Magnetorheological Damping Device for Reduction or Elimination of Vibration in Steering Systems
First Claim
1. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
- a magnetorheological material embedded in an open-network carrier and directly in contact with the steering shaft;
a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and
a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft,wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft. The damping device comprises a magnetorheological material that can be embedded in an open-network carrier and is directly or indirectly in contact with the steering shaft, a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material, and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, which does not rotate with the steering shaft. A voltage can be applied the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
- a magnetorheological material embedded in an open-network carrier and directly in contact with the steering shaft;
a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft, wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
- a magnetorheological material embedded in an open-network carrier and directly in contact with the steering shaft;
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9. A damping device for use with a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, the damping device comprising:
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a magnetorheological material directly in contact with the steering shaft, and having a viscosity such that seals are not needed to contain the magnetorheological material; a coil arranged in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; and a body indirectly in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material, and which does not rotate with the steering shaft, wherein a voltage applied to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material increases a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation of the steering shaft and the body. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. A method for damping vibrations in a rotatably-mounted steering shaft, comprising:
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embedding a magnetorheological material in an open-network carrier and directly placing the magnetorheological material in contact with the steering shaft; arranging a coil in effective proximity to the magnetorheological material; providing a body that does not rotate with the steering shaft, and which is in contact with the steering shaft through the magnetorheological material; and applying a voltage to the coil to activate the magnetorheological material, increasing a viscosity of the magnetorheological material to inhibit relative rotation between the steering shaft and the body.
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Specification