This Car Travels Farther Than You Push It

Tom Stanton2 minutes read

A motor prototype resembling perpetual motion was built by Laser Saber using magnets and coils, with the motor acting as a generator when spun by hand. After initial design failures, a redesigned trike-style car with a 5:1 gear ratio, 8 coils, and a capacitor was successful in converting stored energy and traveling further in comparison tests.

Insights

  • Kinetic energy in spinning tops is lost to air resistance and friction, affecting its motion.
  • Laser Saber developed a motor using magnets, coils, and axial flux configuration, which, when spun by hand, acts as a generator, charging a capacitor, and successfully powers a redesigned car with a 5:1 gear ratio, illustrating the efficient conversion of stored energy for propulsion.

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Recent questions

  • How does a motor generate energy?

    By converting kinetic energy into electrical energy.

  • What is the purpose of a reed switch in a motor?

    To control the timing of the motor.

  • How does a gear ratio affect a car's performance?

    By adjusting torque and speed output.

  • What components are essential for a motor to function as a generator?

    Magnets, coils, and axial flux configuration.

  • How does a generator car differ from a regular car in terms of energy conversion?

    Generator car converts stored energy into mechanical energy.

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Summary

00:00

Magnetic motor powers car with stored energy.

  • Spinning a top gives it kinetic energy lost to air resistance and friction.
  • Laser Saber built a motor resembling perpetual motion using magnets and coils.
  • Prototype motor built with magnets, coils, and axial flux configuration.
  • Motor's timing controlled by a reed switch for proper functioning.
  • Motor can act as a generator when spun by hand, charging a capacitor.
  • Attempt to adapt motor to power a car with front wheel coils and magnets.
  • Initial car design fails due to lack of torque, requiring a gear ratio adjustment.
  • Redesigned trike-style car with 5:1 gear ratio, 8 coils, and capacitor is successful.
  • Comparison tests show generator car travels further due to stored energy conversion.
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