Patent ID: 6993813
Filing Date: 2006-02-07
Classification: B41J,H04R,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric/electrostrictive film-type actuator, the actuator comprising a ceramic base and a piezoelectric/electrostrictive element disposed on the ceramic base, wherein the element includes piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and electrode films, and wherein the ceramic base includes a cavity formed therein so as to be pressurized by deforming a diaphragm bonded to the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element in accordance with a dislocation of the piezoelectric/electrostrictive element, the method comprising: forming a ceramic laminate by preparing at least one green sheet and at least one other green sheet having at least one hole formed therein, by laminating these sheets so as to form a green sheet laminate such that said at least one green sheet having no hole serves as the upper surface of the green sheet laminate, and by firing the green sheet laminate; forming a lower electrode film on the upper surface of the ceramic laminate by a film forming method and firing the lower electrode film; forming a lower-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive film on the lower electrode film by the film forming method, forming a middle electrode film on the lower-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive film by the film forming method, and forming an upper-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, which is thicker than the lower-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive film, on the middle electrode film by the film forming method; firing the piezoelectric/electrostrictive films and the middle electrode film all together; and forming an upper electrode film on the upper-layered piezoelectric/electrostrictive film by the film forming method and firing the upper electrode film.