seat frame. Each of a pair of second linking members has a first end pivotally secured to the seat pan and a second end pivotally secured to the seat frame. A pinion gear is rotatable with respect to the seat pan. An actuator is operably connected to the pinion gear. A rack member has a plurality of teeth, with the pinion gear meshing with the teeth of the rack member. A first end of the rack member is pivotally secured to the first end of one of the first linking members and a second end of the rack member is slidably connected to the seat pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head rest for a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle. The head rest consists of an attachment (8) arranged on top of the back rest of the vehicle seat, a protective cushion (4) and one or several supporting arms (5, 13) which protrude from the attachment and support the protective cushion (4). The supporting arms are at their one end (7) pivotably attached to the attachment about a lower pivoting shaft (9), and the attachment exhibits a locking mechanism which in its use position for the head rest holds the locking arms pivotable locked about the first pivot shaft relative to the attachment. A release mechanism can, when activated, release the locking mechanism for pivoting of the supporting arms together with the protective cushion about the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A portable, easily assembled and disassembled three-legged stool or stool kit includes a seat with a quick-release leg-fastening assembly, three legs having keyhole slots to engage with the quick-release leg-fastening assembly, and a substantially planar leg bracket oriented below and parallel with the seat that has three symmetrically-oriented elongated slots to receive and orient the legs. At least one of the legs has multiple, spaced-apart sets of opposing grooves for supporting a removable, cantilevered platform such as a footrest or a drink holder. When assembled, the legs are oriented in a structurally strong and rigid fashion to support the seat.

Abstract: A sitting device to support a thigh of a person such as a driver of a motor vehicle or any other person desiring or requiring leg support is described. The sitting device in one embodiment comprises a base section having an inside edge and an outside edge and a top surface between said edges and a support section projecting from the top surface of the base section at the outside edge whereby the support section and the base section form an acute angle. The support section has a base and a top edge with the base joined to the top surface of the base section adjacent to its outside edge. The sitting device is preferably formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. The sitting device can have one or more cavities in the support section.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation assembly has an attack tool with a body and a shank, the body having a wear-resistant tip. The shank is disposed within a bore of a holder secured to a driving mechanism. A washer is positioned in-between the attack tool and the holder and fitted around the shank of the attack tool, wherein an outer edge of the washer has a hardness greater than 58 HRc.

Abstract: A rotatable cutting tool includes a cutting tool body that has an axial forward end and an axial rearward end. The cutting tool body further has an axial length. There is a hard tip, which has a distal end, affixed to the cutting tool body at the axial forward end thereof. The cutting tool body has a clearance portion axial rearward of the distal end of the hard tip wherein the clearance portion has a transverse dimension. The clearance portion includes an axial forward transverse dimension and a minimum transverse dimension that is axial rearward of the axial forward transverse dimension. The axial forward dimension is greater than the minimum transverse dimension. The clearance portion has an axial length equal to between about ten percent and about thirty-five percent of the axial length of the cutting tool body.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a degradation pick comprises a bolster disposed intermediate a shank and an impact tip. The shank comprises an outer diameter and first and second ends. The shank is coupled to the bolster through the first end and the second end is adapted for insertion into a central bore of a holder attached to a driving mechanism. The shank comprises a hollow portion disposed within the outer diameter and between the first and second ends. The hollow portion may comprise an opening that is disposed in the second end. In some embodiments the hollow portion may comprise a length that is at least as great as the outer diameter.

Abstract: A hub and extension arrangement for an axle supporting dual wheels includes an axle supporting an inboard wheel and an outboard wheel and a hub supported by the axle and including a first mounting portion. An extension is supported by the axle and includes a third mounting portion and an arm attached to the inboard wheel and the outboard wheel. A rotor is supported by the axle and includes a braking portion and a second mounting portion. The second mounting portion is disposed between, and attached to, the first mounting portion and the third mounting portion to allow for servicing of the rotor without removal of the axle from the hub.

