The invention relates to an actuator (1; 1a; 1b) which can be moved from an initial position into a working position having at least one actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) whose dimensions can changed by an electrical signal, Appropriately, at least two restoring means (20, 30; 20a, 30a; 20b, 30b) acting on the actuator element (2; 2a; 2b) are provided for movement into the working position. With the at least two restoring means, a total restoring means characteristic curve, which is composed of portions of the individual, preferably preloaded restoring means as well as a portion of a variable stiffness of the actuator element, can be advantageously tailored.

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.

This device for disconnecting and braking a rotor of an electric machine comprises an inner axis driven in rotation by the rotor and longitudinally movable between an engagement position and a disconnection position, the disconnection and braking device further comprising a longitudinally fixed nut and a means for braking the rotation of the nut so that braking of the rotation of the nut urges the inner axis into its disconnection position and brakes the rotation of the rotor.

Land vehicles and methods of operating land vehicles are disclosed. A land vehicle includes a frame structure, a plurality of wheels, and a brake system. The frame structure includes a front cage that at least partially defines an operator cabin and a rear compartment positioned rearward of the front cage in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of wheels are supported by the frame structure. Each of plurality of wheels is sized to permit direct integration of an electric motor therein.

A braking system is provided. The braking system may comprise a brake stack and an electromechanical actuator mechanically coupled to the brake stack. A first hydraulic chamber may also be mechanically coupled to the brake stack and in fluid communication with a first piston of the electromechanical actuator. A second piston may be in fluid communication with the first hydraulic chamber. The second piston may also be configured to translate towards the brake stack in response to a translation of the first piston.

The present invention relates to, for example, a vehicle control device including a driving force control unit that controls a driving force generated by a wheel of a vehicle; and a braking force control unit that controls a braking force generated by the wheel; where the driving force control unit generates the driving force of a first prescribed amount and the braking force control unit generates the braking force of a second prescribed amount to control the speed of the vehicle to be constant; and acceleration or deceleration are both controllable by performing one of control of the driving force by the driving force control unit and control of the braking force by the braking force control unit.

A disc brake device has brake linings attached to brake levers that open and close in the lateral direction and sandwich a brake disc. A linking mechanism including a coupling device including lever mechanisms and a spindle opens and closes in conjunction with the lifting and lowering operation of a rod of a thruster, and the spindle is rotated in one direction by a one-way clutch in accordance with the relative displacement between the lever mechanisms and the coupling device to shorten an overall length of the coupling device, the rotation of the spindle is transmitted to an adjustment bolt screwed to a stopper on the lower end sides of the left and right brake levers via a flexible shaft, and the adjustment bolt protrudes downward with respect to the stopper.

A method for determining design parameters of an electromechanical brake is provided. The brake comprises an electric motor connected to a brake lining by a transmission. The brake lining can be pressed against a friction lining movable relative to the brake lining. The electric motor is connected to the brake lining by a transmission that has a transmission ratio which is not constant over an actuation stroke. A reliable and economical brake is achieved in that an electric motor, a brake lining and a friction lining are selected, whereupon the transmission ratio is selected on the basis of the counter-torque acting over the actuation stroke, which counter-torque acts on the transmission. The transmission ratio is selected in such a way that the electric motor is operated at an optimal operating point, in particular at an operating point of maximum power, substantially over the entire actuation stroke.

A distributed torque, single axis solar tracking system includes a plurality of spaced apart mounting posts with selected posts having an electrically controlled actuator mounted thereon. A torque structure extends between the actuators to distribute rotational torque on the torque structure. A plurality of solar panels is connected to the torque structure. Electrical apparatus is coupled to each actuator and designed to be coupled to a power source so that when the electrical apparatus is coupled to the power source, the plurality of actuators is energized to rotate simultaneously a desired amount. Whereby the plurality of solar panels is rotated the desired amount as the plurality of actuators rotates.

An actuator primarily activated by transversal acceleration arising from rotational acceleration of a rotatable object is presented. The object is rotatable in a plane of rotation (P) about an object pivot point in the plane of rotation (P). The actuator comprises at least two bodies adapted to be rotatably, in or parallel to the plane of rotation (P), coupled to the object at a body pivot point of each body. The body pivot point and/or the body is arranged such that a mass distribution of the body is nonuniform about the body pivot point. Due to said nonuniform mass distribution about the body pivot point, the actuator is configured to transition to an activated state, in response to rotational acceleration of the object, by said at least two bodies rotating about their respective body pivot points in a direction opposite to a direction of said rotational acceleration of the object.