Torque Conversion Mechanism for Energy-Accumulative Force Display

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24650050
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Media informatics/Database
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: HIROTA Koichi 東京大学, 大学院情報学環, 准教授 (80273332)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ERクラッチ / スイッチングレギュレータ / トルク変換 / トルク制御 / 力覚提示

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A novel torque conversion mechanism based on mechanical switching was proposed and feasibility of implementation was investigated. The mechanism is composed of ER clutches that connect and disconnect input axle from a flywheel. Energy flow through the mechanism is controlled by changing the temporal ratio of the connected and disconnected states. Substantially continuous torque conversion is possible by performing the switching operation at a high frequency. Prototypes of the conversion mechanism were developed, analysis of the motion of the mechanism by numerical simulation was performed, and improvement of the efficiency by modification of switching control were investigated. Through those experiments, fundamental knowledge of the mechanism was obtained.

Free Research Field

ヒューマンインタフェース