With Vibratory Plate Patents (Class 347/70)
  • Patent number: 8770727
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a first piezoelectric layer which is formed at an upper side of the first electrode and at lateral sides to the first electrode, a porous layer which is formed so as to cover side surfaces of the first piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode which is formed at an upper side of the first piezoelectric layer and the porous layer. In the piezoelectric element, the porous layer contains at least one metal element constituting the first piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masao Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8770724
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element including: a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer formed above the first electrode to have a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, and a second electrode formed above the piezoelectric layer, wherein at least a part of a side surface of the piezoelectric layer in the transverse direction is a concavo-convex surface, and a width of the piezoelectric layer in the transverse direction from the second electrode to the first electrode changes with the concavo-convex surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Masao Nakayama, Noboru Furuya
  • Publication number: 20140184876
    Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes, as a main component, a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by a general formula (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zSnyZrz)O3 where 1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x?0.300, 0?y?0.020, and 0.041?z?0.074, the perovskite-type metal oxide containing copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn). A Cu content relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide is 0.02 parts by weight or more and 0.60 parts by weight or less on a metal basis, and a Mn content relative to 100 parts by weight of the metal oxide is 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less on a metal basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Hidenori Tanaka, Shinya Koyama, Jumpei Hayashi, Hiroshi Saito
  • Publication number: 20140184706
    Abstract: According to a liquid ejecting head, it is possible to suppress erosion of a vibrating plate by liquid, suppress generation of variation in a vibrating property, and realize a thin head. The liquid ejecting head includes a flow path formation substrate on which a pressure generation chamber communicating with nozzle openings for discharging liquid is provided, an elastic film which is provided on one surface side of the flow path formation substrate and seals the pressure generation chamber, and a piezoelectric actuator which is a pressure generation unit which is provided on the elastic film to deform the elastic film. A tantalum oxide film which is formed by atomic layer deposition is provided at least on an inner wall of the pressure generation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi NAGATOYA, Nobuhiro NAITO
  • Publication number: 20140184878
    Abstract: A piezoelectric material includes a metal oxide represented by general formula (1) below, a Mn content is 0.04 parts by weight or more and 0.36 parts by weight or less, a Li content ? is 0.0013 parts by weight or more and 0.0280 parts by weight or less, a Bi content ? is 0.042 parts by weight or more and 0.850 parts by weight or less, and the contents ? and ? satisfy 0.5?(?·MB)/(?·ML)?1 (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-y-zZrySnz) O3 (1) (where x, y, z, and a satisfy 0.09?x?0.30, 0.025?y?0.074, 0?z?0.02, and 0.986?a?1.02). A piezoelectric material according to an embodiment of the present invention contains no lead, has a low degree of temperature dependency of piezoelectric performance within operation temperature ranges of piezoelectric elements, and good piezoelectric properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Takayuki Watanabe, Shunsuke Murakami, Tatsuo Furuta
  • Patent number: 8752938
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a flow channel forming substrate having pressure generation chambers communicating with a nozzle opening and arranged in parallel along a lateral direction. A piezoelectric element is provided on one surface of the flow channel forming substrate in correspondence to the pressure generation chamber, and has a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. In a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the pressure generation chambers, in boundaries between an active section that is a substantial driving section and an inactive section that is not a substantial driving section of the piezoelectric layer, the first electrode includes a taper section of which a width is gradually decreased toward the boundary from the active section side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyazawa, Hiroshi Ito, Jiro Kato, Eiju Hirai, Toshihiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 8746854
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a channel plate, a diaphragm member, and a piezoelectric member. The channel plate includes a separate liquid chamber, a fluid resistance portion, and a liquid introducing portion. The diaphragm member has a thin layer and a thick layer. The thin layer forms a wall face of each of the separate liquid chamber, the resistance portion, and the introducing portion and includes a vibration area facing the separate liquid chamber. The piezoelectric member is arranged to deform the vibration area and has a portion opposing the introducing portion. The thin layer has a thin portion forming the wall face of the introducing portion. The thick layer has a thick portion formed along the longitudinal direction of the separate liquid chamber on a first face opposite a second face opposing the introducing portion. In a plan view, the thin portion is divided by the thick portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Yoshida, Hiroomi Yokomaku
