A LINAK® electric linear actuator with a brushless DC motor takes performance to new heights. It ensures smooth and effective operation throughout a long service life in even the most demanding applications.
Curious about the main technology behind our actuator with a brushless DC motor? Let Hunter give you a walk-through of the BLDC motor, and discover how it differs from a standard brushed motor.
How does a brushless DC motor work?
A brushless DC motor, also known as a BLDC motor, is driven by direct current (or DC electricity) and uses an electronically controlled commutations system.
Like all motors, a brushless motor has a stator and a rotor as its major parts. The rotor is made of permanent magnets, and the outer part – the stator – has several copper windings depending on the number of magnetic poles on the rotor. These windings are placed in slots which are axially cut along the inner periphery of the stator.
The motor is running when the rotor is spinning inside of the stator. Electronics make the rotor spin by inducing a series of magnetic fields in the copper windings that can push and pull the permanent magnets in a sequence that ensures a continuous rotation.
What is the efficiency of a brushless motor?
The efficiency of a brushless motor is the relationship between power input and power output measured in watts.
The brushless motor is a highly efficient motor type with potential low energy loss from input to output.
The Hall effect sensors always know the position of the rotor, and therefore they can be used to regulate speed.
In the context of actuators, this means that you can obtain a constant speed even when increasing the load on the motor.
What is the main benefit of a brushless DC motor?
BLDC motors have a longer service life. Unlike a motor with brushes, the brushless motor does not have constant physical contact between the brushes and the commutator. As there is no friction wearing down the brushes, the brushless motor has a significantly longer service life than a motor with brushes.
There are two main types of DC motors that are commonly used: Brushed motors and brushless motors, also known as BLDC motors. Brushed motors utilise brushes for commutation, which is the process that makes the motor spin. On the other hand, brushless motors replace the need for mechanical commutation with electronic control.
Depending on the specific application, either a brushed or brushless DC motor can be employed. Both types operate on the fundamental principles of attraction and repulsion between coils and permanent magnets.
