# US 8,465,128 B2 · Liquid discharge apparatus and image forming apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,128 B2 - Document ID: US8465128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/891,109 - Filed: 2010-09-27 - Published: 2011-03-31 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2009-09-30 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Toru Yamashita - Inventors: Toru Yamashita - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465128B2 ## CPC - B41J 2/14233: {of film type, deformed by bending and disposed on a diaphragm} - B41J 2002/14459: {Matrix arrangement of the pressure chambers} - B41J 2002/14491: {Electrical connection} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head and a circuit board. The liquid jetting head includes a channel unit in which a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of liquid channels communicating with the nozzles respectively are formed, a plurality of drive portions which drive a plurality of deforming portions to deform so as to apply a jetting pressure to a liquid in the liquid channels, a plurality of lead portions arranged to cover the electrodes while maintaining a space between the electrodes and the lead portions, and a plurality of input terminals which are electrically connected to the electrodes via the lead portions. A plurality of connecting terminals which are electrically connected to the input terminals respectively are formed on the circuit board. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid discharge apparatus which discharges a liquid, comprising: a liquid discharge head including: a channel unit formed with a plurality of nozzles through which the liquid is discharged and a plurality of liquid channels which communicate with the nozzles respectively; a plurality of drive portions having a plurality of electrodes corresponding to the nozzles respectively and a deforming portion which is deformed to apply a jetting pressure to the liquid stored in the liquid channels according to a driving pulse applied to the electrodes; a plurality of lead portions which correspond to the electrodes, which are connected electrically to the electrodes and which are arranged to cover the electrodes while maintaining a space between the electrodes and the lead portions; and a plurality of input terminals each of which is formed integrally on a surface, of one of the lead portions, not facing the electrodes and which are electrically connected to the electrodes via the lead portions; and a circuit board via which the driving pulse is applied to the liquid discharge head, and which has a plurality of connecting terminals electrically connected to the input terminals, respectively; wherein each of the electrodes is arranged on a facing surface, of one of the driving portions, facing the circuit board, and wherein the lead portions have a bridge-shape, and each of the lead portions is bridged between two areas in an edge portion of one of the electrodes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the nozzles form a nozzle row extending in an extending direction; wherein a length of each of the electrodes in the extending direction is shorter than a length of the electrodes in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the extending direction; and wherein each of the lead portions is bridged between one end-edge and the other end-edge of one of the electrode in the orthogonal direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein a first protective layer is arranged on a surface, of each of the lead portions, facing one of the electrodes. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 3; wherein the first protective layer is formed of an oxide film. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein a second protective layer is arranged on a surface, of each of the lead portions, not facing the one of the electrodes; wherein a through hole, in which one of the input terminals is inserted, is formed in the second protective layer; and wherein each of the input terminals inserted in the through hole is protruded on a side of a surface, of the second protective layer, not facing the electrode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a third protective layer which covers the second protective layer; wherein the third protective layer is formed of silicon nitride. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 6; wherein the second protective layer is formed of a resin. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the input terminals are formed of a silver alloy. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the input terminal has a plurality of input terminals in each of the lead portions; and wherein the circuit board includes a plurality of land portions to be connected to and overlapped with the plurality of input terminals formed on each of the lead portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1. wherein a third protective layer of silicon nitride is arranged, as an outermost layer, on the surface of each of the lead portions not facing one of the electrodes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1; wherein the deforming portions have a piezoelectric layer which covers the channel unit, and wherein the electrodes are arranged on a surface, of the piezoelectric layer, not facing the channel unit, and wherein a common electrode which is common for the drive portions is arranged on a surface, of the piezoelectric layer, on a side of the channel unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An image forming apparatus which discharges an ink as a liquid onto a medium to form an image on the medium, comprising: the liquid discharge apparatus as defined in claim 1; and a transporting mechanism which transports the medium toward a position facing the liquid discharge apparatus. ### Claim 13 A liquid discharge apparatus which discharges a liquid, comprising: a liquid discharge head including: a channel unit formed with a plurality of nozzles through which the liquid is discharged and a plurality of liquid channels which communicate with the nozzles respectively; a plurality of drive portions having a plurality of electrodes corresponding to the nozzles respectively and a deforming portion which is deformed to apply a jetting pressure to the liquid stored in the liquid channels according to a driving pulse applied to the electrodes; a plurality of lead portions which correspond to the electrodes, which are connected electrically to the electrodes and which are arranged to cover the electrodes while maintaining a space between the electrodes and the lead portions; and a plurality of input terminals each of which is formed integrally on a surface, of one of the lead portions, not facing the electrodes and which are electrically connected to the electrodes via the lead portions; and a circuit board via which the driving pulse is applied to the liquid discharge head, and which has a plurality of connecting terminals electrically connected to the input terminals, respectively; wherein each of the lead portions stands on an entire edge portion of one of the electrodes, and covers the one of the electrodes entirely. ### Claim 14 A liquid discharge apparatus which discharges a liquid, comprising: a liquid discharge head including: a channel unit formed with a plurality of nozzles through which the liquid is discharged and a plurality of liquid channels which communicate with the nozzles respectively; a plurality of drive portions having a plurality of electrodes corresponding to the nozzles respectively and a deforming portion which is deformed to apply a jetting pressure to the liquid stored in the liquid channels according to a driving pulse applied to the electrodes; a plurality of lead portions which correspond to the electrodes, which are connected electrically to the electrodes and which are arranged to cover the electrodes while maintaining a space between the electrodes and the lead portions; and a plurality of input terminals each of which is formed integrally on a surface, of one of the lead portions, not facing the electrodes and which are electrically connected to the electrodes via the lead portions; and a circuit board via which the driving pulse is applied to the liquid discharge head, and which has a plurality of connecting terminals electrically connected to the input terminals, respectively; wherein each of the lead portions has a pair of leg portions standing on a facing surface, of one of the drive portions, facing the circuit board; and a terminal forming portion in the form of a plate bridging between the pair of leg portions, and wherein each of the input terminals is arranged on the terminal forming portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 14; wherein the input terminal is arranged in the vicinity of one of the pair of leg portions of the terminal forming portion.