Drive force transmission device

A drive force transmission device configured and arranged to transfer a drive force between an input shaft and an output shaft coaxially disposed with the input shaft, the drive force transmission device comprising:

• first direction force transmitting means for selectively connecting a first force transmission path to transmit rotation of the input shaft in a first rotational direction to the output shaft;
• second direction force transmitting means for selectively connecting a second force transmission path to transmit rotation of the input shaft in a second rotational direction to the output shaft with the first force transmission path being in parallel with the second force transmission path;
• second direction rotation transmission means for selectively connecting the second direction force transmitting means with the output shaft;
• motion transforming means for engaging the second direction rotation transmission means in response to rotation of the input shaft in the second rotational direction;
• and
• regulating means for regulating movement of the motion transforming means to maintain a disengaged state of the second direction rotation transmission means with the motion transforming means, without the regulating means being rotated in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first rotational direction.

A method of transferring a drive force between an input shaft and an output shaft coaxially disposed with the input shaft, the method comprising:

• selectively engaging a first direction one-way clutch that connects a first force transmission path to transmit rotation of the input shaft in a first rotational direction to the output shaft;
• selectively engaging a second direction one-way clutch that connects a second force transmission path that is in parallel with the first force transmission path to transmit rotation of the input shaft in a second rotational direction to the output shaft;
• selectively engaging a second direction rotation transmission clutch disposed between the second direction one-way clutch and the output shaft;
• selectively operating a cam mechanism to engage the second direction rotation transmission clutch in response to the rotation of the input shaft in the second rotational direction;
• and
• regulating movement of the cam mechanism using a regulating member to maintain a disengaged state of the second direction rotation transmission clutch with the cam mechanism, without the regulating member being rotated in response to rotation of the input shaft in the first rotational direction.