Are you wondering, what is BLDC Motor in a washing machine?
BLDC motor is one of the major boons of modern Science that has revolutionized how our machines work. BLDC is also known as a ‘Brushless motor’ as it does not comprise the Copper brushes that usually lead to the wear and tear and noises that your machines make during operation. The BLDC motor has made our machines durable, long-lasting, and silent. But what is the BLDC motor, and how is it different from the normal one? Let us find out more:
This motor type comprises two parts, namely the Stator and the Rotor. The Stator is the part that does not move. This is the part that is made from laminating sheets made from permanent magnets and wrapped in Copper windings. This is structured to create the ‘flux’ path for the magnetic field. On the other hand, the Rotor comprises the permanent magnet moving or rotating around Stator. This is also known as Armature. This specific feature of the BLDC motor is created by laminating soft-iron sheets bearing slots cut into them. Thus, the magnetic field created by the Stator generates the ‘Eddy Current’ in the slots featured in the Armature. This further generates the induced Voltage, thus, resulting in torque in the Rotor Shaft.
T = Tp x Ns x d2,
T= Torque created
Tp = number of poles
Ns = the slots in the number
D = the pole pitch
The above formula also explains the basic working of the BLDC motor. Here the torque created by the motor is directly proportional to the number of slots and poles. So, we can conclude that the more the number of poles and slots, the higher the torque.
Now, referring to the working of the washing machines, the increase in the winding directly increases the torque produced by the Single Rotor. Hence, the number of Slots and Poles can be increased to produce high torque.
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The BLDC Motor In Washing Machine
To better understand the working of the BLDC motor in the washing machine, we need to understand the working of the BLDC motor.
Generally, the BLDC motor is featured at the base of the Washing machine. Over this, the drum of the machine is positioned. The support over which the drum sits is known as the Agitator Shaft. This is attached to the motor shaft with the help of flexible coupling. The motor shaft movement causes the drum to rotate; hence, the washing machine starts its operation. The clothes within the drum move against each other, hence getting cleaned in the process. Therefore, for the washing machine to work fast enough to clean clothes better, it must feature a strong motor that can spin fast and clean the clothes properly.
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The Advantages of the BLDC motor
Now that we know what BLDC technology is, let us take a look at some of the benefits as well:
Highly efficient
As mentioned earlier, the BLDC technology is a breakthrough that ensures the efficiency of the working of the machine features. It has been reported that a BLDC motor increases the efficiency of the motor by 95%! This is in comparison to the Brushed DC motor. Here, the remaining 5% is lost as heat energy during the operation. Once again, this is in comparison to the Brushed motor, where the heat energy lost is about 80%.
High Torque
The BLDC motors are successful in increasing the torque and maintaining it as such throughout the operation. Hence this feature makes for one of the most important aspects of a good quality washing machine, where rigorous motion and high speed are vital for the better cleaning of clothes.
Silent Operation
The BLDC motor has revolutionized how machines work. One of the major aspects is the loud noise that emerges from the operation, resulting in discomfort. However, with the Brushless motor, one can expect silent operation as the noise created is of low frequency, hence less irritating to the human ears.
The Replacement Issue
One of the major issues in a normal motor is the need to replace the Carbon brush feature. The carbon brushes in the regular motor are required to transfer the electric current from Commutator to the Armature. But, in the brushless motor, one does not have to encounter such problems, as it does not feature any Carbon Brushes.
Commutator-Less Operation
Another breakthrough in the BLDC motor is the lack of a Commutator in working the machine. Hence, this directly translates to better efficiency of the motor as the chances of Power loss are reduced due to the Eddy current in the Commutator.
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What Is BLDC Motor In A Washing Machine?: The Conclusion
What is a brushless dc motor? Well, now you know all about the brushless motor and how it works. The brushless or the BLDC motors have found permanent features in most home appliances, whether small or large. This has helped in ensuring the higher efficiency and durability of the machine as such. Now, the appliances are getting as compact as they can be, thanks to the BLDC technology. Also, these are much less of a nuisance in comparison, as silent operation is also possible. However, there are a few drawbacks to the working of the BLDC motor as well:
- One of the major drawbacks is the cost of the BLDC motor compared to the Brushed one.
- There have been instances where low-frequency vibrations have been observed in a BLDC motor operation when you work at low speed.
- The working of the BLDC motor is not that simple, and this is because of the complex wiring it comprises. Also, the electronic control and the attachment to the electromagnets make the entire ‘technology’ rather complex working.
So, there you have it, people. These are some of the facts, features, and workings of the much-famed BLDC motors and what sets them apart from the regular.