Piezoelectric ink jet printer using laminated piezoelectric actuator

摘要

A head for a piezoelectric ink jet printer includes a plurality of ejector devices for ejecting ink droplets. Each ejector device has an ink channel body defining an ink channel. The head further includes a piezoelectric actuator secured to the ink channel for actuating the ejector devices. The actuator is made up of a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic layers, a plurality of internal positive electrode layers, and a plurality of internal negative electrode layers, which are laminated in such a manner that each piezoelectric ceramic layer is sandwitched between each internal positive electrode layer and each internal negative electrode layer. At least one of the internal positive electrode layers and the internal negative electrode layers are divided into a plurality of segments so as to be provided in association with respective ones of the plurality of ejector devices. To provide a head which is simple in construction and easy to manufacture, yet capable of printing high resolution image with reduced power source voltage, the ink channel is configured to have a width larger than widths of the corresponding segmental electrode layers. The piezoelectric actuator may further include a deformation restraining member for restraining deformation of the piezoelectric actuator, whereby a low voltage driving of the head can be accomplished.