An operating device for a vehicle has a handle and an actuator device that comprises a magnetorheological medium, which is coupled to the handle and is designed to exert a setting force on the handle that is dependent on a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium.

An operating device for a vehicle has a handle and an actuator device that comprises a magnetorheological medium, which is coupled to the handle and is designed to exert a setting force on the handle that is dependent on a viscosity of the magnetorheological medium.

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.

Disclosed herein is a bidirectional MR actuator comprising a first input member comprising a first rotor, an output member comprising a second rotor and a second input member comprising a housing having a non-magnetic portion and a magnetic portion. Each of the first input member and the output member are coupled to the second input member, the housing defining a chamber for accommodating the first rotor and the second rotor therein and further for receiving a quantity of MR fluid therewithin. The actuator further comprises a magnetic field generation assembly comprising a first coil assembly configured to selectively apply a magnetic field to a portion of the MR fluid between the first rotor and the second rotor, and a second coil assembly configured to selectively apply a magnetic field to a portion of the MR fluid between the second rotor and the magnetic portion of the housing.

Disclosed herein is a bidirectional MR actuator comprising a first input member comprising a first rotor, an output member comprising a second rotor and a second input member comprising a housing having a non-magnetic portion and a magnetic portion. Each of the first input member and the output member are coupled to the second input member, the housing defining a chamber for accommodating the first rotor and the second rotor therein and further for receiving a quantity of MR fluid therewithin. The actuator further comprises a magnetic field generation assembly comprising a first coil assembly configured to selectively apply a magnetic field to a portion of the MR fluid between the first rotor and the second rotor, and a second coil assembly configured to selectively apply a magnetic field to a portion of the MR fluid between the second rotor and the magnetic portion of the housing.

The present disclosure is a high-stability and large-torque magnetorheological fluid clutch. Firstly, in order to prevent sedimentation of the magnetorheological fluid, blades are installed on the disc body of an input disc. When the clutch operates in a power interruption mode, the blades can stir the magnetorheological fluid, so that the sedimented magnetorheological fluid is uniformly mixed. Secondly, in order to improve the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch, an excitation magnetic field is increased in a mode that a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are connected in series. Meanwhile, a third electric push rod is used for pushing the input disc, and the magnetorheological fluid works in a shearing-extruding working mode, so that the yield stress of the magnetorheological fluid is improved. Therefore, the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch is improved.

The present disclosure is a high-stability and large-torque magnetorheological fluid clutch. Firstly, in order to prevent sedimentation of the magnetorheological fluid, blades are installed on the disc body of an input disc. When the clutch operates in a power interruption mode, the blades can stir the magnetorheological fluid, so that the sedimented magnetorheological fluid is uniformly mixed. Secondly, in order to improve the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch, an excitation magnetic field is increased in a mode that a permanent magnet and an electromagnet are connected in series. Meanwhile, a third electric push rod is used for pushing the input disc, and the magnetorheological fluid works in a shearing-extruding working mode, so that the yield stress of the magnetorheological fluid is improved. Therefore, the maximum transmission torque of the magnetorheological fluid clutch is improved.

In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.

In an aspect a device for a driven shaft is provided that receives an input torque that varies cyclically between a peak input torque and a low input torque at a peak input torque frequency, which includes a shaft adapter, a rotary drive member, at least one isolation member, a torsional vibration damping structure including an inertia member and a elastomeric damping member, and a supplemental damping structure. The supplemental damping structure applies a supplemental damping torque to resist relative movement between the rotary drive member and the inertia member in addition to damping provided by the elastomeric damping member. A sum of torques including the supplemental damping torque limits a maximum twist between a first end of the driven shaft and a second end of the driven shaft, to below a yield point of the driven shaft.