An input device includes a fixed unit, a rotary member rotatably supported by the fixed unit, a rotation-detecting unit that detects a rotation angle of the rotary member, a brake-applying unit that applies a braking force to the rotary member, a torque-applying unit that applies a driving torque to the rotary member, and a control unit that controls the brake-applying unit and the torque-applying unit. The brake-applying unit includes magnetorheological fluid, a brake-applying coil that applies a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid, a shaft to which braking torque that changes with viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid is applied, and a transmission gear provided on the shaft and that is in mesh with a gear provided on the rotary member. The shaft is positioned on an outer side with respect to the rotary member in a radial direction of the rotary member.

A braking device including: a piezoelectric element; and a braking portion. The braking portion is configured to be fixed to a member when the piezoelectric element is in a first state, and to be slidable along the member when the piezoelectric element is in a second state. The piezoelectric element changes from one state to another state when a voltage is applied.

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.

The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.

An apparatus includes a flywheel, a first pivotable caliper, a first magnet supported by the first caliper opposite the flywheel, a second pivotable caliper and a second magnet supported by the second caliper opposite the flywheel. In one implementation, the apparatus further includes a first cam follower coupled to the first caliper, a second cam follower coupled to the second caliper and at least one cam member including a first cam surface against which the first cam follower moves and a second cam surface against which the second cam follower moves, wherein movement of the at least one cam member pivots the first caliper and the second caliper to move the first magnet and the second magnet relative to the flywheel. In another implementation, the apparatus further includes a strain gauge carried by the first caliper to output signals indicating braking torque.

The present disclosure provides a transmission clutch assembly having a drum, a brake band, a smart material band and an electrical circuit. The brake band substantially encircles the drum and includes first and second ends, a high friction inner surface, and a low friction outer surface. The smart material band includes a beginning end and a terminating end wherein the beginning end of the smart material band is coupled to the second end of the brake band while the terminating end of the smart material band is coupled to the first end of the brake band. The electrical circuit transfers an electrical current to the smart material band. The smart material band contracts when the electrical current is applied to the smart material band thereby drawing the first and second ends of the brake band closer and contracting the brake hand against the drum to restrict drum movement.

Various residual braking torque indication devices, systems, and methods are described. The devices, systems, and methods can include a sensorized brake pad. An output signal of the sensorized brake pad can be processed to provide an indication of a residual braking torque. The residual braking torque indicator can be calibrated to reference data to provide an actual measurement of the residual braking torque.

Braking device inserted in a test bench (2) for checking the correct operation of industrial screwdrivers, wherein the braking simulates a tightening operation of such screwdriver, comprising a container body (1) on the top of which a coupling (11) protrudes, suitable for coupling with the head (3) of the screwdriver to be tested, said coupling (11) being connected, by means of a shaft (12), to a braking unit (13), an electronic torque and angle detector (14) of the shaft rotation (12). Such braking unit (13) comprises a plate (14), rotated by the screwdriver, which is braked by suitable friction surfaces (15) moved towards the plate by the movement of an actuator; the movement of such actuator is performed by means of at least one electronically controlled piezoelectric element (17).

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.

Brake mechanisms (33) that apply braking to rotations of left and right rotational shafts (25) each include a projecting part (40) that faces a partition wall (15A) of a brake case (15) and projects radially inward from an inner diameter side of a piston (37), an engaging member (41) that is arranged in the inner diameter side of the piston (37) in a state of being movably engaged with the projecting part (40) by a predetermined dimension in the left-right direction, and a pin member (42) that is provided between the partition wall (15A) of the brake case (15) and the engaging member (41). A frictional resistance between the pin member (42) and the partition wall (15A) is set to a value smaller than a pressing force of the piston (37) at the braking. The projecting part (40) is provided with an engaging member insertion groove (40A) that the pin member (42) penetrates in the left-right direction, and the engaging member (41) is movably engaged with the projecting part (40) in the left-right direction.