BLDC Motors: A Motor Catering To the Needs of Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles utilize more than one form of energy for propulsion. Hence, a hybrid vehicle would typically have a conventional fuel tank and internal combustion engine, along with a battery pack and one or more electric motors. Hybrids require a reliable brushless DC motor for their electric aspects to work. In a hybrid vehicle, the electric parts serve to collect and reuse the energy, which typically goes to waste in a conventional vehicle.

Driving a hybrid car solely on electric power is possible if the system has sufficient battery capacity. The most well-known electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla make its electric sports car run 500 kilometers without recharging by using a very large package of battery. Electric-only operation can achieve and sustain a maximum distance and speed that varies from zero to hundreds of miles, and it may rely on factors such as the car's gross weight, aerodynamics performance, the capacity of the battery, and the horsepower of the motor. Using BLDC motors make sense in every way because they generate high torque with small size and are more efficient than other type of motors.

Brushless DC motors are synchronous electric motors that generate a rotating magnetic field by switching on and off the stator windings. And this rotating magnetic field move the rotor within the stator. Instead of a commutator and brushes, a brushless motor controller is used in BLDC motors to command and control the rotation. This way, BLDC motors have more advantages over brushed DC motors. One of the the highest advantages is the absence of a physical commutator and brushes. In another word, you have fewer parts to worry about, especially if they break, wear out, or need to be replaced, compared to when you use a brushed motor. Brushless DC motor can generate high torque up to 1000 Oz-in with large speed range, from 500 rpm to 30000 rpm rated speed.

BLDC motors are known to be more reliable, efficient, and durable, too. In most cases, BLDC motors have a lifespan of more than 10,000 hours. Moreover, they are capable of working in speeds of more than 20,000 rpm in both no load and rated load conditions. Likewise, they can operate with less electromagnetic interference and minimal noise due to the completely enclosed internal parts.

Any application that can work with a brushed DC motor can be substituted with a brushless DC motor. In some cases, BLDC motors are more efficient and highly preferred in specific types of applications, like in the case of hybrid vehicles. This is because of their ability to provide a good amount of power that is necessary at a low weight and a compact size. BLDC motors make sense in hybrid vehicles because they are low maintenance and have up to 80 to 90 percent high efficiency, even when operating in high speeds. They are known for their quick response, and they eliminate brush sparking, too.

This article is written by Jack Wang who is associated with GEMS Motor. Jack got his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, specialized in electric motor design.