A freewheel is conceptually similar to a roller bearing, but the
relative rotatory motion between the outer and the inner ring
is allowed exclusively in one direction, so it is unidirectional.
This motion is made possible thanks to a special construction
of the rolling elements or the raceways, which, in the “free” preestablished direction do not oppose to the motion between the
outer and inner rings; on the contrary when the rotation direction
is inverted, these elements lock the system. With the system
“locked”, the free wheels work as a friction allowing the motor/
brake torque transmission between the shaft and the housing
relative rotatory motion between the outer and the inner ring
is allowed exclusively in one direction, so it is unidirectional.
This motion is made possible thanks to a special construction
of the rolling elements or the raceways, which, in the “free” preestablished direction do not oppose to the motion between the
outer and inner rings; on the contrary when the rotation direction
is inverted, these elements lock the system. With the system
“locked”, the free wheels work as a friction allowing the motor/
brake torque transmission between the shaft and the housing
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