cam clutch

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a cam-type clutch that enables simple switching of operating modes with a simple structure and low force. The cam-type clutch has a first preloading device (150) that preloads several cams (136) arranged between a coaxial and relatively rotatable inner ring (110) and outer ring (120) such that they rotate in an engagement direction, and has a second preloading device (155) that preloads the cams such that they rotate in a disengagement direction with a different preload force than that of the first preloading device (150).The above problem is solved by a switching device (170) which is designed to switch operating modes by changing one of the larger of the preload forces exerted on the same cam by the first preload device (150) and the second preload device (155) so that it becomes relatively smaller than the other of the preload forces.

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