US4907015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal printing head
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
•
Filing: 1988-08-24
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2008-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A thermal printing head in accordance with the present invention has a substrate formed of an electrical insulator, heating elements formed on the substrate, and conductive layers formed on the part of the heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of heat generating portions of the heating elements. The resistivity of heating elements is set at a value of not less than 1000 μΩ.cm and, simultaneously, the thickness of conductive layers is set at a value of not more than 300 nm. By virtue of this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the distance between the heat generating portions of the head and the printing paper or ink sheet, and the thin conductive layers contribute to minimizing diffusion of the heat. The thermal printing head is therefore capable of efficiently and accurately transferring heat generated by the heat generating portions to the printing paper or ink sheet. The head is suitable for producing half-tone prints and is capable of producing highly gradated prints such as fully-colored prints.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiki Kaneko
- 👤 Yoshiaki Kita
- 👤 Hisashi Andoh
- 👤 Kiyoshi Konno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:33
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/315; B41J2/32; B41J2/335; B41J2/33505; B41J2/3351; B41J2/33515; B41J2/33525; B41J2/3353; B41J2/33545; B41J2/3355; B41J2/33555; B41J2/3357; B41J2/525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm throughout the surface of said thermal printing head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm at portions of said substrate which are not portions of said substrate where integrated circuit elements are connected to said substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 1, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is 30 to 300 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic compound and an electrically insulating material, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic compound and an electrically insulating material, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm throughout the surface of said thermal printing head.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 6, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm at portions of said substrate which are not portions of said substrate where integrated circuit elements are connected to said substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 6, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
174 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 6, wherein said intermetallic compound is at least one selected from the group consisting of Nb 5 Si 3 , NbSi 2 , Ta 2 Si, Ta 5 Si 3 , TaSi 2 , V 3 Si, V 5 Si 3 , VSi 2 , W 5 Si 3 , WSi 2 , Cr 3 Si, CrSi, CrSi 2 , Mo 3 Si, Mo 3 Si 2 , Ti 5 Si 3 , TiSi, TiSi 2 , Ni 3 A1, NiA1, Ni 2 A1 3 , CoA1, Co 2 A1 3 , TiA1, ZrA1, ArA1 2 , TaA1 2 and TiA1 3 and said electrically insulating material is at least one selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , A1 2 O 3 , Ta 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , Y 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , HfB, VB, MoB, LaB, TaB, TiB, CoB, NbB, WB, SiC, A1 4 C 3 , TaN, Si 3 N 4 , A1N and BN.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 1000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm, the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 1000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm, the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm throughout the surface of said thermal printing head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 11, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm at portions of said substrate which are not portions of said substrate where integrated circuit elements are connected to said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 11, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
146 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic compound and an electrically insulating material, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm. the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
146 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic compound and an electrically insulating material, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μΩ·cm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 300 nm. the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 15, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm throughout the surface of said thermal printing head.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
42 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 15, wherein the thickness of said conductive layers is not more than 300 nm at portions of said substrate which are not portions of said substrate where integrated circuit elements are connected to said substrate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 15, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 16, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
A thermal printing head according to claim 17, wherein irregularity in the part of the surface of said protective layers that is immediately above said heat generating portions is not more than 100 nm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
316 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic metallic compound which is at least one selected from the group consisting of Nb 5 Si 3 , NbSi 2 , Ta 2 Si, Ta 5 Si 3 , TaSi 2 , V 3 Si, V 5 Si 3 , VSi 2 , W 5 Si 3 , WSi 2 , Cr 3 Si, Cr 5 Si 3 , CrSi, CrSi 2 , Mo 3 Si, Mo 3 Si 2 , MoSi 2 , Ti 5 Si 3 , TiSi, TiSi 2 , Ni 3 A1, NiA1, Ni 2 A1 3 , CoA1, Co 2 A1 3 , TiA1, ZrA1, ZrA1 2 , TaA1 2 and TiA1 3 and an electrically insulating material which is at least one selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , A1 2 O 3 , Ta 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , Y 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , HfB, VB, MoB, LaB, TaB, TiB, CoB, NbB, WB, SiC, A1 4 4 C 3 , TaN, Si 3 N 4 , A1N and BN, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μ Ωcm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 200 nm, the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
316 words
A thermal printing head comprising: a substrate formed of an electrical insulator; heating elements formed on said substrate; conductive layers each formed on the part of the surface of each of said heating elements that is adjacent to and on either side of a heat generating portion of the heating element; and protective layers each formed on the surfaces of each of said conductive layers and said heat generating portion of each of said heat generating elements, the heating elements comprising a composite of an intermetallic metallic compound which is at least one selected from the group consisting of Nb 5 Si 3 , NbSi 2 , Ta 2 Si, Ta 5 Si 3 , TaSi 2 , V 3 Si, V 5 Si 3 , VSi 2 , W 5 Si 3 , WSi 2 , Cr 3 Si, Cr 5 Si 3 , CrSi, CrSi 2 , Mo 3 Si, Mo 3 Si 2 , MoSi 2 , Ti 5 Si 3 , TiSi, TiSi 2 , Ni 3 A1, NiA1, Ni 2 A1 3 , CoA1, Co 2 A1 3 , TiA1, ZrA1, ZrA1 2 , TaA1 2 and TiA1 3 and an electrically insulating material which is at least one selected from the group consisting of SiO 2 , A1 2 O 3 , Ta 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , Y 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , HfB, VB, MoB, LaB, TaB, TiB, CoB, NbB, WB, SiC, A1 4 4 C 3 , TaN, Si 3 N 4 , A1N and BN, the resistivity of said heating elements being not less than 10000 μ Ωcm, and the thickness of said conductive layers at least in the vicinity of the heat generating portions of said thermal printing head being not more than 200 nm, the width of said heating elements being narrowed at said heat generating portions thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |