Patent attributes
Torque is transmitted from an electric motor to an output unit through different gear trains depending on direction of rotation of the electric motor. The drive unit includes an electric motor, a first gear train, a second gear train, a third gear train, and a moving mechanism. The first gear train includes a first drive gear, a first driven gear, and a clutch member. The clutch member moves inside the first driven gear and receives torque transmitted from the first driven gear. The second gear train transmits to an output unit the torque transmitted from the first gear train. The third gear train transmits to the output unit the torque transmitted from the first gear train. The moving mechanism axially moves the clutch member toward the second drive gear when the electric motor is forwardly rotated and toward the third drive gear when the electric motor is reversely rotated.