In this modern world, people are looking for more advanced, comfortable, economical, and safer vehicles. Automobile manufacturing companies are working on the manufacturing and development of vehicles with modern technology like the introduction of magnets because of the exceptional properties of the magnet. Magnets are substances that have the capacity to attract or repel electromagnetic particles or objects. The two major types of the magnets are temporary and permanent. Permanent magnets have strong and consistent magnetic strength but temporary magnets have the magnetic strength till the flow of current.
Magnets have different types of applications in different components and systems of the automobile. In this article, the various applications of magnets in the Automobile industry are explained in detail as and how these magnets are making automobiles safer and more comfortable.
The alternators and generators are the mechanical devices used to transform the mechanical energy into electrical energy. These devices are essential components of internal combustion engine vehicles. In the rotor assembly of the generators and alternators, magnets are used. The magnetic field is produced when the engine is working and current is induced in the winding of the stator. The produced current is rectified and used for powering the sensor, entertainment systems, and lights, and charging the batteries of the vehicles. The magnets used in the generators and alternators of the IC engine vehicles improve fuel efficiency and overall efficiency because the load is reduced. The generation and distribution of the power are very reliable and efficient due to the strong magnetic field in the generator.
The most important applications of the magnets are in the motors and powertrains of hybrid and electric vehicles. The rare earth neodymium NdFeB magnets are the permanent magnets that are widely used in motors. These permanent magnet motors produce mechanical power with a small amount of electric energy. The properties like thermal stability and magnetic strength of the magnets decide the efficiency and power output of the motors. The overall efficiency of the hybrid and electric vehicles are increased by the application of permanent magnets in the vehicles because of improved energy conversion efficiency and high torque density.
The actuators and solenoids are the parts of the vehicles and work with the help of a magnetic field. The electrical energy is converted into the mechanical motion in the solenoid with the help of the magnetic field. The heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system (HVAC), transmission systems and management of engine functions are controlled by the solenoid and actuators. The working of the solenoids and actuators is based on the magnetic field. The functions of the vehicle are controlled precisely by actuators and solenoids.
There are a variety of electronic systems installed in the latest technology vehicles and sometimes electromagnetic interference disturbs the functions of electronic systems. Electromagnetic interference filters and shielding substances are used to protect electronic systems from external disturbance. The navigation, entertainment, management of engine and safety are done effectively by preventing the electromagnetic interference.
The pumps are used for the supply of fuel from the tank to the engine. The efficiency of the pumps used in the vehicles is improved by using the magnetic coupling in the pump.
The magnetic clutches are used in the vehicles to control the movement and operation of the vehicles. In these types of clutches, there is no physical contact between the plates, and torque is transferred with the magnetic field. So there is less wear and tear and less maintenance is required. The efficiency of the clutches to transfer the power is also increased.
The monitoring and control of the vehicle functions are done with magnetic sensors. The applications of the magnetic sensors in the automobile are explained as follows:
The position sensors used in the vehicles work with the magnetic field produced by the magnets. There are different position sensors like pedal sensors, gear position sensors, and throttle position sensors. These sensors are used to detect the position. The real-time information is sent to the control system through these sensors which further control the vehicle’s performance.
The speed of each wheel of the vehicle is detected by the speed sensor. These speed sensors have magnets for sensing the variation of speed of the wheel. The data of speed variation by the sensors is supplied to the ABS ( Anti-Braking system) for blocking the skidding and wheel lockup during the acceleration and braking of the vehicle.
The level of fluid, position of pedal and position of doors in the vehicles are detected by the hall-effect sensors. The magnets are used in these sensors for the detection of variations of parameters in the vehicle. The safe and efficient operation of the vehicle is ensured with the use of Hall Effect sensors.
Magnetic Ride control systems are used in the vehicles to provide a comfortable ride to the passenger through its magnetorheological fluid suspension system which changes the stiffness of the shock absorber in case of uneven or worn-out roads. The viscosity of magnetorheological fluid varies when interacts with the magnetic field lines. The sensors detect the variation of wheel speed and share the data with the control system and the control system activates the suspension system for further action to control the stiffness of the shock absorber so that passengers feel comfortable while riding on the poor condition roads.
The wireless charging systems are used in the latest models of the electric and hybrid electric vehicles. The wireless charging of these vehicles is possible with the magnetic field induction. The energy effiency and storage capacities of the batteries used in the electric vehicles are increased with the use of magnets in the batteries.
The wheel position sensors are used in the steering mechanism of the vehicles for sharing the data of wheel movement to the control unit of the vehicles. These wheel position sensors work with the magnetic field. The accurate positioning and control of the cameras and LIDAR sensor of the autonomous driving system of the vehicles are functional with the magnetic field produced with the magnets. The autonomous driving system is the system through which the vehicles are run without drivers and this is possible if the navigation and detection is perfect. The use of magnets in the sensors and controlling unit of this system has made detection and navigation very efficient.
The converters and inverters are used in the electric and hybrid vehicles for conversion of electric energy into mechanical energy so that vehicles can work. These inverters and converts have magnets and these help in the efficient transmission of the power between the batteries, motor, and mechanical system of the vehicle.
The safety and efficiency of the vehicles have been increased by using the magnets. There are different scenarios in which the efficiency and safety of the vehicle are improved.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is a device in which magnet wheel speed sensors are used for measuring the speed of the wheels and data of speed is shared with the control system of the anti-braking system (ABS) for action. In this way, the safety of the vehicle is ensured. The traction control system is a system that controls and maintains the stability of the vehicles. The traction of the driven load wheel is prevented by the anti-lock braking system and working based on the magnetic field. The overall road safety is enhanced with the advanced driver assistant system (ADAS), in this system, the factors of the vehicle and environment are detected and measured with the magnetic sensors. By monitoring and controlling the fuel quantity for the engine according to the requirements and conditions, the consumption of fuel is reduced and fuel efficiency of the vehicles is increased. The effective utilization and management of the energy is possible with the use of magnets in the generators and sensors. The energy losses are minimized because use of a magnetic field requires less number of transferring mediums.
The magnets have a variety of applications in the vehicles these have become the essential and most desired parts of the vehicle. Every component of the vehicle has a magnet or is dependent on the principle of magnetic field. The actuators/solenoid control, functioning of sensors, operation of motors, generation of electric energy, control of brakes and clutches, navigation and steering control, and music systems work with the help of magnets. These operations are essential for a vehicle. The performance, efficiency, and safety of automobiles have been increased with the use of magnets in the vehicles. Automobiles can be made more advanced and comfortable by working on the design and development of magnetic materials and adopting innovative ideas.
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