Controllable Brake Using Magnetic Field Responsive Materials

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a robust and economically viable controllable brake system that utilizes magnetic field responsive materials and a magnetic field generator to effectively control motion, as existing solutions lack improved performance.

Innovation Solution

A controllable brake system comprising a magnetically permeable rotor, a shaft, a housing with a magnetic field generator, and noncontacting electronic magnetic sensors that monitor the rotation of a rotating magnetic target to control the relative motion of the rotor, utilizing magnetoresistive and Hall Effect elements for precise position detection and magnetic field control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a magnetic field generator and magnetic field responsive material are used to control motion, then control precision and performance are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based braking systems with a magnetic field-based control system. The magnetic field generator creates magnetic fields that interact with magnetic field responsive materials to control rotor motion without mechanical contact, thereby improving control precision while eliminating mechanical wear and associated complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, direction, distribution) to control the motion of the rotor. By varying the magnetic field parameters generated by the magnetic field generator, precise control over the rotor's position and speed is achieved without mechanical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If noncontacting electronic magnetic sensors are used to monitor rotation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation detection accuracyVSAvoidelectronic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact sensors with noncontacting electronic magnetic sensors that detect rotor position and speed through magnetic field interactions. This substitution improves measurement accuracy by eliminating mechanical wear and contact issues while maintaining system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the magnetic field itself as an intermediary carrier of information between the rotating rotor and the stationary sensors. The magnetic field modulates as the rotor turns, encoding position and speed information that the noncontacting sensors can detect without physical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If magnetic field responsive materials are used in the brake system, then control performance and reliability are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs magnetic field responsive materials (such as ferromagnetic or magnetorheological materials) in the rotor or brake components. These composite materials provide enhanced magnetic interaction properties that improve control reliability and performance while being compatible with conventional manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent leverages the inherent magnetic properties of certain materials to achieve reliable motion control. By selecting materials with appropriate magnetic permeability or magnetorheological characteristics, the system achieves improved reliability through consistent and predictable magnetic field interactions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides enhanced control over motion with improved performance and economic viability by using magnetic field responsive materials and sensors to determine and adjust the magnetic field strength, ensuring precise control and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field generator spaced from the magnetically permeable rotor, and configured and positioned for generating a controllable magnetic field to control a relative motion of the magnetically permeable rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

at least a first oriented electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor, the at least first oriented electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor oriented relative to the rotating magnetic target and the shaft wherein the at least first oriented electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor monitors the rotation of the rotating magnetic target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic sensor detection: Hall Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2094550B1Brake with field responsive material
Publication Date: 2014.03.12 LORD CORP
  • EP2094550B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2094550B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2094550B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A controllable brake with a shaft having an axis of rotation and a shaft end. The controllable brake including a controllable brake rotor connected with the shaft, the rotor having a rotation plane. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake magnetic field generator located proximate the controllable brake rotor, the controllable brake magnetic field generator for generating a controllable magnetic field strength. The controllable brake includes a controllable brake rotating magnetic target integral with the shaft proximate the shaft end, and a controllable brake electronics first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor having a first sensor plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor mounted with the first sensor plane parallel with the controllable brake rotor rotation plane, the first electronic noncontacting magnetic sensor monitoring the rotation of the controllable brake rotating magnetic target and the controllable brake rotor and simultaneously outputting at least two rotational positions of the controllable brake rotor wherein the controllable magnetic field strength generated by the controllable brake magnetic field generator is determined by the rotational positions to control a relative motion of the controllable brake rotor.