Mark Jason Gotas

BSME 4A

Electromagnetic Suspension System

Objectives

1. To better understand the mechanism of a suspension system.

2. To incorporate the application of electromagnetism in suspension systems.
3. To establish a study that elaborates and compares electromagnetic suspension from
mechanical suspension

Significance of the study

Driver and passenger comfort has been one of the biggest objective in designing a vehicle.
Both additional stability and maneuverability, as well as eliminating road irregularities which
causes the driver and passenger discomfort can be done with the help of suspension systems,
thus increasing both vehicle and passenger safety and comfort. But with a society driven by
technology, and technology advancing at an intense speed, it is only natural to keep up with the
times and improve machines to better suit the needs of the people. Research about creating new
ideas to mitigate the effects of excessive movement, shaking, or bumping from road unevenness
has been initiated ever since. Aside from the conventional mechanical suspension systems of
vehicles, electromagnetism to be incorporated in suspension systems is now being considered
as an alternative.

Background of the study

Vehicle suspension plays a huge role in the safety and comfort of both the vehicle and the
driver/passenger. Suspension systems contribute to the vehicle’s handling and braking for good
active safety driving pleasure, as well as keeping the vehicle occupants comfortable and ride
quality reasonably well isolated from road noise, bumps, vibrations and etc.

A suspension system is a mechanical system of springs or shock absorbers connecting

the wheels and axles to the chassis of a wheeled vehicle. It can also be understood as the system
of tires, springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels and allows
relative motion between the two.

A car suspension maybe classified as a dependent suspension or an independent

suspension. The dependent suspension has a rigid linkage between the two tires which means
the force on one wheel will affect the other wheel. The independent suspension system allows
both wheels to move vertically up and down independently from one another.

The flow of electrons from magnets produces the magnetic field and such type of devices
can be called as electromagnets. When there is a cut off in the flow of electrons or when the
current reduces, there will be a loss in the magnetic field. Generators, speakers, motors, hard
disks, etc. are some of the components where the electromagnets are commonly used. In the
case of industrial applications, electromagnets are very much used for industrial lifting of heavy
and scrap materials.

When applying Electromagnetism to suspensions, a rheostat is to be introduced. This

suspension is based on the repulsive force that is obtained by the electromagnets. It works on
the principle of ‘Faraday’s Law of Induction’ which states -The induced electromotive force in any
closed circuit is equal to the time rate of change of the magnetic flux through the circuit or The
Electromotive Force (EMF) generated is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux. When
compared to other conventional suspension systems, these electromagnetic suspension systems
provide much comfort and safety. This provides more efficiency to the vehicle, guarantees zero
percent vibration to the body of the vehicle, improved dynamic behavior and stability, and accurate
force control.

Methodology

The suspension system in many contemporary vehicles could be comprised of a front and
rear suspension module that are bolt to the inner side of an automobile. It is first important to
study the limitations of electromagnetism and how it can be enhanced when applied to a vehicle’s
suspension system. Investigating the dimensions for the chassis and the suspension system will
be a key component in designing our electromagnetic suspension. The use of a linear
electromagnetic motors at each wheel gives a complete and separate control for each wheel will
also be a variable in attaining more accurate results. A rheostat should also be applied to control
current so there is regulation in the electromagnetism. When all the key components and
dimensions/measurements are attained, design for concepts is then applied. When designs are
made, prototypes up for testing will be created and the analysis and evaluation of the prototype
shall be used to identify the errors and the faults of the design to further improve the design.

Reason

Car suspension plays a huge role in the comfort and safety of the occupants inside the
vehicle. I am curious of how electromagnetism can be incorporated or be used as an alternative
to the conventional suspension system.

References

[1] J. Rao, Feasibility Study and Design of Electromagnetic Suspension Systems, India:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

[2] Kashem, Study and Comparison on Linear Electromagnetic, Australia, Bangladesh.

[3] [Online]. Available: https://www.carbibles.com/guide-to-car-suspension/.

[4] P. Rensih, Vibration Reduction in AUtomobiles using Electromagnetic Suspensions System,

India.

[5] Khatavkar, Electromagnetic Suspension System, India: Automobile Engineering

Department, SCOE Kharghar, Maharashtra, India.