US 11,878,767 B2
Human-hybrid powertrain for a vehicle or moving equipment using magnetorheological fluid clutch apparatus
Marc Denninger, Sherbrooke (CA); Guifré Julio, Sherbrooke (CA); Jean-Sebastien Plante, Sherbrooke (CA); and Pascal Larose, Sherbrooke (CA)
Assigned to EXONETIK INC., Sherbrooke (CA)
Filed by EXONETIK INC., Sherbrooke (CA)
Filed on Jan. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/588,824.
Application 17/588,824 is a continuation of application No. 16/995,908, filed on Aug. 18, 2020, granted, now 11,267,529.
Application 16/995,908 is a continuation of application No. 15/776,611, granted, now 10,780,943, issued on Sep. 22, 2020, previously published as PCT/CA2016/051338, filed on Nov. 16, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/367,186, filed on Jul. 27, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/358,216, filed on Jul. 5, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/255,839, filed on Nov. 16, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2022/0153386 A1, May 19, 2022
Int. Cl. B62M 6/55 (2010.01); B62M 6/45 (2010.01); B62M 19/00 (2006.01); F16D 37/02 (2006.01); E05F 15/60 (2015.01); E05F 15/627 (2015.01); F16D 29/00 (2006.01); B62B 5/00 (2006.01); B60K 1/00 (2006.01); B62M 11/14 (2006.01); B60K 7/00 (2006.01); F16D 37/00 (2006.01); F16H 19/06 (2006.01); E05F 15/611 (2015.01); F16H 1/16 (2006.01)
CPC B62M 6/55 (2013.01) [B60K 1/00 (2013.01); B60K 7/00 (2013.01); B62B 5/00 (2013.01); B62M 6/45 (2013.01); B62M 11/145 (2013.01); B62M 19/00 (2013.01); E05F 15/60 (2015.01); E05F 15/627 (2015.01); F16D 29/00 (2013.01); F16D 37/008 (2013.01); F16D 37/02 (2013.01); F16H 19/06 (2013.01); E05F 15/611 (2015.01); E05Y 2201/216 (2013.01); E05Y 2201/258 (2013.01); E05Y 2800/113 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/106 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/30 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/50 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/531 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/544 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/546 (2013.01); F16H 1/16 (2013.01); F16H 2019/0695 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for assisting a user in moving and raising a load relative to a structure comprising:
a magnetorheological (MR) fluid actuator unit including at least one torque source and at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus having an input receiving torque from the at least one torque source, the MR fluid clutch apparatus controllable to transmit a variable amount of assistance force via an output thereof;
an interface configured for coupling the output of the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus to the load or surrounding structure;
at least one sensor for providing information about a movement of the load; and
a processor unit for controlling the at least one MR fluid clutch apparatus in exerting the variable amount of assistance force as a function of said information;
wherein the system is configured to be coupled to the structure and to the load for the assistance force from the MR fluid actuator unit to assist in moving the load.