Cam clutch

Abstract

The invention provides a cam clutch which can prevent a cam posture changing part from being forcibly clamped among a cam, an outer ring and an inner ring through a simple structure, does not deform the cam posture changing part and the cam itself, and can efficiently enable the cam to tilt. Specifically, the cam clutch is provided with an operation mode switching mechanism that permits and / or prohibits relative rotation of an outer ring and an inner ring, and the operation mode switching mechanism is provided with a cam attitude changing unit that forcibly tilts a cam. The plurality of cams have inner and outer ring contact curved surfaces provided at positions facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring and / or the inner peripheral surface of the outer ring, and side contact surfaces that are connected to the ends of the inner and outer ring contact curved surfaces and that are formed further toward the inside of the cams than the imaginary extended curved surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cam clutch comprising: an inner ring and an outer ring configured to be rotatable relative to each other on the same axis; a plurality of cams disposed circumferentially between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a force-applying unit that applies force to the plurality of cams in the radial direction. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, as a cam clutch having an inner ring and an outer ring, for example, there is a known cam clutch with an operating mode switching mechanism described in Patent Document 1, which can switch between an idling state that allows relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring and a locked state that prohibits relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring.

[0003] The cam clutch (100) known in Patent Document 1 has: an inner ring (110) and an outer ring (120) configured to rotate relative to each other on the same axis; a plurality of cams (131) disposed in the circumferential direction between the inner ring (110) and the outer ring (120); a force-applying unit (139) that applies force to the plurality of cams (131) in the radial direction; and an operating mode switching mechanism (140).

[0004] By rotating the operation mode switching mechanism (140) to make the cam attitude changing part (142) abut against the cam (131), the attitude of the cam (131) can be changed and the contact state between the outer ring (120) and the inner ring (110) and the cam (131) can be changed. This allows for easy switching between the idling state that allows relative rotation of the outer ring (120) and the inner ring (110) and the locking state that prohibits relative rotation of the outer ring (120) and the inner ring (110).

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-190255 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, the cam clutches known in the aforementioned patent document 1 and others still have room for improvement.

[0008] That is, since the surface of the cam that the cam attitude change part of the cam clutch known in Patent Document 1 abuts is a continuous curved surface from the surface of the cam that contacts the outer ring and the inner ring, the cam attitude change part will move in such a way that it penetrates between the surfaces of the cam that contact either the outer ring or the inner ring, which may cause the cam to be clamped by either the outer ring or the inner ring, thereby increasing the force required to tilt the cam.

[0009] Furthermore, when using cam spacers that are positioned between adjacent cams and maintain the cam's orientation, the cam spacers and the cam orientation change section may clamp the cam, which could increase the force required to tilt the cam.

[0010] Furthermore, since the cam attitude changer is sandwiched between the cam and either the outer or inner ring, it may cause deformation of the cam attitude changer or the cam itself.

[0011] The present invention is an invention to solve these problems. The technical problem to be solved is to provide a cam clutch that can suppress the situation where the cam posture changing part is forcibly clamped between the cam and the outer ring and the inner ring with a simple structure, and the cam posture changing part or the cam itself will not be deformed, and can efficiently tilt the cam.

[0012] The cam clutch of the present invention comprises: an inner ring and an outer ring, configured to rotate relative to each other on the same axis; a plurality of cams disposed circumferentially between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a force-applying unit that applies force to the plurality of cams in the radial direction. It solves the aforementioned problem by providing an operation mode switching mechanism that switches between an idling state allowing relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring and a locked state prohibiting relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring. The operation mode switching mechanism includes a cam attitude changing section, which is configured to operate independently of the inner ring. The outer ring rotates and moves in the circumferential, radial, or axial direction, forcibly tilting the cam. The cam attitude changing part has a cam abutment part that can contact the cam circumferentially. The plurality of cams have: inner and outer ring abutment surfaces, which are disposed at positions opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and / or the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring; and lateral abutment surfaces, which are disposed at positions opposite to the moving direction of the cam abutment part. The lateral abutment surfaces are connected to the ends of the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces and are formed on the inner side of the cam, which is closer to the inner side than the extension line of the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces, i.e., the imaginary extended surface.

