Quick release latch using an electromagnet

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on designing a quick release latch using an electromagnet to counter a spring force of 9 Newtons. The current setup includes a bolt latch with a spring and an electromagnet measuring 7.45cm in length and 1.07cm in diameter, with 150 turns of wire powered by 8 AA batteries. A suggestion was made to switch to a solenoid design, which could improve efficiency by reducing the air gap between the coil and the ferrous bar. This design change could potentially allow the electromagnet to generate the required force to open the latch. The user plans to experiment with the solenoid concept to enhance the latch mechanism.
DruJohnson
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I am currently working on a quick release latch that is using an electromagnet to open the latch. I currently have a spring attached to a bolt latch. I would like the electromagnet to be able to counter the force of the spring opening the latch. the force of the spring is about 9 Newtons. Currently my electromagnet is 7.45cm in length and 1.07cm in diameter. I have about approximately 150 turns of wire around an iron core. The power supply right now is 8 AA batteries. What can I change to allow the electromagnet to exert a force of 9 Newtons? The attached document shows the design that I am working on.
 

Attachments

Engineering news on Phys.org
DruJohnson said:
I am currently working on a quick release latch that is using an electromagnet to open the latch. I currently have a spring attached to a bolt latch. I would like the electromagnet to be able to counter the force of the spring opening the latch. the force of the spring is about 9 Newtons. Currently my electromagnet is 7.45cm in length and 1.07cm in diameter. I have about approximately 150 turns of wire around an iron core. The power supply right now is 8 AA batteries. What can I change to allow the electromagnet to exert a force of 9 Newtons? The attached document shows the design that I am working on.

Welcome to the PF.

A more efficient way to generate the pull force is to use a solenoid design. That is where you have an air core coil, with a ferrous bar partially in one end. When you energize the coil, it pulls the bar all the way into the coil.

So you could attach an iron bar to the latch bar, or make an extended latch bar. Take the metal out of your existing coil, or wind a new coil that is close-fitting for the bar that will be pulled into the coil. I think you will get better force that way, because you don't have the large air gap between the coil and the bar to start with.


http://www.google.com/search?tbm=is...id+switch&gbv=2&aq=3&aqi=g10&aql=&oq=solenoid

.
 
Thank you. I will try the solenoid idea out.
 
Thread 'I thought it was only Amazon that sold unsafe junk'
I grabbed an under cabinet LED light today at a big box store. Nothing special. 18 inches in length and made to plug several lights together. Here is a pic of the power cord: The drawing on the box led me to believe that it would accept a standard IEC cord which surprised me. But it's a variation of it. I didn't try it, but I would assume you could plug a standard IEC cord into this and have a double male cord AKA suicide cord. And to boot, it's likely going to reverse the hot and...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K