Fixing device and image forming apparatus including same having a separation plate assembly

A fixing device, comprising:

• two rollers to meet and press against each other to form a fixing nip;
• and
• a separation plate assembly disposed near one of the rollers, the separation plate assembly including
• at least one separation plate to separate a recording medium exiting the fixing nip from the roller;
• a pair of contact members disposed outside a maximum image area;
• a holding member having a rotation shaft at each end in a longitudinal direction thereof, to hold at least one separation plate and the pair of contact members along an axial direction of the rotation shafts parallel to a rotation shaft of the roller;
• and
• a contact pressure adjuster to adjust a contact pressure of the pair of contact members relative to the roller by bending a portion of the holding member holding one of the pair of contact members to the roller and to the opposite of the roller,
• wherein when the holding member is rotated about the rotation shafts, the pair of contact members contacts the roller to separate the tip of at least one separation plate from the roller.