Cam clutch

A cam clutch comprising:

• an inner ring and an outer ring provided coaxially and relatively rotatably;
• a plurality of cams provided in a circumferential direction between the inner ring and the outer ring;
• biasing means that bias the plurality of cams in a radial direction;
• and
• an operation mode switching mechanism that switches between a free state in which relative rotational operations of the outer ring and the inner ring are permitted, and a locked state in which relative rotational operations of the outer ring and the inner ring are prohibited,
• wherein the operation mode switching mechanism includes a cam posture changing portion that is provided movably in a circumferential direction, a radial direction, or an axial direction independently of the rotational operations of the inner ring and the outer ring and forces each of the cams to tilt,
• the cam posture changing portion having a cam abutment portion capable of coming into contact with each of the cams from the circumferential direction,
• the plurality of cams each including an inner and outer ring abutment curved surface provided at a position facing an outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and/or an inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and a lateral abutment surface provided at a position facing in a movement direction of the cam abutment portion, and
• the lateral abutment surface being connected to an end of the inner and outer ring abutment curved surface and formed inside of each of the cams relative to a virtual extension curved surface which is an extension of the inner and outer ring abutment curved surface.