Back to results
US 5,889,539 AGranted
Ink jet print head
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsKazumi Kamoi, Minoru Usui, Takahiro Katakura, Satoshi Shinada, Kouichi Toba
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An ink jet print head includes first terminals 22 and 22', which are located at the side ends of a cover member 2 as a vibrating plate, and are connected to discrete electrodes 6 and 6' for selectively applying signals to piezoelectric vibrators 5 and 5'. A semiconductor integrated circuit 30 includes second terminals 31 and 31' that are arrayed corresponding in position to the first terminals 22 and 22' and generates a drive signal in response to an external signal. The first terminals 22 and 22' are connected to the second terminals 31 and 31' such that a gap of H in height is formed between the semiconductor integrated circuit 30 and the piezoelectric vibrators 5 and 5'.
Claims27
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side and thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle opening being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers;
- first terminals, arranged at a first pitch with respect to one another, and formed adjacent said cover member, for selectively applying signals to said pressure generating means;
- discrete electrodes connected to said first terminals and said pressure generating means;
- and
- drive signal generating means for generating a drive signal to drive said pressure generating means in response to an external signal received, said drive signal generating means having second terminals arrayed at said first pitch so as to correspond to respective ones of said first terminals, wherein said first terminals are directly connected to said respective second terminals of said drive signal generating means in a state that a gap is present between said drive signal generating means and said pressure generating means.
5 more elements
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side and thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle openings being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers;
- first terminals formed adjacent said cover member for selectively applying signals to said pressure generating means;
- discrete electrodes connected to said first terminals and said pressure generating means;
- a semiconductor integrated circuit for generating a drive signal to drive said pressure generating means in response to an external signal received, said semiconductor integrated circuit having a terminal portion for supplying drive signals;
- a flexible cable comprising a heat resistant insulating film, a solderable metal foil layered on said heat resistant insulating film, a window located at a place facing said pressure generating chambers and provided for fastening to said semiconductor integrated circuit, and connecting means for electrically connecting said flexible cable with said semiconductor integrated circuit;
- and
- a support member connected between said semiconductor integrated circuit and said cover member, thereby supporting said semiconductor integrated circuit, said support being located at a location which does not interrupt vibration of said cover member.
7 more elements
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side and thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle openings being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers, said pressure generating means including a thickness;
- terminals formed on said cover member for selectively applying signals to said pressure generating means, said terminals having a thickness greater than that of said pressure generating means;
- discrete electrodes being arranged at a first pitch and electrically connected to said terminals and said pressure generating means;
- and
- a flexible cable for transferring electrical signals, said flexible cable being extended over said pressure generating means and secured at both ends thereof to said terminals.
5 more elements
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side to thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle openings being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers;
- spherical parts formed at junction areas of a flexible cable for supplying a signal external of said print head to said pressure generating means, said flexible cable being mounted adjacent said cover member, and wherein a depth of each said spherical parts is selected to such an extent as to allow an underside of said flexible cable to retract to a place where the flexible cable does not interrupt vibration of said cover member.
2 more elements
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side and thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle openings being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers, said pressure generating means defining the outer periphery of a selected area on said cover member;
- a support member, contacting said cover member within the periphery of said selected area, and supporting a flexible cable for supplying an external signal to said print head such that the flexible cable is placed at a location on said cover member such that vibration of said cover member is not interrupted.
2 more elements
An ink jet print head comprising:
- a cover member;
- a spacer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, said first side being attached to said cover to seal said first side and thereby partially define pressure generating chambers;
- a member having nozzle openings for sealing the second side of said spacer, said nozzle openings being communicated with respective pressure generating chambers;
- pressure generating means for applying pressure to said pressure generating chambers;
- and
- a flexible cable, having a central portion and junction areas connected to said pressure generating means, for transferring an external signal, wherein regions of said flexible cable near the junction areas are bent at an appropriate radius of curvature such that a central portion of said flexible cable is lifted up by elasticity of the flexible cable.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.