Patent ID: 6896085

Claim:
A power switching apparatus for switching a power transmitting state from a drive member to two right and left driven members, comprising: a circumferential connection surface provided in a drive member, and circumferential connection surfaces provided in both of the driven members, the circumferential connection surface of the drive member and the circumferential connection surfaces of the driven members being coaxially arranged inside and outside; an annular space which forms a substantially wedge-shaped gap in a peripheral direction between the circumferential connection surface of the drive member and the circumferential connection surfaces of both of the driven members in a repeated manner; a cage which is received in the annular space; a plurality of rolling elements which are held at a plurality of positions in a peripheral direction of the cage; an energizing member which brings each of the rolling elements into contact with the circumferential connection surfaces in the drive means and one of the driven members, and energizes each of the rolling elements in a direction in which the rolling elements are not in contact with the circumferential connection surfaces in the drive member and another of the driven members; and a switching means which moves the cage in an axial direction due to an electromagnetic force, brings an end surface of the cage into frictional contact with the drive member and another of the driven member so as to rotate together therewith, and wedge connects the circumferential connection surface of the drive member and each of the circumferential connection surfaces in both of the driven members according to an interposition of the rolling elements.