  • Patent number: 8739407
    Abstract: A method of assembling an optical sensor assembly for a carriage of a carriage printer, the method includes providing a flexible circuit subassembly including a photosensor and a light source; providing a mounting member including a first cavity and a second cavity having an orientation that is different than an orientation of the first cavity; mounting the flexible circuit subassembly on the mounting member such that the photosensor is disposed in the first cavity and the light source is disposed in the second cavity; and affixing the mounting member to an outer housing, wherein a connector end of the flexible circuit subassembly extends outwardly from the mounting member and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Juan Manuel Jimenez, Richard A. Murray
  • Patent number: 8740358
    Abstract: In order to provide a liquid ejection head which enables ejection of a droplet at a higher frequency, according to the invention, a piezoelectric vibrator has a multilayer structure. In the multilayer structure, an upper piezoelectric layer and a lower piezoelectric layer are laminated one on another. A drive electrode is formed at a boundary between the upper piezoelectric layer and the lower piezoelectric layer and is electrically connected to a source for supplying a drive signal. An upper common electrode is formed on the surface of the upper piezoelectric layer. A lower common electrode is formed on the surface of the lower piezoelectric layer. An inertance of a nozzle orifice and an inertance of an ink supply port are set so as to become greater than an inertance of a pressure generating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Junhua Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140139594
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles for ejecting liquid; pressure generation chambers, each in fluid communication with one of the nozzles; and a manifold substrate with manifolds disposed therein. Each manifold supplies liquid to at least one of the pressure generation chambers. The liquid ejecting head also includes a head case with a piezoelectric element housing unit. Piezoelectric elements, for changing pressure of liquid within the pressure generation chambers, are provided in the piezoelectric element housing unit. The liquid ejecting head also includes a vibrating element for absorbing pressure changes in the liquid within the manifolds, cavities provided on the vibrating element at positions that correspond to positions of the manifolds, and an atmosphere exposure channel that fluidly connects one of the cavities to the atmosphere. At least one other one of the cavities is in fluid communication with the atmosphere exposure channel via the first cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Togashi
  • Patent number: 8727495
    Abstract: A liquid droplet discharge apparatus, which discharges liquid droplets of a liquid, includes: a flow passage unit which is formed with a plurality of nozzles for discharging the liquid droplets of the liquid and a plurality of liquid flow passages including a plurality of pressure chambers communicated with the plurality of nozzles respectively; an actuator which has a sealing plate joined to the flow passage unit for defining the plurality of pressure chambers and which applies a pressure to the liquid contained in each of the plurality of pressure chambers by changing a volume of each of the plurality of pressure chambers by deforming the sealing plate; and a deformation adjusting member which adjusts a deformation amount of the sealing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shohei Koide, Hiromitsu Mizutani, Hirofumi Kondo, Hiroto Sugahara
  • Patent number: 8727497
    Abstract: A piezoelectric actuator is provided, including a piezoelectric layer arranged on one surface of a base member; a plurality of driving electrodes arranged on one surface of the piezoelectric layer; a plurality of leading electrodes led from the driving electrodes to apply a voltage to the driving electrodes; and a low dielectric layer arranged between the piezoelectric layer and the leading electrode, and having a dielectric constant lower than that of the piezoelectric layer. Surroundings of driving areas of the piezoelectric layer including areas facing the plurality of driving electrodes are joined to the base member. The plurality of leading electrodes extend to outside of the driving areas, respectively, some of the plurality of leading electrodes being led in a predetermined first direction, and others of the plurality of leading electrodes being led in a second direction different from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Taiki Tanaka, Keiji Kura
  • Patent number: 8727507