Abstract: A motorized wheel spinner having a spinning wheel cover that is attached to a bushing on a shaft of an electric motor. The axis of the wheel, and thus also of the wheel axle, is coincident with the axis of the motor shaft and spinning cover. The motor can be disposed within a tubular axle, within the end of a solid axle, or, alternately, the case of the motor can comprise a surface upon which the wheel itself rotates. The motorized wheel spinner can be selectively rotated or stopped via a remote control.

Abstract: A wheel hub assembly is fitted to a vehicle axle via a wheel bearing mounted on the axle. The assembly includes a hub mountable on the wheel bearing and rotatable relative to the vehicle axle and fastening members to releasably secure the hub relative to the wheel bearing. The hub can be removed without removing the wheel bearing.

Abstract: A hub for a human powered vehicle includes a rotation axis, a hub body formed generally symmetrically about the rotation axis, the hub body having a radially-outward-facing surface that includes a plurality of surface features for improving the aerodynamic efficiency of the hub as it passes through a fluid, and a wheel assembly attachment member formed along a circumference of the hub body, the wheel assembly attachment member being structured for attachment to one of a plurality of spokes and the center of a disc wheel. The surface features may include a series of depressions or a series of projections, and such features may have a dimple shape that can be formed in a variety of shapes including those with a cylindrical wall and a planar bottom or a hemispherical bottom. Alternately, such surface features may have a hemispherical shape.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle with a braking system including a modulator pump. A first fluid line can communicate brake fluid from the master cylinder to a brake caliper. An isolation valve including a pressure bypass can be disposed along the fluid line between the master cylinder and the brake caliper. A second fluid line can extend from a first position along the first fluid line between the master cylinder and the isolation valve to a second position along the first fluid line between the isolation valve and the brake caliper. A modulating pump is disposed along the second fluid line to pump fluid to the brake caliper during a controlled brake event. The modulator pump is engaged to pump fluid to the brake caliper until the pressure in the first fluid line reached slightly below the predetermined pressure to prevent the isolation valve from opening in response to excessive pressure.

Abstract: A vehicle braking system having a hydraulic booster which applies output hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic power source to a boosted hydraulic pressure chamber after regulating the output hydraulic pressure as a control piston balances a reaction force generated by hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber with brake operating input. The boosted hydraulic pressure chamber faces a rear face of a master piston of a master cylinder; and a brake stroke simulator installed between a brake operating member and the control piston. The hydraulic booster includes a backup piston slidably housed in a casing with its front face turned to the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber and which can directly push the master piston in response to operation of the brake operating member when the hydraulic pressure of the boosted hydraulic pressure chamber decreases. The control piston and the brake stroke simulator are contained in the backup piston.

Abstract: A system that performs anti-slip and anti-lock functions of the wheels in a vehicle provided with a pneumatic braking system. The system includes a brake control apparatus to which is connectable a plurality of electro-pneumatic valve units for control of the brake cylinders associated with the wheels/axles. These valve units are controlled in such a way as selectively to permit application of a braking pressure to the associated brake cylinders, holding this pressure, and discharge of the pressure from the brake cylinders.

Abstract: An improved method and associated system for controlling the brake system of a vehicle train including a tractor vehicle and a trailer vehicle, wherein a control device disposed in the tractor vehicle is adapted to initiate automatic braking of the trailer vehicle, and wherein the conditions of the driving roadway, especially the coefficient of friction, are taken into account in braking of the trailer vehicle. The intensity of braking of the trailer vehicle is reduced by the control device when a coefficient of friction smaller than a predetermined minimum value is detected between the vehicle train or parts thereof and the driving roadway. One application of the invention is in load trains equipped with means for preventing rollover or overturning.

