Patent ID: 6148977
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: F16D

Abstract:
A free-wheel clutch having a shaft (12; 112), a hub (16; 116) and clamping elements (28; 128) which are arranged between these and can be moved between a rest position, in which the shaft (12, 112) and the hub (16, 116) can be rotated freely with respect to each other, and a locked position, in which said clamping elements produce a frictional connection between shaft (12; 112) and hub (16; 116) in a first relative direction of rotation, wherein, in the rest position, the clamping elements (28; 128) have a frictional or positively locking connection either to the shaft (12; 112) or the hub (16; 116) and each has a contact face (36; 132) which interacts with a fixed element (18, 38, 40; 118, 138, 140), so that, as a result of the shaft (12; 112) or the hub (16; 116) rotating in relation to the fixed element (18; 118), depending on the direction of rotation, the clamping elements (28; 128) move into the first or into a second locked position, in which they produce a frictional connection between the shaft (12; 112) and the hub (16; 116) in the second relative direction of rotation; andwherein each of said clamping elements has plural regions of contact with respective parts of said clutch including said hub and said shaft and said fixed element, at least two of said contact regions being surfaces upon which said clamping element rolls upon rotation of said clamping element, one of said contact regions being said contact face, and wherein interfaces between said two contact regions and two corresponding ones of said clutch parts are configured to provide for alternating times of contact of said clamping element with said two clutch parts upon rotation of said clamping element.