Patent · US Active

Droplet discharge head and image forming apparatus incorporating same

US9597872B2 · kind B2 · utility

5Cited by
1References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 16, 2016
Grant dateMar 21, 2017
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 16, 2036

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB41J2202/03
  • WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A droplet discharge head includes a nozzle, a substrate, a diaphragm, and an electromechanical transducer element. The nozzle discharges droplets. The substrate includes a pressurization chamber communicated with the nozzle. The diaphragm is disposed on the substrate. The electromechanical transducer element is disposed on the diaphragm. The electromechanical transducer element includes an electromechanical transducer film, a lower electrode, and an upper electrode. The electromechanical transducer film includes a piezoelectric material. The lower electrode is disposed below the electromechanical transducer film, to apply voltage to the electromechanical transducer film. The upper electrode is disposed above the electromechanical transducer film, to apply voltage to the electromechanical transducer film. The diaphragm includes an SiO2 film, an SiN film, and a Poly-Si film laminated one on another. The diaphragm has, in a direction of lamination, a thickness of not less than 1 μm and not greater than 3 μm. The diaphragm has a deflection projecting toward the pressurization chamber with no voltage applied to the electromechanical transducer film. A radius of curvature of the deflecti…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.