Heating device including thermal conductor having arm and projection, fixing device, and image forming apparatus

A heating device comprising:

• a rotator;
• a heater facing an inner face of the rotator and extending in a longitudinal direction, the heater including:
• a base;
• and
• a heat generator having a main heat generation region extending from one end to another end in the longitudinal direction;
• a holder holding the heater;
• a temperature sensor:
• disposed inside a loop of the rotator;
• facing one end of the main heat generation region;
• and
• including a terminal;
• and
• a thermal conductor on the heater, the thermal conductor extending in the longitudinal direction and having a thermal conductivity higher than the base of the heater, the thermal conductor including:
• a main portion having a first cross-sectional area in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction;
• an arm extending from one end of the main portion in the longitudinal direction, the one end closer to the temperature sensor than another end of the main portion,
• the arm having a second cross-sectional area in a cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction smaller than the first cross-sectional area of the main portion;
• and
• a projection at one end of the arm projecting from one end of the arm in the longitudinal direction, the projection being separated from the terminal of the temperature sensor by an insulation distance or more in the longitudinal direction;
• wherein the thermal conductor includes a plate,
• the projection includes a bent portion formed by bending one end of the plate in the longitudinal direction twice,
• the holder has a holding hole,
• the bent portion is inserted into the holding hole, and
• a distal end of the bent portion abuts against a back side of the holder so as to engage the bent portion with the holder in the thickness direction and prevent the thermal conductor from being detached from the holder in the thickness direction.