Image heating apparatus

[0031] (First Embodiment)

[0032] (1) Example of an Image Forming Apparatus

[0033]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This image forming apparatus is a laser printer using a transfer-type electrophotographic process having a process speed of 127 mm / s and a throughput of 22 ppm (LTR).

[0034] A photosensitive drum 1 serves as an image bearing member, and is obtained by forming a layer of a photosensitive material, such as an OPC (organic photoconductor), amorphous Se, amorphous Si, or the like, on a cylindrical substrate made of aluminum, nickel, or the like.

[0035] The photosensitive drum 1 is rotatably driven in the direction of an arrow at a predetermined circumferential speed. First, the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined potential by a charging roller 2, serving as a charging apparatus.

[0036] Then, t

[0103] (Second Embodiment)

[0104] In a second embodiment of the present invention, a configuration will be described in which, as shown in FIG. 8, a grease obtained by dispersing a heat conductive filler is used as the heat conductive filler 16 provided at the contact surface between the heat collecting plate 15a of the thermoprotector 15 and the heater 11 for improving the response property of the thermoprotector 15 and stabilization, and a heat-conductive-grease extrusion preventing member (grease extrusion regulating member) for preventing (suppressing) extrusion of the heat-conductive grease 16 to the surface side, i.e., a sliding surface with the fixing film, of the heater 11. Since other conditions are the same as in the first embodiment, further description thereof will be omitted.

[0105] As in the first embodiment, when the size F of the heat collecting plate 15a of the thermoprotector 15 is made larger than the width E of the heater 11, the heat-conductive grease 16 provided a