[0013] Because the cam attitude changing part of the cam clutch of the invention involved in technical solution 1 has a cam abutment part that can contact the cam in the circumferential direction, and the multiple cams have: inner and outer ring abutment surfaces, which are disposed at positions opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and / or the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring; and a side abutment surface, which is disposed at a position opposite to the moving direction of the cam abutment part, and the side abutment surface is connected to the end of the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces and is formed on the inner side of the cam than the extension line of the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces, i.e., the imaginary extended surface, when the cam tilts, the cam abutment part will not be guided to the inner and outer ring abutment surface side, and the side abutment surface can be pressed firmly, thereby suppressing the situation where the cam attitude changing part is forcefully clamped between the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces and the inner or outer ring, and the cam attitude changing part and the cam itself will not deform.

[0014] Furthermore, by pressing the side abutment surface firmly with the cam abutment part from the side of the cam, the force that tilts the cam can be transmitted efficiently, and the cam can be tilted easily with a lighter force.

[0015] According to the configuration described in technical solution 2, since the side contact surface is composed of a plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the cam contact part, when the cam tilts, the cam contact part can press the side contact surface more firmly, and can efficiently transmit the force that tilts the cam.

[0016] According to the configuration described in technical solution 3, since the distance from the connection point between the side contact surface and the inner and outer ring contact surfaces to the inner or outer ring is less than the thickness of the cam contact part in the radial direction of the cam attitude change part when the cam clutch is assembled, the cam contact part will not be forced into the inner or outer ring and the inner and outer ring contact surfaces and be clamped. Therefore, the cam contact part can effectively press the side contact surface and efficiently and easily tilt the cam.

[0017] According to the configuration described in technical solution 4, since there is a tilting adjustment receiving part in the cam, which is located on the side opposite to the side abutting surface that clamps the outer ring abutting surface, a space located on the inner side of the cam that is closer to the cam than the imaginary extended curved surface, when the tilting space of the cam is restricted by the cam spacer ring, when the cam tilts, by receiving the cam spacer ring into the tilting adjustment receiving part, the amount of movement used to tilt the cam fully through the cam abutting part can be ensured.

[0018] According to the configuration described in technical solution 5, since a tilting adjustment protrusion is provided on the cam in the side abutment surface, which sandwiches the side abutment surface and protrudes from the side opposite to the connection point between the outer ring abutment surface and the side abutment surface, when the tilting space of the cam is restricted by the cam spacer ring, etc., when the cam abutment part of the pressed cam passes over the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces, the tilting angle of the cam can be adjusted by contacting the surface of the cam abutment part at the connection point of the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces and the side abutment surface and the tilting adjustment protrusion. For example, the inner and outer ring abutment surfaces can also be adjusted to a direction in which the tilting part of the cam can easily pass over and through. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of a cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a side sectional view of a cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a front sectional view of a cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of part A of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 7 This is a front view of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 8 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 1 of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 9 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 2 of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 10 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 3 of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 11This is a perspective view of a cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 12 This is an exploded perspective view of a cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 13 This is a perspective view of the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 14 This is a front view of the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 15 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 1 of the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 16 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 2 of the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 17 This is a front sectional view showing the tilting action 3 of the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Symbol Explanation

[0037] 100, 200 - Cam clutch; 110, 210 - Inner ring; 111, 211 - Inner ring side abutment (inner and outer ring abutment); 120, 220 - Outer ring; 121 - Engaged part; 122, 222 - Outer ring side abutment (inner and outer ring abutment); 130, 230 - Cam spacer ring; 131, 231 - Ring body; 132, 232 - Cam receiving part; 133, 233 - Roller receiving part; 134, 234 - Outer peripheral protrusion; 140, 240 - Selector ring (operation mode switching mechanism); 141 - Reduced diameter part; 142, 242 - Skirt; 143 - Outer ring side selector (cam attitude changing part); 243 - Inner ring side selector (cam attitude changing part); 144 - Outer ring side cam abutment (cam abutment part) ; 244 - Inner ring side cam abutment (cam abutment); 150, 250 - Cam mechanism; 151, 251 - Cam; 152, 252 - Force application component; 153, 253 - Inner ring abutment surface; 154, 254 - Outer ring abutment surface; 155, 255 - Side abutment surface; 156, 256 - Connection point; 157, 257 - Tilting adjustment receiving part; 158, 258 - Forced cutout; 259 - Tilting adjustment protrusion; S1, S2 - Imaginary extended surface; T1 - Thickness of outer ring side cam abutment; T2 - Thickness of inner ring side cam abutment; d1 - Distance from connection point 156 to outer ring side abutment 122; d2 - Distance from connection point 256 to outer ring side abutment 222; P1, P2 - Tilting contact point. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Additionally, for illustrative purposes, the rollers are not shown.