    Abstract: Provided is an ink-jet apparatus that: has a wide control range of the direction for ink ejection; can correct a variation in the direction for ink ejection; and can improve the yield of a product when used for manufacture of electronic devices. The ink-jet apparatus includes: pressure chamber 110 configured with a pair of partition walls 111; nozzle plate 101 having nozzle 100; diaphragm 112 supported by partition walls 111; piezoelectric elements 131 and 132 that are in contact with diaphragm 112 for pressurizing pressure chamber 110; and piezoelectric elements 141, 142 and 143 supporting partition walls 111. A voltage can be applied individually to piezoelectric elements 131, 132, and 141 to 143. The widths of part A and part B of diaphragm 112, part A being in contact with a piezoelectric element, and part B being in contact with partition wall 111 satisfy a particular relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Fukada, Hiroshi Hayata, Hidehiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8721044
    Abstract: An ink jet type recording head includes a substrate, a nozzle plate having nozzles, and a sealing sheet, and the substrate and the nozzle plate are bonded to each other through a bonding film, and the substrate and the sealing sheet are bonded to each other through a bonding film. These bonding films are each obtained by drying and/or curing a liquid material containing an epoxy-modified silicone material. Further, by applying energy to each bonding film, the surface thereof is activated, and therefore, each bonding film exhibits a bonding property. By this bonding property, the substrate is bonded to the nozzle plate and to the sealing sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Sato, Takatoshi Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20140124695
    Abstract: Provided is a lead-free piezoelectric material having satisfactory and stable piezoelectric constant and mechanical quality factor in a wide practical use temperature range. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by Formula (1): (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 (wherein, 1.00?a?1.01, 0.125?x?0.300, and 0.041?y?0.074), Mn, and Mg. The content of Mn is 0.12 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less based on 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide on a metal basis. The content of Mg is 0.10 parts by weight or less (excluding 0 part by weight) based on 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide on a metal basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinya Koyama, Yasushi Shimizu, Makoto Kubota, Akira Uebayashi, Hidenori Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8714712
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer and electrodes. The piezoelectric layer is 3 ?m or less in thickness. The piezoelectric layer is made of a piezoelectric material containing a perovskite compound including bismuth manganate ferrate and barium titanate. The piezoelectric layer is preferentially oriented with the (110) plane. The position (2?) of the X-ray diffraction peak attributed to the (110) plane is 31.80° or more and 32.00° or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuaki Hamada
  • Publication number: 20140118446
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element having a first electrode on a vibration plate, a piezoelectric layer on the first electrode, and a second electrode on the piezoelectric material layer. The piezoelectric layer has functional portions sandwiched between the first and second electrodes; the second electrode configures a common electrode provided continuously across a plurality of the functional portions; the piezoelectric layer extends to an outer side of an end of the first electrode; the vibration plate has a first region opposing the first electrode, a second region opposing an area of the piezoelectric layer extending further toward an outer side than the first electrode, and a third region further toward the outer side than the piezoelectric layer; the second region has a thickness substantially equal to or greater than the thickness of the first region; and the third region is thinner than the first region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hideto Izumi, Hideki Hahiro
  • Publication number: 20140117811
    Abstract: A lead-free piezoelectric element that stably operates in a wide operating temperature range contains a lead-free piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric material that includes a perovskite-type metal oxide represented by (Ba1-xCax)a(Ti1-yZry)O3 (1.00?a?1.01, 0.02?x?0.30, 0.020?y?0.095, and y?x) as a main component and manganese incorporated in the perovskite-type metal oxide. The manganese content relative to 100 parts by weight of the perovskite-type metal oxide is 0.02 parts by weight or more and 0.40 parts by weight or less on a metal basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Jumpei Hayashi, Kenichi Takeda, Shinya Koyama, Kenichi Akashi, Tatsuo Furuta
  • Publication number: 20140118447
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of individual electrodes, a piezoelectric layer formed on each of individual electrodes, and a common electrode which is formed on the piezoelectric layer and is an electrode common to the individual electrodes. Further, a protection film covering a region, which is not covered by the common electrode on the individual electrode, is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro YAZAKI, Takahiro KAMIJO, Tatsuro TORIMOTO, Motoki TAKABE
  • Patent number: 8707549
