CPC G03G 15/2053 (2013.01) [G03G 15/2017 (2013.01); G03G 15/2064 (2013.01); G03G 2215/2035 (2013.01)] | 9 Claims |
1. A fixing device comprising:
an endless belt configured to apply heat to a recording material;
a rotatable pressing member contacting an outer circumferential surface of the belt; and
a sliding member inside of the belt, configured to form a nip portion by nipping and feeding the belt between itself and the rotatable pressing member and to slide on an inner circumferential surface of the belt;
wherein the rotatable pressing member nips and feeds the recording material in the nip portion in cooperation with the belt and fixes a toner image on the recording material by applying heat and pressure,
wherein the sliding member includes a substrate extending in a widthwise direction of the belt,
wherein the substrate is made of metal and includes a plurality of projections projecting toward the rotatable pressing member, and
wherein when a load value applied to the nip portion is defined as W[N], a Young's modulus of the sliding member is defined as E[MPa], a thickness of the sliding member is defined as t[mm], a friction coefficient between the sliding member and the belt is defined as μ, and a length of the siding member with respect to the widthwise direction is defined as L[mm], the sliding member satisfies formulas:
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