Active loading machine using MR fluid clutch for leg rehabilitation system

Issue title: Selected Papers from the 15th International Symposium on Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics (ISEM 2011)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nakano, Hiroshi^{a; *} | Nakano, Masami^b

Affiliations: [a] Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan | [b] Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Hiroshi Nakano, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 2-1-1, Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan. Tel.: +81 22 217 5245; Fax: +81 22 217 5245; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: A new conceptual loading machine using a magneto-rheological fluid (MRF) clutch has been proposed and developed to be used for evaluation and training system of muscle strength in leg rehabilitation. This loading machine, which is called MRF active loading machine, mainly consists of a newly designed MRF clutch and a reversible induction motor with an electromagnetic shaft locking device. In this paper, the total construction design of the MRF active loading machine and the detail of the MRF clutch design are described, based on the usages for leg rehabilitation and electromagnetic field analyses, and the performances of the clutch are discussed. And also, the several usages of the MRF active loading machine are proposed.

Keywords: Magneto-Rheological (MR) fluid, MR fluid clutch, torque response, loading machine, rehabilitation

DOI: 10.3233/JAE-2012-1497

Journal: International Journal of Applied Electromagnetics and Mechanics, vol. 39, no. 1-4, pp. 463-469, 2012