[0040] like Figures 1 to 7 As shown, a cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an inner ring 110 and an outer ring 120, which are configured to rotate relative to each other on the same axis; a cam mechanism 150 disposed between the inner ring 110 and the outer ring 120; and an operating mode switching mechanism, i.e., a selector ring 140, which tilts the cam 151 of the cam mechanism 150 to switch the operating mode of the cam clutch 100.

[0041] The inner ring 110 is formed into a ring shape, and the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 110 is provided with an inner ring side abutment portion 111 on the whole circumference to abut against the inner ring abutment surface 153 of the cam 151 to transmit driving force.

[0042] The outer ring 120 is formed into a ring shape. The inner circumferential surface of the outer ring 120 is provided with an outer ring side abutting part 122 that abuts against the outer ring abutting surface 154 of the cam 151 to transmit driving force. At one end of the outer ring 120 in the axial direction, there is a engaged part 121 that can engage with the outer ring protrusion 134 described later.

[0043] The cam spacer ring 130 has: a ring body 131, which is formed into a ring shape; a cam receiving portion 132 and a roller receiving portion 133, which are formed to be alternately arranged on the ring body 131 around the circumference; and an outer peripheral protrusion 134, which protrudes outward in the radial direction from one end of the axial direction of the cam spacer ring 130.

[0044] The cam receiving section 132 has a space in which the cam 151, described later, can tilt a predetermined amount in the circumferential direction, and the roller receiving section 133 has a space in which the roller (not shown) can rotate.

[0045] The outer peripheral protrusion 134 engages with the engaging portion 121 of the outer ring 120, thereby preventing relative rotation between the outer ring 120 and the cam spacer ring 130.

[0046] The selector ring 140 is formed in an annular shape and has: a reduced diameter portion 141; a skirt portion 142 formed in an axial direction extending from the outer periphery of the reduced diameter portion 141; and an outer ring side selector 143 formed on the inner periphery of the skirt portion 142 at predetermined intervals in the radial direction, and an outer ring side cam abutment portion 144 provided on the outer ring side selector 143 for pressing the lateral abutment portion 155 described later.

[0047] The cam mechanism 150 includes: a plurality of cams 151 that transmit driving force between an inner ring 110 and an outer ring 120; and a force-applying member 152 that applies force to the plurality of cams 151 in a radial direction inward toward the cam clutch 100.

[0048] The cam 151 has: an inner ring abutting surface 153 that can abut against the inner ring side abutting portion 111 of the inner ring 110; an outer ring abutting surface 154 that can abut against the outer ring side abutting portion 122 of the outer ring 120 formed on the opposite side of the inner ring abutting surface 153; a side abutting surface 155 that is connected to one end of the outer ring abutting surface 154; a tilting adjustment receiving portion 157 that is formed on the opposite side of the side abutting surface 155 sandwiching the outer ring abutting surface 154, in a manner that cuts out the cam 151; and a force-applied cutout 158 ​​that cuts out the cam 151 by breaking off the outer ring abutting surface 154 side.

[0049] Furthermore, although in this embodiment, the multiple cams 151 are all arranged in the same direction in the circumferential direction, by arranging the multiple cams 151 in the circumferential direction in an interactive reverse manner, the attitude of the cams 151 on both sides can be controlled by a common outer ring side selector 143, which can avoid the complexity and large size of the cam clutch 100 structure.

[0050] In addition, it can also control the posture of the cams 151 on both sides of the table.

[0051] The lateral abutment surface 155 is formed on the inner side of the imaginary extended curved surface S1, which extends the outer abutment surface 154 from the connection point 156.

[0052] Next, based on Figures 8 to 10 The tilting sequence of the cam 151 of the cam clutch 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0053] In addition, to illustrate, Figures 8 to 10 Force-applying component 152 not shown.

[0054] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cam clutch 100 can switch between an idle state that allows relative rotation of the inner ring 110 and the outer ring 120 and a locked state that prohibits relative rotation of the inner ring 110 and the outer ring 120 by the posture of the cam 151.

[0055] like Figure 8 As shown, the cam 151, which is forceped by the force-applying component 152 (not shown), is in a state where the inner ring abutting surface 153 is in frictional engagement with the inner ring side abutting portion 111 of the inner ring 110, and the outer ring abutting surface 154 is in frictional engagement with the outer ring side abutting portion 122 of the outer ring 120. This is a first locking state in which the rotation of the inner ring 110 in the R1 direction can be transmitted to the outer ring 120.

