Cam clutch
A cam clutch ( 100 ) according to the present invention is configured such that cams ( 180 ) that are brought into a non-contact state with any one of or both an inner ring ( 110 ) and an outer ring ( 120 ) in a neutral posture and are configured to be able to be engaged with the inner ring ( 110 ) and the outer ring ( 120 ) irrespective of the cams leaning in either of a forward or backward direction are held by a fixed cage ( 130 ) and a movable cage ( 150 ) that is disposed to be relatively rotatable with respect to the fixed cage ( 130 ) and movable in an axis direction, one of the fixed cage ( 130 ) and the movable cage ( 150 ) is provided with guide groove portions ( 160 ), and the other one of the fixed cage ( 130 ) and the movable cage ( 150 ) is provided with pin members ( 140 ), and phases of the movable cage ( 150 ) and the fixed cage ( 130 ) are able to be controlled by causing the pin members ( 140 ) to move along the guide groove portions ( 160 ).
1 . A cam clutch comprising:
an inner ring and an outer ring that are coaxially provided such that the inner ring and the outer ring are relatively rotatable;
a fixed cage that includes pocket portions aligned at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction and is fixed to the inner ring or the outer ring;
a movable cage that includes pocket portions aligned at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction and is disposed to be relatively rotatable with respect to the fixed cage;
a plurality of cams that are arranged in the circumferential direction between the inner ring and the outer ring by being held by the fixed cage and the movable cage and are configured to be able to be engaged with the inner ring and the outer ring irrespective of the cams leaning in either of a forward or backward direction with respect to a neutral posture in which the cams are not in contact with one of or both the inner ring and the outer ring; and
a biasing means for biasing the plurality of cams into the neutral posture or an inclined posture in which the cams are brought into contact with the inner ring and the outer ring,
wherein the movable cage is axially movably provided,
one of the fixed cage and the movable cage is provided with guide groove portions such that the guide grooves extend in an axis direction, the other one of the fixed cage and the movable cage is provided with pin members such that the pin members move along the guide groove portions with movement of the movable cage in the axis direction, and
each of the guide groove portions includes a phase regulating portion that is configured to be able to hold the movable cage in a state where the pocket portions of the movable cage are in the same phase as a phase of the pocket portions of the fixed cage, a first phase change allowing portion that is configured to be able to hold the movable cage in a state where the movable cage is movable within a predetermined range in one of the forward and backward directions with respect to the fixed cage, and a second phase change allowing portion that is configured to be able to hold the movable cage in a state where the movable cage is movable within a predetermined range in both the forward and backward directions with respect to the fixed cage.
2 . The cam clutch according to claim 1 , wherein each of the guide groove portions is formed such that the first phase change allowing portion is located between the phase regulating portion and the second phase change allowing portion.
3 . The cam clutch according to claim 1 ,
wherein the guide groove portions are provided in each of one end-side region and the other end-side region in the axis direction, and
the first phase change allowing portion of one of the guide groove portions and the first phase change allowing portion of the other guide groove portion are configured to hold the movable cage such that the movable cage is movable within a predetermined range in mutually different directions with respect to the fixed cage.
4 . The cam clutch according to claim 1 , wherein each of the guide groove portions further includes a third phase change allowing portion configured to be able to hold the movable cage in a state where the movable cage is movable within a predetermined range in a direction opposite to a moving direction of the movable cage when the pin member is located in the first phase change allowing portion.
5 . The cam clutch according to claim 1 , wherein the movable cage includes a phase synchronization means for causing the movable cage to rotate in synchronization with the inner ring or the outer ring when the movable cage is caused to move in the axis direction such that each of the pin members is located in the second phase change allowing portion.
6 . The cam clutch according to claim 5 , wherein the phase synchronization means is configured of a magnet.
7 . The cam clutch according to claim 5 , wherein the phase synchronization means is provided in the movable cage and is configured of a tapered portion that is able to be brought into contact engagement with the inner ring or the outer ring by being moved in the axis direction.
8 . The cam clutch according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cams is configured to rotate on an own rotation axis of the cam and is brought into an inclined posture by being biased by the biasing means.