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 |
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.
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