Electric 'LEGO' Motor II
As the previous motor is not easy to build and it doesn't have too much torque, I decided to improve the design. This motor is more like "Pulse Motor" as it pushes the magnets with only one coil. With only 3 Volts, it have three times more torque that the previous one and is easier to build. (2/9/2007)
With only one coil, this motor produces more torque than the previous
Electic Motor
and the
easy-to-build
Beakman Motor.
First, I decided to invert the previous design and have the magnets rotating instead of the coil. I decided to use only one coil to reduce the wiring and make it easier to build.
Second, I glued the magnets to the main axle. I used hot glue to keep it together.
*** WARNING: Using hot glue may damage LEGO pieces. This page is for educational purposes, do not build this project. please read the Disclaimer at the main page.
I had to glue the magnets together with the same polarity on the same side (see photo)
Here is the "pulse motor" assembled. The coil is fixed and it is trigered by two pieces of aluminium foil glued to the axle. The aluminium foil is located exacly on the angle when the magnets are in slightly parallel to the coil, that creates a pulse that pushes the magnets and makes it to rotate.
I found a reed switch from an old printer and I decided to use it to trigger the pulse on the coil.
A reed switch is activated by a magnetic field, so, it needs to be on the exact location where the magnets may turn it when the coil needs to be pushed.
I glued the reed switch to a LEGO piece and tried it.
After locating the exact point that makes the motor run, I found it works like a dream, even better than the previous photo. The reed switch basically allows more current to the coil and reduces friction created by the aluminium foil.
With 3 volts (two AA batteries) I was able to make it run faster even with a load.
Here is a close up of the motor running using the reed switch.
I'm sure with two coils this motor will be fully functional. The coil was made with copper wire #30 AWG, about 40 to 50 turns.
WARNING: Neodimium magnets are dangerous. It may break and the pieces may fly away at high speeds, also it may pinch/crush your fingers as it as it may stick together because the strong magnetic field.
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