Combining electropermanent magnets and magnetorheological fluid to modify an operation of an input device

A pedal assembly comprising:

• a base platform;
• a pedal arm rotatably coupled to the base platform at a first location such that the pedal arm moves relative to the base platform along an axis of rotation;
• a piston assembly that couples the pedal arm to the base platform at a second location, the piston assembly including:
• a piston housing;
• a piston configured to linearly traverse along a longitudinal path within the piston housing as the pedal arm rotates along the axis of rotation;
• an EPM assembly;
• a permanent magnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
• a magnetizing assembly configured to set the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet;
• and
• an MR material having a viscosity, the MR material contained within the piston assembly and configured such that the piston travels through the MR material as it linearly traverses along the longitudinal path within the piston housing,
• wherein the MR material is configured to provide a resistance to the linear traversal of the piston along the longitudinal path based on the viscosity of the MR material.

A method of operating an input device, the method comprising:

• receiving input data corresponding to a mode of operation of the input device, the mode of operation corresponding to a control of a movement of a moveable element of the input device along one degree-of-freedom;
• determining a selection of the mode of operation based on the input data;
• in response to the input data corresponding to a first mode of operation:
• causing a magnetizing assembly to set a first magnetic field intensity of a permanent magnet that controls a viscosity of MR material coupled to the moveable element, the MR material under the first magnetic field intensity providing a first resistance to the movement of the moveable element along the one degree-of-freedom;
• and
• in response to the input data corresponding to a second mode of operation:
• causing a magnetizing assembly to set a second magnetic field intensity of the permanent magnet, the MR material under the second magnetic field intensity providing a second resistance to the movement of the moveable element along the one degree-of-freedom, wherein the second magnetic field intensity is higher than the first magnetic field intensity.