JP3865910B2

JP3865910B2 - 2-way simultaneous idle / lock switching clutch

Info

Publication number: JP3865910B2
Application number: JP35494497A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 昌弘栗田
Original assignee: NTN Corp
Current assignee: NTN Corp
Priority date: 1997-12-24
Filing date: 1997-12-24
Publication date: 2007-01-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-24
Also published as: JPH11182590A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、各種の機器の機械構造部分、例えば、自然状態では正転・逆転方向共に自由に回転できないが、必要に応じて正転・逆転方向共に同時に自由に回転が可能な機能を必要とする機械構造部分に使用できる２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、手押し車の車輪やドアの車輪は、何らかの方法で止めない限り、傾斜面においては水平方向の分力や慣性力のために動くことが可能である。このために、用途によっては、外部から車輪にブレーキ機構を付加して危険の防止を図っているのが現状である。
図１８に、従来から知られているワンウェイクラッチの代表的な構造例を示す。このクラッチは、軸８１、外輪８２、ころ８３、保持器８４、およびばね８５で構成されている。外輪８２には、傾斜カム面８６が設けられており、ばね８５は、ころ８３をカム面の狭い側に押し付けて、軸固定時には外輪８２の時計方向への回転に対しては即座にロックする構造となっている。
また、図１９にツーウェイクラッチの代表的な構造例を示す。このクラッチの特徴は、外輪９２に、互いに対向する２つの傾斜カム面９７を持つことと、保持器９４を必要に応じて周方向に移動させるための手段（この例ではレバー９８）を持つことである。これによって、時計方向あるいは反時計方向に外輪９２のロック方向を切り替える機能を持つことができる。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ワンウェイクラッチは、名前のとおり一方向への回転のみをロックするだけであり、ツーウェイクラッチはレバー等の操作によって、時計方向あるいは反時計方向だけにロックする機能があるが、両方向回転共にロックする機能は持っていない。したがって、安全性を要求する手押し車の車輪やドア用の車輪等が要求するクラッチとしての機能はなかった。
【０００４】
この発明の目的は、正転・逆転方向のいずれの方向にもロック状態を保ち、外部からの操作によって、正転・逆転方向のいずれの方向も同時に回転可能になるという新たな機能を持った２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチを提供することである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この発明の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチは、互いに正逆に回転可能な第１の回転部材および第２の回転部材と、常時は前記両回転部材間の正逆両方向の回転をロックするロック手段と、所定の外力が加わることで正逆両方向に回転可能状態に前記ロック手段のロックを解除するロック解除手段とを備えたものである。なお、この明細書で言う「回転部材」は相対的な回転が可能な部材のことであり、片方の回転部材が常に角度固定状態で用いられるものであっても良い。
この構成によると、第１の回転部材と第２の回転部材とは、常時はロック手段で互いの相対回転が不能なように回転がロックされており、すなわち回転が阻止されており、ロック解除手段に所定の外力を加えることで、前記ロック手段のロックが解除され、第１の回転部材と第２の回転部材間の正逆両方向の回転が可能となる。
【０００６】
上記構成において、前記ロック手段およびロック解除手段は、次の構成とする。ロック手段は、第１および第２の回転部材のうちの一方の回転部材に、回転中心回りに設けた円周軌道面と、他方の回転部材に設けられて前記円周軌道面と対向するカム面と、これら円周軌道面とカム面との間に介在され、これら両面に摩擦接触して前記回転部材の正逆両方向の回転をロックする係合子とで構成される。前記カム面は前記係合子をこのカム面の中立位置に保つことで前記摩擦接触が解除されるものとする。ロック解除手段は、次の保持器と案内手段とで構成される。保持器は、前記係合子を回転部材の回転方向に位置規制状態に保持するものとする。前記案内手段は、所定の外力が加わることで、前記係合子の位置が前記カム面の前記中立位置となるように、前記保持器を前記回転部材に対して拘束状態にするものとする。
この構成の場合、常時は、一方の回転部材の円周軌道面と、他方の回転部材のカム面とに係合子が摩擦接触し、これら回転部材間の正逆両方向の回転をロックする。このとき、係合子はカム面の中立位置からいずれかの方向に偏った位置にある。保持器に所定の外力を与えると、保持器は案内手段で案内されて若干移動し、その保持している係合子を前記カム面の中立位置に位置させる。前記カム面は、係合子が中立位置に保たれることで前記摩擦接触が解除され、これにより両回転部材の相対回転が両方向に可能となる。
【０００７】
この構成の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチにおいて、次の構成とする。前記第１および第２の回転部材は互いに内外に位置する部材とし、前記円周軌道面とカム面とは、これら回転部材の径方向に対向する面とする。前記カム面は回転部材の円周方向の複数箇所に設ける。前記係合子は前記各カム面毎に設けた転動体とする。また、前記カム面は、回転部材円周方向の中央部が深くかつ両側に次第に浅くなるように形成されて、その中央部が前記中立位置となり、この中立位置で、前記転動体の径に対して前記円周軌道面とカム面間の間隔に若干の径方向隙間が生じるものとする。
この構成の場合、常時は、第１と第２の回転部材にいずれかの方向の相対回転が若干生じると、この回転に伴って係合子である転動体がカム面を中立位置から偏った浅い位置に移動し、カム面と円周軌道面とに摩擦接触して回転部材のそれ以上の回転を阻止する。回転部材が前記と逆方向に回転した場合は、転動体がカム面の中立位置から前記と逆方向に偏った位置に移動し、それ以上の回転体の回転を阻止する。保持器に所定の外力を与えると、保持器は案内手段で案内されて若干移動し、その保持している転動体をカム面の最も深い中立位置に位置させる。そのため、両方向の回転のロックが同時に解除される。
【０００８】
また、この構成において、各部を次の構成とする。前記案内手段は、前記カム面の形成側の回転部材および前記保持器のいずれか一方に設けられた保持器固定溝と他方に設けられた係合突部とでなり、これら保持器固定溝と係合突部とは、前記外力の非付与状態で互いに緩み状態に噛み合い、かつ前記外力の付与状態で密に噛み合うものとする。前記保持器と前記円周軌道面側の回転部材との間に所定の摩擦力を与える弾性体を設ける。
この構成の場合、常時は、保持器固定溝と係合突部とが緩み状態に噛み合っており、この緩み範囲で保持器とカム面側の回転部材との相対回転が可能となる。そのため、保持器で転動体をカム面の中立位置に保持する機能は生じず、前記のように転動体の摩擦接触で両回転部材の両方向の回転がロックされる。保持器に所定の外力を与えると、保持器固定溝と係合突部とが密に噛み合い、保持器はカム面側の回転部材に拘束されて、その保持している転動体をカム面の中立位置に保持する。そのため、回転部材の両方向の回転が可能となる。弾性体は、ロック解除後に外力を除いて再度ロック状態とするときに、転動体がカム面の浅い位置に移動するように、円周軌道面側の回転部材の回転による保持器の連れ回りを生じさせるものであり、これにより確実にロックを生じさせる。