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ultrasound transducers for ultrasonic imaging systems and, in particular, to improved grip assemblies for ultrasound transducers. One grip assembly includes a locking plate defining first and second apertures and a coupling post extending from the locking plate. An interface plate has a first elongate extension being extendable at least partially through the first aperture and a second elongate extension being extendable at least partially through the second aperture. A handle is coupled to the locking plate and includes a grip, a coupling interface, and a neck extending between the grip and the coupling interface. The coupling interface defines a coupling aperture for receiving the coupling post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Boise State University
    Inventors: Joie Burns, Michelle Sabick, Seth Kuhlman, Carly Lockard, Brittany Siewert
  • Patent number: 8708465
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a diaphragm plate having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers bonded thereto with an adhesive; (b) placing an encapsulant thin film on the piezoelectric transducers; and (c) applying heat, pressure, or a combination thereof to the encapsulant thin film to a degree sufficient to cause the encapsulant to encapsulate the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Cellura, Peter J. Nystrom, Bryan R. Dolan, Gary D. Redding
  • Publication number: 20140111582
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element, which is provided above a zirconium oxide layer having a piezoelectric layer and an electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer, in which the zirconium oxide layer is formed through a liquid-phase method and preferentially oriented with a (111) plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koji Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8702210
    Abstract: A configuration is provided in which at least one end of a piezoelectric body active portion is defined by an end of a second electrode, a portion of configuring the piezoelectric body active portion of a first electrode is covered with a piezoelectric body layer, the first electrode and the piezoelectric body layer are extended to the outside of the end of the second electrode which defines the end of the piezoelectric body active portion, the first electrode includes an exposure portion which is not covered with the piezoelectric body layer and extends further outside than the end of the second electrode, and on the end of the piezoelectric body layer which forms the exposure portion, an independent electrode which is electrically independent from the second electrode is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eiju Hirai
  • Patent number: 8696081
    Abstract: First and second piezoelectric layers are stacked from a side closer to an opening of a liquid channel formed in a channel member in this order, and are sandwiched between electrodes with respect to a stacking direction. A driving-signal generating section generates an ejection driving signal for ejecting droplets from an ejection port and a non-ejection driving signal for vibrating a meniscus formed in the ejection port without ejecting droplets from the ejection port. A voltage applying section applies, based on image data, a voltage corresponding to the ejection driving signal to one of the first and second piezoelectric layers, and applies a voltage corresponding to the non-ejection driving signal to another one of the first and second piezoelectric layers during a period in which the voltage corresponding to the ejection driving signal is not applied to the one of the first and second piezoelectric layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoko Hibino
  • Patent number: 8684502
    Abstract: A liquid-discharging head including a reservoir for a spray liquid, a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles from which the spray liquid reserved in the reservoir can be discharged, and a vibration generating unit having a vibrating surface facing the nozzle plate, wherein the reservoir is divided into a plurality of liquid chambers, wherein the vibration generating unit has elongated convex portions in a plurality of rows, the elongated convex portions being made of a piezoelectric element, wherein each of the liquid chambers is provided so as to correspond to one of the elongated convex portions, and wherein the liquid-discharging head is used in a method for producing particles, and the method comprises periodically discharging liquid droplets of the spray liquid from the nozzles and solidifying the liquid droplets so as to form particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaru Ohgaki
  • Patent number: 8678564
    Abstract: In an inkjet print head an actuation chamber substantially extends in a first direction and the actuation chamber is associated with a piezo actuator arranged to generate a pressure wave in the actuation chamber. The pressure wave propagates in said first direction. A nozzle is associated with the actuation chamber such that a droplet may be expelled through the nozzle upon generation of the pressure wave in the actuation chamber. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the actuation chamber via an inlet and an outlet of the actuation chamber. A pump means is provided for pumping ink from the reservoir, via the inlet, through the actuation chamber, via the outlet back into said reservoir. The print head is provided with a means for reflecting the pressure wave at the outlet of the actuation chamber for enabling to generate a sufficient pressure at the nozzle for expelling the droplet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Oce-Technologies B.V.
