Fixing device and image forming apparatus employing same

摘要

A fixing device (16) includes a pair of rollers (30) forming a fixing nip (N) therebetween and a nip pressure adjusting unit (50) including a pair of first and second operation levers (45a, 45b) disposed near widthwise ends of the pair of rollers (30) to adjust a nip pressure generated in the fixing nip (N) by moving the pair of first and second operation levers (45a, 45b). The nip pressure adjusting unit (50) further includes a first movement member (51) cooperating with the first operation lever (45a) to perform a first movement, a second movement member (52) cooperating with the second operation lever (45b) to perform a second movement, and a detector (53) to detect both of the first and second movements being performed and generate a turn on signal. The fixing device (16) becomes operable only when the turn on signal is generated by the detector (53).