【０００９】
さらに、この構成において、前記保持器固定溝および係合突部を、互いに径方向に噛み合うものとし、前記保持器は前記外力で弾性変形可能な材質とする。前記回転部材の回転中心と同芯上で回転可能な操作部材を設け、この操作部材と前記保持器とに、操作部材の回転に伴って前記外力となる径方向力を前記保持器に作用させる操作用カム面を設けても良い。
この構成の場合、回転ロック状態から、操作部材を回転させると、操作用カム面の作用で、保持器に径方向力が与えられ、この径方向力で保持器が弾性変形して、保持器固定溝と係合突部とが密に噛み合う。これより、前記のように転動体がカム面の中立位置に保持され、回転部材の両方向の回転が可能となる。
【００１０】
この保持器固定溝および係合突部は、互いに軸方向に噛み合うものとしても良い。この場合に、回転部材の回転中心と同芯上で回転可能な操作部材を前記保持器の側面と対面して設け、この操作部材と前記保持器とに、操作部材の回転に伴って前記外力となる軸方向力を前記保持器に作用させる操作用カム面を設ける。また、前記操作部材を保持器から離れる方向に付勢する復帰用弾性体を設ける。この構成の場合、回転ロック状態から、操作部材を回転させると、操作用カム面の作用で、保持器に軸方向力が与えられ、保持器固定溝と係合突部とが密に噛み合う。これより、前記のように転動体がカム面の中立位置に保持され、回転部材の両方向の回転が可能となる。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明の第１の実施形態を図１ないし図７と共に説明する。この２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチは、第１の回転部材である内輪１と、第２の回転部材である外輪２と、ころからなる係合子である転動体３と、保持器４と、板ばね等の弾性体５とで構成され、後述のロック手段１２およびロック解除手段１３が設けられている。この２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチは、いわば２ウェイクラッチの基本構造を応用したものである。
【００１２】
内輪１は、図２に示すように厚肉円筒状に形成されており、その外径面にはクラッチとしてのロック機能を発揮するためのカム面６が円周方向の複数箇所に設けられている。各カム面６は等間隔で設けられている。これらカム面６は、円周方向の中央部が深くかつ両側に次第に浅くなるように形成されたものであり、概ねＶ字状の断面形状とされている。このカム面６は、図３（Ａ）のように直線状であっても、同図（Ｂ）のように凹円弧状などの曲面状であっても良い。カム面６のＶ字状の開き角度αは、例えば１５５°〜１７５°に設定されている。カム面６は、内輪１の軸方向の全長に設けられているが、軸方向の一部に設けたものであっても良い。
内輪１の片側の幅面の外径側には、保持器固定溝７が円周方向の複数箇所に設けられている。例えば、保持器固定溝７はカム面６と交互に設けられている。保持器固定溝７は、溝幅の中心部が深くなる断面形状のものであり、この例では概ねＶ字状の断面形状とされている。Ｖ字状の傾斜は、カム面６に比べて急勾配としてある。なお、内輪１は、この例では円筒状としたが、軸であっても良い。すなわち、軸に直接にカム面６や保持器固定溝７が加工されていても良い。
【００１３】
図１に示すように、外輪２は、その内径面部分をころからなる転動体３が転走可能なように、円筒面状の円周軌道面２ａとしてある。外輪２の円周軌道面２ａと、内輪１のカム面６と、転動体３とで、内輪１と外輪２との正逆両方向の相対回転を阻止するロック手段１２が構成される。外輪２は、この例では厚肉円筒状の部品としてあるが、外径面は円筒面に限らず、車輪形状や、プーリ形状、あるいはその他の目的に応じた任意形状であっても良い。また、外輪２は、この例では、保持器４の係合突部９（後述する）側の外径面が露出するように、内輪１および保持器４よりも幅狭に形成してある。
【００１４】
保持器４は、図４に示すように円筒状に形成され、円周方向の複数箇所に、転動体３を保持するポケット８が内外径に貫通して形成され、かつ内輪１の各保持器固定溝７と噛み合う係合突部９と、ばね固定用ピン１０とが各々周方向複数箇所に設けられている。係合突部９は、保持器４の内径面に設けられ、三角形の山形とされている。ばね固定用ピン１０は、保持器４における係合突部８のある幅面と反対側の幅面に設けられている。保持器４の係合突部９と、内輪１の保持器固定溝７とで、案内手段１４が構成される。また、この案内手段１４と保持器４とで、ロック解除手段１３が構成される。
【００１５】
図５は、保持器４に弾性体５を取付けた状態を示す。弾性体５は、リング状の側板５ａと、この側板から放射状に延びるアーム状の複数のばね片５ｂとからなる板ばねで構成される。ばね片５ｂは、側板５ａから斜め外径側に延びて先端部分が軸方向と略平行となるように折り曲げられており、その先端部分が外輪２の内径面に押し付け状態に接触する。弾性体５は、保持器４に設けられたばね固定用ピン１０を側板５ａの孔に挿通し、加締ることで保持器４に固定されている。弾性体５の固定は、加締による他に、溶着やねじ止め、あるいは鋲止め、または接着でも良い。
【００１６】
弾性体５は、外輪２の回転に対して保持器４が一定の摩擦力を保持して連れ回る機能が得られれば良いのであるから、ばね部材の他にゴム等の弾性体を用いても良い。例えば、図９に変形例を示すように、保持器４の外径面に設けた円周溝にＯリング等からなるリング状の弾性体５Ａを埋め込むか、あるいはこれとは逆に外輪２の内径面に円周溝を形成してリング状の弾性体を埋め込んでも良い。リング状の弾性体には、Ｏリングの代わりに、波形に屈曲した線ばねまたは板ばね（図示せず）を用いても良い。また、図１０に示すように、保持器４の外径面に局部的に設けた凹部に弾性体５Ｂを埋め込むようにしても良い。さらに、このような弾性体を設ける代わりに、保持器４を多角形にするか、保持器４の外径面に突部を設けるなどして、保持器４の周方向の複数箇所が外輪２の内径面に当たり、保持器４自体の弾性で外輪２に対して連れ回りが生じる程度の一定の摩擦力が得られるようにしても良い。
【００１７】
上記構成のクラッチ機能の説明および構成の補助説明をする。図１に示す自然状態での理想状態では、図６（Ａ）のように転動体３は、周方向の位置においては、カム面６の中央（中立位置）にあり、同時に保持器４の係合突部９と内輪１の保持器固定溝７とは位相が一致している。また、転動体３を入れるための保持器４のポケット８は、転動体３に対する周方向隙間が極めて小さい（転動体３の直径の１％以下）か、若しくは負の隙間となるように設計されている。
この状態において、図１（Ｂ）に示すように、保持器４を外径部分から径方向に外力Ｆで内輪１に押し付けると、図６（Ｂ）のように保持器４は押された部分が撓んで、保持器４の係合突部９と内輪１の保持器固定溝７との隙間が無くなり、保持器４は内輪１に対して周方向の位相関係が固定される。その結果、全数の転動体３がカム面６の中立位置である中央に強制的に保持される。保持器４を内輪１に対して押し付ける部分は、円周方向に２〜４等分した部分が望ましい。
【００１８】
この状態においては、内輪１と保持器４は周方向に相対回転することはできない。また、転動体３は、カム面６の中央に位置するときは、外輪２に対して半径方向の僅かな隙間を有するように設定されている（結果的には周方向の隙間も生じる）。
したがって、この状態ではクラッチとしての回転ロック機能は無くなる。すなわち、外輪２は正方向（例えば時計方向とする）と逆方向のいずれの方向にも回転が可能となる。
【００１９】
