# US 2018/0320749 A1 · Manipulation device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0320749 A1 - Document ID: US20180320749A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/035,367 - Filed: 2018-07-13 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2016-02-26 - Assignees: Alps Electric Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Alps Electric Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Kazunari TAKAHASHI; Atsushi GOTO - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320749A1 ## CPC - F16F 9/12: Devices with one or more rotary vanes turning in the fluid any throttling effect being immaterial, {i.e. damping by viscous shear effect only (F16F9/53 takes precedence; pivoting supports for apparatus or articles placed on stands or trestles F16M11/06)} - F16F 9/535: {Magnetorheological [MR] fluid dampers (springs comprising magnetorheological [MR] elastomers F16F1/361)} - G05G 5/03: Means for enhancing the operator's awareness of arrival of the controlling member at a command or datum position; Providing feel, e.g. means for creating a counterforce (arrangements for indicating the position of the controlling member G05G1/015) - F16F 2224/045: magnetorheological - G05G 1/08: Controlling members for hand actuation by rotary movement, e.g. hand wheels - G05G 5/08: Interlocking of members, e.g. locking member in a particular position before or during the movement of another member - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - G05G: CONTROL DEVICES OR SYSTEMS INSOFAR AS CHARACTERISED BY MECHANICAL FEATURES ONLY ("Bowden" or like mechanisms F16C1/10; gearings or mechanisms not peculiar to this purpose F16H; speed changing or reversing mechanisms for gearings conveying rotary motion F16H59/00 - F16H63/00) ## Abstract A manipulation device has a manipulation body operated by the manipulator in a manipulation direction, a support body freely supporting the operation of the manipulation body, and a movable load imparting mechanism imparting a load to the manipulation body. The movable load imparting mechanism has a movable member engaged with the movable axis of the manipulation body, a magnetism generating mechanism having a coil that generates a magnetic field and a first yoke provided so as to enclose the coil, and a magnetic viscous fluid, its viscosity changing according to the strength of a magnetic field. The magnetic viscous fluid is filled in a first gap between the first yoke and the movable member. In the gap, a first buffering layer not harder than the movable member is provided on at least one of the opposing plane of the first yoke and the opposing plane of the movable member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A manipulation device comprising: a manipulation member including a manipulation body having a movable axis that allows an operation of the manipulation member in a manipulation direction according to a manipulation by a manipulator; a support body that supports the manipulation body movably in the manipulation direction; and a bias mechanism that applies a movable load to the manipulation body, the bias mechanism including: a movable member that operates by engaging with the movable axis of the manipulation body; a magnetism generating mechanism that faces the movable member with a gap provided therebetween, the magnetism generating mechanism including a coil that generates a magnetic field by being energized, and a first yoke disposed on one side of the movable member as to enclose the coil; and a magnetic viscous fluid provided in the gap, the magnetic viscous fluid filling a first part of the gap between the first yoke and the movable member, viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid changing according to strength of the magnetic field; and a first buffering layer provided in the gap, the first buffering layer having hardness lower than hardness of the movable member, the first buffering layer being disposed on at least one of a surface of the first yoke and a surface of the movable member facing the surface of the first yoke. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the movable member is formed of a soft magnetic material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetism generating mechanism has a second yoke disposed on another side of the movable member so as to face the movable member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The manipulation device according to claim 3, wherein the magnetic viscous fluid also fills a second part of the gap between the second yoke and the movable member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the first buffering layer is formed of a magnetic sheet. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The manipulation device according to claim 1, wherein the first buffering layer is a synthetic resin sheet including magnetic powder. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The manipulation device according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the second yoke and the movable member has a second buffering layer having hardness lower than hardness of the movable member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The manipulation device according to claim 7, wherein the second buffering layer is formed of a magnetic sheet. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The manipulation device according to claim 7, wherein the second buffering layer is a synthetic resin sheet including magnetic powder.