    Inventors: Hermanus M. A. Wijshoff, Peter Klein Meuleman
  • Patent number: 8678558
    Abstract: A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle plate, and a flow path member that is bonded to the nozzle plate, wherein the individual flow path includes a communicating portion that communicates with the nozzle openings and a pressure generating chamber that communicates with the communicating portion and has a width narrower than that of the communicating portion in the first direction, and wherein, in the flow path member, a first individual flow path row in which corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction and a second individual flow path row where corresponding individual flow paths are arranged side by side in the first direction are arranged side by side in a second direction intersecting with the first direction, and each communicating portion of the second individual flow path row is provided between the pressure generating chambers of the first individual flow path row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Hotta
  • Patent number: 8678561
    Abstract: There is provided a liquid discharging head discharging a liquid, including: a channel unit having a liquid channel including a pressure chamber which has an opening at one surface of the channel unit; a piezoelectric element formed of a piezoelectric material; an intermediate member preventing the liquid in the pressure chamber and the piezoelectric element from making contact with each other; a first adhesive layer composed of a first adhesive and adhering the channel unit and the intermediate member, the first adhesive being a thermo-setting adhesive starting to be cured at a first temperature; and a second adhesive layer composed of a second adhesive and adhering the intermediate member and the piezoelectric element, the second adhesive starting to be cured at a second temperature lower than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Hara, Kazuo Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8678565
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer (1) has a pressurizing chamber (21) and a side-chamber (23) formed in a plate (11). On a driven film (13) forming the upper wall surface (21a) of the pressurizing chamber (21) and the side-chamber (23), a lower electrode (33), a driving member, and an upper electrode (35) are formed in this order. The driving member is composed of an operation section (31p) located over the pressurizing chamber (21), and an extended section (31a) extending from the operation section (31p) to over the side-chamber (23). The side-chamber (23) has a smaller width than the pressurizing chamber (21) in a second direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the side-chamber (23) is located beside the pressurizing chamber (21). The extended section (31a) of the driving member has a smaller width than the side-chamber (23) in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Kusunoki Higashino, Shinya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8672457
    Abstract: A piezoelectric film is constituted of a perovskite oxide represented as: Pb1+?(ZrxTiy)1-a(MgbNb1-b)aOz, where ? and z are values within ranges where a perovskite structure is obtained and ?=0 and z=3 are standard, Pb is replaceable with another A site element in an amount of a range where the perovskite structure is obtained, b is a value in a range of 0.090?b?0.25, and a Nb ratio at a B site satisfies 0.13?a×(1?b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Naono
  • Patent number: 8672459
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles for ejecting liquid; pressure generation chambers, each in fluid communication with one of the nozzles; and a manifold substrate with manifolds disposed therein. Each manifold supplies liquid to at least one of the pressure generation chambers. The liquid ejecting head also includes a head case with a piezoelectric element housing unit. Piezoelectric elements, for changing pressure of liquid within the pressure generation chambers, are provided in the piezoelectric element housing unit. The liquid ejecting head also includes a vibrating element for absorbing pressure changes in the liquid within the manifolds, cavities provided on the vibrating element at positions that correspond to positions of the manifolds, and an atmosphere exposure channel that fluidly connects one of the cavities to the atmosphere. At least one other one of the cavities is in fluid communication with the atmosphere exposure channel via the first cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Togashi
  • Patent number: 8672456
    Abstract: A piezoelectric film has a columnar crystal structure constituted of a plurality of columnar crystals, and contains a perovskite oxide represented by the following formula (P) as a main component: PbaAb[(ZrcTi1-c)1-dBd]Oe,??(P) where Pb and A are A-site elements, and A is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Bi, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Ca, Sr and Ba; Zr, Ti and B are B-site elements, and B is at least one element selected from a group consisting of Nb, Ta and Sb; a is an amount of lead, b is an amount of the element A, c is a Zr/Ti ratio, d is an amount of the element B, e is an amount of oxygen; values of a, b and d satisfy a<1, a+b?1, and 0<d<b; and a value of e is within a range where the perovskite structure is obtained and e=3 is standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takami Arakawa, Takayuki Naono, Takamichi Fujii