保持器４を押し付ける外力Ｆを除くと、図６（Ａ）の状態に戻る。この状態から、内輪１が固定で、外輪２が時計方向に回転すると、保持器４はばね部材５による摩擦力の効果によって、外輪２の回転と同時に時計方向に回転を始める。その結果、保持器４のポケット８に収納されている転動体３も同時に時計方向に回転するので、極めて小さな回転角度ではあるが、転動体３はいずれ、内輪１のカム面６と干渉する。
転動体３が内輪１のカム面６と干渉した状態は図７に示すようであり、転動体３がカム面６および外輪２の接触点となす角度βは５〜２５°〔１８０°−（１５５°〜１７５°）〕となる。この角度は、一般的なクラッチのストラト角として知られている。
【００２０】
図７（Ａ）の状態になると、外輪２はそれ以上時計方向に回転することが不可能となる。すなわち、ここでクラッチとしての回転ロック機能が生じることになる。この場合、保持器４の係合突部９は、まだ内輪１の保持器固定溝７に干渉しないような寸法に設定される。
外輪２が反時計方向に回転をするときも、各部品は前記と同じような動きをして、回転ロック機能が生じる。すなわち、保持器４に外力Ｆを与えない限り、外輪２は時計方向にも反時計方向にも回転できない。
元の両方向回転共に空転状態に戻すときは、保持器４に対して再び外力Ｆを加えて、保持器４を内輪１に押し付ければ良い。転動体３は、カム面６の中央に移動するので、回転ロック機能が再び無くなる。
【００２１】
このように、この２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチは、保持器４に外力Ｆを加えることによって、時計・反時計方向のいずれの方向へも同時に空転状態とすることと、同時に回転ロック機能を生じる状態とに切り替えることができる。このため、例えば、このクラッチを、手押し車やドア用の軸受と共に使用した場合、手を放せば車輪やドアはその場所に留まっている様な安全な機構が安価に実現できる。
【００２２】
図８は、図１〜図７に示した２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチに、外力付与用の操作部材１６を設けた例を示す。操作部材１６は、円周方向の一部にレバー部１６ａを有するリング状の部材であり、内輪１を取付けた軸２０の外径面に回転自在に嵌合させてある。内輪１は、軸２０の小径部と大径部との間の段差面から若干離れてその小径部に嵌合状態に固定してあり、また保持器固定溝７のある幅面を前記段差面２０ａ側に向けて配置してあり、操作部材１６は、内輪１と前記段差面２０ａとの間に介在している。
操作部材１６は、保持器４の外周に位置する鍔状のリング部１６ｂを有し、このリング部１６ｂの内径面の周方向複数箇所（図示では４か所）に、操作部材１６の回転に伴って前記外力Ｆとなる径方向力を保持器４に作用させる操作用カム面１７を設けてある。操作用カム面１７は、リング部１６ｂの内径面となる円の一部の弦となる直線に形成してある。また、これら操作用カム面１７に各々接する複数の操作用カム面１８を、保持器４の外径面に円弧状断面の突部によって形成してある。
【００２３】
このように操作部材１６を設けた場合、図８（Ａ）に示す回転ロック状態から、操作部材１６を所定角度（図示の例では４５°程度）回すと、操作用カム面１７，１８同志が係合し合い、保持器４を内輪１に押し付ける径方向の外力が操作部材１６から保持器４に与えられる。これにより、保持器４が撓んでクラッチとしての回転ロックの解除状態となる。操作部材１６を元の図８（Ａ）の角度に戻すと、保持器４は弾性で元の形状に復帰し、回転ロック状態に戻る。
なお、同図の例は、保持器４に操作用カム面１８を設けたこと、および操作部材１６を設けたことを除いて、図１〜図７に示した例と同じ構成である。
【００２４】
図１１ないし図１４は、この発明の第２の実施形態を示す。この例は、保持器４に軸方向の外力を与えることで、回転ロック状態とロック解除状態とを切り替えるようにしたものである。この例は、保持器４と内輪１の一部で構成される案内手段１４Ａの構成、および外輪２の幅を変えたことを除いて、図１ないし図７の例と同じ構造である。ただし、保持器４は、弾性変形可能な材質である必要はない。
図１２に示すように、内輪１の幅面の一部に保持器４の係合突部９Ａ（図１３）と噛み合う保持器固定溝７Ａを設ける。保持器４は、内径面の一側に鍔部１９を有するものとし、この鍔部１９の内側に係合突部９Ａが設けてある。保持器固定溝７ＡはＶ溝状とし、係合突部９ＡはこのＶ溝状の保持器固定溝７Ａに対応した三角形状の山形としてある。これら保持器固定溝７Ａおよび係合突部９Ａにより、案内手段１４Ａが構成される。内輪１のカム面６の形状は図１の例と同じである。
【００２５】
この例では、空転状態と回転ロック状態との切り替えを、軸方向の外力Ｆ_Aによって保持器４を内輪１に押し付けることにより行う。保持器４が軸方向に押し付けられると、保持器４の係合突部９Ａと内輪１の保持器固定溝７Ａとが噛み合って保持器４は内輪１に固定され、転動体３も前記の例と同じようにカム面６の中央に保持されるので、時計・反時計方向の両方向に対して空転状態となる。外力Ｆ_Aを除くと、第１の実施形態と同様に、時計・反時計方向の両方向に対して回転ロック状態となる。
なお、図１１の第２の実施形態では、空転状態と回転ロック状態との切り替えの応答性を良くするためには、図１１（Ｂ）に示すように別の外力Ｐによって、保持器４を積極的に戻す手段を設けることが望ましい。
【００２６】
図１５および図１６は、図１１〜図１４に示した実施形態の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチに、外力付与用の操作部材１６Ａを設けた例を示す。操作部材１６Ａは、円周方向の一部にレバー部１６ａを有するリング状の部材であり、内輪１を取付けた軸２０の外径面に回転自在に嵌合させてある。内輪１は、軸２０の小径部と大径部との間の段差面２０ａから若干離れてその小径部に嵌合状態に固定してあり、また保持器固定溝７Ａのある幅面を前記段差面側に向けて配置してあり、操作部材１６Ａは、内輪１と前記段差面との間に介在している。
操作部材１６Ａは、保持器４の幅面と対向する面の周方向複数箇所（図示では４か所）に、操作部材１６Ａの回転に伴って前記外力Ｆ_Aとなる径方向力を保持器４に作用させる操作用カム面１７Ａを設けてある。また、これら操作用カム面１７Ａに各々接する複数の操作用カム面１８Ａを、保持器４の幅面に形成してある。これら操作用カム面１７Ａ，１８Ａは、緩い勾配のＶ字状の山形としてある。隣合う操作用カム面１７Ａ間の部分は、平坦面部１７Ｂとされている。なお、この緩い勾配のＶ字状山形は、操作用カム面１７Ａ，１８Ａのいずれか一方にのみあっただけで良く、他は部分的な凸部でもよい。
また、図１６Ｂには保持器４に、前記外力Ｐを得る復帰用弾性体２１を内蔵状態に取付けてある。この復帰用弾性体２１は板ばねからなり、保持器４の内径面に径方向に沿って設けて取付溝２２に嵌め込み状態に取付けてある。
【００２７】
このように操作部材１６Ａを設けた場合、図１５（Ａ）に示す回転ロック状態から、操作部材１６Ａを所定角度（図示の例では４５°程度）回すと、操作用カム面１７Ａ，１８Ａ同志が係合し合い、保持器４を内輪１に押し付ける軸方向の外力が操作部材１６Ａから保持器４に与えられる。これにより、保持器４が撓んでクラッチとしての回転ロックの解除状態となる。操作部材１６Ａを元の図１５（Ａ）の角度に戻すと、保持器４は復帰用弾性体２１の復元力で復帰し、回転ロック状態に戻る。
なお、同図の例は、保持器４に操作用カム面１８Ａを設けたこと、操作部材１６Ａを設けたこと、および復帰用弾性体２１を設けたことを除いて、図１１〜図１４に示した例と同じ構成である。
【００２８】
図１７は、この発明の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチＡを車両用のシート背もたれ傾き角度調整装置として利用した例を示す。シート３０の背もたれ３１は、背もたれ支持部材３２に係合自在に支持されており、この背もたれ２１の傾動中心と中心位置が一致するように、２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチＡが配置される。このクラッチＡは、その内輪１および外輪２のいずれか一方が背もたれ支持部材３２に固定され、他方が背もたれ３１に固定される。なお、背もたれ３１には、起立側に付勢する復帰ばね３３を設けておく。クラッチＡは、前記いずれの実施形態のものであっても良い。
