Magnetorheological clutches for motor vehicle driveline components

摘要

A clutch for use in motor vehicle driveline components includes a first plurality of clutch members interleaved with a second plurality of clutch members. The clutch members may be either flat discs or annuli. The first and second pluralities of clutch members are coupled to respective first and second drive members and are disposed in a sealed chamber filled with a magnetorheological fluid. An adjacent electromagnetic coil and ferrous housing components provide and concentrate magnetic flux in the chamber. When the electromagnetic coil is provided with electrical energy, the magnetorheological fluid becomes highly viscous pseudo-solid, facilitating torque transfer through the clutch. When the electric energy to the coil is terminated, the magnetorheological fluid reverts to a non-viscous fluid state, decoupling the clutch members. Modulating (proportional or stepwise) torque transfer may be achieved with appropriate modulated electric drive signals to the electromagnetic coil. <IMAGE>