  • Publication number: 20140071199
    Abstract: Disclosed is a composite component molding metal mold including a first metal mold for molding a first molded product, and a second metal mold for molding a second molded product. Each of the first and second metal molds includes a movable mold and a stationary mold. Each of the stationary molds includes a male mold and a female mold, and each of the movable molds includes a male mold and a female mold. A cavity for molding the first molded product is formed by a combination of the female mold of the stationary mold and the male mold of the movable mold, and another cavity for molding the second molded product is formed by another combination. A space which is in communication with the cavity and the other cavity is provided. When an insertion member is inserted into the space, the cavity and the other cavity are isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: RICOH Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukitoshi Tajima, Takafumi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20140071207
    Abstract: An inkjet printer head includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vibration diaphragm provided on the semiconductor substrate and capable of vibrating in an opposing direction in which the vibration diaphragm is opposed to the semiconductor substrate; a piezoelectric element provided on the vibration diaphragm; a pressure chamber provided on a side of the vibration diaphragm adjacent to the semiconductor substrate as facing the vibration diaphragm, the pressure chamber being filled with an ink; and a nozzle extending through the vibration diaphragm and communicating with the pressure chamber for ejecting the ink supplied from the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Goro NAKATANI
  • Publication number: 20140063130
    Abstract: An ink jet head according to an embodiment comprises a substrate including amounting surface and a pressure chamber open to the mounting surface, the substrate having a first expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a vibration plate including a first surface fixed to the mounting surface of the substrate, a second surface located on the opposite side of the first surface, an opening portion open to the pressure chamber, a first portion having a second expansion coefficient different from the first expansion coefficient, and a second portion having a third expansion coefficient different from the second expansion coefficient. The ink jet head further comprises a piezoelectric element provided on the second surface of the vibration plate and configured to deform the vibration plate to thereby change a volume of the pressure chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi ARAI, Chiaki TANUMA, Ryutaro KUSUNOKI, Shuhei YOKOYAMA
  • Publication number: 20140055531
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a plate which is composed of a material containing silicon, a titanium oxide layer which is disposed above the plate, a bismuth-containing layer which is disposed above the titanium oxide layer and contains bismuth, a first electrode which is disposed above the bismuth-containing layer and composed of platinum, a piezoelectric layer which is disposed above the first electrode and composed of a piezoelectric material containing at least bismuth, and a second electrode which is disposed above the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Yonemura, Masahisa Nawano
  • Patent number: 8657418
    Abstract: Disclosed is an inkjet head including a fluid channel substrate on which individual liquid chambers are arranged, the individual liquid chambers being partitioned by liquid chamber partition walls; an oscillation plate that is formed on a surface facing openings of nozzles; actuators; wiring layer patterns that supplies driving signals to the actuators, the wiring layer patterns being formed above the corresponding liquid chamber partition walls; and a supporting substrate in which concave oscillation chambers are formed, the concave oscillation chambers being partitioned by supporting substrate partition walls. A width in the short direction of the supporting substrate partition wall is smaller than a width in the short direction of the liquid chamber partition wall and greater than a width of the wiring layer pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Kato, Kiyoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8656578
