The present invention discloses a brake-by-wire actuator based on motor-magnetorheological fluid clutch. The system includes a motor, a transmission mechanism and a floating-caliper disc mechanism. The transmission mechanism includes a magnetorheological fluid clutch, a planetary gear set and a ball screw set. The ball screw set includes balls, a ball screw and a sleeve. The floating-caliper disc mechanism includes a brake pad back plate, left and right brake pads, a caliper body, a brake disc and a guide rail. The motor and the magnetorheological fluid clutch cascaded in series, the linear motion of the sleeve of the ball screw set is achieved by the magnetorheological fluid clutch and the transmission mechanism. The sleeve pushes forward the brake pad back plate of the floating-caliper disc mechanism to clamp the brake disc by left and right brake pads, which accomplishes braking. The present invention uses a brake-by-wire actuator based on motor-magnetorheological fluid clutch, which not only has the advantages of fast response and improved braking security, but also solves the problem of the motor stalling during long time braking.

An electric actuator for a final controlling device having a safety actuator function for positioning an actuating element (e.g. a valve element of, for example, a process-technical plant). The electric actuator can include an electric motor configured to provide a torque for actuating the actuating element. The electric motor can include a motor shaft configured to deliver the torque, an output shaft configured to transmit the torque from the electric motor to the actuating element, and an electromagnetic and/or currentlessly uncoupling coupling (e.g. electromagnetic and/or currentlessly uncoupling clutch) configured to provide and/or interrupt a torque-transmitting connection between the motor shaft and the output shaft. The output shaft, the motor shaft and the coupling can be arranged coaxially to one another.

An electric actuator for a final controlling device having a safety actuator function for positioning an actuating element (e.g. a valve element of, for example, a process-technical plant). The electric actuator can include an electric motor configured to provide a torque for actuating the actuating element. The electric motor can include a motor shaft configured to deliver the torque, an output shaft configured to transmit the torque from the electric motor to the actuating element, and an electromagnetic and/or currentlessly uncoupling coupling (e.g. electromagnetic and/or currentlessly uncoupling clutch) configured to provide and/or interrupt a torque-transmitting connection between the motor shaft and the output shaft. The output shaft, the motor shaft and the coupling can be arranged coaxially to one another.

A torque limiter 10 includes an input unit 11 connected to a driving device M on input side, and an output unit 12 connected to a robot arm A on output side. The input unit 11 and the output unit 12 include a coupling structure in which the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 approach and recede from each other so as to enable switching of a connecting state where the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 are connected to each other and a non-connecting state where the input unit 11 and the output unit 12 are not connected to each other, through adjustment of magnetic force therebetween. The coupling structure includes an electromagnet 17 that enables adjustment of the magnetic force through adjustment of an application voltage.

A variety of brake and/or clutch mechanisms, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved braking power, reduced size and weight, and other benefits. The braking mechanisms include a wrap spring clutch that is operable to mechanically couple a rotating member to a brake rotor that is in consistent contact with a brake pad. Actuation of the wrap spring clutch allows the wrap spring to engage with the rotating member, coupling the rotating member to the brake rotor thus braking the rotating member. The combination of the wrap spring clutch with the brake rotor and pad provides an overall braking mechanism that exhibits the decreased power cost, weight, size, and engagement time of the wrap spring clutch while having a braking power that can be moderated by specifying the area, engagement force, coefficient of friction, or other properties of the brake rotor and pad.

A variety of brake and/or clutch mechanisms, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved braking power, reduced size and weight, and other benefits. The braking mechanisms include a wrap spring clutch that is operable to mechanically couple a rotating member to a brake rotor that is in consistent contact with a brake pad. Actuation of the wrap spring clutch allows the wrap spring to engage with the rotating member, coupling the rotating member to the brake rotor thus braking the rotating member. The combination of the wrap spring clutch with the brake rotor and pad provides an overall braking mechanism that exhibits the decreased power cost, weight, size, and engagement time of the wrap spring clutch while having a braking power that can be moderated by specifying the area, engagement force, coefficient of friction, or other properties of the brake rotor and pad.

A brake unit that is downsized without reducing brake torque applied to wheels. The brake unit comprises: a first brake device that applies brake torque to a first rotary shaft; a first speed reducing device that transmits the brake torque to a first drive shaft connected the right wheel; a second brake device that applies brake torque to the second rotary shaft; and a second speed reducing device that transmits the brake torque to the second drive shaft connected to the right wheel. A rotational center axis of the first rotary shaft extends parallel to that of the first driveshaft, and a rotational center axis of the second rotary shaft extends parallel to that of a second driveshaft.

A brake unit that is downsized without reducing brake torque applied to wheels. The brake unit comprises: a first brake device that applies brake torque to a first rotary shaft; a first speed reducing device that transmits the brake torque to a first drive shaft connected the right wheel; a second brake device that applies brake torque to the second rotary shaft; and a second speed reducing device that transmits the brake torque to the second drive shaft connected to the right wheel. A rotational center axis of the first rotary shaft extends parallel to that of the first driveshaft, and a rotational center axis of the second rotary shaft extends parallel to that of a second driveshaft.

Various brake pads with thermoelectric energy harvesters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the brake pad comprising a backplate, a pad of friction material, and a TEG module. The backplate can comprise a through-hole in which elements of the TEG module are positioned.

Various brake pads with thermoelectric energy harvesters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the brake pad comprising a backplate, a pad of friction material, and a TEG module. The backplate can comprise a through-hole in which elements of the TEG module are positioned.