Apple Inc.

Colin Szechy

Jack Erdozain, Jr

Jeffrey A Sewell

Johnny L Wall

A motion control system that can detect a change in a an operating characteristic and send a stabilizing command to an actuator system based on the change is described. A motion control component in the system includes a first component with an electropermanent magnet having a coil, differing first and second permanent magnet materials, and differing first and second states. The motion control component includes a second component configured to magnetically interact with the first component to define a damping characteristic that affects motion between the first component and the second component and a controller configured to supply a current pulse to the electropermanent magnet to switch the electropermanent magnet between the first and second states. The electropermanent magnet retains the respective first or second state after cessation of the current pulse.

Motion control system with electropermanent magnets

A stability control system that detects a change in a vehicle operating characteristic and sends a stabilizing command to an actuator system based on identifying the change is described. The actuator system applies a first magnetic field having a predetermined strength to an electropermanent magnet for a predetermined duration based on receiving the stabilizing command. The first magnetic field transitions the electropermanent magnet from a first state to a second state. The electropermanent magnet generates a second magnetic field in the second state. The second magnetic field modifies at least one of a spring constant or a mechanical resistance of a suspension component within a suspension system of the vehicle, and the electropermanent magnet retains the second state after the predetermined duration in absence of the first magnetic field.

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Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Colin Szechy