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer includes an array of PZT elements mounted on a non-recessed distal surface of a backing block. Between each element and the backing block is a conductive region formed as a portion of a metallic layer sputtered onto the distal surface. Traces on a longitudinally extending circuit board—preferably, a substantially rigid printed circuit board, which may be embedded within the block—connect the conductive region, and thus the PZT element, with any conventional external ultrasound imaging system. A substantially “T” or “inverted-L” shaped electrode is thereby formed for each element, with no need for soldering. At least one longitudinally extending metallic member mounted on a respective lateral surface of the backing block forms a heat sink and a common electrical ground. A thermally and electrically conductive layer, such as of foil, transfers heat from at least one matching layer mounted on the elements to the metallic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: MR Holdings (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Xiacong Guo
  • Patent number: 8651630
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a fluid ejector structure includes: a chamber for containing a fluid; a flexible membrane forming one wall of the chamber; a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a backing operatively connected to the piezoelectric elements such that an expansion and/or contraction of a piezoelectric element causes the piezoelectric element to bend; a rigid plate overlaying a center portion of the membrane; a post coupling the piezoelectric elements to the plate through the backing such that a movement of each piezoelectric element toward the chamber is transmitted to the plate through the post. The plate is configured to transmit movement of the post to the membrane in a rigid, or substantially rigid, piston-like manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Adel Jilani, Tony S. Cruz-Uribe, Martha A. Truninger, Kenneth Michael Kramer
  • Patent number: 8651627
    Abstract: A piezoelectric element includes a plurality of individual electrodes, a piezoelectric layer formed on each of individual electrodes, and a common electrode which is formed on the piezoelectric layer and is an electrode common to the individual electrodes. Further, a protection film covering a region, which is not covered by the common electrode on the individual electrode, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Shiro Yazaki, Takahiro Kamijo, Tatsuro Torimoto, Motoki Takabe
  • Patent number: 8646881
    Abstract: An ink jet print head including a plurality of standoff layer supports in an interstitial region between adjacent piezoelectric elements, and method of formation. The plurality of standoff layer supports can be formed from the same layer(s) as the piezoelectric elements, or from a dielectric layer such as a polymer. The standoff layer supports increase an area to which a standoff layer can be attached, thereby forming a more secure attachment of a circuit layer such as a flex circuit or a printed circuit board to a jet stack subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan R. Dolan, Gary D. Redding, Peter J. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 8646880
    Abstract: A charge accumulated on an insulative nozzle plate flows into the ink with which nozzle openings and pressure generation chambers are filled and reaches a vibration plate. The charge that has reached the vibration plate is driven out therethrough because the vibration plate is made of a conductive ceramic material and is grounded. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an ink jet recording head in which insulation breakdown of the vibration plate caused by the charge accumulated on the vibration plate is suppressed from occurring and a driving circuit is suppressed from being damaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Manabu Munakata
  • Patent number: 8636341
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head includes a flow channel forming substrate having a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle opening and arranged in parallel along a lateral direction. A piezoelectric element is provided on one surface of the flow channel forming substrate in correspondence to the pressure generation chamber, and has a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer provided on the first electrode and a second electrode provided on the piezoelectric layer. In a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the pressure generation chamber, in boundaries between an active section that is a substantial driving section and an inactive section that is not a substantial driving section of the piezoelectric layer of the first electrode, an opening group is provided including at least one opening in the active section and the inactive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromu Miyazawa, Hiroshi Ito, Jiro Kato, Toshihiro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20140011051