【００２９】
なお、前記各実施形態では、カム面６を内輪１に、円周軌道面２ａを外輪２に各々設けたが、これとは逆に内輪１に円周軌道面を、外輪２にカム面を設けても良い。さらに、第１の回転部材および第２の回転部材は、前記各実施形態のように内輪１および外輪２とする代わりに、互いに軸方向に対面する部材とし、カム面および円周軌道面を軸方向に対面させても良い。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
この発明の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチは、正転・逆転方向のいずれの方向にもロック状態を保ち、外部からの操作によって、正転・逆転方向のいずれの方向も同時に回転可能になるという従来に例の無い機能を持ったものとできる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】（Ａ）はこの発明の第１の実施形態にかかるクラッチの破断正面図、（Ｂ）は同図（Ａ）のＩ−Ｉ線断面図である。
【図２】同クラッチの内輪の斜視図である。
【図３】同内輪のカム面の各種の例を示す拡大断面図である。
【図４】同クラッチの保持器の斜視図である。
【図５】同保持器に弾性体を取付けた状態の斜視図である。
【図６】作用説明図である。
【図７】他の動作状態の作用説明図である。
【図８】（Ａ）は同クラッチに操作部材を追加した例の破断正面図、（Ｂ）はその破断側面図である。
【図９】（Ａ）は保持器と弾性体との組み合わせの変形例の斜視図、（Ｂ）はその部分断面図である。
【図１０】保持器と弾性体との組み合わせ体の他の変形例の斜視図である。
【図１１】（Ａ）はこの発明の第２の実施形態にかかるクラッチの部分切欠破断正面図、（Ｂ）はそのＸＩ−Ｘ１線断面図である。
【図１２】同クラッチの内輪の斜視図である。
【図１３】同クラッチの保持器の斜視図である。
【図１４】同保持器にばね部材を取付けた状態の斜視図である。
【図１５】（Ａ）は同クラッチに操作部材を追加した例の破断正面図、（Ｂ）はそのXIII-XIII 線に沿う破断側面図である。
【図１６】（Ａ）はその保持器と操作部材の関係を示す斜視図、（Ｂ）は同保持器にばね部材および復帰用弾性体を取付けた状態の斜視図、（Ｃ）はその復帰用弾性体の斜視図である。
【図１７】この発明の２方向同時空転・ロック切替えクラッチを応用したシート背もたれ傾き角度調整装置の側面図である。
【図１８】従来例の断面図である。
【図１９】他の従来例の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１…内輪（第１の回転部材）
２…外輪（第２の回転部材）
３…転動体（係合子）
４…保持器
５…弾性体
６…カム面
７…保持器固定用溝
９…係合突部
１２…ロック手段
１３…ロック解除手段
１４…案内手段
１４Ａ…案内手段
１６…操作部材
１６Ａ…操作部材
１７，１８…操作用カム面
１７Ａ，１８Ａ…操作用カム面
２１…復帰用弾性体
Ｆ…外力
Ｆ_A…外力[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a mechanical structure part of various devices, for example, in the natural state, it cannot rotate freely in both forward and reverse directions, but it needs a function that can freely rotate in both forward and reverse directions as needed. The present invention relates to a two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch that can be used in a machine structure portion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, the wheel of a wheelbarrow or the wheel of a door can move due to a horizontal component force or inertia force on an inclined surface unless stopped in some way. For this reason, depending on the application, a brake mechanism is added to the wheel from the outside to prevent danger.
FIG. 18 shows a typical structure example of a conventionally known one-way clutch. This clutch includes a shaft 81, an outer ring 82, rollers 83, a cage 84, and a spring 85. The outer ring 82 is provided with an inclined cam surface 86, and the spring 85 presses the roller 83 against the narrow side of the cam surface, and immediately locks against the clockwise rotation of the outer ring 82 when the shaft is fixed. It has a structure.
FIG. 19 shows a typical structure example of a two-way clutch. The clutch is characterized in that the outer ring 92 has two inclined cam surfaces 97 facing each other, and means for moving the retainer 94 in the circumferential direction as necessary (in this example, a lever 98). It is. Accordingly, it is possible to have a function of switching the lock direction of the outer ring 92 clockwise or counterclockwise.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The one-way clutch only locks rotation in one direction as the name suggests, and the two-way clutch has a function to lock only clockwise or counterclockwise by operating a lever, etc. Do not have. Therefore, there has been no function as a clutch required by a wheelbarrow wheel or a door wheel that requires safety.