[0056] In this first locked state, by rotating the selector ring 140 in the same direction as R1, the outer ring selector 143 gradually moves closer to the cam 151, as... Figure 9 As shown, the outer ring side cam abutment portion 144 of the outer ring side selector 143 abuts against the side abutment surface 155 of the cam 151.

[0057] At this moment, if the distance d1 from the connection point 156 to the outer ring side abutment 122 is less than the thickness T1 in the radial direction of the outer ring side cam abutment 144 of the outer ring side selector 143, then the outer ring side cam abutment 144 will not be forcefully clamped between the outer ring 120 and the outer ring abutment surface 154. Therefore, the outer ring side cam abutment 144 can effectively and efficiently transmit the force used to tilt the cam 151, i.e., the pressing force, to the side abutment surface 155, thereby making it easy to tilt the cam 151.

[0058] Furthermore, the outer ring side selector 143 and cam 151 themselves will not deform.

[0059] Furthermore, even when using, for example, a pin-shaped outer ring side selector and positioning the outer ring side selector at a distance of d1 or more in the radial direction from the outer ring side abutment, the outer ring side selector will not be forcefully clamped between the outer ring and the outer ring abutment surface. Therefore, the outer ring side selector can reliably and efficiently transmit the force, i.e. the pressing force, used to tilt the cam to the side abutment surface, thereby making it easy to tilt the cam.

[0060] When the cam 151 causes the side contact surface 155 to tilt in the direction pressed by the outer ring side cam contact portion 144, soon after the inner ring contact surface 153 and the outer ring contact surface 154 release their frictional engagement with the inner ring side contact portion 111 and the outer ring side contact portion 122 respectively, the rotation of the inner ring 110 in the R1 direction will not be transmitted to the outer ring 120, thus becoming an idle state.

[0061] In addition, the cam 151 can receive the body part 131 of the cam spacer ring 130 into the tilting adjustment receiving part 157, and stabilize the position of the cam 151 with the tilting contact point P1 as the reference point.

[0062] Therefore, it is possible to ensure the amount of movement required to fully tilt the cam 151 by means of the outer ring side cam abutment portion 144, and when the tilting of the cam 151 is released by means of the outer ring side cam abutment portion 144, the cam 151 can be automatically restored to the first locked state by means of the force applied by the force applying member 152 (not shown).

[0063] Furthermore, by adjusting the forming range of the tilt adjustment receiving part 157, when the cam 151 tilts, as long as the shortest distance between the cam 151 and the outer ring side abutment part 122 is greater than or equal to the thickness T1 in the radial direction of the outer ring side cam abutment part 144, the outer ring side selector 143 can move over the cam 151.

[0064] Therefore, when the tilting of cam 151 is released, it is not necessary to reverse the movement direction of the outer ring side selector 143. The tilting of cam 151 can be controlled by the unidirectional movement of the outer ring side selector 143, thereby simplifying the device configuration.

[0065] Next, use Figures 11 to 17 The tilting sequence of the selector ring 240 with inner ring side selector 243 and the cam 251 of the cam clutch 200 of another embodiment of the present invention using cam 251 will be described.

[0066] In addition, the description of the configuration common to the cam clutch 100 which uses the outer ring side selector 143 and cam 151 is omitted.

[0067] Furthermore, to illustrate, Figures 15 to 17 Force-applying component 252 not shown.

[0068] like Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown, the selector ring 240 has: a skirt 242, which is formed in a ring shape; and an inner ring side selector 243, which is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the skirt 242 and protrudes outward in a radial direction at predetermined intervals, and an inner ring side cam abutment portion 244 is provided on the inner ring side selector 243 for pressing the side abutment portion 255 described later.

[0069] like Figure 13 , Figure 14 As shown, the cam mechanism 250 has: a plurality of cams 251 that transmit driving force between an inner ring 210 and an outer ring 220; and a force-applying member 252 (not shown) that applies force to the plurality of cams 251 in a radial direction inward toward the cam clutch 200.