Abstract: In assistance function evaluation apparatus and method for a vehicle dynamics control system, the vehicle dynamics control system being an object to be evaluated, a simulator is provided to obtain a data base when the vehicle dynamics control system is operated, a vehicle model, a road surface environment model, and a driver model that calculates a steering angle imposed on the vehicle model to trace a target course are provided, the simulator comprises a driver intention quantity detecting section that detects an intention quantity of a vehicle driver to move the vehicle in a lateral direction and a system function detecting section that detects a function quantity of the vehicle dynamics control system and evaluates that the assistance function of the vehicle dynamics control system is in conformity to the driver when the system function quantity and the driver intention quantity are balanced without excess or deficiency.

Abstract: A rubber crawler track in which a local side displacement is more effectively prevented to effectively prevent wheel run-off, which can reduce traveling vibration, and in which separation of metal cores is prevented for improved durability of the rubber crawler track and for reduced costs. The expression of ?r?r?2?r is satisfied, with “r” being the distance, in the circumferential direction of the rubber crawler track, between ends of horizontal protrusions (6) facing each other between adjacent metal cores (3) embedded in a rubber crawler body in a horizontal state of the rubber crawler track, “h” being the distance from a steel cord (5) layer embedded in the rubber crawler body to the core metal horizontal protrusions (6), and ?r being a value obtained by ?r=2?h/n where “n” is the number of sprocket teeth of a traveling device.

Abstract: A synchronous system for a three-stage ball bearing slide includes a carrier track being inserted into a fixed track to carry a mobile track. Both of the mobile and the carrier tracks engage in reciprocal movement along the same axis direction in relation to the fixed track. A dancer is pivoted to the rear end of the carrier track. The carrier track synchronously slides with the mobile track by a protruding tongue on the mobile track upholding the dancer, and is held in position by having the dancer to uphold a compression bit on the fixed track. A direct push on the extreme where the carrier track is extended releases the dancer from the compression bit to retract once again the carrier track into the fixed track.

Abstract: An improved locking device of sliding drawer comprises a sliding rail and a locking device, when the sliding drawer is pushed back to a cabinet body, the locking device is initiated when a second sliding track moves along the sliding rail towards a direction of the cabinet body. When one of the circumferential parts of the locking device comes into contact with a protruding portion of a first sliding track, an attaching portion is rotated around the rotating shaft at a rotation center thereby biasing a flexible part of the locking device and generating a first restoring force, a flexible device of the first sliding track is triggered by the second sliding track to generate a second restoring force, when the protruding portion is inserted through the trench and seated within the arc-shaped structure, the first restoring force of the flexible device is released such that the drawer is now locked within the cabinet body.

Abstract: An ink jet injection system performs detecting an ink injection condition by ejecting ink droplets so as to form a detecting pattern on a recording medium. When the detecting pattern is formed, the ink droplets are ejected at almost the same position in the state in which the transportation of the recording medium is stopped or a feeding speed of the recording medium is set slower than that during a normal printing operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for controlling the quantity of fluid output (e.g., drop size) by individual nozzles of a print head to a very high precision at a frequency equal to the frequency at which fluid is normally dispensed. This is achieved by mapping fluid quantity control information into the data that represents the image to be printed. Data representative of an image is received and converted into pixel data. In at least one embodiment, the pixel data includes pixels represented by N bits, and the N bits may represent a drop size for the pixel and a union of the N bits may represent a nozzle status. A print head may be controlled based on the pixel data, and the print head may include nozzles that are each adapted to deposit at least one drop size quantity of a fluid on a substrate.

Abstract: A method for printing in which print data is first generated by receiving compressed page data having a layer of continuous tone data and a layer of bi-level data; decompressing the continuous tone data and the bi-level data in parallel processes; halftoning the continuous tone data; and compositing the bi-level data over the continuous tone data. The print data is then provided to a print engine controller for printing onto a substrate.

