Patent ID: 7518295

Claim:
A multilayer piezoelectric element comprising a laminate body in which a plurality of piezoelectric bodies and a plurality of internal electrodes are alternately laminated and sintered, wherein the plurality of internal electrodes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the laminate body is provided with a metal oxide layer formed of a material with a melting point higher than a sintering temperature of the piezoelectric bodies, wherein the laminate body has: an active portion in which the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged to overlap in a laminate direction of the laminate body; and inactive portions which are provided on both sides of the active portion and in which the first electrode and the second electrode are arranged not to overlap in the laminate direction of the laminate body, wherein the metal oxide layer has: a first region formed in the same layer as the internal electrode in the inactive portion; and a second region formed so as to extend from the first region toward the active portion and overlap the internal electrode.