IP Library Granted Patent US 7,475,967
Granted Patent B2
US 7,475,967 · App. 10/539,679 · Granted Jan 13, 2009

Piezoelectric element, ink-jet head with same, and their manufacturing methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,475,967
App. No.
10/539,679
Granted
Jan 13, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A piezoelectric element 1 includes a lower electrode 2 , a piezoelectric film 3 and an upper electrode 4 stacked in this order. The surface of the upper electrode 4 of the piezoelectric element 1 is exposed to a zirconium compound 6.

Claims (11)

1. A piezoelectric element comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and a lead compound-containing piezoelectric body sandwiched between the first and second electrodes, wherein

the piezoelectric body is made of an aggregate of a plurality of crystals,

zirconium oxide exists at a grain boundary between the crystals and zirconium element exists at the grain boundary in a larger composition ratio than lead element.

2. A piezoelectric element according to claim 1 , wherein

the piezoelectric body is made of an aggregate of a plurality of columnar crystals which are oriented from one end to the other of the piezoelectric body in the thickness direction thereof.

3. A piezoelectric element according to claim 1 , wherein

the piezoelectric body contains at least zirconium element, titanium element, lead element and oxygen element.

4. An inkjet head comprising: a head body including a nozzle and a pressure chamber which is communicated with the nozzle and contains ink; and a piezoelectric element which is arranged to face the pressure chamber at part of one of its surfaces intersecting the thickness direction of the piezoelectric element and applies a pressure to the ink in the pressure chamber such that the ink is discharged from the nozzle to a recording medium, wherein

the piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a lead compound-containing piezoelectric body sandwiched between the first and second electrodes,

the piezoelectric body is made of an aggregate of a plurality of crystals,

zirconium oxide exists at a grain boundary between the crystals and zirconium element exists at the grain boundary in a larger composition ratio than lead element.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 24, 2008
From: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021897/0653 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 16, 2005
From: NAKAGAWA, TOHRU; TORII, HIDEO
To: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 017409/0692 →