A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch portion for controlling transmission/interruption of rotational torque to an output side with lever operation, and a brake-side clutch portion for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reverse-input from the output side. The lever-side clutch portion includes an input-side member to which torque is input with the lever operation and claw portions extending in an axial direction are provided on an outer periphery of the lever-side outer race of the input-side member. The brake-side clutch portion includes a stationary-side member restricted in rotation, and claw portions of the lever-side outer race are brought into slidable contact with an end surface of a brake-side outer race with rotation of the lever-side outer race, the rotation being effected with lever operation.
1. A clutch unit, comprising:
a lever-side clutch portion provided on an input side, for controlling transmission/interruption of rotational torque to an output side with lever operation;
a brake-side clutch portion provided on an output side, for transmitting torque input from the lever-side clutch portion to the output side and for interrupting torque reverse-input from the output side, wherein:
the lever-side clutch portion comprises an input-side member to which torque is input with the lever operation;
claw portions extending in an axial direction are provided on an outer periphery of a lever-side outer race of the input-side member;
the brake-side clutch portion comprises a stationary-side member restricted in rotation, the stationary-side member including a brake-side outer race arranged while being separated from the lever-side outer race in the axial direction and a cover attached to the brake-side outer race on a lever-side outer race side thereof;
the claw portions of the lever-side outer race are brought into slidable contact with an end surface of the brake-side outer race with rotation of the lever-side outer race, the rotation being effected with the lever operation; and
the claw portions of the lever-side outer race are allowed to come into contact, in a rotational direction, with lock portions provided on an outer periphery of the cover.
2. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the lock portions provided to the cover of the brake-side clutch portion are formed by stepping.
3. A clutch unit according to claim 2 , wherein the lever-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member transmitting the torque input from the input-side member to the brake-side clutch portion;
a plurality of engagement elements for controlling transmission/interruption of the torque input from the input-side member through engagement/disengagement between the input-side member and the coupling member;
a retainer for retaining the engagement elements at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
a stationary-side member restricted in rotation;
a first elastic member provided between the retainer and the stationary-side member, for accumulating elastic force obtained by the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the retainer to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated; and
a second elastic member provided between the input-side member and the stationary-side member, for accumulating the elastic force with the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the input-side member to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated.
4. A clutch unit according to claim 2 , wherein the brake-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member to which torque input from the lever-side clutch portion is input;
an output-side member from which the torque is output; and
a plurality of pairs of engagement elements arranged in wedge gaps between the stationary-side member and the output-side member, for controlling transmission of the torque input from the coupling member and interrupting the torque reverse-input from the output-side member through engagement/disengagement between the stationary-side member and the output-side member.
5. A clutch unit according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
6. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , further comprising:
elastic members which are arranged between the input-side member of the lever-side clutch portion and the stationary-side member of the brake-side clutch portion so as to accumulate elastic force obtained by the torque input from the input-side member and to restore the input-side member to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated; and
a depressed portion formed by local bending and molding of a part corresponding to the elastic members of the input-side member, for partially accommodating the elastic members.
7. A clutch unit according to claim 6 , wherein the elastic members comprise plate-like spring members.
8. A clutch unit according to claim 7 , wherein the lever-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member transmitting the torque input from the input-side member to the brake-side clutch portion;
a plurality of engagement elements for controlling transmission/interruption of the torque input from the input-side member through engagement/disengagement between the input-side member and the coupling member;
a retainer for retaining the engagement elements at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
a stationary-side member restricted in rotation;
a first elastic member provided between the retainer and the stationary-side member, for accumulating elastic force obtained by the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the retainer to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated; and
a second elastic member provided between the input-side member and the stationary-side member, for accumulating the elastic force with the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the input-side member to the neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated.
9. A clutch unit according to claim 7 , wherein the brake-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member to which torque input from the lever-side clutch portion is input;
an output-side member from which the torque is output; and
a plurality of pairs of engagement elements arranged in wedge gaps between the stationary-side member and the output-side member, for controlling transmission of the torque input from the coupling member and interrupting the torque reverse-input from the output-side member through engagement/disengagement between the stationary-side member and the output-side member.
10. A clutch unit according to claim 7 , wherein at least one of engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
11. A clutch unit according to claim 6 , wherein the lever-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member transmitting the torque input from the input-side member to the brake-side clutch portion;
a plurality of engagement elements for controlling transmission/interruption of the torque input from the input-side member through engagement/disengagement between the input-side member and the coupling member;
a retainer for retaining the engagement elements at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
a stationary-side member restricted in rotation;
a first elastic member provided between the retainer and the stationary-side member, for accumulating elastic force obtained by the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the retainer to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated; and
a second elastic member provided between the input-side member and the stationary-side member, for accumulating the elastic force with the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the input-side member to the neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated.
12. A clutch unit according to claim 6 , wherein the brake-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member to which torque input from the lever-side clutch portion is input;
an output-side member from which the torque is output; and
a plurality of pairs of engagement elements arranged in wedge gaps between the stationary-side member and the output-side member, for controlling transmission of the torque input from the coupling member and interrupting the torque reverse-input from the output-side member through engagement/disengagement between the stationary-side member and the output-side member.
13. A clutch unit according to claim 6 , wherein at least one of engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
14. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the lever-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member transmitting the torque input from the input-side member to the brake-side clutch portion;
a plurality of engagement elements for controlling transmission/interruption of the torque input from the input-side member through engagement/disengagement between the input-side member and the coupling member;
a retainer for retaining the engagement elements at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction;
a stationary-side member restricted in rotation;
a first elastic member provided between the retainer and the stationary-side member, for accumulating elastic force obtained by the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the retainer to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated; and
a second elastic member provided between the input-side member and the stationary-side member, for accumulating the elastic force with the torque input from the input-side member and restoring the input-side member to a neutral state by releasing the elastic force obtained by the torque input therefrom and thus accumulated.
15. A clutch unit according to claim 14 , wherein at least one of the engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
16. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , wherein the brake-side clutch portion further comprises:
a coupling member to which torque input from the lever-side clutch portion is input;
an output-side member from which the torque is output; and
a plurality of pairs of engagement elements arranged in wedge gaps between the stationary-side member and the output-side member, for controlling transmission of the torque input from the coupling member and interrupting the torque reverse-input from the output-side member through engagement/disengagement between the stationary-side member and the output-side member.
17. A clutch unit according to claim 16 , wherein at least one of engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and the engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
18. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of engaging elements of the lever-side clutch portion and engaging elements of the brake-side clutch portion comprise cylindrical rollers.
19. A clutch unit according to claim 1 , wherein:
the lever-side clutch portion and the brake-side clutch portion are incorporated in an automobile seat-lifter section.
20. A clutch unit according to claim 19 , wherein:
the input-side member of the lever-side clutch portion is connected to an operation lever; and
an output-side member of the brake-side clutch portion is coupled to a rotary member of the automobile seat-lifter section.