Abstract: A printing method includes: preparing a drive element that corresponds to a nozzle, and a controller that drives the drive element so as to eject a liquid droplet from the nozzle, the controller having a first input section and a second input section; in the case of printing with a first number of gradations, driving the drive element based on a first signal and a second signal, by inputting the first signal to the first input section and inputting the second signal to the second input section; and in the case of printing with a second number of gradations that is lower than the first number of gradations, driving the drive element based on a first signal, by inputting the first signal to the first input section and inputting a signal of a constant potential to the second input section.

Abstract: In a printer apparatus of the invention, a file storage unit stores an archive file including plural files each having a reservation keyword, a processing content designation data holding unit holds plural processing content designation data in which the reservation keyword and processing content on the file are made to correspond to each other, a processing content designation data retrieval unit extracts the reservation keyword from the file name of each of the plural files and retrieves one or plural processing content designation data including the extracted reservation keyword among the plural processing content designation data, and a print processing unit print-processes the data to be printed contained in the stored document file in accordance with the processing content on the file held in the processing content designation data holding unit corresponding to the retrieved processing content designation data.

Abstract: A diagnostic technique allows an easy visual detection of poor media advance calibration. The diagnostic technique employs a print mode that prints different areas of the plot at different passes with a controlled amount of advances between them. The dot positioning error in the different areas has a non-systematic nozzle contribution, that tends to cancel out, and a systematic contribution due to the accumulative media advance error. Different patterns can be used to make the dot positioning error due to the accumulative media advance error show up. By increasing the number of media advances between the printing of sets of pixels, e.g. pixels in a horizontal line, the effect of accumulated errors and the apparent visual effect is increased.

Abstract: A method of controlling the position of nozzles in an ink-jet type image forming apparatus. Positional information for the nozzles at the time of print-driving the image forming apparatus is calculated by combining a first positional information with a second positional information, wherein the first positional information is measured with reference to a nozzle plate and then recorded as reference information from among various positional information for an effective detection area, which is defined as an area on a print medium measured by a light receiving part of the detection sensor in terms of the amount of reflected light. The second positional information for the effective detection area is measured with reference to a predetermined position of the print medium at the time of print-driving and is variable depending on the movement of the nozzle plate.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a light-emitting device which generates determination light which intersects with flight paths of ink droplets ejected from ejection head nozzles; a light receiving device which receives the determination light and outputs a determination signal corresponding to quantity of the determination light received; a drive control device which controls stagger of ejection timing of a nozzle subject to an ejection determination in accordance with ejection timings of other nozzles by controlling the ejection drive device based on image data during a recording ejection operation for forming an image on the recording medium; and an ejection state judging device which judges ejection state of the ink droplets from the nozzle subject to the ejection determination, based on the determination signal obtained from the light receiving device at a determination timing corresponding to the ejection timing of the nozzle subject to the ejection determination.

Abstract: An inkjet printer, including a recording head having a nozzle to jet ink droplets, a control section to control jetting of the ink droplets from the nozzle of the recording head at predetermined driving conditions for jetting the ink droplets, a velocity detecting section to detect ink droplets jetting velocity from the nozzle of the recording head, a temperature detecting section to detect temperature of the recording head or ambient temperature of the recording head, a first changing section to change the driving conditions to alter the ink droplets jetting velocity to a targeted velocity based on detected results of the velocity detecting section, and a second changing section to change the driving conditions at a time differing from a time of the first changing section to alter the ink droplets jetting velocity to the targeted velocity based on the detected results of the temperature detecting section.

Abstract: A method for detecting an interval of recorded positions, including the steps of recording a first pattern group in such a way that the recording heads scan a recording medium so that recording elements record a pattern having repeatedly dark density area and light density area perpendicular to a scanning direction of the recording head, recording a second pattern group in such a way that the recording heads scan the recording medium so that recording elements record a pattern having repeatedly dark density area and light density area perpendicular to a scanning direction of the recording head and further the second pattern group is overlapped on and angled to the first pattern group, detecting interference fringes generated by overlap of the first pattern group and the second pattern group, and detecting a change of the interval of the recorded positions via a positional deviation of the interference fringes.