[0004]
The object of the present invention is to maintain a locked state in both the forward and reverse directions, and has a new function of enabling both the forward and reverse directions to rotate simultaneously by an external operation. It is to provide a two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch according to the present invention includes a first rotating member and a second rotating member that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and a lock that always locks the rotation in both the forward and reverse directions between the rotating members. And unlocking means for unlocking the locking means so as to be rotatable in both forward and reverse directions when a predetermined external force is applied. The “rotating member” referred to in this specification is a member capable of relative rotation, and one rotating member may always be used in a fixed angle state.
According to this configuration, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are normally locked so that they cannot be rotated relative to each other by the locking means, that is, the rotation is blocked and the lock is released. By applying a predetermined external force to the means, the lock means is unlocked, and rotation in both forward and reverse directions between the first rotating member and the second rotating member becomes possible.
[0006]
In the above configuration, the lock unit and the lock release unit are configured as follows . The locking means includes a circumferential raceway surface provided around one rotation member on one of the first and second rotation members, and a cam provided on the other rotation member and facing the circumferential raceway surface. And an engaging member that is interposed between the circumferential raceway surface and the cam surface and locks the rotation of the rotating member in both forward and reverse directions by frictional contact with both surfaces. The cam surface is released from the frictional contact by keeping the engaging element in a neutral position of the cam surface. The lock release means is composed of the following cage and guide means. The cage shall hold the engaging element in a position restricted state in the rotation direction of the rotating member. The guide means places the retainer in a restrained state with respect to the rotating member such that a predetermined external force is applied so that the position of the engaging element becomes the neutral position of the cam surface.
In the case of this configuration, the engagement element frictionally contacts the circumferential track surface of one rotating member and the cam surface of the other rotating member, and locks the rotation in the forward and reverse directions between these rotating members. At this time, the engaging element is in a position deviated in any direction from the neutral position of the cam surface. When a predetermined external force is applied to the retainer, the retainer is guided by the guiding means and slightly moves, and the engaging member retained therein is positioned at the neutral position of the cam surface. The cam surface is released from the frictional contact when the engaging member is maintained in a neutral position, thereby allowing relative rotation of both rotating members in both directions.
[0007]
In two-way simultaneous idle lock switching clutch of this configuration, the following configuration. The first and second rotating members are members positioned inside and outside of each other, and the circumferential track surface and the cam surface are surfaces facing each other in the radial direction of these rotating members. The cam surface is provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating member. The engagement element is a rolling element provided for each cam surface. Further, the cam surface is formed so that the central portion in the circumferential direction of the rotating member is deep and gradually becomes shallow on both sides, and the central portion is the neutral position, and at the neutral position, the diameter of the rolling element is Thus, a slight radial gap is generated in the interval between the circumferential track surface and the cam surface.
In the case of this configuration, when the relative rotation in either direction occurs slightly in the first and second rotating members at all times, the rolling element as the engaging member is shallow with the cam surface being deviated from the neutral position along with this rotation. It moves to a position and frictionally contacts the cam surface and the circumferential track surface to prevent further rotation of the rotating member. When the rotating member rotates in the opposite direction, the rolling element moves from the neutral position of the cam surface to a position deviated in the opposite direction, thereby preventing further rotation of the rotating body. When a predetermined external force is applied to the retainer, the retainer is guided by the guiding means and slightly moves, and the retained rolling element is positioned at the deepest neutral position on the cam surface. Therefore, the rotation lock in both directions is released at the same time.
[0008]
Further, in this arrangement, the respective units with the following configuration. The guide means includes a retainer fixing groove provided on one of the rotating member on the cam surface forming side and the retainer, and an engaging protrusion provided on the other. The engaging protrusions mesh with each other in a loose state when the external force is not applied, and closely mesh with each other when the external force is applied. An elastic body that provides a predetermined frictional force is provided between the cage and the rotating member on the circumferential raceway side.
In the case of this configuration, the cage fixing groove and the engagement protrusion are normally engaged with each other in a loose state, and relative rotation between the cage and the rotating member on the cam surface side is possible in this loose range. Therefore, the function of holding the rolling elements at the neutral position of the cam surface does not occur with the cage, and the rotation of both rotating members in both directions is locked by the frictional contact of the rolling elements as described above. When a predetermined external force is applied to the cage, the cage fixing groove and the engaging projection are closely meshed with each other, the cage is restrained by the rotating member on the cam surface side, and the rolling element held by the cage is held on the cam surface. Hold in neutral position. Therefore, the rotation member can be rotated in both directions. The elastic body rotates the cage by rotating the rotating member on the circumferential track surface side so that the rolling element moves to a shallow position on the cam surface when external force is removed and the locked state is released again after unlocking. This will surely cause a lock.
[0009]
Further, in this configuration, the cage fixing groove and the engaging projection are engaged with each other in the radial direction, and the cage is made of a material that can be elastically deformed by the external force. An operating member that can rotate on the same axis as the rotation center of the rotating member is provided, and a radial force that acts as the external force is applied to the retainer as the operating member is rotated on the operating member and the retainer. An operation cam surface may be provided.
In this configuration, when the operation member is rotated from the rotation locked state, a radial force is applied to the cage by the action of the operation cam surface, and the cage is elastically deformed by the radial force, and the cage is The fixing groove and the engaging projection are closely meshed with each other. As a result, the rolling element is held at the neutral position of the cam surface as described above, and the rotating member can be rotated in both directions.
[0010]
The cage fixing groove and the engaging protrusion may be engaged with each other in the axial direction. In this case, an operating member that can rotate on the same axis as the rotation center of the rotating member is provided facing the side surface of the cage, and the external force is applied to the operating member and the cage along with the rotation of the operating member. An operating cam surface is provided to apply an axial force to the cage. In addition, a return elastic body that biases the operation member in a direction away from the cage is provided. In this configuration, when the operation member is rotated from the rotation locked state, an axial force is applied to the retainer by the action of the operation cam surface, and the retainer fixing groove and the engaging projection are intimately engaged with each other. As a result, the rolling element is held at the neutral position of the cam surface as described above, and the rotating member can be rotated in both directions.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch includes an inner ring 1 that is a first rotating member, an outer ring 2 that is a second rotating member, a rolling element 3 that is an engagement member made of rollers, a cage 4, It is comprised with elastic bodies 5, such as a leaf | plate spring, and the below-mentioned lock means 12 and the lock release means 13 are provided. This two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch is an application of the basic structure of a two-way clutch.
[0012]
The inner ring 1 is formed in a thick cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2, and cam surfaces 6 for exhibiting a locking function as a clutch are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction on the outer diameter surface thereof. Yes. Each cam surface 6 is provided at equal intervals. These cam surfaces 6 are formed so that a central portion in the circumferential direction is deep and gradually becomes shallow on both sides, and has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape. The cam surface 6 may be linear as shown in FIG. 3A, or may be curved such as a concave arc as shown in FIG. The V-shaped opening angle α of the cam surface 6 is set to, for example, 155 ° to 175 °. The cam surface 6 is provided on the entire length of the inner ring 1 in the axial direction, but may be provided on a part of the axial direction.
