The invention prevents cracking of heater that may occur when a fixing device becomes uncontrollable and provides an image forming apparatus that is advantageous from the viewpoint of recycling of parts. A heater support member that supports a heater during abnormal temperature rise is provided at a position at which a heater holder deforms greatly when abnormal temperature rise of the heater occurs.
This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2006/315244, filed Jul. 26, 2006, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-216150, filed Jul. 26, 2005.
An image heating apparatus includes a rotatable member contactable to a recording material for carrying an image; a heating member contacted to an outer surface of the rotatable member to heat the rotatable member; a holding member for holding the heating member; and an urging member for urging the holding member to contact the heating member to the rotatable member, wherein the holding member is rotatable relative to the apparatus about an axis parallel with a generating line of the rotatable member.
A heating and fixing device for toner particles is provided, which includes a pressing element, at least one elastic element, a tube-shaped film, and a pressing roller. The elastic element is provided for generating force to press the pressing element constantly. The heating element is provided for heating the pressing element through the heated side. The film is disposed around the pressing element and the heating element, wherein the film slides relative to the pressing element, and the pressing element presses against the film from the inner side of the film and transfers heat to the film by heat conduction. The pressing element presses the film to contact the pressing roller, so that the recording medium is pressed and heated when traveled between the pressing roller and the film.
