Patent ID: 6092891
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A fixing device for an ink jet recording apparatus, for heating a recording medium deposited with an ink droplet discharged through an ink jet recording head and fixing the ink droplet, said device comprising:a heater member, said heater member including a first heating section for heating the recording medium to a temperature which is not sufficient to completely fix the ink droplet on the recording medium but promotes fixation of the ink droplet, and a second heating section for heating the recording medium heated at said first heating section to a temperature which is sufficient to completely dry the ink droplet deposited on the recording medium, the temperature at said second heating section being higher than the temperature at said first heating section; anda conveying mechanism, said conveying mechanism arranged to move the recording medium from an area where the ink jet recording head is disposed, through said first heating section and said second heating section,wherein said heater member is arranged to face a surface of the recording medium on which ink is deposited so that a distance between said conveying mechanism and said heater member at an inlet side of said first heating section is such that said heater member does not contact the ink droplet deposited on the recording medium, and said heater member being arranged so that the distance between said heater member and said conveying mechanism decreases from said first heating section to said second heating section,wherein the temperature at said first heating section is within a range of 50.degree. C.-70.degree. C. and the temperature at said second heating section is within a range of 160.degree. C.-200.degree. C.