On the outer diameter side of the width surface on one side of the inner ring 1, cage fixing grooves 7 are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. For example, the cage fixing groove 7 is provided alternately with the cam surface 6. The cage fixing groove 7 has a cross-sectional shape in which the central portion of the groove width is deep, and in this example, has a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional shape. The V-shaped inclination is steep compared to the cam surface 6. The inner ring 1 is cylindrical in this example, but may be a shaft. That is, the cam surface 6 and the cage fixing groove 7 may be processed directly on the shaft.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, the outer ring 2 has a cylindrical raceway surface 2a so that a rolling element 3 made of rollers can roll on the inner surface portion thereof. The circumferential raceway surface 2 a of the outer ring 2, the cam surface 6 of the inner ring 1, and the rolling element 3 constitute locking means 12 that prevents relative rotation in the forward and reverse directions of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 2. Although the outer ring 2 is a thick cylindrical part in this example, the outer diameter surface is not limited to the cylindrical surface, and may be a wheel shape, a pulley shape, or any other shape according to other purposes. Further, in this example, the outer ring 2 is formed narrower than the inner ring 1 and the retainer 4 so that the outer diameter surface of the retainer 4 on the side of the engaging protrusion 9 (described later) is exposed.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 4, the cage 4 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and pockets 8 for holding the rolling elements 3 are formed through the inner and outer diameters at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction, and each cage of the inner ring 1. Engagement protrusions 9 that engage with the fixing grooves 7 and spring fixing pins 10 are provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction. The engagement protrusion 9 is provided on the inner diameter surface of the cage 4 and has a triangular mountain shape. The spring fixing pin 10 is provided on the width surface of the cage 4 opposite to the width surface where the engagement protrusion 8 is provided. The engaging projection 9 of the cage 4 and the cage fixing groove 7 of the inner ring 1 constitute a guide means 14. Further, the guide means 14 and the cage 4 constitute a lock release means 13.
[0015]
FIG. 5 shows a state in which the elastic body 5 is attached to the cage 4. The elastic body 5 is configured by a leaf spring including a ring-shaped side plate 5a and a plurality of arm-shaped spring pieces 5b extending radially from the side plate. The spring piece 5b extends from the side plate 5a to the oblique outer diameter side and is bent so that the tip portion is substantially parallel to the axial direction, and the tip portion contacts the inner diameter surface of the outer ring 2 in a pressed state. The elastic body 5 is fixed to the retainer 4 by inserting a spring fixing pin 10 provided on the retainer 4 into a hole of the side plate 5a and tightening. The elastic body 5 may be fixed by welding, screwing, barking, or adhesion, in addition to caulking.
[0016]
The elastic body 5 is only required to have a function that the retainer 4 keeps a constant frictional force with respect to the rotation of the outer ring 2, so that an elastic body such as rubber may be used in addition to the spring member. good. For example, as shown in a modified example in FIG. 9, a ring-shaped elastic body 5A made of an O-ring or the like is embedded in a circumferential groove provided on the outer diameter surface of the cage 4, or conversely, A ring-shaped elastic body may be embedded by forming a circumferential groove on the inner diameter surface. For the ring-shaped elastic body, a wire spring or a leaf spring (not shown) bent into a waveform may be used instead of the O-ring. In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the elastic body 5 B may be embedded in a recess locally provided on the outer diameter surface of the cage 4. Furthermore, instead of providing such an elastic body, the cage 4 is formed in a polygonal shape, or a protrusion is provided on the outer diameter surface of the cage 4, so that a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the cage 4 are the outer rings 2. It is also possible to obtain a certain frictional force that causes the outer ring 2 to rotate with the elasticity of the cage 4 itself.
[0017]
The clutch function having the above-described configuration and the auxiliary description of the configuration will be described. In the ideal state in the natural state shown in FIG. 1, the rolling element 3 is in the center (neutral position) of the cam surface 6 in the circumferential position as shown in FIG. The phase of the abutment 9 and the cage fixing groove 7 of the inner ring 1 are in agreement. Further, the pocket 8 of the cage 4 for inserting the rolling element 3 is designed so that the circumferential clearance with respect to the rolling element 3 is extremely small (1% or less of the diameter of the rolling element 3) or a negative clearance. ing.
In this state, as shown in FIG. 1 (B), when the cage 4 is pressed against the inner ring 1 in the radial direction from the outer diameter portion by the external force F, the cage 4 is pushed as shown in FIG. 6 (B). Is bent, the gap between the engagement protrusion 9 of the cage 4 and the cage fixing groove 7 of the inner ring 1 is eliminated, and the phase relationship in the circumferential direction of the cage 4 is fixed to the inner ring 1. As a result, all the rolling elements 3 are forcibly held at the center, which is the neutral position of the cam surface 6. The portion that presses the cage 4 against the inner ring 1 is preferably a portion that is equally divided into 2 to 4 in the circumferential direction.
[0018]
In this state, the inner ring 1 and the cage 4 cannot rotate relative to each other in the circumferential direction. Further, when the rolling element 3 is located at the center of the cam surface 6, it is set so as to have a slight radial gap with respect to the outer ring 2 (resulting in a circumferential gap as well).
Therefore, in this state, the rotation lock function as a clutch is lost. That is, the outer ring 2 can rotate in either the forward direction (for example, clockwise) or the reverse direction.
[0019]
When the external force F that presses the cage 4 is removed, the state returns to the state of FIG. From this state, when the inner ring 1 is fixed and the outer ring 2 rotates clockwise, the cage 4 starts to rotate clockwise simultaneously with the rotation of the outer ring 2 due to the effect of frictional force by the spring member 5. As a result, the rolling elements 3 housed in the pockets 8 of the cage 4 simultaneously rotate clockwise, so that the rolling elements 3 interfere with the cam surface 6 of the inner ring 1 at an extremely small rotation angle.
The state in which the rolling element 3 interferes with the cam surface 6 of the inner ring 1 is as shown in FIG. 7, and the angle β between the rolling element 3 and the contact point between the cam surface 6 and the outer ring 2 is 5 to 25 ° [180 °-( 155 ° to 175 °)]. This angle is known as a general clutch strat angle.
[0020]
In the state of FIG. 7A, the outer ring 2 cannot be rotated further in the clockwise direction. That is, a rotation lock function as a clutch occurs here. In this case, the engagement protrusion 9 of the cage 4 is set to a size that does not interfere with the cage fixing groove 7 of the inner ring 1 yet.