[0070] The cam 251 has: an inner ring abutting surface 253 that can abut against the inner ring side abutting portion 211 of the inner ring 210; an outer ring abutting surface 254 that can abut against the outer ring side abutting portion 222 of the outer ring 220 formed on the opposite side of the inner ring abutting surface 253; a side abutting surface 255 that is connected to one end of the inner ring abutting surface 253; a tilting adjustment receiving portion 257 that is formed on the opposite side of the side abutting surface 255 that sandwiches the inner ring abutting surface 253, in a manner that cuts out the cam 251; a force-applied cutout 258 that cuts out the cam 251 on the side that breaks off the outer ring abutting surface 254; and a tilting adjustment protrusion 259 that is formed by sandwiching the side abutting surface 255 and protruding from the opposite side of the connection point 256.

[0071] Furthermore, although in this embodiment, the multiple cams 251 are all arranged in the same direction in the circumferential direction, by arranging the multiple cams 251 in the circumferential direction in an interactive reverse manner, the attitude of the cams 251 on both sides can be controlled by a common inner ring side selector 243, which can avoid the complexity and large size of the cam clutch 200 structure.

[0072] In addition, it can also control the posture of the cam 251 on both sides of the table.

[0073] In other embodiments of the present invention, the cam clutch 200 can use the posture of the cam 251 to switch between an idle state that allows relative rotation between the inner ring 210 and the outer ring 220 and a locked state that prohibits relative rotation between the inner ring 210 and the outer ring 220.

[0074] like Figure 15 As shown, the cam 251, which is forceped by the force-applying component 252, is in a state where the inner ring abutting surface 253 is in frictional engagement with the inner ring side abutting portion 211 of the inner ring 210, and the outer ring abutting surface 254 is in frictional engagement with the outer ring side abutting portion 222 of the outer ring 220. This is a second locking state in which the rotation of the outer ring 220 in the R1 direction can be transmitted to the inner ring 210.

[0075] In this second locked state, by rotating the selector ring 240 in the opposite direction to R1, the inner ring selector 243 gradually moves closer to the cam 25, as... Figure 16 As shown, the inner ring side cam abutment portion 244 abuts against the side abutment surface 255 of the cam 251.

[0076] At this moment, if the distance d2 from the connection point 256 to the inner ring side abutment 211 is less than the thickness T2 in the radial direction of the inner ring side cam abutment 244 of the inner ring side selector 243, then the inner ring side cam abutment 244 will not be forcefully clamped between the inner ring 210 and the inner ring abutment surface 253. Therefore, the inner ring side cam abutment 244 can effectively and efficiently transmit the force used to tilt the cam 251, i.e., the pressing force, to the side abutment surface 255, thereby making it easy to tilt the cam 251.

[0077] Furthermore, the inner ring side selector 243 and cam 251 themselves will not deform.

[0078] Furthermore, even when using, for example, a pin-shaped inner ring side selector and positioning the inner ring side selector at a distance of d2 or more in the radial direction from the inner ring side abutment, the inner ring side selector will not be forcefully clamped between the inner ring and the inner ring abutment surface. Therefore, the inner ring side selector can reliably and efficiently transmit the force, i.e. the pressing force, used to tilt the cam to the side abutment surface, thereby making it easy to tilt the cam.

[0079] When the cam 251 causes the side contact surface 255 to tilt in the direction pressed by the inner ring side cam contact portion 244, soon after the inner ring contact surface 253 and the outer ring contact surface 254 release their frictional engagement with the inner ring side contact portion 211 and the outer ring side contact portion 222 respectively, the rotation in the R1 direction of the outer ring 220 will not be transmitted to the inner ring 220, thus becoming an idle state.

[0080] In addition, the cam 251 can receive the body part 231 of the cam spacer ring 230 into the tilt adjustment receiving part 257, and stabilize the position of the cam 251 with the tilt contact point P2 as the reference point.

[0081] Therefore, it is possible to ensure the amount of movement required to fully tilt the cam 251 by means of the inner ring side cam abutment portion 244, and when the tilting of the cam 251 is released by means of the inner ring side cam abutment portion 244, the cam 251 can be automatically restored to the second locking state by means of the force applied by the force applying member 252 (not shown).

[0082] Furthermore, by adjusting the forming range of the tilt adjustment receiving part 257, when the cam 251 tilts, as long as the shortest distance between the cam 251 and the inner ring side abutment part 211 is greater than or equal to the thickness T2 in the radial direction of the inner ring side cam abutment part 244, the inner ring side selector 243 can move over the cam 251.

[0083] Therefore, when the tilting of cam 251 is released, it is not necessary to reverse the movement direction of the inner ring side selector 243. The tilting of cam 251 can be controlled by the unidirectional movement of the inner ring side selector 243, thereby simplifying the device configuration.

