Development of a new clutch featuring MR fluid with two separated mutual coils

Abstract

In this paper, a new configuration of clutch featuring MR fluid (MRC) with 2 mutual coils placed separately out of the rotary housing of the clutch is considered. With this proposed configuration, the coils are fixed and brushes are eliminated. Therefore, disadvantages of conventional MRC can be handled. In addition, the proposed clutch is easier to manufacture and assemble than previous developed one, especially the air gap between the winding core and the rotary housing of the clutch can be adjust easily. After an introduction of the proposed configuration, transmitting torque of the MRC is analyzed based on Bingham-plastic rheological model of MR fluid. The optimization of the proposed and conventional MRC is then performed considering maximum transmitting torque and moment of inertia of the clutch housing. Based on the optimal results, a comparison of the proposed MRC and the conventional ones is undertaken and discussions on performance of the proposed MRC are given.