Patent ID: 9359003
Filing Date: 2016-06-07
CPC Classification: B62D,F16D

Claim Text:
1. A clutch apparatus for switching transmission and cutoff of a rotating force between two rotating shafts, the clutch apparatus comprising: a first rotating shaft formed circumferentially such that a plurality of grooves are formed mutually at intervals in an inner or outer circumference; a second rotating shaft arranged such that the second rotating shaft is placed coaxially with the first rotating shaft and such that at least part of the second rotating shaft overlaps with the first rotating shaft; a plurality of engagement portions arranged in a circumferential direction of the second rotating shaft such that the plurality of engagement portions are placed mutually at intervals, the engagement portions being so provided in the second rotating shaft as to be movable in a radial direction of the second rotating shaft; an advancing/retreating mechanism that advances and retreats the engagement portions toward and away from the grooves; and a regulating mechanism that regulates movement of at least one of the engagement portions, when the advancing/retreating mechanism moves the plurality of engagement portions toward the grooves, wherein the plurality of engagement portions and the plurality of grooves are so configured as to achieve a first engagement state and a second engagement state, the first engagement state being a state of the engagement portions and the grooves where the two rotating shafts are locked with each other, with a backlash, which is less than or equal to a first predetermined amount, such that a predetermined combination of two engagement portions enter their corresponding grooves in the plurality of grooves by the advancing/retreating mechanism, whereby the rotating force is transmittable for a rotation in both directions, and the second engagement state being a state thereof where a relative rotation having a second predetermined amount, which is greater than the first predetermined amount, is allowed between the two rotating shafts such that the advancing/retreating mechanism restricts a movement of one of the predetermined combination of two engagement portions into the groove.