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BLDC

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BLDC

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Brushless DC (BLDC) Motor Drives -

Introduction –
BLDC Motor-
A Brushless DC (BLDC) motor is a type of electric motor that operates on direct
current (DC) but, as the name suggests, does not use brushes for commutation.
Instead of relying on mechanical brushes and a commutator to reverse current in the
windings (as in traditional brushed DC motors), a BLDC motor uses an electronic
controller to switch the current in the stator windings, which creates a rotating
magnetic field that drives the rotor.
Which is better BLDC or DC motor?
The absence of brushes means there is no physical contact causing wear and tear,
which translates to a longer lifespan for the brushless DC motor.
BLDC motors exhibit higher efficiency since they do not lose energy through friction
and heat generation associated with brushes.

Why BLDC motors are used?

Brushless motors offer several advantages over brushed DC motors, including high
torque to weight ratio, increased efficiency producing more torque per watt,
increased reliability, reduced noise, longer lifetime by eliminating brush and
commutator erosion, elimination of ionizing sparks from the commutator, and an
overall reduction of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Construction of BLDC Motor


A BLDC motor is an electric motor that uses direct current to operate without any
brushes and a commutator.
A BLDC motor has three main components: the stator, the rotor, and the Hall effect
Sensor.
.
Stator: The stator is the stationary part of the motor that contains the windings. The
stator provides a magnetic field that interacts with the rotor to produce torque.
Rotor: The rotor is the rotating part of the motor that contains permanent magnets.
The magnets are arranged in a specific pattern, opposite to that of the stator. The
interaction between the magnetic fields of the stator and the rotor produces rotational
movement.
Hall effect Sensor or Electronic controller: The Hall effect Sensor is the brain of
the motor. It is responsible for controlling the flow of current to the motor windings.
The controller also senses the position of the rotor and adjusts the current accordingly
to ensure smooth and efficient operation.

Working Principle of BLDC Motor:

The working principle of BLDC motors is based on the interaction between the
magnetic fields of the stator and the rotor. The stator produces a rotating magnetic
field, which interacts with the permanent magnets on the rotor, producing a torque
that causes the rotor to rotate.

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 The Hall Effect Sensor plays a crucial role in the operation of the motor. It
controls the flow of current to the motor windings based on the position of the
rotor.
 The controller senses the position of the rotor using sensors or Hall effect
devices mounted on the stator.
 These sensors detect the position of the magnets on the rotor and send signals
to the controller.
 Based on the signals from the sensors, the controller adjusts the flow of current
to the motor windings to ensure that the magnetic fields of the stator and rotor
are properly aligned.
 This ensures that the motor operates efficiently and smoothly, without any loss
of power or vibration.

Brushless DC Motor Drive


 In BLDC, the electronic controller circuit energizes appropriate motor
winding by turning transistor or other solid state switches to rotate the motor
continuously.
 The figure below shows the simple BLDC motor drive circuit which
consists of MOSFET bridge (also called as inverter bridge), electronic
controller, hall effect sensor and BLDC motor.
 Here, Hall-effect sensors are used for position and speed feedback.
 The electronic controller can be a microcontroller unit or microprocessor or
DSP processor or FPGA unit or any other controller.
 This controller receives these signals, processes them and sends the control
signals to the MOSFET driver circuit.

In addition to the switching for a rated speed of the motor, additional electronic
circuitry changes the motor speed based on required application.

These speed control units are generally implemented with PID controllers to have
precise control.

It is also possible to produce four-quadrant operation from the motor whilst (at the
same time) maintaining good efficiency throughout the speed variations using
modern drives.

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Applications of BLDC Motors

Due to their efficiency, reliability, and precision, BLDC motors are widely used in
various fields, including:

1. Electric Vehicles (EVs): BLDC motors are used in EVs for driving the
wheels, offering efficient, high-performance operation.
2. Drones: BLDC motors are ideal for drones because they are lightweight,
powerful, and efficient.
3. Industrial Automation: Used in CNC machines, conveyors, robotics, and
other precision machinery where accurate control of speed and position is
required.
4. Consumer Electronics: Found in applications like computers (hard drives),
cooling fans, and home appliances (air conditioners, washing machines).
5. Electric Bicycles (e-bikes): BLDC motors are commonly used to drive the
wheels of electric bicycles because of their efficiency and smooth torque
delivery.
6. HVAC Systems: Used for driving fans and blowers with high efficiency and
low noise.
7. Power Tools: Many power tools, such as drills and saws, use BLDC motors
for their high torque and reliability.

Advantages of BLDC Motors

 Higher Efficiency: They have less friction (no brushes), reducing power
losses, resulting in more efficient energy conversion.
 Lower Maintenance: The lack of brushes and commutators means there's less
wear and tear, which reduces maintenance requirements and increases
lifespan.
 More Reliable: Brushless designs are less prone to failure from wear, making
them more reliable than brushed motors.
 Smooth Operation: Due to the absence of mechanical commutation, BLDC
motors provide smooth operation with less vibration and noise.
 Better Power-to-Weight Ratio: Ideal for applications requiring high power
in a lightweight package, such as in drones, power tools, and robotics.

Disadvantages of BLDC Motors

 Cost: BLDC motors can be more expensive to manufacture than brushed DC


motors due to the need for an electronic controller and precise rotor
positioning.
 Complexity: The control electronics and feedback systems (like Hall sensors
or sensorless control) add complexity to the drive system, which may require
more advanced designs and development.
 Control Requirements: Proper speed and position control require
sophisticated controllers and algorithms, making the motor system more
complex.

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Comparision between traditional dc motor and BLDC motor

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