IP Library Granted Patent US 9,174,441
Granted Patent B2
US 9,174,441 · App. 14/185,173 · Granted Nov 3, 2015

Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, piezoelectric element, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric element

Inventor: Noboru Furuya (Chino, JP)
Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
B41J2/14201B41J2/14233B41J2/161B41J2/1607B41J2/1625B41J2/1643H01L41/0477B41J2002/14491
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,174,441
App. No.
14/185,173
Granted
Nov 3, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A flow channel substrate has pressure chambers, and the pressure chambers communicate with nozzle openings configured to eject liquid. Each of piezoelectric elements on the flow channel substrate has a piezoelectric layer, a pair of electrodes, and a wiring layer coupled to the electrodes. The wiring layer has a first layer on the flow channel substrate side and a second layer on the first layer. The first layer contains palladium and is formed by pretreatment, whereas the second layer contains nickel and is formed by electroless plating.

Claims (34)

1. A liquid ejecting head comprising:

a flow channel substrate, the flow channel substrate including a pressure chamber communicating with a nozzle opening configured to eject liquid; and

a piezoelectric element, the piezoelectric element provided to the flow channel substrate and having a piezoelectric layer, a pair of electrodes, and a wiring layer coupled to at least one of the electrodes,

the wiring layer including:

a first layer containing palladium,

a second layer on the first layer, the second layer containing nickel,

a third layer on the second layer, the third layer containing palladium, and

a fourth layer on the third layer, the fourth layer containing gold.

2. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of electrodes are a first electrode on a flow channel substrate side and a second electrode on a side of the piezoelectric layer opposite the flow channel substrate.

3. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 2 , wherein:

the first electrode includes a plurality of separate electrodes for a plurality of active sections, i.e., practical actuating elements, the separate electrodes electrically isolated from each other; and

the second electrode serves as a common electrode for the active sections, the common electrode electrically continuous.

4. The liquid ejecting head according to claim 1 , wherein the pretreatment for forming the first layer is dip coating.

5. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 1 .

6. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 2 .

7. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 3 .

8. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising the liquid ejecting head according to claim 4 .

9. A piezoelectric element comprising:

a piezoelectric layer;

a pair of electrodes; and

a wiring layer coupled to at least one of the electrodes,

the wiring layer including:

a first layer containing palladium,

a second layer on the first layer, the second layer containing nickel,

a third layer on the second layer, the third layer containing palladium, and

a fourth layer on the third layer, the fourth layer containing gold.

10. A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric layer, a pair of electrodes, and a wiring layer coupled to the electrodes, the method comprising:

forming a mask on the electrodes with the electrodes exposed, the mask perforated at least in a region where the wiring layer is to be formed;

forming a palladium-containing first layer by pretreatment;

removing the mask; and

forming a nickel-containing second layer on the first layer by electroless plating.

11. The method for manufacturing a piezoelectric element according to claim 10 , the method further comprising:

forming a palladium-containing third layer on the second layer by electroless plating; and

forming a gold-containing fourth layer on the third layer by electroless plating.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2014
From: FURUYA, NOBORU
To: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 032256/0237 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2013-043531 · Mar 5, 2013 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140253641A1 · Sep 11, 2014