    Abstract: Provided is an NBT-BT lead-free piezoelectric film having a high crystalline orientation and a high piezoelectric constant. The present invention is a piezoelectric film comprising a NaxM1-x layer and a (Bi, Na)TiO3—BaTiO3 layer. The (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer is formed on the NaxM1-x layer, where M represents Pt, Ir, or PtIr and x represents a value of not less than 0.002 and not more than 0.02. Both of the NaxM1-x layer and the (Bi, Na) TiO3—BaTiO3 layer have a (001) orientation only, a (110) orientation only, or a (111) orientation only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takakiyo HARIGAI, Yoshiaki TANAKA, Hideaki ADACHI, Eiji FUJII
  • Patent number: 8622528
    Abstract: A first lead electrode containing nickel and chromium contacts a second upper electrode containing titanium. Here, since a difference between the normal electrode potential of nickel and chromium and the normal electrode potential of titanium is smaller than a difference between the normal electrode potential of nickel and chromium and the normal electrode potential of iridium, electric corrosion can be made difficult to occur as compared with the case where the first lead electrode containing nickel and chromium contacts a first upper electrode containing iridium. Therefore, a piezoelectric element can be obtained in which an increase in resistance due to the narrowing of the contact area between an upper electrode and a lead electrode for upper electrode or the separation of the lead electrode for upper electrode can be suppressed and which can be driven by a given voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masato Shimada
  • Patent number: 8622529
    Abstract: A diaphragm unit includes an elastic film unit which seals an opening portion of a pressure chamber, and an island unit which is provided on the elastic film unit and to which a tip portion of a piezoelectric vibrator is joined. The width of the center portion of the island unit in the longitudinal direction is set to be narrower than the width of both end portions of the island unit in the longitudinal direction. The dimension of the center portion of the island unit in the longitudinal direction is shorter than the dimension of the piezoelectric vibrator in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Togashi
  • Publication number: 20140002550
    Abstract: A liquid ejecting head comprises a pressure generation chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, a vibrating wall provided as one surface of the pressure generation chamber and vibrates so that ejects the liquid from the nozzle opening, and a resin portion having a recessed arc-shape and formed in a corner of the pressure generation chamber and formed of a resin material having a Young's modulus of less than or equal to 10 GPa. A ratio r/w of a radius r of the surface of the resin portion to a width w of the pressure generation chamber defined by the vibrating wall is greater than or equal to 0.017 and less than or equal to 0.087.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi ITO, Yasumi Ikehara, Jiro Kato, Hiroyuki Tomimatsu
  • Publication number: 20130335488
    Abstract: Provided is a piezoelectric material which has satisfactory insulation property and piezoelectric property and which does not contain lead and potassium. The piezoelectric material includes a perovskite-type metal oxide that is represented by the following general formula (1): (NaxBa1-y)(NbyTi1-y)O3??General formula (1) where relationships of 0.80?x?0.95 and 0.85?y?0.95 are satisfied, and y×0.05 mol % or more to y×2 mol % or less of copper with respect to 1 mol of the perovskite-type metal oxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF YAMANASHI, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takayuki Watanabe, Shunsuke Murakami, Nobuhiro Kumada
  • Patent number: 8608291
    Abstract: A piezoelectric inkjet printhead is monolithically fabricated on a substrate. The printhead includes a plurality of cavities formed into the substrate, piezoelectric actuators disposed over the top of the cavities, a fluidic structure and an ink supply channel. The piezoelectric actuators are formed over the cavities using a sacrificial material which fills the cavities and is removed after the actuators are formed. The fluidic structure defines pressurizing chambers and channels connected to the ink supply channel. The fluidic structure has a plurality of nozzle holes formed on the top surface. The cavities are connected to either a venting channel formed from the backside of the substrate or a venting chamber formed inside the fluidic structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yimin Guan, Eunki Hong
  • Patent number: 8608296
    Abstract: An inkjet printer head includes: a semiconductor substrate; a vibration diaphragm provided on the semiconductor substrate and capable of vibrating in an opposing direction in which the vibration diaphragm is opposed to the semiconductor substrate; a piezoelectric element provided on the vibration diaphragm; a pressure chamber provided on a side of the vibration diaphragm adjacent to the semiconductor substrate as facing the vibration diaphragm, the pressure chamber being filled with an ink; and a nozzle extending through the vibration diaphragm and communicating with the pressure chamber for ejecting the ink supplied from the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Goro Nakatani