When the outer ring 2 rotates counterclockwise, each part moves in the same manner as described above, and a rotation lock function is generated. That is, unless the external force F is applied to the cage 4, the outer ring 2 cannot rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
When the original two-way rotation is returned to the idling state, the external force F is again applied to the cage 4 to press the cage 4 against the inner ring 1. Since the rolling element 3 moves to the center of the cam surface 6, the rotation lock function is lost again.
[0021]
As described above, the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch applies the external force F to the cage 4 so that the idling state can be simultaneously performed in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and the rotation lock function can be simultaneously performed. You can switch to the resulting state. For this reason, for example, when this clutch is used together with a wheelbarrow or a bearing for a door, a safe mechanism in which the wheel or the door stays in place can be realized at low cost by releasing the hand.
[0022]
FIG. 8 shows an example in which an operation member 16 for applying an external force is provided in the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch shown in FIGS. The operation member 16 is a ring-shaped member having a lever portion 16a in a part in the circumferential direction, and is rotatably fitted to the outer diameter surface of the shaft 20 to which the inner ring 1 is attached. The inner ring 1 is fixed at a small distance from the step surface between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion of the shaft 20 and is fitted to the small diameter portion, and the width surface having the cage fixing groove 7 is fixed to the step surface 20a. The operation member 16 is disposed between the inner ring 1 and the step surface 20a.
The operation member 16 has a bowl-shaped ring portion 16b located on the outer periphery of the cage 4, and the operation member 16 is rotated at a plurality of locations (four locations in the figure) on the inner diameter surface of the ring portion 16b. Along with this, an operation cam surface 17 is provided for applying a radial force acting as the external force F to the cage 4. The operation cam surface 17 is formed in a straight line that becomes a chord of a part of a circle that becomes an inner diameter surface of the ring portion 16b. Further, a plurality of operation cam surfaces 18 that are in contact with the operation cam surfaces 17 are formed on the outer diameter surface of the cage 4 by protrusions having an arcuate cross section.
[0023]
When the operation member 16 is provided in this way, when the operation member 16 is turned by a predetermined angle (about 45 ° in the illustrated example) from the rotation locked state shown in FIG. A radial external force that engages and presses the cage 4 against the inner ring 1 is applied from the operating member 16 to the cage 4. As a result, the cage 4 is bent and the rotation lock as the clutch is released. When the operation member 16 is returned to the original angle shown in FIG. 8A, the cage 4 is elastically restored to its original shape and returns to the rotation lock state.
The example shown in the figure has the same configuration as the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 except that the operation cam surface 18 is provided on the cage 4 and the operation member 16 is provided.
[0024]
11 to 14 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an axial external force is applied to the cage 4 to switch between the rotation locked state and the unlocked state. This example has the same structure as the example of FIGS. 1 to 7 except that the structure of the guide means 14A constituted by the cage 4 and a part of the inner ring 1 and the width of the outer ring 2 are changed. However, the cage 4 does not need to be made of an elastically deformable material.
As shown in FIG. 12, a retainer fixing groove 7 A that engages with the engaging protrusion 9 A (FIG. 13) of the retainer 4 is provided in a part of the width surface of the inner ring 1. The cage 4 has a flange portion 19 on one side of the inner diameter surface, and an engagement protrusion 9A is provided inside the flange portion 19. The cage fixing groove 7A has a V-groove shape, and the engaging protrusion 9A has a triangular mountain shape corresponding to the V-groove-shaped cage fixing groove 7A. The cage fixing groove 7A and the engaging projection 9A constitute a guide means 14A. The shape of the cam surface 6 of the inner ring 1 is the same as in the example of FIG.
[0025]
In this example, switching between the idling state and the rotation lock state is performed by pressing the retainer 4 against the inner ring 1 by the axial external force F _A. When the retainer 4 is pressed in the axial direction, the engagement protrusion 9A of the retainer 4 and the retainer fixing groove 7A of the inner ring 1 are engaged with each other, the retainer 4 is fixed to the inner ring 1, and the rolling element 3 is also the above example. Since it is held at the center of the cam surface 6 in the same manner as above, it is idled in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Except for the external force F _A , as in the first embodiment, the rotation is locked in both the clockwise and counterclockwise directions.
In the second embodiment of FIG. 11, in order to improve the responsiveness of switching between the idling state and the rotation lock state, the cage 4 is moved by another external force P as shown in FIG. It is desirable to provide a means for positive return.
[0026]
15 and 16 show an example in which an operation member 16A for applying external force is provided in the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The operation member 16A is a ring-shaped member having a lever portion 16a in a part in the circumferential direction, and is rotatably fitted to the outer diameter surface of the shaft 20 to which the inner ring 1 is attached. The inner ring 1 is slightly separated from the step surface 20a between the small diameter portion and the large diameter portion of the shaft 20 and fixed to the small diameter portion in a fitted state, and the width surface having the cage fixing groove 7A is the step surface. The operation member 16A is disposed between the inner ring 1 and the step surface.
The operation member 16 A applies a radial force to the retainer 4 at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction (four locations in the drawing) facing the width surface of the retainer 4, as the external force F _A as the operation member 16 A rotates. An operating cam surface 17A is provided. Further, a plurality of operation cam surfaces 18A that are in contact with these operation cam surfaces 17A are formed on the width surface of the cage 4. These operating cam surfaces 17A and 18A are V-shaped chevron with a gentle slope. A portion between adjacent operation cam surfaces 17A is a flat surface portion 17B. The gentle V-shaped chevron need only be on one of the operation cam surfaces 17A and 18A, and the rest may be a partial convex portion.
Further, in FIG. 16B, the return elastic body 21 for obtaining the external force P is attached to the cage 4 in a built-in state. The return elastic body 21 is made of a leaf spring, and is provided on the inner diameter surface of the cage 4 along the radial direction and is fitted in the mounting groove 22.
[0027]
When the operation member 16A is provided as described above, when the operation member 16A is turned by a predetermined angle (about 45 ° in the illustrated example) from the rotation locked state shown in FIG. An external force in the axial direction that engages and presses the cage 4 against the inner ring 1 is applied to the cage 4 from the operating member 16A. As a result, the cage 4 is bent and the rotation lock as the clutch is released. When the operation member 16A is returned to the original angle shown in FIG. 15A, the cage 4 is restored by the restoring force of the return elastic body 21 and returns to the rotation locked state.
In addition, the example of the figure is shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 except that the cage 4 is provided with the operation cam surface 18A, the operation member 16A is provided, and the return elastic body 21 is provided. The configuration is the same as the example shown.
[0028]
FIG. 17 shows an example in which the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch A of the present invention is used as a seat back inclination angle adjusting device for a vehicle. The backrest 31 of the seat 30 is supported so as to be engageable with a backrest support member 32, and the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch A is disposed so that the center position of the backrest 21 coincides with the center of tilting. In the clutch A, either the inner ring 1 or the outer ring 2 is fixed to the back support member 32, and the other is fixed to the back rest 31. The backrest 31 is provided with a return spring 33 that urges the backrest 31 to the upright side. The clutch A may be that of any of the above embodiments.