[0084] Furthermore, since the cam 251 has a tilt adjustment protrusion 259, when the inner ring side selector 243 passes between the cam 251 and the inner ring 210, it can contact the surface of the inner ring side selector 243 at both the connection point 256 and the tilt adjustment protrusion 259, thereby maintaining the posture that makes it easy for the cam 251 to return to the second locking state within the cam receiving portion 232.

[0085] Furthermore, by adjusting the position and size of the tilting adjustment protrusion 259, the tilting cam 251 can be stabilized at the desired angle.

[0086] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as described herein.

[0087] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe the case where the cam clutch 100 and the cam clutch 200 are different cam clutches, the cam clutch 100 is provided with an outer ring side selector 143 and a cam 151, the cam 151 having a lateral abutment surface that is connected to the outer ring abutment surface through a connection point, and the cam clutch 200 is provided with an inner ring side selector 243 and a cam 251, the cam 251 having a lateral abutment surface that is connected to the inner ring abutment surface through a connection point, the configuration of the cam clutch is not limited to this. For example, the cam clutch may also be configured to have an outer ring side selector and an inner ring side selector, and cams that tilt through the outer ring side selector and the inner ring side selector are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction.

[0088] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes the case where the outer ring side cam selector and the inner ring side selector are configured to move to the opposite side of the cam by passing over the outer ring abutment surface and the inner ring abutment surface, respectively, the configuration of the cam clutch is not limited to this. For example, the outer ring side selector and the inner ring side selector may also be configured to limit the tilt angle of the cam in a manner that prevents them from passing over the outer ring abutment surface and the inner ring abutment surface, respectively.

[0089] Furthermore, although the above embodiments describe a cam spacer ring having: a ring body formed in an annular shape; a cam receiving portion and a roller receiving portion formed on the ring body in an alternating manner along the entire circumference; and an outer peripheral protrusion, wherein a cam is received in the cam receiving portion and a roller is received in the roller receiving portion, the configuration of the cam clutch is not limited to this. For example, there may be no roller receiving portion and roller, multiple cam receiving portions may be arranged continuously, and the same number of roller receiving portions may be arranged at positions offset from the cam receiving portions in the axial direction.

[0090] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes the case where the force-applying member applies force to multiple cams in the radial direction, the configuration of the force-applying member is not limited to this. For example, it may be configured such that the number of force-applying members is the same as the number of cams, and force is applied only to the corresponding cams.

Claims

1. A cam clutch comprising: an inner ring and an outer ring configured to rotate relative to each other on the same axis; a plurality of cams disposed circumferentially between the inner ring and the outer ring; and a force-applying unit for applying force to the plurality of cams in a radial direction, characterized in that, It has an operation mode switching mechanism that switches between an idling state that allows relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring and a locked state that prohibits relative rotation between the outer ring and the inner ring. The operating mode switching mechanism includes a cam attitude changing part, which is configured to move independently of the rotation of the inner and outer rings in the circumferential, radial, or axial direction, and to forcibly tilt the cam. The cam attitude changing part has a cam abutment part that can contact the cam in the circumferential direction. The plurality of cams have: inner and outer ring abutting surfaces, positioned opposite to the outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and / or the inner circumferential surface of the outer ring; and lateral abutting surfaces, positioned opposite to the moving direction of the cam abutting portion. The lateral contact surface is connected to the end of the inner and outer ring contact surfaces and is formed on the inner side of the cam, which is closer to the cam than the extension line of the inner and outer ring contact surfaces, i.e., the imaginary extended surface.

2. The cam clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lateral contact surface is formed by a plane orthogonal to the moving direction of the cam contact portion.

3. The cam clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The distance from the connection point between the lateral contact surface and the inner and outer ring contact surfaces to the inner ring or the outer ring is set below the thickness in the radial direction of the cam contact portion, which becomes the cam attitude change portion when the cam clutch is assembled.

4. The cam clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the cam, on the side opposite to the lateral abutment surface that clamps the outer ring, there is a space, namely a tilt adjustment receiving part, located inside the cam further than the imaginary extended curved surface.

5. The cam clutch according to claim 1, characterized in that, On the cam, in the side abutment surface, there is a tilting adjustment protrusion that clamps the side abutment surface and protrudes from the opposite side of the connection point between the outer ring abutment surface and the side abutment surface.

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