Abstract: A capper for a printhead maintenance station is provided. The capper comprises a capping chamber sealingly engageable around a printhead; a constriction member positioned in the capper chamber; an air inlet defined in a wall of the capping chamber; and a vacuum aperture defined in a wall of the capping chamber. The constriction member divides the capper chamber into an air inlet channel and a vacuum channel into which the respective air inlet and vacuum aperture open. The constriction member also defines a blast channel adjacent an ink ejection face of the printhead when the capping chamber is sealingly engaged around the printhead.

Abstract: In both a full-line and a serial printer, the amount of ink passing through nozzles of print heads is sometimes decreased below a normal value before and during actual printing. In the printer of the present invention, a preliminary ejecting operation is performed taking the opportunity in which the amount of ink passing through nozzles is decreased below a normal value. Then, the amount of ink passing through nozzles recovers to the normal value in ink ejection after the preliminary ejecting operation. Since only a small amount of ink is ejected through the nozzles during the preliminary ejection operation, dots formed on a print sheet are not noticeable. Further, it is unnecessary to move the print heads to a home position where an ejection recovering process is executed to remove ink having an increased viscosity.

Abstract: A printhead assembly is provided, having at least two printhead modules each including at least two printhead integrated circuits, each of which has nozzles formed therein for delivering printing fluid onto the surface of print media, and a support member supporting and carrying the printing fluid for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, and a casing in which the at least two printhead modules are arranged so as to be removably mounted in linearly aligned relationship. The assembly has an aggregate length and a number of printhead integrated circuits predetermined to provide for selected pagewidth printing.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is described for mounting and housing printhead modules. The mounting assembly includes a lower plate, an upper plate and multiple mounting blocks. The lower plate can include openings configured to expose a surface of a printhead module housed within the mounting assembly, the surface including multiple ink nozzle openings. Each opening can include alignment datums to align the printhead module in a first direction and in a second direction. The upper plate is approximately parallel to the lower plate, and can include multiple openings configured to provide access to ink channels formed in printhead modules housed within the mounting assembly. The mounting blocks are positioned between and affixed to the lower and upper plates, and are configured to couple to a printhead module. Each mounting block can include a datum to align the printhead module in a third direction.

Abstract: A modular printhead assembly has a plurality of printhead modules, a fluid delivery structure, and a flexible printed circuit board. Each printhead module has a printhead integrated circuit and a fluid distribution assembly. The modules are received by the fluid delivery structure which also supplies each module with fluid. The printed circuit board is sandwiched between the modules and the supply structure and carries power and data to the modules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering solvent free marking material to a receiver is provided. A printhead includes a discharge device having an inlet and an outlet with a portion of the discharge device defining a delivery path. An actuating mechanism is moveably positioned along the delivery path. A material selection device has an inlet and an outlet with the outlet of the material selection device being connected in fluid communication to the inlet of the discharge device. The inlet of the material selection device is adapted to be connected to a pressurized source of a thermodynamically stable mixture of a fluid and a marking material, wherein the fluid is in a gaseous state at a location beyond the outlet of the discharge device.

Abstract: A liquid discharging apparatus includes a plurality of liquid channels each having a discharge port, a control electrode extended on a surface defining the liquid channel from the discharge port toward an upstream side in a direction of flow of a liquid, an insulating film which coats the control electrode, and an electric potential control section which controls an electric potential of the control electrode with respect to the liquid. When a predetermined electric potential difference are set between the liquid and the control electrode, a liquid repellence of a surface of the insulating film is lowered due to an electrowetting phenomenon so that the liquid can move toward the discharge port on an area of the liquid channel in which the insulating film is formed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the liquid discharging apparatus which is capable of discharging a liquid by a simple structure.

