Electromagnetically-operated coupling device for selectively connecting and disconnecting a first rotating member and a second rotating member in a driveline of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the first and the second rotating members are coaxial with each other and rotatable about a same axis of rotation. The coupling device comprises: an engagement sleeve provided with a control disk made of a ferromagnetic material, the engagement sleeve being axially slidable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and a control system for controlling the sliding movement of the engagement sleeve between said engaged and disengaged positions. The control system comprises a pair of magnetic coils which are placed on opposite sides of the control disk, coaxially therewith, and are arranged to be selectively activated by an electric current to generate a magnetic force acting on the control disk to axially move the control disk, and therefore also the engagement sleeve, in either directions. The control system further comprises an elaboration unit for controlling activation and deactivation of the magnetic coils based on the axial position of the engagement sleeve.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

An actuator for a mobility device clutch includes an electric motor, a roto-linear movement conversion mechanism coupled to the electric motor, a hydraulic unit in the form of an emitter cylinder able to actuate the clutch, and a cam system able to slide linearly in a direction of movement. The cam system includes at least one cam track in connection with the roto-linear movement conversion mechanism in order to generate a thrust force toward the hydraulic unit. The cam track includes at least one first portion and one second portion, the first portion being a docking portion separate from the second portion that is a travel portion, and these two portions having a different profile.

A clutch connecting/disconnecting device comprises: a clutch pedal; a clutch cylinder; a depression force transmission mechanism; and an actuator. The depression force transmission mechanism is configured to include a cylinder device. The cylinder device includes an input piston, an output piston, a first oil chamber, and a second oil chamber. A pressure receiving area on the first oil chamber side of the output piston is made equal to a pressure receiving area on the second oil chamber side of the output piston. The first oil chamber and the second oil chamber are connected via an electromagnetic valve connecting and disconnecting between the first oil chamber and the second oil chamber, and the actuator is connected to the output piston in a power transmitting manner.

An electric clutch actuator having a housing, an electric motor, a gear mechanism and a spindle which is coupled to the electric motor via the gear mechanism, wherein the spindle has an output end which acts on a relief piston which is displaceably mounted on a guide piston which is mounted so as to be displaceable in the housing, wherein the relief piston is urged elastically away from the guide piston towards the spindle.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

A system for assisting a user in moving a device relative to a structure comprises a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input coupled to the at least one torque source to receive torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof. An interface is configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the device or surrounding structure. At least one sensor provides information about a movement of the device. A processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information, wherein the system is configured for one of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the structure, and for the other of the MR fluid actuator unit and the interface to be coupled to the device for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the device.

Electromagnetically-operated coupling device for selectively connecting and disconnecting a first rotating member and a second rotating member in a driveline of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the first and the second rotating members are coaxial with each other and rotatable about a same axis of rotation. The coupling device comprises: an engagement sleeve provided with a control disk made of a ferromagnetic material, the engagement sleeve being axially slidable between an engaged position and a disengaged position; and a control system for controlling the sliding movement of the engagement sleeve between said engaged and disengaged positions. The control system comprises a pair of magnetic coils which are placed on opposite sides of the control disk, coaxially therewith, and are arranged to be selectively activated by an electric current to generate a magnetic force acting on the control disk to axially move the control disk, and therefore also the engagement sleeve, in either directions. The control system further comprises an elaboration unit for controlling activation and deactivation of the magnetic coils based on the axial position of the engagement sleeve.

A clutch control method may include generating a current-hydraulic pressure model by obtaining an increasing slope of a measured hydraulic pressure which is applied to a clutch in accordance with an increase of a primary ramp current while applying the primary ramp current to a solenoid valve that controls hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the clutch; obtaining a difference between a virtual hydraulic pressure according to the current-hydraulic pressure model and a measured hydraulic pressure applied to the clutch for a secondary ramp current while applying the secondary ramp current to the solenoid valve after removing the primary ramp current; performing updating by learning a secondary ramp current, at which the difference between the virtual hydraulic pressure and the measured hydraulic pressure is maximum, as a Volumetric Kiss Point (VKP); and controlling the clutch on the basis of the learned VKP.