Heating device, fixing device, image forming apparatus, laminator, and thermocompression device with a gap between a temperature detector and a thermal conductor

A heating device comprising:

• an endless belt configured to rotate in a first direction;
• a heater including a heat generator to heat the endless belt;
• a temperature detector to detect a temperature of the heater;
• a thermal conductor contacting the heater, the thermal conductor including a hole or a notch in which the temperature detector is disposed;
• a holder including a housing portion to hold the heater and the thermal conductor and restrict a movement of the thermal conductor in at least downstream of the first direction;
• a first gap between an upstream surface in the first direction of the temperature detector and an upstream surface in the first direction of the hole or the notch of the thermal conductor;
• and
• a second gap between a downstream surface in the first direction of the thermal conductor and a downstream surface in the first direction of the housing portion,
• wherein a size A of the first gap and a size B of the second gap satisfy a relationship of A>B, and
• wherein a thermal conductivity of the thermal conductor is higher than a thermal conductivity of the holder.