What is a wedge type one-way clutch?

The wedge type one-way clutch consists of an outer ring, an 8-shaped wedge block, a retaining spring, and an inner ring, which work in a similar way to the rollers in the roller type one-way clutch. When the outer ring in the diagram rotates counterclockwise relative to the inner ring, the wedge block is pushed to tilt, leaving a certain space between the inner and outer rings, thus not locking the clutch. In other words, the illustrated wedge type one-way clutch allows its outer ring to rotate counterclockwise relative to the inner ring at any time, or allows its inner ring to rotate clockwise relative to the outer ring.
However, if the outer ring attempts to rotate clockwise relative to the inner ring, the wedge block will be stuck between the inner and outer rings due to its geometric shape, thus locking them together. This means that once the wedge blocks the inner and outer rings, the one-way clutch will lock, preventing the outer ring from rotating clockwise relative to the inner ring, or the inner ring from rotating counterclockwise relative to the outer ring. To ensure that the wedge can reliably wedge between the inner and outer rings, a retaining spring is installed in this one-way clutch to keep the wedge tilted slightly in the direction that can lock the two rings. The failure mode and manufacturing materials of the wedge type one-way clutch are the same as those of the roller type one-way clutch.
Wedge type one-way clutch, comprising an outer race and an inner race arranged in the outer race, the outer race and the inner race being radially spaced apart from each other and coaxially arranged for relative rotation, multiple wedges arranged between the outer race and the inner race for transmitting torque, an annular retaining frame for retaining the wedges, and a spring member supporting the wedges between it and the retaining frame and biasing the wedges in a meshing direction, characterized in that the retaining frame has a cylindrical portion with a radially extending window portion, the wedges are installed in the window portion for pivotal movement, and the spring member is guided along a substantially circular direction by the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion.