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Permanent magnet retarder

This is our eddy-current brake system using the magnetic force of a powerful neodium permanent magnet, the first in the world.

Outline

The Neotard Retarder is the world's first eddy-current brake system that generates braking force using the magnetic force of the world's strongest neodymium permanent magnet. This lightweight, compact system is installed as the auxiliary brake system on many heavy-duty trucks and buses. To comply with environmental regulations that are becoming stricter every year, automotive manufacturers are reducing running resistance and engine displacement for better fuel efficiency and emission control. However, these measures work against braking performance.

Did you know that the number of major accidents by commercial vehicles per year is about 3,700, and that trucks cause about 70% of these? Sixty percent of these truck accidents are collisions. It is always too late when one says, "If only the brakes had worked better."
Weighing only 40 kg, the permanent magnet-type retarder has drastically changed the image that retarders are heavy and bulky. It promises an even higher class of safety and comfort.

Characteristics

  • The world's smallest and lightest, and easy to install
  • Non-contact brakes make troublesome maintenance unnecessary
  • Virtually no power consumption compared with electromagnetic retarders
High praise from users
"Once you've tried it, you can't drive a truck without it." Every driver who has driven a truck with the permanent magnet-type retarder says the same thing. Do you think that retarders are expensive and troublesome? Do you think they are difficult to maintain?
The permanent magnet type is radically different -- a breakthrough over traditional retarders. So what's the secret?

No. 1 is safer operation.

- You prevent accidents with powerful braking action -
The braking power of the Neotard Retarder is roughly equal to that of an engine brake and exhaust brake combined. In high-speed driving, deceleration time is reduced 40%. Braking distance is shortened by over 30%. In addition, the brake lining is kept cool, which allows for full braking response in an emergency, giving the driver a greater sense of security.

No. 2 is driver advantages.

- Less fatigue thanks to easy handling -
You can count on the Neotard Retarder for braking on downhill grades of up to 5%. Simply set the lever once and drive as normal. It works strongly but also softly, which means no concern about your load shifting. The frequency of foot braking is cut by about 50%. This greatly contributes to less driver fatigue.

No. 3 Maintenance

- Maintenance-free -
When you think of retarders, do you think of troublesome maintenance? It's true that traditional retarders had annoying problems like retarder coil burnout and oil leaks, and periodic oil changes were an extra job. However, the Neotard Retarder requires no maintenance at all. And, thanks to its simple construction, there is no need to worry about failure.

No. 4 is its business merit.

- A quick return on your investment -
Once the retarder is installed, the frequency of applying the foot brake decreases and the brake lining temperature can be kept low. As a result, the brake lining wear also slows down dramatically. As much as 6-times longer lining life can be expected. Uneven tire wear is also reduced, meaning a longer life for your tires. In this way, your investment will be returned before you know it.

The data itself proves the safety and economy performance.

[Deceleration Performance (On level road: from 100 km/h to 80 km/h)] Exhaust brake only: Required time 16Sec. Neotard + Exhaust brake: Required time 10Sec.
[Stopping distance with brake (Full braking at 80 km/h)] Without Neotard Retarder: Stop distance75m With Neotard Retarder: Stop distance50m(35% improvement)
[Brake application frequency (175 km between Miyoshi IC and Yamaguchi IC on the Chugoku Motorway)] Without Neotard Retarder: Footbrake applying frequency50 With Neotard Retarder: Footbrake applying frequency25(50% improvement)
[Brake lining life (per 1 mm lining thickness)] Without Neotard Retarder: Traveled distance30,000 km With Neotard Retarder: Traveled distance180,000 km(6 times!)
[Tire life] Without Neotard Retarder: Traveled distance230,000 km With Neotard Retarder: Traveled distance280,000 km(20% longer)

* The above data was obtained from tests carried out on a 20-ton GVW truck. It should be considered only as an example, and none of the figures should be considered a guarantee.

Explore

Mechanism

Structure
The construction of the permanent magnet type retarder is very simple. There are two main components: a rotor and a stator. The stator is attached at the rear of the transmission. It has a series of magnets with strong magnetic force on its interior. The rotor is a steel ring with many fins.
Operation
The operation of the permanent magnet-type retarder is also simple. It is switched ON and OFF by compressed air supplied by the vehicle itself. This assures high reliability and superb response.
Operating principle
The operating principle of the permanent magnet-type retarder is also simple. A series of magnets inside the stator is arranged so that any given magnetic pole faces the opposite magnetic pole of the adjacent magnet. When the retarder is switched OFF, no force is exerted on the rotor because the magnets are positioned straddling the pole pieces, and the magnetic circuit moves only through the pole pieces.
When the retarder is switched ON, a compressed-air cylinder rotates the magnet series by one-half magnet length, repositioning all the magnets directly beneath the pole pieces. When this happens, the magnetic circuit bridges the pole pieces and passes through the rotor, generating an eddy current on the inner surface of the rotor. This becomes the source of the braking force.

Controls

The permanent magnet-type retarder is easy to operate.
  • Pull the exhaust brake lever two steps toward you The retarder will operate when you take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
  • Move the foot brake interlock switch to the Interlock side to turn it ON The retarder will operate when you step on the foot brake.

Installed models

The Neotard Retarder is installed in the trucks and buses listed below.

Isuzu: GIGAMAX/GIGA
type CAR TYPE Assignment Engine type
Turbocharged Non-turbocharged
Semi tractor Optional Optional
Full tractor Optional Optional
Cargo
（GVW20～25t）		 6×4 Standard on GVW 25, 23t trucks. Others depending on the model. Standard on GVW 25, 23t trucks. Others depending on the model.
6×2 Standard on GVW 25, 23t trucks. Others depending on the model. Standard on GVW 25, 23t trucks. Others depending on the model.
8×4 low floor Standard Standard
6×4 low floor Standard Standard
Dump truck Optional Optional

* Available on the 4-ton model (FORWARD).

Hino: PROFIA TERAVIE
type CAR TYPE Assignment Engine type
P11C K13C
Semi tractor SH − Optional
Full tractor FN − Standard
Cargo
（GVW22～25t）		 FS 6×4 − Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder)
FR 6×2 Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder) Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder)
FN 6×2 front Optional Optional
FW 8×4 low floor Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder) Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder)
FQ 6×4 low floor − Selection option (Neotard Retarder or engine retarder)
Cargo
（GVW16～20t）		 FN 6×2 front − Optional
FQ 6×4 low floor − Optional
FH 4×2 − Optional
Mitsubishi SUPER GREAT
type CAR TYPE Assignment Engine type
Turbocharged Non-turbocharged
Cargo and dump
（GVW20～25t）		 FV 6×4 − J,M,P,S,T,U
FU 6×2 L,N,P J,L,N,P,S,T
FT 6×2 front L,N,R,T,V L,N,R
FS 8×4 low floor − R,T
FY 6×4 low floor J,T J,N,R
FP 4×2 − F,H,J,L,N,T

* Letters show the available wheelbase types

* All optional

Availability on buses for each make
Isuzu Motors Hino Motors Mitsubishi Motors
GALA Series S'ELAGA R Series AERO Series
Installed as standard on large vehicles for highways
Installed as an option on sightseeing rental vehicles
Installed as an option on mid-size vehicles		 Installed as standard on large vehicles for highways
Installed as an option on sightseeing rental vehicles		 Installed as an option on large vehicles
(Larger vehicles: EX sightseeing vehicles and larger)
  • The above lists are for information only and may differ depending on specifications.
  • Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation regulations make installation of retarders mandatory on Class 2 Motorway Buses.
  • Contact dealer for details.

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