Image heating apparatus

An image heating apparatus comprising:

• a movable member including an electroconductive layer;
• an excitation coil for generating magnetic flux;
• wherein the magnetic flux generated by the excitation coil generates an eddy current which in turn generates heat in said movable member to heat an image on a recording material;
• and
• a magnetic member for guiding the magnetic flux;
• wherein said magnetic member is elongated in a direction perpendicular to a movement direction of said movable member, and said excitation coil is extended in a longitudinal direction of said magnetic member;
• wherein said magnetic member includes a first magnetic portion adjacent to said movable member, a second magnetic portion, and a third magnetic portion between said first magnetic portion and said second magnetic portion and adjacent to said movable member with said excitation coil therebetween, as seen in the longitudinal direction;
• a back up member for contacting to said movable member and forming a contact portion therewith;
• wherein an entirety of said magnetic member is disposed substantially upstream of said contact portion with respect to the movement direction of said movable member.