Initial Phase
Thinking about how to arrange magnets on a pole passive suspension.
Consulting Tony and Jeremy
Block Diagrams
Design 1: Pure Magnetic Suspension
Design 2: Magnetic-Spring Hybrid
Design 3: Magnetic-Pneumatic Hybrid (abandoned lmao)
Prototype
First proof of concept for passive pure magnetic suspension.
Changes
Tried to design a motor activated by induced current to move the suspended magnet if the shocked magnet moves such that the distance between them is always the same.
Realised this is incredibly complicated, unfeasible with digital devices, and will give rise to new problems (like the effects cancelling each other, giving no useful effect) or impossible situations (like requiring infinite/negative extension or contradicting ourselves). ABANDONED.
New design that uses no electronics. Uses electromagnetic suspension to generate eddy currents to damp movement.
The aluminium can is for eddy currents to flow so as to generate a resistive force that can dampen the shocks.
While earlier tests with an aluminium plate showed significant current generated and force that can be felt, it is more difficult to achieve with the aluminium can due to many reasons:
- The magnets in the prototype is not close enough to the aluminium such that the magnetic field is strong enough to generate significant current.
- The prototype is wobbly, so if the magnets are placed too close, it may make contact with the aluminium can, and friction would be a more significant resistive force than the induced magnetic force.
Improvements
Decided to try out using an IMU to sense rotation and a servo motor to correct the rotation (like a gimbal) so that rotation does not affect our measurements (and for an extra smooth ride on the suspension system).
Final Product