Provided is a rotary damper that makes it possible to adjust braking torque characteristics. A rotary damper (1) that restricts the movement of a viscous fluid (6) with which the inside of a cylindrical chamber (200) of a case (2) has been filled and thereby generates braking torque against applied rotational force. A flow path (208) is formed in a partitioning part (204) of the cylindrical chamber (200), and a check valve (3) is movably arranged inside the flow path (208). When a rotor (4) has rotated in a normal rotation direction R1, the check valve (3) moves inside the flow path (208) in a closing direction M1 and closes the flow path (208) and, when the rotor (4) has rotated in a reverse rotation direction R2, moves inside the flow path (208) in an opening direction M2 and opens the flow path (208). The check valve (3) comprises a reaction force application part (302) that generates a reaction force against the check valve (3) when the check valve (3) has moved to a prescribed position in the closing direction M1.

Provided is a rotary damper that makes it possible to adjust braking torque characteristics. A rotary damper (1) that restricts the movement of a viscous fluid (6) with which the inside of a cylindrical chamber (200) of a case (2) has been filled and thereby generates braking torque against applied rotational force. A flow path (208) is formed in a partitioning part (204) of the cylindrical chamber (200), and a check valve (3) is movably arranged inside the flow path (208). When a rotor (4) has rotated in a normal rotation direction R1, the check valve (3) moves inside the flow path (208) in a closing direction M1 and closes the flow path (208) and, when the rotor (4) has rotated in a reverse rotation direction R2, moves inside the flow path (208) in an opening direction M2 and opens the flow path (208). The check valve (3) comprises a reaction force application part (302) that generates a reaction force against the check valve (3) when the check valve (3) has moved to a prescribed position in the closing direction M1.

A door component has a controllable damper device that contains a magnetorheological fluid as a working fluid. Two connection units of the damper device can be moved relative to each other. One of the two connection units can be connected to a support structure, and the other connection unit can be connected to a pivotal door device in order to damp a movement of the door device between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner. The magnetorheological damper device has a piston unit and a cylinder unit which surrounds the piston unit. The piston unit divides a cylinder volume into two chambers. The piston unit has a first piston rod, which extends through the first chamber, and a second piston rod, which extends through the second chamber.

Apparatus and method for operating vehicles and other technical equipment by way of a haptic operating device having a rotating unit. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit, and a menu item being selected by rotating the rotating unit. The rotating unit latches at a number of haptically perceptible latching points during rotation. The number and rotational position of the haptically perceptible latching points is dynamically changed.

An apparatus for carrying out inputs in an input capturing unit that can be coupled to the apparatus. An operating device has a receiving part and an operating element that is rotatably mounted on the receiving part. The operating element can be rotated by a finger to effect an input. A torque for the rotation of the control element can be adjusted by way of a controllable braking device. In addition, the control element has at least two actuating zones. The resistance to movement for the movability of the operating element can be adjusted depending on from which actuation zone the operating element is actuated and/or which actuation zone was previously activated.

A magnetorheological brake device has a stationary holder and two brake components. A first brake component is connected to the holder for conjoint rotation and extends in the axial direction. A second brake component includes a hollow sleeve part which can rotate about the first brake component. A gap is formed between the first and second brake components. At least one, two or more rotatable transmission components are arranged in the gap. The gap is filled with a magnetorheological medium. The first brake component has a core which extends in the axial direction and is made of a magnetically conductive material, and an electrical coil which is wound about the core in the axial direction, such that a magnetic field generated by the electrical coil extends across the first brake component.

A spot-joining apparatus comprises a motor, a punch for driving a fastener or performing a clinching or friction stir spot welding operation, a first transmission, a second transmission and a transmission control apparatus. The first transmission is configured to transfer rotary motion of the motor to the punch when engaged. The second transmission is configured to convert rotary motion of the motor to linear motion of the punch, and thereby drive the punch towards a workpiece, when engaged. The transmission control apparatus is arranged to selectively adjust the degree of engagement of at least one of the first and second transmissions. Further apparatus for spot joining, and methods of spot-joining, are also disclosed.

A minicomputer has a processor and a display unit and a communication unit and a haptic operating device. The haptic operating device has a rotatable rotating unit with a rotational resistance which can be changed by way of a control device. Selectable menu items are displayed on a display unit and a menu item is selected by rotating the rotating unit. A rotational resistance of the rotating unit is dynamically changed during a rotation of the rotating unit and the rotating unit is latched at a plurality of haptically perceptible latching points during the rotation of the rotating unit.

An operation device includes an operation body, a support body, and an operational feeling variable unit; wherein the operational feeling variable unit includes a movable load applying mechanism and a magnetic click mechanism; the movable load applying mechanism includes a movable member, a magnetic generating mechanism including a first coil and a first yoke, and a magnetic viscous fluid configured to change in viscosity according to a strength of a magnetic field; wherein the magnetic viscous fluid is filled in a first gap between the first yoke and the movable member; the magnetic click mechanism includes a first magnetic body configured to move in an interlocked manner with the motion of the operation body, and a second magnetic body facing the first magnetic body. The first magnetic body and/or the second magnetic body are magnetized such that different magnetic poles alternate along a movement direction of the operation body.

In one aspect, there is provided a damper control system for a reciprocating pump assembly according to which control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, there is provided a method of dampening vibrations in a pump drivetrain according to which a beginning of torque variation is detected and at least a portion of the torque variation is negated. In another aspect, signals or data associated with pump characteristics are received from sensors, torque characteristics and damper response voltages per degree of crank angle are calculated, and control signals are sent to electromagnets. In another aspect, a damper system includes a fluid chamber configured to receive a magnetorheological fluid; a flywheel disposed at least partially within the fluid chamber and adapted to be operably coupled to a fluid pump crankshaft; and a magnetic device proximate the flywheel. The magnetic device applies a variable drag force to the flywheel.