An overrunning clutch is a clutch that automatically engages and disengages by utilizing the speed change of the driving part and the driven part or the change of the rotation direction. When the driving part drives the driven part to rotate together, it is called the combined state; when the driving part and the driven part are disengaged and rotate at their respective speeds, it is called the overtaking state.
It is a special mechanical clutch, which is automatically engaged or disengaged by the change of the relative movement speed or the change of the rotation direction of the main and slave parts in the mechanical transmission. The driving element can only rotate the driven element from a single direction. If the driving element changes direction, the driven element will automatically disengage without transmitting power, so it is also called one-way clutch or one-way bearing. Generally, it is selected according to the super operating speed, so it is collectively called an overrunning clutch.
