Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Automation 2017, 7(4): 116-118

DOI: 10.5923/j.jmea.20170704.06

Design and Fabrication of Magnetic Braking System

James Valder*, Vishwas Naik, Zarnab Ahmed, Vishwajit Ghorpade, Daniyel Ahmed

Department of Mechanical Engineering, St Joseph Engineering College, Mangaluru, India

Abstract The conventional brake system depends on the principle of friction for operation. The braking system is one of
the most important safety systems in a vehicle. The ability of the braking system is to bring the vehicle to the safe controlled
stop. It is absolutely essential in preventing accidental vehicle damage, personal injury and loss of life. This study deals with
the concept and design of a magnetic braking system used in small and medium vehicles. In the present work one such
attempt is made by using magnetic field as a braking system.
Keywords Magnetic field, Neodymium magnets, Magnetic repulsion, Brake

1. Introduction • Magnetic rotor and stator

• Shaft
The brake system is one of the most important safety
• Bearings
systems on a vehicle. The ability of the brake system is to
• Neodymium magnets
bring the vehicle to the safe controlled stop is absolutely
• Fasteners
essential in preventing accidental vehicle damage, personal
• Spring
injury, and loss of life [1]. The conventional brake system
• Brake lever and cable
depends on the principle of friction for operation. Sliding
• Wheel
friction (kinetic friction) is the rubbing action of one object
• DC motor
sliding on the surface of another, such as a brake disk on a
• Battery
brake pad or a brake drum on a brake lining. The components
of the conventional brake system such as pad, drum, lining Figure 1 shows the model of a fabricated nylon material
etc. become worn out over time. Therefore, the components rotor and stator (frame). A shaft is a rotating machine
of the conventional brake system must be replaced element, usually circular in cross section, which is used to
periodically. In addition, friction produces heat, which must transmit power from one part to another. A bearing is a
be dissipated by the brake drum and linings or rotor and pad. machine element that constrains relative motion to only the
Heat caused by repeated severe braking and wears causes desired motion, and reduces friction between moving parts.
brake fade. So to overcome these permanent neodymium A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or
magnets are used. [2-4]. These magnets having high affixes two or more objects together. A spring is an elastic
magnetic repulsion and attraction force helps in braking object used to store mechanical energy. Springs are usually
effect [5]. These are totally friction less. Due to this, they are made out of steel. Brake levers are the small metal levers
more durable & have longer life span. These brakes are an mounted on the handle bars that, when pulled, actuate the
excellent replacement over the conventional brakes due to brakes (by means of either pulling a cable or compressing
their many advantages. Magnetic brake doesn’t require any hydraulic fluid) to bring the vehicle to a halt. A wheel is a
interfacing relay. Due to its non-grease bearings, the pins of circular component that is intended to rotate on an axle
magnetic brake do not require any friction buster. So this can bearing. Neodymium magnets are shown in Figure 2.
be implemented in the lighter vehicles and work handling Figure 3. illustrates the arrangement of a magnetic braking
devices to reduce wear in brakes. system working with the magnetic repulsion forces. It
consists of rotor and a stator (frame) which is hinged at one
end and whose surfaces are slotted to fix the arrangement of
2. Principle of Working neodymium magnets. This setup is coupled with a DC motor
on right hand side as an axillary driving setup and connected
2.1. Parts Involved
with a wheel on left hand side which then converts the
magnetic forces in to braking action with the help of lever
* Corresponding author:
jamesv@sjec.ac.in (James Valder) action mounted on the setup. Brake cables are attached to the
Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/jmea stator (frame) and intern connected to the lever. The
Copyright © 2017 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved specification of neodymium magnets are listed in Table 1.
 Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Automation 2017, 7(4): 116-118 117

Figure 1. Schematic representation of the model of a fabricated nylon Figure 4. Magnetic braking system
material rotor and stator (frame)
2.2. Working
The repelling of magnetic forces is used to stop the wheel
or to bring the rotor at the rest. In present setup the motion of
the wheel occurs due to supply of power from battery to the
motor as an axillary driving system. This wheel is brought
into rest or neutral with the help of a magnetic rotor and
casing, where permanent magnets are placed. When brake
lever is operated brake cable pulls the free end of the casing
(frame). When this casing comes closer to the magnetic
repulsion force gets locked by the magnetic field of other
repulsion of permanent magnet and thus when the magnetic
flux passes through and perpendicular to the rotating rotor
Figure 2. Neodymium magnets [6] the flux developed by the magnets on the frame opposes the
rotating wheel/rotor direction [2]. This results in the rotating
wheel or rotor comes to rest/ neutral. Figure 4 shows the
magnetic braking system setup.

3. Conclusions
A magnetic brake for lighter automobiles and human
handling devices such as stretchers and wheel chairs has an
effective braking system. In addition, by using these
magnetic brakes the life of the braking unit can be increased.
This magnetic braking system is found to be more reliable
as compared to other braking systems.
Figure 3. Schematic representation of magnetic braking system

Table 1. Specification of neodymium magnets [6]

Product Code: F645-N35H REFERENCES

Shape: Disc
[1] H.D. Wiederick, N. Gauthier, D.A. Campbell, & P. Rochan
Magnetic Face: 20mm diameter (1987) "Magnetic braking: Simple theory and experiment",
Thickness: 3mm American Journal of Physics 55:500–503.
Grade: N35H
[2] M.A. Heald (1988) "Magnetic braking: Improved theory",
Plating: Ni-Cu-Ni (Nickel) American Journal of Physics 56: 521–522.
Material: NdFeB
[3] Y. Levin, S.L. Da Silveira & F.B. Rizzato (2006)
Pulling capacity 2.5 kg "Electromagnetic braking: A simple quantitative model",
Performance (Gauss): 3700 American Journal of Physics 74:815–817.
Vertical Pull (Kg): 2.5
[4] Nice and Karim (2000-08-22). "How Power Brakes Work".
Slide Resistance (Kg): 0.5 Howstuffworks.com. Accessed on December 12, 2016.
Max Temp (degrees C): 120
118 James Valder et al.: Design and Fabrication of Magnetic Braking System

[5] "What is a Strong Magnet?” The Magnetic Matters Blog.

Adams Magnetic Products. October 5, 2012. Accessed on
December 12, 2016.
[6] "An Introduction to Neodymium Magnets". NdFeB-Info
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