Cat. 4 Cam Clutch & Mechanical Components - Tsubaki Europe

INTRODUCTION TO TSUBAKI CAM CLUTCH
standard Sprag Type Cam Clutch Construction
Major Component Parts
The major parts of the Cam Clutch are the cams, inner race,
outer race, springs and bearings. Each of these parts play an
important role in the function of the Cam Clutch. All parts are
made of carefully selected materials, have undergone appropriate
heat treatment, and have passed strict quality control
checks.
The figure shows a representative model from the MZ Series
for explaining construction.
Part Appearance Function
Cam
Inner Race
Outer Race
A number of cams set regularly in between the inner and outer races function as props or
sliders depending on the relative rotating directions of the inner and outer races. This action
causes engagement (clutching) and disengagement (overrunning) of the clutch inner and
outer races. The cams are the vital component of a Cam Clutch, and they are available in
various models and types to suit a variety of applications.
The inner and outer sliding faces of the races are hardened and precision-ground into a
perfectly round cylinder to enable them to withstand the compressive stress generated during
engagement with the cam and sliding abrasion when overrunning.
Spring
Compressed springs are set at both ends of the cams to ensure that all of the cams contact
the inner and outer races at all times. Thus, the cams are always ready for immediate
engagement. This is extremely important so as to ensure that the load is spread evenly
across all cams when they engage with the inner and outer races.
Bearing
The bearings maintain concentricity of the inner and outer races and bear the radial load
for the engagement of the cams and the inner and outer races. Maintaining concentricity
is particularly important to ensure that the load is spread equally and simultaneously over
the cams at the time of engagement.
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