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 controllable rotary brake includes two non-magnetically permeable isolating rings, a shaft, an even number of magnetic field generating portions, at least one resistance disc, and at least one magneto-rheological fluid layer. The non-magnetically permeable isolating rings are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction, and each has a bottom wall. An even number of penetrating holes are formed on the bottom wall. The shaft is rotatably inserted in and adapted to pivot relative to the non-magnetically permeable isolating rings. Two ends of each magnetic field generating portion are tightly fitted to the corresponding penetrating holes. The resistance disc is sleeved on the shaft and is spaced apart from one of the non-magnetically permeable isolating rings. The magneto-rheological fluid layer fills between the resistance disc and one of the non-magnetically permeable isolating rings and contacts the resistance disc and one end of each magnetic field generating portion.

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.

Integrated stator disk devices, systems, and methods for torque generation are provided. The resistive torque-generating device can include an integrated stator disk system including at least one metallic stator disk having a planar disk body, and at least one rotor disposed adjacent to the at least one metallic stator disk such that there are at least two shear areas formed by the at least one metallic stator disk and the at least one rotor; and magneto-rheological material disposed between portions of the at least one metallic stator disk and the at least one rotor. In some embodiments, the rotor(s) is/are a bent rotor(s), thereby providing for increased torque generation while fitting within tight space constraints.

Disclosed herein is an MR brake assembly comprising a driven member comprising a rotor defining an outward face, a brake housing defining a chamber for accommodating the rotor therein, the brake housing defining an inward face, and a quantity of MR fluid disposed in the chamber. The MR brake assembly further comprises annular structures with each thereof having a medial diameter that differs from the medial diameter of another one of the plurality of annular structures, each of the rotor and the brake housing having at least one of the plurality of annular structures one of formed therewith and coupled thereto adjacent the corresponding one of the inward face and the outward face. A magnetic field generation assembly configured to selectively apply a magnetic field to the quantity of MR fluid for controlling engagement of the rotor with the brake housing to brake the driven member.

Systems and methods are provided for improved collision prevention. Systems and methods may provide for the prevention of rear-end vehicle collisions by locking the forward movement of the throttle pedal when a threshold is reached. An end stop or mechanical linkage may completely lock the throttle pedal in situations in which continued acceleration is likely to result in a rear-end collision. The systems and methods disclosed herein may provide from a complete locking of the throttle pedal which may physically avoid or eliminate a rear-end collision due to improper throttle actuation. The systems and methods disclosed herein may also improve a driver's mental model for safe driving by teaching a driver that certain maneuvers are not available in certain conditions.

A secondary brake for commercial vehicles using Magnetorheological (MR) fluid may include a rotor coupled to a transmission output shaft to be rotated together, a stator configured to be disposed between the rotor and a body of a transmission and having a cavity into which the MR fluid is filled and a portion of the rotor is received, and a stator coil provided in a portion of the stator and applying a magnetic field to the MR fluid so that braking torque is generated due to a shear resistance characteristic of the MR fluid.

A force application device for an aircraft control stick in provided. The device includes a mechanical joint, a force motor, a rheological brake, and a control device. The mechanical joint receives a lever of an aircraft pilot stick and is rotatably movable. The force motor includes a motor shaft extending along a third axis, the rotation of the motor shaft being linked to the rotation of the mechanical joint. The force motor exerts a resistive torque on the motor shaft. The rheological brake includes two facing parts, and has a volume delimited by the two facing parts, the volume being adapted to contain a rheological material. One of the parts is arranged on the motor shaft and rotatably movable about the third axis relative to the other of the parts. The control device applies an electromagnetic field within the volume so as to vary shear strength of the rheological material.

A door component has a controllable damping device and contains a magnetorheological fluid. Two connection units are movable relative to one another. One of the two connection units is connected to a support structure and the other one to a pivotable door unit. The device damps a movement of the door unit between a closed position and an open position in a controlled manner by way of a control unit. The magnetorheological damping device has a piston unit and a cylinder unit surrounding the piston unit. The piston unit divides a cylinder volume into two chambers. The piston unit is equipped with a first one-way valve. The two chambers are connected together, via an external return channel equipped with at least one controllable magnetorheological damping valve, to form a one-way circuit. When the piston unit moves in and out, the magnetorheological fluid flows through the piston unit in the same flow direction.

The invention relates to a rotary control device for a vehicle comprising a user interface surface, in particular a knob, that is embodied to rotate with respect to a housing of the device around a rotational axis of the device, further comprising a sensor unit for monitoring the orientation and/or rotational movement of the user interface surface with respect to the housing, a processing unit, and a communications interface for transmitting control signals according to an output from the processing unit, said output being generated by the processing unit on the basis of sensor data from the sensor unit.