Development of a new magnetorheological fluid–based brake with multiple coils placed on the side housings

In this research, a new configuration of magnetorheological fluid–based brake with multiple coils placed on each side of the brake housing (multiple side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake) is proposed, optimally designed, and evaluated. With this configuration, the multiple side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake is expected to provide higher braking torque and more compact size than the traditional magnetorheological fluid–based brake. After a brief introduction about the development of magnetorheological fluid–based brake, the configuration of multiple side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake is proposed. Braking torque of the proposed magnetorheological fluid–based brake is then analyzed based on the Bingham plastic rheological model of magnetorheological fluid. The optimization of the proposed multiple side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake, the magnetorheological fluid–based brake with one coil placed on each side of the brake housing (single side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake), and the conventional magnetorheological fluid–based brake is then performed considering maximum braking torque and mass of the brakes. Based on the optimal results, advanced performance characteristics of the proposed magnetorheological fluid–based brake are figured out. In addition, experimental works are conducted to validate the performance of the proposed multiple side-coil magnetorheological fluid–based brake.