Skip to main content
Log in

Design and use of an eddy current retarder in an automobile

  • Published:
International Journal of Automotive Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the structure and working principles of an eddy current retarder acting as an auxiliary brake set is introduced in detail. Based on the principle of energy conservation, a mathematical model was developed to design a retarder whose nominal brake torque is 1, 900 N·m. According to the characteristics of the eddy current retarder, an exclusive test bed was developed and used for brake performance measurements. The main technical parameters, such as the brake characteristics, temperature characteristics and power consumption, were measured with the test bed. The test data show that the brake torque of the eddy current retarder obviously decreased in the continuous braking stage and that there is a certain amount of brake torque in the normal driving state because of the remnant magnetism of the rotor plate. The mathematical model could be used to design an eddy current retarder. The exclusive test bed could be used for optimization of an eddy current retarder as well as for R&D of a series of products.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Reference

  • Cadwell, L. H. (1996). Magnetic damping: Analysis on a eddy current brake using an airtrack. Am. J. Phys. 64,7, 917–923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He, J. Q, He, R. and Yi, F. Y. (2003). Design method of eddy current retarder in automobile. Automotive Engineering, 10, 110–118. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Heald, M. A. (1988). Magnetic brake: Improved theory. Am. J. Phys. 56,6, 521–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, K. and Paek, K. (1999). Optimal robust control of a contactless brake system using an eddy current. Mechatronics, 9, 615–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lian, B. X. and Ding, S. S. (2000). Electromagnetic retarder working principle and brief introduction of one application case. J. Hefie University of Technology, Nature Science Edn, 23(S1), 912–915. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. Y. and He, R. (2008). Numerical analysis and experiment of unsteady thermal field of rotor plate for eddy current retarder. Chinese J. Mechanical Engineering 21,4, 71–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, C. Y., He, R. and Yi, F. Y. (2004). Effect and trend of eddy current retarder in heavy-duty automobile. Bus & Coach Tec, 3, 15–18. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Schieber, D. (1974). Braking torque on rotating sheet in stationary magnetic field. Proc. IEE 121,2, 117–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schreck, H., Kucher, H. and Reisch, B. (1992). ZF retarder in commercial vehicles. SAE Paper No. 922452.

  • Simeu, E. and Georges, D. (1996). Modeling and control of an eddy current brake. Control Eng. Practive 4,1, 19–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiederick, H. D., Gauthier, N., Campbell, D. A. and Rochon, P. (1987). Magnetic brake: Simple theory and experiment. Am. J. Phys. 55,6, 500–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yi, F. Y., He, R., Liu, C. Y. and He, J. Q. (2004). 3-D finite element analysis of eddy current retarder. J. Traffic and Transportation Engineering 4,2, 30–35. (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Y. Liu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Liu, C.Y., Jiang, K.J. & Zhang, Y. Design and use of an eddy current retarder in an automobile. Int.J Automot. Technol. 12, 611–616 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-011-0071-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-011-0071-3

Key Words

Navigation