[0029]
The name, before Symbol embodiments, cam the cam surface 6 to the inner ring 1, have been respectively provided in the circumferential raceway surface 2a on the outer ring 2, a circular raceway surface on the inner ring 1 to the contrary, the outer ring 2 A surface may be provided. Further, the first rotating member and the second rotating member are members that face each other in the axial direction instead of the inner ring 1 and the outer ring 2 as in the above-described embodiments, and the cam surface and the circumferential raceway surface are the shafts. You may face in the direction.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
The two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch of the present invention maintains a locked state in both the forward and reverse directions, and can rotate in both the forward and reverse directions simultaneously by an external operation. It can be assumed to have an unprecedented function.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1A is a cutaway front view of a clutch according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an inner ring of the clutch.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing various examples of a cam surface of the inner ring.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a retainer of the clutch.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where an elastic body is attached to the cage.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram.
FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of another operation state.
8A is a cutaway front view of an example in which an operation member is added to the clutch, and FIG. 8B is a cutaway side view thereof.
9A is a perspective view of a modified example of a combination of a cage and an elastic body, and FIG. 9B is a partial cross-sectional view thereof.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another modified example of a combination of a cage and an elastic body.
11A is a partially cutaway front view of a clutch according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11B is a sectional view taken along line XI-X1.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an inner ring of the clutch.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a retainer of the clutch.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a state in which a spring member is attached to the retainer.
15A is a cutaway front view of an example in which an operation member is added to the clutch, and FIG. 15B is a cutaway side view taken along line XIII-XIII.
16A is a perspective view showing the relationship between the retainer and the operation member, FIG. 16B is a perspective view of the retainer with a spring member and a return elastic body attached thereto, and FIG. FIG.
FIG. 17 is a side view of a seat back tilt angle adjusting device to which the two-way simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional example.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of another conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... Inner ring (first rotating member)
2 ... Outer ring (second rotating member)
3. Rolling element (engagement element)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Cage 5 ... Elastic body 6 ... Cam surface 7 ... Cage fixing groove 9 ... Engaging protrusion 12 ... Locking means 13 ... Lock releasing means 14 ... Guide means 14A ... Guide means 16 ... Operation member 16A ... Operation member 17, 18 ... Operation cam surfaces 17A, 18A ... Operation cam surface 21 ... Return elastic body F ... External force F _A ... External force

Claims

A first rotating member and a second rotating member that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, a locking means that locks the rotation in the forward and reverse directions between the rotating members, and a forward and backward direction by applying a predetermined external force. And a lock releasing means for releasing the lock means in a rotatable state, and provided with a first rotating member and a second rotating member that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and these first and second rotating members. One of the rotating members is provided with a circumferential raceway surface around the center of rotation, and the other rotating member is provided with a cam surface facing the circumferential raceway surface, and the circumferential raceway surface and the cam surface In between, there is an engagement member that frictionally contacts both surfaces to lock the rotation of the rotating member in both forward and reverse directions, and the cam surface keeps the engagement member in a neutral position so that the frictional contact is prevented. The engagement element shall be rotated. A retainer is provided in the rotational direction of the member to be held in a position-regulated state, and the retainer is attached to the rotating member so that the position of the engaging element becomes the neutral position of the cam surface by applying a predetermined external force. Guiding means is provided in a restrained state, and the first and second rotating members are members located inside and outside of each other, and the circumferential track surface and the cam surface are surfaces facing the rotating members in the radial direction. The cam surface is provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating member, the engagement element is formed of a rolling element provided for each cam surface, and the cam surface has a central portion in the circumferential direction of the rotating member. It is formed so as to become deeper and gradually shallower on both sides, and the central portion thereof becomes the neutral position, and in this neutral position, a slight diameter is formed between the circumferential raceway surface and the cam surface with respect to the diameter of the rolling element. It is assumed that there is a direction gap, and the guide means A cage fixing groove provided on one of the rotating member on the cam surface forming side and the cage and an engagement protrusion provided on the other, and the cage fixing groove and the engagement protrusion The external force is engaged with each other in a loose state, and the external force is applied in a tightly engaged state, and a predetermined frictional force is applied between the cage and the rotating member on the circumferential raceway side. an elastic body provided, before Symbol retainer fixing groove and the engaging projections, which meshes in a radial direction from each other, said retainer is elastically deformable material in the external force, the rotation center coaxial with said rotary member a rotatable operating member above provided, the operating member and to said retainer, provided respectively operating cam surfaces for applying a radial force to be the external force with the rotation in the cage of the operating member 2 Simultaneous direction idling / lock switching clutch.

A first rotating member and a second rotating member that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, a locking means that locks the rotation in the forward and reverse directions between the rotating members, and a forward and backward direction by applying a predetermined external force. And a lock releasing means for releasing the lock means in a rotatable state, and provided with a first rotating member and a second rotating member that can rotate in the forward and reverse directions, and these first and second rotating members. One of the rotating members is provided with a circumferential raceway surface around the center of rotation, and the other rotating member is provided with a cam surface facing the circumferential raceway surface, and the circumferential raceway surface and the cam surface In between, there is an engagement member that frictionally contacts both surfaces to lock the rotation of the rotating member in both forward and reverse directions, and the cam surface keeps the engagement member in a neutral position so that the frictional contact is prevented. The engagement element shall be rotated. A retainer is provided in the rotational direction of the member to be held in a position-regulated state, and the retainer is attached to the rotating member so that the position of the engaging element becomes the neutral position of the cam surface by applying a predetermined external force. Guiding means is provided in a restrained state, and the first and second rotating members are members located inside and outside of each other, and the circumferential track surface and the cam surface are surfaces facing the rotating members in the radial direction. The cam surface is provided at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the rotating member, the engagement element is formed of a rolling element provided for each cam surface, and the cam surface has a central portion in the circumferential direction of the rotating member. It is formed so as to become deeper and gradually shallower on both sides, and the central portion thereof becomes the neutral position, and in this neutral position, a slight diameter is formed between the circumferential raceway surface and the cam surface with respect to the diameter of the rolling element. It is assumed that there is a direction gap, and the guide means A cage fixing groove provided on one of the rotating member on the cam surface forming side and the cage and an engagement protrusion provided on the other, and the cage fixing groove and the engagement protrusion The external force is engaged with each other in a loose state, and the external force is applied in a tightly engaged state, and a predetermined frictional force is applied between the cage and the rotating member on the circumferential raceway side. an elastic body provided, before Symbol retainer fixing groove and the engaging projections, which mesh with each other in the axial direction, and the side surface of the retainer a rotatable operating member on the center of rotation coaxial with said rotary member The operation member and the retainer are provided to face each other, and an operation cam surface is provided on each of the operation members and the retainer so that an axial force acting as the external force is applied to the retainer as the operation member rotates. 2 directions provided with a return elastic body that urges in a direction away from Simultaneous idling / lock switching clutch.