# US 11,897,260 B2 · Liquid ejecting apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,260 B2 - Document ID: US11897260B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/512,778 - Filed: 2021-10-28 - Published: 2022-05-05 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-10-29 - Assignees: Seiko Epson Corporation - Applicants: Seiko Epson Corporation - Inventors: Yusuke Matsumoto; Toru Matsuyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897260B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/04541: {Specific driving circuit} - B41J 2/04581: {controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements} - B41J 2/04588: {using a specific waveform} - B41J 2/04593: {Dot-size modulation by changing the size of the drop} - B41J 2/14233: {of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm} - B41J 2002/14362: {Assembling elements of heads} - B41J 2002/14419: {Manifold} - B41J 2002/14491: {Electrical connection} - B41J 2202/19: Assembling head units - B41J 2202/20: Modules - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head, and a drive signal output unit that outputs a drive signal. The head unit includes a first rigid substrate, and a first connector to which the drive signal is input, the drive signal output unit includes a second rigid substrate, and a second connector from which the drive signal is output, the first connector includes a first fixing portion fixed to the first rigid substrate, and a first terminal, the second connector includes a second fixing portion fixed to the second rigid substrate, and a second terminal, the first connector has a receptacle shape, the second connector has a plug shape, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are electrically coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector so that the first terminal and the second terminal are in direct contact with each other. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a head unit that includes a piezoelectric element that is driven with supply of a drive signal and ejects a liquid by driving the piezoelectric element; and a drive signal output unit that outputs the drive signal, wherein the head unit includes: an ejection portion that includes the piezoelectric element and ejects the liquid; a first rigid substrate that propagates the drive signal to the ejection portion, and the first rigid substrate includes: a first surface; and a second surface outwardly opposite to the first surface; and a first connector to which the drive signal is input, the drive signal output unit includes: a second rigid substrate, and the second rigid substrate includes: a third surface; and a fourth surface outwardly opposite to the third surface; and a second connector from which the drive signal is output, the first connector includes: a first fixing portion fixed to the first rigid substrate; and a first terminal through which the drive signal propagates, the second connector includes: a second fixing portion fixed to the second rigid substrate; and a second terminal through which the drive signal propagates, the first connector has a receptacle shape, the second connector has a plug shape, the second surface of the first rigid substrate and the third surface of the second rigid substrate face each other, no circuit components other than the second connector are provided on the third surface of the second rigid substrate, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are electrically coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector so that the first terminal and the second terminal are in direct contact with each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector is a floating connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connector has a straight type receptacle shape, the second connector has a straight type plug shape, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are stacked and coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connector has a straight type receptacle shape, the second connector has a right angle type plug shape, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are perpendicularly coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connector has a right angle type receptacle shape, the second connector has a straight type plug shape, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are perpendicularly coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a shortest distance between the second surface and the third surface is shorter than a shortest distance between the first surface and the third surface, and a shortest distance between the third surface and the second surface is shorter than a shortest distance between the fourth surface and the second surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a first insulator portion, the second connector includes a second insulator portion, and at least one of the first insulator portion and the second insulator portion contains glass fiber. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal contains a copper alloy. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal is gold-plated. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion contains a copper alloy. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is tin-plated.