Patent ID: 7766141

Claim:
An improved outer retainer for use in a one-way clutch, that comprises: an outer diameter-side member having an inner peripheral surface; an inner diameter-side member having an outer peripheral surface opposed to said inner peripheral surface; a plurality of torque transmitting members which are interposed between said inner peripheral surface of said outer diameter-side member and said outer peripheral surface of said inner diameter-side member and are provided to be inclinable at positions where they are engaged with said inner and outer peripheral surfaces to transmit a torque and at positions where they are not engaged with said inner and outer peripheral surfaces; a spring member for urging said plurality of torque transmitting members in a direction of engaging with said inner and outer peripheral surfaces; a cylindrical inner retainer and an outer retainer for retaining said plurality of torque transmitting members at predetermined circumferential intervals and controlling their inclination, said outer retainer comprising a cylindrical portion and a flange portion extending radially outward from one axial end of said cylindrical portion, and said cylindrical portion being provided with a plurality of windows for retaining said torque transmitting members at predetermined circumferential intervals, said improved outer retainer being characterized in that: said flange portion has three or more arc-shaped major parts disposed circumferentially and having outer peripheral sides that project further radially outward than said inner peripheral surface of said outer diameter-side member, and arc-shaped minor parts projecting less radially outward than said major arc-shaped parts; each adjacent two of said major arc-shaped parts being connected to one another through an arc-shaped minor part, said arc shape of said major arc-shaped parts and said arc shape of said minor arc-shaped parts constituting continuously the shape of the outer periphery of said flange portion.