Patent ID: 6793055
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A torque cam mechanism comprising:first and second cam members disposed relatively rotatably around a common axis and having first and second cam grooves respectively formed in confronting surfaces of said first and second cam members which confront each other; and cam balls adapted to fit in said both first and second cam grooves of said first and second cam members, wherein said first and second cam grooves respectively include cam portions for permitting the movement of said cam balls in circumferential directions, whereby when said first and second cam members rotate relative to each other, said cam balls ride on said cam portions of said first and second cam grooves to thereby generate axial thrust forces for separating both said confronting surfaces from each other, wherein the depth of one of first and second cam grooves is larger than the radius of said cam ball, while the depth of the other is smaller than the radius of said cam ball, wherein said first and second cam grooves further include, respectively, stopper portions for restraining the movement of said cam ball in a circumferential direction, whereby when said first and second cam members rotate relative to in one direction said cam balls ride on said cam portions of said first and second cam grooves to thereby generate axial thrust forces for separating both said confronting surfaces from each other, while when first and second cam members rotate relatively in the other direction said cam balls are locked at said stopper portions of said first and second cam grooves to thereby restrain said relative rotation in the other direction, and wherein said first cam member includes with projections which project from the confronting surface in such a manner as to cooperate, respectively, with said stopper portions of said first cam grooves, while said second cam member includes projections which project from the confronting surface in such a manner as to cooperate, respectively, with said stopper portions of said second cam grooves.