Cam clutch
AssigneeTsubakimoto Chain Co.
InventorTaketsugu Kawashima
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An object of the present invention is to provide a cam clutch that allows easy switching of operating modes with a simple structure and a small force. The cam clutch includes a first biasing means (150) that biases plural cams (136) disposed between coaxial and relatively rotatable inner race (110) and outer race (120) to rotate in an engaging direction, and a second biasing means (155) that biases the cams to rotate in a disengaging direction with a different biasing force than that of the first biasing means (150). The above object is achieved by a switching means (170) configured to switch operating modes by changing a larger one of biasing forces applied to the same cam by the first biasing means (150) and the second biasing means (155) to become relatively smaller than the other of the biasing forces.
Claims8
A cam clutch comprising:
- an inner race and an outer race coaxially disposed and rotatable relative to each other;
- a plurality of cams disposed between the inner race and the outer race;
- a first biasing means that biases the cams to rotate in an engaging direction;
- and a switching means configured to forcibly rotate the cams to allow switching of operating modes,
- the cam clutch further comprising a second biasing means that biases the cams to rotate in a disengaging direction, with a biasing force that is different from a biasing force applied by the first biasing means,
- the switching means including a cam orientation changing part configured to change a larger one of biasing forces applied to the same cam by the first biasing means and the second biasing means to become relatively smaller than the other of the biasing forces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.