Pressure applying device to fixing roller of image forming apparatus

摘要

A fixing device has a heating member; a pressure applying member; an urging member for urging the pressure applying member toward the heating member; and a changeover device to increase the urging power of the urging member so that the pressure applying member is brought in pressure contact with the heating member during a pressure contact condition and to reduce the urging power of the urging member so that the pressure applying member is separated from the heating member during a pressure released condition. The urging power of the urging member under the pressure released condition is lower than that under the pressure contact condition. The changeover device comprises a stop member to limit the pressure applying member to move toward the heating member so that the pressure applying member is separated away from the heating member by the stop member during the pressure released condition.