| 摘要 |
A combined deflection electrode and phase sensor electrode for a deflection type ink jet printer is made up of a ceramic support plate 19, a conductive layer 21 acting as the deflection electrode, layers of insulator 25 covering the conductive layer 21, and a patch of conductive material on the layers of insulator 25 to provide a phase sensor electrode 29 (Alternative constructions are also disclosed). A time of flight sensor electrode 31 may also be provided in the same way. The layers of insulator 25 prevent the sensor electrodes 29, 31 from being electrically connected, by splashes of conductive ink, to the deflection electrode provided by the conductive layer 21. The sensor electrodes 29, 31 can have a larger sensing area than separately provided electrodes, allowing them to be further from the ink jet and thereby easing alignment requirements. Additionally, the flight path of the ink jet from the nozzle 1 to the gutter 11 is shortened by placing the sensor electrodes 29, 31 within the length of the deflection electrode. The combined electrode design may be applied to single jet printers, double jet printers and printers having an array of jets (e.g. for printing graphics).
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