Fixing device

A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising:

• a cylindrical film;
• a sliding plate, having a generally non-tubular and non-hollow cross-sectional shape, that contacts an inner surface of the film, the sliding plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the film;
• and
• a roller that forms a nip portion with the sliding plate via the film, the roller including a metal core and an elastic layer formed outside the metal core, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the film,
• wherein, in the nip portion, the recording medium on which the image is formed is heated while the recording medium is being conveyed, and the image is fixed on the recording medium,
• wherein the film and the sliding plate have respective longitudinal end portions positioned on an outer side of a longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer of the roller,
• wherein the sliding plate includes a curvature portion that is curved along a circumferential direction of an inner surface of the film on an upstream side of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and extends along a longitudinal direction of the sliding plate, and the curvature portion includes an aperture hole, and
• wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the film, the aperture hole is provided in a region of the curvature portion at least on an outer side of a position corresponding to the longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer and on an inner side of a position corresponding to the longitudinal end portion of the film in the curvature portion.

A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising:

• a cylindrical film;
• a sliding plate, having a generally non-tubular and non-hollow cross-sectional shape, that contacts an inner surface of the film, the sliding plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the film;
• and
• a roller that forms a nip portion with the sliding plate via the film, the roller including a metal core and an elastic layer formed outside the metal core, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the film,
• wherein, in the nip portion, the recording medium on which the image is formed is heated while the recording medium is being conveyed, and the image is fixed on the recording medium,
• wherein the film and the sliding plate have respective longitudinal end portions positioned on an outer side of a longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer of the roller,
• wherein the sliding plate includes a curvature portion that is curved along a circumferential direction of an inner surface of the film on an upstream side of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction and extends along a longitudinal direction of the sliding plate, and the curvature portion includes a region in which a curvature portion is not provided, and
• wherein, in the longitudinal direction of the film, the region in which a curvature portion is not provided is provided in a region of the curvature portion at least on an outer side of a position corresponding to the longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer and on an inner side of a position corresponding to the longitudinal end portion of the film in the curvature portion.

A fixing device for fixing an image on a recording medium, the fixing device comprising:

• a cylindrical film;
• a sliding plate, having a generally non-tubular and non-hollow cross-sectional shape, that contacts an inner surface of the film, the sliding plate extending in a longitudinal direction of the film;
• and
• a roller that forms a nip portion with the sliding plate via the film, the roller including a metal core and an elastic layer formed outside the metal core, and extending in the longitudinal direction of the film,
• wherein, in the nip portion, the recording medium on which the image is formed is heated while the recording medium is being conveyed, and the image is fixed on the recording medium,
• wherein the film and the sliding plate have respective longitudinal end portions positioned on an outer side of a longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer of the roller,
• wherein the sliding plate includes a curvature portion that is curved along a circumferential direction of the film on an upstream side of the nip portion in a recording medium conveyance direction,
• wherein the curvature portion includes a recessed region provided in an end portion of the curvature portion in the longitudinal direction of the film and in a surface of the curvature portion opposed to the inner surface of the film,
• wherein the recessed region is recessed toward a direction away from the inner surface of the film relative to a middle portion of the curvature portion in the longitudinal direction of the film, and
• wherein the recessed region is provided in the curvature portion at least on an outer side of a position corresponding to the longitudinal end portion of the elastic layer in the longitudinal direction of the film.