Abstract: An inkjet printer comprising: a printhead with a plurality of printhead IC's, each having an array of nozzles for ejecting drops of printing fluid, and drive circuitry for driving the array of nozzles; a print engine controller for sending print data to the printhead IC's; an interface for electrical communication between the print engine controller and the printhead IC's; wherein, all the printhead IC's have a common initial address except one printhead IC at the end of the printhead, the exception having a different address such that the print engine controller sends a first broadcast instruction to any printhead IC's having the different address, the first broadcast instruction instructing the printhead IC having the different address to change its address to a first unique address, the printhead IC's being interconnected such that when the exception has undated its address, the address of the adjacent printhead IC changes to the different address so that a second broadcast command changes the write addres

Abstract: Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for extending the life of micro-fluid ejection heads. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having a plurality of thermal ejection actuators. Each of the thermal ejection actuators has a resistive layer and a protective layer thereon. A flow feature member is adjacent the substrate and defines a fluid feed channel, a fluid chamber associated with at least one of the actuators and in flow communication with the fluid feed channel, and a nozzle. The nozzle is offset to a side of the chamber opposite the feed channel. A polymeric layer having a degradation temperature of less than about 400° C. overlaps a portion of the at least one actuator associated with the fluid chamber and positioned less than about five microns from at least an edge of the at least one actuator opposite the fluid feed channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric element at least including a piezoelectric layer, a first higher-potential electrode layer formed in contact with the piezoelectric layer on one face of the piezoelectric layer, and a second lower-potential electrode layer formed in contact with the piezoelectric layer on the face of the piezoelectric layer opposite to the first electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer contains a metal A having a standard electrode potential of higher than 0 V and a metal B having a standard electrode potential higher than that of the metal A in which the metal A is present in the largest amount by weight of the total amount of the metal elements contained in the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer contains a metal C having a standard electrode potential lower than that of the metal A, in which the metal C is present in the largest amount by weight of the total amount of the metal elements contained in the second electrode layer.

Abstract: An ink jet head is provided with a main body, a wired sheet, and a connecting sheet. The main body is provided with a plurality of sets and each set includes an input terminal, an actuator, a pressure chamber and a nozzle. The wired sheet is provided with a plurality of sets and each set includes a signal line and an output terminal. The connecting sheet is provided with an insulating sheet and a plurality of sets and each set includes first terminal formed on a first face of the insulating sheet and a second terminal formed on a second face of the insulating sheet. In each set, the signal line, output terminal, second terminal, first terminal, input terminal and actuator are electrically connected. When a voltage is applied to the actuator in a selected set via the signal line, output terminal, second terminal, first terminal and input terminal, pressure is applied to ink within the pressure chamber in the selected set, and this ink jets from the nozzle in the selected set.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for driving a piezoelectric ink jet head comprising a piezoelectric actuator AC that includes two piezoelectric ceramic layers 7a, 7b having such a size that covers the plurality of pressure chambers 2, wherein an electric field of opposite sense to the polarizing direction is applied to the second piezoelectric ceramic layer 7b by using the common electrodes 8a, 8b and, (1) for the pressure chambers 2 from which the ink is discharged, an electric field of the same sense as the polarizing direction of the layer is applied to the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 7a by using the individual electrode 10 and the first common electrode 8a, thereby causing the region of the piezoelectric actuator AC to deflect toward the pressure chamber 2, while (2) for the pressure chambers 2 from which the ink should not be discharged, an electric field of the opposite sense to the polarizing direction is applied to the first piezoelectric ceramic layer 7a by using the electrodes 10

Abstract: Drop deflector apparatus and methods for a continuous drop emission system comprising a plurality of drop nozzles emitting a plurality of continuous streams of a liquid that break up into streams of drops of substantially uniform drop volume having nominal flight paths that are substantially within a nominal flight plane are disclosed. A plurality of path selection elements corresponding to the plurality of continuous streams of drops is provided operable to firstly deflect individual drops from the corresponding continuous stream of drops along a first deflection flight path diverging from the nominal flight path based on pattern data.