Patent ID: 8712264

Claim:
A fixing device for installation in an image forming apparatus, the fixing device comprising: a fuser member subjected to heating; a pressure member opposite the fuser member, the fuser member and the pressure member pressing against each other to form a fixing nip therebetween through which a recording medium is passed; a positioning mechanism coupled with the pressure member to move the pressure member into and away from contact with the fuser member; an operational thermometer adjoining the pressure member to detect an operational temperature at a surface of the pressure member; an environmental sensor disposed in the image forming apparatus to detect an environmental condition under which the image forming apparatus is installed; and a controller connected to the operational thermometer and the environmental sensor to control the positioning mechanism to adjust spacing between the fuser member and the pressure member according to the operational temperature and the environmental condition being detected in a state in which a gap is provided between the fuser member and the pressure member.