Patent ID: 6623111
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: B41J,H01L,H05K

Abstract:
A multilayer piezoelectric device comprising:a piezoelectric layered body including a driving section having first driving internal electrodes and second driving internal electrodes being alternately stacked upon each other with a piezoelectric layer disposed therebetween and a connecting section having connecting internal electrodes being stacked upon each other in a stacking direction with a piezoelectric layer disposed therebetween, at least a driving-side external electrode and a connection-side external electrode, which are in electrical conduction with the first driving internal electrodes and the connecting internal electrodes, respectively, are arranged substantially parallel to each other and on one of opposing side surfaces of the piezoelectric layered body, and at least a common-side external electrode, which is in electrical conduction with the second driving internal electrodes and the connecting internal electrodes, is disposed on the other side surface of the piezoelectric layered body; wherein a plurality of separately drivable actuator units are defined by a slit that divides the first and second driving internal electrodes of the driving section, the slit extending along the stacking direction from a top surface to a bottom surface of the driving section, and a cutaway portion is formed in the one side surface of the piezoelectric layered body where the driving-side external electrode and the connection-side external electrode are arranged substantially in parallel to each other so that the cutaway portion is substantially parallel to the driving internal electrodes and the connecting internal electrodes, the cutaway portion having a depth that allows the cutaway portion to extend from a bottom surface of the piezoelectric layered body to a location above a bottom end of the slit but does not allow the cutaway portion to reach the driving internal electrodes.