US 12,073,029 B2
Combining electropermanent magnets and magnetorheological fluid to modify an operation of an input device
Cyril Drezet, Lausanne (CH); Jan Stoeckli, Jongny (CH); and Nicolas Ramond, Lurgrin (FR)
Assigned to Logitech Europe S.A., Lausanne (CH)
Filed by Logitech Europe S.A., Lausanne (CH)
Filed on May 11, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/196,342.
Application 18/196,342 is a continuation of application No. 17/107,641, filed on Nov. 30, 2020, granted, now 11,650,670.
Prior Publication US 2023/0400929 A1, Dec. 14, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G06F 3/033 (2013.01); A63F 13/245 (2014.01); G06F 3/01 (2006.01); G06F 3/02 (2006.01); G06F 3/0362 (2013.01); H01F 1/44 (2006.01); H01F 7/02 (2006.01); H01F 7/20 (2006.01); H01H 13/70 (2006.01); G06F 3/0354 (2013.01)
CPC G06F 3/0202 (2013.01) [A63F 13/245 (2014.09); G06F 3/016 (2013.01); G06F 3/0334 (2013.01); G06F 3/0362 (2013.01); H01F 1/447 (2013.01); H01F 7/0205 (2013.01); H01F 7/20 (2013.01); H01H 13/70 (2013.01); G06F 3/03543 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clutch assembly for an input device, the clutch assembly comprising:
an input shaft;
an output shaft,
wherein the input shaft and output shaft are in coaxial alignment, and
wherein the input shaft is coupled to the output shaft such that the input shaft and output shaft are configured for a rotational translation therebetween;
an electropermanent magnet (EPM) assembly including:
a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field; and
a magnetizing assembly configured to set the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet;
a chamber formed between the input shaft and output shaft;
magnetorheological (MR) material contained within the chamber,
wherein the MR material has a viscosity that changes based on the magnetic field, and
wherein the MR material is configured to provide a frictional resistance to the rotational translation between the input shaft and output shaft, the resistance based on the viscosity of the MR material.