One way clutch

Abstract

One way clutch has an inner ring, an outer ring and torque transmission members between them. Each torque transmission member can shift between a torque transmission position and a non torque transmission position. Biasing members bias the torque transmission members respectively toward the torque transmission positions. A retainer includes first and second mount portions that retain the torque transmission members and the biasing members corresponding thereto. Each of the mount portions has a securing portion that secures one end of the biasing member, and the torque transmission member is pressed by the other end of the biasing member. The biasing force that the biasing members retained by the second mount portions exert on the torque transmission members corresponding thereto is larger than the biasing force that the biasing members retained by the first mount portions exert on the torque transmission members corresponding thereto.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . One way clutch comprising:
 an inner ring;   an outer ring disposed coaxially with said inner ring;   a plurality of torque transmission members provided between an outer circumferential surface of said inner ring and an inner circumferential surface of said outer ring, said torque transmission members being capable of shifting between respective torque transmission positions at which the torque transmission members engage with the outer circumferential surface of said inner ring and the inner circumferential surface of said outer ring and respective non torque transmission positions at which the torque transmission members do not engage with the outer circumferential surface of said inner ring or the inner circumferential surface of said outer ring;   a plurality of biasing members that bias said torque transmission members respectively toward the torque-transmission positions; and   a retainer that retains said torque transmission members and said biasing members, wherein   said retainer includes a plurality of first and second mount portions that retain respective torque transmission members and biasing members corresponding thereto;   each of said first and second mount portions has a securing portion that secures one end of a corresponding biasing member, a corresponding torque transmission member being pressed by the other end of that biasing member; and   a biasing force with which the biasing members retained by said second mount portions bias the corresponding torque transmission members is set to be larger than a biasing force with which the biasing members retained by said first mount portions bias the corresponding torque transmission members,   wherein said biasing members that are retained by said first mount portions are first compression springs having a certain spring constant, and said biasing members that are retained by said second mount portions are second compression springs having a spring constant larger than that of said first compression springs.   
     
     
         8 . One way clutch according to  claim 7 ,
 wherein a plurality of concave cams each including a recessed portion and a slope are provided on either one of the outer circumferential surface of said inner ring and the inner circumferential surface of said outer ring along a circumferential direction,   a cylindrical surface is provided on the other of the outer circumferential surface of said inner ring and the inner circumferential surface of said outer ring,   said plurality of torque transmission members are provided respectively between said plurality of concave cams and said cylindrical surface,   said biasing members bias said torque transmission members respectively toward said slopes in said concave cams, and   said torque transmission members roll in said concave cams against the biasing force of said biasing members only when said inner ring and said outer ring turn in one direction to transmit torque between said inner ring and said outer ring.