One-way clutch

A one-way clutch comprising:

• an inner ring;
• an outer ring which is coaxially disposed around the inner ring and relatively rotatably assembled with the inner ring;
• a pair of bearings having two sets of a plurality of rolling elements arranged for rolling motion between the inner and outer rings in different planes orthogonal to a rotational axis of the inner and outer rings and a pair of cages disposed between the inner and outer rings for rotation around the rotational axis of the inner and outer rings, for retaining the respective sets of rolling elements between bearing surfaces in circumferentially spaced relationship around the rotational axis to allow their rolling motion, the pair of bearings relatively rotatably supporting the inner and outer rings so that the two sets of rolling elements roll to rotate the respective cages in the same direction as that of relative rotation of the outer ring at a lower relative rotational speed than that of the outer ring;
• and
• a clutch mechanism having a plurality of independent cam members arranged for rocking motion between the inner and outer rings in a plane located between the pair of bearing and orthogonal to the rotational axis of the inner and outer rings and a cage, disposed between the inner and outer rings for rotation around the rotational axis of the inner and outer rings, for accommodating the plurality of cam members in retaining holes circumferentially spaced apart around the rotational axis and retaining them to allow their rocking motion, the clutch mechanism effecting torque transmission between the inner and outer rings by tilting motion of the plurality of cam members in a direction to wedge between the inner and outer rings during relative rotation of the inner and outer rings in their locking direction and blocking the torque transmission by tilting motion of the plurality of cam members opposite to the direction to wedge between the inner and outer rings during relative rotation of the inner and outer rings in their unlocking direction;
• wherein the cage of the clutch mechanism being connected in unitarily rotating relation with the cage of at least one of the pair of bearings, and
• wherein the bearing surfaces of the bearing cage and the retaining holes of the clutch mechanism cage are independent of each other and are arranged so that each circumferentially spaced bearing surface of the unitarily rotating bearing is aligned with each circumferentially spaced apart retaining hole along the rotational axis of the inner and outer rings.