Abstract:
A controllable vibration apparatus such as a linear fluid damper in which an electrical connection to a controllable valve, preferably located in the piston assembly, is made through a single-strand electrical conductor. In one embodiment, the piston and piston rod (24a) are preferably used as the source of low potential (ground or retun electrical path). An accumulator assembly (44a) preferably including a flexible diaphragm (76a) thereon can be used to provide separation of the fluid-containing chambers from a pressurized accumulator chamber. In magnetorheological (MR) fluid dampers, a special sealing system including a defined relationship between surface finish on the piston rod and magnetically soft particle size is described which enhances life of the seal system. A metal bushing (36a) with a friction-reducing surface treatment is used in combination with an energized lip seal (38a) to prevent escape of the magnetic particles from the damper and support side loads. The magnetically controlled valve can be formed from separate top (80a) and bottom (85a) pole pieces that are spaced from an outer annular ring (82a) to define a fluid passageway. The top pole piece and the annular ring can be secured together by bridging elements such as non-magnetic welds, spot welded plates, or alternatively, formed as a single unit using powdered metal processes such as PIM or MIM. The coil assembly (88a) can be configured with axially-extending pins (94a, 96a) to easily connect with a conductor. An elastomeric element (98a) provides electrical and fluid sealing engagement against the single-strand conductor. Push-on connectors (83a) preferably make the connection between the single-strand conductor and the axially extending pins. In a two single-strand conductor version, one single-strand carries the incoming current and the other the outgoing current. 00000
Abstract:
A vehicle operator input device for controlling the vehicle with the operator input device including an operator interface lever moveable by a vehicle operator in first and second directions about an axis. The operator input device includes a sensor system with a sensor target. The sensor system senses the moveable operator interface lever and provides an operator interface lever position signal as a function of a position of the operator interface lever. The operator input device includes an interface lever controllable brake coupled to the operator interface lever, and a brake controller coupled to the sensor system for receiving the operator interface mechanism position signal and with the brake controller coupled to the brake for responsively transmitting a plurality of brake signals to the brake with the operator interface lever controllable brake responsively providing resistive braking forces to the operator interface lever for opposing a force applied to the operator interface lever by the operator, the operator interface lever controllable brake providing the resistive braking forces in response to controller brake signals, with the brake controller providing a first background force signal followed with a second below background force drop signal followed with a third above background stop force signal wherein the operator is provided with a mechanical detent sensation at a target lever location.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and integral MR brake adaptable for use in a limited space for installation.SOLUTION: The compact and controllable brake includes: a rotor having first and second rotor surfaces, an outer periphery and at least one working portion proximate to or on the outer periphery; a shaft having the rotor connected at one end of the shaft so as to suppress the relative rotation therebetween; a housing including a first chamber housing which accommodates the rotor therein so as to allow rotation, and including a magnetic field generator which is arranged being spaced from the rotor, and is configured and positioned for conveying a magnetic flux extending through a controllable material between the field generator and working portion, in a direction toward at least one working portion of the rotor. The controllable material contained within the first chamber is in contact with at least one working portion of the rotor, an electronic device is provided for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the brake, and control electronic device is housed in a second chamber.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and integrated MR brake adaptable for use in a limited space for installation. SOLUTION: The compact and controllable brake includes: a rotor having first and second rotor surfaces, an outer periphery and at least one working portion proximate to or on the outer periphery; a shaft having the rotor connected at one end of the shaft in a manner to restrain the relative rotation therebetween; a housing including a first chamber housing which accommodates the rotor therein in a manner to allow rotation, and including a magnetic field generator 29 which is arranged being spaced from the rotor, and is configured and positioned for conveying a magnetic flux extending through a controllable material between the field generator and working portion, in a direction toward at least one working portion of the rotor. The controllable material contained within the first chamber is in contact with at least one working portion of the rotor, an electronic device is provided for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the brake, and control electronics is housed in the second chamber. COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT
Abstract:
A controllable brake with a shaft having an axis of rotation and a shaft end. The controllable brake including a controllable brake rotor connected with the shaft, the rotor having a rotation plane. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake magnetic field generator located proximate the controllable brake rotor, the controllable brake magnetic field generator for generating a controllable magnetic field strength. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake rotating magnetic target integral with the shaft proximate the shaft end, and a controllable brake electronics first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor having a first sensor plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor mounted with the first sensor plane parallel with the controllable brake rotor rotation plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor monitoring the rotation of the controllable brake rotating magnetic target and the controllable brake rotor and simultaneously outputting at least two rotational positions of the controllable brake rotor wherein the controllable magnetic field strength generated by the controllable brake magnetic field generator is determined by the rotational positions to control a relative motion of the controllable brake rotor.
Abstract:
The controllable suspension system for controlling the relative motion between a first body and a second body, said controllable suspension system comprised of a strut, said strut including a magnetorheological fluid damper, wherein contact between a piston head 44 and a damper tubular housing inner wall 38 is inhibited.
Abstract:
A controllable brake with a shaft having an axis of rotation and a shaft end. The controllable brake including a controllable brake rotor connected with the shaft, the rotor having a rotation plane. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake magnetic field generator located proximate the controllable brake rotor, the controllable brake magnetic field generator for generating a controllable magnetic field strength. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake rotating magnetic target integral with the shaft proximate the shaft end, and a controllable brake electronics first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor having a first sensor plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor mounted with the first sensor plane parallel with the controllable brake rotor rotation plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor monitoring the rotation of the controllable brake rotating magnetic target and the controllable brake rotor and simultaneously outputting at least two rotational positions of the controllable brake rotor wherein the controllable magnetic field strength generated by the controllable brake magnetic field generator is determined by the rotational positions to control a relative motion of the controllable brake rotor.
Abstract:
A method for controlling end stop collisions in electro-mechanical systems including dampers or actuators. In a first aspect, a velocity-squared control method determines an end stop control signal (Vend stop) based, at least in part, upon a square of the relative velocity (Vinst). Preferably, the displacement ( delta end) to the end stop is also used to derive the end stop control signal (Vend stop). In another aspect, a snubber control method is employed which produces a snubber control signal (Vsnub) based, at least in part, upon a continuous function of a snubber incursion distance ( delta z) within a snubber zone (Z). Preferably, the velocity-squared end stop and the snubber control methods operate together. When used in conjunction with an end stop control method, the snubber control method prevents end stop collisions for cases where the end stop control algorithm alone would not. Either of the end stop methods (the velocity-squared end stop control method or the snubber control method) may be used alone, in combination with each other, or in combination with a primary control method.
Abstract:
A method for limiting endstop collisions when non-typical inputs are experienced and also when the seat is leveled at a position above or below the normal leveling zone limits. According to the method of the invention a temporary or transient control method referred to as rebound control method causes a large damping force to be applied by the seat suspension system in response to non-typically large inputs. The large damping force is applied until a duration timer timesout. Also according to the invention, a level control algorithm provides additional damping when the seat is leveled outside the normal leveling zone. The degree of additional damping provided is a function of the distance the seat exceeds the normal leveling zone.
Abstract:
In a seat suspension system, a method for adjusting the gain applied to a control signal to accommodate for large variations in rider weight and input severity and thereby provide rider comfort over a wider range of conditions than is possible with fixed gains or tunings. The method of the present invention is adaptable to changes in system operating conditions.