Image forming apparatus with driving mechanism for photoreceptor

An apparatus for forming an image comprising:

• a process cartridge detachably mounted to said apparatus, said process cartridge having:
• a photoreceptor on which a toner image is formed;
• developing means for developing the toner image on said photoreceptor;
• a first driving shaft for rotating said photoreceptor;
• a second driving shaft for rotating said developing means independently of a rotation of said photoreceptor;
• first gear means mounted on said first driving shaft;
• second gear means spaced apart from said first gear means, said second gear means being mounted on said second driving shaft;
• a housing for integrally supporting said photoreceptor, said developing means, and said first and second driving shafts;
• third gear means mounted on a third driving shaft, for transferring a driving power from a driving power source to said first gear means when said process cartridge is mounted in said apparatus;
• fourth gear means mounted on a fourth driving shaft, for transferring said driving power from said driving power source to said second gear means, independent of transferring of driving power to said first gear means, when said process cartridge is mounted in said apparatus;
• a guide member for guiding a movement of said process cartridge in a direction that is perpendicular to said third driving shaft;
• a flywheel mounted on said third driving shaft for smoothing out any fluctuations in rotation of said third driving shaft;
• and
• wherein said first driving shaft and said third driving shaft are positioned horizontally in said apparatus to be parallel to each other when said process cartridge is mounted in said apparatus.