US 12,253,121 B2
Cam clutch
Eiichi Nakagawa, Osaka (JP); and Yoshihito Shimanaka, Osaka (JP)
Assigned to TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO., Osaka (JP)
Filed by TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO., Osaka (JP)
Filed on Nov. 7, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/503,301.
Application 18/503,301 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2022/016163, filed on Mar. 30, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-095680 (JP), filed on Jun. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0068529 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. F16D 41/07 (2006.01); F16D 41/06 (2006.01); F16D 41/08 (2006.01)
CPC F16D 41/07 (2013.01) [F16D 41/084 (2013.01); F16D 2041/0603 (2013.01); F16D 2041/0605 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cam clutch comprising:
at least one set of an inner race and an outer race that are coaxial and relatively rotatable;
a plurality of cams circumferentially arranged between the inner race and the outer race;
a biasing means radially biasing the plurality of cams; and
an operating mode switch mechanism for switching between two or more of a free state that allows relative rotation between the outer race and the inner race in both forward and reverse directions, a one-way clutch mode that allows relative rotation between the outer race and the inner race in one of the forward and reverse directions, and a locked state that prohibits relative rotation between the outer race and the inner race in both of the forward and reverse directions,
the operating mode switch mechanism including a cam orientation changing part axially movable independently of rotation of the inner race and the outer race,
some or all of the plurality of cams including an engaging portion protruding from a side face toward the cam orientation changing part,
wherein the cam orientation changing part is provided in a circular shape such as to restrict a radial position of the engaging portions while making sliding contact with the engaging portions, when having come into contact with the engaging portions.