Fixing device that stably ensures clearance between separating member and fixing roller, and image forming apparatus that includes the same

A fixing device comprising:

• a fixing member that is heated;
• a pressure member that forms a fixing nip with the fixing member;
• a fixed housing that rotatably supports the fixing member;
• a movable housing that rotatably supports the pressure member and is separably located with respect to the fixed housing;
• a moving mechanism that moves the movable housing in a direction where the movable housing approaches to or separates from the fixed housing and switches a fixing pressure of the fixing nip between a pressurized state and a reduced pressure state;
• a separating member that is turnably supported by the fixed housing about a support shaft in a direction where the separating member approaches to or separates from the fixing member and separates a paper sheet that has passed through the fixing nip from the fixing member;
• a regulating portion that is located in the fixed housing and regulates turning of the separating member in a direction where the separating member separates from the fixing member;
• and
• a link member that is interposed between the movable housing and the separating member,
• wherein, in the pressurized state, the separating member turns about the support shaft in a direction where the separating member approaches to the fixing member by its own weight of the separating member, and
• when the fixing pressure is switched from the pressurized state to the reduced pressure state, moving the movable housing in the direction where the movable housing separates from the fixed housing by the moving mechanism causes the separating member to turn about the support shaft via the link member in the direction where the separating member separates from the fixing member and causes the regulating portion to regulate turning of the separating member.