Abstract: A torque generation apparatus includes a magnetic disc rotatable about a rotation axis, a first yoke, a second yoke, a magnetic viscous fluid placed between the magnetic disc and the first yoke and the second yoke, a coil, and a third yoke. The coil overlaps with the magnetic disc as viewed along the rotation axis. The third yoke constitutes a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated by the coil together with the first yoke and the second yoke. The magnetic disc includes a torque increasing portion at at least one of a surface facing the first yoke and a surface facing the second yoke. The torque increasing portion is provided in an outer circumferential area of the magnetic disc in a radial direction and causes a shearing force to a cluster of the magnetic viscous fluid to become larger than that in the inner circumferential area.

Abstract: A torque generating device includes a magnetic disk configured to rotate around a rotation axis, first and second yokes located on opposite sides across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk along a direction of the rotation axis, a third yoke of which at least a region proximity to the magnetic disk is located outside the magnetic disk and the coil and that makes up a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated by the coil with the first and second yokes, and a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and the first and second yokes. The third yoke has a magnetic gap between the third and first yokes. The magnetic gap is formed at a position outside an outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk or overlapping the outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk along the direction of the rotation axis.

Abstract: An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.

Abstract: A torque generation device includes a rotor connected to a shaft and rotatable about a rotary axis of the shaft; an external member disposed outside the rotor and rotatable about the rotary axis relative to the rotor; a magnetically responsive material in a gap between the rotor and external member; a magnetic field generating unit generating a magnetic field passing the magnetically responsive material; and an adjusting unit between the shaft and external member along an outer circumference of the shaft, wherein the adjusting unit has a containing space where an adjusting sealing member is provided, the magnetically responsive material is sealed in the gap, containing space, and path connecting these and in an adjustment space from a position where the adjusting sealing member is provided to the path, and a capacity of the adjustment space is changeable according to a change in volume of the magnetically responsive material.

Abstract: An operating device includes a magnetic disk capable of rotational motion around a rotation axis, a first yoke located on one side and a second yoke located on an other side across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk when viewed in a direction along a direction in which the rotation axis extends, a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and each of the first yoke and the second yoke, a magnetic measurement portion for measuring magnetism caused by a magnetic field using the magnetic viscous fluid, the magnetic disk, the first yoke, and the second yoke as a magnetic path, and a control unit configured to acquire a measured value from the magnetic measurement portion and control a magnetic field that is generated by the coil based on the measured value to change a viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid.

Abstract: A torque generating device includes a rotor, a sealing member, a field generator, a controller, and a functional material. The rotor is rotatable. The sealing member is configured to seal a perimeter of the rotor and form a sealing space. The field generator is disposed outside the sealing member such that the field generator is separable. The field generator is configured to generate an electric or magnetic field passing through the sealing space. The controller is configured to control the field generator to control a magnitude of the electric or magnetic field. The functional material is filled in the sealing space such that the functional material is able to flow to vary torque for the rotation of the rotor in accordance with the magnitude. The sealing member has a support portion configured to support the rotor and is separable from the field generator.

Abstract: An operating device according to the present invention includes magnetic field generation means. The magnetic field generation means includes a coil generating a magnetic field when energized, and a yoke forming a magnetic path for the magnetic field passing through a rotor. A control unit includes magnetization means and rotational torque control means. The magnetization means supplies a current to energize the coil such that a residual magnetic field in the yoke is held at a predetermined magnitude. The rotational torque control means adjusts a current value applied to the coil in accordance with the magnitude of the residual magnetic field in the yoke. An absolute value of a maximum value of the current value applied to the coil by the rotational torque control means is smaller than an absolute value of a current value applied by the magnetization means.

Abstract: A torque generation apparatus includes a magnetic disc rotatable about a rotation axis, a first yoke, a second yoke, a magnetic viscous fluid placed between the magnetic disc and the first yoke and the second yoke, a coil, and a third yoke. The coil overlaps with the magnetic disc as viewed along the rotation axis. The third yoke constitutes a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated by the coil together with the first yoke and the second yoke. The magnetic disc includes a torque increasing portion at at least one of a surface facing the first yoke and a surface facing the second yoke. The torque increasing portion is provided in an outer circumferential area of the magnetic disc in a radial direction and causes a shearing force to a cluster of the magnetic viscous fluid to become larger than that in the inner circumferential area.

Abstract: An input device includes a brake applying unit configured to apply a braking force to a rotating body and a torque applying unit configured to apply a driving torque to the rotating body. The brake applying unit includes a rotary plate rotatable together with the rotating body, magnetic viscous fluid disposed in a gap between a fixed portion and the rotary plate, and a brake applying coil configured to apply a magnetic field to the magnetic viscous fluid. The torque applying unit includes a stator and a rotor. One of the stator and the rotor includes a magnet and the other includes torque applying coils inducing magnetic fields for generating the driving torque. A controller is provided to control currents applied to the brake applying coil and the torque applying coils. The torque applying unit is disposed to surround an outer periphery of the brake applying unit.

Abstract: A torque generating device includes a magnetic disk configured to rotate around a rotation axis, first and second yokes located on opposite sides across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk along a direction of the rotation axis, a third yoke of which at least a region proximity to the magnetic disk is located outside the magnetic disk and the coil and that makes up a magnetic path of a magnetic field generated by the coil with the first and second yokes, and a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and the first and second yokes. The third yoke has a magnetic gap between the third and first yokes. The magnetic gap is formed at a position outside an outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk or overlapping the outer peripheral edge of the magnetic disk along the direction of the rotation axis.

Abstract: An operating device includes a magnetic disk capable of rotational motion around a rotation axis, a first yoke located on one side and a second yoke located on an other side across the magnetic disk, a coil disposed to overlap the magnetic disk when viewed in a direction along a direction in which the rotation axis extends, a magnetic viscous fluid filled between the magnetic disk and each of the first yoke and the second yoke, a magnetic measurement portion for measuring magnetism caused by a magnetic field using the magnetic viscous fluid, the magnetic disk, the first yoke, and the second yoke as a magnetic path, and a control unit configured to acquire a measured value from the magnetic measurement portion and control a magnetic field that is generated by the coil based on the measured value to change a viscosity of the magnetic viscous fluid.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus, including a first near field communication unit that transmits a first wireless signal for performing first near field communication with a first communication object, a second near field communication unit that transmits a second wireless signal for performing second near field communication with a second communication object that is capable of being the first communication object, and a communication controller that controls the first and second near field communication units to perform the first or second near field communication with the first or second communication object when the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal are alternately transmitted, and existence of the first or the second communication object is continuously detected plural times through transmission of one of the first and second wireless signals.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus, including a first near field communication unit that transmits a first wireless signal for performing first near field communication with a first communication object, a second near field communication unit that transmits a second wireless signal for performing second near field communication with a second communication object that is capable of being the first communication object, and a communication controller that controls the first and second near field communication units to perform the first or second near field communication with the first or second communication object when the first wireless signal and the second wireless signal are alternately transmitted, and existence of the first or the second communication object is continuously detected plural times through transmission of one of the first and second wireless signals.