Phase detection in an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type and, more particularly, to a phase detection system in the ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type.
In an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type, print distortion is mainly caused by interaction of ink droplets and air resistances occurring during travel of the ink droplets from a nozzle to a record receiving member.
Accordingly, to minimize the print distortion, it is required to reduce the travel distance of the ink droplets.
A phase sensor electrode is conventionally disposed between a charging electrode and deflection means in order to detect charge conditions of phase detection ink droplets.
The detection of the charge conditions of the phase detection ink droplets is necessary to perform accurate printing as disclosed in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
4,025,926 entitled "PHASE SYNCHRONIZATION FOR INK JET SYSTEM PRINTER" on May 24, 1977, and in U.
S.
Pat.
No.
3,769,632 entitled "DIGITAL PHASE CONTROL FOR AN INK JET RECORDING SYSTEM" on Oct.
30, 1973.
To minimize the above-mentioned travel distance of the ink droplets, it is very effective to omit the phase sensor electrode.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to minimize a travel distance of ink droplets from a nozzle to a record receiving member in an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel phase detection system which does not require a phase sensor electrode disposed between a charging electrode and deflection means.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel deflection means which can minimize the travel distance of the ink droplets in an ink jet system printer of the charge amplitude controlling type.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.
It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description