Shock absorbers or Shocks in short, are an important motor part to make our vehicle ride comfortable. These shock absorbers reduce the unpleasant effect of driving on uneven and bumpy roads by absorbing the shocks. There are different types of shock absorbers based on different basic concepts and mechanisms however, in two wheelers, generally, spring shock absorbers combined with gas pressure and fluid mechanism are used. Kalpita Prakash Patil from Maharashtra, India has used magnetic force to make her own shock absorbers.
An accident because of worn out shock absorber of her two wheeler made Kalpita to innovate something which is different from what is available. Kalpita is a diploma holder in computer science. Coming from the science background, she could think of making a shock absorber using the principle of magnetic force. She put like poles of magnets of same property and strength together and according to their nature they maintain a constant distance between them.
The features of the magnetic shock absorber
This magnetic shock absorber comprises of two circular magnets and a straight cylindrical rod which can be used as axle. One magnet is made the base magnet by fixing it at the bottom of the rod. The other magnet is placed so that it is free to float and its like pole faces the base magnet. Since same poles of magnet repel each other, the two magnets always maintain a certain distance between them. As the load put pressure because of shocks, the floating magnet moves towards the base magnet up to the point where repulsive force again becomes strong enough to force it back.
This shock absorber is advantageous over the spring based shock absorber as it gets less wear and tear than spring based shock absorbers because of less friction.
Support and Recognition of the grassroots innovation
Kalpita was well supported by his family in her Endeavour of making a prototype of magnetic shock absorbers. They helped her in getting the specific materials needed to do experiments.
National Innovation Foundation (NIF), a non-profit autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has recognized and awarded Kalpita's innovation in its biennial national competition for unaided green grassroots innovation and traditional knowledge.
An accident because of worn out shock absorber of her two wheeler made Kalpita to innovate something which is different from what is available. Kalpita is a diploma holder in computer science. Coming from the science background, she could think of making a shock absorber using the principle of magnetic force. She put like poles of magnets of same property and strength together and according to their nature they maintain a constant distance between them.
The features of the magnetic shock absorber
This magnetic shock absorber comprises of two circular magnets and a straight cylindrical rod which can be used as axle. One magnet is made the base magnet by fixing it at the bottom of the rod. The other magnet is placed so that it is free to float and its like pole faces the base magnet. Since same poles of magnet repel each other, the two magnets always maintain a certain distance between them. As the load put pressure because of shocks, the floating magnet moves towards the base magnet up to the point where repulsive force again becomes strong enough to force it back.
This shock absorber is advantageous over the spring based shock absorber as it gets less wear and tear than spring based shock absorbers because of less friction.
Support and Recognition of the grassroots innovation
Kalpita was well supported by his family in her Endeavour of making a prototype of magnetic shock absorbers. They helped her in getting the specific materials needed to do experiments.
National Innovation Foundation (NIF), a non-profit autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has recognized and awarded Kalpita's innovation in its biennial national competition for unaided green grassroots innovation and traditional knowledge.