Do you know that the same motor that powers your weed whacker is the same motor in your electric car? It’s also the same technology that is used in industrial robots and actuators.
Are you familiar with brushless DC motors? They are the answer and advance in technology that we needed from brushed motors.
Keep reading to learn more about what a brushless motor is, how they are used, and their advantages.
What Are Brushless DC Motors?
There are a few categories of motors that are commonly seen in industrial applications. You will see brush and brushless. You will also see AC and DC motors.
So, from the name, brushless DC motors do not have brushes and use DC current. The best way to understand how these motors work is to understand how the brushed version work.
A brushed motor has a spinning component in the middle with magnets permanently placed around the outside. These parts are the rotor and the stator.
The brushes work to flip the polarity of the magnets so that the rotor can spin a full 360 degrees. Otherwise, it would only be able to go 180 degrees.
A brushless motor flips the position of the components. This way there is no need for the brushes to flip the polarity.
The magnets are on the rotor in the middle. And the electromagnets are moved to the outside on the stator. The rotor can freely spin the 360 degrees when the computer charges the stator.
What Are They Used For?
A brushless DC motor is perfect in any application where it is important to have quiet operation, such as air compressors. It is also the ideal motor to use when heat and temperature are a concern..
Consumer Applications
The washing machine and air conditioner in your home both are examples of a brushless DC motor in use. Both of these devices run for long periods of time, need to be quiet, and produce a low amount of heat.
Take a look in your garage and you’ll probably find many brushless motors powering your tools. Almost all cordless hand tools use a brushless motor. Your leaf blower and weed whacker will also have a brush motor.
Automobiles
hybrid and electric vehicles both depend on brushless motors. Electric bicycles also can have a brushless motor in the wheel hub.
Industrial
When it comes to industrial and construction applications, brushless motors come in handy when you need motion control, actuation, and positioning. Look to the pump, spindle, or fan drives.
These applications benefit from the high torque to weight ratio that brushless DC motors have. They also need quick and controlled response time.
The best part is that these motors aid in automation and remote control integration. This lets them have variable speed, motion, and position.
As we develop robots for assembly automation, brushless motors drive the linear actuators. That way they achieve precise positioning of the actuation process. The motors at https://assunmotor.com/dc-brushless-motor/ are a perfect example of the types of brushless DC motors that are used in actuating robotic machines.
Drones
As we look to the future, brushless motors will become vital in the production of drones utilizing multiple rotors. That way, the user can precisely control the drone through the use of a remote control.
How About the Advantages?
So what makes brushless motors so great? Why are they used in so many different applications?
Efficiency
The biggest advantage of using a brushless DC motor is that has an efficiency of 85 to 90%. This is higher than a brushed motor that can only give you 75 to 80% efficiency.
Longevity
A major downside of the brushed version is that the brushes will wear and eventually fail. This can create a dangerous situation such as sparking.
Quieter
When you use a brushless motor you can enjoy a much longer and quieter lifespan of your motor. The quieter sound is a result of the decreased friction from the lack of brushes.
Precision
You can also achieve much greater precision in motion control thanks to computer control. With the smoother operation comes less vibration and less movement. This allows for greater precision in the operation.
Cooler
As we all know, less friction equals less heat. Brushless motors have a very small amount of friction. Because of this, there is very little heat produced.
Increase in Power
When comparing the size and power output of brushed and brushless motors, you will find that brushless motors produce a significantly more amount of power for their size.
This is because there is very little mechanical contact. The lack of friction and the increase in electrical efficiency means that brushless motors have the ability to produce more power.
Smart Technology
Brushless motors can use smart technology to sense the level of resistance encountered. This allows for the motor to only use as much power as is needed to complete a given task.
This conservation of energy means your battery life is going to last significantly longer. It also puts less wear and tear on your tool the motor is in.
Brushless DC Motors in Your Life
With all of these advantages and the wide variety of applications, you probably encounter multiple brushless DC motors on a daily basis and don’t even realize it. So the next time you turn on the AC, or wash some clothes, or do some yard work, think about the motor that powers your chores.
As we move into the future and further automate the industrial process, the brushless motor is ideal. their longevity and precision make them ideal for even the most intricate of assembly.
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