The fixing device of the image forming apparatus of the present invention
has a cleaning pad arranged on the upper frame which supports a heat
roller. An infrared temperature sensor is supported by a supporting
mechanism that is capable of supporting the infrared temperature sensor
at the temperature detecting position and the evacuating position. When
the right and left frames are attached/removed to/from the main body of
the apparatus at the time of maintenance, the infrared temperature sensor
is moved to the evacuating position and pressed against the cleaning pad
and then, the right and left frames are moved by sliding to the main body
of the apparatus. The cleaning pad is also slid and moved jointly with
the slide moving of the right and left frames, and the infrared
temperature sensor contacts the cleaning pad and dirt on the infrared
temperature sensor is removed. As a result of the improvement of
temperature detecting accuracy of the infrared temperature sensor, the
temperature control of the heat roller is improved and fixed image of
high quality is obtained.