Freewheel and freewheel arrangement comprising such a freewheel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a freewheel comprising an outer ring, an inner ring, and at least one clamping element which is between the outer ring and the inner ring, which is moveable from a clamping position into a release position along a race on the outer ring in a first circumferential direction relative to the outer ring, wherein the race has a clamping section, and a release section following the clamping section in the first circumferential direction on which the clamping element is supportable. A first tangent through at least one support point on the clamping section defines a first inner angle, which is greater than 180°, with a second tangent through at least one support point on the release section. In addition, the present invention relates to a freewheel arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising such a freewheel.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A freewheel comprising an outer ring, an inner ring having a circular counter-race, and at least one clamping element which is between the outer ring and the inner ring, which is moveable from a clamping position into a release position along a race on the outer ring in a first circumferential direction relative to the outer ring, wherein the race has a clamping section, and a release section following the clamping section in the first circumferential direction on which the clamping element is supportable, characterized in that a first tangent through at least one support point on the clamping section defines a first inner angle, which is greater than 180°, with a second tangent through at least one support point on the release section; wherein:
 the inner ring comprises the circular counter-race; 
 the clamping element engages the circular counter-race when the clamping element is positioned within the clamping section; and 
 the release section has a radius greater than a radius of the at least one clamping element. 
 
     
     
       2. The freewheel as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the race has a transition section at the transition between the clamping section and the release section, wherein the transition section has a continuous or discontinuous course. 
     
     
       3. The freewheel according to  claim 2 , wherein the transition section has a course curved outward in a circular are in the radial direction with respect to the first circumferential direction. 
     
     
       4. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping section is designed at least partially straight and/or has a course curved inward in an arch in the radial direction with respect to the first circumferential direction. 
     
     
       5. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the release section is designed at least partially straight and/or has a course curved inward in a spiral in the radial direction with respect to the first circumferential direction. 
     
     
       6. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first inner angle is greater than 185°. 
     
     
       7. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the second tangent defines a release angle on a circumference with a tangent through an intersection, at which a radial extending to a center of the clamping element crosses the circumference, said release angle being greater than twice the clamping angle of the freewheel when the clamping element is supported on the support point, through which the second tangent-extends. 
     
     
       8. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the race additionally has a retaining section following the release section in the first circumferential direction, on which retaining section the clamping element is supportable, wherein a third tangent defines a second or a third inner angle, which is 180° or less, with the second tangent or with the first tangent. 
     
     
       9. The freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping element is designed as a clamping roller, wherein the ratio between a width and an outer diameter of the clamping roller is equal to 1:5, and the clamping roller is pretensioned in the clamping position by means of a spring element which is supportable on the outer ring. 
     
     
       10. A freewheel arrangement for a motor vehicle comprising a freewheel according to  claim 1 , wherein an output side of a starter motor is in permanent rotary driving connection with the inner ring, whereas an output side of an internal combustion engine of the motor vehicle is in or can be brought into rotary driving connection with the outer ring.